“What are the odds of meeting you here, in the streets of our city?” asked the Queen. She smiled. To my surprise, it seemed like a genuine smile. Her voice, too, was kind.
I ducked my head, halfway between a nod and a bow. “It’s…good to see you,” I said lamely. I knew there were all kinds of special rules about manners and stuff in Midrealm, but I had no faintest clue what they were.
“I wonder if you would walk with me?” asked Elanor. “Such a chance meeting should not be passed upon, I think.” She stepped closer and held out an arm as though expecting me to take it. Not sure what else I could do, I did.
Elanor looked over her shoulder and talked to the palace guard with the most gold on his armor. “We wish to speak privately,” she told him. “You need not tend so closely to my safety. After all, I am defended by none other than a Realm Keeper.”
She set off, practically dragging me along, and the guard waited a moment before following, giving plenty of room between us to prevent any chance of our being overhead. I noticed Elanor stealing quick, covert glances at Nora, who hadn’t fallen back like the palace guard.
I looked back at her. “It’s fine, Nora,” I said quietly. “We’ll just talk a little bit.”
Nora nodded silently and dropped back, following from the same distance as the palace guard but walking on the other side of the street.
“She seems very loyal to you,” Elanor said. “Although, if you were to solicit my opinion, which I don’t expect you to, it does not always pay to become quite so close with one’s servants.”
I blinked in surprise. “Nora’s not my servant,” I said with a nervous half-chuckle. “She’s a bodyguard. And we’re friends.”
“Oh?” asked Elanor, as if genuinely surprised. “Well, I suppose it must be very lonely here, after all. Especially when you’ve spent your whole life with your family and friends on True Earth.”
I noticed her eyeing me carefully as she spoke the words, and at the mention of True Earth, her arm tensed ever so slightly.
“It is a little different,” I said carefully. “But I guess I’m getting used to it.”
Elanor nodded, the tension disappearing from her arm. “Still, isn’t life always at least a bit lonely for ones such as us? It’s never easy to be one of high station, no matter the particular type of station. Mine comes from my coffers and my marriage. Yours comes from luck, I suppose.”
I shrugged, unsure of exactly what she meant. “Greystone calls it destiny.”
She gave another light, tinkling laugh. I’d never realized before how pretty her voice was. The last time I’d seen her, she’d been arguing furiously with the King in the royal palace. But she had a high, musical laugh like the sound of silver bells.
“I’ve noticed the Watcher refers to destiny as though it were a person,” she said, ironing out the last chuckles as her words continued. “Some great Lord looming over us all, controlling the fate of the world. It’s quite amusing, really.”
Once again I shrugged, and this time I remained silent. I had no idea what to say. I had no idea what to do with my hands. I had no idea what we were supposed to be talking about.
“Is it unusual for you?” Elanor asked suddenly. “Being suddenly placed in a position of such high authority? Or did you, too, come from True Earth’s nobility.”
I shook my head vigorously. “Definitely not. Almost the exact opposite.”
She smiled. “How pleasant you must find it, being the first among the great. It’s such an honor. One such as I could never hope to achieve, of course. But being a Realm Keeper and being of nobility are not so very different.” She leaned in close to whisper conspiratorially. “Except that one cannot elevate oneself to be a Realm Keeper through marriage.”
Again that tinkling laugh dusted the walls to either side of us, drawing quick stares from the crowd that swiftly became averted eyes.
“Is that what happened?” I asked curiously. “Did you marry into being the Queen?”
There was a moment of awkward silence as I realized what I’d done. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” I mumbled, feeling myself blush once again. “I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m…I’m really not used — ”
“Oh, don’t you dream of troubling yourself,” Elanor protested. “For one thing, you’re only a child. For another, you’re quite right. My only claim to nobility is through this.” She held her wedding band aloft for me to view. It was a simple band, either silver or white gold. I’ve never been able to tell, since I’d never seen much of either of them. “Six years I’ve worn it. Now, in time of war, it seems a terrible burden despite its small size. But I was happy when my husband first placed it upon my fingers.” I heard a tiny thread of sadness in the voice.
An image flashed in my mind. It was Nestor, dressed in the finest clothes I’d ever seen. I realized I was seeing him from Elanor’s eyes. To the left stood a priest. It was their wedding day. Just that one, brief flash of imagery and then my mind went blank.
That was something that had been happening more and more frequently. I imagined it was like accidentally reading someone else’s poker hand — you didn’t actively try to do it, but you couldn’t help it if it was right in front of your face. Greystone said that the accidents would disappear with time, and at the same time I’d develop the ability to do it on my own whenever I wanted.
This time I felt a wave of emotion along with the image. I had never felt emotions before in my visions. It was shocking. It was just…happiness. Just pure happiness.
Something I hadn’t seen a trace of in the Queen’s face or manner when we’d visited the royal palace.
Something she’d said earlier had been tugging at my mind, and now I voiced it. “What do you mean, ‘first among the great?’” I asked. “Is that another name for the Realm Keepers?”
“Oh, not the Realm Keepers,” said Elanor carefully. “Six people cannot share the head of the table. I mean the Keeper of Mind specifically.”
I shook my head, confused. “What do you mean? First what?”
Elanor laughed. “Why, first in the most important thing in the three worlds: power.”
“I don’t understand.”
Elanor patted my arm lightly. “That doesn’t surprise me. You are still so young, after all. So unused to all of this. But your power is mightier than any of your compatriots. Mind is far and away the strongest and most important of the six components of the world.”
I frowned. I didn’t understand how that could be, but I won’t deny that it made me feel kind of special. “Why?” I asked. “I can’t blow things up like Blade or Raven. Sarah can wreck things like stone and metal. What’s so special about reading someone’s mind?”
“Oh, but you cannot only read others’ thoughts, can you?” Elanor said, again speaking conspiratorially. “You can speak to them, as well. You can put thoughts in their heads that were never there before, thoughts that they will go to their grave swearing are their own. And you can move things, as well. Given enough time to learn your power, you can move anything you want — imagine the power to move Water as easily as Lord Miles, to uproot the Earth like Lady Sarah. All of these gifts are within your grasp.”
A hungry light came into her eyes. “But more than that. More than any of them. Your powers are not limited to poltergeist parlor tricks and shoddy fortune-telling. Mind is more expansive than our thoughts. It might better be called ‘Life.’”
“Life?” I asked, suddenly a little nervous at the raw lust I saw in her face.
She tapped her forehead. “The thoughts in our heads,” she whispered. She placed a hand on her chest. “The vital force within us that makes our hearts beat.” She gestured at the length of her body. “The unseeable, unknowable force that causes a body to grow, to heal itself when injured.” She waved around at the people in the street. “It is the same thing. The same invisible force that binds all creatures, man and beast. And it is within your grasp to command.”
I was silent. I had no idea what she was ta
lking about. This had never come up in any of my lessons with Greystone.
Elanor laughed long and hard, clutching harder at my elbow. “Oh, you look at me distrustfully. I knew well the Keeper of Mind who came before you. He spoke to me of these things at great length. I admit I have always had something of a schoolgirl’s fascination with such power.” The hunger returned. “And with those who wield it.”
“I don’t know if I can do all of that,” I said uncertainly.
“Oh, I know that you cannot,” she remarked. “You are still so young, not only in age but in knowledge. But trust me, my dear. One day your power will dwarf that of all the other Realm Keepers rolled into one.” Her eyes had gone far away, but now they snapped back to the present and stared into mine. “When that happens, do not forget that they need you far more than you need them. You are the one with the power. Others must fear you, not the other way around. And if that day comes and you find yourself unsatisfied with your position, if you are searching for something more — you need only call on me. I will never possess your talents, but I know much about making the most of what you have.”
Suddenly we stopped at the intersection of three winding streets. Elanor gave my arm a final pat and stepped away. “Alas, palace business calls my name,” she said regretfully. “I have so enjoyed our little chat. Do not forget what I have told you. You may feel free to call on me at any time.”
I couldn’t do anything but nod. Elanor greeted the gesture with a broad smile and strode away in the direction of the looming royal palace. I watched her go, my mind filled with a million questions I felt might not have any answers at all.
TESS
I WAITED IN THE BATHROOM. The halls slowly grew quiet outside. I waited until every sound had died, then quickly let myself out of the stall and slipped into the hallway.
The hunger gnawing at my gut warred with the guilt gnawing at my mind. My mom was well and truly worried now — both my parents were. I’d doubled up on my “feeling sick” routine, the better to prepare them for the fact that tonight I’d go to sleep at ten o’clock and wouldn’t wake up until two in the afternoon the next day. Even Kellyn and Nikki had picked up that something was wrong, overhearing part of my conversation with my mom. Their wide, scared eyes when they looked at me stabbed me deeper than a Shadow’s knife.
The lunch line was completely deserted, or so I thought. But when I reached the cashier on the other end, I was unpleasantly surprised once again.
“I’ve got her,” said Blade, holding forward money for both our lunches as he appeared from nowhere right behind me.
I peered up at him bashfully from behind my hair. “It’s okay,” I said quietly, hoping he’d leave so I could tell the cashier I was low-income without Blade being in earshot. “I didn’t drop my tray this time.” I tried to smile wanly.
Blade waved it off. “It’s all good. Feel like eating outside?”
I weighed the benefits of arguing versus just taking my food and sitting down without a scene. In the end, less attention was better. I followed Blade through the maze of tables to the doors that led to the outdoor eating area.
It was still mid fall, but we’d already had some crummy weather. Most of the outside benches and tables were wet, and therefore most were unoccupied. We found a relatively dry set near the building and sat down. The water began to soak through the seat of my pants, but I didn’t mind. Most of my attention was on Blade, anyway.
“So, listen,” Blade said, too nonchalant. “I’m sorry for prying yesterday.”
“You mean yesterday here, or yesterday there?” I said with a small smile.
Blade blinked. “I didn’t pry in Midrealm yesterday, did I?” he asked, confused. “I meant here.”
I dropped my eyes. “No. I was trying to make a joke.”
“Oh. Uh, haha!” Blade said, trying too hard to make the laugh sound real. He grimaced. “Sorry. I’m not exactly the joke type.”
That made me smile. “I think you’re funny,” I said without thinking. Immediately I wished I could take it back as I felt heat creep up my neck.
Blade cocked his head. “You do? Why?”
I shook my head. “No, nothing. Just, you’re always cracking jokes about Greystone and Calvin. And Miles. Everyone, really. Sometimes the jokes are a little mean, but they make me laugh.”
Blade waved a hand. “Oh, that. That doesn’t count. Greystone’s just asking for it, like all the time.” He bit into a turkey sandwich that looked like all bread and very little turkey. “And I’m never a little mean. I’m the meanest kid in school. Haven’t you heard?”
That made me giggle. Blade arched his eyebrows in mock horror.
“Hey, guys!”
Calvin passed by our table, on his way to the bleachers in the distance. He was carrying a pad of paper under his arm. I don’t think he told many people about it, but I’d sneaked a peek at the pad a few times. Calvin liked to draw. I thought he was really, really good, but I never mentioned it. He didn’t ever bring it up, and I thought he might have been embarrassed. I knew how that could be.
I raised my hand in a little wave. “Hi, Calvin,” I said quietly.
“Don’t, you’ll just encourage him to — ” Blade began to whisper. Calvin stopped and headed over to us. Blade gave an exasperated sigh and turned to him with a smile I could tell was forced. Calvin didn’t seem to notice. Once again I giggled, trying to hide it behind my hand.
“So, you guys ready for the big day?” Calvin asked, his eyes too wide, his teeth too flashy. “I’m pretty stoked. Big journey and whatnot. This is how it all started in Lord of the Rings, you know? Setting out on the road, just us and our companions. So, so exciting, right? Wait, did you guys read those books?” He gave Blade a quick glance. “Um, dumb question. Maybe you saw the movies?” He shook his head. “Anyway, it’s like, epic journey beginning time. Cool, right?” He gave a nervous chuckle.
Blade rolled his eyes, but I gave Calvin a sympathetic smile. He was talking a mile a minute, and his foot was tapping incessantly on the ground. “I’m a little nervous, too,” I admitted. “It’s pretty scary.”
Blade eyed me curiously. Calvin stopped, flabbergasted. “Nervous?” he said, his voice rising to a screech. “I’m not nervous! I’m just…” his eyes darted around wildly.
“It’s okay to be a little nervous,” I said. “We’ll be fine. We’ll get through it. I bet you we’ll get in and out without a hitch.”
“Right, that’s why I’m totally not nervous!” Calvin said with a shaky laugh. “I am anti-nervous. I’m, like negative nervous. I’m nerve-less.” His laugh came out as a high screech once again. “Well, I’ll catch you guys later. Got to enjoy my last day. Before the mission, that is.” His smile froze on his face, and he stood there for a second too long before wheeling on his heel and scuttling off toward the bleachers as fast as he could.
Blade shook his head. “In. Freaking. Sane.”
“I think he’s just getting more nervous the closer we get to tomorrow,” I said quietly. “He’ll be fine once we’re traveling.”
Blade appraised me with a long glance. “You know, you’re pretty good with people. Most people don’t know it, because you stay quiet so much. But you’re like a little, miniature Sarah. Seriously.”
I blushed again, hating it. I was so not used to compliments. I felt like my face was on a red strobe-light every time I was talking with Blade. “Thanks,” I squeaked.
Blade took another half-hearted bite of his sandwich, then dropped it to his tray with a resigned sigh. He looked up at me for a second, seeming to consider his next words carefully.
“You know, Calvin’s got one point,” he said. “Never know when your last day’s going to come around, right?”
I shook my head. “No, we’ll be fine. I just know it. We’ll get through this.”
Blade shrugged. “Still, though. On the off chance today’s our last one on True Earth, it kind of seems like a waste to spend it all in a classroom. Wanna ditch? I feel
like seeing a movie.”
I stared at him, wide-eyed. “I don’t…I’ve never…”
“I do, and I always,” Blade said with a grin that dazzled me. “Besides, it’s Friday. It’s, like, mandatory for me to go see a movie on Fridays. Let’s do it.”
My stomach flip-flopped, my heart rattled around in my ribcage and my mouth was suddenly dry like sandpaper. What he was saying sounded waaay too much like a…like a…
Blade’s face fell, and he stared down at his tray again. “I’m not trying to pressure you,” he grumbled. “It was just a thought.”
“Okay,” I squeaked.
He looked up, a curious smirk forming. “Seriously?”
I nodded. I couldn’t believe I was doing this. “I’ve…never done it before. I know we’re going to make it to the oracle. But if we don’t…” I smiled shyly. “It would be nice to have spent my last day here doing something I’ve never done before.”
Blade blinked twice and looked down at his tray, trying to cover up a genuine smile. Not his usual smirk, which was little more than a twist of the lips. Not a mocking, baiting grin like he wore when he was making fun of Greystone. I knew those looks. This one was different.
But he simply said, “Okay.”
I smiled and followed him toward the parking lot. We didn’t even clean up our trays.
The great barrier gate swung open, its massive iron hinges making no sound as they slowly parted the way before us.
As soon as there was a five-foot gap, Cara spurred her mount forward and led us through.
I felt a shiver as I passed through the barrier. I’d felt it the first time we’d left, too. It was mostly nerves, I was sure. The barrier was always there when we were in Morrowdust. You could see it from anywhere in the city, rising tall and blue into the sky, protecting us. Now we were beyond it. Alone. Exposed. Practically naked.
The last of us passed through, and the gate swung shut behind us once more.
“Keep a sharp eye, all of you,” said Greystone. He rode beside Sarah, at the front of the column. “At the first sign of trouble, alert the others and ride. Staying alive is far more important than reaching our destination.”
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