Kota gave a short nod.
“Cali, can I talk to you alone for a moment?” Angel tugged on Cali’s elbow and pulled her aside. “I don’t like this. I know I told you before we left the ship, but I’m saying it again.” She looked over Cali’s shoulder and then back at her. “She’s behaved so far, but don’t let your guard down.”
“She’s had lots of chances to do us harm. She seems to be a woman of her word. I have to give her the benefit of doubt,” Cali whispered.
“I’m not contesting that. I just think.” Angel closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and released it slowly as she opened her eyes. “She’s known throughout Shayal as a fierce warrior, a skilled killer, and a heartless woman. There’s a reason for that. She’s not a good person.”
Cali shot a quick look over her shoulder. Voice and Kota had started toward the path carved into the cliff side. “Maybe she wasn’t—isn’t.” Cali threw her hands in the air. “Oh, I don’t know if she is still bad or if she just was. All I know is that as I’ve listened to Voice telling Trabor’s history, I can’t help pitying Amee. She was a good person, but then she changed and became something heartless, but I’d like to think that if she’d ever wanted to change, someone would’ve given her a second chance to rediscover that goodness. I don’t think anyone starts out evil.”
Her eyes searched Angel’s face for understanding. “I want to give Kota a chance and it may cause me trouble in the future, but I’m going to do it. I don’t need your permission, but I would like to part with your blessing.”
Angel huffed and blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. “I’m not going to be able to call you ‘guppy’ much longer.” A devilish smirk spread over her face. “You’re more like a porcupine fish. All puffed up to look scary and if anyone tried to eat you, they’d get a throat full of spines.”
Shaking her head, Cali laughed. “I wish I could visit your kingdom and meet all these fish.”
“Seriously though, Cali, I could never leave you angry. I still say you should be careful, but I admire you for giving Kota a chance to prove herself.” She added dryly, “I’m not so sure I would do the same.”
“There’s more to you than you think. You’re not as morally unbalanced as you’d have me believe.”
“I don’t actually think I’m morally unbalanced.” Angel rolled her eyes. “I just think you’re overly good.” Angel faced the sea. “It’s time for me to go.”
They embraced and when they pulled apart, tears shone in Angel’s emerald eyes.
“I hope you find your soulmate and that we meet again.”
Angel opened her mouth, closed it, swallowed, and straightened. “Goodbye, guppy. Take care of yourself.” She turned and ran along the shore to an outcropping that meandered out into deeper water.
Cali wrapped her arms around herself as Angel hopped lightly from rock to rock. She stopped at the end and gave Cali one last glance, lifted her hand in farewell, and dove into the rolling waves.
The sun warmed Cali’s back, but not her heart. The tears she’d held back broke free and flowed down her cheeks. A flash of red made her hastily wipe her eyes.
Angel arced in the air, fins trailing behind her. For a moment, she seemed to hang there. A picture of unfathomable grace. Time unfroze and Angel plunged into the waves.
Cali waited to see if Angel would leap again, but she didn’t. Finally, Cali turned her back on the ocean and made her way up the steep steps.
That part of my life is behind me. It’s time to go forward. Focus on the future. Do not mourn the past.
❄❄❄
For the first time, Voice could see herself. Well, for the first time without a mirror. Cali’s right. I am getting bigger. She wasn’t sure how wide she was, but she came up to Cali’s knees now if she hovered just above the ground.
Just what I wanted. To be a fat orb. Will I grow until I explode? Or will I just grow forever? I do not have time for this nonsense.
They’d reached the south-eastern edge of the border forest. Kota stood impassively while Cali fidgeted.
No doubt she’s worrying about the border spell. Really, there’s only one way to get that spell down. The real question isn’t how, but—
“Voice, if this doesn’t work—If the spell is still up—”Cali gazed at the trees and let out a long sigh“—what will we do?”
“There is no point in worrying what might be. One obstacle at a time.”
I really need to stop sounding like a book of ancient proverbs.
“Then let’s go.” Cali strode into the trees. Kota followed and Voice trailed behind.
It wasn’t long before they reached the border between Trabor and Shayal. On the Shayal side, grass grew and warm air brought life to the forest. With no gradual change, the Trabor side was marked by deep snow. Evergreens bowed their branches and even without stepping over, Voice knew it was bitterly cold.
Cali gingerly lifted a hand and went to move it over the line of snow. A crackling sound as her fingers touched the invisible border made her jump back. For a brief instant, a thin purple veil appeared. Higher than the trees, edges spreading west and east. Voice knew there was no end to it, that it circled the kingdom in a protective bubble.
The veil faded, still there but unseen. Cali fell to her knees and buried her fingers in the grass. “No, no, no. This can’t be happening.”
I have to do something. I have to get my magic back.
“Princess, why do we not leave you alone for awhile?”
“What’s the point?” Cali asked tonelessly.
“Spells can never be absolute. There is always a way around them—a built in failsafe. If the caster does not add an out to the spell, magic does.” What a load of nonsense. At least her magical knowledge is nil. With any luck, she will swallow this.
“What does that have to do with leaving me alone?”
“I think you are the key to opening the barrier. You are the princess, the heart of the kingdom. Will yourself back to your rightful place.”
Voice passed Kota, who had a quizzical look on her face. “Come, let us leave the princess to think.”
Kota hesitated and then followed, glancing occasionally over her shoulder. Once they were out of sight, Voice stopped. “Stay here, I am going to wander for a bit.”
Without waiting for Kota’s nod, she floated towards the barrier, west of Cali’s position.
Out of sight of both Kota and Cali, Voice hurried to the shield. Please give me my magic back. She took a deep breath and pressed herself against the veil. Ignoring the crackling that made her entire being tingle, she reached within herself. Please. A faint warm glow emanated from the kingdom. It called to her, whispered of the power she once knew.
❄❄❄
What codswallop. A backdoor in every spell. That orb is up to something. Kota crept through the trees, remembering to keep to the shadows. It was possible the orb had no idea what she was talking about, but Kota had the feeling it was more than that. Ahead lay the barrier. She slowed, sinking to the loamy earth and scuttling forward.
Back pressed against the rough bark of the tree, Kota poked her head out. There’s that sneaky orb. The barrier shimmered, barely visible. Crackling energy radiated from the spot where Voice pushed herself against it. Kota raised an eyebrow. Does she not feel pain? Or is she simply enduring it?
”Kuolo keia honul mai keia kaoba a me keia hovlo!” Voice repeated the chant, the words weaving through the trees to Kota’s ears.
Kota crouched rigid in shock. She hadn’t seen spellcasting since she’d left Sjadia and this didn’t sound like a minor spell. The whole time she’s had magic. Why not use it before now?
She sank to the ground. The damp leaves soaked the seat of her pants. What possessed me to follow these two? I never wanted to be involved with magic again and yet, here I am. She scrubbed her eyes with the back of her hands. Aimless, that’s how she felt. No goal, no plan, no direction.
“What are you doing?” a harsh voice accused.
&
nbsp; Years of training kicked in. Kota jumped to her feet. Her hand brushed her side where her sword used to rest as she spun to face the speaker. A blood red orb floated in front of her. Voice.
Relaxing her posture, she glared at the rather large ball of light. I hate being snuck up on. She’s lucky I don’t have a sword and that she’s not stabbable.
“I wouldn’t need to sneak if you weren’t being nosy.” A voice in Kota’s head snapped.
Kota stared at Voice and for a second, neither said anything as realization sunk in.
Voice lengthened the distance between them, her words pounding into Kota’s head. “What are you doing? Get out of my mind!”
Kota wanted the invasion to stop. She pointed to Voice and then at her own head. Again, words blasted into her mind. “I am in your head?” Kota winced and nodded.
“Sorry, I’ve never had this happen. I don’t know how it’s happening now.”
Still wary, Kota rubbed at her temples. How can she do that? It doesn’t make any sense. She shouldn’t be able to read my mind. And it doesn’t seem as if she meant to, anyway.
“Of course I did not mean to. It is a grave violation of privacy.”
Kota glared at Voice, who flushed a bright pink. “I did it again.”
“It is fine. I can stop you.” Kota closed her eyes and mentally built up the barrier she’d been taught to use since childhood.
The strongest magic wielders could break through a mental block, but they had to attempt it. Voice clearly was not trying to invade her mind. The barrier should be enough to prevent further intrusion.
“I do not hear your thoughts anymore.”
Kota nodded, folded her arms, and jerked a thumb in the direction of the barrier. Voice ignored the implication and started to float back to where they’d left Cali. “We should return. The barrier will be down now.”
❄❄❄
Cali knelt in front of the wall that isolated her homeland from the rest of the world. I am the heart. I am meant to be in Trabor. She closed her eyes and pressed her hands to the shield. Sparks leapt out and shocked her hands.
She yelped and pulled back, rubbing her hands against her soft tan pants. “This is silly.” Sillier than talking out loud to one’s self? “Heart of Trabor. Magical backdoors,” she muttered darkly.
She stood and moved away from the snowline. They’d journeyed all this way for nothing. A breeze stirred her hair. So close, but they might as well be miles away with the spell still standing.
“No,” she said with all the steel she could muster. “I’ve come this far and I’m not giving up yet.”
She stomped back to the barrier and slapped her palms against it. The pain was like nothing she’d ever felt, but she pressed harder. I’m not a guppy anymore. I am a princess and I will get back in my kingdom.
Suddenly, the resistance vanished and she fell face first into the snow. Icy wind brushed at her neck and snow cut at her face and hands. She scrambled to her feet and stood ankle-deep in the crystallized existence that marked so much of her life.
Tears ran down her cheeks as relief swept through her. I didn’t know I’d miss it this much. I never thought I’d want to come back.
She spun, raising her hands into the air. “I am the heart!”
“Princess, you did it.”
Cali stopped her antics and ran to the approaching orb. “It’s all thanks to you, Voice. I never would’ve tried if you hadn’t urged me too. I would’ve left thinking it was hopeless.”
“Look!” Voice cried in delight. Two white horses trotted up to them from the south. “Our horses have found their way home. With the barrier down, they can finally get back to the stables.”
Cali grinned. “And we won’t have to walk.”
They grabbed their meager supplies, and Kota and Cali mounted the horses.
Stepping over the snowline, they began the final trek towards the castle. Cali wished the horses could run the whole way. Instead, she’d have to settle for the sedate walk they adopted.
❄❄❄
Kota shifted her weight, letting her mount fall back next to Voice. Cautiously, she dropped the mental barrier. Why did you want her to think she caused the spell to end?
Voice flashed ivy green. “Because she needed to believe in herself. As it stands, I was not sure I could even get my magic back.”
What will happen now?
“I do not know. I am simply following at this point. The princess no longer needs my guidance.” Voice paused. “I’m not sure what that means for me.”
Kota nodded and shielded her mind again. That makes two of us who don’t know what the future has in store.
Chapter 30
Cali stood at the northern edge of the border forest, which, she’d decided on the ride through, needed an actual name. The journey through the wood had been uneventful, each member of the group content to ride in silence.
The change in her land, gradual at first, now echoed all around. Snow melted, trees budded, summer birds flew past, a warm wind blew, and tiny pastel flowers poked their heads through the snow. Winter was over.
Cali bent and pressed her hand into the snow. Hard, crunchy, and wet. So unlike the soft powder she’d grown up with.
”What’s happening, Voice?”
“It appears winter is finally over.”
Cali’s lips tightened. “Well, I see that. But why?”
Voice shrugged. “Probably happened when you broke through the barrier.”
Mouth agape, Cali stared at Voice. Shrugged? I must be losing my mind, but I could’ve sworn I saw part of her sides move up independently. She snapped her mouth shut and rubbed her temples. Voice growing larger, changing shape and color, and now moving differently . . . It was all too much.
Kota drummed her fingers on a nearby tree and when Cali glanced at her, she gestured onward impatiently.
I suppose the changes in Trabor and Voice don’t concern her.
She climbed astride once more. Again taking the lead, Cali left the forest behind. The horses seemed to sense they were getting close to home. Their pace increased and they whinnied and tossed their heads.
The cheery spring weather and the horses’ enthusiasm lightened Cali’s spirit. She called back to Voice, “Isn’t this amazing? I hoped we’d get in and the winter would break. But this—”She gestured at the open land“—is more beautiful than I imagined.”
Voice hovered alongside. “It is like a whole new land.”
“How could Amee have ever wanted it to always be winter?” Cali shook her head incredulously.
“I think it is normal for humans to wish for something without knowing what it is they are wishing for. Amee did not want to be reminded of Falan, or her parents and the brightness of her childhood. Perhaps the cold, lonely grip of winter shielded her.”
They trotted along, passing abandoned villages and towns. Cali led her horse around them, not wishing to ride through their desolate streets.
The hours flew by. Snow no longer hindered the horses as it had on their journey out of Trabor. With no sleigh to pull and a new energy, they soon crested a low rise. Below them lay the castle in all of its crystalline glory.
“Oh, Voice!” Cali sighed.
She didn’t need to say anything more. Without the snow to provide a backdrop of white, the castle shone out as beacon of pure beauty. Purple heather carpeted the hills. Deep red flowers nodded their heads in a light breeze. A snowshoe hare poked its head out from the ground and, with a twitch of its whiskers, dashed over the grass.
The castle gates stood wide in the afternoon sun.
Cali squinted. That’s odd. It looked like something was pouring from the courtyard. The castle was too far away for Cali to make out what she was seeing, but it looked like a wave. And it was moving towards them.
“Princess,” Voice whispered.
“I see,” Cali forced the words out.
❄❄❄
Kota patted her horse’s neck and wished Malnu was there. T’Nah
ke better take care of him. Her two companions had gaped the entire journey from the border. You’d think they’d never seen spring before. Well, from the way they talk, I guess they haven’t seen it here.
Cali’s strangled words caused her to jerk her head up. She squinted against the glare of the sun and shaded her eyes. That flamed castle. It’d be bright enough without this light glinting off it. They probably built it that way on purpose to scare off inva—.
Now she saw what had drawn Cali’s attention. In the distance, something moved. A wave of silver, pale green, and iridescent blue spilled from the castle gate and surged towards them. Indistinguishable at first, the colors separated and pale sunlight gleamed at the peaks.
More sunlight appeared as the wave moved closer. No . . . Not sunlight. Hair! It’s a flood of people. The crowd stopped at the base of the hill and more hair appeared as hoods were thrown back. An army of blond-haired men, women, and children stood clothed in ethereal colors. Light poured from their skin and hair. They’re as bright as that dragon-cursed castle.
Cali fell from her horse and dropped to her knees. Kota swung to the ground and once again wished she had her weapons. So much for there not being any people here.
“They’re alive,” Voice said in a daze.
Cali turned to Voice, eyes wide and mouth agape. “They’re my people, aren’t they?”
Voice didn’t answer, instead repeating, “They’re alive.”
“It must have been part of the spell breaking: the barrier, the winter, and now the people returning.”
This snapped Voice from her haze. “No, this is something different.”
Cali sent Voice a shrewd look. “You weren’t surprised by the snow melting or the barrier dropping, but this has you flabbergasted?”
“That was different. This is the population of an entire kingdom that has been missing for almost two centuries.”
Cali rose and straightened her sleeves nonchalantly. “Not to mention you didn’t bring them back.”
Voice flashed rosy pink. “Of course I did not bring them back. Why would you make such a statement?”
Shrugging, Cali looped her mount’s reins around her hand. “Two can play this game.” She began to walk down the hill. Her voice drifted back to them. “Heart of the kingdom indeed.”
Heart of the Winterland Page 26
