by Tara Brown
“Please, milady. I don’t have answers.” He spoke directly to Elsie, “I beseech you,” the small man lifted his hands and pressed them together. “Come with me.”
But she did not answer, she seemed lost in everything.
“Mother,” Lenny said, drawing her attention. “Perhaps the queen and the prince have taken the death too hard to cope and neither are fit to rule in this moment. And perhaps that is what they wish to speak to you on. Maybe she would like your advice.”
“Then why isn’t Hilde being brought to see the prince?” Aunt Mildred snapped at Lenny, again answering for Elsie who was obviously in shock. “Hilde is the future queen and his betrothed! This is an insult!”
Lenny glanced at Hilde, offering a sympathetic smile. “Perhaps the prince isn’t the one asking for us. Maybe the queen would like Lady Hilde to remain here to create a semblance of normalcy. Maybe the prince isn’t seeing anyone. We won’t know until we go.”
“Then you shan’t keep the queen waiting!” Mildred barked, pushing Elsie’s summer shawl at her. “Off you go.” Lenny knew Aunt Mildred only wanted the gossip when they returned, which was why she was hurrying them out the door.
Elsie wrinkled her nose, not sure what to do. Her worries and eyes were fixed on her eldest child. Mildred was correct, this was highly unusual. The king’s funeral and wake would need to be properly planned. Dignitaries from the other kingdoms would come or send regards. This was hardly the right time to hide on Pappelwhick, and very out of character for Saleen. Deciding she needed answers as much as Mildred did, she snatched her shawl from her sister-in-law and left the room without speaking.
Lenny paused, giving Hilde a last stare, then walked from the room with her dogs on her heels.
She didn’t want to go to Pappelwhick and see the queen, but at least she was leaving Aunt Mildred behind. The reprieve from that was worth weathering her mother’s emotional state. She had been close to the king, and her obvious despair was clear enough to indicate how close. Adding to that, the fear that Hilde’s engagement, which had seemed so firm before, might be a distant memory. And the queen not asking to see Hilde surely meant there was a chance it was over. Lenny knew that was what her mother and Mildred were upset about.
Once they were away from their suite, the misery on her mother’s face, though she remained silent, kept everyone out of their way and caused the small man running to stay ahead of them.
The docks were far enough that they were forced to ride there in a small carriage, which meant Lenny was trapped inside the confined space with her mother and the hounds.
Trying desperately not to make eye contact with Elsie, Lenny rubbed Scar’s ears as they both watched the chaos in the streets. The king’s death was creating instability. Crowds were gathering at the gates of the castle with mourners remaining to offer condolences through prayer and candlelight. But the lack of mobility in the streets was causing near riotous acts as the guards tried to keep everyone back.
As strange as the thought was, Lenny knew Mildred was correct; the funeral and coronation would have to happen quickly to bring calm back to the lands. And Landon would be a truly great king, kind and intelligent. His mother’s lack of action was strange, but Lenny wondered if it was because of how the king had died. If perhaps the queen was scared for her son. Though Lenny couldn’t imagine why Mrs. Knightly would want the king dead, or the prince.
Her mind raced as they neared the harbor. The Great Harbor was ten times or more the size of Blockley’s and had at least ten times the commotion on the go at all times throughout the day. Adding the current state of things in the city didn’t help the bedlam at the docks.
“This way, ladies,” the small man said as the footman helped them from the carriage.
As they hurried down to the ships, Lenny’s eyes strayed, focusing on boats and captains and dockhands. Then there was the massive crane which she had seen before with Lord Ivor but still marveled at. The way it hugged the ship and lifted it so high in the air made Lenny’s hands sweat. Boats were meant to be on the ground, at least near the water, not soaring like a bird.
“Lenny!” her mother shouted for her to catch up.
Lenny hurried, obliging.
They boarded a longboat, hounds and all. Elsie begrudgingly helped Ollie board and took a seat with the dogs following uneasily. They sat but both twitched and jerked, nervous from the unstable ground beneath their feet, particularly Ollie who was not yet using one of his.
Lenny watched as the oarsmen untied the boat and the sixteen of them began rowing. Her fingers twitched with want to help row or find something enterprising to do, but that was not her role here—and if she did, her mother would lash out. It was bad enough that she had brought the dogs, but she couldn’t risk them staying behind with Aunt Mildred, not while Hilde was distracted by the possible end of her engagement.
Fortunately, the journey was quick as the island was only a short distance across the channel, meaning the trip was over before Lenny had finished scanning the harbor for any signs of mermaids.
As they docked, Lenny’s eyes widened in surprise. Pappelwhick Island was the opposite of the city or even Blockley. It was serene and calm, but mostly beautiful. She understood the island’s notoriety of being a healing place as soon as she stepped off the longboat, despite Scar clinging to her side and Ollie hopping about like a crazed bunny.
The cobbled streets had flowerbeds growing alongside them, with brightly colored blooms lining clean and pristine roads. There were no crowds here, in fact hardly any people at all.
The buildings closest to the docks on the right were white with blue tin roofs. The windows were rounded archways or portholes. The courtyards around the houses were fenced by low stone walls that came well beneath Lenny’s hips. Gus could have stepped over them if he hadn’t been so busy sniffing everything.
The air seemed warmer, drier.
The wind was pleasant, sweet with lilies and pear orchards and some kind of incense she hadn’t smelled before.
Flowers bloomed in every yard and windows were left open, allowing the breeze to toy with curtains and drapes.
It was stunning.
To the left of the docks, the buildings changed, not just in color but also style. They were short and wide and colored as if made from golden sand. They had domed roofs and large square windows. The gardens didn’t have flowers, but rather artwork created from stones.
A pair of women from the Sisters’ Watch walked up from that direction, hurrying past Lenny as she stared. She’d never seen them this close before, never having witnessed a baby being born. Blockley had only the Brothers of the Silent Ministry who remained in town. Men known to help with ailments a common physic couldn’t heal. They were the historians, learned in ancient languages and ancient accounts. In charge of ceremony and the gods.
The sisters were the opposite. They rode into town when a baby was nearing its time to be born and left once the mother was settled. All were women who had dedicated their lives to birthing babies and caring for the elderly. Their bloodred garb stood out shockingly against the soft colors and decor of Pappelwhick. The dresses were long, the hems tickling the ground just slightly, and covered their necks to their chins and arms right to their fingertips. Their hair was pulled back in tight buns and they wore no makeup or artistry on their faces.
She followed them with her gaze as they made their way silently whispering to one another.
“Lenny!” her mother called her, sounding contrary to the scenery and the quiet of those around them. Lenny picked up the pace, trying not to gape at everything, with both dogs now at her sides.
The small man led them to a garden where Brother Estevan waited. He nodded at Lenny, ignoring her mother. “The queen wishes to hear from you, Lenny.”
“Lenny? Why Lenny?” her mother asked.
“I can only say that she needs to hear from Lenny.”
“Why was I called? Is this about the engagement?” Elsie asked, annoyed and resembl
ing Mildred.
Lenny, unlike her mother, understood why she was there. When the king died, she had done as Brother Estevan asked and not told a soul what she saw. Not even Hilde. Not even when they were alone. She was terrified of the brothers. It was said they spoke to the gods, which scared her even more.
“You may come with us, Lady Elsie. The queen wishes to see you. As well.” Brother Estevan turned on his heel, lifting his brown robes and walking away, not bothering to answer her.
Lenny followed, worried about what the queen would say when she found out it was Mrs. Knightly again. She didn’t want to tell her. Her instinct was to protect Wen, but his mother had killed the king. That is if the strange magic Lenny saw was to be believed.
Scar nudged her as they marched into a large building, one of the blue roof ones. The hallways were as wide as a room with chairs and benches along the walls, inviting you to stop and sit. Lenny stroked Scar’s head as they hurried along.
Ollie strayed from her side, hopping and sniffing, but she slapped her leg and he returned, obedient.
Lenny’s stomach churned at the idea of having to talk about what she saw. She didn’t understand what she’d seen. It made sense but it seemed impossible. The whole situation was a conundrum.
Brother Estevan said nothing, his feet quickly moving through the wide halls, causing his robes to flutter behind him like a cloak.
He turned corners, bowing at others they met along the way, men of varying ages dressed as he was. They didn’t acknowledge Lenny or her mother but smiled at the hounds walking next to Lenny, forcing Ollie to allow a couple of them to pet him along the way.
Lenny wasn’t sure when they would arrive at their destination until finally Brother Estevan turned a corner and a dozen guards stood at attention. They stepped to the sides, allowing Lenny and her mother to pass through the large arched doorway at the end.
Lenny’s entire body was pins and needles as she entered the massive room. It was a suite, a bedroom with a huge sitting area next to a set of open glass doors that led out to a garden. Queen Saleen was in the garden, facing the bright sun with her eyes closed and her dark hair down around her like a cape. She wore a flowy robe, which hid her shape, and sat in a large brown chair, tilting her face to the sky.
“Saleen!” Elsie’s voice cracked as she rushed to her friend. Her animosity and confusion were gone the moment she saw the devastation in the queen’s expression. Queen Saleen stood, her eyes puffy and her nose red. “Come here!” Elsie opened her arms and welcomed her, wrapping herself around her friend as she sobbed into her gown.
Lenny and the hounds paused. She didn’t know what to say or do or how to react to the queen appearing so small and frail.
“Where’s Landon?” Elsie whispered.
“He’s sick, Elsie,” Queen Saleen whispered through tears. “He’s terribly sick. He’s taken his father’s death badly. It’s making him ill. I’m worried about him. It came on suddenly.’
“Gods, I am truly sorry. I’m certain he’ll get better. He just needs rest,” Elsie said the things a friend ought to.
But Lenny’s gaze drifted to Brother Estevan. The grim stare in his eyes suggested Elsie’s kind words were nothing but that. Lenny’s stomach tightened more as did her grip, tightening her fingers into her sweaty palms.
“Milady, the council will want your advice by dinner. I suggest we move along.” He was cold to the queen’s sadness, making Lenny scowl at him though it didn’t appear to faze him.
“Of course,” Saleen sniffled and wiped her eyes, lifting her gaze to Lenny’s as she regained control over her breathing. “Brother Estevan said you saw something, you know something important.”
“What? Who?” Elsie frowned at her youngest child. “What does that mean? Saw something? When?”
“Lenny used magic yesterday to reach the king’s spirit and see his end. She saw who did this,” Brother Estevan confirmed.
“Did this?” Elsie whispered and yet it seemed like shouting to Lenny. “Did what?”
“The king was murdered, Mother,” Lenny spoke softly. “At least I think he was.”
“Murdered?” Queen Saleen stepped back, her red face losing its color.
“How could you know that?” Elsie was angry again, her emotions unstable.
“I looked at the king when he was lying there, and I saw the strangest thing. It was a little blue light. It was a measure of his life left over, hovering over him, a flicker of his spirit. I touched it.” Lenny wrinkled her nose, reliving the moment. “I saw Wen’s mother. She was there but it was like a vision, sort of how I saw Wilfred die and knew where to find him.” Lenny paused. “Wen’s mother was on the roof. She called the lightning and shot it at the king and killed him on purpose.”
“Impossible?” Her mother’s eyes were as wide as saucers and her face ashen.
“Lorna—Knightly?” Queen Saleen’s eyes narrowed. “How did she get here without being seen by the guards?”
“She appeared and then vanished,” Lenny whispered, reliving the memory. “Just on the beach.”
“Impossible,” her mother repeated.
“Not impossible,” Brother Estevan said flatly. “I touched the king. I felt the lingering effects of magic on his body, and when I pulled open his shirt, I saw it. A dark mark. It’s still there, but I have the body being guarded by brothers.”
“Why is Lenny involved?” her mother asked.
“She wasn’t. I asked Lenny to look for his lingering life force, certain she would be able to see it. She has the gift, the ancient gift of elven magic in her blood. Similar to the seers from Crail.”
“Gods!” Elsie lifted her hands to her lips.
“And there’s more,” Brother Estevan spoke gravely.
“What do you mean, more?” The queen’s eyes widened.
“Lenny’s isn’t the only magic I’ve heard about recently. I have reason to believe something is happening. In the last fortnight, my brothers have sent pigeons from across Dahleigh. We’ve had reports, troubling reports. Bizarre occurrences that couldn’t possibly be true. Not just lupine on the King’s Road. Captains have been coming into the Great Harbor with tales of merfolk in the waters, and nowhere near Blockley. Maiden’s Bridge had a traveler claim he saw enchanted bears speaking to his party instead of trying to eat them. And at an inn near Wetwoodshire, a woman seduced a man, only to become a snake and swallow a cat whole in front of him.”
Lenny scoffed, cutting him off.
Brother Estevan’s eyes darted to Lenny’s as he continued, “A child was seen fleeing the guards in Pyle, becoming a bird and flying away. Seven guards swear they saw the same thing. Reports of strange weather everywhere. Three days ago, a report came from Mamble of children going missing in a single night, thirteen of them. That’s nearly a quarter of all the bloody children in Mamble.” He sighed, resting his head in his hands a moment. “I thought perhaps the kingdom was being sabotaged or attacked by one of our neighbors. But we’ve always had good relations with Gavalon and Burning Havens. And the timing—thirteen children in one night—two nights before the king died.” Brother Estevan flinched as though he knew the fate of those children. “I sent pigeons north, to our borders. Strange things have been happening there in Crail too.”
“And the storms in Blockley, but what does this mean?” Lenny asked.
The queen’s eyes widened, though they didn’t lose the exhaustion in her stare. She pressed her lips together for a moment before speaking, “Gods, what will we do if magic is back?” She muttered, “Is that possible?”
“What do you mean, Saleen?” Elsie questioned harshly. “Back? What magic and where did it go?”
“The old books say that a thousand years ago, when Princess Ilenia vanquished that great evil, she used up the magic of the kingdom, taking what she needed to fight this darkness. She left none, not so much as a spark of it in the people of Dahleigh. With the last of her life force, she created a veil, separating the magical world from this one. Pro
tecting us, as we were powerless, unable to defend ourselves against magical creatures.”
“That’s a fable, Brother Estevan!” Elsie snapped. “Stories people tell their children to keep them from the forests or out of mischief. No one believes an encantado will come and steal your virtue and leave you with an enchanted child in your belly.”
“You don’t have to believe in something for it to be true.” Brother Estevan remained calm though he said the most unbelievable words Lenny had heard, “If magic has returned, then beings of magical nature will begin to show their abilities, as Lenny has done.”
“Me?” Lenny asked, scared more that he had called her a creature.
Scar whined, nudging Lenny when the brother pointed at her.
“I agree,” he whispered to the hound as if he knew what she worried over.
“What will become of the kingdom if magical creatures invade?” Elsie scoffed. “Will we become enslaved to the centaurs as the legends say we once were? Will dragons fly overhead, blasting our farms and eating the charred remains? Or should I be asking you, Lenny, do you have the ability now to foresee these events?” Elsie was lost, laughing hysterically but it resembled a sob. “Have you become an instrument of fate?”
Lenny flinched but it was the queen who answered, “Elsie, we will investigate. I doubt this means magic has fully returned; there has to be an explanation. The king dying couldn’t have happened at a worse time, and I doubt that’s a coincidence. Particularly because of the change and instability the king’s death brings to the kingdom.” Queen Saleen straightened her back. “You are right, Brother Estevan. We must coronate a new king to ensure stability during this time. Send a team of investigators to discover the truth about the magic. We will double the guard, take back our roads, and protect our people.” Her eyes narrowed. “I’ll stop at nothing to find out who did this and how.”
Lenny gulped, realizing there was a chance her gifts were being called into question. She wished she’d kept her mouth shut.
“I’m putting Ivor on the throne, temporarily,” Queen Saleen said after a moment of silence. “He will rule until Landon is ready, then my son will take his place. But until then, we must have order. We must have a leader who is strong and respected. Ivor is both of those things. And he is wise. And well connected with the right families. And loyal to his family. We will go ahead with the royal wedding. It will throw the crowds off the mystery behind the king’s death and the sabotage within the kingdom.”
