The Dark Forest

by Sarah Noffke

  She pulled in a breath and then entered the court, her chin held high although her chest was rattling. Azure paused as she studied the large throne at the front of the room. She was supposed to sit there and hear the concerns of her people, presiding over trivial matters every single day. Shouldn’t she be out, forging relationships with distant lands and helping Virgo build an economy that would allow her people to further prosper?

  Her eyes roamed over the waiting citizens. The wizard in the front row, the one they’d affectionately named Captain Santrock, would want to fill an hour of her time with stories about his voyages on the open seas. Then he’d ask for resources so he could spend the next year writing memoirs of his journeys. The answer should be no, but her mother had always said yes to appease him. The witches next to him, Malissey and Allisondra, only came to court to complain about their disputes. One used too much out of the community garden and the other cast a curse on the first for whatnot. Their issues never really changed. Azure had watched these court proceedings many times, and not much had differed from day to day. Shouldn’t the queen be spending her time doing something more important than settling pesky complaints?

  Azure let out a soft sigh and took a step forward just as a hand reached for her. She started, twisting to find a face that filled her with instant calm.

  “Gran, what is it?” Azure asked, staring at the old witch.

  Queen Mother Sari tugged her back into the empty chamber, shaking her head as she did. “It’s nothing good, I assure you.” Thrusting a roll of parchment into Azure’s hand, her gran pursed her withered lips.

  “The seal is broken.” Azure saw that it was addressed to the Queen of Virgo.

  “Naturally. I read all the mail, stamped and sealed or not.” The queen mother shrugged.

  “For a woman who gave up the role of Queen willingly, you sure have control issues,” Azure said, unrolling the parchment.

  “Look, I don’t like being responsible—that’s mostly why I gave up the crown—but I enjoy being in the know.”

  “You’re a real weirdo.” Azure turned her attention to the letter, which wasn’t handwritten but rather looked to be printed block letters. Azure squinted at the words, trying to decipher them.

  “It was created on a typewriter. The humans in the Land of Terran love using that junk for correspondence.” She grabbed the parchment from Azure. “Let me save you the headache of reading that mess. It’s from Emperor Frederick, Richard’s son and his successor. It says he’ll forgive you for escaping from their jail since you’re now Queen, but he’s unwilling to overlook the fact that you released his father, a prisoner of Terran. Unless you turn Richard over to them, they will be forced to take drastic action. He makes the presumption that it would be supported by the council, since you’ve violated the treaty.”

  “That’s bullshit. There’s no way I’m going to turn Richard over to them,” Azure scoffed.

  “Of course you won’t do anything so foolish,” Gran said, shaking her head.

  “What does he mean by drastic action?” Azure asked, her heart suddenly pounding with dread.

  “It’s hard to tell with a new emperor, especially one who is most likely under the influence of Duke Phillip. The Duke is just like his father, Emperor Henry. That man was the reason for this silent war between the humans and the people of Virgo.”

  “Well, what should I do?” Azure asked, and then shook her head. She was Queen, and needed to start making these decisions on her own. Turning, she stared at the bookshelves filled with the grimoires of past monarchs.

  “What do you think you should do, dear Azure?” Gran asked, her voice careful.

  Azure turned, her chin down and her eyes intent. “I need to fight back. I know that Mother would have tried to find a peaceful solution. She would have written back something to stall. I know that she would have trudged off to the court to hear the complaints of her people. However, I don’t want to do that. I want…”

  “What? Go on, Azure. What do you want to do? This is your reign, not your mother’s.”

  Azure bit her lip. “The humans are in the wrong. They’ve hurt the Dark Forest. Frederick, my brother, he’s under Phillip’s control. That’s the man who needs to be stopped. Order needs to be reestablished in Terran.”

  “And you think you can do that?” Gran asked, hiding a sneaky grin.

  “Well, not if I have to sit around listening to the picayune arguments of our people. Gran, I need to go and find a solution that will stop Phillip from furthering his corruption. I know it will take me away from my role as Queen, but—”

  Gran held up her hand, silencing Azure. “Dear, your role as Queen is dictated by you alone. If you think you need to leave these borders to fix problems, then that’s what you’ll do. But one thing is certain—you no longer have to ask anyone for permission. Actually, you need to start giving some orders, because you’re the one in charge,” Gran told her, and her face looked prouder than Azure could ever remember seeing it.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  “Dear Emperor Fuckface. Fuck you! There’s no fucking way we’re turning over Richard to you. Wishing you all the best and all that jazz. Cordially, Monet Torrance, Chief of Staff, Virgo.” Monet rolled up the parchment he’d read from, looking triumphantly at the cabinet members.

  “It’s a good first draft,” Ever said, brushing a speck of dust from the oval table at which they all sat.

  “First draft? It took me hours to craft the right language. I was going for something that rode the fine line of diplomacy, and think this just about nails it.” Monet shook his head at the Light Elf.

  “May I suggest we write one more draft?” Ever sat back in his chair, the firelight reflecting from his spiky black hair.

  “You can suggest that we all stick pokers up our asses, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to do it.” Monet reached for the candle in front of him, pouring a bit of wax on the parchment in preparation for sealing it.

  “I for one think the letter is perfect.” Gran popped into the conversation. The old witch had said she didn’t want to be on the cabinet, but she’d been the first one to the meeting. Azure knew that her gran wanted to be involved in state business, but she didn’t want the constant decision-making that came with being Queen. Being in the cabinet gave her all the perks without the responsibility.

  “Queen Mother, you can’t be serious?” Gillian asked from the far side of the long table.

  “Of course I’m serious. What are we going to do, offend them? Let them clutch their pearls and scoff at our brazen retort! Why should we care? I’ve tried diplomacy with the humans of Terran. Emeri tried it. Nothing works. Whatever they’re planning to do, they’ll do it whether we tell them in a nice way or in a crass one. At least with this approach we get to snigger a bit.”

  “Then it’s final,” Monet said, pressing the seal of the House of Enchanted into the cooling wax, thus marking the letter with the official emblem of the Queen of Virgo.

  Azure slid her palm over Finswick’s back. He sat on the table next to her, purring loudly. “Now the question is, what will they do in retaliation? What is the drastic action they have in mind?”

  “Oh, you dumb queen,” Monet said, shaking his head and clicking his tongue at her. “That’s not the question. They’ll obviously do something foul. The real question is, how many stink grenades can we launch over their walls when we deliver the letter?”

  “I do believe that employing Monet as Chief of Staff was the smartest thing you’ve done in ages,” Gran said.

  “You two share a strict inclination towards mischief, which is why I’ve countered you with these two,” Azure said, waving at the gnome and the Light Elf.

  “Witches and wizards are mischievous by nature,” Gillian observed, eyeing the scofflaws on the other side of the table.

  “The Orcs are guarding the border. I think they’ll stay as long as we continue to give them food and supplies. Richard, on the other hand, can’t live at the beach too much
longer,” Azure said, standing and pacing in front of the gentle fire that burned in the hearth.

  “Now that you’re Queen, can the people of Virgo protest him finding asylum within your borders?” Ever asked.

  “Azure can invite dragons to sleep at the foot of her bed if she pleases,” Gran said.

  “I want a pet dragon,” Monet whined.

  “Let’s focus, people. Richard. I want him brought to Virgo. He’s not safe camping on the beach while the humans are searching for him.” Azure stared at the faces of her cabinet, but no one said anything.

  “I’ll do it.” Ever held up his hand. “I know where he is, and have the most experience in the Dark Forest.”

  Azure paused in her pacing to turn and appraise Ever. “Okay, but I want you to make it fast. And before you leave, I need a lesson in how to use my human magic.”

  “Demanding little thing, isn’t she?” Monet leaned forward, not really aiming his comment in Ever’s direction.

  “We need to find the Book of Branches. Gillian, you said you know how to find it, correct?” Azure asked.

  “You’re going after the book while I’m gone?” Ever asked, tension in his voice.

  “We have to. We’re running out of time.” Azure dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

  “I know where to look, but I assure you it won’t be easy to find. And I believe you, Queen Azure, possess the key to locating it,” Gillian said.

  Monet yawned loudly. “I just wished you’d encrypt this all a bit more, little one.”

  “Okay, so Gillian and I will head into the mountains to find the Book of Branches. I think our best defense against the humans of Terran is to send the rogue dryads after them, but we need to find them first,” Azure said, worrying her fingers across the purple ruffles of her dress. The hem hit her knee, but the back trailed the floor. She missed the hiking clothes she’d worn in the Dark Forest.

  “Queeney, do you think it’s safe for you to charge off to the mountains? Not to mention you’re taking one of your cabinet members with you and sending another into harpy territory,” Monet asked, pulling his mouth to the side and regarding Azure with a snarky look.

  Azure chanced a glance at her gran, who gave nothing away. The old witch returned her attention to drawing invisible images on the surface of the table with her wand. Such a strange woman.

  “I’m not going to hide here in my chamber and send others out on my errands. My job is to protect Virgo, and the best way I can do that right now is by going outside its borders. Forging partnerships is key at this stage,” Azure said, then turned and faced Monet directly. “And if you think I’m taking a risk sending cabinet members on missions, then you’ll think I’m downright batty when I request that you come with us to the mountains.”

  “Queen Azure, I must protest—” Gillian began.

  “Fuck, yeah. I was only saying that because I felt left out.” Monet withdrew a small red bag from his robes, opening it.

  “What are those?” Azure asked as he pulled a triangle from the bag.

  “They’re not Cheetos, I assure you. My source couldn’t get ahold of any, so I bought these instead. They’re called ‘Doritos.’” Monet popped one of the bright orange chips into his mouth and chewed, his eyes skeptical. After swallowing, he nodded. “I prefer Cheetos, but these aren’t bad. I’d offer to share but,” Monet eyed the contents of the bag, “I’ve only got like thirty, so you all understand,” he said, sticking the orange tip of his finger into his mouth and sucking on it.

  Azure turned to Gillian, who was regarding the wizard with a sneer. “And just think, one day he’ll make some witch extremely unhappy.”

  “Maybe you can pass a law that will prevent him from breeding,” Gillian said, a hoarse laugh in his voice.

  “Hey, it sounds like you two are getting along. That will not happen, especially at my expense,” Monet said, chomping on a handful of chips.

  Azure pulled her wand from her hair, allowing her soft curls to fall onto her bare shoulders. “Gran, can I count on you to preside over the court while I’m gone?”

  “Sure, sure, dear,” Gran said, pulling her gaze from the tip of her wand. “But anything Raven Fairchild wants is a no. Everything that Jewels Roughwood asks for is a yes. And if Finnegan complains just once more about fairy droppings in the greenhouses, I’m doubling the size of his nose.”

  “Sounds like you’re leaving the people in excellent hands,” Monet said, crumpling the empty bag in his palm.

  “I think one of my next orders of business will be to elect more cabinet members,” Azure said, threading her fingers into her soul stone’s chain.

  “Well, you have a reticent gnome, a Light Elf who indulges in illegal activity, and an eccentric old witch who probably could end us all with a single spell. Have you thought about inviting that nonsensical pixie to counsel you?” Monet asked, his green eyes sparkling in the firelight.

  “There’s no ‘probably’ about it. I’ve got half a dozen spells that could level this place,” Sari said.

  “Good to know.” Azure peered at her gran before moving her gaze to Monet. “And no, Buzz Buzz has gone to the unicorns to care for them. I don’t expect we’ll see much of her anymore.”

  A clatter drew everyone’s attention to Gillian. He’d dropped his silver flask on the surface of the table. His jaw hung low and his eyes were wide open. “Did you just say ‘unicorn?’”

  “Yes, I did,” Azure said, pushing a piece of her hair behind her ear as she felt her face flush. She moved away from the fire.

  “You saw a unicorn?” Gillian asked.

  “Yes. Twice, actually. The first time was by accident, but the second was when I was looking for one. You see, Buzz Buzz had enthralled the horses, so I thought—”

  “One never sees a unicorn by accident,” Ever interrupted.

  “Oh, well, Monet and I, we saw one. And I went after it because I thought Buzz Buzz might enjoy taking care of them.”

  “So, dear, are you telling me that you can call upon unicorns?” Gran asked, her voice careful.

  “Well, no. I mean, I guess so. Why should it matter? I know that seeing one is rare,” Azure said.

  “Gillian, will you please inform my dimwit relative what the significance of her being able to call on unicorns is?” Sari asked.

  The gnome cleared his throat, but didn’t say anything.

  “Oh, Queen Mother, haven’t you met our friend Little Bit? He doesn’t give away information. That’s part of his charm,” Monet said.

  “Well, then I’ll disclose what dear Azure should have read in her textbooks during her studies.” Gran slid one hand across the table’s top, tapping her wand on the surface as she did. “Unicorns only show themselves to those they offer their services to. They haven’t served a witch or wizard from Virgo in over four thousand years.”

  “Services? I didn’t think they did any,” Azure said, her head clouding in confusion.

  “They usually don’t, but in the past, they’ve assisted people they trusted,” Gran said.

  “What can they do?” Azure asked.

  “Unicorns symbolize purity. Their horn has been known to purify that which was tainted. They are the only true immortals on Oriceran, because every part of them represents healing.” Gran rose a few inches in her chair, her back straight and a twinkle in her lavender eyes.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  The sun was about to kiss the horizon as Azure and Ever hiked out on the eastern ridge. Strapped across his back was a pack.

  “You know you don’t have to stay. I never meant for you and Gillian to become permanent residents of Virgo when you entered our borders,” Azure finally said, breaking the silence that had been present since they left the comfort of the House of Enchanted.

  “I know. All this just kind of fell on us,” Ever said, glancing at her. The Light Elf knew where he was going, even though he was new to Virgo.

  “I asked you to be on the cabinet, but you should never feel obligated t
o be here.”

  “Is that why you think I accepted your offer?” he asked.

  “I know that you have your own life, or at least you used to before all this started.” Azure swept her arm wide, indicating the land which had become the central focus of the lives of so many people who weren’t native to it.

  Ever turned, putting a hand on his hip. “Tell me about this life you’ve stolen me from.”

  His bright blue eyes stared at her as he spoke, challenging her.

  “I don’t know. You have your mother on Earth, and I’m sure you have a life with the Light Elves. You’ve never really spoken much about it…” Azure’s voice trailed off and she lifted her gaze as awareness dawned. “Are you running from something? Or is it that you have nothing to run from?”

  His mouth twitched with a smile. “The latter would be more accurate.”

  “Well, still, I feel that Virgo’s problems shouldn’t be yours unless you want them to be. I’d forever be grateful if you brought my father here, but after that your level of involvement is your choice.”

  “I hope you know I’ve never helped you because of obligation,” Ever said, turning back and leaning forward as they climbed the green hill. The center of Virgo was far in the distance now.

  “Ever, as with Gillian, I have zero idea why you’ve continued to help me,” Azure said. It still hadn’t computed in her mind that she was the queen of her people. Maybe tomorrow she’d wake up and her mother would still have magic and she’d be free to goof around with Monet all day. Still, it all felt too real to be a dream.

  “I think this ought to do it,” Ever said, when they’d hiked to the top of the hill. It granted them views of the Dark Forest, which bordered that part of Virgo. The mountains to the west were like a cape in the distance. The Mountain of Truth stood higher than all the rest, purple mist encircling its top.