by Lelia Eye
“The exit is not a problem for Skychildren,” Griffin said, “but you will need to help the Groundbreather princess when we get there, Your Highness.”
Skye looked at Tierra, who gave him a nervous smile and nodded. He wondered if her head was spinning as much as his was. At least Gusty and Strix would be all right—they would be utterly beneath the Seneschal’s notice. Unlike Skye and Tierra.
“This is a fine mess,” Skye growled beneath his breath, noting that the passageway seemed to be sloping downward. While they had been speaking, the even stones of the palace walls had given way to a roughly hewn corridor which looked like it had been carved from the rock on which the palace stood. As they walked, Skye could not help but notice various intersections in the pathway. Evidently, Skymount was riddled with tunnels. He wondered where they all led and whether there were entrances in other rooms like the one in his own. It was strange, as Skye had never heard even whispers of their existence in all the time he had lived here. The feeling of the walls collapsing began to become that much more oppressive. He wondered if the air in this region was acceptable for breathing. His chest was starting to feel tight.
Griffin snorted, though his bravado seemed to cover his own unease. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, we think the people will be behind you, Your Highness. Your father was popular as a young man, but his recent erratic behavior has attracted the notice of even the citizens of the more remote Skychild villages. And as for Hawkins, they’re about as likely to support him as a hummingbird is to play with an eagle. I think they’d be willing to throw their full support behind you.”
“A lot of good it’ll do me if I can’t even walk unharmed through my own palace,” Skye said, trying to focus on breathing evenly. “Running away from all this won’t look good for my case either.”
“It was for the best, Your Highness,” Nimbus said.
“That doesn’t mean I have to like it,” Skye said curtly. Then he sighed. “Look, I’m sorry. I know you’re helping me. It’s just . . . it’s just a lot to take in at once. And I hate this blasted passageway!”
“I know,” Griffin said, favoring him with a tight smile. “I don’t like it either.”
“What will we do once we leave the palace?” Tierra asked, speaking up at last. She was no doubt the only one who truly felt comfortable in the confined area.
“The first thing I’m going to do is take you home,” Skye said. “I don’t want you involved in all this, and I made a promise to try to get you back. I intend to abide by that.”
“Thank you, Skye,” she said softly.
He nodded but did not respond, instead glancing from one guard to the other. For some reason, both were avoiding looking at Tierra. “And what are you two going to do? Will there be any consequences to you for helping me?”
“They won’t know we were involved,” Nimbus said.
“He’s right,” Griffin said. “You don’t need to worry about us. We’re going to go back and continue to build up your supporters and ferret out people whose allegiances could be turned to our advantage.”
Skye looked at him with a frown. “And there’s—what—a group of you doing this?”
Nimbus and Griffin exchanged a glance.
“Our leadership has been good,” Nimbus said. “We began with only the guard, but we’ve now got some people in the palace and even at court who support us.”
“It’s good to know someone isn’t out to get me,” Skye said. “Lately, it feels like no one is on my side.”
“We’re behind you all the way,” Griffin said with a grin. “But you should stay low for a while so we can try to secure the situation for you.”
Skye shook his head. “I’m going to try to get Tierra home and briefly follow a lead on the ground world. But then I have to come back to the sky realm. I can’t sit idly by while Hawkins ruins my kingdom. I’ll try to organize some of the smaller villages somehow. I’ve got to find some support, or I won’t be able to do anything when I return to the palace.”
Nimbus nodded. “We thought you might say that.” He reached into his pocket. “Here’s information regarding our contacts in some of the villages. If you need to get a message to your supporters in the Cloud Sentinel, then talk to one of them. It will be too dangerous for you to return to the palace.”
Skye took the piece of parchment Nimbus was holding out. He glanced at it, looking for any familiar names, and then he put it in his own pocket. He could not promise that he would not return to the palace, but he was not going to deny the advantage of keeping his distance until he was able to confront the Seneschal with overwhelming force.
It would be easier for Skye to face Hawkins if he had some people behind him. But he would have to move quickly. Tempest’s death and Skye’s departure meant Mista would be looked on by the Skychildren to provide some guidance and direction, but Skye had no delusions about who would step forward to rule the Skychildren. Everything pointed to the fact that his stupid mother-in-law did everything Hawkins commanded her, no matter how heinous. The Seneschal’s plan would hinge upon blaming Tempest’s murder on Skye and bulling his way to control of the throne. Skye meant to return quickly so that Hawkins did not have the time to establish himself.
“Thank you,” Skye said. “For everything. I really appreciate it.”
“We’re glad to do it,” Griffin said. “Our honor demands no less.”
“I don’t know whether this is going to work or not, but if it does, there will be promotions in it for both of you,” Skye promised.
Griffin laughed. “Seeing an honorable man on the throne will be reward enough for us. However . . . I wouldn’t mind a slight raise in pay.”
“Consider it done,” Skye said, shaking his head in amusement. “Provided we all survive this.”
“We will,” Griffin said with atypical solemnity. “We have to.”
Skye smiled grimly. Yes. They did.
* * *
As they continued down the sloping pathway, Tierra listened to the conversation between the three Skychildren with growing concern. The situation in the sky realm was serious and could impact the Groundbreather kingdom as well should Hawkins’s faction ultimately prevail. If he gained control of the Fenik, the situation would be dire indeed. Luckily, she was now on the path to return to her home; she would not be used against her parents.
Sighing, Tierra concentrated on the path in front of them, illuminated as it was by the flickering light of the torches carried by the guards. At least she was about to leave this place. It was more beautiful than she had ever imagined, but it was not her home.
“There’s one thing I want to know,” Skye’s voice penetrated Tierra’s consciousness, and she strove to catch his words. “Why didn’t Cirrus ever tell me all of this?”
“You were still very young when Cirrus started training you,” Griffin said. “At the time, we had many suspicions and little proof.”
“And the king’s behavior has not changed much until recently,” Nimbus said. “Cirrus was going to tell you when he returned from his mission, but you know how that went.”
“What was he doing?” Skye asked. “He wouldn’t tell me before he left, and all I got from him after he returned was some rambling about the Fenik.”
The two guards exchanged glances.
“Unfortunately, we can’t answer that question,” Griffin said. “That’s something you would have to ask Cirrus himself.”
After that look between the two guards, Tierra could not help but wonder whether they were telling the truth. Skye, however, did not apparently notice anything, as he merely grumbled, “It’s not like I can do that now, can I?”
“Things aren’t all as they seem,” Nimbus replied in a low voice. “When you finish your errand on the ground world, don’t forget to make contact with someone on that list we gave you. As we said, you’ll have the full support of most of the Skychildren—and, of course, those Sentinels loyal to the king.”
/> “Yes,” Griffin said. “We’ll take back your kingdom, Your Highness.”
And with that, they arrived at their destination.
“Here is the exit, Your Highness,” Nimbus said, gesturing at the door in front of them.
“Be careful as you step out,” Griffin told them. “The mountain that the palace is on isn’t exactly built for climbing.”
“Understood,” Skye said, glancing at Tierra.
Both guards had to push on the door—evidently, it was not frequently used—but at last they succeeded in opening it. Outside stood a narrow ledge hewn into the lower side of the mountain. The ledge was obscured by the dense layer of clouds which clung to the underside of Skymount, effectively hiding it from any curious eyes. It was doubtful anyone would ever discover it on accident, and finding it in the midst of the shifting mists would be problematic at best. It was the perfect exit from the palace for a Skychild in a hurry, but it would not provide an easy way back in.
“Good luck, Your Highness,” Griffin said with a bow. Then he and Nimbus stepped back, watching for a few moments to ensure Skye and Tierra left without difficulty.
Skye held out a hand for Tierra in invitation, and she took it and stepped up to him. Breathing in deeply, she put her arms around him. She was too accustomed to having solid ground beneath her feet to welcome the idea of floating through the air, and she doubted she would ever get accustomed to the idea of flying.
Skye’s arms came up to envelop her. He stepped outside the door, gathering the wind around them, and Tierra tightened her hold on him. She put her face in his shirt, discreetly inhaling the scent that was purely him, and waited.
The wind surrounded them and lifted them in the air, and even though Tierra expected such a thing to happen, it still surprised her, and she let out a squeak.
Skye chuckled against her, the noise a rumble in his chest against her cheek. “I’ll never let you fall. You should know that by now.”
She loosened her grip on him marginally and listened as his laugh was lost to the wind.
They passed quickly through the air, the gusts whipping at their clothes and hair, disturbing the cloud layer which swirled around them like a cyclone. Soon, they cleared the clouds and began their descent to the world below. Tierra did not pay attention to where they were going, preferring to close her eyes and await their arrival.
When Skye finally set them down on the ground, Tierra opened her eyes and looked at the surrounding forest. Her Groundbreather powers had told her the instant solid earth was beneath her feet, and she could not help letting out a sigh of relief. But rather than relinquish her grip on Skye immediately, she pulled back a little and looked up at his face.
He was trying to smile down at her, yet there was a sadness in his gaze that was unmistakable. His father had just been killed, and the future of his people was uncertain. If anyone had a right to be sorrowful, he did. She wanted to say something—to comfort him—but the words would not come.
Finally, he spoke. “We’re in a forest that’s a short distance away from the castle. I’d rather not take my chances on going right up to your parents’ front door and being captured. A bit of a walk won’t kill you, but I think maybe it’s best for us to camp here until morning.”
“Us?” Tierra said. She realized she was still holding on to him, but she could not bring herself to let go. After the harrowing escape they had managed, Tierra relished the closeness.
“Yes. I said I had to follow a lead on the ground world, and I meant it. I’m going to look for the Fenik.”
“Skye—”
“I know you’d rather the Fenik didn’t exist, Tierra, but it could really help me. I want to take a quick look around before I go back home to raise my people up to fight against Hawkins. If I do find the Fenik, I promise I will never use it against your people. I just think it might be the best way to get rid of Hawkins without much bloodshed.”
“You may not use it against my people,” Tierra said bitterly, “but if Hawkins takes it from you, there is no telling what he might do.”
“That’s why I have to make sure he never gets his hands on it. Besides, if I have a chance of finding the Fenik, then he does, too. And if I find it first, he won’t be able to take it from me. It’d be better for both our peoples if I was the one to get my hands on it.”
Tierra stepped backwards and looked away from him. “That is true.”
“Tierra,” Skye said, reaching out and touching her cheek with gentle affection, turning her face toward him. “Don’t be angry. I’m sorry it has to be this way. We . . . we don’t have much time left together, you know? I’d rather our last hours together be . . . well . . .”
She softened, knowing what he meant. Despite all the hard feelings between their peoples, they had somehow grown close. She was not sure when or where, but it had happened. And the thought of parting—perhaps forever—was a sorrowful one to them both. She particularly hated that the parting came at a time when he could use a friendly face at his side. Even if she did not have the best relationship with her parents, she would be devastated if either one of them died. Though Skye often feigned emotional distance, she believed he felt as deeply as any Groundbreather.
“I would prefer not to fight with you either, Skye. Maybe we could just . . . sit and talk for a while before going back to sleep? For old times’ sake?”
He smiled. “I’d like that. But first, let’s find a better place to camp for the night.”
“Certainly,” she said. “Come with me. I can find us a perfect place.”
* * *
Tierra, with the assistance of her Groundbreather abilities, found them a small clearing with a view of the stars, and when Skye looked upon it, he smiled and said, “This is wonderful. We can even start a fire so we don’t get cold in the cool night air.”
Tierra raised an eyebrow. “I did not exactly bring any flint for our little campout.”
Skye laughed and said mysteriously, “Leave that to me.”
After they gathered some firewood and piled it up, Skye gave her a charming grin and said, “Don’t be alarmed by what’s about to happen. Just, ah, stand back from the wood to be safe.”
Of course, that did little for her state of mind, but she moved some distance from the wood—and a little behind him, knowing, as she did, the Skychild’s penchant for dramatics—and then, crossing her arms, she waited for whatever was to come.
It began with a light wind, the barest eddy of a breeze on her face. The wind soon gathered in intensity, whipping up and rushing to and fro without any direction, and Tierra frowned and looked upward, where Skye’s gaze was focused.
Tierra soon realized that Skye was moving the few clouds in the sky over toward their location, and when she opened her mouth to inquire as to what exactly he was doing, a flash of light and a loud crack split the air.
The noise which escaped her was something akin to a shriek. “Skye!” she exclaimed. “Was that lightning?”
Skye gazed proudly at the blazing campfire before them. “Yes, it was. My people can call down lightning if there are clouds nearby. And we can do that to create fires.”
Tierra eyed the fire warily. “Is that not a somewhat . . . risky business?”
He shrugged and gave a reluctant nod. “Yes, it is. Lightning is difficult to control. I wouldn’t exactly try to light a candle with it.”
Tierra smiled to herself and refrained from asking why he would risk using it now. She suspected he had wanted to impress her. “I am more concerned with how visible it is. Of course, if you want my mother’s guards to break up this little party . . .”
“We’re far enough away that they shouldn’t notice it,” Skye said. But though he affected nonchalance, Tierra noted that he did look about carefully for a moment. She decided not to tease him for it.
After they ensured the fire was suitably tended to for some time, they sat up against a tree on the edge of the clearing, staring upward at th
e sky. Skye started pointing out a few more constellations, and Tierra listened to his voice in contentment.
Eventually, he began telling her about how he and his parents had occasionally stargazed and thought up constellations of their own when he was younger. “Those six stars there,” he said, pointing them out, “reminded my mother of a pet bird she had as a child, and she said the stars could always serve as a symbol of her, flying up above the entire world, bright and shining and happy. My father was never so fanciful, but even he chose a constellation to be his own. That line of stars there, he said, made up his throne.”
“And what was your constellation?”
“That crooked line there,” he said, tracing a group of stars with a finger. “Even as a boy, I loved the bow.”
“Then I shall be a sword,” she said, pointing at a different group of stars. “Right there. So whenever you look at the sky, you can see those stars and remember me.”
He laughed. “I don’t think I need to look at the sky to remember you.”
“You must know that I am sorry, Skye, for that time . . . when I . . .” It was hard for her to even put it into words.
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Just forget about it. I already have. I wasn’t exactly making it easy for you. And besides, it stopped the other beatings, remember?”
“None of that should have happened. And things certainly will not change when Wisteria becomes queen.”
“I guess your kingdom has its fair share of problems, too.”
“It does. But I do not want to think about that right now.” There was an ache in her heart, and she did not think it was related to the future of her people. “Tell me more about the stars.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder and fell asleep listening to his voice.
For many long years, Celesta lived amongst her children, glorying in their successes, feeling their joys and sorrows, and basking in her enduring love of Sterling.
But as all mortal things must, Sterling eventually grew old, and though he lived many years longer than any other Groundwalker, Celesta knew his time was nigh. For Celesta could not break the laws she had made in the creation of the world. All things mortal must pass from life.