by RA Lewis
“That’s a beautiful story, Kari, but I’m not sure how that makes me like Valdira,” Kalina said ruefully as Delisa scrubbed her head with a soap that smelled of lavender. Kari sighed and put her knife down.
“It is said that one day Valdira will come back again and she will tame the sea dragons as well as those of the sky.” She paused. “They think you are the second coming of Valdira. That is why they chant the name.”
“That is ridiculous. The sea dragon saved me because he liked Maska. We met him earlier while we were out flying.”
“Sea dragons are said to be solitary and vicious creatures, Kalina. They don’t just save people.”
“Clearly, this one did.”
They all fell into a charged silence as Kalina wrapped her dripping hair in a soft towel and pulled a robe on. She sat down on the bed and began rubbing her head dry, thinking. Maybe this would be a good thing. The thought of her own people likening her to a legend made her feel strange. She wasn’t a fierce warrior, and she had never denied a god. But maybe she could be like Valdira and deny the King of Askor if only to prove to herself she could.
She emerged an hour later, clean and in a long woolen dress, onto the deck as the sun began to set. Hilde had offered to scrub her Valdiran leathers clean, and Kalina had been forced to wear one of the cold weather dresses she’d brought for court. Her wolf fur cloak was pulled up around her neck to keep off the chill wind from the ocean. Although Spring was in full swing in the south, it was slow to reach the northern waters of the Emerald Bay, and even slower to thaw Askor. From what she had read in the library before they’d left, Askor’s northernmost parts were always covered in ice, and only the southern half, near the Great Grey Mountains, ever thawed in the late spring and summer.
They were drawing ever closer to Winterreach, Askor’s capital and seat of power, but first, they had to cross the deepest stretch of the Emerald Gulf. The Northern Deep stretched from just outside Winterreach, north into the Ice Gulf where enormous shelves of ice floated on the ocean’s surface yearlong, making travel impossible and dangerous when the ice crashed into one another.
Kalina was standing by the rail, looking out to sea, when she felt a presence beside her. She turned slightly and found Lord Illeron clad in a stiff grey wool coat, his hands clasped behind his back. He stood near enough to speak, but he never turned towards her. By now she was used to his aloofness, his ability to blend into the crowd. He had been the first to vouch for her as Queen and she would forever be grateful for that. He had also helped her grandfather hide her as a baby. Of all the Ethean nobles, she trusted him the most. And she’d even come to value and respect him as her advisor.
Kalina’s thoughts were pulled away from Lord Illeron when something moved beneath the waves a way out to sea. A dark mass, larger than she would have thought possible, moved there, bowing the surface of the water but not actually breaking the surface before disappearing once again into the depths. Her pulse sped up as she watched. Was it the sea dragon? Or something much more sinister?
“There are things in the Northern Deep that we would do best not to disturb,” Lord Illeron said softly beside her. That was when Kalina realized the entire ship had gone still. Only the creaking of the rigging and mast and the soft lapping of waves against the hull made any sound. She turned to look, all of the sailors were at their posts, but they stood, as if waiting for something. Even her own people had picked up on the tension and were quiet.
“What is it?” she asked softly, turning back to the dark, churning water.
“A beast. Or many. No one really knows. If it is disturbed, those who are attacked don’t live to tell the tale.”
Goosebumps rose on her arms and a shiver went down her spine. Suddenly she was very grateful to be aboard the ship and not back in that dark water. She remembered the feeling of the sea closing over her head, the helplessness and fear that had consumed her as she’d waited to drown.
“I’m not sure we’ll be any safer once we reach land, your Majesty.” Lord Illeron shifted on his feet slightly. Kalina eyed him out of the corner of her eye, one eye still fixed on the dark water. Maybe he was right. Maybe King Blackbourne was just as bad as any deadly sea monster. She would have to be careful.
Chapter 19
Winterreach, the capital of Askor, loomed before them, consuming the cliffs around its harbor. It was a sprawling, enormous city with imposing granite walls that surrounded its entirety. Kalina had to clamp her mouth shut as she stood in the bow of the ship and watched it approach. The castle rose up on the bluffs behind the city, huge, grey and imposing. It had sloped roofs to keep the snow off and high ramparts of the same grey granite as the city walls. She had a hard time envisioning it in the peak of summer. The city still held a layer of snow, the peaked roofs covered in a soft white blanket.
She shrugged her wolf fur cloak a little higher around her neck to keep the chill off and turned back to the ship. Ever since the night she’d gone missing, Leif had remained on her ship. She wasn’t sure whether it was to keep an eye on her out of love or duty. She supposed it no longer mattered. All she felt when she looked at him was a vast emptiness in her chest, a hollow feeling that she couldn’t seem to shake. He stood by the starboard rail, watching the other ships behind them enter the harbor. Huge war galleys from Askor were maneuvering alongside each ship, blockading them in, as well as serving as escort. It made Kalina nervous as she watched their escape close.
Leif turned to search the deck and paused as his eyes alighted on her before moving on and calling Kari over to him. He spoke in quick words and Kari nodded before making her way up to Kalina’s side. Kalina’s heart sank even further. Leif couldn’t even bring himself to talk to her directly anymore. That was going to make this entire trip even more difficult.
“I think it’s time to mount up and fly above this until we are sure we are welcomed,” Kari said as she came to stand beside her queen.
“I agree.” Kalina felt a bit like she was running from a fight, but when it came to King Blackbourne she couldn’t be too careful. And coming in riding her dragon, as she had with the Askorian delegation, would show that she was powerful, a force to contend with.
Maska and Yurok circled lower at their calls, and Kalina mounted up, once again grateful for the warm skirt of her dress and the wool-lined leather pants she wore underneath. She decided she’d send Calla a thank-you note for thinking of everything when helping her pack. Her face was immediately numb with cold, however, as Maska launched his bulk into the sky above the ships, hovering out of range of their largest catapults.
She and Kari, along with her Valdiran Queen’s Guard, stayed aloft above the harbor for what seemed like hours as their ships docked, then disembarked. She took the time to study the city beneath her, searching the streets, wondering what type of ruler the King was. Were his people starving? Were they well cared for? Was there crime? She searched for and found the main road and then watched as large carriages ferried her people from their ships up to the castle. The carriages were pulled by huge oxen like animals with long shaggy fur that Kalina had never seen before in the south.
When she saw Leif signal the all-clear to her and the dragons that surrounded her, Maska dove for the courtyard of the castle where her people were filing out of the cramped carriages and going about the effort of unloading. A small group of well-dressed nobles stood in the doorway to the castle entrance, their backs stiff as they watched the group arrive. Maska landed with a huge thud, a cloud of ice and snow flying up around them. Kalina slid from his back as soon as the cloud settled, and within moments Leif was by her side. Kalina almost stepped back in surprise but schooled her face as he spoke.
“Their delegation is waiting for us, your Majesty,” he said as he approached. Kari landed on his other side and dismounted.
“Where are the dragons supposed to go?” Kari said. She strode to Kalina’s side, taking off a pair of fleece-lined gloves like the ones Kalina had and stuffing them into her waistband.
“I’m sure our hosts will let us know shortly,” Kalina said, striding forward, her guards dismounting and falling in behind her. Soon her entire party, their small contingent of soldiers as well, were crossing the large courtyard inside the gates of the castle proper. As they approached the steps, the faces of their greeting party became clear.
Kalina recognized Prince Julian, his spare frame still richly clad in velvets, a long coat pulled up against the winter chill that surrounded them. Beside him was an old man, stooped and bent with age, but his eyes were bright and sharp as they assessed Kalina. On his head, he wore an old iron crown with no adornments. Kalina knew immediately this man was King Blackbourne. On his other side was another man, older than Prince Julian by a few years, his dark eyes and dark hair a mirror of his brothers, but his eyes were more cunning, sharp like his father’s. He stood taller than all the others as well, his body muscled from heavy sword practice Kalina assumed, based on the long sword he wore strapped to his hip.
A young woman stood a few paces back, a long black dress adorned with jewels and bright silver threads woven through it fell to the ground, spreading out around her in a pool of darkness. She had flaming red hair that fell in curling waves down her back and on her head, she wore a bright silver crown covered in diamonds that glittered despite the overcast sky above them. She couldn’t have been much older than Kalina herself, and she wondered if this was the new queen or one of the wives of the princes. She didn’t have long to wait.
“Queen Kalina Stanchon,” King Blackbourne said giving her a slight bow. Kalina bowed stiffly back, bracing herself for what was to come. “Welcome to Askor. My son Prince Julian will meet with your entourage and help them get settled.”
“Thank you, your Majesty.”
“This is my son Endre, heir to my throne. And this is my new lady wife, Queen Malin.”
Kalina gave each a small bow. When she straightened, Queen Malina’s cold blue eyes were on her, appraising her. Kalina tried a small smile but the woman did not return it.
“We have refreshments waiting for you and your guests. You must be hungry after such a long journey,” the King said. He began to turn away, but Kalina spoke up.
“Your Majesty, what about our dragons? Where might they go?”
He turned and eyed Maska and the other dragons with no more than a passing glance as if they were a novelty, a pet.
“Ah, yes. Julian, you will find a place for the dragons as well. Clear out a stable or something suitable.” He waved a hand dismissively at his son and Kalina saw a muscle tighten in Prince Julian’s jaw before he turned to obey his father.
Kalina looked back at her people and caught Delisa and Talon’s eyes. Both gave her a nod, letting her know they would take care of things. She looked to Maska, whose dark star-flecked eyes regarded her. She was nervous about leaving him, letting him out of her sight, but unless she wanted to make things more awkward and strange, she’d have to trust that he could take care of himself. Then she began to ascend the steps, her small entourage following behind. The red-haired woman ahead of her was now clutching the old man’s arm and talking low and fast into his ear as they walked into the castle.
The other prince, Prince Endre, turned to Kalina and gave her a tight smile before bowing before her and offering her his hand.
“Your Majesty, may I escort you?”
Kalina hesitated for the barest moment before thanking him and taking his arm, letting him lead her inside. She resisted the urge to look back at Leif or Kari. She couldn’t imagine what they must be thinking.
The inside of the Winterreach castle was just as bleak and imposing as the outside. Walls of grey granite cut into precise blocks and then carved with symbols as the only adornment lined each hallway and room. The stone was carved with swirls and lines and in some places, like around door mantels, the carvings depicted scenes of war and violent battle. Kalina shivered slightly as Prince Endre led her beneath a huge carving of a battlefield covered in the dead that adorned the throne room entrance. Askor was known for its prowess in battle, she supposed.
Prince Endre looked sideways at her and Kalina smiled.
“Askor is colder than I expected,” she said as a way to cover her unease. The prince smiled at her and nodded.
“We are a tough people who have managed to survive and thrive here year-round.”
Kalina narrowed her eyes as he led her before the dais.
The elderly King Blackbourne and his young queen ascended the few steps to their stone-wrought thrones and sat down. There was a small crowd of people gathered to the side, a group of well-dressed noblemen and their wives, along with a few men and women Kalina knew instantly were the other princes and princesses of Askor. They all shared the same dark hair and eyes that the king had, that Prince Terric had had.
“Your Majesty, please, join us for refreshments,” the King said, gesturing to the laden tables.
“Thank you, your Majesty.”
She nodded to her entourage and the small group began to make their way towards the tables of food. The Askorian nobles and royals watched them, muttering amongst themselves. Kalina straightened her spine. She felt vulnerable, alone, and judged. It wasn’t a feeling she relished and she felt like she was back in the abbey where she grew up, the bully Mari making fun of her as she walked by. But Kalina was a queen now, she wouldn’t show these people any weakness.
A young dark-haired man who looked a lot like the king approached her. She stiffened as he bowed before her and smiled. Despite his resemblance to his father, this young prince didn’t exude the same malice that the other princes seemed to.
“Your Majesty, I am Prince Simen. I believe you and I are to be wed.”
Kalina took a small step back, eyeing the young prince. So this was the man she was supposed to marry. He was tall and around her age, his brown eyes more of a dark amber than true brown. He smiled at her tentatively.
“Very nice to meet you, Prince Simen.”
“Can I help you fill up a plate?” He gestured towards the food.
“Yes, please.” She took his arm now that Prince Endre had released her, joining his father on the dais.
Prince Simen led her to a table filled with strange delicacies laid out prettily on delicate plates. Most of what she saw was unfamiliar and he began by picking up a small plate and asking her what she wanted.
“Whatever you think is best, your Highness. I am new to your country and don’t know what foods you have that are good.”
“Then I would be happy to show you some,” he said giving her a smile. He pointed to a pile of some kind of pinkish food. “This is a type of shaved and dried white fish. It has a mild salty flavor and is best eaten with butter.” He put a few pieces of the fish and a small pat of butter on the plate. Kalina watched with interest, aware that all eyes were on her back as she followed the Prince down the buffet line.
“What is that?” she said, pointing to rolled pieces of dough that smelled sweet and looked like they were filled with a dark paste. Prince Simen smiled tentatively.
“Those are my personal favorite. They are pieces of rolled cake dough that are fried and then stuffed with cocoha.”
“What is cocoha?” It was something she’d never heard of.
“It is a sweet delicacy that can be melted into liquid form or hardened. We import it from Saldor. My personal favorite is to melt some in hot milk.”
Kalina smiled back at the prince then. She had heard of Saldor, read about the country in fact. It was a small country somewhere to the south of Wostrad and she knew it was where much of the sugar crop was grown. She had never heard of cocoha and when she was handed the plate it was the first thing she tried. It melted in her mouth with a creamy and slightly bitter taste but mixed with the buttery cake it was a perfect combination.
“How do you like it?” the prince asked, taking a bite of his own.
“Delicious,” Kalina purred around the mouthful. She swallowed and bit into another. Her hungry s
tomach grumbled happily as she tried the various foods on her plate. Finally, the King cleared his throat and the whole throne room went quiet.
Chapter 20
Kalina put the piece of fish she was nibbling back down on her plate and set it on a nearby table and paused to listen to what the King of Askor had to say. Lord Illeron, who had been sampling his own plate of food, stood chatting with Kari and Leif a few feet away, put his own down and followed behind her. Lord Averil was currently stuffing his face and chatting amiably with Prince Julian and a princess whose name Kalina didn’t know. Prince Simen put his own plate aside and watched his father, his face full of a mixture of expressions that Kalina couldn’t quite read. Was it fear on his face? Or hatred? Or was it something else?
King Blackbourne raised a hand, silencing the muttering of the small gathered crowd. Everyone fell silent and Kalina briefly caught Kari’s and Leif’s eyes. They both moved and took up flanking positions behind her. She wasn’t about to be caught off-guard in this court. She was surprised when the King began by praising her and her people for their resilience.
“The Valdir are an ancient people. They have endured many centuries of persecution and slavery, and yet, here they stand before us, stronger than ever with Ethea at their back. Queen Kalina, you have accomplished more in the last year than many others who were raised in the court would accomplish in a decade.” The King’s eyes flashed towards his youngest son, Simen, who’s expression darkened at his father’s words. Kalina had to fight not to raise an eyebrow. Did the King disapprove of his youngest son? “Now,” he continued. “We are delighted that you accepted our proposal of marriage and our invitation to visit our fair capital. And in honor of your presence here, my lady wife insisted on throwing you all a welcome ball.”
The new Queen stood, her red hair seeming to glow as she addressed them.