by Bar Sagi
Chapter 9
A rouge army
It was already February, and even though it was freezing in the courtyard, Yasmin still practiced. She expected snow to fall any day now. The weather had gotten below zero degrees often, and it hailed more often than it rained lately. At least with all the cold, she could snuggle up at night.
Yasmin sighed as she zipped up her thick coat, shivering. She would be surprised if she didn’t catch a cold at this rate. Looking at the frozen grass, she was glad she had brought a pillow to sit on as she meditated.
But she just couldn’t meditate today. As the wind howled through the trees that were just outside the courtyard, Yasmin felt more homesick than usual.
A tear slipped down her cheek. It was so hard. She knew that the kingdom needed a symbol to follow, someone to inspire them. And she didn’t regret her decision. But sometimes, she wished she was at home, snuggled up under the covers and reading a book. Not having to worry about the fate of an entire country. Not having to worry about the fact that all of Atlantis had been waiting for her for almost eleven years.
Yasmin shook her head to clear her thoughts. There had been more and more rebel attacks lately. Five cities had been attacked in the past two months. It wasn’t that the queen didn’t have powerful armies, and even more powerful spellcasters. She did. But the rebels struck fast and hard, and they were nearly impossible to track. The only time that they hadn’t managed to kill hundreds wasn’t even thanks to the army.
It had been thanks to the citizens. They had risen up and attacked the rebels back. Quite a few of them had died in the process. Arthur town, the city named for the first king of Atlantis, had used weapons they weren’t supposed to have. Of course, citizens could have weapons, but at such a number? Nearly every citizen had been armed, and by the time Yasmin and Gloriana arrived, they were clearing up the remains.
The mayor of the city had treated Gloriana with courtesy, but no respect. Yasmin had ignored it at the time. It hadn’t seemed interesting. But she began hearing the rumors. The whispers in the hall. They all said variations of the same thing: they talked about a second army, a secret one. The rouge army.
But when Yasmin asked Amanda, the princess had shushed her so fast it was a bit suspicious. She had told her never to speak of it again. But instead of making Yasmin leave it alone, it had only made her more interested. So she visited the town close by as often as she could, knowing that any info she gained in the palace might not be real. If the rouge army was real, they might be able to help stop the rebellion. Or at least find them.
“Good morning,” Gloriana said, emerging from inside the palace walls. She was gently blowing on a mug of hot chocolate, and just sniffing it made Yasmin’s stomach rumble. Even though she had just eaten breakfast.
Gloriana raised an eyebrow, looking at her with amusement. “This is mine, you know.”
“I know,” Yasmin said, grinning and making a face.
Gloriana had thawed to her in the recent months, which had been nice. Because all the servants thought she was strong and dangerous after the mishap at the ball, she had been unable to make friends. And Daniella had also left a while back, and Jon… well, she couldn’t trust him. Not after he had known that David had a fiancée and never said anything. Gloriana was the closest thing she had to a friend.
“Now, to work,” Gloriana said, sounding business-like. “You have finally managed to make a shield using magic. Have you made any progress with the tracking spell?”
Yasmin shook her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she said, glancing longingly at the hot chocolate. She would try to get one tomorrow, but it was too late today.
“I can imagine everything well enough, but my will isn’t strong enough. I just don’t get why I want to find this guy so much. Plus, my magic has been getting out of control recently.” She winced.
Gloriana had been encouraging her to use as much magic as possible on some days, to build up reserves. But lately, when she tried to light a candle using magic, it had completely melted.
And even worse than that, one time when she tried to use a cleaning spell Gloriana had taught her, the broom had started whacking some of the servants. She had apologized, but the servants had probably thought she was doing it on purpose. Yasmin had cried that night.
Gloriana sighed and sat down on the only chair in the courtyard. It was a clean wooden thing, plain and old. There were cracks in it. Yasmin refused to go anywhere near that chair ever since she had seen a spider on it. Spiders are the most terrifying thing in the world, she thought, shivering.
“I know it’s hard, but we are trying to figure out why your magic has been acting up. Maybe your power has been getting stronger, so it’s harder for that necklace to control.” She rubbed her forehead. “For now, only use magic when I’m nearby, okay? I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
“I know,” Yasmin said, looking down. She had lied to Gloriana. She could very well do the tracking spell. Well, she couldn’t. But the problem wasn’t her willpower. She had plenty of that. No, she couldn’t do the spell because ever since the cleaning incident, she had become terrified of her own magic. She kept holding back, scared she would hurt someone.
“I think we should take a break today. You’ve been working hard.” Gloriana abounded a bit different than usual.
When Yasmin looked up at her, a strange expression was on her face. Her heart skipped. Could Gloriana be proud of her? “And you have made more progress in three months than most have made in three years. Besides…” she added, looking at the warm castle. “I think some fresh air will do you good. Maybe visit the town again. I know you love that.”
Yasmin looked at Gloriana in surprise. She would get a day off? But it was only Wednesday!
“The whole town is preparing for his highness’s birthday tomorrow,” Gloriana added, looking at Yasmin carefully. After all, she too had been at the ball.
Yasmin’s spirts sank. She had not been looking forward to David’s birthday. The palace would be throwing a huge party, and as the mage, and as an important guest, she would be required to attend. She had barely seen David in the past few months. She wanted to keep it that way.
But maybe a visit to the town would do some good. Besides, she rarely got a break. She wasn’t going to waste it. Thanking Gloriana, she turned and nearly ran for the town.
It was as cozy and loud as she remembered it. The town of Greenway, named for the many hills all over town, was like every other town in the world. Busy streets, kids playing, and people going to work. But the similarities ended there.
Signs were put up all over the town, saying things like, the mage is back! And, we will win against the rebellion! The royal flag of Atlantis held up by a statue of the previous king, decorated the town square.
There was a market place instead of a mall. Apparently the town didn’t want one. But in the marketplace, so many fascinating things were sold. Magic balls that told the future, paintings that moved, birds that talked to humans, and so on. It was the greatest difference between this place and every other small town in the world: magic.
As Yasmin walked through the busy streets, her ears open for gossip, she felt her body start to relax. No one thought of her as the mage here. No one knew who she was. Well, except for the kids at the orphanage, and that was because she visited them often.
“Hello!” A perky voice called to her.
Yasmin turned.
A happy-looking middle-aged woman was coming toward her, merchandise in both hands. “Would you like to buy some sweets?”
“No thank you,” Yasmin replied. “But I would like some information. Do you happen to have some?” It was a tricky question. Most of the people she had asked this had become suspicious immediately.
“For the right price, honey.” The woman winked at her, making Yasmin’s heart leap.
“Have you heard of A
rthur town?” She studied her nails, pretending to be bored. It was stupid, but her nails really needed work.
“You have to be more specific.” The woman was feet away now. She could see the blue of her eyes.
“Have you heard of the rouge army?” Yasmin looked up in time to see fear in the woman’s blue eyes.
“You’re a rebel spy!” she hissed, making Yasmin take a step back. “I won’t answer a thing for you, no matter how much money you offer me!” Turning around, she marched back into the busy square.
Yasmin stood there for a moment, confused, before she sighed and turned around, walking toward the orphanage.
Nearly every time she asked this question, people thought she was a spy. Who the hell were these people? Were they that afraid of a rebellion that had barely done anything in years?
But then she knew that wasn’t true. The rebellion had shown, if nothing else, that they couldn’t be stopped. Not by the queen, and not by her spellcasters.
As she opened the rusty old gate to the orphanage, she smiled. Every time. Honey Hills Orphanage may have been rusty and in need of repair, but the people here were full of life.
“Yasmin!” A chorus of voices greeted her, and she almost laughed. This was the one place in Atlantis where she was welcomed with open arms.
“Whoa!” she said, stumbling back under the assault of three little boys. They grinned up at her, some with missing teeth.
“Are you here to play again?” Eight-year-old Jace asked her, looking up with wide eyes. Not that he had to look up much. He was almost her height of five foot five.
“Yes—”
“Why didn’t you visit us last week?” Ten-year-old Britney asked, coming up to her. She looked hurt. “You said we could play catch!”
Yasmin looked down. “I’m sorry, Britney.” Last week had been when Arthur town was attacked. She hadn’t even visited her family.
“Hey now, I know Yasmin said we could play catch, but she was probably really busy!” A newcomer said.
Yasmin looked up, startled to a pair of bright green eyes, framed by blonde curls. She blushed in surprise.
“Who are you?” she asked, confused. She had been here multiple times, and never seen anyone near her age. And he looked, what? Sixteen, seventeen?
“My name is Lucas.” He held out his hand. Lucas was tall for his age, about a head above her. He had caramel skin, and his face was full of freckles, hinting he was always up to mischief. He was also grinning at her, trying to figure out why she was staring. She blushed again. “I’m new here.”
She looked at him in surprise. “Aren’t you a bit old to be an orphan?” She bit her lip, wishing she could take that back.
“Seventeen by my last count.” he said, grinning.
Did he ever stop grinning, she wondered, looking into his green eyes.
“My parents died when the nearby village was attacked. I was lucky to survive.” He looked a bit pained at this, but his grin remained.
Yasmin’s gut tightened with guilt. If only she had made it to the village earlier. If only she was stronger, than he wouldn’t have lost his family. His parents. “I’m sorry,” she said, knowing full well that it wouldn’t change a thing.
“Don’t be.” He grinned at her, so contiguously, that she had to grin back.
There was a happy energy that radiated from him, and it made others around him happier too.
“Thanks,” she said, but was stopped from saying more when Jace tugged at her shirt again.
“Are we playing catch, or are we playing catch?” he demanded, looking cross. “You said we could!” He looked so hurt that Yasmin’s heart melted.
As orphans, nobody paid them much attention. And because of the rebellion, many of them had lost their families, so every orphanage was full to bursting. And this one was in dire need of repair, too.
The grass was overgrown because all of the adults were too tired to care for it, and everyone was hungry all the time.
Yasmin did as much as she could every time she came here, but what could she do but play with the kids?
“Yeah!” added Britney. She was holding her little sister’s hand. “We want to play!”
“Fine!” Yasmin said, making a face at Britney, who only grinned back. “You’re it!” She lunged and tried to tag Britney, but she dodged her, laughing. Instead, she fell into the dirt.
“Nah nah nah nah!” Henry said, grinning that missing teeth grin of his. “You’re so slow!”
“Really?” Yasmin asked, getting up slowly and deliberately. “I’ll show you who’s slow!” She was laughing. She only ever felt free here, in the orphanage. They didn’t care who she was. They let her be a kid again.
Half an hour later, Yasmin stopped to catch her breath. Most of the kids were still at it, and were having a lot of fun.
“You really help them, you know.” She looked up.
Lucas was still grinning, looking as friendly and sweet as ever.
She swallowed hard, gesturing for him to sit next to her on the grass.
“I wish I could do more.” She felt really close to Lucas already, even though she had only known him for a day. He was this really relaxed person, easygoing and friendly with just about everyone. “They help me so much too. More than I help them.”
“I doubt it.” Lucas sat next to her, trying to brush the dirt off his well-worn jeans. It was in vain. Those jeans were already torn to shreds. “I’ve only been here for a week, and I’ll be gone in a year. But I can’t bear the thought of leaving. This place… as hard as it is to live here, it’s so homey. Everyone cares about everyone.” He waved his arm around, gesturing to the orphanage. They were on the hilltop, so she could see the kids playing below.
“I know,” Yasmin said, tucking a hair behind her ear. She suddenly felt shy for some reason. Maybe it was the entire day. “What do you want to do, you know, after the orphanage?”
“Maybe work here?” He shrugged. “I try not to think about it.”
“Oh,” she said, as uncomfortable silence stretched between them.
“Have you heard that it is Prince David’s birthday tomorrow?” he asked, trying to break the ice. Yasmin stiffened.
“I have.”
“Oh.”
“Is it nearly lunch time?” Yasmin asked, suddenly aware of her rumbling stomach.
“Soon.” Lucas looked at her again, completely relaxed. “I don’t suppose you’ve brought your own? We don’t exactly have any spare.”
“Dang it!” Yasmin muttered, patting her coat. “I knew I forgot something this morning! Guess I have to go back then.”
“So what will I tell the kids?”
“I will see them on Sunday again,” Yasmin replied, searching her pockets one more time. She looked up to see the smile had gone from Lucas’s face, and he was watching her intently. She gulped.
He was quite close now. Should she lean away? Or did it not matter to him, because he was so friendly? “I’ll see you then too.”
She smiled a bit nervously.
His face broke into a big smile. “Well see you then!” He ran down to join the kids on the grass.
“See you…” Yasmin said, a bit confused by the whole thing.
Taking her gloves off, it was getting warmer, she walked away from the orphanage, and back to the palace.
Chapter 10
Prince David’s
birthday ball
“I hate this!” Yasmin paced the floor of her bedroom suite.
Over the months it had become more than a bit messy, and filled with books. But it still wasn’t home. “I hate him!”
She was dressed for the ball in a sleeveless periwinkle dress, with gold and brown sandals. The skirt was long and floaty, making her a bit afraid to drip something on it.
The dress gave her a sweet, fairy look, which made her wan
t to wrinkle her nose, but she didn’t have anything else to wear. Pinning her hair up, she clipped a butterfly to her hair and looked at herself in the mirror.
She was wearing zero makeup–good. At least Yasmin looked like herself. That was something. Her skin quivered with goosebumps in the cool night air, but the ballroom was warmed, so she didn’t need a wrap. Gathering up her courage, she prayed that she wouldn’t lose her temper as she walked toward the ballroom.
She heard the noise even before she got there. Waltz music played from the band in the corner, and it was amplified all around. Nobles yattered like brightly colored birds on the sidelines while couples danced in the middle. Servants scampered all over the room, serving drinks and finger foods. Yasmin felt like an outcast. She hated big parties.
Looking up at the ceiling instead of at the people, Yasmin didn’t notice David until she bumped into him.
“Ouch!” she muttered angrily, massaging her foot. Somehow she had wandered into the center of the dance floor. People were staring at her and she heard whispers start up.
“That’s the mage!” A female voice whispered loudly from her left.
“The crazy one?”
Yasmin ignored them, looking up instead to apologize for bumping into–well, whoever it was. Her eyes met a pair of bright blue ones, looking as uncomfortable as hers, and she swallowed hard.
“David,” she whispered, looking at him.
He looked just as polished as he had during the last ball, more so, in a slim, navy blue tux that highlighted his eyes.
“Yasmin.” He opened and closed his mouth, looking just as awkward as she felt.
“Yasmin!” Violet chirped from beside him, glamorous as ever in a long pink gown. She looked like a princess. And for some reason, Violet seemed to really like her.
“Um, hi Violet.” Yasmin awkwardly waved, then lowered her arm to rub her neck. “How are you?”
“Great!” Violet beamed at Yasmin, completely oblivious that her fiancé was staring at Yasmin with obvious discomfort. “Soon the queen will announce David’s birthday, but after that, do you have some time to hang out? I have barely seen you the past few months, you’ve been so busy protecting Atlantis!”
