“What happens once we get to the castle?” Leo asked. “Valar said you were going to help us sneak in there.”
Valin nodded. “You are quite correct, my King.” Leo looked back at his plate and blushed at the address. He tried to form a protest, but the words would not come, and Valin continued on.
“When my father returned here, we began discussing plans. I have, over time, procured Royal tabards, including three from the squires of the Lords of Aerandale, Willowford and Stratford. Once we reach the palace, we should blend in, at least more easily. In this way, we can search for the orenite circlet, and hopefully not be found.”
“Fantastic,” said Dimitri, and his sarcasm was palpable. “We can discuss how to get into the castle once we know how to get out of here. It has not passed my notice that Valar, whom I might add is currently at large, is not trying to hide, even within the walls of this home. You talk of our plans in front of your beck-ands! How do you know we won’t be walking into a trap?”
Krista slammed the pitcher of water down beside Dimitri’s plate. He had not heard her approach and jumped unexpectedly.
“There are more of us loyal to the cause of replacing Princess Taraniz than you may believe, Master Dimitri.” She refilled his glass and walked stiffly back to stand at the wall of the room without another word.
There was an uncomfortable silence for several moments. Only the sounds of the boys devouring food broke the quiet.
Leo’s face suddenly brightened. He swallowed his mouthful of food and spoke. “Hey! I’ve got an idea!”
Chapter Twenty
Cadenceberries
The soldiers in Cannondole stared at the sky above them. It had been clear with a bright, golden sun all day. But a massive storm had suddenly rolled over the town and was threatening to bear down on them. The soldiers scratched their heads and tugged at their beards. It appeared the very center of the storm hung directly over Lord Valin’s manor.
Inside, Jayson, Jack, Leo and Piper sat on the floor staring out the large bay window in Valin’s bedroom. They had been concentrating all of their will at the sky for hours and into the growing storm cell that now hung above the manor.
Dimitri stood close by watching. There was something about Valin he couldn’t trust. He refused to let his guard down while Valin was anywhere near Piper. He didn’t know what had transpired between them earlier that morning, but whatever it had been, there was an unease in Piper Dimitri could sense all the way from Tutaria, and he didn’t like it.
The abrupt down pour of rain against the glass broke Leo’s concentration and he looked up at the candelabra burning low across the room from them.
“Guys,” he whispered. “I think it’s probably close to time.”
Piper glanced at the candles and nodded her agreement. “The storm is strong enough to hold its own for a while.”
They rose from the floor, stiff and sore and rubbing at their aching muscles. Valin, who had been sitting at his desk, stood and offered a helping hand to Piper. She took it and smiled her thanks warmly at him. Dimitri rushed in, shoving a piece of bread into her hand.
“You need to replenish your strength,” he said. Piper smiled and kissed his cheek.
Within a few hours, the sky was pitch black. No moon or stars could be seen through the thick torrent of cloud cover that swirled and beat down upon Cannondole. The townsfolk had long since taken refuge in their homes, and great plumes of smoke could be seen pouring from the chimneys as they tried to stay warm. The soldiers were not so fortunate. Their fire pits were flooded, as were their tents and boots. They were miserable, and hunkered down beneath what blankets they could find. Even the makeshift lean-tos they had erected at the edge of the forest leaked, and the torches would not light. Leo smiled as he surveyed the scene out a back kitchen window.
“Brilliant idea,” Jack said, patting his friend on the back.
Leo smiled. “Thanks. I just figured we might as well use the magic we’ve been taught, ya know?”
“It was a very good idea,” said Valar, handing the boys their packs. They were newly laden with clean clothes, food, flint and their stolen tabards for when they reached the palace.
“Of course it was!” said Jayson joining them. He was dressed for travelling, like the others, a heavy hood and woolen cloak trailing behind him. “It’s Leo.”
“Hey, is Valin okay?” Jack asked Valar. “He seemed, I don’t know, kind of uneasy about us using our magic.”
Valar sighed and laid a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “You must understand, magic is still outlawed and feared by most. The very man who changed the way we think of magic now resides as the soul of Princess Taraniz. We were all once peaceful, the Elves, Dwarves, Merfolk, Humans, even Dragons. Then, Noraedin decided to use his magic for ill, influencing the way we all thought of ourselves and our powers. Neighbors turned on each other. Brothers killed brothers out of greed and power. Chartile has never completely recovered from the wrongs you are working to make right.”
“So, no pressure,” said Jayson. Valar surprised them and laughed a deep, hearty chortle, his eyes brimming with tears.
“What did we miss?” Dimitri asked sternly as he and Piper joined the group.
“Just Valar laughing at the pressures of society on young kids these days,” said Jayson waving his hand nonchalantly.
“Are we ready, then?” Valin asked, pushing his way to the front of the group. He cast a nervous glance at the sky above. “They will be changing the watch in ten minutes. We need to leave before the new guards come. Their eyes will be fresher, and less weary. The current guards have been in your storm for the past several hours.”
They all nodded, and hoisted their packs onto their shoulders. Dimitri grabbed Piper’s hand and squeezed it hard, not letting go.
“Let us hurry,” said Valin, and he rushed out the back door. The group of friends stood watching his back for several moments before Jayson took off after him. Jack and Leo followed suit, pulling their hoods up against the pouring rain. Piper made to follow, but Valar called to her.
“Wait,” he said and laid a hand on her shoulder. He pulled it back, and looked at her sadly.
Piper stopped, looking at him confused. Dimitri peered over his shoulder, watching as the figures of the boys and Valin disappeared further into the darkness. “In case I never get the chance to say this again, your father loved you, and he regretted every day that he sent you away. He died knowing you were alive, and that alone made him happy. Please, be careful.” Valar hugged her tightly, stunning the girl, until she hugged him back.
“Come, we are losing them,” said Dimitri and reached to grab Piper’s hand again.
“Take care of her,” Valar said to him, and they disappeared into the rain.
Still holding her hand tightly in his, Dimitri led Piper in the direction he had last seen Valin and the boys. His eyes were more adjusted to the dark having spent so much time in the dim light of the Dwarvik mountains. With their heads bent against the storm, they found their way to the small party, now taking refuge behind a large tree at the edge of the forest.
“I thought we had lost you,” Valin said to Piper.
“We’re fine,” said Dimitri curtly above the roar of the storm. “What is the plan now?”
There was a small shelter area some fifty yards. Two soldiers huddled inside, their cloaks pulled up against the storm.
“There is a small trail the soldiers use for hunting just past their shelter there. If we had a diversion—”
“Leave it to me,” said Piper. She stepped from behind Dimitri who had been shielding her from much of Valin’s view. She leaned her back against the tree and closed her eyes, whispering quietly to herself. Valin glanced nervously at her, and scanned the darkness with an uncomfortable twitch. They heard movement in the boughs of the tree above them, and a sudden rush of wind sent a slosh of water pouring down on the shelter, collapsing it.
The soldier’s shouts were audible, even from the distance from whic
h they stood. Jack, Leo and Jayson stifled laughs as curses and insults were heard over the down pour of the rain. Piper continued to concentrate. Then, the soldiers gave a different cry, and fled from the shelter, away from the party hiding in the shadows. Piper’s eyes fluttered, and she slid down the tree. Valin caught her, and much to Dimitri’s displeasure, lifted her in his arms with the same ease as he could have.
“Come,” Valin whispered, and took off toward the now empty shelter.
As Valin had described, a small trail led from the point of the lean-to into the forest. They left the path after nearly a half mile, relying only on the eyes of Valin to lead the way. They pushed through the brush and brambles with difficulty until Valin stopped. Piper stirred in his arms, raising a hand to her forehead.
Valin set her gently on the ground, and Dimitri rushed to her side, pushing them all aside.
“Piper,” he said, both lovingly and accusing. “What did you do?”
Her eyes were still closed, but a smile began to creep across her face.
“Skunk,” she whispered.
“A skunk?” asked Jayson, and he, Jack and Leo began laughing.
“Awesome,” said Leo through tiny snorts of laughter.
“No, it is not awesome,” chided Dimitri. Even in the darkness, the boys could feel his glare. “The manipulation of the elements and weather is child’s play compared to the energy and skill involved to control a complex being such as an animal and bend its will against instinct and nature. It is practically impossible.”
“She must be very powerful,” said Valin, a tinge of fear in his voice.
“Yes,” Dimitri snapped. “She is, but that does not mean she needs coddled.”
Jayson rushed forward and stood between the two, or what he guessed was as close to between them as he could find in the darkness. “Okay, okay. Let’s just try to move on. We have a long way to go.”
“We should not venture further with Piper in such a condition,” Valin replied, and nodded toward Piper who still lay on the ground before them.
“Then I will carry her,” Dimitri answered, the anger in his voice continuing to rise. “I have done it before.”
“I can walk,” said Piper weakly, and she attempted to push herself onto her elbows. “Just give me a moment.”
“You are in no such state, my lady,” said Valin, kneeling before her. “You truly should rest.”
“We cannot rest this close yet to the edge of the forest!” Dimitri nearly shouted, and Leo hushed him sharply.
“We have little choice, seeing as our future Queen has gravely exhausted herself,” replied Valin.
Dimitri pushed Jayson aside and charged at Valin. Jack caught Jayson as he stumbled back.
“I told you, I will carry her,” seethed Dimitri, his face inches from Valin’s.
“You treat her with little care or respect. She needs rest, and bouncing in the arms of some idiot half dwarf is not sufficient.”
“Stop it!” Piper said feebly, but her voice was drowned out by the continued arguments of Dimitri and Valin.
“I can handle your insults for myself, but Piper is not the delicate flower you seem to think she is. Do not try to treat her as such! You know nothing of her!” Dimitri pushed Valin, and he slammed into the tree behind him.
Valin bounced back as if the tree were made of rubber, and puffed himself up against Dimitri’s bulk.
“Perhaps you have been treating her wrong all these years. A flower, no, but she is a lady worthy of adoration and care!”
“I care more about her than you will ever know!” Dimitri whispered coldly before throwing himself at Valin once more.
It took several minutes for Jack, Leo and Jayson to pull the two apart. Eventually, it was seeing Piper push herself from the ground and stand with her hands on her hips before them that finally ended the argument.
“I agree we should move deeper into the forest,” she said. “If for no other reason than to put some distance between us and Cannondole.” She straightened her traveling clothes and hoisted her pack back onto her shoulder. Dimitri pushed Jayson and Leo off him, and turned to Valin with a glare and half smirk. Piper glared back at Dimitri. “I am not concerned about getting our bearing straight. We will worry about that when it is light out.” She stepped between Dimitri and Valin and began walking deeper into the darkness.
“As you wish, my lady,” said Valin, shrugging Jack off him and following after her.
They continued on for another half hour, but it was growing more difficult by the minute. Like the darkness of the mountain, the forest was so thick in places, they could barely see the back of the person in front of them, and had resorted to creating a chain in order not to become lost. When Jayson tripped and fell, sprawling on the ground, and Leo and Jack tripped and fell over him for the third time, they decided to give up for the night.
They found three large trees standing close together, and climbed into the branches to sleep as best as they could. Though they had rope to keep them from falling, they did not rest well. There was a mix of gratitude and annoyance when the first rays of sun peeked through the canopy above them. They ate their breakfast as they walked, chewing in silence, unsure how to break the uncomfortable tension that had not yet subsided. Jayson, Jack and Leo hoped their journey to the palace would not take long. Fighting against an army of trained soldiers had to be easier than being in the middle of whatever was going on between Piper, Dimitri and Valin.
Piper sat awake the next morning as the dawning sun cast rays like spotlights through the tree tops to the forest floor below. She and Jack had been on watch, but the poor boy had fallen asleep shortly after Dimitri and Leo were relieved from their duty. She had let him sleep, welcoming the solitude. She hadn’t realized how much she missed her time alone.
She quietly climbed down the tree she shared with Jack, and walked some distance away into a patch of wild flowers. She could see the petals begin to open as the sun hit them, and their aroma was sweet and relaxing. She sat down in the very center of the little patch of flowers, and let their scent calm her mind.
She glanced at the others, still asleep in the boughs of the trees, and pulled a small box from her pack. Cautiously she opened it and touched the brilliant sapphire gem with gentle fingers. It reminded her of the trinkets her Gran would bring home from her excursions to the dwarves. She missed Gran desperately. Once Piper found her, Gran would know what to do about being Queen. And what to do about Valin and Dimitri. Perhaps Piper would ask Gran to be her advisor, and that would solve everything.
“What’s that?” asked a voice behind Piper. She jumped and reached instinctually to her boot for a knife. “It’s me,” said Dimitri as she turned to him.
“Dimitri,” Piper breathed, clutching at her chest. “You scared me to death.”
“You are still plenty much alive,” he laughed, and tossed her a large cadenceberry. Piper caught it in the jewelry box, and quickly plucked the fruit from atop the gem, stuffing the box into her bag once more.
“So, what was in there?” Dimitri asked, his mouth full of berry. He pointed to where the box had disappeared back into Piper’s bag and popped another handful of berries into his mouth.
“A gift,” said Piper proudly.
“From Mother?” Dimitri asked and raised an eyebrow.
“No,” said Piper. “From Valin.”
Dimitri swallowed hard. “From Valin?” He shook his head, clenching and unclenching his fists. “Piper, he is using you.”
“For what, Dimitri? Can a queen not accept a gift from one of her subjects?” She tossed her braid in a mocking gesture, and rose, heading back for the trees. Dimitri grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to him.
“He is using you to become King. I am not as naïve as everyone seems to believe.”
Piper yanked her arm free, and looked at Dimitri with stern green eyes. “What if he is? You do not wish to be.”
“So that’s it then? I cannot be your Kin
g, so you are going to throw me aside? Royalty seems to suit you well.”
It was Piper’s turn to grab Dimitri as he turned away from her. “Do not tell me you can’t when you know the answer is you won’t.”
“Piper, if I knew that is what it would take for you to marry me, then I would do it! By Rashiri, I would do anything for you, do you not know that by now?” He shrugged. “It does not matter.” He looked at her bag where Valin’s gift lay hidden in its depths. He pulled his sleeve free of Piper’s grasp, though there was little strength behind it now, and sulked back to the trees.
“You never asked me,” she snapped, but Dimitri ignored her.
She followed him back to the clearing of trees and watched him put an end to Jayson and Jack’s argument about who would start the fire with magic. The logs erupted in a great spire of flame that nearly singed the boys’ eyebrows as Dimitri strode past. Jack and Jayson leapt back with screams. Piper rushed forward and quickly decreased the size of the fire.
“That was dangerous,” Valin scolded. Dimitri spun around and grabbed the front of Valin’s tunic, pulling him close to his face. “Do not start with me. I know your game.”
The last thing Dimitri saw were ice blue eyes boring into his then he lay sprawled on his back. Jack stood over him, saying something about a sharing circle. Jayson was being held back by Leo and yelling at Valin. Dimitri felt someone kneel beside him and a warm energy wash over his head. The throbbing in his eye subsided, but only slightly.
He looked up to see Piper scowling at him.
“You are an idiot,” she said getting to her feet. A strange kind of whirl wind encircled the camp fire and doused it within seconds. She pushed Jayson and Leo aside, meeting Valin’s blue eyes with her green.
Chartile: Prophecy Page 24