The Secret of the Keepers

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  She closed her eyes; her head fell back against the pillow. “I don’t want to go on.”

  “And you think I do?”

  Lera’s eyes snapped open. Her hand reached for mine. “Forgive me.” She turned my hand over, looking at the creases there. “You’re right,” she finally said. “I’ll not add to your burden. I will try, but I require your services.”

  “Anything, Your Grace.”

  “I want you to take over the responsibilities regarding the protection of the land. I want you to lead.”

  I shook my head, “I can’t do that. You’re the Queen.”

  “Yes, and I will still be accountable for the kinsmen and the kingdom. But, like you, I cannot do this alone. I’ve never ruled in battle. I’ve always thought if war came upon the land my son would bear that burden. As he has shared his gifts with you, I believe your instincts will set us on the proper course.” She sat up straight, her eyes blanked, her tone authoritative and strong. “I hereby command Nora of Frey, Princess of the Alfar and last Light of the Ancients to oversee the defense of the kingdom and all that dwell within.”

  I just looked at her, thunderstruck.

  She continued, her health growing stronger with every passing word. “You will communicate with the guard through Tark and the Ancient One.” A few immortal butterflies flitted from the other room, their jeweled wings dancing in the bright sunlight. “Now I must ask you to leave. I need to meditate.”

  “I didn’t know the butterflies are your other source.”

  “I would rather you tell no one. After Orrin died, the butterflies made a tunnel leading directly to the Ancestral chamber. Their King is adamant no one knows.”

  She handed me the wooden slate. “Take this with you.” She pointed across the room. “And the cloak as well.”

  I started to protest, but she held up both her hands.

  “The cloak keeps the Dokkalfar from invading your mind. It also serves as an energy catalyst. I’m not sure how it worked, but it kept me from losing strength when my guard was ambushed. I traveled to the badlands, surrounded by Dokkalfar, and yet I did not weaken. That material saved my life, and it eases my mind to think that it might save yours as well.”

  From the look of determination on her face, I knew it would be futile to argue. “Thank you, Lera. I’m honored.” I grabbed the cloak and wrapped the flat wooden sculpture in it before I bowed and left.

  Rena and Tark were waiting in the corridor. From Tark’s disgruntled expression and Rena’s frustration, it looked like I was in for a lecture.

  “My lady, Malachi’s right.” Rena’s tone brooked no argument. “You cannot go to your chambers.”

  I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I know.”

  Rena’s anger was quickly smothered by concern.

  “Would you do me a favor?” I asked.

  “Anything, my lady.”

  “There’s a journal next to my bed. It has the royal seal on it. Can you get if for me?”

  She patted my hand. “Of course. I’ll be back.”

  She ran ahead, and I listened to her footsteps disappear down the hall.

  “So, the Queen has decreed you lead the guard.” Tark’s slow drawl held an edge to it.

  I shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. I started to try and explain, but Rena reappeared, gracefully jogging toward us.

  “Here you go, my lady.” She handed me Lera’s journal, and I held it to my chest, making a concerted effort to keep the panel concealed beneath the cloak.

  Tark put his arm around my shoulder. Even though he was upset with Lera’s edict, his concern for me overwhelmed his frustration. His lapis eyes grew worried as he glanced from Rena to me. “Please, come with us. We do not have a guest room as such, but you are more than welcome to stay in our front chamber.”

  “No, thank you though. I think I’ll head back to the energy field.”

  “You sure?” Rena’s deep brown eyes glittered with unspent tears. “I’d rather you stay with us.”

  “Maybe some other time. To be honest, I’m tired of being cold, and I’m not sure I’ll warm up anywhere else.” Too, I needed to read what Lera had put in her journal. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

  Rena and Tark walked me in as far as they could before they said goodnight. The warmth seeped through my clothes, bringing sweet relief to every place except my heart. I sat next to the pillow and flipped to the end of the journal.

  My future Queen. I started this journal documenting the Prince’s journey, and somewhere along the way it has become more of an instructional guide on life. Forgive me if I seem too controlling. It is not my wish to tell you how to live; I merely wanted to help guide your legacy. There have only been two Queens before you. Both were strong in their own right, and both lived lives that were joyous and full. But both, at times, struggled with isolation. The demands of running a kingdom can be overwhelming. Look upon the Prince with eyes of understanding, and remember, love forgives all things.

  This is the last lesson I will write. It is the information I received on the eve of the great battle that took my father’s life. King Frey was as powerful as the ancients and had access to places I do not. Only ones pure in conviction have been gifted in opening the heart of the mountain. It is my fervent hope as you join with your source, you too will be allowed entrance; for it is there our future rests.

  There is a place known only to the ancients where powerful stones hide. This is the first known ore of creation, and it was given to the mountain as a gift by the Maker himself. They contain massive energy that can sustain our needs for generations to come. I’ve suspected the liquid inside has something to do with the strength of the amulets, but the Ancient One will neither confirm nor deny my theory.

  Its location is in the deepest part of the mountain, next to the original cave of creation which is said to hold the heart of all.

  My father asked I tell no one of this until the next generation of keepers comes to power, but I fear the Ancient One and I will perish before that day comes, and this precious resource will be lost.

  I cannot stress how important it is this information not fall into the wrong hands. Guard it with your life, my precious Mia. For when the Prince returns it becomes your responsibility to be the source of Kailmeyra’s future.

  Forever yours,

  Lera

  Goosebumps peppered my flesh at the realization that Lera’s journal may be the reason for the Dokkalfar’s return.

  Malachi needed to know. But I had no idea where he was and no way of communicating with him. If I didn’t see him before Rena came back, I’d ask her to call for him.

  I picked up Edna’s quilt, wishing more than ever I could talk to her. I set the journal, the tableau, and Queen Lera’s cloak next to Ester’s box. The silence made the icy ache in my chest worse. I missed Rune’s music. I missed Gavin’s touch.

  Loneliness pulsed through me, and I reached out and rested my hand on the wooden sculpture, allowing Abel’s memory to play over and over again in my mind.

  Chapter 24

  The Simian and the Stone

  “Where’s Malachi?” My voice shook as I crossed the energy barrier separating Malachi’s chamber from the mountain.

  Rena looked up from the scroll sprawled across the table. Her eyes blanked. “He’s still resting.”

  “When will he—”

  “Princess.” Tark bounded through the door. “We have a situation. You are needed.”

  Rena stood so quickly her chair toppled to the floor. We made our way through the empty corridors, and I found it odd that we hadn’t seen a soul, not even in the front vestibule. Tark opened the front doors, and we made our way down the castle’s steps.

  The sun blazed as hundreds of kinsmen stood among the statues. We hurried past them, stopping by a group of guards gathered at the gates.

  I quickened my step as I noticed a sprite hovering a few feet above the iron finials. His small body, no bigger than a blue jay, struggled to sta
y in the air. He flew to rest on the shoulder of a Simian balancing on top of the gate. The tuft of colored fur between her breasts was barely distinguishable due to the soot and grime. She lost her footing and wedged herself between the speared finials to keep upright.

  As soon as we drew near, the sprite darted toward me, his arms outstretched, and his determined mouth frowned in concentration. He lifted his palms and rushed toward my face. Reflexes cause my eyes to close right before his hands pressed on my eyelids.

  I jolted a few steps back as images of flames bursting from a cottage’s thatched roof played in my mind. The night sky brightened in an ominous blaze. The waterfall, no longer a liquid sheet, roared at a furious pace. Its increase caused an overflow, flooding the land in hopes of containing the flames. Dokkalfar charged through the underbrush, killing anything that moved. The willow trees whipped in anger, their long branches petrifying them instantly. Even though the fire didn’t affect the ancient trees, its destruction ripped through the rest of the woodlands, decimating everything in its path. Evil and smoke choked the air, and any living creature that stood in its way became helpless. Dawn weakly made its way onto the horizon, shedding light on the dead that lay throughout the ash and black soil. The charred remains and acrid smell were too much, and I jerked my head away from the sprite’s touch unable to take any more. He flitted back to the top of the gate.

  “What’s happened?” Rena’s voice was thick with dread.

  “The sprite has shown the destruction to the north,” I flatly stated. “The Dokkalfar have reached the spiders’ respite. The cabin’s been burned to the ground.” A collective gasp rose behind me, and I realized the kinsmen now understood just how bad things really were.

  “I’ve longed to have you all to myself,” Gavin murmured as he pulled me to him, kissing my forehead. “And now I finally do. Welcome to one of the oldest dwellings in the kingdom.”

  I held my breath at the unexpected memory. Grief knifed through me as I lost control and images ran freely ... Gavin’s smile as he carried me over the threshold ... our first night together ... Gavin’s eyes, green as the land, encouraging me to focus. Painful cold squeezed my heart.

  My hands balled into fists, and I shut my eyes for a moment and pushed the memories away. It did no good to remember the past. I only needed to remember my purpose.

  Rena stood in front of the Simian. Her head tilted in a silent conversation. “She has come to seek your help. She tried to reach the Prince, but could not and knows not how to speak to you.”

  I held my hand toward the Simian. Rena watched, intrigued, as a soot-covered paw grasped onto my finger, bringing it to her face in an act of affection. The silver hue of her health was barely visible. She struggled to stay on her feet. Rena continued to translate.

  “They have a message from the King of the Spiders. The land around the willow trees has been destroyed. The waters in the streams darken, but the pool by the mountain remains unchanged. The spiders have their webs to protect them, but the others are helpless against the ways of the Dokkalfar. They seek your counsel.”

  “They should ask the Queen,” I muttered.

  Rena’s features became sharp, her voice aggressive. “The Queen has commanded all matters of protection fall to you.”

  When I just stood there, Tark placed his hand on my shoulder. “Nora, you must do something.”

  I kept my head down, feeling the weight of responsibility. The wild child latched onto a place where ancient power ran freely. It was a place that could only be accessed by going through the mountain—a place so powerful even the Alfar couldn’t go. I forced in a deep breath and looked at the sprite.

  “Have the animals head for the mountain. Go under the falls, and take them to the sprites’ respite.” The Simian swayed, and I held out my arms just in time to catch her. “The Simian is too weak to go back; she’ll stay with me.” The sprite bowed and flitted off down the lane.

  I turned to Rena. “Alert Malachi.”

  Alarm rippled through the courtyard. Every face, young and old, held the same expression. I stopped and looked at the kneeling masses. Yes, they looked afraid, but their emotions held anger, passion, a need to defend.

  “Nora?” Rena whispered. “What is it?”

  “There is courage here.”

  Rena looked puzzled at the odd statement, but I didn’t have time to explain. We rushed past the statues, up the steps, and into the foyer.

  The Simian stirred in my arms. Her paws were scabbed and raw from walking on burns. I handed her to Rena. She whispered words of comfort in the ancient language, caressing each paw in turn. I smiled, watching the bloody scabs turn to healthy pink flesh under her healing touch. The Simian lay her head on Rena’s shoulder and closed her eyes in relief.

  “I need to see the Queen,” I said as we made our way past the formal dining rooms.

  Rena nodded as her eyes blanked. “Her guard is expecting you.”

  “Take the Simian into the mountain. Malachi will know what to do. Tell him I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  We came to the place where the corridor divided, and Rena took the path that led to Malachi’s chamber while Tark followed me to the Queen’s.

  “I’ll wait for you here,” he said as the guard opened the door.

  I ran up three flights of stairs and barged into her bedroom. “Queen Lera, I need to speak to you.”

  She came from a back room, tying her robe around her waist.

  I blushed. “I’m sorry to just barge in like this, but there is something you should know, and I cannot—”

  She waved her hand, irritated at the excuse. “What has you in such a dither?”

  I explained the sprite’s visit and the news of the Simian. She sat at a small table, motioning for me to do the same, but I chose to stand.

  “What is it you need?” she asked.

  “I’m afraid the Dokkalfar are trying to draw us out. I think they want us to send the guard to the north, and then they’ll attack the castle once it has little to no defense.”

  The color drained from Lera’s face, and she closed her eyes. “We do not have enough warriors.”

  “I know. But I’ve discovered there is something we do have, something they don’t know about.”

  Her eyes snapped open. “And what is that?”

  “We’ve strengthened more than just the guard. The people of Kailmeyra now are stronger than before the days of Jayril. I’ve seen it, just now. If the kinsmen concentrated their energy on their devotion to the land, on their desire to defend, then the Dokkalfar won’t make it over the wall. But if they focus on fear, we’re sunk.”

  Lera’s eyes widened and then narrowed. “The people have never had to defend themselves before. They know nothing of weaponry; they’ve had no training.”

  “They’ll have to be resourceful. They know the tools of their talents. They can use those to defend. The stone masons know how to mold stone, the glassblowers can control fire.”

  Lera just stared, shocked that I would suggest such a thing.

  “Look, the warriors are needed at the fissure. It’s now up to you to lead the kinsmen. They must protect that wall.”

  “I see the strategy,” Lera murmured, warming to the idea. “If we place the strongest in key positions we may be able to ward them off.” She stood and walked me to the door. “I’ll speak with Micah immediately.”

  As Tark and I made our made through the castle, the guard hustling through the halls was followed by the ones that had already accepted energy.

  “What’s going on?” Tark asked, turning into the corridor where wall gave way to rock.

  “The Queen’s giving a crash course in how to defend the castle.”

  Tark frowned but didn’t say anything, and we made our way into the mountain in silence.

  “Why was I not called?” Malachi practically shouted as we passed the stalactite wall that cordoned off the energy field.

  I started to answer, but Rena took a step forward. “
You are not the one they sought. This decision was Nora’s. She is now in charge of defending the land.” She raised her chin, defiance screaming from her stance.

  Malachi’s eyes narrowed. He finally took a deep breath.

  “And what is your decision?” he asked, his eyes forever watchful.

  “I sent the sprite to the grove and ordered all the animals seek shelter in the mountain. They’re going to make their way to the sprite’s respite. I’ll send energy there to sustain them.”

  Malachi’s eyes glinted with appreciation.

  “Where’s the Simian?” I asked looking around.

  He pointed to the center of the blue mist. “She is resting.”

  I walked through the chamber, seeing the Simian curled into a ball as if she were cold. I placed Edna’s quilt over her. Watching her nose twitch as she took in the strange scent caused a wisp of pleasure to momentarily soothe the ache around my heart. It seemed Edna’s quilt had the same calming effect on her as it did me. I had the sudden urge to crawl under the blanket with her, if only for a moment or two. The Simian’s eyes closed; her body relaxed.

  “Nora?” Tark called through the energy’s hum. “I think we should send troops to help defend the northern forest.”

  I took a deep breath as my shoulders slumped. Tark’s defensive stance loomed at the energy’s edge. I couldn’t fight him too. I sighed and walked back out. “Do we have enough warriors to defend the north and attack the south at the same time?”

  “Does it matter?” Tark countered. “We cannot let the land suffer in this way.”

  Malachi leaned on his walking stick.

  “What is your counsel?” I asked.

  He closed his eyes, his brow creased. “Either decision will lead to a loss. If we defend the northern border, we divide our troops. If we do nothing, the Dokkalfar will continue to desecrate the land, killing everything they see.”