by J B Cantwell
I knew that no matter how soft or deep the snow, a fall now would kill both of us. That wasn't an option.
The path was steep, and though my body felt warm, ice began to collect on my eyebrows and the tip of my nose. Not a good sign. I had always wanted to see the snow again, had wanted to since I was a child. Now, I hoped never to see it again.
The Wicks were coming closer now, close enough that I got my knives ready in one hand and held onto the mountain with the other.
I stopped climbing for a moment and turned back to her.
"You should stay here!" I shouted over the din. "Hide yourself! I can make it on my own!"
It was true. I was powerful enough that I felt certain I could protect myself, and the truth was that if I could create a barrier between myself and the storm, I’d be able to move much more quickly, even with the Wicks in pursuit. I was tired, but it seemed the best way to move forward.
Tosia, of course, objected.
"You're something else!" she yelled. "You can't do everything on your own!"
"I won't have you die. Losing one of you is terrible enough. You belong in this world; don't let Trina's death tell you differently."
She might've cried under different circumstances, but now my words just made her angry. So much so that I felt oddly lucky to be hanging off the side of a mountain. I felt I might have gotten a hard slap of rebuke from her if there were only a snowbank for me to fall into.
"Just move!" was all she said.
I had known she would deny me, but I kept looking back at her just in case she changed her mind.
We moved like this for the whole night, and while I might've grown tired, I instead felt a combination of fear and excitement. At the top of this mountain rested something entirely unknown. A Keeper, a Fiend, a friend, an enemy. All options were on the table, and I was desperate to find out whether the bear would be able, or willing, to help us.
Finally, after what felt like days, we made it to the underside of the clouds above the mountains. But as we ascended and the air grew thick with moisture, Tosia seemed unable to continue. Soon, she was down on her hands and knees, crawling along behind me.
At first, I didn't understand what was happening, but then I remembered what Trina had said, that, once inside, no one would be permitted to leave. Why I didn't have the same heavy weight upon me that Tosia did, I didn't know. But finally, I was able to convince her.
"If I let you go on your own, they'll kill you at the top!" she called desperately.
"I can get by! You have to stay!"
And she knew it was true. She sat back against the rock, breathing heavily. I knelt down to speak into her ear.
"You'll be okay here," I said. "Hide yourself, and I'll meet you after."
"I can't protect you," she said, choking up.
"I don't need you to."
And I realized I didn't. For the first time since I could remember, I felt sure of myself. I didn't know for certain that I would survive, but I knew I had a pretty good shot at it.
I stood up and turned to walk away, but she caught my hand in hers, and I turned back.
"Thank you," she mouthed.
I nodded and turned to meet the storm alone.
As I moved away from Tosia's magic, I put up another barrier between myself and the Wicks. They could see me now, and they were clearly excited by having finally pinned down their prey. But when they started the attack, several of them simply bounced off the barrier. Those first ones were thrown from the top of the mountain, badly stunned and unable to fly, falling instead to whatever death meant to a Wick. The other ones, the smarter ones, hung back and watched their brothers as they fell. Eventually, I had an entourage of about ten, and they simply followed me, waiting.
I had expected to get to the top quickly. We’d already reached the cloud layer when Tosia had been unable to continue. But I felt instead that I was walking in circles. The journey wasn't difficult, and the wind had died down, but the path felt flat, and I wondered if I was gaining any elevation at all. Finally, after feeling that I'd seen the same boulder more than once, I broke into a run.
The barrier kept me protected from those Wicks who remained. They followed, maybe hoping to scare me into making a mistake, but they couldn't get to me.
I was scared, but there was little I could do about that. The years I'd spent hiding behind market stalls in Eagleview were a lifetime away from me now. Now, I had nothing to hide, but everything to lose.
Suddenly, the Wicks flew away from me as if being pursued, themselves. I looked around, ready to fight, but instead I discovered I had nearly reached the top. Yes, I could see the light coming through the thinning layer of clouds. A moment later, my head was above it, and the setting sun warmed my face.
There, just a few feet further, was the bear.
She stood fifty feet tall, looking out at the land as if she owned it all. At first, she ignored me, but I went to stand before her and, thinking it wise, knelt down at her feet.
The sound of her laugh was not pleasant; there was no joy behind it. No, she was mocking me. I stood up.
"I'm here to ask for your help and counsel," I said. I felt certain I didn't need to raise my voice, and I was right.
"So you're the little rat running around beneath the clouds," she said, her voice quiet and threatening.
"What did you expect?" I asked.
"Someone less… small."
I frowned, but then I thought of Phalen, who was so tall.
I didn't speak; instead I waited for her.
"What do you want with me?" she asked.
I noticed that she didn't look at me, but instead kept her eyes on the horizon, constantly scanning. What she was looking for, I didn't know. Wicks floated around, but they kept their distance from her.
"There’s a war brewing," I said. "The Keepers are being destroyed. But you must know this."
The sky was a cascade of pink and orange, and though I was facing an unknown in the bear, I couldn't help but be relieved by the sight of the sun. Then, as she did, I looked toward the south at the rolling clouds that covered the Shadow Mountains. Now that I was free of them, I never wanted to return. This was impossible, I knew, but I felt it just the same.
"Those Keepers are weak," she said as if she were an authority on all things. "They do not join the one with power, and so they fall to him."
"You think they're weak?"
It was then I noticed something I hadn't seen before. This bear, this Keeper, had no basin of Light at her feet. Not only was there no Light, but no vessel, even. It was as if she had climbed the mountain alone and left the greatest of her power behind.
"Where’s your Light?" I asked. "You're a Keeper, aren't you?"
She laughed derisively.
"You fool. You know nothing of what awaits you. You're lucky I don’t toss you from this mountaintop. Indeed, it seems that you alone are able to leave these mountains."
"You mean we’re all trapped here?"
"You're not," she said. "And the Wicks can come and go as they please. Quiet travelers can often make it from one side to the other. But others certainly are trapped. Yes."
"But why?"
She tilted her head down so that I could see her eyes, black and beady. Her great nose sniffed at me, but she didn't touch me.
She didn't dare.
Why?
"I don't know," she said. "I've been watching you all this time, and your successes have been surprising for one such as yourself."
"One such as myself? What do you mean?" But I thought I knew what was coming.
"You’re not worthy to even stand before me. I should cast you from the top of this mountain. But," she stood up again to her full height. "I don’t understand you. I don’t know why you've survived. There's black in your heart, to be sure. The question is, how much?"
"I don't understand."
"You wouldn't. You’re nothing but a child. I’ve seen all that you’ve done, everything that has transpired, even tha
t which happened within the mountains, themselves. I see all in this place, even those who hide as your friends do."
I felt a rock drop into my stomach as I thought about Tosia hiding on the side of the mountain. This bear certainly knew she was there, but would she tell anyone? Was there anyone to tell?
I looked up and around her side at the Wicks flying just out of reach.
"Why don't they attack?" I asked. "My barrier is down."
"You’re a stupid girl. Though, I suppose, I could easily destroy you with or without your barrier. But I won't. That’s not what he wants. He wants you for himself."
Instead of fear, I suddenly felt angry.
"If he wants me, why doesn't he show himself? I'm standing here at the top of the tallest mountain, and yet he doesn't come. Why?"
"I don't pretend to understand the inner workings of Master's brain. I only know what I've been commanded to do. And that is to keep you here."
"What? Why?"
The answer to these questions didn't matter, and I turned to run.
But I was too late. My feet stuck like glue to the top of the precipice; I was trapped.
She stood up to her full height, then, and she let go a booming laugh so loud I felt certain they could hear her back in Eagleview.
I turned to the north, wondering if I might see my old home from up there, if I might see Regan's eyes staring back at me.
Regan had told me after her transformation that I would understand the truth at the end of things. What truth? Was this the end?
But it was too far, and I saw nothing that could help me now.
"Don't you worry, little child. He’ll be here soon enough, and I daresay it will be the end of you."
Finally, I lost my temper. This beast had no intention of helping me or anyone else I knew who might deserve such help. I took out my knives and aimed them right at her heart.
Two bolts of power so strong came from each tip that I felt certain if I were not stuck to the ground, I would’ve gone flying backward. They hit her squarely in the chest, and she roared in pain. But she didn't flee, and she didn't come for me, either.
It was then that I saw the truth. Her feet were stuck so firmly to the mountain that escape for her was impossible.
Just like me, she was the prey.
But I didn't fancy myself a predator.
"I don't want to hurt you!" I yelled. "But you must let us pass out of this place! All of us!"
"I will not!" she roared. She bent over, her great paw swiping at me.
I held up the knives and made a barrier stronger than the rock we stood upon. Her sharp claws chipped at it like glass, but it did not fail.
This enraged her, and though I knew why, I was careful not to allow doubt or pity enter my mind. She was kept here, a prisoner by Torin. But she had no remorse, that much was sure.
I hit her again with two bolts, this time aiming for her head. She took the blow and fell backward again, this time landing on her back, hanging off the side of the mountain.
She was distracted, and I was able to rip my legs from their trap. Then, I descended upon her, knives out.
I walked up to her head, which was lolling back and forth on the summit of the mountain.
"I don't know what happened to you," I said. "But somewhere, you turned. Why do you fight for him still when all you are is a prisoner?"
"Kill me," she growled. "Do it now before he comes. It will be so much worse if he’s the one to take me out of this world."
"I have a better idea," I said.
I walked to where her feet were stuck to the mountain, raised my knives, and cut them free with two bolts of power as bright as lightning.
"What are you doing?" she asked. But a moment later, she knew. She sat up and pulled her foot toward her, studying it.
"It's not possible," she whispered.
Then she looked up at me, and I saw that the look on her face had changed. It was no longer angry, no longer superior, but awed. She looked back down at her feet again, and I could see she was trying to work it out. Finally, she sat back, lying on the ground, kicking her feet out as if she were sunning herself on a hot summer day.
"It has been so long I've been standing. I never thought I would ever sit down again. Why would you free me? I’ve done terrible, terrible things. There is darkness in my heart; I know it."
"There is darkness in everyone's heart," I said. "Some have more than others, but nobody is completely free. Whatever he told you, he was lying."
"How do you know? How do you know I won't attack and kill you now? It's what he would want me to do."
"I don't know," I said. "I'm only guessing, hoping. I’d like to leave this place someday, and I know my friends would like to as well. You’re the one who can let us go, aren’t you?”
"I suppose," she said. "I've never tried it before. The Wicks can fly in and out at his whim. But you, you’re different. Your friends are different. I don't know if I can get you out or not. All this time, he's had me believe that I was all-powerful, the only one in these lands who could dictate who was allowed to stay or leave."
"You let me leave," I said.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm up here with you, alone. You knew I was coming, and you let me pass through the clouds. But only me. My friend waits down below. She was unable to climb any further."
"You think that's because of me and not your own power?" she asked.
"I think it could be. So, are you going to kill me now? Do you feel the same darkness in your heart, or has that changed?"
"I don't know," she said. "It's been so long, thousands of years. I've been without Light for millennia and yet made to survive. I find I am… thirsty."
I pulled my pack around to my front and dug out a vial of Light.
She sat up, curious. And then she saw it, the thing she had spent so many years without. The thing that would’ve given her the power to deny Torin.
"Open your mouth and lean back," I said. Her eyes grew wide, with thirst or relief, or both, but she did as I said.
I walked over to her enormous head and tipped the vial into her mouth.
The effect was instantaneous. She smiled, at least as much as a bear can smile. Maybe I saw it in her eyes, too.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Will you help us? We must escape."
She didn't answer. She instead got to her feet and held out her hand for me to climb into.
I paused, not entirely sure that I should trust her. But I had freed her, and she didn't seem ready to forget it.
I took a deep breath and stepped into her paw. Then she put me upon her shoulder, and I suddenly felt I could see everything clearly. From up here, the world seemed vast and small at the same time. I could see the outline far in the distance of kingdoms, castles, places where people made their lives. Then, she turned, and I saw the most beautiful thing of all.
The Veiled Kingdom.
I wasn't sure how I knew, but I was certain I was right.
"That's it, isn't it?"
"It is, indeed."
Then, she dropped down to the ground so that she was walking on all fours. At first, I was nervous, but then I realized that my ability to hang onto rock also translated to the feeling of her tough, thick fur. My hands stuck like glue like my feet had stuck to the precipice. Like hers had.
All at once, she seemed to forget me. She stood up one last time, opened her mouth, and let go a roar so loud it shook the mountain beneath us. I wondered if Torin could hear her, off in his protected kingdom somewhere. Certainly, Phalen could hear. And certainly the giants.
"We have to go," I said, smiling. "The others are waiting."
"We shall," she said. "But first, a little light."
She took one great paw and swiped at the cloud cover, pushing it away like bubbles in a bath. I looked through the opening and saw the most beautiful sight; that of the setting sun's rays shining into the valley below.
I didn't speak. I couldn't speak. I felt victo
rious, even though I knew the Wicks were waiting for me. Somehow, I knew, I might have a chance.
Chapter 29
The Wicks were swarming around the top of her head, testing to see how close they could get, suddenly brave. They must’ve known, strange as it was, that she'd been freed. Soon they were beating her around the head like a swarm of bees. I shot fire through my knives, knocking a few of them to the ground, but there were just so many of them. Even with the bear on my side, I wondered if the giants and Connell would survive. The Wicks were diving through the hole in the clouds, leaving me in order to search for the others.
"We have to go," I said urgently to the bear. "The others, they're waiting. And if the Wicks get to them first…"
I looked back toward the place where Tosia had gotten stuck.
"Tosia!" I screamed. "Come out of hiding!"
How I wished Trina was still with us.
The bear was taking giant steps down from the mountain, but I was worried about my friend, my partner. Suddenly, I saw her; she was letting herself be seen as she emerged from the side of the peak.
"Go to her!" I yelled.
But the bear ignored me. I knew it would be pointless. I was betting I was the only one in our group who could hold on the way I could. So as the bear descended, I yelled out to Tosia.
"Get to the others! They’re still in the storm, and the fight is upon us!"
She opened her mouth to respond, but the bear was moving too quickly now, and I couldn't hear her voice.
Every few moments, the bear shook her head aggressively, trying to rid herself of the irritating Wicks. Maybe now she was on Torin's list, just like me.
"You have to stop!" I yelled. "I can get to them if you stop!"
She slowed temporarily, but soon I realized this was not going to be the best way for me to get to the valley. The Wicks wanted her, not me, and even though I didn't realize why, I knew I could help her if I stayed still.
"You have to let me go! I can't fight them from up here!"