During his discussion with the man, Jarrod gained an unsettling impression of Thyel and Tamara’s developing relationship. Tamara used that man to wriggle out of marrying someone her mother deemed was best for her – merchant Gideon. She didn’t love Thyel. She couldn’t. He was a self-serving, underhanded, scoundrel.
“What brings you to Tibor, Jarrod?” Queen Mamosia asked.
He bowed in the Erovian way; deeply, with elegant arm gestures. “I come seeking Princess Saira’s help, your majesty. There’s trouble in Erov and we have urgent need of her wisdom and talent.”
The queen invited him to be seated beside her on a marble bench. “Trouble abounds everywhere tonight, my friend. What’s touched your wandering city?”
He indicated his tome. “The news is grave indeed. I begin to suspect that history itself is being affected, and, along with that, people from Erov have been disappearing.”
“History? Is that possible?” Mamosia asked. “Once events have happened, how can they be reshaped? And is the absence of your historians related to Bevan’s disappearance?”
“I’m unsure. I intend to find out. Do you know where Princess Saira has gone?”
“Yes. After some discussion, we decided to have her cast a seeking spell. She sent her spirit soaring in search of my grandson. The spell took her to a land called Melak.”
“Melak? Surely, that’s a child’s tale? The place doesn’t exist. We’ve no record of it in Falcon’s Tome.”
Mamosia gave him a tolerant smile. “Just because something isn’t written in your book, Jarrod, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Besides, I’ve heard that your history is based solely on Ryca. Legend suggests Melak is not a landmass on our world, but another world entirely. Now Saira has visited it, we know it exists, somewhere. If I weren’t so worried, I’d be excited by this discovery.”
Everything of importance was recorded in Falcon’s Tome. If this other world truly existed, that would have been noted inside its pages. Some in Erov even believed the book came into existence before time itself. Falcon, the first Erovian, had this book in his grasp when he came into being.
“What is this world like?” he asked, for despite his lingering doubts on the validity of this discovery, news that Saira thought she had visited another world intrigued him.
“Saira says Melak is a green water world, thick in vegetation with oceans covering much of its surface. After she returned to her body, she and Tom left to seek Bevan in person.”
“How does she hope to find this mythical world?”
“She believes Melak can be accessed from a magical boundary on the southern end of Ryca, No one ventures past that point for fear the world ends there, but Saira now believes it may be a gateway to other worlds.”
“A dangerous supposition,” Jarrod said with a frown. “What if she’s wrong and that is where the world ends?”
With a shake of her head, the queen stood and paced away. She looked torn by his words. The idea of losing Saira again would be devastating.
He rose, unhappy to have upset her majesty with his brash question. The possibility had to be considered, however. Saira and Tom may be heading into harm’s way.
Mamosia roamed the circular room, going in and around the eight matching red columns bordering the chamber. The numerous lit torches added a misty glow that trailed her shadow.
Jarrod opened his tome, searching for a reference to the southern reaches of Rycan. “History merely notes that area as unexplored and avoided by folk. Strange disappearances have occurred at sea near the Tavda plains. Which is why sailors believe the world ends there.”
“These are not normal times, Jarrod. My grandson’s missing and if that is where he’s been taken, Saira will not stop until she finds him.” She leaned tiredly against one of the columns before sending him a slight smile. “My Saira has grown into a determined woman. I suspect she has been unable to forgive herself for not seeking me out in the past. She will not repeat that mistake with another member of her family.”
“The Defender of Light is indeed remarkable,” Jarrod agreed his mind frantically trying to connect dots. Might his people be disappearing into this strange world too? If so, he wanted to be with her. “She may need assistance on this dangerous quest. May I have your permission to join her?”
“Yes, please.” Mamosia sighed in relief. “I know she has Tom, and soon Anna and Marton’s company too, but your presence would give me great reassurance.”
Jarrod couldn’t shake his fear that his world was shifting out of control. The odd effects on his magic were an indication of its worsening state. Before he left he’d arranged for every elder in Erov to start researching what bits of history were being erased. While others contacted as many Erovians as possible spread across the breadth of Ryca. That he hadn’t been able to locate his friend, Daniel, still worried him.
Given Saira was about to attempt stepping off the end of the world – was going off to find her his best move? Should he instead return to Erov to coordinate matters without Saira’s magical help?
“Your majesty, is there no possibility of finding Bevan other than through this gate to another world?”
Mamosia gave him a quizzical look. “Not unless Skye’s stories of dragons are real.”
Jarrod’s heart thumped in surprise. “Dragons? But the dragon sect was eradicated during your brother-in-law’s reign. Their temple lies in ruin.” He flicked through his book as he spoke, excited by the possibility. He would have said that dragons were as mythical as Melak except there was a record of such beings in Falcon’s Tome.
“From what my husband once told me, dragons are as unsociable as Erovians,” the queen said. “They mingle with humans even less than your people. They’re unpredictable. Keegan used to say dragons did not care for humans because we are much alike in our ambitions. Both want to rule the world.”
Jarrod pointed to a notation. “It says here they can transport themselves as my people can,” he said, excitement raising his tone. “Skipping from place to place at the blink of an eye. An Erovian’s movement is confined within Ryca. What if a dragon’s magic is not so bound? Allowing them to travel between worlds as easily as I could go from here to Nadym?”
“The possibility is immensely intriguing,” the queen agreed, “but there are no more dragons on Ryca.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to check the temple,” he said.
“I already have, as soon as Skye spoke with me,” Mamosia said. “My guards questioned the keeper there. He said no one but himself has crossed the two thresholds of the towers in decades. There were certainly no signs of any dragons about. Their size alone would make them difficult to miss.”
“You have a point.” The note in Falcon’s Tome agreed with the queen’s supposition. No dragons sighted on Ryca in decades. He shut the book with a snap. With no other leads, following Saira seemed his best course. That would also give them a chance to discuss what was happening to his people.
He couldn’t bring himself to leave, however, without addressing one last matter with the queen. Right or wrong -- and his people would definitely label his interference with royal court affairs as wrong -- he had to say something on Tamara’s behalf.
His discussion with the prisoner Thyel had left Jarrod greatly disturbed. If the queen persisted in her ultimatum to marry her off to the merchant Gideon, he feared she might do something drastic. This Thyel character was apparently quite willing to go along with whatever the princess proposed.
After speaking with Thyel, Jarrod suspected the real reason she wanted to go to the vessel was to break Thyel free. Not to reunite Jarrod with Saira. What if she succeeded in her next attempt?
His people’s role on Ryca was to be the land’s historians, recorders of important events, not instigators of actions that could have repercussions on the natural evolution of history. Yet…
“Your majesty, before I leave, may we speak about Princess Tamara…”
“Jarrod, did you know that she said Bevan’s g
one off like this before, but she never bothered to tell any of us?”
“I’m sure she had good reason. She’s…”
“I don’t know how to get through to her.”
His throat closed up. Years of training constrained his voice, but he spat the words out anyway. “About this ultimatum you’ve placed on her.”
The queen silenced him by slicing a hand in the air. “I don’t wish to discuss that, Jarrod.”
“But this Gideon–”
“Is a fine, honorable and trustworthy man. He cares deeply for Tamara, and for her future welfare. He tells me he’s as worried as I am of what will become of her without a strong hand to control her.”
Jarrod cringed at that, knowing it would be the worst possible way to deal with Tamara.
“He’s right, Jarrod,” she continued. “Tamara almost allowed that serpent Thyel to seduce her tonight!”
“I heard.” The prisoner had gloated about it.
“As if I haven’t enough to worry about.”
“What do you really know of this Gideon? He’s new to Ryca. Who are his parents? His family?” Again, he flicked through Falcon’s Tome. “I don’t even see any mention here by Daniel about Gideon’s arrival to this city.”
“Daniel?” The queen raised an eyebrow. “Who’s Daniel?”
Jarrod went cold as if he had accidentally transported himself inside an iceberg. How could the queen not recognize the name of the Erovian historian who had spent the last several years in her company recording every royal decision she made?
It was the queen who had specifically requested his second in command when Jarrod was unavailable for the duty of court historian. Now she didn’t even remember the man?
Heart hammering in real panic, he realized his decision was made. “I had best find Saira,” Jarrod murmured, tucking his book to his side.
“She and Tom have set out to sea. Saira magically guides the vessel to navigate the rocky shoals near the harbor in the dark. They are to pick up Anna and Marton along the southern coast of the Tavda plains. We felt it would be faster to travel by sea.”
Ah, that explained why he couldn’t sense Saira’s presence in Ryca. She was not connected in any way to Rycan soil, where his magic was centered.
“I shall join her in Tavda, then,” Jarrod said. He checked his book. “Princess Anna and her husband have reached Nadym. The meeting place is about an hour’s journey south from there. When the vessel stops to pick them up, I’ll be there.”
The queen nodded. “Thank you for helping, my dearest friend. You have been a true boon to Saira, and to me. I shall not forget your service.”
If things continued to evolve as they were, she may forget him as easily as she had Daniel.
He bowed and stepped back in preparation to depart when the doors to the throne room burst opened.
A guard ran in. He knelt on one knee. “My queen, Princess Tamara and Skye cannot be found.”
“Why not?” Mamosia asked in a panicked tone.
“I followed them to Princess Saira’s quarters, but when it became quiet inside, I knocked. Hearing no answer, I entered and found the chamber empty.”
“Do not worry,” Jarrod interrupted, “I sense them. He clearly saw them coming out of a castle passageway and into the stables. “If you will permit me, your majesty, I will fetch them before leaving for the Tavda coast.”
“Oh, thank you, Jarrod,” Mamosia said with fervent relief. “That girl will be the death of me yet.”
Jarrod had no doubt she meant Tamara and not Skye.
With a low bow he left, still troubled by the queen’s forgetfulness. He arrived inside the royal stables in time to see the two young princesses ride away on a pair of horses.
With a sigh, he let them go, for he guessed exactly where Tamara was headed with her niece. He went straight to the vessel where Thyel was imprisoned.
Jarrod materialized inside the hold this time, avoiding the necessity of explaining his presence to the sailor guarding above deck.
Thyel gave a startled nod of greeting through the floor grate. “You’re back.”
Jarrod ignored the man and lit the lantern, placing it on the floor before leaning against a nearby barrel.
“Why?” Thyel asked, apparently not offended by silence. The man had the audacity to grin. “Tamara’s coming for me, isn’t she?”
Jarrod doubted Tamara truly loved this rouge. She might consider marrying him for her own reasons, but her heart was untouched, of that he was certain.
He restlessly circled the tiny chamber. He should be on his way, not waiting for a recalcitrant princess. This matter of Thyel and Tamara was none of his business. What if he inadvertently altered Tamara’s destiny?
Ironic that, for Saira often chastised him for adhering strictly to his role of historian and not helping her enough. Now, here he was, wanting to help Tamara.
Running footsteps on the wooden stairs above alerted him to the arrival of the two accomplices. Skye and Tamara came to a crashing halt at finding Jarrod in the hold.
He gestured a welcome.
Skye wore a long blue gown, beautifully embroidered at the hems with silk thread. Tamara had thankfully changed out of her indecently loose gown. Though he was unsure he preferred her new manly garb any better. Her trousers outlined a pair of long divine legs. Why did she carry a sword? What mischief was she up to?
Skye spoke first. “Jarrod, have you come to help us?”
“Don’t be foolish.” Distrust flashed in Tamara’s sparkling blue eyes. “He’s here to take us back to the queen as if we were misbehaving children.”
“Your mother worried that you might have disappeared as Bevan had,” Jarrod said.
Tamara’s eyes lowered and her cheeks flushed with guilt.
“I offered to see you both safely home before departing.”
Her blue gaze flashed back to his at that. “Where are you off to? Did my mother tell you Saira’s whereabouts?”
“Your sister is on her way to a world called Melak, to retrieve Prince Bevan,” he said quietly. “I hope to speak with her about what's happening in Erov. If the two events are connected, it would be prudent that I accompany her.”
"You are rushing off on another adventure with Saira!" Tamara sounded accusatory.
“Melak!” Skye interrupted. “Is that where Saira thinks Bevan is? Jarrod, where is this place? I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s a myth,” Thyel answered before Jarrod could.
He spared the prisoner an annoyed glance before turning his attention to Skye. The young girl was truly apprehensive about her little brother’s whereabouts and he wished he could offer her solace. The bit of information he'd gathered would have to suffice. "It appears there may be other worlds besides ours.”
“Jarrod.” Skye grabbed his sleeve. “Are you sure Bevan's in this other world?”
“Saira did a seeking spell and found him there.”
“Oh,” Skye sounded disappointed. “We thought he might have gone to the dragon temple.” Then she brightened. “Could there be a portal from the temple to this Melak?"
“What type of portal?” Thyel asked.
The man’s voice grated against Jarrod’s already raw nerves. He wished they could take this conversation elsewhere but one glance at Tamara told him that hope was a waste of time.
“We have no idea if there is such a portal there, Thyel,” Tamara said. “Bevan mentioned dragons to Skye yesterday. Now he’s nowhere to be found. The Quinlin Temple seemed a good place to begin our search for Bevan.”
Tamara then surprised Jarrod by turning Skye toward her. “Do you wish to join your mother and Saira? That seems the most certain way to reach Melak.” She gave a rueful grin. “Saira is good at finding what she goes after and your mother could use your comfort. Jarrod can transport you with him. He can jump from place to place.”
“It’s not been tried with anyone but an Erovian,” Jarrod warned.
“Can you take me to Melak?” Sk
ye asked.
“Only within Ryca,” both he and Tamara spoke together and then glanced at each other with surprise.
“I think we should check out the temple instead,” Thyel put in. “It sounds as if Princess Saira is capable of finding Melak all on her own, Tamara. Wouldn’t our time be better spent following up on any other clues you find?”
“Good point,” she replied.
“The queen has already checked on the Quinlin Temple,” Jarrod said. “The keeper insists no one came there this night.”
“There are two towers.” Tamara said. “If the keeper was in one, he might have missed something happening in the other.”
“There are wards on both entrances,” Jarrod said, reading from his book. “If anyone had entered, the keeper would have known it.”
“But Prince Bevan is reputed to be powerful,” Thyel said. “He could have devised a way to bypass the wards. This is talking around the issue. Why don’t we follow both clues? Jarrod and Skye can join Princess Saira and Anna, while Tamara and I go to the dragon temple.”
“You’re not going anywhere with Tamara,” Jarrod swiftly replied, completely repulsed by the thought.
“I’d be safe with Thyel, I’m sure of it,” Tamara said.
“No.”
“Jarrod.” Skye tugged gently at his sleeve. “I know what I want to do. Aunt Saira doesn’t need my help. Mother can do without worrying about me while she’s on another quest. I want to go to the dragon temple.”
“That’s decided then,” Tamara said. “Jarrod, you might as well settle to it and join Saira. Thyel can watch out for us.
“I promised the queen I would bring you both home.”
“I’m not going back to the castle,” Skye said. There’s nothing you can do to stop me. The threat was clear.
The idea of Thyel going with them alone churned Jarrod’s stomach like a meal gone bad. He did not trust this prisoner. Worse, his mind plied him with enticing reasons why he should accompany them. If Bevan had found a way to get to Melak through the dragon temple, they could too. Could there really be dragons in Ryca? If so, he wanted to see one and record its presence in Falcon’s Tome.
Magic and Shadows: A Collection of YA Fantasy and Paranormal Romances Page 148
