Esterpine

Talon's final days in Esterpine passed in a blur of meetings. After a week of arguing—a week of terrible food—he had successfully convinced Queen Jade to put the Stones back where they belonged. It was a relief that he couldn't wait to share with Claire. Would she be proud of him for swallowing his pride?

No longer confined to the Crystal Palace, he found himself wandering the streets of Esterpine. The Sprites generally avoided him. Some regarded him with hooded gazes. Others slipped away into the mist. There were a few who offered friendly smiles, but overall, they were a hard bunch to get on with.

Being a Drengr had a lot to do with that. Sprites had forever disliked those of draconic blood. Why should that change? While he was willing to let bygones be bygones, they had much older memories.

One day. One painfully slow day was all that remained before he could bid this smothering place good riddance. He strolled through the city, thinking about all the things he was eager to return to. Hunting. Real food. Flying. Open sky. And Claire.

The clang of metal gave him pause. He followed it to the sparring grounds and blinked, taking in the scene. Several of his Drengr were occupied. A few had partnered up with Sprites. He almost snorted at the sight. Despite their distaste, Sprites were eager to prove their strength, to prove their superiority at any given opportunity. He shouldn't have been surprised.

A quick glance nearby told him he wasn't the only one watching. A few Riders had taken up positions along the perimeter to observe their mates. He offered them polite nods and received easy smiles in return.

"Glad to see you, my king." Bedelth strode over, gripping his shoulder in a friendly greeting. "Jeanine and I are sparring over there, but I would be glad to cross blades if it suits you. She's ready to drop anyway."

He glanced in the direction Bedelth pointed. Bedelth hadn't lied. Jeanine stood all but sagging and red-faced, taking in gasps of air. "Looks like you've given her a good run."

Bedelth smiled. "I'm going easy on her, whether she knows it or not."

He chuckled. "She any good?"

"Decent enough for a human. Care to observe?"

"Lead the way."

The two of them crossed the grounds, passing by Raynor and Sellel. He paused, Bedelth continuing on, oblivious that he'd stopped. Raynor and Sellel's Sveraks flashed back and forth quickly enough to become a blur. Sellel took the offensive, pushing Raynor back step by step, each of his blows precise. Raynor met every one—but barely. Until Sellel swept his Sverak around in a wide arc, bringing it down and dragging it across Raynor's hip.

Blood sprayed from the wound, splattering the ground. "Nice try!" Raynor growled, jumping out of harm's way. Seconds later, the wound healed. All that was left was a rip in his tunic. They both glanced at their king, halting their fight for a moment, bowing their heads in respect.

Talon returned the gesture before continuing on. Bedelth stood at Jeanine's side, speaking in a low voice. She nodded at whatever he was saying.

He came to a stop at the edge of their sparring ring. Jeanine's wide eyes fixed on him. She offered a sloppy curtsy that made him chuckle and say, "Extra points if you can make Bedelth bleed." At this, she grinned and nodded.

"Ready?" Bedelth asked.

She took up a fighting stance in answer. Bedelth drew his blade. It glowed blue, imbued with some form of magic that made it safe against her. She was human, after all. Jeanine's blade, however, carried no such protection.

They circled three times before Bedelth took the offensive and came bearing down on her. She met his Sverak with her own sword. The clang of metal broke the silence that had escalated between them. They danced back and forth, blade against blade.

He watched Jeanine's footwork, noting the way she placed each step and how she held her weight. Impressive. She wasn't a novice. His eyes narrowed. Her style was almost...Sprite-like. Fluid movements. Calculated intent. Had they trained her while she was here?

Jeanine circled and brought her blade across Bedelth's thigh, drawing a spray of blood. "Argh!" Bedelth gave a half-hearted yelp, probably for her benefit, and side-stepped. The wound disappeared, but Jeanine's victorious smile did not.

"He does her no favors—going easy on her like that."

He tensed at the voice, turning. "Prince Feowen," he said by way of greeting.

"I certainly do not go easy on her." Feowen shrugged. "Her request, not mine."

He snorted. "That explains her style. You're the one training her, I take it?"

"Guilty as charged. But what of you, King Talon? Care to cross blades with a Sprite?"

He eyed Feowen. From what he knew, the prince was thousands of years older than he. That alone was unsettling. He was used to being the best. The top of the food chain. The top of Dragonwall's power hierarchy. Not here. With a blade in hand, this pretty little prince would shred his skin into ribbons.

"Tempting," he answered. "Perhaps another time."

Feowen arched a curious eyebrow. "Very well."

He gave the prince a nod before slipping away into the shadows, leaving Bedelth and Jeanine to their sparring. When he got far enough away from Esterpine, he found an isolated tree stump and sank down onto it.

Finally. A moment of peace. He slipped a hand into his vest, removing Claire's letter from within. It had only just arrived that morning. Stamped with a crest from Ellia Outpost.

The letter was long, he realized. And if it were from anyone else, its length would annoy him. But instead, he was all the more eager. The longer the better.

His eyes devoured her words.

Dear Talon,

Thank you for your letter. It was a pleasant surprise. I am glad to hear that you reached the forest's edge safely. By the time this gets to you, you will be happily settled, I hope.

I wish I was there, too. I long for the forest, for its beauty. For the way it makes me feel. I cannot help but wonder if there is a deeper reason for this. Please don't forget to speak with you know who on that matter. It has frequently been on my mind since your departure.

I am sorry to hear that your journey was difficult. The burden you carry, as you say, was my own for a time. I know what it is like. Fortunately, it isn't forever. Soon, this will be behind you.

Please do ensure that you return in time for the tournament. I would hate to attend the ball without a partner now that we have decided to go together. My gown is nearly finished. Madame Rosanne fitted it just yesterday. I admit, it is her finest creation. I think even you will be impressed.

My lessons with Koldis and Jovari are moving slowly. Perhaps I am inept. I find myself frustrated that I have not progressed as much as I would like. I understand that these things take time, but time we do not have. Fortunately, I am a much better archer than swordswoman, except for the times Cyrus decides to show himself.

On that matter, I still haven't the courage to open the box you gave me.

As for behaving myself, I suppose that is up for interpretation. I haven't gotten into trouble yet, if that is what you're wondering. But I have done a bit of...exploring. In fact, just this morning I stumbled upon a storeroom in the keep with a very interesting painting. Can you guess what it was? No? Then I shall tell you. It was a painting of you—the younger version, of course. I had always wondered what you looked like in your younger days, and now I know.

It almost felt wrong, to view you as you once were. Like I needed your permission first. I hope you will not be angry with me. Seeing your younger self has helped me to understand you better, if that makes sense.

My magic lessons are moving slowly, too. Marcel and I haven't had luck with our research. I will forgo details, as you have requested, in case this letter is intercepted. It nearly brings me to tears when I think about all those suffering. I hope a solution presents itself soon, before more die.

That's all for now. I look forward to your response and your return.

Yours Truly,

Claire

Ps. I hope you are enjoying their food.

He laughed outright at the last part. Enjoying their food, indeed! She knew exactly what would strike a nerve.

He read the letter again, slower this time, before returning to the Crystal Palace. Claire occupied much of his thoughts throughout that final day. He considered drafting a letter in response, but he was so close to returning home, that he would rather say it all in person. The sooner he was back in the capital, the better.

He and Bedelth were in the process of packing when a knock sounded. He glanced over the items littering his bed. Trinkets, mostly. Things he had received in honor of his visit, like silken tunics, a new Sprite dagger, and a pair of leather boots. Not everything was for him.

The knock sounded again, this time more insistent. "Expecting a visitor?" he asked, looking up at Bedelth.

Bedelth frowned. "Perhaps Jeanine, come to claim her boon?"

"You may enter," he called.

Prince Feowen appeared. He offered them a hurried bow of his head. "Pardon the intrusion, King Talon, Lord Bedelth. My mother requests your presence at once."

"Has something gone wrong with our negotiations?" he frowned at the thought of spending another day here.

"I...I don't think so, King Talon. You...It is better if I let my mother tell you." Something in Feowen's abruptness held his attention. "Please. We should hurry."

"Of course. We will come at once." He and Bedelth followed after the prince.

They made their way down the spiraling stairs winding around the inside of the hollow crystal. Far below, if he dared to look, Queen Jade occupied her throne. There was another figure beside her.

When they reached the floor, he moved forward and bowed politely to the queen. Princess Taylynn stood beside the dais and caught his eye. Her face was unreadable. She never ceased to perplex him.

"Forgive me, King Talon, for calling you so abruptly. I am sure you are busy with preparations before your departure. This is...perhaps important."

"Not a problem. Should I be concerned?"

"I..." She hesitated, glancing at Princess Taylynn. "Yes."

He waited for her to speak, as if she wanted the stretch of silence to make him uncomfortable.

"Every Sprite within my kingdom is connected to this forest in ways we cannot always explain. It speaks to us, shows us things. Sometimes these things are not always obvious. Today, there has been a change. A new danger. The forest has given me a warning that cannot be ignored."

The hairs on the back of his neck prickled. "What warning? Is it Kane?"

"I cannot say...these things are not always straightforward."

He exhaled. "Please forgive me, but how is this supposed to help me? An undefined warning? What am I supposed to do with such knowledge?"

"You must take a different path than the one you intended," she answered.

"A different path? Gods. I knew Sprites were cryptic, but you can't expect me to make any sense of this."

Princess Taylynn stepped forward. "You must go to Fort Squall, King Talon. Even then, it may be too late."

"Fort...Fort Squall?" He frowned outright, glancing between Jade and Taylynn.

Queen Jade shot a quick look at the princess. "You have seen something, Daughter? Something more than I?"

Taylynn's shoulders dropped a measure. He almost missed it. "I have seen enough, Mother."

"Then you felt it too? The warning? What did you see? Why did you not...? I thought..." Emotion flashed across Queen Jade's face.

"I saw Fort Squall fall to Kane and his dragons."

A chill soaked Talon to the bone. He and Bedelth shared a glance "But surely...If this is true, what is to become of my forces? Will he defeat them in battle?"

"I cannot say," Taylynn answered. "I only saw what is to come, not the manner in which it happens."

Damn the Sprites and their cryptic words! "How much time until this comes to pass? I will write to the other forts immediately—ask that they send reinforcements. We must take whatever measures necessary to ensure that Kane is stopped."

"There will be no time for that." Taylynn stepped forward.

"No time?" He scowled as his mind jumped to Reyr. "When...?"

"Tomorrow." Taylynn's voice was soft. Sad. But something in the finality of her answer did not leave him to question it. She had no reason to lie. Queen Jade, perhaps. But not Princess Taylynn.

"Tomorrow?" His heart pounded. Beside him, Bedelth cursed. "We must warn them," he beseeched the queen. "They must be given time to prepare. Is there no way? My mind is strong. With the help of Bedelth and my force here, it should be enough to reach Reyr. I can tell him. I can—"

"I am sorry, King Talon," said the queen. And she did sound sorry, for her part. "The barrier is not as simplistic as you make it. It is not something that can be enabled in some places and disabled in others."

"You cannot simply open a hole? A small segment for our thoughts to get through?"

"I am not here to school you in the ways of Sprite magic, King Talon."

He clenched his jaw. "If that is the case, we must go at once."

"I believe that is best," Queen Jade said. "Even if you will not reach the fort in time. My envoys will take you through the forest along the western path. This will place you at the forest's edge, closest to Squall's End. If you hurry, it will take at least a day to get free of the trees. And then perhaps another day in flight. Still, I think it is best if you try."

Hopeless. It was hopeless. He turned then to Princess Taylynn. "Is there no other way? No way to prevent this?"

She was quiet for longer than he liked. A myriad of emotions crossed her features. An internal battle playing out on the canvas of her face. "I am afraid not, King Talon. This...this is how it must be. But do not give up hope. For your journey to Fort Squall holds great promise."

"How?" He all but choked. "How can it, if the fort will still fall?"

She closed her eyes, then opened them to gaze back at him. "You will see. Now go."

It took less than an hour for his group to gather their belongings and assemble on the western side of Esterpine. He informed his pairs with clipped sentences of the reason for their haste, of what was happening. They deserved the truth despite what it did to increase the tension in the air.

Jade's envoys assembled with them. And the queen herself appeared alongside Prince Feowen. A procession of Sprite councilors followed in their wake. "I bid you a warm farewell, King Talon. I am glad that you have come, that we have reconciled, and that the Stones are again safe. They will remain so. On behalf of myself and my people, I bid you safe travels." She lifted a hand in farewell. "May the king of all trees watch over you now."

With that, she bowed her head. Feowen mimicked her behavior, as did all those behind them. Then the Sprites turned and departed, leaving Talon and his group alone with the envoys.

Desperate to be gone, he gave the signal to depart. The envoys led them through the forest at a rapid pace. Their path was nearly indiscernable. The dirt was not worn from trampling feet. The foliage only separated when they neared, otherwise it looked no different than any other part of the forest. They wouldn't have found their way alone.

Six hours passed on foot before they stopped for rest. They had skipped dinner in favor of haste, so they quickly replenished their thirst and ate the travel food they carried. While the others caught their breath, he felt a strange urge to wander away into the forest—not far, just beyond a nearby tree.

He could still hear the sounds of the others as he slipped away, discussing the news of Fort Squall's future demise. Their voices fell to a low murmur as he moved away. He almost wondered if it was the forest, trying to lure him in, planting the urge to separate himself. The reason became clear soon enough. He found Taylynn standing beneath the shadow of an ivy veil. The vines had grown up around their tree host and the tree's lowest limbs, connecting to the ground with leafy tendrils.

She held a finger to her lips before backing deeper into the shadowed darkness. Her Sprite markings glowed brightly like a beacon. He frowned and stepped closer. Was this a trick of his mind? An illusion? The forest was inclined to mock him. It was said that those who entered, often vanished. His hand came to rest on the hilt of his Sverak. He moved forward, following after Taylynn's figure until she came to a stop, facing him.

"How are you here?" he hissed. "Did you follow us?"

"There is something I must say to you, King Talon. I did not wish to say it in the presence of my mother. She and I do not always...see the same way."

A measure of relief washed over him. Was this the moment she offered him the use of her reinforcements? Did she have a plan? A way to save Squall's End?

"I can see it on your face, even now," she said, her own a tableau of sadness. She gave her head a brief shake. "The answer is no. I cannot save your fort. Events have a way of unfolding to nudge us back onto our rightful paths. There is a reason for everything...even this."

Hope was replaced by sudden anger. It clawed at his skin. His hand tightened around his Sverak. "If you are not here to help," he said, teeth clenched, "then why have you come?"

"For something much bigger than the loss of Fort Squall." She took a single step towards him then stopped. Her eyes darted to a spot behind him before returning to his own. "I came here for Claire."

"Claire?" He faltered. The pace of his heart doubled. "I...I don't understand. Is she okay? Is she hurt? If she is hurt, I would have you tell me."

"She..." Taylynn shook her head. "She has come to no harm."

"Then what?"

"I will tell you, but first, I would like to know what my mother has shared with you about her. And then I will tell you the truth of it—the genuine truth. Or, what I can of it. Will you tarry a few minutes longer and hear what I have to say?"

He stood, rooted in place. His mind stumbled over the conversations between himself and Queen Jade, over the queen's guarded words and vague explanations. A measure of doubt seeped beneath his skin. What was Taylynn suggesting? That Queen Jade had manipulated him? Lied to him? Given him false advice?

"The choice is up to you," Taylynn said.

He glanced over his shoulder. The murmurs from his party continued. Taylynn's scrutiny made him itch. Her eyes belonged to something far greater than the woman standing before him. The forest was in her, wild and unforgiving. "All right," he said at last. "I want the truth."

Something akin to victory flashed across her face, so brief that he found himself blinking. She nodded and said, "You have made the correct decision. Come."

And so he followed her deeper into the forest.

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