by P. D. Kalnay
“I contain extensive information on many forms of binding, Master. Could you be more specific?”
“Lyrian said that the necklace I made for Ivy bound her to me as though she was my servant or something. Is that possible?”
“It is likely, Master, depending on various factors.”
“Which are?”
One counted on his little metal fingers.
“Can the necklace be removed? Was a formal acceptance required to bring the enchantments to life? Could another wear the necklace without your permission? Master?”
“No. Yes. I don’t think so.”
“Then, Master, it is probable that the talisman is bound to Mistress Ivangelain, and that she in turn is bound to its maker. Whether it will continue to exist beyond her death is unknown. Binding the recipients of powerful objects has often been a prudent practice.”
“How so?”
“That power cannot be turned against the maker or used in a way which they consider unacceptable. The binding can also serve to protect the recipient, Master.”
“In what way?”
“Others who covet the necklace cannot take or use it, even by killing Mistress Ivangelain. The binding makes your gift useless to all others, without your consent and a new binding.”
Maybe the unconscious part of me, who’d enchanted the necklace, had had good intentions. I hoped so.
“Can I free her, the way I freed you guys?”
“No, Master, the connection between you is likely more permanent. I’m sure that Mistress Ivangelain is grateful for your gift.”
I wasn’t so sure. There looked to be nothing I could do about it, and I returned to staring down at the city. Three left around noon to switch-up with Two on ‘Ivy Watch’. I decided to try to make some practical use of the rest of a wasted day.
***
“Master?”
Two stood behind me. I was focusing on the air currents off of the balcony and trying to ‘let my mind soar among them’. It wasn’t going well. Possibly, I didn’t have the same aptitude for winathen magic that I did for the petrathen kind. Mixes like me were a rarity, and some were born with only one side of their magical heritage, or neither. I’d been trying to stir up a breeze for hours without success.
“Master?”
She obviously wasn’t going away.
“What?”
“Someone is at the door.”
“Which door?” I gave up entirely.
“The main doors to the workshop, Master. They’ve been knocking for a while.”
“Oh, thanks.”
I trudged through the apartment. The plants had withered, and the place was getting dusty. If Ivy didn’t come back, I’d have to find a shovel and clear it out. I heard the knocking when I opened the apartment door. The main doors were tall, thick, solid iron, and, as far as I could tell, impregnable. My fist wouldn’t have made a sound hitting those doors. Not if I broke my knuckles doing it. Whoever was knocking was knocking hard. The thunderous booms sounded loud enough to be a battering ram. I’d left my hammer in the hallway, and I picked it up before opening the doors.
“You took your sweet time, Smith,” Sirean said. She seemed irritated and gave off more heat than I remembered. Otherwise, she looked unchanged. I suspected dragons didn’t age.
“Sorry, I’ve never had a visitor before, and the apartment is soundproof.”
“Have I permission to enter?”
“Yeah, sure, come on in.”
She stepped in and took a look around, glancing into the workshop.
“I see you’ve done nothing to change it,” she said. “I have news.”
“Do you want to come in and sit, or have a drink, or something?”
I wasn’t sure what etiquette was involved in the hosting of dragons.
“I require neither rest nor sustenance.”
I guess it’s all business.
“What’s your news?”
“I may have found a way to return my lord to this world.”
“That’s awesome. It’s nice to hear good news for a change.”
“Don’t let your hopes rise too high, Smith. I said might; a significant obstacle lies in our path.”
Given the way my life was going, it was hard to be surprised.
“Consider my hopes lowered. What have you found out?”
“None of the fae responsible for banishing Janik draw breath, but another, who was directly involved, still lives. He is imprisoned under Anukdun and has been since his duplicity was discovered.”
“Who is it?”
“Vraith Stormshadow, the knight who betrayed Janik. I would have wreaked an unending vengeance upon him, but the same prison which holds him tight, also protects him from my fire. Though it sickened me to converse with that wretched creature, I travelled to Anukdun and bargained my way into its dungeons. Stormshadow claims to know of a way to return my lord. I am adept at discerning lies. He spoke true, or at least he believes his words.”
“This is where the catch comes, right?”
Things never worked out so easily.
“Indeed. Stormshadow would not discuss the matter further, nor will he bargain with me.”
“Why not?”
“In part, it may be because of the retribution I did manage before he was imprisoned. The betrayer’s burns will never heal. That aside, he was ever pragmatic, and I expect the true reason he refused to treat with me was that I could not provide what he hopes to gain.”
“But he’ll bargain someone else and give us the information?”
“Yes, but that person must journey to Anukdun to complete the bargain.”
“And they aren’t willing to? Can we convince them?”
“Willingness is not the issue. The ability to make the journey is.”
Golden eyes stared at me.
“Who does he want to deal with?”
“You, Smith. Vraith Stormshadow will not speak again until you stand outside his cage.”
I couldn’t help looking down at my tattoo. Travelling outside the gates in my boat was unpleasant, but doable. I’d tasted a bit of what the vine could dish out. No amount of determination or bravery would allow me to travel many miles from Knight’s Haven. Even if I was tied up, I’d be unconscious long before reaching Anukdun.
“You don’t know how to break this enchantment, do you?” I asked.
“No. I have never heard of anyone succeeding, and your kind have used the vine for as long as I have lived. It was originally a florathen enchantment. Perhaps your mate will have an idea. Where is she? Her scent is weak.”
“Ivy is living down in the city. We haven’t talked in a while.”
“No doubt you are to blame.”
“Hey, what makes you say that?”
“You’re a male. Stupidity on your part is likely the cause of the disagreement.”
It was mostly my fault, but I wasn’t going to take love advice from a fire-breathing dragon. Sirean raised an eyebrow and smiled. I’d never noticed that her teeth were sharp before.
“We are at an impasse regarding the return of my lord. I told you I would bring any information I found. I have done so.”
“What should we do now?”
“You have begun the restoration of this island and returned the Order of the Tree to its seat of power. Neither brings us closer to returning my lord to this world, but both were steps that needed to be taken. Do not lose heart. We have only begun this quest. If it takes a hundred or a thousand years, we shall succeed in it.”
I’d never heard anybody call the Order anything other than the Order before. It made me suspicious.
“Do you know what the Order actually does?”
“I remember its founding in the days of my youth. The Order has changed many times, but its mandate has remained the same.”
“Nobody who knows will talk about it,” I said.
“Few truly know,” Sirean said. “In the days when there was greater need of them, the Order’s mandate was no secre
t. They were founded to hunt servants of the Destroyer and to battle them wherever they might be found. The Order is sworn to safeguard the Tree and all of Creation. My beloved knew this well, but others had lost sight of it. Most believe no threat remains. They are fools.”
“Except for Mr. Ryan—I mean Janik—they seem like a bunch of jerks.”
“In the early days, the danger was great, and a Knight of the Order had to be ruthless in the face of the Destroyer’s minions. Most others were content to leave those thankless battles to the knights and granted them much latitude and power to act within their borders. Those rights were irrevocable. As the years passed and the Destroyer’s servants became few and scattered, folk began to despise the Order for their highhanded ways, and hardly any remembered their true mandate.
My lord returned dignity and respect to the Order of the Tree, for the time he led them. If we succeed, perhaps he can do so again. My heart tells me that a time will come when they will be needed.”
“How does this Stormshadow guy even know I’m here? I’ve only been on this world for half a year and nobody knew I was Marielain Blackhammer until a couple of years ago. If this guy is in a cell, on the opposite side of the world from Talanth, how did he find out about me?”
“Good questions all, Smith. I’m certain we will like none of the answers. I shall leave and continue to search. I will also seek a means to end your bondage. Farewell.”
Then she let herself out.
I’d been accused of being less than sociable, but Sirean had me beat. I’d learned new things and it hurt, not being able to tell Ivy about them.
Chapter 19 – Vented Frustration
The next day, I felt an overwhelming need to leave the apartment and go for a walk. I’d decided to give Ivy space; if I happened to bump into her on the streets of Havensport, it would be fate… My feet led me to the same neighbourhood where I’d met Alak and Aleen. Unless I misremembered, their house was just down the road, and I wanted to make sure they’d made it safely home after the attack. When I went by the house, I saw a new front door that looked cobbled together from the remains of crates and barrels. It didn’t look as though it would stand up to a strong breeze. I was about to walk on by when I heard my name.
“Prince Jakalain,” Alak called from a second-story window.
He hadn’t called out loudly, and he glanced furtively down the street in both directions.
“Hi Alak, how have you been?”
“Bored. My mother doesn’t let me outside on my own anymore when she’s working, and she works all day.”
That sounded boring, and the house probably didn’t have a stick of furniture, let alone toys or books. I felt for the kid. There had been monsters on the streets eating people, a month back, so his mom had a point too.
“I’m sorry to hear it, Alak,” I said.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to look around, check on my boat, and maybe see the market I heard about.”
Maybe run into Ivy…
“Can I come with you?”
He sounded hopeful.
“I don’t want you to get into trouble–”
“How can my mother complain if I’m with you? You’re a hero. You killed the monster with one shot—bam!” He made a swinging gesture that pulled him dangerously out of the window.
“If you’re sure she won’t mind, you can come along.”
I needed to talk to more regular people and learn more about the world in general. Alak raced down and made it outside in a matter of seconds. I envied him his enthusiasm.
“Where are we going first?” he asked.
“Show me where the market is.”
Alak skipped ahead, his little hooves making a clickety-clack.
***
Canvas had been stretched overtop an alley in the warehouse district creating a long, narrow arcade. Twenty or so makeshift stalls lined the sides of the alley, and perhaps a hundred people were shopping. That seemed like too high a percentage of the settlers on Knight’s Haven to be milling about in one place.
“Did another ship arrive while I was… since the wyverns?” I asked Alak.
“Five more,” he said, “with more knights and lots of regular people too. There are new children, but none live near us.”
“I’m sure others will come soon.”
I’d stopped listening and was checking out the booths on both sides along with the strange people filling the little market. Some of the goods were recognisable as coming from the warehouses. One guy appeared to have cornered the market on balsilk rope. I briefly wished I’d taken a few extra bundles when I’d had the chance. What interested me more were the fish venders and the butcher. I didn’t know what kind of meat he had for sale, but it was meat! As long as it wasn’t people, I was ready to try it. The strips of red meat held my attention until the smell of cooking meat tore my eyes from the cart. Someone was grilling meat, and I didn’t notice what else was for sale as I raced past the last stall, to a cart where a weathered goblin lady turned chunks of meat on wooden skewers. They smelled amazing. Some things are universal across the seven worlds, and though I have no proof, I suspect that meat grilled on a stick is among them.
“What kind of meat is that?” I asked the woman.
“Sribak, yer highness,” she said.
She must have recognised me by my general appearance. My homemade clothing wouldn’t have turned any heads—in a good way. Sribak are little deer-like creatures, commonly raised for meat and milk.
“Where did you get it?”
Alak answered for her.
“One ship had a whole herd on board,” he said.
Alak eyed the meat sticks hungrily. That’s when I realised I had no money and nothing to trade. I’d seen coins and gems in the workshop, but my figurative pockets were empty. Another day, I thought. I gave the meat a last good sniff before turning away.
“Do ya wish some, yer highness?” the woman asked.
“Sorry, I didn’t bring any money with me,” I said.
“Ya saved me nephew’s life.” Her eyes looked watery. “Takes as many as ya want.”
I could have eaten the cart, but the lady appeared poor, so I took only two of the meat covered sticks. She pushed two more into my hands. I thanked her and led Alak away from the market. Once we rounded a corner, I handed him two of the sticks. We sat on the steps of an abandoned building, eating them. I don’t know who enjoyed the treat more. The meat was unlike any other I’d tried; it didn’t taste like chicken and was delicious.
“Thank you, Prince Jakalain,” Alak said after he’d thoroughly licked his fingers clean.
“No problem, you ready to move on?”
He answered by springing to his feet. We walked the rest of the way to the water and then eastward to my old boatyard. The frame and cradle that I’d used to make my boat were gone. Every board and nail had been taken. My boat remained chained to the cleats on the stone wharf, but two people were in my boat, poking around.
“What are you doing in my boat?” I asked.
The men turned to look at us. Both wore the black robes of the Order, overtop of light plate armour, and had two swords at their sides. They were taller than me and had green, scaly skin. I didn’t know what race they belonged to. Reptilian faces topped humanoid bodies. Two sets of slit eyes examined me. Either they were identical twins or their entire race looked the same.
“You’re a scruffy fellow to be claiming this fine boat,” one said.
I did look scruffy.
“Our brothers have been lax in teaching manners, it seems.” The other guy leaped gracefully onto land. Each hand rested on a sword.
“Yes,” agreed the snake-dude in the boat. “In the two days we’ve been here, the lack of discipline I’ve observed has been disgraceful.”
Snake-dude number two jumped up beside the other one. They were fast.
“Do you wish to apologise for speaking out of turn to your betters?” number one asked me.
“My betters?” I was getting annoyed.
“Always a problem with fae,” said number two. “Even the lowest overestimate their place. Whichever of our brothers you belong to can hardly fault us for teaching you manners.”
On the one hand, it was nice not being recognised for a change. On the other hand, it wasn’t. I took a deep breath. What did I care what these idiots thought? They couldn’t steal my boat, or use it if they did, and who knew if I’d ever need it again. I turned away, ready to leave.
“You should show more respect,” Alak told the knights.
Crap. The kid stood in front them glaring for all he was worth. One knight cuffed Alak hard, and he flew backward. I watched the scene in slow motion, seeing blood and teeth fly from his mouth. Alak landed in a heap and didn’t move. Then I lost it. It was as though a switch had been flipped inside my brain. I’d always had a bad temper, but it had been a cold rage that built-up slowly. My anger came out in an instant. I hadn’t been angry fighting the wyvern. That had just been a chore that needed doing. This was personal. Part of me pulled back inside myself, and the world went slightly out of focus. I felt like I was watching some other Jack.
“I said I’d be a good neighbour as long as it was reciprocated,” the other Jack said.
I trembled with rage. The knights took steps back and drew their swords. Then the island shook under my feet, though it took a second for me to notice. Thunder boomed in the clear sky above. I knew I could summon lightning to go with it. Then the other Jack spoke again.
“Alone or together, I challenge you,” he said.
Electricity crackled between my outstretched wings.
“You’d be wiser to choose together,” Lyrian told the knights.
I hadn’t noticed her arrive.
“Will you call the lightning or fight like a warrior?” the first knight asked.
“It makes no difference,” the other Jack said. “One death is the same as another. I shall meet you in two hours in front of the Hall.”
“Why wait?” the second knight asked.
“I have to fetch my hammer.”
Then I was entirely me again.
I stooped to pick up Alak. He didn’t weigh much. I wished Ivy was around; she knew all about healing people. Lyrian walked beside me while I carried my young friend.