The Lost Queen (15 page)

“Can they get through?” Tania asked. “You said that Eden had closed the way behind you.”

“That is so,” Sancha said. “But it will not take Lyonesse long to learn the secrets of the Oriole Glass and use it to send the Gray Knights through into this world.”

“Then let humankind beware!” said Cordelia. “There are thirteen black stones in Oberon's crown, so thirteen can be sent through the Glass. And when that happens the Gray Knights of Lyonesse will cut such a swathe through this world that men will speak of it for generations to come.”

“Nay, I think not,” Sancha said. “More likely they will act with stealth, keeping out of mortal sight until they have found us and put us to the sword. That will be their purpose, to see us all dead. For three days we were kept safe from the knights while Eden worked on an enchantment powerful enough to open a portal into the Mortal World. She had to counter the iron-clad sorcery that Lyonesse had thrown over the land
to prevent you from returning and bringing the Queen with you.”

“That's why I haven't been able to get into Faerie,” Tania said. “I've been trying and trying, but I just couldn't do it. I thought Gabriel had done something to me. I thought he was coming for me.” Another thought struck her. “I passed out for a few minutes on Friday night. That must have been when Rathina broke the amber prison.”

“Indeed it could be so,” Sancha said. “Such sorceries would reverberate twixt the worlds and I doubt not that you felt it.”

“Eden led us to the brown tower,” Zara said. “But Gray Knights pursued us. We entered with their swords at our very backs. We fled to the roof and Eden had us throw down the trapdoor and hold it shut while she spoke her incantations.” Her eyes became circular with remembered fear. “The knights beat at the door and we could not hold them back. But the incantation was complete even as they broke in on us. The floor beneath our feet became a rushing coil of red flame. ‘Jump! Jump for your lives!' Eden called to us. There was fear in me such as I have never known, but Eden would brook no delay. She thrust us into the fire, but she did not follow.” She brought her hands up to cover her face. “I fear that she was slain!”

Cordelia reached out a comforting hand to rest on Zara's shoulder. “Eden may yet still live,” she said. “She has great powers; not easily would she fall to the swords of Lyonesse.”

“Indeed,” Sancha said. “I feel in my heart that Eden lives still, but the way into the Mortal World is surely barred to her. We are alone and cannot call on her powers to help us.” She looked at Tania. “Eden sent us here with a great purpose. We are to aid you in your search for the Queen, for only if we find her and discover the means to take her back into Faerie can our world be saved from falling for all time under the tyranny of Lyonesse. It is only Queen Titania who can free Oberon now—and without Oberon all is surely lost! If Faerie falls then it will not be long ere the dark armies of Lyonesse will pour into this world and enslave all of humankind. For that is Lyonesse's great desire, to become the tyrant of both Faerie and the Mortal World!”

Despite what Sancha had said Tania felt a crushing weight of responsibility for the evils unfolding in Faerie. It was her carelessness that had given Rathina the weapon she needed to free the King of Lyonesse and set all this in motion.

She had prided herself on being Faerie's savior, the one who brought back light and joy. Now, not only was she responsible for the unleashing of death and terror in Faerie, but if Sancha was right, that horror would soon be stalking the streets of London.

“The Gray Knights will have told the Sorcerer King what occurred at Bonwn Tyr,” Sancha said. “He knows that the Mortal World is but a mirror of Faerie. Even if Eden managed to seal utterly the portal that she opened for us, Lyonesse still has the use of the Oriole Glass. It will not take him long to judge where in this world we emerged and then he will send his
knights through to kill us before we can find our mother.” Her hands were interlocked on the table, the knuckles white. “There can be no delay. Two worlds depend upon us!”

Tania stared at her. “But I don't know what to do.”

Sancha's expression hardened. “You have not the luxury of indecision, Tania,” she said. “We do not know this world. You must be our guide.” Her voice snapped like a whip. “Be strong, Tania! Where is the Queen?”

“In China, about ten thousand miles away.”

“So far?” Cordelia said breathlessly. “How may we reach her in time?”

“We can't,” Tania said. “But she's coming back here soon. I just don't know exactly when.” A sudden need filled her. “I have to call Edric. He has to know about this.” Her eyes widened. “And Jade, what am I going to say to Jade? I'm supposed to be flying to Florida in ten hours' time.”

“Flying?” Zara said. “I thought the Mystic Arts were gone from this world. How do you fly? Mortals have no wings.”

“We use airplanes,” Tania said. “There isn't time to explain it now.” She stood up. “I'm going to call Edric. We need him here.”

“Call him?” Sancha looked puzzled. “How will he hear?”

“We have machines for speaking to each other over long distances,” Tania said. “Mine is upstairs. I won't be long. Be careful not to touch anything. If
you're hungry, I'll make you something to eat soon.”

She ran upstairs to her bedroom. Her hands were shaking so much that she could hardly press the keypad on her phone. She decided to call the Andersons first.

Jade's mother picked up.

“Mrs. Anderson? It's Tania—Anita Palmer.”

“Oh, hello, dear. Just a moment and I'll fetch Jade.”

“No, listen. I'm very sorry about this. I know how kind you've been in agreeing to me coming on holiday with you, but I can't…I can't come.”

There was a moment of silence. “Is there a problem? Has something happened?”

“No, nothing bad,” Tania said.

“You can't just ring up to cancel at the last moment,” Mrs. Anderson said sharply. “What are you playing at, Anita?”

“I'm really sorry,” Tania said. “The thing is, I've realized that I need to be with my parents right now. You know, after everything that happened. I thought it would be okay to go away, but I
have
to be with them.” That was certainly no lie—she was desperate to be with her Faerie mother and father, more desperate than she could possibly say. “You do understand, don't you?”

“Well, yes I do, Anita, but haven't they gone already?”

“Yes, but I'm going to follow by train. I've checked out the times and everything. It'll be fine. I have to leave right away, though.”

“I suppose we might be able to sell the flight ticket
back to the airline,” Mrs. Anderson said, the tone of her voice revealing her annoyance. “You really should have thought this through sooner, Anita. Jade will be very disappointed.”

“I know. Please tell her I'm really sorry that I've let her down like this.”

“I will.” There was a pause. “Are you
sure
you know what you're doing?” Mrs. Anderson asked. “Cornwall is a long way to travel on your own.”

“Don't worry,” Tania said. “It's a straight run on the train, and I'll pick up a taxi at the other end that'll take me right to the cottage. I'll let you know the minute I get there.”

“Well, okay then, if you're sure.”

“I am. Thanks for understanding. Tell Jade I'll see her soon. Bye.”

Tania pressed to break the line. That was one problem solved, for the time being at least, and it was pointless worrying about what would happen when her parents found out she hadn't gone to Florida.

She was shaking worse than ever now. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she pressed Edric's number. She needed him to be here with her.

 

A couple of minutes after finishing her call to Edric she received a text message from Jade:
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU
!!!

She'd texted back:
SORRY
.
I HAD NO CHOICE
.

The return text was a single angry word:
WHATEVER
!!!

She didn't respond.

While they were still waiting for Edric to arrive, Tania used a knife to prize three of the black amber jewels from Titania's crown so that each of the princesses could have a protective stone on them.

Once her sisters were safe from the threat of metal Tania took Sancha and Zara on a tour of the house. Cordelia didn't accompany them, preferring to sit on the threshold of the open back door and gaze out into the garden with her fingers knotted in her lap. Being in the Mortal World seemed to weigh heavily on her spirit, more heavily than it did with the others.

Despite the fact that they were still obviously badly shocked from what had happened, Zara and Sancha were curious about the house, asking questions, wanting to know whether all the rooms were for Tania's private use. She explained that her parents lived here with her, but that they had gone away on holiday.

Sancha wanted to know the use and purpose of everything she was shown. Zara wandered the rooms like a puzzled child, running her hands over the furniture, exploring their different textures and contours.

“And what purpose does this gray box serve?” Sancha asked, peering at the television set in the corner of the living room.

“I'll show you.” Tania picked up the remote and the television screen burst into life. Some kind of talk show was under way. Sancha's eyes grew wide. She reached to touch the screen.

“'Tis cool, like glass,” she said breathlessly. She looked at Tania. “These people are not within the box, are they? We are seeing them from afar. Zara, come look: It is like our mother's gift.”

Zara gazed at the television, her eyes filled with wonder. “'Tis like a puppet show!”

“What did you mean about it being like our mother's gift?” Tania asked Sancha.

“The Queen has the gift to see into faraway places by looking into the face of still, pure water,” Sancha replied. “But tell me, do all mortals have such devices? Can you use it to seek out the lair of an enemy and to spy upon his actions? That would be most useful to us in our present plight.”

“It doesn't work like that,” Tania said. “I can't choose what to look at—well, I
can
, but not in the way you mean.” The thought of trying to explain modern technology to her sisters made Tania's head spin. “It works with a thing called electricity,” she said. “It's complicated.”

“I do not understand this play!” Zara said. “The actors speak too rapidly and give no time for their fellows to say their lines.” She called out to the television set. “Speak more slowly, I beg you!”

“They can't hear you,” Tania said. “And it's not a play, Zara. It's real…sort of.”

Sancha frowned. “You say it is not a play, and yet you cannot join in as they converse,” she said. “So what is its purpose?”

“It's supposed to be entertaining,” Tania said. She
sighed. “But mostly it isn't.” She pressed the remote and the screen went blank. “Shall we see how Cordelia is doing?”

They went back to the kitchen. Cordelia was still seated cross-legged on the threshold of the garden door. There was a robin perched on the edge of her hand and she was smiling as she listened to the
chirr chirr chirr
of its call.

As they entered the bird took off in a flurry of brown wings and sped in a dipping and rising flight down the garden.

“Sorry,” Tania said. “Did we frighten it?”

“A little, perhaps,” Cordelia said, getting up. “She speaks well of your mortal father, Tania. She says he talks to her in the garden and digs up worms for her to eat. She is happy here.” She smiled. “I am glad that it is so. It eases my heart somewhat to know it.”

Tania smiled back. “So maybe the Mortal World isn't quite as horrible as you thought.”

Cordelia looked at her. “I would know far more of it ere I believe that,” she said gravely.

 

Edric arrived about half an hour later. Tania had only told him the bare facts over the phone, and it was harrowing to see the horror that grew in his face as Sancha retold the tale of the Sorcerer King's liberation.

They were gathered in the living room now, huddled together like the shell-shocked victims of some terrible disaster. Edric was restless, hardly able to sit
still for a minute, constantly getting up and pacing the room. “Are we safe here?” he demanded. “How long will it take for the Gray Knights to track us down?”

“At least a few hours, surely?” Tania said. “Even if the King can work out exactly where this house is in relation to Bonwn Tyr, London isn't like Faerie. They'd have to search the whole area street by street.”

“How do you mean, street by street?” Cordelia asked. “Is this dwelling in a town in the Mortal World? In Faerie 'tis but a lone tower on the heath.”

Tania opened her mouth to explain, then thought better of it. She went over to a sideboard and took out an
A–Z
map of London. She flicked through the pages to find Camden. She handed the open book to Cordelia; Zara and Sancha drew close to see.

Tania pointed to a spot on the page of crisscrossed roads and streets and avenues and terraces. “That's us,” she said. “The rest of the book is all London.”

“Sun, moon, and stars,” said Sancha, turning the pages. “And do many people dwell in this great confusion?”

“About seven million of them,” Tania said. “Give or take.”

Cordelia looked appalled. “How do they not lose their sanity to be crushed together in such numbers?”

Tania gave a weak smile. “Plenty of them do,” she said. “The point is that we're surrounded by other houses here. The knights won't find us that easily.”

“Nevertheless, they
will
find us,” Sancha said. “And when they do we shall be in the very greatest peril.”

Cordelia grimaced. “As will they!” she said. “Not without hewn limbs and severed heads will they take this life of mine.” She picked up the long bundle from the seat beside her and laid it on her lap. “We have not come into this world unarmed.” She untied the roll of cloth and opened it. Inside lay three slender swords of pure white crystal.

“Three swords against thirteen?” Zara said. “I like not those odds.” She picked up one of the swords and stood up. Tania watched as she spread her footing, one arm curved back, her sword arm thrust forward, her eyes narrowed. “But they will feel my sting ere the final darkness falls!”

“We have four swords,” Sancha said. “Eden's blade also passed through the portal before it closed.” She looked at Tania. “Four swords and four princesses.”

“I don't know how to use a sword,” Tania said. “Edric should have the fourth one.”

“No,” Edric said. “You must have Princess Eden's sword. When the Gray Knights come they'll try to kill you first. Without you the rest of us are stranded here. You have to be able to defend yourself.”

She frowned. “I just told you, I don't know how to use it.”

“That is not true,” Sancha said. “Say rather, you do not
remember
how to use a sword. The skill will come back to you; have no fear.”

“Sancha is right,” Cordelia said. “You were ever a dazzling swordswoman. Of all of us only Rathina could match you.”

Zara lunged across the floor, her blade weaving a sparkling web in the candlelight as she thrust and parried. “The death blow!” she shouted. “And then there were only twelve!”

“We cannot afford to meet them in battle,” Sancha said. “Edric speaks true: The death of Tania will be the ruin of us all. Our only hope is to stay hidden until we meet with the Queen.”

“Fie!” Cordelia spat. “It burns my heart to run from such carrion! We should make our stand here.” Her eyes gleamed. “Or better yet we should take the fight to them. What is thirteen? They will fall like wheat before the scythe!”

“Thirteen is but the vanguard,” Sancha said. “Once Lyonesse learns the secret of Tasha Dhul his armies will number in the thousands.”

“What's Tasha Dhul?” Tania asked. As with many things in Faerie the name rang faint bells in her head, although she had no idea what it meant.

“It is the hidden mine,” Sancha said. “It holds the greatest secret of Faerie. Only there in all our world can black amber be found. For years beyond count the Sorcerer King has lusted to find the mine, and many thousands of Faeries have perished in the wars he waged to conquer us. But the secret is still lost to him, for only King Oberon and Queen Titania know the location of Tasha Dhul and they will never render up the secret, though Faerie be laid waste before their eyes.”

Tania understood the importance of black amber;
it was the only shield the people of Faerie had against the deadly effects of metal.

“If the Sorcerer King finds the mine,” Sancha continued, “which surely he will once his armies have swept over our land, then he will make jewels of black amber enough to protect an army of tens of thousands.” She looked solemnly at Tania. “Then he will send his knights teeming into this world and Isenmort will be no defense against them.”