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The gates to Ciúin reached nearly forty feet into the skies, cast in solid iron. A metal deadly to all Fey and most beings of the Nevermore. I had the key yes, but not the access. The entire fortress was under the spell of powerful magic, probably cast by the Wizards of the High Order. Impossible to penetrate on my own. A small detail the Gnome conveniently left out.
But Lorelei was most definitely here. This was the place I could begin to feel her energy once more. It was strange not having been able to access it for such a long time.
We remained hidden, crouched in the bushes beyond the gates.
"Now what?" Sylos whispered. His gaze traveled up the length of the gate as it reached for the clouds.
"You get this message to her." I retrieved a parchment letter from inside my jacket and handed it to him. "It's asking her to meet me at a rendezvous point, at the Whispering Willow between here and the Dwarf's home."
The towering tree swept the sky, its branches draped down to the earth, forming a fortress impenetrable to light and sound. Once inside, we would be unseen and unheard by anyone passing by. Some say the tree itself whispers what it hears to the wind. Even if that were true, very few beings understood the language of trees and the messages they share.
Sylos took the parchment from my hand and paused. "Are you sure you want to do this, mate? There will be no turning back once you do."
"This is the best way. If she sees me, she might panic. And Adrius...well, I've no idea what he might do. But if she knows I have news for her, I know she'll meet with me."
Sylos gritted his teeth but didn't argue further.
"I'll clear the way in for you. Get the guard to release the magic. Can you get it to her?" I searched his face for signs of hesitancy.
Frowning, he scratched the back of his neck, as though working out some sort of internal struggle.
"Can you?" I frowned. "If you're not up to this, I need to know now."
Finally, he let out a long breath. "Yes. I'll do it. I hope in time you remember this moment. Remember whose side I'm truly on."
"I know whose side you're on. And it will never be forgotten, my friend."
His brows tightened momentarily, then it passed and he gave a stiff nod.
****
THE GATE WAS PROTECTED by one sole guard. But that sole guard was very heavily armed with magical enchantments of all kinds. There would be no time for a gentle approach. Our only hope was to get to him undetected and take him out just as quickly. Then find a way to breach the iron wall surrounding the city before they had time to restore the enchantments. That part would fall to Sylos. I would attempt to gain entry by the main gates, while he took them by surprise. We could not risk walking through the front and having someone alert them to Sylos's presence.
He was always boasting what a far better climber he was than I, this would be his chance to prove it. Iron burned the flesh from the bones of Fey, so even with my best protective magic I could only buy him a short time. The barrier coating his skin would be sufficient for a one-minute entry and exit. He would not be able to inhale, for it would slow his speed, and the iron would burn through the enchantment and his clothing. Eventually it would kill him. He had to be quick, and he could not delay. Get in, get the note to Lorelei, get out.
"Will she be able to get back in once she's escaped?" Sylos asked.
The enchantments would have to be lowered twice. Now, and again upon her return. For that I'd have to speak to the guard. "Go, I'll look after the guard."
I watched him sprint around to the far side of the iron wall and disappear into the shadows.
A time-worn Dwarf well past his prime stood guard. I surveyed him quickly, assessing his powers and his intentions. It was no accident they chose a Dwarf for this task. Their thoughts were unreadable to seers.
Guess we'll try the easy way first. I approached, and he immediately snapped to attention, standing rod straight and holding his spear tightly at his side. My long, black cloak swept the ground with every step, dusting my path with frost. If there was ever a time to divulge my true identity straight away, it was now.
With the key dangling from my finger, I moved in closer. "I am Lord Zanthiel, Prince of the Winter Court, and I've come on a mission from the Shadow Realm. I seek the princess Lorelei. She travels with Prince Adrius, and I know they are here behind the walls of your village." No one in this realm could speak of having seen them. As they had no tongues, and since most were unable to read or write, it truly was the perfect hiding place.
The guard narrowed his eyes, but did not look at me. "I cannot bid you access, whomever you claim to be. Not under any circumstance."
He speaks. My gaze narrowed. That was unexpected. Very well then, we shall communicate. "You will make an exception this time. You have no other choice."
"I am deeply sorry. But your situation is not of my making, friend."
I shifted my weight. "We are not friends. But if you cooperate, who knows? You could live long enough to see the day that we are," I said, sending a sliver of cold.
He shuddered, but remained rigid and focused on the forest behind me. “If you know what is best for you, sire, you will flee this realm without haste. It is widely known you are being hunted. Be gone now while you can. I say this but to warn you.”
I fought to hold back a slow grin, but failed. Miserably. "Warn me?" I nodded. "Clearly, you have no idea who I am. I am not in danger," I said. "I am the danger."
Holding his stare, I spoke in a low voice. "Here is how this will happen. You will stand down and let me pass. Or you will perish trying to prevent me from entering. I'd prefer no more blood be spilt, but King Oberon is rather indifferent. I have come a long way and endured many frustrating delays. You will not be another. A war must be prevented, and this girl is the only one who can do that."
In a sudden blur of movement, he took his spear and dug the end deep into the earth. A refusal to fight, yet refusing to back down.
I felt around for the magic protecting the village. It was strong. Meant to keep its inhabitants separated from the rest of the realm. Penetrating it without his help would be difficult, which meant I needed him alive. Ironic that the magic meant to keep her safe was the very magic now threatening that safety.
He remained at rigid attention, a well-bred soldier indeed. "I do not wish for war, but I am not at liberty to bid you entrance," he said stiffly. "If you wish to seek special permissions from High Order of Wizards, then I could comply with your request, sir. But without such permissions, I cannot let you pass. Not under any circumstance."
Etienne's reach was long indeed, and Oberon had no authority here. Perhaps I needed to change my tactics. I exhaled a long sigh. Lorelei was here and the only thing standing in the way of finding her was this Dwarf and his enchanted wall. They always choose the hard way. Why must they always choose the hard way?
Icicles formed on my fingertips; frost dusted my lips and clouded the air as I spoke. "It does not matter whether you would wish for war. War will come. And when it does, what you will wish for is death."
I seldom used my powers of persuasion unless absolutely required. But there were times, like now, when they were necessary. I might not be able to read his thoughts, but I could insert images into his mind. I pushed a dark image into his mind. Scenes of Faerie war. Winter, Summer, and Shadow battling the Shades for dominion over all the lands. Emissaries of darkness peeling flesh from the bones of others. Bruised and bloodied hands reached from a cloud of smoke, and stretched for him.
His face paled and his eyes widened with fright. He staggered back further and further from the illusory scene. It was not real, but it would feel terrifyingly real to him.
I finished with an image of his death. The gates he gave his life to protect ripped apart. His broken body thrown over rocks splattered with his blood, his beloved spear protruding from his chest.
"Stop!" he hollered. "Make it stop. I beg of you."
They were possibilities, merely threads of what could be, not etched in stone, as the future was forever changeable. But it was enough to frighten him into listening.
He looked about, then tugged his spear from the earth. He rapped it in a pattern against the metal scrolls curling around the gate. The protective magic shimmered and glowed. Then with a flash of blue it slid from the metal like melting ice, and sank to the ground at his feet.
He glanced at the towering gates. "This will only last a short time. The girl, she may exit and re-enter. After that I'm afraid there is little else I can do for you. Anything more, they will take notice and I will be relieved of my position. I am sympathetic to your cause, for I too fear war. But that cannot be said of all Keepers of the Key."
Suddenly, the gates slowly began to slide open of their own volition. We both turned in surprise. They ground to halt and a being stepped out. Tall, dressed in plain garb, the being walked slowly toward us, stopping in front of me.
Dark scrutinizing eyes glared at me from under a hooded cloak.
I could not see a face, but—those eyes...
Suddenly the world sped and slowed at once, as I recognized the eyes that recognized me.