Land of Strength and Sorrow

by Cassandra Fear

  Meical nodded, even though he looked hesitant. “Magic is a scary thing, but if you believe what she said, then we’ve no time to waste. Let’s get a small group together and go.”

  Jovi took a moment to look around. The darkness had turned to a milky blue, which meant the sun would soon reveal itself. Past the tents sat a small pool of water, surrounded by the only trees in the area. By the water, a group of woolly mammoths drank, so large they rubbed against one another to fit.

  Her mouth slackened and she couldn’t believe the sight. Her feet moved of their own accord, but strong arms gripped her before she could go to the creatures.

  Cappa stood beside her. “Come on, Princess. Gather your things and get ready. You will see your first woolly mammoth, up close and personal, in just a few moments as we’ll be riding them.”

  Jovi smiled. “I can’t wait.”

  “I figured you’d say that.” He nudged her side. “Now, find your bag, change your clothes, whatever you need to do. The sun will be rising on the fourth day, which means we have four full days before they will kill your parents. We have to move and quickly.”

  His words, albeit a little morose, had the desired effect. She snagged her bag from the ground in front of the largest tent and slung it over her shoulders. Looking down at herself told her the clothes she wore were fine. There would be no need to change. They’d be on the road for quite some time still, so what she looked like didn’t matter.

  She braided her unruly hair and fastened it to hold, then met Meical as he exited his tent. “I’m ready, Uncle. Now let’s go.”

  “Gladly.” With a snap of his fingers, three others surrounded him. “This is Gideon, and this is Simone, one of our only women warriors. Most of the women in the camp don’t fight, but Simone here is fierce.” Meical grinned and it made his eyes gleam. “And you know Bastien. They will accompany us.”

  All three bowed their heads and she smiled up at them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I hope the journey won’t be too strenuous on any of you.”

  Bastien laughed. “We live for adventure, Princess Jovi. The first thing you should know about us.”

  Jovi chuckled, an image of the Giant children saying the same thing playing through her mind. “What’s the second?”

  “You’ll find out.” Bastien winked, which sent heat spiraling into Jovi’s face. For some reason, his words made her shake with nerves.

  Meical smacked his arm. “Leave my niece alone. She’s off limits.”

  Jovi’s blush heated another notch. She’d been right to be nervous. He had insinuated something improper. Her instincts were accurate. Would she ever learn to trust them?

  She trailed Uncle Meical to the pool and her heart raced with excitement. Her first woolly mammoth…would it let her pet it? She rubbed her hands together as she gawked at the creatures.

  I’ll find out soon enough, she happily thought.

  Jovi glided over to the water as if entranced, her eyes never leaving the woolly mammoth in front of her. His ivory tusks jutted from his long trunk and curled back toward his eyes, as if they might stab them at any moment. As Jovi neared, she realized they weren’t that close to his eyes, not really.

  His heavy breaths and grunts tickled her ears as she circled the large beast. His shaggy gray fur clumped in sections and hung loose in others. His oval eyes were the size of Jovi’s palm. They focused on her as she came to his front and he nodded his head, down then up, down then up, and blew out air as he stomped his humongous foot onto the soft earth under him.

  “Wow.” Jovi’s exhale released the word, even though she hadn’t meant to. Never had she seen something more magnificent. More amazing. So many “mores” could be said, but she couldn’t find the right words in her head.

  With an outstretched hand, she touched his fur. A sound shot through the air, like the loudest horn she’d ever heard. She flinched, and jumped back while she wrapped her arms around her core in protection. Not that she could ever have protected herself against a creature so big.

  Her heart flounced in her chest as she gained some control.

  A moment passed before Meical slapped the mammoth on his backside. “That’s enough of that, Horn. You know better. Jovi’s our guest, and family at that. Be nice.”

  The woolly mammoth, Horn, snorted, as if he thought the whole ordeal was funny. Perhaps he did. If I’d been the woolly mammoth, I’d probably be cracking up at my reaction, she thought.

  Cappa chuckled and came up behind her, so close if she leaned back half a step she’d be against him. “That guy doesn’t like you too much, huh?”

  Jovi narrowed her eyes at him. “Maybe I just startled him.”

  A smile lingered in Cappa’s bright eyes. “Or maybe he just hates you.”

  She tucked her hands into her sides and rested them just on her prominent hips, putting as much disdain in her gaze as she could. “Maybe he hates you.”

  Cappa reached over and stroked his fur, and no sound came from the mammoth. In fact, it looked as if he might have leaned into the touch. Cappa tilted his head to the side, slanted back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Mmm-hmm. As I thought. He hates you.”

  Meical’s laugh soared through the air and seemed to bounce off the thin trees around the small pool. “Actually, he hates women. It isn’t personal. He’s just always preferred men to ride him. Not sure why, either. No woman ever hurt him. Maybe it’s your long hair. He could be jealous of it.”

  Her jaw fell to the ground as he snickered. It took her a minute to pick it back up. “Your own hair is long, so that makes no sense.”

  With a wink, he fastened a bag to the side of Horn. “Yeah, but mine’s pretty.”

  She shook her head. “Well, I’m glad I’m so outnumbered. Surrounded by a bunch of men. This trip should be fun.”

  A terrible war cry smacked the air. Jovi’s body stiffened and she froze, although her eyes jerked every which way. She searched and found nothing, tensing even more.

  “What was that?”

  Meical swatted at air. “Damn these Fire Mages.” His gaze darted to Gideon. “Get her to camp and guard her.” He moved his eyes to Cappa. “Can you fight?”

  Cappa nodded.

  “Good. We are about to be attacked. They always give themselves away. Remember, if a big ball of fire comes flying at you, duck.”

  Jovi’s chest constricted until she felt like she couldn’t breathe. How could he be so calm? In fact, it looked as if he was dealing with a fly swarming around his head instead of actual Mages attacking his camp.

  She didn’t get it. She had no words. Good thing because Gideon took her elbow and yanked her behind him. She ran to keep up and together, they reached camp quicker than she had expected. A horn blasted, not the sound of the mammoth, but an actual horn, low and resounding. She risked a glance back toward the water and saw the source of it resting against her uncle’s lips.

  The sun had crested the horizon, but had not yet lit the sky. Gideon tried to tug her into a tent, but she put her foot down. “No. I will watch from here. If they get close, I will hide, but not until then.”

  Gideon nodded, respect shining from his eyes. “As you wish.”

  She hadn’t heard him say anything before, but his voice came out high-pitched and coarse at the same time, a combination that took her by surprise. She didn’t have time to think about that now, though. Not when her eyes were glued to the action happening in front of her, and she couldn’t peel her gaze away even if she tried.

  Balls of fire flew through the darkness, aimed at the mammoths and the warriors beside them. More of Meical’s men rushed from the camp and surrounded their leader, spears and swords readied to slice their enemies. Some even carried bows, but they stayed back and aimed. At what, Jovi didn’t know, unless they thought the fireballs could be shot out of the air.

  She saw nothing, no people, only glowing fire and Meical’s warriors. For a minute, she thought her uncle had faced the enemies, tried to speak to them, but then
he drew a long sword from a scabbard at his waist and rushed forward, yelling his war cry for all to hear. The others followed without hesitation.

  Jovi had to get closer. She crept forward, only to be stopped by another hand at her elbow. Her babysitter.

  He could watch over her all he wanted, but he wouldn’t stop her from seeing the fight. She spun and let her eyes move around until she dropped her jaw, pointing behind the camp. “There’s one back there! He’s coming!” A momentary flutter of guilt filtered through her stomach, but as soon as Gideon turned, she flipped toward the battle and rushed past her watcher toward the small pond.

  Gideon’s footfalls were close enough to be heard, so she went faster, not stopping until she reached the trees they’d stood at what seemed like moments before. Pressing her back into one of the trees, she didn’t attempt to go any further. She had no clue what came over her, but for some reason, she had to see this.

  Some of the mammoths remained at the small pond, moving as a herd. Their slow steps pounded into the ground, but their large bodies made it almost impossible to see a thing. Until she wove around them.

  Her hand covered her mouth as her uncle chopped and cut through Mage after Mage with his sword. Blood sprayed from open wounds as the Fire Mages fell, one by one. In truth, there had only been about twenty of them, but the Mammoth Riders worked them over. Arrows whooshed through the air right in front of her, and she realized she stood directly behind a row of archers.

  She peered over her shoulder and took in Gideon, who now stood directly behind her. She wouldn’t meet his eyes, afraid he’d tear her away before she could see the warriors return.

  But they had already returned, all in one piece. A couple of them had red burns bubbling up from their skin, but those could be remedied easily enough.

  Meical looked past her to Gideon when he came back. “What is she doing all the way out here?”

  Gideon shrugged. “Why don’t you ask her?”

  Jovi’s cheeks heated. “Listen, Uncle. I’m not a child. I’ve never seen a Fire Mage. I’m sorry, but I had to see.”

  A knowing look passed from Meical’s face toward Gideon, as well as a few others that had circled them. “She had to see. Can you believe that?” A laugh soared from his mouth. “A woman who wants to see a battle. You don’t see that every day, fellas. Take your fill and be gone. Tend the wounded. And watch that border. They will keep coming.”

  Jovi raised her eyebrows. “Does this happen often, Uncle?”

  He nodded and a haunted look passed over his face. “Almost every day, but never at the same time. They like to keep us on our toes. Of course, their fire doesn’t burn us too badly, no matter when the attack comes.”

  Everyday? How could he stand it? Peace would always be an illusion as long as he stayed here and dealt with this. If he hadn’t taken residence here, Jovi assumed the Fire Mages would have already invaded Central Orendor. While Meical and his Mammoth Riders kept them at bay, she knew if they got past them, the people of Kingsperch wouldn’t stand a chance.

  Her father needed to thank Meical because without him, their land would be forever lost. The Frost Mages didn’t seem half as bad anymore, not in light of the others.

  Meical smiled at her. “No need for worries, niece. We have fought them off, and we’ll continue to do so as long as we are able.” He smeared a line of blood from his forehead. “Now, let me wash my face, and then we can leave.”

  “But what about your people?” And where had Cappa gone?

  Meical sighed. “My people will be fine. They are trained for battle.”

  Jovi nodded, her eyes not focused on her uncle, but all around him.

  Meical chuckled. “I suppose you’re looking for that handsome guard of yours?”

  Jovi’s face turned hot.

  “He’s waiting by the mammoths, eager to start our journey. You should go there, too. My warriors and I will join you within a few minutes.”

  Jovi said nothing, just jogged toward the camp where the mammoths had moved. Once she got there, she breathed a sigh of relief, taking in Cappa with no marks on his face. She stopped in front of him and let her hands roam over his cheeks, his arms, everywhere, as she examined him for any hidden wounds.

  Cappa grinned at her. “Princess, no need to worry your pretty little head. I’m fine. Not even a scratch.”

  Jovi frowned. Her gut had clenched when she’d realized she couldn’t find him, and the worry had taken root in her core, sprouting up through her until it had taken over. Had she grown so close to him so fast, or did she just depend on him to help her? She feared the first answer, but the second option made her seem selfish. Either way, she didn’t want to think about either possibility. Not right now. Maybe not later, either.

  Shoving her thoughts to the back of her mind, she fiddled with the end of her braid. “I’m glad.” Her hands fell to her side. “I was a bit worried, I guess.”

  Cappa’s brows wiggled. “Were ya now? I never would have guessed.”

  She playfully slapped his arm. “Stop that.”

  He rubbed his arm where she’d slapped him, even though Jovi knew she hadn’t hurt him. “Man, Princess. Those muscles of yours…maybe you should be fighting on the front lines.”

  Another slap to the arm and they both found themselves laughing. Jovi had grown rather fond of Cappa. He’d been her hero, her guide, and her friend. Even though she didn’t know his full story, she knew enough about him to see they had a connection, a strong one.

  And that made her limbs shake more than any other revelation.

  A guard. She was falling for a guard. It had a nice ring to it.

  What am I doing? I can’t fall for him. I barely even know him, Jovi chastised herself.

  But, it didn’t matter. The fondness she held for him had started to spread, and if she didn’t find a way to stop it, her heart might be at risk. No matter what she felt, she could never marry a guard.

  And that realization woke her up more than anything else could.

  The rising sun had begun to float over her skin as Meical, Bastien, Gideon, and Simone returned.

  Meical’s arm wrapped around her. “Come on, little lady. What do you think about riding behind me on the biggest mammoth we have?”

  Jovi pressed her lips together, not sure how to put words to the thoughts in her head without insulting her uncle, but she had to try. “Horn is large, Uncle. And beautiful. But…mammoths aren’t the fastest creatures. How will we ever make it to the cabin in time?”

  Meical tilted his head and his chin hit his chest. “Don’t you worry. I’ve some tricks up my sleeves, and, I know a shortcut.”

  Thank God for shortcuts. Without one, we’d never have a chance, Jovi realized.

  Meical lifted her up to a small ladder, which hung from the side of Horn. It took her a minute before she got her footing, but when she did she hiked herself up, and crawled to the top. The mammoth didn’t have a saddle like a horse, only a thick, wool blanket of blue and white, or silver, patterns. A crest circled the middle emblem of two ivory tusks.

  When Meical sat in front of her, he wrapped a blue and, definitely silver, cloak around himself, the same crest emblazoned in the center.

  “Is that the sign of your village?” Jovi asked.

  Meical peeked over his shoulder. “It’s the crest of the warriors in the land, Jovi. The Mammoth Riders stick together, no matter what lies ahead of them. The tusks bind us, forever.”

  Jovi wished she could be a part of something like that. Instead, her fate waited for her inside a stuffy old castle as she ruled a land she knew very little about. Thankfully, she’d already started changing that.

  Her people, as well as the creatures of her land, would all be important to her. She’d invite them to the castles for lavish dinners and dances, games and fun. She wouldn’t live as her parents did, secluded and holed up inside brick walls.

  As the mammoth began the journey, Jovi quickly realized something. Although he may be slow, his stride
s were long, so it evened out in the long run.

  She rolled her gaze behind her, finding Cappa sitting in back of Gideon. With a little wave, she turned back and enjoyed the views from so high up.

  Meical grabbed the rope around the mammoth’s neck and turned him to move past the camp.

  Jovi peered around his shoulder. “Where are we going? The cabin has to be back that way, the way I came in.”

  Meical greeted her words with a smile. “I told you I had a shortcut.”

  He did tell her that, but he told her nothing more. Jovi leaned closer to his back. “What is the name of this shortcut?”

  “It is Beastly Pass.” He hit her with a wink.

  Jovi gulped. That doesn’t make it sound very endearing.

  It didn’t help that she’d never heard of it before in her life.

  Before she knew it, she’d placed her palm on Meical’s shoulder. “Will this be dangerous?”

  “Compared to Fire Mages and Frost Mages, this will be cake, niece. Beastly Pass is named for the creatures that live within it, but as long as we stay to the narrow road, we’ll make it through by midday. Which means we’ll be at the cabin by evening, giving us plenty of time to head back out and gather whatever ingredients the witch, I mean sorceress, demands.” He stretched his own hand over his shoulder and patted the top of hers. “Don’t worry. We’ll make it.”

  “Three days have passed already. I have less than four left.” To save them, the thought came straight from her soul.

  A pang flitted through her chest and smacked into her heart. She raised her hand and covered it, but it did nothing to take the pain away.

  They rode in silence after, and by the time the sun peaked in the sky, Jovi laid her eyes on a narrow road, filled with unkempt grass and thick rocks. Trees bunched on both sides of it, so thick she could barely see any light inside, only the darkness.