by Sarah Noffke
“What if the rogue dryads are right? Father used to say it as well. Maybe we do overuse. Maybe we need to discover other ways of living. I’ve been thinking that I should explore other cultures. We’ve walled ourselves away from the rest of Oriceran. There are other societies of humans, like in New Egypt. We know about Earth, but nothing else. And—”
“There’s nothing else to know about,” Phillip said, biting off the words. “We are human. Do you imagine the practices of the Light Elves will help us? Do you think the customs of the Crystals befit us? Do you suppose other humans on Oriceran know how to live better than we do? Or do you believe that the humans of Earth, where we originated, are the right model for us?”
Frederick nodded, having heard this argument many times. Still, there was something that didn’t compute. “It’s just that we don’t live on Earth. I don’t see how having a golf course is going to benefit us.”
“No, you wouldn’t.” Phillip twirled the golf club in his hands, a devilish smile on his face.
“There’s magic on Oriceran. We have groups like the rogue dryads, whom I know we fear, but honestly I think they serve to keep a balance. We’ve overused the forest, and they believe we should be punished. I don’t think we should build a golf course, but rather negotiate with the rogue dryads. Find out how we can fix things and free the people they’ve turned into statues,” Frederick said, all his words coming out quickly.
“Yes, you sound just like your father now. Like father, like son.” Phillip tested the balance of the club in his hand. Swung it at the ground, like he’d seen in the practice videos. He stared off, as if watching his golf ball launch through the air and fly a great distance.
“Well, thank you. I think Father was right.” A great sadness fell over Frederick’s face, one that showed his sentimentality. His weakness.
“Your father was only right about one thing. He always admitted he wasn’t fit to run the Land of Terran, and had no interest in doing so. He bowed to my superior reasoning.” Phillip tested his swing again, really getting the hang of the flow of the movement.
“Well, that’s where Father and I are different. I want to be Emperor. I’m excited to lead my people,” Frederick said, his attention drawn to Rover, who had taken off after one of the loose golf balls Phillip had been putting earlier.
“And that desire to lead will be your very undoing,” Phillip said, pulling the club back and bringing it across the back of Frederick’s head. The young man’s head swung to the side, and he fell flat on the floor.
Phillip regarded his nephew with a pitying look, grateful that the young emperor had supplied him with the right motivation to complete the job of knocking him out. He hadn’t thought he would be able to do it at first, but he knew that Frederick with his altruistic notions couldn’t be placed in power. Now, as Regent, the role of Emperor would fall on the Duke. And Frederick… Well, he’d serve his people, as he’d wanted to. He’d sacrifice himself so the people of Terran could have a golf course.
CHAPTER TWO
Pink climbing roses covered the arbor that lined the pathway which connected the House of Enchanted to the manicured gardens. Emeri smiled when she came to the end of the covered pathway and the sun kissed the top of her head. There were few things that made her smile of late, but a garden in full bloom deserved her joy. She nodded to the old wizard who sat on a stone bench beside a low row of bushes. Beside Finnegan a fairy buzzed, and others could be seen flying through the gardens. It wasn’t their space to care for, but fairies couldn’t help tending to plants.
“Thank you for meeting with me,” Finnegan said, standing and taking the hand Emeri extended to him. The old wizard pressed his cracked lips to the back of her hand before standing tall. His long turquoise beard was untidy and his eyes tired, as if he hadn’t slept in quite some time.
“Of course. Shall we?” Emeri held out her hand, indicating the cobbled path that wove through the topiaries and rosebushes. Her emerald-green ringlets were pinned up on top of her head. Emeri might not be queen anymore, but she still dressed as if she were. A hundred-year reign couldn’t be forgotten overnight.
“It’s about the virus,” Finnegan began at once. The old wizard hadn’t worked a full day at the farm since he’d contracted the ailment, which wasn’t surprising. Virgo hadn’t been the same since the morning witches and wizards awoke to realize something was askew.
Emeri nodded. “I figured as much.”
“I was hoping you’d take me through how it affected you. I mean, we know that it will steal our magic eventually, and that for some it is faster than with others. I just…”
Emeri pressed her fingers to her soul stone, which had been fashioned into a necklace just like Azure’s. It didn’t just give her comfort to have the stone again, but also strength. She’d fully recovered…well, as much as she was going to.
“You know that my magic is completely gone, right?” she asked the old wizard.
He nodded, not looking at all like himself. The virus stole people’s confidence as it robbed them of magic.
“At first my magic didn’t work the way it always had. It was unreliable, and backfired at times.” The pair followed the bend in the path. A flock of dodo birds sat under a nearby tree, pecking at the ground.
“How long until your magic was gone completely?” Finnegan asked.
“That’s only just beset me.” Emeri stared into the distance, not really seeing.
Finnegan cradled his head in his knobby hands. “That means it took a year for you to lose your magic.”
“Which means we have enough time for Azure to find a cure. As we speak, she’s working on—”
Finnegan shook his head, his eyes filling with tears. “I’ve already lost all my magic.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“It’s gone. Poof! Disappeared overnight,” Finnegan told her, his voice frantic.
“Oh, but that can’t be!” Emeri turned, appraising the wizard in front of her.
“It’s true. I realize that because I irrigated the crops the morning of the infection I might have gotten a stronger dosage, but what if this strain is more potent? What if everyone in Virgo who has the virus is going to lose their magic right away?” Finnegan asked.
Emeri tightened her mouth and shook her head. “That’s not going to happen. We won’t allow it. And we will find a way for you to get your magic back.”
“Oh, you’ve always been strong, but I fear that there’s little hope, especially for an old wizard like myself.” Finnegan pulled his wand from his pocket and held it up. He laughed coldly at it. “I’ve had this wand for almost five hundred years, and now it’s useless to me.”
A small light buzzed nearby and then the figure of the fairy shot into view. The silver-haired fairy sank down until she was perched on Finnegan’s shoulder. “Hey, listen—we’ve told you it’s going to be okay.”
Emeri smiled weakly at the sweet fairy. They had always taken such good care of Finnegan. “Luna is right. And the best thing you can do is to get some rest. Preserve your strength, so that when we have a cure you can get right back to work.”
Finnegan laughed, but this time it was genuine. “You’ve always been a slave-driver, haven’t you?”
“I just know you’re happiest working on the farm.” Emeri turned her gaze on the buzzing fairy. “Please follow Finnegan home. And let the House know if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” Luna said, pulling on a piece of Finnegan’s hair and leading him forward as if he were on a leash.
Emeri’s smile dropped. She should have said more. Helped Finnegan to feel better. But what else could she have said?
“The people of Virgo still look to you for comfort.” Richard’s voice came from behind her.
Straightening, Emeri turned and faced him. He was wearing his usual get-up of slacks and a button-up shirt. He wore only neutral colors, like most humans from Terran. How strange Emeri must look beside him with her vibrant hair and eyes and colorful d
ress!
“The people of Virgo are in a time of need,” Emeri said plainly.
“And even though you’re suffering, you’re still trying to remain strong for them,” Richard observed.
“The job of the royal family doesn’t go away when a queen gives up her crown.”
Richard’s face fell. “First of all, I want to say I’m sorry.”
“Yet again,” Emeri said, bustling back the way she’d come. Richard strode beside her, his eyes on her stony expression.
“You don’t seem to hear me when I say it. Also, you’ve insinuated that I’ve abandoned my duties to Terran. I didn’t—I was stripped of my title.” Richard’s voice was a rough whisper.
“I’m fully aware of that. I’m not insinuating anything. I can’t help it if you have a guilty conscience,” Emeri spat.
“I’ve been trying to help Azure. You know that.”
“Yes, word has gotten out that the human from Terran is being noble from time to time,” Emeri said, her voice cold.
“You know, hating me takes away precious energy you could be using for other things,” Richard said. There was an almost-smile in his eyes.
“Hating you has given my life purpose.”
Richard stared down at a row of rose bushes that were bursting with life, something both he and Emeri were losing faster than ever. Emeri would begin to age quickly without her magic, and without drawing from the elements, Richard would also meet death much sooner. However, after seeing the damage to the Dark Forest and realizing what Phillip had been doing to make Terran great, he wouldn’t pull magic anymore. It felt wrong—or maybe it was that he felt the need to punish himself somehow.
“Well, I never hated you. You and I were put into unfortunate positions. A no-win situation,” Richard said, and when Emeri didn’t soften he added, “I always wanted to fight Phillip, but I feared what he’d do if I did.”
“Oh, like create a virus that robbed me of my magic?” Emeri yelled so loudly that she unsettled the dodos.
“It took him several decades to do that. Just imagine what he would have done if I’d rebelled. He probably would have waged a war, with no regard for the treaty.” Richard gazed at Emeri with an earnest look in his eyes.
She tilted her head up, her nose pinched. “I still don’t approve of having you here. I only tolerate it for Azure.”
“Who by the way, is as incredible as her mother and just as impressive as queen.”
Emeri shook her head in response and hurried forward, leaving Richard at her back.
“Queen Azure treats me with the same indifference, but I’ll spend my remaining years proving to you both that I deserve a second chance,” Richard called, a lightness to his tone.
CHAPTER THREE
Laurel strode beside Queen Azure, her eyes low. It was still so strange for the werecat to travel around Virgo without having to be hyperaware of her surroundings. She’d have to get used to it.
“Are you sure you won’t join us? We could use someone with your logic skills on this expedition,” Azure said.
“No, I’m cataloging new plants native to Virgo. I documented all the ones I could find in Lancothy. This is a part of my life’s work—to create essential oils from plants which have many uses.”
“You will fit in well here in Virgo with that mindset. We too rely on Oriceran to heal us and provide the remedies we need,” Azure told her.
“Except for now. Your people…” Laurel’s voice trailed off, her cat-eyes full of remorse.
“My people will recover. We’ll use industrious spirits like yours to persevere.”
“Maybe I’ll discover something while you’re gone—something that can help. I’m intrigued by the lavender that grows wild here. I’ve never seen anything like it, and think the medicinal purposes will be numerous,” Laurel said, a bit of excitement in her voice.
“Very good. I’ve asked Finnegan to give you access to the lab in Charmsgood’s old potions shop. It’s not being used, and will be a good place for you to create your essential oils. Once they’re tested, feel free to sell them at the artisan market,” Azure said, taking the reins of the horse that had been brought to her.
“Oh good, the queen has decided to grace us with her presence,” Monet said. He was already on his own horse.
“Where’s Gillian?” Azure asked, staring around.
“You haven’t heard?” Monet asked, covering his laugh with the side of his hand.
“Heard what?” Azure wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Had the gnome abandoned them after stealing secrets, like Ever?
“Well, your favorite new pet decided he was accompanying us, and Gillian actually agreed,” Monet said, pointing to the stable doors.
Azure stared at them, confusion masking her expression. She dropped the reins of her horse when Blisters came galloping out of the stables. A saddle had been poorly fitted to the little unicorn, and it slid to the ground as he bounded forward.
“Blisters, what are you doing here?” Azure asked.
“I get to go on your adventure. The lovely Gillian agreed when I made him an offer,” the small unicorn said, frolicking in a circle.
Azure lifted her gaze to find Gillian marching out of the stable, a bridle in his hand.
“What is going on?” she asked.
“Well, as you might have guessed, Queen Azure,” Gillian began, “I’m a bit small to ride a full-sized horse.”
“However…” Monet interjected, a wide smile on his face.
“However, Blisters agreed that I could ride him, if he was allowed to go,” Gillian said, his chest puffed out.
“Oh, dear Merlin.” Azure struck her forehead with her hand, her eyes wide. “And of course you wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to ride a unicorn, even if he brings disaster and death with him,” Azure whispered in Gillian’s direction, a hand cupped around her mouth.
“Exactly,” Gillian said proudly. He strode forward and fitted the bridle over Blisters’ head, although the excited unicorn jumped around, making the task much harder.
“I’m going to save the world! Me and my pals are going to save Oriceran. Glory be to us!”
Azure stared into the heavens. “Fuck my life,” she whispered.
“I second that, sister,” Monet said, withdrawing a flask from his robes and taking a long drink.
Azure grabbed her reins and again mounted her horse before gazing at Laurel. “Well, if we don’t return, please take care of Finswick for me. Maybe take him on your travels. He’s always wanted to leave Virgo, but I’ve never allowed it.” Azure’s familiar had helped to rid the House of Enchanted of those bugs Phillip had spying on them. He really deserved a reward, one that included more than her gratitude. Soon she’d see that he got it.
Laurel offered an encouraging smile. “I’m certain that won’t be necessary. I’ll be here when you all return,” the werecat said.
“Hold still,” Gillian said to Blisters with an irritated growl. He replaced the saddle on the unicorn’s back, tightening it and ensuring the attached bags were secure. Twice he tried to throw his stumpy leg over to mount, but was dragged the opposite direction. Gillian held onto the reins as the tiny unicorn charged forward, unaware that his rider was only half on him.
After nearly being trampled under his hooves, Gillian pulled himself upright on Blisters, a determined look in his eyes. The gnome gripped the reins, holding them tightly.
“It isn’t too late to make different travel arrangements,” Azure said, careful in her choice of words.
Thinking she was speaking to him, Blisters shook his head, his mane of rainbow hair swaying. “No, I’ve made up my mind. I want Gillian as my rider.”
Azure offered the gnome one last look of warning, to which he replied by tucking his chin and flicking the reins. “We’d better be off. We’ll want to reach the river by nightfall.”
Blisters started forward, a small toot sounding from his rear end like a broken trumpet. His horn-like music didn’t stop until Azure and Mo
net joined Blisters, their horses striding beside him as he ran at full speed.
CHAPTER FOUR
The terrain was comprised of rolling hills, which the horses managed easily. Even the little unicorn was able to handle the rise and fall of the land without issue. What he was poor at was remaining quiet.
“When do you think Mage Lenore will deliver my wand? I keep checking each morning. Did you ask her when you met? Which reminds me, have any of you ever had a canker sore in your mouth? The queen mother says that it’s because I talk too much, but I don’t know—”
“How did Mage Lenore remind you of a canker sore?” Monet asked, cutting Blisters off.
The unicorn laughed, making Gillian bounce up and down. “Oh, you’re funny. So, in preparation for the trip I brought lots of supplies. Water, matches, candles, candy—”
“Why did you bring a fire starter?” Gillian asked, his voice irritated.
“Because I’m afraid of the dark,” Blisters said, his high-pitched voice full of shame.
“No, I mean, why would you clutter up your saddlebags with such things when we are able to manifest fire with magic?” Gillian shook his head.
Monet pulled his horse up next to Azure, who was in the lead. “Do you also sense that we will be dumber by the end of this journey? I can feel the brain cells popping in my head.”
“If you get poisoned or mortally wounded you’ll be grateful that a unicorn is one of your traveling companions,” Azure said, her eyes on the upcoming ridge, which bordered the Conca River.
“You know what, that’s what I loathe about you. You’re always trying to see the best in people or a situation like a fucking optimist,” Monet complained.
“I only ever see your numerous flaws, though. Did you know that you have one nostril that’s larger than the other? And you have baby hands. Oh, and your jaw clicks when you chew, which is highly annoying. I have also noticed—”
Monet urged his horse ahead, leaving Azure behind wearing a proud smile. Honestly, what Azure appreciated most about her longtime friend was he never treated her differently. All her life people had bowed to her every time she walked into room. She hardly knew if most liked her for who she was. But that had never been true of Monet. He treated her like she was a real person, not the Queen, and she needed that. Everyone needed someone who loved them for who they were and not the role they were born into.