“Della told me how well you did today! We won’t speak of what Merek said.” His eyes still had a sparkle in them, so she knew he was not mad.
“Well, I have not changed yet, so maybe I will spear him one day.” Neala felt more courageous around her father, and he let out a hearty laugh.
“Maybe you will, Gods know we need more warriors, loyal ones anyway.” He said taking her arm in his, leading her to the great hall.
They sat alone at the high table eating and catching up about the day. Neala told him about Callista’s interaction with Tyee, the spear throwing incident, and Della’s class. She held out the part of the story of dung in her hair and Callista’s threat of murder, although she doubted that Callista would be the one doing the murdering if she told the story.
“Well, it seems like you have had quite the day. Why don’t you head up to your room and prepare for the ceremony tonight?” Kendrick’s face seemed more subdued than earlier.
“What is it, father?” She said.
“We are selecting some of you changelings for your apprenticeships. I am having a hard time believing that you’re sixteen moons already. You have great things ahead for you, I just wish I could keep my little girl a while longer.” Kendrick said.
“I will always be your little girl. Just a little less awkward and helpless.” Neala said, hugging his arm.
“You are more capable than you realize, that will come in time. Now go, Calli will be here soon to help you.” He said kissing the top of her head.
“About Cali. You are not putting her in the kitchens, are you? She is the best fighter we have in class.”
“Of course not. She is the spitting image of her father, in almost every way. Luke was my best friend, and the best fighter I have ever seen. If it wasn’t for him and his sacrifice, I wouldn’t be alive to watch your changing day. I just wish he were here to see Cali’s. Anyway, a daemon with those skills will not be going to the kitchens.”
Neala walked up the tower to her room alone, her mind reeling about the ceremony that night. When she got up to her tower, they drew a bath for her, and an assortment of dresses laid on the bed for her choosing. Neala looked through them before giving up and instead sunk into a bath. The hot water soothed her, and she relaxed into deep meditation.
A loud knock on the door startled her back to reality, and she jumped out of the tub, grabbing the nearest sheet. Callista poked her head in.
“It’s just me.” She said and walked in. She was wearing a formfitting lavender sheer dress. Her raven hair, her unchanged black eyes, and dark skin made her look dangerous and much older than Neala.
“Woe, wow! Cali, you look stunning!” Neala said. Callista giggled, and Neala saw the faint hint of blushing, something her stoic friend never did.
“Do you think Tyee will like it?” Callista said. Neala couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
“My Gods, yes! One look at you and he will be the one sounding like a bumbling baby!” Neala said, hugging her friend. “Now please dress me up too, pick one of these blasted things!” She said pointing to the assortment of dresses on the bed.
Callista went to work braiding back Neala’s unruly auburn hair. While she braided it, she intertwined black lace into the braids. This made her hair seem a shade darker and not so blinding red. Callista chose a flowing white cotton gown with shimmering beads on the bodice. She looked in the mirror, Neala gasped. She felt more beautiful than she could ever remember.
The two girls made their way to the great hall that had transformed for the ceremony. The tables were removed, and carved chairs had replaced them. The upper levels had giant oak thrones with different intricate designs. These were the products of their carpenters, the daemons with the strongest manipulation of wood. Her father’s throne was in the center, his giant golden eagle, Griffin, perched on a post, standing guard.
One by one, the hall filled up. The council, along with her father, sat perched above everyone else. The elders sat in the first row, the royal family and selected guests sat in the next two and then came the warriors, heads of staff and anyone with pressing business.
“Look behind us but don’t make it too obvious.” Callista whispered in her ear.
Surprised, she whipped coming face to face with the skinny tall dung thrower and his friend. Her eyes widened, and her face flushed when he gave her a smug smile.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Neala said to Tyee, who was sitting to her right.
“He is a guest of Merek’s, I would assume he got an apprenticeship too. Why, what is wrong with him?” Tyee now turned to face the boy who looked away from Tyee.
“Nothing, he’s just not a nice person.” Neala said.
“Not a nice person!” Callista hissed in her ear. “He is scum and should have no place in this tribe aside from a sheepherder. Tell him that, Nia.”
Tyee bent forward, looking at Callista now, but her nerves must have run away with his gaze and she found something interesting on the ceiling. The three sat in awkward silence for the start of the meeting.
The Elder leader started with a prayer to the Gods for their protection in what he called “dark times.” Neala was clueless to this. She hadn’t heard of any open fighting or bloodshed on their side for some years. The Pyre war seemed to end years ago, and aside from a scout here and there, there was no trouble. Even the Avians’ had reported no problems. Maybe the old man was getting mind sick and was reminiscing of times long ago.
When the elder finished, they called to order for old business. First up, the crops were still in abundance and estimated to have years of storage ready. The spring calves were growing strong and would be ready to slaughter before snowfall. When he finished, they moved onto new business.
“This brings us to our guests for the evening.” Merek had stood up from the front row now, almost invisible to anyone sitting behind the first row. “With much consideration from all the tutors, we have placed these upcoming Terra to their apprenticeships. First, we have Callista Row who will go to the warriors.” The daemons erupted in loud applause, and the warriors gave out the terra war cry. Callista had turned white and stood to more loud applause. She embraced her mother, who was just as shocked as her daughter.
“The daughter of the late and great Luke Row, loyal and beloved friend to the King. Callista has demonstrated sharp skills in all areas of combat, but what sets her apart from the rest of our young daemons is her fierce loyalty to the Princess. We know that with more training and what the Gods see fit to bless her with, she will excel. Callista will train with the warriors to become the Princess’s personal protector.” More clapping and cheers, including a standing ovation from the King himself.
“Next we have my own recommendations, Laith and Asco.” The tall, slender changeling and his friend stood up and walked to the front. “We need many good warriors and these two have also shown promise. They are excellent marksmen, but as a team they can become deadly. They will also begin training with the warriors.” Merek declared loudly over more applause. The two boys stood next to a scowling Callista.
As the cheers started dying down, Neala watched Della making her way to the front of the crowd. She walked and stood right in front of Merek resting her walking stick on his foot making him yelp and sit back down.
“In all my y-years, I have never seen a more n-natural healer as our own p-princess Neala.” Della began. The entire hall went dead silent as the soft-spoken old woman went on. “I am nearing m-my 220th moon of life and I fear the G-Gods to come soon. Therefore, it is the perfect time to f-finally pass on my knowledge and rights as a Medicine Woman. With King Kendrick’s blessing, I am announcing Princess Neala as my apprentice.” The old woman smiled and waved her stick up again, hitting Merek in the knee.
The applause began at a more subdued pace than the other daemons. The loudest applause and the only Terra war cry came from her father and brother. When
she reached the front, she felt faint and feared she might pass out. Swallowing hard, she stood in line facing the crowd.
“Well, they had to find something to do with her, didn’t they?” The boy called Laith whispered to his friend just loud enough that Neala could hear.
‘Crack’. A sickening sound came from her right, making Neala flinch. When she opened her eyes, Laith lay unconscious on the ground with his friend kneeling over him. Callista stood over them both with Della’s stick and a wild look in her eye.
“You will not talk about the Princess like that again. I warned you boys.”
Chapter 3
The Lion
“Get dressed, you are joining the hunting party.” Her father’s voice bellowed into her room. Neala bolted upright, blinking in the darkness of her room, trying to see. Disoriented, she stumbled out of bed.
“Coming Father.” She choked out. She felt around for her clothes, and threw on her thickest, warmest leathers and her bison coat. She burst out the door, disheveled with her hair wild but ready to go. Her father chuckled and smoothed her hair down.
“Since we are down a member of the hunting party now, thanks to Callista’s little display, you will take his place. Maybe prove to Merek that you can do more than label plants.” He said, his expression hidden under a shaggy salt and pepper beard.
“Thank you, father, I will try.” Neala said, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. There was no use arguing with him about the time of day, or the fact she had never been on an official hunt before.
“Don’t worry, we will let you have your arrows. Tyee is eager to show you the ropes. Come on, the horses are waiting. You can eat on the way.” Kendrick said, making his way down the stairs. Neala followed him, trying to match his long strides out of the castle and to the stables. In the silent walk, Neala wondered if she could kill the animal even if she found one. She loved animals and always had a strong connection to them, and they seemed to be comfortable around her. She even had birds land on her sometimes when she was lying in the field.
They reached the stables where the rest of their party was waiting for them. Callista stood behind Merek with Asco shifting nervously standing next to her. Tyee stood in the front and smiled down at her.
“Are you ready for your first time out of the mountain sister?” He said.
“I didn’t know I had a choice.” She said. The party all mounted their horses and followed the King out to the gates. Neala trotted next to Callista.
“Did you get in any trouble?” Neala asked. Callista gave a crooked smile.
“Merek pleaded for me to. Said I was insubordinate. The King just laughed and then invited me out to hunt. I can’t believe we finally get to leave the mountain.”
“You had much more warning than me. How does father think I will kill anything?”
“Stick with me and if I get something, you can have the credit.” Callista said. The girls followed the party down a path leading from the stables to the mountain gate. The King held up his arm, halting the rest of them. Two Terra Warriors were standing guard at what looked like just another part of the peaks. When the light from their torchlight hit the wall, she saw there was a carved arch on the surface. The masons had chiseled the arch in an ancient daemon script that Neala couldn’t read. She hadn’t paid enough attention in history class to read it. Both Terra men hit their fists to their chests at the King as a salute and then turned toward the gate. They pressed their hands to the mountain, and it trembled in protest. Then, with a loud rumble, the archway opened into a dark abyss.
Neala’s breath quickened as she watched her father head into the tunnel. The elders had warned Neala of the many dangers outside the mountain terrace, which was created after she was born. Della used to tell her that the wild Pyre daemons would snatch her up, if she ever snuck out. She held her breath as she nudged her horse to catch up to the others, staring up at the vast cliffs as she went in.
Inside, the tunnel was dark, aside from the one flame carried by the lead warrior. The walls were dry, much to her surprise, and the only sounds were of the echoes from the horses. The tunnel seemed to go on forever in eerie darkness. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw the faint light announcing the end of the tunnel. As soon as they cleared the passage, Neala felt a tremble of the ground and the tunnel sealed up as if it was never there. She could see no markings of the tunnel from the outside of the mountain.
Neala looked up the mountain cliff. It was smooth instead of the many jagged peaks on the inside. She turned away and surveyed the land. The trees, shrubs and much of the landscape were the same as inside the village, but what struck Neala was how wide open it felt. Out here, she felt free. The small party rode on, sticking close to the mountain’s terrain.
“Nia, are you ready to show off your skills? You know that Tyee has been bragging that he will get the first kill today.” Her father said in a booming voice ahead of her.
“Well, I am here today so he doesn’t stand a chance!” She squeaked, trying to sound confident, and hurried to catch up.
They reached a grove of alders that pushed up against the other side of the mountain and dismounted. Her father dressed in a thick bear coat, with his large stature and shaggy beard he could be mistaken as one. Tyee wore lighter clothes with his bow and arrow strapped to him and a leather pouch that she assumed were full of other weapons or objects he could use his powers on.
“Ok, from here will split up hunting through the grove. Keep in mind there may be goats up on the mountain too. The warriors will be out ahead to hunt and watch for any scouts. I have my eyes in the skies though, so there is nothing to worry about. Just be silent, observant, and try not to shoot any of us.” Her father said as he ruffled her hair.
“I’ll go with her, Your Grace.” Callista piped up.
“No, you and Asco will be with Merek. You have much to learn yet from him before you earn the right to protect my daughter.” The King said.
“Yes, your grace.” Callista bowed to the King and shot Neala an apologetic glance before heading off with her mentor.
Watching Callista leave brought the churning in her guts again. She got down off her mare giving him a pet and a crab apple. She pulled off her arrows and knives. Heading off in the direction her father had gone. They walked sometime through the underbrush before her father signaled for them to spread out and cover more ground. Neala backtracked to the outskirts of the mountain, hoping to glimpse the mountain goats.
Neala crept in the low underbrush, trying to keep her feet as light as air. She closed her eyes, sharpening her ears to the sounds of ruffled leaves or chirps, to let her know if her prey was near. To her left she heard a high pitch call that sounded like a grouse. She made her way past a grove of trees and saw a flat outpost up the side of the mountain and then the sound again. Neala slung the bow across her back, sheathed her arrow, and began the climb. Getting up to the ledge was easy. She had grown up climbing the mountains and valleys of her land.
The sound was coming from just around the bend. She notched her bow again, keeping her back to the rock as she made her way in the sound’s direction. Making it to the corner where the call was being made, she leapt out, arrow aimed to shoot; but it was not the fowl she expected. Neala was staring face to face with a grown mountain lion. The lion jumped back and swatted at her, hissing. Neala lunged backwards, losing her footing on the ledge and toppled off the steep.
Neala felt the air rushing, and she screamed, grabbing at nothing, preparing for the sudden stop. Before the ground could catch up to her, the grass grew 10 feet high, and she landed as if on a cloud. She scrambled to her feet. There was Tyee, kneeling with both hands pressed into the earth, he had saved her.
Tyee stood up with his eyes locked on the ledge where the lion was now pacing and growling. When he let go of the ground, the grass receded to its original state. Neala made her way to his side, shaking from the fall. Tyee stomped his feet, trying to catch the cat�
�s attention, and then started making noises of his own. The cat crouched down, posed to jump down for the attack, but before it leapt, an arrow pierced the cats’ neck and it dropped on the spot. Her father was resting on a tree with a smirk on his face, and a bow in his hands.
“So, my children think they can take on mountain lions, eh? Why didn’t you just tell me you wanted more of an adventure? I would’ve taken you north to the bears.” Her father said. The King was as calm as if nothing happened. Neala felt the adrenaline leave her body, and she ran to him, collapsing in his arms.
“Oh, my sweet Nia, you are safe. You are safe now and always with your family by your side. Hush my sunrise.” His rough hands brushed the tears away, and he grabbed her by the shoulders and straightened her up.
“Now let’s get that magnificent beast back home. Tyee take your sister and get that cat down.” He barked at her brother and gave her another squeeze.
“Nia, why did you not strike that lion?” he asked
“It scared me; I was trying to get away from it before it killed me.” Neala said, looking at her feet.
“By letting your emotions take over. The lion did get you. You fell. It won. You could have struck the lion down when he retreated from fright. You could have been the predator.”
She nodded, thinking about the scenario. She didn’t think she was brave enough to face that thing again. The lion had stood almost face to face with her, a fearsome thing to behold.
“You will help clean the cat tonight and use all the animal’s gifts to us. I want you to make your changing dress out of what you can. Think about the lion as you clean her and learn to become more like her, my sweet Nia. There may come a time when you will need to protect yourself before you fall off the ledge.” He said.
Neala went to Tyee with her head down. Tyee grabbed her hand and used his ability to raise the earth to the ledge where the dead cat lay. The animal looked even bigger up close with golden fur and muscle-bound body. She knelt by the beast and petted the rough fur. When she stood up, she heard a rustle and felt a pull from the mountain. Searching around, she found a cave around the corner.
The Hybrid Princess Page 2
