by Aderyn Wood
“Be careful,” she said, and she leaned over to kiss his cheek. His dark eyes held her gaze as they always did, his jaw clenching. Then he moved off through the throng, and in another second he, too, was gone.
Dale meandered through the narrow cobbled paths and alleys of Arcadia, her sprite skipping barefoot by her side. Mid-afternoon cast soft shadows over the city. The host was long gone. She’d stayed with her mother and watched until the last of them disappeared into the forest. Then they watched the dust cloud long after it had gone.
The city seemed almost empty. Now and then she'd spot children playing in a garden or on the path, they would call out “hello, Princess!” but few adults had stayed. Most able-bodied people – men and women, fathers and mothers, uncles and aunts – had left to join the war. Grandparents remained to look after the children, and each other.
Dale bit her lip; she couldn’t shake the feeling of uselessness. Everyone was risking their lives, but the princess remained safe and coddled in her palace.
At the bottom of the mountain path Dale walked through the city gates. Two guards were posted there, Alfreo and Xandil. Both old and both fast asleep on their benches. Dale stepped lightly and moved on to the river path.
She came to the willow and sat on the grass. “Hello, Cat,” she said.
Esme waved and plonked down beside her, tucking grass-stained feet under her purple dress.
The willow seemed to have grown even over the last few days.
The river’s sparkling water rippled and shimmered in the afternoon sunshine. “Oh, to go sailing again, Cat. I wish you were here and we could just leave on a nice little adventure. And no one would be waiting for me to do what I clearly can’t.” She took a breath. “Save them all.”
Dale’s eyelids grew heavy as she watched the rippling water and she lay down on the soft grass. The warm air was a comfort but also made her drowsy. She closed her eyes and sleep took her all too easily…
In her dreams, she sailed. Cat was there. His whiskers twitching and his ears thrust forward. Dale laughed and relished the feeling of the wind in her hair. There was nothing like sailing to take away her worries.
“Dale?”
Dale turned her head; the scene had changed. She was still in the dream, but no longer out at sea in Joy. Cat had gone too. This new place was dark. Slowly her eyes adjusted, and a soft blue light glowed off in the distance somewhere, too dark to make out any shapes.
“Dale?”
The voice was hoarse, but familiar.
Ness? Dale tried to whisper but her voice boomed like a shout that echoed.
“Dale. Are you here to help me?” Ness’s voice was barely a croak and her breathing was laboured. Dale saw her then. Her body thinner, so drawn and gaunt, in the deep shadows she was barely recognisable. But Dale’s heart thumped hard in her chest. Ness was alive!
Dale woke with a start, her heart thundering. Her eyes blinked at the bright sunshine. Esme had disappeared. She turned to the willow. “Cat, that was Ness, I know it. They’re no grief dreams!” She stood and brushed off her skirt. “I’ve got to do something. I’ve got to save her. I’ve got to be useful!”
This dream was clearer than the others. Ness had changed – she’d aged. It was real. But what to do? And how to do it? She bit her lip hard, and frowned down at the willow, trying to think. Then she snapped her eyes up and turned. Her feet took her along the river path, back through the gates where Alfreo and Xandil still snored, and up the palace path until she stopped at the stables, breathing hard. Balak wasn’t anywhere inside. But she knew he hadn’t left with the others, her mother said they needed him here to train and breed more horses. She went out the back to the paddock where she found him with his ear pressed up to Stella’s stomach.
“Balak, what are you doing?”
He smiled as he stood to greet her. “Stella, I think she’s pregnant, finally.”
“Really? That’s great!”
Balak had been trying ever since Dale had arrived to get Stella with foal. He’d set her free in the mountain fields when she came into season for a few nights, hoping the black stallion that ruled the forests and meadows would meet with her for a romantic rendezvous.
“And do you know who the father is?” she asked.
Balak shook his head. “No, but with a bit of luck it will be that stallion. Any foal bred of him will be strong. Maybe even good enough to be your hysbryd, Princess.”
A cold stream of ice ran through her and Dale wondered what it meant. Words from the prophecy came back to her, a powerful hysbryd will unlock … and the icy touch brushed her again. Adept sorcerers could interpret such premonitions to predict warnings or favourable omens about the future. Such omens existed everywhere – the prophecy stone wasn't the only way to read the future. But Dale wasn’t sure how to read them, another reminder of her failure. Still, perhaps she would find her hysbryd soon. Would it unlock her powers as the prophecy seemed to suggest? She lifted her chin; she couldn’t rely on what might happen. Not now she had a plan, a way to contribute. Albeit a dangerous one.
“I have an idea, Balak.”
“Uh oh, am I about to become embroiled in some wayward plot?”
Dale grinned. “Do you remember the other day when you said you might come with me back to my boat?”
Balak stopped brushing Stella. His eyes narrowed. “Yes, I remember.”
Dale licked her lips. “I had another dream about Ness. I think she is alive!”
Balak gave her a slow nod.
“I could go and get her and bring her back. If the winds are good, I could reach her within a week.”
Balak frowned. “You know where she is?”
“I’ve got a fair idea. I think Ricardo is keeping her at the church I used to attend with the Earthen family who reared me. Please, Balak. I’d be saving Ness’s life and bringing us a sorcerer who actually might be able to do something about this war.”
“And you want to do this behind your mother’s back.”
Dale looked to the ground. She hated the thought of lying to her mother, but if she asked the queen’s permission she was bound to refuse and worse, she’d probably forbid Dale to ride anywhere past the city border. Or, the palace grounds. She’d be like one of those princesses in the fairytales locked in a tower.
“I can’t tell mother. She would never allow it.”
“So how do you intend to leave? You can’t just up and go without telling your mother anything. She’ll have the few remaining guards running after you in a heartbeat.”
Dale squinted. Balak hadn’t refused her. He hadn’t given her an outright ‘no’ like she thought he might. He was simply asking pertinent questions about how she could get away without telling her mother the truth. Dale’s mind raced. If she could convince him to take her back to Earth, there was a chance.
“I’ll tell mother that I want to visit my little boat Joy and spend some time sailing at the Eastern Gate. That will give us enough time to go to Earth, find Ness and bring her back without raising any suspicion “
Balak’s forehead wrinkled in concentration. “And you think she would agree to that?”
Dale nodded. “She’s told me before that I could go and visit my boat. And if she knew you were to come with me… I could tell her I want to improve my riding skills.” I could tell her I need some solitude to meditate and improve my magic. Not exactly a lie. “It’ll be fine. Balak, please, will you agree to do it?”
“I’d be lying to my queen.”
Dale licked her lips. “I know, but when we return, with Ness, all will be forgiven then. You’ll see.”
Balak chewed his lip. “It could be dangerous.”
Dale agreed. It was far from the best plan. “But if it works the reward will be worth it.”
Silence stretched out between them and Dale’s heartbeat pounded in her ears. Then Balak’s eyes went to the sky. “The night after next is the full moon, perhaps we could make it to your boat more swiftly and give you more time for
your journey. Do you think you can convince your mother before then?”
Dale grinned. “I’ll do it.”
12
“Are you sure you have enough food?” Her mother’s eyes were all over the place – Dale’s saddle packs, Dale’s sword, Stella. Especially Stella. The queen patted her hysbryd’s nose as she spoke. “And what about bandages and such? What if you trip or get bitten by a red wasp and spend the better part of a week scratching yourself to death?”
Balak laughed. “It’s all right, my queen, I have provisions for such things.”
Her mother nodded. “I’m only allowing this journey because you’ll be with her Balak. Please keep her safe.”
Balak took the queen’s narrow hands in his own broad ones making Dale raise an eyebrow. She’d never seen anyone touch the queen other than herself. “You can trust me to look over her, Anwyn. You know it.”
“I do. Thank you, my friend.” She squeezed Balak's hands once more before letting go and drawing her eyes back to Dale. “Are you certain you want to do this? It’s a very dangerous time, I can’t help thinking it’s the wrong thing to do, but Helgda tells me I cannot stifle you. I cannot wrap you up in yak wool forever she tells me.”
Dale hugged her mother; it was easier than looking into her eyes. Easier to lie. “Mother, it will only be for a short time. I'll be back before the next full moon. The war is still hundreds of leagues away. You yourself said we’re perfectly safe here in Arcadia and I’ll be even safer at the Eastern Gate. The journey will give me a chance to practice my scrying.”
“Two goodbyes in as many days. Soon I’ll be the only one left here!” Her mother gave her another squeeze before releasing her.
Dale had persuaded her to agree to the plan more readily than she’d anticipated. Mentioning her failures, and the need to meditate over the prophecy’s message in solitude brought a knowing look to her mother’s expression and Dale wondered if it had something to do with what she’d seen herself in the prophecy stone.
Dale gave her one last smile before mounting Stella.
The queen held her hysbryd’s nose. “Look after my daughter, Stella, keep her safe.” She kissed the mare.
Dale turned Stella around to follow Balak who was riding the old chestnut stallion, Gordor.
Once well past the city gates, they took the path that curved up the mountain Dale had descended a year ago with Jaral. From its peak, she’d observed Arcadia for the first time, in all its beauty in a dusk light. It had taken her breath away. She turned now to take it in. Bright sunshine lit the little city that looked even emptier from this vantage. She could just make out the white speck of her mother as she made her way back up the mountain path to the palace – a lonely figure. A thin thread of sorrow wound its way through Dale’s heart. They couldn’t waste time. She needed to get back to her mother as soon as she could. With Ness.
Dale took a deep breath and turned back to see the angry face of her sprite glaring at her.
“Esme, what are you doing?”
Esme stomped her foot on Stella’s neck where she stood and waved an angry finger as she shook her head.
“What? Are you not happy that I’m leaving Arcadia?”
Esme frowned and turned to point toward the east. Balak rode in front by about twenty paces.
“You’re not happy that I’m going that way? Well, I’ll tell you a little secret. We’re going sailing again.”
Esme rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air. It reminded Dale of Victoria. The woman she used to believe was her mother on Earth, and Dale giggled
Esme scowled before disappearing.
“Sprites are so complicated. If only I had a gnome instead.”
Just on the other side of the mountain peak, a natural spring bubbled in a rock pool. Balak had stopped. They’d only been traveling for roughly an hour, but Balak was off his horse eating an apple while Gordor drank from the spring.
Dale dismounted and joined him. “We’re stopping so soon?” She grabbed a pear from her saddlebag and let Stella join Gordor at the spring.
“That’s the way to your the Eastern Gate, and your boat.” Balak nodded toward the narrow trail now littered with the first autumn leaves.
“Yes, I know. I’ve travelled it before remember.”
Balak took another bite of his apple and munched as he nodded. “I thought we might take this trail. To the North.”
Dale frowned. “What? Why?"
Balak stared at her, his eyes stern. “There’s something I need to tell you. I didn’t before because I wasn’t sure how serious you were about finding Ness.”
Dale swallowed. “What is it?”
“I know another way.”
“Another way? You mean a gateway back to Earth?”
Balak gave her a slow nod. “Aye. It was shown to me years ago.”
“Who showed you?”
“A great sorcerer. And a friend.” Balak’s eyes fell to the ground.
“Who?”
Balak shook his head. “It matters not. My friend made the portal in secret and I was the only other person who knew of it. I’m the only living person who has used it too. It opens one night every moon’s turn when the moon ebbs and the blue planet known as Ishtaria rises in the east."
Dale stared at the horse master. “Not even my mother knows of this portal? How is it you’ve kept it secret? Why?”
Balak exhaled a sharp breath. “It’s a long journey, Princess. I will tell you the tale in full as we ride. But the portal is still there and as long as we reach it within the next seven days you will be back on Earth and it will save you time.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “It’s your decision. If you’d prefer to go by your boat, then we’ll continue east.” Balak finished his apple and walked over to Gordor to feed his horse the core.
Dale stared at the trail to the north. Thick forest bordered it. She’d gone down it before on a few day rides with Stella. She knew where it would lead – the Forbidden Forest, but they wouldn’t be riding that far. Surely.
“What about the war front? Will we come close to it?”
Balak squinted. “By my estimation the front should be further north than the portal.” Balak turned to look back at the trail east. “But, you’re right, it’s a risk. We’d be in the mountains, above the valley where most of the battles have taken place, but if we get too close and the Unseelie sniff you out…” He shook his head. “Perhaps we should go east after all.”
Dale pursed her lips. She’d been looking forward to seeing Joy and sailing again. But she needed time and Balak was offering it to her. “No, we’ll go north to the portal. We’ll just have to be careful. If things get too dangerous, we can turn back then. But I have to try this.”
Dale fed the rest of her pear to Stella, then both her and Balak mounted and set off on the path north. After a few minutes, the forest grew even thicker and a mountain fog enveloped all. Her hair hung heavy with moisture and Dale buttoned her oiled cloak. It grew colder, too.
The trail was wide enough for her and Balak to ride side-by-side.
“So tell me more about the portal and why it was made,” Dale asked.
Balak clenched his jaw as though there was some tragedy wound up with the tale. “Like I said, it was a long time ago. Your mother’s parents were the rulers then, and they were trying hard to guide the Earthen people toward a better path.”
“What were they like? My grandparents?”
Balak smiled. “Like your mother. Fair and just. Though—” Balak frowned. “I think they had it much easier than your mother, Princess.”
“Why?”
“Well, they had each other. Your mother wasn’t supposed to inherit the throne.”
“I know, my Aunt Farryn was older.”
“Aye, and your mother's had to rule alone for so long until you were reunited with her of course.”
Dale pursed her lips. “I haven’t really helped her rule.”
“Don’t be too sure. I think you’ve helped her a
lot.”
She smiled. “I didn't realise you knew my mother so well."
Balak looked straight ahead. "No better than anyone else."
Dale raised an eyebrow; she doubted that was true. She'd seen the way they spoke to each other, but Balak wasn't going to open up about that it seemed. Not yet, anyway. He'd kept the secret of the portal. How many other secrets did he harbour?
"So, the portal?” Dale asked.
“As I said, one of our sorcerers was a good friend of mine. She wanted to create a portal large enough to move several people at once, and one that tricked the Borderlands.”
Dale frowned. “Tricked the Borderlands? Is that even possible? What do you mean?”
“Anyone can enter the Borderlands, but if they’re to stay, the Borderlands—”
“Requires them to pass a test,” Dale said. “So, this sorcerer created a gate in which no test was required?”
“Aye. She had ideas about bringing large groups of Earthens here so they could see the Borderlands and be taught by our masters before being sent back to Earth to preach the lessons to others. She made the portal as close to the Forbidden Forest as possible, something about it being neutral was important for the spell. She asked me to try it once, to test its effectiveness for someone with no magic. It works. I remember the day I went back, it was so nice to see my home again. Even though things had changed so much.”
“And did she ever bring Earthens here, to teach them?”
“No. Arcadia fell under a renewed attack from the Unseelie, and her attention was focussed there. The battle took her life in the end. But the portal still stands. I’ve seen it.”
“What was her name? The sorcerer?”
Balak grimaced and slapped his reins moving Gordor forward a step. “Like I said, a friend.”
Dale let Balak move ahead. The sorcerer might have been his secret lover. It didn’t surprise her. Balak was handsome with long brown hair always tied back out of his face. He looked like a Scottish Chieftain.
