Chapter 28
28
The climb up the steepest part of the mountain wasn’t easy. They didn’t go far before they were above the tree line. Surrounding them was rock covered in snow and ice. Making their way through it with only moonlight was scary and dangerous.
The horses—sturdy, hairy creatures—plodded along, heads down against the wind. When Kaley looked back, she saw Sojee walking, his hands holding the reins of his horse and the one carrying Nessa. The prince looked so miserable, she almost felt sorry for him.
Just as Sojee took care of Nessa, Tanek looked after Kaley. When her horse struggled on a narrow, crumbling piece of the old path, Tanek dismounted and guided the horses through.
As Zeon had foreseen, they reached the top just as the sun was rising.
They halted near a stone overhang that blocked the worst of the wind, and Tanek motioned for Kaley to dismount. Sojee handed her the reins to the horses, including the one holding Nessa. The men didn’t speak but she knew she was to wait.
She led the animals back against the stone as far as she could. When Nessa began to complain, she gave him a look to shut up. He got down and they stood under the rock formation. Kaley kept the animals calm. Arit was in a specially made pouch on Tanek’s saddle, while Tibby was at Kaley’s feet. The snow had stopped coming down but the air was thick with fog. They waited in silence.
Within minutes, the sound of steel against steel rang out. She tried not to remember the deep scars on the men’s faces. The men Tanek and Sojee were facing were victors in the cutting games. They were ruthless and practiced at combat.
When the battle seemed to go on and on, she pulled the Ruger out of her pocket and loaded it. “Stay here!” she ordered Nessa, then she scurried up the hill, rocks falling down behind her. When she got to the top, through the haze, she was surprised to see a wide, flat surface. It was as though someone had blasted away the tip of the mountain.
The four men were still fighting, and in the background, she saw Mekos chained to a stake embedded in the ground.
The men were in close combat and moving about rapidly. There was no way she could shoot without the risk of hitting the wrong person.
A movement caught her eye. In the sky, still far away, she saw six griffins with riders. It was a backup army and they were approaching fast!
Kaley knew she couldn’t hit a person but she could cause a distraction. She shot three rounds into the air. The kidnappers were so startled at the sound that they dropped their defense. In a flash, Sojee and Tanek took them out. Kaley looked away as heads rolled across the ground.
Sojee broke the chains holding Mekos and he threw himself onto his father. Their feet left the ground, soaring in relief and happiness.
“I wanted to help you get Nessa,” Mekos was saying. “I wanted to do something good.”
Kaley pointed to the sky to show Sojee the big animals approaching. They needed to leave now !
When a strong gust of wind blew the last of the fog away, Kaley gasped. She was standing on a huge X . To the side, she saw an old rubber wheel. “This is a helicopter pad,” she whispered, then screamed, “We have to go!”
Sojee didn’t move. He stood there watching the griffins and riders get closer. “We can’t outrun them,” he said. “It’s Queen Olina.”
Tanek and Mekos came forward to stand by Sojee and Kaley. They stood close together as they watched the griffins land.
On the largest animal sat a woman. She was at least six feet tall, and she looked like she could fight any three men. She had on a golden breastplate and loose trousers that appeared to be reinforced with chain mail. There was no doubt she was the queen Kaley had heard spoken of with dread.
“Where is the prince?” she demanded. Her voice was easily heard through the cold air.
Sojee stepped forward. “He is with us.”
Olina looked at the man on the griffin next to her. “Take them.” The five guardsmen slid to the ground.
“No,” Sojee said.
Olina gave him a look of disgust, then spoke to the guard. “Leave that one.” She meant Sojee. “I have enough trouble with relatives.”
Sojee took a step closer, with a look of threat. None of them were harmed.
She looked exasperated. “They killed two of my men and they’ve caused me a lot of trouble. They’re just a swansman and a boy. They don’t matter.” When Sojee didn’t relent, the queen looked at Kaley and sneered. “And what are you ?”
Kaley was thinking, A real live Evil Queen . Obviously, they were better on a printed page than in life. She straightened her shoulders. “I am a storyteller.”
When everyone looked blank, Sojee spoke up. “She’s from Earth. She doesn’t belong to any order.”
“Then of what use is she?” Queen Olina asked them.
Kaley didn’t know if her idea would work, but she figured that between her and Tanek, it might. She looked at the eagle head of the closest griffin. “Help us!” she said.
Tanek understood. He and Mekos began to talk to the animals in their swan language.
The griffins reacted quickly. Screaming loud enough to injure eardrums, they reared up on their powerful lion legs and opened their giant wings. The majestic animals flew away, leaving their mounts behind.
Queen Olina’s griffin also reacted. She struggled to control the animal and to hang on. It took minutes but she got it to stop trying to throw her off.
Everyone had been watching the griffins so intently that no one had seen a guard go down the mountainside. He returned with the whimpering, terrified Nessa tied with a rope around his neck. The guard pushed him to land at the foot of Olina’s griffin.
Nessa looked up in fear at being so near to one of the crushingly big feet. The claws were by his head.
Queen Olina gave Sojee a look of triumph. “I’ll take him with me.” She turned to her guard. “Dispose of all of them.” Sojee stepped forward, sword raised.
Suddenly, Kaley heard a sound that she knew well. They all looked up. “That’s a helicopter,” she said. The gun was inside her pocket, her hand on it, ready to use if the queen’s orders were acted on. She withdrew the pistol. “If I hit the blades, I may be able to bring it down.”
Sojee shook his head. “No! Whatever that thing is, it’s from Empyrea.” His tone said that meant it was untouchable. No shooting was allowed.
The chopper was quieter than an Earth one, and it produced less wind. Kaley glanced at the others. Tanek, Sojee and Mekos didn’t appear to have ever seen one, but Queen Olina, her five guards and Prince Nessa weren’t shocked. What kind of world is this? Kaley again wondered. Part primitive and part space travel.
They were silent as the helicopter landed precisely on the X painted on the flat surface. The engine was cut off and two people got out. The pilot stayed in the cockpit.
The first person to get down was a woman. She was tall and slim and had extraordinary blue eyes. She wore a long dark robe that seemed to glisten in the early light. She wasn’t young but she looked fit and intelligent—and in charge. Kaley wouldn’t be surprised to be told the woman was the ruler of the whole planet. Whoever she was, Kaley felt that she’d seen her before. In a book of fairy tales?
Behind her was a...a person. Its delicate-looking skin was a dark cream color and it wore a sort of tunic over leggings. It had a pleasant face, not pretty or ugly, with straight brown hair to its ears. It didn’t so much as glance at Queen Olina and her guards, or at Nessa. Instead, it was staring at the four as though seeing something that wasn’t real.
It was Queen Olina who spoke first, her tone sweet. “Greetings, Vian. It’s good to see you again, but there’s no need for you to get involved in this.”
Kaley looked at the others. Everyone was looking at this woman in awe, as though awaiting an order. Except for Tanek. He was staring at her as though he might draw his sword. “She outranks a queen ?” she asked Sojee, but he didn’t reply.
Queen Olina continued. “I came to get Prince Nessa to take him to the lovely Princess Aradella, but they tried to trade him for a swanherder’s son.” She gave a sneer at Tanek. “They thought their disguise would allow them to steal all the riches of Pithan.”
Flat-out lies , Kaley thought. Oddly, the truth necklace didn’t get hot. But then, it hadn’t worked on Garen, and Queen Olina was related to him.
The woman, Vian, looked at Sojee. “Why was this done?”
“It was a mix-up in identity,” he said. “Young Mekos was riding Prince Nessa’s dragon, and the guards mistook them, as the boys do look alike.”
The woman didn’t so much as glance at Nessa but instead, looked at Mekos. Her eyes went up and down him, as though evaluating him. “I can see how that would happen.”
Kaley coughed to cover a laugh. It looked like the woman was a true diplomat. It’s a wonder the truth necklace didn’t get hot.
Vian looked at the queen. “So take the prince and leave.”
Anger filled Queen Olina’s face. “They killed my guards. They must be punished.”
“I would imagine that it was a fair fight of a man rescuing his son.” Vian looked at Sojee. “Is this true?”
“Yes, it is. The guards refused to release the boy.” As he spoke, Sojee kept his head slightly bowed.
Kaley had never seen such reverence before. Did this Empyrean woman have the power of life and death?
Sojee stood up straighter. “We must take Prince Nessa to his father. Princess Aradella can’t see him looking like this. And I’m sure the king will want to send a gift of appreciation to Queen Olina for having found the prince.”
Vian looked at the queen. “The prince will return bearing gifts for you and for the woman he is to marry. Is that satisfactory?”
Olina visibly gritted her teeth. There was only one answer she could give. “Yes.”
Obviously, the queen was lying. She wasn’t happy at not being allowed to have people killed.
Vian turned to Queen Olina. “Now that it is settled, you may leave.”
The queen looked like she was repressing rage. “He will not move. Nor for my men.”
Kaley didn’t know what she meant, but then realized she was referring to the griffins. The one the queen was on seemed to be immobile and the other five were in the distance, perched on a protruding rock. They seemed to be waiting for something.
For the first time, Vian looked directly at Tanek. It was a look so intense that it made Kaley’s hair stand on end. She took a step toward him, as though in protection, but Sojee gave a slight shake of his head. No. She was to stay where she was.
After a long moment, Vian said to Tanek, “Release them.”
Kaley was surprised. Could Tanek control the half-bird creatures with his mind? She hadn’t seen that before!
Tanek gave a curt nod, then looked at the griffins in the distance. Immediately, they flew forward and landed beside the queen. When he walked to them, the queen’s griffin bowed its head to him.
“I’m impressed,” Kaley said under her breath.
Tanek turned to her and motioned his head for her to join him.
“Hug a griffin? Oh yeah.” She hurried to it and snuggled the big head in her arms. The growl of disgust from the queen, sitting high above, didn’t bother Kaley.
Everyone was silent while Kaley went from one animal to the next, saying soothing, loving words to each one. When she finally stepped back, the queen and her guards were staring at her, but Kaley was used to being considered odd and strange.
Vian gave a nod to Queen Olina, then she and her guards flew away.
“Now what?” Kaley whispered to Sojee, but he didn’t answer. The four of them were together on one side, Vian and the androgynous Empyrean standing in front of the silent helicopter. As always, Nessa kept himself separate.
Vian looked at Sojee. “Take them away.” It was the quiet command of someone who was used to being obeyed.
Sojee gave a quick nod and they headed to the path down the mountain, toward the horses.
But Tanek didn’t move.
“He isn’t going to fight her, is he?” Kaley asked.
“No,” Sojee said. “Far from it.”
“What gift is my father to give to that odious woman?” Nessa whined. “ I should be given a gift. I am making the sacrifice. I —”
Kaley didn’t listen, but turned back to see Tanek and the woman staring at each other.
“I like her,” Mekos said.
“Who is she?” Kaley asked.
“One of the Seven.” Mekos seemed shocked that Kaley didn’t know that.
“That’s where I’ve seen her before. Her picture was in the schoolroom.”
“Come on!” Sojee said impatiently. “Let’s get down this blasted mountain before it starts snowing again.”
“We can’t leave Tanek!” Kaley said.
Sojee smiled. “He’ll be here soon. What food was packed for us?”
Tanek knew he should have felt curiosity at seeing this woman so close, but he didn’t. She had dark hair like his, eyes like his. But he felt only anger. “You with your machine could have taken my son to safety at any time.” When he saw that she showed no emotion, he drew in his breath. “You wanted my son to be kidnapped so he was brought here ?” His voice told of his disgust and shock. When she made no reply, he softened. “You allowed it so you could see him?” He hesitated. “Or me?”
“I would not be so frivolous.” When he returned to anger, she seemed to relent. Her voice lowered and he knew she was trusting him with information that she didn’t want known. “I needed to interfere in Olina’s plan and I knew Mekos would be safe.”
“You could not have been sure and you changed nothing! That worthless prince is still to marry the princess.”
“Perhaps.” She put out her hand as though she was going to touch him, but abruptly withdrew it. “You look like Wellan.” Her sentimentality left her quickly. “You three must go to Pithan and take Mekos with you.” She hesitated. “But you should know that he’s involved in something there.”
“I do know. He hides his bow and thinks I see nothing. I won’t let him—”
“No! Do not stop him.” She took a breath. “It’s you who is causing concern. You’re watched closely. You—” She cut off as though she was afraid to say more.
“Do you spy on me? On us ?” When she made no reply, Tanek turned away. He could see that it was no use trying to get information from her. But he halted and looked back. “What part does Kaley have in this? She knows nothing.”
“She knows more than you think.” Vian smiled. “When she looks at you, she makes me remember the night your father and I made you. Has he told you of that night?”
“Certainly not!” Tanek was waiting for her to answer his question.
She stopped smiling. “Try to remember. You will understand more if you remember. You can now.”
“Remember what?” he asked, but the Empyrean standing behind her said something and she turned away. The person’s voice was neither high nor low, and Tanek had never heard the language it used. He’d not seen many of them as they rarely left Empyrea.
Vian looked back at Tanek. “You are to touch arms.” When he hesitated, she said, “It will be to your advantage.”
Tentatively, he held out his arm and the creature put a long, thin finger on the chip that was under Tanek’s skin. There was a slight electrical charge and for a moment he felt a sense of awe flowing through him—and Tanek was the object of that feeling. The Empyrean walked away, smiling, seeming to be happy. For the first time, Tanek looked at Vian without hostility. “Why do you not look like them?”
Her answer was a smile. “They cannot reproduce. Only a few of us can.”
He looked at her in surprise. “Do I have siblings?”
“No.” She looked toward the path that led down the mountain. “The others will have questions for you.”
“And I’ll have no answers. Not ones that I can tell.”
“You sound like your father. He always wanted to know more .” She paused as though remembering something good. “I must go now.” She took a moment to look at him, then turned and went to the helicopter.
He stood there watching the big machine take off. Vian looked straight ahead, but the pale face of the Empyrean smiled at Tanek, then lifted a hand as though to say goodbye.
When it was quiet, Tanek started to go down. Out of the rocks came Kaley’s tabor. It had been hiding and watching. “Did you stay here to protect me?” he asked in the swan language that animals loved. “Can you protect me from all the questions Kaley is going to ask? Can you keep that farken necklace of hers from telling on me when I do answer?”
Tibby just looked up at him.
“You’re on her side, aren’t you?” Tanek took a breath. “I guess I could tell her the truth.” He smiled. “Would the truth make her stay or send her running? Will she go to my mother and shout, ‘Take me home!’?” Tanek sighed. “Can either of us live without Kaley? No, I think not.”
He continued down the mountainside.