Canes and Scales Page 9

  I prepared to die.

  My wild thoughts fixed on my poor Alasdaire. Sweet Elf. My death doomed him to lifelong slavery. Indeed, my death probably secured his death, so his slavery would not last much longer. He had tasted freedom’s promise. I knew he would find a more lethal freedom preferable to eternal slavery. I saw him take the steps past our bench.

  My cheeks felt frozen. As we spun toward death I tried to lose myself in a fantasy of my Elf’s fierce love. I swore his gentle fingers brushed my cheeks. His lips pressed close. His black hair mass offered me solace.

  The glider lurched down. Jenkins’s voice broke in final frustration. “Prince, we’re soaring down too fast. I lost the last updraft. I am sorry, my Prince for failing you in…” He shouted in raw amazement. “Wait, Powers on High, I see a farm ahead! Yes, damn, there’s a field of damned tall haystacks down there! Yes! Prince Linden, pray now and hold on.”

  “Jenkins, I trust you above all.” The glider shuddered and shook before I felt impact. My body soared out and upward, how odd to travel up when we just hit hay, until I slammed into the ground on my left side. The helmet protected my head from injury. Hay fluttered down like flat golden snow, falling to coat my face in choking drift.

  What?

  Wait.

  I blinked in confusion. The prickly hay shower no longer plagued my skin. My goggles and helmet somehow vanished. My eyes focused until I realized I lay in a verdant valley setting graced by a stream. How did I arrive here? My eyes also told me I recognized that ancient oak’s twisted branches. How? I sat and shook my head. Above me the towering sky appeared magical, spreading above me in a wondrous dense black field speckled with so many silver lights. Did I fall from that vast cosmos of blazing stars? Did I become a comet? Amazing. Somehow I saw in the dark. Quite interesting. But why…. I stood and looked around in disorientation. The oak beckoned to me; more accurately, the timeless little Elven shrine tucked above it in a mountainside grove called to me. I knew that shrine existed since I visited it the last time I journeyed to Keith’s many years ago.

  I knew I needed to go there.

  I stepped forward. Did my legs work? Yes. No pain or injury beleaguered me.

  Why?

  Was I dead?

  My seeking fingers touched the oak’s rough bark. The surface felt solid. Did a dead person still feel? How odd. My cured legs edged upward on the path until I stepped into the grove. A beautiful, tranquil sight filled my gaze. “Alasdaire!” To my delight my Elf stood serenely staring up at the numerous stars. A simple white tunic and black trousers covered his canes.

  My Elf started and fixed his luminous violet gaze on me. Alarm suffused his burnished features. “Linden. No! Go back, my love.”

  What? “Go back to where?”

  “You must return to me.”

  Why did my Elf speak in silly riddles? My laughter felt so fine. “But I am with you now, my perfect love. Why do I need to leave you to return to you? Are you teasing me?”

  Alasdaire slowly shook his head. His fingers pointed at me. “No. I understand the problem. You are here with my sleeping spirit. You need to return to your body so you can return to me in real life. You cannot stay here.”

  My hands reached for his slender grace. “But it feels so peaceful here. Here you are free from the Catch and I am free from worry.”

  Alasdaire held up his right hand in sharp warning. His stare chastised me. “Are you such a coward to give up so easily?”

  How harsh. “Why do you call me a coward?”

  My Elf shook his head in scold. “Because you do not want to return and face your responsibilities.”

  I laughed in amazement. “Even in spirit you still act brash to me. You are correct. If I return and survive, then you also survive. I understand. I accept your eternal wisdom.”

  “As well you should since I speak truth.” Alasdaire stepped close and stroked my cheeks. We kissed until he drew back and shook his head. “Stop trying to tempt me. Remaining here in this eternity appeals too much to me. You must go.”

  “How can I resist your charms? Still, I don’t understand how we meet in this manner.”

  “We meet like this because I love you. My profound love gives me a part of you. Your spirit wanders from your damaged body in dangerous rapture. Feel glad you encountered my love at this shrine. Other less kind entities prowl this hidden realm. I sense evil danger around us.” Alasdaire pointed toward the shrine. “Hurry, my love, press your hands to the stone canes and concentrate. We will be together soon enough.”

  “How I long to remain with you.” Another kiss felt wonderful until Alasdaire pushed me away like I tasted foul to him. He pointed at the shrine. “Go!”

  I accepted his physical rudeness. “Until we meet again in life.”

  His adoring smile soothed me. “Yes, my only love. Until that magnificent moment keep safe and remember our love. Remember.”

  I walked to the small, weathered shrine. My fingers traced the worn cane carvings, and then I pressed my flesh flat to the cool stone. Warmth welled into my flesh. Warmth and urgency, there, ahh.

  A frantic voice surrounded me. “Linden! Linden! Powers on High, Prince, do not be dead! Linden! This cannot be! Linden, no!”

  I blinked in slow confusion. Searing pain invaded every part of my body. My voice was a shattered parody of itself. “Jenkins, please stop shaking me.”

  Poor Jenkins could barely speak. Blood ruled his face. “Forgive me, my Prince, but you did not breathe. I feared the worst, but you are alive!”

  I managed a pained grin. “Someone rudely tossed me back into the living world.”

  “My Prince?”

  Before any more stupid remarks emerged, I passed into fresh oblivion.

  Alasdaire

  Despair

  My own cry woke me from a beautiful dream. I still tasted Linden’s masculine power on my lips. How? I sat up and stared into the soft, crystal-lit dimness, feeling confused and frightened until realization flooded my mind. Linden. Something awful had happened to Linden. I needed to calm down and concentrate. There. My breathing ceased galloping in panic. Concentrate. Linden remained alive. Alive but injured.

  I felt like I’d been kicked in the chest by a horse. No bruise marred my flesh but pain from tension radiated. What happened here? I owned no explanation for my knowledge of Linden’s plight just as I owned no explanation for how I had known Linden traveled to danger. My correct intuition frightened me. At least I rejoiced in his escape from death.

  I wanted to run down and see if the comm offered crucial details on what had happened to my Prince. Insanity. The gear clock told me mere hours had passed since Linden’s hasty departure. News never traveled so fast. Well, it did when souls connected.

  What had happened to Linden?

  I wished my chest would cease hurting. A sigh broke free. There was nothing to gain from creating a hysterical scene. Lord Keith asked me to melt into the shadows, so fussing with the comm sounded impractical. Besides, what did I know of its secret codes? I needed to cease acting impulsive and wait, but ahh, waiting for news felt intolerable. I sank back to the sheets and stared into nothing.

  Why did I know Linden’s condition?

  Why?

  The tapestry covering the wall became familiar under my strained stare. The appealing garden scene felt soothing, so soothing and serene. I imagined dwelling in the tranquility while cuddled against Linden, secure and tucked away from the world’s horror, with secretive foxes as bodyguards and lively birds as servants. We lived as wild creatures. Fitting.

  Soon dawn spread her muted grace into the room. Footsteps thudded outside the suite’s door. They multiplied until the din turned into a continuous dull hammer. I rose, dressed and crept down the stairs. Sobbing filled my ears. Why? Why did so many nobles swarm about in their dressing gowns? Why did they weep?

  My heart sputtered until I gasped at the fresh pain. Stop. I pressed forward, anxious to hear Master Adrian read the comm messages.


  One horrible word raked my heart. Death? Nonsense. My fear pushed me through the confused crowd until I entered the study. I felt my stare must look deranged.

  In the comm corner Master Adrian shook his head. His polished voice rose to carry above the muttering. “I’m sorry, there are no other details.”

  From his position at the grand desk Lord Keith stared at Adrian in sick shock. His pale face appeared lost and bewildered. His red hair stood in riotous disarray, made worse when his trembling fingers attacked it again.

  A silk-robed Lord bellowed in frustration. “I don’t understand how can they be so certain of the Prince’s death. Surely they are conducting a search!”

  Death?

  Linden’s death?

  My sweet Linden’s death?

  No.

  No.

  My heart almost exploded in my chest. No. Not dead. I knew it!

  As I struggled with my desolation, Master Adrian checked his transcripts. His long fingers trembled in despair. “Another nearby airship claims they searched the entire area but found nothing but the charred remains of the royal dirigible Prince Linden traveled on last night. They searched the area and found no survivors from the explosion, none living. Most of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. They found two damaged escape pods. That is the message’s end. They hold little hope of finding anyone alive.”

  Around me anxious voices infected the air.

  Despite the pain I managed to remain aware. Liars. Foul liars! My heart stuttered in rage. Liars! One word loomed in my mind: assassination. Around me the lies already built in wicked smoke and mirrors. I rudely shoved from the crowd and ran into the dew-damp garden. My feet sped me forward until I found the twisting path to our stream-side bench. Linden. My dear Linden was not dead!

  My breath tore at my lungs. Remember my dream. Remember. Hold to the soul truth.

  What should I do? I knew my Linden lived. I knew the important fact as well as I knew I still breathed in the cool, pine-infused morning air. I pressed my cheek against the cold marble.

  Linden lived!

  His brother planned the assassination. Powers, his evil, deranged brother tried to kill my precious Linden. No wonder I felt such acute danger around my lover. When Linden left me he was already a target. Why didn’t I stop him? My heart stuttered in frustration. Wait, I tried. My words did not halt him. I tried. No need to add self-loathing to my current heap of strangled emotions. I tried. He refused to remain. My compassionate, generous Prince refused to remain and be saved.

  Steps sounded on the path. Who bothered me? I whirled in confrontation. Lord Keith stared at me in fierce intensity. His hair looked avenging. His voice emerged in hushed grief. “What do you know, Elf?”

  My tongue froze in protest. What to say? I trusted Lord Keith. But who knew who sided with loathsome Edward in this plot?

  My silence prompted Keith to sit and grasp my arms. “I saw you flee the news. What do you know of this matter? Tell me.” He shook me once and then his hands released me. Fists pounded the marble bench next to my thigh. “I know you own Elven powers and I have kept the dangerous knowledge to myself. You must trust me. Tell me. I swear your news travels no further than this bench.” His clenched fist added punctuation.

  This man knew the truth about me yet he protected me. So be it. I offered him a gift. “Linden is alive.”

  Seconds passed until Lord Keith shook his head in grave sorrow. “I suspected as much. This so-called terrorist attack is nonsense. His wretched brother finally decided to act against him. What a cunning monster.” He stared at me. “What else do you feel?”

  Truth bled from my trembling lips. “My Prince is sorely injured. Death tried claiming him but he survived the attack. I agree his wicked brother is behind this plot. Who else would want to assassinate brave Linden?”

  The pained expression filling Keith’s face told me the truth. “Edward owes much to certain corrupt nobles. They appreciate their place in his realm. The people love Linden, as do most nobles, but there are ignorant monsters who want him dead. Bold Linden seeks to upset the traditional balance and haul this country into the modern age. The opportunistic bastards hate his thinking. Those beasts pushed Edward into action.”

  I stared into the stream, seeking my former happiness in the sparkling ripples. Mere days ago I sat here with my secret lover and imagined a fresh beginning. I pressed close and discovered love. Now I sat and hoped he survived base treachery. How could anyone want to kill such a brilliant man? How could his brother hate him so much?

  I remembered my father’s hatred and understood all too well.

  Keith’s voice conquered my swirling thoughts. “Speak of this to no one. Let our beloved Linden be dead to the world. You and I know differently and I thank you for supplying me the comfort.” Lord Keith slumped back. He appeared years older. “Over the years I have been approached by nobles who thought I would act receptive to undermining Linden’s advances. They think bold Linden pulls the country in a foolish new direction. Fools. Yes, I enjoy my noble wealth, my position, my power, but I refuse to betray my cousin. Now is the time to stand behind him. I hope he strikes and takes control. Yes, I hope Linden finally comprehends his position and reacts in positive strength.”

  Keith bowed his head. His red hair drooped toward the marble.

  Overhead the birds sang to us. Did our flashy jay hold court in the trees? I swore the old cypress and hemlocks passed judgment on the wicked world. I stared at the battered tree marking my Catch boundary. If Linden died, I would come here, mourn, then run toward that tree to embrace my death. Now that Linden offered me glory, I could not endure less from my future life. I refused to live without him.

  Lord Keith rose from the bench. “I need to coordinate a memorial service. Yes, I need to react as if I think my cousin died. How awful.” His hand gripped my shoulder in comforting communion. “Tomorrow night feels appropriate. You can attend.”

  “I thank you, my Lord.”

  “Keep strong, Alasdaire. Linden presented you his bracelet and his enduring love. Cherish both and wait.”

  “Yes, my Lord.” I decided to sit and see if our flashy jay appeared in the old trees.

  Why not? Perhaps it would tell me good news about my lover.

  So many nobles filled the manor! The warm summer night air seethed with competing scents: spicy food, wine, candle wax, perfume, sweat and misery. I crept around the ballroom edges, feeling watchful and wary. Odd fear overlapped my usual caution. Why? Nonsense. I wanted to hear Lord Keith’s tribute to my Linden. I above all deserved to hear the words.

  The mournfully clad nobles stared at me in initial surprise, then they ignored me. Perfect. My hidden passion conquered them. How dare they mourn? I wondered if any of them secretly rejoiced in his death. Linden’s progressive thinking gained him numerous enemies, although thinking everyone his enemy felt unfair. The expressions on various faces told me many nobles loved my Linden. They mourned him without thought of advancement or calculation.

  Welcome to my horrible bleak realm. I mourned my love’s perilous position in life. I mourned for lost love.

  My white wine tasted crisp and soothing. Remembering Linden’s praise for my vintner’s skills speared a warm tendril into my pain. I sipped the fine white wine in tribute to my true lover. The warmth helped tamp down my agony. Linden would drink this wine again. We would curl in bed and sip from the same glass. I clung to the fantasy.

  Sudden noise caught my attention. My gaze shifted to the right, into the darkness surrounding the manor. Outside the ancient copper beech trees swayed in the high breeze, dancing like lost souls, bowing and twirling in deference to the wind’s power. Seconds later relentless rain pelted the diamond glass panes in dismal streaks. It appeared nature decided to weep for Linden. Fitting but unnecessary—well, yes, fitting to weep for his damaged condition, but not his death.

  My Linden still lived and loved me.

  Somehow the Serpent bracelet told me my brave Prince lived.
I owned no explanation of how cold metal soothed me. Was it our love? Did our love prevent me from descending into madness and anguish? Nothing else made sense to me. Once again I urged my love and healing toward my lover. I focused it toward the North. I commanded the Loresa Jay to ride the wild wind toward my beloved and spread my healing strength over any wounds. Heal him and return him to me.

  Behind me a hushed voice whispered one hoarse word. “No.”

  What? I turned. Cold despair froze the blood in my veins. Father loomed over me, his bulk trapping me near the rain-kissed windows. My body constricted in panic, tried shrinking into escape. I forgot about his physical might. Foolish. In the dim light Father looked more bearlike than I remembered, so like a feral beast ready to kill its selected prey. His yellowed teeth shone in destructive anticipation even as his words embraced absolute chill. “You foul thing, you dare think yourself good enough to attend Linden’s service?”