by P. D. Kalnay
It was a lot to swallow.
“Is that why you hated me at the start of last summer?” I asked.
“No,” Ivy said. “I thought you were a boy from this world, until the end. I won’t make any excuses for my behaviour, but I came from an unpleasant situation, and I unfairly projected my anger onto you. Because…”
“Because I was available?”
Ivy nodded.
“Forgiven and forgotten,” I said. I looked at the clock radio. “We’re running out of time. You’d better stick to the high points.”
“You’re right. Our people have always been among the most powerful and prosperous races of the First World. For the last thousand years, we have been greatly more so. The entire history is extensive. To sum up—that shift in power came mostly from acquiring an island in the middle of the Endless Sea. That’s merely a name, but the ocean is vast, and it contains only one tiny island in the middle. The island is called Knight’s Haven, and it’s the only harbour and point of resupply for those wishing to cross the ocean. This makes it strategically valuable. For five thousand years, Knight’s Haven was home to the Knights of the Order. It provided funding for the Order, and they provided safe refuge for those who travelled the Endless Sea.”
I couldn’t stop myself from interrupting.
“Didn’t you call Mr. Ryan a Knight of the Order in the library last summer?”
“Yes, I sensed it after being so near to him. That shouldn’t be possible in the Seventh World, but Mr. Ryan is special. He lies at the heart of my story. There’s no time now, but I will tell you his entire tale when we get back. The short of his story is that the man Mr. Ryan used to be, led the Order for many years. He was betrayed by one of his own and was forever banished from the First World by a combined effort of the Three Houses. They then laid claim to Knight’s Haven and have held it since. Our people greatly profit from this arrangement. The Knights of the Order are scattered, and only the ships of our people are permitted to cross the Endless Sea. I cannot exaggerate how important it is for them to maintain their hold on the island.”
“What does this have to do with you and me?”
I had a feeling that was the next part, but I couldn’t help asking.
“A pact was made between the leaders of the Three Houses. They agreed that Knight’s Haven must be held in perpetuity by all three equally, and that each must maintain representation on the island. This has grown into something more with time. The man Mr. Ryan used to be–”
“Janik,” I interrupted. I remembered the name the silver dragon lady had spoken.
“Yes, Janik. He was known as Janik Whiteblade, the Dragon Lord, and by many other names. He’s at the heart of a great and tragic story. When he was betrayed and banished from our world, his wife went mad with grief. For a hundred years she threw herself against the defences of our people, inflicting terrible damage. When her fires had cooled, she settled on a more modest vengeance. Every seven years on the anniversary of his banishment, Sirean Silver Mantle, Janik’s beloved, fires the fields and the orchards of Knight’s Haven. She also enrages the stone of the island itself, at great cost to our people.”
“What does enrages the stone mean?”
“The island is a fire mountain, a vol, vol–”
“A volcano?”
“Yes, that’s the word. Being a dragon, Sirean is closer to the fires of the earth than any other. The result of this is that every seven years, a Venantial must regrow the vegetation on the island, a Talantial must spend years calming the fires in the earth below, and finally the residing Aerantial must call the rains and hold back the powerful winter winds to allow a timely recovery.”
“That sounds hard.”
“Incredibly so,” Ivy said, looking at her lap. “Our people normally live many centuries. Those stationed on Knight’s Haven rarely live one. The endless work uses them up.”
“Why would anybody want the job?” I asked. It sounded like a crappy deal to me.
“It isn’t voluntary. The lowest of our houses, with enough aptitude for the task, are sacrificed for the greater good of our people. I am not technically the lowest of my house, but was deemed the best choice for other reasons. I’ve been betrothed to a son of House Talantial and will be sent to the island when I come of age. I’m so sorry Jack.”
Tears streamed from Ivy’s eyes as she looked up at me. Yes, I’d figured out that she was talking about me. I’m not an idiot.
“If this has all been decided, why am I going to meet the family?” I asked.
“To be tested. You’re a child of two of the three houses, but you’re also born of this world. Most likely your… soul will be of the First World, and given your parentage, you’ll have the necessary gifts. They can’t be certain until you travel there. Once you pass the tests, we’ll be bonded.”
That sounded kind of… permanent.
“What does that mean?”
“Our kind bond in marriage for life. Marriages are arranged, and love is almost unheard of. Family life for our people is nothing like the television you’ve shown me.”
I’d always wondered why my parents had gotten together. They hated each other’s guts, and each saw me as an unpleasant reminder of the other. Even my grandmother was nothing like the kindly grandmothers you saw in movies and on TV. Understanding the reasons didn’t make me feel better about any of it.
“So we’re supposed to get married?”
I was having trouble moving past that part for some reason.
“Yes, I’m sorry. It’s a lot of bad news to spring on you in so short a time.”
“We’re still young, so I don’t think we should get too worked up yet.”
“I hope you fail the tests,” Ivy said in a rush, “for your sake. Knowing you’re here, and safe, would make whatever comes after more bearable. Do you hate me now?”
Looking down at her upturned face and her bright green eyes, I meant to tell Ivy that I didn’t hate her at all. I kissed her instead. Ivy kissed me back. Her lips were so soft they didn’t seem real, she smelled like sunshine on a field of wildflowers, and tasted of tears. My first kiss ended far too soon. Ivy pulled away, but at least she didn’t hit me. Instead, she stared up at me without speaking. Then, she sprang from the bed and ran for the door.
“Ivy,” I called out, as she pulled it open. She stopped, but didn’t look back. “I’m not very good at doing what I’m told, and I’ve never failed a test.”
Chapter 14 – Down the Tree
I put on my suit and met Ivy in the front hall. Ivy had changed into a formal green dress and was already waiting when I came down the stairs. The two of us looked ready for prom.
“Where do we go now?” I asked.
“Follow me.”
Ivy led me to the basement stairs instead of the front door. When she turned left at the bottom, I had a strong guess as to where we were going. My suspicions were proven correct when she opened the tree-carved door at the end of the hallway. The intricate door swung open as smoothly, and as silently, as if it had never been locked a day in its doorish life. It looked to be a big day for answers all around. I followed her into the small room where Gran and Mr. Ryan stood waiting. To say the room wasn’t in keeping with the rest of the house would be something of an understatement. The floor was rough stone, and the walls and ceiling were made from the roots of an unimaginably enormous tree. Had I not known that no such tree existed outside the house, I might have believed it to be the case. A circle filled with strange shapes and writing had been carved into the floor at the centre of the room. Gran and Mr. Ryan stood just back from it.
“It’s time,” Gran said, waving us over to stand in the circle.
“Take this,” Mr. Ryan told me. He handed me the sword from the library. He’d added a belt to the scabbard.
“Will I need it?” I asked.
“Of course not,” Gran said. “Stay within the rules of court etiquette that you’ve been taught, and there will be no problems.”
&nb
sp; I glanced side-long at Ivy, seeing her grimace. Court etiquette was undoubtedly on the list of things she hadn’t gotten around to teaching me. However, as I had no intention of outing her, I buckled on the belt and said, “OK.”
“Remember the things I’ve taught you,” Mr. Ryan said. “Be smart and keep Ivy safe.” He pointed to the sword. “That’s only for show and so you’ll be taken seriously. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.” I looked back to Gran. “What happens now?”
“Take Ivy’s hand,” Gran told me.
Ivy and I grabbed each other’s hand.
“Is this part of it?” I asked.
“No,” Gran said. “I thought it would make you feel better.”
Then Gran raised her hands and spoke words I couldn’t hear. Too much wind swirled around my ears. Travelling the World Tree is a singular experience, but I’ll try to describe it. I found myself surrounded by golden light; the light was as thick as water and my body absorbed it like a sponge. An instant or an eternity later, I became the light as I disintegrated into it, racing along a great river of the water/light like a child’s toy boat. Then I was, for lack of a better term, washed ashore. The light drained out through every pore and fibre of my being, and was I remade. I knew two things with immediate certainty: one that I was no longer on the world of my birth, and two, that I had changed. I couldn’t tell if I’d become more or less me than I’d been before, but I wasn’t the same. I forced my eyes open. At some point I’d squeezed them shut. I still held Ivy’s hand.
I looked down at Ivy and could only stare. Ivy was still Ivy, but she wasn’t the same. Her curly blond hair had turned iridescent green and hung almost to her knees. Pointy little ears poked out of it. I’ll admit, I hadn’t paid a lot of attention to Ivy’s ears, but I was sure they’d never been pointy. Ivy’s face was still the one I knew, if slightly sharper of feature. Her eyes were unchanged, but her lips were… green. I don’t know how long I stood staring at her before she began crying, but that brought me out of the moment. I looked at myself. My navy blue suit had vanished, and I now wore long dark blue robes. They do go better with the sword, I thought.
“I’m sorry,” Ivy said through her tears. “I should have warned you.”
“Warned me about what?”
I looked around for danger. We stood on a circle of similar design to the one in Gran’s basement. This one was inset into a pure white stone floor, and the markings were filled with gold, silver, and a rose coloured metal I didn’t recognise. The walls and ceiling of the room were made of the same white stone carved in relief to resemble trees in a forest. The workmanship was incredible. I had to tear my eyes away to look back at Ivy.
“I should have told you I was ugly,” Ivy said.
“I don’t think you’re ugly,” I said. I meant it too. Green-elf Ivy looked as pretty as the one I’d known. Now in an exotic, alien way.
Her look said she didn’t believe me. Ivy’s expressions hadn’t changed.
“I mean it,” I said.
“What was that look for then?” She asked. “It wasn’t just surprise. If you’re truly my friend, I want you to tell me honestly what you were thinking a moment ago.”
“I’d rather not,” I said, thinking back to my specific thoughts.
“Please.”
She looked up at me insistently, and I felt blood rushing to my face.
“Fine,” I said, examining the ceiling again. “I wondered if they’d taste the same, now that they’re green.”
“If what would taste the same?”
“Your lips.”
I looked back down at the sound of Ivy’s laughter. She wiped away her tears and smiled up at me.
“You’re such a pervert,” she said with a grin. “Come, we’re going to be late.”
Ivy led the way to the room’s only door. Bemused, I followed, not sure what to say. The door led to stairs (a lot of stairs) and I was winded by the time we reached the top. Ivy looked fine, but she paused to let me catch my breath.
“Is this your home?” I asked as she led me along a tall, windowless, column-lined hallway.
“No, this is the Talantial palace. We’re in the middle of their greatest city, Talanth. I’ve been fostered here for the years since being selected by my family to serve on Knight’s Haven. A member of each house will witness your testing and our bonding. Then we can leave again.”
“Don’t you think it’s strange that nobody met us when we arrived? Are people riding the World Tree all the time like a subway?”
“No, it’s rare for anyone to travel between worlds. Only the most powerful can do so unaided.”
“I don’t feel all that powerful. How did we make the trip?”
“The mistress of the house, your grandmother, sent us. Another will have to send us back. Promise me you’ll be careful here. I don’t have time to tell you any of what I should have, but remember that we are the lowest members of our houses. Not that it’s likely any here will let us forget.”
“You should have told me more.”
“I know. I’ll make it up to you later.”
“Excellent,” I said, waggling my eyebrows at her and adding a “Mo-ha-ha” to the mix.
Ivy laughed, as I’d hoped she would.
“I’ll make you deal,” she said.
“I’m listening.”
“If you don’t get yourself killed, I’ll allow you to find out.”
We’d reached the end of the hallway. I could hear the murmur many voices up ahead.
“Find out what?” I asked.
“If they taste different,” Ivy said, before leading me into a vast hall filled with people.
Chapter 15 – Distant Relations
The people in the hall came in a remarkable number of different shapes and sizes. Some looked like taller versions of Ivy, men and women with hair and skin in every hue of blue, orange, red, and violet. I saw no other Florathen with Ivy’s green colouration. More amazingly (and I have to admit to gawking) were the ones with wings. They came closer to the Tinker Bell fairies imagined in the Seventh World. Except that they were as tall as, or taller than me, and Disney’s evilest villain had a kinder face than any of the people I saw. The winged Fae, who Ivy informed me were the Winathen, had pure white skin, white to golden hair, and cold eyes of pale blue or violet. There weren’t many of them. By far, the most numerous folk in the room were Petrathen, which I guessed made sense since we were in their homeland. My father’s people were tall like the others, but more heavily built. All had hair the same shiny black as my father, and eyes ranging from brown to black. What made them stand out, more than anything, was their skin. The Petrathen had leathery, rough-looking, greyish skin. Ivy had been right. If she hadn’t told me otherwise, I’d have assumed these groups were unrelated. The apparel in the room was diverse and followed no pattern I could determine. It was like being in the midst of a gathering of alien peacocks.
Initially, no one paid us any attention as we moved across the wide room.
“What is this place?” I asked quietly.
“This is the waiting room for the Royal Court. Applicants wait here for a summons to the courtroom.” Ivy pointed to tall, ornate silver and white doors on the far side of the room. “The Court is through there. Our names will be called when our turn comes. Don’t worry, things move efficiently in the Talantial Court.”
“Are all these people waiting to get in?” I looked around at the hundreds of brightly coloured fairy-tale folk surrounding us. None appeared to be as young as Ivy and me.
“No, only a few are here to see the Court. This is a meeting place for those seeking political favour, or wishing to make financial arrangements. There’s an old saying that recommends counting your fingers after visiting this room.”
Looking around, I had another thousand questions for Ivy. I didn’t get a chance to ask any of them.
“Princess Mould, you’ve returned early,” a voice said behind us.
A look of terror rippled across Iv
y’s face before she composed herself. When she turned back to look at the speaker, her face showed no emotion. A group of younger fae were gathered behind us. They looked to be in their late teens or early twenties, but it was hard for me to tell exactly. The speaker was a young Petrathen man with a pinched face and a demeanour I immediately recognised as belonging to a bully. I’d started fresh at a lot of schools, and could spot the bullies a mile away. The half dozen other Petrathen boys and girls had body language marking them as the main bully’s flunkies, or posse, or whatever you want to call them. The lot of them were smirking at Ivy in a predatory way.
“We are waiting for an appointment with the Court, Prince Duzalain,” Ivy said. She spoke more meekly than I’d ever heard her talk to anybody, including my grandmother. That sort of response only encourages a bully.
“Then perhaps we can play one of our games while you wait?” Prince Duzalain said.
With each word, I saw Ivy withdraw into herself. It wasn’t hard to guess the kinds of games a creep like this guy would play. A tremor ran through her body.
Ivy nodded, and Duzalain patted her head.
“Good girl,” he said. “We’ve missed our dirty little pet.”
His entourage laughed delightedly.
