by B. T. Narro
*****
When they finally reached Glaine, Neeko realized they’d gone from the Northern capital to the Southern and then back again, yet it felt like they’d gone much less of a distance when returning. Jaymes brought Wendi and her son to the king first. They spoke for hours while Neeko and his three companions ate in the nearly empty great hall.
“When are you leaving?” Cedri asked Shara.
“We’re going to look for the tunnel to Ovira while we wait for the treaty to be finalized. We’re not leaving until it is.”
“I wish you would stay,” Laney said. “You’re never going to meet my man.”
Shara laughed. “Is he coming to the castle or are you going back to Tramberr?”
“He’ll come to the castle eventually. Jaymes says I’ll be here for a while with Cedri.” Her eyes went wide as she turned to her friend. “Maybe you can teach me psyche and I can teach you to move py!”
Cedri forced a grunt of a laugh that showed how ridiculous she thought that was.
Laney folded her arms. “I don’t mean tomorrow. We’ll have years together in the army.”
“What would you even do with psyche?” Cedri asked, showing an amused smile. “Make men fall in love with you?”
Laney gasped in excitement. “You can do that?”
Jaymes came to the top of the stairs and beckoned for the four of them, then brought them into the king’s quarters.
The monarch stood patiently at the center of room. He didn’t quite smile, but his eyes were friendly. “It has been difficult enough dealing with one of you at a time, yet here all of you are at once.” A smile finally formed. “Fortunately, so much has changed since the last time I saw any of you. Laney, when you first came to the castle, I feared Jaymes had made a severe mistake freeing you from prison. But from what he has told me, trusting you was the right decision. You are a brave warrior now, standing formidably against thousands of men on the battlefield.”
She lowered her head in gratitude.
He waited for her to rise, then nodded back before turning his focus to Cedri. “I always had a suspicion you were innocent and it was Darri who had killed Charlotte. But I never expected you to ignore the laws and escape the castle. I was forced to send men after you. Now I can only say it is fortunate they never caught onto your trail.” His face took on a sad look. “I am sorry about Charlotte. I should have kept her room protected as she slept. You will be given a room that only locks from the inside, and if you wish for more protection, you will have it.”
He paused, giving Cedri a chance to speak. She swallowed and said nothing.
“Terren and Steffen stopped at the castle on their way back to Ovira. After they told me about your intent to slay King Marteph, we spoke about Charlotte. Be assured they have already shared their disappointment with me, but if you would like to express your feelings as well, Cedri, please hold nothing back. This will be your only chance, so I advise you to take it.”
“Only one thing, my king. I can never—” A tear fell down her cheek as her voice caught. “I can never replace her; I’ll never be as strong.”
“You are not meant to replace her. You are separate from her and will not be compared.”
Cedri nodded silently, wiping her tears.
“Shara,” the king said. She straightened her back as he glimpsed her way. “I was overjoyed to hear that Neeko helped you escape Swenn’s capture. I apologize about the threat I gave him in hopes of preventing him from looking for you. I would like to explain myself.”
“Please, my king. I don’t need an apology or an explanation. Any good leader would’ve given the same order. Neeko is too valuable to look for one lost woman whose chances of being found were slim. I would’ve assumed I was already dead if I were you.”
“You continue to impress me. I had assumed this. But Swenn knew Neeko would come after you, so he kept you alive. I had not accounted for that scenario. I want you to know that my order to ignore you had nothing to do with your value. You have been an asset during your time in the castle, and from what Jaymes has told me, outside the castle as well. Your continued loyalty is honorable and meritorious.”
“Thank you.” She bowed her head.
“And Neeko.” The king pressed his lips together in a tight smile, slowly shaking his head. “Jaymes told me how far you have pushed the limitations of your talent with pyforial energy. I must ask, how can you control two swords at once? How can you lift yourself into the air while carrying another person on your back?”
“Countless hours of practice, my king. Jaymes helped tremendously during my time in the castle.”
“There must be something more to it than that. No one has ever seen a pyforial mage fly across the sky like a bird before.”
Neeko thought for a moment before the answer came. “Determination. It was the only way to overcome my fear of falling. I needed to find a way, so I did. I believe most mages let their fear of death stop them.”
“Or they’re missing an arm,” Laney said.
Neeko chuckled. “But for all I know, there could be other mages who can lift themselves as high as I can. They would likely be in the PCQ, where they can practice in Quosae without being spotted by anyone who would report or shoot them.”
Quince nodded. “I see.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask about them, my king,” Neeko said. “What are your plans regarding them and other pyforial mages?”
“Nothing will become of you or Laney so long as you control the energy tactfully. However, manipulating py will continue to remain illegal for now. I may change my mind on this later, but not until peace is reached. Regarding the Pyforial Council of Quosae, we will wage war if needed, but that is a battle I wish to avoid. If they do attack any people or towns, they will face the full force of both the Northern and Southern armies, as our new treaty will dictate.”
“I understand.”
“Good. Now I must ask you something, Neeko.” Quince’s friendly demeanor vanished as he cleared his throat. “What did you tell Wendi as to the reasoning behind your venture to the palace?”
Oh gods. “I said I was there to kill King Marteph and help her escape.”
“And what did you tell her about me?”
“What did she say, my king?”
“Neeko Aquin,” he chided, “I know how much you have done for my kingdom. But you will not answer one of my questions with one of your own.”
“I told her you sent me. I thought it would benefit you, my king.”
“Is that all you told her?”
“Yes.”
“He lies, sire,” Cedri blurted.
“Dammit, Cedri, I thought you liked seeing my head remain attached to my body.”
The women stifled their laughs.
“Neeko.” The king was firm. “Do not make me ask again.”
“I told her you still loved her.”
King Quince reacted in a way Neeko hadn’t seen before, putting his palm over his eyes as he groaned. “Oh, heavens and hells, Neeko.”
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. “I thought it would be beneficial for her to know the truth,” Neeko tried.
“What?” Laney exclaimed. “Are you a madman? How could you think our king loves his enemy queen?”
Neeko hoped Quince would answer, but he simply kept his hand over his eyes as he grumbled. “Neeko…why would you do that?”
Hot shame filled his cheeks. “I’m sorry, my king. It was the easiest way to gain her trust when I flew through her window. I thought it would be beneficial to you as well.”
“Our relationship is too complicated to explain,” he said. “But let me assure you that I do not want or need your help in regard to any woman.”
“But your highness.” Shara quickly stepped forward. “Now it’s no longer complicated. Her husband is dead and she loves you.”
“Enough,” Quince demanded.
Shara stiffened and stepped back. “I apologize, my king.”
To Neeko�
�s surprise, Quince laughed bitterly. “That is the last any of you will speak to me about Wendi.”
“I understand,” Neeko said.
“And you, Shara?”
“I understand.” She looked to the floor, embarrassed.
“There is one more matter that needs to be addressed,” Quince said, standing straight and formal again. “Jaymes has told me that the two of you have declined his offer of joining my army.”
“We—” But Neeko stopped as the king raised his palm.
“You have not yet heard Laney and Cedri’s new salary, and I am willing to offer both of you the same amount.” He shifted to face the smaller women squarely. “To show how much you mean to this army, you will each be paid ten dalions a year. Even my appointed lords do not earn that much.”
“Shit!” Cedri slapped a hand over her mouth. “I apologize, sire.”
“Swear all you want. The penalty is only a pit deduction from your salary.”
Neeko couldn’t help but feel disgusted by the amount of money the king had offered them. A single dalion easily could feed a family of four for a year.
“What can I do with ten dalions that I can’t do with one?” Laney asked.
“You can donate the extra to those who need it,” Neeko said. “Or you can purchase land.”
“My gods…I’m going to purchase so much land.”
Neeko held back a grumble. Laney had always been innocently sweet, but he supposed she wasn’t exactly charitable.
He found Shara giving him a look. “I can do so much good with that money,” she said. But then she shook her head. “No, we both wish to go to Ovira.” Her lips pressed together as she groaned. “Oh, but it’s so much money!”
It didn’t entice him in the same way. “King Quince and the others in his army can do enough good without us.”
She sighed. “You’re right.”
“It sounds like you have made your decision,” Quince said.
Shara gave a nod. “We have. We’re going to locate the tunnel to Ovira, but we aren’t leaving Sumar until you and Brimber meet and agree to peace. May we stay in the castle between trips to the tunnel?”
“Certainly. I will have two bedrooms made available for you.” He smiled at the looks on their faces. “Or perhaps just one.”
“Thank you, King Quince,” Shara said. “I hope the King of Kyrro is at least half as benevolent as you.”
Quince nodded. “You are dismissed. Laney and Cedri, report to Jaymes. Shara and Neeko, I hope you change your minds, but I wish you well if you decide to leave.”
“Thank you,” Neeko said. He started toward the door with Laney and Cedri.
But Shara hadn’t moved. “My king, may I tell you what I would’ve done with my salary?”
His brow twisted in confusion. “I suppose.”
“I would finance a guild consisting of people dedicated to pairing neglected children with loving parents wishing to adopt. There’s an abundance of both these kinds of children and these kinds of adults, but there isn’t a viable method for them to find each other. The guild would exist in every town. Neglected children would be taken to them by the guards, where they would live in the guild’s mansion until good parents come. The members of this guild must all share the same belief that every child deserves a full stomach three times a day and a warm bed at night.”
Quince’s eyebrows lifted. “It seems to me that you have given this considerable thought.”
She continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “I would also establish schools where all children could go. They would learn to read and write, as well as math and history. They would learn manners and the laws of the kingdom. And they would play games with the other children so they could learn how to be good friends for one another. I would offer a stipend to any parent who sent their child to school instead of forcing them to work.” She paused for a quick breath. “Your kingdom would flourish over the generations as these children grow into inventors, engineers, mathematicians, philosophers, and of course, better teachers than their predecessors.”
Quince stared at her for a moment as the silence of the room became heavy. “I need more people with your passion,” he finally said. “I will make more of an effort to look for them, and that will be the beginning of this dream of yours.”
She beamed a smile. “Thank you.”
“What a pleasant surprise,” Quince said. “Do any of the rest of you have a similar suggestion?”
Neeko scratched his head. Cedri and Laney made pensive faces.
“Your lords, sire,” Neeko said. “I ask that you check on the kinds of men they’ve become. I met Lord Crall and he was almost as much of a monster as the terrislaks I killed on his land.” Neeko was embarrassed to follow Shara’s suggestion with this, but it was better to let it out than keep it in.
“I will send trusted men to covertly check on my lords.”
“Thank you.”
Quince extended his arm. “Shara, I have some time. Stay and tell me more about your idea.”
She clasped her hands together. “Certainly, my king!”
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
NEEKO
It had been weeks since King Quince left with Wendi Marteph for Lanhine. Neeko was beginning to think he and Shara would never find the tunnel to Ovira. They’d read the first part of Terren’s note so many times, Neeko had it memorized.
“About ten miles northeast of the capital, there is a hill as green as sartious energy. It’s one of many hills in succession, all covered by trees with thin trunks and moss growing on most of them. One hill that is no different than the rest has a tunnel dug into it. There will be rocks barricading the entrance. Put the rocks back after you enter.”
Both he and Shara had grown frustrated with the vague instructions. They searched for three days at a time before returning to the castle for more food and water, where they would ask Laney and Cedri for news about the treaty.
Eventually, Neeko and Shara came back to find the king had returned from his trip. Quince, Brimber, and little Prince Cain had signed the treaty. The war was over. None of this came as a surprise except that Wendi had returned to Glaine with Quince and her son.
Shara told Neeko she desperately wanted to ask Quince what this meant, but he’d given his order that their relationship wasn’t to be discussed, and she knew prying would only get her scolded.
“We should celebrate the end of the war,” Neeko suggested, eager for another night like the one they’d had in Lanhine.
A smile blossomed on Shara’s lips. “Let’s see when Laney and Cedri are available.”
They visited many taverns throughout their night of revelry. People had seen Wendi return with Quince, and rumors of their burgeoning relationship already had spread. Neeko didn’t know what this would mean for the two kingdoms, but he decided the affairs of royalty no longer concerned him…so long as he found that damn tunnel.
He let his worries go as he drank and danced and tried to keep Laney off the tables.
As the taverns began to close, they left Glaine and walked up the tallest hill in range to watch the sunrise.
“I’m going to miss this,” Cedri said. “Will you come back and visit us?”
“We certainly will,” Shara answered.
“That’s if we even get to Ovira,” Neeko said. “We might never find the tunnel.”
“I think we’ve passed right by it because we’ve checked everywhere in the vicinity. We need to start revisiting the places we’ve already looked.”
Neeko grumbled at the thought.
“Why don’t you just fly over the mountains?” Laney asked.
“They go on for miles,” Shara said.
“So?”
“The ground certainly won’t be even up there,” Shara added. “Neeko might need to constantly lift us over gorges.”
“So?”
“It’s likely to be dangerous.” Shara’s voice had taken on irritation. “It could take days.”
“I ask again…so?”
“My gods, she’s right,” Neeko realized.
“Those mountains are much taller than the range surrounding Thalcea.” Shara stood and pointed north. “Look at them.”
Yes, they were daunting and Neeko definitely couldn’t carry them all the way to the top. But he wouldn’t let that stop him.
“There must be somewhere along that mountain range that I can land on the way up. With a short rest, I could get us to the summit. I may need to stop twice or even three times, but I’m confident I can do it.”
Shara shivered. “The thought of being that high already gives me tremors.”
“That reminds me,” Cedri said. “Neeko, will you take me into the air one last time?”
He suppressed his fatigue and crouched in front of her so she could get on his back.
“Lift me up after,” Laney said.
*****
The next day, Neeko and Shara said their final goodbyes to everyone. They filled their bags with all the food and water they could carry and walked out of the capital. Shara smiled, though tears slid down her cheeks.
“We’ll return at some point,” Neeko assured her. “And the damn tunnel will be easy to find coming from the other side because someone will show us where it is!”
She choked out a laugh.
By the next day, they’d reached the northernmost edge of Sumar, where they walked beside the enormous mountains and looked for the most favorable path to the summit.
Soon they came to a section with countless ledges. He looked through his seescope to confirm that they continued all the way up.
Shara took shallow breaths. “Where are you going to land first?”
“That ledge sticking out farther than the rest.” He pointed.
She squinted. “Which one? I can’t tell where you’re pointing.” She sounded terribly nervous.
He enveloped her in a hug. “You led us safely all the way to the Southern capital. Now just let me take us over the mountain.” Her breaths began to calm as he held her tighter. “Just close your eyes. I promise you won’t fall.”
END