by Ben Alderson
I traced my fingers over the dancing blue flames beneath the skin on his arm that was draped over me until his breathing evened out.
What was he hiding? I willed for sleep to take me away, but now uncertainty embedded itself in my stomach. I trusted Hadrian and only hoped he would tell me in his own time.
I WOKE ALONE. I was certain of it the moment my consciousness took over when my eyes were still laced with sleep dust and my cheek sticky on the feather pillow. Hadrian must have left when I was deep in sleep. I rolled over, aware of the empty space beside me. It was still warm when I placed my hand on creases from Hadrian's body. Something rustled beneath my stretched fingers. I squinted through tired eyes and raised the parchment above me. It was the picture Hadrian gave me last night. He must have been looking at it again before he left.
A knock at the door distracted me.
“Come in,” I called, sitting up. I brought the bed sheets up to cover my modesty. Despite the open window and the fat flakes of snow blurring the views beyond, the room was warm. I put it down to magick as my visitor entered.
A head framed in silver locks poked around the corner of the door. “I’ve bring'd ya breakfast.” The small boy strolled into the room. He stopped at the end of the bed and placed the tray down. “I hope ya like steamed plums and oats. It’s Tiv's favorite.”
I leaned forward, peering into to the wooden bowl centered on the tray. Faint steam floated into the air. It looked like a slop, speckled with purple chunks. Looking at it, I wanted nothing more than to throw the strange gruel away, but the smell made my mouth water.
As if reading my mind, which wouldn’t be hard to imagine in this city, the boy leaned forward. “Best not to look at it for long. It tastes much nicer.”
I took the bowl, surprised by the warmth as I cupped it. “I am sure it will be fine. Thank you,” I said, hoping he would leave me, but he didn’t catch my hint.
“The cook laughed at the name Tiv give it. He said porridge makes it sound not tasty!”
“What’s your name?” I asked porridge Boy.
“Tiv.” He tipped his head. “You are one of the Dragori, aren’t ya?” He looked at me, unblinking, with large eyes of white. His skin was milky as well as his hair and lashes.
I blinked the sleep dust from my eyes. “News travels fast here…”
Tiv chuckled like a small bird. “You’ve reminded Tiv.” He shuffled in his aprons pocket. “Tiv meant to give you this, everyone in the kingdom gets one every morning. Here you go…”
I placed the painting of Hadrian’s mother down on the bed beside me and took the rolled parchment from Tiv’s small hand. Unrolling it, I read the neat writing upon it.
“What is this for?” I asked, scanning the page over again.
“News. Every morning Tiv sees the Queen’s birds deliver them all around the big city. Didn’t you hear them? Even from home, Tiv can hear them. So, so loud.” He placed his small hands to his pointed ears and shook his head.
Maybe that was what woke Hadrian so early?
"Mother sleeps heavy too. She does not hear the birds like you.” He must’ve been no older than six; so young to be working in a palace, too small to be away from his parents.
“Tiv better get back to the kitchens before cook comes looking. He doesn’t like playing games of chase.” He bobbed towards the door, a smile plastered across his thin, snowy complexion.
“Nice meeting you,” I called over to him. “Thank you for the...”
“Porridge!” he said with a smile. “If you like it, Tiv bring you some tomorrow?”
“I would like that,” I replied.
He left me to my food, which turned out to be full of flavor. Both a perfect blend of sweet and savory, it filled me up and warmed my stomach. I emptied the bowl and changed for the day. Looking beyond the window, I saw snow now covered every inch of the city below. The sun hung high, but that didn't stop the sharp breeze. I pulled a fur-lined cloak and wrapped it around me, ready for another day of searching through endless tomes for a scrap of insight into the Druid. I only hoped Hadrian’s day was better than mine.
*
AS I LEFT my room, I saw the back of Jasrov. He was moving slowly, hand on the door as he closed it. His back was hunched, and he stepped back on his tiptoes carefully, making no sound at all.
“Morning,” I called.
Jasrov jumped, causing the door to make a loud noise as it closed. “You scared the life out of me.”
“How was I supposed to know that you were sneaking out?” I asked, tugging my cloak. The hallway was colder than my room, acting as a wind tunnel through its design.
“Nyah is sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake her. We only got to bed a few hours ago; I thought she would appreciate some extra time to rest.” Jasrov face was still flushed with red. Bell was running circles around my feet.
“Why the late night?” I smiled knowingly.
“We were talking. Lost track of time.” Jasrov yawned, a tear escaping his dewy eyes. "Innocent chatter."
Putting the two most talkative people I knew together was possibly not the best idea.
“I get the impression that you have taken a fancy to her,” I said as we walked away from the rooms and towards the bustle of the palace.
Out the corner of my eye I caught Jasrov raise a hand and rub it down the back of his neck. “Why do you think that? I mean, she is lovely, yes. But… urm… is it that obvious? I mean, does she know?”
“Deep breaths.” I laughed. “Call it intuition.”
Jasrov nodded, spouting an awkward laugh. “Of course, intuition.”
“I trust I don’t need to give you the big brother talk?” I said.
“What, you’re her brother?” Jasrov raised a brow.
“No, Jasrov, it’s a figure of speech.”
“Of course, it is. No, no speech needed. We are just friends.”
I knocked into his shoulder. “Somehow, I don’t believe that.”
Bell screeched up in agreement.
Jasrov changed the subject quicker than I could blink. We brushed over the audience with the Queens yesterday, and I brought up the parchment of news I was given that morning. It turned out Jasrov had gotten one as well, but his was delivered by the birds Tiv mentioned.
“One quite literally flew into the room and dropped it on my face. The blasted thing was incredibly loud; even Bell was not happy by the wake-up call. She chased the bird from the room. For a moment, I thought I was going to have to apologize to the Queen for shortening her flock…”
Jasrov was waving his hands as he explained his ordeal. I was thankful mine hadn’t brought it me. By the sounds of it, a visit from these birds didn’t sound pleasant.
“Queen Kathine is incredibly open to her people about the Druid. I gather she has been sending updates daily to the city,” I replied.
“It is custom for daily news to be shared with the city. When I stayed in the city for a short time, we would receive news. Back then, it was about the next festival or musical event. It keeps everyone connected, especially in a city as big as this,” Jasrov explained. “You can imagine. Being kept in the dark only creates mass panic. By the Queen keeping her people up to date on the latest news, it will give them a sense of control over the situation at hand.”
We walked by an elfin man and woman standing by a pillar. It was hard not to notice the shock on the man’s face as we passed. He began to point our way and whisper beneath his breath. My guess was they also received the same note as I had this morning.
I heard one word whispered above the rest.
“Dragori.”
I picked up my pace and dragged Jasrov with me.
The entire page gave the description of our arrival to the city. It depicted us to be royal guests. As I read it earlier, I remembered what Gallion said about the Alorian people holding the Dragori in high esteem. I could see what he meant now as the throng of people grew, and they each stopped and stared as I walked past.
Jas
rov wrapped a hand around my shoulders and leaned in close, “Keeping smiling and talking to me. You won't notice...”
Suddenly aware of my expression, I smiled and looked to Jasrov. We talked about random topics, raising the volume of our conversation when someone stepped forward to stop us. Once we reached the private rooms of the palace, away from prying eyes, we stopped.
“By tonight, the entire city will see you,” Jasrov said.
And he seemed to be right. The entire morning, while I searched the many parts of the palace for Gallion; I noticed more stares and whispers. By the time I found him, I wished I could fade into the shadows and hide away from the constant stares.
*
“DESCRIBE WHAT YOU saw,” Gallion said. “Don’t miss out on any details. Smells, sounds, sights. It can all help locate the Staff.”
I closed my eyes, conjuring the image of the Goddess and what she showed me. Gallion had agreed to help me work out the location even though Queen Kathine was confident the search for it had finished.
“It was cold and dark. Tall walls of obsidian. Snow-covered floors.” When I spoke the words, the image came clearly to me again. “There was no smell. As if the place had been empty of life for a long time. I saw mountains. At first, I couldn’t tell the difference between the walls of the dark castle and the mountainside. It seemed to blend into one.”
The hairs on my arms stood on end. As I closed my eyes, I was standing amongst the snowy tops of the mountains. The entire time Gallion kept his hand hovering above mine as I shared the images with him. His touch was warm; his presence heavy. He anchored me to the library while my mind explored an otherworldly memory.
“Did you see the Staff?” Gallion’s voice whispered through the haze.
I shook my head. “No.” The memories kept flashing towards the marble slab the Goddess had shown me.
Gallion pulled back. With it, the visions stopped, and I was back standing in the middle of the library. Many Alorian elves bustled from shelf to shelf, some in deep conversation, others watching us with wary eyes.
“Wait here,” Gallion muttered as he rubbed his scarred fingers on his chin.
I sat down on the stool tucked beneath the large, thick oaken table. Piles of books sat beside me, some as tall if not taller than I. I followed Gallion with my eyes as he fumbled for a hefty tome on a shelf to our left. He wrestled it out of its slot and brought it back to me. It still surprised me how Gallion made sense of the books, telling them apart from one another. To me, they each looked like dusty, leather-bound, tomes with faded spines and crusted pages.
Gallion would stop before the shelves and share silent words with the books, as if they told him which to pick. Again, this city was full of magick I did not understand. It was entirely possible I supposed.
“During my searches, I came across a mention of a Druid safe hold high up in the mountains north of Eldnol… just over the reach of this very city.” I leaned over the large book as Gallion searched for the right page. “It was something you showed me. It reminded me of a depiction I came across. I am sure it is the… ah, here.”
On the page, in greys and blacks, was a drawing of the very image the Goddess showed me. Nestled in the face of the mountain was a castle of sorts, towering black spires reach into the sky glowing with fire and dusted in snow.
“When the Druids shared our world, they dwelled in all corners of it. Living in shadows, they survived in the very places we, elves, would not dare go to. Once they were defeated, most were destroyed, razed to the ground in hopes to wipe the memory of their existence from our lands. But, if what the Goddess showed you is correct, we may have missed one. Or left it for a reason."
I was lost in the image. I tried to read the writing beside it, but I couldn’t make it out.
“What does this say?” I pointed to a word that was darker than the rest, as if the writer had copied it over and over in the same spot.
“It’s the name of the Druid lord that resided in the halls of this place. Gordex. But my question is why the Staff would be left within a Druid’s dwelling?” Gallion’s tone changed.
“Maybe it was hidden in plain sight? Kept in the place where our kind would not search, and the druids had no need for?” I asked, not believing my own words.
“Until now,” he said. “A Druid has returned, one we do not know the name of. We must see Queen Kathine immediately and open the quest to the reclaim of the Staff. We might have found the lead we have been looking for.”
“She will never let us leave,” I said.
I stood up abruptly and caused the stool to screech across the floor. That got the attention of the many who used the library around us.
“We must try, my boy. Let us not waste the Goddess’s efforts. It is imperative the right hands find Staff of Light. Its power is as mysterious as the Druid we seek. And I have already told you what mystery can mean…”
I let the words linger before I responded. I looked up into Gallion’s hollow eyes and separated my lips to speak the answer.
“Weapon.”
GALLION UPDATED THE Queen on our findings in the library, even showing her glimpses into my thoughts. I stood in utter silence as Queen Kathine’s eyes fluttered when Gallion pushed my memories into her mind. Even after seeing what the Goddess showed me and the strange map Gallion had found, Queen Kathine views did not budge.
“Absolutely not.” Queen Kathine’s shout drained the color from my face. “In a time like this, you must stay close. I will not risk your lives again in a chase for a phantom promise. Did my words before not remind you just how important it is that you stay and help protect my people?”
The snowy weather had coated the throne room in a chill.
In the light of the early afternoon, the stained-glass windows reflected colors onto the slab stone floor. A dance of red, blues and greens. I had not noticed the hearth during my last visit, but today, it spilled flames to warm the cold room. Although, I was certain Queen Kathine’s angered attitude would warm the room without the need for a fire.
“What about Prince Hadrian?” Gallion stomped his foot, keeping his tone level with the Queen’s. The old man held no emotion back as he argued with his Queen. “No one knows the toll of Heart Magick and the damage it is having on him. We may have three of the Dragori, but, in reality, we only have two. Hadrian is in no state to protect himself, let alone your people. I can sense his failing health just as clear as you can see it.”
“Our people, Gallion, our. Do not forget it. Prince Hadrian has not expressed his ailments with me, and until he does, I will not allow this wishful quest to continue. That is final. I respect that you will not bring this matter up again. Not when my mind should be preoccupied with the hundreds of Alorian's heading for this city for shelter.”
I stepped forward and bowed my head, although my want to scream with frustration was bubbling deep inside of me. “With all due respect, Queen Kathine, Hadrian is stubborn. He would never be the one to admit his suffering. It was how he was brought up, pushing his own problems to the pits, sacrificing them for his kingdom. It is no different."
Queen Kathine stopped before her reply. She rested back in her throne, ocean blue dress beneath plated armor that accentuated her muscular frame. Her painted nails grasped the edges of her throne, scratching at its surface.
“You hold high love for the Prince?” Her question almost knocked me to the floor. “Why else would you spend so much effort into arguing his wellbeing to me? I should not admit this, but Hadrian is a prince, is he not? Nothing is stopping him from leaving Lilioira but my word. Not even I can command him to stay.”
“Hadrian, Prince Hadrian, deserves somebody to love him. It has been many years since he has been shown love of any kind.” My reply was quiet. I was suddenly aware of the painting he gave me folded in my breast pocket.
“Indeed, his mother’s untimely passing affected us all. Even across the seas, we mourned for her. She was a friend of mine. It is thanks to her that I was intro
duced to my wife. Believe me, I understand Hadrian and the way his mind works.”
I was sensitive to the Queen's story as she talked about their friendship and the many years they knew each other.
“…Hadrian is not my blood son, but I have watched him grow up. From when he was born to when his mother passed, I saw him countless times. I assure you, I care for him. But I love my people. I have a promise I must keep for them all. They rely on me for protection, and for the first time, they feel safe. Do you know why?”
I cleared my throat and looked up. “Because we are here.”
Queen Kathine closed her eyes and released a sigh. “Your presence within the city means more to the people living within it than even you could begin to believe. That is why I cannot allow you to leave again. It is up to you whether you listen to my command or not. I am not your Queen. But I… beg you to consider.”
Even if I could leave, I knew nothing about the location of the Druid safe hold. It could take days to locate it in the books and tomes that Gallion went through. But, to keep the peace, I bowed to Queen and smiled.
“I will consider it,” I agreed.
She gave me a look. It was brief enough that I could’ve passed it off as nothing, but there was something about the way she stared at me in that moment that made me feel like she already knew what I would do.
“Before you leave, I would like to tell you about the evening's event.” Queen Kathine stood up and waved for the guard closest to her. He walked over, armor glinting in the light, and passed her a rolled parchment.
She walked down the steps from his dais and stood before me where she towered more than a foot above me. After handing me the parchment, she looked at Gallion. “Tonight I will be hosting a festival of sorts in the main city. For one night, I need you, Emaline and Prince Hadrian to put on a brave face and walk beside me. It will not only calm the cities excitement for having you here, but it will also help instill some calm back into their lives.”
“Of course,” I replied, unrolling the parchment to see a note to follow. I scanned the details as Queen Kathine explained them.