The Ashen Queen

by Sidney Gray

  It was years later, and she still didn't know what their fight had been about; her father had just dragged them all into carriages late one night. He had been furious and hadn't even let them say goodbye to their grandfather. She had sat huddled with her sisters in the carriage, tears streaming silently down her face wondering what had happened.

  “Wait, what are you doing here?” She asked as she suddenly realized how far away from home Ella was. “Are you here for the tournament?”

  “Yes, of course,’ Ella said quickly, then she grinned, “I was hoping to find you, I want to show you something.” She suddenly grabbed Sofia's hand and started pulling her along.

  “Well, that sounds incredibly mysterious!” Ella had always been that way, dragging Sofia along on her adventures. Unfortunately, they weren't children anymore, and as much as she hated it, she had responsibilities.

  “But I’m sorry Ella, I wish I could but I have to get back. I've already been gone too long. I'm sure people are starting to worry.” She tensed at the thought of facing her parents, she should have been on her way to the party by now.

  “Really Sof, come on, you need some fun in your life.” Ella teased. “It won’t take long.”

  Then Ella suddenly tensed and dropped her hand, looking at something behind Sofia, she turned quickly and caught a flash of steel before Parker jumped out from behind a group of trees a hundred feet from her.

  “Well, what do we have here?” He said, casually striding towards her.

  “What are you doing here?” She asked uneasily.

  “I could ask you the same question; it's not safe for you to be out here all on your own, princess.”

  “But I’m not..” She started to say as she looked behind her confused but Ella had suddenly disappeared.

  “There's no one here, princess.”

  She turned back to Parker, suddenly anxious, and found him a lot closer than she thought, she stepped back instinctively trying to put more distance between them.

  “You're right, I really shouldn't be out here, it’s getting late. I should get back to the palace.”

  He laughed at that, a chilling sound, shaking his head. Sofia took another step back, towards the woods.

  “Oh I don't think so, now that I have you here, I want to have a little fun.” He looked her up and down, greedily, “I'm going to make your prince regret not choosing me.” His fists clenched by his sides. She could almost feel the anger coming off of him.

  “Parker is that really what this is all about? You're still so bitter after all these years? I’m sorry you didn't get to be a guard, but it was years ago, you need to move on. You just made it to the third day of the tournament, I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities out there for you now.” She reasoned.

  “I should have been the one chosen,” he suddenly exploded, “not the orphan. You can't imagine what it was like for me after he took my spot. My father was so angry; he would barely look at me!” He started pacing, “and now after losing the tournament, I can't go back. I've disgraced the family,” he finished bitterly.

  There was a long pause as Sofia struggled to think of something to say to calm him down. She felt a little sorry for him, but mostly she was worried about what he was going to do next and why Ella had suddenly disappeared. Parker’s expression suddenly changed as he looked up at her, “but it doesn't mean I can’t have a little fun before I go!” He smirked.

  “You will only disgrace your family even more.” She said stiffening as she realized she was just a tool to cause Alex as much pain as possible for what he did to Parker all those years ago. She could only imagine what he had planned.

  He grinned, “only if they find out and I don’t plan on letting that happen.”

  “Chelsea was right, you really are mad,” Sofia whispered, before making herself invisible but he was ready for that, he immediately turned the ground underneath her feet to quicksand, trapping her. He grabbed for her, caught some of her hair in his hands and used that to drag her towards him.

  She hissed in pain but managed to land a punch to his jaw. He ignored it and grabbed her arm as well, she fought back hard, but he didn't seem to care about the pain, he was too focused on getting what he wanted.

  He dragged her kicking and screaming halfway out of the quicksand, leaving her feet trapped so she couldn't fight properly. He pulled out a knife, and she grabbed his wrist, twisting it so that he dropped the knife. He scrambled for it while she frantically clawed at the sand holding her feet.

  She saw him grab the knife before she saw something out the corner of her eye. She turned frantically hoping it was someone coming to help, only to see a huge black panther coming right towards them, she screamed in shock.

  She heard Parker swear behind her before the panther, to her surprise, skirted around her and pounced on him. She felt the quicksand around her feet loosen and hastily pulled free, scrambling to her feet. A hand reached down to help her, and she looked up to see it was Ella, she grabbed her by the arm and started pulling her towards the woods.

  “Quick, we have to get out of here.”

  Sofia ran as fast as she could, her heart beating fast. The ground shook under them, and they both scrambled to keep their feet. She heard growling behind them, but she didn't dare look back. They made it to the edge of the woods, and Ella pulled her behind a tree, whispering for her to be quiet. Sofia peeked out from behind the tree to see Parker bleeding hard from a number of cuts and scratches but he was now angrier than ever, and huge cracks were opening up in the ground around him as he tried to catch the panther that was running back towards them.

  Sofia opened her mouth to scream again, but Ella clamped her hand over her mouth as the panther disappeared into the trees not far from them. Parker was looking around frantically, and she realized he was trying to find her. When he couldn't see her, he let out a huge scream of rage and started running back towards the palace, no doubt thinking she had gone that way. He didn't know that she was in the woods, she thought relieved.

  She froze and gasped as she actually realized, for the first, where they were and the danger they were in, she hadn’t even noticed that they had passed through the barrier, she could see the faint outline just in front of her. How was that even possible? Nobody could pass through the barrier? Or so she had thought.

  “Ella, we have to get out of here” she whispered peering around, expecting the banished to jump out and attack them at any minute, either that or the panther.

  “Sofia, it’s ok.”

  She turned to Ella, who didn't look at all worried.

  “Ella, we shouldn't be here, it shouldn't even be possible.”

  “Well, actually the ancient spell cast only stops people from getting out of the woods, not in,” Ella replied nonchalantly.

  “How do you even know that?” She exclaimed.

  “Because... I've been in these woods before,” Ella said with a sigh. “It’s perfectly safe Sofia, I promise,” she added when Sofia didn't look convinced.

  She stood, shocked as she tried to process everything that was happening. Ella was watching her closely. She trusted Ella, but everything she had said went against everything she had been taught, it just didn't make sense.

  “I know this must be hard to believe with everything you have been taught about the dark woods, but I would never have brought you here if you were in any danger. Besides I did just save your life.”

  Right, she had almost forgotten about Parker. She peered back around the tree to make sure he actually was gone, momentarily distracted from worrying about the banished.

  “Thank you,” she whispered turning back around to hug Ella, still peering around nervously.

  “Who was that Sofia and why was he trying to hurt you? Ella questioned, concerned.

  “He has a grudge against Alex, and he was going to take it out on me.”

  “Oh, maybe your life isn’t as easy as I thought,” Ella replied after a pause.

  “You thought my life was easy?”


  “Well I just thought, you have all those servants and that big castle with all the food and luxuries you could ever need. It doesn't exactly sound hard.”

  She laughed, “yeah I guess not. I should get back though and warn everyone. Parker is clearly more dangerous than anyone realized.”

  “Look Sofia, it’s too dangerous to go back now, it’s getting dark, and he could find you before you make it to the city, please just come with me. I really do need to show you something, and by the time we get back he will probably have given up, and it will be safe for you to go back to the palace, I will even escort you to the city gates myself.”

  Sofia hesitated, she was worried Ella was right and Parker might find her again. She really did not want to fight him again, but she also needed to warn Alex and let everyone know where she was, they would be starting to worry and besides wasn’t it more dangerous in the woods, with the banished? She thought.

  “Ella, what about the banished?”

  “The banished died a long time ago Sofia, these woods are completely safe now.”

  Seeing her hesitation, Ella continued, “I know it's been a couple of years Sofia, but I used to know you better than anyone, and the girl I knew dreaded the thought of her future, it made her miserable so I can only imagine what you’re feeling now.”

  “I’m fine.” She said automatically, confused by the sudden change in topic. “I have no reason to be miserable, I have everything every other girl in the country wants.” She continued bitterly.

  “You ran away for a reason Sof.”

  “How do you know I ran away?” She asked.

  “Why else would you be all the way out here, on your own.”

  Sofia shook her head in exasperation, “where are we going?”

  “Well now, this is the part where you just have to trust me.”

  “What are you talking about Ella, just tell me.”

  “I'm sorry, I can't,” Ella stepped forward to take Sofia’s hands in her own. She was surprised at how warm they were. “But I promise that it will be worth it.”

  She looked so serious Sofia was torn. She trusted Ella more than anyone, they had been so close only a couple of years ago, she hadn't realized until now how much of a hole it had left in her life, not having Ella around.

  “As long as we can get out of these woods.”

  “Well actually, what I want to show you is further into the woods.”

  “You can’t be serious,” she protested, it was one thing standing here on the edge of the woods where she could see the barrier but going further in was crazy.

  To her surprise, Ella started laughing, “come on Sofi, where's your sense of adventure!” Ella said smiling mischievously. Her grandfather always said her love of adventure would get her in trouble one day. Not that he even tried to stop her. But she had come this far, and she trusted Ella.

  She took a deep breath before smiling as she said, “Okay, lead the way.”

  CHAPTER 21

  She followed Ella through the woods asking her a million questions about her home and family, trying to distract herself from thoughts of the banished, but after a while, she stopped, and she just started taking in the peace and quiet of the woods around her. The woods were actually incredibly beautiful, so alive and vibrant, she caught glimpses of brightly colored birds flying above her head. She barely noticed how much time had gone by, it reminded her of being back with her grandfather, she felt so free. It almost felt like old times, Ella dragging her off on some adventure but she had changed a lot since then and no doubt Ella had changed as well.

  “How much longer is this going to take?” She finally asked.

  “We’re almost there,” Ella replied without turning around, she suddenly noticed how relaxed and sure Ella was. It like she had been here often. As they moved deeper into the woods, it grew darker, and the trees grew taller until Sofia could barely make out the sky through the canopy above.

  “We’re here,” Ella suddenly said as she stopped.

  Surprised Sofia stopped as well, in front of them was a wall of rock with a small entrance, partially hidden by vines and bushes. Sofia couldn't see anything inside.

  “Don't worry the tunnel will light up when we go inside,” Ella said.

  Sofia looked at her skeptical but Ella was already entering the tunnel, Sofia hurried after her, and to her surprise, a small glow lit up the tunnel when she entered. She looked up to see hundreds of tiny glow worms on the roof of the tunnel.

  She gasped. “That's amazing.”

  “Yes, it is,” Ella said grinning.

  “Is this what you wanted to show me?”

  “Partly,” She replied mysteriously.

  “Ella, wait, what does that mean,” she protested, “we must have been walking for hours, you have to tell me where we are going?”

  “I can’t explain it Sofi, you just have to see it.”

  Sofia stopped, shaking her head. She had been gone too long already, she had to go back; Parker would surely have given up by now, and she needed to go home.

  “Please, Sofi, just trust me, just one more time, I promise it will all make sense, besides you’ve come this far, we can’t turn back now.”

  “I…just,” she groaned, Ella looked so hopeful, and a part of her still felt guilty for leaving her grandfather's estate without saying goodbye, even though she hadn't had a choice. Surely she could do this one last thing with her, whatever it was, she didn't know when or if she would ever see Ella again after this and she was curious to see what the surprise was.

  “Ok” she reluctantly agreed.

  Ella laughed as she grabbed her hand again and they walked for a while longer before Sofia started to hear the sound of running water, they soon emerged from the tunnel to find a large clearing full of flowers with a huge waterfall cascading down the rocks opposite them. Sofia stared at the waterfall transfixed until she heard voices and turned alarmed to find a small group of people emerge from another tunnel on the other side of the clearing. Sofia stopped dead in her tracks, but Ella kept walking towards them, gipping Sofia's hand tightly.

  “Ella what’s going on, tell me now,” she demanded as she started to panic.

  “I will tell you Sofia but just don't panic; no one is going to harm you.” Ella looked worried which scared her more.

  “Well now I’m definitely panicking,” she muttered.

  Ella took a deep breath before she said softly, “I’m banished.”

  “What?” Sofia whispered back, stepping back abruptly as she pulled her hand away from Ella’s.

  “Well actually we call ourselves the Ashen, but that doesn't matter, the important thing you need to know is we aren't what you think Sofia,” she continued quickly, “we’re not monsters. Your ancestors banished the wrong people.”

  “What?” Sofia said again, it seemed to be the only word she could get out, she was too shocked and confused, a million questions ran through her mind, she didn't know if she wanted to run away screaming or find about more.

  As if sensing her thoughts Ella stepped closer. “I know, I'm sorry this must be confusing for you, but it's just a little bit further, and then it will all make sense. Please just trust me. Sofia, we’ve known each other a long time, you know what kind of person I am, and you know I'm not a monster. Remember when we met.”

  Thought were racing through Sofia mind, but she thought back to the first time they met, Ella had saved her life. But she had always been told the banished were evil, and most people believed they had died in the woods a long time ago, Ella had told her that only hours ago. But she couldn’t imagine the monsters she had been told about as a child saving anyone’s life and Ella had saved her life twice.

  “What about them?” she asked pointing to the group of people shakily, thankfully they hadn't come any closer, but Sofia was keeping a close eye on them, ready to run at the first sign of trouble.

  “They're not monsters either Sofia, I promise. I know it seems impossible, but all the stories you wer
e told about the banished aren’t true.”

  “Why would my people lie Ella?”

  “Well they’re not lying, not really anyway, they believe that the banished were evil.”

  “I don't understand,” she said shaking her head as she took a step backward.

  “I know, and that's why I've brought you here, to the mountain,” Ella said as she pointed to the mountain looming above them, Sofia hadn't noticed it before, she had been too distracted by the other people, “I promise it will all make sense once you go inside,” she pointed to the waterfall.

  “Ella.”

  They were interrupted by an old man with a long grey beard standing not far from them, Sofia jumped, she looked around wondering where he had come from. He hasn't been with the other group; there must be other tunnels she thought growing more worried. He approached slowly, using a walking stick for balance.

  “This is her?” he asked studying Sofia closely.

  “Yes,” Ella replied.

  Sofia shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, his eyes were piercing, they reminded her of her father's.

  “Sofia this is Elder Yarrow, he is one of the leaders of my village. He is here to guide you.” Ella said hesitantly.

  “Guide me where?” Sofia asked as she took another step back warily.

  “That is the question we all seek the answer to,” Elder Yarrow replied cryptically, “soon you will know.”

  “Know what?” Sofia almost yelled, frustrated. “I can't just keep following you blindly, I need to know what's going on and I need to get back to my home.”

  He just nodded, ignoring her outburst, “all in good time, you must come with me now,” he said as he walked towards the waterfall, she turned to Ella expectantly.

  “Sorry Sofia, only Elder Yarrow can take you the rest of the way.”

  She stiffened, “no.” she said immediately.

  “Come on, where’s your sense of adventure?” Ella joked.

  “How can you joke about this!” she screeched.

  “Sorry,” Ella replied wincing, “it's just that a couple of years ago you wouldn't have hesitated, and now you can’t stop protesting. You’ve changed Sofia,” she said with a shrug, “I know that it’s normal, we all change when we grow up, but it's like you’ve lost that spark, the fire in your eyes, I remember how you used to be. Whenever someone told you that you couldn’t do something, you did everything possible to prove them wrong. Or when they told you that you shouldn't do something and it just made you want to do it more.”