Ritis turned to Reuben and Petra. “Since you are the ones who need the companions, and especially given your roles as Tela Du and the rightful rulers of Rizkaland, you must make this request yourselves. I stand here only as a witness that your request is at the Will of Alphego.”
“Okay,” said Reuben, glancing towards the jungle. “Which way do we need to go?”
“You need not go anywhere,” answered, Ritis, smiling. “If one of you will pound your staff against the stone beneath us, it should summon them.”
Petra and Reuben shared a glance, and without a word, she pounded hers, once, twice, three times. It echoed with a rich thunk, much louder than Reuben expected. Was this Hill hollow?
Immediately, equines poured into the clearing. They were just as Ritis described them, some with wings, some with spiral horns, horses in every shade of the rainbow. Reuben noticed Petra seize up, so he took her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. For some reason, she had an irrational of horses, as she put it. She hated it and did her best to hide it – so most people didn’t know – but sometimes, like when she was standing within a herd of horses, it got the best of her.
The herd parted, allowing one who could be none other than the Sentaur to pass. Reuben found him to not be at all unlike what he expected – the body of a horse, but a man’s torso sticking up where the head ought to be. The horse’s body and the man’s thick hair and beard were brown, which seemed a bit out of place in the plethora of color, but it gave him a simple, unassuming appearance that demanded to be taken seriously in the middle of this rainbow. He was also huge, the horse’s body that of a large draft horse, and had he a full man’s body, he would have been at least seven feet tall, gauging by the size of his torso. He was muscular, too, under all of the hair.
The Sentaur climbed the steps of the Hill, and Petra drew back, gripping Reuben’s hand tighter. He stopped just short of them, however, and lowered himself to his knees, so that he was just at their eye level, placing a hand over his heart as he dipped his head.
“Tela Du,” said he, his voice deep and surprisingly gentle. “You’ve come at last. Rizkaland has waited many years. Tell me, why have you come to the Isle of Talking Beasts? Do you need steeds for your army as you ride into the battle? Advice from one who has fought against the Dragon before? Perhaps a place to relax and hide from the Dragon’s attention while you train for the battle ahead of you?”
Realizing that Petra was not going to find her words anytime soon, since not only were they standing in front of a crowd, but it was a crowd of horses, Reuben stepped forward. He matched the Sentaur’s bow, shifting his staff into his elbow so he could place his fist over his heart yet not let go of Petra’s hand. “I’m Reuben, son of King David and Queen Michelle,” he said. “This is Petra, daughter of King Ralph and Queen Jane, your Tela Du. I have known her my whole life, and it has been my honor to accompany her so that I might give her aid in her battle against the dragon.”
The Sentaur smiled and slowly nodded. “I’m glad to hear that she has a loyal friend to stand at her side, for the path set before her won’t be easy. And you say that your parents are David and Michelle, and hers are Jane and Ralph?”
“That is correct,” Reuben confirmed. “But from after they returned to their own world.”
“Most intriguing,” said the Sentaur. “After two thousand years, it seems a bit unbelievable, but I see the light of truth in your eyes. They are the same gray as Michelle’s, and your jaw follows the same line that David’s did. Though I’m afraid, Petra, that there is little I can see in your face beyond your resemblance to the Dragon. However, given how long it’s been since I last saw Jane or Ralph and the ever-present danger Amber has been, it may just be the shortness of my memory.”
“We actually had no idea they were any sort of royalty until we came here yesterday,” said Reuben, not exactly sure what else to say. “Especially not royalty from another world.”
“You speak well, then, for one who isn’t used to our ways, though I can’t imagine that your parents would let you grow up completely ignorant of proper manners,” said the Sentaur. “I sense in you a similar, yet much stronger power to that which your parents wielded. You already wield your weapons. Tell me, what has Alphego given you charge of?”
Petra stepped forward. “Eliue,” she answered, her voice clear and calm.
A gasp rippled through the crowd, horses reared, and wings spread wildly. They knew what the word meant and its importance.
“Then I am doubly honored by this visit.” The Sentaur dipped his head again. “Now, tell me what need you have, for in times like this, visits to this Isle are never mere pleasantries.”
“We have been sent at the instruction of the Book to request Companions,” said Reuben.
More gasps rippled through the crowd.
The Sentaur glanced to Ritis. “Is this true, Bookholder?”
“It is,” said Ritis. “I read the instructions last night while they were receiving their commission from Alphego.”
The Sentaur turned back to Reuben and Petra. “Do you understand the significance of this thing you ask of us?”
Reuben nodded. “Bookholder Ritis has made it clear to us.”
“Very well.” The Sentaur slowly and carefully regained his feet and motioned Reuben and Petra towards the nearest set of stairs. “Given who you are, I cannot deny your request, yet it is not a request that I can grant you of my own power. The lives of my subjects are not mine for me to barter and sell at my whim. Ask them: perhaps one or two should like the honor, perhaps not. I cannot say.”
Reuben and Petra descended the indicated set of stairs halfway, at which point Petra froze and wouldn’t take another step. Reuben repeated the request to the herd at large.
The crowd erupted in argument. The question wasn’t so much who is willing? but rather who is worthy of this honor? Reuben had never seen so many equines gathered together, boasting of their accomplishments. Not that he’d ever seen many horses engaged in boasting contests to begin with, not verbally at least, but that was beside the point. The rowandas argued over who was the fastest runner, or the best jumper. Hinequas lauded the superior virtue of flight and threatened to turn the ordeal into a beauty pageant.
All at once, the crowd fell silent and parted to allow two harandas, one purple, the other green, to pass through. No one spoke. There was only the thud of the harandas’ hooves as they neared. The green one stared straight at Reuben, a stare that bored through him. Yet there was something in that stare, a wish of peace and goodwill, that made Reuben relax. He descended two more steps, and Petra did the same. Still, no one spoke.
At last, the harandas reached them. The purple laid her horn against Petra’s shoulder, the green put his horn against Reuben’s. The horn, smooth as pearl, was ice cold and fiery hot at the same time, and yet comfortable to the touch.
Only once before has a haranda offered a companionship, young human. That time, it was to a common girl who risked her life to save us from hunters who had come here from another world wishing to rob us of our horns, thinking they had healing properties, which I’m afraid they sadly do not. It’d be convenient if they did. She refused, instead choosing to return to her own world with her father.
The harandas were telepathic! Reuben wished that Ritis had mentioned it sooner.
I sense your excitement, and excited you should be, but temper it with wisdom. We bestow this honor upon you, not because you have earned it, but because you, as King of Eliue, deserve nothing less. The rowandas offer you speed, the hinequas, flight, but we can give you mind and power. We have high expectations of you and your queen, and little doubt that you will live up to them. Do you understand this?
Yes! Reuben thought the word as hard as he could.
No need to shout, your mind is easy enough for me to read. You said your name was Reuben. Mine is Greenhorn. Beside me stands my sister, Spiraldream. Our father is Thunderwhisper, the third member of the Sentaur’s Counsel. Petra is
your mate? No. You are still courting her, I see. Well, she’ll come around. Fillies will play their games.
Reuben tried to jerk away, startled by Greenhorn’s intrusion into this private thought.
Hold, Reuben, I am sorry if I intruded on a thought that I shouldn’t. I was merely trying to determine your relationship with the Tela Du, as she seems a predominant figure in your mind. I shall try not to let it happen again. Do you agree to me as your companion?
Yes.
The next moment, Reuben felt an oppressive push against his mind, and then Greenhorn pulled away.
I have created a link with your mind, Reuben. It’s what we harandas do with family and friends that we don’t want to lose contact with. No matter how great the distance, we can hear each other. Whenever you have need of me, let me know, and I shall come to you at once, or at least as quickly as I can.
“We are honored to have you as our companions,” said Petra aloud. She turned back towards the top of the Hill. “Spiraldream and Greenhorn will return us to Rizkaland. Is that okay with you, Ritis?”
“Perfectly fine. In fact, if it’s lunchtime before you return to Loray, then I wouldn’t worry a bit, so long as you don’t meet with anyone who could take word of you back to Amber.”
Spiraldream gave a snort and shook her mane.
“Wait, what? I’m not following,” Reuben spoke up.
What the Bookholder suggests is that we spend the morning getting to know each other, preferably not on the Rizkan mainland. Perhaps we could explore one of the uninhabited islands. Humans are not generally welcome beyond this clearing on this Isle.
Reuben glanced at Petra. “Um, shall we explore the uninhabited islands?”
“Sounds great.”
They mounted their new companions, a task which was easier said than done, as the harandas didn’t wear saddles – not that Reuben would have suggested it. These were proud Eliue, after all. It was an honor that they were simply allowing Reuben and Petra on their backs. However, even though Reuben had experience with horses from when he visited his aunt in Colorado during the summer, bareback was a new experience.
Petra was quieter even than normal as she perched on Spiraldream’s back, but she didn’t seem to be freaking out, which was a good thing.
Are you ready, Reuben?
Reuben tightened his grip with his knees and nodded. Whenever you are.
He glanced towards Petra. She had a fistful of Spiraldream’s mane in one hand, and she gripped her stick tightly in the other. He opened his mouth to say something, but then changed his mind and shook his head. Spiraldream could correct her if she wanted.
The thought was cut short when the world around them suddenly blurred silver, much as it had the day before when they used the doormat. When the colors sorted themselves back out, they stood on a beach, though the water before them was a distinct shade of purple.
I was once told that humans enjoy swimming and that this beach has the best water for swimming in all of Rizkaland.
“It’s very purple,” Petra commented. She paused a moment, frowning as she tilted her head to the side – it was clear that she was listening to Spiraldream. Then her eyebrow arched and met Reuben’s eye. “Apparently, water comes in different colors here, and each color has a different use. Purple water is for bathing.”
“Awesome,” said Reuben, nodding. “We should have brought bathing suits.”
You require a special suit just to take a bath?
Reuben slid down from Greenhorn’s back and circled around to help Petra dismount from Spiraldream. “No, actually it’s for swimming,” he explained aloud for Spiraldream’s benefit as well, “I guess we can enjoy the water without actually swimming right? Maybe we can come again another day since it sounds like we might be here a while.”
“We’ll see if they’ll let us,” Petra muttered, bending down so she could untie her shoes. “But you’re right, Reuben, we should enjoy ourselves while we can.”
She was interrupted when a girl ran out of thin air, turned, and made a motion with her hand. Then she plopped down on the nearest rock, breathing hard as she shoved sweat-soaked bangs out of her eyes. She was, at oldest, fourteen. “Back in Rizkaland,” she muttered, looking about her. “Chinok, by the look of it. Oh!”
She noticed her audience and sprang to her feet, eyes wide, her mouth a perfect o.
Ask her why she calls this place Chinok. This island has no name.
Not the sort of greeting Reuben wanted to give – his intention had been more of a “There, there, we won’t bite,” but he was intrigued by Greenhorn’s comment.
I’ll get to it, he messaged back to the haranda. He took a step towards the girl.
“Hey, calm down, we’re not going to hurt you if that’s what you’re afraid of. I’m Reuben and…”
“Reuben!” Her eyes widened. “As in…” She took a timid step forward, gazing at him with wondering awe. “Yes, yes, it is you. I see it now; those are your eyes.” She tilted her head to the side as she took a few steps sideways, staring at him from another angle.
Reuben wasn’t entirely comfortable with the situation but managed to awkwardly hold eye contact.
Just as he was about to say something, however, a half-grin pulled at the corner of her mouth. “It’s – it’s just that I’ve never seen you so young before. It’s so strange.”
“Who are you?”
Her smile fell as she took a step backward. “Oh, this means you don’t know who I am.” She pressed her lips together and folded her arms against her chest, looking hopelessly lost and confused. “I’m Laura,” her gaze shifted, “I’m – I – Petra!”
With that, she darted past Reuben and threw her arms around Petra’s neck. Petra automatically threw her arms into the air, the light in her eye that of a spooked animal. “Um, hello. Personal space?” Petra squeaked.
The girl shrunk back, her face twisted with guilt. “I’m sorry, it’s just that I … it’s so good to see you, and you not be…” She glanced down and scuffed her foot in the dirt. “You know.”
“No, I don’t know,” said Petra. She tilted her head to the side. “Alyce?”
The girl had to think about that for a long moment, but at last, she nodded. “My real name is Laura,” she said, and a small smile returned. “But you do call me that.”
“When I saw you yesterday, you were ten, at most. Now you’re clearly a bit older than that.”
Laura blinked. “Well, that will be a long time from now, I think, and doors do funny things to my age when I use them.” She glanced down and narrowed her eyes. “You two aren’t Tied yet.”
“No, we aren’t,” said Petra, tightly.
“You’re in Rizkaland, on Chinok island, with Greenhorn and Spiraldream, and you aren’t Tied yet,” Laura continued, glancing about. “I – I think I’m supposed to take you back to Earth now.”
“But we just got here. I haven’t given Amber the chance to kill me yet,” Petra protested.
“Greenhorn says this island doesn’t have a name,” Reuben put in, giving Petra a frown. “Why do you keep calling it Chinok?”
“Because … because … I didn’t know that it won’t be named for another thousand years.” Laura grinned sheepishly. “Please pretend that I didn’t say anything, pretty please? Yes, you’re going back home, but not for very long. You need to get a few weapons from your parents, and Ashley. Problem is, I don’t know where the nearest door to Earth is, nor am I sure I know how to make sure we go back to the right time. I don’t want you guys to end up in the wrong era. And we have to make sure we’re at least close to your house. Like within walking distance if we can manage it.”
“What about the door we came here through?” Reuben suggested.
“If you’re talking about the one where I have to pull a house out of another world, that won’t work, I can’t open it from this end.”
“I see.”
“Besides, it’s on the mainland, and if I go to the mainland we may as well … u
se the Hill.”
If she wishes to return to the mainland, that isn’t a problem at all. It is true that we rarely take riders, but she is no ordinary person, no more than yourselves. The Doorkeeper can ride with one of you. Perhaps we meant to spend a longer morning together, but greater things are at work than our intentions. Perhaps we shall find another morning to swim, and you can bring your bathing suits with you.
“Greenhorn says that going to the mainland isn’t a problem at all,” Reuben said aloud.
Minutes later, they were mounted again. Laura chose to ride with Petra, which Petra didn’t protest. There was another blur of silver, and they stood before the great Hill once more. Laura slid down immediately and scampered up the steps. Reuben and Petra followed, more cautiously.
“Now we … wait—” Laura began, but then she frowned and ran back to the Harandas. “I need you to tell Ritis or Rintaya when they come out here that I’ve taken Reuben and Petra back to Earth, and that they’ll be back in about a week. Can you do that for us? Thanks so much.”
She returned to Reuben and Petra with a slower step.
“A week?” asked Petra.
“For them,” Laura answered. “It will only be a few hours for you. Now, we need to join hands. Please don’t be shy. That will just make it awkward.”
They joined hands, and Laura prayed. Her voice was soft, but somehow it rattled the very air.
Chapter 9
“Laura just took Reuben and Petra to Rizkaland!” Ashley cried breathlessly as she burst into Queen Jane’s office.
Queen Jane spun around in her desk chair and stood up. “Have they? And they left you behind?”
“I think they’re going to come back for me, or at least I hope they do,” Ashley answered after she had caught her breath. “Laura sent me with a message for you and Queen Michelle. You need to prepare The Room.”
Queen Jane nodded. “Go get Queen Michelle.”
Ashley didn’t hesitate. She ran back out of the house and then walked across the street to Queen Michelle’s house. Summer answered the door when she knocked.
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