Starbeam

by Adrienne Woods

  We tracked the three of them down the morning after Christmas.

  Andrew was easily detected he was a sturdy young man, and had this protecting demeanor about him when it came to the boy.

  Goran told me to be careful, his reflexes were sharp and his aim was true.

  I knew his arrow sang the same way mine did.

  I sat high in a tree and waited for them.

  My arrow and bow were already in place.

  I aimed at the boy’s chest. Connie would grab him, heal him afterward and take him back home to Alkadeem where his mom was waiting.

  I was super silent and then I let the arrow fly.

  It had hardly left when an arrow flew past me just inches from my face.

  Goran’s hands lit up with frost, like we said he should do and he froze the surrounding forest.

  Andrew screamed when he thought his friend was dead.

  I hated that scream.

  “We need to go, Andrew.” Goran said but he didn’t leave.

  “Andrew?” Goran yelled again.

  Pick him up and leave. My mind continued to yell at him and to my surprise it was after the third time that he didn’t get a response from Andrew, that he finally picked him up and ran.

  Constance ran out of her hiding spot and knelt down beside him. She took out the arrow and healed the boy.

  The sedative would work for another ten minutes or so.

  She picked him up as if he weighed nothing and then ran with him in the opposite direction through a clearing big enough for her to shift.

  I climbed down from my hiding spot when the coast was clear and ran toward the point where I would meet Goran and Andrew.

  Men were stationed there.

  “Did it go as planned?” Marcus asked, and I nodded.

  “They will be here shortly. I was about half a day in front of them.”

  “Al, are you okay?”

  “I can sleep later. I’m fine. We can’t mess this up.”

  They nodded.

  They all knew that we needed Andrew on our side.

  We waited for about half a day and finally we heard Gordy’s voice.

  They were quarreling. This was it.

  Please God don’t let it go badly.

  * * *

  KATIE

  “You what?” I yelled at Goran.

  “It’s not what you think, Andrew.”

  “They killed Maze, Goran.”

  “They didn’t kill him. They wounded him. He is going back home.”

  “They killed him.”

  “Nobody killed him, Andrew.” Goran said.

  I couldn’t believe that he had been a double agent all this time. I should’ve known. “Your father was right about you.”

  Then it happened so fast, archers stepped into sight and surrounded us.

  I pulled my bow back and tried to aim at all of them. I was fast, but without Goran’s help... Urgh, who was I kidding, the nonsense he had been spouting for the last few yards was too much.

  “Lower your bow, Andrew,” Goran said.

  “I will do no such thing.”

  “They are not the enemy.”

  I shot him a scolding look. “They killed your prince, your twin, the Prince of Areeth,” I spat at Goran.

  “They didn’t kill anyone.” Goran said with his arms still up in defense.

  A laugh came. “I thought you had already told this boy, Gordy.”

  I had heard that voice before.

  A figure walked forward and raised his hood. It was Albert.

  “Hello, Andrew, nice to meet you. I have heard a lot about you.”

  He gave Gordon a hug and I was flabbergasted. I was at his funeral.

  “You are dead.”

  “So you can see the dead, Andrew?” he asked and his men chuckled. “Not everything is as it seems.” He looked at Goran. “Were you followed?”

  Goran laughed. “You should know. You were there.”

  Albert smiled. “Just making sure.”

  “The boy.” Goran asked.

  “His name is Maze,” I was angry again.

  “It was a clean shot. He will live.” Albert said.

  “No, he won’t. He doesn’t have Swallow Annexes like you idiots at home have.” I was furious and Katherine Squires was coming out again.”

  “Andrew I know you are upset, but Albert is still the royal prince. Constance was closeby. War perks, remember.”

  “She was in on it too. Why did you even shoot him?” I yelled at this idiot I thought was dead.

  “So you want him to really keep fighting in this war?” Albert asked.

  I chuckled. “He’s been fighting in this war for the past three years, you idiot.”

  “Sorry about that. Plans take time to put into action. The reason why I need another me.” He pointed at me. “My father has gone too far. The next thing you know he will draft women to fight for him in this war.”

  Everyone laughed except Goran. He just gave me a look.

  “It wouldn’t be so far fetched.” Goran said.

  “If they are dragons, it would be different.” Albert smiled and Goran did too.

  “Had any luck with the Green-Vapor yet?” he asked Albert.

  “Green-Vapor?” I asked.

  “You didn’t want to learn the names, remember?” Goran smiled at me.

  “That is why you named them?” I was still so pissed off.

  “Relax,” Al said. “We need to get off the road. Join us tonight.” He spoke to Goran.

  “Sure, I’ll think of something in the morning.”

  We followed the Prince of Paegeia.

  I couldn’t believe he was fighting with the rebellion. It was so wrong.

  I had my coin bag close to me.

  There were a few hundred kernels left and I doubted if they were going to be enough to last me the entire war.

  I doubted Albert would let me fight in this war knowing what Goran knew.

  I doubted that he even remembered me.

  Everywhere there were trees. It was dark too.

  We walked for hours in silence. Canapes of vines lifted up and went back down after we passed. Boulders pushed aside, and voices all around us, a woman shrieking, then a man screaming.

  It all made me jump but the men acted as if nothing was out of place.

  “It’s enchanted by dragon magic. It’s not real.” Goran said from behind.

  I didn’t acknowledge him. I was still so damn upset.

  Every time I looked up, I saw Albert a few paces ahead and then I would get even more upset.

  I couldn’t believe that he was still alive.

  I had mourned this idiot for nothing. Why did he want a stupid war, and worse, against his own father. All the royals were idiots. They did not care for their people at all. He was going to get a piece of my mind again soon. And this time I didn’t need a stupid mask to do it.

  Well, it wouldn’t be me, so I would have some sort of a mask. Andrew’s mask.

  I regretted that I had kissed him.

  We finally reached the camp.

  It looked like a village in the forest.

  Campfires were everywhere with homes up in the branches of the trees. There were boars roasting on open fires.

  “Gory,” I heard a man calling and my mouth gaped as the other prince of Areeth, Goran’s twin hugged his brother. He could have used a shave, of course. Maggy was going to be happy about this.

  “Where is Caleb?”

  “The prince of Areeth is alive too.” I sounded pissed off.

  They all stopped and looked at me.

  “Do we have a problem, Gory?” Helmut asked looking from me to his brother.

  Goran’s eyes didn’t leave me. “I didn’t think so, but we might.” Goran’s entire demeanor had changed toward me. He would tell them the truth.

  “Why are you doing this?” I asked. “Don’t you have any idea what wars do to the unfortunate?”

  Everyone stared at me.

  “No, I do
ubt that any of you have the slightest idea. Families are dying while you four are playing your war games. But I guess that’s your plan after all. Some sort of a genocide game, getting rid of all the poor bastards I presume.”

  “Andrew enough,” Goran said.

  “No, I thought I was fighting to avenge your brother Goran, to avenge the crown prince of Paegeia your best friend. I guess I understand now the lack of empathy whenever he was mentioned because he didn’t die. None of you idiots ever think about what you are doing, doing to your people, do you?”

  “Enough.” Albert said softly. “I know you are upset, but this war has been coming for decades now.”

  “What are you fighting for Albert?”

  “Andrew,” Goran said.

  “No, he has the right to know. I am fighting for my people, the ones hiding behind scales.”

  I just stared at him. He seriously is fighting for the rebellion. “Have you lost your mind?”

  “Well I have been called an idiot a few times today.”

  “They can’t be tamed.”

  Everyone laughed. I looked at all of them.

  “Is there something I am missing?”

  “Yes, if you give me a chance, I’ll show you.” He gestured for me to follow him and I did.

  We went deeper into the forest and came to a big log house.

  Albert knocked on the door and stepped inside.

  I saw tables and tables filled with children from the age of seven to fifteen years old.

  A boy around Sam’s age ran up to Albert and hugged him.

  “What is the sitrep, Abe?” Albert asked.

  “No incidents today, but someone needs to keep an eye on Malcolm. He went crazy today.”

  “I’ll have a word with him.” Albert smiled and told him to go eat his supper.

  “Issy,” Albert said, and a woman that looked like Constance came to us. “I want you to meet Andrew.”

  “So this is the boy giving you a run for your money,” she teased. “I’m Isabel. I hear you are great with a bow and arrow.”

  I nodded. “Andrew.” I said. “What is this?”

  “These are the people I am fighting for Andrew, so that Abe can go to a school, not just for humans, but dragons too, even if he is a Chromatic.”

  I looked at the boy. “He’s Chromatic?”

  “Yes, they all have human bodies, just like the Metallics. I thought you knew that. They are just like the Metallics, only different. We are all fighting for them to be free and not hunted like animals for potions.”

  I started to feel like an idiot as everything Goran had told me about them finally started coming back. My anger was slowly being replaced with shock.

  I looked at all the children in the room.

  “Sorry isn’t a bad word.” He joked and went to sit down next to one of the kids.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

  “Not what you were thinking. I know he looks rough around the edges and sometimes plays the part of a spoiled brat, but he is one of the kindest men I have ever known.” Isabel said.

  I sighed and nodded. “I thought he was dead.”

  “Many do.” I looked at her. “Are your eyes always that sad?”

  “I guess,” I said, and she laughed.

  “Come sit.” She led me to one of the openings next to a kid and I sat down.

  She gave me a plate and started to dish up for me. “You must be starving.”

  I nodded. I really felt like an idiot. I had assumed this was just some sport because of his boring rich life. But he was fighting for all of them.

  “Where are their parents?”

  “Killed, hunted down like animals for the potions Albert mentioned and if nothing changes soon, they will be next.”

  “My name is Agatha.” The seven year old sitting next to me said.

  “I’m K..Andrew.” For a split second I had almost forgotten that I was still in my male form.

  “You want to see a trick Andrew.”

  “Oh, please.” I smiled.

  I watched fire dancing on her palm and a part of me thought I should be afraid, even terrified, but she was so little and so beautiful I knew she would never hurt anyone.

  “Aggie, what did I tell you about showing off.” Albert said from across the table.

  “I’m just showing Andrew.” She stuck out her tongue at him and he did the same.

  It made me laugh.

  Okay, I didn’t regret kissing him at all.

  The rest of the dinner, the kids were entertained by Albert. They laughed a lot and I couldn’t help but fall more for him. He was charming as hell.

  After dinner we helped with the dishes.

  We gave Issy a well deserved break and she gave me a chance to apologize.

  “So, am I still an idiot,” Albert asked.

  “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed.”

  “Ahh,” Albert said. “You know when you do that, you make an ass out of ‘u’ and me. Ass-u-me.” He broke down ‘assume’.

  “I’m sorry again. From one idiot to another, well, I’m not so sure about you being an idiot anymore but I sure am.”

  He laughed and looked me straight in the eyes.

  He had the most beautiful green eyes.

  “You don’t have a sister by any chance,” he asked me as I dried a plate and my eyes raised slightly.

  “No, sorry. No siblings.”

  “Always been like that or something that happened.”

  “Always been like that.”

  He sighed. “For what it’s worth,” he said, “I’m not happy about what is happening to the villages. It’s not our doing, it’s the Chromatics that we can’t convince to join us. The ones that didn’t want peace, they want Paegeia all to themselves.”

  “I didn’t know they hated us so much.”

  “Do you blame them? For centuries we have killed their kind to harvest their organs and their magical abilities for the black market, Andrew. Killed their children, never wanted a treaty or compromise. This goes back even way back before William’s time when he killed their alpha.”

  “If you say it like that, I guess I understand why they hate us. But we are not all like that.”

  “And yet a few hours ago you were judging all Chromatics with very little knowledge about them.”

  “How many times must one say they are sorry to you, your highness.”

  He laughed.

  “Just saying it once is more than enough.”

  We carried on with the dishes.

  “So what is this place, some sort of base for the rebellion.”

  “Here we look after the dragon kids until this mess is sorted.”

  “Why did you make your father believe you were killed by one?”

  “It’s time for a war, Andrew. Without it, there can’t be peace. I didn’t think my death would put things into action. He has never shown me how much he loved me.”

  “I see.” I felt sorry for him.

  “I don’t want to be a king like him. I want to be better.”

  I smiled. “Is that why you asked if I had a sister, you struggle to find ladies?” I looked around. “It doesn’t look like that. Issy seems to be smitten with you.”

  He laughed. “No, finding women isn’t the problem, it’s finding one woman that is.”

  My heartbeat started to increase. “And you thought she might be my sister?” I frowned which made him laugh again.

  “You have the same eyes,” he sighed. “That’s the only thing I actually know about her.”

  I looked at him. Remembering that I was Andrew was getting more difficult all of a sudden.

  “That doesn’t make any sense,” I said softly.

  “It’s a long story.”

  I looked at the piles of dishes he still had left to wash. “We have plenty of time.”

  “And what, make you realize just what a hopeless idiot I truly am?”

  I chuckled. “Love never made anyone weak or hopeless, Albert. It’s the o
pposite. Wars have started because of love. I am sure you should have figured that out by now.”

  I saw that he understood what I was saying. His father did love him, even if he never thought so.

  “Deep soul too,” he said.

  “If you grew up poor, there would be plenty of deep, your highness.”

  “Al, please.” He said handing me another dish to dry. “Fine,” he sighed. “It was at one of my mother’s balls, two months before this fiasco played off. I didn’t bargain on meeting anyone, or falling as hard as I did.”

  “You fell hard.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.

  “I did,” he laughed. “I was in disguise, and one of the stable boys that has the same features as me, pretended for the night to be me, so I could take a break. So this girl, who thought the stable boy was me, wanted to scold him and I stopped her because it would have ruined everything. Anyway, I didn’t know at the time that she was one of the women who had won my mother’s lottery. She didn’t look like a commoner at all.”

  “I see, you didn’t think one of the poor girls would be able to sweep your feet out from under you.”

  He gave a warm laugh. “Guilty. To be honest I made a huge ass of myself that night, not of her, though.”

  “You assumed.”

  “You learn fast. Yes, I assumed and when I asked her why she wanted to scold the crown prince so badly, her answers made me realize just what sort of a king I wanted to be. Her soul was exactly like mine. I know it sounds silly, but she knew more about my people than I ever did and she only lived in Eikenborough.”

  “Did you ever find her?”

  “No, my dragon is still trying to track her down.”

  “Your what?”

  He laughed again. “His name is Robert Leaf. I have no idea how old he is, but I do know that they are tamable. He is the Night Villain everyone thinks killed me.”

  “Your dragon is an acid spitter.”

  “Night Villain, acid spitter sounds so crude.”

  “Night Villain. Goran said you gave them all names.”

  He laughed again. “It wasn’t easy to tame him, but I did, and then I showed him I wasn’t like all the others. He came to trust me more and more, and showed me his human form. If I could change him, there is hope for all of them.”

  “How do you keep him tame?”

  “It’s not easy. He tells me when it gets too much and then I relieve it.”

  “Relieve it, how?”