“Yes,” said Ritis.
“Share it now.”
“Very well.” Ritis cleared his throat before he recited:
“Three sisters born in one same hour,
Sisters born to wield great power.
Three sisters die in one same day,
And Rizkaland shall pass away.”
A chill shuddered about the room as he concluded his speech.
“I can only procrastinate her death now by sharing with her the health that Silver and Austila are in now,” Laura explained, after that moment of silence. “This will mean that, when the time comes, they will share the death. The part about Rizkaland passing away, though, is mostly coincidence. A lot of things happened that day. Not my happiest memory. I cried. Multiple times.”
“I see…” said Sarah. “This will mean that my life will be tied to Sylvia’s, won’t it?” She looked up to narrow her eyes at her sister.
“It will,” Laura confirmed. “It will also mean that you’ll be able to feel each other’s pain. Silver, this will also mean that you won’t feel Gold’s pain to the extent that you do now, nor will he feel yours. Echoes, especially if it’s bad, but not the pure pain.”
Sylvia glanced at Richard. “Very well, if it will save Petra. If she was willing to sacrifice herself for me, the least I can do is this. But what about…”
“Your heartbeat? This isn’t a marriage vow. You’ll still keep your shared heartbeat with Gold. Your deaths will no longer be tied together, though.” Laura glanced towards Richard. “She will die with her sisters, and you might outlive her.”
Sylvia nodded. “Then I have no objections, provided that Sarah doesn’t either.”
“You’re sure that this will save her?” Sarah asked.
“Until Rizkaland no longer has need of her,” Laura answered. “And that will be because Rizkaland is no more.”
“Then I’ll do it.”
“Reuben, Ritis, Gold, they’re your wives,” Laura then said. “Do you approve of the action they’re about to take? Stop them if you think they’re being foolish.”
“I doubt I have nearly enough years left to see Rizkaland’s end,” said Ritis. “What Sarah does with her life after my death is entirely up to her. If she wants to give it to save her sister, I won’t protest. She could do worse.”
“I’m in agreement with Sylvia,” said Richard. “If Petra was willing to save her, it’s only right that we do everything we can to save Petra. Even if it means that Sylvia and I will no longer share our death.”
They turned to Reuben.
Reuben, tell them they don’t have to…
No, he interrupted Petra before she could finish her thought. Aloud he said, “Rizkaland needs Petra. I need Petra. If her sisters are willing, then I cannot find it in myself to turn them down.”
Laura handed the white knife to Sarah. “Cut your finger, just enough to draw blood,” she said. “The knife must taste your blood before we can do this. Don’t worry, it will heal immediately.”
Sarah nodded and bit the blade of the knife into her thumb. The knife absorbed the scarlet drop.
“While we are on the subject of healing,” Laura continued, taking the knife back from Sarah. “The knife isn’t powerful enough to heal every injury, but it will heal any that would be fatal. Be advised that it will only delay those injuries until that final day, so don’t go abusing it.”
“We’ll be careful,” said Sylvia.
“Now, Reuben, I need you to switch places with Sylvia. She and Sarah need to be on opposite sides of Petra during this. You need to focus on drawing Petra’s pain away from her while I remove the knife. She can’t heal with it sticking out of her.”
Let go now, for just a moment, Reuben told Petra. She was reluctant, but she managed to loosen her hold just enough for him to remove his arm from her death grip. White marks remained where her fingers had been.
He and Sylvia switched places, and together they raised her just enough to put her head in his lap. Sylvia and Sarah each held her hands, and Reuben cupped his hands around her face and focused on drawing the pain out of her, into himself, so she didn’t feel all of it, so it could be bearable for both of them.
The next few minutes were agonizing, and all he was aware of was the pain, but then it was gone completely, and Laura announced, “It’s done.”
“You two really didn’t have to do that,” said Petra, sitting up, concerned as she glanced between her sisters.
“Yes, we did,” said Sarah. “Rizkaland needs you more than either of us. If Laura had required our lives at this very moment, we would have given them.”
“Human sacrifice is not something I approve of in any situation,” said Laura. “I can assure you that it wasn’t going to come to that.”
“Still,” said Sarah. And with that she threw her arms around Petra’s neck. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“I know,” said Petra. They both glanced at Sylvia, who knelt a bit off, expression unsure, and the next moment she was in the hug, too.
Laura glanced to Reuben and Richard with a sad smile. “I hate that this was necessary for them to become friends, but it worked.” She stood. “Now, it’s late. Reuben, Gold, get your wives back to bed. I’ll take care of Ritis. Austila, you can go find Robert and tell him that the healer is no longer needed. Since you’re the one who started this whole mess tonight, you can afford to lose more sleep. Speaking of which, you may also want to clean up the blood on the floor once Robert has been notified. Just a suggestion.”
Sylvia and Sarah withdrew from the hug and helped Petra stand. Then Sarah took a step back and disappeared in a burst of glitter, while Laura guided Ritis back out of the room.
“She can’t teleport if she’s touching one of us, unless she wants to take us with her,” said Sylvia, tilting her head to the side. “Because we’re identical triplets, her gift can’t recognize us as a separate person, apparently. That’s why this battle ended up here instead of in my own bedroom. She didn’t mean to take me here with her.” Then her eyes narrowed. “Petra … are you all right?”
Petra was leaning against the table, her eyes closed, her face very pale. She pressed a hand against her stomach over the bloodstained hole where the knife had been. “I’m fine. It healed. It’s just … I lost a bit of blood, and now I’m dizzy.”
“Ah,” said Richard. “Here.” And he swooped in and scooped her up. “Let’s get you to your room.”
“Ah…” said Reuben, feeling very uncomfortable at the sight of Petra in his brother’s arms. He shared a glance with Sylvia, whose expression was unreadable.
Well, he is stronger than you, Reuben, Petra pointed out.
“Richard, put her down, I’ll get her to bed.” Reuben stepped forward, holding out a hand. “Just worry about Sylvia.”
Richard raised an eyebrow, but lowered Petra back to the floor. “I suppose I understand,” he admitted. “Well, Sylvia, shall we return to our own castle?” He scooped up his own wife instead and whisked her out of the room.
Petra smirked up at Reuben. “Is someone jealous?”
“Um, well, given that he looks just like me and his wife looks just like you, I just wasn’t comfortable with the situation.”
“I see,” said Petra.
“Besides, Richard has been working on my training. I’m sure I can get you back to your room myself. It’s not terribly far.”
“Mm, hm.”
That’s enough of that from you. Reuben scooped Petra up, and she laid her head against his shoulder as she put her arms around his neck. Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to make the whole trip in one go, but he didn’t foresee himself needing more than one or two breaks.
I provoked you on purpose. You were clearly uncomfortable, but weren’t going to do anything about it unless I said something.
I see. Reuben focused on navigating the maze of bookshelves in the Bookholder’s library as an excuse to not comment further.
I love you, Reuben. I’m yours, mi
nd and soul. And don’t you worry about Richard. His heart belongs to Sylvia.
Reuben slid her to the floor, and ran a thumb over the hole in her dress, still wet and warm with her blood. There wasn’t so much as a scar on her skin.
“I almost lost you just now,” he said, looking up to meet her eye.
“But, alas, you’re stuck with me until the end of Rizkaland now?” Her smirk was back.
Stuck isn’t exactly the word I would use.
Maybe not now…
No, never. I love you, Petra.
With that, he kissed her. He was so glad that she was still in his arms, still in one piece, still his amazing Petra. And perhaps she might not say so directly, but he knew as she wrapped her arms back around his neck and returned the kiss, she was just as grateful.
Chapter 11
“You don’t have to do this, you do know that?” said Petra, as she watched Sylvia bustle about her office, banging doors and drawers, comparing documents, and collecting trinkets on her desk. “I can handle things with Sarah just fine on my own.”
“One, you nearly died last night, and Reuben made me promise that I wouldn’t let you out of my sight,” said Sylvia. “Two, I need to start repairing the bridges between me and Sarah. I did mess up her life. She had a point last night.”
“I know,” said Petra. “A sharp point.” She rubbed her stomach at the memory.
“And I’m now ready, and Laura has almost certainly moved the other doormat by now, so let’s get things over with, yes?”
“Yes,” said Petra, as Sylvia helped her stand up. “The two of you went a long way with bridge building last night, you know.”
“I know, but we can’t afford any backward steps at this critical point.”
Petra nodded and stepped onto the doormat that lay close to the chair she’d been sitting on. Closing her eyes, she spoke the words, “Welcome says me,” and when she opened her eyes, she was in the Bookholder’s library, and Laura stood in front of her.
“Ah, there you are, I was wondering when you’d finally show up,” said Laura, sliding a book back onto a shelf. “Do you need any help?”
“No,” said Petra, not shaking her head because she was still rather light headed. “I feel a lot better after sleeping.” She stepped off of the mat.
“You might have been healed, but the knife can’t give you back the blood that you lost, and it takes more than half a night’s sleep to replenish a blood supply,” said Laura.
“I know, I know,” said Petra.
“Just … take care of yourself, Petra.”
“I am,” said Petra, as Sylvia materialized. “That’s why I’m using these haric doors to travel, instead of racing through the halls at top speed.”
Laura just grinned and shook her head. “Never change, Petra, never change. Come on. Austila’s waiting for your decision and Silver’s surprise, and Patience isn’t her middle name.”
Petra grinned, glancing at Sylvia. “No, it’s Pandora.”
She managed to make it to the Bookholder’s kitchen with only minimal support from Laura, Sylvia, and the shelves. They only had a walk, though, before Laura threw open the door to the kitchen.
Sarah, still in appearance sixteen, sat at the table, but sprang up immediately and rushed to Petra’s side. “Are you all right? Did you…”
“I’m fine now,” said Petra, forcing a smile. “Really, I am. Just a bit weak and dizzy from the loss of blood, that’s all.”
“Then sit down!” Sarah pulled a chair over to Petra and made her sit. Then she picked the chair up and carried it to the table.
“Um, thank you?” said Petra.
“I’m so sorry,” said Sarah, taking the seat next to Petra’s. “I lost control of my anger last night. I couldn’t stand that the Tela Du had failed to do what the prophecies asked of her, and I chose to take the matter into my own hands.”
“We know,” said Laura, as she and Sylvia took their seats on the other side of the table.
“I was willing to kill my own sister,” Sarah continued. “I nearly killed my own sister. I knew what I was doing. I didn’t have a dragon controlling me. Just my own anger and bitterness.”
“Reuben, Richard, Robert, Ritis, Laura and I discussed the matter at length this morning while you and Sylvia slept in,” said Petra.
“I still don’t see why they didn’t let you sleep, too,” said Sylvia. “You were the one injured.”
Petra managed a grin. “To be honest, they tried to let me sleep, but once Reuben was awake, I couldn’t fall back asleep. To be fair, though, I did stay in bed, horizontal and with my eyes shut, and passed my comments through Reuben.”
Sarah nodded. “What about your fellow kings and queens? Shouldn’t they have been included?”
“We wanted to make sure we understood the situation completely before we involved them,” Petra answered.
“I lost control and almost killed you, Petra. What more is there to understand?” Sarah looked away, her shoulders sagging.
“Many things,” said Laura.
“We came to a decision that we liked this morning,” said Petra. “The boys are currently taking the decision to the other four to see what they think of it. To be honest, the only one that I foresee raising any objections whatsoever is Summer, and that’s only because she enjoys being difficult.”
“So what’s my punishment? Am I to be banished?” Sarah asked.
“Because you didn’t actually succeed in killing either of us, and you were essential in saving my life – at a great sacrifice on your part, I may add – we’ve decided to let you off with a warning.” Petra narrowed her eyes. “The warning being the fact that you almost killed me last night.”
“I’m so sorry…”
“Also, I’m to mentally explore your motives for last night and establish with you a link similar to the one I have with Sylvia, if that’s all right with you?”
Sarah closed her eyes. “So be it.”
“It shouldn’t take too long,” said Petra. “Sylvia and Laura can set the table for lunch while I do it.”
True, she had never actually set about creating a link until this point – her ones with Reuben, Sylvia, and Spiraldream had all been rather forced upon her – but Spiraldream had given her instructions as part of one of her lessons, and it was supposedly not very hard.
She put a hand against Sarah’s cheek and closed her eyes, focusing on penetrating to Sarah’s mind. There were many layers for her to peel through, but at last she broke through to Sarah’s consciousness.
Guilt, anger, and bitterness swirled around, but under that, love, hope, and loyalty. As with Sylvia, Petra once again was surprised with how familiar Sarah’s mind was. Respecting her sister’s privacy, Petra found the necessary information, left the link, and withdrew.
“Thank you,” said Petra, removing her hand and opening her eyes. “That couldn’t have been easy for you.”
Sarah opened her eyes and shook her head. “You’re done already?”
Petra nodded, leaning back as she processed the bit of Sarah that she had lodged in her mind to form the link. “I told you that it shouldn’t take very long.”
Sarah nodded. “So … did you find what you needed?”
Petra nodded. “You still have a lot of anger and bitterness bottled up.”
Sarah glanced across the table at Sylvia. “I’ve been nurturing those emotions for fifty years. They aren’t all going to vanish in one night.”
Petra nodded. “I know. But now I know what I have to work with, and we can start building in the right direction.”
“If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be sitting at my kitchen table with the Lady Dragon and the Tela Du, and I’d have my own face again…”
Laura laughed. “Austila, let this be an object lesson in expecting the unexpected. Honestly, you people with linear lives have no concept…”
“And speaking of building in the right direction,” Petra continued. “I do expect you and Sylvia to spe
nd time together getting to know each other, preferably with me if I can be spared. For now, it will be under supervision – preferably one of your husbands, Robert, or Laura – but in time I hope that won’t be necessary. Also, lunch. I’m hungry and I need something iron-rich and all that.”
Sylvia waved her hands over the tablecloth that she had spread out while Petra was exploring Sarah. “Everything’s in place. Sarah just needs to order.”
Sarah blinked as she realized that Sylvia and Laura had changed the tablecloth while her eyes were closed. “Didn’t you destroy…”
“I destroyed the one that I used to tempt the people of Rizkaland,” Sylvia admitted. “But I owned three in total. Also a table, but tables aren’t portable.”
“No … I don’t suppose they would be,” said Sarah, running a finger over the embroidery. “So how does it work?”
“Rub the tablecloth in a circle, and order it to ‘Provide a feast,’” explained Sylvia. “And it will provide you with all of your favorite foods. That’s why we’re having you do the summoning. Your favorites are probably slightly different from Petra’s, having lived here so long, and vastly different from mine.”
Sarah nodded and did as she was instructed. The embroidery shimmered and swirled, and then a magnificent spread of foods and drinks appeared.
“My word,” Sarah muttered, surveying the spread. “I haven’t had a proper bowl of chicken noodle soup since I came here seventy-five years ago.”
“Well, eat up,” said Laura, ladling her a bowl.
“I’m giving you this tablecloth,” said Sylvia. “To you as the wife of the Bookholder. I’m sure people coming to ask your husband for advice would appreciate some good food. If you don’t want to summon this much food, the words are, ‘prepare a bite to eat.’”
Sarah nodded. “It’s … generous of you.”
“And I now understand what you meant when you said that Petra eats too much chocolate,” said Sylvia.
Petra had already found a chocolate bar for her plate, and was working on pouring some molasses over some pancakes. She grinned. “I was terribly upset when I found out that Rizkaland didn’t have chocolate. These tablecloths of yours are amazing.”
Lady Dragon, Tela Du Page 49