Esterpine

Claire watched the days fly by after her trip to Ashvale, and then the weeks. She thought she'd been busy before, but now her minutes slipped away like water through open fingers. It didn't help that Taylynn had insisted she meet and spend time with all of Esterpine's noble families, of which there were eight.

Eight!

Socializing, sharing lunches, drinking tea. Most importantly, making friends. She wasn't stupid, she understood why this was important to the Sprite princess. Claire was gaining allies, supporters, people who would rally to her side if she ever needed them. After all, Dragonwall was technically at war. And she needed people who would support the rightful heir. She didn't tell any of them she never planned to rule in Esterpine—that she didn't plan to stick around for much longer.

Fortunately, it wasn't all tedious. She used this to her advantage, learning a great deal more about Esterpine's way of life, its governing body, and politics. Take the noble families, for example. Every thousand years, a vote was held to elect new council members. These acted as advisors to the queen. Sometimes the same members served for thousands of years, voted in repeatedly either by popularity or performance. Other times, they were voted out and replaced.

The noble families were those belonging to members of the council; they weren't noble simply because of long reaching lineages. This was a different way of thinking compared to what she was used to—compared to the way the Drengr Monarchy did things. Only the royal family bloodline—her bloodline—was truly fixed. And from the subtle undercurrents she sensed, there were several families unhappy with one specific unchanged facet of Sprite politics: Queen Jade.

But that was for them to work out.

Claire's lessons with Pelwyn remained her sole priority. She was advancing, getting better at mastering each individual element. Several days with Taylynn had boosted her abilities with earth. She was growing stronger at manipulating fire. Water felt more natural. Even air seemed eager to aid.

A sense of peace had settled within her, within both parts of her: the Sprite part and the Drengr part. She embraced it. But no matter how much she trained, one thing remained. She needed Isabella's quarterstaff.

"Your markings have multiplied," Pelwyn said one afternoon. It had been a little over a month since her return from Ashvale. "You'll need to take another trip into the forest, otherwise Lord Marquin will grow suspicious."

They sat in Pelwyn's garden pruning more flower bushes. It was an activity they did more and more frequently, especially after lessons. It helped her wind down.

"Lord Marquin is already suspicious," she said. "He wasn't prepared for the number of markings I returned from Ashvale with. But"—she shrugged—"he explained it away by my bloodline. Isabella's long lost heir and all that."

Pelwyn snorted. "As if blood has anything to do with it. You know how magic works and Aolis should too. Any bloodline can be strengthened to unparalleled levels."

She lifted a shoulder. "I'm not going to argue with him. But, you're right. I suppose I should send myself on another of these quests into the forest."

As she returned to Esterpine that evening, she thought over the short note she'd received from Talon a few days prior. It had said almost nothing, other than she'd have a surprise arriving in a few days, with plenty of time before the Spring Solstice. It had certainly done a number for her nerves. She'd spent the past two days trying to work out what he might send her. Honestly, he could send her even the smallest thing and she'd be happy.

She'd gone over a number of possibilities. Jewelry was perhaps the most likely. It seemed a romantic gift, after all. She wished he'd said something of their preparations for reclaiming Fort Squall. She knew he was focused on it. But even mentioning those details in a letter was risky.

"I'm going to take another trip into the forest," she told Koldis when she returned to her suite. As usual, he was lounging with a book in hand. How many books could a person read when they lived for a thousand years or more? She thought about all the books in the royal library waiting for her, and how she'd had very little opportunity in Kastali Dun to read them. That would be the first thing that changed when she—if she—defeated Kane. Reading. She'd spend the rest of her days within Dragonwall reading every damned book she could get her hands on. It sounded glorious in comparison to preparing herself to kill a sorcerer.

Koldis cleared his throat. "And when was this decided my queen?"

"Today. This afternoon. I'll let Lord Marquin know tonight, at the evening meal. I'll leave tomorrow."

"I am not so sure that's a good idea. Every time we've been into the forest—every time you've been into the forest—you run into its sickness. Besides—"

"Besides, what, Koldis?"

He got to his feet, frowning. "You have marks aplenty. There is no need for the forest."

"Oh. Right. I'm just supposed to magically get more marks without appearing to do anything and risk exposing Pel—" She snapped her mouth shut. She had agreed to keep Pelwyn's name a secret, even from Koldis, though he knew she was training with him.

He grumbled and dropped back to the sofa. "I suppose this is one of those matters that isn't up for discussion?"

"Exactly so," she said, squaring her shoulders. "And besides, it will help pass the time until Talon's surprise arrives."

"Still haven't worked out what he's sending yet, hmm?"

"Not unless you know something I don't." She lifted an eyebrow. He'd received a small note too, and burned it without telling her much. Apparently Talon had merely wanted to wish him well. Right!

"Fine. But since this is for appearance purposes, perhaps you should stay with your tutor. Or at the least, stay close to Esterpine. I don't like you going off when there are threatening beasts roaming. Unlike Taylynn, you have no idea how to...whatever it is she does."

"Cleanse them?"

"Oh. Is that what it is?" he asked, sarcasm riddling his words.

She narrowed her eyes. "You know, you've been prickly ever since she disappeared. She didn't tell you she was leaving, and you just can't get over it, can you?" She crossed her arms.

Taylynn had been gone this entire time. Her absence put Koldis's temper on a short leash. He snorted. "Would you be happy with our king if he did that to you?"

"I—" She sighed. "No, you're right. And he has done it before, though he had the wherewithal to leave me a note. But..."

"There are no buts, my queen."

"Ugh. Would you stop using that ridiculous title. I have a name, you know."

"Of course, my queen," but he grinned as he said it, and the tension in the room broke. She went over and plopped down on the couch beside him, drawing up her knees. She rested them slightly against his thigh.

"Taylynn will come around," she said, hoping to reassure him. "I'm sure of it."

"Perhaps..." He leaned back, propping an arm over the back of the sofa to better angle himself towards her.

She studied his face. "How...how are you feeling about it?" she asked. "The mate thing?"

"Truthfully, I really do not know." She hummed, waiting. He shrugged. "Taylynn frustrates me to the ends of the world—angers me, even—and yet, there's this fire burning deep in my chest."

"You're a dragon, there's always a fire burning deep in your chest." Her words were sardonic. He grabbed the throw pillow beside him and shoved it in her face, making both of them laugh.

"It was quite a shock, you know," she said, after her laugher stopped, "discovering my bond with Talon."

"Yes, I've heard some of it from Bedelth."

"We hated each other, you remember? Hated. You saw how he treated me. Gods! He strapped me to a torture rack. You're the one who pulled me off it."

"Believe me, I remember."

"All that time spent hating each other, distrusting one another, and he was my mate." She shook her head, still overcome by disbelief when she allowed herself to think about it.

"What happened when you touched his scales?" he asked. "I know it's private. I shouldn't—"

"No, it's...it's okay." She shrugged. "I had no idea what was happening when I touched him, no idea what it meant. That we were mates. Frankly, it was terrifying." She gazed at the crystal wall just beyond Koldis's face, remembering the events as if they'd just happened. A strange bark of laughter burst from her lips. "You know, the funny thing is, I thought I'd been transported, that touching him had sent me to the lava fields in Hawaii."

"Hawaii?"

She snorted, focusing on his face. "It's a place in my world—beside the point. My point is, when it happened, I was so shocked, so terrified, that I fought it. I guess people see different things when they plunge into the minds of their mates. I saw a lava field, it's how I interpreted Talon's mind. Lots of black lava, rock formations, that sort of thing. But there were pools of it too, and when I stepped in one, I saw a memory of Taylynn telling him about our mate bond. I was..."

She sighed and shook her head. "I was furious. That he could hide something like that from me—information about both of us. We'd been getting closer, you see. Maybe it would have been different if he'd stayed the same—like he was before, brooding and distant and temperamental. But no. He was...changing. And in Brezen, we began spending time together, taking walks...flirting." Heat rushed to the surface of her skin. She hesitated, biting the inside of her cheek. "Sometimes I worry he only started spending time with me because Taylynn told him we were mates. That he wouldn't have bothered, wouldn't have wanted me if—"

"Oh, Claire." At this, Koldis reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, taking her hand in his, rubbing the back of it with his thumb. "Talon would have wanted you regardless of the mate bond. You should have seen from my eyes, the way you affected him in the throne room that day. And every day thereafter. The second you two were in the same room, breathing the same air, it did something to him."

"But...what if that was just the mate bond? Feeding him desires. Forcing him to feel something he wouldn't have felt otherwise?"

Koldis shrugged. "Maybe it was. There will never be a way to know. From what I understand about mate bonds—and it's very little, given my lack of experience—a mate is someone the fates have decided you are equally suited for, someone of the same fierceness, of the same mind, of the same strength."

"Even if it often feels like we're two completely different people?"

"Even then." He huffed. "Look at Taylynn and myself. We couldn't be more different, eh?"

"True. All right. I didn't mean to digress. What I was going to say was, after I discovered Talon's deceit, I tried to run from him, to get as far away as possible. He chased me down. Actually, looking back on it, it was all rather romantic." She couldn't help her smile. "He fought for us when I was too angry to. He apologized. You and I both know how often he apologizes."

Koldis laughed. "Our king? Apologize? Undirfold must have frozen over."

"I know, right?"

They fell silent for a few moments. "Thank you," Koldis said at last. "That helped, I think. If you and King Talon can overcome the events that brought you together, then I have some hope for Taylynn and I. But—"

"But she will always be a Sprite. Yes. I've considered that over the past month. Regardless, if the fates intended you to be mates, maybe they have something more planned."

"Perhaps you are right. Even if the gods I serve aren't the same as the one she does."

"Even if," Claire said, shrugging. She glanced around. "I suppose it's time for dinner. The rest of our pairs are probably already there. Shall we?"

"Indeed." Koldis stood, keeping her hand still in his, and helped her to her feet.

When they arrived at the city proper, they found their pairs already mingling. She located Lord Marquin gathered with a group of Sprites and greeted him, telling him of her desire for another forest adventure. He beamed and nodded, agreeing. He also added to those around him insinuations of his abilities. What an apt instructor he was! She'd gained many markings under his tutelage. It took everything not to roll her eyes as she stomped away to join Koldis and the other pairs at their table just as dinner platters were brought forth.

***

Claire departed Esterpine the following morning. It hadn't taken much preparation, considering she wasn't supposed to bring anything. And truthfully, she could have fudged it, had Koldis meet her just outside the city, close enough that he wouldn't get lost going back, with a pack and supplies, but she wanted to challenge herself. A couple of days away wouldn't kill her. She knew how to grow berry bushes, and water wouldn't be an issue.

She allowed herself to wander along whatever paths came her way. She didn't rush, didn't walk quickly. There would come a day when she'd miss this sort of thing, when things became monotonous in the capital and she'd wish she was here, wandering beneath the trees. She recalled the way she'd missed the forest when she wasn't in it, and reminded herself not to take it for granted.

She stopped often, to look at plants mostly. Plants enjoyed being touched, caressed. She'd learned this working in Pelwyn's garden. They appreciated a kind word of encouragement and affection. Those were the sorts of plants that flourished. So she did this as much as possible, especially when she saw interesting ones.

It was mid morning when she came across a blessing of unicorns. Her first instinct was to panic. She'd been overly observant of her surroundings, paying special attention to the sounds of the forest, always wondering not if, but when the forest's sickness would show itself. She'd not yet seen a sick unicorn, wasn't sure if it was possible. But if stags and bears could get sick, couldn't unicorns?

These weren't aggressive when she approached. She eyed the creatures before her as she inched towards them, studying them. If Koldis were here with her, he'd probably know which these were. They'd both seen their fair share of them in Esterpine. Esterpine's unicorns were always friendly, always around to solicit pets or handouts during meals.

These did the same. The moment they noticed her, they turned from their place ahead on the path, coming to greet her with their snorts and nuzzles against her palm. There were three. She laughed, petting and caressing their soft coats. "You're certainly beautiful, aren't you?"

They were snowy white, with piercing gold eyes. Their horns shimmered, but they were careful with them, aware that they could be dangerous to her. The one in the back was the tallest, a male. He shimmied his way forward to the front of the group, growing impatient with the two females who wanted to soak up all her attention. When he reached her and thrust his snorting nose into her palm, she laughed and said, "Well hello to you too! I would have gotten to you eventually." He simply snorted again and nudged her for more pets.

"I'm heading this way too, you know. Perhaps you'd like to walk with me?"

So they did. Two behind her and one at her side. Somehow the forest knew they were together, because the path widened enough for her to walk with her hand resting on the female's neck. They made slow progress until she reached a babbling creek where she took a nice long water break. She was growing hungry too, so she sang some berries into existence. She offered a few to the unicorns but they didn't show much interest.

The unicorns stayed with her most of the day, but when evening approached and she made a fire the way Feowen and Taylynn had taught her, they took their leave. It was done without many words on her part. She understood what they were trying to tell her with their body language when they made it clear they didn't wish to camp with her.

"Very well," she said, bidding them goodbye. "Perhaps our paths will cross again tomorrow."

They departed back the way they'd come. She watched them until they were swallowed up, then sighed and leaned back against the tree she was resting against. Sleeping upright wasn't comfortable so at last, she sang a small hut of vines into existence, grew a mossy bed, and fell into a fitful sleep. Her dreams woke her several times, full of sick forest and crazed animals. Each time she woke, she was greeted by normal sounds and the dark vines surrounding her, protecting her.

Come morning, she wasn't satisfied with more berries, so she tried for something harder. She was craving bananas. They had them here in Dragonwall—not the normal ones she was used to. These were almost a cross between a plantain and a banana. But close enough that she truly enjoyed them. Sprites used the word asmah to describe them and she'd only had them here in the forest.

She sang the plant into existence and was rewarded with several clusters. She left them and took only enough to fill her belly before setting off again. She left her vine hut, too. The forest had a way of cleaning up natural things, and she certainly wouldn't destroy it, effectively killing the now-living vines. Perhaps other critters would use it as a home.

She trekked most of the morning in silent thought. Her mind wandered over the only thing that mattered: what she'd learned and what she might need to do to find the staff. Taylynn assured her that it wasn't some relic hidden in Esterpine. If it were, Jade would have snatched it up years ago. It was in the forest somewhere, or protected by the King Tree. In her vision, she'd seen it laying on the Tree's roots. She hadn't missed that; she took it to mean that perhaps it was with the King Tree. If she found the Tree, would she find the staff?

Around her, the forest went silent. She'd been too deep in thought to notice it at first. But as soon as she did, she stilled and listened. The absence of sound had become a warning to her, signaling forest sickness and danger. Without making a sound, she backed up and then turned. It wasn't so early into her adventure that she needed to continue on. She could turn back and be in Esterpine by tomorrow evening. A two day adventure wasn't terrible, although she'd have to be a magical powerhouse to earn some ten markings in two days alone in the forest. That's how many she'd gained in the last few weeks. They were small, but noticeable.

A twig cracked behind her, sending her heart jumping. She spun around but saw nothing. Her mind went to the animals; she wished the unicorns hadn't left her now. The forest here looked healthy and alive, but there could be plenty of sick, wandering creatures. What would she do if she encountered any of them? Taylynn had not shared that information with her. Blood and magic—but beyond that, she'd be groping in the dark for a solution. A crash echoed into the stillness. Rooted in place, a figure appeared on the path ahead of her.

Her breath turned into a hissing sigh. "...Queen Jade?"

The queen rushed towards her, eyes wide and darting. As soon as her gaze settled on Claire, the queen relaxed.

"Are—"

"Claire. Lady Claire. Thank the Tree I've found you." Jade looked wild. Her hair was coming undone of its braid, a streak of dirt across her left cheek marred her usual pristine appearance. Her clothes were disheveled. Her barely there gown had rips in the fabric.

"What happened?" Claire asked, distressed as she took in the woman's appearance. "Was it the forest?"

Jade was breathing loudly. She glanced over her shoulder, then her eyes found Claire again, burning with determination. "I've found a way," she said at last. "A way to cure it."

Claire opened and closed her mouth. "Uhm..."

"I had hoped to find...well, never mind. I will need your help. I cannot do it alone."

"Are you sure we should be here? I can return you to Esterpine. We can send someone—"

"No! No. We are here now. This must end. My forest is sick. I cannot allow it. But there is a way. I have found a way when my daughter could not. Come." Jade held out her hand, face still wild.

The back of Claire's neck prickled. And yet..."You're sure you've found a way? What way? How?"

Jade hesitated, then sighed, shedding some of her wildness. "I must show you. Will you come?" Her voiced had calmed.

Claire eyed her a moment longer, studied her outstretched hand. A memory flashed in her mind's eye. No, not a memory, per se. A scene from the drink of enlightenment. Coming across Jade in the forest. She'd seen this. The Tree had shown it to her, this meeting, this request from Jade, for Claire to help her cleanse the forest. Would this be how she might become worthy? Would this be how she earned the staff?

She swallowed. "All right. I'll come. Take me there." Reaching out, she took Jade's hand and they set off along the only visible path forward.

⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

Happy Friday Bookdragons!

Things are heating up! Dun, dun, dun....We are officially entering into the final sequence of events/chapters that make up the climax of the story. Yay! I wouldn't say a ton happens in this one. It's more of a bridge chapter. So is next week's, which is from Koldis's POV, and that's titled "A Surprise Visit."

I'm hoping I can write at least one chapter this weekend. The weather is so lovely that I'm hoping to spend some time out of doors this weekend too.

Hope you all have a great weekend and a great week! I'll see you next Friday.

All my best,

Mel