“And what’s your judgement?” Ryvan asked, frowning as he considered her words.
“That’s not for me to decide. I, much like you, am simply playing a minor part of this elaborate test,” Vanessa told him simply, smiling and taking Alain’s hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “But now that the important aspects are dealt with, we have but to meet Her Eternity and allow her to judge for herself. I suggest that all of you rest well, as the roads will allow us to move more swiftly on the morrow.”
“Why would they allow us to move more quickly?” Uvara asked softly, looking nervous and confused.
Vanessa smiled widely as she spoke. “Her Eternity wills it.”
More than anything else that had been said so far, that simple statement terrified Sistina. She thought back on the oddities of the land within the borders of the Eternal Wood, and of the whispered legends of the disappearances of armies into the forest and swallowed softly. Without a word, she nodded to Vanessa and got up to head to bed. Somehow, she doubted that she’d sleep well that night.
Chapter 7
In the morning, they left behind the Trade Moot, traveling deeper into the forest. As the sights and sounds of the small fair faded behind them, the forest quieted into a near-silence, broken only by the haunting sounds of birds, and their path began to darken.
The trees around them, already immense, began to grow to towering heights. Their branches blotted out the sun above, reducing the road to a near-twilight gloom as they pressed onward. The sight quieted the entire group, and once Sistina thought she saw the outline of a horse-sized wolf with a rider traveling in the woods alongside them. The figure was there and gone in mere moments, so for a time she wondered if it was sleep deprivation playing tricks on her.
“What is this place? I’ve never seen a forest so deep and dark,” Bevall asked, the man looking nervous as he looked out the carriage window.
“This is called the Twilight Moat,” Uvara spoke softly, before Sistina could reply. The other woman’s eyes were fixed on the dark scenery outside. “It’s the primary defense of the forest’s heart, and it is here that the Knights of the Wild hunt down enemies of the Eternal Wood.”
“How could this be considered a moat? It’s a forest. Sure, it’s dark and all, but it’s just a forest,” Ryvan asked, wide-eyed.
Uvara opened her mouth to reply, then closed it and gave Sistina a helpless look, asking plaintively. “Sistina?”
“The only reason it seems so peaceful to you or I is because we’re welcome to pass. I’ve read many stories about the Twilight Moat, and I don’t know how much is real or imagined,” Sistina spoke softly, glancing at the others before letting her gaze settle on what was outside again. “Some of these trees are said to be as hard as iron, and capable of moving on their own to crush outsiders. Thorned bushes can move and envelope intruders, forest drakes lurk in caves, and more. Here is where those fey who are most bloodthirsty or which love the darkness dwell, and any intruder is likely not long for this world. I’ve read of at least five armies that marched into the Twilight Moat. None of them have been heard from again.”
“Oh. I suppose that . . . that would do it,” Ryvan gulped audibly, looking nervous as he glanced outside again. “How long will we be in it?”
“The records on it are . . . fuzzy. I suspect deliberately so,” Sistina replied softly, shivering again as she continued. “In other words, I have no idea.”
Everyone else went silent as they heard a deep, mournful wolf’s howl . . . and a dozen howls come in return, one from very, very nearby. Conversation didn’t start again for some time.
They emerged from the darkness not long after noon, but to Sistina it felt like it’d been far longer than that. As the light increased and both greenery and the sounds of forest life began to pervade the air once more, Sistina took a moment to poke her head out the window and look behind them. The towering dark eaves of the forest in their wake was a marked contrast to the warmth of life that surrounded them now, and she shivered before glancing in front of the carriage, only to gasp in surprise.
The books Sistina had read described the Eternal Court, but nothing could have prepared her for the reality of what lay before her. They were approaching a mountain that jutted up out of the forest in a gentle slope, and meandering up the mountainside was a living city.
Trees grew in the shapes of buildings, each distinct and unique in their own way. Some of the trees looked like ornamental artwork, while others looked very different. A fifty-foot statue could be seen by the entrance of the city, emerald-green ivy growing up it in a strange form of gown over the figure of a nymph with her arms stretched to the sky above her. Even from here, Sistina could see the figures of fey traveling through the city, ranging from enormous trolls to diminutive faeries. At the height of the city was the palace itself, seeming as though it were carved of honey-golden wood. It was an immense structure with a single spire at its center, and sprawled outward until it melded with an immense garden around it.
At the top of the mountain was only a single building, a small rotunda made of ancient-looking stone, and no other building was near it. A single flight of stairs slowly wound up to the building from the palace. That, Sistina knew, was the Overlook, where one could look on the world tree itself.
“Demasa’s holy grace . . .” Sistina heard Ryvan gasp aloud. “That’s beautiful.”
Shaking herself, Sistina pulled her head back into the carriage and smiled as Bevall impatiently took a turn looking outside. Ryvan was looking out the other window, and as he pulled back Uvara glanced out as well. It took a moment before Sistina could speak, but finally she managed softly. “That was . . . not what I expected. The books talked about the city, but no description does it justice. I wonder . . . is this part of why the fey want us to take the pilgrimage?”
“I suspect it is,” Bevall replied, settling down again as he frowned thoughtfully. “I’ll admit that before we came here, I didn’t really see the point. I thought I knew everything that I needed to, but now? This is showing me a world I didn’t know existed . . . and its right next door to the kingdom. What else might I be missing, just because I was seeing what I wanted to see?”
“From what Vanessa said, I think you’re right,” Ryvan added, tapping his foot slowly as he considered the situation. “From everything that I’ve seen, the fey don’t ever do something for just one reason.”
Nodding, Sistina thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Perhaps so. I think that if we want the truth of it, though, our best chance to ask will be during the meeting with the Empress.”
“When do you think the meeting will be?” Uvara asked, sounding rather nervous.
When everyone looked at Sistina expectantly, she let out a soft sigh and shrugged. “I have no idea. I think it would be best to assume it’s possible that she may choose to grant us an audience as soon as we get there. I would rather not be surprised if she does, though I’d certainly feel under-dressed.”
The others looked thoughtful and nervous, but Sistina sat back and watched the city draw closer as they continued onward. Their guards looked awfully relaxed, she noticed, envious as she tried to quell the butterflies in her stomach. Instead, she reached up to stroke her pendant, and slowly managed to relax.
Shivering, Sistina quickly got out of the pristine, cold pool of water that was the bath for the rooms she’d been assigned. The spring water may have been pure and clear, but it didn’t help at all when she was trying to keep from freezing to death. On the other hand, it also encouraged her to keep her bath quick, and an idle part of Sistina wondered if the point was to discourage visitors from trying to overstay their welcome. If so, it would likely do a good job of the matter!
She quickly began to towel off, trying to warm up as she looked around the otherwise comfortable chambers she’d been taken to by the faun majordomo of the palace. The rooms were small but comfortable, with wooden walls, a bed just large enough to fit two if needed, and which she’d already realized was
almost sinfully comfortable, and a wardrobe in which to put her things. It wasn’t as beautiful as the rest of the palace, as it was relatively unfurnished, but there was something oddly natural about the wood, even though there wasn’t a trace of bark to be seen.
Finishing toweling off, Sistina hung the towel on a branch and returned to her luggage, chewing her lip as she looked over the clothing she’d brought with her. Her guess had been far more accurate than she’d expected, and the Empress was granting an audience just after sundown. They’d already been given a chance to eat dinner, and it was almost time for the meeting. Yet now, Sistina found herself indecisive about what to wear. It had seemed simple before they’d left Everium, but now? Now things felt different.
Eventually she decided against the green silk gown she’d planned on wearing. As much as she liked the dress, it just didn’t feel quite right. Instead, she put on a simple blue gown that was one of her favorite traveling dresses. It wasn’t too worn, and wouldn’t be completely out of place back home, but it wasn’t what one would expect out of a Marquis’ daughter, either. Putting on her pendant, Sistina took a deep breath and grabbed the small box of gifts she’d brought as well.
While the situation made her nervous, she was filled with an odd sense of anticipation as well.
Gathering outside the throne room, Sistina looked at the others and smiled, murmuring softly, “Well, aren’t we the strange bunch?”
They were an odd group. Ryvan was wearing a court outfit of the finest silks, the yellows and greens setting off his complexion well. Bevall, by comparison, was in a near-uniform in his house colors of silver and white. Uvara was dressed even more plainly than Sistina herself, wearing a woodsman’s outfit and carrying her bow in hand. She definitely looked different than the rest of them did. Regardless, they were all together, and each of the others had their own gifts for the Empress in hand.
“Maybe so,” Bevall admitted, looking between them in concern, frowning as he asked. “Are you and Uvara certain that you want to dress that way? You’re rather . . . umm, plainly dressed.”
“Yes. I want to go as who I am,” Uvara replied simply, the woman looking nervous.
“Initially, I didn’t intend to dress like this, but . . . it simply didn’t feel right to dress up in my court gown. Do you really think I should try to impress the Empress?” Sistina replied, shrugging helplessly as she smiled nervously at him. “It’s not a matter of disrespect, I’ll add; just trying to treat Her appropriately.”
“I suppose that’s fair enough,” he conceded, frowning a little more as he reached up to tug at his collar gently. “I must say that I’m a little anxious, so focusing on you helps me a fair amount. It’s less stressful.”
“Perhaps so. I’m not sure for myself, but to each their own. I somehow doubt that the Empress will blame you for how I choose to present myself,” Sistina replied with a nervous smile.
“I certainly hope she doesn’t. I wouldn’t want to impact anyone but myself, either,” Bevall replied quietly.
“Relax. I suspect that she knows a lot, from what Vanessa said,” Ryvan replied easily, shrugging slightly and looking far more at ease than anyone else. “If she could speed us on our way here after we figured out what was going on, that means that she likely knows a lot of what we were talking about. I don’t know why she’d be so interested in the four of us, though.”
Before any of them could speak, a woman concealed by flowing green robes and with a veil that concealed all but her bright green eyes opened the huge doors before them, speaking softly. “Her Eternity will see you now.”
Sistina swallowed, bracing herself for a moment, and followed Ryvan into the throne room as he took the lead.
Chapter 8
In most ways, the throne room was surprisingly simple. The walls were little different than those of Sistina’s room, and the floor was similar as well. The hall itself was perhaps sixty feet wide and ninety long, and the simple wooden throne at the other end wasn’t even on a raised dais. The room was lit by glowing blue fruit the size of Sistina’s head that dangled from branches on the ceiling, and skylights with amber panes would allow light into the room during the day. Although unusual, Sistina had seen more elaborate or beautiful chambers in the homes of some earls back in Everium.
What made all the difference in the world was the presence of the Empress. Her mere existence was a swirl of power and magnetizing dynamism that would draw the eyes of anyone, and cause them to simply stop and stare, despite the similar simplicity that she favored.
The Eternal Empress, none knew her true name, was looking at them with ageless amber eyes, judging and weighing each of them as she rested her arms on the back of her throne. Her skin was pale green, while her hair was almost tulip red and fell in curls to her waist, with long, delicately pointed ears extending from her hair. She wore no crown, no jewelry, simply a gown that seemed to be grown of living leaves and vines. Her beauty was impossible for Sistina to describe, and she could have drowned in the Empress’s eyes as she looked on them calmly, and slowly reached out to gesture all of them forward, her ruby lips curving into a gentle smile that relieved some of the pressure on Sistina.
“Come forth, Children of Everium, that I may have a better look at you.” The Empress’s voice was like honey, soft and gentle, yet a power and resonance filled it that caused Sistina to shiver.
The four slowly approached, and despite herself, Sistina found her hands smoothing her gown. Ryvan was still in front, but Uvara had slowed down, leaving the other young woman in the back of the group. When they were about fifteen feet away they stopped, and Ryvan bowed deeply.
“Your Eternity, thank you for granting us this audience.” Ryvan spoke surprisingly calmly. Bevall also bowed, while Sistina and Uvara curtseyed in turn.
“You are welcome in my Court, Ryvan Skybrook. It feels like only yesterday that your father stood where you do now.” The Empress spoke smoothly, gracefully stepping around her throne as she looked Ryvan over. “You have your father’s eyes, but take after your mother. For the best, I think, though you could do with tempering. Rise, all of you. I am not your Empress.”
“Perhaps not, Your Eternity, but you are someone that all of our elders deeply respect,” Bevall replied calmly, then swallowed hard as her gaze turned to him.
“Not all, Son of Winter. Some of those in Everium even now covet the lands over which the Eternal Court holds sway,” the Empress replied gently, almost familiarly. “You would do well to look on those who you view as allies more closely, and decide which are true to their words, and which speak empty platitudes. Not everything is as direct as an open battlefield, Bevall.”
Bevall seemed startled, and opened his mouth to speak, before closing it again and looking thoughtful. Turning her gaze to Sistina, the Empress smiled and spoke softly. “Sistina Constella. Quara praised your will and that you had wisdom beyond your years. It’s good to see that your father’s work has not been for naught.”
“Thank you, Your Eternity. I must admit that the journey has been . . . illuminating. Nothing has been quite what I expected,” Sistina replied softly, bowing her head slightly to avoid meeting the monarch’s eyes. It had been bad enough with Quara, but the Empress was even more powerful, and though she was trying to keep her power in check, it still was affecting all of them.
“Of course it hasn’t. The point of the pilgrimage is for you to experience new things and gain a new perspective on your lives,” the nymph replied simply, then moved onward, raising an eyebrow at Uvara. “Uvara, are you well? You look even more nervous than your companions.”
“I . . . I will be well enough, Your Eternity. I just did not expect . . . well, you,” Uvara managed to say, gulping loudly as she looked down, prompting a smile from Sistina and a laugh from the Empress. The laugh seemed to shake the world around them for a moment, causing all of them to pause in unwitting fascination.
“I am what I am, Uvara Silmer. No more, and no less. Now, on to what actually brings
you here,” the fey smiled and gestured at Ryvan to come closer. “Come here, Ryvan. We will speak privately for a few moments.”
“Y-your Eternity?” Ryvan asked, his poise faltering and his eyes going wide.
“Come here,” the Empress replied gently. “This is traditional. You come to the Eternal Court, present any gifts you may have chosen to bring, and I give a gift of my own, along with a few words of advice. After this, you’ll climb the ascent to look upon the world tree. Perhaps you will even stay a few days and explore the city. But after? Afterward, you will go back home, hopefully a bit wiser than when you left it.”
“As . . . as you say,” Ryvan replied softly, bowing his head for an instant before he took a deep breath and stepped forward. As he stepped close to the Empress, a curtain of glowing green light sprang up around them, cutting off all sight and sound from within.
“She is . . . not what I expected,” Uvara murmured softly after a moment.
“No. She’s more than anything my father told me she was. Though he claimed her hair was blue, not red,” Bevall replied, almost as quietly.
“Who’s to say she can’t change the color of it? I can’t believe her presence, though . . . I thought that Quara was bad enough. I see why some worship her as a demigoddess,” Sistina spoke up softly, shaking her head in awe.
At that moment, the curtain vanished and both the Empress and Ryvan appeared once more. Ryvan was holding a thornless single rose with an enormous flower in his hand, looking bemused as he stepped away, murmuring, “Thank you, Your Eternity.”
“You are welcome, Ryvan. Bevall?” the Empress looked to the young warrior with a slightly wider smile. “If you would?”
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