Race Riders (The Hidden Quest- Book One) (17 page)

Thomas was refreshed and clean-shaven when the wizard saw him standing by the hearth with a pensive look on his face. He started to speak but then stopped.

Faazen walked over and put his hand on his shoulder. “What is it? You seem to be troubled.”

Thomas nodded. “I met someone today that I am intrigued with, yet she doesn’t possess the physical beauty one enjoys in a woman. Still, she has an inner beauty that shines within and makes her lovely.”

“Ah, Thomas, you have met the enchanting Daisy. A most wonderful and kind woman you could ever hope to meet in this kingdom or any other. Do not judge a book by its cover. Take time and get to know her. Everyone loves her and she has many attributes. Outward beauty is fleeting my man. A woman looks in a mirror and her reflection is the vibrancy of her youth. Many years later, the same woman looks in the mirror and sees another face. You see Thomas, Daisy only has inner beauty. She does not worry about the superficial, only the lasting things.”

“I understand what you are saying Faazen.

I saw her cottage, something one would see in a dream or a fairy-tale.”

“I am sure it’s charming,” Faazen smiled. “Let us go to supper now. Zach should be back from the stables.” He paused for a moment as Thomas walked up ahead. “His destiny is yet to unfold” Faazen said quietly.

Dredd thought the training went well. The kid was good and he would do better as time went on. Zach wasn’t as childish as he originally thought. He saw his sister up ahead and she was smiling.

“Andi you look as if you swallowed a canary with that smile.”

“I have a date with Mr. Shaw tomorrow so behave little brother, I like him.”

“Yeah, I can see that, just be careful. I still don’t trust him.”

“Well that is your decision, so please stop spying on him at the tavern.”

“I do no such thing. Where do you get your information Andi?” Dredd said defensively.

Andi smiled slyly, “from Mr. Weller. But everyone knows you do!”

“That man can’t see a foot in front of him” Dredd smirked.

“Maybe so, but he sees you there every night at the back table. He said Zachary was there with you the other night and you ran into your old school chum. What’s her name?”

Dredd gritted his teeth. “Ilsa Ivey, yeah that was fun.”

“Yes “Andi said clasping her hands together. “That was your friends’ name, Ilsa Ivey. I remember her now.”

“She is not and never was my friend. She is just an annoying and rude person.” Dredd was emphatic in his answer.

“I’m sorry Dredd I was thinking of Sera, she was your friend. The two of you went riding together after school all the time.”

“You’re right Sis, that we did. Sera was my friend. She had a dragon that changed colors as Payne does. Last year she went to help her aunt who was quite ill. I haven’t heard from her since” he said wistfully.

Andi listened as she started preparing dinner. She went to the back kitchen to find strawberry preserves for the brown bread she baked earlier in the day. Andi’s mind started wandering as she thought about the yellow linen she had her eye on. Dredd left the kitchen and was in the parlor reading by the fireplace. He was deeply engrossed in his book and Andi peeked in on him to tell him supper would be in a little while. Dredd nodded and continued enjoying his book.

~

Mella sat at the edge of the lake and brushed the gems that lay scattered across the edge. She was polishing them as it was her duty to keep the Hyperion Lake clean and sparkling, and that included the precious jewels. Daisy popped up and startled her.

“Hello Mella dear, I didn’t mean to frighten you so.”

“Oh, Daisy!” Her face broke into a wide grin as she reached up to hug her beloved sister. “What are you doing here? Is everything good?”

“Everything is well. I was just thinking of you and wanted to see my little sister.”

“Daisy, I do miss you. Will I always be this way?” She said in a tiny voice.

“I believe that one day you will be able to come home with me and grow as a normal girl does into a young woman.” She clasped her sister’s small hands. “I would take care of you and never let anyone hurt you again.” Daisy’s eyes glistened as she spoke. “It is my wish for you.”

Mella pulled away and started crying. “It’s too late for me Daisy.” She sobbed quietly, her chest heaving with each sigh.

“I don’t want you to think like that. Someday it will happen just as I told you.” She gently took hold of her sister’s heart-shaped face. “All you have to do is believe Mella. Everything is possible when you believe.”

“I will Daisy,” she said solemnly. “I will.” Both hugged goodbye and neither of them saw a thin figure standing off to the side of the lake.

There standing quietly by the bushes was Daksha. She had overheard their conversation and started weeping. Knowing she was the one responsible for Mella’s curse made her suddenly remorseful.

Thirteen - Faazen’s Rage

Daksha ran through the woods sobbing, she had hurt so many people and her heart was breaking. She ended up at Castle Dragmar crying outside the gate. Heaving her body on the damp ground and curling up as a small child refusing to be comforted. Daksha wasn’t sure what to do and felt completely and utterly alone. She lay there for what seemed like an eternity, but it was only an hour or so. Looking up and there standing above her was Faazen. He gazed down at the troubled woman and smoothed his hand over her brow.

“What is wrong my child? What has he done to you now?”

“No, it wasn’t really Rianor. I am ashamed of my life and what I have become. I wish to change the past and cannot.”

“No child, what is past is over. You can start from here and change your life. You must be willing in your heart. Not words, but inside, that is when the change will come.” He looked kindly at her.

“I want to. Show me how; please tell me it’s not too late father.”

He put his arms around her and she sobbed again. “My lovely girl, you have come back to me and nothing else matters.” Together they stood up. Daksha was shaky but Faazen gently held her up and brought her into the castle. “You are home my child, you are home.”

Daksha still crying, hugged him and whispered. “Can you ever forgive me father?”

“My child I have always loved you” Faazen smiled. “Your room, my dear is still the same as it was. I could not change a thing. Go there and rest.”

“I will” she said. With tear stained cheeks she wrapped her arms around her father and would not let go. “I have always hoped to come home… someday.”

Faazen whispered to her. “Someday is now.”

Daksha made her way slowly up the stairway; she paused on the landing and looked at all the tapestries on the walls. Running her hand softly over them, she smiled. “I am home, finally home.” Her room was the same way she had left it. Her pillows were still to one side and her walnut bookcase still held the treasured volumes of mystery, romance and far away places. She settled on her bed beneath the silken canopy and curled up between the downy quilts. Closing her eyes, she fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

A few hours later, Faazen entered tiptoe into her room to bring a snack tray. He left it on the dresser, and after kissing her cheek, he quietly closed the door and padded downstairs. He was overjoyed she had returned to him after all these years. He thought of Rianor and how would he respond to Daksha leaving him. He had been quite mean and controlling toward her and Daksha’s escape was a cry for help to anyone who would listen. Who knows how long she had to bear this pain in silence. Faazen ran back up the stairs and entered her room. Walking over to his sleeping daughter, he gently pushed back the covers. There he saw purple welts up and down her back and fresh bruises across her slender neck. He could see no more, “Oh my poor child,” he wept. “The suffering you had to endure. Sleep, sweet Harmony, sleep.” He carefully tucked her back in and left the room. He was determined to keep her safe, and soon she would laugh and sing again.

Daksha slowly opened her eyes as her gaze took in the familiar surroundings. She smiled when she saw the tray and then decided to eat a little. Slipping out of bed and walking to her dressing closet, she ran her hand over the beautiful dresses until her fingers rested on a blue velvet robe. She carefully removed her dress and wrapped herself in its warmth. Hugging herself, she shivered a little and then moved by the hearth. Curling up, she ate a few bites from the sandwich and took a few sips of from the cup. Daksha closed her eyes and recalled the past hours in her head. Rianor had found out that she was the one who let the mother dragon Medrith escape, one of his nasty guards was the informant. He had shown his anger by striking her repeatedly. This time she barely left with the clothes on her bruised back. This had not been the first time, but she knew it would be the last. He had beaten her so far down she hardly knew herself anymore. With nowhere left to go, she returned to her beloved father and her castle home. Here she would find the girl that she left behind. When she became Daksha, she lost Harmony, her given name. But Harmony was here again, running in the castle gardens and sitting in her white and gold room. Through the looking glass of time, she would return to that place of long ago and find healing for her bruised body and most of all, her heart.

“Father is that you?” Daksha’s mind was brought back to the present by a few soft taps on her door.

“Yes my dear. I saw a lamp light under the door and thought you might be awake.”

“Come in.” She smiled weakly and he saw the purple rings under her dark lashes. Her green eyes that once were bright and alive now clouded over with fear and sadness.

Faazen stood by her bedside as Daksha slowly walked over to him and clasped his hands.

“Thank you for letting me come home, so much has happened. I keep trying to process it in my head, to make sense of all that has transpired. I am still not able to, not yet anyway.” Her voice trailed off.

“That will come in time dear, rest and know you are home. That is all you need at this time, nothing else is required of you.” A fat and furry silver head pushed open the door as he finished speaking.

“Mei-Ling” she cried! “I missed you old boy.” The silver- winged cat jumped up on her bed and started purring happily.

Faazen smiled. It was a moment too precious. He had dreamt of having his daughter back home at Dragmar again. He watched her fall asleep with a fat silver cat curled up next to her. Faazen pulled up a chair and keeping a vigil by his sleeping girl, he dozed off a few times and each time he looked over, there she was safe and in her own bed… finally.

It must have been several hours later and early morning. Daksha opened her eyes and adjusted them to the sunlight streaming in through the partially opened drapes. It did look like a lovely day, so warm and promising. She glanced over and noticed her father with his head tilted back and snoring lightly. “Oh” she said, “he must have nodded off after I fell asleep. It had been a long evening for everyone.” She was hoping for a quiet day, perhaps to walk the castle gardens, loving them so much when she was a child. Later she would go into the Seia Woods and visit Algor Palgon, missing the dear family friend and his sage advice. Just then, she heard some voices down the hall.

She dressed quickly remembering that her father was entertaining guests.

Daksha entered the courtyard where they were having their breakfast. Bergouhy was pouring the juice. She went over to the gnomlie and greeted him warmly. “Hello dear Berge, how have you been?”

“I have been well Miss Daksha, so happy you are home.” He smiled broadly.

“I am glad to be here as well. Good morning Mr. Thomas and Zachary, I am Faazen’s daughter Daksha.”

Thomas stood up and pulled out her chair. Zach nodded, his mouth full.

“Thank you” she said as she was seated. Helping herself to some freshly squeezed orange juice, Daksha thought about her father sleeping upstairs. She realized how much she had hurt him over the past years and hoped to make up her shabby treatment to him. She briefly thought of the Queen Mother. How disappointed she would have been too. Tears welled up in her pretty eyes. Time would be her friend, and much time was needed. She touched her belly gingerly as she still wasn’t feeling right like herself.

Rianor was storming about Windsword questioning everyone in his service concerning the whereabouts of Daksha. She infuriated him, and more so now with her disappearance. Let her calm down and eventually, she would return. In the meantime, he had things that needed priority, and since she was not here to attend to them it would be up to him to delegate those chores to someone else. I certainly cannot be bothered, he thought. “That’s a woman’s work. Where was that woman anyway? He yelled out her name in anger and pain, a little mixture of both, and went back to pacing throughout the castle muttering to himself. Reaching for his cloak, he went out for a walk thinking it would clear his head. Maybe he actually missed her, what if she was staying away for good. Perhaps he went too far this time, yes but she deserved it. She somehow always upset him, and frankly, he was tired of their one too many arguments. This could be a good thing. Then he thought how she always had a special meal he would enjoy. Now he missed her even more. Exasperated, he crunched his boots deeper into the snow and stormed into the ice prisons.