Chapter 15

If it weren’t for the fact that the residents of Cenyerly Valley terrified him, Firo would have visited it often. Every rare animal and insect lived here. All of the plants were always in bloom. He was sure it had something to do with magic, but at times, chose to think it was just that way because of the elder’s energy.

He had to work hard to focus on their surroundings and not think of Avalie. It would be night in Interealm by now, and he hoped she was at home safe. Here, it was mid-day, as their realm’s days were much longer than others.

The four of them were currently being escorted to see Amyas. The two men taking them there were the oldest royal guards alive. They had long retired but had once guarded their current queen’s great-grandmother. Considering how long their kind could live, that likely made them the oldest beings in any realm. Firo remembered as a child watching Madoc and Tarak escort the royals when they were outside of their safely guarded haven. Their wings had been huge and, from a fledgling point of view, looked invincible. He had admired them, and they were, in part, responsible for who he was today.

Madoc stopped, turned around, and looked at them. His wings were open and had greyed, but were still large and quite strong looking. Despite his age, he still moved quite well. “There will be no magic used.” His voice cracked with age. “Princess.” He bowed his head.

“We’re just here to talk to Amyas, Madoc.” Aireese used her soft, pleasant tone.

Madoc glanced at Tarak. “We will wait here.” Tarak nodded.

“Thank you.” Aireese looked at Firo, and he could tell by her expression that she needed him to be ready for anything.

Firo led the way. He approached the small cottage with careful steps, checking all around him as he did. There was a reason no one came here. The elders had traps of any sort all over the valley.

“Who’s there?” A woman called out the window.

“Princess Aireese. I wish to speak with Amyas.” Aireese stood beside him, but knew better than to proceed any further without him.

“A princess.” The woman cackled. “It is a rare day for me.” The door opened, and Amyas stood in the opening. She looked no more than a few hundred years old, and Firo knew that there was magic at work there. He couldn’t begrudge her wanting to use a little glamor to feel more youthful. Her wings were delicate and had turned silver, but she had earned that. She had spent years working for the royal family as their spell weaver. He could only imagine the knowledge she held. “Come.” She motioned beside the cottage. “We’ll sit in the air and talk.”

No one moved until Amyas led the way. Aireese and Mystral may be royal, but elders were granted all respect from everyone.

Aireese and Mystral sat in chairs across from Amyas. Firo and Aslac elected to stand behind them. Every muscle in his body was tight with tension, and he hated that this beautiful place did that to him, but he would protect this princess with his life if needed.

“You are lovely. You resemble your great-great-grandmother.” Amyas smiled at Aireese.

“Thank you. I’ve been told that many times.” Aireese clasped her hands in her lap. Moving your hands too much around an elder had been proven to set them off.

“And you are?” She looked at Mystral.

“Lady Mystral, cousin to the princess.”

Amyas leaned forward and studied her. “Ah, yes I see it now. You bear resemblance to the queen’s sister.”

“My mother.” Mystral smiled at her.

Amyas eyed Aslac and then turned her wise eyes to study Firo. Her mouth twitched in what he thought was a grin, but he couldn’t be certain. She nodded and then looked back to his princess. “What is it you seek?”

Aireese took a deep breath and then nodded. “I am not sure where to begin, Amyas. There is much happening.”

“Mmm. Traitors and trickery.”

Firo quirked an eyebrow at her; it hadn’t been a question.

“Yes. There have been some horrible events taking place, and it seems they were plotted long ago.”

Amyas nodded her head slowly. “You’re wanting Belford, aren’t you?”

Aireese sat taller. “Yes. One of the reasons we’re here today.”

“I can’t help with that.” She looked at the ground for several seconds. “No one has seen Belford the bad in a very, very long time.” She leaned forward again. “We kept hoping he had passed on, but there were never any signs that it was so.”

“Belford the bad?” Mystral asked.

Amyas smiled and then sighed. “It was what we called him as children, and he proved our teasing to be true.”

“We—” Aireese glanced at Mystral for a second. “All of the realms working together caught Arwan the mage after many horrific things were done.”

“Arwan.” Amyas chuckled. “I haven’t heard that name in years. He was a powerful one.” She glanced at Firo again for a moment before looking back at Aireese. “The realms are together again you say?”

“They are.”

“Mmm.” She nodded. “Belford’s trickery is some of the blame for them not being for too long.” She shook her head. “I had given up hope that things would ever go back to the way they were intended.” She looked off into the valley. “As you know, when time began, our people were created to monitor the nature of Interealm.” She sighed. “It was always eventful. A storm or flood, no rain and drought.” She shook her head and sat back in her chair. “Having that privilege and power was not good enough for some.”

Firo checked around them. He wanted to hear every word she said, grasp a small wedge of her wisdom and knowledge, but he couldn’t let his guard down.

“I will help you in trade for information.” She smiled.

“Information?” Aireese moved to the edge of her chair.

“Yes. I missed the friends I made while fulfilling my duties for the realm. The ones from Alterealm and Veiltide.” She smiled. “We had some fun times together when we weren’t working.” She sighed. “I’m sure they’ve all passed now, but I was always caught up in the prophecies and predictions.” She eyed them one at a time. “There was this one, in Alterealm, the prophecy for the king’s sons numbering nine. My mother used to talk about it. We were even able to have a copy of it.” Amyas smiled, and her eyes shone with youth as she did. “Has it come true yet? Have there been nine royal brothers in Alterealm?”

Aireese smiled. “It has. Quite recently, the nine brothers all found their mates.”

“Oh, marvelous.” She clapped her weather hands together once. “Is it true? The powers their women have?”

Mystral chuckled.

Aireese nodded and leaned forward. “Some of it is amazing.” She whispered. “The Chronos, Princess Paisley, it’s just wonderful energy when I’m near them.”

“A Chronos. That’s wonderful.” Amyas closed her eyes and sat there for a moment. “I wish I could see their powers with my own eyes.” Her expression was saddened.

Firo knew the elders couldn’t leave the valley once they were here. The magic it held was part of the reason they still lived. He didn’t understand the logistics of it but knew someday in the far future, he hoped, that he would experience it himself.

“Maybe we could video them.” Mystral looked at Aireese.

“We could.” She smiled and looked back at Amyas. “We will take a video of them, and you can see their magic and the warriors they are.”

“The princesses are warriors?” She looked surprised.

“They are.” Aireese nodded. “To see them fight in battle alongside their mates is amazing.”

Amyas chuckled. “Female warriors. That is the most joyous thing I have heard in a hundred years.” She pointed at Aireese. “Yes. You bring me this video thing and show me. I will tell you more then.” She sat back. “I have to speak to the others and tell them I am breaking our pact.” She nodded. “We swore to one another we would not interfere in what fates set out for all the realms.” She looked at her hands. “Satine is no longer with us. I still miss her.” Taking a deep breath, she nodded again. “I will tell Florin that no harm will come to her if she agrees to help.”

“I’m sorry for the loss of Satine,” Aireese said softly. “We have speculated that Satine or Florin were playing at helping Belford, Arwan, and the others plotting the horrific things. If that is so, then Florin is safe from any repercussions.”

Amyas studied her for a moment. “I will take your vow to her, Princess.” She inclined her head. “It was a sad day of mourning when we learned of your sister’s passing, but I see that the crown will be going to a very worthy head.” She smiled. “It must be a great solace to your family that Princess Avaline’s bloodline continues.” She stood up slowly, her age now showing in her movement. “I look forward to seeing the female warriors and their magic.”

Aireese and Mystral stood up. Firo was holding his breath. How did she know that Avaline had a child?

“Thank you, Amyas.” Aireese’s voice wasn’t as steady as it had been.

All Firo could think was, ‘Oh shit,’ he was in for big trouble now.

“You can stop lurking, Madoc, and escort our guests safely to the border,” Amyas said as she started walking back to her cottage. “I need to rest now.”

Madoc came out of the trees and nodded. “I will keep them safe, wise one.”

Amyas stopped and looked at him. “Don’t be a suck-up. Just do your job.”

“Of course.” He bowed his head to her.

Firo avoided making eye contact with Aireese because he needed a moment to compose himself. He looked all around them, checking for any traps as they moved back to follow Madoc.

“You made her very happy, Princess.” Madoc bowed to her. “It has been years since I’ve seen her smile that way.”

Firo exchanged a look with Aslac, both of them wondering if there was more than a guard, spell caster relationship going on there. It didn’t matter, he supposed, once they reached the point in their life to live in Cenyerly Valley, they were allowed to do whatever they wanted.

“What do you think she meant by that?” Mystral whispered to Aireese. “Avaline’s bloodline continues.”

Airesse looked over her shoulder at Firo briefly. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”

What was it the humans said? Crap, he believed, was the word. His life was going to take a turn that there was no coming back from.

“Do you think the Alterealm royals will agree to be filmed?” Aslac asked.

Aireese chuckled. “I think they’d agree to do a dance if it meant we could get answers that actually helped us find those responsible.”

Firo cleared his throat. “If Belford isn’t here in the valley, where is he?”

Aireese stopped walking and looked back at him. “That is a very good question.” She sighed. “Finding him will be harder than finding Arwan.”

Madoc paused and looked over at Tarak. The other guard nodded. “It may not be as hard as you think, Princess.” He sighed. “If we weren’t confined to this area, I would love to help.”

Aireese looked from one to the other. “If you have information, that is more than enough help.” She smiled. “The both of you were the longest serving and most loyal guards my family has ever had. You will always have our gratitude.”

Both men stood taller after words of praise from her. Madoc sobered. “Belford was a slimy worm, even when he was a child, but there is one thing consistent with him.” He started walking again. “He loves water. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was a fish.”

Tarak chuckled. “He used to illegally go over to Veiltide. The guards were forever bringing him back and confining him to his home as punishment.” He shook his head. “He should have been banished and his magic locked up forever, but the realm law enforcer was soft back then.”

Aireese caught up to Madoc. “Do you think he’s hiding there? I know Prince Artesiam has been looking for someone named Sem in Veiltide.”

Tarak snorted. “If those two are together, it’s no wonder the realms are in peril. Evil, both of them through and through.”

Aireese put her hand on Madoc’s arm. “Thank you, so much.”

He looked at her hand and Firo could see the emotion in eyes that he had been worthy of a royal touch. He really needed to talk to her about randomly touching people, she didn’t understand. “I wouldn’t mind if I could see this video thing of female warriors when you return.” He smiled.

Aireese moved her hand and smiled. “I will show it to you.”

“Me as well—your highness.” Tarak bowed his head.

“Of course.” Aireese looked at Mystral for a second. “We really must go now. My mother, our queen, will want to hear of the help we were given today.”

Out of anything she could have said, that would have meant the most to these two men, Firo thought.

“You honor us.” Madoc bowed his head. “You are free to visit whenever you like.” He looked at Mystral and then Aslac and Firo. “All of you.”

Firo had to fight not to sigh in relief. If they had the blessing of the two most famous guards in their realm, then it was less likely they’d be cursed by any elder in the valley. It wasn’t a guarantee, but it did make him feel more at ease. Now, all he had to do was avoid a conversation with his princess for the rest of his life, and things would be okay.