Quest: The Clans of Arcadia

by Arwen Chandler

  She pulled her arm away and scooted over. “What do you mean? We have to try. They’re going to kill somebody. Are you Lorna’s chosen or not?”

  Aslaug cast her sideways glance. “Lilia, if you interfere they will offer you to the people of the water. Let it be.”

  A tear slid down her face. “How can we be champion of a people, and let those same people die so cruelly?”

  Ian looked up from his boots. “At least if he is going to die, he’ll die happy.”

  Karn chuckled, picked up a rock and tossed it back into the dirt.

  Lilia shook her head and wrinkled her nose. “You are both insufferable. Good night.” She jumped to her feet and rushed down the narrow trail to the treehouse the faeries had provided.

  Karn watched her go, then took a drink of the faerie concoction. “You suppose she’ll get over this?”

  Ian watched Karn for a moment. “Lilia? No. No way.” He turned his attention back to the faeries dancing around the fire. Neelie caught his eye and waved. “Looks like I’m dancing. Want to give it a try?”

  Karn chewed on his lips for a minute. “Yes, I think I do.”

  The bright orange sun sent shards of light through the trees and into the faerie’s encampment. Karn opened his eyes and glanced around. Lilia was not there. He quickly dressed and rushed down the steps of the treehouse, searching for her.

  Neelie met him along the walkway. “Karn, we must discuss Lilia.”

  “You’ve seen her?”

  Neelie nodded. Her pink curls bobbed gently. “Yes, she is a prisoner of Aerwyna.”

  Anger flashed in Karn’s eyes. “Prisoner? Why? Take me to her.”

  Neelie started up the walk. “Follow me. Queen Aerwyna will explain.” She flitted at a fast pace, and Karn jogged to keep up with her. She stopped in front of a ladder leading up to a round tree hut. “The Queen is in there.”

  Karn started up the ladder, and Neelie tugged on his shirt. “Karn, be careful, and don’t interrupt her when she speaks.”

  Karn nodded and climbed up onto the deck that circled the building. He stopped in front of a heavy circular door where two female guards stood on each side. “I’ve come to see Aerwyna.”

  The one closest to the door blocked his way. “No one sees Aerwyna without a summoning.”

  Karn glared at her. “I have been summoned.”

  The other guard, who looked very much like the faerie who had danced with Ian the night before, stepped up shoulder to shoulder with the other one. “We’ve heard no such thing.”

  Karn growled. “I will go in.” He took a step forward, but the guards held their ground.

  “You will not win this battle, human.”

  Neelie’s voice floated over his shoulder. “Floralee, Amorania, let the man through. Aerwyna did, in fact, summon him.”

  The women stepped aside, and Neelie pushed through the door. Karn followed her.

  Queen Aerwyna sat on an intricately carved throne, that bore a striking resemblance to a rafflesia flower. Four red spotted petals splayed outward, while the other curved upward forming the low chairback. The center of the throne held a red and yellow cushion.

  Aerwyna’s wings were open behind her, and she looked both beautiful and terrifying. She wore a skin-tight black cut-away dress and a dragon talon necklace.

  Karn swallowed. He waited for the queen to speak.

  She scanned his body with her eyes and lingered on his face before she spoke. “Human. I invited you into my kingdom. I welcomed you into our celebrations.” Her voice crescendoed, “and you repay me by sending your spy into our gathering, and freeing our sacrifice?”

  Karn frowned. “Your majesty, I’ve no knowledge of your accusations.”

  Aerwyna leaned forward. “Do you deny your dragon brought your woman to the mainland last night?”

  Karn shrugged. “I cannot deny or confirm. As far as I know, Lilia and Aslaug slept through the night.”

  Aerwyna stood. “They did not. Your woman convinced Neelie to let her attend the fertility ritual last night.” She shot a look at Neelie, and Neelie looked at the floor.

  “She flew your dragon to the mainland and followed us to the Asrai. When we released our gift to the water people, Aslaug swooped down and retrieved him in her talons!” Aerwyna shouted. “We had no sacrifice for our festival!”

  Karn bit his lips, but the laughter escaped like a snort.

  Her eyes flashed. “And you think it funny, Karn?”

  He grinned. “Well, yes I do.”

  Aerwyna flew down beside him, her face inches from his. “They must be punished.”

  Karn shook his head, resting his hand on the staff at his waist. “I will talk to them both, but you will not punish Lorna’s chosen, and make no mistake they have been chosen.”

  Aerwyna took a step back, unfurling her wings, her expression fierce. “You would stand up to me, Queen of the fae?”

  Karn took a step forward. “I have been chosen by Lorna to protect Arcadia. That includes man, fae, dragons, all creatures, but I will not hesitate to strike you down if you harm Lilia or Aslaug.”

  She squinted. “Then why did you not accompany your woman and dragon to free our prisoner?” She crossed her arms, “If you take your charge so seriously, are not all humans worthy of your protection?”

  Karn studied his feet for a long minute, then looked up. “My queen, I am the chosen, and I believe the sacrifice of any life is morally wrong, but I believed that I could not interfere with your traditions, no matter how distasteful I find them.” He met her gaze. “You have sheltered us. You have welcomed us into your home to learn of your ways, and for that I am thankful. Yet, I was wrong not to speak to you, to plea for the life of the innocent.”

  Aerwyna stuck out her chin, pressing her lips together.

  “I am ashamed.” The flame danced in Karn’s eyes. “However, I am proud that Lilia and Aslaug freed your sacrifice. They acted when I did not.”

  Aerwyna slid up beside him, and a smile flashed in her eyes. “You, Karn, are true of heart, even if reluctant.” She shook her head, “You must learn to follow your instincts. If it is wrong, it is wrong. Do not let fear hold you back. These trials are but tests, but there will be days in the future, where your voice is all that stands between lasting peace and total destruction.”

  He knit his brows, confusion filling his eyes.

  Aerwyna waved her hand at Neelie, and she disappeared from the room. She lightly touched the tattoo on Karn’s upper arm and sighed. “It was a ruse. I wanted to see how you would react. I needed to know if you respected all life and their traditions, or only that of the human.” She traced the outline of the dragon tattoo with her long finger.

  “On the one hand, you allowed us to offer a sacrifice of your own kind against your beliefs, but on the other, you stood up to a queen when you believed your dragon and woman were in danger.”

  She put her hands on her hips. “I must admit you puzzle me, Karn. I had hoped you would’ve been the one to speak to me.” She paused. “Still, you’ve chosen well in a traveling companion and mate. Listen to her. She is wise.”

  Karn stared off into the distance.

  Aerwyna lifted her hands into the air, palms up. “What am I to do with you? You have both failed and passed my test.” She walked around him. She lightly touched his face, gazing into his eyes, searching his thoughts and memories, and sighed.

  “Despite your obvious shortcomings, I’m satisfied that you will champion us all.” She leaned in and kissed his neck, carefully biting with her sharp teeth, and his blood dripped from the shallow wounds. She inhaled his scent, placing her hand on his chest. “You bare the name loch-rognaif well.”

  Karn shivered beneath her touch but stood still. “Where are my companions?”

  Aerwyna smiled, looking at Karn through half-closed lids. They were as dark as the abyss, and Karn felt as though she could see into his soul.

  “They are safe, and will be returned to you shortly, but first.” She pau
sed, running her hand along his shoulders. “You passed the test of the water dragon, or you would not have found us.” She traced the sign of the waning moon on his upper arm. Then glanced at the gold chain that hung around his neck. “I see that you wear, Morgan’s gift.”

  Karn touched the chain. “Morgan?”

  Aerwyna laughed. “You challenged the dragon, and didn’t ask his name?”

  Karn shrugged. “It never occurred to me.”

  She shook her head. “Names are important, Karn. Learn them, then keep them in your heart.” She pressed her lips together. “His name is Morgan, and he is as old as Arcadia itself.”

  Aerwyna stepped back.

  Karn nodded. ”I shall remember, my queen.”

  She searched his face. “I believe you will.” Aerwyna paused, “before I tell you where your final trial is, there is a riddle you must answer.”

  Karn sighed. “You dragons love riddles, don’t you?”

  Aerwyna laughed. “Yes, even dragon faeries love their riddles. Answer correctly, and you will get your next destination. Answer wrong, and perhaps the Asrai will find a new man to give them children.”

  He swallowed. “Well, let me have it, dragon.”

  Aerwyna flew back to her throne, and sat down, crossing her legs. “Answer me this, Loch-rognaif. Ruled by heavens lesser light, when I roar you cower in fright.

  Still, I’m like a looking glass, a rolling thunder below the mast.” A seductive smile formed on her lips, and her eyes flashed with laughter.

  Karn glanced at his hands, as he ran her words through his mind. “Well, heavens lesser light are the stars.” He paused. “No. No, it is the moon.” He scratched his chin. “It roars and is ruled by the moon. Still, like a looking glass, rolling thunder below the mast. The mast a boat.” A smile formed on his lips. “Queen Aerwyna, I have an answer. It is the ocean.”

  “Well done.” She flew back to his side, and lightly touched his forehead with a long finger. “I will pass my knowledge to you. With it, you will know how to train my kind, and how to harness the flame to unite together.” A bright light flashed as she formed the link between them.

  Karn closed his eyes, as Aerwyna’s memories flooded his thoughts.

  Aerwyna ended the connection and took a step back, before touching the waning moon tattoo on his arm. His flesh burned beneath her touch, and the full moon symbol appeared beside it.

  Karn’s mind felt as though he had overdosed on mayflower leaf, and his legs shook. He waited for the feeling to pass before speaking, then asked, “Where do I find the first dragon?”

  Aerwyna grinned. “Avila lives with my near kin on the mount of Elindrel. It is the last mountain before the sea, but before you go, I have a gift.”

  Karn knit his brows. “A gift?”

  Aerwyna smiled. “Yes,” she withdrew a dragon’s talon from her necklace. One end was tapered, the other spiraled around itself.” She laughed. “This will hurt, Loch-rognaif.”

  She ran her sharp nail through his left earlobe, then pressed the talon through the hole.

  Pain radiated from his ear and shot into his head. He doubled over until the nausea past. He gently touched his earlobe as he stood up.

  Aerwyna leaned into him and licked the blood that trickled from his ear. The wound tingled. “It will heal now, with no adverse reactions.”

  The pain flickered, subsided, then vanished.

  “It is no small token that I’ve given you. That talon belonged to my mother, and her mother before. It contains a spark of magic from the first dragon faeries.” Aewryna sighed. “Let my wisdom guide you, and always remember what you’ve learned here.”

  Karn nodded. “I will, and thank you, Queen Aerwyna.”

  “Go with peace, Loch-rognaif” She snapped her fingers and Karn, Lilia, Ian, and Aslaug were transported to the base of the mountain Elindrel.

  Chapter Eleven

  AWAKEN

  Lucca paced back and forth as Melania mixed tulsi root, astragalus leaves, ashwagandha root, and relere flowers into a mortar. She pressed the pestle into the ingredients and rubbed them against the bowl until a thick paste formed. “Elder, steep this in hot water for fifteen minutes to make a strong tea.”

  Lucca clicked his tongue, “And then?”

  “Soak a cloth in it and place the cloth on her head. Make sure it stays there until she wakes.” Melania’s face drooped. “Elder.” She paused.

  He gently squeezed her arm, and took the medicine from Melania and added a small amount into a boiling kettle of water. “Do you think this will work?”

  Sorrow filled Melania’s eyes. “I’m uncertain, but I believe we’ve gotten it right this time.”

  Lucca sighed. “I hope so. She needs to wake up and help me find Annielie.” He hung his head. “Ian is going to be furious.”

  Melania rested her weathered hand on his forearm. “We will find her, Elder, and we will wake the goddess. It just may take more time. Be patient.” The old woman smiled, and her brown eyes seemed to penetrate into his skin.

  “Thank you, Melania. Your help has been paramount.”

  “Happy to be of service, dear. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

  Lucca nodded and watched her leave the room.

  Lucca placed the wet cloth on Lilia’s forehead and prayed. She’d slept for weeks, without stirring, and he was becoming desperate.

  He leaned back in the rocking chair beside her bed and waited. His mind drifted off to the acolyte Cantwell and his strange visitor, Sig. He hated himself for not seeing them as they were and putting Cantwell in charge of Annielie’s safety. He’d seemed so devoted to the Dragoni and had passed every rite he’d performed.

  Lucca frowned and started to drift off into fitful dreams when he heard a slight moan. He opened his eyes and searched Lorna’s face. There was definite movement. Her eyes were fluttering beneath her closed eyelids. He caressed her raven hair. “My lady, return to me.”

  Her breathing became labored, and Lucca adjusted the pillows beneath her head. The movement in her eyes slowed, and her breathing returned to normal. He sighed, adjusted the cloth on her forehead and turned to leave. He opened the door, and it creaked; above the noise, he heard her call to him, and he looked back.

  Chapter Twelve

  SCRYING

  Annielie crossed her hands above her stomach, resting her arms on her belly. She stared out the tower window, watching the dark clouds roll by. Stonemasons worked tirelessly building the outer walls around the castle and had almost finished their construction.

  Just beyond their border, the Braiden river swiftly flowed, its banks near to overflowing from the recent storm. She watched a branch bob up and down in the current and wished again she was back at the dragon’s keep. Her eyes were bloodshot, and heavy with dark circles, but the tears had dried up weeks ago; however, the pain in her chest was still raw. There was a knock at her door, and she turned. “Enter.”

  Jadea carried a brass tray full of fruits and breads in one hand, and a tea kettle in the other. “You need to eat something, my lady. Master Fridtjof said for you to keep up your strength. We don’t want you ill.” She set the tray on a corner table and pulled out a chair. “Please, have a seat.”

  Annielie obeyed, and Jadea placed a napkin on her lap, accidentally touching her round belly. The baby kicked her hand, and she drew it away, smiling. “He’s a strong one, isn’t he?”

  Annielie rubbed her stomach. “He is.”

  Jadea poured the tea into a hammered brass cup. “Strong like his father, I’m sure. Tiernan was always strong, and a handful if I remember right.” Deep lines formed around her eyes as she smiled.

  Annielie scowled, and her voice shook. “How dare you speak his name? You serve the man that murdered him!”

  Jadea bowed her head. “My apologies, my lady.” She paused. “It’s just that I worked in the castle while he was growing up. He’s always had a special place in my heart.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “I sorely miss him.”
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br />   Annielie grimaced and touched her hand. “I’m sorry, Jadea. I sometimes forget that others are grieving, too. Even here.”

  Jadea nodded. “Especially here, my lady. This is his clan, and yours. You all are special to us.” She glanced out the open window. “Even Lilia.”

  Jadea handed her the teacup, and Annielie sipped the amber liquid. “What is this? It’s good.” She set the cup on the table and rested her hands beside it.

  Jadea grinned. “It’s my own special blend of licorice root and chamomile. It’ll help stimulate childbirth and help you relax. I know your time’s approaching, and I hope to ease it.” She patted Annielie’s hand. “Now, I have to see to Master Fridtjof. He should be done with his breakfast now. Eat up, my dear.” Jadea curtsied and left the room, closing the door behind her.

  Annielie buttered a piece of bread and added a large helping of fig preserves. She took a big bite and smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had the pleasures of home.”

  A voice broke the silence behind her, and she jumped nearly knocking over her teacup. “And, are you home now?” Fridtjof’s lips curled into a smile, as he approached the table. The sun poked its head out from behind a cloud and poured in through the window. His read hair looked like spun copper in the sunlight.

  Annielie set her bread back onto its plate and looked away. “I have nothing to say to you, cousin.”

  Fridtjof pulled a chair away from the table and sat down. “Nothing. Nothing at all?” His green eyes danced with mischief.

  Annielie reddened and pursed her lips. “Perhaps I do.” Her voice was thick with anger, as she leaned across the table shouting. “How could you betray Tiernan? He is family. He is our family, Fridtjof!”

  Fridtjof buttered a piece of bread and took a bite, crumbs fell onto his tunic, and he brushed them away. He watched Annielie as he chewed, but didn’t answer.

  She scrunched her face. “And what’s more,” she shook her finger at him, “how could you steal the throne? It belonged to Tiernan. What gives you the right?” She crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her chin.