by L. R. W. Lee
“Sergeant Fulk told us what happened. He planned to attempt a rescue tonight, once it got dark,” Andy explained.
“But we didn’t know what they might do to you before then, so we decided to try something ourselves,” Alden justified.
“I see,” the captain replied.
Hannah volleyed a glance around the circle.
“If any of my men disobeyed the plan of the officer in charge, there would be a stiff penalty.” The captain locked eyes with Andy. “As the future king, you must respect the chain of command.”
Andy swallowed hard. Don’t be a wimp. Don’t look down.
“You had this coming,” Andy’s inneru admonished in Dad’s voice.
“I don’t know whose idea it was, but it was ill-advised.”
“Mine,” Andy confessed.
Alden shifted and Hannah fidgeted.
Captain Baldric nodded once, frowning.
“The zolt are serious enemies. Abaddon is a worthy adversary. This is no time for childish games.”
Andy felt his face warm. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry.”
“This is not about being sorry, Prince Andrew. My officers need to see you as a sovereign they respect, a sovereign worthy of giving their lives for.”
“Yes, sir,” Andy mumbled.
The captain let silence fall for another minute to press his point before surveying the campsite. “We might as well grab a couple of the wild boar. They’ll go to waste if we leave them.”
Relieved to have something to do, Alden and Hannah jumped enthusiastically to the task. Andy followed, but slowly.
“Don’t sulk. Learn from the experience and move on. I didn’t say that to embarrass you but to help you rule well when the time comes.”
Andy turned to look at the officer, nodded, then increased his pace.
The trek back across the field proved uneventful with no enemy circling the early evening skies. But ten yards from the entrance to camp they discovered it was not the threat from above that should have concerned them.
Terwoo woop, oop-oop-oop. Terwoo woop, oop-oop-oop.
As one, they dropped the boars and drew their weapons, then skulked into the cave. Sergeant Ranulf, who protected the back of the group, whirled around.
“Yikes!” Hannah squealed.
The captain ducked, barely keeping his head. Recognition dawned on the sergeant and he returned his attention to the threat along with everyone else.
The smell of stew over the fire assaulted Andy’s senses, drawing a grumble from his stomach, but he ignored it. He stepped around Sergeant Terric, approaching the front.
What’s going on? What are those? More gnomes playing tricks? Andy thought as he watched unnatural animated shadows dance across the rough gray walls.
Mwhhhaaa. A high-pitched, drawn-out laugh carried from farther inside the cave.
Fulk signaled his intent to investigate, and Sergeant Hammond followed close at his heels. Ranulf disappeared into the tunnel after them. Seconds later came a wail, then a shriek and a girl’s voice demanding, “Let. Me. Go!”
Sergeant Fulk emerged first, his arms wrapped about the shoulders of a violently wriggling, blond-headed being. Sergeant Hammond attempted to hold the girl’s writhing midsection, and Ranulf barely managed her thrashing legs and feet.
“Put. Me. Down. Now!”
“Set her down,” Captain Baldric directed.
The girl from my dream!
The maiden sprang up and assumed a ready position, fists daring anyone to approach. Even in the dim light, Andy could see the fabric quality of her torn, once-yellow dress was not that of common folk. Dirt dappled the girl’s face and strands of her long, matted, golden hair stuck out at odd angles.
She’s beautiful. Andy felt his pulse quicken and failed to suppress the smile that burst forth.
“We’re not going to harm you, miss,” the captain reassured.
“Princess? Is that you?”
Andy looked behind him to see Hans scrutinizing the girl.
The maiden jerked her head back and scanned the group, trying to locate the source of the inquiry.
“Yara!” Hans exclaimed, beaming.
The healer approached and the girl reciprocated, “Hans?”
Hans reached the maiden and engulfed her in a hug. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you. I thought you were dead.”
When the two finally separated, both wore wide grins.
“Everyone, this is Princess Yara. Princess, this is everyone,” the healer introduced, adding a gleeful chuckle.
“I’m Andy.” His voice came out high-pitched and squeaky, betraying him. He felt his cheeks warm but pressed on, “It’s great to meet you.” He leaned in and kissed the girl’s cheeks, but as he stepped back, a goofy grin embarrassed him further.
Yara giggled, turning the heat up another notch.
Alden stopped next to Andy and imitated the greeting, but when his cheeks grew red, Andy caught sight of Hannah standing sullenly, her arms crossed.
What’s her problem?
“Looks like we have two royals to protect now,” Sergeant Hammond remarked after introducing himself, drawing a questioning look from the princess. “Andy’s the prince of Oomaldee. You two have a lot in common. You should get to know each other.”
Princess Yara looked toward Andy, raised her eyebrows, and smiled, causing the color in his cheeks to deepen. Hannah cleared her throat behind him.
Hooh-hrooo. Hooh-hrooo.
Princess Yara followed the sound and tilted her head.
Alden picked up the bird and brought it near. “Princess, I’d like you to meet Calum. He’s mending.”
The princess smiled and patted the dove, eliciting a satisfied coo.
After all the officers had introduced themselves, Hannah approached wearing a plastic smile.
“Oh, I’m so glad to see there’s another girl!” exclaimed Yara and stepped forward to embrace.
She’s so...great, Andy’s mind gushed.
Hannah’s expression remained unchanged as she stiffly reciprocated. “I have a hairbrush if you’d care to use it,” she offered, parroting the proper manners drilled into her.
“Oh goodness, I must look a mess. Yes, yes. Thank you!”
Hannah and the princess were gone only a few minutes, but when they returned the sight of Yara’s locks was a starter’s pistol for Andy’s heart.
The princess approached Hans and motioned for him to lean over. She whispered in his ear, causing another smile to explode across his face. “Of course!”
“Let’s get the princess something to eat,” Hans announced. Not having eaten all afternoon, Andy and Alden’s stomachs loudly agreed.
“Looks like we have several hungry mouths to feed!” Sergeant Terric joked, patting Captain Baldric on the shoulder.
“Glad to see you’re all back safely,” Sergeant Fulk added. The officer whom Andy had ignored shot him a look, bringing him back to the reality of what he had done. His inneru cleared its throat.
“Coming?” the princess queried.
“I’ll be right there.”
“I’ve addressed the matter,” the captain informed in a low voice, breaking the sergeant’s penetrating glare.
Sergeant Fulk nodded once before joining his fellows, who observed the exchange at a short distance.
Andy headed toward chow but kept an eye on the officers. The sergeant joined their circle and briefed them, receiving nods. The listeners returned understanding looks, allowing Andy to exhale.
Ruling will not be easy.
“Well said,” his inneru agreed.
Andy’s stomach grumbled, bringing his attention back. Hans, Alden, Hannah, and the princess sat perched on large rocks near the fire while consuming aromatic stew. As he approached, Yara caught his eye and smiled. A fluttering sensation he knew was not hunger overwhelmed his belly.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Princess Yara
An hour later, their stomachs full, everyone sat comfortably aro
und the fire.
“How did you end up here?” Andy questioned the princess.
“Abaddon invaded Cromlech three years ago. He and his minions showed no mercy to my family or my people. They forced me to watch as they executed my father, mother, and brother before my eyes.”
Gasps rose from the listeners.
Alden nodded slowly. “He killed my family too. Only my mom and I escaped.” He turned his gaze to the ground and Hannah reached over to rest a hand on his arm.
The princess closed her eyes and reciprocated the nod, then wiped away tears and sniffed. “All the servants fled. Abaddon’s warriors ransacked the castle, destroying all the art and anything that would remind our people of their past. He declared he was rewriting our history and beginning new traditions. Those who refused to submit he either killed or transformed into hideous birdlike beings. He destroyed our schools and burned the fields where we grew medicinal herbs, nearly eradicating our healing arts.”
Everyone sat spellbound.
Hans stared at the ground. Andy thought he saw moisture trickle down the healer’s cheek but could not be sure in the firelight.
“How did you survive?” Alden interrupted.
“It hasn’t been easy. At times I wished that villain had killed me too, for his actions haunt my dreams.” Yara paused as more tears escaped. “I’m sorry. This is the first time I’ve told anyone.”
Hans reached a hand over and squeezed her shoulder.
After a minute she continued. “I believe Abaddon intends to demoralize any remaining holdouts among the citizens by murdering me publicly once he regains his strength.” Yara exhaled and set her jaw, adding, “It won’t work.”
“You think he’s getting stronger?” Andy questioned, catching Alden’s eye.
“Up to a month ago I would have said yes, but now I’m not sure.”
“Why? What happened?” Hans questioned.
“They held me captive in the crumbling castle but let me roam where I pleased. Every once in a while they forced me into one of the secret tunnels, as if to hide me, but I never understood from who. Somehow they always knew where I was. At the beginning it was hard because they barely fed me. But then one day, when I was so hungry I thought I’d die, something strange happened.
“One of the guards approached, and in my thoughts I commanded him to bring me a feast. He stopped, looked me over, then disappeared. He returned carrying a tray spilling over with food. I wouldn’t call it feast-worthy, but it filled me up nicely. I had no idea what had happened.”
Hans lifted his head and the corners of his mouth rose.
“What is it, Hans?” Andy questioned.
“Let’s hear the rest of the story before I say anything.”
“The next time I was hungry,” Yara continued, “I did the same thing, and wouldn’t you know, they brought me more food. I started trying it with other things. When I got cold, I had them bring me blankets. When I wanted to wash, I suggested they bring me clean water.”
The princess let a devious smile loose before continuing. “And then I suggested they treat me respectfully, and they did. It was amazing. So I tried planting suggestions to release me.”
“And?” Andy probed.
“It didn’t work. Every time I ventured past the castle gates they came after me.”
“But you’re here. How’d you escape?” Alden broached.
Yara smiled. “One night, about a month ago, there was a commotion. Lots of yelling and running up and down the halls. I had no idea what was going on. I suggested to a captor that he tell me, but he ignored me. I tried again with the same result. In the morning no one brought me food.
“I decided to attempt an escape. I snuck around the castle that day, gathering provisions. Just before the sun set, I made my way to the castle gate and waited for my chance. When the coast was clear, I dashed over the drawbridge and hid in shrubbery surrounding the base of the walls. Once it was completely dark, I fled. No one pursued.
“Since then, I’ve lived out here on my own. I’ve had to fight wild animals, and I was nearly attacked by a herd of wild pegasi. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot to eat. The smell of your stew tempted me to investigate. I thought I might frighten you off with a few tricks I picked up from some gnomes that used to visit the castle, before…” She let her words fall.
“I heard about your encounter with the wild pegasi,” Hans informed. “That’s actually what prompted our expedition to find you.”
Yara furrowed her brow in confusion, and Hans related their story. Once he finished, Andy reminded, “Hans, you still haven’t told us what you think happened, why Yara was able to get the zolt to do what she suggested.”
“Ah, yes. Princess Yara, your mother was a gifted sommeil.”
The princess nodded.
“The kingdom of Cromlech is home to healers of the body as well as the mind. Healers of the mind are referred to as sommeils. Any citizen of Cromlech may become a healer of the body after studying at the institutions of learning. A sommeil, however, is born with special abilities that manifest around age ten. They can plant suggestions in another’s mind, and their skills have proven effective in curing those who suffer from mental afflictions.”
Hannah raised her eyebrows. “So a sommeil can direct people to do whatever they suggest?” she clarified.
“Sommeils attend school to sharpen and control their skills, but there they also to learn a strict code of ethics that prohibits them from misusing their gifts.”
“I have the gift of a sommeil?” Yara pondered aloud.
“It would appear so,” Hans acknowledged. “You were nine when I left for Oomaldee, too early for it to manifest, but your mother and I talked about the possibility.”
The princess grinned, then turned serious. “So what happened that night that suddenly made me unable to plant suggestions in the minds of the guards?”
Hans rubbed his pepper-gray stubbled chin before offering, “That is a good question. I can only speculate, but it’s possible something has happened to the Giant’s Ring.”
“Isn’t that the place you said might help Andy with the next clue?” Alden queried, putting the pieces together.
The princess furrowed her eyebrows but remained silent.
“It is,” Hans confirmed.
“You said it was the center of Cromlech’s healing powers. Why’s that?” Hannah questioned.
“Long ago, before the troika was formed, the son of King Gerrard I of Oomaldee contracted devil’s fire. Back then they didn’t know what caused it, only that half of those afflicted died. The king called on all the healers in the kingdom to help, but the prince’s condition worsened. The boy went from suffering convulsions to hallucinations. King Gerrard grew desperate and solicited help from the surrounding lands. And so one day a healer from Cromlech, hearing of the desperate situation, came to offer his help. It wasn’t long before the heir recovered.
“The king was so grateful, he commissioned a monument to be built in the land of Cromlech from the golden stones of Mount Mur Eyah. King Savant of Cromlech decided the most appropriate site for the gift would be where the phoenix first rose from the ashes of the princess.”
Andy, Alden, and Hannah shared glances.
“At the appointed time, workers brought the chiseled stonework to the site and with great effort raised the mammoth blocks into a circular formation, signifying that the healing gifts of the land would have no end.
“Prior to the ring’s construction, healers in Cromlech could treat only the body. Over time and through a series of discoveries, however, a few healers observed they could influence a patient’s thoughts, restoring the mind. You can imagine the magnitude of this revelation, which is why they developed a code of ethics.”
“We’ll have to acquaint you with this code, Princess,” Hans added, smiling.
“So what can we do to fix the ring if it’s broken?” Alden queried.
“I don’t know. I think we should go there and determine if th
at is indeed the problem. Hopefully the caretakers will be able to tell us what, if anything, happened.”
“Caretakers?” Hannah asked.
“Given the ring’s importance, there are a host of elders tasked with maintaining and protecting the structure. Perhaps we’ll also find out more about Andy’s clue.”
“Kill two birds with one stone,” Andy intoned, nodding.
Alden jerked his head back in horror. “Why would you do that?”
Andy laughed and waved his hand. “It’s just an expression. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on killing any birds.”
Hooh-hrooo. Hooh-hrooo.
“You tell him, Calum,” Alden added, petting the dove.
Princess Yara quickly brought a hand up, attempting to hide a yawn, but she fooled no one. “Excuse me,” she murmured.
The contagion spread to Andy, causing Hans to laugh. “I must agree, time to retire.”
Calum’s caretaker slid the bird to his shoulder, then stood and offered Hannah a hand up.
A day and a half later found the company crossing more flat grassland under sunny skies. To say Cromlech was devoid of landmarks or natural beauty would have been an understatement. It reminded Andy of the time his family had traversed Texas by car on their way to visit his grandparents—lots of dry and barren terrain without so much as a tree as far as the eye could see.
Andy studied the blue sky yet again. It’s been two days since we saw a zolt. Why is that? What’s Abaddon up to? He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
“Something wrong?” Yara inquired from his right.
Rather than cause alarm he shook his head, then changed the subject. “I thought you said they grew lots of medicinal herbs here.”
“Up north. It’s too dry here.”
“It’s a good thing we found that spring this morning,” Hans chimed in ahead of them.
“Yeah, or we’d be mighty thirsty,” Alden added from beside the healer.
Hannah glanced back at Andy and Yara but said nothing.
The officers once more surrounded the group as they walked, with Sergeant Hammond in the lead today.
“What’s that sound?” Andy asked several minutes later.
