The Thorn Queen

by Elise Holland

  “Sure.”

  As soon as the word was out of her mouth she knew she’d made a mistake. Her hands were icy-cold and trembling like two leaves in a storm. She shook herself.

  Just focus Meylyne. And follow the book to a T—that’s what Mother would say.

  Flipping back through the pages, she found the first incantation—the bit to create the ceiling. This part really didn’t look that hard. Fixing her attention on the top of the palace, she cleared her mind and began to mutter the words to the spell. Before long, a wisp of smoke materialized before her eyes. Then another, and another, and then hundreds of wisps of smoke were curling around one another like wool on a loom. They spread across the top of the palace, reminding her of the tide coming in. Seconds later, a gray roof sat atop the palace walls.

  A thrill surged through Meylyne. It worked!

  “It’s not exactly invisible,” Grimorex remarked.

  Meylyne scowled at him. She still had half a mind to turn him into a toad.

  “That’s just step one. Now I’ll make it invisible.”

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Blue grinning. He probably thought she had it in the bag but what he didn’t know was that this bit was much trickier—a three-part incantation, no less. She turned to the spell and read through it again.

  Part two really doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t look like it belongs at all.

  A bead of sweat trickled down her face as Queen Scarlet gave an impatient cough behind her. She would just do the spell as it was in the book. That’s what her mother would tell her to do.

  Clearing her throat, she raised her palms and began to chant the spell, trying to keep the words from tripping over each other as her fingers stabbed the air. A three-part incantation meant she had to weave three meanings into each word that she uttered. It required the utmost concentration. The air tingled as the incantation began to work.

  “. . . eeska loosita numevo ma!”

  The spell was done.

  Meylyne held her breath, her eyes glued on the roof above as it dissolved into tiny dirt-like particles. It was working! Any minute the grains of dirt would blow away.

  Wait a minute. The particles aren’t blowing away. It looks like they’re re-forming into something.

  Blue tugged on her sleeve. “Meylyne—are those . . . ?”

  His words were swallowed up as an intolerable noise filled the air. A medley of croaking and belching was the only way to describe it. The star-crusted sky was gone. In its place, a mottled green mass writhed.

  “Toads?” roared Queen Scarlet. “You’ve made me a ceiling of toads? Is this your idea of a joke?”

  “No, it’s not a joke! It’s just a mistake—I’ll fix it!” Meylyne cried.

  “A mistake?” Queen Scarlet swatted Meylyne’s spell book out of her hands. “How dare you wreak havoc on my Queendom this way? Off to the burrow while I decide what shall be done with you!”

  Two lions appeared out of nowhere. Growling, they herded Meylyne and Blue toward the steps.

  “Wait, please—” Meylyne begged.

  One of the lions thrust his massive head into Meylyne’s face and his roar hit her like a hurricane. She fled down the steps with Blue close behind.

  “And you,” Meylyne heard Queen Scarlet snarl. “What have you got to say for yourself?”

  Grimorex’s reply faded away as they descended down the stairs. They did not stop at the floor from which they had come up; they kept going down, underground. The light faded away and when they reached the bottom of the steps it was almost pitch black.

  “Keep walking,” a lion growled behind them.

  “We can’t see anything,” Blue protested. “Where are we going?”

  “There’s a cave around the corner. You’ll stay there until the queen has decided how best to make you suffer. Now walk!”

  “But we’re here to help,” Meylyne pleaded as she felt her way along the wall. “And I’m a Glendochian! She can’t hurt us—our treaty says so.”

  The lions chuckled nastily as they continued down the tunnel. With a sinking sensation, Meylyne realized that the lions couldn’t care less about the treaty right now.

  “In there,” the lion growled, gesturing to a cave on the right. It appeared to be empty aside from a torch sputtering on the wall. It also smelled like moldy socks. When Meylyne and Blue hesitated, the lions shoved them with their heads and they fell inside. In a flash, Blue was on his feet and he ran to the cave opening just as a boulder rolled in front of it. He slammed his hand into it in frustration.

  “We’re good and trapped now!”

  The light from the torch was so dim that Meylyne could only see his outline as he turned around to face her.

  “Toads—seriously?”

  Meylyne sank her head into her hands.

  “Oh don’t start! I don’t know how that happened. I was so nervous I must have messed up the incantation somehow.”

  She didn’t dare tell him that she had been thinking about turning Grimorex into a toad just seconds before. That must have been why it happened.

  Shaking his head, Blue moved around the edge of the cave, his fingers crawling over the walls.

  “Well come on—help me see if there’s a way out anywhere.”

  Meylyne pushed herself to her feet with a groan. “There won’t be. All we’re likely to find are spiders. Or scorpions,” she added with a shiver. Taking the torch from the wall, she searched for any sort of passageway. The walls were damp and in places they oozed green slime.

  “No way out,” she sighed after she had been around the entire cave. Putting the torch back, she rubbed her arms. “But no nasty bugs either—they hate wet.”

  Blue stamped his feet. “Can’t say I’m a huge fan of it right now either. It’s freezing down here!”

  “I know—”

  Meylyne stopped talking. Something behind Blue had moved. Whatever it was, Blue heard it too and he turned around.

  “It’s the boulder—it’s moving. Someone’s trying to get in!” he whispered.

  From behind the boulder there came a grunt, then a swear, and then another grunt. With each grunt, the boulder moved a little bit. Drawing his sword, Blue moved in front of Meylyne. There was one more, big grunt and the boulder fell to the ground with a thud.

  Meylyne’s hands flew to her mouth when she saw who stood there.

  “You!” she gasped.

  15

  An Unexpected Visitor

  AN ENORMOUS TUSKED LION STOOD IN THE ENTRANCE. It was the lion from the bridge—the one that had tried to eat them before.

  “Don’t say another word,” he warned. “I’m here to help.”

  Blue stepped toward the lion, his sword raised high.

  “Yeah right.”

  The lion eyed him and his sword. “Oh this is a fine end to my day,” he growled. “First I almost dislocate my shoulder on that boulder and now I find myself at the tip of a sword. I’m not going to hurt you, you know. I already told you—I’m here to help!”

  In the dim light, Meylyne saw that his eyes had lost the vacant look they had had before. She also saw a nasty scar on his paw from where Blue had slashed him before. Judging by the look on his face, he wouldn’t try any funny business again.

  “I think he’s telling the truth,” she whispered to Blue. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”

  Blue glared at the lion. After a second, he lowered his sword. “Go on.”

  “Why thank you for permitting me to speak in my own home,” the lion muttered. “Your generosity overwhelms me. I overheard Grimorex tell Queen Scarlet that the Great Oaken Mother has been poisoned and that sphers are escaping.”

  “Yes that’s true!” Meylyne replied.

  “I know that’s true. Nothing else could overcome my will.”

  The lion stared at her as if expecting her to say more.

  “We came here because Grimorex said Queen Scarlet knows an eagle that can help us fix the Great Oaken Mother,” she added.
/>   “That she does, but she’ll never release his whereabouts to you now. Not after what you did upstairs,” the lion said.

  “But that was an accident!”

  “Oh good. That makes us feel much better. We’ll hand over the eagle right away now that we’re know you’re just clumsy.”

  Meylyne clenched her fists. The lion had every right to doubt her. She doubted herself most of the time. But she knew that she’d get the spell right if she were given a second chance. She just had to clear her mind properly this time. And she needed her book of incantations back.

  “Look, you said you were here to help,” she replied, thrusting out her chin. “I know your code, you know. You’re in our debt for your intention to violate the treaty. But if you get me my spellbook back, we’ll be even.”

  She held her breath as the lion studied her. Part of her couldn’t believe she’d just talked back to him that way but he was their only hope.

  “Maybe he’s scared,” Blue suggested. “He is a bit on the old side . . .”

  “Shut up,” the lion snarled. He started to pace before them. “Is it true what Grimorex says?” he asked Meylyne. “That you are Meph’s daughter?”

  Meylyne froze.

  “I take that as a yes.” The lion’s eyes bored into Meylyne. “It must be hard for you—feeling responsible for your father’s desire to divide Glendoch. It will not be easy to get your book, you know. Corkk is guarding it and one does not become Scarlet’s Lead Lieutenant easily. But if this is what you want then I shall get it for you. And then we are even, you and I!”

  “Fine. And by the way, I’m not responsible—”

  “Now that I am myself again,” the lion interrupted, “and my mind is no longer full of sphers, I find myself wondering why they would have wanted you of all people out of the way. You may be Meph’s daughter but you seem completely harmless. There must be more here than meets the eye.”

  Standing up, the lion stretched.

  “But that is Glendoch for you—riddled with secrets. All right, I am off. If I am not back before sunrise then all is lost for both of us.”

  With that, the lion slunk out of the cave. There was more grunting and swearing and then the boulder thudded back into place. Meylyne and Blue were once again alone in the dark, damp cave.

  At first neither said a word. Blue peered up at Meylyne and saw that she was frowning.

  “Don’t worry, he’ll get the book,” he said.

  Meylyne nodded.

  “I hope so.” Wrapping her cloak around her, she hugged herself. “Why on Glendoch would Grimorex have told Queen Scarlet about my father?”

  Blue shrugged. “I guess—”

  “And how does everyone even know so much about Glendoch?” Meylyne continued as if Blue hadn’t spoken. “Why do they care? We’re a dinky little glacier and we’re really far from here!”

  “Well—”

  “I know, I know—it’s obviously part of the whole bigger picture that I know nothing about,” Meylyne’s voice caught in her throat. “The lion was right—Glendoch is riddled with secrets and I’m sick of all of them!”

  Meylyne’s chin wobbled and a tear rolled down her cheek.

  “Look—let’s not think about that right now,” Blue said hurriedly. “This is a good thing, this lion helping us. I mean it’s a weird thing too—who knew he’d show up again? But let’s worry that and all that other stuff later. We can only do one thing at a time. You’ve got a big spell coming up. Isn’t there anything you have to practice to make sure you get it right next time?”

  “Not really. I don’t have my book, remember? All I can do is practice not thinking anything that could get in the way,” Meylyne sniffled.

  “So do that! Thinking about nothing is hard. Come on, I’ll help. I won’t say a word!”

  Wiping her eyes, Meylyne gave Blue a grateful smile. He was obviously trying to cheer her up. Smiling back at her, he sat down and patted the ground next to him.

  “Come on, let’s practice thinking nothing together.”

  Meylyne sat down next to him and the two of them lapsed into silence. She tried her hardest not to think about anything but the thoughts kept creeping back into her mind.

  What did that lion mean about Glendoch being riddled with secrets? That would fit into our idea that Queen Emery was the Thorn Queen. But why would she want to destroy her own Queendom? And why would the sphers want me out of the way? We thought it was Blue they were after but what if it really was me?

  Meylyne sighed in frustration. None of it made any sense. Digging her hand into her pocket, she fished out the pewter shield that Trin and Train had given her. The feel of the cold metal in her palm and the thought of her friends soothed her. After a while, she was able to clear her mind and the minutes passed, stretching into hours. The cold, damp air of the cave seeped into their bones, freezing Meylyne and Blue to the core. Despite this, Meylyne had almost dozed off when a sharp jab between her shoulder blades jolted her awake.

  “Aah!” she cried, startling Blue. “Where’s my rucksack?”

  Blue stared at her as she jumped to her feet, peering wildly around the cave.

  “The lions must have it. What’s wrong?”

  “My allergy pills are in there and I need them!”

  “Why? Unless you’re allergic to dirt, there’s nothing in here to worry about!”

  Nothing to worry about?

  An image flashed into Meylyne’s mind of what would happen if she did not get back her pills in time.

  “Look, Blue, here’s the thing—”

  She stopped abruptly as a shadow passed over the cave entrance. Both she and Blue ran to it.

  “Is that you Lion? Please be you!” Meylyne pleaded.

  There was a series of grunts and groans and the boulder slowly toppled over. The lion limped inside with Meylyne’s book in his mouth. He dropped it into her hands.

  “Yes, it is I, with your tatty black book and it had better be worth the fiasco it took to get it! When I finally got into Corrk’s room, there was a snake there, trying to switch it with another book! No sooner had I dispatched the serpent when I got chased by some guards and would have been ripped to pieces had I not found a secret hiding place.”

  Meylyne clutched the book to her. “Thank you! And what about my bag?”

  “Bag? There was no bag in our agreement. Most likely Scarlet has it. I’m sure she will return it once you’ve fixed the horror above us.”

  “But —”

  “We don’t have time for this Meylyne,” Blue interrupted. “Fix the toads first, then we’ll get your bag.”

  Meylyne clenched her fists. By that time it would probably be too late. But what choice do I have?

  “Okay,” she muttered, flipping feverishly though the book’s pages. “First of all I need a reversing incantation. Pretty sure there’s one in Level Seven . . . there!”

  She stabbed her finger into her book and then gasped as the jab between her shoulder blades came back.

  “What’s wrong?” the lion growled.

  “Nothing. Everyone move back. I don’t know if—”

  “Just do it Meylyne!” Blue urged.

  Gritting her teeth, Meylyne started chanting the reversing incantation. Her hands began to shake. It was the first time she had ever done one.

  For all I know, I could turn the toads into slugs, or something even worse.

  She drove the images from her mind and finished the incantation.

  “Done,” she whispered, looking up.

  Aside from the plop-plop sound of dripping water, everything was quiet. Meylyne stared at Blue.

  “No more croaking—do you think the toads are gone?”

  Blue’s face creased into a grin.

  “Yeah—I do!”

  Delight surged through Meylyne and she jumped up, whooping with joy.

  “I knew I could do it! Told you!” she shot at the lion.

  “Well done,” he growled, with what could almost be called a smile. �
��Now we are free of that infernal racket and I am free of my debt.”

  His ears pricked up as a shout was heard from above.

  “I must go. The guards will be here any minute.”

  That sobered Meylyne up. He was right—now that the toads had gone the guards would be there at any minute and she still had to invisiblize the roof. Grabbing her book, she found the page she needed as the lion turned to leave.

  “Wait!” she cried. “What’s your name?”

  “Plut.”

  Meylyne flung her arms around the lion’s neck and mumbled into his mane, “Thank you, Plut.”

  Plut lingered for a second and when he pulled away Meylyne knew he was pleased, even if he still looked gruff. With a terse nod at her and Blue, he left the cave, grunting as he shoved the boulder back into place.

  “Remember—you must not speak of our alliance,” he growled from the other side.

  Meylyne barely heard him. She was already thinking about what she had to do next.

  “Just one more step to go,” she said to Blue. “The bit I got wrong before.”

  “Yeah, but you know why, right?”

  Meylyne nodded, skimming over the incantation. Then she frowned.

  “Wait a minute. It looks different now.”

  From down the hall came the murmur of voices.

  “Whatever—just hurry up and do the spell!” Blue urged.

  Meylyne’s heart pounded as she stared at the words on the page. She was certain they looked different now. The second part had looked wrong before. Now it made sense.

  “They’re here!” Blue hissed.

  Meylyne cleared her mind. Chanting the incantation, her hands twisted this way and that. There was a thud as the boulder to the cave rolled aside. In the archway stood two lionesses.

  “Come,” one of them growled. “Our Queen requests your presence.”

  Meylyne had almost finished the spell. Turning her back on the lionesses, she continued to murmur and gesticulate.

  “Now!” the lioness roared.

  Meylyne jumped.

  “I’m coming!”

  “Out—go back the way we came,” the lioness snarled.

  Blue shot her a questioning look, to which she nodded. She had completed the incantation.