Descent

  Fern nodded and unconsciously shifted his hand to rest on the sword at his belt.

  ‘I’m already planning a defence line. My father’s men are in terrible disarray. The first thing that needs to be done is to sort out a proper fighting force and train them to take control of their country. This can be done by joining the Elvish people with those men in Sitadel and gathering all able-bodied lads from the other towns.’

  Jane’s eyebrows arched. ‘How will your mother feel about that alliance?’

  ‘I don’t care,’ he said flatly. ‘She wanted me to marry so I’d be considered able to make a proper contribution to my people, and I’ve done that. If she doesn’t like what I plan, I have no doubt that the princes will side with me and we can overthrow her.’ There was ferocity in his voice that surprised Jane. She’d never heard him speak badly of any of his family.

  She thought of Blaise, killed by Accolon in a tournament, and felt her chest constrict.

  ‘Something has to be done,’ he continued savagely. ‘How did they let it get like this?’

  Jane looked sideways at him. ‘The king is old, and the people were lost without their Bright Prince.’

  He met her eyes; she ached to lean towards him, to have him smile like he used to, but snapping them out of the moment came a sound from behind them.

  ‘Forgive me for startling you,’ the tall, slender woman said, her voice a trickle of laughter. ‘Jane!’ Athena cried, running forward to take the girl in a graceful embrace.

  ‘Athena,’ Jane said awkwardly, returning the hug as best she could, feeling clumsy and oafish.

  ‘It’s been so long,’ Athena smiled, pulling away to look at Jane. The Elf looked as beautiful and as youthful as she always had. ‘And when we heard of your disappearance...’ The woman’s face grew ashen and Jane thought with horror that she almost looked like she might shed a tear.

  ‘I’m fine though,’ Jane said quickly, trying to smile.

  ‘And thank the goddess for that,’ Athena hooked her arm through her husband’s. ‘We would have missed you a great deal.’

  ‘I hear Fern was gone as long as I was,’ Jane said uncomfortably, making sure not to look at him.

  Athena glanced up and seemed to hold him even tighter. ‘Yes. It is always a deep sorrow for the Elvish to lose one of their own, and especially a prince so young.’

  ‘Well I’m fine too,’ Fern muttered gruffly, squeezing Athena’s hand and looking away from both women. ‘And there are more important matters to worry about now.’

  Jane was aware that her face didn’t seem to be able to relax into any normal expression. She felt awkward and couldn’t help clenching her jaw. She ached to be somewhere she would not have to look at the couple, holding hands and touching bodies. Athena looked at her husband with such adoration that it made Jane want to recoil. An agonising poison threaded through her veins, paralysing her to the spot.

  ‘Well,’ Athena said briskly, her smile still just as warm, ‘I shall be on my way—there are things to be done, and I’m sure the two of you have much catching up to do.’ She kissed Fern lightly on the cheek and swept elegantly from the roof.

  Jane and Fern stood in awkward silence, not looking at each other.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, his voice hoarse.

  Jane covered her eyes with her hands. ‘I feel sick with guilt. It’s not going to work, me staying here.’

  ‘No, Jane, it will. It’s going to be fine,’ he tried.

  ‘How?’ she hissed suddenly. ‘How could it possibly be fine?’ Jane turned away from him and gave a long whistle. Moments later the unicorns appeared in the sky and landed on the roof in front of them. His rejection was like a wound that gaped wide, and being around him had the strange effect of making it better and worse at the same time.

  ‘Jane,’ Fern said hurriedly as she mounted a creature. ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘I just need to clear my head.’

  ‘Do not go far—it’s not safe at night. Plus there’s a mighty storm heading this way.’

  Jane nodded, her lips tight, and took off into the sky, knowing that if she didn’t get away from him she would suffocate.

  Altor arrived at the palace in Sitadel to find King Cornelius waiting for him in the entrance hall. He was greeted with much pleasure and shown straight to a feast in the main hall. Altor accepted all the formalities and the meal with as much politeness as he could manage, but having discussed his country’s desire to offer aid over dinner, his princely duty was done.

  ‘Forgive me, highness,’ he said. ‘But I have had a long day and wish to retire.’

  ‘Of course, dear boy,’ the old man cried. ‘You must forgive us for keeping you from your bed for so long. I’ll have you shown to your room.’

  Altor nodded, gave a crisp bow and turned for the door. But the old man’s kindness had him pausing a moment, thoughts running through his mind.

  He hesitated, but in the end, curiosity got the better of him.

  ‘King Cornelius,’ he said softly. ‘One question. Would you tell me—what your son was like when he was alive?’

  A grief stricken expression crossed the old king’s face, and Altor immediately regretted the question. Cornelius motioned for Altor to join him once more.

  ‘What would you like to know?’ A different man sat with Altor now, a lost soul trapped within his grief.

  Altor clasped his hands together and stared at the table. ‘Most of the stories about Prince Fern had him gallivanting about the countryside, not giving a single thought to his responsibilities as a prince.’

  Cornelius grimaced. ‘He gave me at least half the grey hairs on my head, that boy was so wild.’

  The corners of Altor’s mouth twitched.

  ‘But when it came to his people, his army, and his duty, there was never anyone more committed or determined. His courage in battle was a beacon of hope for us all.’

  Altor’s smile disappeared, the king’s words ringing in his ears.

  Cornelius eyed him carefully and gently rested a hand on his shoulder. ‘It didn’t always lie easily with him though, son. Fern, like many, struggled with expectations. He wanted to be free, but he also loved his people. I think he was always trying to find a balance.’

  Altor nodded stiffly and stood to leave again. Another thought occurred to him. ‘He spent a lot of time in the Elvish city, didn’t he? His mother is queen there?’

  Cornelius nodded. ‘Despite that witch, the ice city is the first wonder of the world. I’d recommend you visit it before you head home.’

  Altor stared at him. ‘You know? I think I will.’ Two years ago when she flew into the sky, Jane had not really known why. She had climbed atop the unicorns without any knowledge, only a strange sense of certainty that it was necessary. She had been going to wait. To wait for Fern.

  But she knew now that it was more than that. An even greater reason compelled her to leave the land of mortals.

  It was so she could remember her past life in Paragor.

  A long time ago, on a boat sailing home from Guanu, Fern had told her a story about the one true god, the Great One, and his demise. He had spoken to her about the destroying force that was the Scourge, how this hybrid demon had wanted the land to himself, and had tried to overthrow the Great One.

  There had come a saviour, the High Princess Amara. Fern told Jane how Amara had saved Paragor by banishing the Scourge, how she had turned the El~araih so that they served only the true leaders of Paragor. He told her how Amara had dived over the cliffs of the mountain in Cynis Witron, killing herself because of her grief at something unknown, and how the cliffs had been named after her.

  A thousand years ago.

  And what Jane had remembered, finally, was that she had been Amara.

  Many lifetimes ago, she had been the child of light, saviour of mankind. She had made the seven artworks of passion, only one of which was still intact in the church on Guanu, and she had jumped from the cliffs.

  Now here sh
e was, reborn again, as a girl from another world.

  Jane didn’t understand the connections. She didn’t understand anything, except why the six of them had been drawn back here. Why they had crossed through the portal, why they had felt the need to help Paragor even though it was not their home. It was because, a thousand years ago, it had been.

  Now she stood at the exact point on the cliffs of Amara from where she had once jumped, staring at the endless countryside below her. She turned to look at the two wonderful creatures grazing idly behind her.

  Could she just go back? Spend the rest of this life riding with them into oblivion? She was just a girl—a child really—her life not yet nearly over. She didn’t want to return to the unforgiving sky, the coldness she had endured for years. The thought made her sick with longing for all the things she knew she would miss.

  Jane thought, of course, of Fern. She looked at her hands, turning them over before her eyes, knowing she had not aged a day since she left. She was still seventeen. She was nowhere near ready to think about marriage. She’d never even had a boyfriend! And now, a man she loved, a man who was completely wrong for her in so many ways, had gone and married someone else. Athena could offer Fern something that Jane could not, something his entire kingdom needed from him—she was the woman who could be his queen.

  It was probably right, in the end, for him to have married.

  But if that was true—that Jane and Fern were not meant to be together—then why had they loved each other in a different lifetime?

  Shaking her head and banishing all thoughts of boys from her mind, she closed her eyes and tried to focus on the niggling voices. They tapped against her senses, and she realised with delight that if she thought about her friends, their voices became clear and defined and as if they were standing right next to her.

  Five voices, all at once, screamed her name in excitement and worry.

  Jane, talk to us!

  How are you? Are you hurt?

  Answer, Jane, if you can.

  Where are you, for Christ sakes?

  Mia and Jack were here! Finally, at last, present in Paragor. Jane smiled, a sudden, bright burst of happiness in her heart. The terror of not finding them had been ever-present.

  Her thoughts, apparently, were being transmitted to her friends and she realised she needed to figure out how this worked.

  We’re fine! Mia said excitedly. We only crossed over a week or so ago—I think there was some kind of time gap or something.

  Yeah and now the rest of you are old, Jack said, his voice tired and wry.

  But Jane, where are you? Anna interrupted. We need to see you—there’s so much going on!

  Jane nodded, forgetting they couldn’t see. I know. I’m going to stay at the Elvish castle for a while and see if I can help them figure out a plan to face these Valkyries.

  Can’t you come and see us? Mia whined. Me first—I’m in Tirana traipsing around in the sand!

  And whose fault is that? Jack snapped and Jane was stunned to feel the amount of animosity between the two of them.

  Soon, she promised. It occurred to her belatedly that Luca hadn’t said anything. As she thought of him, his mind-voice became clearer, as if she could actually see it, and Jane winced at the dark, heavy colour of it.

  Are the rest of you all right?

  Fine, came the replies. She wasn’t going to be satisfied this way—she needed to see them all. A strong desire to jump on her unicorns and fly straight to them made its way through her, but she clamped a lid on it—she needed to talk to Fern, however much she might want to avoid him. She knew that he would be the one to help her come up with a plan. The descent of Paragor over the last two years needed to be faced.

  Make sure you keep me updated on what you are all doing and where you are, she said to them . Let me know if you come up with any plans and I’ll do the same. This mind-talking thing is seriously awesome, by the way.

  I know, right? Harry exclaimed. But are you sure you’re all right? Where have you been?

  It’s a long story. I’m fine though. And I have to go, but I’ll try to get to you as quickly as I can, she promised, and with a very reluctant sigh, shut her mind. Jane was startled to notice that while they’d been talking, a great deal of time had passed, and the sky had now darkened with fat storm clouds. Quickly she pulled herself onto one of the unicorns and then set off back to the ice city, pushing her mounts hard to try and beat the rain.

  Altor pushed his horse harder, flattening himself against its neck and feeling the hoof-beats vibrate through his body. In the distance he could see it—a sparkling white city made of ice. He’d never been here before, but he’d heard enough stories to know the Elvish people got up to a lot of mischief within the walls of this place.

  He came upon the city just as the rain started to fall. Once inside the palace, the queen came to greet him in the entrance hall. Walls of ice sparkled around him and he bowed his head respectfully.

  ‘This is a surprise,’ Liensenne murmured. Her cold temper was famous throughout the world, and Altor looked at her closely, intrigued by her ageless beauty. ‘What brings you here, Black Prince of Lapis Matyr?’

  ‘I’m searching for something, lady,’ he replied, his eyes flashing. ‘A prince.’

  ‘We have more than one here, my lord,’ she said just as carefully, regarding him intently.

  ‘A prince who is half human, and long since dead.’

  There was silence. A flash of anger passed through the queen’s eyes but she merely smiled. ‘You are surprisingly well informed.’

  Altor blinked in confusion. He only meant that he wanted to visit the prince’s memorial stone, for it was rumoured to be the most beautiful monument in the world. What was the queen talking about?

  Liensenne frowned. ‘He’s not in the palace. I will send for him. In the meantime, you might enjoy waiting for him on the roof—it has a superb view of the countryside.’

  The view, Altor decided, was not superb. All he could see, in every direction, was evidence of the country’s degeneration. Plus, the sky was dark and the rain instantly drenched him.

  What in the world was going on here? Liensenne seemed to think he was looking for a living person, and had sent him up here to wait. Were they playing some cruel joke on him? It seemed in very poor taste to joke about a son who hadn’t been gone all that long.

  He walked to the battlements and folded his arms stubbornly. Thunder like he’d never heard clapped overhead and wind threatened to blow him over the edge. Altor was about to turn around when something flashed through the dark sky.

  A comet, bright and fast. Or no—a woman, and two creatures of wonder. They landed, much too fast on the ice roof of the castle, and the woman was thrown off and dashed into the side of the battlements.

  Before Altor could move, the woman stood up shakily, and looked at him. And his breath was taken away.

  Firstly because she was alive after having had her body smashed against a stone wall. And secondly; she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

  He wondered for a moment if he was hallucinating. Tall and slim, her long dark hair hung in tendrils down her back, and her brown eyes shone dazzlingly. She was dressed in a simple tunic and breeches that looked old and dirty, but she stood with an air of majesty, which even he, a prince, had never seen. There was ice in her stare, and sorrow and excitement.

  Altor, who always had clever words for everything, was rendered speechless.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said softly, and until then he might have thought she was some ephemeral, inhuman creature. Then he heard her, and he realised she was just a girl, much younger that he had imagined, with fear and humour and everything human in her voice.

  ‘Who are you?’ he asked, stepping towards her so that they could speak through the rain. She stepped away from him, hesitating. ‘My name is ... Jane. I’m a Stranger.’

  Altor felt his mouth drop. ‘ You’re Jane? Where have you been?’

  ‘I’
m sorry,’ she said, her voice faint, ‘but I am not feeling ... myself. If I could find somewhere to lie down...?’

  He was just in time to catch her as she fell to the ground in a faint.

  Athena and a small group of Elvish women sat next to Jane as she lay in bed. Altor had carried her in through the storm’s darkness, and it was now very late at night. The healer had said she was fine, only exhausted and in need of rest. Altor moved to stand by the window, folding his arms as he watched her sleeping. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. It was hours before Jane finally woke.

  ‘Hello,’ she said softly, rubbing her eyes. She looked real now, not like the unearthly creature from the roof.

  ‘Jane!’ Athena said, leaning down to embrace her.

  Jane returned the hug half-heartedly and then sat back against her pillow, her eyes meeting Altor’s across the room.

  ‘What happened?’ Athena asked. ‘How did you get caught in that horrible storm?’

  ‘I didn’t realise it was so close, I guess.’ Jane’s voice was vague, distracted, her eyes locked on Altor. For an instant it felt like it was just the two of them in the room. She was looking at him like ... she knew him. A thought crossed his mind, a ridiculous thought, but once it was in his head he couldn’t shake it. It seemed like this girl, this girl he’d met for only seconds, was looking at Altor as though she ... loved him. Gods, what an idiotic thought. This ice castle was messing with his head. But why was she looking at him like that?

  ‘Can I have a moment alone with my rescuer?’ Jane asked softly, never moving her gaze from his.

  Athena blinked, surprised, and then clapped her hands. ‘Of course. We’d best let you get some rest anyway,’ she murmured. ‘I’m so glad you’re all right. I’ll send Fern in when he gets back.’

  Altor broke away from Jane’s stare to look at the princess in shock. ‘Excuse me? Who will you send in?’

  Athena paused, biting her lip, then shrugged helplessly. ‘Fern is back. He’s alive, I mean. His sister—she is a necromancer. Surely you knew that?’

  Altor stared at her, dumbfounded. He felt his insides quiver with excitement. Athena gave Jane a last look then left the room.