Cold air suddenly stung Tedric’s face, and he squinted as they passed through the shimmering border into Naebatis. The kingdom of eternal winter was clearly an understatement, Tedric thought as he wrapped his thick cloak tighter around his body.
The land was covered in snow as far as his eyes could see, aside from jagged black rocks that protruded through the ground like daggers and thick pine trees that dusted areas of the small rolling hills. As Tedric looked around, he noticed that everything was shrouded in a thin layer of mist and small white speckles of snow dusted Suzunne’s dark back like a blanket of stars.
But the air was so still.
Too still.
Even as they pushed through the sky, there had been wind rushing through Tedric’s ears as they had flown through Creonid. Now, the beating of Suzunne’s wings caused nothing but a light breeze. The lack of life sent a chill down Tedric’s back. There wasn’t even a cloud in the sky, only the overwhelming mist and relentless snow. And the cold. Movement below caught Tedric’s eye, and he held the dragon’s spike a little bit tighter as he peered down.
It was hard to tell exactly what he was seeing, and he squinted as he watched a white mass bound through the snow. It was large, probably half the size of Suzunne if they had been on the ground. Its long fur was white, and the creature nearly blended completely into the snow as it made its way toward a dark cave a little ways off. Tedric gulped as spatters of red fell onto the snow behind the beast as it ran, and he realized that there was something dead in its mouth. Likely a deer, Tedric grimaced, and looked forward once more as the creature disappeared into the cave.
“Legend has it that there are yetis in Naebatis,” Lorian offered from behind Tedric.
“Your stupid jokes are not helping, Lorian,” Tedric grumbled. Maybe yesterday he would have laughed at the jest. But not now, not when his chest stung like an angry beehive and confused thoughts swam around his brain like scared fish. The only joke that he needed right now was that Aeden’s actions were not out of betrayal and she hadn’t truly meant to rip his heart from his chest.
“It’s not a joke if it’s true,” Lorian grumbled, and Tedric gave him a foul hand gesture in reply.
“What’s our plan when we arrive?” Finriel asked, cutting off the slew of profanities Tedric was about to aim at the thief.
“The fairies have some of the highest security in the realm, so I doubt that all four of us will be able to do anything sneaky,” Lorian said with a definite note of disappointment in his voice, and Tedric looked down at Suzunne’s back in angry contemplation.
“What do you think, Krete?” Tedric asked, turning his head slightly so that he could see his friend.
Krete looked up at him and shrugged, though Tedric saw a note of worry on the gnome’s face before he looked down again. “I say that we go to the king directly and speak honestly,” Krete said after a few moments of silence. “His say is higher than that of anyone in Proveria, including Aeden.”
“What are you saying? We just waltz in and ask for the storyteller to be returned to us?” Lorian asked, and Krete shrugged again.
“It’s the only thing that would work that I can think of. It would be a bad idea for King Sorren to make a move against the Red King if he’s aware that the Red King made a claim upon Egharis first.”
“Krete’s right,” Tedric agreed, feeling an inkling of strength return. “King Sorren would be a fool not to listen to us. Even if we fail in getting Egharis back ourselves, we can at least ensure that King Sorren delivers him directly to the Red King.”
Finriel nodded in agreement and Lorian cursed colorfully as Suzunne banked to the left, sending Tedric’s stomach lurching slightly. He just hoped that he would be able to find Aeden after this was all over. He needed to ask why she had kept her deadline of returning to Proveria by the blood moon from him, and why she had taken the storyteller and both of their pages. Perhaps he didn’t know her as well as he thought.
* * *
Suzunne’s wings broke through the mist barrier after what felt like ages, and they found themselves flying within the fork between Proveria and Keadora. There was a slight shimmer in the air, and Tedric looked to the right, toward the wide open fields of Keadora in the distance. A pang of longing shot through his chest at the sight, and at that moment, Tedric realized just how much he truly missed his homeland. He missed his life as a commander, where the only thing he had to worry about was how many of his men had gotten drunk in the tavern and the names of the countless women he had slept with. But that life was far gone now, no matter how badly he wanted it back.
Suzunne banked away from Keadora, and they pushed through the border into Proveria. A shiver crawled its way down Tedric’s spine, a feeling of unease washing over him. There was something not right in the air, as if the entire kingdom was holding its breath in preparation for the blood moon and Clamidas.
“There’s something wrong,” Tedric muttered. The observation was not toward anyone in particular, and the overwhelming silence turned his shivers into ice.
“What do you mean? I thought all festivals were held in complete silence,” Lorian joked.
“I will throw you off this dragon if you don’t shut up,” Finriel replied. Though her tone still dripped with sarcasm, Tedric was sure that there was a certain amount of truth to what she said. He felt a surge of gratitude toward Finriel, Krete, and even Lorian. For the first time in a long time, Tedric felt like he had a family that was not only bound by duty.
“We’re approaching the castle,” Suzunne said after some time in silence. Indeed they were, and Tedric’s body tensed as he spotted the crystal spires of Anemoi Citadel peaking through the trees.
“Land in the clearing below,” Krete said. “It should be far enough from the festival circles for the fairies not to notice our arrival.”
Suzunne began his descent into the small clearing that Krete had indicated, and soon they were sliding off the dragon and standing amongst the meridiem and towering trees. Wisps of clouds were tinged with soft pinks and oranges, and the sky was beginning to come aflame with the sunset. The blood moon would be upon them shortly.
“I think that it would be best for you to go back into the page,” Krete told Suzunne once the companions had climbed down to the soft mossy ground.
Tedric’s legs felt slightly like jelly from being seated for so long, and he found that he felt much better now that he was on the ground. He looked between Krete and Suzunne, noting Suzunne’s enormous body beginning to stiffen with surprise.
“And why is that?” Suzunne asked. “Do you not trust me after I have helped you twice now?”
“Of course we trust you,” Krete said. “It’s just that fairies are very territorial and it could be dangerous for you to be alone in the forest when you have already caused damage to their land once.”
“It’s also the blood moon, and I don’t think that finding a black dragon in the midst of their celebrations tonight is a very good idea,” Tedric added, and Suzunne gave a loud harrumph.
“I suppose you’re right. Promise me that you will let me out as soon as you can though. I hate how stuffy it is in there,” Suzunne sighed, and Krete gave him a relieved smile.
“Thank you. Yes, of course.”
Moments later, Suzunne touched the page outstretched in Krete’s hand and disappeared into it with the same bright light as the other beasts. Krete quickly rolled the parchment up and tucked it into one of the many pockets in his vest before looking up at Tedric and the others.
“You do realize that you might have lied to him,” Finriel said. “He’ll likely be destroyed if you give the page back to the king.”
Krete gave her a strained smile and nodded. “I know.”
A lump of sadness formed in Tedric’s throat, and for once he actually felt a twinge of regret about returning the pages. But they had to give them back. It was their duty, his duty. Tedric took a step away and gestured toward Krete.
“Lead the way.”
&nb
sp; Krete gave Tedric a tight-lipped smile and started past him, leading them toward the thicket of forest that loomed ahead. Tedric was certainly not expecting to be back in Millris Forest so soon, if at all. He wasn’t quite sure how they were going to get back home before Aeden had left so unexpectedly, but Tedric had to admit that his thoughts hadn’t gone that far forward after their night together. Tedric’s chest clenched, and he barely took in the strange sounds and flowery scented air that ruffled his hair as he walked behind Krete in silence. He could only think of Aeden and how happy he had felt during the short time they’d spent together, truly together. He was not sure why she had left, but he needed to find out, if only to save his own heart.
Some time passed, and the meridiem moss now lit their way through the forest. Tedric angled his head upwards to look at the small amount of sky that was visible through the enormous pines to find that it had deepened into purples and darkening blue.
“It’s nearly nightfall,” Krete said, breaking up the silence.
“That means that the festival will begin soon, doesn’t it?” Finriel asked from behind Tedric, and Krete nodded.
“Yes, as soon as the moon begins to rise, we should be able to hear music and the festival will begin. Make sure not to focus on the music, it has magical properties that can cause some to be lured into the celebration circles.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Lorian said easily.
“Fairies change during Clamidas in a way that is not always good. Typically those who are lured into the circles are toyed with in ways that I don’t want to repeat,” Krete said sternly, and Lorian fell silent.
Tedric briefly wondered if Aeden would be in one of those circles tonight, but quickly forced away the thought with a surge of anger. He would find her even if she was in one of those circles. He just needed to speak to her. He needed to understand.
Krete suddenly stopped mid-step, and Tedric had to jump to the side in order not to slam into his companion.
“What is it?” Tedric asked as he came to stand next to Krete, who was looking down upon the ground at a path made of gleaming silver stones.
“It has to be the path to the castle,” Lorian said. “Only fairies would use such unnecessarily precious stones to lead to their capital.”
Tedric forced down the defensive growl in his throat, aware that Lorian did have a point.
“We should follow it then,” Finriel said easily, but Lorian came up next to Tedric and shook his head.
“I can go find an alternate route to the castle. It would be rude to just waltz in, especially on such a special day for the fairies,” Lorian said.
“Entering a king’s home without an invitation is rude on any occasion,” Finriel pointed out.
“I’ve been welcomed into more high class places entering through an alternate route than I have being caught and brought in through the front doors like a common criminal,” Lorian retorted.
“We can start on the path and you can look for an alternate route. If you find one, then find us and we can go your way,” Tedric cut in, not much in the mood to watch another argument between the two.
Lorian seemed satisfied with this, and took a step toward Finriel. The ground tilted under Tedric’s feet and he nearly fell over with surprise as Lorian squeezed Finriel’s hand and winked before setting off through the meridiem-lit forest without a sound.
“What was that?” Tedric spluttered, and Finriel’s faint smile quickly disappeared as she looked away from the direction in which Lorian had just gone.
“Nothing,” Finriel snapped.
“Let’s keep going,” Krete said urgently. “We need to reach the castle before the festivities begin.”
Finriel shrugged and started up the path, Tedric following soon after. Each step felt like both an eternity and no time at all as they walked in single file. Tedric’s thoughts quarreled with each other as he walked in silence, moving between surprise at Finriel and Lorian’s sudden demonstration of warmth toward one another and his own pained heart.
He was hurt, yet he was slowly beginning to understand. She had left without saying goodbye in hopes of saving him, but taking the page that did not belong to her was wrong, and the pull of responsibility to the Red King would have to be greater than the pull of his heart.
Not even two minutes after they had begun to follow the path, a faint rustling in the trees that was different than that of the birds and rodents caught Tedric’s attention.
“What is that sound?” he asked.
“Maybe it’s Lorian coming back,” Finriel said hopefully, but Tedric doubted that Lorian had found a way to the castle from the tops of the trees.
“Oh no,” Krete groaned, and Tedric followed the gnome’s gaze upwards toward the rustling sounds.
Tedric’s stomach gave a flop and he drew his sword as six fairies in golden armor descended upon them from the highest branches. Their descent seemed to be controlled, and after a moment, Tedric was able to make out the faint shimmering ghost of wings flapping behind each of the guard’s backs. They each drew a long, thin blade once their golden boots touched the ground, and headed toward the companions with stony expressions.
“You have been found trespassing upon the silver path, and are required to be escorted to the castle.” The fairy who spoke looked similar to Aeden, but his bone structure was even more pronounced. His light brown hair was long and straight, the front of his hair braided and held together at the back of his head. His pointed ears were long and seemed to move slightly, as if constantly listening to his surroundings. The other guards looked similar, but their hair was cropped.
“Tedric, put down your sword,” Krete whispered desperately. “I know these folk. We have a better chance of getting Egharis and your page back if we cooperate.”
Tedric spared a glance at Krete, who was frozen in place with his hands plastered to his sides. Tedric sighed and shoved his blade back into its scabbard, going against all of his training. Commander Eldron would be ashamed of your actions if he were still alive, Tedric thought bitterly. He had been careless and insensitive toward his late commander to have even entertained the idea of allowing a fairy into their company at the beginning of the quest, yet he had, and now their hearts were entangled. He forced down another wave of anger as the fairy guards took up position around Tedric and his companions, two on either side and one behind them, while the apparent head guard went to stand in front of Krete.
“Why didn’t you take our weapons?” Tedric asked in a near growl as the guards began to lead them up the path.
The lead guard did not look back as he replied, “Raymara is a peaceful realm, and besides, it would be more entertaining if you actually had a weapon, should you decide to cause any trouble.”
The path inclined slightly as they walked the final distance to the castle, and Tedric was half glad that Lorian had disappeared before they’d been caught. Perhaps he would be able to save them if things went south. It was still unnervingly quiet, but the moon hadn’t risen yet. He wondered if any music would be heard from this far up and away from the heart of the forest.
They were led through a large birch wood gate woven with silver, and they entered a covered walkway that wrapped around the outside of the castle, which Tedric could now see was shaped in a crescent moon. Tedric had assumed that there would be parties and dancing, but then he remembered what Aeden had said about the castle being deserted and ghostlike during their conversation in the cave. He gave a slight shiver as they continued. She had been understating how strange it felt to enter through the deserted, dimly lit crystal walls.
A large courtyard sat before them, and rich emerald grasses and yellow flowers filled the open area. A silver fountain depicting a woman with a crescent moon crown trickled with sparkling clear water in the center of the courtyard, and a shaded path made from silver stone circled it. The very air around them seemed to be holding its breath, and Tedric fought down a shudder. Apart from servants and a few courtiers milling about, the pla
ce was practically deserted.
Tedric let his gaze travel upward toward the rest of the castle. Large clear windows overlooked the forest beyond, and the walls of the tall castle were made entirely of crystal. Veins of silver and gold ran through it, and the crystal itself seemed to change color with each second of the setting sun. The fairy guards nudged them forward, and they were led through the giant white wood doors of the castle. The inside was mostly barren, and only a few fairy servants walked here and there as they carried on with their tasks. They were led down the crystal halls and up a silver set of stairs. They rounded another corner, toward a set of white doors flanked by fairy guards on either side.
“Where are you taking us?” Krete asked.
“To the king, of course.”
Tedric tensed at the words, cold sweat beginning to run down his back. The guards at the door stepped forward and opened it, and the companions were led into the throne room. Like the rest of the castle, the room was mostly barren, apart from a large white tapestry at the far end of the room bearing a blood red moon encircled by silver leaves. Two crystal thrones were set upon a raised dais that looked upon the rest of the room.
But it was who was seated upon the thrones that made Tedric stop in his tracks and his blood run cold. King Sorren sat on one throne, enrobed in white silk. His long hair was done in a similar fashion as the head fairy guard, the darkness of his tresses contrasting with his white skin. But it was not the king that made Tedric’s muscles and chest spasm in pain. It was the woman sitting on the throne next to the king.
Aeden.
36
Tedric
“Aeden?”
Of Liars and Thieves Page 32
