Return of the Crown (24 page)

Jedro pushed the tray away with effort,
lifting his head to face Zelera unflinching.

“Have it your way, chick,” she screamed. She
snagged Dark threads that made up her aura, weaving them into a
compulsion spell. She thrust the spell onto his forlorn form. A
malicious grin snaked across her crimson lips.

Jedro felt his hand reaching for the tray. He
struggled to sit on his hands. He flapped his wings, trying to
knock the tray over. Pain erupted in his head, searing a path along
every nerve in his body. He cried out in anguish. His hand reached
for the squirming red earthworms sliding over each other on the
tray before him. “Nooooo,” he screamed. But, his hand grabbed a
mass of rubbery worms and crammed them into his mouth.

Betrayed by his own body, Jedro stuffed the
worms into his mouth, swallowing them whole. He wanted to retch,
but the spell wouldn’t allow it. He kicked away the empty tray.

“Not very appetizing, but full of protein,
and they cost me nothing” she laughed, strolling away from his
cell.

Zelera made a last stop, at her dungeon
forge. The imprisoned elves refused to make weapons, but she’d
compel them as well, if need be. She savored the Darkness flowing
through her veins, oozing from every pore.

She peeked through the barred window. Eight
elves sat in the cell, arms folded across their chests. The forge
sat cold and quiet, and the ore lay in a neat pile. Laughing,
Zelera strode into their cell, “Do you think you can refuse me?”
she screeched. Fire burst to life in the forge, flames licked up
the wood, devouring every splinter. Her gaze lingered on each elf
sitting defiant and proud. She tossed her dark head back allowing
the maniacal laughter to spill across each rebellious form. Snarled
threads of Darkness streamed around each one, black cords binding
them to her will.

The eight figures rose stiff in their
actions. They fought their own limbs, arms and legs jerking
spasmodically. Cries of pain echoed through the dark cell, bouncing
off the thick walls.

“The pain increases every time you fight the
task set before you. You will find that the pain only goes away
when you are making my weapons, and when this ore runs out you’ll
be crying for more material to work with.” She turned to exit the
cell and sneered, “Pray I deliver it in a timely fashion.” She
slammed the door behind her clicking the lock in place.

She stormed toward the kitchens. It felt as
though a dull knife carved away at her insides. The compulsion
spells required so much Darkness. She had to dig deeper and deeper
to find the strength to keep the Darkness in control. Stinking
elves. Food was necessary to fuel the Darkness, but she hated
eating these days. Everything tasted charred and stale.

Sniffing out danger, the wolves raced ahead
of the horses. No other Dark forms appeared along their way, and
soon the evergreens gave way to the deciduous trees below. Dry
colorful leaves crunched beneath horses’ hooves, attesting to
autumn’s end.

The ground leveled as the sun was setting.
“It’s not much further,” Captain Greves called over his shoulder at
Ravyn and Blade, as he urged his horse into a run.

“Aye, I smell many humans ahead,” Kialgyn
agreed. “You folks sure are a smelly lot.”

Ravyn grinned at Kialgyn, loping easily
beside her horse. She dug her heels into the horse’s side, urging
it faster. “We’ll try not to muddle up your sense of smell,” she
teased. She turned to Blade who was slapping his horse’s sweaty
flank, urging it on, “I can’t help but get excited over a warm bed,
a hot bath, and more of those delicious honey cakes. Even if it’s
only for one night.”

Blade smiled. “You deserve some comfort,
Ravyn. This will all be over soon, and then you can be happy and
comfortable forever.”

Ravyn looked thoughtful. “We can hope.”

“Not hope, Rav, faith. Faith in the Light.”
He spurred his horse harder, nosing ahead of her and taking the
lead.

The trees thinned, and the smell of wood
smoke and cook fires greeted them. Golden fields opened up on their
left, and the woods still clung to their right. They passed little
farms in a blur, pushing their horses onward with urgency.

The wolves slowed and then halted. The riders
reined in the horses, stopping short behind them. “My kin and I
will stick to the woods. We don’t want to alarm the town folk,”
Kialgyn huffed.

“Don’t be silly, you’re our escort, and you
can communicate with anyone now. Besides, I would really like to
see about getting light-weight armor made for you, since you are
determined to join the battle.” Ravyn set her lips in a stern
line.

“Well, we really don’t have much use for
humans, present company excepted. We’ll keep to the woods behind
the inn and come when you call.” Kialgyn stared hard into Ravyn’s
eyes until she averted her gaze.

“Very well,” Ravyn acquiesced. “Get some food
and rest. The next few days will be very busy.”

“The last few days have not been?” he
chuckled, raising furry brows. He turned and the wolves slipped
into the woods disappearing into the undergrowth. The horses
trotted the remaining mile to Farrier.

As they entered the town square, cries rang
through the village heralding their arrival. People thronged the
edges of the lane. A multitude of faces peered at her, smiling as
their Princess reemerged from her long exile. The cheering that
erupted as she came into view deafened her. People were falling to
their knees as she passed. Tears lined careworn faces now filled
with hope.

Ravyn had seen so few people for so many
years, and now she was in a little town filled to overflowing with
people. Her people. She smiled and waved a nervous hand. Captain
Greves stopped at the inn, dismounting.

Ravyn slid off the back of her horse and
looked over the sea of heads for the inn door. Panic began to swell
inside. Blade reached for her hand, giving a small squeeze of
assurance. He was her safe harbor in a sea of boisterous people.
She squeezed his hand back and gave him a thankful smile.

Connor stepped out onto the wide porch of the
inn and the crowd hushed. “My good people,” his voice rang, “our
dear Princess has rejoined us after so many years of exile.” A wild
cheer went up. Connor smiled at the crowd and then held up a hand
for silence. The people quieted, though their excitement was still
palpable. “She has traveled long and hard to reach us. There is
much information she and I need to share. I ask you to return to
your homes, and camps. There is much to prepare for her return to
Veris.” The crowd groaned as one, like little children denied a
sweet. Connor waved his hands, and a calm reassurance swept the
crowd. Ravyn watched the people, her people, as they turned and
went to their homes and shops.

Connor swept down the steps offering Ravyn
his arm. “My dear,” he soothed, “I know that was a bit
overwhelming. They needed to see you, to aid their faith for the
days to come.” He smiled and patted her hand. “Now that the inn has
been cleared, would you like to come in for a bath and a nice hot
meal?”

With Blade on one arm and Connor on the
other, Ravyn felt more secure than she had in weeks. “A bath would
be wonderful, and a change of clothes, if some can be found.”

“More of those honey cakes Captain Greves
shared with us would be wonderful too,” Blade added. “Ravyn has an
unsatisfied sweet tooth. Captain Greves gave her a cake, but she
shared it with me.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged, Blade. Are
you sure it’s her sweet tooth that’s unsatisfied?” Connor grinned
at the young man.

As they entered The Dancing Bear, Jolene
appeared before them, curtseying low. Her blonde curls ringed her
delicate face. “Your highness, I have a bath drawn for you, and one
for you as well, Captain Blade.” She batted her thick lashes at
Blade. Ravyn felt her insides churning. She wanted to slap Jolene’s
rosy little cheeks.

“Jolene,” Connor interrupted, “there are
fresh clothes for these two in my room. See to it they are ready
for them after they are done bathing.”

“Yes, m’ lord,” she replied.

Jolene turned and led them down the hall to
two rooms, each with a large tub filled with warm water. “I’ll
return with your garments in a moment,” she said as she turned and
scurried back down the hall, and up the stairs.

“I’m not sure I’ll recognize the cleaned up
Ravyn,” Blade joked as he leaned against the doorjamb of his
room.

“I’m not sure I’ll recognize you,” she teased
back. “I believe there’s a man somewhere beneath all that grit.”
She leaned over and rubbed her hand across his bristly cheek, “You
are going to shave that scruff off your face aren’t you?”

“What, this?” Blade laughed, running his
fingers through the tawny beard that had grown thick during their
travels. “I thought it made me rather distinguished.” He scrunched
his face up in an aristocratic sneer.

“You could do with a haircut as well,” she
giggled. Jolene bustled up with their fresh clothes over her
arm.

“I could cut that for you, Captain, if you’d
like,” Jolene offered with sugary sweetness.

Ravyn stiffened and clenched her jaw, steely
eyes gazing hard at Jolene. Blade took his clothes from Jolene’s
arm and said, “My thanks to you, kind lady, for the offer, but I
think it fitting that the one that it offends should cut it.” He
smiled at Ravyn, “If you’ll do the honors.”

Ravyn relaxed, feeling ashamed. She shrugged
and looked into his beautiful green eyes, “No, I believe you’d get
a nicer cut from Jolene. I’m afraid I’d have you bald, trying to
even things out. Now, I think I’ll enjoy my bath while it’s still
warm.” She took her clothes from Jolene and entered her room.

“M’ lady,” Jolene put her hand to the door
before it closed, “might I be of assistance? I’d be honored if
you’d let me wash your hair. We could talk. It’s been so long since
I’ve had a woman my own age to talk with.”

The heart-felt words touched Ravyn and though
she felt embarrassed at having an attendant, she nodded in
agreement. Ravyn stripped off her travel-stained clothes and
stepped into the porcelain tub. Jolene looked at the filthy blouse
and trousers that Ravyn handed her. She gasped, “You poor thing,
how long since you’ve had a nice warm bath?”

Ravyn paused, thinking back to sponge baths
in the wolves’ den and the cool pool in the forest. “Far too long,
Jolene, far too long.”

She slipped into the warm water, letting it
caress her skin. She luxuriated in the lightly scented suds. Jolene
handed her a soft cloth and a fragrant bar of soap. She rubbed the
soft cloth over her arms and legs, soothing away her tension and
fears, if only for a moment.

“If you’ll scoot down a bit, I’ll wash your
hair for you,” Jolene offered. Firm but gentle hands began
massaging Ravyn’s scalp, untangling the mass of dark black hair.
Ravyn moaned softly in pleasure.

“I have some violet water we can splash in
your hair, if the scent pleases you. Captain Blade won’t be able to
resist you.”

Ravyn shifted uncomfortably sloshing the
water to and fro, “Why would you say that? We’re friends,” she
stammered, “we’ve been through a lot in our travels, and…”

Jolene interrupted before she could finish,
“Captain Blade is handsome, m’ lady, and I’m sorry if I upset you
by flirting with him. There have been very few attractive men
through here in the past few years, so I find myself flirting with
them all. It’s a lonely world.” She tipped Ravyn’s head back and
poured warm water over her hair, rinsing out the soap. “But, he
only has eyes for you, m’lady. That is plain to see.”

Ravyn sat up, turning to face Jolene,
splashing water out onto the floor. “Do you think so, Jolene? I’ve
been away from people for so long. I just thought these feelings I
have for him were friendship, and he the same for me.” Ravyn
lowered her eyes, “I admit I didn’t like the way you looked at him.
I wanted to slap you. I’m sorry. I guess that was jealousy.”

Jolene laughed, “No need to be sorry. And
yes, I think he loves you. I wish a man would look at me like that
someday.” She sighed and poured another pitcher of clean warm water
over Ravyn’s head. “I’ve heard that relationships that start as
friendship are the strongest ones and that nothing can tear them
apart.” She sprinkled the violet water on Ravyn’s dark locks and
across her shoulders. She placed a towel on a chair and said, “I’ll
let you soak for a bit, relax. I’ll see if the Captain is ready for
his hair cut.”

Ravyn closed her eyes, sinking into the warm
water. Jolene slipped out the door, and Ravyn heard the latch snick
into place. After the water had cooled and her fingers and toes had
turned into prunes, Ravyn climbed out of the tub. She inspected the
garments hanging over the chair. There was a blue silk blouse and
deep indigo breeches. A pair of soft leather boots sat beside the
stool. She was glad it wasn’t a dress and slippers. Everything fit
perfectly, and she looked at the woman staring at her from the
mirror. Long black locks cascaded over strong proud shoulders, and
deep blue eyes flashed at her. She was pleased with her reflection
but unsure she felt as strong as she looked.

A light rap on the door interrupted her
thoughts. “M’ lady,” she heard Blade’s voice carry through the
door, “I’ve been informed a hearty supper is waiting and no one can
eat until you get your lily white bum out of that water.”

Ravyn swung the door open wide. The green
eyes facing her consumed her in a single glance. Strong, handsome
Blade stood before her. His chiseled features were visible once
more now that the mountain man facial hair had been shaved away.
Jolene had skill with scissors. His tawny hair was clipped short
and neat. He looked sharp in the Captain’s uniform he wore.