Chapter 23
My past is fleeting, like a wisp of hair carried by an errant wind. Where has the time gone?
The snowcapped mountains come into view as we head north of Lux, crossing past the border guards for Gruyere.
My fur-lined coat provides ample comfort inside the carriage.
Cedric explained that vampyr abilities are not as luxurious in some situations.
One being apparating long distance through the snow.
“Tell me about your childhood.”
Cedric, who slightly dozed off an hour ago, awakes softly to my voice. “Our childhood, you mean.”
“No, I mean, tell me about your training. Surely I was not there for it all.”
“Ah –” he sits up straighter – “well you had your own cess training. We spent a few years apart from time to time.”
I try to imagine myself running around fighting grounds or brawling in rings. It is still hard to grasp my ability to wield fully developed magic.
“Garreth, Sawyer and I, along with other noble boys from the kingdom, were sent to the Rhydian Range to learn all things military. How to fight, how to command, how to heal on the battlefield. Some teachers were less systematic about their teachings, though.”
“How do you mean?” I ask curiously, tucking my legs under me.
Cedric starts to speak but withdraws, smiling to himself before continuing. “Garreth and I spent one month in a cave system.”
“On purpose?” I ask incredulously.
“Oh, it was purposeful on our instructor’s part.
General Combe was certainly a hard-ass but he dropped us off at the mouth of a cave one morning after we’d failed to secure a guard post. Duresden soldiers pilfered our stores.
And what were we doing? Sleeping after a night with a bottle of wine.
Lightweights and useless in Combe’s eyes.
So, it was a lesson more than a punishment.
“Combe said to find our way to the other side of the mountain through the caves. When we argued that we could end up in Duresden’s territory, he simply told us ‘Well, don’t’ and left us to fend for ourselves equipped with a couple of swords of poor quality and packs of chilled blood.”
“That’s…”
“Sadistic? Cruel? Probably.” Cedric laughs, taking a sip of blood from a pouch.
“Did you find the other side?”
“We found multiple exits, yes, but Combe didn’t specify that! So, we had to find the right exit where the rest of our men were moved for a climbing and extraction exercise. You cannot imagine the stench coming from our bodies after thirty days of complete darkness.”
The carriage begins to cross a high bridge connecting the road across a valley. Snow starts to fall and the entire scene feels entirely beautiful.
“And what did you learn, King?” I ask, observing the flakes as they melt against the carriage windows.
Cedric thinks about his response, smiling coyly to himself a few times. I nudge him with my foot, which he catches and begins kneading. I sink back into the cushions of my seat. This carries on for a few more minutes.
“So?” I ask again.
“Darkness. I learned of the darkness.” He pauses, looking out at the castle as it comes into view. “Most importantly, I learned not to fear it.”
Skysong comes into view, the name of Baron’s primary fortress.
Nestled in the alps of Gruyere, the castle is spread across three peaks and their jagged edges.
Larger buildings made of stone and wood, though covered in snow, are a feat of architecture as if they were built right into the face of the mountain.
Covered bridges connect each building to one another and some smaller auxiliary ones on lower ledges.
I spot a temple and note the stark differences to the one in Lux. Like night and day.
The carriage passes through a tunnel bored directly through the rocky growth. Cess lights line the edges, but the entire thing is plunged in darkness before approaching a large iron gate. Two guards nod before cranking it open to let us in.
We enter a covered roadway and I try to forget how high above the ground we are. I trust the engineering of it all but with the snow and ice, I’m skeptical. Thankfully, Cedric is a dutiful guide.
Baron’s cess spell the roads.
Gods, I look at him. You startled me.
Cedric touches his temple. You think very loudly.
Then get out of my head.
He chuckles to himself as we pull up into the interior of the main castle. Servants rush around in a flurry to bring items inside with the snow picking up. A few wolf puppies are nipping and chasing each other around and a heavy-set woman comes out to greet us.
Cedric opens the door before the guards can get to it. He grabs me from my waist, rather than my hand, and sets me softly on the snowless cobble square.
“Nita, a pleasure as always.” He bows to the woman, who has her hands on her hips in a disapproving manner.
“I’m sure it is. And why are you bowing to me? I’m no lady, never have been. How could I have been? With chasing you lot around for the better half of my life— Oh! Oh! Lady Elivienne!” Nita curtsies deeply and finely before me. I curtsy in return awkwardly.
“Hello, Nita,” I say, a big smile still plastered on my face.
“His Majesty’s inside. I’m afraid he can’t formally meet you all out here as the privy council was called together. Issues of some sort, I imagine. You’ll go see him, Cedric?”
Cedric takes my hands to his mouth and blows warm air on them before planting a kiss. “Nita will show you around. Duty calls, I’m afraid. It was to be expected.” He ends with a sigh.
Nita pats him on the shoulder as he heads inside the large entrance to Skysong. I shift uncomfortably, being in a new place. Well, Nita doesn’t think it’s new.
“You haven’t been here in some time, my lady. Let’s go inside and find something sweet. Cook has been busy! The boys will join shortly.” Nita gestures to follow her but pauses to turn to our guards.
“You and you,” she points aggressively. “See to it their things make it to their quarters before the snow gets them.” They look at each other nervously before nodding and quickly unstrapping the few trunks we brought.
Behind Nita, I slow my pace to take in the beauty of the receiving hall.
The space feels like a warm hunting lodge but is balanced neatly with pale blue accents.
Gruyere’s coat of arms is posted above a large hearth.
In fact, the largest I have ever seen. On either side is a stone staircase and leather furniture bedecks the carpeted wooden flooring.
I trail behind Nita like a second shadow as she skirts behind the hearth to a hallway that connects to one of the other buildings.
Being suspended so high again, I pause to look out the windows.
I go to lean against the glass and find there is none.
I yank myself back quickly and my heart jumps out of my chest.
Gods.
Are you alright?
Yes, but cess aren’t blessed with the ability to fly, right?
His deep laughter feels fuzzy in my head. I’m afraid not.
“Spelled to keep the heat in and cold out,” Nita tuts as she continues walking. I quickly pick up my pace and skirts to follow her.
The next building is some of the same style but the skylights sprinkle beautiful sunlight onto the floor of a large ballroom.
The layout of Skysong is interesting, to say the least. Nita takes me through a servant passage on the side, similar to Lux, and a few turns later we emerge into the kitchens.
A little smaller than Lux’s, most likely due to a smaller staff, servants are working to prepare some food. Not a lot, of course, considering vampyr only eat for routine and not necessity.
“Look who we have here,” the tall chef, who I imagine is Cook, says before a deep bow. “My eyes have been blessed once more.”
“Remember who she’s betrothed to,” Nita corrects with a wink. Cook comes around from behind a worktable and wipes his floured hands off on his apron. Nita, in the background, nimbly stuffs some pastries into her dress pockets.
“It smells amazing in here.” I gesture to the spread being prepared. “How do you manage to do all of this?” I take in the various dishes of different styles, smell, appearance.
“Magic and then some,” Cook replies with a wink. “Come to try my dessert for tonight?”
I nod and follow him over to a platter with small cakes coated in a powdered sugar. I break open the sponge cake and smell the filling.
“Is this elys?” I question. The scent is unmistakable. Cook nods excitedly as I bite into it and immediately relish in this foreign treat while accidently powdering my chest.
“Wow,” I say with a mouthful. “This is…” I chew again. “Mmhmm. Yes.” Nita and Cook burst into laughter and bite into theirs.
“Keep me in mind for your wedding!” Cook sings as he goes back to arranging the courses.
In an effort to ignore his comment, I curtsy in thanks to the rest of the staff before following Nita’s quick feet out of the area.
“Where to next?”