by CK Dawn
A table in the far corner, away from the curious eyes of the others in the room, was their target. They no sooner sat before a buxom young thing, used to peddling her natural wares as well as the ale no doubt, sidled up to the table. “What can I get you?” she asked, pushing her chest out, her words and actions meant for Davi alone. The other three may as well have been invisible. Davi smiled brightly back. “What are you offering, darlin’?”
“Four ales,” Rissa interjected, throwing a sharp look Davi’s way. “Nothing more.”
The serving girl shrugged and smiled at Rissa in amusement before sashaying away with enough swagger to throw a hip out of joint. Davi watched in appreciation before Rissa’s irritated kick to his shin underneath the table pulled him back to attention.
“Ow, what was that for?” he threw her way as she sighed in exasperation at his stupidity.
A companionable silence settled over the four as they sipped the bitter brew supplied to them. Alixa was the first to break the calm.
“So, why are we here?”
Trystan looked up at her soft-spoken question. “You tell me. It was your and Rissa’s idea to find a tavern. We just followed along.”
“No, I mean why are we in Sona? You risked all of our lives on the crossing by insisting we leave amidst a storm. Plus, traveling incognito as you were raises suspicion. A prince does not travel without being accompanied by Royal guards unless he doesn’t want anyone knowing what he’s up to. There’s a reason we’re in Sona, so what is this mysterious mission you all speak of?”
Her hazel eyes studied Trystan with a shrewd intelligence and he knew she wouldn’t fall for any vague explanation, but he tried anyway. “We’re here to see the Duchess on an important matter pertaining to the realm. We will deliver you to her household as promised and she’ll provide for your safety. That’s all you need to know.”
“Very magnanimous of you.” Her lips twisted distastefully. “Too bad it’s all bullshit.” She ignored Davi’s snort at her crudeness and Rissa’s quiet laughter. “Something of utmost importance has occurred for the Prince to leave his kingdom and his life of privilege. Something has brought you to Sona with a vengeance. I demand you tell me what it is.”
“You demand?” Trystan raised a sandy brow in astonishment. “You are in no position to demand anything. What we are doing here is really none of your concern.”
Alixa’s jaw dropped in surprise as she regarded Trystan across the top of her ale mug. “None of my concern? I’ve left my home. I’ve betrayed my father with my admittance of his betrayal to you. I’ve ruined my family name for the good of the kingdom. I’ve paid my dues to the realm, so it is my damned concern.”
“You weren’t even planning to inform the King of your father’s treachery until we found you. You were just running away.”
“Screw you,” she spat.
“She deserves to know why we’re here,” Rissa interjected quietly.
Trystan whirled on his sister in annoyance. “What if she’s a spy? Have you even thought of that? What if she set herself up for us to rescue her? What if this ‘poor damsel in distress’ is all an act? And you want to just hand over the most powerful piece of information the kingdom has had in a long time?”
“Oh right. Like that statement isn’t going to make me ask more questions.” Alixa rolled her eyes. “And seriously? You actually think I set the whole thing up? Like I somehow knew the Prince would be traveling through Aldorwood and I conveniently had Dreach-Dhoun soldiers just waiting at my beck and call to intercept you? You think I placed myself in danger to get you to rescue me? That has to be one of the stupidest ideas I’ve heard in a very long time. And if I remember correctly, it was you who demanded I come along.”
“She has a point there, Toha,” Davi muttered, only to promptly fall mute at Trystan’s glare.
“Okay, I admit it does sound a bit inconceivable when portrayed that way,” Trystan said grudgingly. “But to what do you attribute your miraculously timed rescue? Coincidence? Happenstance?”
“I think it’s destiny.” Rissa’s voice was soft as she switched her gaze from Alixa to her brother. “I have a feeling Alixa is supposed to be with us. Call it intuition or a sixth sense, but I feel she has a part to play.”
“A feeling?” Trystan mocked. “You’ll have to do better than that to convince me, Ri. A feeling does not an ally make. No, we will drop her with the Duchess as promised, then be on our way. We have much more important things to worry about than Lady Alixa’s loyalty. And there will be no more talk on that matter.” He held up his hand silencing the undoubtedly scathing remark about to fall from Alixa’s lips.
Her eyes darkened in anger, but Avery’s arrival with news of a wagon saved the prince a tongue lashing. Trystan would never have admitted it, but Avery’s timely interruption was most welcomed. He may have stopped her for the moment, but Alixa was not the type of girl to stay quiet for long, of that he had no doubt. He watched as she and Rissa walked away, leaving him and Davi to carry the bags once again. He placed his unfinished ale back on the table with a scowl and got to his feet, feeling Davi’s gaze on him the whole time. “What?” he shot at his friend in irritation.
“Maybe you’re wrong on this one, Toha. Maybe we should trust her. If Rissa feels she’s to play a role…”
“Rissa believes far too easily in her so-called intuitions and twinges of magic. She’s always spouted stuff like that since we were children. I didn’t believe in superstitious shit back then and I’m not going to fall for it now.” His voice rose with his irritation and curious eyes shifted their way once again. Sighing, he ran a hand through his golden hair as he got himself under control.
“I agree Rissa had more than her share of imagination as a young girl, but I’d trust her with my life.” The serious look on Davi’s face matched his tone. “She’s wise beyond her years, my Prince. There’s something about her. Something I can’t quite put my finger on, but I’ve seen her in the garden. She has a kinship with the earth that I’ve only heard spoken of in old tales. Maybe you should trust her instincts on Alixa.”
“I’m sorry, Davi but I can’t. I just don’t trust that girl. I know I insisted she come with us, but she goes as far as the Duchess’ estate, no further. She can’t ever know the reason we are here. My gut feeling is she’ll cause far more trouble than she’ll be worth.”
Hoisting the bags over his shoulder, he huffed after Avery and the girls, oblivious to the amused grin spreading on Davi’s face. It’s not that he didn’t believe his prince, for he did. Alixa would indeed cause trouble, but not in the way Trystan imagined.
The wagon Avery had procured had seen better days. So had the driver. A little old lady with clothes that were barely more than tatters and a head with clumps of matted gray hair that peeked out from under a dirty wool cap. And the fishy smell hanging in the air like a cloud didn’t come from the wagon alone. But her face held a wide smile, oblivious to the show of missing teeth and black gums.
“Ello me lovelies. Well don’t be shy, ‘op in the back.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder before her wrinkled eyes settled on Davi with interest. “Exceptin’ for you, dearie. You ride up front with me.”
A fleeting look of disgust passed over Davi’s face before he covered it with his typical charming smile. “I appreciate the offer, good mistress, but I’m quite okay with riding back here, thank you.”
“Well, I’m not. We’ve a long ways to travel and I like to talk to ‘elp pass the time. Ride up ‘ere or no ride.” She patted the empty seat beside her with far too much enthusiasm. Her movement only increased the foul stench.
Davi’s eyes held a plea as his gaze moved over the group. Trystan hid his smile behind a cough and shrugged at his second in command before pulling the bags from Davi’s shoulder and tossing them into the back of the wagon. The girls were giggling uproariously and trying to pretend not to. Even Avery had a smile on her face that looked totally out of place.
“Awww come on, you g
uys. Help me out here,” he whispered in panic.
Trystan dropped a hand on his friend’s shoulder in fake sympathy. “We all have to make sacrifices, Davi. For the good of the kingdom.”
Davi sighed as he pulled himself up to full height and ran his hands through his long hair, resigning himself to being the old lady’s company. “Why is it so hard being the beautiful one?” He muttered to no one in particular as he hoisted himself up to the front seat.
It hadn’t been an easy task getting inside the estate to see the Duchess of Sona. The guards barely glanced at the fishmonger wagon before ordering them away from the estate entrance. Their disbelief at Trystan’s insistence he was the Prince of Dreach-Sciene here to see the Duchess had escalated into ridicule which only served to infuriate Trystan. Upon closer inspection of the Toha sword pointed at their necks, however, they soon changed their opinion. One had scurried off to inform the Duchess of their arrival and they’d been ushered inside. Avery stayed behind to watch over Alixa while Trystan, Davi, and Rissa were escorted into Lady Destan’s private study.
If the Duchess was surprised by their unexpected arrival, she hid it well. Her face was impassive as she studied the dirty trio of travelers from her wingback chair beside the fire. Their ruined clothes and unkempt appearance was totally at odds with the clean lines of perfection in the elegant room. Their muddy boots left prints on the spotless rug underneath their feet, but the Duchess paid little notice. Her only indication of dismay, a slight wrinkling of her nose, letting them know the stench of the fish wagon had permeated their clothing. Being the true lady she was however, she said nothing of the foul odor.
“Prince Trystan, Princess Rissa,” she spoke, her voice betraying her concern. “I would say it was an unexpected pleasure to see you, but I fear greatly your presence here is a bad omen. Please tell me something grave hasn’t happened to the King?”
“No, my lady, fear not. Our father is well.” Rissa was the one to answer and the Duchess’ shoulders relaxed in relief. “We’ve come on other matters.” She glanced sideways at Trystan and he picked up the conversation.
“Much has happened since our last meeting, Duchess. We’ve learned from a trusted source that Duke Eisner has been collaborating with King Calis in Dreach-Dhoun.”
The Duchess ejected from the chair as if a spring had been placed underneath. “You speak the truth?”
Trystan nodded solemnly.
“Does King Marcus know?”
“We have sent word, yes.”
The noblewoman crossed her arms across her chest as she let the information digest. “Sadly, it doesn’t surprise me. I long suspected Eisner of hiding supplies. He appeared far too well fed for someone living in lean times. But I never suspected he’d be in cahoots with Calis. I just imagined him holding rations back from his people – which is still bad.” She eyed the travelers with her shrewd stare. “As shocking as the bit of news is, you didn’t travel all this way to tell me that. There’s more?”
“Yes. A seer has made herself known to us and the King and she brings with her an unbelievable story. She claims one of the fabled Tri-Gard is here on Sona and has used magic. She’s felt the disturbance.”
“Impossible.” Lady Destan’s face was a mixture of disbelief and scorn. “A seer claims a Tri-Gard is here? But it can’t possibly be, otherwise, I would have been told by…” She trailed off as she glanced back at Trystan with a guarded shame in her admission.
“I find it interesting, Duchess, that you are shocked by the claims of this rumor more than the thought of an actual seer who is not supposed to still exist.” Trystan’s words were spoken softly, the tic above his left eye the only outward sign of the anger brewing in his stomach. It didn’t go unnoticed.
“Don’t play me for a fool, Your Highness. If you’re here, then you already know I as well keep a seer in my employ. I’m sure your own Oracle would have told you that.” The Duchess’ voice was laced with steel, letting them know she was not about to play this game. “Ciarra has been my advisor for years. I’ve never told anyone of her existence, not even your father, since I feared - and still fear - for her life. She’s like a daughter to me and I’m not ashamed of my secret. I would do anything to protect her.”
“Even keep her presence unknown from your king? A fine line between omission and betrayal, is it not?” Trystan’s question was harsh, causing the Duchess to take a sharp breath.
“We aren’t here to judge you, Lady Destan,” Rissa interjected, always trying to keep the peace. “We understand your fear for your seer, especially if she means as much to you as you say. We know the dangers they endure. The one who came to see us was attacked on her journey and badly injured. You are right to fear for her life. But if what she says is true, then your duty to the kingdom must overcome that fear. If your seer can lead us to the Tri-Gard, it will surely turn the tides of this war. The Prince knows this as well as I.”
Trystan acknowledged his sister’s hard glare his way with an abrupt nod. “Rissa is correct. I apologize, Lady Destan. Why you have chosen to keep this piece of knowledge away from my father is for you to know. But we are here now asking for your help. According to Lorelai, your seer must have felt the magic just as she did. She can trace this magic and lead us to the Tri-Gard member. If we have any hope of keeping our kingdom alive and out of Dreach-Dhoun’s hands, then we need to find this person.”
“Are you positive of this?” Lady Destan paced nervously back and forth in front of her visitors. “Ciarra has never steered me wrong in the past. If there was a Tri-Gard member performing magic on my island, why would she not have told me?”
“Why don’t you ask her, my lady?” Rissa gently inquired.
The internal struggle on Lady Destan’s face was evident for all to see. Finally, she closed her eyes for a brief moment and her shoulders slumped in resignation. “You’re right. If there’s a way to end this and if Ciarra can help, then we need her to do so. I will send someone to fetch her.” Striding to the ornate door, she pulled it open to fetch a servant. Instead, a dark haired, familiar figure fell through at the unexpected void and crumpled into a heap on the floor. In an instant Trystan was at her side, yanking Alixa to her feet.
“What the hell are you doing?” he yelled as he shook her so hard she nearly fell again.
Pulling her arm from his grasp, she snarled his way, “What does it look like? Since you wouldn’t tell me anything, I thought I’d eavesdrop and find out for myself.”
Trystan’s lips flapped a couple of times before settling into a thin line. “You were listening to our conversation?”
“Huh, yeah. That’s what eavesdropping means, dumbass.”
“Alixa, how could you break our trust?” Rissa stared at the other girl in disbelief.
“I didn’t break anything,” she scowled Rissa’s way. “I just needed to know what was happening. And you should all be thanking me. This is how I found out about my father’s treachery. If I hadn’t been eavesdropping, I wouldn’t have known to warn you and he would know that a member of the Tri-Gard was here on Sona, ergo so would King Calis.”
Davi placed his hands on his hips and blew a stray piece of hair out of his eyes. “Well played, Lady Alixa. Not even the Prince can fault that logic.”
“Wait. You mean to tell me you’ve been traveling with the traitor’s daughter? And she just overheard our whole conversation?” Lady Destan stared at Alixa in growing horror.
“I am not my father,” Alixa shot back. “So don’t….”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” a flustered Avery interrupted as she ran into the study and slid to a stop. “I turned my back for one moment and she disappeared.” The sword-master yanked Alixa’s arm toward her in a tight grip. “You. Leave with me right now.”
“What’s the point?” Alixa protested as she dragged her feet, fighting against Avery’s pull. “I already know…what’s happening…let me go, you big ape.”
“Prince Trystan,” The Duchess yelled over the now col
orful cussing being hurled Avery’s way. “What is the meaning of all this?”
“Get her out of here, Avery,” Trystan demanded, his face flushed with anger.
“All of you be quiet.” Rissa’s voice echoed around the room, stunning them all into silence. Even Alixa stopped her cussing to stare at the Princess in shock. “This is ridiculous. Avery, let her go right now.”
The sword-master obeyed and Alixa yanked her arm to her chest, rubbing at it and glaring Avery’s way.
“Everyone, calm down. This behavior is helping no one. Trystan, Alixa stays. She already knows the big secret and I’m telling you she can be trusted.” Rissa chose to ignore Trystan’s glower and Alixa’s snort of triumph. “Lady Destan, could you please fetch Ciarra. We need to find out if she can help us. And maybe Avery could stock up on our supplies from your kitchens?”
“Of…of course,” the Duchess agreed. “I’ll send someone to find her now.”
“Good.” Rissa nodded her head as the Duchess exited the room. Glancing sideways at her brother, she exhaled in exasperation. “Oh, stop your sulking, Trystan. Someone had to take control of this fiasco.”
“That’s my girl.” Davi threw a dimpled grin her way.
“Oh, stuff it, Davi.”
Thirteen
Alixa cursed under her breath as she stumbled for about the tenth time that day and struggled to keep up with the shadows ahead of her. A swamp. Of course, this Tri-Gard member would be hiding in a damn swamp. Like really? Couldn’t they have found a nice cave in the mountains or a hut on the sunny coast? No. They decided to make their home in a gator infested, breeding ground for disaster.
The murky swampland underfoot wasn’t the only hindrance to their travel. An ever encompassing, white mist clung to them, beading on their skin and soaking their clothing. The mist made it impossible to see more than four feet ahead and even to judge time. They had already been walking for hours and it must have been the middle of the day, yet only a pale imitation of sunlight made its way through the thick canopy of intertwined branches and vine webbing hanging above them. Even the light from the lanterns they carried barely broke the gloom. Alixa had stifled a few screams at what she first believed to be spiders trailing over her arms and cheeks, only to realize it was nothing more harmless than the hanging vines. The absence of light was making her imagination work overtime.
