He shook his head, chest heaving faster. The very act of retrieving a breath seemed to take everything from him.
“No, Astrid, my arm…” he whispered softly, head tilted to the side slightly as he looked down at his shoulder.
“Oh no!” she yelled out. “Quimby!”
Long claw marks dragged down from his shoulder to his side, and his arm continued to bleed profusely. Quimby groaned weakly, and if she didn’t act quickly, she might lose him for good. Lifting up his clothing to peer at the wound, she saw that flesh hung on, but just barely. He was quite possibly going to lose his arm. Moving quickly, she tore fabric from his clothes, tying up the arm the best she knew how to stop the bleeding. It wouldn’t last long. She needed to get him to help. Astrid stifled back a gasp of surprise, not wanting to alert him, even as she saw the blood following along, seeping out onto his legs, covering his hands, and pouring out over the top of his fingers. She applied pressure to stop the flow.
“I’m sorry for my attitude. You’ve been the only real friend I’ve had for a long time. Please know that I never doubted you,” he finished, and in his eyes, she finally saw his age, and his concern for her well-being. It tore at her heart to see the light dimming in his eyes.
Placing her hand on his chest, she spoke softly, “You were my first real friend here, and I promise you that I will do right by you, just hang in there.” She leaned forward to kiss his forehead. “Don’t let go, I’ll be back as quick as I can,” she promised.
His breathing came slow and heavy, as if every breathing was a struggle. Standing to her feet, she looked Cayden in the eyes. Then turned her back to exit the cave.
“Astrid,” Cayden said softly after her, though she could hear the shuffling of his feet as he stood on the damp dirt ground. His wound had been mostly on the surface, even as it was still bleeding--but he would live. “Please don’t walk away,” he pleaded, hunched over slightly as he weakly followed after her.
Aronus, exposed now, flew to Astrid’s shoulder, his talons slightly pressing into her skin. “I’m so sorry,” Aronus offered, but she didn’t respond.
If he had come sooner, maybe they could have stopped Quimby’s injury.
“You know there are rules regarding such things, but I am required to help protect you. I had to come out once I saw you were in danger.”
“I don’t care,” she said, then turned to Cayden. “Stay here! Keep him awake and alive. I’m going to get help,” she said angrily.
Astrid was terrified that she wouldn’t get back in time to save the man who had been her friend. Quimby had quite possibly saved her from death, more than once, and now it was her turn to do the same. She took off in a run into the darkness that rested below Caelestis.
Wind blew her hair back, as her feet barely hit the ground. Aronus, sensing her anger and knowing it would take time for her to be herself again, returned to the bow. His presence would be needed again, soon. He knew it, and so did Astrid. She nearly stumbled over broken branches as she hurried along, her feet almost slipping out from under her as she returned to the sky kingdom. The Caelestan’s had departed, and night had begun to set on cloud city.
“Help!” she called out, screaming at the top of her lungs, “Please!” she yelled again, running as fast as she could across the airy surface. The gentle rumbling starting again, reminding her of the very reason they had left Caelestis to begin with.
The Grand Vizier! He would be able to heal Quimby, he had the power to do so. Armed with resolve to bring him back with her, she hurried to his castle, swinging open the doors and leaping the steps two at a time, until she was at his door, her fist pounding against the wood.
“Enter, Astrid,” he said, his voice tired and almost sounding defeated.
“Grand Vizier!” she said breathless, shoving open the door. “I need you! Quimby has been hurt, badly. I don’t know how to care for a wound that deep! Please, come with me and help save him. There’s been so much blood loss… I’m afraid if you don’t come--he’ll die.”
The man looked taken aback by the news, stroking his chin with slow steady movements. “Where? And how has this happened, child?”
There wasn’t enough time to explain everything to him. Astrid had to convince him to listen to her. Quimby’s life depended on it.
“Please… I will tell you on the way, but we don’t have time,” she begged him, falling on her knees, eyes searching his wrinkled features in desperation.
Watching her, he stood, back slightly hunched as he leaned on his scepter for support.
“Please, hurry, we don’t have time! He’s going to die before we get there.”
The man moved as quickly as his aging body allowed, but Astrid could tell that it wasn’t going to be quick enough. She knew he was old, but she never really knew how old he was. What had Quimby said? His mother had died at the age of seven-hundred, or older? How old could the Grand Vizier be? Was he older than that?
“Is there no way for us to get there sooner?” Astrid asked.
He nodded. “Only if you don’t mind flying.”
“I don’t care, I just want to get back to Quimby.”
He nodded, and as they descended the steps to leave his tower, he took a small item from the deep pocket of his robe and blew into it. The sound it emitted was a high-pitched twinkling that both annoyed and delighted Astrid, at the same time.
“Help will be here shortly, though I’m sure the king will have my neck for it,” he muttered quietly.
Astrid could feel her heart rate speed up, as her fears of Quimby dying grew more persistent. Before she knew what was happening, she felt the Grand Vizier’s hands wrap around her waist from behind. She turned her head to look at him, but before she could get a full turn, she saw his wings break free from behind him, and spread wide. Her eyes widened.
“I didn’t mean—” Astrid started.
“Hold tight,” he whispered in her ear.
Astrid knew the Caelestan’s could fly. She’d even seen them do it, but it had always been far away. Astrid had never seen them fly up close, and certainly not while holding anyone. After all, if all of them could fly—well, except Quimby, then why would any of them have a reason to carry someone. However, it worried her that this was the Grand Vizier. He was old, and quite weak. Astrid had seen him having a difficult time walking, and if he could barely walk… could she trust him to fly?
She didn’t get to finish her thought as he jumped into the air over the stairs. His wings flapped a few times, but then they stopped. He kept his wings steady, using them more for gliding than actual flying. It was a common trait with birds as well, Astrid had noticed. More times than not, birds would find wind currents to ride, limiting the beating of their wings. It was practical that the Caelestan’s had a similar practice.
Instead of the arduous trek down the hundreds of stairs up to the Grand Vizier’s tower, they glided down to the bottom in minutes. He landed at the end of the stairs and removed his hands from around her. Astrid let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. While she was glad to have her footing again, she realized she missed the thrill and adrenaline of being up in the sky, the wind blowing her hair behind her.
The Grand Vizier walked past her dazed form to the door leading outside and opened it. A great winged beast awaited them. Its body was much like a bird, but its size compared to the dragon Palladin, and she let loose a sudden scream.
“What in the gods is that!?”
“Sky Ethereals,” he answered, leaning on his staff as he patted the creature’s back. Astrid recognized them from having seen them fly around the sky, but they always appeared so much smaller. This creature was large enough to take out a small building.
“Are they dangerous?” she asked, worried.
He shook his head. “Goodness, no. They are plant eating, and for the most part, they keep to themselves. We used to fly on them daily, until the king forbade it. For us to take to the air, put us in harm’s way, he said. He worried that we
would get shot down, and so he threatened to imprison any who would try to fly them. The beasts started dying off, and now there are so few, we are afraid to fly them--afraid we will kill what is left.”
“Did someone kill them?”
“No.” He shook his head. “They need a various supply of fruits and sea vegetation. It keeps their blood strong, but because of the wars, they are only able to eat the fruit we give them. Some have survived on just that, but they are weaker because of it.” Astrid’s heart hurt with the revelation, but the image of a dying Quimby jolted her back to reality.
“Why do we need the beast? You can fly,” Astrid said.
“I can,” he said, “and I flew you down here. But I am old, Astrid. If I were younger, I may be able to carry you the whole way. But I’m afraid I don’t have the same endurance I used to.”
It was as she feared. When she really looked at him, she noticed the bags under his eyes, and the drooping of his wings. She was surprised he was able to fly her as far as he had in his present condition.
“We have to hurry,” she urged. “What do we do? Just climb on their back?”
He nodded. “Yes, allow me a moment.”
Slow but sure, he pulled himself up on the beast, glancing toward the Caelestan castle as if he expected the king to come rushing out at any moment. On top of the beast, the Grand Vizier looked regal. His chin was defined, and his eyes set with determination. He looked like a leader. Perhaps he was at one point, but with the king’s corruption, he’d settled for less. This man, this Grand Vizier, had asked Astrid to kill dozens of people in the name of the king. Was he truly a good man—a man corrupted by the king… or was he a monster?
“Come along, child,” he urged her.
She jumped on the back of the glorious beast, grabbing the robes of the Vizier as they lifted into the sky.
“Where are we headed?”
“Beneath Caelestis,” she answered, and she could feel the tension in his body at her words.
“You’ve been to the caves, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” she answered. “Quimby was attacked by something down there, we have to hurry.”
He nodded, leading the beast from the sky to fly low under Caelestis. Astrid made note that she would have to ask the Vizier what he knew of the caves, and if he was aware of the dragon beast and the magic that held up Caelestis.
30
Svana
A soul that lives for the love and affection of another, will be tortured all its life until death creeps in. A soul that lives for all, will never be tortured, but will live a full and fulfilling life that positively affects those around them. Choose to do good for the sake of many, and not one, and you will never live unfulfilled.
Civeress, The Champion, Third Dragon Elder, Fourth Age of Verdil
Svana closed her eyes, wishing she possessed the power Hekla did so that she could get them out of their situation. The moment seemed inescapable, and she knew once the king set eyes on them, there would be no doubt in her mind that he would see them imprisoned or worse.
“What do we do?” she asked Jakobe.
Jakobe sat stone-faced, eyes focused forward as the orb was pulled deeper and deeper underwater. He appeared clueless about what to do, but thoughtful of their situation, as if looking for a way to escape it. Svana hoped he found a way, because at the moment, she was unsure. Without Lingaria, Svana felt powerless. It wasn’t only for his ability, but his wisdom.
“I honestly don’t know, Svana. This is not how I saw things playing out. I’m worried for your dragon, but that will be the least of our worries if we don’t figure out how to get on the king’s good side.”
Svana nodded, then leaned forward, face in her hands.
How had things gone so terribly wrong? All they were supposed to do was reach the water islands, get help from Hekla to save Lingaria, and then figure out a way to unite the kings. Each task proceeded with more difficulty than the last, especially with the longer they prolonged their journeys. Images of Telluris, parts of it destroyed, laying in ash and ruin crossed her mind. Svana had felt like a failure more and more lately. She hadn’t been there to save the Tellurian villages. She hadn’t been there for Lingaria. And now, she was powerless against a force of Aequoran soldiers.
Her mind went to Melifera’s body, lifeless in the bottom of the damp, dirt cave. So much had been given up so that Svana could live, and now she was imprisoned in the impenetrable orb, being forced to meet King Armand.
Why was she always making things worse? The silence in her mind was gut-wrenching, as she had always had Lingaria’s snarky voice to respond back. His absence made the void so much darker. Svana could never remember such loneliness. Even before Lingaria had been a part of her, she’d had her sisters. But now, she had nobody.
Sensing her distress, Jakobe spoke, “whatever is in your mind, Svana, it’s going to be all right. Whether we fight our way out, or die trying, it’s going to be fine.”
There were so many things wrong with his logic, but she couldn’t even bring herself to argue with him. In her soul and body, she was too tired. The orb bounded along, bouncing around with the bubbles of water that flowed up and around them. She ran her chained wrists along the edges of the orb, trying to figure out how she and Jakobe were able to breathe inside the creation.
As they descended, she expected the pressure to build up, but the underwater city was already in view, large coral towers stretching toward the surface. The orb construction was unparalleled. She found herself awestruck, as the guards pulled her along. Even as she worried for Miralee and Luna. Neither would be happy that it was their very own family member who had betrayed them.
Even as she thought that, she hoped the man would not return home so that Miralee could care for the dragon in peace. Svana feared for Lingaria’s life if the guards returned to the surface home. She had no doubt they would capture him and use him for their own torturous uses, of perhaps they would kill him right there.
Please, Unseen Ones, if you’ve ever revealed yourselves, and done anything, please protect Lingaria. He is too weak.
The orb hit the pathway leading to the castle with a loud thud. One of the guards reached back, and pulled out a lever from underneath the object, and pressing it downward, she felt some kind of mechanism moving from underneath. Dark green wheels lifted out and down onto the waterway, of no type she had ever seen before. They were large and thinly shaped, maybe more for show than anything else.
To her surprise the orb moved along fluidly in the water world, as guards surrounded them on all sides, wheeling them into the castle. The first room had large arches, and table in the center with throne like chairs surrounding it. It looked to have been used, but maybe the time for such things had long since passed.
Next, they continued down a hallway, and there, they were led into a large magnificent throne room. Gold and corral adorned all manner of the room, and the oversized throne that stood as a centerpiece, a smug looking man with seafoam green skin sat, staring--as if he had expected them to be led into the room at that very second.
“Well, well, well,” he said in irritation. “I can’t say that I’m happy there are more than one of you. What in the Hades are you doing in my kingdom? Has your evil sister not done enough to destroy my life, my livelihood, and the loyalty of my people? Have you now come to take what is left?” His voice thundered, even through the water, and Svana fought the urge to shout back.
Only she knew in that moment there was nothing she could say to the man, he had already made up his mind about the woman’s purpose.
“Well, at least you have the good sense to keep your mouth shut. Perhaps I can find purpose for you after all. Who’s this? Is it possible that the fearless sisters have need for a man?” He threw his head back and laughed maniacally. “When will you learn, that power of any sort cannot be given to those who rely on companionship. I suppose the blue-haired one has it right in that sense. I’ve never seen her get close to anyone, and yet here y
ou are… being marched into my throne room with a male companion. Did you think the two of you could conquer me that way?” he continued on, face reddened with anger, eyes flashing.
“Your majesty, that is not what I wanted at all. I simply came to visit a friend, and then I would have been on my way. I ask you, in your mercy, please just allow us to leave. We have no desire to destroy anything here.”
“Hmph, your kind has no friends here!” he shouted.
“I realize that now, and I’m terribly sorry. Please, your majesty, allow us passage out of here, and we will never return,” she pleaded.
“Funny you say that, locked inside that orb. If I were to release you, the pressure alone would combust your skull. Or you would suffocate within minutes. Want to rethink your request?”
There was teasing laughter to his words, but it wasn’t the kind that earned trust.
Svana knew he meant to kill them. It was something she felt down to her bones, and in that moment, all she wanted to do was to return to the surface. To Telluris, the land she loved and help Eloise restore her tavern.
“So, help me, if we get out of here alive, Jakobe, I’ll never try to go to war again,” she mumbled the words quietly, but her words didn’t matter to the king anyway.
“So, you’ve come to start a war, have you?” he asked, one eyebrow raising on his odd-colored face.
“No! Not all your majesty. I just want to get home. All I want for our kingdoms is peace. That is all I’ve ever wanted.”
The king laughed. He turned to his guards and whisked his hand in the air. “Take them to the dungeon, they will die later. For now, I will use them to get the sister’s attention. Send word to the surface, and to any who will listen that I have the red-haired one and her companion. That should draw in some kind of attention from the magical sister.”
The guards nodded, and then the orb was moving fluidly along, down hallways and doorways, to well-below the Aequoran city where it was pushed into a cell. The guard locked the rusted metal, and turned away, a sinister grin on his face.
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