by HM Waugh
‘No one’s been here but me,’ I say. He raises an eyebrow and looks so superior I snap. ‘All day long. Locked in here, just the way you left me.’
‘So are you trying to tell me the heat ball sustained itself all day?’
My anger fizzles. I shift in my chair. The ball did start to die down hours ago, and the room began to chill. I’d used my newfound powers to stoke it up – a little higher than it should’ve been, if I’m honest. It’s reduced a lot since then, but now I’m cursing myself. Because of course Praseep would notice it wasn’t as low as it should be.
I swallow. ‘No one’s been here. Perhaps someone stoked it from outside?’
‘You have to see it to change it.’
So much for that. ‘Well, you obviously did a great job with it, that it’s still warm now. Thank you.’ I smile brightly at him.
His frown deepens. ‘Good job? If I had done that good a job I would be the Cloud Dragon I was expected to become, instead of a measly Ice. And we would never have met because the Princess would never have had to go searching for Danam. So life would be better all round. Unfortunately, I failed my final Tests, and there is no way I could have produced a ball that would last as long as this one has. So, back to my first question – who has been in here?’
I’m so angry I stand and push back the chair. ‘No one!’
‘You are lying! I do not need my father’s gift to figure that out. It was Danam, wasn’t it? I should have known! Vilpur says you are jealous, but I was certain you had nothing to do with it because you were safely locked up here.’
I stare at him. ‘You realise you’re not making any sense?’
‘You coat the Queen with honey, yet spit on me. But I see, and I know it was you.’
I freeze. He’s onto me. What will that mean for me? For Danam? Surely he can’t know for sure. ‘What was me?’
‘It was you who tried to kill Danam.’
My legs give out beneath me. The pain as my knees hit the cold floor is a counterpoint to the terror in my mind. I stare at Praseep, willing him to be wrong. ‘What?’
Praseep’s eyes are wide. He fumbles out some words. ‘Are you okay?’
I wave his offered arm away, but then snatch at it, holding tightly so he can’t leave. ‘Is Danam okay? By the Dragon, what has happened?’
His eyes are strained. There is a long pause, then he nods. ‘He is okay.’
‘Truly?’ My fingers bite into the flesh of his forearm.
‘Yes. He is recovering well.’
I let go of Praseep and sink back, leaning against the chair. I want to cry. ‘What happened?’
Praseep clears his throat. ‘It might be easier if I take you to see him.’
My eyes snap open. ‘Moments ago you were accusing me of trying to kill him!’
He shrugs. ‘I felt your reaction, I don’t think you could fake that. I guess I was wrong. I am sorry.’
‘I would’ve thought you’d seen enough of me to trust me, but that’s obviously not the case.’
‘I think I trust you as much as you trust me.’
I look away. He’s right. I’ve been assigning all sorts of evil to his name.
I catch his eye. ‘I’m sorry, Your Highness.’
His lips twitch into a reluctant smile. ‘I’m sorry too, Sunaya. Would you like to see Danam now?’
‘Thank you.’
He leads me down numerous corridors glowing in the sunset. I’m getting used to his guards, like shadows beside his path. When we reach a door through which an acrid scent of healing and feverfew wafts, he bows to me.
‘I hope you find Danam much improved.’
I curtsey in turn. ‘Thank you, Your Highness.’
I watch him go, measured steps, straight back, sad mouth. So, he wanted to be his sister’s Protector, her Cloud Dragon, and he was found wanting. That can’t be easy, and it goes a long way to explain his bitterness when they found us back at the summer pasture.
When he’s vanished around a glowing corner, I open the door.
I’m shown through to Danam’s bed quickly. It’s guarded by a Protector with an obsidian necklace. To keep Danam in? Or others out? Danam’s sitting up, eating gruel that doesn’t look much better than any of the filth I’ve had since getting here. He looks well, except for darkness under his eyes.
I rush to him. ‘Danam! What happened?’
He shrugs. ‘I got poisoned.’
‘By the Mountain! Are you okay? How did it happen?’
Danam shrugs again. ‘We’re not sure. Someone must have touched me with it, or maybe it was something in my food. I’m fine now, you don’t need to worry, Sunaya.’
I’m staring at his half-emptied bowl, controlling the urge to grab it and sniff for poisons. ‘But someone tried to kill you!’
‘They’ll stop once I’ve taken the Tests.’
‘Danam, about that, I need to talk to you.’
‘Don’t worry, the Prince has organised for us to leave as soon as possible, so I can start the Tests quickly.’ He leans forward, his voice lowering. ‘The Queen is sick. Dying. I heard them talking about it when they thought I was asleep. Apparently if Princess Rishala has no Cloud Dragon – that’s the highest level Protector – she can’t be crowned. Something about not being found worthy.’
I look around to check the guard is far enough away to not overhear us. ‘Then what … ? Praseep becomes King?’
Danam shrugs. ‘Surely not? He hasn’t got one either. All I know is that the Healers were in a hurry to help me, because they need me alive and through my Dragon Tests before the Queen has passed.’
Oh, this is bad. ‘Is that why someone wants to kill you? To stop Princess Rishala becoming Queen?’
Danam shrugs again and looks pointedly at the guard. ‘They’ve got me well protected now, and nothing will be able to stop me passing these Tests and becoming a Cloud.’ His eyes sparkle like winter stars. ‘I wonder what they will Test. Maybe navigation? Or strength? I hope it’s not swordsmanship. I …’
I sit bolt upright on the bed edge. ‘Danam, please stop. Listen, you mustn’t take those Tests.’
‘Why not?’
I lean in closer. ‘These Tests, this Protector thing, how do you know you can do what they think you can do?’
‘They know it. And they know what they’re looking for. Someone to Protect the Princess. I know I can do that. They know I can do that. And I trust them.’
‘What if they’ve got the wrong person?’
He snorts. ‘Who else could it be?’
I lean in closer and whisper like a breeze through barley. ‘Danam, I think it’s me they’re looking for.’
He stares for a moment, then laughs. ‘Vilpur was right. You are jealous, I would never have believed …’
‘I’m not jealous …’
He rolls his eyes. ‘Of course not. Tell me, if it was you they wanted, why did they choose me? I know you want to protect me, to defend me against some unknown evil, but honestly I’m fine. I’m happy. I have a purpose.’
I open my mouth to protest, but he holds up his hand.
‘I know you’re worried about the gotals, what Grandfather will do if you return without them. Once I’m a Cloud Dragon, I can talk to the Princess. I’m sure she’ll see reason.’
‘It’s not the gotals I’m worried about.’ He raises an eyebrow at me and I blush. ‘Okay,’ I say, ‘so I’m worried about them too, but I’m worried about you the most.’
He nods, yawns. ‘If it really worries you I’ll talk to Prince Praseep about delaying the Tests a bit. Maybe there’ll be time for me to prepare, or opportunity for coaching. Would that make you happy?’
That’s probably the best I’m going to get for now. A Healer is coming towards me with a pointed look on her face, so I squeeze Danam’s hand and say goodbye. My smile drops as soon as I turn to follow the Healer towards the exit.
This is getting out of control.
Not only is Danam being rushed forwards to face these
Tests – of which we know nothing – but someone is trying to kill him. This city may be pretty and bright, but it’s dangerous too. Danam can’t see that, he believes this is where he should be. And if I’m right, if he’s not the one they were looking for, if I am …
I need help.
Praseep’s face pops up in my mind, but I discard it. If Praseep finds out about me, I’ll be stuck here Protecting his sister and scaring her prisoners.
I think of Aji then, and my mind relaxes slightly. Of course. Aji knows a bit about the Tests – surely she’s taken them in some form. She’d know what to do. She already knows about me and she’s helped me. Surely she’ll help again.
I’ll find Aji.
The Healer next to me stops and bows her head. ‘Sir.’
I look up, but it’s only Vilpur.
He smiles serenely. ‘I came to check on the boy. How is he?’
‘He is recovering well. We were able to purge the poison from his system,’ says the Healer.
‘Excellent. May I speak with him?’
‘He is still weak, Advisor, and needs his rest.’ The Healer looks significantly at me, like I’ve single-handedly caused all of Danam’s problems.
Vilpur nods calmly. ‘Of course. If there is anything you need, be sure to let me know. The boy’s health is of supreme importance.’ He looks at me. ‘And how are you?’
I barely open my mouth before the Healer answers for me. ‘She is just leaving.’
‘Of course. As am I, now. Let me take you to your room.’
‘Thank you, but that won’t be …’
Vilpur bows his head. ‘Please, I insist.’
And just like that I’m trailing after Vilpur’s silent feet down a softly lit green corridor. Maybe this is perfect. Surely Vilpur knows where Aji is.
But when I ask him, his serene eyes barely flicker in my direction. ‘Aji is busy.’
I bite my lip. ‘It’s very important that I see her. It’s about Danam.’
Vilpur smooths to a stop beside a window, night-black compared to the glow of the walls. ‘Perhaps I can help?’
I shuffle on my feet. Vilpur and I haven’t had much to do with each other, but he is the Queen’s Advisor. Surely he hasn’t got to that position without knowing a few things. I can talk to him. He can help me.
Except my heart is thundering and my mouth doesn’t say what I want it to say. ‘It’s okay,’ I say. ‘It wasn’t important anyway.’ I stare out the darkened window, instead of at Vilpur. He’s no Cloud Dragon, but I bet he can sniff out a lie as well as a hound tracks down drying gotal strips. The moon is bright outside, the SkyCity shining. And spanning the horizon are glorious mountains, white and glowing against the night sky. I take strength from them.
I will find a way to save Danam.
Vilpur is still. So still, I’m forced to look at him. He’s expressionless, as calm as ever. He inclines his head. ‘Let me get you to your room. It grows late, and I’m sure you will be tired after spending last night in the cells.’
I smile, relieved, and it’s not long before I’m thanking Vilpur and closing the door to my new room behind me. This room’s much brighter. Much greener too. I lean against the door, sliding down to the floor, thinking about Dragon Tests and poisonings, dying queens and archaic rules. Everything is going wrong. The type of wrong that smells like yakans got into the food supplies while everyone was up at the summer pasture.
I can’t leave here without Danam. Or the gotals. Without the gotals, there’ll be punishment instead of welcome for us at home. But how to convince Danam this brilliant city isn’t his destiny?
These Tests Danam must sit are dangerous, I got that much from Aji. If Danam has no powers at all – and I think that’s likely – then does he have any chance of surviving? Isn’t it better to have him hate me, than have him dead?
I could easily stop all this, by going to the Queen and revealing what I can do. But then my chance of going home is zero. They’ve been searching for the Cloud Dragon the Seers have seen coming, and they won’t let me slip away if it turns out I’m the one. And if I can’t take Danam home, then how will he make it back safely? With thaw encroaching higher each day, the path we took to get here will become increasingly perilous. He’ll need my help.
I rub my face. I don’t know what to do.
Through the window lies the black of night. Mechanically, I get up to search for the food the Healer promised would be here. I’ll be able to think better if my stomach isn’t eating itself. The room is plusher than I expected. My boots sink into the rug on the floor, so I pause, retrace my steps and remove them by the door. As I walk back across the rug barefoot, the thick pile presses between my toes. It’s comfortably warm in here. A ball glows in the fireplace, and it has the echo of Praseep about it. When did he come and create that? I shake my head, remove my cloak and fold it neatly. A simple mattress lies on the floor, draped with white woollen rugs. I place my cloak on one corner, test the edge of the mattress with my foot. It’s soft, definitely not rushes or ferns. I’ve never felt its like.
But with how I’m feeling, I would’ve preferred to be somewhere cold and rough and normal. With a homely smell of dung fire and a blackened ceiling. Because being in such extravagant comfort isn’t helping me make a decision. I’m just feeling worse. Worse for my family back home, who have none of this luxury. Worse for me because I fear that when I do return home, I’ll always be comparing it to this.
On a stone nightstand sits a bundle wrapped in animal skins to keep warm. I unwrap it warily. After the room, I don’t know what I’m expecting but it’s not what I get. A stew, once again heavy on meat and fats, this time with a tiny pile of carefully squared potatoes. It’s not much better than what I got in the cell, which makes me wonder whether Praseep had actually been good to his word and got me better food down there.
I remember the thin, sunken people who had watched us enter the city the day before. And a part of me relaxes, because I’ve found something my home does better than here.
Feed itself.
Presumably, the palace gets the best food. In which case I feel deeply sorry for the rest of the inhabitants. Casting my mind back, I can’t recall any sign of agriculture as we neared the city. Is it too cold here to grow food? Too dry?
No wonder the Queen is so sick.
Anything we can’t grow at home, we barter for. But who can the Ice-People barter with, when they’re banned from crossing the border into our lands, and fear execution if they do?
I eat another mouthful of stew and sigh. It’s tasty enough, but I’d love to chomp on a turnip or a carrot. I’ve never appreciated vegetables as much as I do now. Nonetheless, I finish the clogging meal. I stare at the diminishing heat ball, and tell myself it’s too dangerous to refuel it. Praseep will know.
The walls of the room are too close. I want to feel the freezing wind through my tunic and see the mountains framed in starlight. I want to hear the murmur of ice and snow, that exists while it can, and returns to water as the seasons turn. It doesn’t fight the change, it doesn’t even try.
Snow has it easy.
I decide. Suddenly. I rush to the door, barely pausing to drag my boots on and grab the torch that shimmers on the wall. The door slams behind me, and I waver. Left or right? I sense the air, try and find the freshest path, choose left on a whim. I’m almost running, the need to see a mountain – any mountain that I recognise. I turn right randomly. Another long corridor. More faceless doors. So different from home. Mera never mentioned how empty this place is. There’s another junction, I turn right again. I think. Down some steps. Still no way out of here. I’ve taken several more random turns and descended another flight of stairs before I realise I’m shivering.
The corridors are bitterly cold, as if the sun has never shone here. The stone walls seem to suck the warmth from my limbs, from my core.
I reach to wrap my cloak tighter.
Then I remember. My cloak is back in my room.
And I have
no idea where that is anymore.
Chapter 12
I can’t believe I forgot the first rule of mountain life: always take your cloak.
It isn’t long till I’m shivering so hard my teeth chatter. Every corridor looks the same. I’ve gone back up the stairs, but now I’m not sure they were even the same stairs as those I came down. Wherever I am, I don’t know where my room is. I don’t even think I’d recognise the door if I did fluke walking past it.
Greenstone gathers a gloom about it in the night. It’s creepy. I realise I’m lost and alone and freezing to death. Some Protector.
I can’t help mocking myself. I’m a complete fraud. I’ve held my ‘Danam’s Aunty’ status about me like a mantle of honour, I’ve taken it so seriously, presumed I knew best. I’ve been as bad as Uncle, may his soul fly the mountains peacefully. I can’t even keep myself safe.
I turn another corner and meet another long corridor. Where is everyone? Why haven’t I met a single person? How can these corridors be so bitterly cold? I feel the chill enter my bones like a curse. My body is shuddering, my mind screaming the danger. In cold like this a person can succumb in under fifteen minutes. I’ve been wandering now for … how long? Five? Ten? My teeth are chattering hard, my vision blurring. I need to warm up. Fast.
I force my frozen mind to think. I have two options – make a ball of warmth like some sort of snow wizard, or start to randomly open doors and hope I find someone who can help me. Because I’m not accepting Option 3 – Freezing To Death.
I choose Option 2. If I can’t find help soon, I can resort to the dangerous magicland of Option 1.
The first door I try is locked – I knock but there is no response. The second door opens when I try it. I swing it hesitantly to reveal a room with a spindly chair, otherwise empty, smothered in dust and lit only by stars. It’s even colder than the corridor. I shut the door, wincing at the frosty handle on the exposed skin of my hands.
Checking the next three doors reveals more of the same. I must be in a wing of the palace that’s not generally used. My mind is slowing, I need to warm up. If someone sees my ball of warmth, I’m actually going to be glad about that.