“To all she appeared to be a gift from the gods above. People wouldn’t even bother going to the king first for their concerns. Why would they when they had someone who essentially gave them everything they could want?” Esme laughed derisively and continued, “We know now the priestess, Helenab, had infiltrated the king’s mind years before. I’m ashamed to admit that for a time I fell under her spell as well. She was charismatic and beautiful, fair to everyone below her. When she created a strong enough power base, she plotted to overthrow the governing bodies. Though her followers were numerous, the crown still had many loyal constituents. While she could push the king into a fugue state, she lacked the power to control him entirely.
“My nephew was one of the few who saw through Helenab’s deception. He’d been close with the king for many years and was able to see the extreme change in personality for what it was. Carey was always a very perceptive boy.” The old woman turned to smile at Caitlin. “He raised an army of his own to protect the throne. It was a strong army with thousands of men. It should have been enough to quell Helenab’s forces that mostly consisted of poor farmers hardly strong enough to lift a sword, but she’d been secretly building a secondary force from the creatures that inhabit our land. We have beasts that possess great strength and power here.
“Our beasts range in intelligence. Some have very small brains. Those she was able to enslave with her magic alone. However, we have many others that have equal or even greater intelligence than humans. Many of those she destroyed before they were able to see her coming. Others chose to follow her, wanting to bask in her power. They were inherently evil and saw her for what she truly was when so many humans were fooled. Finally, a select few were tricked into her service.
“She had acquired an artifact known as the Hiseth Crystal. It gave her clarity into the greatest wishes of those around her. She promised the creatures their desires, and when they came to collect, she ensnared their souls using one of the knives you’ve become familiar with. They became known as the floreans. They are an elite army of powerful, soulless creatures. She would surround herself with them when she went into battle. Because they lacked their souls, they were nearly immortal.
“Fortunately, a few managed to escape the initial slaughter of their kind and hid in the shadows. When Helenab overthrew the king, they made themselves known to my nephew and the warriors who still remained to him. I won’t go into detail, but they eventually were able to regain control of the kingdom. Helenab’s floreans turned to stone at her destruction, littering the halls of the castle. She, her son Daemeon, and her diehard followers were banished to another land that lacked the magic needed for her to harm anyone else. The castle was so saturated with dark magic it was abandoned, and a new age of peace reigned. Unfortunately, it appears that time is coming to an end.”
“Do you think she returned?” Caitlin asked, completely entranced in the story.
“No,” Esme replied, “I don’t believe that’s the case. My nephew and a few other volunteers followed her into exile to be sure that she wouldn’t be able to rise to power again. An amnesia spell was cast on everyone who was sentenced to exile. They were followed for some time but apparently assimilated well in their new world.”
“You’re talking about my world, aren’t you?” Caitlin asked, sure of her assessment.
“Yes, child, magic doesn’t have a good grasp there and hasn’t for centuries,” said Esme. “There was a time when our borders blended together, and creatures could pass from here to there and back. I’m not sure of the specifics, but the leaders of our land decided it was prudent to close those pathways. There are a few pockets left, but you have to know where to look and how to open the doorways. That knowledge isn’t widely known, and we like to keep it that way. Some of our creatures were trapped on your side and vice versa. That’s why Oscar looks so much like the moose in your lands and the platypus looks like the platypus in our lands. Although, from what I understand, their poison is not nearly as potent as ours.”
“Platypus?” Caitlin asked, in surprise.
“Of course, you don’t think those nutty creatures were formed in your world with all of your rules on mammals and sea life and birds and such.”
“How do you know so much about my world?” asked Caitlin.
“I told you my nephew crossed over. He’s one of the few who can make the journey between. Our family has the power and knowledge to travel safely back and forth. He was never too interested in learning magic, but he could wield it well when the inspiration hit. Of course, he was always much happier with a sword in his hand and an army at his back,” Esme said. “Up until about twenty-five years ago he came to visit me regularly, but a disagreement has kept him away. He still sends me gifts and messages with news from his land, but he refuses to visit.”
“What was the disagreement about?” Caitlin was finding the story almost too fantastical to believe, but she was remembering the name brand shirts that hung in the old woman’s closet.
“That, my dear, is my business. I may have given an arm for you, but I refuse to give you the leg as well,” Esme said and became silent.
Caitlin tried to ask a few more questions but gave up quickly when it became apparent Esme wasn’t going to answer. She fell silent and mulled over the information she was given. Something about the story sounded so familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on where she’d heard it before. It sounded like something from Elise’s Monoflufee cartoons, but she shook that thought off immediately. She could barely accept what she’d heard without adding in the impossibility it’d been turned into a children’s television program.
The pace Oscar set was a pleasant walk. He waved from side to side. Caitlin rocked without feeling like she was going to fall. She let her eyes wander. They had been slowly circling the bottom of the mountain with only a gradual elevation gain. The path they followed was more defined than the one they had been following earlier in the day. In her estimation, a midsized sedan could drive down it with a comfortable amount of space on either side. It would be a tight squeeze if a vehicle were coming from the opposite direction, but it would be a possible fit.
After a short while, signs of human life popped up. Trees had been cleared and were replaced with sprawling, uniform fields. Off in the distance was a farmhouse. As they traveled on further, they passed a barn. Colorful horses leisurely fed on bright green pasture grass. A few raised their heads at the passing humans, but the rest continued as if they hadn’t even noticed.
Vibrant oranges and yellows looked to have been painted across the horses’ bodies with a feathered brush. One stallion, who stood several hands taller than the next tallest horse, had a spectacular silver mane that shimmered in the sun. He had the pattern of a zebra with alternating seafoam green and magenta. He let out an impressive whinny before returning to his meal.
“What do you call those creatures?” Caitlin asked.
“We call them horses, just like you,” replied Esme. “Many years ago, some of your mundane horses interbred with our dalinos. That’s the origin of their distinct coloring, but for all intents and purposes, they function like any other horse you’ve seen.”
“Are there still dalinos around?”
“I’m sure there are,” said Esme. “They were never one of our smarter creatures, but they’re powerful. When Helenab rose to power, she kept some as war stallions. She tried to tame others, but they were as pig-headedly stubborn as our mount. I’m not sure why she didn’t destroy them outright. Maybe she thought they were pretty. Who knows what went on in that crazy bitch’s mind. Most fled the areas where the battles were most intense and settled off past the mountains. I haven’t seen one in a very long time. Maybe after all of this nonsense is resolved I’ll make the trip to see them. They certainly are wonderous to behold.”
“Maybe I’ll go with you,” Caitlin said.
Esme gave a curt laugh but didn’t respond. They rode in companionable silence for a few more minutes when someone on h
orseback passed them going the opposite direction. The man did a double-take when he saw Oscar. Perhaps it was a rare sight to see two women nonchalantly riding a moose, even in this world. The man didn’t say anything but did continue to stare as they made their way forward.
Civilization became denser. Houses and cottages became more frequent and closer together until they made one final turn. Peddlers bordered the streets calling for pedestrians to come try their items. Wagons were being pulled by horses, some with goods to be sold and some with families out for a day of shopping. Oscar continued to get odd looks, but Esme didn’t seem to care.
She finally stopped Oscar in front of a large, three-story building and indicated for Caitlin to dismount. Caitlin did as she was bid and once again helped the old woman down.
“You stay right here, beast,” Esme said. “If you move so much as an inch, I will tie you to a post like a common animal. I may just do that anyway.” Oscar raised an eyebrow and then stood as still as a statue until Esme turned her back on him. He snorted quietly at Caitlin and extended one hoof out to tap the ground about an inch from where it had been. Caitlin laughed at him and petted his nose before following the old woman into the building.
“Welcome, ladies,” said a tall, dark man behind a wooden counter. He had the friendly smile of an experienced salesman plastered on his face. His nearly black irises scanned the two travel-worn women, and a slight shift brightened his facial expression. “Esmerelda! It’s been such a long time. How have you been?”
“Well, up until recently, whole,” replied the woman, not unkindly, “but things like that can change quickly.” As she spoke, she walked up to the man and held her left arm out. He took it for what it was and folded himself nearly in half to give her a hug.
“You never tire of talking in riddles, do you?” The man stood and moved his attention to Caitlin. “And who is this beautiful young maiden?” As he asked, he walked over to Caitlin, took her hand, and gave it a light kiss. It’s like being in the movies, she thought.
“This is Caitlin. She is the daughter of an old family friend,” said Esme, smoothly lying to the tall man. “I invited her to come visit and thought she would enjoy the town. You know how quiet it can get at my home. It’s perfect for an old coot like me, but the younger generation needs a tad bit more excitement. Caitlin, this is Jaqueel. He has been trying to win my heart for the last twenty years.”
Jaqueel smiled warmly at the old woman and said, “Alas, I have yet to win my prize. I’ll wear you down one of these days.” It sounded like an old joke between friends. Jaqueel was at least thirty years Esme’s junior. He looked to be in his late forties to early fifties. His dark brown hair was threaded with silver and lines formed on his face without the depth that would be brought on in the next decade or so of his life. “It is very nice to meet you, Caitlin. What can I do for you beautiful women on this fine day?”
“I wanted to take Caitlin shopping around town,” said Esme, “and it will be too late in the day to ride back by the time we’re done. You wouldn’t happen to have a room available for us, would you? Oh, and I guess a stall for Oscar would be preferable, as well.”
“You’re still riding that beast of a creature like an old donkey? You know how uncomfortable he makes the horses,” said Jaqueel, a chiding tone in his voice.
“I am quite aware of their reactions. Those creatures need a little excitement in their lives anyway,” responded Esme. “So, can accommodations be made?”
“For you,” said Jaqueel, “I would move the king himself out on the street. Fortunately, though, I won’t have to go to such lengths. We have a room open for you on the second floor with two beds. I’ll get you the key, and you ladies can go freshen up before you take the town by force. I’ll go out front and get Oscar moved into his stall. However, an extra charge will be added if he spits on me again. I smelled like moose breath for days after the last time.”
“That seems reasonable to me,” said Esme. Jaqueel walked to a door behind his counter and was back within moments, holding out a large brass key.
“The room is up the stairs, second door on the right.” He handed the piece of molded metal to Esme. She took it and thanked him.
The women made their way upstairs as Jaqueel left to board Oscar. Caitlin sat on the edge of the bed while Esme washed up. Images of her daughter swirled around in her mind. Her stomach gnawed at her, twisting with acrobatics. It’d been too long. Everything was taking too long. The rational side of her tried to speak up. It tried to tell her they needed the supplies for their journey, but all she wanted to do was grab Oscar and ride into the mountains. It was killing her to be separated from Elise. The unknown was terrifying.
Esme walked out of their tiny bathroom, her hair combed and pulled back from her face. “I see that look,” she said. “I was young, stupid, and impulsive once. The only thing you’ll get for your impetuousness is dead. Now, run down and fetch some writing implements from Jaqueel. I’ll compose a letter to the young troggle, and we’ll send it while we’re shopping. Then, we will stay here for the night.”
“But—” The finger of doom was lifted.
“Don’t contradict me, girl. It will be too late to leave when we’re done. The last thing we need to do is go galivanting around in the woods in the middle of the night. We’ll take tonight, gather our strength, and head out fresh in the morning. Do you understand me?”
Caitlin didn’t want to agree. Everything inside of her rebelled against it. But she knew the old witch was right. She wouldn’t be any help to Elise without some rest. Already her head was pounding from fatigue and withdrawal.
Instead of reacting like an adult, Caitlin crossed her arms in front of her, stuck out her front lip, and said, “Fine.” It was the best she could do under the circumstances.
Turning, she headed out the door to retrieve the requested items, stomping louder than a grown woman should.
Chapter Thirteen
Elise
Her legs felt like they were going to fall off, and her sides were burning from the exertion. Elise didn’t think she had ever moved so quickly in her entire life. Her vision was becoming fuzzy. It hurt to take in another breath, but she kept pushing herself forward. As far as she knew, no one pursued the odd group, but even if she had the air to say anything to Jade, she would have kept her mouth shut. Jade made it abundantly clear she was not someone to mess with, and if she said run, then gosh dangit, you ran.
Just as Elise was sure she would collapse, Jade slowed the pace of the party to a brisk walk. Elise took several steps, but her lungs decided to stop working entirely. She stopped and doubled over, gasping for precious oxygen. She began to cough and cough and was afraid she would never stop. Aroon walked over to her. When they were sprinting, he had gone down to all four limbs, but once they stopped, he stood back up on two. He put his hand on the young girl’s back and rubbed gently. Eventually, Elise stopped coughing and caught her breath.
“Who in the world taught you to run?” Jade asked, a small frown evident on her lips. “I’d like to meet them and tell them exactly what I think about their poor training.”
“I’m… just… a little… girl,” Elise said between gasps.
“So’s Ashley, and you don’t see her whining,” Jade said, pointing at the other girl who appeared just as collected as she had before their mad dash to freedom.
“Hey, I’m not little!” Ashley put her balled up fists on her hips. “You’re just not happy unless you have something to complain about. Don’t let her get you down, kid. You did great. Just need to work on your breath control and you’ll run laps around Miss Grumpster in no time.” Ashley’s easy smile helped to calm Elise.
Jade rolled her eyes and said, “Finish catching your breath. We need to keep moving.”
Elise took a few minutes to slow her racing heart. As soon as she felt like she could take another step without passing out she said, “Okay, I can keep going. Where are we heading?”
“Home,” was all
Jade said in response.
“Oh, you’ll love it!” Ashley said enthusiastically. “I can guarantee you’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Ashley took her roughly shorn staff back into her hand and started forward at a much more manageable pace. Chase walked on Elise’s right side, occasionally increasing his speed to walk next to Ashley and then stopping until Elise was by his side again. Aroon stayed right next to the girl’s left until they were forced to walk single file. He kept glancing about with his large eyeball, searching for unseen enemies.
They weren’t following any defined path Elise could see. Jade had pulled out a machete Elise hadn’t noticed before. Although, she wasn’t sure how she had missed it. Maybe the swords on her back were too impressive to take stock of much else. The blade had been sheathed on the woman’s hip. The handle had black cord wrapped around it, ending at a simple metal guard. The blade was thick and wide and black as pitch. One side was blunt with a wicked looking curve at the end. The other side was so sharp it split the foliage in front of them in half without effort.
Even with the machete-hacked trail, Elise’s clothes kept getting caught up in thorns and small branches. Once her brown curls became so entangled Jade had to come back to her and cut a large chunk of hair off the back of her head. Elise silently mourned the loss of her hair. She’d never admit to her companions how much it hurt her to lose the curls. She had a feeling they wouldn’t be sympathetic.
A World Divided Page 14
