Land of Strength and Sorrow

  The rustling of leaves scared her and caused her heart to jump to her throat. She rotated toward the noise. Something crept around back there. The time for bravery had come.

  I can do this. It’s probably nothing but the wind, she told herself.

  But just because she told herself the words didn’t make her believe them.

  With purpose, she inched forward, a scream ready at the back of her throat. It would call Cappa forward instantly. But as she came face to face with three sets of eyes, glowing yellow in the shadows of a carved-out portion of a hill, the scream lodged in her throat.

  More giggles.

  She sighed and released some of the tension she held in her muscles. Giggles didn’t equal threats, not usually. Whatever hid back there wouldn’t harm her. She could feel it.

  “Come out from there. Let me help you.” She kept her voice quiet, but firm, as she stepped back into the forest.

  One of the creatures waddled toward her and two more followed, but both hesitated more than their leader. When they came out of the shadows and into the light, Jovi’s eyes landed on their chubby arms, tucked behind their swollen bodies. Her eyes went up, then up some more before they landed on small heads with large oval eyes smiling down at her. Giants. They had to be.

  Without meaning to, she gasped and made them shrink away from her. “No. Please. Don’t run away. Come out and tell me how long you’ve been hiding here?”

  The largest one came forward, his dark brown hair swaying with every move. His round belly jiggled with every step. Standing beside her showed Jovi how much taller he was. No wrinkles painted his face, which showed his youth more than anything else.

  Giants didn’t age the same as humans. Her lessons growing up had taught her that much. Perhaps they were still children. Maybe even Bertson’s children that had never made it into his story.

  “What is your name?” she asked.

  “My name is Gorn.” His gruff voice ricocheted off the trees and made each word loud and in her face. “This is Fink and Berty.”

  She looked over at Fink, who was slightly shorter with shaggy brown hair. He was a little thinner, as well, but other than that his features mirrored Gorn’s. Then she examined Berty, the only female. A long braid ran down the side of her thick face. A large nose stuck out, almost covering her thin lips. Dark patches covered her skin, but Jovi didn’t know if they were birthmarks or dirt. All three had chubby cheeks that glowed with a deep blush.

  Jovi smiled up at them. “It is a pleasure to meet you all. I didn’t think there were any Giants left in Orendor.”

  “Oh, we’ve been ‘ere m’lady. Hidin’ o’course.” Gorn’s yellow eyes lit with excitement. “Nobody been able to find us.”

  “Until me.” Their fingers shook with nerves so she stepped closer. “I won’t hurt you. In fact, I would love to help you. Come with us, and we will keep you safe.”

  “We s’posed to wait here for Papa,” Berty said as tears slid down her cheeks. “But it’s been so long. I don’t think he’s a coming back.”

  “Who was your father?” Jovi asked.

  “Name’s Bertson.”

  Jovi’s mouth parted. So, she had been right. Should she tell them what happened to their father? It would shatter them. Seeing these children made her vow to make the Mages reverse the spell.

  For now, she said nothing. They didn’t need to know about their father. Not yet. If she failed in saving him, then she would tell them, but not before. Jovi raised to her full height and waved the three child Giants forward. “Come along. I have someone I want you to meet.”

  Jovi led them out of the woods. “Cappa. Come quick. You’ll never believe what I found.”

  Cappa came running, but stopped short. His jaw fell open. “Are these…”

  She nodded. “They are Giant children. Their father’s name is Bertson and they were told to wait here for him, but he never returned. They have been here such a long time. I thought it would be kind to bring them along with us.”

  Cappa rubbed his goatee. “Perhaps. But it will also be dangerous.”

  Fink stuck his thumbs in his suspenders. “We lives for danger.”

  The others laughed. Jovi introduced them each to Cappa.

  If their party grew any larger they might be in trouble. Already, they only had one container to fill with water. Luckily, the Giants each had their own containers that they’d built from a fallen tree, so as they stooped down to fill them in the lake, Cappa pulled Jovi aside.

  “Did you tell them about their father?” Cappa whispered the question so he wouldn’t be overheard, leaning very close to Jovi’s ear.

  Jovi’s heart beat sped up as she shook her head, very aware of the heat emanating from his body.

  Cappa frowned. “Don’t you think we should?”

  Jovi shook her head. “No. I think it is something they need not know just yet. I’ve decided I will save the Frost Mages and when I do, I will bargain for them to reverse the spell.”

  Cappa nodded. “Great plan, if it works. But what if it doesn’t?”

  “Then I will tell them.”

  “I can’t believe they’ve been here all this time and never searched for Bertson.”

  Jovi shrugged. “Maybe they listen really well.”

  Cappa grinned. “Nobody listens that well. Either way, let us help them. Maybe we will find a place for them to stay, with others who can look after them, while we deal with what we have lying on our plate. Then we can come back for them and take them to their father when the time is right.”

  “I think that sounds like a great plan.”

  Cappa refilled his container at the pond, then stood. “I guess we should be on our way, then.”

  “I guess we should.”

  “This so exciting,” Gorn exclaimed.

  “We’s headin’ on an adventure,” Fink stated.

  Berty remained quiet as she followed behind her brothers. Her eyes spoke volumes, but still she said nothing.

  Jovi and Cappa walked side by side behind the Giants. They were slow, but a welcome gift with all the darkness they faced.

  The shadows were her home. She’d always felt more at home as she slunk through the dark than traipsing around as the sun beat on her skin. The sun, now more than ever, sickened her.

  Since the King had sent her away twenty years ago, Belisandre—who’d once been his sorceress—lived as a ghost, barely seen and never recognized. Today, though, it mattered not. Her King needed her help, and she would give it to him. Just because he’d made her leave all those years ago didn’t mean he didn’t keep in contact with her. In fact, they’d been very good friends throughout the years, by way of letters. Better than nothing, she supposed.

  She would help her oldest friend and ally. The attack on the castle had been visible even to her. Of course, she lived closer to the castle than even the King knew. She’d never actually left Central Orendor, not longer than several months. And Kingsperch had always been her home. She couldn’t get used to living anywhere else.

  So, she’d made a place for herself, close to the castle within the Grove of Shadows, her home away from home. That way she could keep an eye on the King. Good thing, too, since he’d been captured by Frost Mages.

  The castle hadn’t changed a single bit in all the years she’d been gone. She still knew her way around like she knew all the lines on the back of her hand. The secret passages in the castle hadn’t been corrupted by Mages, so Belisandre moved through them without any issues. Nobody noticed her, either.

  The passageway she’d entered had been difficult to get to. Frost Mages were everywhere, even in her old rooms, but only a single one slept on her old bed. She’d sneaked in and pulled back the large burgundy drape from the wall, slipping into the passage she’d used so often when she’d been a part of the household. Once inside the narrow hall, she half-turned and sidestepped for what felt like hours, until she finally reached the throne room. Good thing fat didn’t cover her bones or she’d have never ma
de it.

  But, she did make it, to the exact place she needed to be.

  Once she stood in front of the door, she pressed her ear against the cold wood and listened.

  “King Ryan, how many times have we been over this now?”

  She’d heard that voice before, but when it still belonged to a child. A deep voice, resonating with power. His magic wouldn’t hold a candle to her own, though.

  “We have been over it a million times, yet, you won’t accept the answer I’ve given you.” King Ryan’s voice sounded amused and calm considering who stood before him.

  Belisandre had expected him to be uncontrolled, filled with a rage he couldn’t hide. The reality took her off guard.

  “I cannot accept it. My people will die if you don’t end this curse, once and for all.”

  King Ryan laughed, loud and boisterous. Belisandre’s grin spread, pride hiding in the darkness with her.

  The Frost Mage stomped down the stairs, the sound plain as day from inside the passage. “You can laugh now. You won’t laugh when we find your daughter.”

  “Leave her out of this!”

  There. He’d found the nerve and cut it in half. There’s that anger I thought to find, Belisandre mused.

  Now, the Frost Mage laughed. “I don’t believe I will. I am sorry, but you’ve given me no choice.”

  A second Frost Mage said, “Malador, the Frost Mages need to have a meeting.”

  “Please say whatever you need in front of King Ryan. He won’t oppose.”

  The second Frost Mage hushed his voice. “We need a meeting in private, King Malador. It concerns the girl.”

  “Fine. We shall return quickly, Ryan. Feel free to stay put, if you’d like.” Malador chuckled, and Belisandre listened as the room cleared out. She hoped. The time had come to reveal herself.

  Slowly, she pulled back the door so it made not a sound. She tucked back the cloth hanging over the secret door, and emerged.

  Two Frost Mages remained and laid eyes on her. Damn. I thought they’d all went to the meeting. No choice now, she thought.

  They both opened their mouths. She couldn’t let them speak. If Malador heard them, she’d be discovered by him and she wouldn’t allow that. He might recognize her…even after all these years.

  She held a hand up and released the magic moving through her veins. It traveled from her fingertips, transparent, through the air, wrapping around the enemies, tugging them down into a deep sleep.

  Rushing forward, she fell before the King. He was tied to his throne, his arms behind the broad chair. It almost looked as if his shoulders might dislodge right from the sockets. The Queen sat beside him, her eyes closed. How could she sleep at a time like this?

  “King Ryan, you must remain quiet. I will free you and get you to safety. The Queen. Is she okay?” Firing so many questions at once hadn’t been her intention, but she couldn’t stop them once they’d started.

  King Ryan shook his head. “You will do no such thing.” He paused, a frown lining his face as he glanced at his wife. “She is okay. The Frost Mages gave her something to put her to sleep. She wouldn’t stop crying.” His eyes filled with a sadness that sickened Belisandre, but also startled her. She didn’t know what to say about the Queen. She’d also come here to free him and he’d said no. She had no words, again. Not a normal thing for her…

  King Ryan smiled. “Thank you for coming to my rescue, but I am right where I need to be. You, however, have a mission. You must keep the cure from the Frost Mages.”

  “My King?”

  “I cannot have them getting their hands on what they want. Not now. They are even more powerful than they were twenty years ago. If they were cured, can you imagine what they would do to Kingsperch? To my daughter?”

  Belisandre had an easy time imagining it. The Mages had always sought power above all else. Ruling a kingdom such as Kingsperch would give them exactly what they’d always wanted.

  But Belisandre had a better idea. If she kept the cure from them, it would only result in the death of the whole royal family. She could prevent that, maybe, but only if she came up with another plan.

  And just like that, she did.

  “Hear me out,” she whispered. “What if I disguise myself? Or, what if I hide in that old cabin by the lake and use my powers to persuade your daughter to find me.”

  King Ryan frowned. “Can you use your powers on someone from a distance? She will not be close. If I know Jovi, she will have kept going, maybe even all the way to The Mammoth Fields, to seek the help of her Uncle. He is the only other person she knows who isn’t locked inside the castle walls, even though she doesn’t remember him well.” A scowl transformed his face, disgust painted heavily through the lines around his mouth.

  She knew from long ago King Ryan didn’t think much of his brother. Not anymore. Not since the curse. Meical had fought to stop it. He’d wanted the Frost Mages left alone to live their lives in peace. King Ryan had dismissed him with little thought and made him leave the castle and his sight. Never did he want to see Meical in the castle again. Harsh, but necessary. Of course, it never stopped Meical. He kept coming back, more intent than ever on reversing the curse. But King Ryan would never let that happen. He had too much hatred in his heart. Hatred Belisandre admired. Eventually, Meical had realized he fought a losing battle and had given up.

  She’d forgotten King Ryan had asked her a question. “My powers will work very well, my King. When I lead Jovi to the cabin, I will give her the recipe for the cure, making her seek the ingredients. It will be for naught, though. The ingredients will make a lovely colored liquid, but will do little else. Although, the Frost Mages will believe the cure is exactly what we’ve said and go back to Frostspher.”

  “When they find out the cure didn’t work, they will only attack again.”

  Belisandre smiled. “Then we will have time to prepare for their next attack.”

  The King raised his eyebrows. “How did you know trouble had found me? I hadn’t a chance to write you.”

  “I’m close, King. Always close. Always watching.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Belisandre hoped he spoke the truth. Some might think her obsessed, but she loved her King. She’d been honored to serve him. But, she not only watched him to keep him safe, she had other things up her sleeves. She wanted to live within the castle walls once again. Perhaps that day would come sooner now.

  Belisandre stood. “I will go to the cabin, then. This plan will be a success.”

  Whispered voices drifted through the room, alerting Belisandre that her time here had come to an end.

  The King smiled. “I’m glad you came. Now go, and save us.”

  Belisandre jogged to the wall, ducked behind the cloth covering it, and disappeared inside the passageway. There, she waited and listened as Malador came back inside. “Your daughter slipped through our fingers. She said she knew how to obtain the cure. It is more important to me than anything, so we’ve given her a week to find it and bring it here to us. If she succeeds, you will all be free and we will go home, never to bother you again.”

  The girl is smarter than I’ve given her credit for. She’s already set the plan in motion without even knowing it, Belisandre thought.

  Belisandre rubbed her hands together, then waddled through the narrow hall. When she returned to her old chambers, the Frost Mage, who’d been sleeping in her room, remained asleep, not stirring once as she sneaked out the same way she’d come in. The shadows welcomed her, hid her, and kept her safe. She had to get to safety and she’d get to work on her part of the plan. Nobody would be the wiser.

  Especially that creep, Malador.

  He would get his, soon. If she had any say in it.

  Her plan would give him a taste of his own medicine and show him who held the power. Malador would learn a valuable lesson from her, one he’d never forget.

  And she couldn’t wait to be the one that taught it to him.

  Trudging through the tal
l grass made Jovi’s legs want to collapse from under her, but she pushed forward, following Cappa. Gorn, Fink, and Berty frolicked, laughter and giggles swirling through the wind around her. Jovi could guess why. They’d been alone together, in that area, for a long time. She wondered who had hunted for food, which one of these children had made it so they lived.

  She watched them as they moved through the plains. The even ground made her feet ache less, a welcomed change from all the climbing of the previous day. Jovi would climb all day and all night, though, if it meant hurrying this journey along. They’d already lost a full day since they’d crossed the Frost Mages. In fact, it had almost been two.

  She tapped Cappa on the shoulder. She didn’t want to walk in silence anymore but didn’t know how to start a conversation. When he stopped, she moved to the front of him and met his eyes. “May I have some water?”

  Cappa nodded and pointed to her. “Sure can. Anytime you want. Remember, I put that in your bag to carry.”

  She nodded, heat spreading to her cheeks. In truth, she hadn’t remembered. When had he done that? Perhaps when she’d been in the woods, but no, it couldn’t have been. He’d refilled it after she’d returned. It would drive her crazy if she didn’t find out.

  Cappa laughed and nudged her with his elbow. “I can’t believe how easy it is to read what is going on inside of that head of yours.”

  Jovi stared at her feet. If he couldn’t see her face, perhaps it wouldn’t be read so easily.

  The movement only made him laugh more.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “If I’m so easy to read, then tell me, kind sir, what was I thinking about?”

  “You couldn’t figure out when I put the water in your bag.”

  She nodded, not wanting to admit in words that he’d been right. It made her want to stomp around and throw things, but that wouldn’t befit a Princess of Orendor. No, it would only make her appear to be nothing more than a spoiled child, used to getting her own way. One who threw fits when she didn’t. So, she stood straight and faced him. It didn’t matter if he was right or if he could read her every thought.