Land of Strength and Sorrow

by Cassandra Fear

Cappa took her hand. “Yes, Princess, and now, you are going to meet your very own Kobolds.”

  She’d heard of the Kobolds. Rat-like humans that hid in the walls of the mountains. She’d always been told to steer clear of them and anything different from her. Of course, if she’d stayed away from the Fairies she never would have learned of their allegiance to King Ryan.

  Her father had it all wrong. Meeting the people you ruled helped you to be a better leader. Hiding proved coward, and wrong, in so many ways.

  King Ryan knew nothing of the people and creatures of Central Orendor. It seemed as if he’d given them what they wanted and never bothered with them again. If Jovi succeeded and saved him, she’d make sure he changed his ways. He had to for the good of the kingdom. If he didn’t, well, she hadn’t a clue what she would do, but it would be figured out. Eventually.

  Cappa still held her hand and pulled her beside him. The land here was lumpy enough to make her watch her step. Patches of grass stood out against dark brown dirt that felt wet under her feet, as if it had rained recently.

  The mountain towered over them as they inched their way closer. They dodged an occasional thin tree, but none of them grew very tall here, and they were spread out as if nothing grew well in this part of Orendor.

  Beady red eyes glowered from behind a tree. The small creature, which resembled a squirrel but had the body of a cat, climbed up the tree, sat on a branch, and watched as they passed by. Jovi shivered. She didn’t know much about the creatures in the land. Would the squirrel-cat harm them? Or was it just curious? She didn’t know, but she made the decision to pay more attention when Giselda tried to teach her things.

  Jovi released Cappa’s hand as they came to the mouth of a cave at the base of a mountain. She bent her neck back, not able to see the top from where she stood. It was so tall, taller than she’d thought when she watched it as they’d walked toward it.

  Cappa grinned at her. “I feel we should at least stop and say hello.”

  Jovi tugged on his hand and stopped him. “We don’t have time for this. And how do you even know the Kobolds, if you didn’t grow up here?”

  Cappa clicked his tongue. “I don’t know them. I know of them. But, since they are part of your kingdom, perhaps it will do you good to see them.”

  “Okay. Whatever you say.” The sun had risen high over their heads and showed their daylight wasting away. Already two days, gone, just like that. Only five days left. An impossible mission faced her. One she had no clue how she would ever finish in time.

  Cappa let her hand go, but only when they’d reached the base of the mountain. An opening awaited them and Jovi ducked as she entered. Darkness surrounded her, at least for the first couple of steps, but then candle sconces lined the walls, letting her see without using her hands as feelers.

  It smelled like dirt and rain, almost like nightcrawlers. Jovi used to catch them as a little girl. Bugs had fascinated her back then, especially worms. It amazed her how they could breathe while immersed within the dirt.

  She stopped and examined one of the candles on the wall. They were very uneven, some fatter at the top than on the ends. They had to be homemade, here, right inside the mountain. Taking another step, she raised her chin and met the beady eyes of a Kobold. The creature moved like a rat. He slunk around for a few steps, then rushed forward, his tail scraping across the ground. As he moved, the long whiskers on his face bobbed up and down, and his nose flicked back and forth as he smelled the air. When he smiled, he revealed sharp fangs mixed among human-like teeth.

  Jovi wasn’t scared, but her feet were frozen right where they stood. She didn’t want to make any sudden movements to frighten the creature, either. If she did, this chance meeting might go a lot differently than she wanted.

  “This is not your home. You’re trespassing, so tell me who you are.” The creature’s raspy voice rang out and he sounded like a snake hissing every “S” he spoke.

  Jovi moved, her back hitting Cappa’s chest. His warmth gave her the strength she needed. When Gorn, Fink, and Berty came around and stood in front of her, her heart swelled and she stood taller.

  “I am Princess Jovi of Orendor. I am here to introduce myself.” Jovi smiled at him. “I mean you no harm. I only wanted to meet the Kobolds living within the walls of Mount Soumahalla.”

  He snaked forward and took Jovi’s hand. Cappa tensed behind her, his arms moving around her sides. The Kobold kissed the back of her hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess Jovi. I am Dagu, leader of the Kobolds. Please come inside. Your father, King Ryan, is a wonderful ruler. He has helped us so many times.”

  Jovi had never heard any of this. She’d thought her father hadn’t known anyone outside of Kingsperch. Had she been wrong? First, the Fairies told her about his kindness, but what had he done for the Kobolds? She had to know.

  Jovi leaned closer. “How has he helped you?”

  Dagu grinned. Fur covered his face, except for his forehead, where deep wrinkles stretched, looking more like scars. He wore a brown, long-sleeved shirt and brown pants that blended with the color of his fur. “There have been many times when resources were scarce, Princess. All it took was a letter to your father and supplies, food and clothing, medicine, you name it, showed up at our mountainside doorstep. Your father is kind and we would have lost many without him.”

  Jovi couldn’t think about any of that right now, so she gestured to the others. “These are my friends. Cappa is my guard, who has kept me safe on my journey. These children are Giants, Gorn, Fink, and Berty.”

  Dagu’s thin lips parted. “Wow. Giants. Who would have known any remained?”

  Gorn raised his eyebrows. “What’s that sp’osed to mean?”

  Jovi glared at Dagu, then glanced behind her at Cappa.

  Cappa took her hint and stepped from behind her, squatting in front of the three Giants. “Nothing. He meant nothing. Giants just aren’t seen much anymore.”

  Fink raised a fist in the air. “’Course they aren’t. ‘Cause they hidin’ now. People scare ‘em, they do.”

  Berty nodded in agreement.

  Dagu steepled his hands under his chin. “My word. Giants.” He blew out a breath. “What a remarkable day.”

  Behind Dagu, beady red eyes shone in the dark. Jovi had known there had to be more Kobolds, but she hadn’t seen them, until now. They must have been excellent hiders.

  “We must get to The Mammoth Fields tonight, without delay. I am searching for my Uncle Meical. We seek his help in an urgent family matter.”

  Dagu nodded. “Yes, the Fairies came and told of us the trouble at the castle. How the Frost Mages took your parents hostage in their own home. I’m sorry about everything. If there is anything you need, feel free to ask.”

  There was something she needed. A place this large, even larger than she’d once thought, would prove very useful in one specific way. It looked safe, and the Kobolds, although rough on the outside, she could tell their insides shelved hearts of the brightest gold. Since he stood as their leader, he inevitably inspired the rest of them, right? A kind soul floated in his eyes. She might not know any of them well enough to call them friends, but she trusted her instincts and they screamed to trust the Kobolds. To trust Dagu.

  In order to make the best time, they required fewer travelers. Gorn, Fink, and Berty needed somewhere safe to stay. Jovi had marched into a battle she had no clue if she’d win. If things went bad, the Giants could easily be killed and she’d never forgive herself. Instead, she would have liked to see them stay here, safe, and away from trouble.

  Once everything subsided and the threat on her kingdom fell away, they would be reunited with their father and stay in touch with her. Until then…

  She leaned down in front of them. They regarded her with so much pride her heart hurt, making her hesitate to say the words she needed to say. After several seconds passed, Jovi took a deep breath, and met their eyes. “Guys, I know you don’t want to leave my side now that you’ve had some fu
n, but I need you all to stay here. The journey I’m on is going to get dangerous from this point on.”

  Gorn stood straighter. “We lives for danger!”

  Jovi stroked his cheek. “I know you do. But, I want to keep you safe so I can take you to your father one day. So, would it be too much to ask you to stay here and help the Kobolds?”

  Fink shook his head. “No. We wants to stay with the pretty Princess Jovi.”

  Berty’s eyes filled with water.

  The cave spun around Jovi, and threatened to take her with it, but she stayed focused. Her chest felt like a woolly mammoth sat on her, so heavy she couldn’t bear it. Such a short time had passed since she’d found the Giants, but they came to mean so much to her so fast. She wanted to help them, more than anything, to save their father.

  But she didn’t want them hurt. “I know you do, Fink. And I understand, but Dagu and his friends will take good care of you. I will see you again, in only four or five days’ time. Will you stay here and wait for me to return?”

  Berty rushed forward and wrapped her thick arms around Jovi so tightly she couldn’t draw a breath, but she didn’t care.

  Gorn and Fink followed, knocking Jovi over as they all but fell on top of her. After they’d had their fill, they all stood and helped Jovi to her feet. Gorn held his hand out, shaking Jovi’s. “We’s stayin’ right here. We’s be here when you return. We’s promise.” Fink and Berty both nodded their agreement.

  Berty took a long breath. “But, do you’s have to leave right aways? Can’t you at least stays for suppers?”

  Dagu raised his brows at her. “Our food will give you the strength you need to see you through your journey. It would be my pleasure to have you all as guests.”

  Jovi bit her lip and eyed Cappa, who just shrugged at her. She looked at the Giant children, who stared up at her with wide eyes. Oh, who was she kidding? She couldn’t tell them no, even if she wanted to. Which she didn’t.

  “Of course, we’ll stay for supper.”

  Dagu crooked his long finger. “Then, please, follow me.”

  Jovi pressed her lips together, but followed behind Dagu, weaving through long, winding tunnels deep underneath the mountain. It smelled musty, but earthy and real, and Jovi kind of liked the smell. It reminded her of days when she sat outside the castle on a small patch of grass and dug in the dirt with her fingernails as she pulled clumps out, building her own castles out of mud.

  But that was a long time ago, and she didn’t need to think of her long-lost childhood, especially since she only had glimpses of one. Her father had never been a cruel man, but he’d never let her be a kid, either. Luckily, her mom had snuck her outside quite a few times.

  After a few minutes, the tunnels opened up to a wide cavern. But Jovi didn’t know if that was the right word to describe it. It stretched up and up, so far she couldn’t see the top, only a black hole that rose higher and higher. Ledges wrapped around the sides and climbed at an angle, crossing back and forth in the center only to spin higher and higher. And off the ledges were doors, all different colors with names painted on each, but Jovi had to squint to read them. They looked like surnames, maybe family homes?

  If only she could go inside and see what hid behind the doors. Her curiosity had been piqued for sure.

  Maybe there’d be time for that later, but for now Dagu waddled forward, his long tail dragging over loose rock, the sound so loud Jovi heard nothing else.

  But, in the distance, she listened to chatter, and lots of it. They moved through the cavernous room and a wide doorway until the bright glow of candlelight blazed warm throughout the next room.

  A long, wooden table sat in the middle of the room. The walls were coarse, but looked to be painted a golden color that enhanced the glow from the flames. And in the corners were pictures of Kobolds, some old and some young, but all smiling, their sharp teeth clasped together and heads thrown back in laughter.

  Jovi smiled and circled around, taking in all the paintings. They had a talented group among them. And to think, she’d never known a thing about them.

  “Sit, Princess. The food will be brought out momentarily.” Dagu took a seat on the dirt floor. There were no chairs, only the table, which sat low to the ground.

  Jovi didn’t hesitate. She didn’t want the Kobolds—the same ones who sat around the table, staring at her with their beady eyes—to think she was rude. So, she tucked her legs under her and sat, resting her elbows on the table.

  Her mouth parted as the Kobolds held up their forks and knives and started clanging them against the table. And then everything got really interesting.

  A line of furry, happy creatures filed through the narrow doorway at the opposite end of the room from where Jovi had entered. They wore aprons of varying colors and held trays with one hand. Their eyes gleamed from the thick smiles on their faces.

  It’s almost as if they danced out, turned in circles, and set the trays all along the table. As a unit, almost like they’d been choreographed, they raised the lids at the same time. Steam rose through the room and the smells…Oh, the smells.

  Jovi’s mouth salivated so much she had to shut it so her slobber didn’t drop on the table. There was red meat, hunks and hunks of it, the juices running down the slices to form pools at the bottom of the tray. Potatoes sat in the next tray, and parsnips came next, mingled with a bunch of carrots.

  And those were more like appetizers against the chicken and the whole pig resting on the table. When Dagu had said feast, he’d meant it. And Jovi dug in and took a bite of everything.

  The parsnips tasted fresh, like they’d just been dug from the earth. The carrots were much the same. The potatoes were full of starch and cooked just the way she liked them, almost mushy as they melted in her mouth with a full butter flavor.

  She didn’t think she could eat another bite, and as she chewed up the red meat, her mouth savored the juicy flavor on her tongue She had stuffed herself so full she couldn’t swallow anything else. But even as the others finished, the cooks came out once more, and they carried trays and trays of desserts.

  Strawberries hovered over some kind of vanilla cake with cream swimming around them. Some kind of blueberry tart, and even a lemon cake, which smelled so much like the one her mother had the cooks make for her just a few days ago.

  She tried a bit of each, even though she thought she might explode. And they were all as good as they looked.

  After, she stretched her legs in front of her and lied back, wrapping her arms around her stomach.

  Cappa grinned over her. “Eat too much, Princess?”

  She nodded, then groaned. “I feel sick.”

  And she did. Her stomach grumbled and pulled and tugged her down into a not so peaceful oblivion. She groaned again.

  Dagu waved a hand over her face, and instantly her stomach stopped hurting.

  Jovi sat up, her mouth parted. “How did you—”

  Dagu ran a hand along the tip of his tail. “Orendor is filled with magical creatures, Princess Jovi. We are of the earth, yes, but we obtain a power to heal as well. We are actually quite good at it. You were in pain. Now you are not. And if you wanted, you could continue to enjoy the lavish foods in front of you.”

  Jovi waved her hands in front of her. “No, no. I don’t think that’s necessary. I already feel like I gained about fifty pounds from everything I stuffed into my stomach. But, it was delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever had food quite so good.”

  “Not even at the castle?” a small Kobold on the other side of the table asked. His fur was grayer, not as brown as Dagu’s, and he had a long dark stripe down the top of his head. “I always imagined everything at the castle to be better.”

  Jovi shook her head. “It isn’t. And the company here is a lot better too.” She winked.

  The little Kobold laughed and turned away. He chatted with his friend sitting next to him, but they glanced at her over and over. Jovi couldn’t stop the heat that spread over her cheeks.

/>   Cappa stood and rubbed his stomach. “I thank you, Dagu, for the wonderful food. It was spectacular, but I fear we have to go now. It must be getting late.” He held out a hand to Jovi.

  She took it and let him help her to her feet. “Yes. We must go. Thank you, all of you. I promise I will come back as soon as I can.” She directed this to the Giant children, who hadn’t even noticed her with all the food before them. Jovi chuckled.

  Cappa’s hand went to the small of her back to lead her out of the cave, but she went to Dagu first. “Keep them safe.”

  Dagu nodded once.

  “Say it. Say you will protect them.”

  “I will. I promise. As if they were my own children.” Dagu touched her arm. “There is no need to worry.”

  She leaned forward so only he could hear her and spoke right in his ear. “Don’t tell them about the Giants. Not yet. I might have a plan to save their father. But it could take time. I don’t want to upset them if there’s no need.”

  Dagu turned his head back to her. “I will keep the secret, Princess Jovi. Now go. Save your parents and Central Orendor from the Frost Mages. Before it’s too late.”

  Jovi stood, letting Cappa lead her out of the room. They stepped through the tunnels and outside just as the sun had descended to the horizon. Only a small peak of its rays showed, making the sky swirl with colors, even as the outline of stars shone in the background.

  The time had come. Her uncle waited for her over the threshold, only he didn’t know it, yet. She remembered the map and pictured it again. Only one area remained after Mount Soumahalla: The Mammoth Fields. Whether ready or not, she would come face to face with her uncle, and beg him for help she desperately needed. Hopefully, he felt charitable tonight.

  Outside the mountain, the land flattened and stretched, which made it effortless for Jovi to find her footing in the dark. When the sun shrank from the sky, a half-moon took its place. She stopped and stared for longer than she should, but the beauty took her breath away, and for a moment, she forgot the dire circumstances surrounding her.