Serese made herself as flat as possible while trying not to smell the black water which coated the bottom of their craft. As she waited, she stroked the damp fur of the listless wolf.
Jonathan sat on his heels, waiting for the serpent to return, his knife held ready.
He looked at Serese, huddled like a cornered cat, her hair escaping from its braid, her smooth skin smudged with stains.
He had never seen a more appealing or a braver girl. His sisters would certainly have been shrieking their heads off. He winked at her and she gave a small grin back.
Jonathan’s heart beat as rapidly as a sparrow in a snare as he waited. Keeping his knees bent so he could lunge in any direction, he wondered how long it would take for the serpent to return.
A quick splash in the water alerted him and he peered into the lake. Suddenly, the snake lunged at him from the other side of the cog.
The quick reflexes of the shepherd got him out of the snake’s way, as he dodged its sharp fangs. The slithering beast’s long neck wound around Jonathan’s legs and the shepherd plunged his knife into the serpent.
The snake swayed its great black head back and forth as it searched in vain for the hidden princess, hissing with fury.
Jonathan stepped out of the snake’s hold and thrust his knife into the beast again, watching the blade sink into its flesh until only the handle could be seen. He pulled his knife out and the bleeding snake lunged again.
This time it clamped its poisonous mouth around Jonathan’s arm. The shepherd screamed, clutching his arm.
The snake tossed the boy to and fro. Their cog rocked violently on the water.
Serese flew out of her crouched position, grabbing her dagger and repeatedly plunging it into the serpent’s head and slimy body.
The slithering serpent hissed at her and thrashed mightily, nearly swamping their cog. Finally, the snake let go, falling back into the water.
The princess rushed to Jonathan, who was turning a white clammy color. Serese gasped at the angry wound on his arm.
Chapter Nineteen
“Jonathan, hold still while I bandage your arm.” Serese looked pale herself as she noticed the bite was turning black and oozing with thick yellow pus.
The princess dribbled some of her aunt’s port over the wound and while it healed a bit, it did not completely improve. Purple and green bruises spread up Jonathan’s arm.
Serese glanced at Sir Roan and her worried expression conveyed what words could not as the wolf rose and padded over to the wounded shepherd.
Serese watched, astonished as the wolf placed his open mouth over the bite and let saliva drip onto it. She noticed his foggy wolf breath surrounded the festering wound.
The bite had repaired itself, leaving Jonathan’s arm clean and scar-free. Jonathan’s confused eyes questioned the wolf, “It is a gift we have; our breath and our spit heal. But they have the opposite effect on those who do evil.”
The shepherd stared blankly at his blemish-free arm. It was obvious that this ability of the elfin enchanted wolf had astounded him.
“It was a fine fight, Jonathan,” Sir Roan admitted.
“Thank you. I am in your debt as well,” the shepherd said.
Jonathan flexed his arm and whistled under his breath when it performed better than his other one. “That is a mighty skill, Sir Roan.”
Serese and Jonathan resumed their positions on the bench. With the last of their patience, they slapped their oars into the choppy waves. Once more, they approached the shore.
Serese felt as if someone had tied her shoulder and back muscles together and all her squirming could not untie them. Her hands were shaking but she did not complain. She hoped there were no more cogs or lakes on this journey. It would be too much to bear. Serese would rather eat mutton cooked one hundred different ways.
Jonathan was quiet as he dealt the grey water harsh strokes with his oar. Sir Roan fixed his eyes on the shore, watching for danger. His ears perked forward as if he heard something.
Serese felt her opal grow warm and she clutched it. She eagerly looked at it, but she saw nothing but buttermilk cream, interlaced with blue and red threads.
Its surface remained that of a gemstone. Serese sighed and resumed rowing.
Then a vision appeared in the mist directly before her. The cloudy mist before her face became clear as a picture unfolded itself within it:
Queen Arianna fluttered over a thriving wild rose bush, guarding a single velvety purple rose with her sapphire wings outstretched over it. Gracefully she flew, uttering an incantation as the rose opened its violet petals, revealing the opal charm within its folds. The water faerie queen removed the charm while the rose bush magically dug itself up and planted its roots at the end of a winding mountain pass across a black lake.
Queen Arianna stayed near the magical rose shrub until a battle between the fairies and a great dragon occurred and the opal was torn from the chain which she wore around her neck. It had been taken to a cave deep beneath the earth where it remained. Until an elfin knight tricked the dragon, stealing the opal. The stone was then given to an Argot baby girl.
The opal became uncomfortably hot and Serese rested her oar on her lap, pulling the opal away from her neck. She took a deep breath, releasing it. “So that is how it began,” she thought.
“Dragons are real too,” she said aloud while Jonathan laughed, asking, “What made you think of dragons? They are only real in the stories which mothers tell to get unruly children to mind.”
Serese exchanged glances with Sir Roan, who gruffly corrected the shepherd, “Dragons are real. I believe the opal gave Serese a vision of some of its history.”
“Yes. I saw a beast with fire on its’ breath and scaly purple wings and black claws. He fought the faeries, stealing the opal until an elfin knight stole it back. Was the dragon the last of his kind?” Serese asked with a note of worry in her voice.
“I have not heard tell of any. But they hibernate beneath the mountains for hundreds of years. If there are any left, they will have to be destroyed. They have never existed peacefully with human kind.”
“Am I the one to do it?” Serese asked anxiously.
“You must look with the eyes of your heart. I do not think this task will fall to you. But if need be, it must be done.”
Jonathan lay down his oar and stared incredulously at Sir Roan, “She talks sense while you utter platitudes about trusting your heart. I admit, her highness is a capable archer, an enchanted princess even —but, how dare you suggest Serese is capable of taking down a dragon? Hell and damnation! You would see her killed, would you, Sir Roan?”
It shocked Serese to see the shepherd defending her so vehemently; it was almost as if the lad had feelings for her. Then, it occurred to Serese that the apples of Jonathan’s cheeks were bright red and he could not meet her inquisitive gaze. Oh. There it was, then, the young man did harbor tender feelings for her.
Oh deuce. She had not sought any declarations from him. Truly, she did not want to bind herself to any man.
While Sir Roan and Jonathan were arguing, their cog banked on the rocky shore. The thump it made as it contacted the beach distracted Serese’s non-chivalrous, at the moment, companions.
Sir Roan said, “We shall continue this conversation at a more opportune moment. Now, I suggest we get out of this confounded tree bark of a cog and set up the tent. I am overtired and much in need of a restorative nap.”
The wolf shot out of the cog like a cannon ball as he pounced to the shore with an able leap.
Jonathan jumped out of the cog into the shallow water, pulling the wooden craft onto the rocky beach. He still would not look at Serese as he muttered under his breath about overreaching canines without the sense God gave a hen.
Princess Serese stepped out of the cog gracefully, declining Jonathan’s hand. She smiled at the wolf as he lay on the beach, rolling and rubbing the white sand between his paws. He scratched himself thoroughly, shaking his fur.
&nb
sp; Jonathan sat on a log, his head resting in his hands. He was found out then; at least he had no need to hide his affection for Serese. If only he were worthy of her hand.
Princess Serese felt her opal charm grow hot against her skin. Goose bumps appeared on her arm and she searched desperately for any sign of danger. She saw nothing. But the prickly sensation that they were being watched overwhelmed her.
There was no warning before the first black arrow flew through the air.
A battalion of goblins ran screaming toward them from behind the boulders near the beach.
They were stocky green brown-spotted wrinkly creatures with vicious little sharp teeth. They were adept archers and knife-wielders. Their leather vests held sharp rocks which they threw with precision.
A rock hit Serese on her forehead and she stumbled, seeing stars, while Sir Roan bit the offending goblin. The ugly creature shouted as he hobbled away. The wolf king ran in circles, nipping at the twisted legs of the goblins.
Jonathan jumped from the drift log, shouldering his bow and expertly notching it with a quiver. He aimed and let the arrow fly, knowing it would meet its mark as the quiver flew true.
He smiled grimly when he shot a goblin in its heart.
The squeal it made gave Serese a shiver. She withdrew her dagger from her boot and thrust it into another goblin’s chest. Its tough skin made freeing her dagger difficult.
The stink the wound released was worse than the smell of the lake. The princess turned to face another goblin with its own knife raised toward her.
An arrow flew into its chest as it sank to its crooked legs with a scratchy scream. Jonathan had saved her yet again. Truly, it was getting to be humiliating—how incapable the capable shepherd made her feel.
Serese dispatched two more of the horrid goblins with her black stained dagger before she realized they were encircled by the foul little warriors.
Serese and Jonathan fought back to back, the sweat dripping off their foreheads as they quickly tired.
Sir Roan growled and snapped at the legs of the goblins as they stayed just out of reach.
They were losing ground and Serese grabbed her opal, crying out, “Help! We cannot keep them away much longer!”
The opal sent forth an answering spark as a flash of bright gold light flew out of it. The bright light enveloped the goblin army, causing them to freeze in place.
Their stumpy arms were held in various fighting positions and their ugly faces were stuck in angry expressions as they could not break the opal’s spell.
Serese panted, wiping a drop of sweat out of her eye as Jonathan handed his leather water skin to her. “That is fine work, princess,” he said.
“Thank you, but what shall we do with them now? Ought we to kill them, one by one? It will be quite tiresome, considering there are nearly two dozen of the rotten beasts left.” Serese dreaded the thought of getting closer to the noxious-smelling goblins again.
The shepherd drank after the princess had her fill. He looked around at the slightly squirming but still stuck goblins and asked, “Will your charm not dispense with them, then?”
“I have not the faintest idea, shepherd. Do you think I know how to wield it?” she asked.
“It seemed that way to me, princess,” Jonathan’s tone was a bit sharp.
Sir Roan sat down, stretching his overworked jaw before remarking, “Perhaps neither of you will need to overtire yourselves. Look. Company comes.”
Princess Serese saw the shaft of sunlight which slowly formed before them. Tiny specks of gold floated through the column of light, moving closer to the ground. “God’s teeth,” she thought, “only otherworldly creatures approach in such a manner. Truly, I hope this one is a friend and not a foe. I have not the strength for a fight.”
A golden cloud pillar floated toward them, bringing dust and leaves and flashes of light with it. It stopped before them and gradually, the golden mist settled as it substantiated into a young woman.
The beautiful girl was clothed in a shimmery golden gown, encrusted with exquisite diamonds. She wore a thoroughly studded diamond crown—with stones the size of hen eggs. Her pale blonde hair hung in a lustrous sheet down her lightly tanned back. Her eyes shifted from pale blue to grey, while her clear wings were speckled with gold dust and fluttered continuously.
The powerful faerie hovered above the earth. There was nothing playful about her. Her strong mouth was creased in agitation and her smooth brow was marred by a frown. She addressed Serese with a light breathy voice, “I see you have made it safely across the water. I am convinced you are the girl we have waited for after witnessing your abilities. The spell you placed could only have come from the enchanted opal.”
“I am Serese. The prophets have unfortunately troubled me with their visions. I bear the burden of destroying Serpentine.” The princess did not tell her she thought the prophets were mistaken. Somehow, she did not want to contradict this imposing faerie queen.
The Air Faerie Queen floated closer, slightly bowing her head to view the mark under Serese’s neck.
“I am Queen Aurelia. I would not judge the prophets so lightly, girl. They do not make their choices as whimsically as you think. I will remove these goblins; their stench is not easily tolerated.”
Then the fiercely beautiful faerie queen touched the golden belt at her waist, which moved underneath her delicate fingers.
It seemed as if she contained a hurricane within her tanned cheeks when she expelled her breath. A golden cloud erupted from her pursed lips. The air around them filled with tiny particles of dust and golden sand which coated their clothing.
Numerous goblins were tossed in the air like so many leaves in a thunderstorm. Queen Aurelia’s corn silk hair streamed around her face, surrounding her like a halo.
Jonathan could not tear his gaze away from the sight. He stared open-mouthed at the strength displayed by the Air element faerie queen.
Queen Aurelia continued to release her breath, while the goblins flew over the mountain range, tossing and turning like scraps of paper in the wind.
Then they were gone.
Jonathan whooped with joy and danced a little jig. “It is a pleasure to meet you, your majesty,” he grinned, bowing before Queen Aurelia.
The fierce faerie read the boy’s thoughts before replying, “I cannot accompany you. I must keep my eye on Allegra for she makes foul plans with Serpentine. I smell their ill intentions on the air.”
Then Queen Aurelia hovered directly before Serese as she whispered, “Your queen mother is safe at Argot Castle. You ought to know that fiery upstart Amber worked her evil tricks upon you.”
“Thank you for telling me, your majesty,” Serese smiled through the tears which filled her eyes.
Never mind her original intention to seem strong before Queen Aurelia. This good news cheered her more than the richest harvest from their vineyard which remained locked within her father’s cellar. But which she had once sampled a taste from, when Cook’s back was turned.
Her mother had not betrayed them. Thank the Almighty for that.
“Godspeed, Serese,” Queen Aurelia called as she drifted away on a sunbeam.
Serese watched her until she was a shiny speck in the distance.
“Well, she is not much for long conversations, is she?” Jonathan asked as he brushed the sand off his clothes.
Serese shook her gown out and replied, “I admire her. She does not waste time on pleasantries. She reminds me of my father. Did you see all of those diamonds? It is a wonder her head could hold that crown up at all.”
“I hadn’t noticed; her hair was like living gold, the way it moved in the sun. Will she return to aid us?” Jonathan wore a moony-eyed expression which Serese had not seen before.
She rolled her eyes and wondered if all mortal men were so enthralled by beauty.
Had Lord Forn stared at her the way Jonathan had ogled Queen Aurelia?
It occurred to her that probably he had, but she had never noticed. Wer
e she to see him again, she would endure all of the uncomfortable beauty rituals doled out by her serving maids—to be pleasing for him.
The turn of her thoughts surprised her and she wondered if lack of sleep and this constant turmoil had finally impaired her mind.
The wolf shook his shaggy head and said, “It was a rare honor that she gifted us with her aid. That one is as restless as a breeze and as unreachable as a cloud.”
Serese said, “I shall always be grateful to her for the news of my mother.”
“Yes, I suspected it was foul play when Amber planted the false diamond crown in the snow and it melted like ice,” Sir Roan said.
“Why did you not tell me?” Serese asked.
“I wanted to see if you would confide in me,” Sir Roan admitted.
Serese frowned and said, “I was worried to the point of distraction about my mother. Perhaps you might have tested my actions in another manner. Have I not adequately proved my loyalty to this cause?”
Sir Roan testily replied, “Your point is well taken but I do not place my faith in anyone blindly, be they chosen by the ancients or not.”
Shaking sand from Queen Aurelia’s windstorm out of her hair, Serese said, “Well then, wolf, I hope you have settled the matter.”
Jonathan stared longingly in the sky after the departed faerie queen and Serese knew she was tired because she did not utter a witty rebuke. After all, he had saved her skin, yet again. Instead, the princess ascended the granite path, looking behind to be certain her companions followed.
The path wound through the mountain like a grey velvet ribbon and Serese almost found the white peaks looming over them beautiful. Almost, for she could not help but observe the black dagger of a fortress thrusting from them. Serpentine’s fortress was beyond imposing and the princess could not help but shiver.
Jonathan and Sir Roan followed Serese up the trail as they admired the crimson sunset which loomed above them like a banner on Argot’s ramparts.
The night was not long off as the sun sank behind the granite cliffs, which trapped them.
Jonathan commented, “I thought I smelled goblins, before they attacked us. I am sorry I did not react more quickly, princess.”
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