Silent Kingdom

by Rachel L. Schade

  The footsteps retreated and relief eased its way through my limbs. I relaxed out of my cramped huddle and, once I felt the guards were a safe distance away, began my descent. Several times I slipped and my weary, trembling limbs almost couldn’t support me anymore. I hit the ground panting and exhausted, but my desire to put space between the guards and me overpowered every other feeling. I burst into a run, forming a meandering trail through the underbrush.

  Seconds turned into minutes. My cheeks burned in the cold and my lungs ached. I kicked up dead leaves and twigs and tripped more than once. The cloak grew hot, clinging to my arms and hanging heavy against my body. As it dragged behind, it caught in the branches littering the ground and snagged until it tore and sent me sprawling on my face. My chest heaved; I coughed and gasped for air.

  I struggled to my feet and slipped the cloak off, draping it over my shoulder. Shaking and struggling to catch my breath, I stood motionless, straining my ears for any sounds of pursuit. Wind shuddered through the trees and stirred dead leaves across the ground. A squirrel scampered out from between two trunks, stared at me, and then flung itself up the nearest tree in two great bounds.

  No one, I thought in relief. No one’s following me. My head spun and I nearly tripped over my own feet as I tried to keep walking. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and drew in deep, cooling breaths. I must have been ill longer than I’d thought.

  At first the breeze caressed my face and refreshed me, but soon it crept through my nightgown. The sweat coating my body made me shiver, so I threw the cloak back on. My legs were numb and even my back and arms ached. I ran my tongue along my dry lips and longed for even one sip of cool, fresh water, but I had no hope of finding any soon. There was a hole in my stomach from hunger, and the further I walked the more it stretched until it felt like I had a gaping chasm growing deep inside me. When was the last time I had eaten? It must have been days ago, when I’d forced down a few bites at dinner with my parents. My heart aching with pain and anger at the memory, I pushed the thought away.

  The trees towered high and drenched me in shadows while clouds gathered in the sky and enveloped the moon. Unseen animals darted from tree to tree, scurrying through the leaves on the ground and climbing among the branches over my head. Every time something moved nearby, my pulse quickened and I froze, as if standing still would make a hungry animal blind to my presence. I vaguely remembered whispers of terrors, intelligent creatures that lurked in Evren Forest and preyed upon humans, and nervous glances between adults whenever anyone mentioned the topic of traveling through these woods, but I reminded myself that the guards’ fear had been misplaced. The tales are myths. Only stories to scare children, I reassured myself.

  Still, I hated the thought of staying in these dark woods alone, but I was lost and too exhausted to move another step. Sinking to the earth and huddling close to the trunk of an old maple tree, I shut out the night and the sounds by burrowing into the oversized cloak.

  Somehow I dozed, my sleep interrupted by nightmares of creaking branches and royal guards chasing me through dark wilderness. At last, sunlight peeked through the treetops, waking me to a frosty morning.

  Shivering, I stretched and found that my back and neck ached from my uncomfortable sleeping position. My head throbbed, my legs were sore, and my whole body was weak, but I didn’t have time to rest longer. Hunger pangs had set in and I knew if I didn’t push my way through this wood soon, I would freeze or starve.

  As the day wore on, the sunlight slowly warmed the earth and melted the frost from the remaining leaves on the trees. I decided to follow the sunlight and hope that I could keep a westerly path. Though I knew nothing of traveling through wilderness, I had a fairly clear picture in my head of the world maps I’d been forced to memorize. Evren Forest lay to the west of Misroth City, with a few scattered towns along its opposite borders. If I could just make it through this forest, I could find a haven where someone might help me.

  Even in the daylight, I couldn’t shake the eerie feeling the forest gave me. Shadows hid beneath the trees and strange noises followed me everywhere. Birds lighted on perches high above me, but their mild presence couldn’t chase away the nightmarish thoughts collecting in my mind. What if the creatures are real? The longer I traveled through the woods alone, my real fears of becoming lost forever and starving were matched by my irrational fears.

  Despite my concerns, the day passed without incident. As another night fell, my hunger making my stomach feel like a great abyss, I collapsed on a soft bed of moss to rest. Sleep. You’ll make it out of this place soon, somehow… Forget the stories about monsters. Forget that you might be lost. You need the rest. I shut my eyes against the night and tried to block out every sound.

  My efforts didn’t work.

  Overhead, the boughs creaked in the wind and the leaves scattered, drifting onto my cloak. I shivered and stared up at the stars. If I focused on picking out the constellations Mother had shown me as a child, maybe I could dispel my fears and fall asleep. But any memories of my mother shot poison through my veins.

  How could you and Father betray me like this?

  Unbidden tears splattered down my cheeks and spotted my nightgown, mingling with the twigs and dirt. I leaned my head back against the rough bark of the tree and felt it scratch my scalp. At least my anger and sorrow consumed me, drowning my fear.

  A heavy thud jolted me out of my despair and wrenched my eyes wide open. Standing, I pulled the cloak close about me and searched the forest. It’s nothing, you fool, I thought, but I couldn’t dispel my terror this time.

  My breath caught in my throat as two large, reptilian eyes appeared in the blackness. Gleaming bright gold, cold and intent, they fastened on me unblinkingly.

  Panicking, I stepped backward, my heel slamming into the tree. I suppressed a cry of pain and staggered around the trunk, unable to tear my gaze from the eyes that were still studying me. Move. Run. I had to plead with myself while my body struggled to catch up with my mind. Blood pounded through my head. Did I dare turn my back on this creature? Now, I commanded myself.

  Spinning around, I darted through the trees, winding my way around underbrush, leaping over roots and branches. Leaves flew up around me as my sore muscles found new life. I heard nothing behind me—had it changed its mind? Or was it that quiet?

  I didn’t dare turn to look. My chest burned; my throat was on fire. Though my body was warm and coated in a layer of sweat, my hands were cold and clammy as they pumped at my sides. Keep. Going. I begged my legs to go faster, faster, faster.

  Sweat snaked down my brow. I leapt over a fallen tree and my knees almost buckled underneath me as I hit the ground. My breaths came in uneven gasps, so loud that I knew I had to be alerting every beast around me that I was weak and half-starved.

  I will not die here, I resolved.

  I couldn’t hear any sounds over the hammering of my heart, the thudding of my feet, the wheezing of my lungs. In a surreal burst of perceptiveness—perhaps to make up for the fact that I heard nothing, or maybe to appreciate the beauty of the world one last time—I became intensely aware of every sight around me. Ahead, the sky was grey and starless, and I realized it was almost dawn. Around me the forest was thinning: the underbrush was scraggly and sparse, and the trees stood further and further apart.

  Then the canopy of branches spread wide and the sky was open above me, swirling with soft clouds. Just beyond the trees stretched rolling, green countryside dotted with farms, fields, and pastures. At that instant light sprang over the horizon: a warm glow piercing through the grey, edging the easternmost clouds in pale gold. The sun followed, peeking over the edge of the earth and flooding my eyes with light. Hope burst inside me.

  I sprinted forward, plunging out of the forest into the tall grass, and collapsed. I tumbled sideways, rolling down a soft descent until my momentum died and I slammed onto my face. For several minutes I lay there, too exhausted to move, fearing the creature would pounce.

  S
econds inched by. My heart slowed until I could no longer feel it pulsing in my ears. I raised my head from the grass and stared over my shoulder into the forest, but there were no eyes gazing back at me. Sighing with relief, I staggered to my feet. I set my gaze ahead, scanning the farmland. There was a cabin nearby…if I could force my legs forward a little more…

  I staggered toward the cabin, nestled against a hill and belching a welcoming curl of smoke from its chimney. As I drew nearer, I noticed a boy close to my age in the yard, stacking wood blocks from a pile into his arms. His clothes were made from simple homespun material, his boots were muddy and worn, and his dark hair was cropped short. When he caught sight of me, he froze, a frown crinkling his brow as he stared. I wanted to run, to beg for help and food, but my body was too faint and I collapsed.

  CHAPTER 3

  The boy shouted words I couldn’t hear past the ringing in my ears. Coming to the front door, a man paused on the porch and stared me up and down. I lay in the grass trembling, my cloak and gown in a heap around me. The whole world blurred and teetered, and black dots obstructed my vision.

  “She needs help, Father,” the boy begged. He kneeled at my side and peered down at me, his deep brown eyes filled with concern. He felt my forehead with trembling fingers. “I think she came from the woods; she must be hungry.”

  Another friend? Shelter? Food? I hoped.

  Without a word, the boy’s father turned and slammed the front door. After several minutes he appeared again in front of me, shoving a slice of bread and a cup of water in my face. Somehow my senses sharpened at the sight of food and I found strength to snatch at them. I devoured the bread, not caring as crumbs spilled down my front, then gulped down the water, savoring every drop. My empty stomach growled for more; the water seemed to slosh in the vast empty space left inside me. The man lifted me into his arms and carried me, the boy trotting along behind him.

  Hating that I was not strong enough to walk myself, I blinked in the sunlight and clung to the stranger’s shoulders. My head lolled back against his chest and I closed my eyes. Too tired, too tired.

  Eventually I was aware of slightly less movement—the world still spun but the man had stopped walking. I cracked open my eyes and saw we were standing before another cabin, this one surrounded by a homey garden. Though it was dead now, I could tell it had been well-tended before the frosts came.

  The man pounded on the door. After a moment, it opened inward to reveal a middle-aged man with short, ruffled hair and brown eyes almost lost behind his spectacles. His skin was a softer tone than that of the others, the color of someone who spent most of his days indoors. He blinked in surprise and raised a hand to run through his locks. “Kyrin, what brings you here?” he inquired. He glanced down at me, then at the boy behind me. “Ah, Avrik. Good day. Who…who is this?”

  “I found her; I think she was in the forest, but—” Avrik offered, but his words were cut short by his father’s.

  “She’s ill, Rev,” Kyrin said gruffly. “As you know, I’m in no position to nurse a girl back to health. But perhaps you and Lyanna…”

  A round-faced woman popped her head over her husband’s shoulder at the mention of her name. Her pale face was dusted with flour that matched the white streaks adorning her ash-colored hair. “Oh!” she exclaimed, throwing a hand over her mouth. “The poor girl. Of course we’ll take her in, Kyrin.” She pushed her way past Rev and clasped me by both hands. “You’ll be fine, dear; we’ll get you plenty of food and rest.” She nodded to Kyrin to bring me in.

  Rev blinked and ran his hand through his hair again, though he made no protest. Kyrin carried me through the doorway into a warm living room with a large fire burning in the hearth.

  “Take her to the guest room; she looks exhausted,” Lyanna urged, and Kyrin followed her to the back of the cabin into a small room containing no more than a bed, a dresser, and a nightstand. He laid me down, and I promptly fell asleep.

  Hours passed before I awoke to the tantalizing scent of venison. My head felt better, but I was faint with hunger. Turning my head, I stared out of the sole window in the bedroom, watching the dying sunlight through the bare branches of a tree outside. I glanced around, taking in the blue and white quilt draped over me and the bedframe, hand carved with a simple floral design. The room’s walls were bare; the wood floor uncovered. It was strange to see such simple living arrangements compared to the luxury I had grown up in, but the atmosphere felt comfortable and inviting, a welcome change from the great expanses of the palace.

  Sitting up, I slipped out of bed and relished the feel of the floorboards, cool and smooth under my bare feet after days of trekking through the woods. Somewhere in the kitchen, Lyanna was humming while she worked. I took a few steps toward the bedroom door and the floor creaked beneath me.

  Hearing me stir, Lyanna poked her head in the doorway and gave me a soft smile. “Awake? Dinner is almost ready; I’ll have Rev heat some bathwater for you so you can wash beforehand. I found some of my old clothes that should do for you to wear for now…” She helped me to my feet and led me out by the fireplace to sit and wait.

  Lyanna called to me a short while later. As she returned to the kitchen, I shut my bedroom door and stared at the copper tub, full to the brim with steaming water. A towel, bar of soap, comb, and change of clothes rested on my bedcovers.

  I wasted no time in stripping the dirty nightgown from my body and easing into the bathwater. The water relaxed my sore muscles until I leaned back and closed my eyes in bliss. I snatched at the bar of soap and began to work it into a lather, scrubbing at the layers of grime coating every inch of my skin and hair. When the water turned lukewarm, I stood resignedly and stepped from the tub.

  After I’d dried myself, I turned to the undergarments and dress Lyanna had laid out. I could tell from a glance the dress was too large, but it was clean and warm. The plain brown fabric was faded from use, yet when I slipped it over my head, I found that it was still soft. Once dressed, I combed the knots from my hair before the small looking glass set over the dresser. Though my reflection was pale and dark circles shadowed my eyes, there was a flush to my cheeks and light sparkling in my green eyes. Already I felt infinitely better than I had only hours ago.

  When I was finished, I joined Lyanna and Rev at the kitchen table for dinner. Neither pressed me to speak as I consumed a heaping serving of venison stew, potatoes, and bread. Dinner was far simpler than the extravagant palace meals I was accustomed to, but it was delicious, a hearty meal that warmed and reinvigorated me. When I gratefully allowed Lyanna to fill my plate and bowl with second portions, she began to ask questions.

  “Where did you come from, my dear?”

  I lifted my head from my plate and gulped down another mouthful of stew. Fear knotted in my stomach when I imagined trying to explain what had happened—no, revealing my identity was too dangerous. I shook my head, remembering how I couldn’t speak earlier. Maybe I could now, but I didn’t want to try yet. It was easier to remain silent and hold my secrets close.

  Lyanna pursed her lips and glanced at her husband. Silence settled over the table, and I shoveled another forkful of potatoes into my mouth. Lyanna shrugged, took a sip of water, and started to chat about her plans for her garden.

  Thank you, I thought in relief. My appetite returned in full force, and I cleaned my plate for the second time with embarrassing speed. My mother would have been aghast at my horrible manners and lack of etiquette, but Lyanna didn’t comment.

  Once she and Rev cleared the table, the two of them settled in the living room. Lyanna motioned to invite me over. “Come join us,” she offered.

  In the corner near a set of bookshelves and a desk, Rev paused while selecting a book to look over his shoulder and nod. “Yes, you should warm yourself by the fire for a bit.”

  I eased awkwardly into a wooden armchair by the fire and waited for them to ask for more information. It was only natural.

  Picking up a piece of knitting, Lyanna stud
ied me. “Do you like to knit?” She gestured to the basket beside her, full of yarn and various sizes of knitting needles.

  Knit? I don’t know if I like to knit. I like to ride, to shoot, to read, and to pretend I’m on grand adventures with my cousin. Once I liked to swim and listen to my uncle tell stories by the fire. But knitting…that is something I wasn’t taught, not as royalty.

  Uncomfortable, I glanced down at my hands, folded tightly in my lap.

  “It’s all right.” Lyanna smiled. “I just want you to feel welcome.” She hesitated. “What…what can we call you?”

  I stared into the fire. Was it safe to speak? Could I speak? I cleared my throat, trying to find words to say. I don’t know… My lips formed the words, but no sound came. I can’t say…

  Wide-eyed, I turned to Lyanna and shook my head.

  Maybe this muteness was a mercy. Maybe whatever had cursed me with my visions was gone with my voice. If I never spoke, then my uncontrollable need to tell the truth could never endanger me again.

  But Lyanna wasn’t finished trying to discover more about me. “Do you have family looking for you? You can stay here as long as you need to, of course, but I really would hate for your loved ones to be worried while you stay here, and we have no idea…”

  Again, I shook my head. This time I touched my throat, and Lyanna nodded in understanding.

  Rev looked up from the book he’d been engrossed in. “Lyanna, don’t pester her. Clearly she has been through a lot. She might be ready to talk in a few days.”

  Lyanna nodded. “No more questions,” she told me. “When you’ve had time to rest, you can share your story, if you want. I only want to ensure you can return home.”

  ~~~

  I was standing beside my uncle’s bedside as, pale and shaking, he stared up at me. My eyes were full of tears, so I couldn’t see him clearly at first and didn’t realize he was trying to speak to me. When I blinked, I saw his lips opening, but only a moan escaped him.