Chapter Seven
Rowan woke with a sore neck from sleeping on the hard marble floor. He stared up at the ceiling, listening to the noise outside as the servants worked to ready the castle for the day. Quietly, he sat up and looked to see if Rhea was still asleep. The bed was empty.
Looking around the room, he found no sign of her. The doors to the balcony were open slightly, letting in a cool breeze and thin ray of sunlight. When he pushed one open, he found her standing outside, looking out over the village and beyond.
“They’re beautiful. The mountains,” she said, without turning around. “I’ve never seen anything like them.”
“They are. You’ve never been this far north before?”
“No. We’re not permitted to travel that far outside of Anestas, on the rare occasion we can leave.”
“Aren’t you cold?” he asked. She was still wearing the nightgown and only the gown.
“We don’t feel the cold or the heat as strongly as humans do.”
She followed him back inside, just as there was a knock on the door. Bree had sent Nick to collect them. Rowan slipped outside so Rhea could dress, then when she was ready, he escorted her downstairs.
Once they were inside the hall, Rhea was swarmed by pixies.
Unlike Rowan and Nick, who swatted them away, Rhea smiled and welcomed the tiny beasts.
She began to speak with them, apparently understanding their language, immediately.
When Rhea was occupied, Nick and Rowan slipped out and crossed the hall to the solar, where Bree and Cicilly were waiting.
Rowan could tell something was wrong from the moment he stepped inside. Bree’s face was red as if she’d been crying. He walked over, putting his arm around her, and she buried her face in his shoulder.
“We received a message this morning from Elmber,” Nick told him. “It’s the Sabras. Their entire encampment was destroyed two days ago, by fire.”
“Fire? Was anyone hurt? Do they know who started it?” Rowan replied.
“We’re not sure if anyone was hurt,” Cicilly said. “The message from Adelphie was short. It said their homes were destroyed by fire and that they were coming to Junacave to seek refuge. We only got the message here because luckily the messenger stopped in Elmber and learned we had come through.”
“Is it a good idea? The Sabras coming to Junacave?”
“I would never turn them away,” Bree answered, lifting her head.
“But you’re right. I can’t imagine they would be comfortable there.
Regardless, I need to get back to the castle.
If this happened two days ago, then the Sabras are likely halfway to Junacave by now.
I just hope Finn can handle things until we get there. ”
“I’m sure he can handle it,” Cicilly said, but she didn’t even sound convincing enough to herself.
Just then, Celeste burst into the room with a smile on her face. “You need to come see this!”
In the great hall, to everyone’s surprise, the floor, tables, and benches were covered with sleeping pixies.
Rhea was tiptoeing between them and singing with a soft voice, something in a language that no one else understood.
She didn’t notice her audience, as she floated around the room, bending down a few times to rub the bald head of a pixie, putting it deeper into sleep.
Once Rhea realized she was being watched, she stopped singing and just stared at them. No one spoke for several moments, both in awe of her ability and also afraid to break the silence and wake the pixies. The entire hall seemed to be holding their breath.
However, it didn’t last long as Cyrus entered from the terrace and nearly tripped over the tiny bodies scattered all over the floor. He yelped and used the doorway to steady himself then winced at the fairy’s sharp gaze. Thankfully, the pixies didn’t wake.
Everyone could finally breathe once they were out of the great hall, Rhea included.
“Were you able to heal Hawley?” Bree asked the fairy.
Rhea nodded but didn’t speak.
“I can’t even express how grateful we are that you were willing to help us,” Celeste added.
The fairy blushed and began to nervously play with her hair.
“That still doesn’t entirely solve the problem, however,” Bree frowned. “The pixies need a new home. Without one, it’s only a matter of time before they fall ill again.”
“I think I can help with that,” Cyrus chimed in. “I spoke with a kind lad from north of Vale, outside of Moorine. He mentioned a small valley at the foot of the mountains, hard to reach. It may be the best option for the pixies, until they can return to Windermere, if they ever choose to.”
“Moorine?” Bree asked. “I’m not familiar with that kingdom.”
“It’s one of many in the north, dear,” her mother replied. “We rarely have dealings with them, being so far south of the mountains.”
“Uncle Cyrus, I need to return home as soon as possible. There are matters there that need my attention.”
“Not to worry,” Cyrus said. “I can take care of moving the pixies.”
Bree hugged her uncle once more before he left. Then she turned to Cicilly. “Oh, Mother, I am so sorry to shorten our visit. I understand if you wish to stay with your father.”
“No, dear,” Cicilly said, taking her daughter’s hand. “I’m grateful for this time I’ve had with him, certainly, but my place is with you. I will return to Junacave.”
Just after breakfast, their carriages were loaded and ready for the return trip. Rowan chose to ride alongside again, with his father. Bree and Sarita entered the courtyard to find Rhea already sitting on Rowan’s horse. Seeing Bree, Rowan approached.
“I told her she would be more comfortable in one of the carriages,” he said, “but she refused.”
Bree forced a smile and gave Rowan a quick kiss before he returned to his horse.
“I cannot wait to tell Sidonie I met a real fairy. Isn’t she the most beautiful fairy in all the land?” Sarita asked. She could not contain her excitement as she skipped away to the carriage.
“Yes, she certainly is,” Bree said to herself. The twinge of unease returned as she watched Rowan mounting Dragon and the fairy slipping her arms around his waist. Just two more days. Two more days and we will return her to Anestas, and everything will be fine.
~*~
Finn could not believe it. Had he actually been summoned to welcome the entire tribe of Sabras?
Here in Junacave? He was sure the guards had made a mistake.
However, as he rounded the castle wall, he found himself facing over a dozen Sabras, scantily clad in their typical animal hides and furs.
Adelphie was standing in front, smirking as he approached.
“I knew you couldn’t stay away,” he teased, “but I didn’t expect you to bring all your ladies to see me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, little boy,” Adelphie replied.
“I would never.”
“My family and I would like to request refuge in Junacave. With the queen’s blessing, of course.”
“Refuge?”
“I will explain everything once my sisters get settled.”
“Unfortunately, the queen is not present to hear your request. You would need to appeal to the Steward.”
“And where can I find this Steward?”
“You’re looking at him.” Finn smiled and winked, much to Adelphie’s annoyance. He summoned servants to escort the Sabras inside, along with the small trunk they had brought with them, containing the few items that they’d been able to save or salvage from the fire.
Dahlia handed the reins of the last two of the Sabra’s horses to a stable boy, then walked over to Finn as the women were led into the castle. “I know it isn’t any of my business, but this seems like a terrible idea to me.”
“Yes, this is a terrible idea. And no, it wasn’t any of your business before, but that is about to change.” He turned to her. “I declare you First Attendant of the Steward. Congratulations on your promotion.”
Dahlia’s face fell flat and unamused. “That isn’t a real title.”
“It is now.”
“This feels like a punishment.”
“Does it?” Finn smiled. He couldn’t help but feel a bit of satisfaction in tormenting the woman who’d poisoned his friend, among other things. “You were looking for a way to atone for your mistakes and prove to the queen that you can be trusted. This is your chance.”
Dahlia scowled but she didn’t argue. At least, not out loud. “I will fetch the chamberlain to ready the guest wing,” she said, unenthusiastically.
“Good girl,” he said, grinning. When she stalked off, his smile slipped as he realized she wasn’t the only one who was about to suffer. Damn.
~*~
After parting with Leitis and Zander outside Taten, it had taken Dagan and Sidonie two full days to reach her Sabra home.
To Sidonie’s dismay, her sister and the rest of the tribe were gone.
She and Dagan had ridden as far into the encampment as they could go before the ground became too hot for their horse’s hooves.
Dagan dismounted and bent down to examine the burned ashes of all that remained of the wooden huts, still smoldering after four days. He tried to use magic to cool the embers, but it was no use.
“How is this possible?” Sidonie said, stepping up beside him. “It’s been several days since the fire, and it looks like it’s rained at least once. How can the ground still be this hot?” She tried to step further on the scorched dirt, but the heat was too much, forcing her back.
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Dagan said, shaking his head. “I can’t explain it.”
“I can.” A soft voice from behind made Dagan and Sidonie jump. They turned to see a woman they didn’t recognize standing a few feet away. Behind her, Rowan was dismounting his horse.
“Sorry to startle you,” Rowan said, signaling to Dragon to stay close by.
“I forget just how quiet your horse is,” Dagan replied. “You must have heard the news too then?”
“We received a message two days ago and left soon after.”
“All of you?”
Rowan nodded. “Bree and the others are close behind. I rode ahead.”
“Do you know where my sister is?” Sidonie asked, hopeful that Adelphie survived.
“The message said the Sabras were planning to seek refuge in Junacave. We figure they’ve already arrived.”