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“IT’S THE PEOPLE. THEY’VE become unhinged.”
The People?
“Hivena is far worse than it was when you left us Zemira. The People have taken to killing magic users and burning down their homes.” Her voice cracks at the end of that statement and the man I suspect is her husband comforts her. I look from her to him to confirm the truth in her words.
Killing magic users. That sounds just like what went down in the kingdom of Sono. But Malala is nothing like the monarchs of Sono. She would never allow something like that to happen.
“What about Malala? She would keep them in line and put a stop to–”
“Unfortunately, Queen Malala has been MIA.” My heart stops and plunks into the pits of my stomach.
“W-what do you mean?”
“Rarely does Queen Malala leave her castle these days. No one has seen her in a while. Her last public appearance was weeks ago. Those who do manage to get an audience with her, it’s rumored that she’s not the astute and present dwarf queen that she once was. I fear The People may have done something to her.” Her face hardens as she glares off into space.
No...No! This can’t be happening. She could be in danger. I only just sent her letters to reconcile not long ago!
“Why would The People do that?! Why would they attack magic users?”
Madame Rosely’s husband sneers.
“Because that’s their plan Dwa–Ms. Zemira. They’ve always been after magic users. For centuries they let us fly under the radar, but now...they intend to purify the land. And they won’t stop until every magic user is dead.”
Why would they do this? Why do The People hate magic users so much?!
Madame Rosely continues.
“The tension between magic users and nobles has reached its boiling point, young Zemira. A great war is on the horizon, if not an extermination.”
They can’t do that. The People trying to kill off all magic users is crazy! How do they even expect to accomplish that? Are they really that vicious that they’ll go house to house to kill anyone suspected of harnessing magic?
“Thank you for telling me this.” I say, slowly backing away as I try to formulate what I must do next. “I must go.”
I have to get to Malala.
“Wait, where are you going?! Please don’t tell me you’re going back to Hivena? It wouldn't be safe for you to show your face there.”
“But I have to. Malala is there, and if she’s in danger...I have to help her.”
Madame Rosely stares at me intrigued, intensely looking for something in my eyes. After a moment, a look of determination settles in her features.
“Then I’ll help you. I’ll help you get back into Hivena and into the castle.”
Her husband clasps her hand.
“Darling, we’ve barely escaped with our lives! We can’t go back. I won’t allow you to.”
“I know Richard.” She says, giving him a soft expression, then looks back at me. “But I think she could be useful. If anyone can help restore balance to Hivena, it just might be another dwarf queen who was also once destined to rule it.”
I nod. I don’t know how much I can trust this woman, but based on what she’s saying, she’s suffered at the hands of The People and fled Hivena like many others. If she knows what’s going on with Malala and can help me get back into Hivena, I’ll need all the help I can get.
“Give me a moment.” I return to my table where the others are enjoying food and drinks that they ordered. I go straight to Rowan and bend by his ear.
“I have to get home.” He looks up at me in alarm.
“What’s wrong Zemi? I haven’t figured out a way back to the Cyan Forest yet but–”
“No...I have to get home...to Hivena. I think Malala’s in trouble.” He stiffens at the mention of Malala and searches my eyes. Then he downs his drink and gets out of his seat, his features darkening.
“What’s happened to Malala?”
“I think what’s happened in Sono is connected to Hivena. And Malala may be caught in the middle of it. I don’t know for sure what’s happened to her, but I’ve received word that she hasn’t been seen in weeks, and the same violent outbreaks that happened in Sono are also happening in Hivena.” He stares at me for a moment, absorbing the information, then nods.
“We’ll find a way to Hivena. I’ll talk to Doyenne Ina.”
Our time at the pub is cut short as Rowan and I find ourselves in Doyenne Ina’s office. It’s small and quaint and full of papers scattered in strategic piles on the floor and pinned up on the walls. It looks like a mess, but there seems to be a method to the madness.
Doyenne Ina looks up from her work as I finish informing her of the latest information that I’ve received on Hivena.
“If what you say is true, venturing into Hivena will be dangerous. Not only will their security be tight to even enter the queendom, but being from a magical troupe will instantly put targets on your backs. To top it all off you’re an ex dwarf queen who’s supposed to be dead?!” She looks at me flabbergasted and I can understand her worries. The odds are stacked against me, but I can’t sit around and do nothing. My sister is in trouble. She needs me, and I refuse to let her down again.
“I know it’s a huge risk but...I have to do this. Hivena was once my home, and Malala is my family. I can’t continue on as if nothing is happening.” She stares up at me for a moment, taking in my stance and the look on my face, then sighs.
“I can tell no amount of lectures or scolding will deter you from this...I will provide you with a carriage and directions to take you out of Veah safely and southeast towards Hivena. That’s the best I can do. But remember, these are dangerous times, Zemira...for all of us. I wish you the best of luck on your journey.” I bow my head gratefully.
“Thank you Doyenne Ina. For all of your hospitality and kindness. I will never forget it.” Rowan and I both bow and exit out into the hall. I go over a mental list of things that I’ll need to grab so I can prepare to leave when I stop short in the corridor.
The rest of the Lost Souls are sitting out in the hall and leaning against the walls waiting for us. Judging by the looks in their eyes, I can already see where this is going.
“You guys should stay here. This is not your responsibility, and it’ll be very dangerous.” I look from Scirocco to Pierre and Sol. They all just stare at me, unfazed. “I don’t want to put any of you in harm's way,” I try to reason with them. Sol scoffs.
“Well that sucks for you Zemi, because we’re family now.”
“Exactly.” Jubilee echoes. “If you’re going into imminent danger, then we’re all going into imminent danger.”
Emitt clears his throat.
“For the record, I’m being dragged along–” Pierre clamps a heavy hand down onto his back.
“Hush.” Then he looks at me. “Don’t mind him. We’re family Las. We’re here to support you any way we can.”
Scirocco steps forward and grabs my hands as she looks me in the eye.
“And you know we’d never let you do something like this alone.” My heart warms as I stare down at the friend who not only risked her life to help me escape Hivena, but is now risking her life again to take me back.
I can’t stop the tears that well up in my eyes and spill over my cheeks. They come even harder as everyone gathers around for a group hug.
I hate the thought of putting everyone here at risk. I hate the thought of making them leave a safe place like Veah to accompany me to fix my problems and my mistakes. But I also can’t help the immense wave of relief that encompasses me knowing that I won’t have to do this alone.
*****
THE FOLLOWING DAY WE load up into a caravan provided to us by Doyenne Ina, along with Madame Rosely, her husband, and their servant. I introduce the three to the rest of the Lost Souls and confirm what I already expected of Madame Rosely, that she’s a magic user.
The two groups seem to be intrigued by one another. I think they felt it odd to meet a magic user who lives as a noble. As am I.
“So you’re a witch?” Scirocco asks. Madame Rosely nods.
“Yes. I’ve learned from my mother, who learned from hers.” Many nods of fascination and interest come from around the caravan.
“We learned alot about different magic users while we were staying at the Gradation Inn. So you harness magic by using objects with magical properties?” Sol asks.
“Yes. I deal specifically with magical objects and herbs and potions.”
“Do you use magic for specific things?”
“My magic isn’t exactly derived or concentrated in one field such as fire or telepathy. Rather I’m a conduit for all elements and energies through potions, spells, and objects.”
“Lucky you.” Pierre snorts lightheartedly. “That means you got to skip the awkward stage where you have no control of your magic and your magical ability randomly activates during the worst times.”
She nods sympathetically.
“Yes, I’ve heard of the puberty stage for magic users with an inner ability. I’ve coached a few myself on learning how to control their magic and make charms to help them manage it better.”
“Charms that help you manage your magic? That sounds useful.” Jubilee says with raised brows. Madame Rosely nods.
“It is. Since we have such a long journey ahead of us, I’ll tell you how I make them. It gives your magic something to go into before dispersing into the world.”
We travel for days out of Veah and head south, steering clear of the Sono Kingdom borders. We travel through many towns and rest in smaller queendoms only to get word of the same outbursts of violence happening all over the place. Magic users and their sympathizers are being attacked left and right.
We don’t stay in any one spot too long. Not only is it dangerous, I want to get to Malala as soon as possible.
When we finally make it to the border of Hivena, we camp out on the outskirts until night falls. That’s when Madame Rosely takes over directing the caravan and telling Rowan where to go.
She makes sure to direct us through the back roads to avoid any patrols and chaos. It doesn’t take long for us to wind up in an obscure poor neighborhood.
Being back on Hivena soil brings back stifling memories. It almost feels like I never left.
The caravan maneuvers through the maze of streets and homes built close together. Some displaced subjects walk aimlessly amongst the streets and try to find shelter in various piles of rubble.
We quietly pull up to a dark dilapidated house on a street full of squat and unkempt homes.
“We’re here.” Madame Rosely says. Rowan pulls the carriage to the side of the house so it isn’t as visible from the street, and we all timidly step out into the night air. I look up towards the sky, expecting to see twinkling stars, but I don’t. It isn’t the same sky I once knew. Hivena is uncharacteristically dark.
I look out towards the horizon in the west and my stomach fills with dread at the thick darkness that’s clinging to the air.
“Quickly now.” Madame Rosely ushers us into the house and out of sight.
I look around and questions run through my mind. This part of the queendom is a ways off from the Hivena castle.
“How are you going to get me into the castle from here?” I ask her.
“I have no idea if I’m honest, Zemira. I’m not familiar with the castle, but I know someone who is. They might even be a familiar face to you.”
I curiously enter the house behind her and the others and find it full of scared displaced subjects staring at us wide eyed. Judging by the electric pulse in the air, I can tell they’re magic users. My heart breaks to see them in such a condition, as if they’ve been living like this for weeks.
“Zemira?” Someone calls from across the room. I freeze, and my knees almost buckle beneath me at the sound of the warm voice cocooning me.
I turn towards the familiar voice and almost burst into tears as I rush to hug my life line as if she might disappear if I don’t.
“Balenda!”
*****
WE SETTLE INTO THE house, finding spots to rest and recharge while we regroup amongst the other displaced subjects. The house is filled with mostly magic users and sympathizers who’ve been run from their homes and threatened not only by The People, but by their families, friends, and neighbors. Many are wounded, and you can tell they’ve been here for weeks without fresh clothes.
Balenda pulls me into a corner to sit on two crates and hands me a mug of black tea.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” she whispers. “This is all we have here.” I grab her hand.
“It’s more than enough. Thank you, Balenda. And please...call me Zemi.” She smiles with tears in her eyes and places a warm palm on my face. She looks so tired, it almost breaks my heart.
“I never thought I’d see you again,” she whispers. I try my best to swallow the sobs building in the back of my throat. All I can do is nod to keep my emotions under control. I know exactly what she means. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to step foot back in Hivena and see Balenda or Malala again in this lifetime, but here I am. Unfortunately, it’s under these circumstances.
I sniffle and clear my throat.
“Please, tell me what’s happened. How did you wind up here.” She sits back and plays with her chipped mug.
“A little over a month ago, Queen Malala, her captain of the guard, Marquis, and her lieutenant, Rue, were on a mission to uncover The People’s plans. We were at a recruitment ball, hosted by them and the temple.”
The temple?
“...we were able to infiltrate without being discovered. Malala and I stumbled upon a hidden passage behind a tapestry in the temple. She went to scope it out to find evidence of The People and the temple and all of their wrong doings. I knew I should have gone with her...but she insisted I keep watch.” Her voice cracks as she tries to steady her shaky hands. “That’s when I was grabbed by The People. I was trapped for days with other subjects The People deemed to be enemies of their cause, until I ran into Lieutenant Rue in there and she helped me escape. Then we managed to find Captain Marquis, who was overpowered and run from the castle with his loyal soldiers, and we set up camp in another house not too far from here.”
“Why are they doing this? What’s The People’s aim? We know they hate magic users, but does their hatred really warrant this much action?” Balenda takes her time and swallows.
“There has been talk of something coming. They call it “The One”, the Mercurial Spirit...the Queen Eater.”
Queen Eater?!
“One of the pillars of The People is that they’ve been spreading indoctrination that a great entity is coming known by many names, one of them is the Mercurial Spirit. It will come to devour the souls of all queens, and use that to cleanse the land of any sickness and wrongdoing...including magic users.”
No.
“Many subjects believe in what The People are saying and have joined their cause. Especially with the absence of a ruler.”
“What of Malala? What’s happened to her?!”
“I’m ashamed to say I’m not sure. The castle has been taken over by The People. All prior staff that wasn’t involved with them, or who hasn’t submitted to their rule, have been run out. They’ve tightened security. Many ex-guards of Queen Nasira’s reign, including Balail, are running guard for the castle. We haven’t been able to sneak in and see her.” My heart slumps.
”But the last I heard, an informant was able to get into the castle to handle business with The People. He says that the Queen is unwell. They keep her locked away from everyone else. And when anyone does gain an audience with her, she’s unresponsive. I fear what The People may have done to her.”
More tears spew from her eyes and I grab her and hold her tight. I can’t imagine what they’ve all been through since I've been gone. I can’t imagine what Malala has had to face all on her own, while I was off frolicking with the Lost Souls. Afraid of my own shadow.
“It’s okay Balenda. We’ll set this right. I won’t let you down again. I promise.” I pull back and look her in the eyes, making sure to convey my promise to make this right. I won’t leave either of them again. They’re my family. “But I need to ask a huge favor from you...I need you to help me sneak back into the castle.”
