And it hadn’t been just the temperature, either. Two of Albrath’s three glorious moons had been in full phase the entire trip. They’d cast an almost magical soft, opalescent glow upon the landscape. And the third moon, though not quite as full and not quite as big, still managed to light the eastern portion of the night sky, with a million stars twinkling in its background.
And her companions? What the VoT had gotten into them? Did they not realize the gravity of what had transpired in Oreeghan? Had it bothered none of them in the least that they’d left Ohfeelya behind? At the mercy of a bunch of ogres?
Well, it bothered her, and if she had to look upon one more smiling face today, she’d probably punch someone.
Like Talon. Though usually stanch, he’d probably grinned more at her on this trip back to The Academy than she could ever recall seeing his lips curl up. Even Pierced and Alistair had been on their very best behavior. They hadn’t fought with each other or anyone else about anything for days. And there hadn’t been a single grumble or gripe from anyone. Not even Pearl, who’d hunted not just for herself but brought meat enough for all into the camp every night.
It was creepy. It was strange. It was almost surreal.
But then she was probably over analyzing the situation.
So what if everyone was acting a little weird. Should she even be concerned? When had pleasant behavior become bizarre in the first place? And could she really blame any of them for not acting as they normally would? As sour as her demeanor had been of late, it was probably no surprise they avoided unpleasantness of any shape or form while in her presence. She’d probably brought it upon herself by being more than a little objectionable as of late.
Still, foreboding, like a gray angry cloud, followed every step closer to The Academy she took.
She should’ve been glad the journey was almost over. Thankful she’d be standing before the council of elders in just the dropping of a few more grains of sand through the hourglass. She should’ve been happy this second of her three quests was all but done. She should’ve even been ecstatic that, if everything went as planned, this very evening she’d be in the presence of her parents. That she’d get to talk with her mother, laugh with her father, and once again be held within their embrace, snug and safe, if only for a short time.
But exuberance wasn’t what she was feeling.
No matter how hard she tried, Mia couldn’t shake the sense of impending doom. It had followed her, plagued her, and tormented her all the way from Mooktar. Just like an impending storm about to burst wide open, about to drown her in its wake.
“A platt for your thoughts, princess,” Talon whispered.
The scent of him, fresh sunshine mixed with gorgeous, lusty barbarian, wafted all around her, and Mia longed to forget about leaving Ohfeelya behind and about her upcoming meeting with the council. All she wanted in all of Albrath was to head straight for her rooms, and her bed, with this man, all alone. She’d stay there for at least a week or two, just long enough for her responsibilities, her worries to fade away, to be forgotten, if only for a short time.
To VoT with the impossibly hard quests, with the problems of the entire ogre nation, with Ohfeelya and Uncle Leeky and Aunt Laycee’s response to her being held captive, and especially to VoT with the stupid barbarian crown.
She didn’t even want to be queen anymore. The price was too high.
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him so.
Instead she stiffened her spine and her resolve. These quests were no longer just about her, if they’d ever been. Many people, including Talon, Ohfeelya, Pierced, Alistair, and even, Pearl, the dragon had given of themselves to help her. How could she walk away because none of this was coming easy? Was she really such a coward? Such a pretty, pretty princess, after all?
“I think I’m just tired,” she whispered back. “I’ll be glad when this day is over. I…I just need a good night’s sleep.”
Talon wrapped his big arms about her and pulled her in close. “I’ll be right there beside you, princess. You can always lean on me. You know that, don’t you?”
Mia reveled in the feel of him, the scent of him, the safety his arms promised, the comfort they gave. Tears stung her eyes, but she fought them back and gulped. “I know you’ll always be there, Talon. You’ve been there every step of the way from the very beginning, and I…I thank you for it.”
She wanted to say more. Should’ve said more. But her words sounded phony, even to her own ears. She wanted to come clean. She wanted to tell him what she’d decided and why. He had a right to know she was done with putting others in danger for her own gain. That when this last quest began, whenever it began, and wherever it would take her, she’d be going alone.
She didn’t say another word, however. She knew there’d be a fight if she did, and she didn’t have a whole lot of fight left in her. She was too tired, her heart too heavy.
So instead, Mia simply nodded. There’d be time later to say her goodbyes to Talon Starkweather and all of those who’d helped her along the way. And when the goodbyes were said and done, then she’d put her plan in motion.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Give it to me.”
Mia gaped at Duke Algen Daggertoss. The man was practically salivating. A thin sheen of moisture wet the top of his crazily grinning mouth. His eyes were huge and wild. And if he wrung his hands together with any more friction, he’d start a spark, if not a full-blown fire, even without kindling.
She shook her head and gripped Queen Adrina’s spear tighter. “I don’t think so. It doesn’t belong to you.”
The duke roared. “Of course, it belongs to me, you silly chit. And not just me but the entire barbarian nation. Those filthy ogres thought they could keep it from us forever. Well, I’ve shown them, haven’t I?” His voice became almost a whine, and his hands twitched. “Be a good little princess and hand it over. If you’re smart, you’ll do as I’ve commanded. That is, if you truly aspire to one day be a ruling queen of our people. The quest demands it of you.”
She shook her head again. “This spear was a gift to the ogre people from Queen Adrina herself and as such belongs to them. They were gracious enough to loan it to me for a short while, and I’ll be returning it to them as soon as we’re done here.”
He stomped his foot. “You will do no such thing.”
The duke motioned to a full contingent of barbarian guards. “Seize that spear this moment and bring it to me.”
Mia braced her feet and legs for the upcoming confrontation and gripped the shaft of the spear as tightly as she could. If anyone, even her own people, were going to take Queen Adrina’s spear from her, then they were VoT well going to pry it from her lifeless fingers. She’d given her word to the Sen Jeasa, to Talmuk, to Ohfeelya, to the entre ogre nation. She’d not break it. Not for her very life, and certainly not for a stupid crown.
Taking a deep breath, she sent up a quick prayer to God Draka and watched in horror as the delegation of huge barbarian warriors took their first steps toward her.
Before the guards could take another step, she was completely surrounded.
Talon’s broad back and fine ass blocked her view, with Uncle Leeky on her right, and Cousin Walaford Titwilder on her left. And from behind, she could feel the bare plastic feet of Pierced’s blow-up barbarian, Bruno, poking her.
She smiled for the first time all day, and then shuddered as she realized it was the absurdity of the situation that had brought the smile to her face. After all, what could she, one barbarian warrior, two gnomes, a half troll, and a blow-up doll do against an entire contingent of well-trained soldiers?
She was surprised, though, when a moment later, Talon simply stretched out a hand instead of raising his voice. In a sound barely above a whisper he said only one word. “Halt.”
To a man, every single soldier stopped.
Duke Algen Daggertoss roared. “Do as I command. Get me that spear.”
Mia peeked around Talon, her heart pounding,
but all she could see were the solders standing a few feet away, not moving even a single inch, waiting for Talon’s next command.
She let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
Talon didn’t say another word to the soldiers. Instead, he addressed the Duke. “Do you really expect men under the direct orders of King Adan Hammerstrike to forcibly remove something, anything, from his daughter, Princess Mia’s possession? Their future queen? I know most of these men personally. They aren’t stupid. They’re honorable and loyal. If you really think you can come take that spear, then you’ll have to come through me to do it.”
“And me,” Cousin Wally added.
“And me,” Pierced joined in.
Uncle Leeky wasn’t quite that easy going about the matter, however. He walked to stand between Talon, the barbarian solders, and the duke.
Mia almost laughed as the little gnome shook his fist in the air, the top of his almost bald head glowing a deep red. “I’ll show ya get it for me. What the toenail fungus hidden in the tap dancing shoes of a high-elf harlot on free drink night do ya mean ordering Mia’s own men ta get the spear for ya.” He pumped his fist again. “I’ll give ya something. VoT ya. Ya bet I will.”
He headed toward the duke, but Talon quickly scooped him up and shook his head. “Now is not the time, my friend.”
Leeky wiggled frantically, trying to free himself. “If not now, ya daft barbarian, then when?”
Mia marveled at the tenderness in Talon’s voice. “Soon, my friend, I promise. But not this day.”
Leeky looked perplexed for a moment, then nodded and quit struggling. Talon placed him back on his feet.
Duke Algen Daggertoss didn’t seem to even take notice of the conversation. He was too busy staring straight at Mia and the spear she still clutched tightly in her hand.
His entire demeanor suddenly changed. Gone was all the anger, all the weird craziness, and in its place was an almost benevolent smile. “Perhaps it’s best you do retain possession of the spear. At least, for now, my dear.” He chuckled. “The council had time to consider your next quest while you were gone, and low and behold, we’ve come to a decision.”
He chuckled again, and Mia’s stomach did a weird flip-flop thingy. If there was one thing she’d learned during this entire quest process, it was Duke Algen Daggertoss anger was irritating but manageable while his smiling and friendly was downright scary.
She gulped, and her heart skipped a beat before resuming the race it seemed to desperately want to run. Her breath caught in her chest, and the room around her started to spin. But then Talon slipped his hand into hers and the world righted itself. As long as the man she loved stood beside her, no matter what the duke or the council threw her way, in the end, she’d be okay.
She took a deep breath, stiffened her spine, and waited.
The duke pointed right at the spear she held. “As long as we have Queen Adrina’s spear, don’t you believe we should put it to good use?”
Mia took another deep breath.
“Your third and last quest is quite simple, my dear. Straight barbarian brawn, no brains needed at all. All you need do is capture the heart of an ice hydra and return here to the council. I’ve been told, by experts mind you, that the only weapon on Albrath capable of piecing the heart of said beast is the one you hold in your hands.” He sneered. “Isn’t that just wonderfully convenient.”
Then he smiled again, and Mia was glad Talon’s hand was within her own. It was the only thing holding her upright at the moment.
An ice hydra? Really?
A shiver ran straight down her spine, and she shuddered.
Ice hydras were once thought to be only mythical creatures before definitive proof had been found a handful of centuries ago. She’d never personally seen one, of course, and certainly didn’t have any desire for that particular experience.
Ice hydras were huge eight headed monsters with razor sharp teeth. They were bigger and meaner than any dragon or nogard ever born. And not only were they eight-headed and big and mean, but they were also only found in one place. The very last place in all of Albrath Mia would ever wish to go, Vile.
Talon’s grip on her hand tightened, and she squeezed his back as she shook her head. She couldn’t let him speak up for her this time. This was her decision to make, her quest, her future in the balance.
Before he could even begin to open his mouth, she opened hers. “Fine. Let’s do it.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
If they didn’t all die a horrible death while in Vile, he was going to wring her pretty little neck when they got back home.
Talon followed no more than a heartbeat behind Mia as their entire party rode through the portal leading to Alaria, the capitol of the barbarian nation.
How could she have agreed to go to Vile of all places? Didn’t she realize it was a death trap? Few full grown, beefy men traversed the borders of Vile and lived to brag about it. And there certainly hadn’t been any pretty-pretty princesses among their ranks.
Could she be the first? Did he even dare chance to wish? Since he’d promised her he wouldn’t say a word to her family about where the next quest would be taking them, he certainly hoped so.
God Draka, he was a fool in love.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she rode along the path a few steps ahead. Her long cinnamon tresses slapping her sweet ass, her head held high, her spine straight. She sat stiff and proudly regal. Every inch of her screamed I am a princess, a future queen, do not touch. But his hands itched with the need to do just that.
Oh, yes, he wanted to touch her and so much more.
He wanted to pull her from her mount and deposit her right in his lap. He wanted to yell at her and rant and rave for the turning of an hourglass while kissing and stroking the soft skin of her neck, her breasts, her belly, and the sweet delights found only between her warm, welcoming thighs. He wanted to slip deep within those folds and claim her as his own for all time. He wanted to make her forget about Vile and quests and the spear and the needs of the ogres and the barbarian throne and honor. He wanted her only to remember him, being loved, being cherished, and being safe.
Talon sighed, dreading the moment they’d arrive in Alaria.
In reality, both King Adan and his son Zander had asked only one thing of him. Keep Princess Amelia Zoe Cassidy Hammerstrike safe, even from herself if need be.
What would his king and his best friend think of what he was contemplating?
Allowing Mia to travel to Vile certainly wasn’t anywhere within the realm of keeping her safe. But then how did one go about telling the stubborn little chit no and making it stick? He’d been in constant contact with her for an entire season and hadn’t yet figured out a way to accomplish that particular task. Still, his king would demand an explanation.
What was he going to say?
Talon was almost glad Zander and Kitrina didn’t have time to make it to Alaria from Halla before Mia and her party would be on their way to Vile. At least he wouldn’t have to face his best friend along with his king and lie straight to their faces. And at least he wouldn’t have to admit to them that he, Talon Starkweather, slayer of men, feared by many, had been brought lower than low by the needs and desires of a mere slip of a girl.
The great hall was filled to overflowing, and all Mia could manage to do was stand and stare with her mouth gaping open. When she’d sent the missive to her family, requesting help restoring Queen Adrina’s spear to its original power, she’d expected Aunt’s Lark and Briar to show up, but she’d certainly not expected this.
Not only was Aunt Lark here, but so was her husband Uncle Sarco and their twin sons Graydon and Gareth, along with a green and black dragon about the same size as Pearl, standing at Gareth’s side.
Not much had been seen of Cousin Gareth since he’d lost his eyesight protecting the then unhatched egg of that very same dragon from the evil Marquart’s dark magic. But then not much had been seen of Graydon either.
The first born twin had given up his role as instructor of fire magic at The Academy for the semester in order to help his bother adjust to life without the benefit of sight.
And Aunt Briar, of course, was here.
Mia smiled.
Not only was Aunt Briar here, but she’d also brought Uncle Uthiel and Cousin’s Laura and Tawny with her.
For a moment, Mia dearly missed their daughter, her best friend, Kitrina. Then she chided herself for being so selfish. Even when she’d sent the missive requesting help, she’d known there was no way her brother or his wife would be able to make it in time. Halla was too far away, too many portals to travel through. Just knowing they would’ve been here if there had been any possible way was enough.
But it was the remainder of the people roaming the great hall of the Alarian castle that had truly surprised Mia.
Uncle Leeky and Aunt Laycee, along with Lavender, were in attendance. How the VoT had they arrived from The Academy before she had?
Then there were Cousin’s Ten and Leven with their co-wife Asla and their parents, Aunt Ally and Aunt Audrey along with their father, Uncle Sherman Bobert Limburger the Ninth. She hadn’t seen them for what seemed like years. And if the size of Asla’s belly was any indication, a new half-halfling, half-barbarian member of the family would soon make its entrance into the world.
Even the very famous and rarely seen diplomat’s, Aunt Aryanna and Uncle Cyrrick, along with their daughters, Grace and Virtue, were here.
If the circumstances surrounding this reunion hadn’t been so dire, no amount of trials or tribulations would’ve been able to wipe the smile from Mia’s face. The situation, however, was dire, and time was quickly running out. Not just for Mia, but also for the entire ogre race.
“I’m so sorry, my darling daughter, but it simply can’t be done.”
Mia gaped at her mother in horror. “What do you mean it can’t be done? There must be some way to imbue the ice power back into the spear. Perhaps a spell you’ve forgotten or overlooked?”
She spread her arms wide to encompass all of the women in her mother’s solar who were staring at her with pity on their faces. All her aunts and cousins who’d been casting their magic and chanting their spells for hours on end. Somehow she needed to make them understand exactly how dire the situation was.
Tested by the Night Page 24
