“We shall need a map of the Velvet Woods. As detailed as you can manage. I’d like all water sources, hills and valleys, power centers, and anything that we need to avoid or that Corann can use against us.”
Isolde nodded and lifted her hands. The surface of the table wavered, then rippled. Translucent sections of the table rose in tiny hills, and the surface dimpled in an approximation of dense forests.
Then the image wavered and flickered. Isolde’s look of concentration dissolved into wide-eyed anxiety.
“I can’t—I don’t have enough power,” she muttered to Faolan, then flushed with shame. Faolan’s lips thinned, but he placed a hand on Isolde’s shoulder and closed his eyes.
Isolde’s shoulders snapped back, and her arms straightened. The image on the table firmed and solidified. Isolde continued to build detail on the map. Hills rose, and distinct gullies and valleys dug into their sides. Fluttering blue lines bisected the table and pooled in deep sapphire lakes in miniature. Dots of undulating colors materialized at random on the map, densest at the center where a tiny castle grew. Red stars appeared in a few locations before Isolde put down her hands. Faolan took his hand away and opened his eyes. He walked around and examined the map.
“Yes, that will do nicely. And the stars?”
“They represent pitfalls or other places to avoid. I can give details of each.” Isolde tossed her head. “A queen knows her realm, after all.”
“A queen no longer,” Faolan said. “You would do well to remember that the battle we plan is due directly to your inaction in the face of peril to your realm. Your sole purpose here is to provide us with information to help our plan of attack, nothing more.”
Isolde lowered her eyes and took one step away from the table. Faolan waved an invitation to the remaining rulers.
“Shall we begin?”
“Let’s finish this as quickly as possible,” said King Gavin of Whitecliff. “I’d like to be back in my realm within days, if we can manage it. No need to drag it out longer than that.”
“I agree,” said Queen Ula of Longshore. “We have the greater numbers, and Corann does not control the realm. It should be simple. There are plentiful rivers in the Velvet Woods, I see, so my fighters will have ample water with which to work. Station them at the river crossings, and I guarantee Corann’s forces will think twice about approaching.”
“An opposing army should never be underestimated,” said Faolan, but he looked at ease. “My fighters and their spell stones can be positioned anywhere, so let us place the fighters who have location requirements first.”
“My war singers require more open spaces and visibility, unfortunately lacking in this realm,” said King Gavin as he peered at the map.
“There are viewpoints here and here, as well as open meadowlands over there,” said Isolde, pointing.
“My fighters are more flexible,” said Queen Brenna of Riverside. She gave a wicked smile. “Hallucinations can be caused in any environment.”
Faolan pondered the map.
“Unfortunately, the fighters of King Weylin of Midvale and Queen Kaie of Southlands have no restrictions. The Midvale fighters control animals, which can be sent anywhere. And the Southlands fighters deal in flower magic—choking vines, venomous spitting flowers—which can be grown from any root. It’s more difficult in winter, I have heard, but certainly can be done. And the Velvet Woods fighters have the whole forest at their disposal—every tree, acorn, and root.”
There was a brief silence while they contemplated the shimmering map. Isolde glanced at Faolan.
“And when we capture Corann, what then?” she asked in an offhand tone. Faolan looked at her sharply, undeceived by her attempt at nonchalance.
“We will do whatever we must. Certainly, if he does not surrender quickly, we will show no mercy. I am tempted to make an example of him to warn other would-be usurpers, but we shall decide at the time.”
Isolde looked disquieted. Faolan narrowed his eyes.
“Does my answer affect your willingness to help? Tell me now, for I would rather attack with less information than proceed with a traitor in our midst.”
“No,” said Isolde quickly. “The portals must be closed, and Gwendolyn must take the throne. We are of one mind in that.”
“Good.” Faolan pointed at a narrow valley on the map.
“Queen Ula, what can your people do about this trap?”
***
After a furious canter through snowy hills, a short train ride that garnered wide eyes from Kelan, and a bus trip which made Bran sigh with happiness, Gwen led their foursome to her aunt’s cottage. Her father dashed out of Ada’s front door the minute Gwen put her hand on the gate.
“You’re back. How did you get back? What’s the news?” He looked around at the others, and his eyes fell on Kelan. “And who’s this?”
“Bran’s brother, Kelan,” Gwen said hurriedly. “We caught the train. We’re on a time crunch, so long story short: I have a long-lost uncle that we need to convince to take the throne. He lives in the Forbidden Lands, so we’re headed there now.”
Alan gave her a swift, crushing hug.
“That’s wonderful news, Gwennie.” He held her at arm’s length. “But why the time crunch?”
“Because the worlds are falling apart,” said Gwen.
“And because Faolan didn’t agree to this excursion. We left in secret and need to get Gwen back before Faolan throws a fit and decides to glue the tiara to Gwen’s head,” Aidan said. He added as an afterthought to Bran and Kelan, “No offense meant.”
Bran grinned.
“Father’s often declaring ultimatums. We know better than anyone.”
Kelan nodded in agreement.
“Then we’d better get moving,” said Alan. “Hop in the car, everyone. I’ll grab my keys and coat. Where are the Forbidden Lands?”
“They’re not far,” said Kelan. “We’re close to the castle of the Velvet Woods, right? The only entrance to the Forbidden Lands is over Luan Lake, which is a short morning’s ride to the north east. Father mentioned it once.”
Alan looked bewildered. Aidan came to his rescue.
“I’m certain it’s Grafham Water. It’s a forty-minute drive.”
While Alan rushed to the house, Bran looked eagerly around.
“Where’s the car, Gwen?”
Gwen bit back a smile and pointed to a rental car parked on the street. Bran ran to it and tugged at the handle futilely. Kelan followed and watched Bran’s antics with interest. He ran a hand over the car’s hood.
“Fascinating,” he murmured. “How does it work?”
“Petrol, pistons, and tiny explosions,” said Aidan. At Gwen’s raised eyebrow, he shrugged sheepishly. “I was never interested in cars. That’s the best explanation I have.”
Alan hurried down the walkway and pressed the remote to unlock the car doors. Both Bran and Kelan jumped at the loud click. A jogger ran by at that moment and stared at their Breenan clothing. Gwen was thankful she and Aidan had changed back into their winter coats—the wind whistled past her hood with great force. She hastily pushed Bran into the backseat and Kelan slid in beside him. When they were all seated, Alan slammed his door and turned the key in the ignition. Behind Gwen, the brothers jumped as one, and Aidan chuckled.
“Find us the best path, will you, Aidan?” Alan said into his rearview mirror. Aidan nodded and pulled out his phone.
“Head east for now. I’ll direct you shortly.”
Alan eased the car into traffic and they drove for a few moments in silence. Bran and Kelan were glued to their window and Aidan was busy with his phone. Alan glanced at Gwen.
“Same procedure as before? You make a portal and call me at least once a day?”
Gwen sighed.
“That won’t work in the Forbidden Lands. There’s a no-magic spell over the whole thing. We’ll have to make a portal before we even land our boat. I’ll just try to be as quick as I can and call you once we’re out.”
“What’s the plan when we get to the lake?” he said instead.
“We’ll have to fashion a boat somehow. Kelan has a spell to power the boat, once we have something.”
“The magic won’t work inside the magical boundary of the Forbidden Lands, but once we’re in the caves the current should carry us,” said Kelan.
“Caves?” said Alan.
“I can make a raft,” said Bran. “I made one once. It held together for hours.”
“Hours?” Alan took a deep breath as if mastering himself, then took the next exit off the highway.
“Where are we going?” asked Gwen in surprise.
“The nearest outdoor store. We need a boat. I’m not having you cross a freezing lake on a raft that might hold together. An inflatable is hardly better, but if you have magic to push it, the trip should be short, at least. And flashlights, if there are caves.”
***
Alan pulled into the parking lot of a visitor’s center, closed at this late hour, and switched off the engine. They all stared at the stormy skies and angry whitecaps that scudded across the lake. Green fields lay over the countryside to their right, and a small woodland to their left. Scrubby grasses rustled at the lakeside. The only sound was the ticking of the cooling engine and the whistling of the wind. Gwen swallowed past her suddenly dry throat. Their inflatable boat in the trunk suddenly seemed hugely inadequate.
“Please tell me you have some magic to keep you afloat,” Alan said faintly. Gwen zipped up her coat with determination.
“We sure do. It’ll be fine. Come on, everyone, let’s fill that boat.”
“Look this way, Bran.” Kelan prodded Bran in the ribs. “We’re here. It’s your first sight of the Forbidden Lands.”
“What?” said Bran. He peered through the side window. “Where are the mountains?”
“We’re still in the human world. It must be different here.”
Alan rubbed his face.
“Are you really crossing that stretch in an inflatable boat?” He looked to the threatening skies. “In this weather? Maybe you should wait for calmer conditions.”
“I don’t think we’ll have any,” said Gwen. “With the worlds ripping apart, the weather will only get worse.”
“You’d better get that boat filled, then.”
They climbed out of the car and Gwen dragged the uninflated boat out of the trunk.
“Anyone know a spell for filling this thing?” she asked. “It might be quicker than the pump.”
At Bran and Kelan’s confused looks, Aidan clarified.
“Any spells to push air into something?”
“Oh, sure.” Bran’s expression cleared, and he put his hand over the nozzle. Within a minute, the boat was rigid and sea-worthy. Aidan hastily held down the gunwale when the wind threatened to blow the boat away.
Alan stepped out of the car.
“The weather forecast is calling for wind warnings this evening,” Alan yelled over the wind. “You’d better get moving.”
“Boat in the water!” Gwen shouted. She picked up a side using the built-in rope, and the others followed. They lurched through grass, down to a pebbly shore. Waves crashed on the beach, and Gwen gritted her teeth against the inevitable splash of icy-cold water soon to fill her shoes.
“It’s a bit windy, but the waves aren’t bad,” shouted Bran. “We can get through them, no problem.”
“I hope so!” Gwen yelled back. Bran and the others climbed into the boat, and Gwen turned to hug her father.
“I’ll see you really soon,” she said. “I’ll call you when we land again. Hopefully no later than tomorrow morning. And we’ll have Finn with us. Then we can have Christmas with Aunty Ada, fly back home, and forget this ever happened.”
Her father didn’t speak. He just hugged her fiercely and stepped back with a tight nod. Gwen waded into the roiling water—as icy as she’d feared—and climbed awkwardly into the full boat. Kelan smacked the stern twice, and they shot away from the shore.
The boat juddered in the choppy waves. Gwen held on with whitened knuckles and fingers that were already too cold.
“It’s a bit brisk,” Aidan shouted. Gwen snorted then coughed when spray hit her in the face.
“When should we cross over?” yelled Kelan. “The magic-dampening spell extends into the lake. We don’t want to wait too long.”
“No time like the present!” cried Bran. “Work your magic, Aidan!”
Aidan glanced at Gwen, who nodded. Aidan swallowed, held out one hand straight in front of him, and narrowed his eyes.
A huge portal ripped open a boat-length ahead of them. Within a moment, they were through.
Chapter 11
A wave hit them broadside and Gwen screamed. The boat teetered on the edge of tipping and they all scrambled to redistribute their weight. Another wave rocked the boat again, and cold water sprayed over the bow.
“Go back!” shrieked Gwen. “Make another portal!”
Aidan threw out his hand and they shot through another wide portal. It was calmer on the human side, but their reprieve didn’t last long.
HONK.
“What’s that boat doing?” Bran asked with interest. Figures on the boat waved at them.
“They must think we’re in trouble!” Aidan shouted. “We can’t stop. What would we tell them? We need to cross over!”
“Not yet!” Gwen cried. “It’s gale-force winds over there!”
Kelan smacked the boat again and they jumped forward with renewed vigor. The boat changed course to intercept them.
“They’re gaining on us,” said Bran. He looked back at his brother. “Is that all you have, Kelan?”
“This boat won’t handle more,” Kelan replied.
The boat was close enough now to hear shouting. Gwen clenched whitened knuckles on the rope and looked at Aidan. He threw an agonized glance at the approaching vessel, then put out his hand.
The portal yawned open, and Gwen had a sickening view of the wild water beyond before they were tossed into it. The inflatable boat slammed into the choppy water again and again. Gwen’s teeth jolted together with every hit. The sleet that pummeled her face was so intense, it almost blinded her.
Aidan lost his balance and tumbled into Bran. Gwen leaned precariously toward the over weighted edge. A wave hit them broadside, and before the boat regained its balance, a log reared up. With a tremendous jolt, the light side of the boat tilted. As the boat tipped too far, Gwen saw the future before it happened. The lake rushed toward her, gray and frothing and unwelcoming. When she smacked into the icy cold water and plunged into its depths, she gasped at the shock and was rewarded with a mouthful of lake water.
Gwen’s head emerged into the howling wind and she coughed and choked. The boat was mercifully right beside her, so she gripped the overturned hull with tight fingers before she looked around.
Kelan grasped the other side of the boat, wide-eyed. Aidan spluttered up from the depths and Gwen reached out her arm for him to grab. His tight grip relieved her more than she could express.
“Where’s Bran?” Kelan yelled. He looked around wildly. “Bran!’
“Bran!” Gwen screamed. The waves were so choppy that he could have been right beside them and still unseen. Sleet pelted her face and she blinked over and over. A wave hit her and she spluttered again. Then a hand appeared over a nearby crest. “Over there!” she shrieked at Kelan.
Kelan wasted no time. He swung his arm around in a wide circle and a shining silver rope appeared, swirling in midair. He let it loose to fly toward Bran.
The rope lay slack for a moment, two…
“Come on, Bran!” Kelan said with anguish.
Then the rope grew taut. It cut through the waves, and Kelan hauled with all his might. Aidan pulled himself over to the rope to help pull Bran in.
Bran appeared, soaked and with his usual cheery smile wiped away. Aidan grabbe
d his coat and pressed him against the hull while he recovered.
It was only then that Gwen noticed the speed they were traveling at.
“Kelan! Turn off the moving spell. We’re going in the wrong direction!”
“It’s not on!” he said. Gwen looked at their destination and noticed for the first time the jagged mountains that rose sheer from the water’s edge. The mountains grew smaller as the overturned boat was swept back.
“It’s the wind,” Gwen said. “It’s pushing us away from the Forbidden Lands. Quick, Kelan, put the moving spell back on!”
“I can’t. Not with the boat overturned. It’s meant for upright movement.”
“Pass it to me, Bran.” Aidan grabbed Bran’s hand and pressed it to his temple. Both their eyes closed briefly, then Aidan’s popped open.
“Any ideas?” Gwen asked him. Her teeth chattered.
“Hold on, hold on…” Aidan thought for a moment, his eyes flickering over the boat. Then he pulled himself around toward Gwen, passing over her with a touch she could barely feel through the cold and landing on the side opposite the mountains. He smacked the boat twice as Kelan had. “Let’s hope this works,” he said through blue lips.
They were approaching the opposite shore now, the lake vast before them. The boat jerked slightly then moved against the wind. But it was slow, too slow. Gwen pulled herself around to Aidan. She almost lost her grip when a wave crashed into the little boat. Aidan hauled her closer.
“Pass me the spell,” she said. “We need more power.”
He pressed his fingers to her temple. Gwen closed her eyes and saw a vivid vision of Aidan holding onto the boat, just as if she hadn’t closed her eyes. A pulse in her core told her what to do, and she replicated the spell. The boat moved a little more swiftly across the waves. Kelan was there next, and then Bran, and Gwen and Aidan passed the spell along.
With the input of the brothers’ more powerful spells, the boat flew toward the mountains at last. A wave crashed into them once more, sleet stung Gwen’s eyes, and her icy feet hung like unfeeling deadweights on the ends of her legs. The mountains thrust up from the lake like the teeth of a giant, ever closer.
Breenan Series Box Set Page 58