Ariella and the Blood Curse
Page 28
General of the armies of Khan. “Crap, crap, crap.” Indio muttered.
The rest of the throne room was filled with people, all dressed in their finest
clothes.
“Lord Vantor,” the King called, “Thank you for coming so promptly, your
audience is appreciated.”
“It is my pleasure, your majesty. How can the Guardians be of assistance?”
Tristan looked past Vantor to the Sojourners, then his eyes rested on Polly.
“We have heard a report,” he began, “from a farm on the Willowbank, a few
miles from here.”
Vantor said nothing. Even in the presence of the five Monarchs of
Dawnhaven He was still imperious. His presence filled the throne room.
Tristan continued, “the report says that a surge of water came down the river
a few hours ago. A green surge.”
Ariella glanced at the others and then smiled at Polly.
“In the wake of this surge the trees on the banks of the river appeared
to…recover. The report also mentioned seeing fish, living fish, swimming in the
river. Have you heard anything of this nature?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” said Vantor. “I believe it would be best if one of our
Sojourners told the story.”
Vantor turned and looked at Ariella. She suddenly felt every eye in the
throne room fixed on her, studying her.
Ground, please swallow me now?
King Tristan didn"t show a flicker of recognition as he addressed his niece.
“Is this right child? Do you have something to contribute to the Royal Court?”
Ariella looked at Vantor, her eyes begging for his help. His face was
impervious, unreadable. He simply stood and waited.
“I can tell our story Your Majesty,” she whispered.
“Speak up child,” demanded Queen Abalyne, her voice frosty.
Ariella made eye contact with each of the Monarchs her uncles, aunts, and
her mother. Their faces were still.
Seriously? They’re not going to help at all? Some family they are.
For the second time that day Jaron squeezed her hand while Indio and
Eleazar gave her a nod and smile.
At least they’re with me. My Knot.
She took a deep breath and retold the tale, skipping past the Echo Orbs but
including everything else. She watched their faces while she talked. Not a
twitch, not a movement. They listened like statues, betraying no emotion.
What are you thinking? You make me want to scream!
When she had finished she step backwards and Vantor turned to face the
King.
“Have you confirmed any of this Lord Vantor?” Tristan asked.
“There are riders travelling as we speak your majesty. I anticipate
confirmation imminently.”
Even as he was speaking there was movement at the Throne Room door. A
Guardian Ariella didn"t recognise had appeared, his helmet under his arm. Elsa
went to him and they spoke in hushed tones for a moment.
“What is it?” called Queen Tatianna, “Speak up Lady Elsa.”
Elsa looked at Vantor who nodded.
“The first rider has returned, Your Majesties,” said Elsa. “The report appears
to be correct. The curse is broken.”
All around the throne room excited conversations broke out, a few people
left at a run. The Monarchs gathered and whispered together, then King Tristan
raised his hands and silence fell.
“It appears we owe you our thanks,” said Tristan, eyeing the four friends
“Trevena is in your debt.”
To Ariella’s surprise a spontaneous applause echoed around the room,
someone even cheered.
“Bloody hell,” smiled Indio
Jaron grinned and Eleazar gave a whistle.
The King raised his hands again and silence descended. Before he could
speak a man stepped from the crowd into the middle of the throne room, bowing
to the King.
Baron Rexsalve. Ariella felt her jaw clench.
“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, there are a couple of questions that
remained unanswered.”
“And what would they be Baron?” the King asked.
“First there is the issue of the Guardians and their utter incompetence in this
matter.”
Elsa flinched at his words; Malum rolled his eyes but said nothing.
“They proved completely unable to fulfil their roles as defenders of
Dawnhaven. Their Light was powerless against the Blood Curse. It makes me
wonder what good they are doing and if, in fact, we need them here in Trevena.”
Rexsalve smiled at Vantor then continued. “Then there is the question of
punishment of the witch that unleashed this horror on our land. Such a crime
cannot, must not, go unpunished.”
Malum"s finger tips flashed with tiny blue flames but he remained silent.
Vantor didn"t move.
The Throne Room was still for a moment before Queen Susanna spoke up in
the same tone that Ariella had heard her use so many times before.
“My dear Baron,” she smiled, “I wonder, were you actually listening to the
child"s story, or perhaps your mind was elsewhere?”
“Your Majesty? I am not sure what you mean.”
“No, it appears you do not. Let me explain it to you, in small words. The
Blood Curse was a dire threat to Trevena and the whole of Dawnhaven. That
threat has been averted, not by your Knights, Baron, but by the actions of four
brave Sojourners who put the safety of the nation above their own. For that the
Guardians should be applauded not accused. Do you understand Baron?” She
asked the question with such finality that Baron Rexsalve merely gaped for a
moment and then closed his mouth.
“As for the matter of punishment for the „witch" as you so delicately put it, I
do not believe you were listening to the story, or perhaps its contents were too
complex for you to understand. The young lady was forced, against her will,
with threats of violence by Ghost Raiders. You do understand what that means
don"t you Baron? Ghost Raiders do not make idle threats. This woman needs
help, safety and security, not some twisted sense of revenge that you would rain
on her.”
Rexsalve bristled with rage at her words. “With all due respect, Your
Majesty. You are not Queen of Trevena and I believe…”
“You are right, Baron” interrupted Tristan, “But I am the King and I have
decided that my sister’s words are wise and true.”
Rexsalve and Tristan locked eyes, neither willing to give ground. “Step back
Baron,” commanded Tristan, his voice menacing.
Rexsalve hesitated, then gave a short, half bow and step backwards.
Tristan signalled to one of his courtiers. “See that Polly is treated for any
wounds she has. Get her a change of clothes and to bed to rest. She is now our
guest.”
Polly"s eyes went wide, staring at Ariella.
She smiled at nodded to her. “It"s going to okay,” Ariella whispered, “I told
you it would.”
The courtier escorted Polly from the throne room as Tristan addressed the
gathering.
“Lord Vantor, we are in your debt,” said Tristan. “You have the thanks of
Trevena and all the Kingdoms of Dawnhaven.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” said Vantor, turning and striding from the
T
hrone Room, the other Guardians following in his wake.
Ariella tried to catch her mother"s eye but she was deep in conversation with
Tatianna. She tried to slow down, to get some sign from her but Karlov put his
hand on her back and ushered her out of the room.
They made their way back to the Guardian compound where Vantor held up
his hand to stop them.
“What you did was exceptionally foolhardy. It was also exceptionally
brave.” His eyes lit up as he spoke and his face broke a smile. “Well done.” Then
he was gone.
Malum and Elsa followed him, Malum"s laughter echoing around the
courtyard.
The four friends gave a collective sigh of relief, smiles breaking out.
“We"re alive!” shouted Indio
Eleazar grinned, “Barely. Next time you have a harebrained scheme to pinch
someone’s griffin you"re on your own.”
“Borrow,” corrected Jaron with a wink, “we borrowed the griffins. Besides,
Ele, we"re a Knot, you"re obliged to go with him on all of his harebrained
schemes.”
Eleazar groaned, Indio laughed.
“I don"t know what you lot are laughing at,” barked Karlov, “The stables
need mucking out before you get anything to eat. Get to it!”
The four friends tramped across the courtyard towards the stables, dreaming
of the High Winter Festival.
Epilogue
Ariella mounted her horse and took one last look around the Guardian
compound. Twelve months had always seemed like such a long time to her. But
this year had passed in a blur.
The Blood Curse had been purged from the land and the fields around
Stonegard were green and lush. High Summer festival was only two weeks
away and the city was preparing for the festivities. Soon fifty nervous young
Sojourners would begin their own Journeys.
She looked around at the other nine. Her Knot. They were tighter this
summer than last. Joachim was still aloof. Phoebe was still silent. Esther and
Felix were spending a lot of time together. Theia was still cold and Eugenie was
still, well, she was still Eugenie. Although it did seem that an edge had been
taken off after the Blood Curse.
Eleazar had experienced no more butterfly incidents and seemed lighter,
more comfortable around the others. Jaron was still the wisest and Indio still the
most reckless. But she realised she loved them like her brothers.
Since High Winter the training had gone up a notch. Karlov, Lalea and
Magatha had driven them hard. At first she resented it. The constant pushing,
criticism and correction. But over the months the Knot started to click. They
could fight together now, watch each other’s backs, and even respect each other.
Their ability to use to harness their Light had stumbled along but they were
getting there. Ariella’s own Light still hadn’t settled on a colour yet but Magatha
seemed more relaxed about it. All in all, it had been a good year.
“You ready?” Called Indio
“For what?” She replied.
“To see the most glorious sights in the whole of Dawnhaven.” He laughed
“The majestic peaks, shining glaciers and the jewel of the north, Everfrost!”
“Everfrost? It’s hardly a hospitable name for a capital city is it?” Said Eleazar.
“Why couldn’t you name it, ‘Always Warm’ or ‘Hot and Cosy’?”
Indio looked hurt
“Leave him alone Ele,” said Jaron “or he’s going to spend the whole trip telling us wonderful Khan is.”
“That’s a great idea,” said Indio. “Have a told you about the…”
“Sorry,” Eleazar interrupted “Karlov’s leaving”
Eleazar nudged his horse into a trot, following Karlov and the rest of the
Knot out off the compound.
Arielle laughed as Indio tried to catch up with him to continue his story.
And that was that. They were leaving Stonegard and the first stage of the
Journey. In week or so they would arrive in Everfrost. Stage two would begin.
They took it easy as they left the city, knowing the horses would appreciate a
gentle start to the long ride. As they passed out of the main gate no one noticed
a hooded figure standing in the shadow of the wall, watching them leave.
“They’re leaving,” the figure said in a hushed tone.
A dark shadow moved next to the hooded figure. “Excellent. The first stage
is complete.”
“Yes,” the figure answered. “The unforeseen circumstances worked out in our favour. The second stage is already in motion.”
The shadow laughed, a hollow laugh. “It’s nearly time. The dark moon is
rising.”
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Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue