“My mother was a princess, but my father the Bookholder, so what does that make me?” The question tumbled out of her before she could stop it. She knew it was really an unimportant question, and she felt selfish for asking it.
“Don’t be ashamed of your confusion, child. It makes you Ashna, my precious child, a Bookdaughter and future queen in the new order that I am setting over Rizkaland in this new era. Reuben and Petra cannot rule alone, for such is not the way of Rizkaland.” Alphego’s answer shook the very air, and it was a salve to Ashna’s aching spirit. “I am preparing their siblings separately, but they shall need you as well.”
“What shall become of her father and my grandfather?” asked Noraeto, asking the truly important question. “And Rintaya?”
“They are under my wing of protection. Do not worry about them,” said Alphego. “What you can do is prepare for the war against Amber and play your parts in rebuilding Rizkaland. Noraeto, son of Robert, and Ashna, daughter of Sarah, to you I have given rule over plants. Hold out your hands.”
Ashna did so, and a beam of light shot through her fingers, hardening into a wooden flute. Noraeto was given a similar one.
“You are not meant for the battle, not at this time,” said Alphego. “But these are your weapons and the emblem of your rule. Use them wisely and well. Ah, Laura, my dear Doorkeeper.”
Ashna half-turned to see that the young Doorkeeper had snuck up behind them. Laura raised her chin expectantly.
“Good work, child, though the journey ahead of you is still long and hard. Never lose faith.”
With that, Alphego spread his wings and mounted into the sky.
“We need to get to Klarand,” said Laura, mounting the stairs. “As He said, there is still much for us to do.”
Ashna and Noraeto followed, gripping their flutes tightly. There was no need of prayer, for Alphego already knew their request. No sooner were all three on the top of the Hill than the warm glow surrounded them that carried them to Klarand’s Heartroom.
An elderly elf-woman was waiting for them in the Heartroom. Ashna’s Aunt Adnama. Ashna’s heart gave a leap, and she flew down the Hill’s steps to throw her arms around the woman, grateful for a familiar face.
Chapter 10
“Ah, but it’s been a long year since I last saw you, girl,” said Aunt Adnama, pushing Ashna to arm’s length. “Let me get a good look at you. My but you’re looking good for nearly sixty-eight.”
“You … were expecting me?” asked Ashna, wincing at what ought to be her age and at how old her aunt was.
“Of course, dear, I’m a Bookdaughter, after all. It’s hard to surprise me, as I’m sure you’ll soon find out for yourself.”
“So, this is Sarah’s daughter?”
Ashna turned at the unfamiliar, exotically-accented voice to see a woman she didn’t recognize. She was tall and thin, and her thick, curly hair … well, it was hard to tell exact color in the purple light of the Heartroom, but her hair seemed to be at least two different colors.
“Ashna, I’d like you to meet Karyn,” said Aunt Adnama. “She was a friend of your mother’s and is a secret operative in these battles against Amber. She has an interesting history that she may share with you at some point.”
“I’d be delighted to share if you’re willing to hear it,” said Karyn. “Your mother played a significant role in my life. And who are you, young man?”
“Noraeto, ma’am,” said Noraeto. “I was sent as an escort for Ashna.”
“And I thank you, Noraeto, for your service,” said Aunt Adnama. “Now, tell me, Ashna, how is my brother faring? Ah, but it has been far too long since I last saw him.”
Ashna’s stomach twisted. “Father … well, he…”
“Amber took the Bookholder and my grandfather, Marno, into her custody this morning,” said Noraeto, laying a hand on Ashna’s shoulder. “Ashna and I barely managed to escape.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, dear Ritis…” said Aunt Adnama, her voice subdued as she glanced towards Karyn. “Well, now that you’re here, we should go find what our Jillina and Brent have done with your Petra and Reuben.”
They filed out of the room, and Ashna gasped as she saw Karyn’s hair color: alternating stripes of bright pink and lime green. Ashna liked the combination and wondered how it’d look on herself. She’d have to try it out later.
Karyn glanced back at Ashna, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I’m not native to Rizkaland. I come from another world. Ezelie.”
“Ezelie?” Laura repeated. “I’ve not been there yet.”
“It’s a very different world from here, but I left as but a wee child, and I’m afraid I don’t remember it well,” Karyn admitted, “especially since I’ve lived here in Rizkaland for well over seventy years now.”
“Then why have I never met you before, if you were my mother’s friend?” asked Ashna.
“For the same reason that they never told you about your human heritage,” said Aunt Adnama. “It wasn’t the right time for you to know.”
“I prefer to keep a low profile,” Karyn added. “Very few people know about me to begin with. It’s how I like it. With Amber’s presence in this world, however, I’ve had to use my talents in their defense, and thus I’ve gained more attention these days that I’d prefer.”
“And we’ve been most grateful for your sacrifice,” said Aunt Adnama.
“You already know that my mother was human?” asked Ashna, relieved to learn that she wouldn’t have to explain that part, especially since she still didn’t fully understand it herself.
“Ritis, our parents, and I were the only ones who knew Sarah’s true identity,” Aunt Adnama answered, “well, and Karyn, but since her own existence was secret, I’m not sure she counted. Yes, Princess Ashna, I know the importance of your chain.”
Ashna glanced at Noraeto in question, and he nodded. “Noraeto’s father is human too, and is the son of King David and Queen Michelle,” Ashna added.
“Really?” asked Aunt Adnama. “How intriguing. Didn’t he say he was Marno’s grandson?”
“And wasn’t Marno that dear boy that Sarah mentioned a few times?” Karyn added.
Ashna blushed again. “Yes.” She took a deep breath. “And right before we came here, Alphego appeared to us on the Hill and gave us these,” she quickly added, holding out her flute. “He said that we’re to be kings and queens over plants and rule alongside Reuben and Petra. I’m … I think that means that I won’t be able to take over for you as advisor here in Klarand, but there are no other Bookdaughters … and even though I only just started doing it yesterday, and haven’t been Tied yet, I’m still a Bookdaughter, and…”
Aunt Adnama spun around. “Whoa, whoa there, girl, slow down a bit. So you’re to be on a throne in Rizkaland?”
Ashna bit her lip and nodded.
“Well, then that would explain why Eliz developed Bookdaughter abilities following her Tying last year.”
Ashna blinked. “Eliz?”
“My granddaughter,” Aunt Adnama explained. “Ashna, sweetheart, Alphego has set provisions in place for when no daughters are born to the Bookholder – in such cases, He grants the ability to a daughter or granddaughter of the current Bookdaughter. Similarly, if a Bookholder has no sons, the Book can be passed to the son of a Bookdaughter.”
“Oh,” said Ashna. Relief washed through her, yet she felt cheated at the same time. Advisor to Klarand was the position that should have been hers, what she’d trained for. Instead, because she had human blood, it would go to her cousin.
“Petra and Reuben are young and new to this world,” said Karyn. “It is a great relief to my mind that they shall have someone beside them who knows Rizkaland.”
“And you received your commission together,” Aunt Adnama continued. “Tell me, how long have the two of you known each other?”
“We just met this morning,” said Noraeto, “maybe an hour ago, if that.”
“I see,” said Aunt Adnama
, “well, the fact that you received the commission together is significant. I just want to make sure that the two of you are aware of that fact.”
“Yes…” said Ashna, slowly.
“Also, we’re the only two half-elves in existence,” said Noraeto.
“Quite true,” said Aunt Adnama. “Now, don’t feel rushed or pressured. Indeed, until Ritis has been rescued from Amber’s clutches, you can’t move forward, but I wanted to make sure you two knew. Just focus on getting to know each other right now.”
Ashna sighed and nodded. That was, perhaps, the one good part of the whole terrible affair that morning. It put the two of them at a necessary impasse.
“She also froze my mother,” said Noraeto. “We’ll have to wait for her to be freed as well.”
“My condolences, Amber is terrible,” said Karyn. “Thankfully, Petra’s here and the Dragon won’t be a terror much longer.”
“Ah, and we’ve arrived at the Council Room. Let’s see if they’re in here,” said Aunt Adnama, pushing open a door, bringing the familiar round table into view. Ashna had spent many a long hour there, listening to dry discussions as a child, though not nearly as many here as at the table’s twin in Loray.
Sure enough, people were seated about the table, including Reuben and Petra. Laura immediately darted around Aunt Adnama and claimed the empty seat next to Petra.
“Ah, Bookdaughter Adnama, Karyn, it’s good to finally have you join us,” said the man who wore the king’s circlet. “Your niece?” He nodded towards Ashna.
“Yes, this is my niece Ashna,” said Aunt Adnama. “And it seems that she and her young friend Noraeto bring some strange tidings. Children, step forward and show them your flutes.”
Ashna and Noraeto did as they were bidden.
“Some of you knew Sarah while she was yet among us, though most of you have never heard of her,” said Karyn, glancing about the table. “She was the first wife of Adnama’s brother, Bookholder Ritis, and Ashna’s mother. What few knew about her is this: she was human, the daughter of King Ralph and Queen Jane, and none other than the twin sister of our Tela Du. As such, Sarah had a claim to Rizkaland’s throne should the worst happen, which it unfortunately did. Of course, since the worst also happened to Sarah herself, Ashna inherited that claim.”
“A child of both elf and human descent?” said an older man who wore the emblem of Lower Klarand.
“Indeed, and in Ashna the gifts of Bookdaughter and Queen are combined,” said Aunt Adnama. “She is entirely without precedent, though not quite without subsequent. This young man, Noraeto, sent as her escort, is also of both elf and human heritage. His father is none other than the son of King David and Queen Michelle.”
“Really?” said Reuben, half-starting up. “Your father … Robert?”
“He has a gift – disguise,” Noraeto explained. “What you saw last week wasn’t his true appearance. He only pretends to be an elf.”
“Intriguing,” said Reuben, as Petra laid a hand on his arm and pulled him back down. He spared her an amused glance, which she frowned in response to.
“When Reuben and I received our boxes, two of the thrones did not have boxes on their seats like the others did,” she commented.
“Ashna and I already have our boxes,” said Noraeto.
“So, it seems that we have not two, but four new rulers to present before the people this evening,” said Karyn.
“I – but we’re not as important as Reuben and Petra!” Ashna protested. “I’m not the Tela Du.”
“Yet you have also seen Alphego this day and have received the power of queenship,” said Aunt Adnama, nodding towards Ashna’s flute. “Just because you aren’t the one prophesied to end the Dragon’s unnatural life doesn’t mean that you aren’t important. You’re the first queen who is also a Bookdaughter, and in all likelihood the only one we shall ever receive. Never measure importance by fame, for fame is fickle and fleeting.”
“I for one,” said Petra, leaning back in her seat, “don’t mind sharing the spotlight.” She gave a small smile. “Especially not with Sarah’s daughter.”
“Then come sit and join the council,” said the young woman who wore the queen’s circlet. “We were just discussing the mystery of the six thrones and who was to fill the other four, and here you’ve just solved part of it.”
“Six thrones?” said Ashna as she, Noraeto, Karyn, and Aunt Adnama found empty chairs and sat down.
“When Petra and I were in Rizkaland a week ago,” Reuben explained, “we did some exploring in Loray and found the throne room. Instead of eight thrones, as we’re told there used to be, there are only six. Six thrones, and four boxes. Four of us have now been accounted for, but who shall receive the other two?”
“Alphego told us that he was preparing your other siblings separately,” offered Noraeto.
“So, our siblings,” said Petra, leaning forward to rest her chin on her fist. “That would mean either Sylvia and Richard or Tyler and Summer.”
“Summer and Tyler,” said Karyn, immediately. “Sylvia and Richard are figments of your imagination.” When Petra and Reuben turned to her with confused expressions, Karyn hastily added. “Sarah was a friend of mine before, well, you know happened. She told me all about … that.”
“Just because Sarah couldn’t remember them doesn’t mean they didn’t exist,” Petra protested, half-standing up, her eyes flashing. Ashna shrunk back instinctively.
Reuben pulled Petra back down. “The two of you will likely have another chance to discuss Sarah’s memories and argue existence later.”
“That is … probably a good idea,” said Karyn, tightly.
“But the other thrones are for Summer and Tyler,” Laura inserted. “And you need not worry about them just yet. My … that’s where my older self is right now.”
“Ah, yes,” said Petra. “She did say something about that, didn’t she?”
Ashna had sat in on many an official council in her life, many of them in this very room. Despite the unfamiliar faces and different discussions, it wasn’t long before she let herself relax and feel at home. They were gathered here to discuss the future of Rizkaland and how to best serve the people. Maybe the conversation was about war instead of famine, and her father’s loss rather than the ailing kings and queens, but all things told, it was still the council room.
The hours passed quickly. All too soon, it was time to prepare for the night’s events. Aunt Adnama whisked Ashna away to her own chambers, declaring that Ashna was just the size of one of her granddaughters and that they would quickly find something for Ashna to wear. They did – a simple, yet beautiful blue gown.
Ashna had never been to any of Klarand’s balls in her childhood, though she’d spied on Rizkaland’s many times. Now she was to attend as the center of attention. She wasn’t the main attraction, not by a long shot – that would be Petra, as the Tela Du. No matter what anyone said, they couldn’t change the fact that the people had been waiting for Petra for two thousand years and were eager to catch a glimpse of the girl who would remove Amber’s threat from this land once and for all.
Noraeto had never been to a ball at all, Ashna realized as she walked beside him through the twisting passageways towards the balcony entrance reserved for royalty. With no queens and kings in Rizkaland, there wasn’t anyone to host balls. Maybe he’d had warning that Rizkaland’s crown might someday fall upon him, but how prepared was he for the royal life? At least she’d been able to observe and had even taken part from the side and when Nia pulled her into things.
Ah, how she missed Nia! The poor, dear queen, gone long before her time!
Ashna blinked back tears as they reached the doors to the balcony. King Brent and Queen Jillina went through first to announce them before the people and tell them who it was that had come at last. Understandably, a loud cheer rose from the people below.
Then Reuben and Petra entered, and Ashna and Noraeto trailed closely behind. Reuben and Petra were the ones that everyone had
come to see, so they were the only ones required to give a speech. Aunt Adnama had explained, though, that if either Ashna or Noraeto had a few words to say, it would probably endear them to the people.
Reuben stepped right up to the banister, an arm around Petra’s waist. They looked so sweet together. Ashna and Noraeto followed a few paces behind, keeping a certain distance between themselves.
“It is an honor to speak before you, people of Klarand,” Reuben began, naturally filling in as the spokesman between him and Petra. “Two days ago, for us anyway, we didn’t know that other worlds actually existed – though we’d certainly hoped as much – or that our own parents had been to and ruled over this world years before we were born. We couldn’t possibly have known that Petra resembled your Lady Dragon and was thus prophesied to meet with her in her final war. We couldn’t possibly imagine the responsibility that would be asked of us. But here we are now, and our lack of foreknowledge will in no way deter us from the path Alphego has set before us. We may be young and inexperienced, but Alphego has chosen us, so we shall in no way turn aside.”
There was a pounding pressure in Ashna’s head, and she had the sudden urge to step forward and say a few words.
“Two girls with one face,
Two girls with twisted fate.
One in purple, one in red.
One shall speak the other’s death
Who shall win their final war?
Lady Dragon, or Tela Du.”
The words spilled out before she could stop them. Not a true Speaking – they were words already given, not new revelation – but she knew with certainty that it was a prompting from Alphego.
All eyes were on her now, and she knew she must continue. She licked her lips.
“I was supposed to present those words before the people of Rizkaland fifty years ago. It was the last prophecy my father received before he had to wipe his memory to keep many secrets safe from Amber. The Tela Du now stands before you, dressed in purple, preparing for her final war. Do you accept her efforts?”
Lady Dragon, Tela Du Page 27