by Lloyd Baron
Tye Slocot stands in the doorway, swaying slightly.
“You should still be in bed, young Tye,” she says heading towards him. He staggers onto the porch and then collapses into the tiny woman’s arms. She stumbles under his weight but manages to get him walking towards the swing seat where she drops him. She perches beside him and watches anxiously as his eyelids flutter. “Silly boy,” she mutters to herself.
She sits with him like that for almost an hour. A few times he attempts to speak, but mostly they both just stare out at the abandoned village. A chill breeze begins to whip up and she shudders under its stroke. Deciding that it is probably better to get him out of the cold, she stands and holds out her hands for him to take. He stares at them for a while before reaching out. She is shocked at the warmth that flows up her arms. She gasps as it reaches her shoulders and releases his hands.
“You were cold. They told me how to make you warmer.” His eyes flash with confusion and he slumps forwards. “What is happening to me?” He sobs.
“I do not understand,” she says crouching in front of him. He shudders with the force of his sobs. “Who told you? What did you do?”
He looks up at her and smiles grimly. “The dead people. He has their bodies but I have their souls. I don’t know how but I think I touched them when I thought I was dying. They talk to me when I sleep. They want to be free and they say I am the only one who can save them.”
Maida does not know what to say. If he was here then he would know what to do. “They give you power?”
He nods slightly.
“And they tell you how to use it?”
Another nod.
“Can you show me?”
He looks at her, fear in his eyes.
“Do not worry yourself. I once lived with the Dark Clan. I know a bit about magic. They showed me how to detect it.”
“Why?”
“Because I— what is it?” She follows his gaze. Just beyond the hills to the south a huge dust cloud billows into the air. Something is coming, something kicking up a lot of dust. The only thing she can think of is horses. But to create a cloud so large there must be a lot of them.
She jumps to her feet and curses. “We have to get you out of here. An army is coming.”
22
THE QUEENS CHILD
Watching the girl sob on the shoulder of a servant she could have been anyone. Not the Princess of Atlantia.
Narmada Aft’s till Abenbeth looks on the scene from the landing above the entrance hall with a cold distance in her heart. Her daughter had a scare the day before, slipping away from bandits who planned on kidnapping her for a ransom no doubt. She had been very lucky.
Stupid girl! She thinks for the hundredth time. She is the Princess and she thinks she can go off riding alone in the country. Even without the threat of kidnap there are other reasons why it is a foolish thing to do. She could have fallen and been injured, or worse, killed. The ice around her heart cracks as her daughter glances up and smiles through her tears.
How can she be so harsh? All of her motherly instincts tell her to rush down the stairs and embrace her. But it is her Queenly instincts that she must follow.
She stares back, keeping her face stern and neutral before gliding off down the hall. She grimaces as she thinks of the hurt look that had crossed Narinda’s face. She steadies her breathing and smoothes her features.
Hopefully it will teach her a lesson. A princess has no right to run away. She has responsibilities to her queen; to her country, and to the world. She staggers to a halt and turns to face the stairs. Sadness envelops her for a moment before she steels herself again. These are lessons she too had to learn as a young woman. She will get over them and she will grow as a result.
“Parenting troubles, Narmada?”
Her heart lurches and she spins with a gasp, a hand against her chest.
“I am sorry to have startled you, my Queen.” The tall, skinny man says as he bows to her.
“It was not your fault, Zelosanther, I had my mind elsewhere.” She smiles bitterly. “I am preoccupied with my daughter. That was very perceptive of you.”
“Not at all. If she were my daughter, I too would be thinking about her safety at this time.”
She inclines her head and frowns. What was meant by that? Was he referring to her near kidnap or the rumors that the Prophecy had begun? Before she can ask he steps aside and offers her his arm.
“Walk with me. I need to talk of some matters to do with the House of Freedom to Atlant.” She groans as she accepts his offer and slips her arm through his.
“What have they been saying, if I can’t already guess?” The last was said under her breath. Her old friend chuckles to himself, and her mood lightens. “Come on Zelo, don’t hold back.”
He sighs and his smile slips from his face. His tone becomes sober. “It seems they are unhappy with recent moves in the north and feel you are not doing enough to keep us safe.”
“Ha,” she scoffs. “What else can I do? I have sent an ambassador to speak to the Emperor of Flambour and he has had some success. Emperor Filimer has no desire to take the south. He respects us and the Prophecy too much.”
“Yes, but he also claimed to respect Zumi and Drani yet he swallowed those two as soon as there was a trade dispute.”
She stops and regards him sternly. His narrow face crinkles into a mask of guilt. He holds out his hands and smiles. “I was just saying...”
“Yes, well. Maybe you should not just say.” She takes his arm again and they continue on in silence for a while. “Oh I am sorry.” She says after a time. “It is not your fault. It is theirs. Let me guess who the biggest complainers are: Vachel Humtph, Abdiel Supch, and Job Persec. Am I correct?”
Zelosanther grins to himself. “Partly, but it would seem the ringleader is Haven Safet'y. He has a friend in Gamblet who sends him letters. News of an army heading east has reached him. They presume to claim Shalmist and then Common.”
She stops and regards her friend with open dismay. “Why have I not heard of this army? Not that I am worried for my friend, King Garnock, as I do not believe Filimer would dare make such a move. We are allied and it will start a war he cannot hope to win. But I am the Queen and I should be informed about everything”
“I have the feeling that they wanted to build a case before presenting it to you. Even they believe that there is no threat in this move.”
She sighs and pushes a hand into her hair. “I want you to set up a meeting with them for tomorrow. I would also like that they have no prior warning of my knowledge of this army. On top of that I demand that the efforts of the city guard to find and capture these kidnappers be doubled and for them to watch my daughter closely.”
“Anything else?” he asks with a smile on his face.
The Queen chuckles and looks at her friend. He has always been there for her and she loves him like a brother. “Only that you would join me for supper tonight.”
“I would be honored, my Queen.” He pats her arm and takes a few steps away, turning to give her a reassuring smile. “Do not worry about things, Narmada. I am always here for you.”
“I know Zelo. I have chosen my Supreme Chancellor wisely.” He bows formally and strides away. Narmada watches him disappear into his chamber before letting her face harden. The news of an army is indeed worrying, but not as much as her own people keeping it from her. They will have to be dealt with swiftly before they can get grander ideas.
Firstly she must deal with her daughter. Glancing once more at the closed door of her friend and Chancellor she turns and strides down the hall.
“Mother!” Narinda screams over her mother’s own loud voice. “Calm yourself!”
“I will not calm myself! This talk has been long coming and you will sit down there and listen to me!. I am your Queen above all else. You may take heed of what I say as your mother, but you must above all listen to me as your Queen!” That hits the girl hard. Her angry face flickers in a wide arc of emotions
from embarrassment, shock and disappointment to bitterness, contempt and helplessness. Narmada sighs to herself and pats the seat beside her. It is a conversation well overdue and one she is not looking forwards to. She herself remembers being in the same situation with her mother. Only now looking back does she realize that it had been the best thing for her. Her daughter needs to grow up and become responsible now before her time as Princess ends and she is called upon to become Queen.
“Mother, I know what you are about to say. I am not a stupid child any more. I am a grown woman who is just pushing on the boundaries of what I can and cannot do. I will save you from the “you-will-become-Queen” speech and just agree to behave myself from now on.”
Narmada can feel her jaw drop open and has to check herself before moving on. “What has brought this on?” she says, a little flustered. Relief flooding her every pore that she will not have to force her daughter to listen to her ramble on.
“Oh it happened some days ago,” Narinda says, dropping onto the seat beside her mother, letting her flowing gown settle around her feet. “When my birthday was approaching and you were talking about the ball and the houses, I knew it then. I resigned myself to the future and began to look forwards.” She takes her mother’s hand in hers and squeezes it gently. “Then at the meal the night before, I snapped, and wanted just one more day as a child. That is what yesterday was all about. Forgive me.” She turns to look at her mother and reveals the tears that have silently welled in her eyes.
The Queen’s heart breaks in that moment, and she envelops her child within the cocoon of her arms. “I am so sorry, my daughter. I should have comforted you before now. I too need forgiveness.”
“You are forgiven. You did the right thing. You are Queen and I am your daughter. The Queen’s child has grown up.”
Narmada crumples into her daughter and the two women hold each other. It is only when a tap at the door sounds that they realize hours have passed. Narmada kisses her daughter on the top of the head and stands before calling out that the visitor should enter. To her surprise it is the head of the Palace Guard and a dear friend.
“Gareth Zian, it is delightful to see you.” She rushes towards him and launches herself into his arms. He hugs her back, protocol forgotten. It is truly wonderful to see her old friend. Duties around the Kingdom have taken him away to the Houses of Atlantia. Almost a sun has passed since they have been together. The man is now in his late sixties and is grey of hair and old in his face, but he has lost none of his power and stance and his eyes still burn with the hunger of youth. Once her mentor he is more of a father then her own who had died when she was very young. She had made him head of the palace guard and protector of the Queen out of respect and honor.
“Narmada, my Queen,” he says easing her away from him. “Not that this is not a happy event in itself I am here on business.” He indicates the seat in which Narinda is still seated upon. He gives her a warm smile and she waves a hand back. The Queen sits and becomes sober.
“We have had sightings of the bandits within the city walls. They are staying at the Sun and Queen Tavern near the slums. I wanted to inform you before sending in the guard to arrest them.”
The Queen looks at her daughter’s stony face before nodding her thanks. “I want them brought to me. They will fear their Queen and suffer my wrath personally for trying to take my daughter.” She stands and places a hand on Narinda’s shoulder. “No-one touches my Princess and lives long to gloat about it.
PART THREE
THE ROYALS WILL BE MISTAKEN,
DEATH IS THEIR GIFT...
THE DARKNESS WILL LEAD
AND THE SOUL OF TRUTH WILL DESTROY
The fallen Princess will leave the world.
Her blood in the hands of six.
Her soul lost in the woods, locked within the corpse of another.
Never to grace the light as leader of her people.
The three D’s will find their strength.
The dreams will pull them into the battle.
The voice of the beast will guide them out into the world.
The summoning will protect them from the coming shadow.
The Last Princess of Atlantia is beyond the Queens protection.
A fire will burn as her shield.
The healer and the Dark one will clash, their souls the prize for victory.
The mighty protectors will die; the darkness will sweep across the land and the children will pay the price for the King’s mistake.
PROPHECY OF AGES (Unknown author, Prophecy of Ages, 256 BS)
23
CAT
Darwin’t drops down onto the lumpy bed and groans as it sends pain shooting up his spine. The room in the Sun and Queen Tavern is tiny but at least it is dry.
They had arrived in the outskirts of the city a day before. Leaving Canace and Riochald with their packs, he and the other boys had gone in search of some drinking water and food. The main gates were open, though no travelers, only traders were allowed in so early. They found a tiny stream and were filling their skins when Riochald galloped up with news. The side gates had opened for people attending the Feast of Lights. They could join the cue and be inside the city within the half-day.
As they approached Canace’s hiding place a girl who had stopped to talk jumped upon her horse a rode away at speed. They had all been panicked at first thinking she may be a spy for the Dark Wizard but once Canace had started yelling that their reckless gallop had frightened the poor thing half to death they knew she was an innocent. To calm Canace they soothed her with a promise that should they see the girl they would apologize. She remained angry but it at least stopped her ranting.
The rest of that day had been spent waiting outside the east gate with hundreds of other citizens of Atlant.
Stalls were set up. Traders called their wares and fresh cool drinking water was passed along the lines by city guards. Riochald purchased apples and cider for herself and Canace and some ale for the boys. Sitting in the shadow of the city walls, the birds chatting away and the sounds of merriment from the others cueing filled their hearts with awe and wonder.
Being six young people from a small village in the hills, they had never visited a city before. Only Riochald had traveled this far south but had not entered the city itself. They had all been abuzz with the thoughts of the feast and all darkness had moved away from them.
He leans back and the bed creaks. The room is only big enough for two beds but the innkeeper has placed two pallets on the floor, shrugging his apologies for the lack of space. The city is simply crammed full. People are camping out in the streets, it is so busy. Some have come for the feast and music which takes place at midnight others have come to witness the parade which includes horse-drawn floats. However, the highlight is the reason they are here. The Queen and her daughter will ride out at the front of the procession. He is hoping to gain her attention somehow and tell her about the dreams. A long shot, though it is the only plan they have so far. How else do you get close to a princess?
Tarfleam mutters in his heavy sleep and draws Darwin’t’s attention back into the room. The poor man has suffered more than the rest of them put together. First, he had almost been killed in the cave under the well. True he was almost a victim himself, though he knew at least how to fight back. Tarfleam would have simply stood and waited for the ghoul to eat him. Then his fear of horses had to be overcome in a matter of seconds. Worst of all though was sitting beside Tye when that spear of ice had ripped into him. Even the knowledge that the boy may still live had not calmed Tarfleam’s nightmares. There is also that business with his healed arm. He will not speak about it and Riochald is also keeping quiet. That she had used magic on him is not in any doubt—it is the how that bothers him.
He looks away from the prone figure and up into the blue sky through the grimy window. This day the sun will not set across Atlant or the rest of the world. This phenomenon lends its name to the feast. No-one claims to understand why the sun re
fuses to dip behind the mountains—it is merely accepted by the people. In six months’ time, during the winter months the sun will not rise for a full day. It is called Sun’s Rest in the south; but he has heard that in the far north it has a different name: the Darkest Day.
The parade may make it easy for him and the others to get a glimpse of the Princess, but it has also made it very hard to find a room where they could talk and be private. They had gone from inn to inn and been laughed out of some. Everywhere is full. They then happened upon the Sun and Queen. All its regular rooms were full, though the innkeeper was happy to let out rooms in his personal quarters for a fee. The two small rooms were designed for a couple but they had to split them between six. The girls were given the smaller of the two and the boys took the bigger. The pallets were placed in the room and they had pulled straws of hay to see who would get the beds. Tarfleam pulled the shortest and began to whimper in the corner. Derry’n pulled the longest, but gave up his bed saying he had become used to sleeping on hard earth and did not think he could sleep on the soft mattress.
Tarfleam had nodded his thanks but had not spoken any words. Danlynn won the second bed but not to be outdone had offered it to Darwin’t. He had declined the offer which he could tell had both hurt the man and thrilled him.
A gentle knock brings him to his feet and he opens the door. Having to back into the room so it can open fully and allow Riochald to enter. She glances at Tarfleam with disdain before lowering herself onto the bed beside him. She feels his brow for a temperature and content that he is well turns to regard Darwin’t who has returned to the pallet.
“It was magic,” she says suddenly. Her face is a picture of calm, though a quiver in her voice betrays her feelings. “On his arm.”
