Piper looked blankly at the people before her. Once again, Jack and Leo had nearly forgotten that magic was outlawed, and they shifted uncomfortably.
“You will submit for The Cleansing, or be removed from your office,” said another noble, more defiantly.
Piper smirked at him. “Who then will take the throne, Allister?”
“As there are no more direct descendants to the throne, your land will be thrown into yet another civil war.” Gemari crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at the elven nobles. “The Dwarves will not back you on this. We have chosen to support Piper.” She shot a warning glare at Una, then resumed staring at the nobles from behind Jack.
“Of course you would,” spat the noble from Sutton Low. “Your customs are more magical than you pretend them to be. You have no power or say in the matters of Elven state, dwarf.”
“She has as much say as anyone here,” said Gran from another chair beside Una. “We are all a part of Chartile. The decisions of one race affects us all.”
“There have been many revolutions for the better in our world,” Leo said. “Change isn’t always a bad thing. It’s sometimes scary, but it doesn’t have to be bad if you don’t let it be.”
The discussion went on and on, until the attack at the coronation was nearly forgotten. In the end, Piper stood her ground. The Conclave had no real power over their monarchs. The royals looked to them for guidance, and over the centuries, had allowed themselves to be governed by the Conclave in order to keep peace. Piper was confident that regardless of her magic, it was too soon after the corruption of Princess Taraniz for the nobles to want to cause any trouble.
Soon, only Piper, Jack, Leo, Valin and Valar were left in the tiny room. Piper plopped into one of the chairs along the perimeter of the room. “It is not as difficult as I thought it would be,” she admitted. “It’s that there are so many of them. It is incredibly draining.”
From somewhere, Valin produced a chalice of water, and handed it to Piper. She looked at him surprised, and he smiled at her. She accepted the water and drank deeply as Leo said, “Do you think they’ll cause any trouble? With the whole magic thing?”
“I believe it is too soon to know that,” said Valar. “However, their next push will be for you to choose an advisor, Piper.”
“I thought we had until the winter solstice for that.” Jack leaned against one of the tapestries. “Shouldn’t we be looking for Jayson?”
“Jayson can take care of himself,” said Valin. “He’s been working with the soldiers night and day for this mission. He hardly sleeps anymore. Killing that guard rather traumatized him, I believe.”
“Well, I hope he didn’t go traipsing off by himself,” said Leo a cold edge in his voice. “He should have taken guards or someone with him.”
They sat in silence for several minutes thinking and worrying about Jayson. Then, Valar gave an impressive yawn, and stretched.
“I am far too old for this,” he mumbled. “Majesty, my Kings, if you no longer require my presence, I will retire for the night.”
Piper nodded to him, though she seemed lost in her own thoughts. Valar bowed to her, then to the boys and left the room, the door click echoing throughout the chamber as he went.
“Do you want me to tell Una or Gemari anything?” Jack asked Piper quietly.
Piper shook her head. “They were here earlier for the important discussions. They know everything that needs to be known. You and Leo should go rest.”
“You, too,” said Leo.
“Hmm?” asked Piper dreamily.
“You need to get some sleep, too,” said Leo again, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Yes, I suppose I should. I have more prisoners to attend to tomorrow.” She rose, and headed for the door, nearly asleep on her feet.
“I’ll look after her,” Valin whispered to Jack and Leo, and trotted off behind her.
Piper had barely walked across the room when she found herself standing at the base of the tower stair. She couldn’t remember how she had gotten there, and she stood there dazed for a moment.
“Are you alright, Piper?” a voice asked beside her. She turned to see Valin, his icy blue eyes kind and concerned.
“Yes,” she replied. “I am just very tired. And hungry,” she added under her breath. She climbed the stair and Valin followed. He held the door at the top open for her and watched as she headed straight for the bed.
“Majesty, let me call your beck-ands to help you,” he said, but Piper had already begun undoing the laces of her dress herself. When she couldn’t reach them anymore, she turned to look at Valin.
He crossed the room, and with delicate fingers, finished untying the laces down her back. Before he could turn away, Piper let the dress drop to the floor, exposing her smooth, flawless back.
Valin blinked then turned away quickly and heard Piper climb beneath the blankets of her bed.
“Majesty, if you need nothing further, I—” He dared to turn and look at her. She was resting peacefully, her lips slightly parted, and one arm drawn up over her head. It was hard to believe only hours before she had dared the Noble Conclave by creating her own oaths and calmed her people in the face of certain death. The Queen of the elves was a wildfire, and she needed someone to guide her and help her rule her people.
As he turned to leave, Valin noticed a familiar small box on the corner of her dressing table. He opened it and saw his mother’s sapphire necklace within, the symbol of his promise that he would help her if she needed it. He left the box open, and left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jayson of the Hill
Jayson lay on his stomach overlooking the top of a small hill. The last of the party he had pursued through the night walked into a small tavern on the outskirts of town. The rogue looked over his shoulder, as though he sensed he was being watched. He turned quickly and slammed the tavern door behind him.
Jayson smiled wickedly. The group had decided to make camp for the night, and Jayson was easily able to catch up to them. He played havoc with them all night until they finally gave in and continued on their way. Howling winds, sudden rain storms, falling acorns, and voices in the dark had all plagued them, and he had to keep from laughing the entire time. He never slept anymore, and needed all the fun he could get these days. Ever since the encounter with Duke Noraedin when King Jenemar had made himself known in Jayson’s mind, his magic came as easily as breathing. He was sure it was the same for Leo, Jack and Piper, but they had little time for him these days. They were too busy with their own affairs to bother much with him.
As the sky turned a pale orange above the small village of Hollycrest, it was time again for him to work. Who knew how many of these small pockets of outlaws there were in Chartile, but Jayson was about to set an example. He headed for the front door of the tavern, and noticed a small bird perched above the open window.
“Hello, little friend,” he said softly to it, and the bird cocked its head toward him. “Will you be my eyes?” he asked it in its mind. The bird puffed itself up. Jayson sent a wave of calming energies to wash over the little bird, soothing it and helping it to feel safe. When the bird had calmed itself, Jayson reached into the bird’s mind. It took a moment, but he was able to see through its eyes, even if it was a bit blurry.
The bird hopped onto the window sill. It cocked its head and fluttered onto the empty table beside the window. Jayson could see the group he tracked sitting in the far corner of the tavern. They had extinguished most of the candelabras around them and angrily shooed away the poor barmaid, but not before discourteously groping her rear.
“Thank you, friend. Now hurry and leave this place.” Jayson withdrew his mind from the little bird. It chirped and trilled loudly at him, then took off through the window once more.
Jayson wretched the door open so hard it slammed against the outer wall. He threw a ball of fire across the room. It hit the unlit candelabra above the table of his quarry, light
ing the candles, and sending small bits of fire raining down on them. He drew an arrow from his quiver and sent it soaring across the room. It narrowly missed the ear of one of the men. They stood, drawing their swords and daggers. No sooner had they stood were they lifted from their feet, and slammed back into their chairs. Their blades turned on their masters, and hovered in midair at their throats.
“I am Jayson Hill, the reincarnated soul of King Jenemar. You have committed acts of treason and attempted murder against Queen Piper. You will answer for your crimes.”
A bird trilled franticly from the window ledge. Jayson turned in time to kick a middle aged man to the ground, and pressed his boot to the man’s throat. The weapons that hung in the air never faltered.
“Tell your people what happens when they deny the Queen of the elves of Chartile and what becomes of those who still support the tyranny of Princess Taraniz.” He glared at the man beneath him. The man nodded, and Jayson released him, turning back to the outlaws.
Jack sat in the elven library trying to appear interested in what Leo was reading. Nefiri had entrusted some old documents from the Tutarian libraries to him for Leo’s research. Leo poured over the notes, talking to himself, and continually referring to the pages of notes he had made on Draconian runes that were piled high beside him.
“I don’t think this one’s going to help much,” Leo said, setting the scroll aside. “I don’t even know why the elder thought that was useful.”
“Why not?” Jack asked. He ran his hand over his face and hoped some discussion might wake him up. He always regretted that Chartile didn’t have coffee.
“It’s some kind of myth about the Dragons and a star bridge or something like that. I don’t know. It didn’t make a lot of sense.”
Jack opened his mouth to comment when the sound of running feet stopped him.
“My Lords, my Kings,” said a young beck-and boy. “You wished to know when King Jayson returned.”
“Where is he?” Jack asked getting to his feet.
“The dungeons, my King. Captain Leland is on his way as well. My Lord, he has single handedly brought back the outlaws who attacked Queen Piper! Twelve in all!”
Jack and Leo tore from the room, leaving the parchment and scrolls strewn across the table. They took the secret entrance from the noble’s wing to the dungeons, and rounded the corner to see Jayson locking a cell door.
“Jayson!” Leo cried angrily. “Where the hell have you been? What’s going on?”
Jayson held up a hand to silence him and cocked his head toward the main stair. Leo stared open mouthed at him, but followed nonetheless.
They emerged into the more public area of the palace, and headed for the throne room.
“I had some business to do,” Jayson said calmly.
“What business? Jayson, we were worried sick! You could have told us! We would have come with you,” Jack protested.
“Would you?” Jayson rounded on them. “Would you have left your precious Princess Gemari, Jack? Would you have left your research, Leo? You two have started to make a life for yourselves here, and I’m still nothing! I’m nothing but a murderer, and I have to account for that. I have to try and make up for it.”
“Jayson, that wasn’t — it was an accident. You can’t bl—”
“I can’t what, Leo? I can’t hold myself responsible for my actions? I can’t try to right the wrong I did? Isn’t that what we’re here for anyway?” He pushed one of the doors to the throne room open and nearly ran into Piper. Her arms were crossed and she scowled bitterly at him.
“Jayson Hill,” she began, but threw her arms around him, and nearly cried in his shoulder. “Don’t ever do anything like that again! You were gone for two days! We could have helped you.”
“That’s what we said,” said Jack.
“But apparently, we aren’t good enough anymore.” said Leo.
“That’s not what I said,” snapped Jayson. “You’re all too important and too busy anymore.”
“Let’s go for a walk,” Piper suggested. Without hesitation, they followed her past the front gates and out into the Belirian Forest.
Summer was very much gone and autumn had clearly set its roots in to stay. The air had a permanent chill to it, and the leaves that fell from the trees were the size of dinner plates. They were glad for the fur lined cloaks and vests they wore, even if it wasn’t exactly the latest fashions in Ohio. They were warm and comfortable and matched the color of the falling leaves. Jayson picked up a leaf and began shredding it as they walked. Piper changed the subject to what Jack knew about the Black Diamonds and then to Leo’s progress with his research.
They settled into a small clearing and talked for hours. They found an apple tree nearby and munched happily. Jayson forgot his anger, opting instead for his usual humor and tact eventually.
Piper took a bite of apple then suddenly spit it back out, clenching her stomach.
“Did you eat a worm?” Jayson asked teasing.
Piper glared at him and replied, “No. It is more than that.”
“Are you sick?” Leo asked, very concerned.
“Did someone poison you?” Jack asked almost panicked.
Piper sat up straight again and pulled a sapphire necklace from beneath her bodice neckline.
“What’s that?” asked Jayson.
“This was Valin’s mother’s necklace. When we were at his manor last month, Valar recommended I marry Valin so Valar could continue to advise me. He may not do so in an official capacity, as he was my father’s advisor. If I do not marry, then I must take on an advisor. If there is both a King and a Queen on the throne, then I do not have to choose an advisor. I have decided against asking Gran to do it. She deserves her peace after all she has been through these last eighteen years.”
“So, you’re going to marry Valin?” asked Jack. Piper nodded. “Congrats! That’s awesome!”
Jayson glared at her. “What about Dimitri?”
Piper placed a hand over her belly and sighed.
“He is one of the reasons I have decided to accept Valin’s proposal. I believe I am with Dimitri’s child. I may be able to convince the Conclave it is Valin’s if we act quickly. If not, the child will be given to a wet nurse and raised as someone else’s. I do not want for my child that which happened to me.”
“You’re the Queen. Just change the laws!” cried Jayson. “Dimitri died for us, and you’re just going to throw him away.”
“It is not so simple, Jayson. I wish it wasn’t this way.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I still mourn him, but I can no longer think of only myself. My world is too big now.”
“Piper, maybe Gran could raise the baby for you. Then you could still see it.” Jack shrugged.
“And, we could always be your advisors.” Leo offered.
Piper hung her head, holding her belly. “I have already accepted Valin’s proposal. You are working so hard to go home, I cannot accept an advisor who could leave me at any moment.”
“I won’t leave you, Piper,” said Jayson. She smiled at him and reached across their circle to squeeze his hand.
“Thank you, Jayson,” she said. “But it would not be right of me to ask you to stay. As much as I want you to, you have your own lives back home. I cannot ask you to leave it all behind.”
“I guess I didn’t think of that,” said Leo. “I want to go home, but I don’t want to leave you either.”
“Maybe Piper can come home with us!” Jack exclaimed.
“Who will care for my people?” asked Piper, and Jack hung his head.
Piper grabbed Jack’s hand in her free one and smiled at him as well. “Two months ago, I would have.”
“I’m sorry, Piper,” said Leo, his shoulders sagging in defeat. “I used to have the answers for everything. Growing up sucks.” They nodded and their conversation turned to the coming wedding.
They could just see the noon sun through the empty boughs of the trees above them whe
n their discussions came to an end.
“You know, I guess there’s one thing we haven’t really tried.” Leo looked about thoughtfully.
“What do you mean?” Jayson asked.
“To get home. We haven’t tried using our own magic. Like how we concentrated to make that storm. Maybe we could concentrate on home,” he said.
“That’d be too easy. There’s no way it’d work,” said Jayson shaking his head.
“I guess it’s worth a try.” Jack shrugged. “It’s the one thing we haven’t done. We’re more powerful now since linking with the old kings.”
“Then again, when we open our eyes, we may never see Piper again,” argued Jayson.
“I think you have done what you were brought here to do. It is time to do something for yourselves for a change.” She took Jack and Jayson’s hands again. “If it is your will, then I will help you to the best of my ability.”
The boys looked at each other nervously then joined hands.
“If this is really it, really good-bye and all, I promise I’ll try to find a way back. I don’t want it to be good-bye forever,” said Jayson. His eyes were wet with the tears he forced himself to hold back. “If we can come here once, I’m sure we can figure out a way to come back.”
They all nodded in agreement and closed their eyes. They thought about their tree house, the sunken loveseat, and the tattered tarp and shower curtain. They thought about their families and school. Leo thought about his dad’s egg sandwiches, and how one sounded so delicious at that moment. Jack thought about his mother and sister. He had left them alone with his father. Jayson thought about his little sister and wondered what extra classes his parents had enrolled her in at Cranbrook.
The wind began to blow harder than it had earlier, but they did not shiver. They could hear the wind, but they didn’t feel it. They were too afraid to look until the sound died away.
When Piper opened her eyes, the clearing was empty. She opened her empty hands and looked at them. She sat for a long time in silence, thinking of the short time she had spent with Jayson, Jack, and Leo, and fighting the tears that brimmed in her eyes. As she walked back to the palace, she couldn’t help but think that, once again, those she loved had left her forever. She patted her belly before walking through the front gates and swore her children would never feel that sting of loss.
Chartile: Prophecy Page 31
