Cinders and Fangs

by J. Conrad

  I tossed the ax inside the cart, so I wouldn’t have to carry it, and took the mare’s reins to lead her. Despite the wind biting my ears and moaning through the bare, rattling tree branches, I led the horse and cart along to the back of our property with an invigoration I hadn’t felt in a long time. I kept my head down, however, making myself slow my pace and drag my feet at times. I didn’t want Gwyneth, who I knew was watching, to get the idea that I was happy for any reason. My body language needed to show that I was begrudgingly trudging off to this dreaded task.

  I reached the orchard and my pulse quickened. First were the apple trees, then pear, reaching their bare arms up to the grey sky. Each step I took brought me a little closer to freedom. Just a little bit farther. I passed the pear trees and the first pecan tree came into view. Another thirty feet and I’d reach the walnut and almond trees. I kept going, keeping up the same slow, ambling walk as though the horse was plodding, and my own legs were tired, but nothing could be further from the truth. The mare pricked her ears eagerly, pulling the empty cart with ease.

  The last nut tree faded from view at my right. I was almost far enough that Gwyneth wouldn’t be able to see me from the house. Just another thirty paces and I would unhook the mare and gallop off, like the anxious spring in my legs begged me to do. I turned and could no longer see Blaenwood, only trees.

  Pulling my bag from under the logs in the wood cart, I stuffed the ax inside. I slipped the strap over my head and under one arm, swiveling the bag around to my back. I unhitched the mare from the harness, leaving only her bridle on. This mare, one of our work horses, was so large I couldn’t pull myself up, especially not weighed down like I was.

  Down, Bella, I said in thought-speak. The mare bent her knees and lay down. I straddled her and took the reins, telling her Up. She got to her feet and awaited my next command.

  This was it—now I needed to make the horse gallop through the woods until she couldn’t go anymore. Right now. I took her thick, red mane in my hands, getting ready for the breakneck run for my life.

  “Elin,” a faint voice called. I jumped, my heart pounding so hard I could have passed out. Was that Gwyneth? I couldn’t tell, but it had to be. I didn’t answer, listening for the voice again.

  “Elin,” a woman said, closer now. “It is I, Eiriana.”

  I exhaled, loosening my grip on Bella’s mane. So now my grandmother arrives. Now that I am this close to freedom. I scanned the nearby trees and the thicker forest, but I couldn’t see her. Her conversation with Gwyneth still rang in my ears. It was the last time I’d heard her voice.

  “Up here,” she said.

  Glancing up in the direction of the voice, I saw a grey squirrel on a branch peering down at me with its dark eyes.

  “Is it you?” I whispered to the squirrel. I stepped closer and risked another peek back at Blaenwood. It was hidden from my view, meaning Gwyneth could not see us either.

  “Yes,” the small animal said. She wasn’t using thought-speak. The squirrel was moving her lips and tongue and speaking like a human. “Elin, forgive me. I came as soon as I could. Gwyneth has practically turned your home into an iron forge and she has an enchanted, cold iron sword as well. Each day I’ve waited here, hoping for a time when need brought you to me, and finally the time has come.”

  “Eiriana, I have to go. I have to go now,” I whispered.

  “Wait. Forgive me for not coming sooner,” Eiriana repeated.

  “All right,” I said. I didn’t know if I’d forgiven her. Had she any idea what the last two months had been like for me? “But I have to go now.”

  “We have a moment,” Eiriana said. “Elin, there’s something you must do which is very important. I know this will be hard for you to understand, but you must stay here so that you can attend the royal ball in ten days,” she said, her fluffy, striped tail flicking back and forth.

  My mouth fell open and I stared at her. “Stay here so I can attend the ball? What does that have to do with anything? No! I’m leaving for good. I’m never coming back.”

  “Elin, please. Salvation is coming, if only you’ll listen and trust just a little. I know it’s hard. But hear me. If you attend the ball, I will see to it that you catch the prince’s eye. He’ll choose you for his bride and you will be married. You’ll be able to live out the rest of your life happily.”

  This is not what I expected Eiriana’s help to be. She should be seeing me on my way, using her Fae powers to secure my safe passage through the forest. “What are you talking about? No, I have no use for some prince I’ve never met. I want to find—someone I know, or at least a place I know. I’m leaving, probably giving up human society forever.”

  “Hear me. There isn’t much time now, so think of what I’m offering you. The extent of my power is probably beyond your understanding. I will adorn you in a gown made of the blue summer sky. Your jewels will sparkle like sunlight upon the sea. Your carriage will be wrought of gold, pulled by white steeds out of legend. No man will be able to resist you, unless you want him to.”

  I shook my head. I should be galloping off right now, but if I must linger here, I needed to play the part. Gwyneth was expecting to hear wood being hewn, and if I waited much longer she would suspect something. I swung down, tugging the ax from the bag on my back, and began chopping the nearest tree.

  “Marry a complete stranger, based on magic promised to me by someone I barely know, and I will find happiness?” I asked. Thwack, went the ax into the tree trunk.

  “Elin, any young woman would be delighted to have this chance. Delighted, just at the idea. But you’ll have more than an opportunity, you’ll have guaranteed success at securing your future forever.”

  Thwack. “I overheard you speaking to Gwyneth. She said, ‘you have a plan for her.’ What does it mean?”

  The squirrel scurried lower on the branch, flicking her tail and chittering. “She is speaking of what I’m asking of you now, although she doesn’t know this is it.”

  “That’s not what I asked. What exactly is the plan? What does it mean?” Thwack.

  “Elin, I know you have no reason to, but I just need you to trust me. And you do need my help, even now when the wilderness beckons,” Eiriana said, blinking at me with her black, rodent eyes.

  “Trust has to be earned, and I’ve yet to meet a person who has earned it. How is asking me to attend a ball for a chance at marrying the prince a plan? What does it mean?”

  “Child, I can’t tell you. You won’t understand, and you won’t understand the reasons which I also cannot give. But I can tell you that it’s something you want very much, even though you don’t know it yet.”

  Thwack. “Tell me your purposes for me, or I shall agree to nothing.”

  “Elin, please. I’m not able to do that, I just need you to trust me.”

  “When I met you, you said you would tell me things. Was that a lie? Tell me, or I’ll run,” I said. Thwack.

  “No, it wasn’t a lie. I’ll be able to tell you everything in time. I know your life has been very hard here. Probably miserable,” she said. “But if you only have a little faith—”

  “You want me to agree to something when I don’t even know the purpose behind it? Only a fool would do such a thing.” Thwack.

  Eiriana sighed. “Telling you wouldn’t be prudent because at this moment, I’m not at liberty to tell you all. But because I understand your position, I’ll impart what I may. If you marry Prince Tarian, which I know in my heart will bring you great happiness, doing so will join two lines that have been feuding for generations. This will form an alliance against Gwyneth’s kind, and we can secure the safety of Hennion and our children’s futures for many centuries to come.”

  “Join two lines?” I asked, pausing to look up at her. “What are these two lines?” Thwack.

  “Now that, I’m afraid, I am not allowed to say.”

  “What’s your true name? Is it really Eiriana?” I asked. Thwack.

  “Eiriana is my name, yes,�
� she said, changing positions on the branch.

  “But is it your true name? Do you know of someone named Lysidia?” Thwack. I held the ax steady in my hand, awaiting her reply. She hesitated, and in frustration I gripped the handle tighter.

  “Eiriana is the only name by which humans know me,” she said.

  “Do other creatures know you as Lysidia, then? Yet another secret you keep from me. Everyone wants me to give something, it seems, yet no one will tell me anything. No one will tell me the truth. I’m asked to trust as blindly as a little girl, leaping into whatever venture is thrown my way.” Thwack.

  “Elin, there are good reasons why I’m not allowed to tell you certain things. For one, I’ve taken an oath to withhold certain information, and if I break it, the punishment is death. But it’s not only that. If I were to tell you and it was discovered by the wrong people that you had this information, your life would be in danger. I know you’ve endured hardship here, but your life isn’t in jeopardy as much as you think. You’re valuable, and Gwyneth knows better than to take your life,” Eiriana said.

  Thwack. My arms were shaking, and I clenched my jaw, suppressing the urge to scream at her. Through gritted teeth I said, “She starved me for a month. I probably weighed but eighty pounds. She threw me against the wall. She kicked me when I was too weak to fight back. If that’s not putting my life in danger, then I don’t know what is. And you said one day you would tell me everything. Why won’t you just tell me now?”

  “I’m sorry, child. I truly am. But things will get better, I promise. Stay just a little longer and I’ll get you to the royal ball. You will marry Prince Tarian and have a life that most people only dream of,” Eiriana said.

  “You promise?” I shook my head. “No one can promise such a thing, not even a magical being,” I said. Thwack.

  “I can. I was not born of this world, Elin. And I’m on your side.”

  Maybe the “not born of this world” part was true, but no one had the power to guarantee the happiness of another. For a while I remained silent, taking swings at the small tree. I still hadn’t split the trunk half-way through and my arms were aching. But I was glad of the ache, because in the end it would make my muscles stronger and strength would help me.

  Yet what I needed more than strength right now was information. I had barely gleaned anything about the mysterious heir to the throne from Gwyneth’s two spoiled brats. They didn’t know much more than I did.

  “King Odswin Hennion had no heir—no children,” I said. “How is it that he now has a son of an age to choose a wife?”

  “The king had children with a noble woman outside the kingdom. They were raised in secret,” Eiriana said.

  “Why would he do such a thing?” I asked. Thwack.

  “He didn’t know he sired children with the woman. He did not—and still doesn’t—know who she truly is. It wasn’t until recently that the worthiest of the li—of her children was brought before the king. King Odswin was desperate for an heir and seeing how the boy’s noble looks are present without a doubt, he accepted the lad,” Eiriana said.

  “The worthiest of the what? What did you almost say? If I’m to agree to marry a stranger, I need to know who he is. Tell me,” I said.

  “I cannot. I can’t break the vow I took to protect the identity of his line. But once you are wed, you’ll be told everything.”

  “By whom? You, or my new husband?” I asked. Thwack.

  “By both of us, and others you shall meet. My Elin, you have a long and exciting destiny ahead of you if only you would accept it,” Eiriana said.

  Though it made me ashamed, there was a part of me which did want to accept. I would be far away from Gwyneth and her spawn, safe in the castle with enough money to buy my way out of anything. I could probably have my stepfamily driven from the kingdom if I chose. But if I would seriously consider taking this offer, then shouldn’t I have considered Trystan’s? His proposition was full of holes and ambiguity as well, but his offer was first. And at least I knew him. The dull pain in my chest reminded me of the wolf I missed.

  “Eiriana, I’m sorry, but I can’t agree to this arrangement with so little knowledge of what I’m getting myself into. If I marry a stranger who is also heir to the throne, and evil things befall me once I am wed, I’ll have no way to extricate myself. This is not for me. Certainly, there must be someone else you can entrust to this task,” I said.

  I was no longer gripping the ax handle with white knuckles, and my blood had stopped pounding. I didn’t trust Eiriana and I didn’t agree with her reasoning, but I could see that she was trying. Thwack.

  “There’s no one else of the proper line,” Eiriana said. “You’re the one.”

  “My answer is no,” I said. I stepped back as the wedge I had made widened, crackling and snapping as the weight of the branches made the trunk break. The small tree fell to the ground in a whoosh, its bare limbs shuddering.

  “Elin,” Eiriana said, with a grave tone to her voice I had never heard before. “Elin, please. Are there any other questions you have? There are many which I can answer. I can tell you what life at court will be like, and the duties of a princess. You might like to know what it will be like to be a wife and have children. With your mother disappearing when you were young, I don’t suppose anyone has explained such things to you.”

  “My nanny explained them sufficiently. The only answers which really matter are the ones you can’t tell me,” I said. “My answer is no. I won’t stay here with that harpy one more day. I won’t marry the prince. That’s my final word in the matter.”

  “I see. Then my dear child, I’m sorry, but you leave me with no choice,” she said.

  The grey squirrel who flicked her bushy tail in agitation began to change. Her fur seemed to melt away, her short body elongated, and something started to grow out of her back. The animal began glowing faint green, like will-o’-the-wisp, and I started backing away from the tree. Soon a small, human-like creature with wings sat upon the branch. With sage-colored skin and long, golden hair, she was every bit a fairy as though she had stepped out of my childhood books. Eiriana raised her hands and they shone with an ethereal light. Bella sidled, nickering at me before she bolted—straight toward the woods.

  I jumped over the fallen tree and burst into a sprint, running for the denser forest after the mare. My feet came out from under me as though they had been yanked backward by an invisible string, and I fell straight down. I landed on my stomach with a grunt, barely missing the blade of the ax. Grunting, I tried to get my footing and push myself to my feet, but whatever Eiriana had snared me with, it held on with a tight grip. I clawed the cold earth with my fingers, trying to stop myself from being dragged. After a few seconds my boots smacked into the fallen tree. She couldn’t drag me any farther.

  “I know you must think this is very cruel,” Eiriana said. “Please forgive me. I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to do or cause you any pain or unhappiness. But I’m now left with no choice. I must see to it that you stay at Blaenwood and attend the royal ball.”

  My heart hammering wildly in my chest, I balled up my fist and slammed it against the ground. “You don’t want to cause me any pain? I almost fell on my blade!”

  She must have made the invisible cord melt away, because I gained control of my legs again and pushed myself up. Breathing heavily, my voice came out in an angry tremor. “You should’ve explained things to me many years ago, when I was a child. Maybe then, with much patient explaining, I could’ve been made to understand, and you could’ve groomed me for this undertaking. Instead, you come to me when I’m grown, when my life is in ruins. My mother is long gone, my father is dead according to Gwyneth, and I’m trapped here, a prisoner and a servant in my own home.”

  Eiriana’s wide, blue eyes were filled with tears as she clutched the branch with her delicate, light green fingers. “I know, my Elin. I wanted to come to you long ago. Believe me, I would have if I was able. But I couldn’t. I w
as—I was—”

  In some secret place she can’t tell me about. But I didn’t say that. Instead, my mind starting churning with a wicked idea. I sighed, crossing my arms and pretending to ruminate over her words.

  “Can you truly promise that I will marry the prince? That’s a lot to promise.” I glared at her, still trembling.

  “Yes, Elin. I can promise this as I can promise the sunrise tomorrow,” Eiriana said. She leaned forward, gazing down on me.

  I looked down at the ground. I sighed again. I rubbed my arms and slowly brought my eyes back up to meet hers. “Very well, Eiriana. I don’t understand your motives, or why it is you’ve sought me for this undertaking. But perhaps, I might agree to what you’ve proposed if I only need to stay here a little while longer,” I said. Because apparently, if I didn’t agree, she’d throw me back inside Blaenwood herself.

  “Truly, Elin? I will help and guide you every step of the way. I know it’s difficult, but you aren’t alone,” Eiriana said. She wiped a tear from her cheek, peering hopefully from her perch.

  I nodded slowly. A queasiness rose in my stomach at how deceptive I was being, even though I had no choice. “Yes. But I want you to know I’m not happy about this. And if I don’t get this wood cut and go back to the shed with a cartload soon, Gwyneth will be suspicious.” I kept my eyes away from her, leaning down to pick up the ax. Keeping my gaze on the fallen tree, I scanned the branches, walking out to where they began to thin. The tree was still between us.

  “Yes, of course,” Eiriana said. From the corner of my eye, I watched the fairy shift back into a squirrel. Her wings, so like that of a dragonfly, began to diminish, shrinking until they disappeared. Her pale green skin sprouted grey fur, replacing the long, blonde locks. Hands became paws. A fluffy, striped tail of black and grey plumed out from her backside.