“May I ask something?”
“Anything.”
“You told us that Oculoth’s troops would be killed by the Fae if they entered the forests?”
“Yes. They would trudge a path that will kill plants and animals. The Fae will not tolerate it.”
Dawn frowned. “Then how will we not? You have offered a hundred elves to travel with us, and I have at least a dozen that will march with me too.”
Eril offered a slight dimpled smile. Her dark eyes shimmered. “Lady Dawn, at the center of Woodnog is the Colossal Tower, which ascends to the top of the forest. A footbridge connects through the trees so to keep our troops from ever having to march on the ground.”
“Interesting.”
“The bridge is quite an architectural feat. I hope you have no fear of heights.” Eril laughed.
“My bedroom window overlooked the cliffs of Hoffnung Bay. I sat there daily.”
“Treasure those days.”
“I do. So, if we’re not allowed to march through the forest, are we going to be inside the Black Chasm?” Dawn asked.
Eril shook her head. “There’s a rocky barrier that runs between the forest and the chasm. An area of truce, so to speak, provided neither side trespasses out of the pathway into the enemy’s territory.”
“Has the City of Woodnog ever been attacked?”
“Invasions from the Black Chasm have been sporadic but nothing too pressing. If ever a full-fledged attack occurred, the Fae and the forest would cry out. We would immediately react. As it currently stands, Fae magic shields the forest on our side of the barrier while Tyrann’s magic contains the poisonous gases over his.”
Dawn nodded, adjusting her sword on her belt. “What prevents him from sending the poison across the barrier?”
“Magic. You will sense the opposing powers when you reach the rugged path.”
Taking a quick breath, Dawn tried to contain her nervousness.
“Come,” Queen Eril said. “I’ll escort you to the stables.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I insist.” Eril offered her hand to Dawn. Dawn took it. “Child, you are family, and other than at your birth, we’ve never met in person. It would be good to converse with you as we walk.”
“I seldom had the opportunity to leave the castle while growing up,” Dawn said.
Two guards opened the tall chamber doors, allowing them to pass through.
“And after you’ve taken the throne, opportunities to explore other kingdoms decrease even more. Kingdoms never rule themselves. I find that I’m more a slave than royalty sometimes, so I envy you a great deal.”
Dawn gave a quizzical side-glance toward Eril. “You envy me? Why’s that?”
“By disguising yourself as a mere peasant and then taking on the lowly duties of a squire, you’ve seen how those outside our castle fortresses live and how those less than royal behave and treat one another. You have an insight that you would otherwise be blind to.”
“True. Seeing how some of the others outside the keep live is quite depressing. And then there are those who do nothing but toil all day without one single complaint.”
“But you’ve gotten to experience it. Instead of living a sheltered life, ignorant of others’ misgivings, it gives you a better understanding of the people and how to arrive at better judgments in your decisions.”
“I suppose.”
“A lot of stress burdens a good queen or king that hopes to rule over a prosperous kingdom.”
Several guards walked ahead of Queen Eril and Lady Dawn. Three more walked behind them.
Dawn folded her hands together and held them at her stomach as she walked. “Are there any ways for a ruler to lessen such stress?”
“Only a tyrant governs a kingdom without being stressed by its occupants. By controlling everything through fear and oppression and an iron fist, he gains all the wealth while the citizens have only crumbs to eat. The people are too fearful and emaciated to fight back.”
“How do such societies cope?”
“Often they pray another ruler will invade and assassinate the king or queen.”
“I refuse to rule like that.”
Queen Eril walked slightly ahead of Dawn. “Nobility has benefits provided you rule justly. No matter how fair you attempt to be, someone will disrupt the balance, forcing you to act harsher than you ever planned. Try as you might, you cannot root out all evil, nor can you please everyone. Those evil seeds emerge when you least expect it. No doubt that you’ve already encountered such in your travels?”
Dawn nodded. “I have.”
She explained the assassination attempt that Eegrubb and Kaleb had set out to do. “And then with my mother’s death, too.”
Eril placed her hand upon Dawn’s shoulder. She gazed into Dawn’s eyes. Tears glistened in Eril’s dark eyes. “Of all the kingdoms in Aetheaon for Waxxon to attack, he picked the one with the most beloved ruler.”
“That’s so kind of you to say. I’m certain those of Woodnog and other kingdoms regard you with high admiration.”
Eril laughed. “Few leaders can successfully find favor with all races like your mother did. I suppose it did help in that she was a half elf. Losing a husband on the battlefield did draw a lot of sympathy, as your father was quite a beloved ruler as well.”
Dawn took a deep breath, trying to fight building tears. “So my grandmother is in the City of Woodnog?”
Eril shook her head. “No. In the forests. She is a druid.”
“My mother never spoke about her.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“Why not?” Dawn asked.
“Her mother sought to train Taube in how to become a druid. She was rather harsh.”
“What happened?”
Eril regarded Dawn with silence for a few minutes. “Taube learned a lot of magic. She was actually really good at it, until her father found out.”
“My mother knew magic?”
“She never told you?”
“No.” She glanced away and her attention focused upon emerald green dragon armor. Odlon approached from a side street.
“Ah,” Queen Eril said, changing the subject. “Odlon seems ready to depart. There’s the tower.”
Dawn looked toward the center of the city. Along the outer spiral path that encircled the tower, armored elves stood in pairs.
“I’d like to talk more about my grandmother,” Dawn said.
Eril smiled at Dawn and embraced her. “At another time, my dear. My troops await you. I have given them orders to defend you with their lives. None will flee, regardless of whatever enemies you encounter. They are at your service and view you as the queen that you already are.”
“I worry that—”
Eril shook her head sharply. “Block any worry from your mind. You are now marching to war. Your goal is to destroy Waxxon and whatever opposition he thrusts in your direction. You have knights chosen by your father, and one that you personally knighted. They are your backbone and offer counsel. Above everything else, I sense that your ancestors somehow bless you. Their presence radiates around you.”
“I sense them too. I’ve seen some of them.”
“They will help clear a path against your enemies. They might be in the afterlife, but they refuse to remain silent. They are not finished in redeeming Hoffnung for its glory.”
Odlon stood before Queen Eril and bowed. When he rose, he faced Dawn. “Are you ready?”
Lady Dawn offered a slight nod. Odlon offered his arm, and Dawn placed her hand inside the crook of his elbow.
“Good,” he said. “We haven’t much time if we plan to intersect Oculoth’s soldiers before they reach the forests.”
Odlon turned and walked briskly along the smooth marble walkway. Dawn hurried to keep at his side. His green scale armor made a slithering sound as he moved, much like a serpent winding through dry leaves. It shimmered as he walked.
“Roble and Lehrling are to meet us at the botto
m of Colossal Tower. I believe the others are already there,” Odlon said.
“I appreciate your help in escorting us.”
Odlon smiled evenly. “I’m more than honored to kill and drive those Vykings back to the seas. We’ve seen too much strife in Aetheaon lately.”
“Agreed,” Dawn said, almost panting as she kept his pace. “I like the armor you’re wearing. It is dragon scale, correct?”
“Yes.”
“How did you get it?”
“More accidental than planned. I paid a hefty price for it.”
“With gold?” she asked.
“No. With my flesh.”
“It injured you?”
“Yes. That’s what happens when you stumble upon one inside its lair.”
“Oh.”
“Blistered me all down my back.”
“Took a while to heal?”
Odlon didn’t slow his pace. He shook his head. “Never has healed. As long as I wear the armor, the blisters don’t burn.”
Dawn’s brow furrowed with concern. “Have you seen a healer?”
“My sister is one,” he said with a laugh. “Believe me, I’ve explored every possibility. Nothing cures the wounds.”
“Sorry.”
“As long as I wear the scales, the pain is gone.”
At the base of the spiral stair ramp that led to the top of Colossal Tower, Caen stood with the other four Dragon Skull Knights. Worry vanished from his face the moment he saw her. When his gaze caught hers, Dawn also felt more at ease. In ways, she was comforted by his presence, and glad that he knew her for whom she actually was.
She never liked having to deceive him by pretending to be a boy. She also thought it odd that he still liked her. A part of her feared he’d be filled with rage over the lies, but in ways, he showed more attention to her. She wondered if that was because she had asked him to hold her while they slept and for telling him that she had been attracted to him for a long time.
Dawn didn’t regret telling him, but his eyes revealed a longing she’d never seen before.
The elves stood two abreast all the way around the spiral stairs. They stood at attention, seldom blinking and sometimes they didn’t appear to be breathing.
“Here,” Caen said, handing the reins of her horse to her.
“We’re riding up?” she asked.
“Of course.”
Dawn tilted back her head and stared up. From where she stood, she was unable to even see the top of the tower. Her stomach turned, and the height made her dizzy before she ever started up.
“I don’t advise doing that,” Odlon said. “Mount your horse and keep your attention on the path directly ahead of you. Once you get to the very top, don’t look down if you’re bothered by heights. The horses are wearing blinders, so they’re not going to notice. ”
The Dragon Knights mounted their horses, as did Odlon, Drucis, Riese, and Prince Manfrid.
Odlon rode to the smooth stairwell first. “I’ll lead the way until we’re at the top. After that, Lady Dawn and her knights are welcome to lead.”
The winding of the smooth spiral path wasn’t too steep for the horses to climb. The incline was perfect. From a distance, Dawn had thought there were ordinary stairs, but none were there. Just a smooth path. But she figured horses weren’t able to climb steps. Not that far upward, at least.
Odlon took the lead. Corwin and Yarrow rode behind him with Caen riding beside Dawn. Roble and Lehrling were directly behind her. Drucis and the two Vykings were behind them.
The ascent took nearly twenty minutes. At the top Dawn made the mistake of glancing down. Foot-travelers on the streets below were mere specks. She gasped and shut her eyes tightly. Her mare shook beneath her. Cool wind blew across them in gusts.
Straight ahead the tops of the trees swayed slightly, rustling the leaves. Clouds shrouded overhead, drifting over them like fog. She looked at the wide marble footbridge. Although there were railings on both sides of the path, being up on horseback made it seem like one wrong step would send them tumbling over the edge. She’d rather walk on foot than ride.
Odlon motioned toward Dawn. “You wish to lead?”
She swallowed hard, finding it difficult to reply or to even take her next breath. She never thought that she’d actually fear heights, but she had never been overlooking such a vast drop.
“Would you rather follow?” Caen asked her.
Dawn nodded.
Odlon shrugged and offered an encouraging smile. “It’s okay. Most people react this way the first time they see the bridge, but there’s no quicker way for us to reach our destination.”
Lehrling glanced toward Dawn. His eyes showed sympathy. “Young Lady, I’m as terrified as you are.”
She wasn’t certain if that was good or not.
Odlon tapped his horse’s flank gently. The horse walked onto the bridge without the slightest hesitation. She and Caen followed. Nervousness prevented her from glancing too far over the ledge, but as they came between two treetops, she noticed there wasn’t anything tying this bridge to the tree branches or trunks. The suspension bridge floated.
“What is keeping us up here?” Dawn finally asked. Her voice crackled.
“A bit of Fae magic combined energies of the trees and earth to sustain us,” Odlon replied.
“And you’re certain this bridge is faster than through the forest?” Dawn asked.
“Were we permitted to travel in force along the forest floor, it would take two days to reach the pass where we’re to intercept the Oculoth soldiers. They’d be dead before we got even there, as they are moving at a more rapid pace. This bridge takes approximately seven hours to get to the pass, which gives only an hour or two to wait for them. Plus, this bridge allows us to move silently without disturbing life and growth below. Meanwhile, enjoy the view.”
Lehrling grinned as Dawn glanced toward him. “If we can stomach it, right Lady Dawn?”
Dawn offered a feeble nod. Seven hours was a long time to ride against the lofty winds, but it was better than a treacherous two-day journey, she reasoned.
Chapter Seventy-three
Taniesse had left Boldair and Viorka in Oculoth to lead one regiment of hired mercenaries northward. She had sent word to Woodnog by raven a day earlier because she didn’t want to risk Boldair’s life by angering the Fae within the Woodnog forests. She had already saved his life more than once, and he was one to act before completely thinking any action through. Without her guidance, she feared he might get himself into trouble or possibly killed, so she took added precaution.
Taniesse stood north of Corwin’s Pass with her black sword drawn. From the trees came Odessa. She was dressed in her green gown. Her silver sword hung at her side. Her bow and quiver were slung over her shoulder.
Neela rose from a rock where she had been seated on the ridge. Her royal blue hood was pulled over her head. Her long robe and cloak flowed down to her ankles, slightly rippling with the gentle breeze.
Taniesse greeted them with a smile. “Sisters. What news have you?”
“King Staggnuns and the other Dwarven Kings are positioned in Highvale Plains, waiting for the southern forces to reach them,” Odessa replied.
“The demon-hunters are in place,” Neela said.
“As I flew southward,” Odessa said, “I noticed a band of Vykings heading back toward Hoffnung.”
“Retreat?” Neela asked.
“Possibly or they’re scouting out looking for Dragon Knights or Lady Dawn,” Taniesse said.
“We’ve lost several of the Dragon Skull Knights,” Odessa said sadly.
Neela wiped a tear from her eye. “I sensed that too.”
“But we’ve also gained a new one,” Taniesse said. “Did you sense that?”
Odessa and Neela nodded.
“What does that mean?” Neela asked. “Only King Erik made such a choice.”
Taniesse smiled. “It means that Lady Dawn is alive and did her first initiation. Only one of the bloodlin
e could place that blessing upon a knight for us to be alerted to his calling.”
“True,” Odessa said. “But I’ve yet to sense her.”
“We won’t,” Taniesse said.
“Why not?” Neela asked.
“Until we infuse our blood with hers, we cannot connect to her,” Taniesse replied.
Through the trees a white raven flew and lighted upon a branch, looking down at them.
“Good news?” Odessa asked. “A white raven.”
Taniesse shrugged. “It is Odlon’s message.”
She lifted her palm upward and the raven swooped from the tree and lighted upon her wrist. She untied the note from its cream-colored leg and unrolled it. After reading the note, she looked at her two sisters and smiled. “Lady Dawn lives. Odlon is riding with her and some Dragon Skull Knights to meet with the Oculoth troops.”
Odessa took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and sighed. “Hoffnung has new hope. But it will take weeks for the troops to reach the dwarves’ position.”
Neela nodded.
Taniesse shook her head. “Sisters, have we hidden so long that you’ve forgotten the power that we have when we’re unified? Independently we have a great deal of power, but with our power combined, we are like goddesses in our own right.”
“You mean advance the troops to Hoffnung through magic?” Odessa asked.
Neela flicked her gaze to Taniesse. “You think it’s possible? You’re talking about moving hundreds of people at once.”
“Not only is it possible,” Taniesse replied, “but doing so places Lady Dawn on the throne more quickly. And as importantly, it allows the Vyking horde to be annihilated before they have a chance to sail back to the Isles of Welkstone.”
***
Zauber stood behind the mantlets with the dwarves. After several dazzling blasts of magic exchanged, Zauber had failed to strike Mors and Thull directly, which wasn’t his true intention. He knew the two together could block nearly any spell he hurled in their direction. However, outmaneuvering them mentally, he was steadily striking the hillside where they were standing. Blast by blast he weakened the ice.
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