by Krista Walsh
Jeff shivered as the dampness of early morning soaked into his skin, and he pulled his collar closer around his neck. As unpleasant as the heatwave had been back home, he wished he could have transported a few degrees with him to keep the nights comfortable. At least it wasn’t winter again.
They kept a sharper eye out for any other crazed riders on their path, but the night remained still. A few minutes later, they came across the fork in the road, as Jayden said they would, and bore left. In the moonlight, Jeff couldn’t make out the sign of where they were going, but Jayden seemed confident they were headed the right way.
“Do you know this place?” he whispered to Brady.
The scholar shook his head. “But Jayden wouldn’t lead us knowingly into danger. If he knows where we’re going, we should be all right.”
A gate loomed ahead, and Jayden’s teeth flashed in a smile. “Only been six years, but I knew I wouldn’t forget this place.”
“Brothel?” Jeff asked, thinking he recognised the hint of fun memories in Jayden’s tone. He sensed Cassie’s glare at his back.
The warrior’s mouth twisted into a frown. “Watch your tongue, Author. You’re standing in the shadows of the queen’s palace.”
Jeff tilted his head back to appreciate the height of the gate. It loomed at least three times as tall as Jeff, all stone and chains. Guard towers stood on either side and, even though in the darkness he couldn’t see them, he could feel eyes watching him from on high.
“Why would the Sisters guide us here?”
Jayden’s fingers slipped around the edge of his dagger. “I don’t think it was a coincidence we met that rider on the road. After all, the answers would find us, they said. The capital must have news.”
Jeff looked from Jayden to Cassie—who appeared as amazed as Jeff felt—to Brady. “So, do we knock?”
Brady shrugged. “I guess we find out.”
He approached the gate, but before he could knock or ring the bell, or whatever other system they had to announce one’s presence, the doors at the bottom of both left and right guard towers opened, and a flood of men came out. Soon the four of them were surrounded by twelve guards, spears aimed at their chests.
Chapter Six
Jayden released his grip on his dagger, and the other three kept their hands visible.
“They definitely have news,” Jayden mumbled under his breath. Louder, he said, “What’s the reason for this assault? I’m the Lord of House Feldall, on my way home from a reconnaissance mission. We come seeking news and information, not to bring harm.”
“Title or not, sir, we follow the queen’s orders,” one of the guards replied. He pushed back the faceplate on his helmet, revealing an older man well in his fifties, who appeared just as happy to stop them as they were to be stopped. “I’m afraid I don’t know your face. Until we can confirm you are who you say you are, you’ll stay here. Strange folk about, see, and their intentions haven’t all been within Her Majesty’s laws.”
Brady caught Jeff’s eye, and the scholar’s eyebrow quirked. Jeff grimaced. Not even a day and Raul’s minions were already getting themselves noticed? They had to be found before Raul really got started.
Jayden didn’t look assuaged by the man’s explanation. The corner of his lip twitched with impatience, his fingers dropped towards his weapon.
“So what are your intentions?” Cassie asked before he could say anything, her service smile pasted on her face. “We’ve been walking for hours, so no matter what your plan is, somewhere to sit would be wonderful.”
The older guard jerked his head, and the guards lowered their weapons, and took a step back.
A younger man stepped up towards them. He had the same long nose and slight downward slant to the eyes as the first man, giving away their genetic relation. “I’m afraid you’ll have to be detained. At least until you can account for your being here, dressed as you are.” He smiled. “But I promise the accommodations will be comfortable.”
“And you are?” Cassie asked.
“Captain Michael Dorning, ma’am,” the older man said, his fingers raised to his brow. “My son, Darcy.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Captain. We follow at your leisure.”
Dorning stood aside to let Cassie go first, and then fell in behind, separating the others. Jayden stared after Cassie with amazement, either impressed by her ability to get on good terms with the soldier, or flabbergasted that she hadn’t demanded they be released. Brady bit his cheek to stop the smile threatening to appear, but couldn’t hide the humour in his eyes.
Jeff allowed himself to be carried with the crowd, disappointed not to be able to see more of the grounds in the grey dawn. He hoped he’d see more come daylight.
He also hoped he wouldn’t be trapped down in a black basement cell again.
His stomach clenched, and his palms went clammy. He wiped them down on his jeans, but they didn’t dry. Flicking his gaze back and forth, he kept an eye on where they were going, ready to make a break for it if they tried to get him to go down any stairs.
Dorning led them over crunching gravel to a side door and held it open for guards and guests—or were they prisoners?—to enter, then he allowed his men to lead while he took the rear. Four of the guards accompanied them inside, and the others returned to their posts at the gate.
Inside, despite the hour, torches blazed on walls, which gave the corridor a warm, welcoming feel. A stairwell, dressed in red velvet carpeting, appeared ahead of them as they rounded a corner: one set up, one down. Jeff couldn’t catch his breath. What would he do if they threatened to lock him away again? He wouldn’t make it. Not even for one night.
Just as his shirt felt like it was tightening around his chest and throat, the guard started upwards. Jeff’s heart, which had stopped on reaching the stairs, started again, pounding a painful beat against his ribs as fresh air filled his lungs.
Up. There may still be a locked door ahead, but at least it was up. A small comfort.
At the top, they were directed left. One guard opened a door and stood next to the doorway as Jeff, Brady, Cassie, and Jayden were ushered in.
The younger Dorning hadn’t lied. The rooms they’d been brought to were opulent, all plush furniture and gold filigree designs on the walls. A large sofa and two love seats, upholstered in a rich burgundy, dominated the centre of the room around a large round coffee table, the surface encrusted with marble, jasper, and lapis lazuli. Jeff had done his research. He knew what the table alone would cost back in his world. Fortunately for the queen, it would be too heavy to roll back to Maggie.
“Someone will be along soon to speak with you,” Captain Dorning said.
Darcy added, “And I’ll have someone come up with a bite to eat. You look like you should build your strength before the queen’s men start in with their interrogation.”
The words sounded unpleasant, but he said them with a smile directed at Cassie. She grinned back at him, and Jeff heard a new demon rumble inside his head, this one with vibrant green eyes. He frowned and took a step closer to her.
The older Dorning glanced towards him, and he flashed a less flirtatious grin. “Shame I won’t be around to hear your story directly. You look a strange group. Bet it’d be a good one.”
“A grand tale, full of adventure and excitement,” Jeff replied, hoping he didn’t sound quite as sarcastic as he did in his mind.
“No doubt. Make yourselves comfy.”
The Captain nodded at Brady and Jayden, and he and his son left, closing the door behind them. They heard a lock, and Jeff’s anxiety rose again. Trying not to panic, he went over to the far wall and played with the curtains, searching for the divide. Eventually he found it and yanked them open, melting into a puddle of relief at seeing the window behind them. He cracked one open, took a deep breath, and ran a hand over his face only to discover he was trembling.
“Are you all right?” Cassie’s soft voice spoke up.
Jeff turned to face her, leaned back against
the wall. “Not a fan of closed-in spaces these days.”
She reached out and gave his hand a squeeze, then started to let go, but Jeff tightened his grip.
“What about you? Everything okay? You’ve been quiet since the woods.”
With apparent difficulty meeting his gaze, Cassie stared intently at his nose. “Your book—and you—failed to mention your relationship with those … women.”
“The Sisters?” Jeff asked.
She nodded. “I didn’t realise you were all so close.”
Jeff made a mild gagging noise. “Trust me, the physical allure wears off pretty quickly once they start messing with your head. If I never had to see them again, I wouldn’t be heartbroken.” He caught the uncertainty in her eyes and adopted a teasing smile. “Hey, you’re not jealous, are you?”
Her night-blue eyes turned stormy, and Jeff pressed his lips together, guessing that somehow he’d said the wrong thing.
Before he could apologise, she released his hand and crossed the room, dropping down on the sofa next to Brady. The scholar had already made himself familiar with the small bookcase in the room and was flipping through pages covered with coloured ink. At a question from Cassie, he leaned in towards her to explain what he was reading.
Jayden sauntered towards Jeff and clapped him on the back. “Don’t try to understand them, my friend. It’s impossible, and more trouble than it’s worth.”
“Personal experience? Guessing some of your knowledge comes from whatever happened between you and that woman we met on the road?”
The Lord’s green eye darkened and he leaned his heavy frame against the window. Staring out into the brightening morning, he kept silent, clearly not about to indulge Jeff’s curiosity. A hint of sun crept up over the trees. As he watched it rise, Jeff was surprised that he didn’t feel tired, even though by this point he might have been awake for twenty-four hours. He wondered how long the adrenaline would keep him going before he crashed.
Hardly back in Andvell for a day and already having his head messed up.
He hated this place.
***
Over the next few hours, they passed the time with books and dozing, none of them ever relaxing enough for a real nap.
At some point the food arrived. Three servants carried in trays of fruit, porridge, and cold meats, and the four of them tore into everything, happy to eat without tasting to cut their gnawing hunger.
They were just finishing when the door opened and two soldiers, chainmail glinting in the early morning sunlight, stepped in, taking place on either side of the doorway. Between them, one man entered the room. He looked to be about sixty years old, portly, grey brown hair cut short with a trimmed moustache sticking out over his top lip. He stood with his hands clasped in front of him, the sleeves of his blue tunic falling over his fingers. The silver embroidery caught the light to show off the royal family’s winged horse crest.
The four involuntary guests rose to their feet, but he lifted a hand and gestured for them to sit back down.
“Please stay comfortable,” he said. “I’m here to chat, not to receive accolades.”
The man’s voice was deep and gravelly as he chuckled. He moved towards the empty loveseat and sat down, flipping the back of his tunic out of the way.
“I am First Counsellor Basten, the queen’s advisor. Which one of you claims to be Lord Feldall?”
“That would be me,” said Jayden.
The advisor’s eyebrows rose with interest. “I see.” He didn’t bother to hide the hint of skepticism in his voice, but Jeff saw the faint recognition as well. Jeff understood the counsellor’s difficulty. The last time Jayden had been here, he would have been a whole man in the Feldall colours. At the moment, after a night in the forest among the other drastic changes, he looked little better than a ruffian. “I have no doubt you are who you say you are. I understand from Captain Dorning that you accepted your detainment graciously. For that, we thank you.”
“We understand there have been disturbances in the area,” said Brady. “The last thing we want to do is cause more trouble.”
“I appreciate the consideration. Have you heard, then, what’s been going on?”
The four of them looked between each other, all eyes eventually landing on Brady to take over the story. He cleared his throat and crossed his hands over his knees.
“What we have to tell you might sound a little hard to believe.”
Jeff swallowed a laugh, silently offering the scholar an award for greatest understatement of the century. He watched the advisor’s face closely as Brady proceeded to fill him in on the last thirty-six hours.
Jeff thought Brady’s explanation succinct, and so far made more sense than he could have managed. But based on Basten’s expression, the scholar had lost the man at the mention of world jumping.
The Counsellor rubbed his fingertips over his moustache. “I know well what Raul can do. I went myself to assess the damage in Cordelay, and haven’t been able to sleep well since. I don’t deny his magic is powerful—but powerful enough to travel to another world? How would he even know that such a world existed?”
“Because our enchantress opened the corridor first,” said Brady.
Basten reached over to grab a handful of cherries. “Magdalen Stanwell’s reputation precedes her. I hear we should have picked her up when she came out of training.”
“Lucky for us you overlooked her,” Brady replied with a grin.
“How did she learn of this other world?”
Jeff noticed Brady hesitate, saw how he picked up a cherry and chewed thoughtfully to give himself an extra moment, and then said, “The Witches of Andvell Forest came to us and explained the situation. It turns out we’ve had peace for the last five years because Raul’s last spell trapped him behind the Veil. Whether they knew that at the time, I’m not sure, but they gave us knowledge about this other world, and about this man, Jeffrey Powell.”
“And who are you?” the advisor turned towards him.
Jeff nearly choked on a cherry pit at the sudden attention. He spat it out into a napkin, staring over the edge of the cloth. “I’m an author.”
Confusion crossed Basten’s face. “A writer? How could you possibly help?”
Jeff looked back to Brady, who resumed his story. “Jeff is our author. We share differing opinions on how he makes that possible, but in his world, he writes about us. His words, to some degree, influence what happens in Andvell.”
Jeff waited for the older man to burst out laughing, or sign for the guards to throw them in the dungeon. He couldn’t blame the man. He hardly believed it after being the one to live it.
“The Sisters told you this?” Basten asked after a moment.
Brady nodded.
“For such an important national threat as Raul, why would they come to you instead of us? Our resources are more expansive, surely we could have cleared up the mess before it reached the levels of Cordelay.”
Jeff saw Jayden finger his dagger hilt as, with measured words, he said, “Raul killed my father. We have a claim on his life. And with all due respect, my Lord, no matter how many men you had at your beck and call, they would have fallen just as easily against the blades of walking dead soldiers and floods of blood. We’re still repairing damage to the Keep.”
The advisor twisted his signet ring around his little finger. “I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. Please, continue.”
Jeff listened to Brady’s retelling of his first visit to Andvell: how they had summoned him, the missing villagers, Talfyr. He went into details that Jeff had forgotten, or events that had happened before his arrival that he hadn’t known, like how Brady had travelled to the library in Cordelay to find the Meratis spell. It left Jeff wishing he could do a reprint of Evensong to add it all in.
By the time Brady finished, Basten looked ready to throw any reliance on their credibility out the window.
“You do appreciate how difficult this is to believe.”
“Yes,
my Lord, I do.” Brady reached into his pocket and pulled out a paperback. Jeff recognised a copy of Evensong. The bastard had stolen it from his shelf. “But if you get past the incredulity, you’ll find it’s all true.”
Basten took the copy of the book and thumbed through it, reading paragraphs here and there, checking out Jeff’s author biography in the back. It felt surreal, having his own characters read what he’d written about them. Kind of like they were sneaking a look into his diary. Good thing he was proud of the quality.
Setting the book down next to him, Basten once more crossed his hands over his lap. “So after all of this, you’re saying Raul is back in Andvell and has brought people from this young man’s world to help him regain his power?”
“That about sums it up,” said Jayden.
“And Jeff and this young lady,” he bowed his head towards Cassie, “are here as well because …?”
“Bad luck,” said Jeff, without thinking. He cleared his throat, folded his napkin, and set it on the table. “I mean accident.”
Brady picked up the story and described Raul’s exit from the chalet. When Basten had heard everything he needed to know, the scholar added, “We know our time is limited. Raul told Jeff that whatever it is has already begun, that we’ll be too late to stop it.”
Basten didn’t say anything, staring at Brady as if to gauge his honesty. After a moment, the scholar spoke again, “So you can appreciate the importance of haste right now. The sooner we find him, the sooner we can interrupt him. Before he gains any of his magic back.”
“Yes, yes I see that.” Basten brushed his moustache again. “Unfortunately, the decision is not up to me. I’ll relay your words to the queen, and see what she makes of them.”
“And your own recommendation?”
“No matter if what you’re telling me is true, the name of Feldall still holds meaning in this country. That should keep you in good standing.” He rose, and the others stood with him. “We’ll return for you shortly. I’ll make sure some water is sent up for washing. It would be best not to appear in front of Her Majesty in your current condition.”