“FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I will never understand mortals’ clothing.” Madam Silvertreat held up Myrtle’s torn clothes.
“That is the best quality leather!” said Sarra, looking with great disgust towards Madam Silvertreat.
“Is spider silk stronger, Madam Silvertreat?” Myrtle still wanted to know more about the strange fabric.
“Of course it’s stronger, silly girl. But let’s not discuss the quality of two worlds. You need new traveling gear. Lets see, you cannot move as freely in a skirt. Lets make something comparable with your pantsuit with some small adjustments. Like no skirt-like fabric,” said Madam Silvertreat.
Myrtle nodded, and she turned towards the man and Sarra.
“Lucala, could you please take those two to the entrance. I will join you when Madam Silvertreat and I are done,” said Myrtle. Lucala, who had been quiet the whole time Sarra ranted, nodded. But Sarra shook her head.
“No I’m staying. We are all three women after all.” Myrtle started to laugh.
“That’s not what I mean. Spider silk is spun directly from the source.” Myrtle pointed towards the bag of Madam Silvertreat. “That bag is full of spiders.” Sarra looked at the bag and nodded.
“I see your point. Let’s go, Prince Snowflake.” Lucala smiled towards Sarra.
“You know I’ve a name, right?” Myrtle saw that he liked the way Sarra treated him, Sarra looked at him.
“It can speak. So, Prince Snowflake, you can tell my brother and myself your name, while Myrtle is busy playing with creepy creatures.”
Myrtle looked at the door as it closed. She couldn’t help a grin on her face.
“That silly girl said that my spickywicky’s are creepy?” Madam Silvertreat’s voice was filled with disbelief. Myrtle nodded.
“You have to forgive my friend, Madam. She has always been afraid of spiders.” Madam Silvertreat looked at her.
“Well luckily for me, that is not the case with you.” Madam Silvertreat took all that she needed out of the bag.
MYRTLE WALKED THOUGH the frozen hall’s of the palace of winter. Towards the entrance, where her friend already sat in the white onion shaped carriage. Eldric’s eyes where closed. Lucala walked towards her.
“I’m coming with you. My mother want to make sure you are coming back.” Myrtle looked towards Eldric, there was something about him. Suddenly she saw some kind of gloss.
“You glamoured him.” Myrtle said in disbelief. Lucala nodded.
“I had to, he was so stressed when he saw the guards. I asked his sister for permission before I did it.” Myrtle knew him good enough, to know he will not harm a fly without course. At least that is what she hoped.
Lucala looked to the carriage. “Do you want my opinion?” he asked.
Myrtle nodded, only she suspected what that would be. “I rather leave Eldric here. His trauma and fear will attract the dead.” Lucala said, and she knew he meant it. Myrtle nodded.
“It is a risk I’m willing to take that risk.” He wanted to say something, but she shook her head. Her hand did go over the mantle of fur, that hung over one shoulder. “I can’t leave him behind not knowing what would happen when we are gone.” She took her hand of the fur, and touched his cold skin. Lucala nodded, and turned towards the carriage. He helped her get in, before he closed the door the carriage started to move. He cursed, when he sat down.
“Is that carriage man so bad?” Asked Myrtle, Lucala shook his head. “No it are the Kelpies. They are quite young, quite untrained.” Myrtle nodded, like it was normal.
“Where are we going, prince Snowflake?” Sarra asked. Lucala sighed, with a grin on his face.
“Please Sarra Shylton, call me by my name. Otherwise it is disrespectful. As answer for your question, we are going towards the boarder of the lands of winter and lands of autumn.” Myrtle took his hand. “I of course only know about the winter court. Can you tell me about the other ones?” He pressed his lips on each other.
“It is a taboo to talk about the others. But I can tell you there are three other lands. That from spring, summer and autumn. All have there separate courts, but I can tell you no more.” Myrtle gave him a smile, and squeezed softly in his hand. From the corner of her eye she saw Sarra look, and she was dying from curiosity.
“Sarra spit it out.” Sarra burted.
“You’re knowing me so well, Myrtle. But what is it between the two of you.” Myrtle looked at Lucala, another question that is difficult to explain.
“We don’t know that, Sarra Shylton.” Sarra looked at him.
“How do you not know? You screw her for I don’t know how long.” Myrtle looked at Sarra, and Sarra looked at her. “I’m brutally honest, one of the trades you love or hate about me.” Myrtle let the hand of Lucala lose. “
We don’t know, because we didn’t talk about that yet.” Sarra was not complicity happy with the answer, but she didn’t ask further.
THE CARRIAGE STOPPED so abruptly, but this time it was Lucala how flow through the small space. He landed on Sarra’s lap but scrambled to his place.
“I’m terribly sorry, Sarra Shylton. Myrtle saw that some discomfort flashes through Sarra’s eyes.
“No need, like you said. Those Kelpies pulling the carriage are young and untrained.” Myrtle heard Sarra’s voice tremble. Lucala nodded not picking up the tremble, but still was not at ease.
“I shall remove the sleeping glamour. If you two can wait outside the carriage. But stay where the ground is covered with snow.” Sarra and she jumped out of the carriage. “Stay on the ground that is covered in snow, I got news for him than we have to walk back.” Myrtle looked to the ground, it was covered in red and golden leaves. She cursed when there where multiple fey in armor surrounding them. A male fey with deer antlers walked forward, Myrtle lay her hands on her twin swords.
“WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS, in the land of autumn mortals.” the male fey asked. Sarra stepped forward, but Myrtle pulled her back.
“Let me do the talking. You gonna warn Lucala.” Sarra nodded and stepped back.
“We are just passing true, lord of this land. The kelpies how are pulling our carriage are young and didn’t stop where they supposed to.”
The man looked to the kelpies.
“You got your way with words mortal. Please tell me your name.” Myrtle stepped forward.
“Myrtle Hunter, daughter of Eldar Hunter.” holding her hand on her breast and bowed. The man’s gaze went over her.
“And how did you kill? You where a skin changers fur.” Myrtle’s hand touched for the second time that day the fur mantle.
“Varaln Foxcrest, lord of the land autumn. He attacked me and my friends. And I know that is not a crime in Fearie, he also tried to murder the queen of winter and her son the prince of winter.” The man nodded. “So your name is not Myrtle Hunter, daughter of Eldar Hunter. It is Myrtle Hunter, daughter of Eldar Hunter, killer of the Foxcrest. It’s already an impressive list, so why hid it.” Myrtle straightening her back. But the lord didn’t gave her time to answer. “How is in the carriage, killer of the Foxcrest?”
“My friend Eldric, and the Prince of winter Lucala Snowflace.” The man nodded again, Myrtle did another step forward. “But lord of the land autumn, you got me in a disadvantage. I don’t know your name.”
He stared to laugh.
“You’re a student of our way’s, killer of the Foxcrest. But you’re right, you gave me yours let I gave you mine.” He looked to the female in armor next to him, she also got deer antlers only smaller ones. Myrtle noticed now that they wear deer fur, skin changers.
“Myrtle Hunter, daughter of Eldar Hunter, killer of the Foxcrest. May I present to you my husband, first Prince Dimus DireBock. Prince of Autumn, leader of the DireBock clan. And I also give you my name, first princes Nicola DireBock, princes of autumn by birth. Next in line for the throne of autumn. Leader of the DireBock clan.”
“PRINCES NICOLA DIREBOCK what a pleasant surprise, Prince DireBock of course as well.” Luc
ala was now standing next to her, she felt stronger now he was here. “I’m so very sorry. We didn’t want to trespass on your lands. We where heading for the portal to the Land of the Dead.” Princes Nicola walked towards him.
“Then you are to far, baby Prince of winter.” Lucala nodded.
“I know Princes Nicola DireBock. But I trust that my girlfriend here explained why that is.”
“Yes, we liked the conversation with your girlfriend. Killer of the Foxcrest, you failed in your duty to tell her that is a title she need to wear with honor. Like the mantle of fox fur she now wears.” Lucala nodded, and started to laugh.
“You know mortals, princes Nicola DireBock. Stubborn, it took me a long time to let her wear the mantle.” Myrtle looked at Lucala with anger and disbelieve. He didn't just talked down on her.
“You know what your grace, I’m gonna stand over there with my friends. If I am to stupid for your ways.” Myrtke tried to walk away, but he grabbed her by the arm.
“It’s not that your stupid, your stubborn.” Myrtle pulled her arm lose, but felt embarrassed. Myrtle saw that princes Nicola exchanged a look with her husband.
“Prince Lucala, didn’t you started this conversation with telling us that you need to go towards the portal to the land of the dead?” Lucala looked at Nicola and nodded, the Princes gave him a smile. “My husband and I will accompanied your party. So you don’t get lost again.” Myrtle gave the princes a smile.
“Or with other words, you want to make sure we don’t travel further into your land. Your grace.” Princes Nicola nodded.
“She is indeed not stupid. Prince Lucala, take good care of her. She is a rare one.” Lucala nodded.
“You don’t have to tell me, princes Nicola.”
“HERE IS THE PORTAL you seek. Prince Lucala.” Princes Nicola. Myrtle looked at a thorny bush.
“I don’t doubt you princes Nicola DireBock, but this bush looks a bit different than The Thicket in the Foundation.” The princes smiled at her and nodded.
“The world beyond The Thicket is different, I have being in the Foundation. There I in courted your father, Myrtle Hunter. He asked my to leave, while he got his twin swords out. When I told him I meant no harm and that I just wanted to see your world, he showed me. So I’m grateful for that.” Myrtle closed her eyes.
“My father told me that story, The hunter and the deer Princes. He told me that story before I went to bed. I never expected that it truly happened.” Princes Nicola nodded.
“Yes your father is also a rare specimen for you kind. But our time is up for now, it was nice meeting you. Myrtle Hunter, daughter of Eldar Hunter, Killer of the Foxcrest.” Myrtle bowed towards Princes Nicola. Myrtle felt something on her waist, she looked at it. It was a rope.
“Where is this for?” Lucala looked at her, and pulled her closer towards him.
“You told me, that you lost your friends when you came through. With this that doesn’t happen.” Myrtle smiled at him and gave him a hug. “Thank you, I don’t know if I survive a second time.” Lucala nodded. “Lets be of.” Eldric and Sarra nodded to and the four of them run to the portal.
Land of the Dead
Myrtle shivered that slimy feeling on her skin was back, she tried to shake it off. Knowing there is nothing on her skin.
”Is everybody okay?” Lucala asked, in the meantime he untied everybody. Myrtle looked cautiously around, the grim atmosphere and low hanging fog soon made it clear they were no longer in the colorful Faerie. Myrtle even felt like the mist grabbed her ankles. For a moment she was worried about her light-green travel gear, but when she looked at it she saw that the light-green changed in a dark green. In silence Myrtle thanked Madam Silvertreat for introducing her to this wonderful material. Myrtle glanced at her friends who were captivated by the grim environment. Myrtle looked up, the dead trees reaching high. Dark thick clouds poured a little drizzle of red rain on them.
“I wouldn’t have said it on the other side of this portal. But now I miss those bright colors.” said Sarra and Myrtle had to agree with her.
“You three need to stay close to me. The beings of this world will hunt for your souls.” Lucala’s voice trembled for a moment. “My blood keeps them at bay.” In the distance they heard a creature howl, goosebumps immediately sprang up.
“What, what was that?” Eldric’s voice also trembled, and not only his voice. Lucala looked at him.
“I have no idea, Eldric Shylton. I never heard it before.” Myrtle shook off the fear.
“Come on guys. It is not called the Land of the Death for nothing. Let’s not hang around and stick together like Lucala said.” Myrtle looked at her friends, they looked petrified. Sarra was the fist to come alive and nodded, the boys followed soon after. Myrtle turned to Lucala, she didn’t know if she told him what they where after. “I don’t know if I told you and I am sorry for that, but we’re looking of the Book of Secrets. Do you know where it is?” He nodded slowly.
“You didn’t tell me, but I know where it is.” He walked past her, she felt his ice cold aura. He was angry at her, and she couldn’t blame him. Her friends followed him.
MYRTLE WALKED BESIDE Lucala, her hands resting on her swords. It was quiet in this world, even the little dry leaves didn’t rustle in the cold wind. This made her somewhat uncomfortable, yet she had to suppress the need to say something. She looked at Lucala, who in turn looked at her. His cold aura was still hanging around him, with hole heart she wanted to apologies.
“Folks, it is boring here!” Myrtle turned in shock towards Sarra.
“Sorry but this silence makes me crazy. Your world had at least the magical creatures.” Eldric flinched at the sound of her voice.
“Sarra, do me a favor. Shut the fuck up.” Myrtle had never heard him talk to his sister like that before. Once again she cursed Varaln for what he had done to her friends. The mantle of fox fur, the sign of his death, did not reassure her. With her hand she touched it.
“Are you okay, Myrtle Hunter?” Lucala was leaning towards her, normally his cold breath on her skin made her feel warm inside. She shook her head.
“I’m sorry, for not trusting you?” she stared to apologies. “After everything you have done for us, you have earned it.” This time it was Lucala’s time to shack his head. He was gonna say something, but was interrupted by a howl. It was the same type of howl as before only closer, to close for her taste. She looked around quickly, but saw nothing moving in the dark.
“Myrtle!” Eldric’s voice shivered. She heard Sarra bend her bow, which she borrowed from Lucala, and pointed to nothing. Myrtle looked toward the point but she saw nothing.
“Wait, it is a glamour.” Lucala looked at her, his gaze went from her eyes towards the chainlet.
“Sarra Shylton, she is right don’t shoot the Grimmhound. He is not there.” Myrtle heard something growling behind her, she drow her swords and turned around. A big black dog with red eyes was standing behind her.
“Guys, I found him.” Myrtle said. The dog jumped towards her she swung with one of her swords. One of Sarra ’s arrows landed in the Grimmhound. but the Grimmhound didn’t give a crimp. He attacked again, Myrtle crossed her swords to protect her chest. The Grimmhound jumped up and slammed her towards the ground. Her head knocked against cold hard ground, she looked up the Grimmhound was snapping his fang towards her, but her swords held them away from her throat. She clammed her teeth on other, while she slide through the thick fur. Thick black cold blood was pouring on her, she opened her mouth to scream. With her last strength she cut through the last piece of bone and flesh. The head from the Grimmhound rolled away, but the creature fall with al his weight on her. The air was knocked out of her lungs.
THE BEAST WAS PULLED and pushed of. Myrtle welcomed the new cold air, she rolled over so she could spit out the thick blood that was slipped in to her mouth.
“Give her some water!” somebody yelled, not knowing how it was. A water bottle was pushed into her hand, the lid was already turned
of the bottle. She let the water stream into her mouth and spit it out again. Before she really drink up the water and she stood up.
“Myrtle your clothes!” Sarra said. Myrtle was a little bit dizzy, she felt that somebody grabbed her.
“Guys she need to rest, I think she hit her head.” It was Lucala’s voice.
“But prince Snowflake, that one was not alone.” said Sarra, Myrtle heard her voice tremble. Myrtle shock head, the dizziness fell to the background of her mind. The growling of the other hounds surrounded them.
“They don’t get any closer. But maybe it is wise to walk on.” Myrtle looked to her friends how where shacking in there boots, Lucala was no exception. But she turned away and tried to walk.
“Myrtle why are yo, so stubborn?” She turned around, Eldric stood with his arms folded. Myrtle narrowed her eyes, not believing what she was hearing.
“Excuse me?” Eldric stabbed forward.
“Like you said, those hounds are not coming any closer. So you can take a small break.” Myrtle shock her head, this was the first time she heard him speak like that and specially to her.
“We can not take a small break. We have a job to do.” said Myrtle, they asked her to come with them for this reason and she said she was fine.
Sarra walked over her.
“Myrtle, I hear and I know you, but you’re hurt. We can take five.” Sarra laid a hand on her shoulder, but Myrtle pushed it of.
“I’m telling you, I’m fine.” Myrtle almost yelled at her friend, something she never done before.
“If you say so, Myrtle Hunter. Than I believe you.” said Lucala, this was the first time he spoke up. Eldric sighed,
“you just saying that, because you are fucking her. You’re just like the rest of your kind.” Myrtle walked towards him, with a drown sword. “I just killed a beast and I have looked into the eyes of Varaln before he tried to rape me. And I can tell you Lucala is not that kind of Fey.” Eldric shocks his head.
Book of Secrets Page 7
