More than even those oddities, it had been the sense of distance that began to warp in Sistina’s mind, as though they weren’t moving nearly as far as the thirty miles each day that they traveled. It was something she’d read about, but which she hadn’t truly believed before coming into the Eternal Wood. From all outside appearances, the forest was only two hundred miles across, but the appearance was deceiving. The world tree folded space inside the forest’s borders, expanding the land tremendously. It was said that it was nearly a thousand miles from the border to the world tree itself, despite maps showing only a hundred miles of distance. Fortunately, their own journey was nowhere near that distance, as the Eternal Court was only four hundred miles from the border.
Of course, the fact that the world tree also didn’t allow others to teleport into the wood lent to its air of mystery, along with the fey who guarded the wood and the world tree jealously. Sistina had only heard of half a dozen people, including the king of Everium himself, who’d been allowed to approach the world tree and meditate upon its wisdom. It was an opportunity she longed for, but which she knew she was unlikely to be given a chance to gain.
“What’s that sound?” Ryvan asked crossly, frowning as he craned his neck to look out the window of the carriage. Sistina could hear a distant rumbling sound in the distance, one that she associated with the sound of a waterfall.
“Have you never heard a waterfall before?” Bevall spoke first, the young man’s voice impatient, giving a patronizing look to the other noble. “I thought that those were common, even in the heartlands.”
“Of course I have!” Ryvan shot back, bristling as he looked up at Bevall angrily. Sistina could hear Uvara let out a faint breath of annoyance as he continued. “That just sounds louder than any waterfall I’ve heard before. Are you sure it’s a waterfall?”
Sistina interjected before the two could settle into another round of bickering, keeping her tone level. “It does sound like a waterfall to me. However, it could also be an area of extreme rapids in a river as well. We’ll just have to see what it actually is.”
“I suppose that it’s possible that it’s a river, but it sounds like a waterfall to me,” Bevall replied, sniffing slightly as he looked away.
“It also sounds like one to me, but I’m not going to assume so until I see it,” Sistina agreed, resisting the impulse to throttle the arrogant jerk. As satisfying as it would be, she was supposed to be setting an example.
The carriage continued on its way for a short distance, then slowed to a stop as Alain called out. “Ladies and Lords, we’ve reached the campsite for the night.”
A moment later, the guard, clad in a simple breastplate and wearing his sword, opened the door to the carriage, allowing them out. The first out was Uvara, who was out of her seat before Sistina could more than get halfway out of her own. Sistina followed the others at a more sedate pace, asking calmly. “Alain, is the sound a waterfall?”
“It appears so, Milady,” he replied quickly, nodding to their west as he added, extending a hand to help her down. “It’s separated from us by a copse of trees, but there’s a large, pristine lake that’s fed by a waterfall nearby.”
“Indeed? Perhaps a bath would be in order this evening,” Sistina murmured, her spirits rising somewhat at the thought. “It might be a touch brisk, but it would do me good.”
“Perhaps so, but please allow us to check for dangers before attempting it, Milady?” Alain asked nervously, glancing over to where the two young men were heading for the trees. “I-My Lords! Please wait until we’ve checked the lakeside for dangers!”
“Why? There hasn’t been anything else dangerous on the trip so far,” Bevall retorted, gesturing at the forest. “I don’t see why you’re being so cautious.”
“I’m being cautious because despite there being no dangers so far, that is not a guarantee there won’t be a water drake lurking in the lake, or something similar, Milord,” Alain replied seriously. “My task on this trip is to keep all of you alive and well, and I take it very seriously.”
“Then get on with it already!” Ryvan demanded, glowering. “I want to see the waterfall!”
“Sir Alain and our guards will scout the surrounding area, including the lakeside, while we set up camp,” Sistina interjected smoothly, glancing over at where Uvara was pulling out her own tent. “We can sightsee after we’re ready for the night.”
“Fine,” Bevall growled, turning back to the camp. Ryvan hesitated a moment, then went to join the other man, grumbling under his breath as he did so.
“Thank you, Milady. Those two can be stubborn,” Alain murmured softly, prompting a smile from Sistina.
“You’re most welcome, Alain. Now why don’t you go scout out the area? I need to get to work, like the rest of them,” Sistina replied, her voice equally soft as she teased. “Even if they are stubborn as mules, at least they don’t argue as much as they did at first. We have to count all the little blessings.”
“Indeed, thank Demasa,” Alain murmured a prayer, reaching over to stroke his bracelet embossed with the symbol of their nation’s patron goddess. “I’ll get right on it.”
Setting up camp took a bit less than half of an hour, and though the sun was sinking toward the horizon, there was still plenty of daylight when the guards returned to confirm that the lake was safe. Finally allowed to investigate the lake, the two young men rushed off quickly, while Sistina followed at a more sedate pace. She saw that Uvara had vanished into the woods with her bow again, and shook her head in amusement. Sistina was beginning to suspect that the other woman was hiding something, but she didn’t want to pry. If Uvara wanted to tell her, she would do so on her own.
The lake itself looked to be a mile or so across and at least six miles from one end to the other. The water was cold, and a cliff to their north was where the river came from before descending nearly a hundred and fifty feet into the lake. Sistina’s mouth opened slightly in surprise as she saw the fish, though.
One after another, rainbow-colored fish jumped from above the waterfall and unfurled wings to glide down through the evening light toward the lake. The fish weren’t huge, none were more than a foot and a half long, but each glittered beautifully before the setting sun. Sistina could do little but watch in a daze as the sun slowly sank toward the horizon, while Ryvan and Bevall engaged in a rock skipping contest. Rather predictably, Ryvan lost badly.
Before it grew fully dark, Sistina took a turn taking a quick bath with the other women, including Uvara once she returned with a pheasant. It was fortunate that three of the guards were women, and they were quite happy to help keep the two young men from peeking at them as they bathed.
As she settled down to sleep, Sistina smiled and hoped to dream of flying, rainbow-colored fish.
Chapter 3
Waking with a start as someone shook her shoulder, Sistina blinked in confusion as her mouth opened slightly, then paused as she saw Uvara’s face in the darkness. The other woman looked nervous, and after a moment Sistina asked, “Uvara? What’s wrong? Why did you wake me up?”
“Something’s wrong. Guards are missing. Bevall and Ryvan too,” the woman spoke softly, looking nervous. “Only you and I are left.”
“What? That doesn’t make any sense! Alain would never leave his post,” Sistina blinked away her sleep and quickly sat up in her tent. “Let me throw on my clothing, and I’ll see what I can figure out.”
Uvara nodded, retreating most of the way out of the tent. She was in simple clothing herself, her hair somewhat messy as she fingered her hunting knife. Sistina quickly threw on a pair of trousers and a blouse, hesitating only a moment before putting on her pendant. She needed to be able to think clearly, and it would help. Finally, she belted on her dagger and slipped on a pair of sandals before getting up and following Uvara out of the tent.
The campsite was almost eerily silent, and Sistina frowned as she saw the posts that a pair of guards normally stood at were empty. The horses seemed unperturbed,
and the carriage was untouched as well. It was Uvara gesturing to the ground that drew her attention, though. Fortunately, there was the better part of a full moon, though it was waning, providing plenty of light with the campfire banked. Approaching Uvara, Sistina looked down and blinked.
On the ground, she could see the footprint of a man or woman, likely a woman from the shape of the foot. The print was wet, as though someone had stepped directly out of water and onto the dirt, and she saw several footprints leading away from this one before reaching the grass where one of the guards had stood. Looking up, Sistina asked. “What’s this, Uvara?”
“They came from the lake,” the other woman replied softly, looking worried. “Not sure what’s wrong.”
“I see. Well, we should go check at the least. Since they’re wet, this far from the water . . .” Sistina paused, considering as she frowned. “Fey, most likely. I’m not sure which type, but we are in the Eternal Wood. They shouldn’t hurt us, but fey can be mercurial.”
Uvara nodded and looked toward the lake, looking rather concerned. The woman hesitated, but Sistina simply smiled in encouragement before she stood up, brushing off her trousers and heading for the lake herself. There were at least half a dozen species of fey that could be behind the disappearances, and Sistina dearly hoped that it wasn’t one of the more disagreeable ones.
More damp footprints could be seen on the sandy shore of the lake, while the spray of water made Sistina shiver slightly. It was cold this late at night, even in the midst of summer. Uvara was following behind her, and Sistina paused as she saw that the footprints, accompanied by several that weren’t wet, went straight into the water.
“That . . . will make this more difficult,” Sistina murmured, frowning. “I certainly can’t breathe water. I doubt you can, either.”
“No, I can’t,” Uvara confirmed, shaking her head firmly.
About to reply, Sistina paused as she saw movement from the lake. A moment later, a woman emerged from the water, her figure svelte and her skin a pale blue, broken by deep crimson lips. Her eyes were intense cerulean, matched by her hair, which almost looked like strands of water formed into individual hairs. She wore elaborate silver bracelets and a necklace set with a moonstone, as well as a white dress seemingly made of sea foam. At the sight of them, the woman blinked, then smiled widely.
“Ah, you have awakened and come yourselves! Come, my dear ladies! Come join your companions in My Lady’s court!” The silvery, soothing beauty of the woman’s voice penetrated deep into Sistina’s mind, mesmerizing her as the woman beckoned them forward, her words seeming like the most reasonable thing in the world. Smiling in return, Sistina took a step forward alongside Uvara, preparing to go with the woman. It was a sudden thought that struck her and made her pause for a moment.
Why was she going along with the woman? She’d come here to investigate the disappearances of the others, not to join a mysterious fey in her court. Shaking off the enthrallment, Sistina’s blood chilled slightly as she realized she was looking at a siren, a fey singer who could seduce and enchant with her very voice. Unlike Sistina, Uvara seemed to have fully succumbed, making Sistina hesitate for a moment more. Finally, she decided to go along with things for the time being, so she smiled and stepped forward, speaking smoothly. “I’d love to come along with you!”
“Wonderful!” the woman replied, smiling broadly when Uvara nodded as well, the other woman’s expression one of rapt fascination. The siren quickly continued. “Let me just give each of you a kiss so you can breathe properly, hmm?”
Sistina’s mouth fell open slightly, and she blushed as the fey embraced Uvara and gave her a sudden, deep kiss. Uvara seemed to melt into the kiss, and she was flushed when it ended, looking down as she murmured. “T-thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome, young lady,” the siren purred, smiling more as she added. “You can call me Grace. Now for your friend.”
Sistina only had a moment to prepare herself for the siren’s insistent kiss. The fey was surprisingly cool to the touch for the first moment, then her lips met Sistina’s and everything seemed to change. Heat seemed to explode through the fey’s body at the touch, and Sistina felt magic flood into her, a rampaging, wild heat that stoked her desires. If she had been fully under the sway of the siren’s voice when Grace had kissed her, Sistina’s control would have crumbled utterly. As it was, she could only barely keep control of her thoughts as her senses swam. Finally, the kiss ended and Sistina found herself swaying in place, feeling strange. It took a moment before she realized that the air no longer felt quite as cold, and she blinked at Grace in confusion.
Grace spoke a moment later, smiling as she extended a hand to either of them. “Come along, dear girls. Milady’s court awaits.” Half in a daze, Sistina took her hand and followed the siren into the lake water alongside Uvara.
The water seemed warm to the touch rather than cold, and Sistina realized with a start that breathing the water seemed almost natural as she was pulled under the surface. There was no sensation of drowning, and the water itself was crystal-clear to her sight, the light of the moon glittering and refracting off the lake surface and the scales of the beautiful, rainbow-hued fish. Grace didn’t let go of their hands, her hair almost vanishing in the water as she guided them effortlessly toward the center of the lake floor.
Sistina wasn’t certain what she could do at this point, glancing nervously at the rapt expression on Uvara’s face. If the others were in the same state, what would happen? Fey could be notoriously mercurial and had a fuzzy sense of time. There were tales of some travelers getting waylaid on their pilgrimages and not emerging from the forest for decades. They rarely hurt those that were waylaid, and it wasn’t generally intentional, but that didn’t make it any easier for those who were enthralled. The sight of lights from the lake floor interrupted Sistina’s thoughts, and she could faintly hear the sound of voices, laughter, and music from ahead of them. As they approached, she gasped in surprise.
A large region of the lake floor was enveloped in an approximate hemisphere filled with countless tiny bubbles, swirling and dancing in a pattern that she couldn’t quite grasp, but which seemed beautiful in its own right. Partially obscured by the bubbles were buildings of golden stone that had been erected on the lake floor, forming a dance floor, tables, and seats, yet without roofs so one could see the lake surface some hundred feet above them, though she imagined it would be difficult with so much water in the way. On the dance floor, she could see men and women dancing, and the sight of them was shocking as well.
One woman was singing at the end of the dance floor, her appearance much like that of Grace, while five men and women accompanied her on instruments. Some of them were women with shimmering white shawls, others were mermaids or mermen with their fish-like lower bodies, and one was even a naga, the man handsome from the waist up, while his lower body was that of a snake. She saw a single woman with the lower body of an octopus on the dance floor, dancing with Ryvan, of all people. Blinking, Sistina realized she could see most of the others on the dance floor, save for Alain. It was the woman atop a dais at the other end of the dancing ground that drew her attention, though, and Sistina inhaled sharply as she was brought through the curtain of bubbles and she gained unobstructed sight of the woman.
Sitting in a throne themed like a gigantic opalescent clamshell was a nymph. She looked like an elf, but no elf had a figure so voluptuous, nor did they have the brilliant aura of beauty and command the woman possessed. Her skin was creamy and pale, but her eyes all but glowed a brilliant azure. Her hair fell to her waist, swirling under the water, and each lock of hair was a different color of the rainbow, matching the colors of the fish which Sistina had seen earlier. She wore a simple, sheath-like dress made of thousands of iridescent fish scales that shimmered with different colors as light struck it at different angles, yet leaving none of her body to the imagination, despite having a modest neckline. A delicate gold crown with five points held her hair back,
and her ruby lips were curved in a thin smile as she watched the music and dancing before her. At the nymph’s side rested a mithral trident, the tips shimmering with a rainbow hue. Sistina’s heartbeat quickened as the nymph’s eyes settled on her, and the fey monarch’s smile widened still more.
“Ladies, I present you to Queen Quara, monarch of Rainbow Waters,” Grace spoke respectfully, bowing her head as she released the hands of the two young elves. “Would you introduce yourselves?”
“I-I am Uvara Silmer, daughter of Duke Silmer of Everium,” Uvara stuttered after a moment, her eyes huge with shock. “I am grateful to meet one of such incredible beauty as yourself.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Uvara. You are welcome in my court,” Quara replied in a rich voice, smiling as she added. “I can see you’ve grown attached to Grace, and my devoted servant dearly wishes to dance. Might you accompany her?”
“Of c-course, Your Majesty!” Uvara’s smile blossomed, and she looked at Grace, who smiled in return and took her hand once more. They took a step away to dance as Sistina gathered herself.
“I am Sistina Constella, heir of Marquis Constella of Everium, and I-,” Sistina began, but as the full power of Quara’s gaze fell on her, Sistina’s concentration and resolve buckled slightly. The sheer power and magnetism of the fey was intoxicating and overwhelming. She felt herself drowning under it, and could feel her ability to resist waning. In moments, she would lose herself utterly under the fey queen’s gaze, just like the others.
“You alone of your company were able to resist the charm of Grace’s voice. Fascinating, for one as young and inexperienced as you are.” Quara withdrew some of the weight of her power as she smiled at Sistina, sending her reeling with the sudden change of methods. “She didn’t even try to captivate all of you, you know. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sistina. Why don’t you come sit with me?”
Quara clarified her statement by patting her lap, smiling at Sistina. The young woman gulped hard, firmly stepping on her impulse to agree. Her heart was racing, but Sistina took a deep breath before replying unsteadily. “While I appreciate the offer, Your Majesty, I believe such would be an . . . unwise decision under the current circumstances.”
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