by J. K. Barber
“There is no need for you to apologize. You were relating. I understand.” He let go of her and stood up, wiping grass from his leather pants. “Come, now it is time I show you something,” the woodsman said smiling with his hand extended to Sasha. She took his hand and let him help her up to her feet.
They walked together back to the stream they had jumped across. It wasn’t more than four feet wide. Jared dipped his hand in the cold shallow water, feeling for its current. The swordswoman watched him curiously. He removed his hand and walked westward through the trees. Sasha followed. When they had almost reached the outer wall of the temple, a statue of a woman almost as tall as Sasha stood with her hands extended in offering before them. At her feet were rocks laid around a small area where water was bubbling up out of the ground. Jared smiled.
“The priests must have picked this spot as Aeirsga was being built, because of this spring.” Jared jumped to the other side of the stream, which was much narrower here, and dipped his hands in it. He laughed as he sipped the liquid. “Try it, Sasha. It is like drinking life from its source, the Great Mother offering you the gift of water.”
Sasha beamed in return, marveling at his discovery, and bent down, cupping some of the clear water and drinking deeply. It was cool, clean and fresh. Their eyes met across the stream like two animals coming to the same spot to quench their thirst, noticing each other but not sure what the other would do.
“This is truly a blessed place,” he said cupping one more handful of water to his lips before sitting down. Sasha hopped to his side of the stream and sat near him.
“Jared, how did you know this was here?” the swordswoman asked, taking off some of her armor and sword belt to make herself more comfortable.
“I guessed actually. The size of the stream was the hint,” he remarked as he, too, unbelted his weapons. He maneuvered until his back was against a tree and breathed in deeply, obviously loving every minute in the small forest. Sasha lay on her side and plucked at the grass and pine needles a little nervously. While she had spent many a night in forests or the wild, she still preferred a soft bed in a tavern to the hard ground.
“How long of a journey is it to Valshet?” Sasha asked in an effort to make conversation.
“We won’t even arrive in Valshet for a week at least. Maybe faster… the river’s current may run more quickly this time of year with the melting snow in the north,” Jared replied.
“I’ve never been on a boat before,” Sasha said drowsily.
“Neither have I,” he said, a little shock in his voice at his realization.
They laughed together before falling into a comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s company and the sound of the woods. It wasn’t long before the pair fell asleep, exhausted after the events of the day.
In the dark hours of the early morning, Sasha slipped quietly into the bed she was sharing with her sister in the palace. She and Jared had not meant to fall asleep at the Temple of the Great Mother. She had woken with a start knowing that something was not right. Realizing what her father and Mala would think of her and the woodsman returning in the morning together from town would look like, she had woken Jared, and they headed back to the palace with all due haste.
The bed creaked as she settled and the swordswoman cursed it. Katya rolled from her back to her side to face away from Sasha.
“So… did you enjoy yourself?” Katya asked her voice drowsy from sleep. Sasha’s heart skipped a beat.
“We didn’t do anything,” she replied perhaps too quickly.
“Liar,” Katya said with a serious tone to her voice as she rolled over to face her sister. “You don’t stay out until just before dawn and sneak back in here without being guilty of something,” the sorceress reproached.
“We didn’t...,” Sasha tried to reply before Katya cut her off.
“Don’t worry I won’t snitch on you to Daddy,” Katya all but spat and turned back over to face the wall.
Sasha growled at her sister’s blatant dismissal of her and pulled the covers up to her chin. However, a moment later she pushed the covers back and rolled to her side to lightly touch Katya on the shoulder.
“Katya, can we talk about this please?” the red-headed sister asked, trying to keep her tone calm. “I can’t stand for you to be angry with me.” Katya shrugged her sister’s hand off her skin by pulling her arm forward. Sasha sat up angrily, fully facing her twin.
“It was only a fortnight ago, sister, in this very bed that we were laughing together about Jared and who was going to get him. From your words it seemed to me that you thought he and I would end up together. Whether or not you believe me that we have not… been intimate… why are you angry that he and I are spending more time together? Do you want him?” Sasha huffed heavily, catching her breath after such an outpour of words. Katya sat up and turned her body slightly toward her sister but keeping her head downcast, hiding behind the wash of her silky, ebony hair.
“I wanted to have a choice,” the sorceress stated simply.
“And I am saying you still do,” Sasha replied a bit more harshly than she intended. “Do you want me to back off to give you two some time together?” Katya met her sister’s gaze for the first time. She seemed to be thinking it over.
“I appreciate your offer,” Katya spoke softly, sliding her fingers into Sasha’s hand and squeezing gently, “but Jared seems to have made his choice already.” With that, Katya released her sister’s hand and lay down. Sasha didn’t know what to say. She sat there for a moment more pondering her sister’s words, then she lay back down herself, eyes wide open, her thoughts and emotions too astir for sleep.
In the parade ground on the eastern side of The Royal Palace of Aeirsga, a great number of horses were saddled and standing in formation with their riders at their sides and various grooms busying themselves in the care of the animals. Bright red and blue banners embroidered with the Kingdom of Illyander’s entwined dragon emblem waved from white marble towers in the morning breeze. The pallid palace walls turned a warm yellow as the rising sun cast its rays upon them. Supply wagons were having their contents checked by teamsters one last time for the march north.
King Morgan had Queen Xavia and his daughter in a tight hug. Princess Lilliandra was once again wearing a low cut dress of powdered pink that hugged her curves. Every man couldn’t help but glance her way, only to quickly be stared down by the King if caught looking. King Morgan was equipped in his full ceremonial plate armor embossed with gold filigree, and a similarly golden crowned helm that complimented the embroidery on his tabard and completed his ensemble. No longer wearing the decorative weapon reserved for more formal matters, his sword now was plain in a well-worn sheath, reminding his troops that for all the glitter of his ceremonial armor, he was still a true king and had many years of swordsmanship under his belt. After kissing his daughter on the cheek, he had eyes only for his bride, who wore an azure blue silk dress, stylishly gathered about the full skirt in neat pleats. He kissed her deeply, his strong arms enveloping her small waist. They parted, and the Queen did her best to gather herself, obviously winded but sated as she wrapped her shawl closer about her bare dark shoulders.
The princess waved to Jared on the docks who did his best to nonchalantly disappear behind a large stack of supplies. A nearby Katya regarded Jared, following his gaze to Princess Lilliandra.
“You sure do get around,” she chided him. Sasha turned and glared at the sorceress, who in turn stuck out her tongue at her sister.
“What are you talki…?” Jared started to ask in a surprised tone but the girls’ father approached, and he immediately quieted. Branden took a daughter in each arm and hugged them tightly. Mistress Mala trailed behind the giant man, waiting at a respectable distance while they said their goodbyes.
“I will miss you so much girls,” the blacksmith-now-King’s Guard said again. “You know that I would be by your side if I could, but you know how important it is for me to keep my promises. I gave my word to
the King long before you two were born to protect him with my life. I can’t go back on that now when he needs me most.”
“We know, Daddy,” Katya said, half muffled into her father’s chest.
“Ironwrights keep their word. We understand, Father,” Sasha stated, both pride and a bit of sadness in her voice.
“Good girls, my beautiful girls,” Branden said, finally releasing them from his embrace. He kissed each of them on the forehead and gestured to the Master Swordmistress, wiping at the moisture escaping his eyes. “Mala will look after you in my stead. I love you. I will think of you often.” He turned to Jared and extended his hand for a handshake. The woodsman took it gladly but immediately grimaced at the King Guard’s tight grip. “You take care. Watch after my girls.”
“I will do so,” Jared smiled despite the titan’s grip crushing his hand. “May the great Mother keep you, Talas and the King safe.”
Branden nodded, clapped Mala on a pauldroned shoulder and headed back to the King’s decorated escort, where Talas was getting onto a saddled horse of his own. Once mounted, the priest waved to his friends who returned the gesture. Brother Talas had already shaken their hands after breakfast, wished them safe travels, and offered thanks to the Great Mother for their time together. He had then prayed for them all to return safely home again.
Magus Lucian, a scowl on his pale face, approached a surprised Katya. The sorceress watched him cross the last few paving stones muttering his annoyance under his breath. He wore his typical blue velvet robes with his golden embroidered mantle but with the hood pulled up, shielding his bald head from the sun’s rays perhaps. His dark goatee was neatly combed as usual. In the Magus’ hands was a leather-bound journal.
“Katya,” Lucian said bluntly, his tone irritated.
“Yes, Magus Lucian. How can I be of service to you, Sir?” Katya asked, turning fully to face him and away from her companions, who watched with quiet interest. Lucian thrust the journal towards her, so she raised her hands from her sides and gently took it from him. He indicated the book now in her grasp.
“You will most likely need that,” he said nervously, realizing that all nearby eyes were on him. Katya thought he was acting rather squirrely outside the comforts and security of the castle proper. As if in answer to her questioning look he continued, “The journal contains my notes on the ritual that was being performed on the crystal in the catacombs. My thoughts are inconclusive on the matter, so you will have to think on it and fill in the blanks as you go. Had the ritual been completed I would have been able to figure out how to counteract the effect, whatever it was supposed to be. At the very least, it is my hope that my notes will provide the known facts we have and give you some ideas. It will be up to you to reverse the spell the Ice Queen has cast on the crystal in the Ice Palace, so that she cannot attempt to use it for travel again.” Katya managed to keep her mouth from dropping open at the thought of such a daunting task resting on her shoulders alone. She straightened and returned the look of assurance that Lucian regarded her with as best she could.
“Thank you very much, Magus. I will keep this safe and do my best to accomplish the task you have given me,” Katya responded, sliding the journal into her backpack. Lucian started to turn to head back to the castle, but the dark-haired woman had one last question for him. “Sir, why me though? Are you not sending a higher ranking sorcerer pair with us?”
The man stood taller for a moment, a haughty smile creasing his features. “We are sending a pair, you and your sister.” Katya looked taken aback, no longer able to hide her panic.
“But, Sir…,” Katya began.
“There are too few left after our losses in Snowhaven. I need every warrior-sorcerer pair available on the front lines to overtake the Ice Queen’s main forces,” Lucian said, his scowl returning at the graduate questioning a master. “I send only you because I know you will be well protected with two warriors at your side.” Lucian’s eyes flicked to Mistress Mala for half a second. He looked upon the Master Swordswoman and the empty space next to her where Master Pieter should have stood with sympathy, his eyes suddenly misty. “Good luck,” Lucian croaked and walked away.
“Well,” Mistress Mala said looking around at her friends, “here we are.” She then gestured to the four large wooden boats tied to the parade ground’s docks. A few unarmored soldiers were loading their personal gear into the largest boat, while the other boats were being loaded with only supplies at the moment. “We’ll be boarding the Peregrine and setting sail today. The other three boats with the bulk of the soldiers will be a day behind us. If you are ready,” she glanced to the packed gear in front of each of them and nodded, “let’s get moving.” She hauled her own pack onto an armored shoulder and set a quick pace to the largest of the boats, ascending its gangplank with ease. Sasha and Katya followed immediately. Jared hesitated only a moment to glance at the sky above where two crows slowly circled the Peregrine before following.
Chapter 5
Tomas smelled the salty sea air before he even stepped out of the Ley Line nexus. Great waves of blue water crashed onto the white sand beach. He began to sweat immediately with the heat of the tropical sun bearing down from clear skies. Stripping off his velvet robes, boots, and undergarments and folding them into a meticulous pile, he stood still for a few moments with his eyes closed, soaking the warmth into every corner of his being. The sound of small chirps and coos caused him to open his purple eyes. The boy smiled instantly at the pony-sized beings that began crowding around him. Approximately fifty baby dragons in a variety of colors, theirs scales glistening in the afternoon sun, came to his side nudging, nibbling, and rubbing against him. There were brownish-black ones whose scales looked almost rocky in appearance, blue ones with gills and fish-like scales, and green ones, their scales leathery and leaf-shaped. The reds were the most brilliant with their ruby-like scales that dazzled the eyes with their sparkle. Finally, although fewer in number were purple dragons, their crystalline scales like amethysts. Earth, water, life, fire, and spirit; all five of his kind were represented, healthy and beautiful.
His smile faded quickly as their attempts at affection were causing scratches and droplets of blood from the bites on his fragile human skin. He waved them off and slapped the bottom of one that would not obey right away. She scampered off with the rest, giving him room for what they had all had seen him do dozens of times. Tomas kneeled on the sand and relaxed his muscles, letting go of all ties to the human world. His title as Administrator, his care for the war that raged between Illyander and the Empress of Ice, his magic, all of it; he let go. He breathed more deeply, letting his muscles relax so acutely that they lost most of their density. Tomas’ body seemed to sink in on itself before he went to all fours, arched his body and began to stretch. There was no evidence of pain on his face; he resembled more of a cat stretching after a long nap. His skin thinned, turned purple in color and crystalline. Great ivory horns grew from his forehead. Smaller but similar spikes protruded from atop his head and down his spine, elongating into a tail. His body grew quickly until he was easily the size of a tavern. He flicked his tail as a great mass of spikes blossomed at its end. His teeth grew and sharpened, each the size of a greatsword. Great leathery wings sprouted from his back and he extended them toward the sky, moving them up and down a couple times as if airing them out. He shook his great neck and breathed air into his giant lungs, releasing the breath in a great roar that shook the ground.
The baby dragons mostly stared in awe with a few cowering or jumping up on their haunches with excitement. His transformation complete, Tomas lowered his massive form back to the warm sand. The young crowded around him again, and he nibbled at them affectionately.
Tomas spoke to them gently, “Greetings, children. I have missed you. Soon your parents will arrive to take you home, but for now be content to grow and play among these islands. I will go now and bring you food. When your wings are stronger, you too can fly with me. Soon, I will teach you to hunt on
your own and how to be frugal in your choice of prey. Know that I will protect you and keep you safe from harm. Let me go now, children, and I will fetch you meat for your growling bellies.”
The dragons, still too young to speak themselves, chirped at him happily, understanding his tone if not all of his words. They moved away, so that Tomas could open his wings. He rocked back on his haunches and beat his wings several times before leaping into the air. The Sapphire Isles grew smaller below him as he flew high into the sky, until they appeared only as four specks in the blue sea. Catching an air current, he soared for a short time, enjoying the sensation of flight again. Tomas gazed above him, longing to see the stars. A great loneliness clutched at his heart.
“I will see you soon, my kin,” he said.
With a final glance upwards, he began to circle the islands in search of prey below. The dragon spotted a pod of whales off the tip of the southern island where the waters were their deepest. Smiling, he circled lower and with massive claws plucked a young adult whale from the water with practiced ease. Tomas quickly caught another thermal and rose up high until he was soaring again without much effort despite the heavy load. With one quick puncture of his tail spike in between wing beats the whale was put down. He sunk his claws in deeply to assure his hold on the animal and headed back to his hungry charges.
Sirus looked over his two brothers and three sisters in the mostly empty, save for the hay and furs covering the stone floor, large room chosen as their current home. Feeling that it was the right thing to have done; he had given his siblings names which they seemed to have appreciatively accepted. The biggest of the males he had named Walron, and his other brother was Sindai. The girls were Misae, Niambe, and the smallest of them all, Isa. They all had grown, each nearly the size of a caravan wagon now. The clutchmates could easily carry riders now. Walron looked at him quizzically. Their dragon “mind speech,” as Sirus had denoted it, had happened quickly one day. They could easily read each other’s primal desires for food and rest or the urge to fly, which is how it started. Now each thought would form a picture; very much like how Sirus used to speak to animals. However, this experience was much more intense. Before, it was a whisper of emotion as to not invade the animal’s mind, but this was blatantly intimate. Sirus often felt exposed at how easily they read each other, like none of his thoughts were really private. Walron was waiting for a response to his posed question.