by Ben Alderson
Queen Kathine smiled on as her wife gave the final command. "This truly is a city to be proud of. Please ensure this transition for our new arrivals is smooth. They deserve some peace after their journeys. Rowan, you are the strongest of my commanders. I trust you will keep an eye and make sure we are without problems in the coming days?"
Rowan bowed. "I will do as I must."
With that, Queen Kathine blessed them, and the soldiers left the room without another word.
Gallion ushered us forward before slinking back into the shadows of the room.
Both Queens stood to welcome us.
“I must say, I am relieved to see you. When Nyah informed me of the attack at the temple, I was worried,” Queen Kathine announced. “When she informed me that you helped in the fight, I was thankful. Welcome Jasrov and Illera.”
Jasrov and Illera bowed as Queen Kathine referred to them.
“I should bow to you both for helping fight alongside the Dragori. I am sure you have worked out just how dangerous being around them can be. I admire your strength and will to stay beside them during these times.”
Jasrov beamed. As if Bell knew she was being referred to, she raised her pointed snout and bared her teeth in a grin. Illera also smiled, her hands clasped firmly behind her back.
“Now.” Queen Kathine sat first followed by her wife. In tandem, their children cooed in satisfaction. Queen Kathine reached across to her wife and plucked a child bundled in cloth and held her to her gown. “I believe it would be best we get the full rundown of the events that took place during your journey to the temple. Nyah has shared insight, but I would like to hear it again.”
Hadrian stepped forward. He was not wearing the same clothes that I or the others were given. Instead, he was dressed in similar garb to the Queens. Silver cloak pinned around him, covering the white and brown uniform beneath. Rowan had provided him with the cloak he requested. It covered his arms like a jacket and trailed behind were he stood.
“I must first share my congratulations to your little princesses.” Hadrian bowed, waving a hand to the babies. Queen Kathine was cleaning spittle from the child’s mouth. "May their lives be long and full of the Goddess's light."
“Prince Hadrian, thank you.” Sallie’s voice was lighter than her wife’s. Compared to Queen Kathine, she had a short hairstyle, which framed her full face. Her hair was straight and as red as fire. Her full cheeks were pink, matching the cloth that wrapped around the child’s small body in her arms. “It is an honor to have you in our home. It has been many years since I last saw you, and, my how much you have grown.”
Hadrian tipped his head. “The years have been kind to you too, Queen Sallie.”
She shared a grand smile and tipped her head in thanks.
“I will start from the beginning, please do stop me if you have questions,” Hadrian said.
We all stood as he recounted the events since we left Kandilin. Hadrian told our story with emotion and gestures, speaking the truth and only concealing the part where we found Illera. Where she was concerned, we picked her up at the Inn.
“…it was Zacriah who found the Keeper first.”
Hadrian turned back, reaching a hand for me to step forward. I followed, taking his hand in mine as he gave me the space to speak.
“The Keeper, who was it?”
“More like what was it…” I started.
I told them about the tree, and how the roots and vines of the Druid’s power could not touch it. I described the feeling when we touched its bark and the experience beyond it. Speaking aloud about what I saw was freeing. I didn’t look to Nyah or Gallion when I mentioned the faces of the Goddess, but I could feel their gaze on the back of my neck. I did not mention what Hadrian had told me. That was not for me to tell. All the Queens needed to know was I found the Staff’s location. Not that it mattered anymore…
Queen Kathine asked no questions as she listened to me recount the events that lead to us abandoning the Staff of Light. She sat forward on her throne, almost on edge with the baby swaddled in her arms. Once I finished, she cleared her throat, raised her head slowly and held onto her child tight.
“My heart aches with pain for the many lives lost at the temple. I only hope we can avenge them all, but I must admit, I am worried about the future. Little is known about the Druid and his power. Even Cristilia is lost for knowledge. We have been searching for anything that might help us pinpoint who the Druid is, and how he survived.”
The mention of the last remaining council member reminded me of the others that had been killed in the past days.
“I will call for Cristilia,” Queen Kathine said. “She has been busy searching with Gallion for any information that may help us understand who the Druid is. With each day they spend within the books, I worry we are too late, and the knowledge is forever lost.”
“Pardon my forwardness, but the Staff… I still feel that it is important we find it.” I didn’t want to speak on Hadrian’s growing weakness, not in front of so many.
“I am sorry, but we need you here.” Queen Kathine’s tone dropped. “I cannot risk sending our only three Dragori away again. Not after what happened last time. This city is full of innocent lives and will soon be bursting with more. I need you all here to help me protect them. That is the Dragori’s duty.”
Emaline looked at the floor. The unspoken mention of Nesta’s death weighed upon the room.
Gallion stepped forward. “May I suggest we allow these brave adventurers to eat and rest? I am sure we can spare the remainder of the day and allow them to regain some strength before tomorrow. What good are three Dragori riddled with exhaustion?”
I was thankful for Gallion’s suggestion. After relaying the events of our previous days, I did feel exhausted. At the mention of food, my empty stomach turned in anticipation.
Queen Kathine smiled, raising a spare hand for the soldiers standing at the doors. “Yes, that is the least I can do to show my appreciation for what you have all done. Take the rest of the day. With tomorrow, comes a new day. And with it, new responsibilities. I have prepared a feast. Please, enjoy it. If there is anything you need, and I mean anything, do not hesitate to ask.”
“I request an escort,” Hadrian said.
I shot him a look.
Queen Kathine looked through her long lashes at the prince. “I shall have one sent to you. When is it you need on by, and do I dare ask what for?”
“Sunrise,” was all Hadrian said.
“So be it. Rowan will be sent to collect you in the morning. She will take you were you need to go without question.”
Hadrian tipped his head in thanks.
“If that is all, I must ask you to leave. My children need to sleep. Enjoy the feast, we will speak tomorrow.”
We were dismissed. As we each followed Gallion and the soldiers from the room Queen Kathine called for Emaline to stay back.
"Emaline Sowdin, my dear girl, may I borrow a few more moments of your time?"
We each turned to watch her raise a hand for Emaline.
"If that pleases my Queen." Emaline bowed.
As the doors shut them into the room, I heard the mention of a name.
Nesta.
“FETCH ME THAT book, would you?” Gallion asked as he took seat at one of the many oval tables in the vast library room. The room was a maze of shelves, lit by candles and faint sunlight from the narrow windows that lined the many walls. As we entered, I was hit with the thick scent of old pages and ink. It took a moment to still the dizziness and appreciate the strong smell.
“Could you be more specific?”
Gallion’s request confused me because many books surrounded us.
Noticing my hesitation, Gallion pointed to a tome resting on the shelf framed with dripping rose-scented candles. “I want to show you something I came across before you arrived.”
Following his instruction, I fetched the book. My arms ached, its size deceiving. The cover was made from black leather, even touching
it made the hair on the back of my neck stand to attention. A strange smell seeped from the cover, intoxicating my senses. I held my breath the remainder of the walk to the table, happily ditching it before Gallion. I rubbed my hands on my slacks to rid them of the lingering touch.
“I was surprised to find such a novel in Lilioira, but I can’t say I am not glad. It’s been brilliant bedtime reading material.” He flipped open the book, turning pages as he looked for a location. “But the side effects seem to be disturbing dreams and early mornings.”
“What could possibly be inside the pages to cause such reactions?” I questioned, peering over his shoulder at the yellow stained pages.
“Well that answer is dependent upon the reader,” he began. “To some, it is a history. To most, it is a myth. Falsities lined on a page in the form of writing and depictions.” He came to a stop on a page that was covered in writing I'd never seen before. Thick black marks and lines overlap each other in harsh designs. “These pages hold the accounts of the Druid’s final reign. Their rise and fall. I have been hoping to find something that gives us insight into whom our tormenter is. But I have yet to find anything to quench my thirst. At least this is better than nothing.”
“I can’t read it.” I scrutinized the page, trying to make sense of the jumble of marks. I pressed my finger above one part that caught my eye. It was more shape than a word: a three-pointed mark like a pyramid made from black ink.
“Like calls to like,” Gallion said, looking up at me. “I have not grasped the dead language of the druids, but their symbols are similar to what we have used over the years. It just so happens that your finger is covering their sigil for air. A universal sigil that is the same for both the elves and the druids.”
The candle flames flickered as a breeze filled the library. It had connected to my power at the mention of the mark I had noticed.
I closed my eyes and felt its presence. It comforted me like the rocking of a baby in its mother’s arms.
“What does it read?” Curious, I pushed on.
Gallion cleared his throat and read.
“… one for air, fire, water and earth. The conjoining of four elements creates the fifth. The element that rules over them all… at least that is what I can translate from these five symbols. The rest is difficult. I would usually rely on images to work out what the text is trying to say," Gallion said.
Enthralled by the Druid words, I was almost lost for words. What did it mean by a fifth element? I had not heard of this before, nor did the book Hadrian had given me mention a fifth.
Taking a seat beside Gallion, my arm pressed to his side and tried to make sense of it.
“The book Hadrian gave me on the Dragori only spoke of four. What does it mean by a fifth?” I asked.
Gallion shook his head. “For me to answer that I would need to be fluent in this language, but unfortunately, I am not. But I have been wondering the same.”
“Is there not anyone left who can read this?” I pointed to the book. There must have been someone.
“If there is, they would not step forward willingly. These texts were banished and destroyed. Hence why I am so surprised to find it.”
“I can’t help but feel sad,” I admitted. Gallion gave me a look, one that screamed understanding. “I hate to say it, but how could we do this to an entire history? I don’t think we should celebrate the hate and death the druids brought with them, but we, as a world, need to look back at those times and learn from them. Not push them under a vase and forget they ever happened.”
“You’re very wise for someone who only weeks ago jumped out of windows and ran away in forests unattended,” Gallion mocked, a kind smile on his face.
I knocked his shoulder with mine.
“You are right, my boy. Suppose we did respect the Druid’s history, we may already know the answer to who the Druid is. And maybe we would not be in times of such tension in the first place.”
I rested my hand on the pages of the book and closed my eyes. “How can one person cause such panic in three kingdoms? It should be easy to find one person when the entire world is looking for them.”
Gallion released a slow, tempered breath.
“Perhaps that is the problem. Maybe we are wasting time looking, and not putting enough effort into thinking about what exactly we are searching for.”
Those words stayed with me the rest of the day. They hummed in my mind as we searched countless books and found no more information that could help us.
I returned to my room by the time the city of Lilioira was fast asleep. Taking my time, I mulled over the conversation Gallion and I had. I would’ve been lying if I didn’t admit I had hoped Gallion had figured something more out. A new lead of information on the Druid or his location. But, that had turned out to be wasted wishful thinking.
The corridors of the palace were mostly empty of life. All except the few soldiers who, every so often, walked past me. I passed through an open walkway with no walls or ceiling. It gave a view of the night sky, which was covered by thick clouds. I could see no stars amongst the stormy sky. The moon glowed behind a veil of clouds, its shape no more than a blur.
A chill filled the air, warning the arrival of snow. I could feel its building tension all around me. By morning, the city would be bathed in white.
I expected Hadrian to be asleep, but when I pushed the door open to our room, I saw him sitting on the bed, topless, back facing me. I closed the door quietly. I had not seen him since he left that morning with Rowan at sunrise. Between searching the library and finding more questions for Gallion, I had not thought of Hadrian much that day.
He didn't acknowledge me straight away. He was bent over something, his shoulders moving up and down slowly. I caught the sound of a sniffle as I waded over to him, kicking the boots from my feet.
Climbing on the bed, I scrambled over the sheets and wrapped my arms around him. Despite the cold night, he was still warm.
“Talk to me,” I whispered into his pointed ear.
He was crying, streams of tears wetting his cheeks and some clinging to his thick lashes.
Hadrian took a deep breath. He raised his hands, lifting a piece of parchment into my view. It was faded and ripped, its edges frayed and worn. But the image on it was untouched.
“Fadine gave this to me as a gift the night we first met,” he said, his voice strained and low.
On the parchment was a painting of a woman. I recognized the figure even though I'd never met her.
“Your mother…” I muttered, hugging him tighter. “It’s beautiful. She’s beautiful.”
The painting was simple, a mix of a few colors. This close I could see just how similar she was to her son.
Despite her golden hair and ocean eyes, the shape of her face was familiar. Thick, dark brows and a sculpted jaw. She was no doubt Hadrian’s mother.
“I am punishing myself by looking at this painting?” Hadrian shook his head with vigor, wiping the tears that glistened down his cheeks and onto his neck. “Sometimes my grief creeps up on me when I least expect it. I am sorry you have seen me like this.”
I climbed from the bed and kneeled on the floor before him. He was still looking down, so I peered under his gaze.
“I want to make this clear; I will always celebrate your ability to show emotion. It is one trait that only makes me fall more in love with you.”
Hadrian looked up, his blue fire blaring and his golden eyes shining. “You love me?”
“I do, more and more with each passing day.” Saying it aloud made my heart leap. The last time I had spoken those words was to Petrer, but the thought didn’t sour this moment. No, this was different. The way I felt for Hadrian was different. He could never be like Petrer.
Hadrian leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead, my cheeks one each, and then my lips. We held each other for a moment until my face was wet from his shared tears.
“I cannot express to you just how lucky I feel." Emotion rolled off him. He p
ulled me up from the floor and placed me on his lap. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he held me to his chest. “I have realized something…”
“Tell me,” I said, leaning my head on his.
“I realized just how much my mother would have loved you.” He folded the parchment and slipped it into my hand. “I’m certain of it. As a child, she would also talk to me about love, and what it felt like. I would see it glow behind her eyes when she danced with father. I would spend nights trying to imagine the feeling. And now I know that what she was talking about is this feeling, this moment."
"I know I will never get to meet her," I said, cradling his face in my hands, "but being with you makes me feel close to her soul. You share it."
Hadrian raised his glassy eyes and placed the painting in my hand. "I want you to look after this for me.”
I was stunned, “But it was a gift for you.”
“One day I am going to wed you, and what’s mine will be yours. What is the difference between you sharing what is mine now?” He pressed another kiss to my face. "I mean, only if you want to marry me. I do not want to sound like I am sure it will happen..."
Hadrian was endearing and thoughtful. Always worrying about his words and the way he speaks them.
“You will have to wait and see,” I muttered, my lips hovering above his. “Let us get some sleep. I promised to meet Gallion in the morning before we see Queen Kathine again and worry that with a foggy mind, I will be of no help.”
We crawled beneath the light sheets on the feather-stuffed bed. I told him about what I had found with Gallion, which wasn't much. Then I asked him about his day. He told me of his trip into town, and his search amongst the city for someone who could help him locate his father.
“Any luck?” I whispered, tracing my finger across his face.
“I will soon see,” Hadrian replied through a yawn.
“Go to sleep. We will talk more tomorrow.” I rolled over, so Hadrian could not see my worry. His reply had been short, too short.
As we lay there, Hadrian hugging me from behind, I closed my eyes and took slow, deep breaths.
