Heart of the Winterland

by Kristen Kooistra

  The breeze stilled as if holding its breath for the empress’s response, and the water ceased to lap against Kota’s cold body. “I will do this for you. This one thing and it will be the last. You will take the spell, deactivate the message spell, and leave Sjadia forever.” The breeze resumed and the water began its steady beat against Kota’s knees.

  “I understand. I want my daughter to be protected from this sorceress, but I want one more thing from the spell. I want it to keep her safe until her two hundredth birthday.”

  “You do realize a spell like that could have major consequences? Little will change over the years. Her inner curiosity and inquisitiveness will be suppressed. I cannot say what will happen to your subjects. The spell might see them as potential danger.”

  “If she is safe, that is all that matters. That kind of protection would guarantee her safety until she’s old enough to be queen and would provide a guardian during that time.” The princess’s voice held sure and strong.

  How could the princess be so uncaring towards her people? All for a child.

  “A guardian. Yes, it would make one. But it could look like anything. I cannot control what form her protector will take. It’s another one of those uncertainties of protection spells.”

  “Do we have an agreement?” the princess said in exasperation.

  “Yes. I will need the child’s name to weave into the charm.”

  A tender note entered the princess’s voice. “Calisandra. Her name is Calisandra and she will one day be queen.”

  Kota’s legs had fallen asleep. She shifted, hoping to bring relief to them. The mud was slipperier than she had expected and she had to thrust an arm out to stop herself from tipping sideways into the pond. The splash made by her sudden movement echoed loudly in the silent grove.

  Kota held her breath, praying that her presence would go undetected. Seconds dragged by, but nothing happened. Just as her body began to relax, something wrapped itself around her waist.

  Looking down, she could see nothing but she felt invisible cords binding her. A sudden tug yanked her from under the bridge. The magical bonds sent her flying through the air and she hit the ground hard. Before she had time to gather her thoughts, a shadow loomed over her.

  The empress towered above Kota; her dark eyes glittering with malice. Kota felt as if all of the pent up rage the empress had towards her daughter was directed at her. This is the end.

  “How dare you invade this place!” The empress’s pale face darkened, making the green tint to her skin stand out even more.

  The princess came up from behind the empress’s shoulder. Her face was white and sickly looking, and her skin was so thin and translucent that Kota could see her veins. “Who are you? What did you hear?”

  With a wave of her hand, the empress shushed the princess. “She’s the dressmaker’s brat and she’s heard everything.”

  “We can’t let her spread word of this.”

  The empress put an elegantly tapered finger to her chin as she studied Kota. “No, we can’t, but killing her could cause . . . problems. Maintaining power is a delicate art, you should know that. If she vanishes, people will miss her and they will ask questions. I can squash rebellious thoughts, but it is better if the people never have them.”

  She gestured for Kota to rise. Stumbling to her feet, Kota kept her gaze on the empress’s silk slippers. A glimmer of hope rose in her chest. Would they let her live?

  “Speak. What have you to say for yourself?”

  Trembling, Kota slid her hand into the waistband of her tunic. She pulled out a scrap of paper and lifted it with a shaky hand to the empress.

  With the tips of her fingers, the empress snatched the note. She skimmed it quickly and then glanced down at Kota.

  “Convenient, if true. You can hide nothing from me.”

  Kota knew what was coming but had no chance to react before her mind was under attack. The wall all Daifu learned to erect in their minds against basic mind-reading from the Moshu was useless. It crumbled at the empress’s mental touch. Cold fingers pried into her mind and sifted through her thoughts, past, secrets, dreams. When the attack ceased, Kota lay gasping on the ground, her head throbbing.

  “So, it is true. You cannot speak. That may save your worthless life. I’m going to offer you a deal. One I think you’ll accept.”

  Kota nodded, despite her aching head, to show she was listening.

  “You will tell your mother that you have been offered a most prestigious opportunity. She and every other Daifu will think you are being honored. In reality, you will be banished from Sjadia. You will never return, nor will you convey what you have heard here.” Venom laced the empress’s tone as she lifted Kota’s chin with a finger. “You do this and you may keep your life. And your mother hers.”

  Gazing into those soulless eyes, Kota knew she had no choice. A tear slid down her cheek as she nodded her agreement.

  ❄❄❄

  Kota wrenched herself back to the present as her emotions threatened to take over. No, I won’t let them control me.

  The rest of that nightmarish event had passed in a blur. She lied to her mother, put on a happy face, and waved farewell as a ship carried her away. The princess, Raina, had made sure before Kota left that she knew she was not welcome in the kingdom of Trabor.

  Months passed before Kota had landed in Shayal. Alone and helpless. In that moment she resolved to never again be weak. No more hiding under bridges, fearing the power of those with magic. She was in charge of her own destiny.

  It was a promise she had kept. She had risen to power and people feared her. The world was cruel, only those with the cunning and ruthlessness to do what was necessary survived.

  She didn’t care what was said about her, it was all true. No one had shown her kindness and mercy. Not in Sjadia, and not in Shayal. She’d forged her own path; let others take care of themselves.

  The ones who fled would learn the hard way not to cross her. She would catch them, she always caught her targets. In two days, she would reach the port town of Rokuhai. They would be there, she was sure of it.

  Chapter 11

  Cali stumbled through the woods, slapping branches away from her face. The trees abruptly came to an end and she found herself waist high in thick grass. Before her lay a serene pond covered in circular leaves with vibrant purple flowers blossoming from amongst them. The moonlight reflected off the water, giving an ethereal glow to the area. To her right stood a tree with long, dangling branches which hung out over the pond. On one of its arching roots sat Angel, trailing a stick through the water.

  Steeling herself for the confrontation, Cali waded through the long grass. She climbed atop one of the bridge-like roots and carefully made her way out to where Angel sat.

  “We need to talk.”

  Angel stared blankly into the distance. “I don’t see why. I have nothing to say.”

  “You can’t just run off like that.” Cali lowered herself onto the branch and dangled her feet in the chilly water. “I understand being shocked to find out there’s a connection between Tera and Bludgaard, but there was no reason for all the hostility.”

  “I never said anything to her . . . though I could’ve said plenty.”

  Cali sighed, running her hands through her hair. “You didn’t need to say anything. The anger was rolling off you like an avalanche. I come from a land covered in snow. Trust me, I know frosty when I see it.”

  Angel didn’t respond and continued to create ripples with the branch. Cali let the silence settle around them like mist, giving Angel time to answer.

  Without glancing up from her methodical drawing, Angel sighed. “I realize this is your first venture out into the world, but I’ve been around for awhile. First, this Tera sends her wolves to attack us, then she holds us hostage because she thinks you’re a Sjadian.”

  “But she let you run off. And I followed you without either one of us being pursued or stopped. There’s no Tera and no wolves here. Nothing to
stop us from leaving.”

  “She knows you won’t leave.” Angel flung her stick across the water and watched it drop with a plunk. “From the beginning, you were so quick to trust her. She brought us to a comfy tent, filled us up, and shared her story. You immediately dropped your guard and acted like you’ve been friends forever.”

  “But you were laughing along with the rest of us—”Cali flung her hands into the air“—and enjoying all the comforts she offered. With your history, I would’ve thought you’d be more sensitive to Tera’s heartache.”

  Angel stood and edged her way along the roots towards the trunk of the tree. “That’s different. I didn’t want to be killed, so I tried to act unconcerned. I’ve learned to take food and rest when I can get it, even when I’m in hostile territory.”

  Cali followed her, though with considerably less grace. “How do you know I wasn’t doing all those things for the same reasons?”

  “Cali, please, let’s not play this game. You were taken in and we both know it. She was the duke’s companion. I just can’t see a good person falling in love with him. This is the man who captured and tortured me. Excuse me if I am suspicious of someone who was intimate with him.”

  By now they were back on land. Turning to face Cali, Angel’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m leaving in the morning. Getting out of this cursed forest if possible. Stay if you want, but I can’t stand being close to Tera.”

  Cali closed her eyes and sighed. “I don’t agree with your assessment of Tera’s moral character. But I understand where you’re coming from. We’ll leave in the morning, together.”

  Opening her eyes, Cali found Angel staring at her with relief.

  She’s not as confident as she likes people to think. She didn’t want to leave without us, but she never would’ve admitted that.

  They made their way back to the meadow, following the trail they’d forged earlier. Just as they entered the clearing, Cali stopped and grabbed Angel’s sleeve.

  “Before we rejoin Voice and Tera, I want to say something. I–I’m sorry about what I said yesterday. You were right about the guardian.” Cali gave a wan smile. “You have been right about a lot of things. I am naïve and my inexperience blinds me.”

  Angel opened her mouth, but Cali held a hand up. “No, I need to say this. If I am ever to be a good ruler, then I need to learn to admit when I’m wrong. I apologize for my actions and hope to be a better friend to you. And thank you—”She smirked“—for carrying my royal behind.”

  Cali wrung her hands, watching Angel’s face. A slow smile appeared. “You’re welcome, and I forgive you. I’m sorry for agitating you; things were stressful enough without me taking my anxiety out on you.”

  “Let’s agree to put this behind us.”

  They headed towards the dying fire where Tera and Voice waited. “It’s not wrong to be naïve,” Angel stated suddenly. “Your trust in people isn’t a bad thing. It just needs to be tempered with wisdom. The wisdom to know when someone is not as they appear. I would never want you to lose your faith in people.”

  They reached the fire and Cali plopped down next to it while Angel said good night to Voice, ignoring Tera. After Angel retired to the tent, the three sat staring into the flames.

  “What can you tell me of Sjadia?” Cali hastily threw the question out before she lost her nerve.

  Tera tilted her head towards the sky. “Nothing really, not of Sjadia itself anyway. Most of my knowledge is what I have gleaned from the Sjadians who have made Shayal their home. In some ways, Sjadians are like my people. They are blessed with long lives. Some of them have magical capabilities, but not all. That is where the similarities end. It may not seem like much, but considering the short lives and absence of magic in Shayal . . .” Tera shrugged.

  Cali shifted on the hard ground, wishing she’d thought to grab a pillow before Angel had retired. “So you feel something in common with them because of their lifespan and magic?”

  Tera gave a humorless smile. “The Sjadians in Shayal despise magic above all else. None of them have powers. It is the reason they are here, to escape those with magic.”

  She held her hands out towards the fire, now little more than glowing embers.

  Cali waited for Tera to continue, but when no more seemed to be forthcoming, she cleared her throat.

  Tera shook her head, as if bringing herself back to the present. “People without long lives may seek to rise above their circumstances. Maybe they want power, riches, comfort, or simply subservience. Those things are not inherently evil—or at least not most of them. But they can be.”

  Rising to her feet, Tera gestured for Cali to walk with her, leaving Voice at the fire. As they made their way around the meadow, Tera rubbed her arms briskly.

  “I have seen cruelty enough from humans with few years at their disposal. I can only imagine a country where people are blessed with long lives and many with magic.”

  Cali whispered, as if to herself, “More time to gain control and more power with which to enforce their will.”

  “Yes.”

  They walked on in silence. A cool breeze brushed them and Tera shivered. “They could never advance their lives or social standing in Sjadia. They cannot compete with the wielders of magic. So they come here, searching for opportunity.”

  Cali nodded in understanding. “Of course, there are no sorcerers here. A Sjadian’s life span in comparison to the Shayalans gives them time to consolidate power.”

  “They can bide their time, accumulate wealth, build connections, anything they need they have time for,” Tera said. “Because they changed their fortunes when it seemed impossible, they detest those who do not control their own destiny.”

  “And because they came here to escape magic, they dislike your presence.”

  By now they had circled back to the fire. Tera gave a humorless smile, her face stark in the moonlight. “Yes, I represent what they wish to forget. I am sure that Captain Kota had a hand in my banishment.”

  Cali whirled to stare at Tera. “Captain Kota! She is the one pursuing us.”

  “Then I pity you. She is a formidable enemy and Sjadian to boot.”

  “Sjadian,” Cali whispered. “Are they all so evil?”

  Tera crouched before the flames. “I would hesitate to deem an entire race evil. Look at what happened to my people when ignorance and assumptions took control?”

  “Is that all you know?” Cali rubbed her eyes.

  “I wish I could tell you more. But I can say that you are not like the Sjadians I have encountered. Something about you is different, more than your eyes. Your heart is pure, and untainted by bitterness.”

  Voice drifted towards them, her glow casting beams into the darkness. Cali realized she was exhausted. Even with all the sleep she’d had, the strain of the past few days weighed heavily on her.

  “It is more than I knew before and I thank you for the knowledge. We appreciate your hospitality, but I feel we should be moving on in the morning.”

  Tera tipped her head in acknowledgement before retiring to the tent. Cali and Voice were left staring at each other.

  “Angel wants to leave,” Voice guessed.

  Nodding, Cali made her way towards the pavilion. “She does not trust Tera.”

  “And you do not wish to stay without her.”

  “No, I think I’ve learned all I can here. Angel is my friend and for now I plan to travel with her.”

  Voice didn’t answer, but as Cali settled into the bed of pillows a few minutes later, she knew Voice approved of her decision.

  ❄❄❄

  Cali stood on the edge of the Tónghuà Forest. Their path through the woods had cut a few days off their travel, according to Tera. Towards the east, tucked into a valley, lay a large village. Angel called it a port town, something about it being next to a “sea.”

  Squinting, Cali saw a glimmer of blue past the town. It looked like water, but it couldn’t be. Its expanse stretched into the distance, never-ending.
It was nothing like the frozen lake near the castle or the pond from last night.

  “Angel, what is that behind the town?”

  Angel stood beside her, shading her eyes. “You mean the sea?”

  “Is the sea . . . water?”

  Laughing, Angel looped the bag of food Tera had provided over her shoulder. “One thing’s for sure, life is never boring with you around.” Continuing to laugh, Angel strode down the hill towards town.

  She’s excited, and not just because we’re leaving the forest.

  Cali turned and saw Voice hovering a ways back next to Tera. She walked to them, reaching her hands out to grasp Tera’s.

  “Thank you for your hospitality. We will keep our visit a secret. I’m sure you do not wish for others to trespass in your forest.”

  “That would be appreciated. Though I’ve enjoyed my time with you, I’m not ready to trust the world yet.”

  Cali squeezed Tera’s hands before following Angel.

  “Princess.”

  Cali looked back at Tera.

  “You will make a great queen.”

  It was the highest compliment Cali could’ve received. She inclined her head in a gesture of respect, and then walked towards Rokuhai.

  ❄❄❄

  Voice remained by Tera and waited until Cali was out of earshot. “Thank you for that. I am sure it meant more to her than you can ever know.”

  “I spoke only the truth.” Tera gazed after the retreating figures. “I would ask something of you. I know Angel dislikes me, and after you explained last night, I understand why. If one day she seems receptive, tell her that I am not the woman she thinks me. I hope someday she will not think so ill of me.”

  “If the time comes, I will tell her.”

  “Thank you.” Tera turned and vanished between the trunks of the massive oaks.

  Voice hesitated a moment, taking in the view, before gliding down into the valley. This was turning out to be an interesting journey. But they would have to be on their guard. To assume that Captain Kota was no longer a threat would be dangerous.