“Where magic is concerned, looks can be deceiving,” he said. “I’d think you’d have learned that much by now.”
I waved him on. “True enough. What next?”
“My mother would bring me here when I was a child. She saw to my education as often as she could, though she wasn’t able to do as much as she wanted.” A distinct note of sadness colored his words. Queen Octavia died when I was barely old enough to remember, but before my own mother left. “When she could, we’d come here and she’d pick different pages for me to read on things I might encounter within our kingdom. One day, I asked her where it all came from, if there were specific spirits that created things like giants or selkies or whatever the case may be, and she asked the book for one thing.” He placed his hand on the cover, his fingers wrapped around the side edge. “Show me the Alabaster Heart.”
A golden glow filled the room, blooming from the book as Willem opened it. When the light faded, I looked down at the pages before us. The one on the right was filled with text black as pitch on crisp cream paper, but on the left…
I nearly dropped the lamp. “That’s it!” I said, staring stupidly at the full-color picture that looked more like a window into the great white tree’s cavern than a simple drawing could ever do. “That’s the tree Ro took me to.”
“It’s called the Alabaster Heart,” he explained, trading places with me to read from the text. “It says it’s the source and sustaining force of all magical things, location unknown. Most glimpses of it come in small pink flowers growing through the cracks in rocks, whose seeds are rumored to grant wishes. Those who seek these flowers should be warned: wishes are granted in an unpredictable manner and often come with a high cost to those who make them, weighed against the heart of the one requesting the magic to be performed.” He hummed thoughtfully. “Buyer beware, I suppose.”
Frustrated, I growled at my own ignorance. “While that would’ve been helpful at the time, it hardly does me much good now.”
“If you’re that unhappy with it, maybe you should go back and make another wish to undo it.”
I turned to him, hurt both by his tone of voice and suggestion that I’d be so selfish. “First off, I don’t know that I’d be any better off now than I was before. In fact, all things considered, I think I’m doing quite well, thank you very much. Secondly, look at all the good I’ve done since then. While I’m not at all proud that I destroyed another person’s life, Torell is certainly a touch nicer for my dealings with your Piper. Third…” I paused, softening my tone and touching his arm. “Do you honestly think I’d run away from this fate? Whatever it is I’m meant to do, I’m the only one that can do it. It’s important enough that the very source of magic itself summoned me for a conversation. Everyone needs help at some point. Everyone, including the Alabaster Heart.” I shook my head and returned my gaze to the picture. “Kindness in all things. I’d never be able to live with myself if I walked away from this.”
His arm wrapped around my waist. “And that was why you were chosen, Jack. I’ve known generals and statesmen, the rich and the poor, kings and commoners alike. When I tell you that I’ve never seen your rival in altruism, that’s speaking from a great deal of experience. The magic you possess might be greater than we know, but it’s your heart that makes you so important. There might be others that can do as you do, but how many would?”
“But I still don’t even know what I’m meant to do,” I murmured, staring at the picture.
He sighed and leaned his head against mine. “Peace, Jack. You’re supposed to bring peace.”
“I wished for peace for myself.”
“But can a Bard have peace when the kingdom they live in is at war?”
I jerked and pulled away from him, gaping. “You think I’m meant to stop your father’s war?”
He nodded. “You have all of the pieces of the puzzle. You know where Aaron is. You know the giants didn’t kidnap or kill him as my father’s accused them. Your songs can soothe any enemy.”
My mouth fell open. “An enemy perhaps, but we’re talking about two entire armies and the population of not only Litania, but fixing the damage caused to the giants as well. Not to mention that I can’t produce any proof that your brother is alive and well. Who’d even believe me?”
“I believe you,” he said, setting his hand over mine as it rested on the desk. “Let me help you, Jack.”
I glared down at the book. “I know he’s your brother, and I don’t wish to speak ill of him, but…”
“I know,” Will said with a sigh. “I love him dearly, but he was never suited for the throne. I’ve even spoken with our father on his behalf over the matter. King Ivor has mostly had an even hand when it came to ruling Litania, but he’s entrenched in tradition and rules. He wouldn’t hear of Aaron abdicating to Gustave even if it was better for all. His pride sometimes blinds him to the best path.”
Rubbing at my forehead, I tried to think through it, but the problem was simply too large. “Then what can we do? There’s still so much I don’t know about myself, I’m not even certain of my limits.”
“Then perhaps we should deal with that first,” he said, reaching over to close the book. He set his hand on the cover as before. “Show me Bards.”
The glow rose and fell once more, this time revealing two pages without any pictures at all, then cleared his throat to read the passage. “Bards are classified as magical humans. Their abilities can be traced from a single ancestor, the First Bard. Blessed with perfect memories for music and stories, and unrivaled performance capabilities, Bards are also born with insatiable wanderlust, which compels them to travel and collect songs and tales to distribute to the world. Originally a means of spreading knowledge without the permanence of books, Bards were once revered as scholars, historians, and cultural experts, but the ever-increasing literacy amongst people has since relegated them to highly sought after entertainers. Their level of skills vary, with some possessing incredible control over minds and hearts during performances.”
He continued reading, restating much of what I’d already been told by Crilla and Sudam, and some that I’d learned in my own explorations of my skill. It was all very general information, however.
“Well, that was less helpful than I’d hoped,” Willem said. “That’s all there is.”
“My history.”
“What?” he said as he closed the book.
“The Alabaster Heart told me my history was important. I followed the compass here, but I still haven’t met my goal,” I said.
“Your mother.”
I looked at him, nodding. “Whatever it is she knows about me, it’s clearly crucial. Maybe all she needs to do is teach me about my ability, but I haven’t the faintest what she’ll tell me. You told me that the Dinnarians were brilliant in believing that knowledge was the key to bringing down any enemy, and I think that’s what we need now. If there’s information we’re missing, she’ll have it.”
“So, how do we find her?”
“The compass. I need my pack.”
Willem took the lamp from me and set it on the desk. “That means I’ve got to keep my word, you know. I sent everything back to the Minkovs when they collected their daughter.”
A momentary panic clutched at me, but I calmed myself, mostly sure he’d do as he said. “I have to go, Will.”
All at once, he gathered me in his arms, his kiss sudden and full of longing. Warmth crept from my gut and spread to my toes, tingling with the magic of my promise to him.
“Then I should let you rest,” he said when he eased away, his voice breathy and heated. “You’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”
Silently, we retreated from the private vault and darkened library. No more words were needed that night, aside from his gentle goodnight as he left me at my room. I laid in bed for more than an hour after our parting, trying to sort through everything I’d learned and all of the questions still needing answers, but sleep finally took me into a blessedly dreamless
rest.
Chapter 16
“Are you certain you want to go through with this?” Will asked as the carriage bumped along on the road to the palace.
“Want to and need to are two different things,” I said with a sigh, smoothing the wrinkles from the peplum of my ice blue jacket draped to the side of my seat. Finally, someone had asked my opinion on clothing, though the suede trousers that clung to my legs were far finer than anything I’d have ever dared ask for. The Minkovs were as generous as they were skilled. “The compass says she’s in the castle, so this is the easiest way to draw her out. Unless she’s found someone to spell her appearance, I should know her the moment I see her. You made sure your father’s arranged for all of the servants to be there as well?”
“Of course,” Will answered. “I convinced him with the argument that since they missed most of the festival due to their duties, a concert from Torell’s champion was the best way to ensure their continued loyalty. They’ll be up in the balconies, but they’ll be there.”
I removed the gold-ringed gem from inside my chemise and watched the arrow hold steady with the castle as we wound our way through the cobblestone streets. There was a chance I might not recognize my mother after so many years apart, and I needed to hedge my bets. After a moment’s consideration, I held it out to him.
“You need to take this, just in case.”
Willem stared at the compass. “Me? Why?”
I grimaced. “Well I can’t keep hold of it while I’m playing, can I? If you want to help me, take it. Be my second set of eyes. I could very well get lost in the performance and miss her.”
Hesitant, he plucked it from my palm. “Will it work if I’m the one holding it?”
“Let’s find out,” I said. “Rub your thumb over the top and see where the arrow points.”
He did as instructed and watched it for a while. “It seems to be pointing at the castle still. It’s tuned to your mother then?”
“As opposed to what?”
He shrugged. “Anything, really. I’ve heard of such things enchanted so that it leads you to your heart’s desire, or your soulmate, or hidden treasure, or doors to fairy colonies…”
I held up a gloved hand to stop him. “I see your point. But, if it were anything but my mother, I think Crilla would have said. She was very specific.” The carriage hit a bump, jostling my lute so much that it began to fall from the seat beside me, but I caught it in time. “And what of Sudam? Is he still here?”
Willem chuckled. “Definitely, as are three other Bards who were very keen to meet the newest member of their tribe. Word’s spread, Jack, and there’s not a soul alive that isn’t excited to see you.”
Nervous at the news, I swallowed hard. I was anxious enough that I’d be playing for King Ivor himself, but that four other Bards, not including my mother, would be watching as well, weighing every second of my performance, was almost more daunting than trying to sing my way out of a golden cage.
“You’ll be all right, Jack,” he said, gently taking my hand from across the aisle. “I’ve no doubt you’ll amaze them all.”
I frowned at the floor. “It isn’t only that. What if they decide I’m some kind of threat? After all, we’re all in the same vocation. What if they think I’m out to steal their patronage?”
“Well, there’s only one of you, and more nobles and town gatherings than you could ever hope to play for in a single lifetime. You might be compensated higher, but there will always be plenty of places where Bards of any stripe are sought after. It’ll be fine.” He sat back, releasing my hand to study the compass again. “Besides, it’s rare that more than one is in the same place. I’ve met the four that are here in the past, but all on separate occasions.”
“Care to give me any information on them? I’d like to know what to expect.”
“Sudam you’ve met,” he said, stretching out a bit. “Kela is even more exotic than he. She comes from the far eastern wildlands, from a tribe of nomads. She’s very quiet, but keenly observant. Her strength is storytelling. Marcel is from Sericea I believe, though he doesn’t speak of it much. I think he had a bad experience with the old king there, though that’s hardly surprising. Alder wasn’t the kindest man when he sat on Bern’s throne, and I heard tell he was worse when he took Sericea before he was killed. Anyway,” he waved off the tangent, “Marcel’s talent is with the lyre, though he’s fair with jokes as well. Jī-Shae is the last in attendance, and by far the most surprising that he’s here. He typically stays within the massive kingdom of Qilong. Of all Bards, he’s the least likely to travel far. It’s a shame, as his singing is so magnificent even the birds stop to listen. He calls to them as though he speaks their language, though he comes by that gift naturally, rather than by talisman.” He pointed to my necklace, thinking of my connection to Ro. “Should you lose that, he might be very useful to you, though he tends to the reticent side.”
I wondered what they’d think of me when we met, if I was permitted to see them. Perhaps Will was right in that I was silly to worry, but I couldn’t help it. Everything still felt like a dream I might wake up from at any moment. A mere month as someone special was hardly enough to drown out a lifetime of being told I was forgettably average in all things, and that was if my father was feeling complimentary.
The carriage jerked to a halt before I could rein in my doubts. When a footman opened the door, the tingle of my promise to visit the castle trickled down my scalp. While I’d spent some time after the Piper there, it wasn’t in an official, announced manner, and, to my chagrin, hadn’t fulfilled my word.
Prince Willem exited first, courteously offering his hand to help me down. Though there was no harm in him doing so in public, knowing his feelings for me only made me blush harder as he saw me up the steps to the castle doors. Every step we took was with practiced ceremony, at least for his part. I hoped I didn’t look as lost as I felt. Only weeks ago I was up to my elbows in manure, although being surrounded by nobles and politicians didn’t feel all that different, if I were being honest. In the four days since my run-in with the Piper, Willem had done his best to educate me in the proprieties and truth of life at court. Mrs. Minkov did what she could to improve my manners and clumsy curtsy, but there was only so much the two of them could do.
We paused outside the grand doors to the throne room, waiting to be announced.
“You’ll be fine,” he whispered, attempting to hide his laughter.
When he gave my hand a pat, I realized I had a white-knuckled grip on his arm. Taking a deep breath, I tried to relax and focus on the music ahead of me. My plan to draw my mother out wasn’t without risk. My words needed to be as precise as a surgeon’s blade.
With a loud thunk, the doors parted to let us through. At Will’s gentle urging, I forced my feet to move.
“His Royal Highness, Prince Willem Ivan Maldavian of Litania, and the Bard, Lady Jacqueline Wallace!” a man I didn’t dare stop to look at called to the room.
Hundreds of eyes fell on me instantly, and I tried not to shiver. There were so many finely dresses lords and ladies, that I couldn’t help but second guess my choice to avoid a gown. The long peplum of my jacket was the perfect amount of femininity for my tastes, but the scrutiny around me chipped at my resolve.
I kept my chin steady, eyes fixed ahead of me on the base of the throne as we walked down the aisle dividing the crowd. The more I wished for it to be over, the slower time seemed to move. After the longest walk I’d ever taken, we finally arrived at the foot of the steps leading up to the dais. Following Will’s lead, I knelt before the king, head bowed.
“Rise,” King Ivor said, his words echoing around the room.
Clutching my lute in one hand, I shakily got to my feet, leaning on Willem more than I likely should. The moment I was standing, he stepped away, leaving me alone in the center of the room.
“You are the Bard who rid Torell of the Piper’s accursed presence?” The light glinted off of the gold in his crown and the ma
ny jewels adorning his person.
I swallowed, nodding, hesitantly lifting my gaze to his face, taking in every detail of his graying beard and the lines of his face. “I… Yes, Your Majesty.”
His thick eyebrows lifted skeptically, and he cast a look at Willem, who stood to the far side of the steps.
“It’s as she says,” Willem said. “I have multiple confirmations from individuals who were in attendance.”
The king’s attention returned to me. “Then you have both my gratitude, and the gratitude of the entire city. Too long we were victims to her unstoppable greed, but her pipe will torment us no more. Tell me, what reward might we grant you for such noble deeds?”
My mouth dropped open before I could stop it, and I stared at him blankly. “Reward? I ask for nothing, Your Majesty.”
The room rumbled with quiet laughter, and I frowned. I might not be overly clever, but I’d not think to make a joke in such a place.
“No reward?” King Ivor said, smirking. “Everyone wants something, Lady Bard.”
My frown stayed put. “The Piper hurt innocent people, Your Majesty. My payment is not having to live with myself had I done nothing. My reward is knowing I’ve done the best I was capable of to save whoever I could. All of the riches in the world cannot erase guilt or cowardice.”
Even the gasps from the audience couldn’t cause me to stand down. While I might be at odds with my company or their wealth or their titles, I would never back away from the principles of who I was. King or queen, chambermaid or farmer, I’d not be swayed by anyone’s opinion of my character. There was little I knew for certain in the world, but my kindness was the one thing I would never doubt.
King Ivor chuckled. “Well, Bards have no use for lands or titles, and you travel light, so treasure would be a burden. Since I cannot let your service to Litania go without recognition, however, I hereby decree that the doors of this castle shall always be open to you when you’ve need of it.”
While a simple thank you would’ve sufficed, I thought it was probably best I not argue further. My words already toed the line of insubordination, and what he granted was something Willem had already given me. Instead, I bowed to him. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
The Stillness of the Sky: A Flipped Fairy Tale (Flipped Fairy Tales) Page 16