She flashed a fierce smile at that moment, Rulia reflexively clenching her blade, reminded once more of how wild and unpredictable Jess could sometimes be. "But many of those with the fey gift to peer into Regio are able to leave the mundane world behind and travel to that golden castle in truth, to become a part of that celebration of song and revelry, and perhaps embark upon the most magical of quests, however strange or exotic one's hosts might be. Of course, horror, madness, and gifts both wondrous and deadly also await Delvers of Shadow, and much to everyone's surprise, that route to power my shieldbrother and I took to with phenomenal aplomb."
Her smile turned gentle once more as she gazed fondly at a bemused Rulia. "And that, my one-time lover and still dear friend, is a chapter of my life now closed, for better or worse. I do not know how you fared after your sojourn to Faerie, my Rulia, but the price I paid for my deeds was the loss of all the power I had once garnered in darkest Shadow. The girl you see before you now is as vulnerable as any girl born to mortal dam and sire."
Julien spoke even as Rulia found herself utterly speechless, both with Jessica’s totally unexpected appearance and amazing revelations. “But, my dear Lady Jessica, just from what you have told us, aiding us for so long over such a terrible distance, providing for our needs, our very survival, does that not emphasize the remarkable gifts you do possess? The equal of any Druid, I would think, to say nothing of saving all our lives when those bloody southern sellswords would have cut us down.”
Rulia gazed in awe at Jess, who actually looked stunned, shaking her head. And in a sudden shiver of insight, Rulia realized that what Jess had done to those soldiers so hot for Rulia's blood, that part alone she had thought but a dream.
Julien bowed again, as formally as any courtier, low as one would a reigning monarch. "My lady. For our lives, I thank you."
“It was you,” Rulia whispered. “You literally inspired me with knowledge on how to heal my dear Julien. Did you not, Jessica?”
Jess smiled. “That part of the dream I will admit finding slightly easier to accept. And please, Lord Killen, no need to look at me so oddly. For all that you have never met me before this moment, I have been by your side, in a sense, through all your perils and troubles since the night of that first attempt to slay my Rulia in the keep you three so wisely fled in all haste.”
Lord Killen blinked, caught between incomprehension, wonder, cynicism and desperate hope. “My lady, we are most honored for your assistance, and would be grateful for any aid you care to send our way.”
Rulia suddenly found herself by Jessica's side. She could only imagine how she looked and smelled, covered in sweat, grime, haunted by hunger and fear, blade held far too familiarly for comfort. But some part of her couldn't bear not to approach Jess, not to gently stroke her cheek, eyes alive with hope and longing. Strangely, Jess appeared not at all perturbed, her pristinely forged and perfectly cared for longsword comfortably resting in its sheath, she making not the slightest move to draw it, instead, choosing to gently caress a shaking Rulia’s cheek, gently wiping away Rulia's tears before lifting her chin up, ever so slowly, to kiss her.
“By the gods, Rulia, how I’ve missed you.”
Rulia’s laughter was filled with a mixture of hope, joy, and utter relief.
Without realizing how it happened, she found herself in her lover's arms once more, kissing Jessica with a desperate hunger, travel-stained armaments and pristine dress thrown off with equal abandon before diving into the water in unison, laughing, crying, locked in the sweetest kiss; slowly entwining together as they sunk beneath the steamy hot spring waters, utterly heedless of the amused gazes of those looking on.
13
Jess stretched luxuriantly against a softly sighing Rulia upon the warm wet grass by the side of the miniature hot spring, enjoying the play of her fingers gently caressing the fine curves of her lover’s back even as Rulia shivered and twisted around, gazing at Jessica with such an odd mixture of adoration and wonder that it left Jess speechless. A problem Rulia solved by bringing questing lips to Jess's own, kissing her slow and deep.
A sultry laugh escaped Rulia's sensual frame. Gently, emerald eyes still glimmering with mischievous mirth, she pulled away.
Jess sighed, hand gently trailing her lover’s freshly washed locks of burnished gold, Rulia's hair now darker than her own brilliant mane, shimmering wetly in the warm beams of sunlight caressing both their features underneath the woodsy shade.
“I’m not going to ask how you managed to find me, dearest Jess, miracle of miracles that it was, nor how your gentle favor guided us through endless miles of thickest wood. I will forbear even to ask how we managed to stumble amongst a hot spring nestled so conveniently in the middle of this glade, the air of this sheltered nook near warm as a cool spring day, for all that it is fiercest winter upon leaving this forest.”
Rulia turned her gaze full upon Jess, eyes alight with bemused wonder, holding up the exquisitely tailored dress of forest green Jess had handed her, as well as attire for each of her companions. "But I will ask this. How did you manage to convince your tailor to sew dresses a girl can actually fight in? By the saints, I swear they're all sadists, discontent lest they make each and every one of us suffer, or resort to wearing men's clothes, awkward as that can sometimes be when one wishes to entice a man, not thrash him with blade and buckler just to make a stupid point."
Jess gave a throaty laugh. "You have my mother to thank for that, dearest Rulia. She alone contrived to push forth such a fashion statement, demanding such from our house tailors, no doubt hoping her oldest daughter would concede to the necessity of clothing befitting her station. A crass attempt to seduce me with base comfort and effortless mobility, as if that alone would dissuade me of my pride and uncompromising ideals.”
Rulia quirked an eyebrow. “Well, did it?”
Jess grinned. "Of course it did! You wouldn't believe how fiercely that woman can hound you to make her point, and the sweetener to this pot was more than sufficient to persuade me to give these dresses at least a chance." She gave a bemused shrug. "And wouldn't you know it? It feels like silk against my skin. More comfortable than itchy woolen leggings ever were." Jess flashed a rueful smile. "Not that I would hesitate for a moment to kit up in full armor at the promise of a bout, mind you, but I will admit, after a nice hot bath at the end of a long day's exertions, it's nice to slip into a dress that caresses my body so comfortably, without limiting my movements in the least, once I got the knack of wearing them."
Her expression turned suddenly grave. “And for what it’s worth, I have proven the maneuverability of our master tailor’s dresses firsthand.”
Rulia whistled. “Your voice tells me it was a bit more serious than casual sparring. Have you actually fought for your life in such a dress? Bloody bullocks, give me the details already!”
Jess flashed a sad smile, even as she gently laced up the side of her paramour's dress, loving the way the fabric hugged her form, paying perhaps just a bit more attention than was warranted in how elegantly the expertly tailored fabric caressed Rulia's perfectly proportioned body. Rulia flashed a bemused smile, gently grabbing and squeezing Jess's hand. "Yes, I know my rump looks wonderful. Now answer the question, dear one. You actually fought in a dress such as this?"
Jess sighed. "I did indeed. An inquisitor gone mad, dead set upon killing me, even when a jury found me innocent, for all his machinations to assure my death. He, and all his henchmen out for my blood." Jess gave a bitter shake of her head. "And were it not for the men of one honest inquisitor and my shieldbrother both, I would be dead despite my best efforts, for all that I fought with every lick of skill any Squire of War not tainted by the sweet power of Shadow could possess. And even so, it nearly killed me, as you no doubt saw from the scar I now wear, Rulia." Knowing they were pressed for time, but sensing the tenderness behind Rulia's gaze, Jess found herself telling an abbreviated tale of Inquisitor Franken's deception, vicious abuse, fanatic hatred, and attempted
murder.
Rulia cried her outrage, holding Jess close, shaking with fury on her behalf, which was strangely moving to Jess, who still found herself oddly numb to the horror she had endured, save feeling it through Rulia's own concern. - The nightmare. Don't forget the nightmare. Trembling like a child, lost in the most hideous of labyrinths, stumbling upon a scene of horror. Franken screaming, flayed alive by a thing gazing back at Jess with the cruelest of smiles, the face it wore so chillingly familiar -
Jess trembled and shook, cursing away weak, pointless tears, even as Rulia gently held her close, stroking her back as Jess cried helplessly into her arms, Rulia's companions gazing on silently, solemnly, not saying a word.
“There, my poppet. Let it out. It's over now. Your enemies dead, your garden at peace once more.” Gazing at Jess so tenderly, Rulia smiled and kissed her forehead. Jess clenched her eyes fiercely tight, feeling an aching love for this beautiful, tender girl, that left her feeling strangely vulnerable.
To hold her so close, only to know she must let her go once more.
Jess took a few moments, gathering herself, taking a moment to rub packed liniment upon the still bright red scar of her nearest brush with death, lest it harden and stiffen and prove a hindrance as time went on. Even as she tended to herself, she was careful never to look too closely upon the surface of their swimming nook, any more than she would allow herself to catch sight of the mirrors of their quarters, all conveniently covered by stray clothing her mother and sister knew well enough to leave put, lest they themselves were making use of them. Strangely, it was only the Faerie mirror that left everyone else pale and out of sorts that she was comfortable gazing upon, looking into those oddly chilling depths, somehow certain that no fiend of Hell would dare gaze up at her from that mysterious pool of light. - Stop it. Don't think it - She never saw her own reflection in any case, just a swirling maelstrom of silvery light and endless darkness.
Rulia frowned, gazing at Jess sadly. "It had the look of a nasty wound indeed, long healed, for all that the scar is still a brilliant shade of crimson. Jess... does it impair you in any way?"
Jess gave a reassuring smile. "No worries, angel of my heart. My movements are as limber as ever, and so long as I diligently apply liniment, the healers assure me that its effects should be minimal. The blessings of motherhood I can still savor, for all that it pains me at odd moments still. It was, after all, an infernal blade."
“By all the gods!” Julien hissed. “I have heard of such things. The most vile of magics!”
Jess gave a solemn nod. "The wielder is dead, his fanatical hatred dying with him. Thank the gods I am vindicated of the very crimes he helped perpetrate."
“Amen to that,” Rulia nodded, even as Jess passed her an apple of crimson and gold.
Rulia blinked. “I didn’t think the Academy had an apple grove.”
Jess flashed a teasing smile. "It does now. Four generations of the strongest stock you've ever seen, with the sweetest, tartest apples you ever did taste. Crunchy and juicy as well. Perfect for brandy, cider, baking, or just eating. Calenbry Sunsets they are called. Here, have some." With that Jess plucked out several more apples from the same pack she had kept the carefully folded sets of clothes, smiling happily to see their expressions of awe and delight as they bit into the sweet juicy flesh of the apples.
“By the gods, Jess. I have never heard of such an apple, but it is truly delicious!” Rulia enthused, Lord Killen and Julien nodding their agreement.
"Truly delightful, Lady Calenbry. And thank you kindly for the refreshing pool and fine attire both," enthused a much rejuvenated Lord Killen, fitting into his new role exquisitely well even as Julien carefully tied his lover's hair into an elegant servant's knot, the spymaster now looking every inch the trusted seneschal accompanying his master upon her travels.
Jess smiled as she saw him squirrel away various implements about his person, already knowing where her brother Geoffrey's discrete extra pockets were to be found, having once been particularly fond of hiding things about his person and feeling clever. He had been a bit younger then, his body less filled out, yet the attire of his adolescence was as elegantly cut as that of any lesser lord, and fit the Spymaster exceptionally well, without being overly showy.
Herbal in nature as most poisons were, unlike the toxin the former Captain Franken had poisoned her and the academy armsmen with weeks ago, Jess could all but sense the spymaster's vials happily displaying their deadly properties in a language only she could decipher, and glad she was she sensed nothing but weary duty from the man, as she would hate to be on the receiving end of say, a poison coated throwing blade or a tainted meal prepared by the man even now assisting his young paramour to turn.
Jess could tell this wasn't the first time Lord Killen had taken on the role of valet, fixing Julien’s hair with a fine silken bow, brushing him off and expertly oiling and wiping down the younger lord's rapier and main gauche with aplomb. Julien now looked every inch the finely turned out gentleman escorting Rulia to whatever gala or gathering they were supposedly heading toward, as they prepared to make their way toward the Academy itself.
Solemnly, Rulia turned to gaze into her lover’s sad eyes, drawing her close for a gentle kiss as she held Jess close. “I am sorry, my Jess. Sorry you had to suffer at the hands of such a horrid man as that Captain Franken, sorry that your king's justice had been so corrupted that it was used as a tool by your enemies in their attempts to destroy you.” She gave Jess a fierce hug. “You have been forced to endure the true ugliness that lies in the black recesses of so many men’s hearts, when you have already done so much for so many, all your powers put away, as if the fates themselves wanted a gentle ending to your own saga.”
Jess smiled bravely. "We do what we must, and I've found that the dictates of necessity rarely care for our personal well-being, my angel from afar. Nonetheless, I am happy beyond words to know that fate and chance both have led you to my arms once more."
Her kiss upon Rulia’s breathless lips was both fierce and tender. She squeezed Rulia tightly before gently letting her free once more, smiling warmly into her lover’s beautiful eyes. “I missed you so very much, my Rulia. Thank you for finding your way back to me.”
Rulia found herself flushing, and Jess could sense her friend's sudden acute embarrassment. Her gaze was shamefaced. "Jess, dearest, I am sorry. But as much as my heart is alight with unexpected happiness to gaze upon your beauty once more, as deeply as I am touched by your friendship, bounty, and tender care of us in our time of need, it is much as you said. Time is pressing terribly upon us, and there are things we must do in all haste, if possible."
"It is all right," Jess soothed with a sympathetic smile. "I understand your need. Come. We are on the edge of my Domain, and we must move quickly. And fear not, I know where any patrol may happen to be, and of those guards who will be in position to cast their sight upon my path, I count them as being both loyal and discrete." She nodded once, firmly, even as they turned about, their old soiled clothes utterly hidden by the suddenly lively roots about the great hardwood tree by the side of the steamy spring, Julien and Lord Killen both looking slightly queasy as the roots whipped about like animate tendrils, burying their dirty attire deep, even as Rulia grinned her admiration.
"Brilliant trick, my Jess. So is that what it means to be a Druid?"
Jess quirked a smile. “I see that rumor has made the rounds as well. I cast no spells, you know. I just happen to be on very good terms with all things that blossom under the sun. Come, my friends. Don fresh cloaks once more. It is apt to be a bit chilly until we make our way to the Academy proper.”
Julien shivered despite wearing Geoffrey's old cloak snugly about him as they quickly broke past the treeline, the vast brownstone wall demarcating the boundary to the Academy proper still some distance off, the quartet instantly buttressed by sudden winter gusts. Julien stumbled as they tore through the field of pristine snow, racing after the highly focused Jess who was l
eading them on.
"Julien?" Rulia whispered with quiet concern. "Come, my dear. Try to keep up with us. I do believe Jess is hurrying for that cove ahead as, yes, patrols shall soon be making their leisurely way in this direction. Is aught well?"
This as the four lay panting beside a convenient snowbank upon their waterproofed cloaks, so as to keep as warm and dry as possible upon the snowy ground. Jess pressed against Rulia, her eyes closed as she held up her hand. “We wait here, for a time. Then straight to the Academy proper through the back entrance, then to the garden.”
Julien’s sickly pallor soon flushed back to a normal rosy glow, even as he flashed his leader a rueful smile. “I am sorry, Rulia. Jess. Just seeing the way those roots twisted about our old attire so… vigorously, reminded me just a bit of those overzealous bowmen back when things first started getting a bit dangerous.”
Jess trembled against Rulia, not saying a word, even as she felt the girl's gentle kiss upon her cheek. “Thank you, Jess. You don't have to say a word. Just, thank you for saving us.”
Jess's eyes sprung open. “Come on, the patrol has passed. We dash for the walls... now!”
14
At Jess's urging, the four were off at a sprint for the vast, brownstone walls stretching to either direction as far as the eye could see. If Rulia was at all disconcerted she did not show it, keeping perfect pace with her lover. Soaring dozens of feet high, it certainly was a more massive affair than it had been once upon a time. Jess felt strangely chilled, wondering if it had grown a bit taller, just in the time she had been recovering from Franken's mortal wound. - The garden protects her queen - But Jess supposed some truths were best not examined too closely. And impressive as the structure was, for all that Echobart had recently laughed and exclaimed it was of sufficient height and thickness to ward off an opposing army, they hardly had the legion of men needed to defend a wall with a circumference of well over six miles. The gates alone saw permanent shifts of guards, college guardsmen and royal cavalry alike performing various patrols in and outside the great walls of the academy.
Gods of Shadow and Flame Page 12
