Untethered

by KayLynn Flanders

  He didn’t think I was funny, and Mari glared at me for a solid hour afterward. But Chiara pursed her lips to keep a smile at bay and stared at the coast. Always at the coast.

  Dros, the westernmost city of Riiga, came into sight, but we voted to continue on—we needed a way up the cliffs.

  Clouds blacker than I’d ever seen tumbled toward us from the horizon. If we didn’t make it back before the clouds reached us, there was a good chance we’d end up smashed against the cliffs.

  And I really looked forward to telling Edda I had gone to Riiga…and destroyed the Black Library.

  Instead of more teasing, I asked Erron to tell us about his life, about his home before the Black Mage had changed everything. A distraction—for him and for me.

  And he did. He spoke of his family, of his sister. How close they’d all been but also how poor. Redalia had been the one to find him, to recognize his abilities, and he’d been so taken with her beauty and power and confidence, he’d followed her on promises of a better life for his family.

  But then his family died while he was away training. Casualties in a war he was supposed to protect them from.

  Erron stopped talking, and I didn’t prod. Mari took up the narrative then, of things she’d overheard in the palace, of what such and such noble had said when they thought she wasn’t paying attention or couldn’t understand. She had all of us in stitches, laughing so hard I thought we’d tip right into the ocean.

  My hands were the only ones not blistered, so I took more than my fair share of turns at the oars. By the time the first signs of Vera came, I was ready to never set foot in a boat ever again.

  We tied off at the first dock we came to, Chiara guiding us. I asked her where she’d learned about the coast of Riiga, and she just shrugged and said it had come up in her studies. I vowed to shake the hands of each of her tutors.

  “We get to the cliffs and climb to Turia, yes?” Enzo asked. The thought of climbing yet another cliff made me want to vomit.

  “What about King Marko and the others?” Jenna asked.

  I helped everyone off the boat one by one, then scrambled up. “Aleksa knows how to keep them safe. And the sooner we get to Turia, the sooner we can recruit help.”

  Chiara and Mari nodded their agreement, and we started toward the city. The docks were mostly empty, which was good since we really couldn’t hide our presence anyway.

  “What are you doing?” Jenna asked with a nod to the oar I still held. She leaned heavily against Enzo, one hand cradled against her stomach, though her coloring had improved.

  I shrugged and pointed the oar toward the city rising before us. “I’m not about to walk into that city without some kind of weapon.”

  Jenna opened her mouth, then closed it and shrugged. “Yeah, good idea.”

  As we walked the main path from the dock into the city, everything was…different. The streets were cleaner, there were actually people out and they looked…happier. As we passed, they stopped whatever task they were about—laundry or cleaning or crafting something—to stare at us. But not in fear. In awe.

  “Are you seeing this?” I whispered to Chiara as we passed yet another family sitting outside mending clothing despite the incoming clouds.

  She nodded. “What could have changed?”

  The death of Redalia, for one.

  But this, this was like a blanket of fog had been lifted from the city.

  Pattering feet approached from around the corner. Someone running. I stopped and held the oar in both hands. But it was Aleksa who sped around the corner, dressed like a princess, of all things. She caught sight of us and barreled past me, throwing her arms around Chiara.

  “Oh! I’m so glad you’re back! And alive!” she said, her face buried in Chiara’s shoulder.

  I was glad about that as well, though maybe not in that order.

  “I wasn’t sure what to tell your mother, and she’s been so worried—we all have, but—”

  Chiara’s head jerked back and she held Aleksa at arm’s length. “My mother? What does she have to do with—”

  Aleksa’s eyes widened and she grabbed Chiara’s wrist, dragging her down the alley she’d come from. “Your mother. She came.”

  “Our mother is here?” Enzo asked from behind them.

  Aleksa grinned. Grinned. At a stranger. “Brought her whole army. Hálendians, too,” she said with a nod toward me. “Janiis didn’t get married—he couldn’t find Redalia and drank himself into a stupor for days. Queen Cora overwhelmed the guards at Rialzo and marched her whole army down the cliffs. Swept right in and surrounded the palace, and penned in the soldiers on the beach. There was nothing Janiis could do but submit.”

  We turned another corner, and the palace rose in front of us, the long road to the doors edged with white tents and soldiers milling about. But not many.

  “Where are all the soldiers, then?” I whispered as we started down the road. “This isn’t enough to lay siege.”

  Aleksa beamed. “That’s just it. Queen Cora swept the city, offering aid to anyone who would stand with her. And most every single Riigan stood with her, including most of Janiis’s army. Even his own court defected when they saw the people support her. I was standing right next to her when she approached Janiis. She said, ‘One thing my husband always says: When you don’t take care of your people, your people don’t take care of you.’ ”

  “Way to go, Cora,” I muttered. I flicked Aleksa’s very fancy cloak, which was fastened over one shoulder. “Dressing to your new station?”

  She sucked in a long, shaky breath and smoothed her hands over her dress. “I’ve asked Cora to assist, for a little while. But…they want me to take over in Janiis’s place. Those who’d been under Redalia’s spell said he was no longer fit to rule after welcoming a threat like that into the palace.”

  Chiara hugged her. “You’ll be wonderful.”

  She would. “Building a kingdom from the ground up isn’t easy.” I stared at the sea. I’d have to go back and face my kingdom again. Face my father’s tomb.

  “I’ll send you advice when I figure it out,” Aleksa said with a shrug.

  I bit my tongue to keep from laughing out loud. “You do that.”

  A few soldiers rose to stand when we passed. Whispers rippled ahead of us, and soon every soldier stood at attention.

  We marched to the palace, the only sound the endless waves crashing against the shore as black clouds swirled over the city. The wide doors opened onto the grand ballroom-turned-foyer as the first raindrops fell, and Aleksa told the maid who greeted us to run and fetch the queen.

  “But my father,” Chiara whispered to Aleksa, “is he well? Did he make it into Turia?”

  Aleksa shook her head. “There was a storm, and then your mother arrived. He’s here, resting. Yesilia and your mother are taking care of him. Of everyone. Your mother sent all the mercenaries home, started projects in every part of the city—to feed those without food, to clothe those who need extra help before the worst storms arrive, crews to repair buildings. Everything.”

  Mari glowed with pride. “Our mother is the best.”

  I chuckled as servants rushed around, all busy with some task that I was sure wasn’t for the luxury of the nobility. “She really is.”

  A door banged open at the other end of the massive room, and Queen Cora, her cream-colored gown flowing behind her, sprinted across the polished floor. Chiara, Enzo, and Mari took off to meet her, and she tackled her children in a hug, all of them falling to their knees in a tight embrace.

  Jenna leaned against me and threaded her hand through my elbow. A sense of peace washed over me, one I hadn’t felt in a long time. Not since Jenna and Father and I had been together at home.

  Even though our parents were gone, and even though Hálendi and her troubles awaited me, everything would work out. No
t because I would take care of it all myself, but because there were good people in the world, people who cared about others and lifted each other up. People who trusted and loved.

  Chiara turned her head and our gazes tangled. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, a smile I hadn’t ever seen before lighting her face. A smile without worry, without self-doubt.

  Erron sighed next to me. I extended my arm to him. “Well, come on, Erron. I still owe you for helping me out against those mercenaries. Let’s find you a bed to die in.”

  He grunted and rolled his eyes. “If I’d known how annoyingly cheerful you are, I would have let them kill you.”

  I smirked. “No, you wouldn’t have.”

  He paused, and his eyes found Mari. He gave a slight nod. “No, I wouldn’t have.”

  The queen and her children finally pulled themselves together and approached us. “Thank you for returning to us whole,” the queen said, and pulled Jenna into a tight hug.

  When she released my sister, she grabbed my shoulders. “Edda said I could borrow some of your soldiers. I hope you don’t mind.”

  I choked out a laugh, a shaky feeling passing through me that felt suspiciously like relief. It was over. It was really over. “No, Your Majesty, I don’t mind at all.”

  Then she pulled me into a fierce hug. I squeezed my eyes shut at the unfamiliar, unexpected contact. She didn’t let go. I didn’t know if she sensed how badly I needed a mother’s hug, but she held on for a long time. Tears tracked down my cheeks and I squeezed her right back.

  When she released me, I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand, and she nodded once. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “And who are you?” she asked Erron.

  He shifted under the weight of her gaze, like a boy in trouble. I put my arm under his shoulder to support him again, then said, “This is Erron. A friend.”

  Cora nodded to him, and Mari wrapped her hand in Erron’s, though her shoulders slumped alarmingly and dark circles left grooves under her eyes.

  “You need to rest,” Erron murmured to her.

  She shook her head, and her curls didn’t bounce like they usually did. “You need me.”

  He smiled a little. “I’ll be okay while you rest.”

  She frowned. “You won’t be okay if you die.”

  Erron’s lips pursed in a smile. “Death comes to everyone. It’s my turn.”

  Mari shook her head harder. “Yesilia will be able to help you. Mother says she’s looking after Father. She can look after you, too. Promise me,” she said, her fierce eyes trained on his. “Promise me you’ll stay alive until she can help you.”

  He held her gaze and gave a solemn nod. “I will do my best.”

  Chiara took Mari’s and Enzo’s hands. “Can we see Father? Is he…is he any better?”

  Cora put her arm around Mari and guided them toward the door she’d come from. “Will you come as well?” she asked Jenna, Erron, and me.

  There was so much I wanted to say to Chiara, but now wasn’t the time. My legs shook, and I was still holding the ridiculous oar. Erron leaned heavier against me.

  “You go,” I said to Jenna, nodding her on. “I’ll look after Erron.”

  The others hurried across the ballroom, while a boy came and led us down a nearby hall to a chamber for Erron. I helped him lie down, then slouched into a chair by the bed, stretching my legs out in front of me.

  “You don’t have to stay,” Erron said. His voice had turned paper thin.

  I tipped my head against the back of the soft chair. Riigans knew the value of a good chair. I’d have to commission one to take home with me. “I don’t mind staying. As long as you stop yapping. I’m tired.”

  Erron coughed out a laugh, and his eyes fell closed. I hoped he would keep his promise to Mari. But if he couldn’t, I didn’t want him to be alone. Not after what he’d done for us, for the entire Plateau.

  I kicked my boots off and settled in as best I could, the oar on the floor beside me, not a rock or speck of red sand in sight. I’d find a bed and sleep. Soon.

  Chiara

  “Father, you must accept,” I said again, holding out the silvery-white scarf.

  Yesilia sat by his side, silent. Everyone else, besides Ren, stood behind me. I sat at the edge of my father’s bed holding his hand. His coloring had improved, and his grip was strong.

  Everything I’d done—sneaking out of the palace, putting myself and everyone else at risk, the crewmen’s deaths, Cris—all of it had been for him.

  He…he had to let it heal him.

  “My heart remembers what my mind does not, carina,” he said. “I am not in pain, and Yesilia is helping me.” He squeezed my hand. “Perhaps this Erron Brownlok needs another chance.”

  Another chance. I couldn’t force my father to accept the gift. And yet, his decision felt right, no matter how much it hurt.

  I kissed his cheek. “Are you sure?”

  He nodded. “I’m sure.”

  Mari and I left and went to Erron’s room. It was small and unadorned, but boasted a large window overlooking the ocean. The rains had come, pounding against the cliffs and against the palace.

  Erron stared out the window as his chest rose slowly with each gasping breath. When we entered, Ren sat up in the chair near the bed, oar by his feet. Mari sat by Erron and took his hand.

  Erron had seen me more clearly than anyone ever had. And it was as though he’d wiped mud from my mirror, allowing me to see myself as well.

  “Do you want a second chance, Erron?” I asked when I reached his bedside.

  He frowned at the scarf I held out. “Your father?” he whispered.

  I pressed the scarf into his hand. “He said you deserved a second chance. He’s healing. He’ll be all right.” Erron coughed, dry and rattling. “I think you deserve another chance, too.”

  “How…how does it work?” Mari asked.

  Erron’s fingers could barely grip the delicate fabric. “Need…healer….”

  “Me?” Ren asked, scooting forward.

  Erron’s eyes fell closed. “Transfer its power into me.”

  Ren frowned, but sat on the edge of the bed next to Mari. “I’ll try.”

  I didn’t have magic; I wasn’t needed here. But Erron shook his head at me. “Stay.” I went to the other side of his bed so I wouldn’t be in the way, and took his other hand. “Pure heart is the strongest magic of all. You helped me remember something I never thought I’d forget.”

  His hand was so cold in mine, so insubstantial. Would the artifact be enough? “What’s that?” I asked quietly.

  He sighed. “That I don’t want to disappoint my little sister.”

  I squeezed his hand gently and swallowed hard. “She’d be proud of you right now.”

  Ren placed the scarf on Erron’s chest, then put his hands over it. Mari put her other hand on top of his.

  They closed their eyes, and for a while, nothing happened. Then, ever so slowly, like a flower blossoming in spring, life flowed back into Erron. His skin returned to its normal hue, his breathing evened out. Even his eyes were less sunken.

  I watched Ren carefully for any sign of fading, but he remained healthy, whole, until he blinked his eyes open. I set Erron’s hand on his stomach. The scarf had turned from pearly white to gray.

  Ren stood and adjusted the blanket over Erron. “He’ll probably need to rest,” he told Mari. She nodded silently. “I’ll find you some scones, shall I? They dip them in sugar here.”

  Mari perked up. “Yes, please.”

  He leaned close as he passed me, holding the now-gray artifact. “If there’s anything left in this, I’d like to see if I can use it to heal Jenna’s hand.” I nodded, and he left for the kitchens, squeezing my shoulder on his way out.

  “You’re going to stay?” I asked Mari.

>   “Yes. I don’t want him to be alone if he wakes.”

  I stood. “How did you know he could be trusted?”

  She set her chin in her hand, her elbow resting on the bed. “He didn’t dismiss me because I’m little. He listened to me.”

  “Well, you’re a good judge of character,” I said, and hugged her tight.

  “We all are,” she said. “We get it from Father.”

  My lips trembled, but I twisted them into a smile. She was right.

  I wound my way to my room and fell into bed, intending to take a short nap. I slept through the night and into the next morning. Exhaustion still laced through my bones, but my mind was awake, so I dressed.

  I spent time with my father, holding his hand, answering any questions he had for me. He asked about what I liked and disliked, what my favorite books were, anything and everything to get to know me once again.

  I also spent time with Aleksa and my mother in the throne room. My mother had transformed it into a command center worthy of any general’s tent. Tables had been set up along the walls, with a Riigan and a soldier seated at each. Runners came and went all day, and my mother and Aleksa made decisions on how best to support and help the people with what they needed.

  At home, my mother had always stayed busy, but I’d never seen her with such fire in her. Aleksa told me she’d never seen a more fearsome sight than the queen of Turia marching into the city, a banner of gold behind her catching the last rays of the sun, calling for vengeance on anyone who’d harmed her family.

  She’d arrested the council, tossed Janiis into his own dungeon to await trial for when a new council had been formed, and razed the labor camps within a day of arriving. And though it had taken time to amass her troops at the base of the cliffs, there were so many Riigans willing to help, it was an easy matter to capture those few who remained loyal to Janiis.

  I watched the whole process in the throne room, taking notes in a new book. Writing thoughts, ideas, plans for the future.

  Every now and then my mother or Aleksa would ask my opinion. And I was surprised to find I always had one.