We entered the facility cautiously, finding unnatural light above our heads only a few yards into the cave. The Sim’Sci couldn’t tell me the layout of the structure, explaining that it was an ancient Fae facility. Shiroane and I were forced to comb through the honeycomb of tunnels cautiously, trying to find the location where M’Tek was held. About an hour into our search we came upon four rough looking Vilken men playing a game of dice in front of a blocked off room. That’s when I knew we’d found M’Tek. There could be no other reason for the presence of guards in such a random location.
I met Shiroane’s gaze and nodded, and the two of us charged the guards. I killed one quickly, with a fortuitous swipe of my sword across his neck. The second gave me more of a fight, but finally, I managed to pass my sword through his gut. He lay on the ground moaning, when I turned to see Shiroane stabbing the last guard through the throat. A pile of rocks blocked the doorway the guards had been protecting, and it took us a few minutes of silent work to clear them out of the way.
When I stepped into the room I found it to be less of a room, and more of an open cavity in the rock. Lined up in a perfect row before me were twelve tubular coffers. I walked to the first, looking through the glass casing to find a man in repose. He appeared dead, and I started to panic, moving to the next coffer quickly. The next one held another stranger, clearly long dead and dried by time’s passage. Without giving the strangers face a moment’s thought, I moved on. A couple of the coffers were empty, but in the next I found the familiar planes of M’Tek’s face before me.
I fell upon the coffer, pressing my forehead to the glass as Shiroane hurried over to me. I knew I was crying, but there was no stopping the tears. Shiroane gently lifted me off the coffer, and raised her sword to strike the glass.
“No! Wait!” I snapped, scrambling to block her trajectory. “Let me try to open it. The Sim’Sci said it’s a delicate process.” Shiroane lowered her sword.
Sliding my hands along the sides of the coffer, I located a lever, which I lifted. Smoothly, the lid moved back. Frigid air escaped the container, blowing across my face as I leaned down, impatient to kiss M’Tek’s cold lips. Afterward, I touched her neck, locating a faint, extremely tenuous pulse. She was naked and had strange tubes attached to her. Cautiously, I removed them, careful not to injure her. I noticed she was strapped into the coffer, and retrieved the knife from my boot to carefully cut the straps free of her.
I gestured for Shiroane to help me from the opposite side of the coffer, and we lifted her cold, somewhat stiff, body out. I wanted to carry her myself, but Shiroane took her. She carried M’Tek in her arms without awaiting my command. I followed them out of the cavern into the hall where the guards lay bleeding and dying. I fell upon the first one, stripping his filthy clothes from his body quickly. I heard the sounds of metal clashing, and looked up to see Shiroane fighting another guard who had stumbled upon the bloody scene.
Shiroane left M’Tek crumpled on the floor when she was attacked. I hurried to dress M’Tek, carefully maneuvering her waxy limbs. I would have been terrified by M’Tek’s deathly appearance if my Sim’Sci hadn’t warned me about what to expect from someone coming out of a suspended state. Still, her lethargy left me worried.
“We need to move. There will be more soldiers,” Shiroane whispered as she lifted M’Tek again, and we hurried cautiously from the cave.
Shiroane was exhausted quickly from running along the difficult trail, while laden with M’Tek’s weight, and so I insisted on helping to shoulder the burden. It took several hours to reach the horses, but no more guards came after us. In our absence Ballick had pulled loose from the cedar tree, but was still nearby, and easily caught. I walked along beside Ballick as he carried M’Tek. Shiroane was too exhausted to be of much more use.
After climbing through the remainder of the day, we reached the top of the canyon. I rode Ballick, holding M’Tek in front of me, for the first hours of the night. Her body temperature slowly rose toward a normal range throughout our ride, but she was still unconscious. Shiroane took her from me in the early hours of the morning. We reached Saranedam at dawn, with Shiroane holding M’Tek in front of her, wrapped securely in my cloak, so no one would recognize she was the Fae Queen.
My gate guard happened to be the same as on that morning four years earlier, when I arrived with my children and had spent the night slumped and exhausted against the wall. This time the gate opened for me directly, and we made our way up to the palace. Shiroane helped me carry M’Tek to our apartment, and I settled her gently in our bed. I left M’Tek a moment as I noticed Shiroane’s blood had saturated my cloak.
“You’re badly hurt,” I said, for the first time breaking the silence that had grown between us over the past fifteen hours. “Why didn’t you tell me before? There was no need for you to suffer.”
“It’s not serious, my Queen. I’ll survive,” Shiroane said. I noticed her pallor was off. Apparently, she’d lost a good bit of blood.
I led Shiroane to the adjoining apartment, and began removing her clothing. She was reluctant to allow me to see her stripped of her tunic, but I permitted her no modesty. I went for bathing cloths and water, and began cleaning her injuries. She’d been stabbed several times, acquiring what might have been mortal wounds if left untended.
“Close your eyes,” I commanded.
When Shiroane obeyed I cut my hand, using the knife I carried in my boot. I then waited for enough blood to pool in my hand. I released blood into the open wounds, quickly wiping away the evidence of what I’d done. Shiroane sighed as the pain eased. I went to her boots, and tugged them off her feet, before noticing a wound on her thigh. I tore her breeches away from the gash, and again cut my hand to spill blood in her wound. I watched as the skin stitched together. I then drew the covers up around my exhausted companion.
“You need to sleep now,” I observed. “I’ll be in the next room with M’Tek. Call out if you need me.”
I left Shiroane already drifting into her well-earned slumber, and returned to M’Tek. She lay awkwardly on our bed in the same position I’d left her. I was growing worried by her unresponsiveness. I tried to press my way into her head, but it was a jumble of frenzied activity. Disordered thoughts clashed with violence, overlapping joy. Her mind was in chaos. I stripped away that dead guard’s clothes from M’Tek first, and then removed my own, before crawling into bed beside her.
My strength was failing me, leaving me without the requisite concentration to still her tumultuous thoughts. Sleep claimed me quickly, as I held her slender shape against mine for the first time in more than four years.
I slept beside her for nearly twenty hours, which was all the time I could risk. I noticed that while we slept, M’Tek’s hand had claimed one of mine. I took this as a sign that she was returning to herself. After waking, when I started to draw back from her, her grip tightened on my fingers.
“M’Tek,” I whispered into her ear. “I have to leave you now, but I’ll return soon,” I assured her. Her grip of my hand intensified, and I shifted closer to her, pressing my lips to her cheek. “I love you, but you have to let me go,” I whispered. “I promise you, it won’t be for long.”
Her fingers loosed, and I removed my hand from her grip. I quickly washed and dressed before heading into the other room to find Shiroane. My loyal guard was sleeping, resting on her side. I hated to wake my fatigued friend, but time was a luxury I didn’t have.
“Shiroane.” I spoke her name gently, shaking her shoulder. “Wake up.”
Shiroane shifted over onto her back, blinking and trying to focus. Finally, she gazed up at me, wearing an expression of disorientation. I offered a smile, hoping to reassure her.
“The Queen?” she asked. “She lives?”
“I’m sorry to wake you, my friend. And yes, M’Tek is alive,” I replied, my smile growing more natural. “She’s still sleeping,” I added. “I think she’ll be this way for a few days,” I added. “But if by chance she recovers before I ret
urn, you must keep her from coming after me,” I explained. “She’ll be extremely confused about what happened to her. I don’t care what you have to do. Tell her any lie necessary, tie her down if you must, but keep her here.”
“She’s the Queen, Lore,” Shiroane said. “I can’t hold her prisoner. It would be treason.”
“No. At this moment, I’m the only Queen. I’ve ruled Faeland alone for the past several years. Also, we’re in Nogeland, Shiroane. My rule is the prevailing one here,” I said sharply. When Shiroane’s eyes widened as if she was becoming nervous, I softened. “I’m not trying to deny her right or her power, Shiroane, but M’Tek is not yet fit to rule,” I explained. “I’m protecting her. Her mind is in chaos. She can’t possibly make prudent decisions just now. Do you understand?” I asked. “If you can’t do this, tell me now. I’ll lock her in a cell beneath the palace before I leave. My life and hers depend on M’Tek remaining hidden for at least the next few days. Do I have to confine her, or will you follow my command?” I asked gently.
“I will always follow your command,” Shiroane replied. “I’ll keep her here.”
“Good. Now, make certain she drinks water today, and if she wakes, convince her to eat,” I said. “She has potions in her blood that should keep her sick for a few days,” I explained. “I plan to be back before she comes out of this slumber completely.”
“I’ll attend to her,” Shiroane promised. “She’ll be cared for well.”
“Don’t let anyone near her,” I added. “No one can know she’s here. No one.”
“I understand, Lore,” Shiroane assured me.
“M’Tek has no idea what happened to her. I expect that to be the case still, when I return,” I added. “Allow me to be the one to explain these past years to her. She’ll take the knowledge better coming from me.”
“Yes, my Queen,” Shiroane replied.
“Do you mind if I take Ballick?” I asked. “I cannot promise his safe return, but I will do everything in my power to protect him.”
“I want you to take him,” she replied, offering a gentle smile. “I still can’t believe the Queen lives,” Shiroane added with a wistful bend to her voice. “Until her body warmed, I thought I carried only her corpse.”
“She wore the look of death,” I agreed with a nod.
“Did you use magic to restore her?” Shiroane asked.
“It’s not that simple,” I admitted.
“And now you’re going after the witch Sim’Nu,” she said. “You were only waiting to recover the Queen.”
“Yes,” I agreed, nodding.
“You’re more powerful than the witch,” Shiroane added. “You’re more than you appear. You have command over life and death. All this time I’ve been a fool, worrying for your safety. Now I see what you are, I’m no longer afraid. You’ll destroy the witch.”
“Maybe. We’ll soon find out,” I replied, offering what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
****
I made good time riding back to Lareem Palace, arriving in the middle of the night. I collapsed onto my bed and slept through the following day. When I woke again I bathed and dressed for dinner, and went down to spend the evening with my daughters and Pet.
Pet’s gold green eyes lit up when I came into the dinning hall. Ania clambered down from her chair and ran to me. I lifted her up into my arms, bursting to tell her that her other mother would soon be returned to her. Of course, I refrained. Discretion was of great importance, even within my close family. Lia slid down from her chair calmly and approached, waiting for Ania to claim her fill of hugs and kisses. I lifted my pensive little Lia in my arms and pressed kisses to her cheeks and forehead, grinning at her solemn response.
“Where have you been, Mamma?” Lia asked gravely, when I placed her back on her feet.
“Mamma you missed seeing me in my dress,” Ania chided, before I could respond to Lia.
“You’ll have to try it for me later,” I said to Ania. “Perhaps after dinner.”
“Mamma?” Lia spoke again. “You left without telling me goodbye,” she scolded.
“I’m sorry, Lia,” I replied, kneeling down in front of her so we were eye level. “I had to work, my love,” I said, not wanting to lie to my child. “I’ll be leaving again tomorrow,” I told her. “But it’ll all be over soon, this traveling. I promise.”
“I was worried,” Lia said. “I thought the bad soldiers had found you.”
“Oh, Lia. Please, don’t worry about those soldiers,” I said, sorry to have upset my daughter. “They can’t hurt any of us ever again.”
Lia hugged me tightly, and then straightened up as if she were again perfectly at ease in the world. She walked calmly back to her chair and sat at the table. I turned my gaze to Pet to find her beaming a smile in my direction as her gaze moved slowly over me. I glanced down at my dress, noticing the pale lavender of the silk, before I stood again.
“You’re not in mourning,” Pet observed as I took my place at the table.
“No. That’s done with,” I replied. “It’s been two years since I began wearing black.”
“You’re beautiful in that color,” Pet said, the color rising in her cheeks. I noticed Lia’s fierce glare focus on Pet, as Ania smiled at me, admiring my dress.
“Thank you, Pet,” I replied, though I was slightly uncomfortable with the compliment.
“So, I understand we’re expecting guests tomorrow,” Pet said, her tone cheerful. I shook my head to warn her not to speak in front of my daughters. Pet took the hint.
“I’ll be traveling for a few days,” I said. “When I return we’ll head home to Saranedam Palace,” I added.
“But Mamma, I have Krissen coming for a visit,” Ania protested.
“The girls have social engagements scheduled over the next month,” Pet pointed out, backing Ania’s protest. I knew Pet was loath to leave Lareem Palace again, and I sympathized with her. We’d spent four long, lonely, years mourning at Saranedam. I decided M’Tek would likely want to return to Lareem as soon as she recovered. Besides, the Fae needed to see their Fae Queen alive and well again. “If you want, I’ll cancel them,” Pet offered distracting me from my inner musings.
“No. Please don’t,” I replied, smiling. “They’re already scheduled,” I gave in easily, not wanting to upset my daughter or Pet.
“The spring is so beautiful here by the sea,” Pet added, returning my smile.
“Well, don’t schedule anything for the start of summer,” I replied. “We need to return to Saranedam for the solstice celebration. I’m dying to dance again,” I added, suddenly feeling lighter than I’d felt in years.
Pet and Ania started discussing the dress Ania wanted for the summer solstice, and I made a couple of suggestions, something I’d not done in a long time. The discussion turned to the decorations, and the bonfire as Pet’s eyes lit up with anticipation. Lia was the only one who said nothing. She simply watched me as if I were somehow strange to her.
Once that initial burst of excitement passed, we ate with little conversation. I was quiet because I was using all of my energy and self-control to block any connection with M’Tek. I was afraid the witch would learn, from any unusual level of communication I attempted with M’Tek, that M’Tek was no longer imprisoned in the Abyss Canyon. Pet was also unusually reserved, but every time I happened to glance at her, she blushed slightly, her golden green eyes diverting from my face discreetly. Ania was pushing the greens about on her plate, pouting because I insisted she eat them, while Lia was watching me with that frightened expression I remembered so well from our escape from Vilkerdam.
After dinner, Ania left quickly, eager to show me her dress, but Pet and Lia lingered over their desserts. When I finally rose to leave, Lia hopped down from her chair and rushed around the table to walk with me. I took her gravely offered hand as Pet came to my other side.
“I thought it might be nice to take a walk out to the cliffs,” Pet said, averting her gaze again when I looked at her.<
br />
“Later, Pet,” I replied. “Right now I need to spend time with my girls.”
“Take as long as you need, Lore. I’ll wait for you,” Pet replied, smiling. She knelt in front of Lia, only to receive a scowl in exchange for a kiss.
After I spent time admiring Ania’s dress, and telling stories of my youthful adventures as a boy to Lia, I headed to M’Tek’s office, to attend to some work I’d been neglecting. I’d hardly begun on my correspondence when I heard Pet’s soft knock at my door.
“Come in, Pet,” I called.
She stuck her head in first, noticed I was at M’Tek’s desk, and came to sit in one of the chairs opposite me. She fidgeted slightly. Pet was clearly apprehensive.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Do you have time for a walk now?” she asked quickly before diverting her gaze.
“I’m so tired. I don’t think I can manage it tonight,” I said. “I’m sorry, Pet.”
“It’s all right. We can talk here,” she said.
“What’s on your mind?” I asked.
“You’re out of mourning,” she said, as if that explained everything.
“The official period of mourning is two years,” I replied.
“The official mourning period is one year in Faeland. The extended period is two, but only in Nogeland. My cousin has been gone four years,” Pet replied.
“Pet, don’t read too much into my clothing,” I cautioned.
Pet stood up from her chair and came around M’Tek’s large desk to face me. She eased the chair back from the desk, and knelt in front of me.
“Do you love me, Lore?” she asked.
“You never need to ask me that, Pet,” I replied. “You’re my family. Of course I love you, with all of my heart.”
The Changeling Page 44