Return of the Crown

by Millie Burns

  Grunting, Rowan leaned his weight into the raft, shoving it across the sand. It splashed into the surf, the spray dancing across her cheeks. Tossing her shoulders back, she grabbed the pole, pushing away from safety and security into the great fearful unknown.

  When the raft crossed the rocky reef, she set the pole down. She unfolded the sail, clipping it to the rope swinging from the mast. The sail snapped taut, filling with the light breeze as she tied the last knot off. She stared at the island, the sun slinking below the horizon painting the skies in glorious red hues. Rowan stood in the surf waving, his heart flowing away from him as the wind swept her out to sea. The island shrank to a speck then winked out disappearing from the horizon.

  Alone. She felt utterly alone. A little chill ran across her skin causing the hair on her arms to stand wildly erect. She hugged herself, sniffling.

  She ran a sleeve across her eyes, dabbing at the runaway tears. Her parents weren’t dead. Connor would teach her to manipulate the Light. And, Blade was coming to help her. No, she was not alone.

  The bright pink sky faded to dusky purple. Eventually all color dulled into a deepening blue. She relaxed as the warm tropical air caressed her skin. She lay on her back, head in her hands, marveling at the heavens above. Stars covered the sky in a twinkling blanket. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep.

  High in a tower at the Castle of Veris, the Empress Zelera watched the raft journey out to sea. Her fingers drummed rhythmically against the sides of the scrying bowl, her nails clicking against the bowl ever faster. Thoughts raced through her wicked mind. What was the best way to kill her niece?

  She released the bowl and turned to the long dressing mirror. “Lareina, Bryant, how do you fare this evening?” She cocked her head as if waiting for a reply.

  “I’m so glad you asked,” she crooned to the mirror, “I am ever so excited. I will take care of that brat Ravyn soon. I’m still working out the details.”

  She caressed the frame. “Why do I hate you? Why do I hate you? You really have to ask that?” She stared in the depths of the mirror where Lareina and Bryant floated oblivious to anything or anyone. “There are so many reasons to hate you. Let’s see, you stole the man I loved away from me.”

  She traced a finger along the image of Bryant’s cheek. “What’s that, I didn’t love him you say? Well, that’s true, but I might’ve grown to love him. That’s really a moot point. I should be the ruler, not you. Because you charmed that oaf over to you, I lost my right to rule the throne.”

  She glared at the blonde face hovering beneath the glass, “And I lost my mother because of you. She died giving birth to you. You took her from me. And father, he never gave me the time of day after you came along. It was always about sweet little Lareina. Well, not anymore sister. It’s about me, the way it always should have been.”

  “Well now, I’d better get back to work. I do have to give you credit for your last spell, Lareina. I have been looking for a weak spot all morning, and I can’t find one. You wove a very tight protective spell. I may not be able to harm her directly from this distance with my magic, but there’s more than one way to skin a cat. I just have to figure out the best way.”

  Zelera looked out the window. A soft cloud glided across the moon’s face. “I could send a storm: waves crashing, rain splattering, lightning arcing across the skies.” She sneered at Lareina’s image, then her smile faltered. “You are of course correct. Storm’s are fickle, and your brat might weather through it. That elven raft looks sturdy. No, that’s not the way to take care of this. However, that gives me an idea about the elves. I could use a few elves around here. They have so many useful talents; I’ll have to look into acquiring some.” Zelera’s eyes drifted back to the window and the sea in the distance.

  She smirked, chuckling softly to herself. She crossed the room to her wardrobe. Grabbing her velvet cloak from the cabinet, she tossed it around her shoulders. As she headed toward the door, she stopped short, looking into the mirror once more. “I’ll say goodbye to Ravyn for you,” she hissed.

  She flung open her doors; the drowsy knights standing guard clanked to attention. She glared at them as she swept down the stairs, and her entourage of dark knights clattered close behind. The servants of the castle scurried away like rats as she strode through the hallways. The grand front doors slammed wide open as she headed out the front of the castle.

  The royal carriage sat waiting, painted ebony with the emblem of a blood red rose encased in a crown of prickly thorns. The coachman ushered her up the steps, closing the door behind her. The horses began clipping along the cobbled courtyard and out into the city. The streets were dark and silent as a tomb. Only thieves, drunkards, and other unsavory characters lingered in the streets after dusk. She could hear the knights rattling armor as they trotted behind the coach. It wasn’t necessary for them to wear full armor, but she did so enjoy the discomfort of others. The coach halted at the harbor, the knights clanging to a stop.

  The coachman held up a hand to help her dismount the carriage steps; she looked down her nose at him. Sauntering regally to the end of the pier, she threw her arms up, chanting an archaic spell of summoning. A large dorsal fin broke the surface, and a sinister shark circled beneath the pier.

  She chanted arcane words while envisioning row upon row of iron teeth, wickedly sharp. She swathed it in darkness stretching its natural form. It lengthened to forty feet, and its girth filled out proportionally. Its sides erupted with razor sharp projections, and she tinted its eyes the crimson of freshly spilled blood. She drove an image of Ravyn on the raft deep into the creature’s brain. Zelera threw her dark head back, and maniacal laughter echoed over the sea as she sent it on its deadly mission.

  Inhaling the salty sea air, she spun about striding back to the coach. She flounced up the steps, sitting primly on the cushions. Once the doors of the coach fastened tightly and she was alone, she let exhaustion claim her. Heavy eyelids drooped and she sagged into the cushions. Throbbing erupted along her temples as the darkness demanded retribution for a job well done.

  A steady breeze pushed the raft onward towards its destination many miles to the southeast. Ravyn slept peacefully through the night, but before the sun peeked over the horizon, a familiar dream surfaced. Ominous black clouds filled the sky, Zelera’s mocking face loomed above, and her parents disappeared from the deck of a splintering ship into the menacing blackness. She woke chilled, the breeze cooling the sweat beaded across her back and neck.

  She popped the cork of a gourd and gulped the cool water, wrapping Rowan’s fine cloak about her. A small school of dolphin frolicked beside the boat. They cheered her up with their silly antics. She clapped her hands as they leaped in high arcs, splashing down and spraying water into the raft. She trailed her hand in the water and was excited when a dolphin brushed against it. The dolphin seemed thrilled to have an audience, performing amazing acrobatic feats. She watched them until hunger gnawed at her belly. She dug into the provisions, pulling out fruit and biscuits.

  The day wore on with steady progress to the East. The steady breeze filled the sail, and Ravyn rejoiced in the warm sunny day. After another dip into the food bags, she pulled out her scrying bowl. Connor could tell her if she was on course.

  She filled the bowl with seawater. She took a deep breath to center herself and locate the magic welling deep within. The dolphins continued to splash and play, and she found herself easily distracted. Ravyn sighed and closed her eyes. Pushing her aural self ahead of the raft and out beyond the seas, she crossed the land, seeking out the green-gold aural thread she knew to be Connor. She spied it and grasped it, as the scent of pine washed over her.

  A sweet scent overcame Connor. He felt the indigo aural thread tugging at his consciousness while weeding in his garden. ‘Ah, there you are. Are you ready to get under way?’

  ‘I’m already near a full day of sailing. How long until I reach Aigerach?’

  ‘As long as the winds favor you, I�
��d expect a day or two more. Let me follow your aural trail back to you.’ He followed her thread out past the fields, villages, and mountains out to the sea. The thread dropped rapidly to a little raft cruising toward the northernmost tip of Aigerach. ‘Hopefully the wind will blow you a bit more southerly. For now, I will do nothing to aid its course. I will track you and assist the wind if necessary. I’d rather not employ magic that may alert Zelera to us, if I can avoid it.’

  ‘Is Blade there yet?’ Ravyn asked hopefully.

  Connor’s face was grim. ‘He has yet to arrive. I expected him three days ago. Fret not, there is more difficulty traveling abroad recently. I am sure he’s just had to avoid Zelera’s forces. I will contact you when he arrives.’

  ‘I can scarcely wait to see you both. When will it be safe to attempt magic?’

  ‘Avoid its use unless it is a life or death situation. Something is happening at the castle; Zelera has been in the towers a great deal of time. She is likely searching for you. For now, scrying is all the magic I want you using. Was it easier for you to contact me this time?’

  ‘Well, I had to find the right state of mind, but finding your aural thread was easy. I don’t feel nearly as stretched this time. Though, come to think of it, I am getting a bit hungry.’

  ‘I will disconnect the thread this time, you get a bite to eat, and pray to the Light the winds persist.’

  Ravyn scented and felt Connor one moment, and then he gently vanished into the breeze, the scent of pine replaced with the briny sea air. She was alone once more. She relaxed against a crate, digging out some cheese and fruit. She sighed, playing out memories of Rowan and life on the island to keep the loneliness at bay.

  The next day passed slowly; the breeze filled the sails and the raft made steady progress, but the scenery never changed. The dolphin pod stayed near the raft, playing in the wake it created. Delighted by her touch, they took turns swimming near the side of the raft eager for caresses. She loved the dolphins’ attention, but it wasn’t enough to keep the day from dragging by.

  As the sun slunk below the horizon, her heart sank as well. Connor hadn’t contacted her about Blade. Memories of her friend swam into view. What would he look like now? Was he tall or short? Fat or thin? She ate though she wasn’t hungry, pulling the cloak tight around her, trying to find elusive peace. Anxious thoughts flitted about, and it felt as though sleep would never come.

  Chapter 5

  As glorious pinks spread across the sky heralding the dawn, Ravyn yawned and stretched, spying land in the distance. The breeze died away overnight, leaving the raft to bob aimlessly. She placed some provisions, her cloak, and the scrying bowl into her pack. She glared at the limp sail, while unstrapping the oars with a heavy sigh. Fitting the oars into the channels at the front of the raft, she rowed toward land. Stroke, stroke, stroke. She lost herself in a rhythmic cadence.

  Without warning, a gaping maw erupted from the water as sharp teeth snapped an oar in two. Ravyn shrieked falling back, the oars ripped from her grasp. The raft lurched as the shark rammed it, rocking it wildly from side to side. Its heavy tail slapped hard against the logs. It disappeared beneath the sea, and Ravyn staggered to her feet, scanning about for signs of the creature. A menacing fin sliced through the water, gathering speed as it neared the raft. Ravyn lurched to the mast, clutching it for dear life.

  The creature slammed into the raft, sending the whole vessel teetering on its side. Ravyn’s feet slipped out from beneath her, and she felt herself dangling like bait on a hook. Supplies flew in all directions, and Ravyn’s pack sailed through the air. Clinging to the mast with one hand, she snapped her other hand out snagging the strap of the pack. The raft hung crazily on its side for an instant before crashing back onto the water.

  Ravyn looked into the beast’s blood red eyes as it circled for another attack. It snapped its jaws, sharp teeth glinting in the early morning rays, as if it were savoring her fear. This was a life or death situation, time for magic. She shivered, goose bumps popping up along her arms. Panic gripped her in freezing hands, numbing her ability.

  The shark gained momentum as it sped toward the raft once more. She tightened her grip on the mast, knuckles whitening as the shark closed the gap. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from death speeding toward her. She was so mesmerized by those crimson eyes that thoughts of fighting back slipped away before she could grasp them.

  Dolphins burst out of the water, slamming repeatedly into the sides of the great beast. The water churned as they attacked in a concerted effort. The shark rammed into the raft, knocking it hard once more. Ravyn’s head slammed into the mast, and stars began dancing before her eyes. She blinked several times, willing her vision to clear.

  Ravyn could hear the gnashing of sharp teeth, of wood splintering, and frantic splashing. Slivers of wood flew through the air, stinging her cheek. The raft lurched wildly, and Ravyn turned to the fray. The dolphins hurled their bodies at the horrific creature. The water roiled crimson with the blood of shark and dolphin alike. The creature was losing blood and strength, but it continued its obsessive attack on the raft. Ravyn watched as a bull dolphin arced high out of the air, landing square across the shark’s back with a resounding crack.

  The shark slipped beneath the waves. Ravyn cast about, looking for signs of the menacing fin. The dolphin swam beside the raft, turning on their sides to look up at her. The bull dolphin clicked and chirruped at her, before leaping high into the air to perform a somersault. All play once more.

  Ravyn examined the raft, surprised it was still afloat. Ropes lay shredded and torn, chunks of Balsa wood bobbed alongside the raft, like so much flotsam and jetsam. All her provisions were floating away, except for the pack still dangling from her arm. She could see land on the horizon, though it seemed impossibly far away.

  She unclenched her fingers, wincing as the blood flowed back into the tissue. She sank to her knees, looking about for a paddle. She felt forward movement, and saw the water parting for the raft. She looked over her shoulder to see dolphins nudging the ailing vessel towards shore. Ravyn cried out in joy, tears of happiness wetting her cheeks. A bull dolphin swam to the side of the raft, rolling on his back exposing his belly. Ravyn reached out and caressed him.

  “Thank you so much for your help. I’d be lost without you. I know you don’t understand what I’m saying, but thank you so very much.”

  The dolphins took turns pushing the boat toward land and coming to the side for her gentle touch. She silently said a prayer of thanks to the Light for the intelligent creatures of the ocean.

  The raft glided into a shallow turquoise bay. Ravyn could see colorful fish darting about the coral that dotted the bottom. She unlashed the pole that had somehow survived the attack, and started prodding the craft the last stretch toward land. The dolphins jumped high in the air spinning corkscrews and flipping nose over tail before heading out to sea. Ravyn waved goodbye to her guardians, then finished poling the raft to the sandy shore. She leaped into the water, hauling the battered raft onto the sand. Something bumped her leg, and she looked down to see half an oar bobbing in the surf. She began salvaging lost provisions as the tide bore them to the beach.

  A crazed shriek sundered the air in Veris. Castle servants scrambled to find a hiding place. Zelera was very angry. Zelera’s maid scurried to the kitchens to procure some of the herbal tea that seemed to help calm her mistress’ nerves. Perhaps if the tea was ready before it was asked for, there wouldn’t be a punishment. Or at least it wouldn’t be severe.

  Zelera had been locked in her cold dark tower the entire morning. She’d been watching Ravyn in her scrying bowl, brimming with glee as her monster closed in on Ravyn. Her nightmares would finally end. Rage and astonishment filled her black soul as the dolphins saved Ravyn from a bloody end. Sharp fingernails raked across the black marble worktable as her scream of frustration erupted. She watched the lifeless shark slip beneath the frothy bloody sea.

  She railed wildly around the room, kno
cking over chairs and vases, flinging everything in her path at the stony walls. She slashed the centuries-old tapestry, shredding the ancient fibers in a frenzied dance of madness.

  She slowly gathered her wits, rubbing her temples to ease the throbbing. This was an unfortunate setback. Nothing more. She settled bony fingers on the scrying bowl and looked into the depths of the water. A low growling laugh broke free, building into a wild crescendo that rumbled throughout the room. Ravyn had not landed on the mainland of Aigerach; she was on Draconis Island.

  Surveying the remains of the small raft, Ravyn felt lucky to be alive. The ropes lay shredded and tattered, holding the raft together by a miracle. Ravyn ran her hands over a huge bite mark where the shark had gouged through the logs. She got down on her hands and knees in the damp sand, the water licking at her toes, and shoved the raft higher up the sand. She grunted, inching it forward. Gulping great breaths, she pushed with all her might until it wouldn’t budge any further.

  She plopped down on the warm sand, drawing her knees to her chest, laying her head on her knees. Thoughts flitted about, each one demanding attention, but she couldn’t focus on any one thing for more than a moment or two.

  The rush of adrenaline waned, and fatigue threatened to claim her. Thirst and hunger gnawed at her belly; and though her provisions were only a few feet away, it seemed like hundreds of miles. Turning her head, she surveyed her surroundings closely for the first time.

  She sat on a long thin stretch of soft white sand, fully exposed to the mid-day sun. The heat made her head swim, and she blinked trying to focus her eyes. To the fore, the brilliant blue ocean sparkled on forever. Behind her, tropical palms fought each other for dominance, and leafy green plants of various shapes and sizes filled in all the gaps. They beckoned her to their shade. The green canopy of the trees whispered respite from the burning sand. She grasped her salvaged supplies to her chest while stumbling inland. She collapsed against a tall palm tree, dropping her armload of provisions.