by A. Evermore
Asaph frowned, though no one was looking at him. He didn’t like the thought of wizards giving her attention, or any magic wielders for that matter - especially not male ones. She’d been through enough already and this just sounded like trouble.
Issa stared at the ground. ‘It was the Raven Queen and the dark moon, I couldn’t do it now.’
‘They do wonder if you really did overcome Keteth,’ Coronos said. ‘So you’d better tell them about it yourself. They are also all far better versed in the prophecies than I am. Perhaps they can help you understand this Raven Queen better.’
Issa darted a look at him. ‘I would like that. Sometimes I feel a mystery to myself,’ she said. Asaph felt she was a mystery to him too, an intriguing mystery he longed to learn more about.
‘Well, that brings me to another thing. It has not been decided yet, and it will probably end up in a vote, but it looks like they may invite you to undertake the Wizard’s Reckoning and enter the Storm Holt.’
‘Enter the Storm Holt?’ Issa almost jumped up.
‘Enter the Storm Holt?’ Asaph scowled. ‘You nearly died in there.’ He felt his face flush with anger. There was no way he could agree to this, and to his chagrin Issa was already excited by the prospect. Why did she always find danger? It was like she deliberately put herself in harm’s way. Did she care so little for herself, or how others felt if she got hurt?
‘She has no need to do anything of the sort just to prove her worth to a bunch of old men,’ he blurted. He couldn’t bear the thought of Issa going into the demon worlds, especially not without him.
‘Asaph,’ Coronos said reproachfully.
Asaph looked away embarrassed. Coronos went on. ‘It’s not up to you or me, but up to the Circle, and in the end the choice always remains with the invitee. Issa doesn’t have to do anything.’
Asaph caught Issa’s eye. ‘Don’t do this. It’s not worth it. We have other things to do. Coronos told me some of his experience in there, but it was so bad that he never told me the whole lot.’
‘Asaph, don’t worry so soon about me, touching though it is. I have to think about it at least,’ Issa soothed.
‘I knew you’d say that. You don’t need to think about it. Just say “no”,’ he advised, ‘I’m going for a piss.’ He stalked off, but he didn’t go so far as to not be able to hear their conversation.
‘He cares about you, that’s all. The decision is up to you, if they invite you of course, and it’s not a decision to be taken lightly,’ he heard Coronos say. ‘But what it has given us, everyone who has survived the Reckoning, is a greater understanding of ourselves, both the good and the bad. Thus you would be less of a “mystery to yourself,” as you put it. Some return with greater magical abilities, others come back with new gifts, such as the Daluni talent or the Sight. Others, such as Domenon, claim they live longer. Nevertheless, what didn’t kill us made us stronger. We have all come back stronger.’
Asaph shook his head as he listened. It was all so unnecessary. Why did she even think she needed to agree to other people’s tests? He just knew she would accept the invite if they asked her. First Keteth and now the Storm Holt. He didn’t understand. It seemed that she liked a challenge, no matter how dangerous it was. Sometimes it seemed like she wanted to die. He sighed. He could feel the anger in her, and the need for revenge, he had those feelings too. But he wondered if it made her do these crazy things, if somehow the need for revenge was taking over her reason.
He buttoned up his trousers and began to make his way back when movement caught his eye, something bright disappearing through the trees. He followed where it had gone for a few paces and then peered around the trunk of a large tree. He gasped.
Partially hidden in the trees not twenty yards ahead, was a woman of such beauty it took his breath away. She seemed made of white and silver light glimmering in the darkness as she half hid behind a tree. Her long platinum hair flowed over her shoulder, naked breast and down to her slender waist. He couldn’t stop his eyes travelling over the perfect curve of her hip and her long legs, graceful as a deer’s.
He felt his cheeks reddening, realising she was naked. His eyes travelled back to her angelic face, red lips and cool blue eyes. She seemed frail and vulnerable shying behind the trees. She smiled fearfully back at him. He went towards her, dazed by her innocence and beauty, and wanting to touch her to see if she was real. As he neared she became scared and disappeared behind the tree.
‘Don’t go,’ he called out, and ran towards her. When he got there she was gone. He whirled around looking for where she might have trodden, but there was no sign of her passing, not even with his experience in tracking. He blinked, feeling his captivated daze wearing off. She was so beautiful and pure, how could he not be dazed? Was she a fairy or woodsprite? Maybe she was his imagination. He sighed and turned back, feeling a headache coming on.
‘Did you see something?’ Issa said, and added when he frowned, ‘We thought you said something.’
Asaph shook his head. ‘No, it was just an owl, I think. Nothing to worry about. I’ve got a headache for some reason though. I think I’ll get some sleep.’
‘We should all sleep,’ Coronos yawned. ‘If we’re up early we might be able to reach Carvon tomorrow night.’
By the time Asaph lay down his head was positively pounding. He drifted into a lucid disturbed sleep filled with dreams of a beautiful pale woman driving his lust for her, and a white owl fleeing through the trees.
They were up early and left their small encampment as the first hint of light touched the skies. They’d all slept well and his headache had almost gone, though he still felt a bit dazed, as if his dreams hadn’t fully left his waking life.
They covered a lot of ground that day. It was easy to travel along the well-worn Old North Road as it led across gently undulating countryside filled with deciduous forests and a few farmers’ fields scattered here and there. He didn’t feel like talking much, content enough just to enjoy the ride. Coronos and Issa, however, chatted for hours about the wizards again and the Storm Holt.
Asaph only half listened, finding himself drifting inwards and focusing on his own thoughts. Thoughts that often turned towards a beautiful woman with platinum hair. He felt excited every time he thought of her, which was embarrassing. It worried him also - Issa was the only one he’d had eyes for. He tried his hardest to push thoughts of the woman to back of his mind. She probably wasn’t even real, she could have been a ghost. It was towards sunset that Asaph glimpsed the beautiful city of Carvon.
‘Is that it?’ he asked, marvelling at the majestic twin peaks of Castle Carvon as it stood upon the most elevated part of the city.
The city was on a high hill, and part of the hill had sunk a long time ago so that a long white cliff formed beneath the city. Subsequently the land they currently travelled upon was a few hundred feet lower than the land atop the cliff where the city was. A huge gushing waterfall tumbled over the cliff, along with many other smaller ones. It seemed strange to see a cliff here in the middle of the land where they had mostly seen rolling hills and forests.
Issa stared in awe. ‘It’s huge, and look at the size of that waterfall!’
‘Yes,’ Coronos said with a smile. ‘It is called the City of Rivers, for the number of rivers that flow through it - though there is really only one river, the Arin Flow, split into many rivulets. The castle itself is divided by the river and split into two parts, as you will soon see for yourself. It’s my favourite place after Draxa. Mind you we’ll not get to see much of it today, for though it looks near the distance is deceptive. We’ll be lucky to make it to the Lantern Road before full dark.’
Coronos was right, it seemed to take an age to close the distance between them and the city, and it was almost full dark by the time they reached the “Lantern Road” as Coronos called it. Indeed it was a lantern road. They rounded a copse of trees along with other late travellers barely lighting the way with their torches, only to see a double line o
f bright lanterns leading up the hill through the trees. Asaph blinked, his eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness.
‘It’s rather pretty,’ Issa said, and gave an approving nod.
‘They lead for a mile, all the way to the city gates,’ Coronos said.
‘They light all these lanterns for travellers?’ Asaph said. He’d not seen anything like it.
‘Yes,’ Coronos said. ‘They begin lighting them every evening at sundown. Carvon is a large city, the largest in the Known World actually, and trade is big business with people coming and going though the night. This is a city that never shuts its doors, and whose gates are guarded all through the night. They also call this road the “Mile of Light,” for it is a welcome sight to weary night travellers such as us.
Asaph nodded. ‘Will there be food? I’m starving.’ His belly had been rumbling for a good hour. To keep a good pace they’d not stopped and eaten nothing but dried fruit for dinner.
‘Me too,’ Issa said.
‘Oh yes,’ Coronos nodded vigorously. ‘You can expect a meal fit for a king at Castle Carvon. It’s tradition. The King and Queen of Carvon have always prided themselves on lavishly welcoming their guests, and I suspect nothing has changed since King Navarr took the throne.’
They made their way along the Mile of Light towards the City of Rivers, the light of the lanterns and the grandeur of the city seemed to energise Asaph’s weary body, and from the smiles on Coronos’ and Issa’s faces he could tell they felt the same.
Edarna first glimpsed the twin spires of the City of Rivers early in the afternoon.
‘Oooo look, there it is,’ she squealed. ‘I’ve not seen it for, er, well, a few years,’ she trailed off realising her age. She took in the glorious site of the city’s light grey walls shining in the sunlight, and set against a blue sky. The rich forest hugged the city and waterfalls cascaded down the cliff in front of it.
Naksu smiled. ‘It always was a particularly handsome city - my favourite, really. Although I don’t relish the thought of meeting the Oracle for some reason.’
‘You and me both,’ Edarna tutted, but nevertheless strode grinning along the winding road. She was more excited about the food she could find within its walls than the actual grandness of the city. No, I’m more excited about the amount of gold I can make selling dragon scales. She corrected herself and drummed the lid of her travel chest with a smile. There was no easy way to find a witch these days, not after the Derobing, but a city was filled with everything and all sorts, and she knew that if she asked the right questions she’d find someone who knew a witch. Or, if she managed to find herself a place to set up base, she could advertise around the city and bring the witches to her.
Naksu trotted to keep up with her, her mule following behind. Despite Edarna’s complaints of sore ankles, Naksu had refused to let the witch ride her mule. Edarna thought it rude to deny an old woman an easier mode of travel but the look in the seer’s eye had silenced her. Edarna hadn’t quite forgiven her.
‘What are you grinning about?’ Naksu asked suspiciously.
‘Oh nothing.’ Edarna turned her grin into a frown. ‘I was hoping to meet a fellow witch, maybe.’
‘Sounds like trouble,’ Naksu muttered. Edarna ignored her. ‘Where’s your cat anyway?’
‘Goddess knows.’ Edarna rolled her eyeballs. ‘He’s probably already waiting for us at the city’s front gate.’
Naksu nodded but didn’t seem convinced. ‘Don’t you worry about him?’
‘Not about him never. Ungrateful sod,’ Edarna said.
‘Oh,’ Naksu said in surprise. ‘I thought witches cared a lot for their familiars.’
‘It’s give and take,’ Edarna explained, and that was all she said on the matter as they made their way to the capital city of Carvon.
Chapter 27
Old Friends
‘WE are guests of King Navarr,’ Coronos said politely to the two guards at the gate. ‘Please tell him Coronos Dragon Rider and his party have arrived, he is expecting us.’
One of the guards looked at them wide-eyed, bowed to Coronos and scuttled off through a small door to the left of the main gate.
‘Probably the mention of “Dragon Rider,” ’ Coronos winked back at them.
Moments later the guard scuttled back. ‘He says to take you to the West Gate where it’s quieter and closer to your rooms.’
Coronos nodded, and the guard scuttled up a small track leading them a hundred yards or so to the West Gate. The gate was closed and unguarded apart from the guards walking the ramparts.
‘Thank you, sir,’ Coronos said, and bowed slightly to the guard. The guard unlocked and opened a smaller wooden door within the gate, and let them through. He gave a sharp nod and stood to attention as they entered.
Asaph glanced back into the darkness of the forest. He was reluctant to leave the trees and enter the closed off world of a city. He realised he’d hoped to catch one last glimpse of the pale woman, a realisation that concerned him. He turned away from the forest as the door shut.
Inside the city walls the streets were brightly lit with lanterns, the smooth cobbles gleamed orange in their light. A nearby tavern had its doors open and a barman was trying to eject the last of its drunken patrons for the night. The thought of a drink seemed really appealing to Asaph, perhaps it would help clear his brain fog or at least help him relax. He felt strangely wired, but befuddled at the same time.
‘King Navarr,’ Coronos said, immediately catching his attention. He hadn’t noticed the man that had stepped out of the doorway to their right. He glanced over at Issa, she hadn’t noticed him either.
‘How good it is to see you in the comfort of your home.’ Coronos bowed. Issa and Asaph looked at each other, then copied Coronos, bowing awkwardly in their saddles.
‘I would never have expected the King himself to greet us out on the streets, and especially not this close to midnight,’ Coronos said, smiling as he dismounted. Three stable boys came running over to take their horses. Duskar immediately flicked his head as a boy approached. Both the horse and boy stepped back from each other.
‘Duskar, easy, it’s all right. You get to sleep in a nice stable tonight,’ Issa said, patting his neck. She dismounted. ‘He’s a bit wary of anyone else other than me, he’s had a troubled past,’ she said by way of apology.
‘Haven’t we all,’ Navarr retorted.
Everyone laughed. Asaph found himself relaxing under the king’s humorous smiles.
‘Perhaps I’d better take him to the stables myself,’ Issa suggested when Duskar continued to eyeball the boy.
‘As you wish. Let’s all go, we can chat on the way, and the stables are just around the corner,’ Navarr said.
The stable boys led the way. Asaph turned his attention to the King. The man caught his eye and Asaph dropped his gaze feeling nervous, but not before he caught a glimmer of respect there. He wondered at it.
I might have been a king, once. But that reality was as far away as liberating Drax. His heritage of a kingdom and the life he might have led was for someone far grander than he. Coronos and Navarr talked about their journey as they entered the castle through a rather unremarkable wooden side door Asaph was unable to concentrate on what they were saying. Instead he found himself drifting in his own world again.
They arrived within Castle Carvon too late to wash and change clothes before eating, and risk waking everyone up, so Navarr had the night kitchen staff set up a table in a smaller room on the ground floor. Only half an hour could have passed since they’d stabled their horses and been shown their rooms, to when they arrived in the dinning room. When they arrived the fire was already ablaze, and the eight-person table had so much laid out on it that not an inch of the tabletop could be seen.
Asaph lunged for the bread, freshly warmed in the oven, and took a hunk of cheese, a brimming bowl of yellow sweet-smelling soup, and two handfuls of grapes.
‘Hungry?’ Issa asked lightly.
‘Mmp
h,’ he mumbled through a mouth stuffed with food. For some reason he was famished and he began to wonder if he was fighting off a cold. Food, a few glasses of wine, and a decent bed would see him right again, he was sure of it. Coronos and Navarr were deep in conversation about the old king, and what had changed in the Known World since he had died.
Issa took her own bread, soup and glass of red wine and sat down beside him with a sigh. She smiled at him, and for one horrifying moment he felt he had to force a smile back. She looked pretty in the firelight, if a little tired from travel, but now he thought about it, she was not as beautiful as the pale ghost woman he had seen. He felt disturbed by the thought. Issa, to him, had always been the most beautiful women he’d ever seen, so how could that have change? Her smile wavered, as if she sensed his uneasy thoughts.
‘Asaph what’s wrong? You’ve been quiet since Coronos returned,’ she sipped her wine. It had already brought colour into her cheeks in a way he used to find attractive.
‘I’m fine,’ he began defensively, surprising himself. ‘Well, I have a headache, but food is helping. I think I might be coming down with a cold.’
She smiled and relaxed. ‘I thought you were cross with me about deciding to enter the Storm Holt.’
‘You haven’t decided yet have you?’ He suddenly felt cross again. Coronos and Navarr paused their conversation to glance at him. He must have raised his voice. Perhaps tiredness was getting the better of him.
‘Well, not exactly, but I’ve been thinking about it,’ she replied.
‘Well, it’s up to you,’ Asaph said more softly, and the other men continued with their conversation.
‘Ahh, there you are.’ A voice Asaph didn’t know spoke, breaking off what he had been about to say.
‘Freydel,’ Issa gasped and jumped up to meet the man standing in the doorway.
He embraced her like a daughter, and then came to join them at the table. He had a neat trimmed beard and warm hazel eyes. He looked younger than Coronos but older than Navarr. Asaph immediately sensed a powerful magic wielder and his dragon self stirred in response to it. Freydel greeted them all, but refused food, saying he’d already eaten with King Navarr. Instead he filled a glass full with red wine. His smiling gaze rested on Asaph.