by V F Sharp
Ezstasia knelt down, feeling horrible. “I apologize, my lord. I didn’t mean to challenge your decision.”
“I forgive your question, Lady Arrow,” he said with a slight smile.
As she rose, she looked around and realized everyone was staring at her, which made her feel even more humiliated. She felt the blood rush to her face as anger began to slowly boil underneath her skin. She suspected the prince probably felt as uncomfortable as she did, though it was hard to tell based on his calm demeanor.
“You can all go back to your duties,” said the prince.
Feeling numb, she returned to set up her tent. Despite her emotions, she couldn’t help it and found herself looking toward the prince on occasion. There was no doubt that he was a good man and a humble prince, but he also had the ability to make her feel nervous. It made her realize how out of place she felt in his company—a mere cottage girl, not worthy of any royal respect or attention.
“You look troubled,” said the prince, behind her. She jumped, not realizing he was there. “You weren’t entirely wrong, you know. But I couldn’t envision your friends making it safely across that mountain in the dark of night.”
“No, it isn’t that,” she said, unsure how much she should say.
“What is it then?”
“My lord, I don’t belong here.”
“What do you mean you don’t belong here?”
“I mean… you call me Lady Arrow, which is nice. It really is. But I’m just a girl from the Cottages who doesn’t even know when to quiet her tongue when necessary. My friends at least had to battle evil forces in the forest and overcome them, so I could see why you’d want them. But me? I’m just a clumsy girl who fell off her rabbit and blacked out.”
“If you hadn’t fallen off your rabbit, none of us would be here. Your friends wouldn’t have come looking for you and we’d probably know very little about what we’re dealing with until it was too late. Ezstasia, falling off your rabbit gave us a fighting chance.”
Ezstasia looked at the ground as she pondered his words.
“It doesn’t make me feel any more worthy. It was dumb luck.”
Prince Alazar gently put his fingers under her chin and redirected her gaze toward him.
“Was it dumb luck that you brought your friends all the way back to the castle to tell their stories? That you risked everything to find out the truth? Don’t underestimate yourself. I’ll tell you the same thing Eliezer told me when I was a boy and I doubted my abilities to be a prince. He said ‘Wherever you are, you’re exactly where you need to be.’ Ezstasia, you could find a great treasure and have it lead you to an even greater disaster. Or you can fall off your rabbit and… well, you get the idea. The truth is, you’re brave, you’re strong-willed, and you don’t give up on people, and that’s why you’re more worthy than anyone I know of to be called Lady Arrow.”
Ezstasia felt a lump in her throat as a wave of emotions overtook her.
“Do you really believe that?” she said, wiping a tear from her cheek.
He smiled. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”
“Thank you, my lord,” she said, trying to gather herself as he walked away.
For the first time, she felt like she belonged—like she could really make a difference, no matter what happened from this moment on or what mistakes she’d most assuredly make. She held her head high and felt the anger and humiliation lift from her body. With a new sense of purpose, she finished her tent and then joined her sister and friends, who were already sitting around the campfire telling stories. It would be a relaxing night for a change.
* * * *
“Ezstasia, wake up! Wake up now!”
Ezstasia thought she was dreaming, but as her head cleared, she realized Lanzzie was peering down at her.
She wiped her eyes. “Is it morning already?”
“Never mind that,” said Lanzzie. “You have to get up. Wolves attacked the camp!”
She was still groggy and her thinking wasn’t clear.
“Wolves? What are you talking about?”
She sat up and tried to open her eyes, squinting as the sun shone through the opening in the tent. She could see people busily running back and forth.
“What’s going on!?” she said, growing alarmed.
“I told you,” said Lanzzie. “Wolves attacked the camp last night. Someone was killed and another man was hurt.”
“Killed! Who?”
“One of the horsemen. The prince is sending some of his men back to the castle with the man who was hurt. We have to pack our things immediately. We’re leaving for Rhyceton. Hurry.”
“Why didn’t I hear anything?” she said, still in a daze.
“None of us did. Get up. I’ll help you pack. I’m sure we’ll find out more from the prince.”
Ezstasia rose from her makeshift bed and began to stuff the blankets that Miss Tee had given her into her canvas sack. Lanzzie helped pack up the rest of her belongings. Once everything was packed, she followed Lanzzie out of the tent and gazed around at the chaos. She noticed in the distance, the prince was talking to Sir Kyrian and another knight as they stood on a high rock scouting the area. The prince and his knights remained there for a few minutes and then stepped down and headed back toward the camp where the rest of the group was packing up.
“What’s going on?” said Fin. “How did this happen?”
The prince gestured to Kyrian, who then stepped forward.
“His Royal Highness the Prince needs everyone’s attention,” Kyrian announced with his booming voice.
Those who were packing in their tents came out and gathered around to listen.
“As some of you know,” said the prince, “there was a wolf attack before sunrise. Sir Borak here, came to alert me.” The prince motioned to the knight who was standing next to him, a stocky, bald man with a red face.
“Sir Borak,” said the prince, “please share with the group what you saw.”
“Of course, my lord.”
Borak stepped forward and cleared his throat.
“I was on watch,” he said, “an’ I heard noises just outside the camp, where Sir Ulric and Sir Brom set up their tents. They liked to be near trees I s’pose. Anyway, at first, it just sounded like trees rustling. But then I heard a yell—a little nip of a yell that sounded like it was horribly cut short. You best believe I ran there as quick as I could, and that’s when I saw it—or him or her. It was a big, white wolf an’ it was draggin’ Sir Brom away into the trees. It was at least twice as big as any wolf should ever be. I’d have to say Brom was already dead, given what I saw of him. I froze, but the beast stopped to stare right at me before carryin’ the rest of poor Brom off. I knew that he was no ordinary wolf. Those creepy eyes were shining—and even in the night I could see they were clear as crystal—like big, pure diamonds.”
“It can’t be,” said Meldon.
“Aye, that’s what I told my eyes,” said Borak. “But that was a Diamondwolf I saw, mark my words, lad.”
“But they haven’t existed in centuries,” said Fin. “They’re extinct.”
“Not any more, they’re not,” said Borak. “Come back from the dead, they have.”
“What about Sir Ulric?” said Ezstasia. “What happened to him?”
“He’s lucky to be alive. When the creature ran off, I heard a groan just above my head. I readied my sword, because who knew what was up there? Well, wouldn’t you know, Sir Ulric, who’s one of the strongest men I know, managed to get ‘imself up a tree, even after that horrible thing took a chomp at him. He dropped out of that tree like a rock right in front of me, so I brought him back to camp.”
“Two of our horsemen took him back home this morning to be treated,” said the prince. “We’re hoping he survives the trip.”
“What do we do now?” said Meldon. “If that really is a Diamondwolf, what if he comes back for us?”
“It’s a bigger problem than that,” said the prince. “We scouted the area at
sunrise, and we believe there’s more of them. We could see the movement in the shadows up ahead.”
“How will we get to Rhyceton?” said Fin.
“I don’t know how many of you know your history,” said the prince, “but these Diamondwolves were created for one purpose and one purpose only. To kill humans. We don’t know why they’re back or how or who’s leading them, but if the scrolls are any indication, they should have one huge weakness that we may be able to exploit.”
“The sunlight,” said Meldon.
“That’s right,” said Kyrian.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to stay out of the shadows and move quickly,” said the prince. “Direct sunlight burns their eyes and coats, so they hunt at night and in the shade.”
“There are shady spots all over that mountain,” said Fin. “How will we stay in the sunlight all the way to Rhyceton?”
“You’re not going to Rhyceton,” said the prince.
“What do you mean? We’re not?”
“I’ve decided to send you all back to Old Vynterra, accompanied by Sir Kyrian and Sir Layton. It’s become far too dangerous.”
“Can’t the wolves attack us on our way back?” said Ezstasia. At the same moment, a young, fit knight—most likely, Sir Layton—stepped next to Kyrian.
“They can. Still, that journey seems safer than going to Rhyceton. The path is mostly open, and even the pass through the rocks and trees is pretty wide. Just be sure to stay out of the shadows. Besides, you only need to make it to the Galoran River before sundown. They won’t cross the water.”
“Why not?” said Fin.
The prince looked at Sir Kyrian and gave him a nod.
“The Diamondwolves in the scrolls didn’t like water,” said Kyrian. “We don’t know why, but some people think their creators inflicted them with certain weaknesses on purpose. Nobody really knows for sure.”
“I have to ask,” said Meldon, adjusting his glasses. “What if these wolves aren’t like the ones in the scrolls?”
“For all our sake, let’s hope they are,” said Kyrian. “For now, the mission’s clear. We head to the river as fast as we can. Follow the sunlight. Stay out of the shadows.”
“I want to go to Rhyceton,” said Ezstasia, stepping forward. Kyrian looked shocked and, as she looked around, so did most everyone else. She turned to address the prince. “My lord, if you’ll excuse me, if it’s safe enough for Your Highness, then I assume I’ll be just as safe. I know the danger, and I take full responsibility for my decision. I want to be a part of stopping this horrible magic, whatever it is. I don’t want to stay back and feel helpless.”
“What are you doing?” whispered Lanzzie.
The prince stared back with a blank expression for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well,” he said. “I won’t stop you.”
“If my sister’s going, I’d like to go, too,” said Lanzzie.
“You don’t have to do this,” said Ezstasia.
“Yes,” said Lanzzie. “I do.”
“You’ve all been made aware of the dangers,” said the prince. “Still, whoever wishes to join me to Rhyceton, I’ll allow it. But make your decision quickly, and don’t make it lightly.”
“I’d like to go, too,” said Fin.
“And me,” said Meldon. “The learning opportunity is too great to pass up.”
“Anyone else?” said the prince.
Ezstasia looked around and everyone else looked too frightened to make any kind of decision.
“Very well,” said the prince. “Ezstasia, Lanzzie, Fin, Meldon—I’ll need you all to come with me. The others will follow Sir Kyrian and Sir Layton. And remember, stay out of the shadows. These wolves are as white as snow and twice the size of normal wolves, but they know how to stay hidden and can pounce on you before you even see them. Stay in the sunlight and you’ll be safe.”
Just as the prince started to turn around, Randin stepped forward.
“I’m going, too,” he said.
“What!?” said Zander. “No you’re not!”
“I have to, little brother.”
“You can’t,” said Zander. “Because I can’t do it. Not after that spider. And now having to face those wolves in the mountain? You know I can’t.”
“I’m not asking you to, and I wouldn’t let you if you tried.”
“Why?” said Zander, tears welling in his eyes. “Why are you doing this to me?”
“I’m not doing it to you. I’m doing it for you. After I saw what happened to you—after you almost died—I’m not going to sit and watch while some evil magical force, or whatever it is, kills you or any of us without a fight. I need to do this.”
Zander broke down sobbing and fell to his knees. Randin went to comfort him.
“It’s decided then,” said the prince. “Say your goodbyes quickly. I’m afraid time is not in our favor.”
Ezstasia hugged Pallu, Jezreel and Ithron, and offered additional comfort to Zander. After everyone said their goodbyes, they all got on their rabbits and went their separate ways.
The prince motioned for his assigned knights to join him. Ezstasia followed, along with Lanzzie, Fin, Meldon, and Randin, who kept glancing back sadly at his brother.
As she rode off with the group, she could hear Zander’s sobs in the distance. She couldn’t help but feel responsible for tearing the brothers apart. After all, she was the first to insist on going to Rhyceton. She felt awful for the two of them. She especially understood how Randin felt, because she felt the same way after what happened to her sister. But, in spite of it all, this was something she just had to do. She needed to be a part of this.
As they pushed forward onto the mountain path, the sun shone in her eyes as a wolf howled in the distance.
* * * *
Pallu rode beside Zander on the way to Old Vynterra and Ithron and Jezreel tailed behind them. Sir Kyrian and Sir Layton led the way. The group had already stopped several times, and Zander had been quiet for the entirety of the journey.
Pallu breathed a sigh of relief. The Galoran River was still a ways ahead, but it seemed likely they’d get there before nightfall. They were already approaching the pebbly hill Pallu remembered from the day before.
“Hey, at least it’s downhill this time,” said Pallu, trying to cheer up Zander.
“Not for my brother.”
Zander kept his head down, as he had for most of the trip.
“He’ll be okay. He’ll be back, you’ll see. Meanwhile, let’s go find him a pretty little wife. We should find one for you, too.”
Zander just shrugged his shoulders and kept riding.
“Hey, let’s sing a song,” said Pallu. “It’ll cheer up Ithron and Jez, too.”
Zander barely shook his head and ignored him.
Pallu wasn’t sure what to do for him, so he let him be for a while and just rode beside him quietly. Meanwhile, his own guilt was nagging at him for not joining the others on the way to Rhyceton. He had to admit, the wolves terrified him to his core. But also, he and Thumps would’ve just slowed them down. He would have ended up making them all wolf bait. He confirmed to himself that this was the better option. Plus, he needed to be here for Zander.
He rode further and felt another wave of guilt as he realized that getting back to Ellie had been a motivating factor for him as well. It made him feel even worse to acknowledge that, because he felt that his real concern should be for his friends who could possibly face danger on their way to Rhyceton. He began to worry.
“Relax, Pallu,” he said out loud to himself. “They’ll all be okay.”
“What?” said Zander.
“Now you answer me, when I’m talking to myself?” said Pallu.
“Why did you say they’d be okay? Do you think maybe they won’t?”
“I’m just feeling guilty, Zan, just like you. But we shouldn’t. They wouldn’t want us to. Besides, either one of us could’ve slowed them down if we panicked. Then we’d be feeling guilt
y about that.”
“I suppose you’re right,” said Zander.
“I make sense sometimes.” Pallu smiled, happy with the small victory of helping Zander’s mood.
They descended the hill, which was harder than Pallu had expected, and before long they were heading into the long pass, lined by high, forest-covered rocks. The tall rocks and trees cast shadows along the dirt path ahead. He remembered the prince’s warning to stay out of the shadows, though the knights up ahead didn’t seem to take any notice. He glanced up above and thought he saw movement in the trees overhead, but it could’ve been his imagination.
“Do you think we could go a little faster?” Pallu yelled to the knights.
Pallu watched as the two knights continued at the same pace. They must not have heard him.
“Why?” said Jezreel, riding up beside him. “Did you see something?”
“No, but just because I don’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not there. Those shadows could be hiding things… like wolves.”
“Take it easy,” said Ithron, catching up to them. “There’s no wolves out here. They’re more likely chasing the other group for dinner.”
“Are you serious!?” yelled Zander, his face red. “Did you really just say that? Maybe you should be the wolves’ din—”
“Whoa, everyone calm down,” said Pallu.
“Ithron, seriously,” said Jezreel. “That was wrong on so many levels.”
“Okay, I’m sorry,” said Ithron, although he didn’t sound terribly sorry.
“I think I just saw something,” said Pallu. “We should really speed this up.”
“Relax, Pallu, you’re just on edge,” said Ithron.
“Wait,” said Jezreel. “I just saw something, too. Up there in the trees.” She pointed to a row of trees up ahead to their right, atop the high rocks they were about to ride through.
“I don’t see anything,” said Ithron.
Pallu searched up in the trees where Jezreel was pointing. He spotted something big and white moving swiftly through the forest above. Then he saw a second one. They were Diamondwolves. And they were following them.
