“Come, Hadrian, walk with me,” Hekla said.
As they walked, the sea otter flopped along happily behind them.
Hadrian nodded and looked back at the little furry bodied animal that fought to stay close to them both. He bent to pet the little creature, smiling before they continued walking away from the Aequoran people. When they had gone far enough, Hekla stopped and looked him directly in his nearly emerald eyes.
“So, tell me the truth,” Hekla urged him. “Why were you missing, I thought you dead. Your mother didn’t give up, but the battle was over, and you hadn’t returned.”
“I didn’t go to battle,” he said, ashamed. “I couldn’t imagine leaving my mother and sister with no man to care for them. My father died just a few short years ago, and my mother never got over it. If I were to die, it would break her. I saw it in her eyes when I told her I had to battle. So, I hid, with this little guy.” He patted the little otter on the head again, smiling at him.
“I can’t say I blame you, but I would be cautious about who you tell,” she warned him. “I’ve met that king of yours, and I don’t believe him to be very kindly.”
Hadrian’s face paled and his tone changed. “You’re not going to tell him, are you? I thought of all people, you were the one I could trust… the king will have me killed!”
“Hadrian, I would never disgrace you that way. What you did was honorable—you put your family above the people, and that is worthy indeed. I just warn you, because I am still shaken from my meeting with him… please be cautious.”
“Oh.” He visibly relaxed, and then cleared his throat. “Thank you, Hekla. You are as trustworthy as my mother claimed, but the real reason I came back here is to bring you news.” Hadrian’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and Hekla could tell that he was worried by what he had to say.
“What? Has something happened to Luna? Or Miralee?”
“No,” Hadrian said. “My mother wanted me to tell you that Jakobe had gone missing, and we’ve no idea when or where he went.”
The sea otter waddled to her and nudged her hand again.
“Jakobe?” Hekla searched her memories, trying to remember why she knew that familiar name.
Hadrian looked as perplexed as she felt. “Yes, the injured man your sister had staying with us.”
He seemed off put that she didn’t remember who he was speaking about.
Hekla’s eyes widened; her heart sank. Jakobe! No! she thought. Why had he gone missing? Worse, how would she explain such a thing to her sister?
Hekla knew that her sister had tried to play it off as if the man and her were just friends, but the kiss had told Hekla everything. Svana loved the man deeply, even if she had been incapable of admitting the truth to herself. Svana would never trust Hekla again if they couldn’t find him.
“Oh, no…” Hekla muttered softly, emotions overtaking her. Trust, my sister had trusted me, and now he’s gone.
“It’s not your fault that he disappeared,” Hadrian tried to comfort her.
“I should have stayed. I shouldn’t have come here to help train the soldiers and the people of Aequoris. I should have…” Her voice grew higher and higher with desperation as she struggled to come to terms with what he had told her. “I mean, if I had stayed, I could have left with him… we could have gone to my sister together. Now… I have no idea where he is. Has he been taken?”
“No, there was no broken entry. I assure you. When he left, he did so of his own free will. I promise you.”
“So, he was well enough to walk? Surely, he wasn’t strong enough to swim, the Aequoran cities are too far from shore?” her voice was panicked.
“I’m sorry, miss. I have no idea what to say. I’d barely returned, and my mother was in tears, worried that someone had taken him, or that he had left injured. We could find no sign of either. Wherever he is, I am sure he’s just trying to return to land.”
“Well, do you know if he took a boat?” Hekla asked, silently hopeful that he had stolen an Aequoran vessel and was headed back to land at that very moment.
“I honestly don’t know.” Hadrian’s shoulders slumped, and he looked apologetic.
“All right, thank you for telling me. You may return to your mother if you wish and be sure to give her my thanks and my regards. I suppose that I will have to consult Jetevius and Ecthelion about this…”
He nodded, bowing slightly. “I wish you the best of luck. Thank you for keeping my secret.”
She nodded her head to him, and watched as he jumped back into the sea, the little otter that had befriended her, followed happily after him.
Unseen Ones, please protect him from the wrath of the king and please lead me to Jakobe, my sister will never forgive me if I do not find him.
40
Astrid
There are many people you can put your allegiances in—the question is, where do your true allegiances lie? In yourself? With your king? With your friends? Are all three in agreement with each other, or do you have to decide for yourself who to allegiance yourself to? And, more importantly, how do you decide? Is it what’s best for you, or what is best for the people?
Ugiotti, The Eternal, Fourth Dragon Elder, Fifth Age of Verdil
Unsure of how to answer the king but knowing everything relied on her response in that moment, Astrid simply bowed gracefully and nodded her head.
“So, can I can count on you to accomplish what others have not? I can count on you to avenge my son?” the king asked, standing up and banging his staff on the ground.
“Yes, my liege. I will serve you with loyalty and honor, and if you wish us to march on Telluris, then I cannot say no.” Astrid risked a glance out of the corner of her eye to Cayden to monitor his response, but he remained stoic and silent.
“Then in your victory, you will have gained the trust and honor of the courts and this kingdom,” he responded, sitting back in his throne, a smug smile on his face.
Astrid wished she could argue the man, but she knew the pain he felt inside of himself after the loss of his son. The story he’d confessed to her the first time she met him was horrifying. To see your son return in pieces because of the darkness of the Tellurian king. Astrid knew it would do no good to argue with the king in that moment. His mind was made up, and right now nothing she could say would let him see reason. Besides, she had not gained the complete trust of the Caelestans yet, and she knew it would be a necessity if she were to eliminate King Bertram.
“We shall take our leave,” she said softly, nodding her head and proceeded to exit the throne room, unsure of how she would fight against the Tellurians whom she considered Svana’s people.
As the large doors closed behind them, Astrid quickened her pace, wishing to get away from the king as swiftly as possible. Her encounter with him was much like the time she had bitten into an apple that was rotten from the inside out. It made her mouth feel sour, as if nothing she could drink could take away the awful taste.
“Astrid! Wait!” a voice called.
Astrid tensed in surprise as she turned to see a red-faced, but pale Quimby ambling quickly after her.
“Why are you in such a hurry? Hold on,” he said.
She stopped, and looking to Cayden, offered him an apologetic smile, but he still hadn’t said anything since their encounter with King Bertram. Astrid would have to speak with him about it as soon as possible.
“Yes, Quimby?” The tone of her voice quickly gave away her irritation.
Astrid had to figure out how she could reach Svana, to tell her what King Bertram had planned.
“I know he doesn’t seem honorable, Astrid of the bow, but he was a good man once, and I believe he can be again. This kingdom, it is worth fighting for, so whatever you have planned, I hope this kingdom and its people are truly as important to you as you say.”
Astrid paced back and forth, processing his words before she stopped to stare him in the eyes. “Quimby, these people are my people. You know that, but I also have a duty to my sis
ters and to the other kingdoms.”
“I’m aware,” he said with a nod of his head. “I understand that, but if King Bertram suspects that you cannot be trusted, he will strike you down, and he’ll do so without you even knowing it’s coming. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen many times before.”
“Thank you, Quimby. I have no intention of double-crossing the king. You have my word.”
“You cannot protect your sisters and the kingdoms of Aequoris and Telluris, and still remain loyal to the king,” the rotund man spoke, his wings fluttering with the gentle breeze that danced around them.
Astrid nodded, hot anger welling up in her about his fierce loyalty to the king behind the doors who had caused so much pain and had killed so many without apology. She would not argue the point with Quimby, as clearly the half-Caelestan was convinced of the king’s ability to be good.
“I can tell from your lack of response that we are not going to see eye-to-eye on the matter, even so. I wish you well. I know that you wish for peace to be restored. Meet me at the entrance of Caelestis and I will bring you an army.” She nodded. “Thank you for the help, Quimby. I am grateful, and I will do you proud.”
He bowed to her, and she watched his back as he walked away.
“Are you going to stand there all day? Or should we leave Caelestis?” Cayden prodded.
“Yes, yes,” Astrid muttered, jerking back to the present. She struggled to reconcile her desire to save the kingdoms with her desire to please Quimby. He had been an honorable friend to her in her short time being part of the Caelestan world. “It’s just that…” Her voice trailed off, even as she began walking toward the stairway that would lead down and out of the kingdom.
“It’s just that you have some weird, misplaced obligation to Quimby to not mess this up. So now you’re trying to figure out how to honor the king, save the kingdoms, and keep your friendship with the odd little man?”
Astrid looked away from him, unable to meet his eyes. He had seen right through her, a fact which was jarring at the very least. She cast the thought out of her mind, not wanting to allow his intimate knowledge of the very things she was thinking and feeling to be a distraction. “You are very bad for me,” she said as an afterthought.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Cayden’s dark eyes searched hers. His eyes demanded her attention, even as she tried to break free from his gaze.
“Why do you know what I’m thinking?” She deflected his question with her own.
“I don’t claim to, but even though you guard yourself… I can see through it.” Cayden winked at her.
“Cayden, you keep crossing boundaries, and I told you, I just can’t….” Her voice was stern and abrupt.
“What happened to the king’s son?” Cayden asked.
“Hmm?” Astrid asked, barely paying Cayden any attention as she was lost in her own thoughts.
“He kept telling you to avenge his son.”
“At the beginning of the conflict, King Armand captured King Bertram’s son. When King Bertram didn’t hand his kingdom over to King Armand, he received his son back in pieces, until one day, his head was delivered at the bottom of the stairs to the sky kingdom.”
Cayden’s eyes widened. “I heard rumors… but I didn’t believe them. At least, not in the beginning. I was still captain when that event happened. But I didn’t truly believe it at the time.”
“I don’t blame him for his animosity toward Telluris, but revenge isn’t going to bring peace to the kingdoms,” Astrid said.
“I agree, but what are we going to do?”
“I’m not yet sure.”
Astrid turned her back to him, facing the kingdom of Caelestis as she waited for Quimby to return with the army. Cayden honored her unspoken request to be left alone, and they both admired the calming peace of the sky world. Soft wispy clouds of pale blue and pink drifted overhead, adding to the surrealism of the place. In the distance, the towering castle set against the backdrop of the pastel colorings of clouds struck her as uniquely beautiful.
If peace could be restored, Astrid could see the sky kingdom being the most beautiful kingdom of the three in Verdil. On her honor, she would protect this place with her life. And as queen, you could take a king. She shook her head at the thought.
No time for daydreams. Besides, who would that person be? Cayden? She barely knew him. Yes, he confessed having feelings for her, but she barely knew him. And she had too much to do for the kingdoms to even entertain such a thought now.
Quimby’s rotund form marched toward her, his stance awkward amidst the backdrop of the lithe, pale-skinned Caelestan soldiers marching at his side.
Fully fitted in light blue armor, the Caelestan soldiers had long silver blades hanging from their sides, and in their hands, as if choreographed, they held large silver shields with a symbol of the Caelestan bird etched into the metal. Its long feathers, like that of a phoenix, displayed intricate, artistic etchings on the circular shield.
Astrid studied each of their faces as they drew closer. She looked down at her own forest green armor, wondering how she had ever found herself fitting into the Caelestan kingdom. Now, Astrid knew that she would die for them. Some of the men gazed at her with stern resolution. Others seemed barely old enough to hold a sword. While some, were completely unrecognizable.
“Welcome,” she said to them, shouting her greeting.
They remained stoic and reserved, not answering even as they stopped right in front of her.
“This is the army the king has appointed for you. They are the best soldiers Caelestis has ever seen, the readiest and the most trained. They will serve you with their lives. You can be sure of that.” Quimby’s voice was all business.
Astrid longed to restore the kindred friendship they had built, to ease his worries of her allegiance to the king. Only she knew she couldn’t. It would be better for both of them if they pretended not to care.
“Thank you, good sir. I will serve Caelestis with pride, and honor,” Astrid promised.
They nodded at each other and then departed ways. Cayden, Astrid, and the soldiers descended the stairs leading away from the Great Mountain, meanwhile Quimby departed, retreating to the safety of Caelestis.
Astrid gulped. Now was the time to prove herself, but the question was, who was she proving herself to?
41
Svana
When you awake from a deep slumber, the first person you want to see is your friend, or your enemy. But the question is, if it is you who awakes—who do you wish to see first? A friend, or an enemy?
Nuldronian, The Protector, Fifth Dragon Elder, Sixth Age of Verdil
After leaving the dark-robed advisor’s side, Svana found herself worried for the safety of Tristan, though she couldn’t place a finger on why. Perhaps it was the darkness she had felt enveloping her when the advisor had ordered her to ready the Tellurian soldiers for battle. She finished her work with the men, and then hurried into the castle, eager to check on the one who held the affections of the elegant Emmeline.
Making her way to Tristan’s room, Svana’s thoughts swam with the residual effects of the advisor’s dark presence on her. Like a cloak, it seemed to cling to her demanding she notice its existence. She shook her crimson hair, one hand reaching up to rub her shoulders, as if she were trying to rub off her uncertainty, but to no avail.
Reaching the door of the man’s room, she sucked in a deep breath and then released, pushing the door open as she stepped inside.
Tristan’s back was to her, but he seemed steady on his feet. Sensing her presence, he turned around, dark eyes watching her movements. His lips turned up in a slight smile. “Svana, it’s good to see you.”
“You look well, Tristan,” she said.
“I’m feeling much more myself, thanks to you,” he grinned again.
“I didn’t do anything,” she gently argued, flipping her hair from her face.
“Nonsense,” he said. “Had you not brought those herbs for me, who knows
what would have become of me. I felt the touch of death on me, Svana.” His dark eyes looked away from her, as if he saw a painful memory he was trying to forget.
“It is Hekla you have to thank, my sister. She found the herbs on the floating lands of Aequoris. Had she not helped me, I would never have gotten back here in time to help you, or the King. Has there been any word of him?”
Tristan shook his dark hair. “Not a word.”
“How are you feeling otherwise?” Svana thought about sharing what she had felt from the advisor, then decided better of it.
“Just a little weak, but otherwise, I’d say I’m nearly myself.”
Svana let out a little gust of relief, not completely convinced of the man’s healing, but thankful that he was doing much better.
The door opened behind Svana. She turned around to see a snow-haired beauty enter. Her friend. Emmeline. Did Svana dare call her that? A friend? But, if she was honest with herself, it was true. Ever since the beginning, Svana had felt she could trust the young woman. She was one of the first people inside the castle who came to her aid, who believed in her. Others would have been happy to let her rot in a cell, Tristan included, as requested by the king. But, no, Emmeline had stood up for Svana, and since that first meeting, the two of them had grown even closer together.
Emmeline’s face lit up at the sight of the two of them. “Svana, Tristan, I’m glad you’re both here. Tristan, I see you’re up and about?” Forgetting herself, Emmeline hurried forward to wrap her arms around Tristan.
He let out a soft oof as she grabbed him, and then they toppled back onto the ground, laughing.
“I’m sorry,” Emmeline said with a jubilant laugh.
“No, no, it’s fine.” He stood, his legs shaking slightly as he tried to get his foothold.
Dragon Bow Page 26
