Blood Bride (Aarabassa World) (3 page)

‘You think I cannot stop this then?’ Lord Fiendrac could not accept that his people would go against his command.

‘I believe that we are on the edge of a new beginning and only those prepared for this will survive and be a part of it.’

‘Zattarow. Where have you heard such nonsense? How dare you come to me and tell me this is so?’ Fiendrac’s patience was wearing thin at this vamplin’s preposterous predictions.

‘I read it,’ he replied calmly.

‘Where? Where have your read that our people will undergo such radical changes?’

‘In the stars, Lord. The stars told me of this.’

‘Leave me you fool. You think because of your age you are wise. Well, I say you are foolish. I do not believe this has to happen. I can put a stop to this madness and then my people will be safe, if they do not follow an unwise and greedy Emperor.’

‘It will be a female who will lead them my Lord, not you.’

‘What! There is no such female that can take my place. What are you planning?’

‘I do not plan this, I tell you only of the predictions I have foreseen.’

‘Leave me Zatttarow. Leave. I need to think on your words.’

‘Yes, Fiendrac. I will leave you to consider the future of your people. Vamplins can also be corrupted by what is around them. It is a heavy burden that you carry. I do not believe that even you can save our people.’

Zattarow slowly hobbled away from the vamplin leader. He had known that his own life was not to last much longer but he did care for the future of his people. He had seen Lord Fiendrac’s downfall. He knew that his Lord would not remain the leader for much longer and he knew that something was about to happen that would change the ways of vamplins, for better or worse.

A Changeling is born unto the world of Aarabassa, only when the truthful bloodlines combine;

That of Pure High Mage lineage with that of Pure Ancient Mage lineage. 

Thus creating a being with the ability to Change shape

This is a strand of darker magic that can capture the soul of a Changeling,

Yet this soul is Pure. 

High Mage bloodlines have mingled and merged over many, many years. It is now difficult to know if any beings remain pure from this ancient lineage anymore. Yet, nature has sought a resolve. For evolution to progress, this lineage must be strengthened until it is Pure and unbroken, once again. 

Heimarl, a true product from the rich blood of the Ruling Mage lineage. Minnah, untainted from the wholesome blood of the Ancient Mage lineage. These impure mortals were coupled through the deeds of true love, and united as soul mates. Together, creating but one offspring, Heather the Changeling, the Purest of Souls. 

A Changeling can transform to any creature that lives, but the dangers are fervent. If the Changeling chooses to live as another being for a long passage of time, then, unless their magic is potent, they risk becoming the creature they are portraying. Turning back to human form becomes a heavier burden as the darker side of the Changeling magic takes a hold upon the soul. These souls can forget who they really are.

* * *

The next moonwake Heather woke up entirely refreshed. Sleeping on a bed that was not constantly in motion and slopping with river water at the bottom of a damp boat, played its part in her revitalised self. Even her skin felt silky and unspoiled after a long bathing session. She found herself longing for her personal maid Gloria to brush the tangles out of her hair, as she used to do. Now she had to brush and braid her own hair the best that she could manage. Even choosing her own wardrobe was nowhere near as pleasurable as she thought it would be, not that she had many clothes to choose from on this trip. Pulling out of her bag a reasonably fresh pale yellow, sleeveless tunic that fit snugly to her slender shape, she thought no more of luxuries. Tying a soft silk golden braid belt about her waist, she then searched for her soft leather sandals. Finally locating them under a pile of dirty clothing that had been ceremoniously dumped in a corner of her cave chamber. That was before she had finally collapsed into a long deep sleep on the previous moonsleep.

Lifting the woven woolen flap that served as her doorway, she entered the dimly lit tunnel and was immediately met by one of Captain Yanomi’s guards.

‘Oh hello,’ Heather greeted the guard with a note of surprise. ‘I hadn’t realised I had a guard posted at my door.’

‘Captain’s orders ma'am. Shall I take you to the meeting?’

‘Meeting? Oh a meeting. Yes. That would be useful. I don’t know my way around these infernal tunnels.’

The guard efficiently led the way through the endless right and left turns, no stairs, plenty of pathways uphill and downhill, and ample tunnels with curves that seemed to go around in large circles. Mazes of small and tight, or huge and spacey corridors were dug in to the mountain stone, to create the dragons’ lair. Finally, the guard halted on a smooth stone ledge-way. Heather placed herself at his side and looked down from a balcony into a huge cavern of glittering crystal walls of pinks and blues, tainted with minerals, twinkling to create an astonishing radiance of illumination. She observed a crowd of four dragons, including the Queen, and the good Captain Yanomi.

‘Good moonwake to you all,’ Heather called from her high standpoint, gradually strolling down the adjoining causeway to meet with the others.

Are you refreshed Heather and ready to deal with pressing problems?

‘Yes, Queen Thimat. I need to progress with my quest as soon as I can, so let’s get the problems at hand dealt with quickly.’

Heather turned to speak with the Captain. ‘Captain, I have interrupted, please continue with your discussions.’

‘Good to see you Heather. I was explaining to the Queen that it is our tradition to give persons suspected of a crime, a trial in front of the King’s Council. Perhaps I could speak with you alone before we continue the debate.’

The Captain diplomatically turned to consult with Queen Thimat. ’I will seek council with the Changeling, before we conclude this discussion, if I may?’

He should take this opportunity to explain to you what these evil humans have done to my peoples,
the Queen Mindtalked to Heather.
I should deal with this matter in my own way but my Advisers remind me we are Gardians, not Destroyers.

Thank you Queen Thimat,
Heather Mindtalked, politely bowing her head in recognition of the Queen’s compromise.

The Captain led Heather a distance away from the dragons, who watched in silence as they walked away.

‘It is very difficult to explain to the Queen,’ the Captain began in a whispered hush as he imagined all could hear his every thought.

‘I don’t know if Rikka’s son has technically committed a murder in our laws. The abapes are not of our race,’ said a very confused Captain. ‘I don’t know what the King’s Council will determine on this matter but I do know we cannot allow the dragons to fry him.’

‘I will ask the Queen’s permission to meet with Rikka and her son,’ Heather suggested. ‘I have not met with them yet but I understand they did good work in easing our Royal Family’s ills and pains.’

‘The King appears to be in two different minds,’ Captain Yanomi admitted. ‘Before we captured Rikka, he instructed us to kill them on sight. Then later he said to keep them safe and they were not to be harmed. I still await final confirmation on what his latest wishes are on this matter.’

‘I think we will just go for the delaying tactic for now Captain,’ she wanted to speak with the prisoners before making any judgements.

They returned to the still silent group of dragons. Heather realised they were probably communicating through Mindtalk. She sat upon a large high backed wooden bench and indicated to the Captain to stand by her side.

‘Queen Thimat,’ Heather began. ‘I would ask that I have the opportunity to meet with the prisoners. Then, I would further ask for your patience a little longer while we await a reply from our King on this matter. I will not leave for the Wall until this is resolved.’

That is not the answer I had hoped for Changeling,
the Queen spoke to Heather formally. All friendliness now vanquished.

Had your soldiers not been here, this human, Fedros, would be no more. I do indeed respect your ways but you must also respect ours and it is we who have suffered from this dreadful crime. Our wounds are deep from this terrible deed. What is this man that he can kill with such uncompassionate ease? I say the world would be a better place without him.
The Queen finished with a loud snort of her nostrils, reminding these humans who was the biggest in this group.

‘It is settled then Queen.’ Heather would not be intimidated, even confronted by an overpowering and angry dragon. ‘I will meet with them first before I comment any further.’ 

Yes, I suppose this must be the way of things,
Queen Thimat unhappily agreed.
Let us now proceed with the plans for your journey.

Heather breathed a sigh of relief that the subject was to be changed.

By the end of the meeting, all had agreed that the dragons would accompany Heather into the Darklands, through the mid-mountains of Madzren. They could not stay with her for long as this could jeopardise the unwritten agreement with the Emperor and therefore be a risk to Raphael’s safety. The meeting concluded and just as all began to disperse, a messenger ran up to the Captain with a look of terror on his face.

‘Captain, we have just received word, our King is dead,’ the ashen faced messenger finished with tears wetting his cheeks.

‘Has there been an early attack?’ Heather quickly grasped the situation. ‘What of his sons Leon and Amos?’ She had many questions to ask, believing she had been tricked and the monshaads had managed to attack Beldroth.

‘No, it wasn’t like that,’ replied the messenger, confused. ‘He took his own life. The Princes had already left the city on their journeys to bring together the Lightlands Council. As far as I understand, they are not yet aware of their father’s death.’

‘Thank you Erat for delivering such grave news. At ease, soldier.’

The Captain took the piece of paper the messenger grasped tightly, as if holding on to it would mean his King still lived. The messenger looked relieved at his dismissal. This was not news anyone would gladly part with.

‘I cannot believe King Alfred would do this,’ Heather quietly expressed to the Captain. 

‘Aye lady,’ Captain Yanomi spoke his reply, for Heather’s ears only. ‘There is more to this story, I wager. We must get you on your way so my troops can return to the Royal City. We will be needed by the High Mages. I cannot think how order will be in Beldroth with our King dead.’

This is sombre news for us all
, the Queen Mindtalked to Heather.

I cannot help but wonder if his sudden death is anything to do with Morte-Bielz. We must make haste with our mission Heather. We will prepare quickly so the young Prince can still be rescued. I do not like to think of that monshaad Emperor holding him for one moment longer than necessary.

‘First, Queen Thimat, I must contact my father, the Head Mage. I must know what develops in Beldroth and what my father advises.’ Heather turned her attention to the Captain. ‘Captain, I will go meet with the prisoners now and report back to you on my judgement.’

The group continued to disperse, the dragons following their Queen down a large passageway and Heather following the guards to the cells, on another level. 

Entering the dank, gloomy chamber she came face to face with Fedros in the first cell. He stood rigid, clutching the iron bars of the gate and staring with crazy eyes wide in surprise. An eerie orange glow surrounded him in his cell as the burning torch spread its fingers of light. The fetid smell or stale urine swirled around her nostrils.

‘Ahhh,’ he whispered loudly. ‘Here you are Changeling, finally you have arrived. My Master will be pleased that he can now progress with his plan.’

‘Who is this master you speak of?’ Heather recognised Fedros from his role as Leon’s temporary guard. She remembered, at the time she had thought him an unlikely looking soldier.

‘My Master is keen to meet with you Changeling. My mother and I are to accompany you, so you can tell that to the stinking dragons. If they attempt to hurt me, they will have to answer to the Emperor Morte-Bielz!’ he shouted, podgy white fingers wrapped around the iron bars of the gate, shaking them furiously.

‘Don’t you see Changeling? Our Master has his eyes on all his servants. He watches you closely, so treat me well,’ he laughed oddly, his wild ice-blue eyes gaping back at her. Heather backed away from his cell gate, unsure if indeed he was as mad as the soldiers had implied in their gossip. Treading the dusty floor, grit crunching under her step, she took a right turn towards the cell of the old woman.

Rikka sat upon a hard, cold stone bench that must surely make her bones ache with discomfort. Her tangled hair hung in long dirty strands. Her robe grubby from lack of cleaning and her skin dirty from lying on the floor of the dusty, damp cave. 

‘Ye have spoken with my son, Changeling?’ she asked of Heather. ‘His words are those of a man possessed. I explained this to the captain, my son has evil in his blood. The evil got him when the young Prince was taken from us. All of his words are lies. My only master is the King.  My only son is possessed of an evil devil, ‘e is lost to us.’ She stood up and hobbled to the gate, shaky in her balance as she slowly seated her frail bones on the floor, bowing her head in mock disgrace.

‘Rikka,’ Heather spoke gently through the iron gate and knelt down to sit opposite the old woman. ‘Our king has passed on to the Realm of the Dead.’ At hearing this news, Rikka’s eyes remained locked on the cold stone floor, she feigned concern with a meek moan but she knew that her Master’s hand would have played a part in ending the human King’s life. 

‘This is a sad time for all our people,’ Heather put her hand through the bar to reach out and gently comfort the old woman. ‘But do not be weighed down further by this, think only of your own burdens at this moment,’ Heather worried that this news would only trouble the old woman more. ‘Have you no other family that can help you with your son?’ Heather’s voice was a soft whisper as she questioned the frail old woman. ‘Your son speaks of you both serving a master, do you understand what this means?’

‘My child,’ Rikka whimpered as a trickling tear dampened her cheek leaving a pale trail in her dirty skin, ‘he is no longer my son. When my kin know his blood is tainted with evil, they will not seek to help me.’ Rikka turned her back to the gate so Heather could no longer see her face.

‘Your family should always love you Rikka. It will not matter what your crimes are, they will shoulder your burden with you. Can I not contact them for you and explain your dilemma?’

‘Are you sure of this child?’ Rikka feigned surprise. ‘My blood is of nobility? Do you really believe they would protect me from the torturous death that the dragons wish upon my broken body?’Rikka slowly stood, Heather stood with her and looked upon a bent old woman, seemingly fragile and vulnerable.

‘Tell me who would shun you in old age? They cannot be very noble if they act this way, even nobility should protect their own. Your son may have to face a death penalty and then who would care for you? I say your bloodline will be your lifeline.  Now tell me who your kin are and I will ensure their responsibilities are met.’

‘Very well child,’ Rikka spoke slowly and steadied herself leaning on the bars of the gate.  ‘Your mother and I share the same mother.’ Rikka looked up to witness the shocked expression on the face of her niece. ‘Yes Heather. Your mother is my younger sister. She has never known of me and I in my turn have kept myself out in the cold. But now, I seek her love and embrace. I am in need of kinship. You child are of my bloodline, will you help me now?’

‘My … my mother has spoken of no sister, how can this be true?’ Heather spoke rashly, unsure how to react to such astonishing news. She longed for her father by her side, he would know what to do. Rikka was suddenly more refined in her behaviour and speech. If this old woman truly did speak the truth, then her family did have an obligation to aid her.

‘We have different fathers Heather, but that is not unusual. Your own sisters have different mothers, is this not so?’ Rikka reminded Heather.

‘I - I must speak with my father first. I cannot possibly know what should be done without his wisdom.’

‘A strange dilemma child, here you are about to face a powerful Emperor all on your own, yet you cannot make a family decision alone. Are you sure you can be successful at your quest?  The Prince child still depends upon your bravery.’

‘I will do all I can to save Raphael, you can be sure of that, old woman.’  Heather turned to leave, confused in her stress at this news. There was a noticeable difference in Rikka. She spoke as if from Royalty, her back had straightened and she suddenly appeared younger and almost striking.

‘You know child, you will make a beautiful bride.’

Heather did not reply but wondered how Rikka could have known of Leon’s proposal. She stopped in her tracks and returned to the old woman’s cell. Rikka was now standing with imposing posture at the rear of the cell in the darkened shadow.

‘My grandmother, do you know her name?’

‘Of course I know my own mother’s name, Nealther. What test is this?’

‘It is not a test Rikka, that will be performed by the Head Mage, my father. Only he has the skill to know if you tell the truth. You will be tried and tested most fairly. I merely wanted to hear you say my grandmother’s name. And yet, you do not say it with love in your heart. I cannot know why you left the embrace of your family, who you now wish to protect you. I meant what I said upon those words. If we are kin, we will care for you. That is, should your son be given the death sentence?’

Heather swiftly left the cold chambers behind, relieved to be away from the people who she now believed may be of her own blood. This problem was becoming more complex. It was time to seek her father’s wisdom and love. Mindtalk was not easy with such distance between them but her father was strong enough to hold the magic. She felt a shiver of happiness run through her. It had been a long time since she had contacted any of her loved ones, it would take much strength but it would be her last opportunity before she left for the Darklands.