by Liv Daniels
Leina had just burst unceremoniously into the headquarters of the 3rd Expeditionary Force, tripping over a mound of machetes and sending them flying all over the room. Now she was facing a frightened clerk, a different one than last time but dressed in an identical costume, complete with a canteen and binoculars slung over his shoulders.
“Is something the matter, miss?” the man asked.
“What day is it?” Leina returned sharply.
“That would be Wednesday.”
Leina’s heart sunk. “Wednesday of what week?”
“Well, what would you mean by that?”
“Your meeting. Has it already happened?”
The man blinked. “Oh, yes. A week ago it was.”
“No,” Leina groaned. “When’s the next one?”
“Not for a month. Can I help you?”
“I need to get to the surface,” Leina pleaded. “It’s important. Can you please help me?”
“Well…” the clerk contemplated with excruciating slowness. “We don't exactly go on many expeditions. I’m afraid we can’t help you.”
“Please,” Leina said. “Isn't there anything you can do?” She absently picked up a machete that was dangling dangerously from a table. She ran her hand along the blade, so dull that it probably couldn’t even slice a cake.
“You can come to our meeting next month, but I can’t do anything for you before then. Probably not even then. And now I’m afraid we are closing. Goodbye.”
***
I’ll go alone. Maybe I’ll never find a way up, but I can’t stay here and not try anymore. I should have left days ago. Those were Leina’s boiling thoughts as she trudged back along the ledge to Cora’s house. They so absorbed her that she almost knocked over the Sage.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Leina exclaimed, jolted back to reality.
“Think nothing of it,” said the Sage in her long, slow way. “It is good that I ran into you. I was looking for you.”
“Oh?” said Leina. “What for?”
“I have spoken to the man from Estlebey, and he wants to see you.”
Leina lit up. “He’s here? When did he arrive?”
The Sage chuckled. “He has been here for the last month, young one.”
“What?” Leina exclaimed sharply. “I thought—“
“He was always here,” the Sage said patiently, “but the time was not right. Now it is.”
Leina shook her head and laughed. “When can I talk to him?”
“He will come to see you tomorrow.”
“Good, thank you!” Leina said, suddenly filled with jubilance. She felt alive again. She wasn’t even angry at the Sage for withholding such an important thing from her. It would be alright now. As long as she was in time to save the Agency.
“Think nothing of it,” said the Sage, and she was gone like a gecko flitting away. Leina wondered how even the elderly of the Yurukim could be so agile.
***
The next day, Leina was surprised when Cora interrupted her sweeping.
“I’ve answered your questions,” said Cora, who was sitting on the edge of her bed reading, “so now I want you to answer one for me.”
Leina lit up. “Sure. What is it?”
“Who are you and why did you fall down here?”
“Oh.” Leina laughed. “That’s kind of a broad question.”
Cora frowned. “Are you going to answer it or not?”
Leina set aside the broom quickly. “Yes, yes, of course.”
Cora closed her book and Leina sat down next to her.
“I was raised by my grandmother in the woods,” Leina began. “Then when she died I went to the Desert, and I became a slave to a dictator. When I escaped I became a spy, then I accidentally became a legend and had to leave and be the Masked One, then someone who I thought was my friend unjustly tried to have me put to death, but by some strange chance I survived and now I’m here.”
“Oh,” said Cora.
“It’s kind of complicated. I probably can’t tell you about most of it.” She paused. “Now I want to know about your princess thing. If you’re not princess of the Yurukim, what are you princess of?”
Cora’s face didn’t change, but Leina could sense that she was deliberating whether to tell. Leina was wisely silent. Her eyes wandered to the opposite wall as she waited. Finally Cora spoke, a single word: “Estlebey.”
Leina’s head darted back to look at Cora. “Really?”
“You believe me?” said Cora, revealing a slight tinge of surprise in her voice.
“I think so,” said Leina.
Cora’s quiet voice rarely halted, but now she spoke hesitantly with many sudden pauses. “My father only told me last month—when he was dying. When I found you I was walking to think about it. I don't know why I told you about it. I think I was trying it out.” She hesitated, and lowered her voice to barely a whisper. “Do I seem like a princess?”
Leina looked at her steadily. “Yes, actually. It’s kind of muffled, but you have a very distinct nobility about you.”
Cora stiffened and broke away from Leina’s gaze. “Oh.”
Leina tried to work out how Cora could be a princess. Finally she gave up. “Who was your father?”
“The son of King Sebastian,” Cora said quietly.
“Oh, the son who ran away?” Leina said, excitement growing in her voice. She now realized that she had stumbled on a discovery that could be very important.
“Yes,” said Cora. “Father ran away when he was young because he was afraid of being king. He found the Yurukim and came to live with them. To hide.” Cora said the last words with forced indifference. She got up suddenly and knelt down on the ground, brushing away the corner of a rug. Underneath the rug was a small wooden panel that she removed, revealing an alcove with a box inside. Cora lifted the box’s lid and there inside it was a shining crown, wrought delicately of thin gold leaf shaped to look like flowing vines twisted in a circle. “Father’s crown,” said Cora, lifting it. “He said it would prove who I am. And that I might have to be queen someday.”
Leina stared at the crown in awe. “Put it on,” she said.
Cora gave a slight but firm shake of her head. In response, Leina jumped up, took the crown, and placed it on Cora’s head. “There. Now you really look like a princess.”
Suddenly, a lady who must have been the phantom cook materialized in the doorway. “Someone for you, maid,” she said.
Cora gave a frightened gasp and tore the crown off her head. It fell to the stone floor with a clank.
“Oh, it’s the man from Estlebey,” Leina said. “I’ll explain later, Cora.”
“Strange girl, that Cora. I never did understand her,” the cook whispered to Leina as she led her down the hall. At the end of the hall they went down the stairway, to the library, and then the cook disappeared. Besides the librarian, there was only one person in the library—a tall stocky man with a travel-worn coat and cloth cap. He was examining the books on a shelf, but when he heard Leina he turned.
Leina gasped. It was none other than the Book Man of her childhood, who had brought books and supplies when she lived in the woods!
“Leina!” he said. “You’ve grown.”
Leina was speechless. She ran down the stair to meet him. “What are you doing here?”
He chuckled. “That’s what I was going to ask you.” Then he lowered his voice and glanced sideways at the librarian. “We should find somewhere quiet to talk.”
Leina nodded. “Upstairs.”
***
The Book Man was named Theo Warner. And he had been the Book Man not only to Leina, but to Cora as well.
“Never had kids a’ my own, so I liked being able to help you both,” Theo said. “I was worried when I saw that you left home all that time ago. Angry at myself because I had delayed my visit longer than usual. It’s been—how long?”
“Over a year now,” said Leina. “And a strange year it’s been.” She paused and sighed. “It’s
so good to see you again. It doesn’t feel real.”
Theo didn’t seem to be listening; his eyes were far away. “I was sure you wouldn’t make it,” he said. “But it seems you’ve managed to take care of yourself. Is it true what I hear—that you are the Masked One?”
“Oh, that. It was an accident,” said Leina. “At first, anyway.”
Theo shook his head in amazement. Then he turned to glance out the door of the small room that they were in. Leina noticed for the first time that one of his sleeves was ripped, revealing a mark on his arm that looked like a divided circle. It was just like the tattoo on the arm of Colin from Estlebey.
“You’re a smuggler,” Leina said.
“Aye. That’s where I got me books. I took them from the remnants of the royal library, till there were none left. Prince told me to.”
Leina lowered her voice. “Then you know? Who Cora is, I mean?”
Theo nodded. “’Twas me who brought the prince to the Yurukim when he ran away. We were friends, he and I, in better times long past.”
“So you’ve known where King Sebastian’s son was all this time?”
“Aye.”
“But if you knew, why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“You said it yourself, lass. I’m a smuggler. Would have had to reveal that to explain, and it would have ended badly for me. Leastways, that’s what I told myself, and maybe I regret it now. Anyway, prince wasn’t going back. He was set on staying here. And I had Cora’s safety to think about.”
Leina considered. “Does anyone know that the late prince had a daughter?”
“I don't think so. Cora was born here after he ran away, and none of the Yurukim knew who he was, not even his wife.”
“Incredible.”
Theo sat back in the covered chair that he was sitting on. “You’ve been in with the Agency since we last met, have ye not?”
Leina gasped, and remembered too late to hide her surprise. “What makes you think they still exist?” she said in a weak attempt to cover her knowledge.
Theo laughed heartily. “Come. Not everyone is dumb enough to believe the Agency is dead.”
“Well, then, if that’s so, then I’ll leave it to you to guess. Maybe I’ve been involved with them, and maybe I haven’t.”
Theo laughed again. “Fair enough.”
“Anyway,” said Leina, “that’s all beyond the point. I wanted to see you because I need to get out of here.”
“Yes, the Sage told me about your—how did she put it?—frantic insistence on that matter.”
“It’s important,” Leina said, resolving not to laugh. “You will help me, won’t you?”
“Of course,” said Theo. “I will show you the way. We can leave tomorrow morning.”
“Perfect! How long will it take? To get up to the surface, I mean.”
Theo hesitated. “A couple weeks by the way I have in mind.”
Leina looked him straight in the eye. “That’s not the quickest way, is it? It’s the safe way.”
“Maybe,” Theo said slowly. “But the quick way is out of the question. It’s too dangerous.”
“Then let’s go the quick way,” Leina said without hesitation.
Theo laughed. “Y’know, when you were a little girl in the woods, I never would a’ guessed you had it in you, Leina Skyvola though you were.”
“That’s another thing I’ve been wondering about. I feel like a lot of people know something about my name that I don’t.”
“What?” said Theo. “You still don’t know?”
Leina shook her head pensively.
Theo grinned. “Then I won’t spoil it for you. Seems that you’re well on the way to finding out yourself. It’s not about things like that anyway.” He paused and shook his head. “But if the World knew that the Masked One was Leina Skyvola!”
Chapter 22
“I want to come with you.”
Leina could only stare.
“I want to come with you,” Cora repeated.
“Why?” Leina sputtered.
Cora withdrew her stony glare and went back to working out a problem at her desk. “Because I want to see what it’s like up there. Just once. Theo can bring me back.”
“It won’t be safe,” Leina protested. “I need to get out of here quickly, so I told Theo to take me the dangerous way. He said it’s a lava tunnel that’s not entirely inactive. I’ve had a lot of training for these kinds of things, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea. I just can’t afford to go any other way.”
Cora didn’t even seem to be listening. “I don’t want you to leave. If you must leave, I am going to come.”
Leina didn’t know what to say. Of course she couldn’t let Cora come. All she could manage was, “I thought I finally had you figured out, but now you’ve surprised me more than ever.”
“The process of figuring someone out can sometimes change the person in question. Of all things, the effect of your own influence should surprise you least.” Cora recited the line studiously, but Leina doubted that it had come from a book. Cora suddenly looked up from her desk and stared at the wall. “If Father didn’t have to be king, why did he tell me I might have to be queen? I asked him but he didn’t tell me.”
Leina was silent for a long while. “It’s because you’re strong, Cora. I think your father knew that you had everything he rejected, and then some. He couldn’t run from it any more than you can hide who you are. You try, but it only makes some kind of beautifully fractured image of yourself all the more apparent. I think that's why everyone is scared of you.”
A tear rolled down Cora’s cheek.
Leina sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“No,” said Cora quietly. “Don’t be.”
Cora went to her harp and started playing. It was the first time Leina had seen her play. Her hands danced gracefully along the strings as she played a poignant melody underlain with pastel chords that fluttered in and out.
“How did you learn?” Leina asked.
“Taught myself,” said Cora. “There were never any books about it.”
“So you just make it all up?”
Cora nodded. The melody reached a climax and receded like a waning stream.
“That’s amazing,” said Leina. “You don’t play for anyone?”
The song ended, and Cora got up, as composed as ever. She shook her head.
“You should,” said Leina. Cora was going to go back to her desk, but Leina stopped her. “I think you’re the kind of person who can keep a secret. Can you?”
Cora looked at Leina almost murderously, as if to say, “Are you suggesting that you think I can’t?”
“I know you can,” said Leina, ignoring the implication. “But you can’t even tell Theo. I know I can trust him, but I don’t know who he’s involved with.”
Cora nodded. “I don’t tell Theo anything. What is it?”
Leina sat down on a sparse settee next to the desk. “Before I became the Masked One I worked for the Agency.”
Leina had expected at least some kind of reaction, but she got none. “The Agency doesn’t exist,” Cora said.
“That’s what most people think. It actually does. The dictator I told you about—they call him Dangerman. Do you know about him?”
“I’ve heard about him.”
“He doesn’t like me. Before I ran into trouble with his second-in-command and ended up here, he threatened to attack my Agency, and I don’t doubt that he will. That’s why I have to leave, and why I have to go alone. I’ve already been delayed too long.”
Cora frowned. “If I’m as strong as you say I am, I can handle coming with you.”
“I’m sure you can, it’s just…” Leina trailed off. “If you’re the rightful heir to the throne of Estlebey, you might be the only hope of a lot of people who are headed to a very bad place. You can’t put yourself in danger. They can’t lose you.”
Cora stared at Leina steadily. “You’re the Masked One. They need you more than they need me.”<
br />
“That’s not true.”
Cora frowned again. “I’m coming.”
Leina sighed in defeat. “Fine. If you can convince Theo. But we’re going to have to do something about that dress.”
Chapter 23
Leina tried not to laugh when she saw Cora in the expedition costume. It would have looked ridiculous even if it hadn’t been a few sizes too big. But the 3rd Expeditionary Force was the only place Leina had been able to think of that could provide anything half-suitable for the journey that they were to embark upon. The clerk at the club’s headquarters had been uncharacteristically happy to help Leina—with that request, at least.
“Well, now you have a crazy costume just like mine,” Leina said, her face contorting in an effort to stay straight. She herself was dressed in full Masked One attire again, complete with boots, gloves and cloak. The only thing missing was her mask. It was tucked away in her leather bag; she wasn’t ready to put it back on yet. Not until she had surmounted the depths of the Bottomless Pit of Doom.
“Ready to go?” Leina asked.
“Yes,” said Cora, although that obviously wasn’t the case. She floated wistfully to her harp and ran one hand along it, plucking out a melody with the other. Leina was going to insist that they leave, but then she recognized the melody.
“That’s my song,” said Leina. It was the one that had followed her out of Dangerman’s lair to Melvin’s house, and beyond. Cora added more harmony, and the bittersweet tones rose and fell with a remarkable presence and life. The song was on her face as much as it was in the air.
“Father used to sing it to me when I was little,” said Cora. “He said it was an old song out of Estlebey, from before things turned sour.”
“Hmm,” Leina mused. “I wonder how many people still remember it.”
“Are you girls ready yet?” Theo called from down the hall.
Cora’s music ceased, and she was out the door before Leina could move.
***
When Leina crossed the bridge and climbed down the countless rickety ladders for the last time, she marveled at how much of her fear she had lost. At the bottom of the crevice, as she waited for Cora and Theo, she looked up again at the city of the Yurukim, as sophisticated as it was rudimentary, with the Gecko People ceaselessly climbing and making the lights seem to blink on and off as they passed. Their ways didn’t seem so unfamiliar now. The Silence and the nonexistence of time here seemed natural enough, if not the eating habits. Leina was almost sorry to leave, and glad in a strange way that she had come here. Where she had expected only death she had found instead an enigmatic silent sanctuary and a stony hidden princess who could perhaps bring peace to a World long without it.