Esterpine

Claire's next several days in Esterpine passed quickly. Each morning she was up early sparring with Koldis, then came a rushed breakfast and meeting Lord Marquin. The time with her Sprite teacher was spent wandering the fringes of Esterpine while her afternoons were spent doing more of the same, sans Lord Marquin. At least while she was with him, he improved her knowledge of the Sprite Language, first by pointing out objects, and then by helping her form full sentences.

As the days rolled by, her progress was impressive. The words, she realized, bared great similarity to the old language. But prettier, more flowing, and more intuitive. And fortunately, this language teacher wasn't as vile as her last. Even thinking of Mage Targa left her her jaw clenching.

Though, Lord Marquin wasn't without fault. She was suspicious of him—of anyone favored by Queen Jade—especially because of his excessive politeness. So smooth were his words, that it was difficult to decipher the meaning beyond. But she was sure it was there. She often got the impression he was having a laugh at her expense. At each mispronounced sound or incorrect string of words. Even now, as they walked along the city's many paths, hands clasped behind her back, she couldn't help but notice the supreme superiority radiating from him.

"That was...almost perfect, Lady Claire," Lord Marquin was saying. "Almost, but not quite." There was nothing smug about his words, per say. Yet, she sensed it in his tone. Like an undercurrent. She almost snorted, because she was pretty certain she'd said the phrase exactly as he'd instructed.

"If he doesn't stop saying almost perfect, I'm going to punch him in the face," came Koldis's snide remark. Koldis had kept up a barrage of telepathic insults since the start of her language training. She had to shush him frequently. But it helped her feel better, knowing Koldis was on her side.

"You want to accentuate the "ui" on gui." Lord Marquin's voice forced her to focus. "Miella gethlah ohmenel, gui. Because of the intention behind it. Gui means please, after all."

"Miella gethlah ohmenel, gui." She repeated the words, yet again, careful to achieve perfection. I would like an apple, please.

"Heilah, dil." Lord Marquin nodded. Good, better. And still he used that tone. That Spriten superiority.

She blinked, trying not to let her frustration show. Her annoyance. Were all Sprites this...egotistical? Gods, I'm not this bad, am I? she wondered. After all, she was part Sprite.

It is a shame you even question it, came the response. The sound of Cyrus's voice brought a smile to replace her frown. He'd become easier and easier to converse with as of late. She supposed that was normal, since it had taken her body time to acclimatize to the soul she harbored.

Over the last several days, she'd seen nothing of the darkness first witnessed in the stag. Nothing of Princess Taylynn either. Everything seemed...normal. They had sought out the prince not long after the incident. Even Jeanine hadn't been able to weasel much of an answer from him. "My sister does things in her own way, as she sees fit," was the jist of his response. Though he did scowl briefly at the mention of what they'd seen. At the appearance of his sister. "It's best you not concern yourself with the affairs of the forest, Lady Claire. Or Princess Taylynn, for that matter. Focus on your training."

Koldis had cleared his throat at that, arms crossed. "Isn't being concerned with the forest a big part of that training, Prince Feowen?" Something about the entire encounter had left Koldis on edge. He'd been strange for days, but stranger still after intercepting Princess Taylynn. Muttering, throwing dark glances at every shrub and tree, insisting she take a whole host of escorts anytime she wanted to go into the outskirts of the city.

Frankly, it was getting annoying.

But when she remembered the stag, her fear of seeing its rotting face and black eyes, she silenced her complaints. Koldis did have a point, if things like that were stalking the forest, and she was expected to go out alone, she'd have to confront them. That required magic she wasn't much confident in. Sure, she could use her Sprite Fire, but the though of setting a fire in the middle of a forest didn't sound like a great idea. She needed to diversify her magic. She needed to gain more more marks.

"Forgive me, Lord Marquin, but we've been going at this for days now. When do you believe I should try my first solo venture into the forest?"

The lord had been about to launch into a new set of sentences and pronunciations. He paused, face impassive, before saying, "I believe you should possess adequate mastery of our language before you may proceed with confidence."

She opened her mouth, about to speak, when Koldis said from behind them, "She didn't need your language to cast Sprite Fire. Or to heal our kind after she defeated the Vodar. Can she not intuit the words?"

At this, Lord Marquin's brow knitted together. He glanced back at Koldis, but nodded his acknowledgement. He showed no sign of irritation at Koldis's question, though he probably hid it well. "Indeed, Lord Koldis, some things are bread of intuition, but I believe her chances will be better if she knows and understands the words she speaks, would you not agree, Lady Claire?" he asked, turning back to her.

She nodded, chewing on the inside of her cheek. So much mystery surrounded the act of learning Sprite magic. She felt...lost. Utterly lost. She certainly hadn't anticipated it when she'd insisted on coming here. "I don't have a lot of time, Lord Marquin. Mastering a language could take months, years. I cannot remain here indefinitely."

"I...see."

"Surely you did not think I was come to stay forever."

"I did not. No."

"Then you must understand my impatience."

"Our magic cannot be rushed, Lady Claire. Nor can your journeys into the forest. All things take time. Surely you understand that much."

She sighed. "And when the time comes? When I am ready to test myself and gain new abilities? I just...wander off? What do I take with me? Where do I go?" She was desperate to know more of the mystery behind these journeys.

He eyed her momentarily. "You take only yourself. I thought I had mentioned that before. The forest will provide."

She almost barked a laugh, her frustration rising. "And what then? Do I gather berries when I'm hungry and hope I don't starve? Sleep on pine straw? Spend my time searching for water? Hope the animals and critters aren't bothered by my presence?"

Hope that I don't encounter more darkness like what I already found? was what she really wanted to say.

"Ah. But you can create your own food, see?"

She frowned back at him.

"Come." Much to her surprise, he motioned her to follow him, where stopped to kneel beside a bare patch of dirt. Without checking to see if she was there, he held his hand over the ground and began to sing. Some of the words she knew already, specifically apple, since she'd only learned that today. Her eyes widened when a green sprout broke free of the dirt and began to grow. Up, up, up. A quiet gasp broke from her lips.

Still, Lord Marquin sang, his voice beautiful and soothing. A sound she hadn't expected, but shouldn't have been surprised to hear. The sprout widened and a trunk formed, and then it thickened, and branches sprouted. Years and years of growth squashed into a mater of moments. Soon the tree was as tall as its creator, who stood. On its leafy branches, blossoms, and then little balls sprouted. They went from green to a deep red. Apples.

She stared wide-eyed. Speechless. The forest would provide.

Lord Marquin plucked apples from the tree. They weren't as large as others she'd eaten, but she suspected that was because the tree wasn't full sized. "Hungry?" he asked, a proud gleam in his eyes. He tossed her an apple before doing the same to everyone who accompanied them.

She bit into hers. Honey sweet, crisp flavor burst in her mouth, over her tongue. She huffed as she chewed and swallowed. "It's..." Quite simply the best apple she'd ever tasted. Though she wasn't going to admit that to him. An apple bought with the price of Lord Marquin's magic. His markings on his forearm glowed brighter than the others.

"I learned to grow apple trees on one of my many trips into the forest. I was hungry. The forest knew what I wanted." He hesitated, looking at the one he'd just created. His fingers caressed the leaves, an expression of fondness clouding his features. This tender, thoughtful side of him was unexpected. "This one has a healthy start. It will grow much bigger in time, all on its own now."

"But...how?" She couldn't help the question. Her wonder. Her clawing desire to copy his actions and grow her own tree. She didn't even care that he chuckled at her obvious jealousy. "You just created it from...nothing? With just the sound of your voice?"

He shrugged. "Yes and no. To grow, it needed a seed and energy. I gave it both."

"I never saw you burry a seed in the dirt."

He laughed. "No need to, Lady Claire. The dirt beneath our feet is teaming with seeds long dormant. The wind carries them and deposits them. I simply coaxed one from the ground. Perhaps it traveled through the soil from somewhere else to reach me, and that took energy too."

She noticed then that he did appear winded. Especially compared to earlier. His voice sounded tired, not quite as sweet as it had at the start of their lesson. And his eyes looked far older than usual. How old was he, truly?

As if reading her thoughts he said, "Yes, I think we will stop our lessons here for today. Feel free to have a few more apples if you'd like."

She'd already finished hers. So had the others. She tossed away the core. An offering for the forest critters. And she knew Lord Marquin was correct about the seeds. The core would wither away in time, and its seeds would return to the earth. There they would either take root or wait to be called forth again.

Lord Marquin turned to depart from them. A sudden idea took her. Setting aside her pride, she stepped forward. "Lord Marquin? Do you think—"

He stopped, slowly turning back to her. "Yes?"

"Do you think...perhaps at the end of our lessons you might show me more things like that? More of your magic?" His eyes widened marginally. "Nothing...crazy," she amended. "Just small things. I feel I might better understand if I see what Sprite magic is capable of achieving."

"Hmm." He appeared to consider this, then a smile broke free of his lips, perhaps the first she'd seen. "Very well, Lady Claire. If you feel it will help."

"I think it will."

"I must caution, though. Every Sprite's magic is different. I do not expect you to do things as I can, or even in the same way." And just when she thought she'd broken through his frustrating Sprite-ness, there was that calm superiority again. But she didn't care. Not if it helped her better understand.

She nodded, relieved. "Shalaya, Kenya." Thank you, revered teacher. She'd added ya to the Spriten common word for to teach, as a term of absolute respect and reverence, hoping it would impress him.

"Heilah. Litaya danah." Good. See you tomorrow. This time, he bowed before departing, though she noticed he didn't say, You're welcome.

Koldis sidled up beside her, staring at the place where he'd disappeared into the forest. "Please tell me I'm not the only one who can't stand him."

She snorted. "He's not that bad, Koldis. You just have to stroke his ego a bit."

"There's no room for ego here," he said.

"Why is that?" She turned to him then, smiling, teasing. "Because yours is so large it takes up the entire forest?"

"Ha! Right." He gave her a braid a playful tug. "Now, I don't know about you but I'm not keen for a lunch of apples. At least back at the palace I can get some bread."

"Yes, yes. We'd better return." Behind her, the others grumbled their agreement. Their change in diet was taking a toll in the form of easy irritation. Perhaps there would be a need to send them from the forest for a few days, to the outskirts where they might find game that strayed too close.

They started back. Koldis was silent a beat before speaking. "What was with all the questions about trekking into the forest, hmm?"

"I..." She sighed, considering. "I get the impression that Queen Jade isn't in any hurry to teach me their magic. No—" She shook her head. "That's not right. Because there's no teaching involved, it seems. Better that I say, Queen Jade is in no hurry for me to learn Sprite magic."

"Indeed."

"You picked up on it too?" She turned to better look at him.

"I did." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I understand the need to learn their language. And you should. It's part of your lineage. But their magic? The way I understand it, and from what I've seen when you use it, it's intuitive. You can create Sprit Fire easily enough. You know all the words, even if you don't exactly understand—"

"I understand them perfectly."

"Oh gods woman. You know what I meant. You understand them now. But only because those were the first words you asked Aolis Marquin to translate." Koldis never used Lord Marquin's title when he wasn't in their presence. It was clear he absolutely despised her teacher.

"True. You're right."

"Look, Claire, if you're going to journey into the forest, might as well get going with it. I don't want to be here forever."

"Says the guy who doesn't want me going in alone." She arched an eyebrow at him.

He sighed. "I don't. Talon would—"

"—kill you, yes I know. But he needs to understand, and so do you, that the only way I'm going to learn, is by going on these quest-things."

"I don't like it."

"Neither do I. Not after seeing what else lurks in the forest. And knowing next to nothing about it. I suppose I can take a knife with me and slit my arm open. Bleed on whatever darkness threatens me. See if my blood does the same—"

"No. You're not bleeding on anything."

"I was only teasing." She bumped him with her shoulder.

***

Later that afternoon, Claire found herself alone in the forest. A feat she was proud of. And only because she'd used her position of command against Koldis. He was argumentative when she forced him to stay behind. "I don't plan to go far," she reassured him. No that her reassurances helped.

"When I said you should get going, I didn't mean today."

"Well, I need to get a feel for being alone."

"Not at the expense of your life, Claire. What if it's too soon?" Koldis was entirely indecisive. She knew he was eager to leave, even after only a few days in Esterpine, but also afraid for her to come to harm.

"I'll be fine, Koldis. Stay here."

"No."

"You will stay. I command it." She was already on her way to the door when she had said it. When she used a tone that brokered no further argument. A tone that made Koldis's eyes widen.

"I'm liking the idea of you being queen less and less," he darkly muttered.

"I heard that," she'd called over her shoulder, opening the door.

"I intended you to," he shot back, just as she closed it behind her.

Even now, she smiled at the anger that disguised his concern. She really didn't plan to go far. Truth be told, she just wanted time alone, time away from everyone. Koldis never allowed her to venture out by herself. Her only moments of peace were in her bed chamber. And how much peace could be had in a palace of crystal anyway?

She sighed and came to a full stop, stretching her arms out, spinning around, watching the canopy turn into a blur above her. Laughter fell from her lips. This place was truly joyous, even if there was something sinister lurking. It was beautiful, and magical, and green. So much green.

Now, what she really needed was a peaceful place to sit and think. The days had begun to press in around her, a blur of activity. She wanted some time to digest everything, to think about the words she was learning, to practice speaking without someone who chided her for every mispronunciation.

"You wouldn't happen to have the perfect place, would you?"she asked to the forest, almost jokingly. Though she couldn't help but wonder how deeply the King Tree listened and watched from wherever it was hidden.

She continued wandering until she heard the sounds of metal on metal, a musical sound, purer than that of normal swordplay. She followed it, curious, and came to a small clearing not twenty minutes from the city. There she found Jeanine and Feowen sparring. Her eyes widened and she watched silently, until Feowen laughed and stopped, turning right to where she stood hidden.

"You can join us, if you'd like."

"Oh." She stepped from the foliage, greeting them. "I didn't mean to pry. I just heard..."

"No matter." His gaze flicked over her. "Have a seat." He motioned to a grassy spot beside where she stood. Jeanine was breathing hard, sweat beading on her brow, sword in hand. Truthfully, she found herself curious. After all, Jeanine was human and Claire was so used to sparring with the Drengr all the time, that she was eager to see them matched. Moreover, she and Koldis visited the sparring grounds so early, she hadn't had the opportunity to watch any of the Sprites wield their famed weapons.

"Only if you don't mind?" she asked Jeanine specifically, knowing she often didn't prefer an audience when Jovari and Koldis were beating her to a pulp.

"Not at all." Jeanine rolled her neck and shoulders, taking a few steps from Feowen to ready herself. It wasn't exactly the quiet place Claire had asked for, but maybe the forest knew her better than she realized. Or maybe the forest was trying to guide her to something else. To these two.

The prince lunged, eyes dancing with glee. Jeanine met his Spriten blade with her kingdom sword. They broke into a dance of flashing silver weapons. Claire's eyes widened. The sound was staggering. Beautiful. Music to her ears. It called to her, sparking something deep in her blood. Memories in her genetics. And with that spark, a need.

She eyed Feowen's blade with envy, the glowing blue marks along its length, thinking of the Sprite knife she wore at her belt. She loved owning Cyrus's sword. But that was exactly it—it had belonged to him. Feowen's sword was a work of lethal art. A powerful weapon. Something far more fitting for her own lineage. A delighted smile pulled at her lips. Perhaps before this was all over, she might seek out her own Spriten blade before leaving the forest.

⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

Happy Friday, Bookworms! 

I know some of you have asked in the past: Yes, I do invent the languages in this series, both the Drengr (old language) and Sprite. It's not easy. But it's not entirely from scratch. I use inspiration from other real world languages like norse, Arabic, Welsh, etc. I twist the sounds around, trying to make them sound realistic. I've got a messy...super messy catalogue going where I keep track of everything. It can really slow my writing down, but it feels worth it to lend a certain authenticity to the writing, no? I'm hoping to explore and develop the Sprite language much more than the old language. Where the Drengr use rudimentary commands, or incants/incantations, the Sprites use their language currently as a spoken language. I want that to reflect in Claire's time here.

Next week's chapter is titled "Passing Time in Esterpine" and is also from Claire's POV. After that, we'll take a quick jump back to Kastali Dun. Okay, that's all for this week. Have a great weekend!

All my best,

Mel