The next thing he noticed was that the place definitely smelled of water. After a few minutes, the smell began to make him feel claustrophobic. Every breath he took was dirty and stale.
Dmitri put his concentration on the path. At first, he kept his hand in the water, trying to anticipate turns before they came. But his horse seemed to know where to go, and after a couple of turns, he pulled his hand back. The others followed easily.
What felt like an hour later, when he was about to pass out from taking shallow breaths against the stench, they left the tunnel. Dmitri breathed a sigh of relief and hopped down to stretch, enjoying the feel of the sun on his face once again.
It took a while for the rest of the group to make it through, and the sun wasn’t far from setting when everyone had emerged.
“Let’s set up camp here,” Dmitri said, pointing to a level area near the lake. He motioned for Kelson to join him. “Have Arien’s Minya go back through the tunnel and deliver a message to the castle, telling them that we’re safe.”
Kelson nodded, and Dmitri turned to his horse, pulling his things from her bags. The day had been long—most of it spent searching for a tunnel through the waterfall, and the rest of it waiting for everyone to come through. He couldn’t wait to get to sleep.
“We’ve got a problem,” Kelson said, returning. “Arien’s Minya can’t get back through the tunnel, even when I showed her its location.”
“What? How is that possible?”
Kelson shrugged. “Her magic won’t allow her to do it.”
Dmitri growled, running his hand through his hair. “What have these Lorkon done to prevent her access? But more importantly, how will we communicate with the king and queen?”
***
Dmitri made sure to spend time getting to know the men, thanking them once again for coming. Then he organized a watch for every hour. He’d take his turn at three, and Kelson at four.
Kelson and Dmitri set up the large, sturdy tent they’d be sharing. They cooked their supper meal together, then settled back against the stiff wall of the tent, relaxing.
“Who did you leave your son with?” Dmitri asked.
“Brend’s family. He and Brend’s youngest play together regularly. It seemed the least disruptive for him.”
Dmitri nodded. “That’s important. What did you tell the child about his mother?”
“Just that she was gone for a while. I didn’t know what else to say that he’d understand.”
Neither spoke for a while, and Dmitri picked at the rest of his food.
Kelson put his plate down. “Do you ever wonder what it would’ve been like if we hadn’t left Troosinal?”
“Sometimes. I try not to think about the first part of my life too much. It’s . . . depressing.”
“Still? It’s been so long. And even longer since your mother died.”
Dmitri sighed. Kelson had a point. But regardless of how much time had passed or how much good he’d done, nothing would undo the scars and memories of the actions of his younger years.
“Some things can never be fully erased, Kelson. And I feel like if I were to completely move on, forgive myself, it would void everything I’ve done since then to right the wrongs.” He paused, staring at a small rock on the ground in front of him, then continued in a whisper. “And I’ll never be able to repay any of it. Not to the people. They’re gone. Nothing I do will fix that.”
“Surely, though, you realize you deserve peace? There has to be an end to your suffering and guilt. And in your defense, you were only following your father’s example. Only carrying out his orders.”
Dmitri shook his head. “I knew what I was doing wasn’t good. It always felt that way—unclean. I ignored the feeling of self-disgust each time I killed someone innocent, regardless of why I was doing it.” He fiddled with his cuffs—folding and unfolding them, making sure the crease was as crisp as possible each time. “And the why—obeying my father—doesn’t matter. Not really.”
Kelson didn’t respond for a moment. “You befriended me. Don’t forget that. It wasn’t the other way around.”
Dmitri laughed. “True. You wouldn’t have dared speak first.”
Kelson snorted. “Me? A palace stable boy? I should think not. If you’d been having a bad day, you would’ve had my head removed.” He grinned, then quieted. “Why did you trust me?”
“Not sure. I just did. And it proved to be the only wise move I made before my eighteenth birthday.”
“Which was when your mother cornered you, right? Talked to you about your choices?”
Dmitri nodded, chuckling again. “She was pretty straightforward.”
Kelson rested his chin on his hands, staring into the dying fire. “A more angelic person never existed.”
“True.” Dmitri put his plate next to Kelson’s, pondering his mother. She was perfect—he’d grown sure of that as he’d seen her quiet, background efforts to right his father’s wrongs.
He’d been surrounded by filth, but his mother’s grace had been brightest in the end.
She suffered so much affliction without ever a negative word, always lifting others even in death. A death that could so easily have been prevented if the king wanted.
“She always approved of my friendship with you.” Dmitri looked up. “Did I ever tell you that?”
“No, you didn’t. The only thing I knew was how mad it made your father to have his heir apparent spending so much time with a servant. You were such a rebellious teenager.”
“Me? Rebellious? Ha! If I hadn’t been so wonderful in his eyes, he would never have chosen me to become the next king.”
“Have you gotten word from Troosinal lately?”
“Not since my last supporter said she’d been discovered. I’m sure she’s dead now.” Dmitri’s heart hurt at the thought.
After a long pause in the conversation, Dmitri decided it was time to get some sleep. They cleaned up dinner, put out the fire, and went to bed.
***
The following morning, Dmitri pushed aside the night of troubling dreams he’d had, and sent Arien’s Minya to the Makalo patriarch who, thankfully, wasn’t in Maivoryl City. After camp had been set up, she finally returned with a message.
“The patriarch says he’s determined to find out who the Lorkon are, and why they’ve never been seen in Eklaron before.”
Dmitri shook his head. “We need to destroy these beasts, remove them from the land, before we worry so much about where they originated. Let the patriarch know how much we need his help in getting rid of them first. After that, we can focus on getting more information.”
With a flash, she disappeared, then returned moments later. “He said he feels just as strongly as you regarding the necessity of removing the threat of these creatures. He’s been watching them, and they’ve gathered a huge army—preparations for war. The Makalos will be sending forces to assist you.”
Dmitri’s shoulders tensed. War? The Lorkon wanted war?
He turned to his men, instructing them to gather their things. It was time to head out.
***
Dmitri and the rest settled into a comfortable trot. As comfortable as a trot could be, anyway, but Kelson had urged Dmitri not to push the horses too hard, and Dmitri felt walking was too slow. He understood Kelson’s reasoning, however. It would take a few days to reach Arien, and if the horses failed to get that far, the group would be stranded.
After checking on the others, Kelson caught up to Dmitri. “Morale is high.”
Dmitri chuckled. “We haven’t been gone that long, Kelson.”
“I know, I know. But it doesn’t hurt to resolve things ahead of time.”
Dmitri agreed. They were joined just then by Kenji, who wanted to know if they’d heard from the patriarch yet.
“Yes, we have,” Dmitri said. He relayed the patriarch’s words from earlier. “And I’m not ready for war.”
“Are we ever?” Kenji asked. “Those of us who don’t seek blood?”
&nb
sp; Neither men answered the Makalo, and they rode in silence for several moments, contemplating Kenji’s question.
After a minute, Kenji took a deep breath. “Ahhh,” he said, sighing. “Do you smell that?”
“Yes,” Kelson said. “It’s glorious.”
Dmitri nodded, smiling. “I can smell Arien’s perfume. She must be near!”
Kelson stared at the prince. He shook his head. “No, it’s not Arien. It’s the soups and breads my mother used to make. Which is curious, since she’s been gone for years.”
Kenji frowned. “But I smell maple, mountains, and pine needles.”
Dmitri chuckled, a complacent, comfortable feeling cascading over him. The last thing he wanted at that moment was to argue with his friends. “Well, whatever it is, it’s absolutely wonderful.”
Kelson and Kenji agreed, and they followed the trail as it led them through a small village and close to a large mountain range—Dunsany Mountain. Dmitri knew he should be more alert, but he didn’t want to shatter the peace now filling his heart. Arien was nearby! And she was wearing his favorite perfume. He breathed deeply, memories of their courtship filling his mind.
She was so perfect. Nothing she ever did was wrong. Back when he first met her, that had been a problem. He’d scoffed at the idea of someday marrying her or even someone remotely like her.
“She’s a complete bore, Mother,” he’d said. “I’d never have any fun. And I highly doubt she’d approve of my types of activities, anyway.” He had turned to look at the queen. “Are you sure there isn’t anyone else?”
“Of course there are others—plenty. But Princess Arien is the only . . .” She’d hesitated. “Attractive one your father doesn’t approve of.”
He smiled at the way she said the word “attractive.” At least she’d agreed that he couldn’t marry a woman he found unappealing.
“I still don’t understand why Father’s approval is such a horrible thing.”
She shrugged. “You will. Someday.”
She took Dmitri’s arm, and they strolled away from the garden bench where they’d been sitting. “Why don’t you at least try to get to know the princess? She may surprise you.”
He grumbled, but after some teasing from his mother, he finally consented.
Then an idea had formed in his mind. He’d test Arien—see how much she’d allow him to do. He’d grinned, formulating a plan to ask her to meet him secretly in the woods near his father’s castle. Not only would it require her to travel far to see him, but they’d be completely alone.
The grin spread as he thought through the letter he’d write to her.
He was surprised a couple days later when he received her response. She was actually favorable to meeting on his terms.
How was that possible? Someone of her upbringing surely recognized the warnings, but she hadn’t requested a single change in the arrangement. Why?
When that night arrived, she shocked him by completely putting him in his place with a quiet determination that disarmed him. The smell of her perfume, so strong in Dmitri’s nose now, had made him weak in the knees, and the desire to be close to her, to do her bidding, nearly overpowered him.
“I know what you are,” she’d said.
He cleared his throat, ignoring the temptation to wrap his arms around her. She would fall for him, not the other way around. “Oh? And what is that?”
“And I know your plans. Prince Dmitri, my mother wholly trusts your mother. She believes Queen Edyta can help you find the good within—that you will be prepared to treat me the way I deserve by the time the wedding comes.”
She turned away, her voice softening. “I agree. There’s something about you. Something honest and clean, though you try to hide it behind disgusting actions. I’m prepared to wait as long as necessary for you to figure yourself out.”
She’d turned and kissed him on the cheek, her perfume swirling around them, making him temporarily unable to think. Then she got back in her carriage and departed.
Dmitri watched her go, a hand on his face where he still felt her lips. He wasn’t even angry that his plan had completely failed. A sensation he’d never experienced before flooded over him. Suddenly, he felt like his heart no longer belonged to himself. As if it had left with the princess.
And he knew that no matter what happened, no matter how his father responded, he’d do everything in his power to become the man Arien deserved.
Years, tribulation, and tears later, he realized it would take more than a beautiful and honest girl to reverse his acts and crimes. He’d quickly forgotten the resolve of that night, and if it hadn’t been for his mother, he never would have fully changed.
Dmitri smiled, raising his face to the sun, again enjoying the smells of his wife’s perfume. He and the others hadn’t had any problems for a long time. Hours. And they wouldn’t—he knew they wouldn’t. Things would go smoothly until they found their women again.
He let his horse follow the trail on its own as he slumped in the saddle, relaxing, enjoying memories of his sweet Arien.
***
After several hours of blissful riding, Dmitri felt a strong hand grab his arm and try to pull him from the horse. He sighed, ignoring the tug. It would go away, just like his stress had.
But the tug got insistent, the grip strengthening.
Dmitri fell completely out of the saddle. He was unable to resist as his limp body was dragged across the ground. He couldn’t even turn far enough to see who pulled him.
His thoughts were muddled. What had he been doing? Why was he out here and not back at the castle with his beautiful wife?
Ahhh . . . Arien . . . He smiled, remembering her face.
Just then, frigid water splashed over his head, slopping down his back and soaking his nose, eyes, mouth, and ears.
He gasped and sputtered, frantically wiping the water away. Someone huge loomed over him, and his first instinct was to pull out his sword and strike.
But then recognition entered his hazy mind. The Fat Lady! Arien and Queen Ara Liese’s long-time friend!
She pulled him to his feet and gave him a moment to collect himself. He cleared his face of the water while taking the opportunity to adjust to her enormous size—well over six feet tall, and at least five hundred pounds, with plenty of speed and energy. She intimidated many people.
She laughed. “Prince Dmitri! Whaddya doin?’”
“Trying . . .” Dmitri coughed up the water still in his lungs.
The Fat Lady chuckled. “Sorry ’bout that. It was necessary. You weren’t going anywhere.”
Dmitri frowned, staring at her. “Yes, we were . . .” He glanced around them, surprised to see that they were just outside her cabin. “But . . . I don’t understand. We should’ve been hours away from here by now.”
“You weren’t. I been watchin’. You hadn’t gone anywhere in a while. Sorry it took so long—I lasso’d you with rope before figuring out I had stuff on hand to make a potion to prevent the Lorkon spell from hitting me too.”
“Potion? Spell? What spell?”
“That one.” The Fat Lady walked him around a large tree and pointed back to the trail.
Dmitri gasped at what he saw. His entire group was standing there, not doing anything. And they weren’t on their horses anymore. How was that possible? The group should’ve been miles away!
“Where are the horses?” he asked.
“Oh, they wandered off. Not too far—we’ll find them. Animals apparently don’t much care for the potions the Lorkon use. But that’s good, ’cause I don’t think I would’ve been able to pull you and your horse out.”
“How did the horses get away when we hadn’t dismounted?”
The Fat Lady shrugged. “Not sure.” She looked at the prince. “Are ya ready? Let’s go get the rest.”
It took over an hour for the Fat Lady to drag everyone out of the Lorkon’s trap. She had Dmitri wait at the edge with the water. He hated making her do the hard work, but she argued when he�
��d suggested he pull the people. Her point was valid—he’d just get stuck again.
Once everyone was safely around her cabin, Dmitri turned to her. “How do we get some of that potion you took?”
She shook her head. “You don’t. I used the last of my ingredients, and it takes months to get new stuff. No, you’ll have to go on without it. From what I’ve heard, though, you shouldn’t have more problems with potions like that again. Mainly because the last two elements are very different from this one.”
“You know about all this?” Dmitri asked.
“The last two?” Kelson asked. “Was this an element?”
The Fat Lady nodded, settling down on the steps of her cabin. “Yes. It represents wind. The Lorkon created a spell—a potion—which won’t fade with time, and they placed it in thick concentrations around that section of the path. From what I’ve gathered by watching you and conversing with Aldo, it confounds the minds of the people who enter it, rendering them completely helpless. You thought you were continuing on with your lives, right?”
The group nodded.
“But you weren’t. It’s an invisible prison. You would’ve been there for an awfully long time if I hadn’t pulled you out.” She tucked a strand of mouse-brown hair into a small, sloppy bun on the top of her head. “So, you’ve already discovered water and wind. Fire is next.”
“Fire?” Kenji said. “Great.”
“It’s in the form of a person. A Fire Pulser named Lasia, to be exact.”
Dmitri groaned. “A Fire Pulser? I’ve heard awful things about them. How are we to defeat one?”
“You won’t need to fight her—just bypass the area where she’s chained. And I can help you with that.” She searched the air. “Where’s your Minya?”
Dmitri shrugged. “Who knows? She never sticks around.”
“Well, when the time comes, make sure you always keep one near you. They have a natural sensitivity to temperature change, even very minute ones. He or she will be able to alert you to each fire pulse right before it comes. That will give you a chance to take cover as you’re approaching Lasia.” She paused until Dmitri nodded, showing he understood. “Next, only two of you should go at a time—if unsuccessful, another two will attempt it.”
Stolen Princess: A Kilenya Chronicles Story Page 3
