The following morning, the sun had settled near the centre of the sky, not quite making it to its peak as they rode along the shore. Deep oranges with hints of bright blue seemed to commune in a confused dance in the sky and on the water. It was beautiful but eerie at the same time.
The wood was filled with flowered trees of all different colours and scents, cramming their noses, giving them a false sense of security. Nothing bad could happen amongst such beauty. Everyone rode in stoney silence as the Ebonies cantered on the snow-white sands. The crystal blue sea lapped the unicorn’s hooves as they rode and everything felt tranquil and perfect. Too perfect.
Xander had taken to riding slightly ahead, only speaking with Surrial. He had not even greeted Bri earlier that morning, but she’d excused him. Grief was always difficult to predict and she knew that deep in Xander’s mind there would be the, what if’s.
Orlson rode at her side, his own mood and face was unreadable, his eyes ahead. What was going on with the men today? she thought. If they were women, she would swear they were due to pass blood. Tired of all the heavy silence, she jeered her unicorn towards Eyes, who seemed surprised at her presence.
'Have you seen anything yet?' she asked.
He shook his head at her. 'No, not yet. This wood should be filled with life, faes, elves, etc. but there is nothing.'
She scanned the edge of the wood, he was right. They had taken advantage of the journey being peaceful and easy, without a thought that it was wrong. She gave the Ebony a small kick and caught up to Surrial and Xander. As she approached, it felt like a wall of ice had hit her and was not at all welcome.
'What do you want?' Xander asked, so abruptly that even Surrial gave a frown.
'The journey has been too quiet,' Bri said. 'I think we should go nearer or even into the woods and find out why.'
Xander laughed harshly. 'We are in Zolar my lady, not Zilva. It is possible to travel from one part of the kingdom to the other without fear of attack.'
Bri pulled her Ebony to a stop with shock. Is that what her future husband really thought of her home and her kingdom? And she was here trying to risk her life to save his. She watched them both gather pace, her blood boiling. Fine! Let him kill himself she thought. I'll save Celestia on my own. She turned the unicorn around, signalled to Eyes and made towards the woods.
Clues and Orlson watched in puzzlement as Bri and Eyes disappeared into the trees. They looked at each other, both knowing if they followed her in without asking, she would go mad. She would call if they were needed.
Bri did not have a plan, she had done this out of temper and frustration and quite frankly to prove a point. Having dismounted the Ebonies, she and Eyes had found themselves in near darkness, and they could no longer hear the sea through the trees, the deeper they walked. The only sound was the deathly quiet that surrounded them, which was more frightening than any unseen noise.
Zilva had its trees, but nothing compared to these towers of wood and foliage. But the absence of even the smallest of animals made her nervous and on edge. She was glad she had Eyes with her, because he would see anything long before she did. Finally, they came to a clearing, an almost circle with trees guarding it like a sacred grove.
'Do you think you could scale that tree and see what you can see from here?' she asked.
Eyes looked uncertain. 'I could try,' he said.
She watched him try and find hand and foot holes to ease himself up the trunk. He lacked the confidence that he had with ladders and the rigging on the ship, yet he was gaining height.
'Have you asked him if he minds?'
Bri turned in fright. A fae stood looking at her with dark brown eyes. She seemed to be wearing the wood as clothes and her wings caused a slight breeze as they flapped frantically.
'So have you?' she asked again.
'Oh! Erm... no, but he does it all the time,' Bri answered slightly confused at the fae’s sudden appearance.
'Not him. The tree,' she replied.
Just then Eyes gave out a yell as he landed with a thud at their feet.
‘I guess not,' she said smugly as she grabbed Eyes and helped him to the feet, 'Are you alright?' she asked.
His face had turned a blanket white. 'The tree... the tree,' he babbled.
Bri watched as the fae helped Eyes to his feet.
'What did you mean by ask the tree?' she demanded.
She was not in the mood for stupid vain fae tricks.
'Trees have their own personalities here. This one threw you out because you did not ask,' she answered, her hands moving from her hips to crossing defensively over her chest.
'So what do you suggest? We are trying to get to Nepta,’ Bri bristled.
The fae stopped as her attention seemed to be caught.
'What do you want with Nepta?' she asked through suspicious eyes.
Bri decided to try another approach. She was after all the stranger. She held out her hand.
'My name is Bri, I’m with the Prince Xander and we are trying to get the Scales from Dryad.'
'Piss on it,' she answered suddenly, not taking the hand.
'Excuse me?' Bri asked, not sure what had just been said to her.
'The tree. To ask, you need to bless it with urine. Then wait for it to allow you to climb,' the fae answered.
Bri looked at Eyes and he shrugged. 'I don't need to go,' he said.
Bri rolled her eyes and went to the tree, she looked back and saw Eyes and the fae were watching, at being caught they both turned their backs on her. She quickly looked about her and then pulling down her trousers she crouched and let her bladder go. Standing up and fastening her trousers she waited for the tree to respond.
'Should be grateful, it is royal pee,' she muttered.
Suddenly a rumble underfoot made her step back, as the trunk began to split and change, forming what looked like a staircase.
'Eyes go now,' she shouted.
He took the stairs at a jump, missing the first lot. He was so nimble it was envious to watch.
'I haven't introduced myself. Forgive me,' the fae said standing beside her. 'My name is Dorcas, I live nearby. You're a mer aren't you?' she said.
Bri looked at her, how she could possibly tell. 'Half,' she corrected a little too harshly. Though Dorcas seemed not to care and shrugged.
'Why is this place so quiet?' Bri asked.
'I take it you have heard about Demeter?' Bri nodded. 'Well those who can fight have gone to fight. Many have not returned. But those left behind are in hiding especially from strangers.'
'We are on our way there now,' Bri said.
Dorcas’s face changed to one filled with panic. 'But you said you were travelling with the prince.'
'And?' Bri shrugged.
'While the prince lives Dryad cannot take the throne. He needs to be kept safe.'
Bri felt sick to the stomach. 'He's gone on alone. We had a fight,' she whispered.
Dorcas raised her hands in desperation. 'Do you have anything of his on you?' she asked.
Bri patted her pockets 'No, nothing. Except…' she said thoughtfully.
'Except what?' Dorcas almost shouted.
Bri raised her sleeve and showed her the band of gold and silver. A change came over Dorcas' face as she saw it, as though something had just struck her deep, but she quickly hid it.
'That will do. I can trace him. We will dissipate straight to him.'
Eyes’ feet hitting the ground made them turn. 'The land is changing. But you can still use the sky. Nepta is not that far. Once we hit Hades I can navigate us,’ he said breathlessly.
Dorcas turned to Bri. 'Take the prince to Zilva and leave him there. Then go for the Scales. Our Kingdom is not safe unless he is.'
Chapter Twelve
Celestia's Tales: The Lybiria Scales Page 14