Talon the Black

by Melissa Mitchell

  “Just this way,” the Sprite said.

  Right as they rounded a bend in the path, a giant glass palace came into view. This great hall dominated the city’s center. Until now, she had been too preoccupied to give the Queen of Esterpine any thought. Now, anxious butterflies began fluttering in her tummy.

  What would the queen be like? Would she know that Claire had the Dragon Stones? She regretted not asking Cyrus more about the Sprite queen.

  They made their way up a large set of crystalline stairs. As she gained height, she looked beneath and saw all the way to the bottom. Her stomach jolted uneasily. The entire hall was that way, completely transparent. Were it not for the rainbows glistening upon the surface, she would have appeared to float mid-air. The idea was unsettling.

  There was no time to rehearse a story. They were taken into the queen’s great hall immediately. Before she could absorb her surroundings, her eyes fell upon a woman with the blackest hair she had ever seen, braided elegantly as it fell down her front. It was as though her plait had swallowed up all the light to obtain such a shade. For all that it was lacking, the rest of her radiated light in waves. Her clothing was made of a shimmery translucent cloth that did very little beyond hiding her feminine parts. Like the others, shimmering markings flowed across her skin. She possessed far more than most of her people. Perhaps they were a symbol of one’s magical ability, and the queen held the most.

  “Welcome to the Crystal Hall.” Her voice was pure like the sound of a singing wine glass. She stood from her throne and descended the stairs of her dais. Her gaze remained fixed on Claire’s. The hall was silent. Not even the queen’s feet made a sound as her bare soles struck the floor. “You are the first outsiders to stumble successfully upon our hidden kingdom. I am both shocked and impressed. Tell me, how did you manage it?” It was clear that her question was directed at Claire.

  “I—I followed my heart, Your Highness.” Was that how she was supposed to address a queen? Her words felt clumsy and unconfident.

  The woman smiled as if Claire’s words were exactly what she wanted to hear. “It is no small feat that you have accomplished. The magic of the forest ensures that no outsider will find his or her way. To this day, no outsider ever has, nor will they ever until the end of time. Welcome Claire from Beyond, to the city of Esterpine.” She opened her arms wide.

  Her eyes widened. She quickly closed her mouth. How did the queen know her name?

  “We have pressing matters to discuss.” The queen turned her eyes away from Claire and descended the remaining steps, stopping before Cyrus’s shrouded body, which now lay at the foot of the dais.

  “I am saddened by the circumstances that bring you into my kingdom. Tell me, Lord Reyr of golden scale, what dangers have befallen Cyrus? He left us many weeks ago, very much alive. I warned him, but he did not listen, to his own demise.”

  Reyr may have been surprised, but he hid it well. He took a step forward. “We know little of the events leading to his downfall, Your Majesty. Poison was involved. The Vodar dealt Claire a very similar wound, but Koldis was able to address it quickly. His timeliness saved the poison from spreading, and saved her life.”

  From the corner of her eye, she saw Koldis stand a bit taller as he lifted his chin and squared his shoulders.

  “And the Stones?” said the queen.

  “I believe that his killer stole the Dragon Stones before we arrived.” He hung his head in shame.

  For the first time, Claire realized that Reyr bore the brunt of the failure. Guilt began to bubble up inside of her. What defeat he must have felt, and dishonor. She wished then that she could tell him.

  “So it is true? The Stones are gone?”

  The others shifted on their feet but said nothing.

  “Then it is as I feared. All is lost.” The queen’s words did not accurately fit her tone. She should have sounded worried. Perhaps she did not truly believe the words she spoke.

  “And what role do you have to play, Claire? Why were you brought into our world?”

  Her face burned. Before she could answer, Reyr stepped forward. “She plays an important role, Your Majesty. Unfortunately for us, she has made an Unbreakable Promise.”

  “An Unbreakable Promise,” said the Queen. “It is not Sprite magic.”

  “Aye. It is Asarlaí magic.”

  “Deceitful magic, you mean.”

  Reyr nodded.

  “Very well. I would ask why you have chosen to enter my kingdom, but I already know the answer. I am Queen Jade, keeper of the forest, mother of the earth upon which all beings walk. I know all that transpires within Dragonwall.” Her regard fell once more on Claire. Without looking away, she ordered the others out. “I wish to speak with Claire alone,” she said. “Oh, and while you are here, we will see to your needs. You may stay and rest as long as you wish. Consider it a reward for discovering our city.”

  Claire’s companions left, and she quickly found herself alone with the mysterious queen, whose blue eyes bored into hers as if the woman were discerning the very secrets of her soul. “Humans are very easy to read,” she said at last. “But you are no human, are you?”

  Claire shook her head in confirmation. For some reason, she felt as though lying to this woman would be impossible. In fact, the queen probably already saw the truth.

  “If you were human, the poison of a Vodar blade would have killed you instantly. However, I can read you for other reasons.” She hesitated, studying Claire’s face. “Yes, I know you now. I have seen into your depths and come to a startling conclusion. Yours is a very difficult path ahead, Claire, full of twists and turns. Someday you will learn the truth of who you are and what you are capable of.”

  The queen’s words frightened her. “Who…” She tried to ask, but her voice was a weak whisper. “Who am I?”

  “That road of self-discovery lies within your own heart. I cannot take it from you, nor can I make it for you.”

  “But, I can’t figure it out. I have already tried. What’s happening to me?” Surely the Sprite queen would have answers.

  “Many things, Claire. Many things are happening to you. You must remember, it is only through great struggle and strife that we become who we are truly meant to be. All great destinies are born that way. I believe your role in the days to come will be more important than any of ours.” The queen smiled, as if making some secret realization.

  Claire merely frowned, noting that the Queen’s advice wasn’t the least bit helpful.

  “I admit, finding one’s self is no easy task. The difficult roads you must face will leave you stumbling and perhaps, at times, hopeless.” Her voice grew soft and comforting. “In that darkness, you will face your worst enemies, but you will also learn to recognize your true friends. If you choose correctly and do what is right, you will come to learn your strengths.”

  “Do what is right?” Claire repeated. “How am I supposed to know what is right?”

  “When you face difficult decisions, just know this: the easy choice is rarely the correct one. You will know—if it hurts—you will know.”

  Claire opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say, so she closed it again.

  Trust her words. She is very wise…

  “You must promise me one thing here and now,” Queen Jade said as their conversation came to a close. “Promise me that you will protect the Dragon Stones to the end of your very being.”

  Her eyes grew wide. She knew! Was this one of the many secrets the queen had seen within her?

  “I will protect them. I have no choice. I must.”

  The Queen nodded, satisfied. “Come now, that wound needs tending to. My singers will heal it, but it will never be fully sound. The discomfort will depart, but you will never forget that the remnants are there. Can you accept that?”

  She nodded, eager to be rid of the nagging pain shooting up her calf. Queen Jade led her from the glass palace, summoning her healers as they went. They walked for some time in silence. As they went,
she tried to process all that the queen had told her, but her sleepy brain made little sense of any of it.

  At last, she was brought to one of the beautiful glass houses they had passed coming into the City. “You will reside here while in Esterpine. Your Drengr companions have been given similar accommodations, and you may find them when you are well again.” As if on cue, others arrived to tend to her needs and prepare her for the healing process, laying her gently upon the dwelling’s feathered bed.

  Already her attendants were humming a comforting tune, allowing their soft voices to meld together in song. It was beautiful, and she thought that if she listened closely, she could just discern the meanings of the foreign words upon their tongues.

  Her eyes grew heavy, and her body grew desperate for sleep.

  “Here is where I leave you now, Claire from Beyond,” said the queen softly as she stepped into view. “Just know, you are always welcome here in Esterpine. So long as you can find it, the city will welcome you with open arms.”

  It was the last thing she remembered before her induced slumber took her.

  28

  Esterpine

  Reyr kept watch over Claire’s sleeping figure from his chair in the corner, careful not to disturb her. Her chest gently rose and fell, but her sleep was fitful. He could see it in the way her eyes twitched beneath their lids and in the way her body fidgeted.

  She had surprised him at every turn! When he first beheld her, she brought emotions to his surface that had long been buried—feelings which were better left unacknowledged. She reminded him so much of Gemma. Beloved Gemma. Some two hundred years had passed since her death.

  Claire would complicate his life. Somehow he knew this within an instant of meeting her. In those first few minutes while standing over Cyrus’s corpse, he wanted so badly for her to be guilty. In truth, he needed her to be. Having a culprit—someone to blame for Cyrus’s death and the torment it brought—would have made things much easier.

  Deep in his heart he understood that she was no killer, though he did not trust her, not at all. Too many counts of suspicion were evident. She showed no obvious signs of magic, but that meant very little. A good pretender could do the same.

  Claire stirred, bringing him from his thoughts. Her body began regaining consciousness as her eyelids fluttered. Then her eyes opened. He gave her time to lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling ornaments, while he silently informed Jovari and Koldis of her condition.

  As if on cue, her head snapped in his direction. “Reyr?”

  He acknowledged her, standing and moving over to her bedside. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better than I can remember in a long time.” She smiled, returning her gaze to the ornaments that captured her attention. A strange look passed over her features though it was very brief. “This journey has been harder than I imagined. How stupid of me. Perhaps we can stay here a while and rest?”

  He knew the last week had been tiring for her. He too could use the rest, but Claire’s healing had slowed their progress enough already. The forest was safer, to be sure, for he knew the Vodar would not dare venture into the kingdom of the Sprites, but they needed to be on their way.

  When he did not answer, Claire’s face fell. “Well, it was worth a try I suppose. How long have I been asleep?”

  “Since the night before last,” replied he. It was nearing night again. She had slept two full days.

  “We must depart at first light in the morning. Come, get yourself dressed. Supper will be soon, and we have been invited to dine with the Sprites.”

  “Good!” she said, jumping up from her bed with renewed excitement. “I’m starving!”

  He was too, but not for anything that the Sprites might serve them. Allowing her privacy, he left the room.

  When she emerged, he could not help his lingering eyes. She looked stunning—a stark contrast to the weeping girl he found in the other world. She now looked more like a woman.

  The Sprites had given her a shimmery silver gown. It was less revealing than what Queen Jade clothed herself in, but beautiful all the same. It left her arms bare and fell to her ankles. A silvery cape of a slightly different shade and cloth clasped around her neck. The ensemble brought out the golden color of her hair and green of her eyes.

  She caught him staring and her cheeks flushed.

  “Forgive me,” he said. “I did not expect to see you clad in their garb.”

  She permitted him a half smile. “Neither did I, but someone must have left it for me. It’s lovely, isn’t it?” As she spoke, she gazed down at the fabric to study it.

  “Aye. It is.” He listened as her stomach growled loudly then smiled. Indicating that they should depart, he held his arm forth in the direction they were to go. Part of him felt inclined to extend his elbow to her as he would for any lady, but he refrained. They walked side by side down the city’s main path.

  Having dined alone in his accommodations since their arrival, he learned earlier that day that many of the Sprites gathered for the evening meal in a vast, outdoor dining hall. The ceiling consisted of vine arches laden with blossoms and blooms. His sharp nose discerned floral scents as they mixed with the ever-present pine. Though he was reluctant to admit how much he enjoyed it, he found the smell relaxing.

  When they arrived, he did not miss Claire’s sharp gasp. She too was impressed with their dining accommodations. Already, most of the seats were filled with hungry Sprites. He found Jovari and Koldis sitting at a long table nearby. They too spent more time than was necessary gazing at Claire’s garb. Strangely enough, he disliked the attention directed upon her. Perhaps he was being paranoid. Surely it merely surprised them as much as it did he, to see her dressed so differently. Compared to what she generally wore, it was a pleasing change.

  Claire spoke little. None of them were in any mood to converse, though the Sprites sitting with them did trade bits of news. Except for Claire, who did not mind the table’s presentation, they ate little. Sprite food was just as poor as the reputation that preceded it. He was a Drengr and meat was his sustenance—preferably raw and freshly killed.

  At the close of their meal, their guide with the blue hair stopped by their table. “If it would please the Lady Claire,” he announced, looking at each of them before setting his gaze on Claire. “My mother has suggested that I take you up into the treetops. Your companions are welcome to join us, if they desire.”

  Claire appeared confused. “Your—your mother?”

  “Ah. Yes. My mother. Forgive me for not introducing myself before, Lady Claire. I am Prince Feowen.” The prince bowed deeply, keeping his gaze upon hers. Her eyes grew wide with understanding.

  He felt his stomach twist, watching the interaction. What was wrong with him? Was he ill? No, that was impossible. He was a Drengr, and thus, did not catch common maladies.

  Claire glanced from the prince to where he sat. He nodded, giving her permission. “You may go,” he said, “if you so wish to.” Then, turning to the prince he said, “We too would like to join you. I have always longed to see the Gable Forest in its entirety.” He understood that the honor was not often given to outsiders. It surprised him that Queen Jade had extended the offer to Claire. Then again, her obvious fondness for Claire completely bewildered him. That woman had thousands of years on him. She was wise beyond accounting. If she trusted Claire, surely he should too, but he simply could not bring himself to it.

  Prince Feowen led them to a great tree, larger than any surrounding it. Many of them had stairs carved into their sides, spiraling up into the tops of the trees. On and on they climbed, but it was well worth the effort.

  The world looked different in the branches of the trees, whimsical and dream-like. Little light bugs fluttered about them like glitter in a sea of blue and green. The breeze sang as it whistled melodies through the leaves. The mist shimmered and shifted around them.

  At last, they exited the stair onto a platform. The prince chose this tree because it stood much taller
than those around it. It made for a most excellent vantage point.

  “This is the highest place in the Gable Forest,” he explained as they filed out onto the landing. Claire was breathing hard beside him. The climb left her winded. Glancing at her, he saw the awe upon her face.

  To all sides of them, a vast stretch of green plumes met his gaze. The tops of the trees meshed together like a lumpy blanket. He saw nothing of the mists below. Up here it was a warm, clear night. If he strained his sight far enough, he could just make out the southern border where the trees ended. They would make their way there tomorrow.

  What he missed most under the canopy of trees were the stars. Letting his head fall back, he looked upon the sky above. The moon was a small sliver, and the constellations sparkled around it.

  Claire spoke, drawing his attention from above. “How come we didn’t just fly here? Couldn’t we have just flown to this landing and taken the stairs instead of getting lost in the trees?”

  He was about to answer but Prince Feowen beat him to it. “Dragons cannot fly over our forests, Lady Claire. We have made it so.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “The magic we have placed upon the trees extends up into the sky. You may not see it, but the barrier exists. Any creature of magic or not, be it dragon, Drengr, bird, or elsewise, would merely slam into an invisible wall. Consider it one of our best safety precautions, aside from the maze we have created within.”

  “Oh...” She fell silent for a moment before continuing. “So you really did make it impossible for people to find Esterpine.”

  “No, not impossible for everyone. We Sprites have no problem finding home.”

  Reyr did not miss the peculiar look Feowen imparted upon Claire, as if he was hinting at something. It left his mind spinning. Queen Jade had said much the same two nights before. Claire’s ability to locate the city was unexpected. Even the Queen was surprised by it.