"Your name first," she retorted.
"Just call me captain, that's all you need to know."
"Fine, Captain. I don't see anyone else calling you that... but whatever you deem necessary. I am called Svana of the Sword, and that's for a reason. No one else is allowed to use this blade, it was crafted for me and me alone."
"I don't believe that," the Captain said.
"It's true, it's been spelled or something. I don't know," she lied.
"Spelled? Everyone in Telluris knows that only dragons have magic. Are you saying that your sword has dragon magic?"
"I don't know what it has, my mother gave it to me. She told me to come here and meet with the king and that he would know what to do," she lied again.
"You're telling me that your mother gave you a magical sword and that you're to bring it to the king, and he'll know what to do with it?" the Captain said.
"Yes, your guess is as good as mine. I've only come here because I'm trying to do what I was told. As big-belly said, it's dangerous out here for someone like me." Svana batted her eyelashes at him for effect.
"Interesting, and where are you from, Svana?"
"The Volcano of Shadows," she answered truthfully.
"Interesting, well one thing is for sure. The king is definitely going to want to meet you." The captain made his way back to the front of the large group of soldiers and led them toward the castle.
30
Hekla
One act of generosity will make someone remember you forever, but one act of malevolence will do the same. The question you must ask yourself is: how do you want to be remembered?
King Ansel the Humble, First King of Aequoris, 261 A.V.
The fear of seeing her dragon lifeless in color, caused Hekla to avoid using the levitation spell again. Instead, she focused her attention on what lay ahead. She was delighted about seeing the ocean, and wondered what the Aequoran people would be like.
Sensing her fear and excitement, Speltus lingered near her, clearing his little dragon throat before speaking to her.
"You mustn't worry, Hekla. It's not your fault, what happened with the spell. As I told you, it's all a matter of energy and what is needed to make the spell work."
Hekla shook her head, clearly disappointed in herself but Speltus knew that she would never tell him so. Deciding it was a dead topic, he decided to tease her a bit about the type of food she might be facing in the near future.
"I'd be more worried about the type of food you're going to be eating very soon."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Don't you have a dislike for seafood?”
Hekla shrugged. "Indeed, can't say I have a taste for it all."
Speltus frowned. "What are you going to do, when you take the throne and become queen of Aequoris?"
"You mean if I become queen of Aequoris," she stated simply.
"There's the doubt again," Speltus continued. "You're going to have to work on that my dear, a self-doubting queen can be spotted for miles. Your people will not believe in you, if you don't believe in yourself. You have to understand that."
"I do," she argued.
Speltus didn't want to deter her confidence, and so he kept the remainder of his thoughts to himself. Besides, there are other things to be dealt with.
No sooner had he thought that, than a small child who seemingly appeared from nowhere caught his eye.
Hekla gasped in shock, when the tear-stained face of the brunette haired little boy with a smattering of freckles across his nose, ran up to her and grabbed her hand suddenly. He pulled her along with great enthusiasm, never speaking a word.
"Is everything all right little boy? What can I do?" She felt herself tumbling along after him, but when he paused to look at her, he had a tear in his eye. He let go of her hand and motioned to his mouth, and then shook his head no.
"Does your mouth hurt? Are you injured?"
He shook his head again and the only rational conclusion she could come up with didn't seem fair.
"Are you unable to speak?"
His impish face only appeared sadder, and nodded his head up and down.
"Oh dear, poor boy. So where are we going?"
He only pointed forward, and pulled her hand and she decided to follow him. If there is someone sick or injured, he won't be able to tell me.
Yes, but trust your instincts, Hekla. He could very well be leading you into a trap. Most families with children stay away from the shore because they know there are many soldiers that guard it. It would do them no good to come out here, not to mention there is nowhere for them to go except into the ocean, and Aequorans aren't welcoming to land people.
I understand that, Speltus. However, if he needs help and I don't try to help him, I will always wonder.
Speltus stayed silent then, as Hekla followed the little boy through the forest and bramble to a makeshift tent. He motioned for her to follow him inside, which she did after seeing the look of fear on his face.
On a mat on the ground lay an ashen-face, black haired woman with her eyes closed. Hekla gasped out loud, startled by a man that had his head bent down near her.
"Jeremy, what have you done? Why did you bring a stranger here?" the man with downcast eyes said, his cheeks splotched red.
Hekla could tell he had been crying, but she was afraid to ask the question. "I'm only here to help, sir, please... may I help you?" Her voice lowered to nearly a whisper, and the man stayed silent. "Is she ..." Hekla couldn't bring herself to ask the man the question.
He sensed it though, and looked up from the woman. "No, she isn't dead... only nearly. She fell ill a few days ago. I went to the king and asked for help, but he turned me down. I beseeched members of our village to help, but they have all been taxed so heavily that no one was capable of extending relief. Now, it is only a matter of hours, maybe minutes before my wife will pass and there is nothing I can do." The man began to sob softly, rocking back and forth on his knees, saying his wife's name.
Hekla stepped outside to consult her dragon guide.
Is there anything I can do? she asked inwardly as she stared off toward the direction of the sea, the wild wind whipping her sapphire about her face. Hekla heard her dragon intake a deep sigh and she braced herself for a negative response.
You have to prepare yourself for your descent to see the sea people, and you're here mucking about on land.
Isn't it my job to help those that I can? Why would you not allow me to help. That little boy is going to lose his mother. He already has no voice, how much more heartache will you allow his father to undertake?
You don't know how the little boy lost his voice. How do you know it was heartbreaking? Speltus asked.
I can only assume it to be so, though something in my gut tells me that is truth. Hekla held her scepter out in front of her, leaning on it slightly for support. The orb atop it glowed magnificently with Speltus's voice echoing in her head.
You are right, he caught an illness not too long ago. It nearly killed him, but he pulled through. His voice was the only casualty. Keep that intuition, Hekla... it will aid you well.
Hekla smiled at the compliment. So, does that mean you will help me to help them?
I'll help you, but you don't need a spell this time. There are a great many herbs that grow right here in this wood that when mixed properly can heal whatever ills you.
Speltus began prattling off things for her to search for, but her eyes went wide with confusion.
Speltus, I know that this might frustrate you, but I've never worked with herbs of any sort, that was always Astrid. Astrid cooked. She's the one who cared for us.
She never taught you them? Speltus was shocked.
Hekla shook her head.
Alright, this is a onetime spell and if you must use it again, only use it in case of emergency. I can see now that you still have much more to learn.
I'm sorry, Speltus, she said sincerely.
No need, we have time. The spell is
'Morbidum Reversum Ehealerium' it will only work on someone at the brink of death, and it's going to take some of your life force to complete it. Be prepared for that, he said sternly.
Hekla nodded, and then ducked back inside the tent.
"Sir, this is going to sound odd... but I need you and Jeremy to leave the tent for the moment and allow me some time with your wife. I can help her, but I need to do so without any outside distractions."
The man looked at her, with fear in his hickory colored eyes. "I can't leave her, she's about to die. I won't leave her side."
"Sir, I promise you, your wife will not die, but you have to trust me. Take your son outside, and I will call you in shortly."
He frowned at her, and got to his feet, ducking low so as not to hit the top of the tent. He wrapped one caring arm around the boy and led him outside. When he had disappeared from sight, Hekla laid her orb on the woman's body. Not because Speltus had told her to do so, but only because it felt right.
Hekla closed her eyes, and kneeled to the ground still holding her staff tightly in place. She focused on the woman, and what she needed to happen, willing with all of her being that this spell would do as was needed to heal her. She didn't want to look into the man's eyes, having failed.
"Just focus, Hekla. You've got this," she told herself.
She took a deep breathe, and then muttered "Morbidum Reversum Ehealerium." As she said the words, she felt something leave her body, like a gust of wind. Her entire being felt weak, and she collapsed over onto the ground. Sleepiness overcame her, and without thinking she was sound asleep within moments.
Not knowing how much time had passed, and not remembering what had occurred, Hekla slowly stirred awake, sitting up and looking around. There was an empty bed roll next to her. Where am I? Speltus didn't answer, and her memory seemed to be devoid. The smell of something wonderful filled the air, and she peered outside.
A plainly beautiful woman, stood at a fire, stirring something in the pot. That must be what I smell. A man and his child looked on, both smiling from ear to ear. The woman's face light with color, her green eyes sparkling with joy. Hekla still felt a little unsteady on her feet, but as she emerged from the makeshift tent, the little boy saw her and ran to her legs, squeezing them tightly.
"Oh, how can I ever thank you?" the man called from his seat on the log.
"Yes, how can we repay you?" the woman asked.
"Repay me? You needn't repay me, all will be well." For the life of her, even though their faces were familiar, she couldn't remember neither the man nor the woman.
"I'm terribly sorry, I must be getting on my way. I'm behind," Hekla said, then looked to the man, woman, and child one last time before she darted away from the charming family, and ambled back into the woods from where she had come from, still trying to recall what had happened. When she was out of sight of them, Speltus appeared beside her.
"This temporary loss of memory you are experiencing is normal, in a day or two you will remember that the woman was dying and that you saved them. You will remember that it took some of your life to do so, and that she will be forever indebted to you."
"What?" Hekla asked.
"Just trust me. Now, you must hurry, it's been a whole day we've lost, you must hurry back to the sea so we may be on our way. We're already two days behind."
The last thing Hekla remembered was her dragon's lifeless face, after using the Levitation spell. She knew she would never use the spell again.
Speltus' nostrils flared gently with the smell of the ocean waters reaching them.
"We're there," he said peacefully. "Mind yourself, there are soldiers up and down these shores."
His warning stopped her from barreling out pell mell toward the water's edge. She climbed a tree as high as she dared and looked out over the shoreline. Sure enough, several soldiers in earth toned clothing patrolled nearby.
"Speltus, what am I going to do?"
"I think the best thing would be to find a ship, I can help you repair it, but I can't do all the work."
Hekla nodded and climbing back down. She wandered along the forest edge keeping out of sight of the guards as she searched for a boat to use to take her to the sea.
31
Astrid
Often times those you try to help do not want it. They are often times too bitter or too prideful. And even if you help them, they will resent you for it. You must ask yourself this: after your help, will they be a better person for it?
King Arnott the Wise, Second King of Telluris, 325 A.V.
Astrid snored lightly as sunlight appeared over the mountainside. Aronus stirred, immediately waking up and scanning the area. After he was satisfied, he nuzzled his nose against Astrid's side.
"Astrid, here, I got you water and fruit."
"Aronus, did you steal these for me?" she said in a sleepy voice, grimacing as she stretched.
"I prefer the term 'borrowed.' Stop talking and eat. Today is the day."
She took the fruit and started to eat. As her eyes slowly acclimated to the morning light, she could see the many camps far off and realized she had traveled a great distance the night before. On this side of the mountain there was not a single Tellurian soldier to be seen. After eating the fruit, she stood to survey the land before her. Nearby, she saw the light blue markings of the road leading to the sky kingdom.
She was almost there.
"Aronus! We did it!" She was excited, but still dog tired.
When she stepped out from behind the rocks that had been her shelter, a group of tall, pale willowy people stopped her. Though their skin had dulled, there was no doubt of their beauty, for even as soldiers, the Caelstans were the most beautiful thing Astrid had ever beheld. Astrid studied them. They were humanoid to be sure, but they were paler than any other man or woman she'd come across, with sharper noses like that of a bird's beak. Their skin was oily, causing it to glisten against the sunlight. For some reason, Astrid assumed they'd be more similar to bird than people, but she realized that wasn't the case. They looked similar to her if not for the paler skin, pointed noses, oily complexion, and silk wings strapped to their arms and shoulders. Like birds, they were beautiful.
"Hold... stop... you may not pass." The one who spoke, leaned this way and that, resembling a tree being brushed back and forth by the wind. Astrid was so overcome by their splendor that she had to stop herself from reaching out to touch them.
"Please, my dear Caelestans. I have come to help! Please allow me a passage to the kingdom of Caelestis so that I may work with you to restore peace to all of Verdil."
Another Caelestan, just as tall and willowy, stood side by side with the first. His silk wings were red rather than white, and Astrid wondered if the color bore significance. She studied them closely and noticed the wings resembled bird feathers, but rather than actual features, they were made from silk, and coated in oil. Her eyebrow raised. She wondered if the Caelestans really were oily, or if they used an external oil for the wings so they would fly or glide better like a real bird, and the excess oil was what covered their skin.
"No outsiders are allowed in," the being spoke with soft tones, and Astrid was near certain that she was dreaming. Each one lovelier than the last, slick silver hairs bent and blew with their wispy movements.
She bowed to them.
"I assure you that I am no outsider, I have been sent by Palladin, The Great. My intention is only peace for your people. Please... I beg of you, allow me to do so."
At the mention of Palladin the great, a gasp went up among the soldiers. They began whispering and talking among one another, their voices so soft she couldn't hear anything they said.
"How are we to know what you speak is truth?" A much shorter Caelestan had stepped forward, and it was then Astrid noticed the type of swords they carried very much matched their stature. Long, thin scabbards with elegant engravings on the side, rested along their left hips. The shorter Caelestan was no different. He held an overtly large, but thin sh
ield in front of him as he approached her.
Studying his wrinkled eyes, piercing seas of blue so brilliant they peered into her soul, she could feel the age that he carried and she bowed to him out of respect. Then she noticed his lack of wings. All of the other Caelestans had long, elegant wings of silk, mostly white with the exception of the one she saw with red wings, but this man had none. She furrowed her eyebrows as she studied him, but dared not ask yet why he lacked the wings his companions had.
"Good sir, I cannot prove that Palladin has sent me, but I can show you. If you allow me a passage to your kingdom, I will guard it with my life. I will work to help you restore Caelestis to its former glory, and I will fight with you to restore unity between Telluris, and Aequoris."
There was a large gasp from the willowy soldiers again.
"We do not wish to have peace with Telluris!" He shouted vehemently, and she took an involuntary step back.
"Very well, as you wish. I'm only here to serve you, so please... may I pass?"
As the men bent in to talk to one another, their voices were like the sound of the breeze floating over her head. Behind her, she heard shouting.
"Witch," they yelled, louder and louder. "Witch! Kill her!" The Tellurian army had spotted her and with swords drawn, began running toward her and the Caelstans.
"Please," she pleaded. "We're running out of time, is that not enough for you? They are after me because they know why I am here!" She pleaded with the soldiers.
The short, aged Caelstan glanced to the others and nodded his head.
"I will allow you passage, but ..."
His words were cut short as a Tellurian soldier ran up to them. Astrid didn't recognize him, but she was distracted looking for Cayden, a fact she hated to admit.
"Hand the prisoner over to me! She is a witch!"
The short Caelestan soldier placed himself between Astrid and the Tellurian.
"Really, a witch you say?" He turned to look at Astrid, giving her a thorough look up and down. "While, I must confess that her appearance is a bit disconcerting for a land being, I do not think it makes her a witch."
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