More quickly than I could have imagined they dropped their legs from the boulder and started skittering up the hill. I screamed at the top of my lungs. Then I started pushing webs down as fast as I could. There was still one spider after the little man, but whether he continued to sing or not I wouldn’t have been able to hear him—I screamed without pause until two of the spiders were hit. The last was dangerously close. The ground was clear of webs for me to push.
It skittered and bounced then at last it jumped. For one moment I felt more terror than ever I had in my life. Then I made myself vanish. It flew right through me and over the hill. I reappeared and looked back to see it rolling into a heap, all tangled in its own webs. I turned back the other way and searched for the man. At first I didn’t see him, then I caught sight of him on the actual back of the last spider left.
“Take this, you over-appendaged ant!” he shouted. He knocked the spider repeatedly on the head with his instrument.
I started running down the hill. I couldn’t believe that the other spiders had left so easily, but as I drew nearer it became obvious that even the one that the man was riding wanted away. I decided they weren’t very brave.
“Let go!” I called.
The little man cocked his head, as if he were questioning whether he’d heard something.
The spider bucked and tried to scrape him off. Finally he saw of me.
“Let go!” I told him again. “It wants to run.”
The little man’s eyes went wide. In the next moment the spider lifted a leg and knocked his instrument to the ground. The spider mounted the boulder, jumped into the air and bucked the man from there. The man went flying towards the sky. The spider made a run after the others.
I stared up at the little man, eyes wide, trying to measure where his landing would take place as I ran frantically in circles to reach the spot.
He let out a yell that grew as he sailed through the air.
I held out my arms. He began to descend. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
He landed and we both plopped to the ground. I realized that I had underestimated his size; I had only been able to cushion the fall.
He stood up, blowing grass and web out of his face. When I managed to rise to a sitting position, I saw that he was, even on his feet, only a head taller than me.
“Oh dear, oh dear. Are you alright?” he cried. His voice as disarmingly high as ever. He tugged at my arm to help me straighten up.
“Yes. Yes,” I answered. “I’m fine.”
“I can’t believe it all. If you hadn’t come…. By the frost giants of Garosh, that was some sort of spectacular battle!” he suddenly cheered. “To think how close we came to perishing. And I’ve never witnessed a maiden fight with such veracious candor. You must be a warrior of great might.”
“I’m just a girl actually,” I said, feeling a bit dumbfounded. “I can barely wield a sword well. We’re lucky we survived.”
“Oh, to, be, true,” he agreed, emphatically sounding out each word. He took my hand and shook it. “And here I thought that I would woo them for certain. My name is Minstrel, lady. Minstrel of Gilgatrox. I am pleased to make your acquaintance and feel unequivocally in your debt for you having saved my life.”
I blinked repeatedly as he bobbed my hand up and down. His fingers were like a child’s. His hair was light, and short. He wore a leather tunic with a sundry of odds and ends attached to straps and belts. In actuality, and despite his size, he looked nothing like a child. He was short, but not thin, not like a shrunken person or anything.
I had half a mind to guess he was a gnome. It was just that I had never met a gnome before, so I couldn’t be sure. Finally he released my hand.
“I’m Ellia,” I said. “And I’m, um… pleased to meet you too, Minstrel. I saw you had an instrument before... are you really a minstrel, or is that just your name?”
“My name, my calling. It is the title that has been destined to me since birth,” he said, with yearning in his voice. He picked up the lyre that had landed on the ground not far from us and dusted it off. “Alas, if I could not even tame the baby arachnids, I’m not sure how much of a minstrel I really am.” He looked immediately and utterly dejected.
My eyes went wide. “The spiders? You mean those things were babies?”
“Just the untended young of a negligent mother. I found the nest completely unguarded—not even a proper web to protect them for predators.”
I looked out at the fields, feeling a chill run up my spine at the thought of how large the adult spiders must be.
“Minstrel,” I called. He was a few yards away, retrieving a torn sack from off the ground. He looked my way. “How would you feel about getting out of here—sooner, rather than later. I have some rice, maybe after that we could eat together. You can tell me about Gilgatrox.”
Minstrel smiled. He was so adorable, immediately I felt grateful that I had not taken the road to Loone.
“Lead on, Lady Ellia.”
#
By nightfall Minstrel and I were sitting around the fire of our make-shift camp. He’d set up his tent—which was half my height in length—and we’d found large stumps to use as chairs. We were a far ways from the hills infested the spiders. The sky was wide and clear, with stars and only a few puffy and fast-moving clouds. Endless miles of grassy hills surrounded us.
Except for the mountains in the distance there was not much to see.
“So, wait, you’re saying you went looking for the spiders?” I asked Minstrel.
Once again the squeak of his voice surprised me. “Of course. That’s why I came to Karatel in the first place.”
Our rice was cooking on the pot. My brows went high at his claim. I started to laugh. “But Minstrel what could you have possibly been thinking? You must have known they were dangerous. And even if you hadn’t, why would you go out looking for spiders?”
He picked a few strings of the lyre sitting loose in his grip, then shook his head. “I thought that I would be able to charm them…. In my village there is a legend that if you can play and sing so as to bend an animal to your will—particularly a magical animal—then you may consider yourself an accomplished minstrel. I hoped to return to my people truly owning the title that fit my name. Of course I would have preferred it not be spiders, but they are the only magical animal that I was able to hear tell of.”
“You must be terribly brave, Minstrel.”
He frowned. “It’s my upbringing that’s the trouble. I’ve had no chance to see anything to write about. I try to create my own songs, but they all end up with disparaging titles, like, ‘I once went to mop the floor’ or ‘The search for my backyard.’ Have you heard many songs, lady Ellia?”
The rice had finished cooking. Thanks to Minstrel’s supplies we had added bits of meat to it. I dished out two bowls as I answered. “Well, I have witnessed quite a few minstrels, yes.” Quite a few was to put it mildly. As the Princess of Shaundakul I had sat through many a famous minstrel play and sing their greatest, longest, pieces. I could still see General Vossler nodding off half-way through them.
“And it was of great things that they sang no doubt?” Minstrel squeaked, taking his bowl but ignoring the contents. “Ancient battles between countries. Granted animals. The dwarves of Knob Mountain.”
“They did seem to have travelled,” I admitted.
Minstrel sighed dejectedly. He picked up his spoon but looked so sad as he took bites of rice that I was hard-pressed to keep my appetite. I sat my bowl down. “Minstrel it sounds like all you need is to see a few more places,” I said. “You’ve got the talent to rhyme, right? And I’ve heard for myself that you have a lovely singing voice—and that was in the face of spiders.” Minstrel looked at me uncertainly, but some of his dismalness was gone. “Why not just visit some of the nearby countries? You’ve already left your home. I’m sure once you’ve travelled, you’ll be able to write many songs.”
“But I have been through Karatel. I wrote a son
g about their cabbages. I thought it would be enough to charm the spiders, but they didn’t like it at all.”
“Perhaps you should write about something other than cabbages...”
“If only I could find some adventure! It’s not just places I need. I must see battles. I must travel with the mightiest warriors, wisest scholars, and most mysterious princesses.”
I dropped my eyes to the fire, my cheeks going a little red. This seemed to grab Minstrel’s attention. He turned to me. “Where are you going, lady Ellia?”
Now I truly blushed. I hadn’t ventured to tell him anything about my journey except to warn him to stay away from Akadia at any costs. I cocked my head a little. “Right now I’m heading to the small port town of Loone. Have you heard of it?”
He nodded. “It’s supposed to be brimming with many rebels. They scorn any sort of enforcement from the Katellian government. And they refuse to pay taxes.” His eyes went wide. “I suppose that that would be a fair place to see adventure! Where do you plan to go from there?”
I was a little too stunned to answer immediately. A city of rebels? Where exactly had my mysterious friend from Cathum sent me? “I… plan to take a boat.”
“Unprecedented!” he exclaimed. “You must realize that it is the summer season. The waves at sea are massive this time of year. Such a dangerous undertaking. Will you go on to Nebet?”
I thought I recalled this to be a distant city usually reached by sea. From all he seemed to know I was really starting to wonder if Minstrel needed to travel at all. “Not Nebet quite, no…”
“Hmmm…Truslan?”
I shook my head.
“Salsin?”
“No.”
“Arcas?”
“Not that one either.”
“Mmm…” Minstrel pressed his lips. “What about—”
“Have you heard of Yanartas?” I broke in.
Minstrel’s mouth suddenly dropped.
“I assume you have then?” I said.
Minstrel still didn’t seem to be able to find words.
“I can’t explain why I’m going there,” I quickly said. “And if you would, please, not tell anyone….” My voice trailed uneasily.
Minstrel set his bowl down. He knelt at my feet. “To see the great granted chimera of the Yanartas. My lady, if you would allow me, I would be your stalwart companion on this journey you will take.”
I began to laugh. “Aren’t you afraid of the improbability?”
“I cannot hope to find a better chance at adventure,” he argued.
My eyes found the fire then the stars. “Well, of course I wouldn’t stop you,” I said, happily. “I’ve absolutely hated traveling alone. Only I can’t promise that the Cirali Warriors will let you in...”
“Oh, minstrels are known to be welcomed into any kingdom,” he cheered. “I’m sure if I write a proper song to honor them they will not be able to find it in their hearts to toss me back to sea.” He grabbed my hand in both of his and bobbed it up and down as he had before. “Surely the creator has smiled upon our meeting, Lady Ellia. I will begin tonight composing music for the tale of our grand quest.”
I smiled as he picked up his lyre. He leaned back and looked up at the sky as he put his fingers to the strings.
The notes he plucked off had an immediately calming effect. I looked up at the stars like he was. Before I had even remembered to finish my meal I was fast asleep.
*
CYRIC:
*
Racing, drilling, shooting, climbing, fighting—for days I did these things to the best of my ability and without pause. I started listening to what the instructors said. I stopped getting into fights (unless I was supposed to). I didn’t have time for it. I used my free time at night to practice in the training grounds or study Akadian history and military procedure.
Though my squadron had stopped getting so bothered by me, before long I was moved into a different group. This one was full of veterans—not recently instated recruits like my old one—and it also happened to be under a lieutenant close to commander Lox, though I wasn’t sure if that were a coincidence or not.
Though the new group had its perks—like better food, more attractive handmaidens, and larger rooms—it was also much more difficult keeping up with the others. I was no longer able to beat everyone without effort. It took me days to start getting first in the races again, and to combat my advanced opponents in sparring I had the sword Lox had given me extended and weighted. We received gold for our duties around Akadia. In my old squadron, mine had been a post at the walls. Now, I stood watch at the barrack’s entrance, which meant I was almost always standing around with a crowd of pestering handmaidens.
But tonight I was free of duty. I’d been invited, by both Lox and my new instructor Scanth—the same lieutenant that had overseen the recruit finals race—to a banquet in the palace. I was able to sit near both of them since, Scanth being a favorite of Lox, the commander had held a place for him near the front. Directly across from me was Veera, Lox’s Taelpian handmaiden. To her left was Lox, and to my right was Scanth.
The palace dining hall was exactly what I had expected from Akadia. Everything was gold, from the table we sat at to the rafters and alcoves high above us. Pillars lining the hall were as wide as tree-trunks; they were also painted gold, lacking in the usual mosaic tiles that seemed to decorate all other pillars in Akadia.
The king of Akadia sat at the head of the table. He had shoulder-length and slightly curled brown hair, he was very thin, and about as old as Lox. More-overly I found his personality exact to the few things I’d heard Lox say about him: Opinionated without any obvious intention to take action, bored by any topic a council member brought before him, aversive to the mention of war, yet holding a high regard for the spoils wrought from them, and an even higher regard for the ladies and handmaidens of court.
His queen sat to his right, but not at the head of the table as he was. He paid little attention to her and she likewise seemed more interested in the lord on her right. Veera noted with great humor how this infuriated the lady sitting on the other side of him—his wife.
With Lox joining in every so often, she pointed out the names of other lords and ladies and the ridiculous dramas ensuring between them.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t fill young Cyric’s head with so much pointless information, Veera,” Scanth said in the midst of this. “This boy is going places. Let him relax for a night.”
“Oh, come Lieutenant,” she said with a pout, “Don’t you know better than anyone how my voice sooths exhaustion. Especially what is gained from a soldier’s over-training.”
“Remember she has had to deal with me,” Lox noted, coming in from a conversation with the lord on his right.
Scanth smiled. “Of course no one has ever worked as hard as you, Commander Lox. But on the topic of over-training, did you hear Commander Tarful just got back from a hike with three-fourths of his battalion? I was the only one of his lieutenants not present.” Scanth leaned in conspiratorially. “I thought you’d be interested to know that they got very near to the borders of Karatel.”
“Mm,” Lox drawled. “I wonder that a commander of his experience would take the risk of inciting our enemies.” Lox took a drink.
I swallowed a little. I knew that Tarful was going to be my commander eventually, because I was under Scanth—but that wasn’t what had drawn my attention. “Isn’t Karatel at peace with Akadia?” I asked. With Lox’s gaze and Scanth’s both on me, I backtracked. “I thought that… since the battle of Crossroads half a century ago there’s been a treaty… but you called them our enemies.”
“No, you’re quite right, Cyric,” said Lox. He beamed. “You know who made the treaty then?”
“The king before Molec,” I answered. Molec was the current king.
Lox tipped his drink and raised his brows at Scanth. Then he looked back at me. “According to the governments, we are at peace with Karatel, Cyric. But the council’s decisions an
d actuality often diverge. Neighboring countries can only last so long before they see the benefit of gaining one another’s land. It’s only a matter of time before Karatel turns.”
“If they do, they’ll find Akadia much more of a challenge than they supposed,” Scanth chuckled. Then he shrugged. “But perhaps they will be wiser than other countries have been,” he said.
Lox’s mouth tipped. “We can only hope.”
Before long the man beside Lox called his attention again, and a handmaiden called Scanth’s. There was so much going on at once in the hall I didn’t have a problem just watching and listening. A band in the corner played loudly. I noticed Veera watching me after a while. Eventually I looked back at her. With her thick eyelashes and the extensive care she’d taken with her appearance tonight, it was hard not to smile when you saw her. “Tell me, Cyric,” she said, raising her voice above the crowd. “Which of the ladies of court do you think is most lovely?”
My lips curved. She tipped her head over until I looked down the table to my left. I considered all the ladies surrounding the lords. None of them were able to do more than remind me of the much more attractive face I was used to seeing at palace banquets.
“I agree with Lox,” I told Veera. “None of them compare to you.”
“But you can’t have me,” she argued seriously, “Whereas the ladies you see here can be easily won with persistence—particular from such a young and promising soldier as yourself.”
I laughed outright. This did do something to distract me. I looked again. “In that case, I’ll take that one,” I said, pointing to a lady dressed in white and gold, very near to us at the table. She had probably been pretty once, but was now at least twice as old as me and she took small bites of her food with a set in frown that made it look like she was about to start crying into her plate. “She looks like she could use a good time,” I said.
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