A Necklace of Fallen Stars

by Beth Hilgartner

  The wizard dismounted and swaggered over to Kaela. He looked down at her and laughed harshly. "Will you come quietly, princess?" he mocked. "Or will you watch your vagabond friend die? I can make him suffer horribly."

  Kaela forced back her fear for Kippen's sake and met the wizard's eye. "You cannot touch us," she said quietly. "We walk in the protection of the Lady."

  Stafgrym laughed again, but to Kaela it seemed to have a false ring, and he looked quickly over his shoulder. "Then summon her," he mocked, "if you can."

  "Lady!" Kaela cried. "White Lady! I claim your sanctuary! I claim your protection! Help us!"

  There was no answer except the moan of the wind. "She is gone. She is dead. She never was."

  "No!" Kaela retorted. "She was. She is! Lady, White Lady! I summon you! I call on you! Please help us!" Again, there was silence. Stafgrym reached for Kaela, but before he touched her, there was a brilliant flash of white fire and a noise like thunder. Then, standing on the mountain road was a woman. She was robed in silver that gleamed in the shadows like moonlight on water. Tall and stern she stood before them, her hair swirling about her like a golden mist, her eyes dark as the mountain night. Fair and strong and terrible she stood, raising in one hand a sword full of white fire. She extended her white hand, and the fire that bound Kippen faded. Then she turned and regarded the wizard coldly.

  "This is not the first time, Stafgrym, that thou hast challenged me. I am an ancient Power, verily, but a Power nonetheless and I'll not stand to be mocked or flouted by the likes of thee, wizardling." She drew a line in the air with the tip of her sword; the path that it traced remained glimmering there. "Thou shalt not pass this line, Stafgrym, until it hath faded completely into nothingness; and though by ancient law I cannot bar the pass to thee, I give to thee this warning: if thou shouldst trouble these two again while within the boundaries of my domain, I will smite thee!"

  She sheathed her sword, then walked over to Kippen and lifted him in her strong arms. The White Lady beckoned to Kaela and led her away through the trees, leaving Stafgrym on the road, shaken and shivering.

  "Where—where are you taking us?" Kaela asked her. The Lady looked around but didn't slow her stride. "We go to one of my dwelling places. It is not far removed."

  "Is—is—" her voice broke and she finished in a whisper, "— he all right?"

  "He lives yet," she replied.

  Kaela fell silent and walked on. Finally, the Lady stopped at the door of a small wood-frame cottage, pushed the door open and took Kippen inside. Kaela followed. The Lady laid Kippen down on a pallet near the cold fireplace and covered him with a thick wool blanket. Then she turned to the girl.

  "Lay the fire whilst I rouse thy companion."

  "Rouse him?" Kaela objected. "Why not let him sleep?"

  "If he sleeps now, by morning he will be in the final rest of death. Thou dost not understand the nature of the fire enchantments; they are evil and poisonous. As with a wound, if one doth not cleanse it whilst it be still open, the evil in it festers and causes great harm. If thy friend's mind is not cleansed of the evil, he will die. Come. Light the fire."

  Kaela obeyed, though she still felt puzzled and confused. She found plenty of dry wood in the woodbox, and soon the fire was burning well. Behind her, the Lady was shaking Kippen, insistently, but gently.

  "By what name is he called?" she asked.

  "Kippen."

  The Lady called to him and he moaned and opened his eyes.

  "Who are you?" he began, frantically. "Where is Kaela? What—"

  "Peace," said the Lady. "All thy questions shall be answered. I am the White Lady, the ancient guardian of the pass; thy friend Kaela is yonder; Stafgrym—"

  Kippen winced.

  "—hath been vanquished for a time. Art thou hungry?

  He shuddered. "No."

  The Lady frowned. "Dost thou remember aught that happened to thee on the road?"

  Kippen frowned in concentration. "It was dark, and there was mist," he began uncertainly. "We were afraid of—of something. I started to run from fear and Kaela tried to stop me, to make me hide. Then—" His eyes filled with fear and horror and he covered his face with his hands. "I cannot remember," he croaked.

  "Thou must, and thou shalt," she said calmly. "Thou didst run from Stafgrym, but he was mounted and overtook thee."

  "No! No!" cried Kippen. "I cannot remember."

  "Thou shalt!" she replied. "Stafgrym cast his fire at thee and bound thee with his evil spells. He tried to choke the life from thy throat. Rememberest thou what happened then?"

  Kippen was tearing at his throat, as though the bonds were still there. He was weeping.

  "Thy friend summoned me," the Lady went on, quietly, "and I freed thee. I placebound Stafgrym until moonset and brought thee and thy friend hither. Thou art safe, and thy Kaela as well. Calm thyself, young Kippen." She laid her hand on his forehead and soothed him. "All is well," she said softly.

  Kaela came to Kippen's side and knelt down next to him. The sight of her seemed to calm him more than any words. He smiled at her.

  "It was a narrow escape, Kippen," she told him. "But we're safe now. Do you think you can eat a bit?"

  "I'll try."

  "Good," said the Lady. "Thou shalt need thy strength. I have a wine, a healing cordial that will restore thy heart."

  She went to the cupboard and took a bottle and three silver goblets. After she had filled each one, she held her hands over them and spoke some words in a lilting tongue.

  Kaela looked into the goblet; the drink was clear, but filled at the same time with light. She lifted the goblet to her lips and tasted gingerly. It was cool and sweet and had the flavor of half a dozen things, none of which she could name. As she drank, she felt warmth and comfort flowing through her. Kaela looked at Kippen, and found he was smiling at her.

  "Thank you, White Lady," Kaela said quietly, "for rescuing me and healing my friend. But if Kippen is feeling well enough, we must be again on our way. If Stafgrym is only placebound till moonset—"

  "Nay," the Lady interrupted. "I shall lend you my horse, Alyngon, to bear you safe away."

  Kaela shook her head. "You have given my friend back his life, and me my freedom. It is enough."

  "But there thou art mistaken," the Lady said. "Freedom and life are not my gifts, but thy burdens, and thy freedom is not yet achieved. I will brook no argument, Kaela. You shall take my horse, Alyngon, and he will bear thee swift and sure to the borders of Cymyl. I will call him." She whistled a pure, piercing sound that seemed made of starlight and mountain winds.

  "But we are too great a burden for one horse, and the journey is long," Kaela protested.

  The Lady only smiled.

  In the silence, Kaela and Kippen heard a great fluttering noise, and suddenly, a great winged horse descended among them. He was whiter than the peaks of the mountains, his eyes large and blue, and his great wings were silver overlaid with the iridescence of rainbows and the shimmer of stars.

  "Mount now," said the Lady, but before Kaela obeyed, she clasped the woman's hands.

  "We cannot thank you enough, Lady."

  "Nay," said the Lady gently, almost sadly. "It is I who cannot thank thee. I had thought myself forgotten. Go with good speed. The journey is nothing to Alyngon; he will set thee down at the borders of my domain by dawn and then return to me. Fare thee well, children."

  Kippen helped Kaela up to perch between the magnificent wings, then he mounted behind her. Though she twined her fingers into Alyngon's mane as he took off, she was glad of Kippen's steadying arm about her waist. She looked down just long enough to wave to the Lady, who stood alone in the deserted mountain glade.

  "Just think, Kaela," Kippen said eagerly. "By morning we shall be in Cymyl. In Cymyl," he repeated. "Home." Kaela smiled for him. "Yes, your home." There was the faintest stress on the second word, for as she spoke, Kaela thought fleetingly of all the places and people she was leaving behind. She sighed.

 
But Kippen did not notice, for he was humming to himself, a bright little melody. Kaela looked down again, watching the moonlit mountains spiral away beneath them until finally she closed her eyes on the dizzying heights, and listened to the wind beneath, above and about them. If she tried, she could imagine their being borne by the wind itself, borne high away and far, to safety. If only, she thought, safety didn't mean leaving so large a part of my life behind.

  Chapter Six

  The afternoon was growing old and the breeze from the open window began to be cold. Melina was alone with her thoughts and worries, seated in a patch of fading sunlight, her tapestry in her hands. It was three days now, since Stafgrym had left, and she had begun to breathe more easily. Although she didn't quite dare to believe that Kaela had eluded the wizard, the hope was there, growing stronger with each passing hour.

  "Lady Princess!" The voice and running footsteps heralded Nansa's approach. The maid rushed into the solarium, flushed and panting.

  Melina leapt to her feet, scattering her yarns. "What is it?" she cried.

  "He's returned," the maid gasped, "without Kaela. But he's proper furious, he is, lady, for he's lost his magic stone and can't look for her in it. He was bellowing theft when I saw him. Lady Princess," she added softly, "I'm afraid. Lady Tamera was there, looking smug as a cat with a secret. She means no good, I warrant."

  Melina agreed, but she had no idea what Tamera could know, until she remembered that from Tamera's sitting room, one could see the tall cliffs where Melina had thrown the crystal into the sea. She began to shiver.

  "Lady! Lady Princess!" Nansa cried, alarmed. "What is it? You look as if you've seen Death herself. What is the matter?"

  Melina forced herself to relax. She bent and gathered her yarns and put them in their basket before she answered.

  "Tamera may indeed know something about where his magic stone went," she replied; her voice was nearly normal.

  Nansa considered this and then frowned. "But why should that frighten you so much, lady—Oh!" she interrupted herself, understanding. She looked with respect at her lady, but spoke no more.

  "I think," the princess continued, picking up her tapestry, "we should go down. My father may wish to see me."

  Well before they had gotten to Melina's rooms, they encountered a page who told Melina she was wanted in the east parlor by the King. She sent Nansa on to her rooms with the tapestry, mentally squared her shoulders and followed the page.

  The heavy parlor door swung open slowly and Melina stepped inside. She bit back a startled exclamation at what she saw and kept her face calm. There were five people seated in the overstuffed chairs: Duke Gavrin, Tamera, Lord Talmot, Stafgrym and the King. But what startled Melina was that her father wore the black, unadorned robe and tunic he reserved for hearing trials and passing sentence. The faces turned toward her were cold and serious, with the exception of Talmot, who looked concerned, and Tamera who was smiling smugly.

  "Well, daughter," the King began ominously, "why did you go up to the cliffs before sunset the day Master Stafgrym left for Tilnak?"

  Melina frowned, as if remembering, then shrugged. "For a bit of fresh air."

  "Indeed?" said the King, deadly. "Master Stafgrym's crystal is missing. In fact, he hasn't seen it since our little interview on that day, and Tamera saw you throw something over the cliff, something round that glittered in the sun! Do you still say you went up for a breath of air—and then had to run back in order not to be late for the evening meal?"

  Melina did not answer.

  "What did you throw over the cliff, daughter?" he asked coldly, watching her intently.

  She lifted her chin and answered calmly, but there was defiance in her very calmness. "Why, father, I threw a small globe of polished crystal over the cliff, and gladly, too. I took it from the table when Master Stafgrym was so intent upon vengeance. So what will you do to me? Cut off my hands? Marry me off? Try me for high treason? If you ever catch Kaela—and I pray God you never shall—you can hold a double execution. 'Hear ye, hear ye!'" she mimicked bitterly. "'The King of Visin shall on the morrow draw and quarter his eldest and youngest daughters'—or is it burn? No, I think drawing and quartering is the current rage—'leaving his one remaining daughter, Tamera' —" here she shot a scathing look at her sister, "— 'as the sole surviving child and heir.' And how long before you sell her to some crawling wizard, or execute her in a rage? I've heard it said that headstrong daughters are the bane of a man's old age, but it seems to me that execution is a rather novel way—not to mention final—to deal with the problem."

  Tamera's eyes had opened wide in surprise while Melina spoke, and she leaned forward and whispered a question to Lord Talmot. He nodded grimly and Tamera paled, sitting frozen and silent until at last the King spoke.

  "Why, Melina?" he asked in a tone of voice she had not heard since the day her mother died. He sounded as though the world had crumbled beneath his feet and all he had ever loved or cared for was lost to him. "Why did you steal it? It is death to help Kaela escape. Don't you see, you've left me no choice?"

  Although she was amazed and alarmed to see her father like that, the bitterness in her was too close to the surface, too strong. "Well, then you've gotten your own back at last," she retorted. "For altogether too long you've left no one any choice—like Kaela! You must have known she'd never bow to your will if it meant marrying Gavrin. She had no choice but to defy you; and now, you will kill her if you catch her! And me. You sold me in order to secure her capture and her death! Do you think I want to see her dead? Do you think I want to spend my life bound to that crawling, mercenary creature, Stafgrym? You left me no choice, either. And all for the sake of your cursed pride! Will it make things any better when you murder us—or execute, if you're delicate? Your people don't love you, not the way they love Kaela! Make them hate you! Go on," she goaded. "So do it! Make them hate you!"

  The King hesitated for a moment, and then rose to his feet and spoke. "I proclaim you, Melina of Visin, guilty by your own confession, of the crime of high treason. And furthermore, I sentence you to—"

  "No!" cried Lord Talmot and Tamera together. "Father, you mustn't!" Tamera cried, tears in her eyes. "I lied. I never saw Melina up on the cliffs! I found Master Stafgrym's ball in the stable yard and threw it into the sea myself! You mustn't punish Melina for my deed!" The King stared at each daughter in turn. "Is this true?" he thundered at Tamera.

  She began to cry. "Yes."

  "No!" Melina contradicted, finding her voice in her amazement.

  "Oh, Melina," Tamera sniffed valiantly, "you mustn't lie to protect me. It's my crime and I am prepared to die for it."

  "Well, Father," said Melina acidly. "Since you can't seem to get at the truth, why not execute us all?"

  Lord Talmot sprang to his feet. "If you do. Sire, you'll have war—if I have to raise the rebellion singlehandedly! I've been opposed to this farce of accusations and threats since the start of it, and I'm not afraid to tell you, that if you try to turn it to high tragedy, if you commit this atrocity, I for one will not sit idle. Condemn them if you dare, Sire. Who would stand with a king who would murder his daughters for disobedience?" Then the lord stormed out of the room, slamming the door thunderously behind him.

  There was silence in the east parlor after Talmot's exit. Then, the King marshaled his wits and summoned a servant.

  "Send for the palace guard," he ordered, then turned to his daughters. "I will get to the truth," he snarled. "And I am prepared to deal with you as I would with any other criminals. You have mocked me, Melina, and defied me, both of you—"

  "Thereby wounding your over-sensitive pride," Melina put in. "So lock us in the deepest dungeon with nothing to eat but moldy bread and stale water."

  "I intend to!" the King snapped, then he turned to Stafgrym. "Go to Cymyl. Find Kaela if you have to search the country from now until the stars fall! Find her, or your life shall answer for it!" As he finished, the company of palace guards entered. "Tak
e these two and lock them in the deepest dungeon!" he commanded.

  The guards went toward Stafgrym and Gavrin.

  "No, you fools!" he shouted. "My daughters."

  It was an odd sight, a troop of reluctant men-at-arms guarding two harmless princesses as they trooped through the bustling Great Hall. Apparently, Talmot had spread the word, for there were muttered curses and hostile looks directed at the King, as he walked at the head of the ill-assorted company. Just then, the throng parted and Nansa stepped to the front. Facing the King, she pointed an accusing finger at him.

  "You unnatural monster," she shrilled bitterly. "Beware! God will punish you for this, mark my words! Mend your ways or look to your life, Your Majesty!"

  The King was taken aback for an instant then motioned to the guards. "Seize her!"

  And Nansa joined the two princesses. Calmly and bravely the three walked toward the dungeons, heads held high. As they passed, many people bowed their heads and prayed for them.

  Chapter Seven

  "Kaela," Kippen's voice reached into her sleep. "Kaela, wake up."

  Kaela opened her eyes. She had been asleep with her head against his shoulder as he held her securely on the back of Alyngon.

  "You're safe, Kaela," he said quietly. "Come! Look about with me."

  He slid off the great horse's back and lifted her down. The sky was turning from black to pale gray and the birds were wakening. Kaela did not at first follow him to the lip of the little hollow Alyngon had set them down in. She went instead to the head of the proud animal and solemnly kissed his silken nose.

  "Thank you, king of air," she said softly, stroking his neck.

  "You are welcome, princess of Visin," the great animal replied. "And may the winds of your times never be harsh." Without waiting for a reply from the startled girl, Alyngon flexed his wings and leapt lightly into the air. She watched him until he dwindled in the dawn. Then she turned and followed the minstrel to the lip of the dell.

  She found Kippen standing beneath the branches of a flower-laden apple tree. The rising sun caught on the petals as the gentle breeze shook a few loose, like snowflakes, about Kippen's head. He saw Kaela and extended his hand to her.