Dare to Believe: Teen & Young Adult Epic Fantasy Bundle (Series Bundle Andy Smithson Bk 4, 5 & 6): Dragons, Serpents, Unicorns, Pegasus, Pixies, Trolls, Dwarfs, Knights and More!
Page 35
“Wanting to prove to the griffins that their faith was well placed, the lords decided to entrust us with guarding their most valuable asset, the center of their power. Their choice had a dual benefit: they knew how man can become fickle over time, and this arrangement would make anyone think twice should they consider forsaking such a commitment. In addition, they knew the reputation of griffins to be fierce defenders of anything entrusted to their care.
“With such a display of appreciation and trust, we also offered to continue guarding the mines we gifted to them, which they gladly accepted. And so we have continued to live in peace and Carta has prospered beyond anything the twelve imagined.”
“Before your elders granted the gift, there was a test,” Mom recalled.
Aigis nodded. “You know your history. That’s correct.”
Andy raised an eyebrow.
The she-griffin continued. “Believing the fates would reveal the trustworthiness of the twelve, our forefathers required a test: riddles would be posed to both parties. The first to answer three correctly would win. If the fates permitted the twelve to win, our forefathers would grant their request. If we won, we could make an equally significant demand.”
“What did your ancestors ask for?” Alden questioned.
“Half the livestock.”
“Yikes!” Yara responded.
“Much must be offered if much is to be gained,” Aigis intoned. “A small sacrifice will not reap a large reward.”
“I propose we do as your forefathers and the twelve lords did ages ago,” Mom suggested. “We’ll have a contest of riddles and let the fates determine if we are worthy. If we are, Apollis allows us to have one of his claws. If not…” Mom glanced about the company. “I will forfeit my freedom and even my life if necessary.”
“What!?” Captain Baldric and the others launched a chorus of protests.
A silvery form drifted across the clearing, a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.
Mom stared at Andy and nodded.
Mom’s good with riddles but… Andy closed his eyes and looked skyward, knowing only a price this dear would persuade the griffin leader.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Contest of Riddles
The company joined Apollis in the clearing. “Times of greatest need produce great clarity. You have shown courage, for you did not hold back what you most value. And because of this, I will allow the fates to reveal the way, for I see more than the hand of man at work.”
The large male nodded to another griffin who had been observing nearby. “Sophocles, initiate the proceedings.”
A tawny-brown male dipped his white-feathered head then rose from his haunches. The feathers of his furled wings rustled and his black-tufted tail twitched with each stride. He locked eyes with Mom, and when he came to within five feet he broadcast to everyone’s mind, “Queen Emmalee of Oomaldee, you have offered yourself as forfeit. As such, you may select two additional representatives to assist you in answering the questions posed to you. Who do you choose?”
Mom nodded and replied, “I choose Alden, heir of your Bond of Restraint, and Yara, princess of Cromlech.”
Yara wrinkled her forehead as Andy tilted his head and bit the inside of his cheek.
“Me?” Alden drew a palm to his chest.
“Join her,” instructed Sophocles.
While beaks forbid griffins from smiling, Apollis nodded at Mom. “Well done. You have selected a representative from each member of the troika. You show respect for the great pillars of the past.”
“With all due respect, the troika still lives,” Mom countered.
“Well said, Majesty. It is my prerogative to also name two consorts. As such, I claim Leto and Muse,” the leader pronounced.
Another white-headed male moved forward, bowing as he reached Apollis. The leader acknowledged him with a dip of his head, and the helper sat down next to the large male.
Griffin heads turned toward the cave in which the company had camped the night before. An almond-headed female emerged and made her way toward Apollis.
You’re Muse? Andy questioned. It was her baby he had watched emerge into the world.
She gave a barely perceptible nod before stopping next to Apollis.
“As with the test of old, those who are forfeit will pose the riddles without assistance,” Sophocles intoned. “There is no time limit to formulating a response. Are there any questions?”
“I have one,” Hannah bit her lip as she raised a hand.
Everyone’s gaze rested on the blonde-haired maiden and she shuddered. “Please don’t take offense, but…”
“Go on,” Sophocles encouraged.
“With Queen Emmalee’s life at stake, how will we know...how will we know you’re not getting help from anyone or reading our thoughts?”
The facilitator bristled, but before he could volley a retort, Apollis intervened. “A fair question. You have a gift of sensing, yes?”
“You knew?”
“We understand the limitations of humans, but you have a gift that allows you to perceive more. Hopefully you can accept our history with Carta as evidence that we will move honorably. But if you need more proof, I believe you will sense great upset among us should we, shall we say, cheat.”
Several growls erupted.
Wide eyed, Hannah nodded. “Th-thank you.”
Clustered beside Andy and Hannah, the officers all wore frowns. Captain Baldric ran a hand through his hair, Sergeants Gavin and Fulk gritted their teeth, and Sergeant Hammond sighed loudly.
Andy inched close to Hannah. “Any sensations?”
Hannah shook her head, not breaking the eye lock she and Alden held.
“Let’s hope that’s a good thing.”
Hannah nodded.
Andy shuffled his feet.
“If there is nothing else, let’s begin,” the facilitator declared. “As initiator, you will pose the first riddle, Majesty.”
Mom nodded. “I go around in circles but always straight ahead; I never complain no matter where I’m led. What am I?”
Apollis, Leto, and Muse huddled.
“Anything?” Andy questioned Hannah.
She again shook her head.
The griffin trio sat like statues, unmoving for several minutes. Andy took to playing with a string on his tunic. He peeked at Yara who kneaded her upper arm as if it was dough. Alden played with his hands, eyes closed. Mom stood with shoulders back and chin held high, a corner of her mouth lilted upward.
Glad she’s so relaxed. It’s only her life on the line.
“Perhaps she knows something you don’t?” MiniMe posited.
Like what?
“Could it be she’s at peace even if the outcome is unfavorable? Or might she have faith that with all that has transpired, things will go in your favor?”
“We have come to an answer,” Apollis informed.
“What say you?” Sophocles queried.
“A wheel.”
“Majesty?”
“That’s correct,” Mom confirmed. “I go around in circles but always straight ahead; I never complain no matter where I’m led.”
The officers gazed skyward, Yara and Alden inhaled, and Andy felt his stomach do a flip.
“Apollis, your first riddle?”
“Voiceless it cries, wingless it flutters, toothless bites, mouthless mutters. What is it?”
That riddle’s in The Hobbit! How would griffins know that one? Mom read the book. Does she remember?
Mom, Alden, and Yara put their heads together and discussed as Andy looked on.
The captain, Fulk, and Terric paced behind the others, who settled on boulders.
“I feel so helpless.” Andy took to pacing.
Hannah pushed a pebble with her foot, lost in thoughts of her own.
Responsibility, diligence, and dignity don’t cover waiting when there’s nothing you can do…
“I think that’s actually part of dignity,” his inneru countered. “Understanding y
ou don’t control everything and accepting that with grace is necessary to succeed in life.”
There’s so much I don’t control, Andy moaned, thinking of the fight with Abaddon that would come.
“So right you are. The notion that you control much of what happens to you is a fantasy. You are getting a glimpse of reality.”
“We have an answer,” Mom announced.
Hannah grabbed Andy’s arm.
“And it is?” Sophocles encouraged.
“Voiceless it cries, wingless it flutters, toothless bites, mouthless mutters,” Mom reiterated. “We believe it is the wind.”
“Apollis?”
“That’s correct,” the leader agreed.
Hannah pressed her palms to her eyes and Andy exhaled, then gave his team a thumbs up. One down.
Andy’s stomach rumbled, drawing Hannah’s attention. “How can you be hungry at a time like this?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t control my stomach.” Yet one more thing I don’t control.
“He’s right,” Captain Baldric countered. “This contest could take awhile and no one’s going to answer anything correctly if we don’t eat.” Turning to Aigis he asked, “With all due respect, could we take a short lunch break?”
“As you wish.”
The sun had reached its zenith by the time Sophocles declared, “Your next riddle, Majesty?”
“There are two sisters. One gives birth to the other and she in turn gives birth to the first. Who are they?”
Wow, she’s really got some doozies. Go, Mom!
The captain leaned in to the circle of sergeants and murmured something to which they brightened. Curious, Andy strolled over and joined them. “What’s up?”
“The captain said we should take notes. We can win some bets with these riddles when we get back,” Sergeant Hammond explained, bringing a smile to Andy’s face.
From across the circle, Captain Baldric bobbed his head, indicating Andy should join him. The two conferred several paces from the soldiers.
“You reacted with dignity to the queen’s declaration of being forfeit. Between that and your mission yesterday I can see you’re maturing, and building trust with me and my men in the process. I wanted you to know.”
“What do you mean?”
“Had this situation unfolded a year ago, I believe you would have reacted as my men and I did at the queen’s offer. But you didn’t flinch.”
“I don’t know how much time she has left, and while I don’t want to let her go, I know it’s out of my control. I can’t indulge my own wishes any longer. I must choose what’s necessary. Her offering herself up was necessary.”
“That’s not easy, especially with our mothers…” His voice trailed off and he sighed. “I lost Mother when I was twelve. I still miss her...every day. She was a quiet soul, and if you didn’t know her well, she was a seemingly simple woman—always working hard and making sure Father, me, and my five brothers had food to eat and clothes to wear. What we lacked in money she made up for in wisdom. She always encouraged me to think about how my actions affect others and to consider how I can help people become their best, because when they succeed, I succeed too. Don’t get me wrong, I learned plenty from my father, but Mother’s sage wisdom has guided my steps.”
“Thanks for sharing that. Now I understand why you said what you did last year.”
Captain Baldric placed a hand on Andy’s shoulder.
“We have an answer.” Apollis’s announcement from across the clearing interrupted, drawing everyone’s attention.
“And it is?” Sophocles requested.
“There are two sisters. One gives birth to the other and she in turn gives birth to the first. The sisters are day and night.”
“Majesty?”
“Day and night or the sun and moon, either one.”
Andy shared a knowing look with the captain. This will all work out. A sense of appreciation for Mom—all she had endured, her example, and what she had taught him—sent calm through his mind. He glanced at Mom and she winked.
“Your next riddle, Apollis?”
“Often talked of, never seen, ever coming, never been. Daily looked for, never here, still approaching, coming near. Thousands for my visit wait, but alas, for their fate, though they expect me to appear, they will never find me here. What am I?”
Mom, Alden, and Yara huddled up once more.
Andy and the captain rejoined the others and Hannah wandered over.
“Sensing anything?” Andy queried.
“No.”
Merodach moved from his boulder seat, lay down on the rocky ground, drew up an arm to make a pillow, and yawned.
The officers ricocheted frowns and Sergeant Gavin voiced their shared thought: “How dare you sleep when our queen’s life is in jeopardy?”
“I’m bored. Wake me when it’s over.”
“It’s because of you we’re going through this!”
Merodach shrugged. “Okay. And?”
“It’s a good thing I don’t have my weapon,” Sergeant Terric growled.
“There’s no hope for him, just ignore,” the captain instructed.
A long while later, over a background of vigorous snoring, Mom reported, “We have an answer.”
As the words left her lips, shadows skittered around the clearing and everyone looked skyward. The black forms of zolt circled far above in the orange hues of the early evening sky. Seven griffins launched and the flock of bird-men beat a hasty retreat.
Everything’s been quiet for far too long, and now these zolt show up? Andy blew out a series of short breaths. What’s Abaddon up to?
“What is your answer?” Sophocles intoned, drawing back the attention of those who remained.
“Often talked of, never seen, ever coming, never been. Daily looked for, never here, still approaching, coming near. Thousands for my visit wait, but alas, for their fate, though they expect me to appear, they will never find me here. It’s speaking of tomorrow.”
“Apollis?”
The leader bowed his feathered head. “You have spoken correctly.”
As Andy high-fived Hannah, the defenders returned, each carrying a squirming captive.
One of the griffins reported, “Abaddon sent these scouts to check on the whereabouts of your company. This one sent its message out on the whisper stream as we nabbed it.”
The officers scowled.
“No need to add these to the larder,” Apollis instructed. “Restore our guests’ weapons to their charge so they may partake with us.”
Andy furrowed his brow and caught Yara’s wide-eyed look. She closed her eyes and concentrated for several seconds. The distinct sound of seven snapping necks burst across the clearing.
“We will not complete this test today,” Sophocles intoned. “The hour is late and the tally stands at two riddles apiece. We will resume tomorrow at first light. This night, we feast!”
Zolt for dinner?
Yara joined him and whispered, “They weren’t citizens…”
Andy exhaled but the thought of eating zolt still repulsed him. It’s one thing to kill them, but… Andy felt his stomach flip. Please taste like chicken.
Mom played the perfect diplomat, dining with Apollis and Aigis while the rest of the company mingled among their host, choking down heaven only knew what parts of the main course. A small mercy, the griffins cooked the meat after skinning it. But even with that accommodation, Andy found himself forcing down the bile that threatened to betray him while carrying on conversations with several griffins. Yara, Hannah, and Alden also looked to be struggling.
At last the company retreated to the hatchery. No one said much but began rolling out bedrolls and preparing to sleep.
“You okay?” Yara queried.
“No, but I don’t really want to talk about it.”
The princess did not press. Her expression told Andy disturbing thoughts tumbled about her brain, too. He lay down on his roll next to Yara’s, reached for and found her hand
. The squeeze they shared communicated volumes.
Andy fell into a restless sleep and dreams quickly breathed life into his fears. He stood in the dungeon of Castle Avalon, in the room where Sir Gawain and Sir Kay had taught him and Alden how to fight with swords. Abaddon filled much of the vast open space, just as he had the first time Andy confronted the beast.
In most of his dreams Andy remained invisible. This time the seven-headed dragon not only saw him, he stared Andy down, thrashing his tail and rustling his wings. Dagon, Gozler, Maladoca, and six other agents of terror dug their claws into the necks of those he loved. A hooded Fides loomed to Andy’s right, hands clasped inside the sleeves of his black robe.
“Abandon your quest,” the dragon boomed. Switching to a cunning tone, he continued, “You foolishly sought to destroy the stone that will deliver this kingdom into my hand. You know its power. Surrender hope. Your fight is in vain. Join me.”
“Let them go!” dream-Andy demanded.
The dragon and Fides belted out a duet of laughter.
Madison whimpered, tears streaming down her face as her captor squeezed tighter.
Andy waved Methuselah in a crazy eight pattern.
“Just a slip of his hand and her pain will end,” Abaddon taunted. “Join me.”
“Don’t do it, Andy!” Father and Mom shouted in unison. Blood began trickling from where their captors’ daggers pressed.
Abaddon loosed more maniacal laughter and added, “Justice finally served. Think of all we can do together.”
Andy shook his head. “I won’t!”
“You’re sure about that?” Abaddon nodded two of his heads at the zolt restraining Marta and Hans. A pair of sickening cracks echoed through the chamber as their now-limp bodies fell to the floor.
“No!”
Andy jolted awake to find Mom grasping his arm on one side and Yara holding his hand in a death grip on the other. Sergeants Hammond, Fulk, and Terric held ready positions, backs to them.
“Is everything all right?” Muse inquired.
“Sorry,” Andy panted. “Bad dream.”