Martha Bloom and the Glass Compass

by Estelle Grace Tudor

  Beatrice hissed, “Martha, get down – she’ll see you.”

  But Martha felt something coursing through her, more potent than anything she had ever felt before. “No. Now it’s time to do the right thing,” she said, her voice firm and steady. She stepped onto the ledge and shouted, “Stop! You’re hurting it!”

  Beatrice joined her sister and clasped her hand. Fenn, without hesitation, stepped up beside the pair.

  Nesrin’s momentary shock gave way to mirth. She languidly sauntered over to the sisters, cackling mercilessly.

  “When are you going to learn? No one tells Queen Nesrin what to do!” With that, she used her staff to whip the thread over to Beatrice’s hand, where it wrapped around her fingers, causing her to drop the wand that she had been clutching tightly.

  Nesrin then shot a power bolt at Fenn and watched in satisfaction as it blasted him off his feet; stunned, he slithered down the rock wall and lay motionless.

  Martha’s eyes darted from Fenn, to the wand, to the spider. She locked gazes with the arachnid’s silver orbs, seeing pain and intelligence in their depths. Martha felt no regret for coming to the arachnid’s aid, but she hoped Fenn would be all right.

  Nesrin was stalking them again, coming in close to say mockingly, “Now what are you going to do? Your little sorceress sister has lost her toy.”

  Martha took her chance and bent fluidly, scooping up the fallen wand and gripping it in her hand. She locked eyes with Beatrice, who smiled in understanding and clasped her sister’s hand tightly.

  Martha closed her eyes, and with a shock realised that she could feel something in her mind. She focused on it, coming to the realisation that it was her sister’s power. It bloomed blue and steady, until it merged with a soft pink Martha instinctively knew was her own. A warmth spread down Martha’s arm and suddenly, the wand burst with a beautiful bright pink light.

  The smirk on Nesrin’s face dimmed as she looked at the light. “Oh, you want to play, do you?” she asked with a sneer, levelling her staff in Martha’s direction.

  The pink light grew until it lit up the area, but without Beatrice’s control Martha was unwieldy, and the power shot out in sparks of light.

  “Think of when you are drawing – of the joy and control you have then,” Beatrice whispered, and Martha took a deep breath. The light softened into a steady glow. “That’s it, Matty,” Beatrice encouraged.

  But before Martha could put her new-found control to good use, Runar appeared and exclaimed, “Your highness, your sister is almost upon us!”

  “Hmm. You two can wait here,” Nesrin said with a sudden movement, and whipped up most of the thread into a whirlwind until it encompassed the girls, tying them tightly together. She turned and shrieked: the ledge was empty behind her. “Now where has that dratted eight-legged monster gone?” Scowling, she gathered up the leftover thread and disappeared with Runar on a swirl of black cloud.

  Martha and Beatrice looked at each other, and Martha smiled ruefully. “Sorry – I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s usually me or Octavia that acts recklessly – I like this side of you,” Beatrice said with a grin. It slid from her face as the sound of clicking reached their ears.

  Looking around, Martha whispered, “What is that?”

  She didn’t have long to wonder. In the light of the moon, the spider scuttled out of the shadows, its many eyes shining as it once again locked eyes with Martha. Its body shimmered in the moonlight like a metallic pearl.

  Martha gulped but held its gaze, giving the creature a tentative, friendly smile.

  “You helped me?” the spider said in wonder, its voice a musical echo around the rocks. It took a few more steps towards the girls.

  “Of course!” Martha exclaimed. “We couldn’t leave you to be terrorised by Nesrin. We are familiar with her brand of cruelty.”

  The spider dipped her head. “No one has ever done that for me before. Most run away in fear or want to use me for their own gain.”

  Sympathy welled up inside Martha, and she felt briefly ashamed of her first reaction upon seeing the spider, for she knew she shouldn’t judge on appearances. Even the most beautiful face could hide a heart of evil, she mused, thinking of Nesrin.

  “I’m Martha, and this is my twin sister, Beatrice. Can you help us out? We have to make sure our friend is all right,” she said, looking down at the tightly bound thread.

  The spider hastened forwards, her pincers clicking slightly. “Oh yes, I’m sorry! My name is Aranea,” she replied, and made quick work of cutting into the thread.

  Just as the girls were untangling themselves, Queen Rhosyn and King Llyffant climbed above the parapet. When they saw Aranea looming over the girls they rushed forwards, weapons raised.

  “No, don’t! She’s a friend!” Martha shouted hastily, as the spider cowered.

  Queen Rhosyn stopped, her face relaxing into her usual serene demeanour. “My apologies,” she said to Aranea, who unfurled herself and met the queen’s eyes with a look of interest.

  “This is Aranea. Nesrin was using her to spin this thread,” Martha explained.

  The king knelt next to Fenn and supported him as he stirred. “He will be fine,” he said at Martha’s anxious look.

  “What about Evony and the companions? Are they safe?” Beatrice asked.

  Queen Rhosyn said, “Yes, they are. Your woodpecker friend was right in telling us that Nesrin was using it as a distraction while she was up here creating more of her weapon.” Turning to Aranea, she murmured, “I am sorry that my sister took advantage of your skill. Tell me, what is this?”

  Aranea clicked her pincers, her many eyes eerie in the moonlight. “I am able to spin thread that binds magic. Nesrin brought me far from my home to her castle; she has had me spinning day and night until I am weak, but she wouldn’t let me stop.” The spider slumped slightly, her silver legs appearing not to be able to support her any longer.

  Queen Rhosyn’s mouth turned into a grim line. “Where is your home?” she asked Aranea.

  “In the crystal caves near Castle Draig,” Aranea replied, at which Queen Rhosyn’s eyes turned thoughtful.

  “My sister has been venturing far indeed,” she murmured.

  Martha recalled the last time they had been in Fairy Land: Lord Riad, who had been working with Nesrin, had been banished to those very caves. What is Nesrin up to? she wondered.

  Shouts echoed around them as a flurry of arrows arced above their heads.

  “Aranea, you are free to return home if that is your wish.” Queen Rhosyn was spurred into action, gathering Martha and Beatrice close while King Llyffant scanned the skies. The ravens were back, flocking around the mountain above them; they didn’t attack though, they were seemingly awaiting orders.

  Aranea looked torn, but met Martha’s eyes. “I would like to help you, if I may?”

  Martha smiled at her new friend and looked questioningly at the queen, who gave a nod of assent.

  “Then let us find my sister and finish this,” Queen Rhosyn said with a grimace.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Carpe Noctem

  Fenn struggled to his feet with the help of King Llyffant and wiped a hand across his face.

  “Are you all right?” Martha asked him as they made their way back down the mountainside.

  “Yes, just winded,” he said. “I heard you talking, although I couldn’t move. It seems we have a new ally, then?” He nodded towards Aranea as she scuttled next to Beatrice, who was in front of them.

  Martha nodded. “Yes. We have to be wary, though. Nesrin took the last bundles of the magic thread with her, so she still has some at her disposal,” she explained.

  Queen Rhosyn still looked grim. “She never did play fair,” she said as they joined the rest of her guard.

  Felicity rushed forwards with Octavia and Otto. “Are you two all right? Grub came screeching past, saying that you had gone to see what Nesrin was doing,” she scolded, and Martha heard a
flash of their grandmother in her tone.

  “Sorry, Fliss, we only meant to take a look,” Martha said with an apologetic shrug, and pulled her into a hug.

  Felicity, after a moment, hugged her back. “Now, where have I heard that before?” She pulled back and mock-scowled at Octavia, who gave a cheeky smile in return.

  Caeruleus and Doran approached Beatrice, the latter limping slightly. He patted her on the back. “Are you well, girly?” he asked with gruff affection.

  Beatrice smiled, running her hand over Caeruleus’ broad back, and said, “Yes, but what happened with Donal?”

  Doran twisted his lips before answering. “I lost him; one minute he was zipping power bolts at me, and the next he had vanished,” he said with a shrug.

  Fenn was surrounded by his family and friends, and he made quick introductions. Martha was happy to see Ivy again, and the older fairy smiled back in recognition.

  Queen Rhosyn stepped forwards, and a hush fell over the group. The queen looked around at her lost subjects gravely; she took her time, looking deep into their eyes or clasping them by the hand in greeting, before saying, “I have failed you.”

  She held up a staying hand at murmurs of dissent from the Blooms and her court. “I allowed Runar free rein, and he abused that power. You will all be reinstated into society where you belong.” As she spoke, a ribbon of light rippled from her staff and flew around the assembled group. It surrounded them like a band. “This is my pledge to you!” The light dissipated, and the Middling Grounds folk turned to smile at each other happily.

  Aranea, who had been cowering behind a rock, scuttled forwards at the beckoning of the queen.

  “This is our new friend, Aranea. Nesrin had been using her to spin magical thread. Have a care, as Nesrin still has some thread at her disposal. It will bind magic, rendering it useless,” Queen Rhosyn explained to her guards.

  There were murmurs as everyone took in the beautiful spider. Aranea clicked her pincers nervously, but relaxed under the welcoming smiles of everyone assembled.

  Soren walked over with Evony, who was carrying her bow and arrow. Soren looked helplessly at the queen. “She insisted she have her weapon,” he said.

  Evony looked affronted. “I am with child, not ill, and I will protect myself and our young if the need arises,” she said with finality, and Martha saw the Evony that they had met eight months ago, her eyes shining with the thrill of adventure.

  Felicity spoke up. “I will stay with Evony,” she said, and a look of mutual respect passed between the princess and the young archer.

  “Very well,” Queen Rhosyn agreed. “Now, where is my crafty sister?”

  Martha looked at her compass, then sighed, because the arrow pointed straight ahead towards Misty Marsh, where beyond lay Castle Astra. Knowing that the inevitable was about to happen and that they would have to finish it at the castle, Martha showed the queen.

  “To Castle Astra, then,” she said with relish. “Pack up; we are heading out.”

  Aranea was settled into the cart with the companions, who welcomed her curiously.

  Into the night, with banners streaming and unicorn hooves clip-clopping, the troupe made their way around the base of the mountain and entered the marsh, where the boggy ground sucked the sound away. The full moon overhead lit up the misty ground, and a guard at the front picked a trail that avoided the luminous slumbershrooms. Martha looked over at one, gleaming through the gloom, with a shudder.

  Castle Astra finally appeared through the swirling mists; lights blazed from every window. Dark shapes glided around the towers on small clouds, watchful and waiting.

  Queen Rhosyn held up her staff, and the troupe ground to a halt. Before she could do anything, the mist suddenly thickened and swirled around them, cutting everyone off from each other.

  Frightened cries and shouts met Martha’s ears as she strained to see through the mist. The compass! she thought, and scrabbled blindly in her bag for it. Clutching at the cold case, she withdrew it and tried to peer down at its face, but the mist made it impossible to see.

  “Matty!”

  Octavia’s voice cut through the other sounds, and Martha closed her eyes and pressed the compass to her chest, thinking desperately of her young cousin. A warmth filled her heart, and she looked down with a gasp. The compass was glowing, and the arrow was pointing to the left. Tentatively, she urged Linnea over in that direction until she bumped into something.

  “Tavi, is that you?” she whispered urgently.

  “Yes! Oh, you found us – I thought we would be lost in this mist forever!” Octavia announced dramatically.

  Martha leaned over, gripping her cousin tightly, and gave a shaky laugh. “You were never lost, Tavi. You’re just really good at hide-and-seek.”

  Octavia giggled, which was quickly joined by the unseen Otto and Beatrice.

  Suddenly a bright light shot from the right, obliterating the mist. The children turned to look and were mesmerised by the sight of Queen Rhosyn astride her golden unicorn, holding her staff aloft, the light streaming from it. She gave the children a nod and turned to her guard.

  “Talon, take your group to the skies; archers, ready your arrows,” she commanded. Her guard did as she bade, and everyone waited for a few breathless moments.

  A sudden thunderclap rolled across the sky, and a burst of lightning lit up the castle. Nesrin appeared silhouetted on the platform where her roofless grand hall sat.

  “Now!” Queen Rhosyn ordered, and the archers released their crystal arrows. They arced through the sky and obliterated the clouds where Nesrin’s guards stood. With yells they fell, but Nesrin was quick to respond. She stopped their fall with slashes of her staff and lowered them to the ground, where they advanced on Queen Rhosyn’s guard with a chiming clash as swords met. The battle commenced once again.

  Queen Rhosyn and King Llyffant surged forwards on their large gold and copper unicorns, surrounded by a contingent of their guard, and cantered up the path to the castle. Nesrin gave a frustrated yell as they disappeared out of range beneath her.

  Aranea quickly passed Martha and Beatrice as they slid off their unicorns along with Octavia and Otto. “I’m going to help!” she said in her echo-y voice.

  “Aranea, wait!” Martha shouted. “She may capture you again!”

  “I cannot keep being afraid of Nesrin. My mother would want me to do the right thing!” the spider shouted back.

  Martha jolted as her own words came back to her. “Stay here,” she ordered Octavia and Otto, who groaned, but nodded as Martha went on, “Look after the companions and the unicorns – they need you, and your shield, Otto.”

  A twin look of determination bloomed in their identical violet-blue eyes and they ran to the cart, shielding it from attack.

  Just then, Soren ran up to Martha and gripped her arm. “Have you seen Evony?” he asked urgently.

  Martha looked around at Beatrice, who shook her head. “Wasn’t she in the cart with Felicity?”

  “No – they are both gone,” he said, raking a worried hand through his purple hair. Martha felt momentarily torn as Aranea vanished up the path after the king and queen, but decided to stay and help Soren.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll find them,” she said determinedly.

  They had to duck as a large guard bearing the star-strewn tabard of Nesrin’s court launched a boulder in their direction. Beatrice flicked it deftly away with her wand and gave them a grim look as she took off to join Doran; they followed the large guard and his cronies together.

  Martha gave a huff as her sister disappeared. Knowing that Beatrice could handle herself, she turned her thoughts to the pregnant Evony and Felicity. Where could they be? she thought worriedly, about to consult her compass.

  Soren tilted his head as a scream reached his ears. “That’s Evony!” he shouted. Martha put her compass away and followed him as he pushed his way through the clashing guards, stopping briefly to give a roar of rage as one of Nesrin’s guards tried to ambu
sh him. He kicked out and the guard sprawled to the ground.

  Soren pulled out his short crystal sword but Aurus appeared at his side, his golden coat gleaming with sweat, and said, “Go, I will take care of this!”

  Soren gave a curt nod of thanks and rushed forwards, Martha hastening to keep up, ducking out of the way of hooves and wings.

  They rounded the bottom of the black mountain and saw the chilling sight of Evony lying on the floor further up the path, her bow broken and crystal arrows scattered around her, fallen from her quiver. A wolf snapped at her, and two other dark fairy guards were circling her.

  Before Soren could react, three arrows arced through the air in quick succession. The enchanted arrows made fast work of the wolf and two guards; they slumped to the ground, unconscious.

  Soren looked around in grateful shock as Felicity appeared, clambering down from a ledge above.

  “You have my eternal gratitude,” he said formally, bowing low to Felicity, who blushed. He then raced to Evony’s side and helped her stand. “What happened? Are you both well?” he asked, his words tumbling out in a rush as he clasped her to him.

  “I’m sorry – we’re fine. I should have stayed back, but when I saw my mother and father heading up here my first instinct was to follow. Felicity tried to stop me, but I’m a little bit faster than she is, even in my current condition. I echo what my husband has said: we owe you our eternal gratitude,” Evony said, fluttering her wings and giving Felicity an apologetic smile.

  Felicity’s blush deepened. “I saw her get ambushed and climbed on the ledge to wait for my perfect moment. Your arrival distracted them enough so I could take the shots,” she explained modestly.

  “Come on, let’s get you to safety,” Soren told Evony.