The Shapeshifter's Fate

by Chris Africa

  "Don't worry, we have the bees!" Chassy shouted back. At least that's what it sounded like he said. We have the bees. What did that mean?

  The guards chasing them screamed, swatted around their heads, and gave up the chase. More yelling sounded from ahead of them. They passed more men rolling on the ground and flailing their arms.

  "Oh, the bees. How could I forget those little guys?" she thought. Chassy had really come into his own on his powers. Feeling much better, Nita sat up and then ducked back down again as she realized her face was blocking Cherise's view.

  They passed the poor prisoners in their pens, and Nita felt fury rise in her. Unable to contain it, she stretched out a hand and bent the bars of the cage—enough, she hoped, to allow the prisoners to escape again.

  As they trotted through the gate—unguarded, thanks to their bee allies—everything went black. Nita's arm dropped limp again, all strength gone, and her body leaned to the side. She felt herself falling.

  30: Andrev

  "Today is the day." Granny grinned and held up the leather-bound volume Andrev had carried around with him for more than a year. He had spent a full week feeling that stupid stone, devouring book after book from the old crone's amazing library.

  From time to time, he opened it to gaze upon the blank paper and wonder what secrets were hidden in its pages. He felt himself smiling as he scooted onto the bench beside her. His heart beat faster as she opened the book to the first page.

  It was still blank. He looked at her face for a clue.

  "First things first. The book opens with a single word. But only one with a clean aura may speak the word. Stand." He stood, and she examined him head to toe. "Now turn."

  He spun and felt Granny's eyes on his back. He stood tall, proud he had done his exercise with the stone and his meditations today. She would discover he had purged himself of all negativity.

  "You must also wash your hands. Do that and return."

  He took his time scrubbing his hands, knowing her keen eyes would find any fault.

  "Okay now, sit."

  Andrev sat obediently though he had to consciously stop his heel from tapping an impatient beat.

  "The word is revela. When you close the book, the words will hide from prying eyes." She closed the book and handed it to him. "You try it."

  Andrev's hands trembled as he took the book from her and opened it. "Revela."

  He gasped when the page filled with tiny handwriting. This was it. This was finally it!

  "And that was your first lesson."

  "What? Is that it? Can't you at least teach me a few words? I've waited for so long."

  Granny eyed him sideways. "I prefer to take these things slowly. First, you should read several other books about your past."

  "Tell me which ones. I'll start now. But I warn you, I read faster than anyone you've ever met."

  Granny chuckled, though he didn't think he'd said anything amusing. She leaned under the table and pulled out a stack of books. On top was The Wrath of the Mountain Queen by Mildred Hesvath.

  "This one here. Read it first." She tapped on the top book. "This is an important history. It describes how Alystra became the mountain queen, united the clans, and lost her only son to an outsider from Waet Tree Village."

  "Okay, but can't you teach me a few words from the other book? I promise I'll read these by tomorrow." He would too. These small volumes were no challenge.

  "These books are your next lesson. One thing at a time," Granny said.

  Andrev was not accustomed to reading with other people in his space. He wanted to make little book walls around himself for privacy, but now that he had successfully shelved all the books alphabetically, he was loath to mess with his organization.

  "Will you open the portal to the focus room?" he asked.

  "You want to practice right now?"

  "No, I want to read in solitude."

  Granny winked and shook her head. "Sorry. Focus room is for focusing. And solitude is a state of mind, not a location."

  So Andrev shoved aside the furs and snuggled into one corner of the bench with his back to Granny, which was a difficult feat given the size of the room and the length of his legs. He grabbed the book on top, The Wrath of the Mountain Queen, and dug in.

  He became so engrossed in his reading that he completely lost track of time until the room started to go dark.

  "Hey, I'm reading."

  "Not while I'm sleeping! It's lights out time." She reached for the oil lamp above the end of the bench and started to turn down the wick.

  "Wait! I have a question first."

  "I'm listening."

  "This first book, it's basically a biography of Alystra, the daughter of Erise and Asa and the queen of the mountain people. Why are you having me read this? What's this to do with me and Waet Tree Village."

  Granny shrugged. "Just something itching the back of my mind, that's all. The legends, which you won't find in that book, suggest that Alystra has some special power to negate the energies of the universe, which she likely inherited from Asa. Asa alone has the strength to suppress Erise's powerful magic, and that is why she was charged with guarding him. I think it's possible that your father was the child of Alystra."

  Andrev swung around to look at her so fast he almost kicked her feet out from under her. "What? Why wouldn't you tell me this from the beginning?"

  Another shrug. "It's not a certainty, just a guess. I had hoped that by reading this history and learning about your family, you could use this information when the right time comes."

  "But if Alystra is a goddess, why didn't she separate herself from humans like the other gods?" Andrev's mind reeled.

  "I don't have all the answers, and neither do these books," Granny said. "I know you have more questions and now you are probably worked up at me, so close your eyes and practice your focus. You can finish the book tomorrow and ask more questions."

  The lamps snuffed, Andrev heard the chair creak as Granny settled in to sleep. A few minutes later, her usual rhythmic snore started.

  How could he possibly sleep like this? He needed to know how that book ended, and the next one, and the next one. Careful to avoid the noisy board right in front of the bench, he shuffled through the pitch black toward the door. He just had to move slowly enough to avoid stubbing his toe or knocking anything over. He successfully maneuvered out the door and settled on the front stoop, lighting the lantern so he could continue his reading. The Blackwood crowded in close to Granny's little cabin, but he just buried himself in the books and pretended he was somewhere safe.

  Hours later, Andrev awoke to discover that Granny had extinguished the lantern and covered him with a woolen blanket. He slipped back inside where she had already prepared two bowls of their usual breakfast.

  ***

  At lunchtime the next day, Andrev put down his final mandatory reading book and picked up his pack.

  "May I borrow your travel ring to go take care of something?" he asked Granny.

  She handed him a bowl of porridge. "Sit and eat first. Something more important on your mind than reading the language of the gods?"

  "I want to go help my sister," he said. "And my friends."

  It felt strange calling people like William, Chassy, and Cherise 'friends,' but there had to be something between strangers and family.

  "What about reading the language of the gods? Couple weeks ago that's all you wanted."

  Andrev nodded. "I've decided I should re-evaluate my priorities."

  "I thought you might say something like that." Granny nodded in satisfaction. "I will release you from your commitment as my apprentice, for now. Only wait around so I can send you off with some fresh porridge."

  31: Chassy

  Chassy marveled at how strong Cherise was. She grabbed Nita by the arm and hauled her back up onto the saddle. The horse didn't miss a beat, as though someone had trained him for trick riding.

  I was in a group of traveling performers before the soldiers
killed them and stole me, the horse told Chassy. Now I shall no longer serve humans but will enjoy the bounty of the forest and fields.

  The bee swarm accosted the gate guard in time to prevent him from lowering the gate. Four guards ran off into the dark swatting the air around them.

  Chassy burst through the main gate at a careful canter, heeding his horse's warnings about the dangers of riding in the dark. His friends followed closely, but it seemed no one else was behind them. They slowed to a trot.

  "How long until they come after us, do you think?" Cherise held Nita against her chest like a newborn baby.

  "Not for a while, anyway. I asked my small friends to aid us as they could." Chassy smiled, remembering the glee with which most of them had volunteered. All hated Gnarkvetch's regime.

  Chassy looked at Nita, curled up against Cherise and slumped a little, suddenly realizing how tired he was. They could not stop, but...

  "Chassy!" William's sharp voice brought him out of his thoughts, and he realized his eyes were closed. "You were about to topple from your horse."

  The horse snorted and shook her head. She could probably feel him falling asleep.

  "Well, I suppose there's nothing to be done for it," Chassy said. Only sleep and a good meal would improve his condition.

  "Still, you had better keep your seat. Do not expect me to hold you on my shoulder like a babe."

  ***

  It seemed like hours later when William finally agreed to stop, after they were well into the forest. Cherise gently tilted Nita off of the horse into Chassy and William's waiting arms. The rain had stopped, and the new moons shone through the tree canopy.

  "How long will she sleep?" Chassy asked.

  William shrugged. "I don't know, I've never seen such potent sorcery. I know you have little experience in the world, Chassy. But in my hometown of Fort True, and most of the rest of Ayzwind, people mainly use magic for healing, potions of love, things like that. This is the stuff of legends."

  Cherise lifted Nita's head to tuck a blanket roll under it, covering her up with the magical cloak. She smoothed her hair back.

  "Maybe we should be more careful with that cloak."

  The tension in William's voice made Chassy glance back at him. What was eating him?

  "She's cold, William. Unless you want to build a fire, we need to do everything we can to stay warm. We should all sleep close tonight."

  William gave a little grunt like he disagreed but didn't want to make a fuss. "You three sleep first. I'll keep watch."

  "I'll take the second watch," Cherise offered. "Chassy needs sleep nearly as much as Nita."

  Chassy barely heard them. He threw down his pack and dropped into dreamland, one of his hands grasping the edge of the cloak over Nita.

  William and Cherise woke them before the sun had risen. They ate sausages and lumps of cheese and then mounted up for another day in the saddles. Chassy was getting ready to climb up when his horse stepped on his foot.

  "Ouch!" Chassy shoved at the big animal's shoulder, trying to free his aching toes.

  You promised to let us go in the woods. The horse lifted his hoof, and Chassy hopped around.

  We're still escaping. Wait a little longer, he thought back.

  "How do you feel today?" Cherise asked Nita.

  "Probably about like Chassy looks." Nita smiled and then winced and rubbed her temples.

  At least she was awake and smiling. Though she ate so much he wondered if they would reach another town before running out of provisions. There was good news, though. A brown rabbit informed him that no one followed.

  "That's odd," Nita said. "You would think they'd be right on our heels for all the trouble we caused."

  "Maybe we scared them," Cherise suggested. "It's not every day all the animals go crazy on them and the Silver Sorceress makes an appearance."

  "And brings down an entire building," William added.

  Chassy laughed. "Did you see the face of the guard who got stuck in Nita's shield?"

  "That's not funny, Chassy," Cherise said. "He was a regular guard, trying to escape from a powerful sorceress. This was probably the first time he met someone who would defy Gnarkvetch. How would you feel, in his place?"

  Chassy stared at her, wondering how anyone could stand up for someone like that.

  "Don't look at me like that. I'm not saying he didn't choose the wrong side. But you shouldn't make fun of his fear and torment."

  Chassy found his mouth hanging open. He could not disagree.

  "Fear and torment are part of the war, Cherise," William said. "If he didn't want to fight, he should have stayed home and become a farmer."

  Cherise stood up and put her face close to William's. "What do you know about such choices, rich boy? Nothing."

  "What do you say, Nita?"

  Nita hesitated only a second. "I think we had better stop arguing and move. But as far as the guard goes, everyone has choices, Cherise. There are consequences to choosing a side in every argument. But a person's pain and torment are never a laughing matter. It was unfortunate I scared the guard, but even if he had died from fear, that's the consequence of his actions."

  Chassy felt properly chastised, but Cherise's pale lips were tight and her eyes narrowed.

  "Well put, Nita," William said. "Let's mount up and move out."

  ***

  They rode in uncomfortable silence for most of the day, with no sign of pursuit. Chassy took the form of an eagle and circled overhead to confirm.

  "Why are they letting us escape?" Nita wondered. They had torn up the city, released the captives, and caused a lot of destruction.

  "I'm sure they're not." William glanced around as though he expected to see Gnarkvetch's army in the trees.

  "Then what is going on, I wonder?"

  "They'll catch us at their leisure. Perhaps using a travel stone like the one you used last summer or some other magical device to cover long distances," William said.

  "Not a travel stone," Nita said. "For that, you must have a large mirror at the other end the travelers can physically fit through."

  "Well, he's obtained a gating ring from somewhere," said a familiar voice from behind them, "so he has everything he needs to travel."

  Their heads swiveled at once, and Nita had lightning on her fingertips. Granny stepped through a glowing ring, followed closely by Andrev. He promptly rushed toward Nita and embraced her in an awkward hug.

  32: Nita

  "Andrev, are you okay?" Nita had never seen him give a hug willingly. She pushed him away and examined him. He looked exactly the same as when he had run off with Granny a few short weeks ago.

  "He's fine. Maybe stronger after all the spring cleaning we did," Granny said.

  "We?" Andrev's familiar scowl returned.

  Granny raised an eyebrow and a finger at him, and something remarkable happened. Nita saw him close his eyes, take three visible breaths, and relax his face.

  "Can you continue your training without me?" Granny asked.

  "I can." Andrev sounded more confident, stronger, and less annoyed someone had deigned to speak with him.

  "Good! Then I'll leave. Someday you can come to find me and learn how to read that book." Granny tossed out the small ring, stepped through the resulting portal, and disappeared.

  "Why are you back?" Nita wondered. "And why were you cleaning? I thought you were learning to read the language of the gods?"

  "Thanks, Sis, I'm happy to see you too. I've… I've just been thinking I shouldn't have abandoned you like that," Andrev said. "Hello, William. I see you're still alive. Seems I owe you as much as anyone else. And I see you're still around." He nodded to Cherise.

  Someday, Nita would have to learn what Granny had done to her brother. He seemed to have forgotten Cherise's name, but the fact Andrev acknowledged their traveling companions rather than sulking quietly was new behavior for him.

  "Try not to sound so excited to see me," William said. "As happy as this reunion is, we need to
move. You can talk along the way, and we will now be one horse short."

  "Uh, we won't have any horses at all," Chassy said. "It's time for us to honor our agreement."

  "What are you talking about?" William demanded.

  "In return for helping us escape the city, we have to release all the horses into the woods, so they can be free. They don't want to work for humans anymore. I promised them." Chassy raised his chin, and Nita smiled. That was the trick she always used when someone needed a firm talking to.

  "They're only horses," William said. "And I, for one, do not intend to go on foot when we are fleeing for our lives."

  He mounted up and waved his hand to show they should follow suit.

  "William!" Nita protested. The horse tipped her head down and gave a slight buck. William landed in the grass. He picked himself up, unharmed.

  "A deal is a deal," Chassy said. "Unless you want to become one of the unforgivable evil guards in Gnarkvetch's troops, you should unsaddle your horse and get ready to walk."

  William picked dead leaves out of his fancy lace. "Fine. We should still move as fast as possible."

  Nice recovery! Nita couldn't help but admire the way William so quickly reclaimed his dignity, despite being obviously cross. Meanwhile, Andrev was staring open-mouthed.

  "How did you negotiate with horses?"

  Was Andrev trying to have a conversation? Or was he challenging Chassy? Nita looked closely at her brother, but she saw no sign of skepticism in his face.

  "I have learned my power relates entirely to animals." Chassy unbuckled the horse's girth, and she gave an appreciative nicker. "I can shapeshift into an animal, and it seems I can communicate with any type. At least, so far they have all responded."

  A slight look of frustration crossed Andrev's face and disappeared. Nita wondered if he was thinking about his own lack of inborn magic again.

  "Come, Chassy, you're being modest. In fact, you can also convince animals to do your bidding," William chimed in. "You convinced those bees to help us even though you didn't give them anything in return."

  "Only if they are predisposed to it. The bees were feeling aggressive that day, so I gave them what they really wanted—a chance to use their hostility." He seemed embarrassed.