Ariella and the Blood Curse

by Owen Crane

afternoon?” he asked again.

  “Yes sir,” answered Ariella weakly.

  “How was the Friendly Phoenix?”

  How does he know we went there? Is he having us followed?

  Jaron tried to smile, “it was very good, thank you for asking.”

  “Lovely,” said Karlov, grinning. “I don"t suppose any of you happen to see

  Baron Rexsalve this afternoon?”

  “Baron who?” asked Indio “Wait a minute, I know that name. Rexsalve, yes

  that"s Eugenie"s family name. Is he her father?”

  Karlov"s tone went flat and dangerous. “Indio, if you ever assume that I am

  stupid again, I will bump you off The Journey so fast you"ll be back in Khan

  before you can blink. Do you understand me?”

  Indio swallowed hard. “Yes sir. Sorry sir. Won"t happen again sir.”

  “Very good. Now, who would like to explain to me why we had some very

  scared horses galloping through Stonegard with an angry Baron bouncing along

  behind?”

  Ariella, could"ve sworn she saw a hint of a smile when he said the word

  „bouncing."

  The three answered as one. “It was me!”

  Karlov rolled his eyes. “Really? It was all of you, together, at the same

  time?”

  “Yes sir,” they answered simultaneously.

  “And you all have red light do you?” asked Karlov.

  There was silence.

  “What did I just say about answering my questions?”

  “It was me sir,” said Indio. “They didn"t have anything to do with it.”

  “That"s not true,” objected Jaron, “We were all there, we were all involved.”

  “That"s right,” said Ariella, “You"ll have to punish all of us, not just Indio.”

  Karlov paused for a moment.

  Get it over with will you? I can’t stand the suspense, put us out of our misery.

  “We are Guardians. As tempted as we may be, we never use our Light for

  playing games with people we don"t like. Is that understood?”

  The three nodded.

  “Excellent. Lesson learned. Never do it again.” Karlov looked around the

  mess hall. Several of the Knot had left after dinner. “Now go and gather

  everyone, we have a meeting here in ten minutes.”

  The three looked at each, slightly startled.

  That’s it? No punishment? Happy days! I guess Karlov doesn’t like Baron Rexsalve

  either.

  Ten minutes later the Knot was gathered in the dining hall.

  “Listen up everyone,” called Karlov as the conversations died away. “The

  samples we collected from the Willowbank and Evermere have been passed on

  to Malum. He and Magatha are working on a cure for the „Blood Curse" as, so

  far, our Light has proved ineffective. As I"m sure you are aware, this is having a

  devastating effect not only on Trevena but on the whole of Dawnhaven as food

  supplies run low.”

  A few of the Knot exchanged nervous glances. Ariella watched Eugenie.

  Her face was fixed, rigid, like she was wearing a mask.

  Karlov continued, “King Tristan has called a meeting of the Monarchs here

  in Stonegard for the day after tomorrow to try to resolve the situation.”

  Theia raised her hand.

  “Yes, Theia?”

  “Is Abalyne invited as well?” she asked.

  “Queen.” Said Karlov.

  “What?” said Theia.

  “Queen and sir.” Answered Karlov, coldly. “She is „Queen" Abalyne and I

  am „sir".” He stared hard at Theia. “Yes, she is invited. As yet there is no

  evidence to back up the claims that Khan are responsible for the „Blood Curse"”

  Eugenie coughed.

  “Something you want to say Eugenie?” called Indio, rising to his feet.

  “Indio sit down, Eugenie, shut up,” demanded Karlov. “As I was saying, the

  Monarchs are coming here. Security is tight, as I imagine, will be the tensions in

  the city. As first years we will have no direct responsibilities during the visit, so

  tomorrow our training resumes.”

  There was a groan throughout the room.

  Karlov smiled, “So glad you"re looking forward to it. In fact as you"re so

  happy, I"ll see you on the training ground at seven tomorrow morning. That is

  all.” “Oh joy,” said Indio, “I need my bed.”

  Lalea Onderskat, Assistant Master of Arms, must have received word from

  Karlov that the Knot were not enthusiastic about this morning"s training. She

  hammered the Sojourners. Drill after drill. Swords, axes, bows, spears and

  unarmed combat, over and over again.

  “I"m going to throw up,” moaned Indio.

  “Harder! Faster!” Lalea demanded.

  Karlov was outside the training ground, arms folded with a wide grin on his

  face. “Stop slacking!” he shouted.

  “They"re twisted,” said Jaron, “I think they"re enjoying our pain.”

  By midday the whole Knot was ready to collapse. Only Joachim and Phoebe

  seemed to be keen for more. They were duelling with wooden staffs, flying into

  each other with dizzying speed. Neither could gain the upper hand as their

  breathing became laboured but still they fought on.

  Ariella was lying on her back trying to catch her breath.

  Pointing at Phoebe, Esther called, “Ari, look at her.”

  She stood equal in height to Joachim and was matching him in strength.

  Blow after blow Joachim rained on her but she repelled him and came back with

  attacks of her own.

  “She"s amazing,” gasped Esther.

  “She"s a freak,” muttered Eugenie

  Eleazar laughed. “Do you want to fight her?” Eugenie snapped her mouth

  shut and walked away. “Didn"t think so,” he called after her.

  Phoebe and Joachim were almost out of strength; they could hardly lift their

  staffs to launch another attack.

  “That"s enough.” Lalea called. “Amazing job, you two, excellent work.”

  Joachim let the staff drop from his hands, rattling on the stones. He stood up

  tall and stepped towards Phoebe, a hard look on his face.

  “Uh oh,” whispered Ariella, and moved to intervene

  “Wait,” said Jaron, holding out his hand.

  Phoebe rose to her full height as Joachim stepped towards her. They stood

  facing each other, one pace apart, breathing deeply. Joachim raised his arm and

  placed his hand firmly on Phoebe"s shoulder. He closed his other hand across

  his chest and thumped his heart twice.

  Esther gasped. Phoebe didn"t flinch.

  Joachim lowered his arms and smiled a broad smile, then turned and walked

  back to the tower.

  “Bloody hell,” said Eleazar, “He smiled, did you see that? Joachim actually

  smiled!”

  “Esther,” asked Ariella, “what just happened?”

  “It"s an Erestian custom,” she said. “It means respect between warriors. It

  means Joachim believes Phoebe is his equal.”

  Ariella smiled. “Amazing.”

  “What about me?” Indio asked Esther, “Does he think I"m his equal?”

  Esther opened her mouth to say something then changed her mind.

  “What?” said Indio, “what?”

  “Oh Indio,” smiled Jaron, putting his arm around his friend"s shoulders. “To

  Joachim, you are still a worm.”

  “Or a bug, I don’t think he’s made up his mind,” smiled Eleazar.

  “That"s not funny,” complained Indio, “not even nearly
funny!”

  As they made their way back to the tower a loud screech reverberated off the

  stone walls.

  Jaron winced at the sound, “what is that?”

  Indio"s face lit up. “That is the most beautiful sound you will ever hear.

  That is the sound of a griffin, Queen Abalyne is here.”

  Chapter 18

  A flight of nine griffins flew low over the Guardian compound. Ariella was

  stunned by the majesty of the great beasts. They had the head and front legs of a

  powerful eagle and the body and hind legs of a mighty lion. They were even

  more spectacular than she had imagined.

  You’re not in the library of Lightharbour anymore Ari, those are real griffins!

  “Oh Indi, they"re beautiful,” she gasped.

  “Told you,” he smiled, “You see the one on the far left, black and gold

  feathers?”

  Ariella nodded.

  “That"s my uncle, General Ketil Griffinfriend, his griffin is called Thrace.

  He"s the fastest in Khan!” Indio was glowing with pride.

  “Savages,” said Theia, loudly, “They shouldn"t allow that filth in the city.”

  “I"d be careful what you say Theia,” said Indio, “griffin"s are intelligent and

  have exceptional hearing. They may take offence to your insults.” As if to

  support Indio"s claim, one of the griffins let out a terrifying cry and the blood

  drained from Theia"s face as she ran to the tower, Indio"s laughter ringing

  around her.

  “Hey Ari, I guess this means your mother"s going to be arriving in town

  soon,” said Jaron.

  “That"s right” she smiled “and I have an idea.” She kept her voice low.

  “Grab Indio and meet me out here after lunch.”

  The three finished lunch and found a quiet spot in the compound, and sat

  with their backs against the tall inner wall.

  “If what Hakeem wrote is true,” she began, “then this meeting of the

  Monarchs is going to be vital in halting the curse, protecting Dawnhaven and

  possibly even saving the Guardians.”

  Jaron nodded, “Absolutely. What I would give to be in that meeting.”

  “Funny you should mention that,” Ariella smiled, “we may have a way.”

  Indio tilted his head.

  “Go on,” said Jaron.

  “You remember how I said I overheard Eugenie sounding off to Theia about

  how Khan had caused the Blood Curse?”

  The boys nodded.

  “What I didn"t tell you is how I overheard them.” Out of her pocket she

  pulled two marble shaped glass stones. “These are Echo Orbs.”

  “Okay,” said Indio, “and what, exactly, are „Echo Orbs"”?

  “They pick up an echo.”

  “What kind of echo?” pressed Jaron.

  “Well, let"s say, hypothetically, one of these happened to fall into my

  mother"s pocket. Then she just happens to go to an extremely important meeting

  of the Dawnhaven Monarchs. And if we had the other orb, then we could hear

  everything that"s being said.”

  “Are you kidding me?” said Jaron, mouth wide open.

  Ariella shook her head, “for real. I used to use them to spy on my younger,

  twin brothers when they were trying to prank me. They never figured out how I

  was always one step ahead of them. It used to drive them mad.”

  “Twin brothers? That must"ve been fun.”

  “Yeah, there"s been twins in our family for generations although Osias and

  Calixto are more like the living embodiment of thunder and lightning.”

  Jaron suddenly went serious. “How do you feel about listening in on your

  mother"s private conversations?”

  Ariella shrugged, “Hakeem made me promise not to eavesdrop on her but

  then he also said that we needed get involved „for the good of Dawnhaven". This

  is definitely one of those „for the good of Dawnhaven" moments, wouldn"t you

  say?”

  “Absolutely,” said Indio, nodding enthusiastically.

  “Okay,” said Jaron, “But how do we get it in to your mother"s pocket? We

  don"t know when she"s arriving and we"ve got Light training all afternoon.

  They"re not going to let you out of the compound.”

  “Pull a sickie,” said Indio.

  “A what?” asked Ariella.

  “You know, a sickie. Pretend you"re sick, stomach cramps, headache,

  whatever you fancy. Then you can go lie down for the afternoon and slip out

  when no one"s looking.”

  Jaron shook his head. “That used to work for you?”

  “All the time. They tried to teach me to dance when I was younger. I had

  lessons twice a week with a fanatical dance teacher, the guy was a lunatic. It"s

  amazing how sick I got just before dance lessons.”

  “I don"t think that"ll fly here,” said Jaron. “If she feigns a sickie, they"re

  going to send her straight to Yvette. She"ll just go all healing Light on her.

  Reckon you can con Yvette, Ari?”

  “Not a chance.” She replied. “We need another plan.”

  Just than Felix came into the courtyard and spotted them. “I"ve been looking

  for you all over. Magatha has cancelled Light training this afternoon; he needs to

  concentrate on finding a cure for the curse. Karlov says we can rest up.”

  The three looked at each and burst out laughing.

  “What"s so funny?” asked Felix, “I was looking forward to it.”

  “It"s okay Felix, you can go and train on your own without anyone bothering

  you,” Ariella laughed.

  Felix"s face lit up, “you"re right, see you later!” and he dashed off to the

  training ground.

  “Right,” said Jaron, “that was easy, anyone for a drink in the Friendly

  Phoenix? Who knows whom we may bump into on the way? I"ve always

  wanted to meet a Queen.”

  The Friendly Phoenix was the perfect location to wait for Ariella"s mother. It

  was on the main route between the Stonegard gates and the Royal Keep. The

  three friends found a table in the window and settled in for the afternoon,

  watching and waiting.

  They didn"t have long to wait. There was a sudden burst of trumpets that

  rang out from the watchtowers on the main gate.

  “Here we go,” said Jaron.

  They stood outside the Inn as a small crowd gathered and lined the streets,

  hoping for any kind of spectacle. They heard the sound of many hooves on the

  stone as a column of Lightharbour guards rode towards them at a steady walk.

  The guards were three abreast and about ten deep. Behind them they could just

  make out a white carriage, and behind that, still more guards.

  “That"s a lot of guards,” said Jaron, “someone’s paranoid.”

  Ariella sighed. “The Captain of the Guard is, er, safety conscious.”

  “No kidding,” laughed Indio, as he pointed at one of the guards in the

  second row, “Isn"t that your handsome friend that you arrived here with? What

  was his name?”

  Ariella blushed, “Micah, his name is Micah.”

  “Micah, that"s right, I wondered if you remembered him, but judging by the

  colour of your cheeks I"d say that"s a „yes".”

  Jaron slapped him on the back of the head, “Leave her alone.”

  “What did I say?” he protested, rubbing his sore head.

  Jaron ignored him. “What"s the plan Ari?” He asked, “You just going to leap

  in front of the horses and
shout „hello mummy"?”

  “I think I"ll just improvise,” she replied “I"ll see you back here when I"m

  done.”

  And with that she started moving through the crowd towards the

  approaching column.

  Improvise? What kind of answer is that? You haven’t seen her for a few months. Is

  she angry? Does she miss me? Guess I’m about to find out.

  Riding on the final row of guards, just in front of the Queen"s carriage, was

  the Captain. He had a stern look on his face and his hand was on the hilt of his

  sword.

  “Good afternoon Captain, welcome to Stonegard!” she called, stepping out

  from the crowd.

  The Captain nearly fell off his horse in shock. “Your Highness, what are you

  doing here?” He raised his hand and halted the column.

  “I wanted to see my mother. Do you mind?”

  Before the Captain could answer, Queen Susanna had leaned out of the

  carriage window to see why they had stopped.

  “Ariella!” she cried, throwing open the carriage door and stepping into the

  street.

  Five of the guards immediately dropped from their horses and formed a ring

  around their Queen, eyes vigilantly scanning the crowd. Several of the

  bystanders started to bow when they saw the Queen; many others just stared

  open mouthed in shock. They weren"t use to visiting monarchs leaping out of

  carriages.

  Queen Susanna ignored them all, throwing her arms around her daughter

  and covering her with kisses. “My darling Ariella! I"ve missed you so much.

  What are you doing here? What"s going on? How are you? You look taller.”

  “Mother, could we talk inside?” she smiled, nodding at the crowds

  surrounding them and the nervous looking guards.

  “Of course,” The Queen led her daughter into the royal carriage and closed

  the door.

  As they wound their way through the busy streets of Stonegard, Queen

  Susanna regaled Ariella with tales of her brothers and the latest news from

  Lightharbour. In return Ariella told her of life so far on The Journey. When she

  began to tell her of her encounters with the Blood Curse the Queen"s face

  darkened.

  “These are perilous times Ariella. Something is at work in Dawnhaven that

  has evil at its heart.”

  The carriage came to a halt as more trumpets sounded. Ariella leaned out of

  the window.

  “We"re at the Keep, I had better be off now, I have duties to attend to.” She