by R J Kaldanis
The princess hobbled back inside atop a piece of wood she was using as a brace for her injured leg. She sat down upon her usual chair at the desk and smiled timidly at Aardriyah.
“I’m glad to see you have healed.” She said, bowing her head.
“You too! I heard that you severed four of the beast’s heads alone! That’s amazing!” Aardriyah remarked, genuinely impressed that someone she considered weak due to her quiet and reserved nature, could muster such force and power. The princess, however, didn’t smile at this remark and looked a little saddened by the comment. Aardriyah wanted to press further, to ask why this had upset the princess but figured there were more important matters that she needed to address before departing from the princess. She opened her canvas bag and passed the three books back to the princess.
“Thank you for letting me borrow them, they were fascinating reads.”
“You read them all?” The princess asked. Aardriyah blushed, she hadn't had time to read them all and even if she did, she was sure she wouldn’t choose to read the other two books.
“I read The Folk Tales of Mizu before the attack. I was going to suggest that Old Man Teme read -” She paused mid-sentence, suddenly aware that his presence had been once again missing without explanation. The princess looked into Aardriyah’s hazel eyes, searching for any hint of understanding or knowledge of what befell the man, but all Aardriyah’s eyes held were concern; Kibo realised she must be the one to break the news.
“Have you, has anyone, seen him? Heard of him? I tried to find him the day of the attack but he was missing. I haven’t seen him since I awoke and …” Aardriyah’s eyes began swimming with tears, threatening to break the wall and let a flood out at any moment. Princess Kibo looked grimly over Aardriyah, and quietly confirmed the worst,
“He is lost to the sea, I’m afraid.”
Aardriyah didn’t hold back, the tears streaming down her face and joined the puddles of leaking water on the floor beneath her feet. Kit licked Aardriyah, nuzzling his head into her hands, trying his best to comfort her the only way he could. Aardriyah couldn’t help but smile a little at his efforts, but she continued to cry at the loss of the man she considered a grandfather. She always knew one day she would lose Old Man Teme, he was old after all and everyone must leave this world one day or another, but she hoped it was still far in the future. Not so suddenly, not when everything else in her life had just changed. He had helped her through some of her hardest days, had made her feel as though she belonged, was welcomed and loved in a community of people so hardened by hate, that few ever spoke words of kindness to her.
He had been there for her when Chastion had left, when her mother had abandoned her, when the whole world stood to leave her, he remained loyal and loving without hesitation. Old Man Teme had saved her, set her on this course, promised answers to whatever this burden was that she carried. She wanted to curse Undina, for taking a man of such a calibre. Perhaps the goddess had a use for him, needed him more.
Princess Kibo hobbled over to Aardriyah and passed her a small handkerchief, resting one small hand on Aardriyah’s shoulder. She didn’t need to say the words, but in her eyes Aardriyah could see how sorry Princess Kibo was for her loss. Aardriyah wiped her eyes, before finding the strength to refocus on why she had come to the princess’ chambers. Through sobbed breaths she said,
“I’ve been told I must continue the journey on foot. I suppose without Master Teme I’ll have to find a way to get to Rovik and understand what he was looking for.” Her sentence interrupted by Kit forcing his head underneath one of her hands, ordering her to pat him.
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted Kit to stay with you, he is yours after all I suppose.” Aardriyah hated the idea that Kit belonged to the princess, considering Aardriyah was the one who found him, nursed him to health and had looked after him this whole time. She didn’t want to say goodbye to another friend and lose another piece of her old life. Princess Kibo tilted her head, sighed and smiled.
“I thought you read The Folk Tales of Mizu?” She asked, Aardriyah confused as to what this had to do with Kit, nodded her head.
“Perhaps you didn’t understand why I gave you the book.” The princess reached for the book, flipped through a few pages and found one that had the lip of the corner folded down. She showed Aardriyah the page she was looking at, it was a simple black and white drawing of an old emperor of Mizu with a white, unmarked canine beside him. The canine looked uncannily like Kit and Aardriyah remembered the story that accompanied the picture, though to be honest, all the tales in the book were mystical and fantastical and conjured up wild imaginings in her head, she didn’t feel bad for not remembering this one in its entirety.
“The tale isn’t necessarily fiction, it is about the original king of Mizu and his faithful guardian fox, Ai. She began the long line of guardian foxes that protect the royal family in Mizu; my family.” Aardriyah frowned, she didn’t understand why the princess needed to make up a story as to why Kit belonged to her. It seemed pretentious to rely on an old folk tale to back up her claim. Regardless, she waited for the princess to continue.
“However, all the guardian foxes are pure white, they match our water blessed hair. Kit, however, has fur the colour of fire, just as your hair. So I believe, Kit was sent to be your guardian, to protect you on the journey you have already begun.” Aardriyah sighed a breath of relief, before confusion set in.
“I’m sorry, but who sent Kit?”
The princess smiled, closed the book and set it upon the desk, before answering.
“That is not important. What is important is he found you and he has already protected you time and time again. He is yours Aardriyah, and was never mine to begin with, however it was a plausible excuse for your joining us on this ship and being in our presence, under our protection.”
Kit slinked over to Princess Kibo, and gave her a long kiss on her cheek, she giggled. It was the first time Aardriyah had ever seen the princess express any kind of strong emotion. Princess Kibo petted the fox, stroking him thoughtfully before adding,
“He is your Kitsune, love him well and treat him respectfully and he will be the only friend you ever need. This is my promise to you.”
With those final words, Aardriyah felt a reassurance that they were unquestionable truth. Though her heart ached with the sudden knowledge of Old Man Teme’s passing, she was sure that somehow, this scruffy red and white canine would guide her forward and protect her, just as Old Man Teme once did.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
secrets
When Aardriyah made it to the top deck, it was packed with broken and battered passengers readying themselves for a long journey north. She found Rachida with the help of Kit, whose nose led her to the small fire blessed woman aboard the bow. The ships were edging ever closer to a shanty dock of half collapsed and sun ridden timber, it wasn’t much but it would have to do.
“The Dead Bay - what a welcoming sight!” Rachida chimed in sarcastically. Looking across the bay and land that stood before them, Aardriyah felt an eerie sensation as if the corpses that were still trapped here, were jealously watching the living, wishing they had the essence of life still within their grasps. The Dead Bay had been given the name after the fall of the Marconian Empire. No one dared break the volcanic ash covered lands, fearing it might upset the gods to disturb the dead. Ever since it stood as a long stretch of ominous black land, nothing growing about it and no life within it.
“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but you think they could dock us in a nicer area? Why not, Rainbow Bay or Happy, Alive and Definitely-Not-Covered-In-Tonnes-of-Volcanic-Ash-Bay?” Rachida tried to joke, but it didn’t seem to hit Aardriyah’s ears at all; as she continued to look out, silent at the forlorn at the bay.
“What’s wrong with you? Didn’t get paid?”
Aardriyah finally gave her attention the overly chatty woman beside her,
“I did.” She said. Although reluctantly
as she had tried to hand back the three gold naughts and four silver crosses the princess had given her, but she refused to accept them - stating it was her duty to ensure her employees were paid accordingly. Considering the risk and hurt that Aardriyah had suffered during her employ, she had definitely earned it. Aardriyah tried to point out that the hurt and risk were brought on from her simply existing, not from the job itself but the princess wouldn’t speak any further on the matter.
“I just feel sad knowing how many people were buried alive under the ash. Knowing how beautiful those buildings were and how happy they all seemed.” Aardriyah continued.
Rachida looked up at Aardriyah’s raised eyebrows, her sullen face conveying truth behind the words she spoke.
“It was just a dream, Riyah. It’s not like you actually knew those people or have any idea what the Marconian Empire was like. Maybe they were all horrible kitten killers or puppy punchers.” She tried to reason.
Aardriyah appreciated Rachida’s innate ability to always have a response to anything anyone ever expressed, it must have taken years of practice, but she managed without a struggle. Aardriyah had years of practice of saying the wrong thing, being punished for it and in turn, sometimes felt that silence was the best thing she could offer the world. She envied Rachida’s quick wit and sharp tongue, and how little she seemed to censor herself. Perhaps being a blessed gave you the luxury of not facing retribution for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
“Anyway, who cares! You are going to see some amazing sights that you definitely can’t dream of, I promise you that!” She pinched Aardriyah’s arm, unhappy at the lack of attention she was paying her.
“You’ve been here before?”
Rachida rolled her eyes, letting out an audibly exaggerated sigh and said,
“Of course! I’ve travelled to almost every state on the New Continent, every empire and every colony or island. I’m hoping to tick them all off before I’m twenty. One of the many perks of this job I suppose.”
To think that Rachida had almost visited all of the New Realm made Aardriyah jealous. The most she had seen was one or two other islands of Veros that were much poorer and full of even more spiteful people than the main island. In fact, this was the furthest she had ever been from her little blue front door on the white dome house she called home. Part of it excited her, thrilled her and filled her of hopes for what she was to uncover in the coming days, weeks and months. But another part of this realisation hit her like a tonne of marble bricks, realising that she was on a journey that had no definable end, no idea of when she would return home or how she would get there. She’d had to be self-sufficient to an extent on Veros, navigate herself around rocky terrain and even rockier relationships, but she’d always had the comfort of knowing Pateras, Old Man Teme and Sonas were close by if she ever needed to run away and find comfort in their warm words and arms. Now, she’d have to brave the world alone, without any guidance, any support, any protection.
As if sensing her sudden doubt and trepidation, Kit barked at Aardriyah, chasing away the dark thoughts clouding her mind. She took in the excitement that seemed to be spreading across Kit’s face, his mouth opening and panting as he performed a little jig with his paws. Smiling at him, she said,
“You’re right. I’m sure I’ll have so many adventures and stories to write home about, I could even write a book about it.”
After the burial rituals for the earth blessed were carried out, the company of servants and staff upon the beach separated into distinct groups - those travelling the rest of the way via foot and those set to board the ships again. Master Keelie passed the Crystal Capital Approved Travel Documentation to Prince Chastion to look after for all of those travelling on foot, ticking off the names of those present against a list. She sighed a loud breath of relief when Master Keelie announced he would be travelling the rest of the way aboard the ships and beamed a huge smile as the galleons left the bay and sailed out into the falling light. As the Royal Family hadn’t anticipated needing their horses and other land transportation, the entire company were dreading the days of marching ahead. They would stop in were they could along the coastline and barter for horses and carts, but there was no guarantee any stables would have any available at such short notice.
Thankfully, Aardriyah spied a map and discovered that her journey on foot would be much shorter than most. She hadn’t realised that Rovik was just outside The Dead Bay and had only perhaps three days of walking ahead of her before they reached whatever or whoever it was that awaited her. Prince Chastion had commanded that they all scoured the ash covered bay for any food and water they could find, before beginning the journey forth. They used the remaining hours of light to set up a small encampment, take stock of all their goods and equipment and enjoy the final moments of rest before the next month of marching towards the port off the coast of The Fand Empire that would ferry them across to The Crystal Capital.
A large canvas tent was erected for Prince Chastion and Queen Iber, guarded on all sides, in the centre of the camp. The tent was far enough from other bedrolls to avoid any eavesdropping, but strategically placed so if any outsider wanted to attack the royal mother and son, they would need to sneak or fight through fifty other subjects first.
The rest of the camp was divided into blessings and regular watch was held by a rotation of royal guards to ensure n sleepovers were enjoyed by incompatibly blessed people. Aardriyah was grateful once again to be unblessed as she could sleep wherever she wanted. After all, no one was desperate enough to resort to a peak moon rendezvous with an unblessed.
Before she was able to tuck herself and Kit into the bedroll she had set up beside Rachida, a royal guard summoned her to the tent. Once inside, Prince Chastion raced to his sister - who held up her arms and quickly said,
“Still hurt - broken ribs.” Alarm spread across her face, hoping that he would reconsider hugging her. He did and settled for a warm smile.
“I’m glad you are on foot with us, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He offered her, seeming to be genuinely happy she was in his presence.
“It’s true - stubborn boy this one, won’t even listen to mother who is always right.” Queen Iber said, swilling a drink of a strong-smelling clear liquid straight from the carafe. Aardriyah curtseyed to the Queen who waved her hands in clear dismissal of the formalities, before she pushed the flap of the door open and waltzed into the night in search of a drinking companion. Chastion led Aardriyah towards a table, a large sepia map laid upon it. He looked over her slightly bruised face before he said,
“Tell me what happened the night of the attack, everything you remember.”
“I don’t really remember anything to be honest.” Aardriyah replied, without even trying to recall.
“Think Aardy, there must be something you remember. What about the stranger in the healer’s bay? What happened with them? Did they say something? Did they hurt you?” A memory rushed back to Aardriyah from the night of the attack. The thing, the human or being, whatever it was, the screams and cries piercing her ears as she recalled breaking the amulet of the amethyst eye on the ground into a thousand pieces.
“They had an amulet, an amethyst eye amulet. It seemed to be controlling them or the beast, or maybe both.” She said almost in a trance as she tried to recall more. Chastion inhaled sharply, before pulling out a small blue journal encrusted with crystals. He started jotting down notes as he asked,
“How do you know that? Know that the amulet was controlling them?” He asked in a hushed tone.
“I’m not sure. It was just a feeling I had when they were near me. I remember looking into the beast’s eyes, it seemed possessed. I felt its pain and confusion, like it didn’t want to be here, to be doing what it was, killing all those people. It was scared and trapped. Just like the air blessed were, and those guards on Veros and maybe Miss Farrow.” She continued, trying to explain a feeling that still made no sense to her, as much as she had trie
d to piece it together herself, she realised how stupid and nonsensical it sounded as she repeated it.
“I just knew that I had to destroy the amulet, that it was evil somehow. I felt like it was sucking me in, beckoning me forward.” Her mind skipped to the broken shards of the amulet; the strong purple glow completely faded from the thousands of pieces sprawled across the hardwood floor.
“Then when I broke it, everything stopped. I snapped out of the pull it had me in, the beast above I think it broke free also. I was told that it disappeared under the water, defeated but not dead.” She looked up to Chastion who had stopped writing.
“Why didn’t you question the prisoner? How did they even board the ship in the first place? Is it the same –” realisation dawned on her, she didn’t need to finish the question, knowing the answer already. The purple crystal glow, the amulet, the markings - they were all too familiar, she knew she had seen them before, knew she had felt that sensation of being sucked into the glowing amethyst eye. Somehow, without a word being uttered between the siblings, they both reached the same conclusion - the prisoner was part of whoever had been tracking her. Chastion finally spoke,
“The prisoner, that thing, it entered my mind. It entrapped me and showed me visions, of the past, of your past.” He stopped, regret and sadness suddenly filling his face.
“I’m so sorry Aardy, I had no idea how hard it had been for you, how alone and afraid you have felt all these years.” He looked as if he was about to cry. Aardriyah raised an eyebrow, clearly confused about where his sudden empathy had arisen from. She didn’t feel comfortable seeing this suddenly sentimental side of her brother, she just wanted answers; wanted to understand what had happened in the week she had been asleep.