Shadows of Lela

by Tessonja Odette

  4

  Second Life

  Cora

  I stood at the edge of a barren cliff. The harsh wind cut my skin as it threatened to throw me off the edge. I looked down at a dark castle which stood in an equally dark valley below me. Red fog swirled about the base. Sharp, black towers jutted out at odd angles and climbed impossible heights above the castle. All the windows were black except one; in the middle of the highest tower glowed one red eye.

  From somewhere in the distance, I could hear my name. Coralaine. I shuddered. No, that was not my name anymore. Coralaine, I heard again. The voice was merely a whisper, yet it felt as if it were pounding in my ears.

  A pale face appeared in the red window. A wide, malicious smile revealed sharp, yellow teeth. “Hello, Coralaine.”

  I opened my eyes but all I could see was black. I fought the arms that pinned down my shoulders.

  “Cora, quiet, you’re safe.”

  I realized I was screaming.

  “It’s just me,” soothed the voice of Maiya.

  My body went limp and I resigned to tears and quiet sobs. The arms at my shoulders gently released me.

  “It was just another bad dream.” Maiya stroked the damp hair away from my forehead.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered, and rolled over on my side to bury my face in my blanket. Maiya gave my shoulder a light pat and returned to her own cot next to mine. Even in the darkness I could feel her eyes on me.

  “Is there something wrong?” she asked quietly.

  I remained silent. The truth was I had no idea what was wrong with me. This was the third night in a row I had woken screaming from this same, terrifying dream.

  Six years had gone by since I was banished from my home at Ridine Castle. I’d given up my name, my title, and my past when the Forest People found me. I’d done my best to forget the life I’d once lived. Why the nightmares now?

  “Would you like to tell me about your dream? Perhaps I can help divine its meaning.” Maiya tried to sound nonchalant, but her concern was obvious.

  I ignored her, breathing slow and deep as if I’d fallen back asleep. Even though I trusted Maiya like a sister, I would not burden her with my dream or my past. I wouldn’t allow any of the Forest People to bear the burden of knowing they were harboring an exiled princess.

  Before I knew it, I found myself blinking into the warm morning sun diffused through the thick, patterned fabric that made up the tent I shared with Maiya. I stretched my arms and rose. Outside the tent Maiya met my eyes with a weak smile as she hung some clothes to dry on a line. “Did you sleep well?”

  I nodded, giving her what I hoped to be a convincing grin. Yet, my skin still prickled at the memory of dark turrets, an evil wind, and a voice hissing my name.

  I strolled through our camp, nodding and smiling at the familiar faces as I passed. Most of the Forest People looked alike with their tan skin, dark-brown eyes, and thick, dark hair. According to legend, the Forest People descended from the Faeran, the ancient race that was once native to Lela in centuries past. I, with my brown eyes and long, brown hair, fit right in. Of course, not all the Forest People bedded exclusively within our tribe, so there were also a few fair-skinned, golden-haired or bronze-headed youths in our company.

  I felt guilty for sleeping in, seeing everyone else already hard at work with their daily tasks of sewing, washing, cooking, hunting, or practicing the Arts. Most everyone in our tribe practiced some form of the Arts, which was our name for what I’d previously known as magic or sorcery. The Arts included many forms of healing, telling, and enchantment. Even those without natural talent for the Arts were useful in collecting herbs, brewing tinctures, and making salves or other concoctions.

  As a child, magic had seemed nothing short of evil. Now that I was with the Forest People, the Arts were a way of life, something alive and ever-present in all things. I even learned the truth about what I’d previously only known as my curse. Where would I be if the Forest People hadn’t found me?

  As I reached the common area, the smells of roasting meats, boiling soups, and steeping herbs intoxicated me, making my stomach growl. I walked amongst the cooking fires, investigating the contents of the boiling pots and roasting spits of meat. I helped myself to a heaping bowl of soft-cooked root vegetables and a mug of fragrant tea, and took a seat on one of the logs surrounding the clearing.

  We’d been at our camp since the beginning of winter, but I knew we would be moving on soon. One of the first things I had to learn after being taken in by the Forest People was that my home would no longer be defined by a place. We moved often to keep from desecrating the land that nourished us, and to keep us from being pursued by those who wished us ill. Even though we had peaceful exchanges of business with most of the villagers and travelers we encountered, there were still others who feared and even scorned us.

  I jumped as the log thumped beside me. It was Maiya.

  She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes; they were busy studying my face. Her shoulders were tense as she folded her hands in her lap.

  “I’m fine, Maiya.” I elbowed her playfully, making her blush.

  “I just worry about you, that’s all. You know I would never pry, but I’m here if you ever need to talk.”

  “I know. I’m fine, though.”

  “My mother is here for you too. She’s an elder. She has more wisdom than anyone.”

  “I know she does, and I love Salinda, but I won’t bother her with my silly nightmares.” I turned my attention back to my food, even though I could still feel Maiya staring at me. She opened her mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by commotion at the other end of the clearing.

  “Roije has returned!” Ciela squealed as she ran over to us. Ciela was a tall, willowy blonde, said to be the bastard daughter of a wealthy lord. Although it was never said exactly which wealthy lord, rumor claimed her mother had charmed him with her exotic beauty when she’d visited his land on trade. Rumor also said Ciela was just as charming as her mother in that respect.

  “Roije’s back?” Maiya began smoothing her tangled, curly, black hair away from her olive-toned face.

  “I thought you’d want to know.” Ciela winked at Maiya and then pulled us both to standing, forcing me to abandon my food. She linked her arms through ours and dragged us toward the gathering crowd. We pushed our way forward until we were in the middle of the circle, an arm’s length away from Roije, who stood at its center.

  Roije had grown up with the Forest People, but when his mother took ill and died, he left our tribe for modern society, shocking us all. Even though we were free to come and go as we pleased, few of us ever did. His hunting and tracking skills had been an asset to our tribe; his presence was missed by many. Now that he was back, I was curious to know why. I clearly wasn’t the only one.

  Inaudible questions were shouted left and right as he was smothered with hugs, handshakes, and excited greetings. Maiya and I kept our hands to ourselves, admiring him from where we stood. He had grown into a handsome young man since I’d last seen him; he was tall and nicely-muscled with short, neatly trimmed curls, dark eyes under heavy eyebrows, and high cheekbones.

  He waited with grace for the crowd to quiet, but the questions grew and multiplied, drowning out his every attempt to answer them.

  “Where did you go?”

  “What did you do?”

  “What was it like?”

  “How did you find us?”

  “Why did you come back?”

  Roije remained composed and smiling. He waved a hand for the crowd to calm so he could finally speak. “All right, all right. I’ll tell you, but just one question at a time.” His voice was rich with laughter.

  “Where have you been?” asked a voice from behind me.

  “I went to the village of Kubera to make a living hunting and trading with the butcher. It was much different than the life I’d known. It was worth the experience, but after a while I knew I had to come home. I began tracking you from
our old camp…and now here I am.”

  “We’re so happy you’re back.” Ciela flashed him her flirtatious smile.

  “I’m happy to be back as well. I truly missed every one of you.” Roije’s handsome grin stretched over his face as he scanned the crowd, his eyes lingering a moment longer when he saw Maiya. I could almost feel the heat of her blushing beside me.

  “What news do you have from Kubera?” someone asked. “Anything interesting?”

  “Interesting, yes, but not in a good way. Things feel strange. The king is recruiting young men to join the Royal Force, and no one knows why. I left Kubera when I heard his Force was on its way.”

  I stiffened. It had been years since I’d heard any word about my brother.

  “He’s increasing his Royal Force?” another voice asked. “Kero has been at peace for as long as anyone remembers. What does the king need such a large Force for?”

  “Who knows,” Roije said. “I’ve heard all kinds of tales about Ridine Castle. Most of the Royal Staff have either left or been relieved of duty, and no one has had direct contact with the king in years. Ridine holds no court and entertains no festivities. He’s the last living member of the Royal Family. That’s strange enough as it is.”

  My throat felt dry. Did I hear him right? My brother, the last living member of the Royal Family; did that mean I was considered…dead? Roije probably misunderstood. But something about his words sent a chill down my spine and set my heart racing, reminding me of my haunting nightmare.

  Coralaine, whispered the trees around us.

  Coralaine, whispered the dark turrets in my mind.

  I shook the dream from my head. No, just breathe. It wasn’t real. Yet, I had already lost control. My vision swam, and my mind flooded with a clamor of voices all at once—thoughts of everyone around me, so loud and disjointed I couldn’t make sense of them. I tried to push them back, but it was too much. My lungs felt too small to breathe. I reached out for Maiya’s arm just as my legs gave out from beneath me. I was almost grateful when the world faded to black.

  5

  Turmoil

  Teryn

  Where am I going to find a unicorn? I thought for the hundredth time that day. Three unicorns, for that matter! I stared into the depths of my dinner plate as if the half-eaten wing of duck would wave me in the right direction.

  “To Teryn!” I jumped as the chorus of my name echoed through the Great Hall of Dermaine Palace. From the seat of honor at the Royal Table, I looked down the Hall at the hundreds of guests standing at their tables with their goblets held high. Each pair of eyes was fixed on me as I stood blushing and mumbling my thanks.

  This was my celebratory feast, but I didn’t feel like celebrating. I was too anxious to enjoy myself, and didn’t feel like there was anything worth celebrating until I brought the princess home with me as my bride. Despite my many protests, Father insisted I owed it to our people to indulge them with a feast.

  I sat back down, expecting my guests to follow suit until I noticed my father had remained standing and was gazing at me with a teary-eyed look of fatherly love. I returned to standing, shoulders hunched in anticipation of a sentimental speech.

  “I’m so proud of you, my boy.” Father’s usual husky voice had turned soft and unsteady. “Bards all over Lela are singing your praises. You have the love and support of not only our kingdom of Mena, but of the whole land of Lela!”

  My guests, most of whom I had never seen before, shouted their agreement. I accepted the compliment with a nod and a smile, hoping the praise would end soon so I could hide behind my dinner plate again.

  But my father wanted to torture me. “You and Mareleau are the perfect pair. What could be better than Lela’s most beautiful princess married to Lela’s most beloved prince?”

  While my guests cheered in agreement, I stole a wary glance at Larylis. He paid me no heed, deep as he was in his fourth goblet of ale. Either he didn’t notice the slight my father’s words had dealt him, or he was too drunk to care. My heart sank. He hadn’t said a word to me, much less looked in my direction since we’d returned home from the Spring Festival.

  “It takes a big man to win a woman’s heart,” my father continued. I could feel my ears growing hot. “But it takes an even bigger man to find one unicorn horn, one unicorn pelt, and one living unicorn!”

  The hall erupted with laughter.

  “I know you will win, my boy! You and Mareleau will be the best king and queen Lela has ever seen!”

  My cheeks blazed as my father ended his speech with another raise of goblets, and then finally allowed us to return to our seats. I lifted my fork to my mouth, but couldn’t take a bite. I let it drop to my plate and leaned back in my chair.

  I felt sick. I knew my father’s faithful words were meant to encourage me, but instead they made me feel as if my guts were being squeezed tight. He seemed so sure of me, so confident I had what it took to win the Quest. However, as soon as I’d heard I was to find a mythological creature—three of them, at that—I’d lost all faith in myself. I was dumbfounded. The Quest began in one week, and I didn’t even have a plan.

  I was relieved when the feast was over, and I gladly began to ascend the stairs toward my chamber. My feet felt heavier with every step; my eyes began to droop. I could almost hear my bed calling my name.

  Outside my door, my Chambermaster greeted me. “Prince Teryn, you have a guest waiting in your study.”

  My eyes grew wide. I cocked my head and considered if I’d heard him right. “A guest?”

  He nodded.

  “It’s after eighth bell. Can’t it wait until morning?”

  He raised an eyebrow at me, making my cheeks flush as I realized what a whining child I’d sounded like.

  I cleared my throat and straightened my stance. “What I mean is, I have been in attendance of my guests all evening. I’m sure whoever seeks my presence has had enough of me for today.”

  He took a step forward and lowered his voice to a whisper. “This guest was not an attendant at the feast. It is with utmost secrecy that your guest is meeting with you. I was told not to say this guest’s name aloud, so as not to inspire gossip.”

  My heart skipped a beat. A guest who was not at the feast, asking for a secret rendezvous…could it be Mareleau? I quickly dismissed my Chambermaster and all but bounded through the double doors to my rooms.

  My jaw dropped, and I paused mid-step. “Prince Lexington?”

  The chubby, pink-faced Prince Lexington sat reclining on one of the chairs at my desk, toying with a long quill. His eyes shot up as he saw me. He clumsily dropped the quill, removed himself from the chair, and came to greet me. “Just call me Lex,” he grumbled and gave a short bow. “I hate the name Lexington.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, I remembered to return the bow. It was hard to believe the man before me was a prince. Once the shock abated, the disappointment hit me all at once. If I wasn’t going to be meeting with Mareleau, the only other meeting I desired was with my bed. I’d have to sort things out fast if I wanted that desire fulfilled. “What brings you to Dermaine at this hour, Prince…Lex?”

  Lex began pacing and running his hands through his unkempt hair. “I have a proposition for you. A favor, perhaps. Well, I want to offer you my assistance. I want to help you win the Quest.”

  “You want to do what? But we’re competitors! Why would you want to help me win?”

  “Because I don’t want to marry Mareleau.”

  “How could you not want to marry the most beautiful woman in the world?”

  Lex stopped pacing and looked at me as if I had grown two heads. “Are you kidding me? Why would I want to marry such a spoiled, stuck up, mirror gazer? Besides, I have a fine lady back home in Tomas whom I am determined to marry.”

  “Then why don’t you just forfeit the Quest and go home?”

  Lex shook his head. “My father would kill me. I cannot bring shame upon my family or my kingdom. I am Crown Prince of Tomas and I must
earn the respect of our people and my father. Therefore, my only solution is to make them think I am fighting to win so that when you win, you can talk about what fierce competition I was.”

  So that was the catch. He would help me win the Quest in return for bragging rights. It didn’t sound like the worst deal. But could I trust him? “Why me? Why not offer your assistance to Helios?”

  Lex made a face of disgust. “That man scares me.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “I know what you mean, but how do I know you won’t betray me? Steal the goods for yourself and leave me behind?”

  “Look at me.” Lex gave me a crooked smile. “What could I do to betray you? I can barely run for longer than ten breaths, my arms are too short to have any kind of reach with a sword against you, and…I can’t even think of any other way I could betray you.”

  He certainly had his charm. Was it worth the risk to ally with him? I looked him up and down, trying to find any reason why I should turn his offer down. “Fine, but we still have a lot of work to do, and I won’t be doing it all myself. If you want an alliance, then we work as equals.”

  “Thank you. I won’t let you down.” Lex’s face brightened as he grabbed my hand in an exuberant handshake.

  We made plans for our next secret meeting, and then Lex departed. The sound of the door closing behind me was like a lullaby. I sighed and began to make my way toward my sleeping chamber.

  Until I heard a knock.

  I threw my head back and closed my eyes, grumbling. Perhaps if I didn’t answer, whoever was at the door would leave.

  Knock, knock, knock.

  It couldn’t be anything important.

  Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock…

  I cursed under my breath, stormed to the door, and flung it open.

  “Why?” Larylis’ voice was like a croak. He stared at me with bloodshot eyes and a goblet in his hand.

  “Larylis, what’s wrong with you?”

  “Why are you doing this to me?”

  So, the confrontation was finally here. I lowered my head and stepped aside, allowing Larylis to stumble into my study. I took a seat at my desk and Larylis took one opposite me. “Come on, brother. Let it all out.”