There was a knock at the door leading to the hall. It proved to be Reuben. Of course. He was now wearing a green suit unlike the suits of Earth, but it looked quite good on him. He bowed as soon as she opened the door.
“Greetings, my fair lady. May I have the honor of escorting you to breakfast?”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s still too early in the morning for this. Let’s just go.” She brushed past him and down the hall towards the Bookholder’s Suite.
“Um, good idea?” He fell into step behind her. “So, we’re going to Klarand, and the harandas are going to take us. Does this mean that we get to go back to the Isle of Talking Beasts?”
“No…” answered Petra, glancing over her shoulder to glare at him, “it means that we’re going to summon Spiraldream and Greenhorn with the mental links that they provided us with. And not right now!” she added hastily because she was almost certain that he was about to do it then and there. “Wait until we’re outside. We don’t want them in this hallway, now do we?”
“Um, perhaps not,” said Reuben, as they entered the library. “That sounds like a very good plan, as usual, Petra. Now, that reminds me – I’m not sure if you heard me or not as you were leaving my room. You look especially beautiful this morning.”
Petra sighed. “Reuben, please no flattery.”
“But that was an honest compliment!” he protested, jogging forward to take her hand. “Honestly, Petch! I’d have thought that after you were in my head last night … and then my dream this morning…” She felt a wave of frustration roll off of him.
A shiver ran down her spine as she felt his hand in her hair. She tensed. This was precisely the reason why she normally wore her hair in a braid – so it wouldn’t tempt him.
“I wish you’d wear it this way more often,” he whispered, way too close to her ear.
She leaned away as she pulled all of her hair over one shoulder with a deft motion, and sent him a warning glare. “Maybe if you could keep your hands to yourself, I would.”
“Sorry.”
Breakfast was eaten quickly, and then they traveled via one of the haric doors in the library to a bright blue meadow dotted with white flowers.
She closed her eyes to focus on making mental contact with the haranda, which she found to be much easier to do than she’d feared. As soon as she opened her eyes, Spiraldream stood before her, Greenhorn at her side. A moment later, the pearly purple horn was laid against Petra’s shoulder.
Greetings, Petra. What need do you have of me?
Petra conveyed their need to go to Klarand with as little thought as possible.
Spiraldream dipped her head as Petra finished. I’m happy to comply, but there is a slight problem. Neither Greenhorn nor I have ever been to Klarand. Therefore, we shall have to seek our father to ask him if he has a mental image that he can give us. This shouldn’t take us too long. However, in the meantime, there is something that you and Reuben ought to do.
Petra frowned. And what is that?
As king and queen of Eliue, the two of you were given the mental powers natural to the haranda. That is why Greenhorn and I volunteered to be your companions. We knew that you would need guides as you explore the gifts that Alphego gave you. We of the haranda may hold ourselves aloof, but even we can see when there is a task He asks of us. I sense that you have been in Reuben’s mind.
Petra stiffened.
No need to get defensive, Petra. It’s a good thing, and something I would have recommended you do, had you not already. He is your mate, and you need to know him as well as you can. However, I do not sense that you’ve allowed him the same liberty with your own mind.
But…
He is your mate, Petra. He clearly trusts you. Do you not trust him? You have been given the opportunity to be known completely by your mate, a privilege not usually granted to humans. I cannot force you to do it, but I think you will actually find it in your best interest. Tell me, Petra, how did you sleep last night?
Petra frowned. Well, it wasn’t the best sleep I’ve ever had, but I was also in a strange bedroom, and I was worried about Laura…
Your mind was seeking Reuben’s. Petra, you can’t do a job half-way. The quicker you allow your minds to join, the easier it will be on both of you.
And with that, Spiraldream removed her horn from Petra’s shoulder and disappeared. Greenhorn vanished just a moment later.
Petra took a deep breath as she glanced towards Reuben. “They’ll be back soon, right?”
“As soon as they find some other haranda who has been to Klarand, preferably to the Kastle itself,” Reuben answered.
“Yes…” Thoughts chased themselves around in Petra’s head as she stepped towards Reuben. Perhaps Spiraldream was right. Perhaps he did deserve to know her as well as she now knew him. It would be simpler, of course. Yet, the violation that the experience would require! It had been Reuben’s idea to let her in, and he in no way expected her to return the favor. Still, if it would relieve the pressure in her own mind … she wished he hadn’t pushed her the night before.
What if he didn’t like what he found?
He put an arm around her shoulder, and she could feel his care to avoid her hair as he pulled her closer to him. She took a deep breath and turned to face him, holding out her hand.
“Reuben … I … Spiraldream says that it’d be best if I let you into my mind like you let me into yours last night,” she blurted out before she lost her nerve.
“Petra, are you sure? I didn’t mean to make you feel obligated last night…”
“Don’t deny you want it, though. I’ve been in your head.” Petra grabbed his hand and held it tightly. “Do it now before I realize this is a stupid idea and never let you do it again. The first time is the hardest, I’m sure.”
“Um, I guess so. It was really only bad for the first few minutes.”
“See?” she shook her head. “Don’t worry about me not liking it. Just do it. Look, you trust me with your mind. I want you to know that I trust you the same way. I want you to know that I love you.”
His expression softened, and his hand tightened around hers. “Well, if that’s the way you want it.”
Chapter 8
It took every bit of control Petra had to keep herself open enough to let Reuben explore her mind. He was incredibly gentle, thankfully, but she still felt broken open and exposed.
Yet once he got past her initial mental barriers, it wasn’t painful at all. In fact, it was strangely refreshing to have him sharing the intensity of her thoughts and finally knowing the whole of her. And his mental commentary on the things in her head was occasionally amusing.
Petra did find it frightening when he ventured into her darker corners that she worked so hard to keep hidden. He didn’t linger in those portions very long, but neither did he say much about them, which worried her.
At length he pulled out and opened his eyes, staring at her with a quiet intensity.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
She licked her lips. “So, was there anything that surprised you, other than the fact that you got lost in my plans for the future?”
He chuckled. “You noticed that?”
“I get lost in some of my plans, so I wasn’t surprised,” she told him.
He nodded. “I think you need to modify some of them to take Rizkaland into consideration.”
She closed her eyes, knowing which ones he was talking about. “I’ll get to them. I’ve only known about Rizkaland for about two days, and things have been happening too fast for me to sit down and completely rethink my life.”
“Petra … there is one thing that I want you to know, and I want you to hear me say it out loud.” He looked her straight in the eye, forcing her to open hers again, and spoke very firmly and gently at the same time. “I will never, ever forget you.”
She stiffened, pulling away. “I…”
“I didn’t realize how intensely afraid you were of being forgotten,
” he continued, tightening his hold on her hand, and putting his other hand on her shoulder to prevent her from going very far. He glanced down with a frustrated shake of his head. “I should have known, especially after what happened to both of your sisters. And even though we now know what happened with Sarah, it’s still too new, and it came with its own fresh wave of pain. So, I want you to know, right here and now, that I will never forget you. It’s not an empty promise. I’ve remembered both your sisters, so how could someone, anyone steal you, the girl I love more than life itself, from my mind?”
“I…” she began, but could find no words to say. Part of her wanted to cry. Part of her wanted to point out that they had ventured into this world together and were, therefore, liable to be forgotten together. Part of her…
You don’t need words. I hear your mind, Petra.
With that, he pulled her into a tight hug. It was nearly crushing, and she couldn’t breathe, but she didn’t mind. Indeed, for once, she returned it just as fiercely.
I see you’ve taken my advice, Petra.
Spiraldream’s intrusion into her thoughts broke the moment. She pulled out of Reuben’s arms and took a deep breath. “Are we set for the trip to Klarand?”
We are. Mount, and we shall be there in a moment.
Reuben helped Petra to mount Spiraldream again, and then he was on Greenhorn’s back. The next moment, there was the blur of silver, and then they stood in the middle of a stone courtyard. They were immediately the center of attention for the two-dozen people milling about, yet no one ventured to actually speak to them. Petra felt self-conscious as she felt the stares and listened to the whispers.
An elderly elf-woman stepped from the crowd. “Ah, here you are at last, Tela Du. We’ve been waiting anxiously for you for a long time. I’m Bookdaughter Adnama, and it would be my honor to take you to meet the king and queen.”
Go with her, said Spiraldream. It seems they were expecting you.
Petra slid wordlessly from the haranda’s back, though she sent a mental thank-you for the ride.
It was no trouble, Petra. We will return to our Isle now. If you have a question about your mental abilities at any time, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve set myself in your mind so that distance will not affect our communication.
With that, both harandas were gone again.
Reuben stepped over and took Petra’s hand, pulling her towards the Bookdaughter. “Yeah, we were finally able to make it. I’m Reuben, and this is Petra.”
Petra was so glad that she had him to do the talking. She was too tied up in knots to handle the people right now.
“It is an honor to meet you. Follow me. King Brent and Queen Jillina are eager to meet you and begin your preparation and training for battle.” Adnama bowed slightly, a fist over her heart, and then turned and walked through the crowd, which parted for her to pass. Reuben and Petra followed.
“So, you expected us to come for training?” asked Reuben.
“It was only a natural assumption,” said Adnama. “The people of the mainland are soft and not trained for war, lest they earn the Dragon’s ire. Here, the various arts of battle are taught to children as soon as they can walk. They must be if they are to survive the Dragon’s vicious attacks. Rizkaland lives under her iron fist – we die under the fire. It is only natural that Alphego sends you to us for your necessary training.”
“So, you were expecting us based upon a pure speculation?” asked Petra.
“Well, it was speculation for many years,” Adnama admitted, “but when I Spoke just last week that you had come and that we should you expect your presence here, well, then it was certain fact. I also Spoke of you, young Reuben, and of your relationship to the Tela Du, so rest assured that we are prepared for you as well.”
“I see,” said Reuben. “This Speaking thing you Bookdaughters do is really awesome. We don’t have anything like it back home. And if someone does make claims, they’re labeled kooks.”
“That’s because they usually are kooks – or even outright liars,” retorted Petra. “Our world has passed its age of prophecy, so we have to content ourselves with what we were given two thousand years ago.”
“Intriguing,” said Adnama. “Your world must be old. Two thousand years is all that Rizkaland has seen.”
“No one can quite agree on its age, and we didn’t have Bookholders to keep track of time for us,” said Petra. “Some think it’s billions of years old, but it’s much more likely between six thousand and ten thousand. Either way, it is older than here.”
“Perhaps we can discuss it in detail later,” said Adnama. “Your world sounds utterly fascinating, and your sister was always so very closed-mouthed on the subject. Right now, however, I must introduce you to the king and queen.”
Before Petra could ask about Sarah, Adnama pushed open a door leading off the hall and led them into a large room with an incredible selection of hand-to-hand weapons covering every square inch of the walls. In the very center of the room, the young king and queen stood. Neither was much older than Petra and Reuben. Queen Jillina was a small, delicate woman with long, golden blonde hair pulled back in a sensible braid and large, bright green eyes that clearly missed nothing. King Brent was a good bit taller than her, with dark hair and eyes. He clearly worked his body to the peak of its ability.
They were dressed similarly, both in trousers, each with a sword at their hip, the queen’s considerably smaller. Petra seriously wondered what good hers would be in battle, but considering the young queen’s size, she probably couldn’t handle a larger weapon.
In unison, the king and queen placed their fists over their hearts and bowed slightly. “It’s an honor to finally have you here with us, Tela Du,” said King Brent. “And an even greater honor to be used to prepare you for your battle.”
“Your highnesses, I’d like to present Petra and Reuben,” said Adnama. “I’ll leave them in your capable hands.” With that, she retreated, closing the door behind her, leaving Petra and Reuben alone with the king and queen. Petra felt extremely overdressed.
“It’s an honor to train under you,” said Reuben, imitating their bow. Petra refrained from rolling her eyes since the attention seemed to be on her.
“Please, be at ease,” said Queen Jillina. Her voice was very soft and sweet. “Klarand is subject to Rizkaland, so if you are to be king and queen on the mainland, as it is believed, then you have no need to pay homage to us.”
“Oh, sorry,” said Reuben. “I didn’t know.”
“You are new to this world, so it is reasonable that you don’t fully understand our ways yet,” said Queen Jillina.
“Thank you for being understanding,” said Petra, stiffly, “because we find this place to be quite strange. But that belief about me ruling can be confirmed. If I manage to kill the Lady Dragon, I’ll be rewarded with a throne that I don’t want.”
“No one with sense desires power, so I’m glad to hear you say that,” said Queen Jillina. “Ah, how I often wish that the crown had not come to me when I was so young.”
“How old were you?” asked Reuben.
“I was not yet ten when Amber killed my parents and older brother,” she answered, sliding her hand into King Brent’s. “I wasn’t prepared to take the throne, so their deaths left Klarand in quite an unorganized state. Adnama and her husband Torrin were able to take up the reins of government until I was old enough and chose Brent, the third son of Lord Quint of Ea Klarand, and now things don’t look quite as dark.”
“And they look positively bright now that you and Reuben have come,” added King Brent, smiling cheerily. “Now, unfortunately, we won’t have time begin your actual training today – indeed, Petra isn’t even dressed for it.”
“We just finished our own daily practice,” Queen Jillina added, touching the hilt of her sword. “Not every woman chooses to learn to fight. In truth, it didn’t even appeal to me as a child, but as I’m now a queen during a time of war, I refuse to let myself be a liability. Besides
, as the descendant of the Water Princess, one of the greatest swordswomen Rizkaland has seen, how could I have any choice?”
“It seems that I don’t get a choice,” said Petra, sliding her hand into her pocket.
“All those princesses in fantasy novels who want nothing more than to train with a sword, yet you’re the one who gets the chance, eh, Petra?” said Reuben. “Life just isn’t fair sometimes.”
“Princesses in books are the fault of their authors,” Petra pointed out. “But that does remind me, Alphego gave us weapons.” With that, she pulled the pencil from her pocket, mentally willing it to extend to its full size.
“Most astonishing,” muttered King Brent, his eyes widening as he took in the staff’s full length. “Would that be a weapon such as the Eight wielded?”
“Our parents seemed to think so,” Reuben affirmed. He went on to explain how their parents just so happened to be part of the Eight, which astonished the young king and queen even more.
“Great things are at work,” said King Brent, shaking his head. “To think that we are to live through them and even play a part!”
Reuben and Petra returned their staffs to their pockets. King Brent and Queen Jillina then gave them a quick tour of the training room before it was time to move on.
“We weren’t sure at what time today you were coming,” Jillina explained, “but we knew it would be today, so we prepared accordingly for your arrival. Tell me, have you had any public appearances before the people in Rizkaland?”
“Nope,” said Petra. “Didn’t have time for it, and I think they were trying to make sure that there wasn’t a way for the Dragon to find out about us.”
“Quite wise,” said Queen Jillina, nodding. “It’s regretful that your first public appearance shall be here and not Rizkaland. Still, we’re your subjects here as well as there, and things can’t always be ideal, can they?”
“In my experience, they never are,” Petra admitted.
Lady Dragon, Tela Du Page 25