Water Princess, Fire Prince

by Kendra E. Ardnek

  “That was a brilliant plan you came up with,” she said, in an effort to begin conversation again, deciding that she didn’t like the silence anymore. “To get us out of Amber’s prison, that is,” she hastily added, when he turned to her with a confused look. “I mean, I think I’d heard somewhere about red and orange water exploding, but I don’t think it would have ever occurred to me…”

  He had turned away again, self-conscious. “I – it wasn’t me,” he admitted, after a moment. “I don’t know if I’d even heard about it. I mean, I probably had, because I devoured the library back at the Lower Kastle, and Prince Theodore had written a lot about how this world works, but … I’d completely forgotten about it, too.”

  Clara frowned. “But you were the one who told me about it. If you didn’t remember, who told you? Amber? You said she wanted us to escape, but I don’t see her playing her cards like that.”

  “Uh, no, you’re right, it wasn’t Amber,” said the Fire Prince, awkwardly. “It – it was Alphego’s miracle. He told me how to escape. He also told me how to free you.”

  Clara frowned harder, that didn’t make much sense. “So, you mean … Alphego told you? Like those dreams we had to get us through the mountain?”

  Again, awkward silence. “Yeah, I guess so,” he said after a moment. Then before she could say something, he added, “I was just thinking.”

  “About what?” she asked.

  He turned back to her, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’ve never seen you fight with dual swords.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

  “Well, I heard you, but I wasn’t really in a position to watch.”

  She relaxed slightly and laughed. “We’ll have to fix that situation. I prefer single swords, but I’m not bad when I add a second, and it’s nice to have an extra blade when I’m fighting against multiple opponents. My mom, however, is the one to see.”

  “She’s good?” the Fire Prince asked.

  “Better than I am,” Clara confirmed. “I mean, I can hold my own against her when we’re fighting with single swords, sometimes win, even. But when we go duo, it’s hopeless.”

  He grinned. “Well, I’m still sure that it’s still something to see,” he told her. “It certainly sounded like it.”

  “Well, thank you,” she responded, glancing down. “You did very well, too. I mean, fighting rabid etrinas takes more stomach than it does skill, and you certainly had more of it than I did.”

  The conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Clara pulled her hand out of the Fire Prince’s, hopped off the arm of the couch and went to answer, pulling the shawl she’d been given more closely about her. It proved to be Tnika, with a few servants to check on the Fire Prince’s wounds and apply a second round of her healing touch.

  As much as Clara would have liked to stay by his side while she did so, she knew she’d be in the way, and, as it was morning, she returned to her own room to get ready for the day. As the Water Princess, her duty wasn’t only to him, but to Klarand itself.

  She had to look her best.

  Chapter 4

  Back in Camelot, Andrew sat next to the Water Princess, everyone discussing the war. It almost felt like they’d never been in Amber’s clutches, and Andrew could almost believe the last two weeks had been a dream. However, the claw-marks, on his back and face especially, were a painful reminder that they hadn’t. Tnika’s gift had done much to help the pain, but if he moved wrong, or bumped them, it wasn’t very comfortable. He’d been told to avoid doing that since he didn’t want to reopen the scabs.

  Because of pain and lingering dizziness from blood loss, it was all Andrew could do to keep up with the conversation. He didn’t dare try to form comments of his own.

  “Well, Amber has made her move,” said the Wind Prince. “I’m willing to suspect that it was just a feint, what with the ease with which we recovered the Water Princess and Fire Prince, but it was a move just the same, and now I believe it’s our turn to return the favor.”

  “I honestly don’t see kidnapping her as a good plan,” the Water Princess spoke up. “She has magic and can turn herself into a dragon. In fact, the only thing we can do to her is banish her back to her island, somehow.” Her grip on his hand, under the table, tightened.

  “Correct,” said the Wind Prince. “And I honestly didn’t think that we should kidnap her; you must have deliberately misunderstood me, Clara. Again. No matter, what I meant was that we need to decide when to attack her. She can’t always take the offensive, you know.”

  “I say that we should attack tomorrow,” Lord Samuel spoke up. He had arrived from Ea Klarand while Andrew and the Water Princess had been in Amber’s prison.

  “I like that idea,” the Water Princess spoke up. “Big problem, though. The Fire Prince is injured and probably won’t be able to take part in any real fighting for at least a week, even with Tnika’s healing gift. In fact, I’d rather not have him in a real battle for at least two.”

  “That is an issue,” the Leaf Princess admitted.

  “The prophecy doesn’t state that the Fire Prince has to fight,” King Tyrus put in. “Only the Water Princess. This may be the reason why.”

  “The reason also might be the fact that you guys had to be warned about the fact that I would be a fighter,” the Water Princess counted. “That the Fire Prince fought would be a matter of course, since he’s a guy. Laura, you said something about us having to fight together or something like that the other night, right before Amber caught us. I don’t know about any of you, but it seems to me that she’s about as trustworthy as any prophecy, and she can actually explain what she means, isn’t that right?” Her eyes sought the Doorkeeper, who sat on the opposite side of the table.

  “I’m flattered by your vote of confidence,” said Laura, glancing up from the pad of paper she was doodling on with a purple pencil.

  “The fact remains that he’s injured and doesn’t have much battle experience, and the sooner we attack, the more likely we are to have surprise on our side,” said Lord Samuel. “She’s thousands of years old, which means she’s more experienced and probably smarter than all of us put together.”

  “Hey, give us some credit,” Laura spoke up. “I mean, I’m not exactly sure how old I am at this point, since I don’t exactly keep track, but I’m quite sure I’m getting up there in years. And besides, I taught that girl pretty much everything she knows.”

  “Including how to kidnap Water Princesses and Fire Princes and turn normal, sweet etrinas into bloodthirsty beasts?” asked the Water Princess.

  “Okay, so not everything,” said Laura, shrugging. “But close to it. I really kept my nose out of her whole magic studies. Queen Jade took care of that.”

  “Queen Jade?” the Water Princess repeated.

  “Her … mother,” Laura answered. “Now she was a nasty woman that you wouldn’t want to tangle with. But Amber took care of her, the sweetheart, and then Luna didn’t have to worry about her anymore.”

  “Luna?”

  “Amber’s original world,” Laura explained. “An interesting place, really, but those latter years … well, Amber and Granite had been the first to truly follow Yehu – what they called Alphego in that world – in a millennium or two. Although, considering the longevity of royalty in that world, it’s not surprising, but still. The eras before those two are rarely a nice time to visit, let me assure you.”

  The Water Princess seemed about to ask another question, but instead shook her head. “Sounds fascinating, but we’ll have to talk about it later. For now, let’s get back to the subject. Personally, I don’t feel right venturing into battle without the Fire Prince.”

  “Also, I’m not quite certain that attacking the village she turned into her domain would be the best of plans,” the Leaf Princess continued. “Yes, we managed to get the Water Princess and Fire Prince out of there, but that was a fast mission and we barely got them out alive. Who knows what all she’s hiding in those
houses. Personally, I’d rather her come to us so that she’s the one who must lay her cards on the table.”

  “But the longer we wait, the longer she has to prepare for the attack,” protested a general who had come with Rizkaland.

  “She has had fifteen years to prepare for attacks,” the Leaf Princess pointed out.

  “Patience is Amber’s middle name,” Laura pointed out. “Her thousands of years have taught it to her. It really makes no difference to her whether she waits a day or another thousand years before she had Rizkaland under her thumb. Though she would much prefer it be today.”

  “Then what do you recommend?” the Wind Prince asked, turning to her. “You’re the one who knows the future and all that.”

  “I know how this war ends, true,” Laura admitted, leaning back in her chair and tucking the pencil into her pocket. “I’ve heard the story often enough, after all. And that’s why I’m silent, because I don’t like to shove history into place, and I’m not sure how to gently nudge it. I mean, I could just tell you the winning move now, but it’s truly best if you figure it out on your own. Amber is patient, that’s all I’ll say. And yes, as the Water Princess mentioned, she and the Fire Prince must be working together, both fighting, in order for them to send Amber back to her island.”

  “Thank you,” said the Water Princess. “Honestly, what good are you if you don’t help us win?”

  “I am helping you,” Laura countered, turning back to her art pad. “But forcing history isn’t my place. It’s opening doors. I’ll do what I can, but making decisions isn’t part of that, not in this legend.”

  Everyone was quiet for a while, allowing Andrew’s thoughts to finally catch up with them. He took a deep breath, knowing that, as the Fire Prince, he should take part in the decision.

  “While I can’t say that I’m eager to go into battle,” he admitted, “I don’t want to stay behind and let other people defend my country and my Water Princess. Since there must be battle, I’d rather you guys wait for me.”

  The Water Princess tightened her grip on his hand again and nodded severely. “You heard him,” she announced. “He doesn’t want me to go into battle without him, any more than I do. Therefore, you wait so you can take him with us, or you don’t get me.”

  The Wind Prince’s eyebrow flickered. “Well,” he said. “That’s quite the ultimatum.”

  “He should be battle-ready within two weeks,” she continued. “If Amber attacks before that, so be it and it’s the will of Alphego, but like the Leaf Princess, I’m not eager to stir the hornet’s nest that is Amber’s village.”

  “Hornet’s nest?” questioned King Tyrus.

  The Water Princess waved it off. “It’s an insect in our world. They’re not fun.”

  

  They decided to accept Clara’s proposition to attack Amber in two weeks. If Amber attacked within the second week, then the Fire Prince would join them in battle. If she attacked before then, they’d have to do without. The Doorkeeper didn’t have any problems with this plan, so apparently, it was what her “history” demanded.

  After squaring away a few more minor points of business, they broke up to go set in motion their plans and prepare for the war.

  The Fire Prince was sent to bed on Tnika’s orders. Clara followed Kath and Rich. They had something they wanted to talk to her about alone. She couldn’t imagine what.

  They led her through the halls of the Kastle, talking about names and history that meant little to Clara, and generally ignoring her. At last, they ended up in the hang glider room and turned to look at her expectantly.

  “Um, yeah, your hang gliders,” said Clara, hesitantly, folding her hands at her waist. “They showed them to us on the tour of the Kastle, and I don’t believe they’ve changed much in the last two weeks.”

  Kath and Rich laughed.

  “We’ve been thinking about riding them into the battle,” Kath explained.

  Clara’s stomach lurched uncomfortably. “What? You two can’t be serious. I mean, you can’t use your bows properly from them. Hinequas are much more sensible.”

  “Perhaps so,” said Rich, “but we can still use our rings.”

  “When was the last time you rode in those? They’re thirty years old – are they even safe? I mean, you crashed. That’s how you two got here!”

  “And, truth be told, we haven’t used them since then,” Rich admitted. “But if I remember right, it isn’t that hard, and we didn’t have wind and plant powers at the time. Also, you’re a year ahead of us, and surely have had more lessons, so you might have some more pointers for us.”

  Clara closed her eyes and took a step back, trying to block out the dizzying feeling of falling, the memories resurfacing of the crash.

  “Clara? Are you all right?” Kath’s voice cut through the panic as her hand came to rest on Clara’s shoulder. “Clara?”

  “You two almost died!” Clara protested, her eyes flying open as she fought the panic away.

  “Oh, Clara,” she whispered.

  “You say almost,” Rich spoke up. “Not that we did. I find that a very encouraging prognosis.”

  “I’ll have you know that the moment I got out of the air was the last time I went up,” Clara hissed out. “I didn’t take another lesson.”

  “You … quit?” Rich realized. “You never quit.”

  She closed her eyes again. “Dare-devil four-year-old,” she explained.

  They’d been in the circus with her, though Kath had been only two when it folded. They knew the story of her fall. They were very acquainted with her stubborn fear.

  “Oh, Clara,” Kath whispered. “I – I’m so sorry. But, as Laura says, meddling with the future is dangerous.”

  “I – I know,” said Clara. “And Rich actually got off pretty well, just a broken leg, but Kath, Kath we almost lost you. You were unconscious for days! I – I don’t want it to happen again.”

  Neither of her friends spoke for a while, but Kath’s hold on her shoulder turned into a hug and Rich’s hand replaced hers. Then the moment was over and both drew back.

  “We are very sorry,” said Kath, “and we really don’t want to do it to you again, but there’s a reason we haven’t used the gliders since the day we came, and it’s much the same reason that we’re going to do it during the war.”

  Clara sucked in a deep breath. “Why?”

  “Right after we arrived, Alith Spoke that we wouldn’t use those things again until we returned to our own world,” Rich explained.

  “You mean…”

  “And while you and the Fire Prince were in the Dragon’s keeping, Tnika Spoke that we would see the battle’s beginning, but not the end,” Kath added. “We know that we won’t die here, thanks to you, so that means we’re going back home.”

  “You’re leaving us?” Clara repeated. “But we – we need you. Klarand needs you.”

  Kath shook her head. “Not anymore. Klarand needs you and the Fire Prince, and you have the Lords and each other to rely on, the kings and queens of Rizkaland to look to. Our time is up.”

  Clara shook her head. “But … I’ll miss you.”

  “We’ve been here thirty years,” said Rich. “As much as we love Klarand, we miss home, miss our friends and family. It’s time for us to return to our lives.”

  “But I know what life you’re about to return to,” Clara pointed out. “Kath, we honestly thought that we’d lost you multiple times.”

  “If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll make sure all of you know that she’ll make it through,” Rich spoke up. “You did say I only get a broken leg?”

  “Yes,” said Clara, tightly. “And yes, you did, and you wouldn’t tell anyone why you were so sure that she was going to make it through. Terribly frustrating but … I guess this is why, isn’t it?”

  “That sounds about right.” Kath’s arm went around Clara’s shoulders as she was directed out of the room and back into the hall. “Look, there isn’t much left for us here in Kl
arand. We have friends, yes, but we spent the last fifteen years stuck in this castle with just four others. That gets boring after a while. We’re ready to go home.”

  “But we shall miss you,” said Rich.

  “You’re going to see me again,” Clara pointed out. “I mean, I’m the one who first climbed the tree to help get Kath down.” She closed her eyes. “Oh, it was just so terrible!”

  “The Clara we’re going back to will be a year younger than the Clara you are now,” Kath explained. “She won’t know about Klarand. She won’t know about the Fire Prince.”

  “Don’t you think I know that?”

  “You realize that when we get back, we won’t have anyone else to talk to who knows about Rizkaland until you return,” Kath continued. “And when you get back, you’ll be a different Clara yet. You’ll have been here for thirty years, or thereabout, and it will have naturally changed you.”

  “I know,” Clara admitted, quietly. A thought entered her mind, and she decided to bring it up. “The Fire Prince and I … we developed a theory that I think the two of you might be interested in, about the Ten.”

  “Oh?” asked Kath. “And what is it?”

  “Our parents’ names match,” Clara explained. “And the personalities and skills fit. Andrew has a friend whose parents fit the description of Prince Steven and Princess Jenna, and she was in the circus, too. I’m not saying that they are them, but when I asked Laura about it, she wouldn’t give a straight answer, and from what I can tell of her, not giving a straight answer is almost a yes.”

  “It’s an interesting theory,” Rich admitted. “And truth be told, one that Kath and I have discussed at length ourselves. We might ask them when we get back. I don’t know.”

  “Well, go back home if you must,” said Clara. “We have a war to plan here.”

  

  The nap was nice, but it was over all too soon and Andrew’s valet had reappeared to inform him that it was time to wake up again and go to his daily practice. Andrew wasn’t sure what daily practice the man was talking about, since this was the first time he heard of it, but he was soon dressed in a comfortable, but well-fitting outfit, his sword and belt at his side, and he was led down the halls to the practice room, where he found the Water Princess waiting for him. They were then left alone.