Eventide (Meratis Trilogy Book 2)

by Krista Walsh

  He left the details out, Jeff noted, and probably for the best. Did these people really need to know how close they’d come to being incinerated, or that they owed their thanks to a dragon?

  “But this is not the only favour they have done for this court. With the assistance of Cassandra Murphy and Jeffrey Powell, who have come from a great distance and have no allegiance to the throne, a conspiracy to depose Her Royal Majesty, the Queen Ansella, was unravelled, and its leaders punished to the fullest extent of Andvellian law.”

  Murmurs ran through the crowd at the mention of the conspiracy, and Jeff looked over his shoulder to take in the faces. How many of them were truly surprised? How many disappointed or guilty? He guessed that Basten’s words served as a warning for any remaining conspirators.

  “All of this have they done with no request for compensation or reward. The definition of a hero!” Basten continued, his voice growing louder as he built up to his point. “But Queen Ansella will not allow their actions to go unrecognised.”

  He took his seat, and the force of Queen Ansella’s presence filled the void his sudden silence left behind. Jeff admired her mastery in projecting her wishes without a word being spoken. The buzz of anticipation grew as she rose to her feet, stepped down the dais to stand in front of them. Ariana followed, staying a step behind her mother.

  Ansella stopped first in front of Jayden. “Lord of Feldall,” she said, her voice soft and yet heard by everyone in the room, “for all you have sacrificed for throne and country, you have Our eternal gratitude. In spite of your limitations, you proved your determination and ability to protect your people. You are well deserving of the title of Head of Feldall House, and can now claim the personal approval of Andvell’s Head of State.”

  Jeff saw the queen’s quick glance towards her daughter, and Jayden’s face flushed a tomato red.

  “Your Majesty,” he said in reply, bowing at the waist to avoid having to look at Ariana, who stared with equal intensity at the back wall over Jayden’s head.

  Behind her mask, the queen’s eyes sparkled with amusement, and Jeff suspected that she enjoyed how uncomfortable she’d made her daughter and the Feldall lord. He bit his cheek to suppress a smile.

  Ansella took a step to the side, stopping in front of Jasmine and Brady.

  “Lady Feldall and Consort. You both suffered personal injury over the course of the past two weeks. You faced death and ordered it to stand down so your task might be accomplished. Lady Jasmine, my men reported that you tried to challenge the enemy in a private battle, and when that failed, due to reasons beyond your control, immediately focused your efforts on protecting the weaker members of your army,” she nodded towards Jeff and Cassie. “For your dedication and bravery, the Crown grants Feldall’s Keep an extra ten thousand hectares of land, including the ruins of Treevale Fortress to do with as you like. The Treasury will also donate the necessary coin to rebuild your village so your House may flourish under your rule.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Jasmine choked. Her eyes glistened as she dropped in a curtsy.

  “And Brady Reed, your passion for knowledge inspires Us. You have proved that a lack of skill with a blade does not mean that one is unnecessary in the safety of the people. Knowledge is power, and when wielded by one who is good in heart and sound of mind, it can be instrumental in life’s most important battles. In recognition of your sacrifice, We hereby name you Counsellor Brady Dragontongue, a title worthy of a Lady of status, an epithet worthy of your actions. May your wisdom continue to guide the Lord and Lady of Feldall down positive paths. And one day, perhaps, this court.”

  Brady’s mouth fell open, etiquette slipping for a moment as he stood in shock. Basten had to clear his throat for the scholar to remember his manners and bow.

  Ariana brought a knuckle to her lips to hide a giggle, and again, the queen’s humour was hidden behind the stoic metal face.

  Venn came next, and the young woman’s hands clenched at her sides. Her gaze shifted around the room, unsure where to settle.

  “Venn Connell,” the queen said. “Your name, unknown to Us prior to these events, will now be added to the historical record for your valiant acts in the protection of your country. In spite of your youth, you have accomplished great deeds and should hold your head high. No titles or land do you hold, but it seems to Us that in light of your role, you deserve them. Please kneel.”

  Trembling, Venn sank down onto one knee, keeping her chin level with the ground, her stare fixed straight ahead.

  Basten stepped forward and bowed as he held out the long ceremonial sword the queen kept by her throne. She took it and rested the blade on Venn’s shoulder. “Do you swear fealty to the Crown of Andvell and to all who wear it?”

  “I do,” the young woman said.

  “Do you swear to protect the throne and the country of Andvell with your life, to come when called to guard against any threat thereon, upon your honour and the name of your family?”

  “I do.”

  “Then rise, Sir Venn, as a knight of the court, and accept the title with Our appreciation.”

  Jeff wanted to clap and cheer, but decorum kept him quiet. Inside, his chest swelled with pride. And a certain amount of relief. Venn would find her place in this world, just like anyone her age did in any world.

  Happiness sank back into nervousness as Queen Ansella took her final steps to the right, stopping in front of him and Cassie.

  “And what does one offer those to whom titles and land serve no purpose?” she asked. “For reasons of your own, you seem obligated to help these friends whenever necessary, and such love and loyalty must be recognised. We insist you name your reward.”

  Jeff and Cassie exchanged a glance, the uncertainty on her face likely mirroring his own. Licking his dry lips, he gave a short bow and said, “While your offer is appreciated, I don’t feel that we—”

  “Your Majesty,” Cassie interrupted, and Jeff stopped, mouth open. She shot him a look of apology and then swallowed, straightened her shoulders, and raised her chin. “As my reward, I would like to request that Venn be allowed to return home with us. If she chooses.”

  Jeff’s surprise morphed into shock, but his reaction couldn’t compare with the expression on Venn’s face. She froze, mouth agape.

  “Wait, what?” he whispered to Cassie. “Have you thought about this?”

  “Yes,” Cassie replied. “A lot, actually.”

  “Isn’t she kind of … violent?” Jeff tried to be tactful, but a woman who expressed her anger with a knife would stand out in their world.

  Cassie raised a shoulder. “In downtown Montreal? Who would notice?”

  Jeff had no answer to that.

  The queen’s silence spoke to her own surprise, and Jeff feared to face her anger. She listened to their banter without interruption, but when they stopped, she said, “This is not what We expected, and it seems We are not the only one surprised. For the same reason as Mr. Powell, We have concerns. People jumping between … cities,” she paused to choose her words carefully in front of the crowd, and then continued, “has never been tried. We do not know if We can grant this boon.”

  “I understand, Your Majesty, but if you would hear my reasons?” Queen Ansella gestured for her to continue. Cassie swallowed again. “Venn has no family left, and while I know very well that she can take care of herself, I believe it’s important she have people around to offer support if she needs it. Of course, I wouldn’t want to force her, just give her the option to make a life for herself in a stable environment.”

  Queen Ansella regarded her from behind the silver mask. Jeff still couldn’t believe this request was on the table, but as he looked at the growing excitement on Venn’s face, he couldn’t bring himself to oppose the idea.

  “What do you say to this, Sir Venn? Would you approve such a proposal?”

  Venn tried to clear her expression of any hope or happiness. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Ansella raised her hand toward
s her face, maybe to tap her finger against her lip, but as if she remembered the mask, dropped it onto her skirt. “Very well. You have Our leave to accompany them. But know that you are welcome back here if it does not meet your expectations.”

  Venn bowed again. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  Finally the queen turned to Jeff. “And how about you, Mr. Powell? What would you ask of the Andvellian Queen?”

  The way she said the words, Jeff heard the message underneath. The queen of the world you claim to have created. What could I possibly offer you?

  Before Jeff could answer, the room went dark, the sunlight disappearing from the six floor-to-ceiling windows. Whispers and exclamations burst from the crowd as everyone looked outside. The afternoon sun had disappeared, covered in thick black clouds that hadn’t been there a moment ago. Fat raindrops began to fall, ticking against the thick glass, and lightning flashed in blue-white forks, hitting the ground in short flashes of fire.

  Venn and Cassie moved closer to Jeff and they jumped as the first grumble of thunder rolled through. From the crowd, he saw Maggie try to move closer, caught in the mob of hundreds of bodies.

  Only it didn’t sound exactly like thunder. And it came from inside, just past the doors.

  Impossible, Jeff thought. Raul is dead. Raul is gone!

  He and Jasmine exchanged a look, and she shook her head, just as worried and confused.

  The rumble came again, and this time the doors at the back of the room flew open, seemingly of their own accord, revealing the source of the sound.

  In the doorway, a lion stood, throwing back its maned head to release another chest-deep roar.

  The crowd screamed and rushed to get away from the aisle as the cat loped forward, the patterns on its creamy fur and thick brown mane shifting with each lightning strike.

  People tried to escape, but the doors slammed shut again to trap everyone inside.

  Maggie managed to push her way to the front next to Brady. She shouted a word of command, but the spell rebounded and knocked her back.

  The Queensguard blocked the lion’s path down the aisle, swords and spears drawn, but the lion raised a paw and swatted them away as if they were kittens.

  Behind Jeff, the queen raised her ceremonial sword. She’d taken off her mask and it sat now in Basten’s open palms where he stood behind his chair, never one to be part of the fight. Ariana drew her own daggers, but Jayden stood in front of her, sword ready.

  Jeff didn’t know what to do. There was nowhere to run and no weapon for him to grab. So he stood paralysed and waited to see what would happen.

  The lion glanced at the queen and disregarded her, padding in front of Jeff. He stopped breathing. The lion sat down, still tall enough to reach Jeff’s shoulder. It raised its paw and rested it on his chest, the claws black and sharp against his coat. He stayed as still as he could.

  The air around the lion shimmered, and whispers rippled across the room like a breeze, shaking the pennants that hung from the ceiling.

  The lion roared once more, and in response, more growls sounded behind them. Cassie whipped around with a startled gasp, and Jeff suspected there would be two more lions in the far corners of the room. Which no one else had seen enter. Because they hadn’t been there a moment ago.

  His fear eased, replaced by an anxious uncertainty, and as his shoulders relaxed, the lion’s eyes changed from gold to emerald. The paw on his chest tingled with energy, and his hair stood on end as the vibrations ran down his arms and up the back of his neck.

  He blinked, and the lion was gone, the paw changed to a bare hand, and a woman stood in its place.

  “I should have known,” he said.

  Kay grinned.

  For the occasion, she had dressed up, the usual sheer dress replaced with a flowing gown of pale green, her long hair braided, partially up, the rest falling over her shoulders.

  “Did you think we would miss,”

  “A party in honour of,”

  “Jeffrey Lionheart?”

  None of the tension in the room eased as the new arrivals revealed themselves. Based on Venn’s blank stare, Jeff guessed the Sisters weren’t as widely known in Andvell as they seemed to be among the Feldall population. But Jasmine and Jayden sheathed their weapons, looking entertained by everyone else’s reactions.

  Jeff spun in a circle to greet the other two Sisters, Aya looking stunning in a sky-blue princess gown, with a full skirt and off the shoulder bodice, her milk-white hair pinned up, showing off the most of her black skin. Lan, in the far corner, wore a tight short-sleeved yellow gown with a red belt around her waist, her black hair rolled into a side bun.

  He turned back to Kay. “I guess I’m glad you stopped by. That I get to say farewell. You certainly made an entrance, but I don’t know how I feel about the Lionheart.”

  “You rose above your promise,” said Kay.

  Aya spoke up, joining Kay on her left. “Saved the country. Saved the,”

  “World.” Lan came up on her right. “We owe you a gift.”

  “Who are you?” Ariana demanded, still holding her daggers. She had pinned her skirt up to her belt, revealing one long leg beneath, giving a bit of freedom if she came to a fight. Jeff noted the way Jayden’s gaze was fixated on the muscular thigh.

  “We are the—” Kay began.

  “They’re witches,” Jeff interrupted, not giving them a chance to get into their long riddle-ridden spiel. “Illusionists. Far from harmless, but I don’t think they’re here to cause trouble.”

  The queen gave a nod, and the guards stood down. Ariana hesitated, eyes narrowed with suspicion, and tucked the daggers away, letting her skirt drop back to the floor.

  The Sisters laughed, and the crowd gasped as the power of their voices stroked their minds with its unique quality.

  Maggie crossed her arms, and she and Jasmine stood together, looking unimpressed and annoyed.

  “What sort of gift?” the enchantress demanded. “And in exchange for what?”

  Lan giggled. “The feat has been accomplished.”

  “Raul is gone. The threat,”

  “Expired. The gift is owed.”

  “Do I get to choose what it is?” Jeff asked. “If so, I’d really like you to return what you took. I think I’ve earned it.”

  Aya’s eyebrow arched. “You request what was freely,”

  “Given in return for another boon. Are you,”

  “Willing to accept what may be taken?”

  Jeff swallowed and glanced at Cassie. She returned the look, and he saw her willingness to help him, for him to say yes, come what may. But he couldn’t. He took her hand and squeezed it.

  “No. So fine. What are you offering instead?”

  Kay held out an empty hand and Aya cupped her palm on one side, Lan curving her hand around the other, creating a circle in the middle. A warm yellow light glowed through their fingers, growing so bright that Jeff had to look away. When the light faded, Aya and Lan removed their hands, revealing a glowing orb in Kay’s palm.

  “What is it?” Jeff asked, eying it warily.

  “A key,” Kay replied.

  She held it out for him and cautiously, hesitantly, Jeff took it. He expected it to be hot, but it was cool, the light disappearing as Kay released it. The orb sat in his palm, a heavy glass ball with green, blue, and yellow swirls on the inside.

  “Some doors, once open, are not made,”

  “To be closed. Some bridges meant,”

  “To be crossed. This will keep the door open.”

  Jeff stared down at the ball, his shoulders sagging.

  “So you’re saying this will bring me back here if I ever want to?”

  The Sisters nodded.

  “Great. Thanks.” Worst. Gift. Ever. “But why are you giving me a gift? I thought I owed you a debt? Isn’t that what you said in the woods? Are you going to give me any details on that one?”

  The Sister’s grinned, and as one they said, “The debt is yours. It will be p
aid.”

  “Strangely, that doesn’t put me at ease.”

  In a flash of green, blue, and yellow light, they disappeared without answering, the colours breaking up and floating around the room like fireflies before winking out of existence.

  The clouds outside dissipated, the storm cleared, and sun returned to the room. The crowd began to breathe again and return to their positions in the court.

  Queen Ansella, her hand to her chest, sank onto her throne.

  Ariana remained standing, her arms crossed.

  “Well,” the queen said, apparently struggling in the effort to revert to her aloof hauteur. “We can see events never fail to be interesting in your presence. We almost hope you choose to make use of that gift.”

  She gestured to the orb, and Jeff frowned down at it. “With all due respect, Your Majesty, I hope I don’t.”

  Queen Ansella smiled, looking much more relaxed now without the mask. She rested her hands on the arms of the chair and nodded at her guard. “The audience is finished for today. Clear the court.”

  Rising to her feet, she swept into her private chambers. Basten followed, but Ariana stayed where she was until the page came out and whispered in her ear. The page then turned to the others and said, “The queen wishes you to join her.”

  The rest of the group followed in a long line into the large room behind the audience chamber. The queen didn’t sit in the carved chair, but stood at the dresser, fiddling with the figurines on top of it.

  “I don’t normally stand for unexpected visitors in my audience chamber,” she said.

  “Our apologies, Your Majesty,” said Brady. “They have a tendency to arrive at unexpected times.”

  “It will provide a good story for the people for years to come, I expect.” She set down a gilded mirror and turned to them, crossing her hands over her dress. “I would like to thank you, personally, for everything you’ve done. To be honest, I didn’t think you’d find a way. I still don’t know if I can believe all of what you told me.”