by Drew Hayes
Slowly, Marie turned away from them, pausing only briefly to address her friends. “I’ll get my enchanted ones. Something tells me I’m going to need them.”
* * *
In contrast to the madness and panic that had swept through the grand hall, the throne room was a peaceful sanctuary. King Adam was seated in the throne, with Queen Belle at his side. The royal guards were dismissed as soon as they’d brought their charges. Jack, Frank, and a once more human Marie all approached the king slowly. But before they’d made it within ten feet of the throne, King Adam had leapt from his seat to wrap his daughter in a tight hug.
“I am so, so sorry. Not only did we allow ourselves to be taken in by an enchantment, but our mistake forced you to reveal your secret to the public. Our error is unforgivable, and I know you may never—”
“Be quiet, Father.” Marie hugged him back, long enough that Jack and Frank both looked away uncomfortably. Neither was especially familiar with paternal love, and they weren’t quite sure how to react to it. Finally the two parted and King Adam walked back to his throne.
Queen Belle motioned to the three of them. “Approach.” They did as they were told, until they were only a few feet from the royal couple. “Marie, your father is right. What happened here today is our mistake, yet the consequences will still fall heaviest upon you. There is no way to hide what happened; word is already racing throughout the kingdom and not even a royal edict would halt such whispers. Now, you are our daughter and this is your home where you will always be welcome, but I fear the people of this land will not tolerate being ruled by someone they see as a monster. Your father already learned that lesson firsthand.”
“With respect, your majesty, if Marie showed them anything today it’s that she is fit to rule,” Frank said. “She sacrificed her own desires for the kingdom’s greater good. What more do they want from a princess than that?”
“If all of them knew what we know, could hear what we heard, then it might be a different story. Might be.” Queen Belle shook her head, a tinge of sadness peeking through the veneer of authority she was visibly struggling to hold in place. “There was a time when I was one of those people. I know how they think and feel. To them, the world is already full of magic and monsters that threaten to upset their lives with no warning. It is a life of perpetual fear they must endure. Having their own ruler be one of those mysterious, magical elements…it is asking more than they can give.”
“There is hope, however.” King Adam had composed himself, power returning to his voice as he spoke like the ruler that he was. “We already have messengers out there spreading a new rumor. They will say that Godric was the one who laid the curse upon you when you refused him. If it takes hold, it opens the door, because even the lowliest of peasants know that curses can be broken. Should you decide to continue seeking a cure until you find it, you might one day be able to return to Villeneuve and claim your royal birthright. We will not send you away though. If you can let go of your title as princess then you’re free to remain here for the rest of your life.”
With a theatrically loud cough, Jack stepped slightly forward. “Begging the king’s pardon, but I feel there’s something that needs to be mentioned. Godric claimed to have the Blue Fairy lending aid to his scheme, and given the items he was using it seems likely that was true. That means we just thwarted her plan and destroyed at least one magical tool she created. These are the sorts of actions that invite retribution. As king and queen of a prosperous land, the Narrative will likely offer you both some measure of protection so long as you don’t make any poor fairy bargains or give cause for attack. Once she is no longer a princess, Marie will not have such a luxury. None of us will. It might be wise to take this chance to set out for new lands, ones with new magics that might be powerful enough to break her curse. If nothing else, it might take us beyond the Blue Fairy’s reach.”
“We can’t go back across the Endless Sea,” Frank said. “What lies there is not magic as you know it, and would be of little aid to Marie.”
“True, but there are more waters to cross. The Ocean of Certain Death always had a promising ring to it; I’d like to see what lies on the other side. Or the Waters of Doom. I’m open to ideas; I only bring this up because we would need a boat. Strong, fast, and well-provisioned.”
The king and queen exchanged uncertain looks as Jack stepped back in line with the others, until King Adam finally addressed the obvious issue. “Moving goods up and down the coasts is one thing, but to wander into the opens waters is a suicidal journey. You want to run from a fairy who may want to do you harm by embarking on a journey that will inevitably lead to death?”
“The oceans are named in a way that makes people not want to cross them,” Frank explained. “However, they can be navigated, albeit not easily. Perhaps the Narrative pushed some ships away from successful voyages, but Jack has already crossed the waters. He found me on the other side of the Endless Sea, where people tell different stories about all the ways to die on the open water. We are likely not meant to move between these lands, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be done.”
“I’d also like to add that we’re not fleeing outright, more giving the Blue Fairy some time to let the edge fall from her anger. Who knows, in other lands we might even find better ways to deal with the fey.” Jack quit talking as he noticed the king and queen looking at Marie, who had fallen largely silent during the discussion.
It was Queen Belle who spoke this time, addressing her daughter directly. “Your friends make good points, but the choice is yours. We have missed you dearly, and would welcome the chance to have you back in our lives. In the end, though, you must choose the path that is true to yourself.”
Marie ran her fingers along the spot where the ring had been, a small, fading indentation below her knuckle the only sign it had ever been there. “Godric was right about one thing: I can’t lie to my own heart. What I said today was true; I want to be a princess, and then a queen. I want to lead my people, to watch over them, to protect them. If that means crossing deadly seas and dealing with unknown magic, then so be it. I will return one day, cured and human, in hopes of ruling this kingdom half as well as you two have.”
“On the subject of the ring, did anyone recover that?” Jack asked. “Sorry to break up the moment, but given how powerful it was that might be a useful trinket.”
“Though we searched when the fighting was done, there was no sign of it. Someone doubtlessly made off with it during the chaos, and I’m sure it is a headache we will have to deal with down the road.” King Adam rose from his throne once more, as did Queen Belle, and they both walked over to Marie. “But it will be our headache, as I think by then you three will be far gone from this land. We will have a ship purchased at the nearest harbor and outfitted with all the supplies you could possibly need. If there is a way to send word across the oceans in these other lands, please let us know that you are safe.”
“And you two.” Queen Belle moved slightly away from Marie, approaching Jack and Frank. “Thank you for helping protect our daughter. I have no right to ask it, but I pray that you will continue to watch over her in the future.”
“We don’t watch over each other, Your Highness,” Jack corrected. “We’re all in it together, side by side. But we’ll always be in that position, guarding each other’s backs, no matter the fight or the enemy. That much, I can promise without hesitation.”
Queen Belle turned away from them, embracing her daughter for what she knew would be the last time in a long while. As they hugged, she leaned in and whispered softly, “You have made strange allies in your time away. Strange, but loyal. Take care of them. Such bonds are not easily found, even in a land of magic.”
* * *
A servant slipped out from the royal courtyard, easily overlooked in the franticness of the day’s attack. She made her way past the gates and onto the road that led toward a small village, pausing only when she was far enough away to stop seeing other travelers. Slippin
g into the woods, she climbed a hill with inhuman speed until she’d reached the very top. There, surrounded by a grove of dense trees, she could look out onto the castle from a distance.
From her pocket, she produced the ring Marie had been wearing, cradling it carefully in her palm. Her fingers flexed, forming a fist that squeezed the enchanted object, and when they parted there was nothing but dust remaining. She smiled as she tossed the dust into the wind, letting it blow from the hill and away from the castle. As the wind ruffled her hair, the woman’s appearance began to change. Her hair lengthened, her skin grew clearer, and her face shifted until it was the unmistakable visage of the woman known as Lily, at least to the trio of Jack, Frank, and Marie. There was one large difference, however. Today, she didn’t conceal the true appearance of her eyes, the shining orbs that glowed blue with overflowing magic, nor the magical aura that naturally manifested around her.
A dragon’s eye could see through much, especially in the possession of a walking corpse, but she was no minor fey weaving mediocre veils. She was the Blue Fairy, one of the most powerful beings in existence, peer to almost none and second only to the true Fairy Godmother. Yet even as a being of unimaginable power, boredom was one of the few things she couldn’t simply magic away. Perhaps that was why she’d taken up the hobby of learning witchcraft, despite what the other fairies thought of such arts, or dropped the occasional curse on an unsuspecting mortal. Diversions, all of them, to keep life a little more interesting.
So when she’d first heard about the group of three wandering the lands and assaulting lesser fairies, her best hope had been that they might make for an entertaining afternoon. But once she met Marie and saw the other two storm the cave, she realized they could be more fun than expected. Yet not even she had expected the trio to make for such a lovely diversion. It had been a thrilling few weeks, baiting them into following her trail, twisting Godric to her uses, and walking the Bastard Champions right into a trap designed just for them.
True, she could snuff them out with a thought and a flick of the hand, but it would be a waste. There were so many other traps to make for them, so many ways her new toys could entertain her. Although she knew they were planning this very moment to flee, the Blue Fairy could tempt them back. It might not be easy from so far away, but sooner or later they’d return to these shores.
And when they did, she’d make sure to squeeze them for every drop of amusement they had to offer.
Some Tales Later…
“…and you see, even if the words I overheard work and we gain entrance to the cave, there is a band of thieves that would cut us to pieces if we were caught. To take on this robbery is a great risk. I cannot in good conscience ask you to lend aid without making sure you fully understand the danger involved.”
A gust of wind blew sand in through the tent’s poorly closed flap. There were many fine buildings to meet at in the market, yet these three kept only a small tent on the outskirts of town. He would have never come here, except that rumors said the trio could accomplish any job they were given, assuming they were well-paid for the work. They did not betray their employers or stop until the task was done, and for something this dangerous that kind of trustworthiness was vital.
“I’m willing to split whatever we can haul away. Down the middle, equal parts. I do not know how much we may find, so this is the only fair offer I can make.”
All three figures seated across the table wore hoods, masking their appearances. Rumors conflicted on what they looked like. Some said one was hulking and huge, others detailed a terrifying man with scars all over his body. The one in the middle spoke at last, his voice calm yet with a hint of dangerous laughter.
“I’ve also heard rumors that these thieves have stolen quite a bit, from many merchants across the sands. I think, perhaps, it may be a matter of what we can carry, not what we find. To that end, let me make a counteroffer: if we find more than we can take, then we keep what we haul. You will have your share, and we will divvy ours up. If that is not the case, then we go down the middle just as you suggested.
The man nodded, more than happy to accept such a condition. “That sounds fair.”
A small chuckle escaped from the hood of the man in the middle as he leaned forward, revealing a wide smile that felt out of place in a mere negotiation.
“In that case, Ali Baba, I believe we have come to an arrangement.”
Other Novels by Drew Hayes
About the Author
Drew Hayes is an author from Texas who has now found time and gumption to publish a few books. He graduated from Texas Tech with a B.A. in English, because evidently he's not familiar with what the term "employable" means. Drew has been called one of the most profound, prolific, and talented authors of his generation, but a table full of drunks will say almost anything when offered a round of free shots. Drew feels kind of like a D-bag writing about himself in the third person like this. He does appreciate that you're still reading, though.
Drew would like to sit down and have a beer with you. Or a cocktail. He's not here to judge your preferences. Drew is terrible at being serious, and has no real idea what a snippet biography is meant to convey anyway. Drew thinks you are awesome just the way you are. That part, he meant. You can reach Drew with questions or movie offers at [email protected] Drew is off to go high-five random people, because who doesn't love a good high-five? No one, that's who.
Read or purchase more of his work at his site: DrewHayesNovels.com
Table of Contents
The Tale of the Lost Slipper
The Tale of the Caged Women
The Tale of Rats and Blood
The Tale of the Angry Frog
The Tale of the Greedy Village
The Tale of the Stolen Delinquents
The Tale of the Enslaved Elves
The Tale of What Was Left Behind
The Tale of the Silver-Tongued King
The Tale of the Cursed Princess
Some Tales Later…
Other Works
About the Author
