Missing Royal (10 page)

“Thanks for the tip,” I say, though it doesn’t really do me much good. I have no idea which way is west and which is south. I just know where the mountain is compared to where I’m sitting—sorta.

“Look, come here.” Javiar takes the reins and pulls Star after him. She, of course, doesn’t budge until I nudge her with my leg. It makes me laugh, but as he’s trying to help me, I make it a silent laugh.

He walks me out the castle gates and through part of what used to be a trading town. People stare, and a few bow when they recognize who I am. But mostly we are ignored. He leads me until we reach the edge of the forest.

“Take this road until you reach the fork. Then turn right. If you ride at a steady pace, it should take you one day to reach the base of the mountain. Do not climb at night—make camp at the base of the mountain. Tie Star up, keep a fire going. Climb, choose your path carefully, and you can reach the peak just before it gets dark. Make camp, start a fire, and be ready for anything.

“The following morning is when you’ll meet her. Speak carefully and watch everything you say. Don’t tell her who you are unless she already knows. Under no circumstances do you tell her your feelings. Listen to what she has to say—listen carefully because she will only say it once. And don’t ask for clarification on anything. She will speak in riddles, and it’s up to you to figure them out.”

I nod, taking note of everything he says. He sounds like he knows what he is talking about, and without guidance from anyone else, it’s all I have to go by.

“Thank you.” I take a deep breath, ready to get this over with.

“Shanice.” Now he seems concerned. “Be safe out there. If I could go with you, I would.” He takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I know you can do this. I know you’re ready despite how you feel. Trust yourself. And when you feel like giving up, like it isn’t worth it, know what’s waiting for you when you return.” He turns around and looks down the road.

Riding toward us is Valentino. He approaches slowly, seeing Javiar with me, but the fact that he came is all I need. Javiar begins walking back to the castle and I feel bad that he’s been driven way every time we’re together—since I arrived.

“Thank you, Javiar!” I yell. He turns around and grins before running back inside the gates. I turn to Valentino, unsure what to say.

“You forgot something that you’re going to want. And need.” He picks up the item wrapped in black cloth from his lap and holds it out to me. I take it in both hands and slowly unwrap it. The weapon is breath taking. The guard is unlike anything I’ve seen. The bottom is a claw, the top a wing, and the pommel a dragon’s head.

“This is absolutely stunning, Valentino. Where did you get this?” I look up at him, astonished with the gift.

“Come with me.” He rides between the trees, further onto the path Javiar told me to take. “I told you that you wouldn’t be going alone. This world needs you, and that means we’re going to help you. You have the protection of dragons. That sword isn’t from me.”

“Who is it from?” I laugh, a little confused.

“
Me.”
The voice is inside my head. It’s the deepest voice I’ve ever heard but lulling. I look up and almost fall off Star. Oh, my goodness, there’s a dragon in front of me. Pretty sure I wasn’t expecting that. In fact, I hadn’t realized dragons were real.

My heart rate is three times the speed it should be. I can’t move, I can’t breathe—there’s a real live dragon in front of me. He’s huge—massive. His scales are teal with streaks of purple. Down his stomach is white. His eyes are a mesmerizing purple that match his mismatched scales.

“
Welcome home, Princess.”
He steps closer, examining me. His wings brush the trees on either side of the path. He could eat me in one bite, and he’s currently stalking around me like he wants to. “
I am Fuentes, and I am not here to harm you—only to help you. You are far too important to eat.”
He chuckles. My entire body feels the rumble.

“Thank you.” I meant to sound strong but my thank you comes out as more of a question.

“
That sword is more than it appears. I advise you to take care of it. Watch over it. And when you are at the brink of failing, it will be your greatest help.”
He lowers his head, bowing—to me.

“Thank you,” I say, stronger this time. I wonder if Valentino can hear what this dragon is saying or just what’s coming out of my mouth. Fuentes. I need to remember that name.

“
Be on your journey. You will need all the daylight you can get. Be safe, Princess.”
The trees almost fall over as he flaps his wings and takes off into the sky.

“I … I just met a real dragon!” If the idea of falling off Star didn’t terrify me, I probably would’ve passed out. Instead, I take deep breaths and focus on the task at hand.

I tie the sheath around my waist and try to get used to the extra weight hanging from my side.

“I will be waiting for you in Garverdale in one week’s time. Be careful.” Valentino says, looking just as ill as I feel. My heart falls to pieces as I watch him ride way. Once he has rounded the trees and I can’t see him anymore, I continue forward.

Follow the road until you hit the fork, then turn right.

I repeat Javiar’s instructions constantly in my head until I reach the fork. Gnarled trees, bushes as tall as five feet, animals rustling the leaves—I didn’t think riding through a forest could be so terrifying. I feel like I’m being watched constantly, and not in a good way.

I don’t dare stop—I wouldn’t know what do to anyway. I keep riding. I take the right fork, and Star and I trudge along the path. For a trail that leads to a mountain hardly ever visited, it sure does seem clear. No roots or greenery taking over the road—it’s completely barren.

I try to keep my mind clear, think of anything that’s comforting instead of all the things terrifying me right now. I have no idea what I’m doing. I will reach that mountain by nightfall, climb it tomorrow but really, I’m not sure what I’m thinking.

Why do these people believe it’s a good idea to send me off on my own when I’ve been here less than a week? Perhaps they
weren’t
thinking. Maybe they’re all mistaken—I just might be the wrong person. Maybe they only thought I was the kid they left behind and in fact I’m a regular girl and this is all a huge mistake.

Maybe this is a practical joke that just hasn’t ended yet. Maybe I was in an accident and am now lying in a hospital in a coma and this is my mind going crazy. Or I really am here, in another world, now riding off to my death.

I gulp and try not to panic. It’s okay. If Valentino didn’t think I could do this, he wouldn’t have sent me. He would’ve come with me, at least. Or maybe he cares less than I thought but that’s also depressing.

The closer I am to the mountain, the more I notice all the things that makes this daunting. Like the fact that it’s white due to snow—snow on the mountain in spring. But this isn’t just a little snow. In fact, it looks like quite a bit of snow that I’m going to have to climb through.

All the times I wished to be a princess as a kid? I wish I could take it back. All the brats at school who thought they were superior? I would love to bring them here so they can see what it’s really like. Oh, how I would love to see the looks on their faces if they had to do this task.

Of course, seeing them face-to-face with a dragon would’ve been just as good.

Some things I miss about home
.
Mom, Dad, horseback riding in the safety of fences with Valentino. But does that balance out the things I hated? School, the teasing and taunting, all the pranks and jokes at my expense, no friends.

Does it compare to the life I’m living now? Riding off to a snow-capped mountain, my one friend hates me, a dragon who bows to me—in fact, everyone bows and curtsies. The people expect me to be their hero. They look at me with admiration. But I feel just as alone as I did before. They want me to rescue them but I don’t see anyone offering to help me.

A rustle in the trees startles Star. She begins slowly walking backwards, despite my pushing her forward. But as I hear the crunch of twigs on either side of me, I know this isn’t the same as just some small animals running through the forest. Three guys emerge from them, confirming my fears.

“Well, looky what we have here.” The guy speaking is missing teeth, causing a whistle. His accent sounds like it’s more from being drunk than anything.

“She’s worth a prity penny, no doubt,” the guy on my left says, sneering. He’s missing teeth and is no doubt drunk, judging by the way he wobbles. “What’s a perty thing like yur doin’ out here anyhow?” He comes a little closer.

“I advise you both to consider what you’re doing before you do it. If you so much as a lay a finger on my horse, let alone me, I will cut it off.” I unsheathe my sword. They don’t appear fazed in the least.

In fact, the first guy walks up, giggling like a school girl, and pets Star. She’s just as disgusted as I am. In a single move, I jump from the saddle and pull the man’s hand behind his back, letting the cool blade rest on his finger.

“I did warn you,” I say, my voice darker than I thought it could go.

“Please, miss. We’re just havin’ a bit o’ fun.” He whimpers. I push him forward, and in the movement, my blade nicks his finger. He puts in his mouth to stop the bleeding.

“Yur little witch!” The other guy pulls a much nastier blade from his side and charges at me. I’m starting to feel like I’m not really in control of myself as I use the blade to spin around and block the drunkard’s blow before he knows what’s coming.

In two seconds flat, he’s on his behind in the dirt. This blade isn’t just a sword that looks nice. Fuentes’ words begin to make a lot more sense.

“I am warning you one last time. Leave me be, or lose your limbs one by one.” My voice is hoarse, dark, in control. Inside I am shaking, terrified of what these guys could do to me. I must remember to thank Fuentes endlessly for the gift.

“We meant no harm to yur.” The bleeding one steps back, hands up. The other scrambles backwards in the dirt to get closer to his buddy.

“Then go back to wherever you’re from.” I put one foot in the stirrup and throw my other leg over the saddle. I ride off before they can do any more harm. Once they’re out of sight, I sheath the sword and shake on the outside as much as I was on the inside. I could’ve died. Or worse. Oh, it could’ve been so much worse.

Maybe this path isn’t so barren after all. A shudder crawls up my spine. I want to barf just thinking what could’ve happened. But it didn’t, and I’m safe. I look at the sword, shuddering again. That sword had more control over me than I did it. I might complain if it hadn’t just saved my life.

It begins getting dark as the sun slowly sets and I haven’t yet reached the base of the mountain. But I push on. I still have enough daylight to make it. I can see the moon above me as the sun disappears further. But I continue walking. I can see the perfect clearing at the base of the mountain. With every step, it seems the sun is rising again as it gets brighter.

With Javiar’s warning on repeat, I realize this is a witch I am approaching. She doesn’t want people to bother her, which means she will use any tricks she can to stop me from getting to her. With that in mind I decide to make camp tonight, and climb tomorrow.

While the light isn’t being messed with, I’m not sure how I’ll know when it’s morning but I trudge on until I reach the mountain. I start a fire as fast as I can get one made. Star is tied to a branch, her saddle removed. She’s stuck here until I return from visiting the Oracle.

Luckily, there is plenty of grass for her to munch on. The fake sun has disappeared, leaving me the moonlight, and it shines brightly upon the clearing where I’ve made camp. I look up at the beauty around me.

I don’t bother eating supper. I can’t stomach it after what I’ve been through today. I can’t get all those images out of my head, all the things that could’ve happened. I lay my blankets out and get comfy but it isn’t actually all
that
comfy.

And I can’t stop shivering. I feel so cold, so lonely. As if another gift being bestowed upon me, Star lies beside me. With the extra warmth, I fall asleep.

My hands are frozen. If there’s one thing I want right now, it’s gloves. The mountain isn’t just covered in snow—it’s as if the mountain is ice itself. I grasp at another piece, pulling myself upward.

My boots continue slipping from the glassy surface, making the climb harder with every step. I feel any second now my entire body will go numb, sending me falling backwards to my death. It’s the gruesome image—me falling to my death at the base of the mountain—that keeps me clinging on.

I wonder why Fuentes didn’t just offer me a ride up this mountain. But still, I hold on, anchoring myself higher. The fear of falling has me gripping so tight, I fear I might crush or melt the ice.

“
Your fear of falling has kept your heart at bay while you believe it to be open to the one you love,”
a gravelly voice says in my head. It alone almost causes me to lose my grip. I don’t care much for people speaking to me in my head.

My muscles tighten, my arm weakens. I feel all hope is lost as I try to find another grip. A bony, wrinkled hand grasps my wrist. I look up through the snowy storm and see the one who spoke to me pulling me beyond the lip to safety. “Welcome, Shanice.” Her lips are purple, her skin a pasty white—only surpassed by the white of her hair, which matches the snow.

I step into what looks like a cave of ice. But it isn’t nearly as cold as it was outside. And there’s no bitter wind. A table sits in the middle of the room. What looks like a kitchen in one corner, and a small makeshift bed sits across from it.

“Thank you.” I again find myself lost, not knowing the witch’s name.

“Selma. My name is Selma. And that is no reason to feel lost. Now sit. There is much to discuss about your fate, and the fate that rests in your hands.” I take a seat on what looks like a block of ice – just like the table. Even her furniture is made of glassy ice.

She sits opposite me. A wave of her hand and the seats are warm. A second wave and a table rests between us. She pulls my hands to her and looks at each of my palms, as if reading my entire story from the lines found there.

“I am not a mind reader from your world, girl. I read the lines but not in the way you think. Those from the other world make things up, they lie. Their powers are weak and stem from my own. The Oracles you know of are fakes and thieves. Do not compare my great power to their simple tales of riches and fame.” She spits.

I nod, unsure what to say. I feel like my mind is being pried open with her speaking my every thought.

“You are wise. Of the few that make the climb to my home, many dream of their lovers and their wishes. They think of all that could be, all they believe to be, and all that will never come. You are brave, coming through this storm when you do not know anything of this world. You are a stranger to your own home. Is this true?”

I don’t know why she asks but because she did, I reply. “Yes. But I will do what I have to whatever it takes.”

She smiles and waives her hands about. “Now, you wish to know the fate of the royals you must find. Some are dreamers, some ran for their lives, some never lived, and few will help you.”

I try to take mental notes of everything she says.

“My riddles are what you need. They allow interpretation to the individual so allow me to speak in your mind.”

“I cannot stop you,” I state, keeping my tone calm.

“Oh, dear worldly child, if only your magic were that mild. You think you have no power but the truth of it all, is you have more than the witch princess who had a fall. Now open your mind and let me in, or rhymes you’ll be given and your life will fall to those of men.” Her words make no sense to me. It sounds like I’ll die by the hand of men and not the princess I am fighting. I close my eyes and imagine a mental block opening.

“Follow my guidance and all will be saved. But heed my words or the world will be slaved. The princess you seek is not one to be found. She fights to end you so she may be crowned. Follow the winged and enter the cave. Be not haughty, or you, dear princess, will be slayed. Two tiny creatures will ask for your hand. Offer but one, or you’ll fall into sand. Darkness shall engulf you in a moment of need—patience will guide you or the darkness you’ll feed. Choose the one you love most and don’t let him go, for love alone is something she does not know.”

Selma releases my hands. I rub them together as the cold returns. In that moment, all I could feel were her words. I repeat every one of them in my mind, knowing I can’t forget any of what she said or all may be lost.

“Go, princess, and meet him now. He awaits you before your journey can begin.” She waves her hand over my eyes and all goes dark, fading like a dream.

I sit up, startled. Star is lying beside me, and the blankets are still wrapped around me. The fire is almost out and the moon shines brightly down on me. I think back to Selma, the mountain, the climb, the riddle and I’m not sure if any of it actually happened or if it was all in my head. “
Go.”
I look around, hearing her urging me to leave.

I know all I came to find out. It doesn’t make sense but she finished helping me and now she’s sending me away.

Just as I stand, the sun begins to rise. She must enjoy tricking people into believing they’re going crazy because that’s how I feel right now. I saddle Star as fast as I can, stomp out the fire, and ride, pushing Star to run. The rustle of bushes and thoughts of evil, drunken men don’t scare me as much as the witch’s words. I don’t know what they mean exactly but one thing is very clear—Mendina wishes to take my life in order to claim the throne.

My kingdom is the one most in danger. I push Star faster and faster until I have to lie against her neck so I won’t be pushed off by the wind. It took me most of the day to reach the mountain but I return in mere hours.

I don’t slow as I ride through the gates. I pull Star to a stop in the courtyard and leave her there as I dash through the oak doors I didn’t see upon my first arrival. Through those doors, I run into the great hall.

My father is speaking with one of the men I saw passing by in the village yesterday. It wouldn’t stand out to me, but after what Selma just told me and the weird sense that overcomes me, telling me something is wrong. “No!” I yell just as the man pulls a knife from his pants.

My legs carry me as fast as I can go, barreling straight into the assassin. He doesn’t have time to react. The knife catches in my armor but doesn’t pierce through. We both fall to the ground. His head lolls as air is knocked out of him.

For good measure, I punch him as hard as I can, making sure he is unconscious. “Shanice, what is going on?” The king stands there, looking furious—at me.

“He was an assassin, Father. Come to kill you and the queen.” I’m filthy and tired and I can’t stay. Mendina is bold enough to send assassins to kill my parents while I’m away but she’d better learn fast that I won’t leave them unprotected.

“This man was here begging for food for his family. What proof do you have that he was an assassin?” I never once thought that saving the life of the king would get me scolded. But if he wants to act this way, two can have a royal temper. I stand my ground.

“I just saved your life. Proof? Have you ever seen this man before? Has
anyone
seen this man before? Is there proof he has a starving family in town? This man was about to kill you. And not even you would’ve seen it coming.”

With that, I turn on my heel and walk away. The only reason I don’t leave for Garverdale right this second is because I don’t know how to find Garverdale. So I go in search of the person who I know I can count on to help me. Javiar.

My anger pumps through me, the adrenaline keeping me moving. I don’t stop when the people I pass curtsy or bow. I pretend not to see them at all. I continue walking until I find a maid I’ve seen before.

“Wait!” I shout to get her attention, startling her. “Do you know where I can find Javiar?” She nods, wide-eyed. “Sorry. Please show me where he is.”

“Ma’am, I am working for the queen. But I can tell you.” She looks around, frantic, unsure which orders to follow.

“Where?”

“The library.” She points the way I need to go.

“Thank you.” I don’t wait for a response. I just continue stomping down the corridor. Once I’m standing outside the library door I take a calming breath and compose myself.

I realize I must be quite a sight—wearing men’s clothing and armor, chainmail and cuffs, my hair braided back. My face covered in dirt, my fingers still icy from the mountain. I open the door. The room is silent except the occasional murmur of pages being turned.

I look around until I see him, his back turned to me as he flips through book after book stacked on the table. I step beside him, reading over his shoulder. I don’t see a full two words before the book slams shut and he whips around.

“Oh. What’re you doing here? I thought you were speaking to the Oracle.” He moves around the edge of the table, a book clasped behind his back.

“I did. I also just saved my parents from an assassin my father doesn’t believe is an assassin, but that isn’t the point. I don’t know how to get to Garverdale, and I’m not going alone. Pack your bag and meet me in the stables in twenty minutes.” I stomp back out.

“Shanice!” Javiar says. I turn to see him rushing towards me. “Take a break. Allow Star to rest, pack more supplies, and then we’ll go. Promise.” He places his palm to my cheek. I take a deep breath.

“Okay. Two hours and then we’ll go.” Relaxed a bit, I leave him to pack and I go to put Star in the stables before resting, myself.

Two hours later, as promised I return the stables where Star is ready to leave, so ever patiently waiting for me. The stable boy is at her side.

I take the reins from his small fingers and lead Star to the stables myself. I remove her saddle and brush her coat.

Ten minutes later, I put the saddle back on Star and mount just as he walks in the door. “What’s going on? You’re angry, panicked, in a hurry, and not really following instructions.”

“How long is it till we reach Garverdale?” I ask, ignoring all of his questions.

He glares at me before mounting. “At least two days’ ride. We’ll for sure have to camp tonight,” he adds.

“Let’s go. Lead the way.”