The Crux moved soundlessly back to Zilva. Her crew quietly went about their jobs under Xander’s instruction. The First had refused to reunite with his brothers, instead choosing to stand guard over Bri’s frozen body. Surrial had sent word to both Zolar and Zilva about their queen and princess. He had also managed to send a message to King Aquim.
After three days at sea in morbid silence, King Aquim and Brandish boarded the ship. The queen’s body was waiting for its burial at sea and King Aquim after hearing of his daughter’s plight agreed to take her body home. He also visited the still form that was Bri and after much conversation with Brandish promised to find an antidote to the psyrens’ curse.
Brandish had taken the Scales and placed them back in their home, doubling the security. Islands were still shifting and the effects were slow to return to normal, but the quick actions of Bri’s crew meant that little damage was caused. The sun would soon shift into her rightful position and share the sky with the moon once more.
Before they knew it, Zilva’s coastline was in view. Xander could feel the tension through the ship. This was it; a kingdom that had no head was a kingdom that could easily turn in on itself. Overhead, he could see that angels were filling the sky. Surrial had demanded that they paid homage to Briganti as their High Queen and the sight, surprisingly, brought a lump to his throat and he had to swallow the tears that were threatening to overspill.
Soon the Crux docked. The harbour was brimming with people from both kingdoms eager to catch a glimpse of their queen for confirmation that the rumours they had heard were true.
Bri’s body had been laid upon a special cushioned stretcher so she could be easily carried. Surrial nodded at the waiting angels who stepped forward to carry her to the castle. However, as they neared her body, Surrial watched in amazement as each crew member took a side each, refusing to allow the angels to go near her. Even Xander had taken his position. The angels looked at Surrial for direction and he nodded his approval. These were her men; loyal to her and Zilva. It was their right to carry her home.
A shrouded figure huddled deep into the crowd, hidden, but not so hidden that they could not see the procession. The kingdom had never been so quiet, apart from the occasional sobs or wails.
Everyone seemed to be stuck in disbelief. It was a touching sight to see the princess being carried by her men. But the princess was no longer the beautiful redhead she was famed to be. What lay upon the stretcher was an ugly mass of dead seaweed. If the figure had not known any better they would have thought that it was a psyren that was being carried into the kingdom’s castle and not their new queen.
Gradually as the procession passed and the mass of the people began to disappear the figure turned away also, disappearing into the hub of the city.
Though the castle seemed alight with many candles there seemed to be a cold darkness that had descended. A solid silver slab decorated with furs and velvet awaited its princess, and as her body was laid to rest, the reality of the situation seemed to hit them all. Zilva was now a kingdom with no ruler and no one had idea how to bring back their princess.
Days seemed to pass quickly. Xander had ordered every magician, wytch and gypsy to come to Zilva and attempt to break Tatiana’s spell. Nothing seemed to work and the more unsettled Zilva as a kingdom was becoming.
Dorcus arrived soon after. Her ashen face spoke a thousand words as she looked down at Bri. They had become so close in such a short space of time and she was grief stricken. Dorcus also brought news that the people of Zolar were pulling together to repair Demeter, and all that was missing was their own ruler. But Xander refused to leave until he knew that Bri would be cured.
Then came the morning one of the Zilva servants ran into the room, causing everyone to frown at him. He quickly bowed and they waited for him to get his breath back before he spoke.
‘The princess’ cousin has arrived.’
They looked towards the door as Brandish entered. On land, he was tall and majestic as he strode into the room, with his head held high. In his hand, he held a small bottle, and Xander dared to hope that he held her cure in his hand. He greeted him warmly and was surprised that it was returned.
‘Is that a cure?’ Xander asked.
‘We know it will change her back for certain. Whether it will awaken her that’s a different story.’
‘Well let’s stop wasting time and give her it,’ the First snapped.
All gathered as Brandish lifted Bri’s head slightly and poured the green liquid into her mouth. Waiting with baited breath, nothing seemed to happen. Xander could see the First’s face was tight with tension, his jaw locked tight.
‘Look, something is happening,’ the servant whispered.
Sure enough, the black sludge was giving way to the emerald green of her tail. Tanned skin was starting to emerge and the golden spun hair of a mer was appearing.
‘It’s working,’ Xander dared to whisper.
‘Just wait,’ Brandish warned.
The tail turned into a pair of legs and the servant rushed to cover her nudity. She was whole again. She had returned to the girl she had once been. They waited a little longer for the gold of her hair to turn to the trademark blood red and when it didn’t they turned to Brandish.
‘I am afraid that is all I can do,’ he said
‘Damn you,’ the First shouted. ‘Damn you all.’
The Princess had returned to herself but she had not awoken. All hope was gone and although no one wanted to say the words they all knew that a funeral would have to be planned and an heir be found.
Chapter Twenty -Nine
Celestia's Tales: The Lybiria Scales Page 31