by Zora Marie
Linithion was quiet as the morning drifted by, and they flew above the waves of the ocean. The winds had been in their favor and they were careful as they climbed from the dragons on the edge of a forest that barely left enough room for the dragons to rest.
Zelia stared out across the ocean, the cliff face dropping out of view before her. The last time she was here, she had the first of many nightmares showing Alrindel dying in battle. She felt uncomfortable and on edge being back here.
Linithion stood at the forest’s edge, speaking in the language of the Fairies. It was a difficult language to mimic, with all its fast, almost bell-like sounds, but she did quite well. When there was no answer, Zelia let out a silent sigh. “I’ll lead the way.” Zelia turned from the water and began the careful journey through the trees. The riders had stayed with the dragons this time. It wasn’t like they could understand the Fairies, anyway. There was a dusting of snow over the fallen leaves and Zelia picked her way through the trees, moving from one tall root to another to avoid hurting anything that might lay hidden beneath the sparkling white groundcover.
After a while, they came across a familiar stump and Zelia paused. The insects and mushrooms had grown dense in this spot when she had last been here.
“May I speak with someone of the royal family? Prince Flon and Princess Flaina, perhaps?” Zelia asked, recalling the little monarch butterfly-winged Fairies.
A soft light sparkled as something jingled and flew closer. As the light slowed, she realized it was one of the Fairies who had first seen her last time. Her home must have been close by.
“Oh, it’s you. I’ll be right back,” the fairy with Luna moth wings said before disappearing down the path.
A few minutes later a few leafmen flew around them, riding their various birds. One that rode a hummingbird hovered in front of her and Linithion.
“Zelia.” He bowed his head. “Why are you here?”
“We need to speak with the royal family.”
The leafman seemed reluctant,, and Linithion gave him a slight bow.
“I am Princess Linithion of the Drakeon Empire, one of the original homes built when our people moved here from Hyperia. We would not have traveled this far if what we are here for was not imperative to the safety of everyone, including your people.”
The leafman leaned back before looking up at another leafman who’s mount stood perched in the tree above them. Something flew up beside the guard and Zelia recognized Prince Flon.
“Forgive them,” Flon said, “we are not used to having visitors this time of year. Please, come, just tread lightly so as not to disturb things too much.”
He led the way to the little pool of water where a tiny waterfall fed it and a stream let out the other end. The lily pads that were so green before sparkled with the white crystals of a fresh snow. Zelia gestured for everyone to take a seat on the log at the pool’s edge.
“Where’s your sister?” Zelia asked.
“She and mother stay inside when the weather is cold. So, why are you here?” He looked from her to Linithion and Vainoff. “Is he?”
“Yes, Vainoff is a member of the Guild, though as things stand the Guild may have to end,” Linithion said.
Flon dropped a few inches before regaining himself. “Pardon me while I get Father.”
Zelia caught Linithion and Vainoff sharing a worried glance. Alrindel and Skylar sat on the other side of Vainoff, but they too seemed concerned. Zelia had heard of this phantom threat that would come down upon them if the Guild were to cease to exist, but she didn’t understand what it was or how the Guild kept this threat at bay.
There was a flurry of jingles before King Forgon flew out, visibly flustered as his usual white glow grew red.
“What makes you think it is a good idea for the Guild to end?” he snapped at Vainoff, speaking so quickly that she struggled to catch his words. Vainoff turned to Zelia and Linithion in a silent plea for help.
“We never said it was a good idea, rather it is something we may not be able to avoid,” Linithion said.
“Another member of the Guild seeks to break down the gates of the dead,” Vainoff added.
King Forgon had the same reaction as his son, only he landed and paced the bank of the small pool, wings opening and closing with each step.
“When I had last spoken with you, Zelia, I hoped that the power of the Guild would pass on to a worthier group, but if this is what they seek… We will need Yargo and Zivu’s help,” King Forgon said.
“That’s why we’re here,” Zelia said.
“Why? We made a portal on the mainland to be kept by a line of kings that Yargo sired himself.” Skylar gave a slight grumble, and King Forgon turned to him. “Do you have something to say?”
“They ran my family out of the castle and buried the spring.”
“So, you are an O'Fell?” he took an appraising look at Skylar. While he looked a bit ragged from sea travel, he held himself better than any human king Zelia had met. “I bet that thrilled Yargo. So, you came here hoping to find a spring?”
Zelia nodded, as did the others.
“Have you asked your dragon rider friends?”
“Yes, but—”
“They don’t remember it, do they?” King Forgon ran a hand across his face. “I told them we shouldn’t trust the gates to the other realm to humans, but they insisted upon it as we were invading their realm. The cave behind the waterfall on the island over from their village, there is a small pool in the back of the cave that leads to Hyperia. It doesn’t lead to the fountain just off the main hall, but it will get you into the realm at least.”
“How? You’re too young to have been there,” Linithion said.
The King gave a slight smile, his glow returning to its normal white. “There is a reason my clan chose to live here rather than on the mainland. We have always lived longer than the others, my wife and I were among the first to come to Mineria. I know of the wells because we helped bring forth the springs that feed them. That said, let me remind you that should the Guild end, there will be one less power to keep beings from other realms from coming here to steal this realm’s resources.”
The King’s words made things click in a way that no one else ever had.
“What can we do to keep Mineria protected without leaving the Guild in power?” Zelia asked.
King Forgon studied her for a moment and shook his head. “If you had something to focus your power, you would be a key to keeping the peace as would the dragon riders.”
“She has a staff and armor sent to her by Yargo, but Xander has been using blood magic to control her.”
“He what?”
There was a sharpness to his tone that caught Zelia off guard, and she flinched.
“I think he has used blood magic on me from the beginning. Even worse, he is using me to get to Rogath.”
“Rogath?” King Forgon asked.
“Yargo’s son.”
King Forgon’s color shifted again. “Then you cannot linger here. As much as I would like to know more, you know where the portal is, and someone must go. But not you, Zelia, you would endanger everyone and Vainoff, members of the Guild are not permitted to leave the realm.”
“I know. That’s why Skylar is here.”
“Good. Now go. Be safe, all of you. When this is done or if you need help, send someone here.”
“We will and thank you,” Linithion said with a slight bow of her head as she stood from the log. Following her lead, they all gave a slight bow of their heads in thanks and followed Linithion from the woods.
Once they were on their way, Zelia spoke with Linithion, “That was, strange.”
“I agree. I think we need to have a talk with Vainoff and find out what it is the Guild protects Mineria from.”
Zelia nodded. She was torn between not wanting anything to do with all of this and needing everyone to keep hiding things.
On their way back to Raven’s Island, where the portal was, Linithion rested her chin
on Zelia’s shoulder as she held on. Zelia’s stomach turned in knots. She knew Linithion was determined to go with Skylar.
“What’s wrong?” Linithion asked.
Zelia hadn’t noticed she had been holding her breath as they slowed to land on the island. She swallowed the knot in her throat. “I know I can’t make you stay, so please just be careful.”
“I will.”
Raven landed at the foot of a waterfall and lowered herself so Zelia and Linithion could slide from her back. The others landed behind her and Raven gave a hiss of warning to the other dragons. This was her place of refuge, her place of peace away from the other dragons. Raven stepped under the cold water and held her wing out so Zelia and the others could enter without getting soaked.
The cave was just as Zelia remembered. Though it was dark outside, Raven lit the cavern with a fire deep inside her fire lung and the light reflected in all directions, bouncing off the stalactites dripping down from the ceiling.
Zelia’s fear of caves had kept her from going any further than the mouth the last time she had been here, but this time she walked calmly towards the back of the cave. Behind her she heard Dotch ask Raven to light a torch as the path narrowed so much that Raven could not follow. As they went, the air grew warm and soon they heard the lapping of water. The soft breeze that had filtered through the cave before was missing this time, and Zelia stopped at the edge of a pool.
She knelt and felt the water. The surface was warm, but the farther she pushed her hand in, the colder the water grew. She didn’t know what time of year it was on Hyperia since Rogath had blocked her, but perhaps it was winter there, too.
“Wha... what does it say?” Dotch asked.
Zelia turned to see what he was asking about and saw the familiar symbols carved across the walls.
“It's Hyperian,” Linithion answered.
“Here lies a gate to the realm beyond. Forget your sense of direction as you travel to a place beyond the stars,” Zelia read aloud.
Skylar stared at the words, as though hoping for some other wisdom of how to take this path. He rolled his shoulders back as he turned to the pool, making sure his sword was secure. He pulled his quiver from across his back and handed it and his bow to Alrindel.
“Remember what you’re going there for. We need their help or we and all the beings they sent here will face one doom or another,” Vainoff said.
Linithion gave Zelia a kiss on the cheek as she pushed her own quiver and bow into her hands. “Try not to worry too much,” Linithion said as she pulled away.
Skylar eased into the pool and found there seemed to be no end to it.
“Be careful, both of you,” Zelia said.
They nodded and Linithion joined Skylar in the water.
“Stay close,” Skylar said.
Linithion lingered just under the surface of the water for a moment, her hair floating around her face like the day Zelia had first met her, before she turned and followed Skylar. Zelia watched them go as they faded from view, then the pool flashed like the shimmering light of a prism and they disappeared.
30
With them gone from her view, she paced at the pool’s edge, a bad feeling nagging at her. It felt like she was forgetting or perhaps missing something.
“Would you please just sit down,” Vainoff said after some time.
Zelia sighed and sank down against the damp stone wall. The familiar feeling of the cave made her fidget and her thoughts turned to Rogath. Her worries centered on him. Maybe… maybe I can see if I sleep. She curled up on the cave floor, her arm under her head. The cool dampness of the cave pulled her into a fitful sleep and for the first time in ages she saw through Rogath’s eyes, only her view was hazy. Something muffled the sounds around him and his thoughts.
Rogath was pacing, a dagger in his hand. He was on the open balcony that looked out over the bridge between realms. Snow covered the city below, yet Rogath wore only a wool tunic.
“If I can’t have her, she’ll pay some other way,” Rogath’s thoughts repeated.
It took her a moment to realize what he meant, but the moment she did, she pleaded, “No. Rogath, please don’t.”
As his thoughts turned inward, toward her, something shook her and she was back in the cave.
“It’s just a dream,” Alrindel said as he knelt beside her. “You fell asleep.”
Her heart lurched to her throat as she realized just how wrong he was. “It wasn’t. It’s Rogath. The dream, it wasn’t me, it was him.” She stood and threw her own quiver from her back. “He’s going to attack them.” She took a deep breath as she dove into the water.
“Zelia, don’t!” Alrindel called.
The water grew colder the closer she got to the spot Skylar and Linithion had disappeared. She heard the water splash above her and knew Alrindel had followed her. She swam faster. The water turned frigid and the light below her was almost blinding. Or was it above her? She broke through the surface and drew a deep breath of air as she grasped for purchase on the ice. She glanced around at the trees surrounding the small pond and recognized it in an instant. This is where she had first heard the trees speak.
“THUNDER!” She screamed for the horse as she pulled herself onto the snowy bank. There were still divots from Skylar’s footprints leading away, but the snow had half covered them. She wasn’t sure how long it had been, but she had to catch up to them. She trudged through the snow, unwilling to use her powers to run across it. The edges of her soaked cloak picked up snow and froze as it dragged behind her, and she loosed it from her neck to lose the weight. “Thunder!” she screamed again, hoping he would come to her as he had always done.
She shivered, rubbing her arms as she walked faster, doing her best not to slip in the thick snow. She heard a soft crunch of snow ahead of her and looked up to see the familiar chestnut stallion slowing to a trot as he came around a bend in the trail, his ears pricking forward as he saw her.
“Zelia?”
“Please, I need to stop R r r,” she shivered, “Rogath.”
A branch broke in her hand as she pulled herself up to get onto Thunder’s back, but she hardly noticed it. She grabbed a handful of his mane and leaned forward.
As they broke through the trees and thundered past the barn, Zelia realized how much she had missed this place. She thought she would never return here, and now she wished she didn’t have to as she flew past, the icy air stinging her face. They dashed through the town, dodging people here and there. As they climbed the hill to the castle, she clung to Thunder’s mane. Her clothes were stiff with ice and Thunder leapt the stairs to the front gates, bolting through them as they closed. Guards shouted behind him.
“Where is he?” Thunder asked.
“The Throne Room.”
Thunder slowed to a trot as he turned a corner into a majestic hall. Zelia spotted Rogath coming from a side corridor as Linithion, and Skylar approached Yargo’s throne. Adrenaline warmed Zelia, and her shivering subsided.
“Rogath, no! This isn’t you.”
Rogath grabbed Linithion as Zelia bailed from Thunder, slamming into Rogath. They both went sprawling and Rogath sprang on top of her as they came to a stop.
“Zelia? Rogath?” Linithion’s words were breathy as she collapsed to her knees, grasping at her chest.
Time seemed to slow as Zelia fought to dislodge Rogath. She scrambled to Linithion, cradling her. Linithion’s blood burned against her frozen fingers as she tried to stem the bleeding. “No. Help! Yalif! Please!” Zelia screamed, tears streaming down her face. “Just stay with me. I love you. I love you.” She rocked as she repeated the words she hadn’t dared say.
Then Yalif was there, pressing his cloak to Linithion’s wound as someone pulled her away.
“Let them help her,” Skylar whispered as he held her tight.
“No. I… I’m sorry. I never,” something seemed to have snapped back in Rogath and he stumbled over his own words as a guard held him.
“Lock him in
his room until we can figure out what is going on,” Yargo commanded.
“Please save her,” Zelia pleaded with Yalif.
“I’ll do what I can,” he assured as he scooped her up. “Yargo, send for my sister.”
Zelia turned to Yargo as he let out a low whistle and a raven flew from the back of his throne and out of the hall. When she looked back to where Yalif had been with Linithion, all that was left was a trail of blood leading deeper into the castle and Zelia shivered, her ice encrusted clothing thawing in the castle's warmth.
“Find them some dry clothes,” Yargo said. “Zelia, why are you here?”
“I…” she swallowed to stop her shaking voice. “I had to stop him.”
“She’s in the best hands possible,” Skylar whispered as he rubbed her arm, his hold of her having loosened. “We came to warn you and seek your help.”
“You’re an O'Fell?” Yargo asked.
Zelia could feel Skylar nod, and she forced herself to turn away from where they had taken the princess. “They used blood magic to get to Rogath through me and to attack you through me. Vainoff made a block, but it doesn’t always work.”
Yargo edged back from her a little. “Send for Zivu,” he commanded a guard.
“Do you think they’ll save her?”
Yargo turned to her as though to ask who, but he glanced at the blood that stained her hands. “She’s an Elf, so they may.”
She stared down the hall where the blood trailed off. “I would like to be with her when she wakes. If she wakes.” She could feel the tears coming up unbidden and she tried to hold them back.
Zivu studied the trail of blood as she followed it to the throne room, a guard close on her heels. “What’s happened? Why is Rogath locked in his room?”
“He attacked an Elf from Mineria,” Yargo said.
“She is Princess Linithion,” Zelia said.
“What? No, he wouldn’t.”
“I know. They’re using blood magic to manipulate him. To what end I don’t know,” Yargo said.
