Haven: Chronicles of Warshard (20 page)

“What is it,
Malka?”

“I saw something,” the archer
replied.

Haven went back to searching through the water, panic rising in her chest. Suddenly red rose around them. Haven gasped and looking around quickly. “Lareina?” she cried.
“Lareina!”

The water broke several feet away and the blue eyed blonde girl rose from the depth. Haven went to her, but Blythe was closer. She held Lareina above water while the blonde spluttered and spit the water from her lungs. “Creatures,” Lareina breathed between ragged gasps, “there are creatures in the water.” She took a deep gasping breath. “It wrapped around my leg and pulled me under. We must make
haste.”

Haven nodded and they quickly rejoined the rest of the group, who peered into the water with nervous eyes. “Let’s go, Malka,” Haven said, looking to the front of the
group.

Malka was
gone.

“Malka?” Blythe’s voice rose an octave. “Malka, where are
you?”

It was the first time Haven ever heard Blythe’s voice break. The strong woman handed Lareina off to another Rythern guard, then moved to the last place Malka had been seen. Haven joined her, as did Corrin and the Wakefin
soldiers.

“Find her,” Haven commanded. “We must find
her.”

Blythe stared at the water in panic, trying to see through its murky depths to her
beloved.

Haven watched the water, moving off ahead in her search. “Wait, Blythe I think-” She was abruptly cut off when she felt something wrap around her boot. Haven gasped, just before she was pulled under
water.

CHAPTER 21

H
aven breathed in water time and time again as the creature dragged her under water. Its speed increased, the current becoming stronger. Haven found it difficult to move. Her lungs filled, she coughed again and again, bubbles flying from her mouth and nose. Trying to claw her way to the surface, Haven pulled at the water with her fingers. Whatever creatures had her was too fast. It gripped her tightly and moved this way and that, flinging her body in every direction until blackness cut in at the edges of her
vision.

Haven could feel her body shutting down, unable to move oxygen through her veins. She struggled valiantly with the last of her strength, reaching to grab the tentacle gripping her boot. She’d lost her sword in the water, but found the dagger Lareina had given her hiding just inside her boot. Struggling against the current and the pull, Haven grabbed the dagger, and then gripped the slimy thing. She drove her blade into it with the last of her strength. Something like a screech echoed through the water. It was the last thing Haven remembered before the warmth of darkness embraced
her.

Gasping, Haven coughed and spluttered the water from her lungs. Someone put pressure to her chest until she came back to life. Lying on the glass surface of a path, she blinked water from her eyes, and looked around for whatever creature had taken
her.

“Haven, can you hear
me?”

Haven recognized the voice, but her head felt muffled, her ears still full of
water.

“Haven, it’s Corrin. You almost
drowned.”

Understanding soon came to her, and she settled down, resting her head on the floor. Her throat hurt from coughing and her lungs labored to bring her fresh air, but otherwise she felt fine. “Malka?” she gasped. “Is she
okay?”

“See for yourself,” Corrin nodded toward the
two.

Haven sat up and gazed a few feet away where Blythe cradled the shivering Malka. Blythe spoke quickly and softly to her, tears trailing down her face. It was the first time Haven had ever seen the woman
cry.

“Did everyone make it?” she
asked.

Corrin fell silent and sat back, propping his arm on his knee before he spoke again, “Unfortunately not.” Haven looked around at everyone. Corrin was there, her three guards were safe, and Emeril dried himself not far away. “Two of the guards,” he said, “one from Rythern, another from
Salander.”

Haven slowly nodded, a cold pit settling inside her stomach. This journey was taking a lot more out of them than she expected. She couldn’t begin to imagine how many had been lost when the rest had come
through.

“We should get going,” Corrin
said.

Haven met his eyes and nodded. “Everyone needs rest,” she said. “But we can’t stay
here.”

Corrin agreed, and after a few minutes of rest, they gathered the remaining members of their flock and climbed the glass slope into the next
tunnel.

Weeks passed before they saw the end of the tunnel to Seaburn. Time lost all meaning and the group only rested when they could. When sunlight finally shone down the tunnel ahead, the group climbed the spiral staircase to the world above, where they all collapsed in the sand. Relief flooded Haven’s bones. She found herself smiling and then laughing. The others felt the same, some rolling in the sand, while others collapsed on a piece of drift wood
nearby.

“We made it.” Haven smiled and closed her eyes, tilting her face to the sky and basking in the sun. Being in the dark so long had taken its toll on everyone. Finally being in the sun was a joy like no
other.

“Finally,” Corrin agreed, sitting in the sand beside
her.

“Can we just stay in the sun forever?” she sighed
blissfully.

“In our dreams we can.” They both
laughed.

“Then I never want to wake
up.”

They sat together for some time, enjoying the last of the afternoon sun. It was the perfect time to emerge from their dark hole in the earth. Haven meant it when she said she wanted to stay there forever on the beaches of Seaburn, where all of her problems drifted away. Her panic fled, as did the memories of Kadia’s castle. For a while, she even forgot who she was. She wasn’t Queen Haven of Rythern; she was just a girl lying in the sand with a boy. She could only imagine a life so simple and
wonderful.

“Company approaches,” Blythe
said.

Haven opened her eyes, only to be blinded by the sun. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and readjusted to the light. Haven and Corrin both rose, joining Blythe and the gathering guards. Over the sand came a small group of men atop beautiful white horses, a carriage at their backs. They wore incredibly detailed white and gold uniforms, and all shared a similar dark complexion. They stopped several feet away. Only two dismounted and approached
them.

“Greetings,” the first said. His accent was thick, but he was easily understood. “I have to assume you are the long awaited party from the six kingdoms.” He smiled at the group, crossing his hands politely in front of him. He bowed, as did the other
man.

“Good day,” Corrin stepped forward. “We are the very same. I am King Corrin of
Wakefin.”

“A pleasure.” They both bowed
again.

“This is Queen Haven of Rythern and Prince Emeril of Salander.” Again they exchanged polite greetings and bows. “We have to assume if you’ve heard of us, that the rest of our group has arrived safely,” Corrin
said.

“As safe as can be through that tunnel,” the second man
said.

“We know all too well what you mean,” Emeril
said.

“Please come with us and we will accompany you to the
palace.”

“Thank you,” Corrin said. The two men led them back to the group of white horses. Soon they were far from the beautiful sand beach and Haven’s serenity, moving into the city where Haven hoped to find her people safe at
last.

The journey to the palace was almost as dizzying as the one through the tunnel. With all the beautiful sights, it was hard to keep her jaw up. Passing through the sandstone streets, the group traveled the main path to the golden palace in the distance. Haven had heard mention of it from the others, but she never imagined it would literally have golden turrets. Not only the weather and landscape captivated the foreigners, but the people as well. Beautiful women, handsome men, and adorable children ran through the crowds. Everyone bowed and smiled at them as they passed. The people were all well-kept and dressed in the finest silks and jewels. Haven felt grungy and unattractive in comparison. Though their accents were thick and their words sometimes unfamiliar, Haven was mesmerized by it
all.

The closer they came to the palace, the more her awe grew. The palace was atop a hill to the rear of the city. It was split into three parts. The middle was the largest, with a huge golden turret and a beautiful main courtyard. The other two sides were diagonal to the middle piece with smaller but still sizable gold turrets and courtyards of their own. Beautiful trees with golden leaves and white bark lined the courtyards. Flowers varying in shape and color decorated the
paths.

Haven was so blown away by it all that she hadn’t noticed when their carriage stopped and the others climbed out. “This place is incredible,” she said to Corrin as they both hopped
out.

“It’s certainly unique,” he
agreed.

Haven gazed all around as the Seaburn men led them through the courtyards and up through the main palace doors. Haven took in the fine details carved into the stone around, while simultaneously trying to see ahead into the
building.

“Well met, lords and ladies of Warshard!” A booming laugh filled the
entryway.

Haven looked to the large marble staircase before them. A large man in blue and gold trimmed robes
descended.

“That is how you foreigners say it, is it not?” the man grinned, his white teeth dazzling in the warm
light.

“Yes, it is quite accurate,” Corrin nodded and introduced them
all.

“King Corrin, Queen Haven, and Prince Emeril. We welcome you to the republic of Seaburn!” The man beamed. “I am council member, Vasily. You may call me Vas. Make yourselves at home.” Vas motioned them inside. Leading them up the grand staircase, he went on and on about the palace, the amenities and where they had their people set
up.

Haven simply listened and let herself be led. She was too distracted by her surroundings to pay much attention to where she was going. Eventually, they stopped in a small indoor courtyard with a stone fountain and beautiful gardens decorating a sitting area. Archways stood around it, shielding any passersby from rain. Or at least, Haven assumed that was their use. Vas stopped before one of the arches, motioning to the courtyard. Lining the walls under the arches were
doors.

“These will be your rooms,” he smiled. “I hope they are up to your standards.” Vas bowed slightly. “I hope to see you all at dinner tonight.” With that the councilman took his
leave.

As if appearing from nowhere, several young women came before them, each leading the Royals and their groups to their rooms. Haven said her goodbyes to the others and followed. There was nothing she wished for more than a bath and a good night’s sleep in a real bed. The young woman opened the door and motioned Haven and her three guard girls inside. The two remaining Rythern guards stood watch at the
door.

Haven gasped as she entered. The room was beautiful sandstone and gold with silks draped from the ceiling and around the bed. Mirrors decorated the walls alongside gorgeous paintings and tapestries. Large windows overlooked the city and the sea beyond. Heavy curtains hung across the room to separate the sitting room from the bedroom. Haven felt like collapsing in the bed right then, but she could not stand the awful, dirty clothes on her body one more
moment.

“The bed beckons, but I must take a bath,” Haven
sighed.

The young girl leading the way brought Haven to a bathing
room.

“I will send in ladies to assist you,” she said, her accent so thick Haven paused a moment to take in what she
said.

“No, no!” Haven said, “That won’t be necessary! I have my own
ladies.”

The girl looked at her ragged group of guards before bowing. “Garments will be sent in shortly. Choose any you like. They are a gift.” Haven thanked her and the girl
left.

“How old do you think she was?” Lareina
asked.

They all looked at each
other.

“I’m not sure,” Blythe
admitted.

“She couldn’t be more than fourteen or fifteen, could she?” Haven puzzled it over while they adjourned to the bathing
room.

“That seems awfully young,” Lareina
said.

They all had to
agree.

“Haven, you must wake
up.”

Haven groaned and rolled onto her
side.

“It’s time for dinner with the council.” She recognized Lareina’s voice but still she buried her face in the pillows. “Aren’t you
hungry?”

Haven’s stomach answered for
her.

“That answers that,” Malka chuckled from the
window.

“Fine,” Haven sighed. “I’m getting
up.”

Haven rose from the sheets, her body protesting all the while. She’d only had a few hours of sleep, and after their trials in the tunnels, her body was calling for more. Healing constantly took a lot out of her. Moving to the bathing room, Haven gazed into the mirror. Her hair was slightly tousled, but aside from that, she still appeared fresh from her bath. She’d spent nearly an hour soaking in the tub and scrubbing the grime off herself. Her ladies had done the same and they were all feeling refreshed from the
experience.

Brushing out her hair, Haven watched her amber eyes. There was something different about them. The last time she really looked at herself in the mirror was before her coronation. That seemed eons ago. She looked much more attentive, even to herself. Her eyes weren’t a young girl’s anymore, they belonged to someone who had experienced too much yet seen too little of the world. She barely recognized
herself.

“The clothes have arrived!” Lareina called from the other room. “Blue skies, they are
beautiful!”

Haven smiled at herself in the mirror, then joined her guards. The three surrounded the dresses, laid out carefully on the bed. Lareina was right, they were stunning. Haven had never seen material woven quite like it, let alone embroidery as complicated. The dresses were all made in a similar fashion, but in different styles and varying pale colors. Some were gold, others were white, pale yellow, pale blue – all equally beautiful and
refined.

“How on earth do they expect me to choose?” Haven stared, trying to decide which she liked
best.

“What about this one?” Malka pointed to a light blue
one.

“Malka, blue does not go well with Haven’s hair!” Lareina
chastised.

“Sorry,” Malka smiled. “I’ll leave it to
you.”

Malka slid away and Lareina took over, holding each dress up to Haven before she decided on her favorite. “This one!” she announced. “It will look wonderful with your skin
tone.”

Haven complied with her friend’s wishes and slipped on the
gown.

“Haven, you look incredible!” Lareina smiled and watched Haven like a proud
mother.

Moving to the closest full body mirror, Haven gaped at her own image. The dress was floor length, gold, and fit her body incredibly well. The beading was stunning, with jewels throughout the entire dress. It was incredibly lavish and Haven couldn’t take her eyes off it. The style fit her body closely until her hips, where the skirt dropped down and flowed around her feet. The top held snugly around her arms and torso, the neckline dipping down between her breasts. Not only had she never worn anything so beautiful in her life, but she’d never worn anything so revealing
either.