We reached the tree line and Sammy was dodging low hanging branches, giggling madly the whole time. I passed the fork in the path where Raven and I had cornered the rogue scout and plunged further into the forest. I was just running out of breath when we burst into a small clearing. I felt Sammy slip off of my back to explore the area just as the others emerged from the trees.
“Ok,” I said, having caught my breath. “Everyone behind me.” They clustered behind me, Petre catching up Sammy as he tried to investigate what I was doing. I took my stance, drew in a breath and then flung my hand towards the sky, commanding all of the fire in my blood to obey.
A tongue of white flames burst above the trees. It easily reached higher than any of the others could have possibly produced, and whilst I could feel the power roiling inside me, I couldn’t feel it weakening.
“Wow!” Sammy yelled from behind me. I recalled the fire, this time drawing the flames around me, encircling myself in the magic. It moved as I did, and I
could shoot off small spit fires as I wanted. I heard a small commotion behind me, and withdrew the magic back into my veins. I turned to look at my group just as Ispin shrieked.
Mud people were clinging to him, climbing his clothes determinedly. A few had already reached his shoulders and were grasping ringlets of his bright orange hair.
I laughed, darting forwards.
“It’s ok, it’s ok,” I reassured him. He was eyeing them off nervously. “It’s just your hair, they’re curious.”
I pried a mud person off of his shoulder, a small lock of his hair coming with it.
“Sorry.”
I held the mud person carefully in my left hand and reached for another.
“What are they doing?” Theresa asked. I handed her the mud person and she took it gingerly. I pulled another mud person off, and something in Ispin’s hair caught my eye. I gave the mud person to Theresa as the others crowded around.
A few strands of Ispin’s shocking red hair had been plaited. I burst out laughing. “They’re copying what they saw Yasmin do,” I told the group, watching as Yasmin immediately went pink. “They’re plaiting his hair.”
As Ispin and Yasmin blushed in unison, Sammy ran to me, sparing the pair from any questioning. “What are they?” he asked. Two mud people were eyeing him off and he watched them apprehensively. “Will they hurt me?”
“Not if you don’t hurt them,” I told him. “Sit down and they’ll climb on you. They’re little mud people that live in the forest.”
Sammy obediently sat on the ground, and two mud people approached him. One was the chief of the little tribe, his leaf hat still firmly in place. Sammy giggled as they began to climb him, their tiny two fingered hands clutching at his clothes.
“Sky,” he began, as the chief climbed on his head and sat on his curls, apparently content to watch over the scene from this new vantage point. “Why can you make such big fire?”
I bit my lip. I didn’t know what to tell him. I didn’t think he would understand if I told him the truth, but something in me balked at lying to him.
“I’ve been practicing,” I said eventually, deciding that this lie wasn’t too bad. “Just like you, Sammy.” As he was distracted by the mud people again, his question made me think of my situation again. I nibbled my thumb; I needed to speak to my father.
“I’m going to head back now,” I told my friends. “Are you coming with me?” They were. I piggy-backed Sammy through the trees, albeit at a walking pace this time. When we reached the castle, I set him down on the stone.
“I’m going to see Jett,” I told the group. “I’ll be up later.” As I headed up the stairs, I realised that I hadn’t told them Jett was my father. I sighed. Another surprise I got to dump on them, as well as a whole lot of explanation.
“What can I do for you?” My father was seated behind Iain’s desk. A lamp glowed dimly, illuminating the stack of paperwork he’d been distracted by when I walked in.
“I have some concerns,” I began.
He sighed and gestured to a flagon sitting near the edge of the desk.
“What is it?”
“Mulled wine.” I nodded and he poured me a cup. The wine was still slightly warm, very smooth but rather heady. I took a long draught, feeling the heat slide into my belly.
“Your concerns?” he asked. “I want this Queen thing to be kept under wraps,” I began. “And when we enter Castor, I want to enter as an average student.”
“You can’t ask us to ignore who you are, Sky.” “I can for a couple of days,” I replied smoothly, sipping my wine. “I want to get to know the city as a citizen. Plus, do you really think the public will accept me after a thousand years?”
“They have to,” he said immediately. “With a display of your powers and your eyes, no one can deny who you are.”
“Even so, these are people who have gotten used to the palace being empty. I’m going to assume there is a governor of Castor.” Jett inclined his head slightly. “Acting on Iain and Netalia’s word, I imagine.”
He sighed heavily.
“Yes. But now he will act on yours.”
“Have you told him?” I asked.
“Not yet.”
“Good. Keep it that way for the moment. Thank you for the wine, by the way, it’s making this a lot easier.”
He eyed off the empty cup in my hand, obviously regretting the move. “Fine. You’ll enter the city as an average citizen, though you’ll reside in the palace,” he held up his hand to cut me off as I began to protest. “We have ways of getting you in and out of there without anyone noticing.”
I nodded slowly.
“When do we leave?” I asked, setting my empty cup back onto the desk. “I was going to propose that we leave tomorrow,” Jett said. “But the call is yours, especially now since you’ve decided you don’t want to be crowned straight away.”
I tried to suppress a shudder. “Also, the last person we’ve been waiting on has just informed me that they’re settled in Castor; all the more reason to head there as soon as possible.” Jett was saying. I suddenly remembered that Matilda Lyon hadn’t been the only one we’d been waiting on.
“Who is it?” I asked, but Jett just grinned at me.
“I think I’ll leave that for a surprise. Now, dinner is being served down in the mess hall.”
My stomach growled as I leapt to my feet, eager for food.
“Can your old Dad have a hug?” he asked, and I hugged him tightly.
It still felt weird having a father after all of these years, but it was Jett, and that felt right.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
~Chapter Twelve~
I was up before Morri could shriek me awake. I was halfway through packing when there was a knock at the door, and Dena pushed it open before I could call out.
“Almost ready?” she asked, and I nodded. Someone had already saddled Echo, so I handed my trunk to one of the Academy servants and mounted up. I watched the rising sun hit the cold stone of the castle, feeling as though I was leaving a little part of me behind. This castle had been my home for a year, and I had just been getting to know it again. Now I was leaving for Castor, a city I’d only heard about.
And I was heading there to rule it.
I bit my lip, and Echo whickered nervously, apparently sensing my distress. I scratched behind her ears to calm her, wishing there was someone to comfort me.
The only person I wanted comfort from, however, was leagues away, exiled to the North. My thoughts were full of Phoenix as we left. I watched, without really seeing, Dustin ride close to Raven and pick up her hand, kissing her fingers before riding his gelding to the front of the proceeding. Some of the students had agreed to continue their education in the capital, whilst some were staying at the Academy. I recognised Nero, Raven’s soul mate, as well as some of Eleanora’s old friends. I wondered idly if they’d tried to visit her as well.
The day was crisp, and I shivered despite my heavy cloak and riding
gloves. I stretched my neck as we reached a fork in the road, trying to see Keyes, Larni’s home village. But we were heading south, and so turned away from the settlement. I thought I caught a glimpse of the clock tower anyway.
The great-road to the capital was large and well-used. Ruts in the road marked out where wagons had struggled through mud and clay in the winter. There were some places where the forest pressed in close, and I noticed Jett glancing about warily.
“What is it?” I asked him as I drew closer.
“There have been reports of bandits along here of late,” he responded, and I suddenly caught a glimpse of the long sword he’d hidden beneath his cloak.
“I doubt they’d attack mages,” I said. “And there are a few of us.”
“True,” he admitted, but still scanned the tree line anxiously. I looked ahead to Raven, and saw her strange crossbowstaff hybrid strapped to her back. I suddenly felt naked without my twin swords. I lit a ball of greenish-white fire in my palm and immediately felt better.
The trip to Castor took several days. Inns were frequent along the great-road, and when they saw that we were students, they scurried about to prepare rooms for us and take care of our horses. The rooms were comfortable and warm, the food hearty. We tipped well, and made sure to remember our courtesies.
When the city wall came into view, I stopped Echo atop a rise, my heart in my throat. A great stone wall encircled the capital, but beyond that I could see rooves and towers poking above it. Smoke from chimneys darkened the air, and though I could smell the sea, I couldn’t see it.
“The palace,” Jett pointed out. I could just see the spires of a large building on the eastern side of the city. “Where the City Governor lives at the moment. He thinks he’s hosting some students from the Academy during their time in the city.”
“Well that’s technically correct.” I said, my heart in my throat.
Jett smiled.
“We’ll head there first, and then you’re free to explore.” We continued on through the great gates of the wall, the men guarding it waving us through with a bored expression. As we entered the city, I suddenly became very glad that I was seeing it for the first time on horseback.
People were milling about amongst horses, carts, children and market stalls. There had been rain recently, and the cobblestones beneath Echo’s hooves were muddy and treacherous. I watched some children wind their way through the thong, bare feet slapping against the filthy ground.
“Street urchins,” Ispin murmured, riding next to me. “Keep an eye on your purse.”
“You’ve been here before?” “Many times,” he replied, tucking a wayward curl behind his ear. I hid a smile as I saw a section of his hair was still plaited. “My Father usually had business here in the city.”
We continued along the large street, vendors calling out to us in a bid to make us dismount and peruse their wares. I noticed the street growing cleaner and wider as we rode towards the palace. Guards dressed in black stood on the corner of alleyways, muttering to themselves as they watched us pass.
“Let me guess,” I said quietly to Ispin. “The Governor’s Guards.” “Yes.” He glanced at me, apparently having heard the worried tone in my voice. “They’ll be under your command soon, Sky. Don’t worry.”
But as I saw the way the guards watched us, the little ball of nervous tension in my stomach didn’t go away. It got worse.
The palace gates loomed ahead of us. The portcullis was down, though beyond it we could see a beautiful terrace and a lush garden. Jett rode ahead, talking quietly to the guards at the gatehouse. I saw a few people glancing at us curiously, before looking away. I was suddenly glad so many of my friends and classmates had come with me. It would look like so much like a class trip that no one would guess that I was a new monarch coming to rule.
A rattling drew my attention back to the portcullis. It was being raised to allow us through. I urged Echo through the gate, watching the spikes that were now overhead. As I rode along the terrace I heard them lower the portcullis behind the last of us, cutting us off from the rest of the city.
We dismounted, and our horses were lead away by stable hands.
“Masters and mistresses,” a page was saying. “Governor Ryman wishes to see you right away.” “We’ve been riding for several days,” Jett replied, frowning. “I’m sure the Governor would prefer us to be presentable first.”
“This way, if you would.” The page strode off.
“Is everything alright?” I asked my father. “The Governor is being demanding,” he heaved a sigh. “He was like this last time I met him. I was hoping he’d be a bit more amiable now, but I can see that hope was futile.”
We followed the page through a small door, not the main ones that lead onto the terrace. Guards were posted around it however, leaving me to deduce that the doors were used from time to time.
The door the page led us through took us into a small hallway, lined with plush maroon carpet and simple wall hangings.
“Visitor’s entrance, I’m guessing,” Dena said, sidling up to me. “Are we not worthy of the main entrance?” “Guests are brought through here,” the page called back, apparently hearing us. “The main entrance is for the Governor.”
I wrinkled my nose. I’d been hoping to get along with this Governor, but so far it wasn’t looking good. The palace was a veritable maze, and soon I was glad that we had a guide. I trailed behind the group, looking about at all of the decorations and paintings. Queen Fleur was in most of them. It unnerved me to see her eyes, my eyes, looking so sad. While I was here incognito, I wanted to read up on her history. I was determined to avoid her mistakes.
“Here we are,” the page indicated a heavy door inlaid with mother of pearl. “I’m to leave you now.” He bowed low and trotted off.
Jett knocked once, and a loud voice boomed from behind the door.
“Enter!”
Jett glanced at me for a second, and then pushed the door open. We filed into a large office. Our boots sunk into the plush carpet, and I tucked my sweaty hands behind my back.
A large oak desk took centre place, and behind resided the largest man I’ve ever seen. Governor Ryman had obviously enjoyed his high status over the last couple of years. He stood at the sight of us, and I could tell that he would only just come level with my nose. His eyes were small and dark, a muddy brown at best guess. He shook Jett’s hand, not meeting his eyes.
“Who’ve you brought for me?” he asked Jett. “Allow me to introduce my daughter, Sky,” Jett said. We’d decided that I would be introduced first so that the Governor would forget about me by the time the introductions were over. “Sky, Governor Ryman.” I bowed as I’d been taught. Ryman sniffed.
“Got the green eyes, have you?” he asked.
I nodded stiffly. Jett saved me from answering.
“She has the green eyes, yes. Nothing has come of it though.”
“Yet,” Ryman had already turned his piggy eyes onto Ispin. “You look familiar, boy.” “I believe you’ve met my father before, sir,” Ispin said formally, and I was surprised at the lack of warmth in my friend’s tone. As long as I’d known him, I’d never known Ispin to dislike someone. “Lord Emmel, from Gowar. I’m his son.”
“Yes, yes, I know Emmel,” Ryman waved it away. “Tell him to get his tax reports in on time, would you? Bloody nuisance.”
I saw Yasmin clutch at Ispin’s wrist as he twitched. The movement caught Ryman’s eye.
“You’re a beauty,” he said to Yasmin, who struggled to keep her face straight. “Your name?”
“Yasmin. I’m from the human realm.”
Ryman snorted.
“Still carting them in, are they? Grief, you think they would’ve learnt by now.” He made his way through the group, managing to insult every single one of us. I was shaking by the time he bid us our leave.
The heavy door closed behind us. We all stood silent for a few seconds as we waited to be shown to our rooms.
“Sky,”
Ispin said after a little while.
“Yeah?”
“Can you please be Queen now?”
I let out a snort of laughter. “I’ll admit, I’m very tempted to accept my crown now, but something tells me Ryman isn’t going to make that easy.” Got the greeneyes, have you?“Trust me though, the man makes enemies too easily. He needs to be gone.”
“I should’ve warned you,” Jett said gloomily. “I’m sorry for that.”
I patted his arm, but refrained from answering as I saw our servants coming to collect us.
“Master Jett, would you and your daughter come with us?” “Oh yes,” Jett said, smiling for the first time since entering the palace. “We’re going to meet our informer. Well, you are.”
“What about you?” I asked as we were led along the hall.
“I’ll meet you for dinner,” he flashed another grin.
“Dinner? But it’s early still.”
“I trust you’ll be spending a lot of time with this person,” he said. He clapped me on the shoulder and peeled off down another hallway. I followed the woman in front of me somewhat anxiously. My heart was thrumming by the time we reached a room on the far side of the palace.
“Thank you,” I murmured to the woman. She curtsied and bustled off. I took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.
I caught a glimpse of high windows and long curtains before I noticed the person standing in the middle of the room. My heart leapt.
It was my mother.
~Chapter Thirteen~
We stared at each other for a long while without speaking.
“I think I left the laundry door unlocked,” she said, and we burst into laughter.
I ran to her and hugged her tightly.
“It’s so good to see you here, Mum,” I said into her shoulder. “But what areyou doing here?” “Your father brought me back,” she said, pinching my cheek and looking into my eyes. “Have you been eating properly?”
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