by Jenny McKane
The day was darkening anyway, and suddenly, she was overwhelmed with fatigue. She could barely keep her eyes open.
“At first light,” she said.
***
Skyresh watched her. She had fallen asleep after they had made their plans. She was curled up in a tight ball. He could see smudges of darkness beneath her closed eyes. She was exhausted. He didn’t think that she realized how much strength it had taken for her to draw on her powers so much.
He watched as she tossed in her sleep. She was simply amazing. The strongest woman that he had ever met. Even the exhaustion, which had overtaken her, couldn’t dim her beauty.
She had discovered her power. She had defeated the Black Witch. The animals had helped her, of course, but it had been she alone who had battled the witch’s magic. He had not been at her side to help her. He had arrived too late, and still she had done it.
He knew that she had doubted herself, the whole journey. That she had been deeply conflicted about whether she could tap into the power that was her birthright, but she had surpassed herself; she had defeated the highest sorcerer in the Outlying Zone.
And now, she wanted to find Everard. It showed what a loyal person she was. She didn’t care what dangers were involved.
He would stay by her side, but he didn’t hold much hope that they would find Everard. If he were honest with himself, a strong part of him hoped that they didn’t. Things would be so much easier if the former guardian were gone.
For all of them. For her. But he admitted the real reason: he knew that Everard was his rival for her love.
He knew the truth now. He had been denying it for a long time. He had always felt the deep connection between them, but he had told himself it was because she was his queen. He had sensed her power, and he had known that she should battle alongside him for the liberation of their people.
It wasn’t just that she was his queen and was an integral part of the rebellion. He loved her as a man. He had realized that the moment he had seen her again in The Tower. He wanted her to be by his side—forever. And Everard challenged that. He knew that Everard loved her in the same way and would not give her up without a fight.
She stirred softly and cried out in her sleep. He reached out, resting a hand on her shoulder until she stilled. The two animals had raised their heads, also, and were gazing at her. He knew they loved her, too. That they would do anything for her. They had already killed for her, and he knew that they would lay down their lives, should it be required.
All was silent. He lay down, resisting the urge to crawl next to her and embrace her. She wasn’t ready. He knew that. She still didn’t know if she loved either of them in that way. And she was more than a prize in a battle between two men. She was herself. She was Avalon, Queen of Masgata, the last in a long line of Anasta warrior women.
So, he would help her find Everard. He would follow her to the ends of the earth if that was what she wanted.
***
Avalon stretched, opening her eyes to the darkness of the cave. All of it came flooding back to her: the battle with the witch in The Tower. Defeating her. Skyresh appearing before her. The two animals, who had killed for her.
She sat up, yawning. Hansa and Aberfa were sitting up, gazing at her. She smiled, and the wolf wagged her tail. Aberfa’s tongue was lolling out of her mouth, as if she were smiling, too.
Skyresh was still asleep. Her eyes flickered over his sleeping form. He was such a beautiful man; she could have gazed at him forever, but there was something that she had to do before they left for the day. Something she should have done the night before if she hadn’t fallen so suddenly and deeply asleep.
The witch’s spell book. She needed to look through it and see if there was anything within that might help her liberate the animals.
She dragged it from her bag, flicking through it. Then her heart plummeted in dismay. She had forgotten that it was all written in the strange language that she could not read.
She had taken it for nothing. It would have been the same with all the other spell books, as well. If she couldn’t read them, how could she hope to find the information she sought?
With a sigh, she closed it and put it back in her bag. Perhaps after they had found Everard and got back to the Safe Zone, Mother Oda might be able to assist her. The old woman might be familiar with the language and know how to read it.
Skyresh stirred and sat up, rubbing his eyes. He turned to Avalon.
“You should have woken me,” he said. “We need to get going.”
Avalon smiled. “The sun has only just risen,” she said. “We will eat, and then we will set out.” She reached back into her bag and took out some berries that she had hidden within. She held out her hand, and he took some.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked.
She ate some berries and nodded. “Yes, I feel much better. My energy has returned, but, Skyresh, I have looked through the book. I forgot that it is written in a strange language. I cannot read it.”
He nodded. “It is probably the old language of the Jarle. They had their own tongue before they invaded the realm.”
She stared at him. “Do others know how to read it?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps, but it is no longer well known. Agnor himself and his Ministers might know, but they are hardly going to read it for you, are they? Mother Oda might be able to assist us when we get back to the Safe Zone.”
Avalon nodded. “I have thought the same. It is a long shot anyway. There might be nothing within it that can help us, but it is the only thing we have.”
Skyresh stared at her. “You know your powers have grown, Avalon. Trust them. You defeated the witch. You said that the Goddess helped you. Perhaps, you should speak with her again, and she will lead you in the right direction.”
Avalon closed her eyes. Yes, she would try to summon the Goddess again.
It only took a moment. The cave had been dark, but it was suddenly illuminated by a glow coming from a corner. The Goddess shimmered there, smiling. Avalon’s heart filled with love. The last time that she had seen the Goddess, she had been crying, and her aura of light had gone.
Now, she was back in her resplendent glory.
“My daughter,” said the Goddess. “You are so strong. You have defeated the witch. I feel your power soaring toward the stars.”
Avalon smiled. “Thank you, Goddess of Light. But can you tell me where I will find the information to liberate the animals? My mission is only half completed.”
The Goddess smiled. “You are on the right path. Your animal friends hold the key, Avalon. Keep speaking to them, and they will tell you the information that you seek.”
Avalon frowned. “Can you just tell me, Goddess?”
The Goddess smiled again. “You must discover it yourself, Avalon. It is part of you realizing your full power.”
And then the light dimmed, and she was gone.
Chapter Seventeen
Avalon took a long sip from her water bottle. She had forgotten how intense the heat was in the desert at this time of day.
They had left The Interior and were now back in the endless deserts of the Outer Limits. The two animals had set to work immediately. They had both sniffed deeply of Everard’s scarf and had their noses to the ground, tracking his scent.
It wasn’t a straight trajectory. Sometimes, the two animals would head in different directions, picking up false trails. Hansa and Aberfa would glare at each other, both convinced that their trail was the right one, but they managed to stumble onwards.
They skirted the perimeter of the desert and were now forced to abandon cover and walk directly across it. Skyresh often had a worried frown on his face. Avalon knew that he didn’t like what they were doing. If he had his way, they would not have diverted like this. They would be heading straight back to the Safe Zone.
It was mid-afternoon when Hansa stilled at the top of a sand dune, raising her head to gaze into the distance. Her ears were pointed, and her tail ha
d become still.
They all stopped, staring at the wolf.
Hansa, Avalon called. What is it?
The wolf yelped, softly, then turned and ran back towards them.
A patrol, said the wolf. A large one. We must find cover quickly.
They all looked at each other, alarmed.
“This way,” hissed Skyresh. “We just passed a ledge that we can hide under.”
They all ran in the direction that he indicated, hurtling themselves under the ledge, panting. Avalon tried to still her breathing. Her heart was pounding so hard, she thought that it might leap out of her chest.
Tell us, Hansa, she urged.
The wolf crawled over to her and put her head in Avalon’s lap. Avalon stroked the soft fur above her eyes gently.
There were so many, my queen, the wolf said, closing her eyes at the caress. Many men on horseback. But that wasn’t what troubles me the most.
What is it? Avalon’s hand kept caressing the wolf.
The wolf whined, deep in her throat. They travel with many of the new creatures. Creatures who sprint alongside them and others that fly in the air. Any one of those could spot us.
“Skyresh,” whispered Avalon, staring at him. “Did you hear what Hansa just said?”
Skyresh nodded. “It is as I thought. They are gathering an army. They will not take the defeat of the Black Witch well. I wouldn’t be surprised if Agnor himself wasn’t in that patrol, or that he is intending to travel in another.”
Avalon sighed in frustration. “If only that spell had have worked! The animals would be on our side now, and they would not be nearly as powerful.”
Skyresh shrugged. “There is nothing we can do about it now, Avalon. You tried your best. You killed the witch at least.” He took a deep breath. “We will find a way to liberate the animals; do not worry. Then, their army will be depleted.”
Avalon frowned. “Every moment they grow more powerful. What was the use in even defeating the witch if they can just replace her and carry on?”
Skyresh came up close to her and took her face in his hands. “Avalon, look at me! Do not give in to those thoughts. You have taken down a great power in their forces. Yes, they might be able to replace her, but they are still without that sorcerer. They do not grow more powerful; this is all just show.”
It is true, my queen, said Aberfa, leaning over to lick Avalon’s hand. They are showing off, but their power is diminished. You have won a great battle.
Avalon took a deep breath. Yes, they were all speaking the truth. She mustn’t let self-doubt cloud her resolve. It had been difficult, so difficult, she had thought that she was going to die, but she had defeated the witch. They could defeat these forces, too.
What was it that the Goddess had said to her in the cave?
You are on the right path. Your animal friends hold the key, Avalon. Keep speaking to them, and they will tell you the information that you seek.
It had not been the answer that she wanted. She had wanted the Goddess to just tell her where the information was, to liberate the animals. But that was not how it worked. To gain her full powers, she had to work for them. The Goddess couldn’t hand them to her on a platter. If it were that easy, she would be able to defeat them all without even a struggle.
She must keep speaking to the animals, then. But, which animals? The ones that loved her and had accompanied her on this journey? Or any of them that she might encounter?
“Avalon,” whispered Skyresh. “I know that you are resolved to find Everard, but with these large forces, I am more concerned than ever. We need to get back to the Safe Zone. You are our queen, and your powers are growing. You are needed. I have a duty to get you to safety.”
Avalon closed her eyes, thinking. Then, she turned to the animals.
How much longer until we find him? she asked. Are we getting any closer?
Hansa stared at her. The scent is getting stronger, she said. I think that we should get to him within a day.
Aberfa yelped softly. I agree. The scent gets stronger. We will find him for you, my queen. Do not fear.
Avalon stared at Skyresh. “You heard them. We will give it another day, and then if the scent grows cold or we have not found him, I promise you we will return to the Safe Zone.”
Skyresh gave her a long, level stare. “Another day, Avalon. That is all that we can afford.”
They all looked up suddenly. Large shadows fell upon the sand in front of them. Winged creatures were circling in the air above them.
They all fell silent, holding their breath. Could the creatures sense that they were nearby? Avalon remembered the giant winged creature that had breathed fire when she had been traversing the desert alone. It had been fearsome although magnificent. Again, her heart twisted in regret that the spell to liberate the creatures had not worked back at The Tower. With all the animals and new creatures on their side, they would surely be able to defeat the Jarle. They would be able to dethrone Agnor, and the realm could become Masgata once again.
Then she remembered what Mother Oda had said. That the spell would liberate the animals and destroy the new creatures. She turned and looked at Aberfa; she was a new creature created by the Black Witch, and yet she was as loyal as Hansa to Avalon now. Mair, the rabbit, was a new creature and had switched sides, too. It showed that it was possible.
They could not destroy these creatures. They had not asked to be created by dark magic; they were innocent, and they were not evil at heart. They were loyal to the Jarle because they did not know any better and were scared. They could be swayed. Aberfa and Mair proved that.
No. When she consulted Mother Oda, she must find a way to release the animals from the spell but not destroy the new creatures. If she destroyed them, that would make her as bad as the Jarle.
And if they were going to defeat them, they must be better than their enemy.
***
“It looks like they have moved past.” Skyresh was studying the horizon carefully. “The creatures in the sky have gone. I think that it is safe to keep going.”
They set out cautiously. Hansa and Aberfa were in front, their noses deep to the ground. They would occasionally stop and whine then continue in a new direction.
They were getting closer to Everard. Avalon could feel it. Plus, the fact that the animals could pick up his scent told her that he wasn’t dead.
The landscape started to look vaguely familiar to her. She had passed this way with Aysus after Everard and Skyresh had been imprisoned. She stopped, suddenly, and gestured to them.
“What is it?” Skyresh said, drinking from his water bottle.
“I am sure that I have passed here,” she said. “This was where Aysus led me to the burrow, I am sure of it. Could we take a few moments to look for it? I want to see if Mair is alive.”
Hansa lifted her head. I know where the burrow is. I rescued you from it, remember?
Avalon smiled. “Of course you did! Would you be able to find it quickly, Hansa? I don’t want to delay our journey, but Mair went out of her way to help me, and I don’t know what happened to her.”
Hansa yelped softly. Follow me.
He led them on a trail through some brush. Memories started to overwhelm Avalon. She could clearly see Aysus with his white robe and staff walking through here. She shuddered.
“Are you alright?” Skyresh was walking beside her, gazing at her.
Avalon nodded. “Yes, I am just remembering travelling this way—with the Storyteller.”
Skyresh took a deep breath. “I haven’t told you how sorry I am,” he whispered. “That I didn’t believe you, when you first expressed doubts about him. That I ignored you, when you kept saying that you had a bad feeling about him.”
Avalon turned her head, gazing at him. “It’s alright, Skyresh,” she said gently. “I understand. He was working his magic upon you even then. He confused you, making you doubt yourself and your decisions. It was how the Black Witch worked.”
Skyresh shook
his head. “Even so. I was sworn to protect you and complete our mission. I cannot believe I doubted you. I was the one who kept telling you to trust your powers, and then I didn’t believe you.” He took a deep breath. “I will never forgive myself, Avalon. You could have been killed through my stupidity.”
She reached out a hand, resting it on his arm as they walked. “We all could have been killed,” she said. “You were imprisoned, but you found a way out. You risked your life to find me again. I know where your loyalties truly lie, Skyresh.”
“Never again.” Skyresh had gritted his teeth. “Never again will I doubt you, even if magic is addling my mind. I am just so grateful that we have found each other again.”
Hansa yelped ahead of them. She turned and stared at Avalon, wagging her tail.
Avalon broke into a run. Yes. This was the spot. She could see the entrance to the burrow, hidden by some shrubs. She remembered clearly when Aysus had pushed her into it.
She crouched down, staring into it.
Mair, she called with her mind. It is me. It is Avalon.
All was silent. Avalon kept peering into the burrow, sighing deeply. Sorrow started to beat a slow drum in her heart. Perhaps the rabbit had been killed by the Black Witch?
Mair, she called, again. I am so sorry! We have defeated the Black Witch. I just want to see you, and thank you, for what you did for me.
There was no answer. She could sense that the animals were growing restless behind her.
“Avalon,” said Skyresh, gently. “I don’t think that your friend is there. We must get going.”
Avalon nodded. She stood up and turned around…towards her companions.
Aberfa had started whining, deep in her throat. Avalon, she said. I think that there is something at the entrance.
Avalon turned back quickly. It was true. She could see two eyes peering out at them. It was Mair! The rabbit was alive!
Avalon ran to the entrance. The creature was trembling, staring at her.
Oh, Mair, she said. Do not be afraid. The animals and the man that I travel with are my friends, and yours.