Abe unfastened his cloak, whipping away the ragged, dark material. The party gasped as he revealed what lay beneath it. It was some of the finest armor they’d ever seen.
“Is that…the royal crest?” Talbot asked, pointing at the emblem with two crossed hammers, their handles decorated with diamonds and other jewels.
“How can you tell?” Huk asked.
“It’s printed on everything in the city,” Talbot said with awe. “The flags, the currency, and the palace doors.”
Abe nodded. “I grant you your riches under the authority of King Abaxis. On my honor as king of Hammersworth.”
A horn blew, a great booming drone. It was immediately followed by another blast, then another. Before long, the drone echoed across the city and out toward the farmlands beyond.
“What was that?” Leonie murmured.
Abe’s face grew serious. “They’ve just realized I’m missing.”
Chapter Eleven
“Let me get this straight,” Chloe said, her breath catching as they hurried out of Doris’ door, Ben still with the peacock beneath his arm. “We’re running away from the city because…”
“Because I’ll be damned if I’m getting married to any of those tramps.” He grunted, pulling his cloak back across him. “Have you seen those women? They’ve got zero personality, and even less in the way of looks. Marrying one of them and being stuck with her for the rest of my life would be like sleeping with an armoire. Heavy, wooden, and lifeless. I don’t want that…”
They paused near the paddock, the drone of the horns still going. The KieraSlayers glanced at the city walls, minuscule from where they stood.
Ben shielded his eyes, his elven vision enabling him to see farther than the others.
“Dwarves on horses heading this way. At least a dozen of them.”
“Damn,” Abe hissed. “We need to go.”
“We?” Therese replied. “I don’t see how ‘we’ are a part of this. Your problems are your own.” She caught Chloe glaring at her and gave a mocking curtsy. “Your Majesty.”
“Well, considering I own this kingdom, I think it might be in your best interests to help me,” Abe replied with a smirk on his face. “Trust me, I can make your passage through my lands considerably easier than it will be without my aid.”
Chloe’s eyes went glassy as he spoke. She brought up her menu and selected her horse. A moment later, she heard galloping hooves as her beautiful black Ewing stallion sprinted toward her.
“Bolt,” she said affectionately, stroking his muzzle. “Missed you, buddy.”
She hopped onto the horse’s back and stretched out a hand for Abe to take.
Abe took it, his heavy weight no problem for Chloe’s strength. One by one, the other players’ horses came into view, each member of the party mounting rapidly as the sound of the guards’ horses’ approaching hooves grew louder.
Chloe urged Bolt forward, the others falling into line. Behind them, Doris waved goodbye, shouting after Abe that he should hold true to his promise.
“So, I’ve got to ask,” Chloe called back, wind streaming through her hair as Bolt tore toward the forest. “Surely, if you’re the king, you can change the rules? Why aren’t you just dictating what happens rather than running away from your problems?”
Abe clung tightly to Chloe, his hands fumbling for purchase on her smooth armor.
“At first, it was a rash decision,” Abe said. “Fear, mostly. I saw the girls, and my hopes just dropped. Do you know how boring princesses can be?”
“I’m afraid I don’t,” Chloe replied. “We don’t have kings and queens where I come from.”
“Anyway,” Abe continued, “I panicked, running out the moment I was alone. I found myself sprinting through the city and, well, you know the rest. I bumped into you, and now we’re here.”
He gasped as Bolt jumped over a shallow ditch. Chloe glanced behind and saw the other riders determinedly following. Beyond them, the city guards were past Doris’ house and were now doubled over their horse’s backs, trying to catch the party.
“I never gave it much thought,” Abe added. “The laws have been in place for hundreds of years, from my father to his father, and many fathers before them. I can’t just change the laws on a whim because of a sudden fancy to not marry some dull, snooty toad from Brackenhurst or Witherwinter.”
“But you can run away from your kingdom and hide?”
“I didn’t say it was a perfect plan,” Abe replied. “Though I have to admit that, chicken-gathering aside, this is the most fun I’ve had in years.”
“Well, welcome to the party,” Chloe said, eyes narrowing as the tree line approached. They were still ahead of the king’s men, but Chloe knew that if they didn’t find a way to hide soon, they would be in a lot of danger.
“Let’s just hope the wargs and ghouls are fast asleep,” Chloe muttered.
Abe’s ears perked. “I beg your pardon?”
“Do you think we lost them?” Gideon said quietly as the trees closed around them.
“I guess so,” Chloe said. “Blueballs, can you smell them?”
Blueballs stared blankly at Chloe, his frame ridiculous behind the uncomfortable Gideon.
They had been riding for some time, their pace slowing increasingly the farther into the forest they went. Having rushed into the trees, Ben’s sense of direction was off, and he now took the front of the procession, trying to get his bearings on where exactly they were.
When they reached an area with trees so close together and undergrowth so thick that it was actually slower for them to ride than walk, they hopped off their horses, thanking them for their help as each galloped off into the shadows and disappeared back the way they had come.
“I love the steeds.” Huk beamed. “So handy for someone with short legs.”
“You’re telling me,” Therese said, jogging to catch up with Abe and Chloe. “So, King Short Legs, you going to tell us what the hell is going on?”
Abe told Therese and the others exactly what he had told Chloe on the ride into the woods.
“Couldn’t you just find a better girl?” Veronica asked incredulously.
Abe’s eyes lingered on Therese a moment longer than was comfortable. “That’s not how it works. It’s royalty or nothing. That’s the law.”
“Screw the law!” Gideon exclaimed, to everyone’s surprise.
“Woah, what’s got you so fired up?” Chloe asked.
“Sorry, I’ve just always wanted to say that.” Gideon blushed.
Everyone laughed. Veronica patted Gideon on the shoulder.
“It’s nice to see the fire within you, mage,” Veronica said.
Gideon grew even redder.
“The laws are in place for protection,” Abe continued. “They’re in place for a reason. Without the law, the world would be in anarchy.”
“Then what do you propose?” Therese asked. “If the law is the law, you’ll have to go back eventually and marry one of those bimbos, right?”
Abe looked at her questioningly. “’Bimbos?’”
“You know, idiots? Empty-heads? Girls who are all boobs and no brains?”
Abe sighed.
“They didn’t even have boobs, did they?” Ben asked.
Abe shook his head.
“I guess maybe I can just stay hidden. Travel the world. Without me, the city will keep on turning. They’ll find a new king eventually. All will be right again.”
“Who’s next in line for the throne?” Talbot asked.
Abe chewed his cheek. “Tarinto. My cousin.”
“Oh,” Talbot said, eyes going to the floor.
“What?”
“It’s nothing,” Talbot said. “Only, I took the time to speak to some of the locals this week, and most of the reason they’re excited for you to marry is so Tarinto doesn’t become king should anything happen to you. According to people—or at least the few I’ve spoken to—he’s a bit of an…well, you know…”
“No,”
Abe said, face suddenly stern. “Tell me.”
Talbot looked at the others for help. Realizing he wasn’t going to get any, he said, “An…” He mouthed the word “asshole.”
“My cousin is not an asshole,” Abe retorted, voice echoing through the forest. “I mean, sure, he’s a bit abrasive. Very rough around the edges, and…” He slowed down as if remembering something. “There was that time when he…but that was an accident, and he was cleared. The whole thing passed.” He flapped his hands. “Oh, let’s just forget about it, okay? Where the hell is this wood house we’re looking for?”
Abe stormed off, catching up with Ben in the foliage ahead.
Ben looked in either direction, uncertainty on his face. The peacock began to fidget beneath his arm.
“You okay?” Chloe asked.
“We might need your map, Chloe, to see where we’ve been. This part of the forest holds no memory for me.”
Chloe nodded, opened her menu, and selected her map. The map worked by illuminating only the places they had already traveled, so the majority of the wood was shaded. She could see a lightened path of where they had entered into the woods. A few inches across was the path they had trodden the other day, although there was no symbol or legend that showed where the house was.
“We need to go east…I think,” Chloe said.
“Okay.” Ben raised his head to the leafy canopy. “Which way is east? I can’t see the sun.”
“That way?” Chloe said, pointing to their right.
“No,” Veronica chipped in. “It feels like that way should be east.”
“What do you mean, ‘it feels?’” Talbot asked. “How does direction ‘feel?’”
“It feels right,” Veronica retorted.
“Okay, let’s stop bickering,” Leonie said. “This is getting us nowhere.”
“Ouch!” Ben suddenly cried, dropping the peacock onto the ground. In a sudden dash, it sped off to their right and lost itself in the undergrowth.
“Quick!” Chloe said, running after the bird. “We can’t lose that thing now!”
Ben matched Chloe’s speed as they tore through the forest after the peacock. It was nimble and swift, darting through brambles and tangles and weaving around trees. If it wasn’t for its bright plumage, they would have lost it many times along the way.
The rest of the party scrambled after them, managing to just about keep Chloe and Ben in their sights.
Chloe jumped over a fallen log, feeling herself begin to sweat beneath her armor. KieraFreya and Ben encouraged her to keep running, the pair of them closing the gap on the bird.
Ben broke ahead of Chloe slightly as the peacock bore left. He swung from a low-hanging branch, flying through the air for a few seconds before landing, his fingers outstretched in anticipation of the catch.
“Almost!” Ben exclaimed, his greedy eyes focused on the bird.
He didn’t hear Chloe cry, “Watch out!” as the bird made a small hop and went through the window of the house. Ben’s momentum carried him forward until his face smashed into the side of the camouflaged building.
“Ow!” he complained, sitting up and rubbing his head. “There wasn’t a window there before…” Chloe doubled over in a fit of laughter, the other KieraSlayers catching up one by one and joining in, realizing what had just happened.
Ben turned his head suddenly, the speed dizzying him after his crash. “The peacock!” he cried.
He needn’t have bothered worrying, for the peacock stood in the doorway, its form slowly morphing into a man they instantly recognized.
Chloe shook her head, unable to believe what she was seeing. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
The Wrangler chuckled, his massive form jiggling. “Great job, mortals. You’ve passed my test.”
Chloe wanted to scowl, but she couldn’t help but join in the laughter. The only person who wasn’t laughing was Abe, who stood transfixed by the sight that he had just seen.
“Come, come,” the Wrangler managed at last, ushering them into his house. “You’ve proven yourselves worthy, KieraSlayers. Let us drink and laugh and eat, and I will grant you your reward.”
When Huk reached the doorway, the Wrangler put out a hand to stop him. “Except for you.”
Huk looked shocked. “Me? What did I do?”
“There is a grain of darkness in your heart. Thievery of a lady’s most treasured possession is no way to take on this world.”
“I…I didn’t,” Huk blubbered.
“Before there were two, you wanted to steal the one. Don’t think I didn’t see it. There is too much darkness in the world. Don’t let yours take you, too.”
Huk nodded wordlessly. The Wrangler stepped aside and let him in. He clapped his hands, adding, “Okay, the task is complete, and the guests are here. Tonight, we feast!”
Chapter Twelve
They hadn’t had a meal so merry in as long as any of the KieraSlayers could remember.
The Wrangler was a master of food. Somehow, miraculously, a long table had appeared in the house, with small carved logs for chairs lining the edges. There was the perfect number, including a seat for Abe, and each place at the table already had a goblet full of wine and plates with meat and vegetables.
Chloe had no idea what the meat was, but she didn’t care. She hungrily tore into the food, the amount seeming never to diminish despite how much she shoveled into her mouth.
The Wrangler took the head of the table, a large deer skull with antlers pinned to the wall behind him. When viewed at the right angle, it looked as though the horns were his own, which, she supposed, they could have been. The man could apparently transfigure into any animal that suited his fancy.
The wine loosened their tongues, and soon they began to talk of the real world. Of life beyond Obsidian, and their own trials on Earth. Chloe grew quiet, listening to the tales of the others, yet somehow knowing that soon the questions, as always, would turn to her.
Luckily, that was not the case tonight. Abe kept the others busy with many a question about the realm of the blessed and their adventures and life in the real world. He clapped and whooped at talk of electricity and the independence of their real-world selves, and took a rather hungry interest in the makeup of the political system and the idea of democracy.
“That sounds highly inefficient,” he said, the only dwarf Chloe had seen dab his beard and chin to remove the wine stains. “How does anything get done if everyone has a vote? It can’t be quick?”
“Oh, it’s not,” Therese replied. “Once a motion gets carried, it can take weeks, or sometimes months or years for anything to happen.”
Abe laughed, shaking his head. “Stupid. If I want something to change, I snap my fingers and it happens in seconds.”
“Except for changing the laws of marriage,” Talbot muttered under his breath.
“I told you…” Abe started, the booming voice returning.
“Now, now,” the Wrangler said calmly. Despite his relaxed demeanor, his voice was even more authoritative than Abe’s. “Let’s keep this merry. Politics and sex are two subjects never to discuss at the dinner table, or so I’ve learned.”
“Damn, there goes my next topic.” Veronica snorted.
They navigated away from troublesome topics, eventually asking many questions of the Wrangler. Even Abe, who had some knowledge of a mythical man living in the forests but had never quite believed in him, joined in.
The Wrangler answered as many questions as he felt he could, before snapping his fingers and laughing at the expression on the party’s faces as a dozen brilliant blue and green peacocks jumped through the window and collected their plates and cutlery in their beaks, darting quickly through a small door that Chloe swore wasn’t there before.
Another snap and foxes came through the door with plates of sweet fruits piled high.
“You guys must have a lot in common,” Talbot said, mouth full of berries. “You both have a way with animals.”
Abe waved a hand. “I
’m sure my skills are nothing compared to this gentleman’s. I am but an apprentice in your presence.”
“Don’t do yourself a disservice,” the Wrangler said. “The talents of the king’s line are legendary in this region, your affinity with animals second to none.”
“Second to yours,” Abe said, raising a glass.
“Hear, hear!” they chorused.
The Wrangler cast his eyes down. “A compliment well put,” he said, thanking the animal servants as they fled back out of the door and left the party in peace.
After the food was finally finished and the table had been cleared, the party found themselves sleepily sitting on the floor, nestled with blankets and cushions in front of the fire.
The Wrangler had taken his seat again, while Abe sat in a chair that had appeared across from him. The pair of them looked like statues from the old world, great kings from a time before time had been recorded.
At last, as the fire crackled and night fell upon the forest, the Wrangler broke the silence that they hadn’t been aware had fallen.
“Now comes the time to give you your reward,” he said.
“You mean that food wasn’t our reward?” Therese hiccupped, her eyes misty from the wine. Abe chuckled, his eyes fixed on the female dwarf.
The Wrangler continued as if nothing had been said. “You are on the hunt for a beast of legend. A foal of fable. There are a great many beasts in this world, and those which are valuable know places to hide where mortal man cannot tread without guidance.
“Shikora, the fabled horse of the Goddess of Divine Retribution is on another plane, one that is not within the boundaries of this world but rather is caught in a world twisted with unreality and trickery. She is safe but she is lost, and only reuniting with her mistress will allow her to make her way back to the surface world.”
“Sounds dark,” Huk said.
Leonie agreed. “Sounds tricky.”
“How do we get there?” Chloe asked.
The Wrangler sighed. “With a great deal of magic, young one. The Nether Realm is a place that requires immense mana and a focused will to access. Think of it as a prison between worlds. A place where reality must fracture, where the etheric must bleed. Shikora was cast into this eternal prison, trotting in the cursed realm until such time as a mage strong enough to harness the etheric can open it.”
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