Ashley felt a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up to see that Petra walked beside her, her brow knit in concern.
“Ashes, are you all right?”
“What do you care? You don’t even like me.” Ashley didn’t mean for the words to be so bitter, but she was breaking inside.
“You replaced the sister no one could remember I had,” Petra explained. “Rintaya replaced your mother whom your father had to forget – and he couldn’t remember you, either. Whether I like you or not, I can’t help but sympathize. Besides, if I think of you as Ritis’s daughter, I don’t feel as threatened by your existence.”
Ashley rubbed at her eye, biting back tears. “Part of me understands. I did know that he couldn’t remember her – it’s how his gift works. I did know that since it’s been fifty years, he’s had time enough to fall in love again and remarry. And he needed a son to be Bookholder after him. And yet…”
“You still feel as though you’re the one being replaced?”
“Yeah.”
“Ashley, you need to give Rintaya a chance.” Petra’s voice turned stern as she tightened her grip on Ashley’s shoulder. “Don’t hate her as a replacement like I resented you. It’s just going to make you bitter, and it could destroy your relationship with your father. I’m sure you don’t want to take that risk.”
“No,” Ashley admitted, pulling away.
“Rintaya always wanted a daughter,” Petra continued, “and honestly, I think she’s as unsure about you as you are of her. She only just found out that Ritis had a wife and family before her. That has to be painful for a woman. Honestly, I don’t think either of you has anything to worry about.”
Ashley nodded absentmindedly as she pushed open the door to a staircase. In an attempt to get ahead of Petra again, she took the stairs two at a time. When she glanced back over her shoulder, she was relieved to see that Petra had fallen back to make sure that Reuben didn’t trip on stairs that he couldn’t see over Laura. Ashley smiled despite being upset. The two of them were really quite adorable together.
They came to the third floor where the Bookholder Suite and other bedrooms were located. With each step, Ashley’s feet grew heavier. They soon reached an area that Petra claimed to know, so Ashley fell behind.
When Reuben and Petra reached the door, they waited for Ashley to catch up before they went in. Reuben offered an encouraging smile, and Petra put her hand on Ashley’s shoulder again. “She’s not the wicked witch that you’ll find in Edna’s fairy tales,” she whispered in Ashley’s ear. “She’s a wonderful woman who makes your father very happy, and she has done much to help Rizkaland during Amber’s reign.”
As they entered the library, they saw a man, an elf of about thirty years, scanning the shelves. He smiled as they approached, and his smile reminded Ashley painfully of her father’s.
“Hello and welcome to my father’s library,” he said, “I’m Delta. How may I help you? It’s not often that…” He paused, staring at Petra. “Are you the Tela Du?”
“I am,” said Petra, leveling her chin and taking a step forward. “Do you know where we might find your mother? Or your father, as we need to talk to him as well, though for a different reason.”
“My father is out at the moment, though he should return shortly,” Delta answered. “I can, however, get my mother for you.” He glanced towards Reuben with Laura. “Would you like me to show you to a couch where you can lay her down? Or would you like me to take you directly to my mother?”
“I know where to find the reading corner,” said Ashley, too quickly. “I can show them.”
Delta gave her a very long, curious glance, then shook his head. “Very well, if that’s what you’d like.” He replaced his book on the shelf, turned, and left them.
“Actually, I was voting for him to take us directly to Rintaya,” said Reuben. “You know, in case she had somewhere specific where she’d like us to put her. Like, say, a bed.”
“Sorry,” said Ashley, hanging her head. “I – he was my brother, wasn’t he?”
“Yes,” said Petra, “he would be. You also have one named Ruklow, but I haven’t met him. I believe Rintaya told me that Delta was the younger. Now, those couches? Reuben and I have been here before, but we only managed to figure out how to get lost, and I think Reuben would like to put Laura down sooner rather than later.”
“Oh. Yes. Follow me.” Ashley started walking, her feet taking her automatically through the maze of shelves that she knew so well. They had changed little in the last fifty years, a fact that was calming and disheartening at the same time. The only change was that there were no visitors perusing the Legends or seeking the Book’s advice.
They reached the couches and Reuben laid Laura down on one.
Petra knelt at her side to brush a curl out of the girl’s face. “I hope she’s all right.”
Reuben sat down on the floor next to her and put a hand over the one she had resting on her knee. A small smile came to Petra’s lips.
Ashley retreated, feeling like an intruder on a private moment. She turned to see a stack of books on a table, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw that Water Princess, Fire Prince was the one on the top of the stack. She picked it up, cracked it open, and sank into a chair as she fell into the familiar story. Stories never changed.
“Petra! Reuben! You’ve returned.”
Ashley started from the story. An older woman stood before them. She was plump, with skin creased with wrinkles, and her white braid held only the slightest hints of brown.
Petra and Reuben scrambled to their feet. Petra showed the woman her ring and received a wink and a “now what did I say?” and then the woman heaped congratulations upon Reuben.
“Now who are these friends you brought?” the woman asked at length.
Petra indicated Laura first and explained that she was the Doorkeeper and what had happened with the door in the kitchen. The woman bent over Laura, felt the girl’s forehead, and listened to her heart and breathing. Then she nodded slowly and turned to Petra. “The Doorkeeper appears to be simply asleep, so I’m willing to say that this is merely a case of overexertion. I think we should just let her sleep for now, with someone sitting nearby just in case.”
“Wasn’t planning on going anywhere,” said Petra, nodding.
“And … your other friend?”
“Oh, right,” said Petra, straightening. She turned to Ashley. “Do you remember me telling you about the girl my parents adopted?”
“The one who you thought might be…” The words seemed to catch in the woman’s throat.
Petra nodded. “Yes. This is my adopted sister, Ashley. Ashes, this is your step-mother, Rintaya.” She held Rintaya’s eye. “Ashley has confirmed that her father was Ritis, the Bookholder.”
Ashley set the book to the side and stood up, feeling incredibly awkward now that she was the focus of the conversation. She said nothing – what do you say to the woman whom your father married while you were gone?
“How old are you, dear?” asked Rintaya.
“She’s almost sixteen, just a bit younger than I am,” Petra supplied, clearly trying her hardest to make this meeting as easy as possible.
Ashley shook her head, managing a small smile. “Twenty,” she corrected. “I’ll be turning twenty.” She glanced towards Petra. “Elves age slower than humans do, so I had to claim to be younger than I was so I could pass as human.”
“So, you’re just on the brink of maturity?” asked Rintaya.
Ashley nodded.
The next moment, Rintaya pulled her into a tight embrace. Ashley stiffened, quite unused to hugs from strange women. Yet there was something comforting about it, something familiar. Rintaya was a mother. While Queen Jane was one, Ashley held too much awe for her, and she hated coming between Petra and her mother.
Something inside of Ashley seemed to click. She wasn’t entirely sure how to describe it, but a sense of peace washed over her, a sense of coming home.
Then
Rintaya pushed her to arm’s length, and Ashley saw tears glittering in the woman’s eyes. “I – I always wanted a daughter, but with the Dragon’s presence, it would have been too dangerous to risk the birth of a Bookdaughter. But here you are. Alphego knows best, does he not?”
Ashley bit her lip and slowly nodded. “Perhaps so.” How could she say that she would have much preferred her own mother?
“Now where did that son of mine go?” said Rintaya, finally letting Ashley go and spinning away. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to meet you. No, we should probably wait until your father returns and can remember some details.”
“That’s probably best,” agreed Ashley. “I think I’d like to see him before anyone else. It’s been so long since I was last here. Things have changed so much, and I don’t feel like I’ve come home yet.”
“Besides, Ritis might want to explain the situation to the boys himself,” added Rintaya, nodding. “Yes, yes, it would be best to wait for Ritis. Return to your book in the meantime, dear.”
Ashley gratefully retreated back to the chair, back into the comfort of the written word and adventures of the past.
“Tell me, dear, which legend is that?” asked Rintaya, before Ashley could fall in too deeply.
Ashley held up the book’s cover in answer. She was done talking.
“Ah, Water Princess, Fire Prince,” read Rintaya. She chuckled. “Why am I not surprised?”
“What do you mean?” asked Petra, suspicion edging her voice.
Rintaya paused a moment, as though considering her answer. “Oh, it’s just that Water Princess, Fire Prince is an exciting, yet romantic tale that a girl like her is likely to enjoy. It’d be only natural for her to gravitate to it.”
“It … is my favorite,” Ashley admitted.
“Ah. See, I was right.” Rintaya gave a firm nod. “Now, as it seems that the three of you have things quite under control here, I’m going to retreat to the kitchen. I’ve a feeling that the Doorkeeper will be ravenous when she awakens and supper won’t cook itself.”
Since no one had any reason to protest, with that she was gone.
“She’s trying too hard,” said Reuben.
“It can’t be easy to meet your husband’s daughter from a previous marriage, especially if she’s younger than the years you’ve been married,” Petra pointed out. “Let her try. At least she’s being understanding about the whole affair. I know of many people who wouldn’t be.”
“Fair point,” said Reuben. He walked over to Ashley and glanced at her book. “So, this one’s your favorite? I rather enjoyed it myself, especially the challenges they had to face to travel through the Mountain. Care to tell me why you love it so much?”
“Oh,” said Ashley, a grin spreading across her face. “Of course.” With that, she launched into a description of all of her favorite parts of the legend. Reuben sat down in the chair next to her and listened with clear interest, occasionally adding a comment of his own. Petra stayed at Laura’s side.
The conversation was cut short when Ashley felt a familiar burn rush through her mind. Gasping, she looked up, straight into her father’s eyes.
“Ashna,” he whispered.
“Father!” Ashna threw the book into Reuben’s hands, leaped to her feet, and rushed to her father. She stopped short as she actually looked at him. “You’re … you’re old.”
“It’s been fifty years,” he said, quietly. “Not even elves are immune to the passing of time.” He took the final step between them and put a hand on her cheek. “But look at you. Look at the beautiful young woman you’ve grown into.”
“It’s been two years for me. Exactly two years.”
“I’d been told of the strange ways world travel affects the passing of time,” said Father. “To be honest, I’d found it hard to believe until this moment.”
Ashna bit her lip and nodded, a lump rising in her throat.
“Your mother would have been so proud of you.”
“Yes, Mother…” Ashna closed her eyes as painful memories washed through her. Those final moments…
“Your mother,” he repeated, his face clouding. He pulled away. “She…”
“Amber killed her,” said Ashna, glancing down. “And you had to forget us to protect Rizkaland. I understand.”
“I … know. It’s just that I now remember who she was.” His voice was heavy as he turned and took a step away from Ashna. “Oh, Petra, I’m so sorry.”
Petra blinked and scrambled to her feet. “What do you mean?”
“Sarah, your sister. I now remember who she was,” Father stepped forward and took Petra’s hand. “I told you there was fondness in the memory, but while I did consider the possibility, I dismissed it at once. Elves and humans don’t intermarry, so I thought it impossible. I was wrong.”
Petra drew back, shaking her head in denial, her brow knitting. “Please get to the point.”
“I married her. Sarah was my first wife. Your sister was Ashna’s mother. And, I’m sorry, so very sorry, but she … she met with Amber soon after Amber came, and recognized you in Amber’s face. I’m not certain that the Dragon found out that she was your sister, but she…”
“No!” Petra yanked her hand from his and glanced wildly about, melting Ashna for a moment under a withering glare. “No, no, you’ve got to be joking! You’ve got to be … please tell me it’s not true!”
“I’m sorry, Petra. Amber poisoned Sarah, and there was no way for us to save her. I – I wish it had been otherwise. She was my wife, and I loved her dearly.”
“But … but she can’t just be gone!”
“Petra…” Reuben stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. She spun around and glared at him.
They stood staring at each other for several moments, neither saying a word. Then she suddenly turned, tore herself from his hold, and ran. Reuben followed her a few steps but stopped when he reached the bookshelf. He turned back with a shake of his head. “It’s best to let her think and calm down first. She doesn’t even want me right now. Not that I blame her.”
“My … my mother was human?” Ashna finally realized.
“The daughter of Queen Jane and King Ralph, no less,” affirmed her father. “That’s why you were sent to them during your time in their world. They are your grandparents.”
“But … how is that even possible? Elves and humans don’t…”
“There aren’t any actual laws against it.”
“But it isn’t done!” Ashna hugged her arms to her chest as she struggled to catch her breath. “If my mother was human then what does that make me?”
“My beautiful daughter, Bookdaughter Ashna, Princess of Rizkaland,” Father answered. “It makes you unique, but this is a unique time.”
Chapter 3
Petra. This was the second time a person had called Amber by that name. This time, Amber would not destroy this opportunity with rashness.
She relaxed her expression and smiled sweetly upon the pair, and such young, innocent children they were. “I am, however,” she continued in a gentler tone, “curious about this Petra, to whom I clearly bear such a striking resemblance.”
“She’s my sister,” said the young man.
“Your sister,” Amber repeated, thoughtfully. If she was the daughter of King Ralph and Queen Jane, then that would mean that this young man was their son. “You must know a good deal about her.”
The young man glanced down awkwardly and mumbled, “I suppose I do.”
Amber glanced about herself and clapped her hands.
“Come, you look like you have traveled a long way and are in need of nourishment. Would you care to join me in my dining hall for a late lunch? The Hall of Blood is not the place to be discussing familial matters.”
The girl blinked, shrinking into her companion. “Hall of Blood?”
“I did not choose the name,” said Amber softening her voice, “nor have I the power to change it, unfortunately.”
“Oh,” said the girl.
Amber smiled. “Follow me.”
She turned and exited through the door she’d just entered. It was true that she’d been on a mission, an important one at that – she never stepped foot in the Hall of Blood unless she had to – but gaining information about her was more important than anything. Besides, Amber always appreciated an excuse to delay a trip through this hall.
“Why is it called that?” asked the young man.
“Hmm?”
“This Hall, why is it called that?”
“Oh, yes,” said Amber. She shook her head. “It’s not a pretty story. Almost every door you see in this hall leads to what could be either a prison or a torture chamber, depending on the need. I don’t use them for that purpose unless I have to.” She gave a heavy sigh. “But they aren’t the reason for its name.”
“Then what is?” asked the girl.
“If you follow this Hall to its ultimate end, you will find a large room that I shudder to call to mind,” Amber explained. “It was in that room that each one of my ancestors met their end, there I killed my own parents, and there I shall someday die. That is why this is called the Hall of Blood.”
“Oh.” The girl’s voice was hollow. She was properly horrified, very good.
“But my parents had become corrupt. I had no choice but to kill them.” Glancing behind her, Amber saw that they had relaxed visibly now that they were out of the Hall. The girl even let go of the young man’s hand and put a few steps between them. Intriguing.
“Let us leave that dismal topic,” Amber continued. “I’m afraid that I’m quite at a disadvantage. You know my name, I know your sister’s name, but I don’t know yours.”
“My name is Summer. His is Tyler,” said the girl.
“Delightful names, and I’m pleased to make your acquaintances,” said Amber. “Tyler. I wonder if it means the same where you come from – here in Rizkaland, it speaks of love and commitment.” Tylith was one of the few Rizkan words that Amber had bothered to learn over the years.
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