by Callie Kanno
The captain of the Royal Guards left the room as quietly as he came.
Idris started pacing his well-worn path across his cell.
“It is starting to look like I will be spending the rest of my life in this dungeon,” he said grimly.
Only if you wish it to be so.
Idris gave an exasperated sigh. “You know that I do not want to stay here.”
Then you know what you must do.
He gestured angrily with his hands. “Can you speak plainly for once? What is it I am supposed to already know?”
If you wish to prove you are innocent, you must escape this dungeon and find the traitor yourself.
Idris laughed outright. “Escape? How can I possibly do that?”
I can help you.
Idris quickly sobered as he realized that Iona meant what she said. She was right. He began to pace more quickly as he turned the idea over in his mind.
“Captain Cowan did not seem very hopeful of finding the traitor. How could I succeed where he cannot?”
He is restricted by the king’s involvement. You would not be burdened the same way.
“What would I do when I found the traitor?”
Arrest him.
“I am still training to be a soldier. I do not have the skills to arrest anyone.”
I told you, farmer, I can help you.
Idris tossed up his hands in frustration. “I cannot even reach you from this cell. How could you help me?”
That is the simplest part of this plan.
“Oh, really?” Idris snapped.
Yes, really, she replied serenely.
“How?”
Think of the stone that your teacher used to help improve your mental control.
Idris remembered that day, the way the stone kept disappearing just as he was connecting with it. “What about it?”
You were told that it was made of the same sort of material from which weapons of power are forged.
“Yes.”
So, if it is possible for you to summon a simple stone with which you share no meaningful connection, would it not be possible for you to summon me?
Idris stopped pacing and stared at the glittering partisan. “Is it?”
He could feel Iona’s aggravation. That was meant to be a rhetorical question.
With one long stride he crossed his cell to the corner that was closest to his weapon. “How do I do it?” he asked eagerly.
You must unblock that wall you have built up around your mind, farmer. If you had not been fighting me on everything, you would already know how to do this.
“You have been the one fighting me,” Idris argued.
I keep telling you to let go, Iona said heatedly.
“And I keep telling you that is not helpful advice,” he shouted.
A tense silence settled between them.
Idris took several calming breaths before addressing his partisan again. “Perhaps if you explain what you mean…”
Iona made a sound of disgust. You are a fool, farmer.
“Yes, yes,” Idris rolled his eyes. “But maybe you can condescend to teach this fool instead of just assuming that I should know what you mean.”
He got the feeling that she was searching her memory for something to aid in what she was trying to teach him.
Do you have much experience with horses?
“Yes.”
Very well. Think of your potential as if it were a horse. You are trying to exert so much control over it that you are effectively pinning it to the ground with a net. You may be keeping the horse from running wild, but you are also preventing it from being of any use to you.
Idris was surprised to find that what she was saying made sense to him. “But if I get rid of the net, how can I keep it from taking over? Is it not better to have too much control than no control at all?”
You need to find balance within yourself, Iona reasoned. Neither extreme will allow you to reach your full potential.
Idris rubbed his chin. “That does make sense,” he murmured to himself.
Hence, I assumed you knew what I meant without this explanation, the partisan retorted.
“How do I do it?”
Let go.
Idris gritted his teeth together. “That is not helpful, Iona. Tell me how.”
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Relax. Let go of any thought of control, and just open yourself to all that you are.
He shifted uncomfortably. “That sounds dangerous.”
It would be if you lived your entire life that way. I am not suggesting that you do so. Simply open yourself for a moment and see all that you can be.
Idris closed his eyes as he had been instructed. For a moment he felt a surge of panic that he couldn’t immediately quell. He told himself that he was being unreasonable, but that didn’t make it any easier.
He took a deep breath and deliberately let his guard down. He visualized his mind as a great fortress, and he imagined the gates opening wide. He could feel Iona waiting just outside the barrier he had put up in his mind, and he could sense her entering in.
Iona had said that she could take control of him if she really wanted to, and yet she had never tried. Idris had the feeling that if he didn’t start trusting her, they would never learn to work as a team. And if they could not work together, they would both be rendered useless as Royal Guards.
He could feel Iona’s presence in his thoughts, stronger than ever before. It was as if she was sitting next to him on the seat of a wagon and she could take the reins from him at any time. It was frightening to have her there, and Idris’s heart began to race with growing panic.
Calm yourself, farmer. Think of me as one of your family.
Idris latched onto that thought as if it were a lifeline. What if Iona were not some strange magical weapon? What if she was his sister?
He imagined Elain, Dafina, and Adwen standing in front of him. Then he pictured a fourth figure standing with them that represented Iona. She looked like a younger version of Prydwen, but her smile was anything but motherly. Her expression gave the distinct air of good-natured mischief.
Idris imagined himself opening his arms and embracing all of them.
He trusted them. He loved them.
Without warning, a dam burst within Idris, flooding his mind and body with power. His eyes opened wide with shock, and he could see that Iona was glowing. More than that—he himself was glowing, radiating a light brighter than the lanterns.
Now call me to you, Idris. That is where I belong.
As with the stone, he imagined Iona in his hand and willed it to be so. With a flash of light, the partisan disappeared from the holder hanging on the wall and reappeared in Idris’s grip. He looked down at the dazzling weapon and grinned.
“Now what?” he asked with playful casualness.
Now we break free.
The words sent a surge of power through Idris that was so wonderful he almost laughed. Idris raised Iona and pointed her at the bars of his cage. A tongue of fire lashed out and cut through the metal as if it were nothing more than air. The superheated pieces fell to the ground with a clatter, and Idris carefully climbed through the hole that was left behind.
Iona spoke with firm determination.
Let us go find the traitor.
Chapter Twenty-Four: Escape
Which way should I go? Idris thought to his partisan.
Whichever way is opposite of the guards that Captain Cowan mentioned, Iona advised.
Idris quietly opened the door to his room just enough to peek out. The exit was to his left, and there were no guards in sight.
They must be walking their rounds, Idris said silently.
Fortune favors you.
He stepped into the hallway and cautiously began edging toward the stairs that led upward. He was halfway there when a voice rang out.
“You, there. Stop!”
Brace yourself, farmer.
Idris barely had time to register what Iona had said to
him when a wave of light burst outward from the partisan and knocked the guard to the ground. The force was so powerful that Idris also lost his footing and fell backward against the hard stone.
“What did you do?” he demanded breathlessly.
Get up and run, you fool!
Idris scrambled to his feet and dashed up the stairs. He took them two at a time, following them upward until he reached the main level, afraid that at any moment the guard might appear behind him.
The palace had its usual assortment of people going about their business. There were messengers scurrying about, counselors having involved discussions, and Nobles who enjoyed being seen in the Water Palace.
Down that hall. Get out of sight.
Idris was already aware that he was drawing more attention than was desirable during a prison escape. He tried to look confident and casual as he hurried down the hall, despite his pounding heart and the fear and excitement flooding through him.
As he neared a corner, he glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was following him. There was no one there. But the moment he turned a corner he crashed into someone.
Idris stumbled backward and prepared to run away before the fallen person could realize what happened, but he then he recognized the face of Jui and he stopped short.
She immediately recognized him as well. “Master?”
He froze. Did she know that he had been arrested? Would she be willing to help him without asking too many questions? Or would she feel obligated to turn him in?
Jui got to her feet, seeming unperturbed that he didn’t offer a hand to help her. “Did they finally set you free, master?”
That answered one of his questions.
Idris hesitated and then slowly shook his head. “No, they did not…”
Understanding flashed in Jui’s dark eyes and she gave a quick nod. “I see. Well, then.” She paused for less than a heartbeat and then nodded again. “You had better follow me.”
She turned and walked back the way she had come, and Idris stared after her.
Can we trust her? he asked Iona.
I do not know that we have much choice at the moment.
Jui glanced back and saw that he wasn’t following her. She gestured impatiently with her hand. “Hurry, master.”
Idris tightened his grip on Iona and trotted down the hall after the serving girl. She led him to a set of stairs that led up to the living quarters of the palace staff.
“In here,” Jui hissed, opening one of the many doors.
Idris obeyed and ducked into the modest room. It was simple to the point of being barren, and there were three beds in different corners of the room. There was no one in the room at present, but Jui’s tense expression made Idris certain that someone could walk in at any moment.
“Wait here, master,” the serving girl instructed him.
She disappeared back out the door, and Idris passed several anxious minutes waiting for her to return.
Part of him wondered if she had gone to get soldiers to arrest him again, but when the door opened again he could see that she was alone.
Jui was carrying several bundles, which she dumped unceremoniously on one of the beds. She picked one up and shook it out and then tossed it to him.
“Put this on,” she said.
It was a coarse brown tunic much like the ones he had worn as a farmer. He pulled it on over his head while Jui separated the other items she had brought with her.
She picked up his partisan, and Idris immediately felt uneasy.
“Uh, I think I should do that. She does not like being touched by strangers.”
Jui seemed surprised by his words, but handed him the partisan. “She?”
Idris nodded. “All magical items have a personality, just like people. And… she is a she.”
The serving girl’s eyebrows lifted. “I did not know that.”
He cleared his throat. “What would you like me to do with her?”
Jui spread out a bundle of firewood. “Your weapon is too conspicuous. You need to tie these sticks around it to hide the head. Then we can tuck the shaft under this cloak that you will wear.”
It was a good plan, and Idris told her so as he followed her instructions. “How did you come up with this so quickly?”
Jui’s expression looked carefully controlled. “I have some experience with keeping out of sight.”
It was apparent that she didn’t want to talk about it further, so Idris didn’t ask any more questions. He busied himself arranging the firewood so that it hid the partisan’s glittering blade, and then he tied the bundle together with twine.
What will you do if you find yourself in need of a weapon? Iona challenged.
Idris knew she had a point, but there was no better alternative. If I get caught, it will not make much of a difference.
Are you certain? Iona asked sourly.
Jui helped him put on the simple winter cloak and then strap the wood bundle to his back. She arranged the sticks and folds of fabric so that the partisan couldn’t be seen at all.
She pulled the cowl over Idris’s face. “Keep your head down and follow me.”
He reached out and caught her hand as she turned away. “Thank you, Jui. I do not know how I will ever repay you.”
A touch of pink spread over her cheeks and she shrugged. “You have always been kind to me. I know you are innocent. It is the least I can do.”
Jui led the way back down the stairs and toward the exit of the palace. At one point they had to duck into one of the many alcoves in the Water Palace to avoid a group of military trainees. Idris heard a familiar voice as the trainees walked past.
“…going to ask if I can take a shift guarding the dungeon. I know it is not usual for trainees to do that, but I would love to see that idiot in chains.”
Idris clenched his fists and wished he could step out into the open and punch Meic in the face.
“Why do you hate him so much?” asked another voice. “He seems nice to me.”
“That is because you do not know him,” Meic shot back. “I grew up with that pig, and I am so tired of everyone thinking he is gifted. Well, they will not think that anymore. You should have seen the looks on his family’s faces when I told them that he had been arrested for treason.” Meic let out a rough bark of a laugh. “They went back to Rest Stone Valley in disgrace.”
Hot anger flashed through Idris, and he started forward out of his hiding place. Jui had to grab his arm to hold him back. He was so furious that he could hardly think straight.
“Master, please,” whispered Jui. “If we are caught we will both be arrested.”
Idris almost didn’t care if he was arrested again, but the thought of Jui being dragged away as well brought him up short. He couldn’t do that to her. Especially when she had gone to so much trouble to help him.
He squeezed his eyes shut and willed Meic to keep walking far, far away from them.
“It is safe now,” Jui said after several moments.
Idris nodded and took a deep breath, opening his eyes. Anger still hummed through him, but he felt more in control now. He followed Jui out of their hiding place and down the path toward the stables. They passed them and continued on to a private harbor.
“There is a rowboat that is used by some of the servants,” Jui explained as they walked. “You can take it and sail down the coast to safety.”
Idris didn’t like the idea of fleeing the city, but he couldn’t think of a better plan at the moment.
Do not worry, farmer. We will come back as soon as it is safe to begin our search for the traitor.
Idris was about to ask Jui for some advice on which direction to go, but the words died in his throat. He slowed to a stop, staring at the path ahead of them and the figure that blocked it.
It was Palti.
There was a fraction of a second where Idris had the wild hope of ducking behind a tree to avoid being seen, but it was clear that the Royal Guard was waiting for them.
Jui’s eyes darted up to Idris’s face, trying to discern what he wanted her to do.
We could fight him, suggested Iona. However, I have the feeling we would not be victorious.
Idris knew that he couldn’t fight his friend. He couldn’t even entertain the thought. Instead, he took a deep breath and steeled himself for what was to come.
“Thank you for everything, Jui,” he said quietly. “I think you should go back to the palace now.”
She didn’t even try to argue with him. She turned on her heel and briskly walked away, only glancing back once.
Idris waited until she was out of sight and then closed the distance between himself and Palti.
“How did you know I would be here?”
Palti’s face was grave. “I followed you.”
Idris nodded and fell silent.
“What are you doing, duwado?” Palti asked solemnly.
There was something in Palti’s tone of voice that cut Idris to the core. It was as if Idris had betrayed Palti by trying to escape.
“I am innocent,” Idris said desperately. “Do you believe me?”
“I know you to be innocent,” Palti stated, “but that does not excuse what you are doing.”
“I have to find the real traitor,” insisted Idris. “That is the only way the king will believe me.”
Palti shook his head. “No one will ever believe you if you leave this way.”
Idris’s eyes began to sting. “Do you expect me to just sit and wait while the traitor is still out there?”
The Royal Guard reached out and gripped the young man’s arm. “I expect you to have courage in the face of adversity, duwado. Do not flinch, do not run. Prove that you are innocent by standing fast.”
Idris’s shoulders drooped in defeat, but his heart began to feel stronger. He knew that Palti was right, and part of him was glad to be told to stay.
“Will you escort me back to the dungeons?” Idris asked in a subdued voice.
After a moment, Palti answered. “No.”
Idris looked up at his friend in surprise.
“I will do what I should have done long ago,” Palti went on. “Come with me.”
The two soldiers walked back to the palace and up the familiar halls that led to the room where the Royal Guards held council. Idris didn’t know what Palti intended to do, and the uncertainty made him feel slightly sick to his stomach. His whole life had been turned upside-down, and the well-known sight of the council doors brought up a myriad of emotions.