by Katie Macey
The forest lay quiet, but now and then a bird called to another. Not concentrating, Niamh crashed straight into the back of Iilen, who had stopped suddenly.
"Wait."
The others froze. Nausea washed over Niamh. Knees buckling, she crumpled to the floor.
"That bird. It sounds different," said Caeednce.
Hands in the leaf litter, Niamh's eyes swam. Veayre tried to help her up, dragging on her arm. But Niamh couldn't make her legs work properly. Her head hurt and she clenched her eyes shut.
"Niamh!" Veayre hissed, urgency in her voice. More hands pulled at her.
"I can't-"
Forcing her eyes open, Niamh felt Caeednce and Jomen press close. Her wobbling vision took in a curved line of boots of soft and grey leather.
✽✽✽
Water trickled down Niamh’s face.
"Easy there," said Aarin, holding tight to her forearm. He looked worried, and Niamh tried to work out what had happened. Why was she laying down? Why did they all look so worried? Sitting elbow to knees, she steadily took in her surroundings. She was still in this blasted forest. Iilen, Jomen, Veayre, and Caeednce were all present.
"I'm alright,” said Niamh, her voice coming out far for shakily than she meant it to. Holding both Veayre and Caeednce for support, she stood. The forest spun around her, but she fought against her weak body, willing it to stand strong just a little longer. Aarin looked scared, but he tried to hide it.
"We only wish to travel unhindered. We mean no harm."
He spoke slowly and firmly, using a voice she expected from someone much older. Confused she tried to understand what was going on, but without food for so long, she struggled.
Another voice answered, "The integrity of your words will be weighed. But not here, and certainly not in daylight. Of all the days...just my luck..."
Niamh forced herself to concentrate and blinked.
They hadn't been alone in the forest.
A great number filled the path and the forest around them, as far as she could see. Their skin was paler than the moon, and their hair hung long and wavy to their hips. They wore glistening silver and grey robes, but the most striking thing about them was their eyes. Where Niamh had colour and white, they had only deep blue. Niamh couldn’t look away. They seemed to carry the night sky in their eyes.
It surprised her then, to hear their leader complaining about the inconvenience of finding them.
"You were spotted yesterday… Don't look so shocked. You think you can pass through Traot Crurg without notice? Ha." The leader stood a head shorter than the rest.
"We escaped over the pass of-" said Aarin.
"Yes, we saw the smoke rising from the other side of the mountain. Are there others?"
Jomen and Iilen hung their heads.
"No. Just us,” said Aarin, shifting uncomfortably.
A murmur ran through the gathered crowd. Niamh wavered, and Jomen pressed a hand on her back for support, then when she seemed stable again, he removed it.
"Do you even know what day it is?" he said. "It's the eve of our Lady. Tomorrow we celebrate the anniversary of her reign. With so many scouts ordered to guard our borders it will be less of a spectacle than earlier years, but no matter-"
Another stepped forward and entered the circle.
"With your permission, they seem weak from hunger. Shall we continue this within the halls?"
"No outsiders have been allowed inside the halls in generations."
An argument broke out, with pale faces contorted into anger, each professing a higher level of adoration of their 'lady' whoever she was. Niamh motioned that she needed to sit down again. Their arguments continued as she knelt, her head woozy.
"What if their story is true? Why not let them pass, unhindered?"
"But they need aid - they will perish within our borders!"
"What of the old teachings...kindness?"
"Nobody asked you!"
A break in their arguments caught Niamh’s attention. She sensed something, or someone, had joined them. Someone new. Smoke, no, a washing of darkness surrounded a creature. Niamh willed her mind to focus, but couldn't.
"What is this commotion? Let me pass, little one."
An ethereal voice echoed from the centre of the hovering smoke.
Their arguments ceased, and silence and shuffling feet replaced them. The hands on her arms squeezed a little tighter. A cup was pressed to her lips.
Swallowing, she tasted sweetness and felt warmth flood her body. Looking up, Niamh’s mind cleared. The fog in her mind lifted, and she took in the scene, her vision and concentration restored.
The hand that had given her the cup remained outstretched and she returned the cup to it. But her jaw dropped at the appearance of the giver.
Niamh stared and leaned closer to Caeednce. All of the grey-robed forest folk knelt and directed their faces at the ground. Niamh still sat in the sand. But nobody had commanded them to kneel.
Aarin and Iilen fell to their knees. Jomen carefully bowed, then knelt beside the others. Caeednce and Veayre stood, though somewhat awkwardly, bent a little, paused in the posture of helping Niamh.
"Will you not kneel?" the smooth voice asked from the swirling smoke haze. Niamh wondered if sitting counted, but energized by the liquid, she swung her legs around and assumed the proper kneeling position, like the others.
"Could it be that none of you know who I am?" the smoke asked quizzically. The air darkened, and the swirling smoke evaporated, revealing a tall woman. Niamh felt like she couldn’t breathe. The woman’s skin seemed to glow and her hair blew about as if in a great wind storm. Her eyes shone, filled with glittering starlight.
"Forgive our ignorance,” said Aarin. “Please. We did not mean to travel this way. Between us, we have only a rudimentary knowledge of these lands.”
“Even the thorns were a surprise to us,” said Veayre, adding to Aarin’s story.
"Yet, none of you touched one?" She stood tall, raising a fragile arm to touch a hanging leaf.
"I warned them,” said Aarin, “your ladyship. Someone once told me a tale of poisonous thorns and I thought it better to be cautious."
"Wise boy. Yet even with the knowledge of the dangerous thorns, you still do not know about us? About me?"
The crowd parted, and an albino deer strode to the Lady. Carefully sitting side-saddle, it’s antlers in full formation, Niamh noticed how draped strings of tiny orange flowers appeared over the deer and the Lady.
"Come,” said the Lady. “Bring yourselves to my halls. I would hear your stories. Especially, yours." She directed the last phrase at Caeednce who blushed deeply, before lowering her gaze to the ground again.
The scout leader grimaced, but obeyed, bowing deeply. The deer carried the beautiful Lady away, taking a trail where there was none.
Iilen whistled.
Whirling around, Aarin stared at him shocked.
"What? She's gorgeous!" said Iilen. He looked exhausted in spite of his whistle, and now they weren’t alone their dirtiness seemed all the more obvious. The scout muttered angrily to himself.
"Instead of routine patrols, I have extended patrols, and now I have to transport a dirty bunch of travellers all the way back to my Lady's halls?"
He was clearly exacerbated.
"Was that, THE Lady?" said Veayre, coughing.
Laughter rippled through the crowd. Niamh swallowed. She was a long way from the city. But the others were also a long way from Muspary. They had met the Lady of Traot Crurg, and not known it.
Niamh realised she’d been the only one to receive sustenance from the Lady of Traot Crurg. But the others looked wrecked. Niamh recognised that she was the only one who could lead them at that moment. Before they had food in their bellies, they were weak.
"I wonder what I should call you," said Niamh, addressing the short leader.
"I have no name, young one. You and your lot will follow us. You will step where we step and you will not taint the deep fore
st with your touch until you have been cleansed. Why I consented to become a day scout I have no idea..."
"That's the second time I have heard you mention that," said Niamh, starting to follow behind him.
"My father told me that day-folk have a hard time understanding us, but I hadn't experienced it myself until today."
Niamh wondered at the respect shown to the Lady and glanced behind her. The others followed behind, tired and small against a backdrop of dense forest.
“What about your allegiance to the High King?" said Niamh.
"Our allegiance? I was speaking of our nocturnal lives, young one. And it would serve you well to keep any thoughts about the High King to yourself within our borders."
"But I thought we were still in Guthaecia?" said Veayre, joining the conversation from behind. She was repaid with a glare from all robed scouts in ear-shot.
"What?" said Veayre, touching a hand to her chest defensively.
"You'll have an easier time if you understand that your supposed High King holds little power in these parts."
Shock cemented their silence. Muspary didn't hold strong loyalty to the High King, but this was different. Traot Crurg completely disregarded his rule.
"Follow us. We will obey our Lady and do you no harm. But you will be watched closely.”
He turned and led them away from the path, deeper into the woods. The multitude melted into the forest until only four led them through the shadowy woods of Traot Crurg.
✽✽✽
An hour later, Niamh’s legs ached and she puffed with each step. Taking care to step into Caeednce’s footprints, Niamh stared at the glistening neck of her new friend. She remembered the quiet moment they'd shared the day before, and wondered if they'd become real friends. Maybe she could invite Caeednce to her home and introduce her to her sisters and Aunty. But the thought of home only pinched her throat and tightened her stomach. She had to get back. She had to make it out of here and reach the academy in time.
Their scout stopped suddenly, and Niamh saw they looked over a shallow valley. A petrified rock structure sat in the centre, its size comparable to the Island Palace.
Iilen whistled again.
Niamh blanched, pressing her dry lips together. They were not prepared to visit such a place. Her pink hair felt matted beneath her grimy fingers, and her dress showed evidence of the icy ocean gales and blazing fire. The Hall rose to the canopy of the forest and gleamed with dripping water. Niamh noticed Caeednce carried her cloak, rather than sweating through it as the others had done. And spiralling walkways could be seen even from this distance, with hanging lanterns lining the paths.
Despite its enormity, Niamh didn't find it beautiful, certainly not in comparison to the Island Palace of the High King. And how could they say they don’t serve the High King? They lived within his Kingdom. Niamh and the others began their descent into the valley. Purple flowers grew beneath the trees, covering the ground like a fluffy carpet. But shouldn't the King know that rebellion hid within this forest? The scout, though short, took long strides. Niamh wondered if he might be an ally, then glanced at Veayre, but she didn't seem to notice. Veayre’s face was white and her expression matched Niamh's own. Considering darting away from the party, Niamh searched the purple underbrush lining the path…but she'd seen those thorns and heard the tales...one step, and she'd be finished. Niamh had no choice but to follow where they led, and enter the hall of Traot Crurg.
Instead of a built structure, the giant hall stood like a modified cavern, shiny and covered in glowing fungi. Hanging cones of rock dripped freezing water down onto the floor, slick with liquid. Shuddering, Niamh passed through its entrance. The hall was giant and empty.
High ceilings of petrified rock, decorated with glowing mushrooms that clung to crevasses, made every sound echo. The Lady knew this, of course, and used it to her advantage.
"You will state your business."
Her voice boomed, disproportionate to her slim frame. The orange flowers dropped petals, yet continued to bloom.
The dim light of the fungi made the Lady's glow seem all the more pronounced and Niamh wondered how she stayed so pristine and formal in such a wet place. Jomen looked up at the ceiling, and around the walls, but Niamh wouldn't let her eyes be distracted from their main threat – the Lady.
Her words echoed around them, but none of them replied. The scout addressed them. Niamh cocked her head unconsciously as she watched him.
"Come,” he said. “You are travellers, and unknown to us. You've been honoured by the Lady, who has permitted you entry here today. Answer correctly and she will assist you on your way."
"Correctly?" said Caeednce, touching her eyebrow.
"Speak up,” said the scout. “The cavern will carry your words to the ears of our Lady on her throne."
And she was.
A throne of knotted roots and glowing crystals became visible. Niamh blinked. And blinked again. But there it was, where there had been nothing before. And the Lady perched on her throne like a child not tall enough for it. The elegant deer waited at her right hand.
Jomen shuffled forward, pulling on the corner of his tunic. He stared at the ground, his mouth shaping words that made no sound. Niamh watched him glance up and noticed how his adam's apple lurched when he met the Lady's eyes. Niamh hid a grimace and twisted her hands. She pursed her lips as Jomen continued to stammer quietly. Iilen stood, hands behind his back, passive. Aarin's jaw hung open.
Finally, Veayre clasped her hands together and stepped forward. Caeednce's head snapped up at the movement, and Niamh exhaled. Relief that she didn't have to muster the courage to step forward flooded her. With them standing in a line and Veayre one step forward, Niamh noticed that lines of people were filing into the hall. The giant hall filled, while they trembled, and the Lady's gaze swept over the awed crowd, her attention flowing like draped silk. Hundreds of grey, shiny-eyed folk surrounded them. Veayre cleared her throat and spoke.
"Two of us, are from the great city of Guthaecia, where we lived in the shadow of the High King's Island Palace-"
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Niamh risked a glance behind only to see many faces whispering into their hands.
"Four of us are from Muspary, a little known village on the coast-"
Aarin scoffed at 'little known’ but beyond a thrown side-glance, Veayre didn't miss a beat.
"-which was destroyed by fire. We fled over the forbidden pass, and when the danger had passed, we discovered our return was impossible. You found us shortly after that."
Lady's face remained passive. Veayre shot a glance at the scout, but he lifted his hand - wait.
Niamh's legs started to ache.
"Why so far from the shadow, young ones?" The Lady addressed them, saying, "The Island Palace is a long way from here. Who sent you from its light?"
Niamh gulped and stepped forward.
"I can only say, that the High King had been influenced to change some of the laws of the land and her peoples. I have two sisters. I need to become a priestess so that when the- well, should change come, I will be able to care for them."
"These sisters, why are they not saved by the same solution as you? Why can they not save themselves?" said the Lady of Traot Crurg, her voice echoing through the hall like a wandering wind. But the question pierced Niamh's soul. She loved her sisters. But it rang so close to the questions she had asked in her secret mind for years. And the Lady asked it, in front of everybody.
"Uh. I don't know,” said Niamh, doing her best not to stammer. “My Aunt won’t speak of it. But we are close. And I would do anything to keep them safe."
Galaxy-filled eyes bore into Niamh's mind. She clenched her eyes shut. "Please,” she said, “It’s only a small family matter. I become a priestess, then my house stays together. But we were shipwrecked in a storm."
"Yes,” said Veayre. “Our intrusion on your lands is pure accident."
"We were shipwrecked,” Niamh continued. “We're a
long way from Oplijah now, but I can still make it before-"
"Only if he lives that long," the Lady interrupted. "What of this heir, this secretly hidden safe-guard? What have you heard? We will ask these questions and more, but for now, I must consider..."
She waved a hand to dismiss them. None of them moved. The scout darted to them and ushered them from the hall.
Niamh tried to take a deep breath but only discovered more to shock her.
"Boy's with me, girls, follow-" said the scout as he gestured at another grey-robed scout, this one female. The boys were led away before any of them could discuss it. Veayre and Caeednce glanced at Niamh and she managed a shrug. For now, they just had to play along. The moment would come to escape, but this wasn't it. The truth was, Niamh felt truly amazed at Traot Crurg. How could their education have been so lax as to not mention a cavernous, nocturnal community living in a crystal cave? Each wall splintered and cracked with bulging crystals, blues, and pinks, and golds. It was unlike anything Niamh had ever heard of.
CHAPTER 9
The cavern rambled, its walls glistening with gems sharp as razors. Keeping her hands by her side, Niamh followed the female scout.
"Are you nameless too?" Veayre asked bluntly. Niamh held her breath and hurried forward to grab her shoulder. Veayre spun angrily.
"What?"
"We're their prisoner Veayre, making them angry won't make anything better."
"It'll make me feel better.” Veayre thrust her chin forward. “And they should know better than to hold a citizen, like me, against my will."
"We were lost, Veayre. And so far they have been nothing but- hospitable." She released Veayre’s shoulder. The scout paused but didn't turn around.
"Hospitable?" Veayre raised a pointed finger at Niamh. Niamh grabbed her wrist, eyes imploring her to calm down.
