Summoned

by Lisa E Parry

  Swallowing hard, I curtseyed, outstretching my skirts and inclined my head towards him. I turned to see Dorian on his knee with his head bowed. When everyone else had recovered they followed suit.

  “Your majesty, King Aidan Belthazar, it is good to see you again,” Cheri declared loudly and clearly.

  “My lady Lace, there is one more than expected. Who is he?” The King spoke with a deep, resonating voice. I could understand why people would follow him. He commanded your attention and I simply couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was younger than I thought he’d be, maybe mid thirties…?

  “His name is Warwick, your majesty. As a very powerful warlock, he is a great asset with unspeakable strength. He owes Melissa his life and has journeyed with us to honour an oath of preserving hers.” She had placed him in the best possible light: strong, powerful and with honour. But how long will it be before they realise what he is? I wondered when I heard him stand behind me on my left. He usually wouldn’t have made a noise, on predator feet, but he made a point of it to give them no suspicions.

  The King nodded, and I thought I saw Cheri sag with relief. I certainly had. I heard movement behind us and I turned to see saddled horses guided by men in drab brown clothing. Anxiety shot through me. I had never ridden a horse. Oh god, what if I have to ride side-saddle?

  Another shriek pierced the night and I supressed the urge to scream at it. Okay, so I was getting a little jumpy. I can deal with this. No one else seemed affected by the sounds.

  “It is getting late, we mustn’t be in the forest too long,” the King announced, and the men came forward with the horses. I waited to see what Cheri did. To my surprise, she hopped straight on, but not side-saddle. Her cloak just about covered her legs and ankles. I breathed in a sigh of relief and watched to see how Dorian mounted his horse. Even with a sword at his hip he glided onto the horse as though born in the saddle. I gaped at him for a moment. Finally seeing him astride his horse, he looked like he belonged in this world.

  “May I help you my lady?” someone kindly offered beside me. I scrutinized a young boy, thin and lanky, but I turned down his help. He looked terrified of me for some reason. I put one foot in a stirrup, lifted my dress with one hand and then threw my other leg over the horse, but with a little too much gusto, and almost fell off the other side. The lanky teenager caught my leg to stop me and I hung my head in shame. I heard a giggle and by god I was going to find out who it was and rip their head off!

  We began moving through the woods. The boy who had saved my bacon took the reins, and I glared at our surroundings as we sauntered steadily through the looming, ominously dense trees. For some reason I was expecting a ghoul to pop out of the woods at any moment to rip my throat out. The light provided by the torches was pathetic and it allowed my eyes to play tricks on me in the flickering light.

  Dorian had trotted up to ride beside me and gave me a dazzling smile that almost took my breath away. I saw him look at my ankle and I noticed the rag that the dagger was wrapped up in was slightly on display. I arranged my skirts to cover it up, but he had seen it. His expression was more thoughtful than admonitory.

  An hour and a sore arse later, the trees cleared to reveal a walled city in the distance. It was night, so I couldn’t make out the buildings very well, but I could see moonlight bounce off the golden domes of the palace and I smiled.

  “Stop!” I heard someone yell and a man from the front dismounted and strode past me to stand in the clearing. He had long white hair with a long white beard that shone like a river glistening in the moonlight. He also had a staff with a globe mounted to the top. He ducked his head as though listening and all was silent but for the sound of the horses breathing and stomping their feet impatiently.

  “They are coming! Make for the city!”

  My heart began to thud hard in my chest and the boy smacked my horse to shock it into action. The horse reared, and I held on for dear life as it shot off at a gallop. All the other horses followed suit and bolted for the city.

  I looked behind to see what had us all on the run and caught a glimpse of black shapes loping towards us. Over the thunder of the horses’ hooves I heard them cackle and screech. Fighting the urge to scream I thought they looked like the creatures I had transformed animals into for Henrik. Will I ever escape those memories?

  I touched my horse’s neck and my hand began to glow green. I sensed its fright and took it away. My horse then picked up its pace and I began to leave everyone behind. The only person ahead of me was the King on his black stallion.

  “Protect the King!” I heard a man’s voice boom at me with the help of magic to carry it to my ears. I understood and without thinking I took it upon myself to do just that. I was slowly closing in on His Majesty when an animal lurched ahead of me. I drew in power and focused it into my palm to make a ball of green necromantic fire.

  My new crisp eyesight gave me better night vision, and with the help of the moon, it was easy to aim at the beast. It was on four legs - taller at the front - with heavily muscled shoulders and a mane running down its back to flap against scaled legs.

  The fireball burned the demonic creature to a crisp; but before it turned into a ball of flame, it briefly took on human form. This shook me to the core. I had no time to falter though, as another two shapes ghosted past me, yelping and growling.

  My horse was having difficulty catching up to the King’s powerful stallion, so I shouted LET ME CATCH UP TO YOU!” telepathically. I saw him glance back and then slow a little... I had no idea how many laws I had just broken, but if he didn’t listen then he was going to be mauled.

  I heard a shout from behind and saw Dorian ahead of the rest. He jabbed and skewered a beast, his sword glinting in the light. Flashes of light came from the others using magic to defend themselves by stunning the animals.

  I began the process of creating a protective circle of fire to surround the King and myself. I wasn’t sure if I could do it, but I had to try. At that speed it was difficult, and I felt sweat soak through my clothes. What I managed looked nothing like fire: a green aura encircled and travelled with us. Nevertheless, any animal that tried to break through was incinerated in seconds.

  The King stared at me and I turned away, my face creased with concentration. I was seeing spots and breathing heavily when we finally reached the drawbridge and the King ordered the gates opened. I released the fire and turned my mount to see how the others were faring. Dorian was at the head of the group and thankfully they had managed to remain together. The bodyguards were on the outside brandishing their swords and I saw several globes of light from those inside the circle.

  Finally, they rode in through the gates and to my relief none of them looked hurt. My weakened state finally got the better of me and the ground came rushing towards me as I blacked out.

  Those animals surrounded me and close up they were terrifying. Their fur was matted and in colours of black, brown and copper with scales reaching up their hind legs. Their eyes shone all sorts of colours, but what frightened me the most was that they looked human inside.

  I was on the floor and trying to scramble backwards away from them as they closed in on me, salivating and showing two rows of razor sharp teeth. One padded towards me and I froze in panic. To my surprise it turned human and a man stood over me with tattered clothing and misery written on his face. He had dark brown shaggy hair, golden eyes and he reached a hand out to me. I took it but then I woke up with an ear-wrenching scream...

  “Calm now, my child. Steady your heart.” It was the voice of an old man. I didn’t recognise it. Where am I? I opened my eyes to see a kind face hovering over me. He had sparkling blue eyes, long white hair and a long white beard to match. He was frowning at me, looking into my eyes and then he touched my head. He disappeared from view and when he came back he placed a cold wet towel on my forehead.

  “Did you have a bad dream child?” His face changed from concern to a smile and I immediately felt easier.

  Anothe
r face came into view and I was pleased to see it was Dorian. He looked pained. I stretched my hand out to take comfort in holding his, but it never came and with regret I remembered we weren’t supposed to show our affection.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice thick with worry.

  I sat up on the bed and looked around. I was in a large room containing lots of beds with crisp, plain white linen sheets tightly tucked into them. This must be a room for the sick and injured.

  “I’m fine. A little headache, but I’m okay.” I looked at Dorian. “Rag doll?” I asked. The last time I woke up with a blinding headache, I had assumed Dorian had hit my head on something while carrying me.

  “No, King Aidan caught you, but you hit your head on his boot. Falling from a horse to hit the floor would have been a lot worse.” He moved his chair a bit closer to me.

  “I thought you’d got over this phase of passing out?” Oliver’s voice came out of nowhere and he appeared next to the old man.

  “I was wondering when you were going to show yourself,” the old man said quietly. We all looked curiously at him: he hadn’t even flinched.

  “Thank you for looking after me.” I said gratefully, removing the wet towel from my head. He took it from me then gave me a steaming cup of - I’m not sure what. I looked into the cup to find it looked like green tea.

  “No problem at all. Drink - it will help your headache.” He stood, and I saw he was wearing fine grey robes with a matching grey cloak. He didn’t seem the type to be a doctor. “I shall inform the King you are awake. He wanted to know immediately.” I nodded and watched him leave.

  “Strange fellow that,” Oliver broke the silence. “He wanted to tend to you instead of the medicine woman, or whatever they call them here.”

  “His name is Adhelm and he is the King’s sorcerer and advisor. He is the most powerful sorcerer to exist here for over two hundred years,” Dorian informed us.

  “A Merlin kind of dude then?” Oliver asked sceptically.

  “If you like to think of him as that, then yes.” Dorian rolled his eyes at the ghost.

  “Yunno, I feel a little out of place in jeans and a T-shirt. Do you think I’ll offend anybody?”

  “You might,” Dorian said, beginning to get irritated.

  “Excellent.”

  With no one around, Dorian finally took my hand, “Damn, I hate not being able to do that. It’s going to be difficult.” He paused and pinned me with his grey eyes. “What you did was very brave. I’m not sure you should have.” He pushed a hand through his dark hair.

  “Why? He’d have died if I hadn’t.” I took a sip of the tea and grimaced at its revolting after taste.

  “He will take an interest in you. You will be watched closely now.”

  “I thought it was brilliant!” Oliver said to Dorian, almost in defiance. “She can handle herself, and there is no chance in this world of anyone telling her otherwise. When she wants to save a life, she’ll do it.” Oliver’s face was almost challenging.

  “I know that.” Dorian’s voice grew dangerously low.

  I took another sip of the disgusting tea and then admonished them both, “Shut up you two. What’s done is done.”

  I heard voices down the hall and felt Dorian quickly let go of my hand. I turned to see the King power-walking between the rows of beds towards me, flanked by Adhelm and a red-haired guard in chainmail sporting a large sword at his side.

  King Aidan’s eyes flickered over me - possibly searching for injuries. He looked resplendent in a dark red tunic with gold designs on the cuffs and decorating the gold buttons. His breeches were a matching red, but he wore no cloak, and of course the ever-present crown gleamed atop his head.

  Dorian stood and bowed to the King, I saw Oliver copy the motion with a stiff back, which made me smile. I inclined my head - unable to curtsey.

  The King waved a hand as though the formality bored him. “Never mind...” He stood by my bed and Adhelm followed. The guard with shocking-red curly hair stood resolutely at the foot of the bed with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression serious. Maybe he’s the King’s personal bodyguard? I eyed him warily; he was built like a brick outhouse after all. I wouldn’t have wanted to cross him.

  “I trust you are well?” the King asked.

  “I feel fine now your Majesty; I’ve just got a headache.”

  His dark blue eyes rested on the cup I was holding. “Adhelm’s concoction shall see you right. It tastes like something that’s come out of the back end of a horse, but it does the trick.”

  After the immediate shock of hearing him speak like that I laughed at his joke, and then I laughed at Adhelm’s indignant glare.

  “Do not worry, we are old friends and he has heard a lot worse from me.” He smiled fondly at Adhelm as though he were his grandfather. It took years off his face.

  “Dorian, my friend…” With a smile he held his hand out to Dorian over the bed and they shook hands. “It’s been a while. I thought you were Cheri’s warrior, but she has brought me up to date with dealings from your world. You are in good health now I hope?”

  “I am fully recovered thank you. It is good to see you again,” Dorian replied with a smile and I gawked at them. Oliver had a similar expression on his face - they spoke as though they were old friends.

  The King turned back to me. “I cannot believe what you have been through,” his expression softened, and I saw his eyes lock on the scar that circled my wrist. My bracelet had moved slightly to reveal it. All I had taken with me from my world – that people could see - was the bracelet and Dorian’s necklace. “I promise you that nothing like that will happen to you here.” Okay, this guy was not what I expected. I had imagined a large old man with white hair and a fierce expression. Looking at him as he’d made that promise I knew he meant it and for some reason my vision began to swim. It was still difficult to talk openly about what I had been through, and I wanted the subject to change. I looked to Dorian for help.

  “We have put this behind us now. Melissa wanted to come here because of her infernal need to risk her life to save others. She makes my job very difficult indeed Aidan,” Dorian said lightly to steer the conversation away. Hmm, so he’s on first name terms with the King? I needed to investigate how these two got so chummy. I gave Dorian a grateful look though.

  “Yes, I have witnessed this first hand.” King Aidan returned his attention to me. “Thank you for what you did. I shall never forget it. You don’t even know me and yet you performed such magic, at your own risk, to save me. I really don’t know what to say, other than that you showed more courage than several of my knights.”

  I felt my cheeks colour and hated myself for it. Oliver coughed and we all turned to him.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. King Aidan, this is my friend Oliver. He’s a ghost.”

  “Ah yes, the ghost who will not leave your side and drives Cheri to distraction, I believe? Well met Oliver.”

  “Err, and you, your Majesty. I make it my duty to drive both Cheri and Dorian up the walls.” Oliver’s smile was infectious.

  The King laughed at him and then saw Dorian’s dark expression. “Oliver, my friend, I believe you will provide me with a little entertainment. Don’t be a stranger.” He turned back to me. “Someone will be along to show you to your room. Your clothes have already been unpacked.” He straightened and rested his hand on an ornate dagger at his belt. “I shall see you tonight at the banquet. May your health flourish.” With that he gave me a smile and inclined his head to me, much like Dorian had when we were first introduced at the B&B in Tavistock. I wondered if it was here he’d picked up the formality.

  The King strode off with his guard, but Adhelm remained with us. “Drink up, child,” he urged. I downed the drink with a grimace in one gulp and passed him the empty cup. “There’s a good girl,” he smiled. Seriously, how old do you think I am? I thought as I looked at him.

  “Everyone is younger than me,” Adhelm smiled and my mouth hung open.
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  “Can I ask you something?” I said, and Dorian and Oliver gave me curious looks.

  “That’s why I remained behind, my dear. What troubles you?” His expression was patient. This guy was freaking me out a little.

  “Those animals... They were humans once, weren’t they? Someone did that to them against their will?” I felt sick at the memory of what I had done to those creatures, who were magnificent in their way. For someone to do that to humans - it was unthinkable.

  “Yes. Your magic reversed the spell before they were killed. I saw it with my own eyes. You gave them their last wish before they died.”

  I felt tears spring into my eyes at the thought of them lying on the field, but Adhelm had anticipated my question yet again.

  “I have ordered a proper burial for them. They have been collected and will be quietly buried along with the stable boys.” He reached out to hold my hand. “I understand,” he told me, before turning and following the King.

  Dark thoughts escaped me when I heard a familiar voice boom: “Princess!”

  Chapter 4

  I don’t believe it! My head whipped around at Nick’s light-hearted voice. I slid out of bed and stood just in time for Nick to slam into me with a heavy embrace.

  “Oh my god, I didn’t even know you were here!” I laughed, my tears quickly forgotten. I pulled away from him to look him over. He wore a dark blue tunic with a high collar and matching breeches. His light brown scruffy hair was the same as the last time I’d seen him and those ever-mischievous hazel eyes regarded me the same.

  “Wow, look at you!” he exclaimed after I twirled for him. He turned a grin on Dorian. “This must be killing you!” He laughed then turned back to me. “Y’know, with you two unable to show your affection, people in this world are going to think you are available and unattached. Having saved the King’s life only minutes after meeting him, you’ve just jumped to the top of the eligible bachelorette list.” I looked at Dorian and he gave me a pained expression acknowledging Nick’s words were true. I rolled my eyes.