Cross Keys

by Ally Shields

  * * *

  The tingle of her finger pager woke Kam at dawn. She sleepily checked her home portal, found a summons, and promptly at ten o’clock, she and her spotter Deni presented themselves to the captain of the King’s Guard in Elvenrude.

  His office occupied a ground floor front corner of the massive, stone King’s Palace nestled among enormous live oak trees. The spires of the castle towered high above the trees, but the building was the only Elite elf structure to have a ground floor. Instead of the preferred tree house style, the palace had been given a ground level to symbolize the monarchy’s access to all.

  Kam quickly crossed the marble floor with Deni at her side and stopped in an open doorway.

  Captain Brunic studied them, his broad, weathered face drawn into a frown. “Kam, good to see you, and this must be Deni. Please sit down.” He leaned against the corner of his desk. “I read your report on the wanderer and discussed it with Seliwyn. It has caused much alarm.” His gaze landed on Deni. “Describe what you saw.”

  Deni drew her boyish body up straight. At nineteen, she was only one year from adulthood, and Kam knew she wanted to be a member of the King’s Guard. This was her chance to make an impression on the captain.

  “When I first noticed him, he was on the other side of Amelia Street, coming from the general direction of the wharfs.”

  “That’s only a few blocks from the Guilds.” Capt. Brunic pursed his lips. “Go on.”

  “I first noticed the blue aura on his hands, but everything about him was odd. His hair was white and long, past his shoulders, and his beard hung to his waist.” She demonstrated the lengths with her hands. “He hunched over and shuffled his feet like really old people do. His face and clothes were dirty, and he looked at me like—”

  “He saw you?” Brunic interrupted.

  “Oh, yes. Very clearly, but he looked frightened. I guess of me.” She drew her brows together, obviously disconcerted by the idea. “He turned around and stumbled away as fast as he could. That’s when I called Kam.”

  Brunic nodded his approval. “And…”

  “Then truck traffic came between us, and when I looked again, he was gone. I searched…we searched…for hours.”

  Brunic looked thoughtful. “You said the aura was obvious. Like he’d just come through the portal?”

  “It was pretty bright. I’d say an hour or less.”

  Kam nodded. Good guess on the timing. Any elf who passed through the portal’s magic carried a blue highlight along their exposed skin. The intensity decreased over time but never completely went away until they passed through the portal again on their return trip. Fortunately, the distinctive glow wasn’t visible to humans.

  “I don’t like the sound of this.” He looked at Kam. “Have you checked with the Cityside Guilds to see how he got there?”

  “I checked with our guild. No unauthorized transports. Of course I didn’t go near Lormarc or any of the smaller houses. I have no authority to question them.”

  “I think that is about to change.”

  Kam frowned. “What do you mean?”

  He threw her a thoughtful look but turned to Deni. “Thank you for your thorough report. You may return to the city now. Well done.”

  Deni brightened under the praise and left. With that kind of encouragement, she’d be back on the job and no doubt resuming her search for the missing elf within minutes. Kam hoped the young woman didn’t get herself into trouble while Kam was still in Elvenrude.

  And why was she still here? She cocked her head at Brunic.

  He rose and gestured toward the door. “His Majesty is waiting for us.”

  An audience with the king. A rush of adrenaline brought her swiftly to her feet. Her life was about to take a detour. Well, why not? Hadn’t she been contemplating boredom just that morning?

  Throughout the five minute walk along the castle’s ancient corridors that spiraled upwards into the higher levels, she peppered Brunic with questions. He had little to offer as they hurried along the marble halls hung with portraits of past monarchs, their families, or ornate tapestries of Elvenrude’s woodland and pastoral scenes. He refused to speculate on the upcoming meeting. Brunic had been captain of the guard as long as Kam could remember and knew how to keep his own counsel.

  “His Majesty will tell you his wishes.”

  The Guards at the entrance to the King’s Chambers came to attention and immediately swung the heavy oak doors open when Brunic and Kam appeared.

  King Seliwyn X, the one-hundred-eighty-seventh monarch of Elvenrude, stood by the glass castle windows, one of the few modern changes to the structure in the last thousand years. He turned when they entered.

  Still fit and considered in his prime at seventy-seven, Seliwyn raised his dark head to acknowledge them. As with all elves, the color of his eyes denoted his heritage and status, the steel grey of the royal family. His stately stance immediately commanded respect, and the newcomers bent their heads in acknowledgment. “Captain Brunic and Kameo.” The king walked toward them. “Delighted to see you both, but do you have news for me?”

  Brunic shook his head. “Not much more than we already knew, sire. It’s clear that someone has strayed into the city, but we don’t know who, how or why. Kam has checked the Ryndel Guild in New Orleans. I have contacted the Lormarcs. Neither report any unauthorized transports.”

  “A smaller guild then?”

  “I have guards checking them now, but it has been almost an hour since they left. It wouldn’t take them this long to report back if they had found the access point.”

  Seliwyn rubbed his chin and the short trimmed beard that was his trademark. “Then we’ll have to check with every keyholder. Someone has been careless, or worse.” He turned a sharp look on Kam. “I’m expanding your duties, and reinstating your position in the Guards.”

  “Your Majesty?” Kam stared at him. Just like that. This was beyond anything she had expected. Was she being ordered back to Elvenrude?

  He held up his hand as if he could read her thoughts. “You’re still the New Orleans Acquisitions Agent, at least for now, but I’m sending over an assistant to help with the antiquities. I want you looking for this elf until he is found. And I want to know how he got Cityside.” For a moment, the king’s eyes softened to a twinkle. “I don’t think you’ll find the task unpleasant. I dare say, things have been a trifle tame for you in the last few months.”

  A smile flickered on Kam’s face. “You know me too well.”

  He chuckled. “That I do. Since you were an infant.” His face turned serious. “I had hoped you would give up this quest for adventure and return home, but now I need you in New Orleans. This breach must be resolved.”

  “It is my pleasure to serve, Your Majesty.”

  “Then be on your way. You will report only to Brunic or to me. Is that understood? We wish to keep the situation quiet. The populace becomes uneasy when they are reminded of the human world and the potential dangers from there.”

  “I understand completely. Thank you, sire.”

  Kam and Brunic bowed their way out. The massive oak chamber doors clanged behind them, and they walked back down the circling corridors.

  “Well, what do you think?” Brunic asked.

  “I have to admit it is a welcome diversion, but I doubt if it will take long. Without resources in the city, the elf will surely come forward soon. I wish there was some way to reassure him. From Deni’s description, it sounds like he is afraid he’ll be shunned or punished for crossing the barrier.”

  “You may be right.” Brunic frowned. “But it is strange no one has reported the illegal portal use.”

  “Embarrassment? Or a simple failure to check their transport logs.” She shrugged. “Once you contact the keyholders and make it clear how important this is, I’m sure someone will come forward. It has to be a favor that backfired or some sloppy incident.”

  “I hope so.”

  He still sounded doubtful, and Kam stole a look at hi
s grim face. “This incident worries you more than I would expect. Why?”

  “It’s the timing. There have been rumors of unrest. Subtle, unsubstantiated, but persistent.”

  “Unrest by whom? Surely not the common people.” Kam’s voice tightened in disbelief. Elvenrude had been a benevolent monarchy for thousands of years. Its people enjoyed simple but peaceful lives. The land was plentiful; the oaks provided homes for the aristocracy, the earth and wetlands supplied housing materials for the commoners, and the mountains were full of minerals to mine. The trade guilds flourished. The people wanted for nothing. Unrest simply didn’t happen.

  “It is inexplicable.” He lifted a hand in a careless gesture. “I suppose one of the minor houses could have grown jealous. Maybe the crossbreeds are looking above themselves. Naturally, the king has discounted the idea of any kind of rebellion.” Brunic’s frown twisted into a rueful grin. “But he pays me to be suspicious for him.”

  “Are you sure the Lormarcs aren’t behind it?” Blue eyes met blue. The vivid coloration revealed their heritage as the House of Ryndel. The House of Lormarc, an aristocratic bloodline with distinctive green eyes, was the other major house of Elite elves and their biggest competitors for prominence within the King’s court and among the trade Guilds. For centuries Elvenrude’s kings had remained neutral, favoring Ryndel with control of the country’s security via the Guards and Lormarc with the primary mining and export of silver. Both Guilds equally handled other exports and imports, including jewelry and fabrics, and often shared or exchanged seasonal workers. But neither house trusted the other.

  Finally Brunic shook his head. “Even they aren’t stupid enough to disturb the status quo. But that reminds me, Seth Lormarc, old Harad’s grandson, has joined his cousin Rhyden in running their New Orleans’ guild. He’s been back and forth to Europe in the last five years but seems settled now. Caleb says he’s been around our Ryndel guild raising questions about shipments, disputing rights to customers. I don’t know if your father will mention it, but be careful if you run into Seth. The Lormarcs are a sneaky bunch.”

  Which was generally how anyone in her family felt about everyone in the Lormarc family.

  She’d never met this grandson, but she’d heard Caleb and others talk about him and his cousin Rhyden. Most young men of both Elite houses attended the Guard Training Academy, whether they intended to enter the king’s service or not. Two years ago, the Lormarc cousins and Caleb had competed for top honors in weaponry and combat skills at the graduation trials. Caleb hadn’t been happy to come in a distant third.

  Kam exited the palace gate still musing over the Lormarcs but forgot them immediately when she looked up and saw Caleb striding toward her. Tall, darkly tanned, broad shouldered, his long black hair was tied neatly at the back of his neck.

  Her spirits lifted, she smiled, and he came to an abrupt halt.

  “Kam darling, I didn’t know you were home. Is this a visit?” He quickly closed the distance between them and beamed down at her.

  “A summons from the king. Just more work. Where are you headed?”

  “Delivering the quarterly trade reports for the guild. Are you around long? Maybe we could get together tonight.” His slow smile emerged. “I haven’t seen you in three weeks. That’s a long dry spell.”

  “I wish I could, but the king has just given me an urgent task Cityside.” She stepped forward on tiptoes and kissed him to wipe away the instant disappointment she’d read in his eyes. “I’ll be home for the ball in ten days.” She titled her head. “We don’t have to spend all our time dancing.”

  He finally put his arms around her in spite of the openness of their surroundings. He studied her face, and his blue eyes darkened. “By that time I won’t want to waste any time dancing.”

  “Strangely enough, that would make Mother happy.”

  “It wasn’t your mother’s happiness I had in mind.”

  Kam laughed, pulled away, and started down the street. “Hold that thought. I’ll look forward to the ball,” she called over her shoulder.

  * * *

  If she was going to take up her guard duties again, even temporarily, she needed to retrieve some equipment from her parents’ house. Besides, Mother would be hurt if she didn’t stop for tea.

  The village of Brierwood lay nestled in the foothills surrounded by several acres of ancient live oaks, close to the wetlands on the south, and not more than a twenty minute walk from the palace. Kam waved at several farmers working in the rich fields to the north, removing the last of the harvest, and she passed two horse-drawn wagons: one carrying hay and slabs of peat, the other laden with pumpkins and squash. The fields had changed from the lush green of summer to the darker green, red, gold and browns of late autumn. The smell of hay and horses carried to her on the breeze.

  A hundred or so earth houses with thatched roofs and peat reinforced walls marked the outskirts of the village, and the homes of the aristocracy peeked from the branches of the stately oaks, the highest and largest tree house proclaiming the Ryndel family’s wealth and position. Smoke curled from the vent at the top, and told Kam her mother was busy with holiday baking. The King’s Harvest Ball was the culmination of the fall season, celebrated with three days of visiting with friends and family and, of course, all the accompanying feasting. It took a week or more to prepare the food. This was the time of year the house smelled of baking bread and squash pie.

  She bounded up the long flight of open wooden stairs to reach the front entrance, twenty feet off the ground. The tree house was so large it was anchored by four live oaks, the magnificent trees imported from New Orleans thousands of years ago and magically made to flourish in this new world. Most homes were built in one or two of the massive trees, but the Ryndels were the oldest family in residence and had gradually expanded their home over the centuries.

  “Kammy, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Estelle, Kam’s twenty-two year old sister, squealed and came running to throw herself in Kam’s arms. Her gleaming, long black hair streamed behind her; her vibrant sky-blue eyes dancing with mischief. The sisters were very much alike except Estelle’s slender figure was a little less curvy, and Kam had a more cynical outlook on life. Kam hugged her back, and they walked arm in arm into the kitchen.

  At the kitchen door, the hugging routine was repeated with her mother, arms-only this time, as their mother’s hands were covered with flour. The older woman deposited a quick peck on the cheek. “Did you decide to come for dinner after all?”

  “No, sorry, I was summoned by the king, and I can’t stay for long. But I have time for tea.” Kam sniffed the air. “And maybe a fresh-baked scone.”

  “Well, of course you do. Let me finish up this pie crust.” Her mother crimped the edges with her fingers.

  “I’ll get the kettle on.” Estelle snatched the pot.

  “That’ll be great. I want to pick up a few things from my room. I’ll be right back.”

  Kam's chest tightened as she exited down the hallway to the sleeping rooms. Estelle and Mother’s effusive greetings reminded her how long she’d been away. Elven families were close-knit, providing a necessary sense of belonging and worth. Her absence not only deprived her of those comforts, but her family members as well. She really needed to do better.

  The bedroom she shared with Estelle was neat as a pin. Both beds were covered in bright fall colors—Mother had linens for every season—but the middle of each was piled with pillows and a few childhood dolls, most of them sewn from fabric and filled with cotton or straw. Estelle and Kam would have put the toys away several years ago, except their mother had resisted.

  Kam crossed to her closet and opened a locked trunk at the back. She dug through the contents, pulling out two black outfits, a black jacket, a wide, silver bracelet, a clear crystal amulet on a chain, a miniature crossbow, a quiver of silver arrows, and a pair of silver knives. She picked up the bracelet, a talisman passed to her by her godmother; and her fingers immediately tingled wit
h magic. She slipped the cool band around her right wrist. It molded perfectly in place, the magic running up her arm and throughout her body. Kam shivered at the familiar surge of power that would increase her speed and agility. In Elvenrude the effect was noticeable, but Cityside, where the magic had been born before the elves retreated through the portals from the encroaching humanity, it would grow a thousand-fold stronger.

  She shoved the black clothes, the weapons, and the amulet into her dark blue Guard bag and carried it with her when she left the room. Mother and Esty were waiting, already seated at the wooden kitchen table. The mouth-watering aroma of baking bread was now accompanied by the fresh cider scent of the apple tea wafting from a pot and three steaming cups.

  Her mother raised her brows at the sight of the bag. “Has something changed?” Her tone conveyed a touch of anxiety. “Are you rejoining the Guard?”

  “Just a little job for the king. Yum, everything in here smells so good. Esty, tell me about your ball gown.”

  They spent the next few minutes catching up on local gossip. Esty gushed about her latest crush on a McClanahan boy. Esty had just entered that boy-crazy stage, and within a few years she’d be looking for a husband. When she went off to retrieve a sample of her ball gown material, Kam looked at her mother thoughtfully.

  “Were you in love with Father when you married?”

  Her mother considered her for a moment. “I admired him. He was handsome and strong. The love came soon enough. You can’t share children without feeling an overwhelming sense of love. Is this about Caleb? Will you be promised soon?”

  In elven tradition, a young man and woman were promised for at least one year before they could marry. The woman was given her suitor’s guild scarf which she wore on social occasions.

  “No. Yes. I don’t know. He’s such a good man, but somehow I feel there should be more.”

  Her mother laid a soft hand on Kam’s wrist. “He is a good man, but if he is not the one for you, then you must find the right one soon. Open your heart, Kameo. You’ve always been so self-sufficient, but it is time to let someone into your life.” She nodded toward the bag on the floor. “I understand your duties to the king, but you also have responsibilities to this family, to the Guild, and to yourself.” She returned her hand to her teacup and took another sip. “I hope someday I will have a dozen grandbabies.”