The Ashen Queen

by Sidney Gray

  Before Ella could say anything else, they were interrupted by a pretty, middle-aged woman who poked her head around the door.

  “Are you ready for breakfast, Ella?”

  “I think so,” Ella replied looking questioningly at Sofia who nodded quickly, she realized she was starving.

  “Sofia, this is my mother, Azalia,” Ella said introducing them, Ella's mother immediately bustled over and wrapped her in a warm hug, she smelt like roses.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, sweetheart, you should finish your tea outside, the fresh air will do you good. I'll let you know when breakfast is ready.” She said kindly.

  Ella helped her outside, and they sat down on a large rock in the shadow of a tree. Ella and her people lived in a village set in a valley beneath the mountain. She wouldn't have even known it was a village had Ella not told her because the houses and other buildings were all built in and around the trees, there were even walkways built from one tree to another. Ella’s house was on a hill looking out over the village.

  When they were younger Ella used to tell her stories of different people and places in her village, Sofia had thought she was talking about the village near her grandfather's estate. Ella had often talked about houses made out of trees, but Sofia had just assumed she meant the wood from trees.

  “It’s beautiful,” Sofia said, feeling envious Ella had grown up surrounded by all of this.

  Ella smiled, “I can't imagine living anywhere else. When our ancestors discovered the mountain they decided to build this village in its shadow, they were lucky to even find the mountain, some called it fate, but without the mountains knowledge they would never have survived, they struggled for many years, none of them were farmers or builders. It was hard, even with the mountains guidance but it took a lot of work to achieve all of this.”

  “But didn’t they ever miss the outside world? have you ever tried to leave, surely the mountain could help you?”

  Ella shrugged. “Our ancestors didn't want to leave, they didn't want to go back to those that had banished them. When they were first banished, none of them knew what had happened to them but slowly over time their memories started to come back to them, and they pieced it together. There was a lot of resentment, they felt betrayed. Besides, we love our lives and our home, we’re happy here. Our ancestors told stories of your cities, people living on the streets with no food, violence, and hatred, there is none of that here, we are all a family and we support each other, we work together every day, everyone is happy here.”

  Ella paused before saying slowly. “Sofia there's something else I need to tell you.”

  Sofia looked at her concerned; Ella was acting very nervous, fidgeting with a couple of sticks.

  “When you were in the mountain… well, you were in there a lot longer than I think you realized.”

  Sofia gaped at her.

  Ella rushed on, “we believe the mountain, well it seems to puts you in a kind of trance, so it wouldn't seem like a long time to you but it was actually awhile.”

  “How long Ella?” she growled through clenched teeth.

  “Three days.”

  “Three days!” She exclaimed. She couldn’t have been gone for three days, how was that even possible.

  She stood up abruptly but immediately sat again when she was hit with a wave of dizziness.

  “I can't believe this, I.. I .. wait you knew, you had to know this was going to happen, I can't believe you didn't you tell me?” she exclaimed.

  “I know I shouldn't have lied, I'm so sorry, but you wouldn't have come if you knew, it was hard enough convincing you otherwise. Besides, this was important Sofia, you saw how important.”

  Sofia flinched remembering the banishing and the boy's cryptic words.

  “Yes I did see,” she whispered, although she was still confused as to what it all meant.

  “Sofi, this is bigger than us. This could affect the whole of Latheria.”

  “I know that Ella,” she whispered.

  “But you didn't before, I know you, Sofia, that’s why I was given this task, and I knew if I had told you what would happen, you wouldn't have come, you wouldn't even have believed me!”

  She thought about what Ella had said, she was right. Again. Sofia wouldn't have come, as much as she hated the idea of being Queen and everything that came with it, she wouldn't willingly leave her sister for that long, Lucy needed her. She worried about her and just hoped Evelyn was taking care of her.

  Azalia came out to tell them breakfast was ready so they went inside to eat, Sofia was starving but she barely tasted the food as she ate, she was too distracted by her thoughts.

  Once they had finished Ella spoke again hesitantly, fiddling with her cup.

  “The other Elders would like to meet you.”

  Before Sofia could reply she spoke again. “Are you still upset?”

  “Yes, I understand why you did it, but it doesn't mean I’m happy about it,” she replied honestly. “There's still something I don't understand though, how were you able to leave the woods?” she asked, “you said yourself that the barrier only stopped people getting out.”

  “Honestly I have no idea. The day I met you was the first time I left, and it was like I felt you calling to me,” Ella replied, “the Elders believe it is all part of the great mountains plan.”

  “What is the mountain though, is it magical?” Sofia asked.

  “The mountain is the source of all magic in Latheria. The Elders believe it is alive.”

  She shuddered thinking of the boy, “It felt alive.”

  “I’m still confused though, why would my people lie about the barrier,” Sofia said after a minute.

  “Maybe they don't know,” Ella replied with a shrug.

  “Or maybe they just told people that to keep them away from the woods,” Sofia added before she stood up slowly, “we should go and meet your Elders, I have a lot of questions.”

  They had just left the house when out of the corner of her eye she saw a black shape out of the corner of her eye, and she turned her head to see the large blue eyes of a panther staring at her. She jumped in fright and opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. To her surprise, Ella started laughing.

  “Her name is Shade,” Ella said reaching out to scratch its ear.

  “It has a name?” Sofia exclaimed, she couldn’t believe Ella was touching it.

  “Yes Sofia, calm down, she is not going to hurt you, she saved your life remember.”

  She did remember, although so much had happened since then it felt like a dream or a nightmare. It was actually probably the least crazy thing to happen in the last week.

  “It wasn't long after you left that summer that I found Shade, or rather she found me, I know it probably sounds silly but I think she knew I needed her.” Ella finished softly.

  Sofia winced, she leaned over and wrapped her arms around Ella in a hug, pulling her in close. Although she still kept a close eye on the panther, she didn’t completely trust it no matter what Ella said.

  CHAPTER 24

  She could feel eyes on her as they walked along the dirt path winding through the village to the meeting hall where the Elders were waiting. She stuck close to Ella’s side, suddenly uncertain, it was one thing to trust Ella, but she was still wary of the rest of the Ashen. Sofia couldn't believe how beautiful the village was, flowers and plants were growing everywhere, not neat and perfect like the gardens back at the palace but wild and free just like the people. Most of the people she saw wore plain clothes, in various shades of green and brown to match the earth, with their hair loose and wild like the woods they called home.

  Ella spoke quietly as they walked, pointing out different things she had told Sofia as a child, she had thought Ella had just been telling stories when she talked about walking above the treetops, but she could see the bridges swinging above her head reaching from tree to tree. And the animals, Ella used to tell her all about the animals in her village, and it was true, they we
re everywhere, and not just the usual dogs and cats like there were in the city but wild animals, like foxes, squirrels, rabbits and even monkeys, swinging from the trees. She actually thought she saw a bear before Ella grabbed her and pulled her along impatiently. She was just in awe, she almost wished she could stay here forever. Azalia stopped often to talk to people as they passed and she was always greeted with smiles and laughter. It eased Sofia’s mind a little to hear then exchanging jokes and talking about the weather. Ella soon became impatient with her as well, and they left her behind.

  They arrived in what Ella told her was the heart of the village, it was a small clearing with a dome-shaped building in the middle, built around a huge elm tree. The tree poked out from the top of the building, the leaves and branches spilling out and over. They entered the large round room to find it was full of people, they stopped talking as soon as they saw her. A few of them she recognized from the day before, but most were unfamiliar.

  A boy who looked to be her age turned around to glare at her.

  “I'm just saying maybe you should have talked to everyone before bringing her here,” he said angrily, pushing past her.

  “Sofia, how are you feeling this morning? we were quite worried,” Elder Yarrow asked, breaking the awkward silence that had followed the boy's exit.

  “Better, thank you,” she replied politely.

  “That’s good to hear. Come, come, I will introduce you to everyone.”

  Introductions were made, Ella had already explained to her that there were ten Elders in her village that were in charge, she guessed it was similar to being a council member. Only nine Elders were there to greet her, however, the last, Elder Hazel was attending to some other business, although she noticed they didn’t say elaborate. They all took their seats around a table at one end of the room, and she sat down at the table with them, while Ella took a seat on one of the benches behind. She felt uncomfortable being on her own without Ella by her side, but she had to remind herself these people were not the enemy. If she had had any doubt about that, it was almost certainly cleared up during her walk through the village. The people were peaceful; she could find no evidence that there was anything sinister about them, in fact quite the opposite.

  The Elders were very interested in what she had seen in the mountain and asked a lot of questions. By the time she was finished their faces ranged from confused to worried, especially during the part where she was felt like she was trapped in the darkness. She opened her mouth to tell them about the boy, but for some reason, she couldn't get the words out. Instead, she asked something that had been worrying her a lot.

  “What do you think it meant? the darkness?”

  They all exchanged looks before Elder Yarrow finally spoke, “We are not sure yet, but the mountain wanted you to see the great banishing for a reason. So you would understand, maybe it will help you to stop what is coming.”

  He was very vague in his answer, and it made her suspicious, they were hiding something from her, she was sure. And what did he mean, stop what is coming? It was all too confusing.

  “What is the mountain? Ella said it was the source of all magic in Latheria but how does it work? I don't understand.” she asked, changing the subject.

  “I'm afraid, we don't completely understand either Sofia, ever since we found the mountain we have been trying to understand it but it is still very much a mystery to us, we hope that is where you can be of help.”

  “Me? I don't understand,” she replied, confused.

  “The mountain sent us to find you for a reason. If anyone has any hope of finding out how the mountain works it's you.”

  “Oh, I guess, but I’m not really sure what I'm supposed to do, am I supposed to break the barrier and free you from the dark woods. You said I am to stop what is coming, but what does that mean?”

  Elder Yarrow shook his head, “we are already free Sofia. The mountain brought you here because there is a great evil spreading in the land, that is what you need to stop.”

  “What are you talking about, what evil?” she asked frustrated, “And how does the mountain expect me to stop it? Are you supposed to teach me the ancient language like they used in the banishing?

  “I’m afraid we don’t have that knowledge, only the royals families were taught the ancient language, perhaps you need to ask your prince about that.”

  “How do you know that Alex has even learned it, maybe the King decided not to pass it on?” she replied. If Alex knew anything about the ancient language he had never mentioned it to her, but that didn’t mean much anymore. Even if he did know she wasn’t sure if he would even tell her if she asked.

  “It wasn't just King of Arandale that used the ancient language in the banishing, Sofia, it was all the Kings and Queens of Latheria. Do you really think that the Bordonian King would let that kind of power go?” Elder Yarrow replied wisely, it made her wonder how he seemed to know so much about the outside world, but he had spent the most time in the mountain, according to Ella, so perhaps the mountain had shown him.

  “No, definitely not, it actually wouldn't surprise me if they were still using it.” She said worriedly, “and they have become awfully powerful in the last couple of decades.” she continued.

  She shuddered at the thought of Bordonians’ with ancient magic. She had met the ambassadors from Bordonia, and they always scared her. They were too confident. It was like they knew something everyone else didn't. Maybe this was it.

  “Oh, can I ask something else? the banishing, after it happened, the people looked so confused, almost as if they didn’t know what had happened.”

  “Yes, I'm afraid they had very little memory of any of it, they had to struggle to piece together what happened to them but they all remember one thing, the face of a man as if it were burned into their minds.” Elder Yarrow replied, “Cold, dark eyes and a scar across his cheek, they believed that this man who was controlling them, although you might not have seen him, he could have been hiding behind his army.”

  “Mind control, I didn’t even think that was possible? she exclaimed, “and why wasn't he banished with the others?”

  “That is what our ancestors believed, and it fits with what you saw in the vision, the fear and confusion of our ancestors after the banishing. We don’t know how but our ancestors believe he somehow managed to escape, but we also believe, or the mountain does, that he was weakened by the banishing, which is why he hasn't continued with his slaughter and controlling of other but make no mistake he is out there, somewhere.”

  She felt chills down her spine just thinking about him, and her people had no idea of the danger they were still in.

  “I think there were others that escaped with him, there were a couple of people that I didn’t see after the banishing.”

  “If one man escaped, it’s possible others did as well.” Elder Yarrow mused, “although that doesn't mean they could use mind control, perhaps they had other abilities he found useful.” he added when he noticed the worried expressions of those around him.

  Sofia sat back listening as the Elders continued to discuss the possibility of others until finally, she spoke again.

  “If you have no more questions I think it's time for me to go home.” She said tiredly and was surprised to find that her words were met with shocked expressions all across the table.

  “You can't leave yet,” Elder Yarrow spoke first, looking concerned.

  “Well I can't stay; I have to warn the others of what I have seen.” She protested although she wasn't sure how she was ever going to convince them, she barely believed it herself.

  “Sofia, you are not the only person the mountain has spoken to. We all have our own duties, and ours is to help you and teach you the way of our people. You need to understand our magic if you are to heal this land.” said Elder Sage, she looked to be the youngest of the Elders.

  “Your magic? I don't understand?

  “Sofia, our magic is very different to the magic you were brought up with.�
� Elder Sage explained. “Magic doesn’t just exist in people, it is all around us, in every animal and every plant and every tree that surrounds us, we over time, with the help of the mountain, have learned how to sense that magic and use that magic. Our own magic doesn't manifest into an individual power as it does with your people Sofia, we connect with the magic around us.”

  So the mountain had taught them how to access the earth's magic but not the ancient language, she wondered why that was.

  “Isn't that what the cult did?” she asked confused, “I mean the people who were supposed to be banished. They used the power of animals.”

  “Yes, they stole the magic from animals by killing them, but we do not take power, we do not kill, we borrow magic and combine it with our own, taking too much magic from an animal will kill it, that’s what the cult did. Learning how to connect with the land around you is very different to what the cult did, and that is what we need to teach you, but it will take time.”

  “How much time?”

  “As long as it takes,” Elder Yarrow replied simply.

  “What if it takes years,” she exclaimed, “you can't expect me to stay here that long?”

  “Well, you need to stay at least a couple of months,” another Elder interrupted. She couldn't remember his name.

  “But I can't,” she protested, she couldn’t stop thinking about Lucy, they just didn’t understand, she couldn’t just leave.

  “I'm sorry, Sofia, but you have too.”

  “Can I at least send a message?” she asked desperately.

  “Do you really think that is a good idea?” Elder Yarrow asked.

  No, she thought dejectedly, she wouldn't even know what to say, but it just felt so wrong, disappearing without a trace, Lucy would be so worried and Bree, she wouldn't even know what was happening, but on the other hand, she couldn't ignore it. If the mountain was right, whatever was coming would affect everyone, including Lucy, and she would do anything to protect her sister even if it meant hurting her now.

  “Fine,” she agreed reluctantly, “as long as we start straight away.”