Chapter 19 Lenna
Chapter nineteen
Lenna
The hours passed slowly as Lenna cut her eyes anxiously to the clouds for what felt like the hundreth time. Though the only creatures she saw were carrion birds and hawks, every time a flutter of wings caught her gaze or a crow called out with a screech, she got panicked and jumpy all over again.
The rocky terrain of the Pyritee Pass proved laborious for Lenna, making it hard to focus on anything else outside of tentatively putting one foot in front of the other.
Her legs were significantly shorter than Laurent’s, though he slowed his stride to keep pace with her own.
Her body was too soft and the small amount of muscle mass she had did little.
The leg and core muscles she hadn’t used in years roared in protest as she hiked on.
Heat sizzled against the rocks, throwing mirages of shimmering waves against the ground that disappeared as she neared.
Lenna’s pale skin was no match for the harsh sun’s rays bouncing off the shiny black stone walls.
She felt the burn through her clothing and prayed her skin wouldn’t blister.
Laurent had no difficulty with the walk, even though he, too, poured sweat.
Lenna felt the dripping perspiration coat her, rubbing her thighs raw as the slick skin chafed against the coarse material of her pants.
She ripped off her head scarf as the sun reached its apex, opting instead to wrap her red curls in a tight bun on the top of her head.
Laurent had not removed his flowing robe, even with the fabric growing damp and cumbersome.
The curve of the path provided a closer glimpse of the mountain range ahead, the peaks white-tipped with snow. Laurent told her once they rounded the bend she’d get her first full look at the Obsidian Palace.
He wasn’t kidding. The last curve of Pyritee Pass brought the Palace into view for her human eyes. Ahead, the canyon opened to reveal the rest of the mountain range. Built into the front face of the tallest mountain, the Obsidian Palace loomed, seemingly growing out of the mountain itself.
Spiraling black towers touched the clouds, piercing and ripping them apart with quiet violence as they blew gently through the sky.
Lenna tried counting the number of turrets, but lost count after she hit twenty.
The overall design was haunting and spindly, as if the architects tore the mountain apart to reveal the skeleton beneath.
Below the dark towers, stark against the contrast of the snow above, levels of the Palace shone with an eerie gleam.
The Palace secreted ancientness and didn’t project a welcoming aura to those that ventured towards it.
It was huge, Lenna thought to herself–completely blown away from the sheer size of the Obsidian Palace.
As they got closer, she could make out the path towards the front gates.
Twisting iron was built into a stone border, rising into arches tipped with sharp, talon like, spikes.
Another notice for those who came forth to really make sure they knew what they were getting themselves into.
There were two long bridges leading to the front of the Palace gates, one right in front of them, one jutting off to the east, disappearing between two smaller mountains.
Both bridges were mixtures of iron and stone, and the one they aimed for was as wide as the canyon they were so close to putting behind them.
The peaks of iron on each side of the bridge rose and fell in waves, each apex tipped with the same dangerous looking spikes.
As Lenna and Laurent picked their way through the last quarter mile, the walls of the canyon sloped down before plateauing to the beginning of the bridge.
Lenna looked behind her at Pyritee Pass and thought about their walk.
The questions she hoped she’d find answers to were still completely out of reach.
She knew one thing though, for certain. She never wanted to walk through the Pyritee Pass again.
Laurent stopped before the first steps of the bridge, holding up a finger to Lenna and fiddling with his mind speak ring before breaking the quiet.
“Merrick requested a meeting with the Regent, Lord Magnamus, who refused to see us until this evening. But, if it’s any consolation, the Regent allowed us to stay here for the night which gives us time to clean up.
” Laurent’s nose crinkled a bit. She blushed.
Yeah, Lenna could smell herself. The sweat hadn’t dried, and dark stains of perspiration coated the cotton shirt she had on.
“That will be a welcome relief.” She smiled encouragingly to the fae who looked extremely uncomfortable in his slick-with-sweat robes. “I know I stink.”
That coaxed a soft chuckle from Laurent, his green eyes looking down on her with care. “Just so you know, we will be with you every step of the way tonight. You won’t have to worry. Remember, the Regent is loyal to Queen Adara.”
Lenna’s tight shoulders relaxed a fraction. It was a relief to hear. The uncertainty of the night swirled over her–but knowing these two males, who already protected her once, stood by her side did calm her.
Laurent touched the ring on his finger. “Merrick is on his way to us. He’ll escort us to the Palace to get ready for tonight.”
Within moments, a winged figure appeared from the top towers, making a beeline towards the bridge. Lenna and Laurent tracked the movement through the sky, until the gargoyle landed in front of them.
Merrick had already washed up and changed. His shaggy brown hair was tied back into two tight braids that met at the nape of his neck and merged into one braid down to his shoulders. His horns looked polished, gleaming brilliantly in the sun.
His casual clothes from the last two days were gone, replaced with a loose, black, long-sleeved shirt, and black pants–a much nicer quality than the ones he had worn that morning.
His now familiar weapons belt also looked oiled and shiny.
His long sword with the blue gem pommel was strapped to his back between his wings with a leather harness that crossed over his shoulders, holding it in place.
To Lenna, Merrick looked deadly. Epitomizing the image of a warrior primed and in his element.
Standing before them both, he flashed his bright white teeth–and immediately began rolling the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows.
“Like the new digs?” Merrick asked cheerfully, finishing one sleeve and moving to the other, the black bands of his tattoos now visible.
Lenna raised her eyebrows at him. “You clean up well, Merrick. Were you getting pampered up there in your bird’s nest while we trudged through this damn canyon all day?”
Laurent grinned as Merrick bristled. “Trust me, it was a lot less pampering and a lot more begging for an audience. After the first meeting I had with Lord Magnamus, he outright declined to host us.” Merrick rolled his eyes.
“I had to resort to court charm–hence the handsomeness before you.” He bowed, a smug smirk on his face.
Next to Lenna, Laurent growled low and deep, as if this sort of thing happened before–with varying results. “Define ‘court charm’ Merrick.”
Merrick waved off his friend. “Well, the Regent said without Queen Adara’s expressed permission, the Oracle wasn’t welcome in the Obsidian Palace.
So, I went to every servant, royal, and court guest I could find and started a bit of gossip that I heard the new Oracle was activated and she was coming here to claim her birthright of the Prism.
Needless to say, the entire court is in a tizzy–they haven’t had any action in a while.
They’re all scrambling to dress their finest and pay respect to Lenna.
Oh, I also may have lied and said you could read their futures for them.
” A wicked gleam flashed in Merrick’s eyes.
“Once word got back to Lord Magnamus that his entire court was assembling to the throne room tonight to meet you, he made it sound like it was his idea to host you. I didn’t correct him. ”
“Well, you have been busy,” Laurent gritted out, loosening a harsh breath. He gestured towards the bridge, wiping a trickle of perspiration from his face with his other hand. “Let’s not disappoint.”
Lenna sidled between the gargoyle and the fae as the three took the first steps onto the bridge leading them to the Obsidian Palace and the Prism of the Oracle.