Emma and the Silverbell Faeries

by Matthew S. Cox

  “Nothing.” Emma leaned back, wiped her tears, and smiled. “I’m just happy you’re my sister.”

  Kimber grinned. After a short, contented silence, she resumed rambling with the imaginary faeries. Their conversation took much of the remaining daylight hours, and as the sun weakened overhead, Kimber announced that the king evidently had two daughters: one young with red hair, the other a little older with black hair. Emma grinned.

  “King say ’is li’l daughter is a scared o’ e’rryfing, but the older daughter kep her safe. He’as nae knowin’ what tae do wif the older ’un ’cause she always scare ’im. She tries to do ’fings she nae growed ’nuff for, an’ almost gets hurt alla time.”

  Emma leaned her weight back on her hands and raised one eyebrow. “Oh? What’s he going to do about that? You know, I bet the older daughter’s really sorry for scaring them both.”

  Kimber covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. “He a’say he’ lock ’em boaf inna house if she do et ’gain.”

  “Ooh. That sounds bad.”

  Kimber nodded. “’E don’ wan’ ’er runnin’ off an’ gettin’ ’urt.”

  Emma sat up and fussed at Kimber’s hair. “I don’t think she’ll do that.”

  “Brush?” Kimber’s eyes lit up.

  “All right.” Emma grinned.

  The workmen had gotten most of the outer walls built, and some of the roof framing up as well. Actual work had given way to standing around and talking for some time. Amid the fading sun, they gathered their tools and packed up for the day. Tam came wandering back from the meadow as soon as he noticed them preparing to leave.

  “No goblins.” He saluted her.

  She smiled. “O brave knight, you deserve a reward for your courage.”

  Tam’s eyes got wide for a second before narrowing. “Knights don’t kiss princesses.”

  Emma held back the urge to laugh. Grinning, she reached behind her and pulled out the little horse she’d made. “A knight needs a warhorse.”

  He took it in both hands, stared at it for a little while, and clutched it to his chest while sniffling with watery eyes. “You healed him.”

  “Yes. Stick Knight’s horse is a horse, and a horse is an animal, and I’m a druid.”

  Tam grinned. “Thank you.” He hugged her tight, and jumped to his feet. “I think I hear a dragon.”

  The boy raced inside. Kimber returned with a brush, handed it over, and took a seat at the edge of the porch. Emma scooted up behind her. After a moment or two organizing hair with her fingers, she ran the brush down Kimber’s dense, red hair with slow and gentle strokes.

  “’Fink the faeries are watchin’ us?”

  Emma continued brushing while eyeing the woods. “Maybe. We could ask Nan if she’ll help us make more treats for them.”

  “Why donnae Faeberry make ’a faeries mean?”

  “Because,” said Emma with confidence. “They’re Faeberries. Humanberries would make faeries mean.”

  Kimber laughed.

  Emma brushed for a while longer. Eventually, Kimber switched places and got to brushing Emma’s hair while attempting to sing one of Mama’s songs she didn’t know the words to. A sudden tickling sensation on her foot made Emma glance down at a glimmering green beetle crawling over her toes. She smiled at it and let it be, continuing to brush her sister’s hair while they still had a few minutes of daylight left.

  She wished the sun would stay up a little longer before Mama called them in.

  mma lay on her side upon the thick fur rug, head propped up on her left hand, studying a wooden board full of glass beads. Warmth from the waning fireplace washed over her as she contemplated her next move of a blue ‘gem.’ Kimber had nine left, two more than her, but Emma didn’t want to make it look obvious she didn’t care who won. Either way, she adored the time with her family.

  The rat wandered over from his box and curled up beside her, rolling belly up once she started skritching him.

  Kimber sprawled on her stomach, chin resting on both hands while swinging her feet back and forth in the air. Her stare fixed on one of her gems and she nibbled at her lip, looking worried. The gem in question had made it three squares away from Emma’s side of the board and would take away one of her ‘life stones’ if it got all the way across. As much as it seemed like Kimber longed to get that piece to the edge, Emma had a gem in position to ‘kill’ it. Not doing so would be obviously letting her win. With a twinge of guilt, Emma grasped her gem and captured Kimber’s piece, taking it from the board.

  She braced for a bad reaction, but Kimber’s eyes gleamed like the emeralds of a dragon’s hoard. Grinning, she slid her one remaining purple gem (pieces that could move any number of spaces in diagonals, but could not steal life stones) and captured one of Emma’s soldiers. The move left three of Kimber’s soldier gems in position to reach Emma’s side of the board without any way to stop them.

  She tricked me! Emma narrowed her eyes. “Sneaky.”

  Kimber stuck her tongue out, but broke up in giggles.

  A tiny squeak came from the rat as he stretched his paws out over his head and yawned.

  Tam flopped near the bear rug’s head, trotting Stick Knight around on his new warhorse. Mama and Da sat together on one of the large, cushioned chairs by the fireplace, discussing the work on the house, the Watch, and the town. No one mentioned thieves, banderwighs, spiders, or goblins.

  “How much longer until they’re finished, Liam?” asked Mama.

  Da chuckled. “You’re quite eager, then. Perhaps we should have them add a third bedroom while they’re here.”

  Mama whispered something at his ear that made him grin.

  “Oh, it shouldn’t be too much longer. The roof will start in the morning, and they’ll have the inner walls done in a few days. Perhaps next week they’ll cut the doorway into the old wall. Assuming the boy doesn’t make them quit.”

  “Your son was good today. He stayed out of their way.” Mama winked at Tam.

  “Why not have your mother help with her magic?” Da flashed a rogue’s grin. “That’d hasten things along.”

  “We can’t alter dead wood,” said Mama. “That’s wizard’s work.”

  Nan ambled in from the back hallway, clutching a book. “Oh, I could open the wall up if you like.”

  Emma’s mind filled with the memory of the great roots tearing the cellar door apart. She moved another piece forward one square. Kimber would probably win no matter what she did, so she raced for the back row.

  “All right then…” Nan came to a stop between the girls, peering down at the board. “Almost time for bed.”

  “Tis nae over,” said Kimber.

  Emma sat up. “It is. You won.”

  “You’as quittin’?” Kimber gave her an apologetic look.

  “No. You outmaneuvered me.” Emma reached forward and tickled her. “You’ve got three warriors that’ll get to the back row no matter what I do. I’ve only got two life stones left. I’ll play to the end if you want, but you beat me when you made that capture.”

  Kimber grinned.

  The rat grunted, reaching for Emma’s hand with both of his paws, until she laughed and resumed scratching his belly.

  Tam sprang up and ran to the shelf at the foot of the family bed. He traded his tunic and breeches for a nightshirt before crawling up onto the mattress. As neither of them needed to think much about strategy, their game finished in a few minutes, Kimber winning. Emma gathered all the beads into their storage box while Kimber changed into her nightdress. After putting the game on a shelf, Emma carried the rat back to his nest box and got ready for bed.

  With her brother and sister tucked close at her side, Emma propped herself up with her back against the wall. Nan pulled a small chair close and opened the book that likely contained anything but a story. Emma suspected that Princess Isabelle from the story was really Queen Isabella, but the queen hadn’t been a fifteen-year-old in a long time. The way Nan had told of the forest witch and her little d
aughter didn’t seem right. If the little girl in the story was Mama, the queen shouldn’t be that old.

  Maybe Nan’s making things up and mixing real stuff with story stuff.

  Nan opened the book and flipped a few pages. “Having freed Sir Aemon from the ice demon’s curse, Princess Isabelle journeyed to visit the forest witch, who brewed up a potion that could cure her father, the king. The old woman held up a bottle, fat at the bottom and narrow at the top. A glow like moonlight shone from the potion, making shadows dance about the room. Princess Isabelle took the bottle with both hands, and gasped. ‘It’s warm,’ she whispered, eyes wide like huge sapphires.”

  “What’s a sapphire?” asked Tam.

  “It’s a precious gem of bright blue,” said Nan in her usual tone before clearing her throat and talking like a scary forest witch. “The forest witch laughed. ‘You were expecting it to be cold? You’re trying to thaw him out.’ Princess Isabelle stared deep into the ghostly brew. ‘It looks like it should be cold, but it’s warm.’”

  “Wow,” whispered Kimber. “It sounds pretty.”

  Nan held the book to her chest as she leaned in. “It was. So rare a thing to see, a bottle of moonlight.”

  Emma grinned. “Could you make that kind of potion like the forest witch made?”

  “Hmm.” Nan wiggled an eyebrow, giving her a sly wink. “I suppose it might be possible, but that particular concoction had only one purpose… removing a powerful necromantic curse from the king. The components to make it are quite difficult to find.”

  “Who made up a potion only one man can drink?” Emma blinked.

  Nan chuckled. “Well… we can imbue potions that remove curses. The particular curse that had befallen the king was strong, and quite specific. The forest witch had to fiddle with the recipe a bit. A strand of Isabelle’s hair went into it to lend it power. I believe her innocence is why it glowed white.”

  “’Nuff potions,” said Tam. “Story.”

  Emma wiggled a finger into his armpit, making him squeal.

  “Quiet,” whispered Kimber. “Donnae make Nan stop.”

  “Princess Isabelle thanked the forest witch, but she seemed afraid. After putting the potion in her satchel, she looked the old woman in the eye and asked, ‘What is your price for this potion?’ To that, the forest witch smiled. ‘I will not ask of you a price, for what you do serves our kingdom. The wizard must be stopped. I have only ruin to gain by not helping you.’ The witch patted her on the shoulder and guided the princess to sit at her table. ‘Now, the two of you should eat before you go. You will need your strength.’ Sir Aemon still did not trust her food, nor did he trust that no price would be asked. To his protests, the witch said that she would not ask anything of the girl, but if the inclination to be thankful struck the king, she would not turn away a boon. Princess Isabelle did, however, trust the forest witch, and at her urging, they took a hearty meal.”

  Emma’s head started to nod back, the bed too warm and comfortable. She caught herself and opened her eyes wide.

  “Princess Isabelle and Sir Aemon rode through the forest night and day, racing back to the castle. In the early evening of the third day, they arrived in the capital city. Isabelle’s heart thumped in her chest”―Nan held the book tight and hit it with her fist like a heartbeat―”as she feared they may have taken too long. When they reached the castle, her fear grew, for half of the building gleamed with a coating of ice.”

  “The king was breathin’ ice,” muttered Tam. “Magic ice like a dragon.”

  Kimber pulled the blanket up to her nose, looking frightened.

  “Isabelle rode her horse straight over the drawbridge and into the castle keep, stopping in the grand hall by the stairs. The air inside was so cold, her breath made fog. She leapt from the saddle and ran as fast as she could.”

  “She can’t run in a dress,” said Tam.

  “Princess Isabelle’s not wearing a dress.” Emma yawned. “She’s got breeches on, like a soldier… so she can ride and fight.”

  “Oh.” Tam shrugged.

  Nan turned a page. “The whole upstairs hallway had filled with ice. Princess Isabelle slid and stumbled, snow spraying from her boots. Two men in chain mail guarded the king’s bedchamber door, looking stern. When she got to them, they refused to let her in.”

  “What? Why?” asked Kimber.

  “Shh,” whispered Tam. “Nan’s tellin’ it.”

  Emma’s head sagged to the left, leaning against Kimber’s. She blinked slow, resisting a yawn.

  “The princess ordered them to clear the way, but they refused, claiming Advisor Gerath warned them that the king’s situation was most dire, and he should not be disturbed by anyone. Isabelle shouted, ‘Gerath’s the one who did this! I am the princess, now stand aside!’ Still, the men refused to move. Isabelle tried to push past them, but they shoved her away.”

  “No,” whispered Kimber.

  Nan turned a page. “Sir Aemon put his hand on his broadsword and raised his commanding voice. ‘You two men,’ he said, ‘have come free of your senses. Gerath’s word does not outrank that of the princess herself. Stand aside or answer to me as traitors.’”

  “Fight!” whisper-yelled Tam. He made a psssht sound and mimed drawing a sword.

  “The guards stared at Sir Aemon, their faces blank of emotion. It didn’t take Aemon long to realize the men had been ensorcelled. The knight gave Princess Isabelle a pointed stare. She knew he meant to distract them. Sir Aemon backed up two steps and ran at the guardsmen. They tried to draw their swords, but he jumped on the guards and took them both to the floor, all three men sliding off on the ice. Princess Isabelle rushed for the door, but found it locked.”

  Emma gasped.

  “Kinnae princess pick ’a lock?” asked Kimber.

  Nan chuckled. “She doesn’t know how… nor does she have the tools to do so.”

  “Oh.” Kimber nodded.

  “The key swung from the belt of one of the guards as they rolled about on the floor.” Nan raised her hands, pantomiming a fistfight. “Sir Aemon did not want to hurt them, since he felt sure that dark magic had touched their minds. Isabelle ran in, heedless of the fists flying about, and seized the key. The man bellowed and punched her, knocking Princess Isabelle to the ground.”

  Tam’s jaw fell open. “That’s bad! Why’s he hittin’ a girl?”

  “Dark magic,” whispered Emma.

  “Isabelle did not lose her grip on the key, and tore it away when he knocked her down. She scrambled to crawl off, but he grabbed her leg.” Nan seized Kimber’s ankle, making her squeal and kick at the blanket. “She kicked at him until her boot came off, and ran slipping and sliding back to her father’s bedchamber.”

  “She’s walkin’ on ice wif a bare foot?” asked Tam.

  Nan nodded. “Yes, Tam. The princess was so worried about her father, she didn’t even feel the cold. She unlocked the door and shoved it open. Wind howled in the window, turning the royal bedchamber into a wintry nightmare. Inches of snow gathered on the floor, and a great cloud of unnatural gloom blotted out everything except the king upon his bed. A man only a little older than your father lay still and grey, looking like an ancient warrior laid to rest.”

  “No!” said Emma, louder than she’d intended, but not quite a yell. “He can’t be dead! He just can’t!” She sniffled as a heavy feeling fell over her heart. “All she did to get that potion… she can’t not save him.”

  Kimber chewed on the blanket while Tam glared at both of them and made a ‘shh’ gesture.

  “It’s all right, Emma.” Nan smiled. “The king remained alive… but just barely.”

  Emma exhaled with relief.

  Nan’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “His skin had gone pale and grey, covered in wrinkles. Every breath he drew creaked like the bones of an old house in the wind. ‘Father?’ whispered Isabelle as she hurried to his side. ‘I’ve brought you something that will help.’ Still, the king did not move, staring at the ceiling. She took
the potion from her satchel and stooped over him to pour it into his mouth.”

  Emma clenched two fistfuls of blanket and held her breath.

  “The potion bottle neared the king’s lips and the glowing liquid gleamed in his eyes. At last the king moved, shifting his gaze not at Isabelle, but past her as he summoned the strength to give a faint wheeze.”

  Emma and Kimber squeaked out their noses at the same time.

  “Did Sir Aemon beat up the evil guards?” asked Tam.

  “Princess Isabelle spun around”―Nan flung her arms into the air―”as Advisor Gerath leapt from the shadows with a knife!”

  Kimber screamed. Emma gulped.

  Tam growled. “She’s gonna thump him!”

  “Princess Isabelle let out a shout of surprise and jumped to the side. Gerath lunged past her, and stabbed his dagger down into the mattress. Her bare foot slid out from under her on the ice and she landed on her backside, but Sir Aemon ran in before Gerath could attack her. The Advisor pointed at Sir Aemon, and with a great crack, a bolt of lightning flew from his outstretched finger, striking the knight in the chest.” Nan poked Tam over the heart.

  Emma shivered and burst into tears at the memory of the wizard almost killing her mother. “Mama…”

  Nan drew a breath to say something, but Mama ran over and sat on the edge of the bed. Emma dove into a hug.

  “Mother, what are you telling them?” Mama patted Emma on the back.

  She sniffled into her mother’s dress, wracked with guilt. “I’m sorry, Mama.”

  “Ahh…” Nan nodded with realization. “The part of the story where Gerath gives Aemon a zap.”

  Kimber patted Emma’s back as well, kneeling close. Tam held her hand.

  “I suppose that’s a good place to stop then,” muttered Nan.

  “Aww,” said Tam.

  “You’as cannae leave ’et off ’ere.” Kimber kneaded the blanket in her lap. “Wha’ happen’d?”

  Emma wiped her nose on the back of her arm. “It’s all right, Nan. I’m fine.”

  “Don’t carry around so much guilt,” whispered Mama. “It’s a stone you’ll never be able to lift.”