It seemed a strange time in the moonwake for so much merriment and noise. Flutes played with a merry dancing rhythm regardless of the serious possibilities of war. Women danced energetically with noisy giddy children. Prince Phellip stood over a sparkling silver bowl that snuggled into a deep red cushion. Leon stood up and approached the Cherok Prince who smiled at him with pride written in his eyes. When they faced each other all became a hushed silence. He had never known so many people quieten down so quickly. It seemed as if there was no one else in the room but himself and Phellip, who looked trustingly into his eyes as he placed both hands on Leon’s strong shoulders.
‘This Joining is an offer of my people to treat you as an equal,’ Phellip explained to a baffled Leon. ‘This Joining is an offer of myself: I will protect you with my life, as I would my brothers. All that is mine will be yours brother. My family is yours and your family will become mine. Do you agree to this Joining, Prince Leon of the lineage of King Alfred Gilgam?’
‘I am proud that you offer me this Joining Prince Phellip and I accept. All that is mine will become yours and my family will welcome you as my brother,’ Leon gladly accepted the Joining.
Chief Dallheim held the slender silver knife and cut a thin slit into the palms of both Princes. Firmly, he joined both palms together and pressed upon the back of their hands to fuse the bloodline. Excess blood mingled and dripped into the smooth silver bowl. Leon felt a stinging pain in his hand. Still staring into the trusting eyes of Prince Phellip. They smiled at each other as the Chief offered the silver bowl to his son Phellip to drink of the mixed bloods that had dripped within. Prince Phellip knew what was expected and drank half the contents then returned the bowl to his father, wiping his mouth with a gold satin cloth. The chief then offered the bowl to Leon who reluctantly drank the remaining contents. With his tongue tingling of the warm metallic flavour of blood, he coughed and tried to hide his discomfort. Phellip offered him the gold satin cloth to wipe away the wetness on his lips. The chief took the cloth and tore it in half, all the while chanting a traditional spell and then offering each Prince a piece of the magical cloth stained with their blood.
‘Accept each, a portion of this shared golden cloth, to infuse the magic of your Joining. It will bring you close in times of need. You are now brothers and our people have been united through this ceremony,’ the Chief loudly announced.
Once again, the merriment began, as quickly as it had ceased. Even Frizzle had arrived and giddily barked at the banging of the drums, the whistling of the flutes and the thump of dancing feet.
Phellip offered Leon a glass of cooled water.
Here brother, wash away the bitter taste.
Leon realised that Phellip did not speak to him but Mindtalked. This is a part of the magic of our Joining. We will share our thoughts but worry not brother, we will not share everything. You can keep your Joining with Princess Anyetta all to yourself, he Mindtalked, in jest.
Leon looked shocked, worry lines creased his features. ‘How do you know about that?’
‘Fear not brother,’ Phellip laughed, ‘I cannot read your thoughts unless you release them to me. The cloth merely serves to join us only when we both desire it. Word of your pending marriage came through the usual means of communications with our neighbours. Anyetta sends her love to her fiancée. She asks to tell you that she misses you already.’
Leon could sense the mocking within the message and knew that Phellip teased.
‘When my brother’s upset me I challenge them to prove their worth,’ Leon retorted.
‘Come on then brother.’ Phellip readied himself for a wrestle. ‘Or, should I say little brother. Let’s see what you are made of.’
They locked arms and bodies in their fake contest. Falling to the ground they twisted and turned, teasing each other with insults.
The Chief spoke loudly to the onlookers, ‘Now they are truly brothers, all of my sons behave in this manner.’
The crowd cheered them on and the brothers let off pre-battle steam as they writhed around in their friendly tussle. For a brief moment Leon forgot all his worries, this was a little pocket of happiness in the pending bleak and difficult times to come.
All too soon, everyone was preparing for the start of their journeys. The feast was quickly cleared away as if it had never happened. Leon’s party included Prince Phellip and twenty other Cherok warriors and their centaurs. Chief Dallheim’s party was much larger, a Chief would never travel to other lands unguarded, even in times of peace. As both the Chief and his eldest son and heir were to be gone at the same time, it fell upon Prince Phellip’s next brother in line to act as leader in their absence. Both Chief Dallheim and Prince Phellip were instructing Prince Maconey in his duties. He was a tall, lanky young man and prided himself with his new status. His father was confident that he would guard his people well. Later the young man would meet with the other tribe leaders to be properly initiated in his temporary duties. It was not the first time he had led his people but it would be the longest, it could not be judged how long his father and brother would be absent. Leon watched as the family embraced each other in their fond farewells. The women wept as if they believed they would never again see their Chief and Heir. This was a different scene to the happy feasting earlier. The Cherok people were sombre, they were realistic in their understanding of this imminent war.
‘We should have done better with our own farewells, Frizzell,’ Leon spoke to his dog, regretting that he had not said goodbye to his father. He reflected on his brothers and Heather and wondered again where they were and if they were safe. Content that at last he was to start his journey to the mid-mountains of Ginnung to visit the dragons and continue the search for Raphael, at last he would learn of Heather’s progress. Perhaps she may even have returned from the Darklands.
The noise of metal weapons clanking around him shook him from his daze. He looked up to see Prince Phellip mounting his centaur, readying himself for the journey. Leon had practiced riding Grettar many times since she had adopted him but he still did not feel fully confident upon her broad back. His horse Jhapar was to be taken back home with the Chief’s party. King Longbard of the dwarves would probably ride upon Jhapar as it would be unlikely a centaur would wish a dwarf upon his back. Leon considered himself very honoured that Grettar had chosen him. Centaurs were friends for life so now he had a dog, a centaur and a new brother to share his problems with. He had his doubts that Grettar would listen to his complaining like Frizzle does, but he was willing to give her a try. He mounted her strong back. She did not need instructions from him of which way to go as she sauntered over to Prince Phellip’s side. The two Princes looked eye to eye, grinning in their unique style, and began their journey to the River Wharfdon where they would go upriver to arrive close to the dragon’s lair.
18 Upriver
When first they arrived at the port village of Otlerian, Leon was astonished at the large barges built to accommodate the centaurs. He had come to realise that they did not like travelling in the moving water. The centaurs would spend yhe most part of their journey in a specially adapted long room. At one end the horses were housed in individual but small paddocks, these enclosures assisted in making the horses feel secure. The other end was similar but with full length wooden walls, more like larger rooms without a door, to allow for the larger bodies of the centaurs. Below them in the bowels of the barge, were the experienced oars men who rowed so gently that the moving motion was almost unfelt. Open port- holes were affixed at a height that none could see outside the hull but allowed the air to circulate with a degree of freshness. Given a choice their preference would be to spend longer traveling on foot over the rocky mountain paths, rather than using the quickest route at the bottom of a moving piece of wood. Nothing less than an emergency and perhaps a war, would ever convince them that travel by this method was necessary.
The journey upriver proved to be an easier trek to Leon. He found the boat ride comfortable. At first, the river’s
edge looked dour and murky with brown muddy embankments. Later it appeared with thicker foliage of long yellow tangled grasses and overhanging branches from huge trees on the edges. Wildlife bobbed in and out of the scenery. Further along, the bank turned into rocky ledges with sharp overhangs of jagged cliffs. Eventually they were surrounded at each side by tall looming grey slate mountains that looked dangerously precarious, ready to landslide at any moment.
Leon did his share of rowing when the experienced Cheroks needed to rest.
Perching over the railings that surrounded the deck, he watched the spectacular mountainside drift slowly by and contemplated on what his next move should be. He was glad to be, at long last, following in Heather’s footpath, though he did not expect that she would be there waiting for him on his arrival at the dragons’ lands. A small hope inspired him that perhaps this had all been a misunderstanding from the Emperor and that all would be well. Not wanting to give in to his weaker nature, he shook his head, slapping the palm of his hand sharply on his forehead. A passing Cherok warrior looked at him, wondering what custom this Prince performed that he would wish to hit himself. Leon gave him a cursory glance and smiled, then returned to his pondering unaware of the Cherok’s puzzlement.
A bellowing voice broke his concentration.
‘The dragon’s lair is in sight!’ shouted a lookout.
They had arrived at their destination at last. Leon wondered at what a true dragon must look like. He had met Queen Thimat when he was younger but his memory was vague. She had been accommodated in a huge barn, and he had welcomed her with his father, but he could not remember what she had actually looked like. He had an image of a motherly female. Her voice was kind and gentle. The more he concentrated the less he could recall. In his schooling he had learned that pictures were unreliable. They showed dragons with huge wings covered in hard scales. Yet they were generic in detail and he could not imagine what their faces really look like? He did not have long to wait for an answer. A huge blue dragon circled over their heads. Still, he could not see the creature too well, but what was clear was the beauty and gracefulness in its movement of flight as it swam through the clouds.
The barges pulled over towards a flat embankment where strange hirsute men assisted in anchorage. Recalling his lessons, he remembered that these were the abapes who were the Carers of the dragons.
He remained on the boat a while longer and watched as the Cherok Prince performed the greeting. Prince Phellip had spent many nights with the dragons whilst trading with abapes. He appeared to know what he was doing. Prince Phellip turned to search for Leon.
‘Leon, come on over here, the Queen waits to greet us at the lair. The abapes are to show us the way,’ he yelled waving his hand in a motion of speed.
Leon disembarked and walked towards the strange looking creatures.
‘Leon, come my brother and meet my trading friends. They have come to greet us and assist us with the mooring of the barges. You will come to know them in time; they have a great sense of humour. When they play games, they always lose.’ Prince Phellip laughed heartily at this notion. ‘Occasionally I allow them to win but then they just get bored. Truly, I have discovered they prefer playing and loosing. Personally, I think they just like to give gifts. They are wonderful beings and very loyal friends.’
We had better get moving. Let’s not keep Queen Thimat waiting. They inform me she hasn’t been back very long after her journey assisting Heather through the Wall. She can tell you how your friend is coping with the task set before her.’
Leon felt a gush of excitement. This was the closest he had been to Heather in a long time. Soon he would have his little brother Raphael safe in his arms along with his childhood sweetheart. The very thought of wars and evil Emperors did not seem real at this moment.
He followed close behind one of the abape creatures who grunted every now and then. He watched as the creature walked with such ease, almost bent down on all fours on the rough and very narrow mountain path. He had heard rumours that the abapes were descendants of the apes that lived in other parts of the mid-mountains among the trees. The creatures he now observed seemed far too intelligent to be from a lineage of wild animals. As they neared a large flat ridge, he noticed a dragon perched, observing their movements. It was she. Queen Thimat was beautiful. Her golden yellow scales reflected the sun’s rays, highlighting the thin deep red lines of every intricate scale. She appeared heavenly to Leon, he looked up to observe her long slender snout that seemed to smile down at him.
Ah, so here you are Prince Leon, she enquired in Mindtalk. Heather is very fond of you, boy. She told of many a trick you have played together in your mischievous plights. I welcome you to my homeland. You are not able to Mindtalk Heather from this side of the Wall but I can tell you that she was well when I left her.
Oh my Lady, you have no idea how I have longed to hear such words, Leon returned his thoughts as he neared her.
Why should you think otherwise Leon. Have I given you cause for concern?
No Queen Thimat but I fear for all my loved ones in these troublesome times. Leon could not help but speak his thoughts honestly. I shall continue to fear for them until I see them with my own eyes again.
I think you are in need of rest, my Prince, Queen Thimat suggested. Then your mind will be more alert and less likely to play hurtful tricks on you. A tired mind can only fog the thoughts. The Queen concluded and turned her huge body gracefully to lead the way up the remaining climb of the steep hill.
Once at the top of their long climb, Leon continued to follow the abape who led him to a large opening at the dragons’ lair. He was then led to the same cave chamber that Heather and Rikka had shared with the same drape hanging over the entrance. Leon sensed somehow that Heather had slept within these walls. He felt her presence yet knew that she was the farthest she had ever been from him. She was on the other side of the world where he could not follow.
19 Royal City
Beldroth was busy with the hustle and bustle of chaotic celebrations. The Head Mage Heimarl encouraged welcome parties for the visiting Lightlands Council representatives. The citizens had mourned the loss of their king but must now learn to put their trust in the leaders that united within their walls.
The first to arrive was the Queen of the Forest Keepers from the forestlands of Chervin. Queen Rosinda had travelled with haste to the Royal City in her own natural smaller size as a tree fairy. Once she had arrived at the human city she had transformed to human size. With her travelled a company of spider guards that she had also changed into human form. Also three female fairies, who remained their natural small size, to assist her in weaving the magic needed to maintain these spells. They had passed through Mount Eteran flying on the backs of large eagles. The citizens of Beldroth were enraptured with her beauty and welcomed her with cheers of joy.
They cheered with mixed delight as the Cherok tribe Chief arrived with his guards all mounted on the backs of large centaurs. Beldroth was used to all manner of creatures passing through its gates to trade with its merchants and attend the Academy. The centaurs were well respected and grandly welcomed by the people lining the streets that led up to the palace. The dwarves were, surprisingly, on horseback instead of mules For speed they rode the finest of animals loaned to them by their friends and neighbours, the Cherok tribe.
The arrival of the huphin Prince was perhaps one the strangest. The huphins had simply swum to the port of Beldroth. Then simply walked up towards the palace in dripping wet cloaks that covered their whole bodies. At first sight, he and his party looked like a group of beggars as they strolled at a slow pace through the crowds. The merchants were quick to spot the huphin Prince and make more of a fuss than the huphins would have liked. At least the crowd had cleared a way through for them. They could not move fast upon the land.
King Apsle of the Guardian Dragons had flown directly to the Academy to find space for landing. Only two other dragons attended with him. The dragons would not be atten
ding the gatherings in the palace but would Mindtalk to a representative in the meetings, so their voices would be heard.
Other leaders of smaller tribes and villages from all over the Lightlands were arriving too. Some would not be attending the Lightlands Council gathering, but they would be kept informed of the progress of talks amongst their Kings and head leaders.
Heimarl was pleased with the arrival of the dwarves and Cherok tribe, it meant that Prince Leon had been successful in his quest. Yet he grew restless and concerned for the new King. There had been no word from Amos since his contact with the huphins. There were still no representatives arriving from the desert lands, neither the myeaz nor the listard had arrived. He feared for the safety of the new King but had decided to commence with the gathering of the Lightlands Council upon the next moonwake, regardless of his absence. At least all this organising kept him away from home where Heather’s mother worried herself over the lack of contact from her daughter. Try as he might she simply did not apprehend that Mindtalk was not only difficult with vast distances but was impossible at two different ends of the world, with a magic barrier in the middle
‘Head Mage Heimarl,’ one of his clerics flustered as he abruptly disturbed his fretful thoughts. ‘We need to arrange for water for the huphins beds at night.’
‘That’s simple, they can bed down in the public bathing area.’
‘But what of the students, Head Mage? They cannot simply stop cleansing themselves?’
‘No, I don’t suppose we want the smell of the unwashed in our midst. Tell the students that they must make full use of the bathing area during the moonwake only. At moonsleep the area belongs to the huphins, whilst they are our guests. Make sure the waters are changed after the daily bathing’
Blood Bride (Aarabassa World) Page 10