Ice Burns (33 page)

“I think after what Edvard said, you may find some answers by heading toward the Ice Kingdom. Whether or not you are who he thinks, it's a start. That path will also take you away from the one who seeks you for a while. Don't fear the journey; your companion will lead the way, I believe.”

Frostwhite shrieked out a reply, and Matta nodded.

“My forest will watch over you for as far as it reaches. Remember to ask kindly at the gnarled apple grove, and you will be provided for.” Matta closed her eyes for a moment and nodded slowly as if falling asleep on her feet.

She reached into the folds of her birch-looking gown and pulled out a pack that she handed to Chandra. Chandra took the bag from the woman and knew it would have what she needed in it. Matta never traveled anywhere in the forest without supplies; an old habit from a previous life she had told Chandra. The old dryad’s smiled at Chandra before turning away. She watched the figure as it was swallowed by the trees before turning to go the opposite direction.

Chandra paused when she heard a whispered, “Safe journey” carried by the light breeze carried by the rustling of leaves. She lowered her head and whispered her thanks. Somehow, she knew the words reached their recipient.

The creature before her was like nothing she had ever seen. It was the color of molten tar. Its ebony skin shone with a wet quality as if it might at any moment drip a pool of pure black ink. The sinewy body was stretched and muscular. Its neck was like an odd parody of a horse’s neck, painfully long and tight with sinew.

The creatures head was terror exemplified. She likened it to a massive snake. It had slit pupils and a wide, fanged mouth with nostrils that were elongated and protruding with a ridged outline on its snout. Sharp protrusions peppered its body at snout, head, and spine as well as along a long, reptilian tail. That tail was punctuated with a particularly deadly looking trio of spikes that made the rest look like bumps. The wicked tail was swishing back and forth as it eyed her narrowly, though it had not moved nearer.

Its legs would make any beast of burden seem puny. Stout, wide thighs curved into heavy calves and taloned feet. The shape and spread of the front talons were indicative of other possible uses than walking, and she thought of her own hands or the claws of a bird. The talons on the forward feet tapped much like a person of ill patience might do with fingernails. The cold, venomous quality that exuded from it was recognizable even if its visage was not.

The tapping sound echoed around her as though an army was marching in. A shudder ran a wet trail down her spine as her body reacted to the fear and anxiety. Her scalp itched, and her skin shifted uncomfortably as though it would escape.

The head shifted, jaw down as the eyes moved level to meet her gaze. A reddish glow outlined the dark onyx center. The eyes looked abyssal but flat like pure iron. The gaze did not seem malevolent so much as contemplative to the point of boredom. Fear dried Chandra’s mouth.

Suddenly, her eyes were drawn to the mouth which had opened and let out a wrenching cry that caused her heart to stop in her chest. After the shriek, it seemed to eye her in speculation before giving an almost imperceptive shrug and opening its mouth again, this time to belch out a ball of flame. Instincts kicked in at the right moment, dropping her to the floor and keeping her from burning to death.

Chandra’s eyes opened to the dark canopy of the night forest. Her breath rushed from her body, and her skin shone with perspiration in the moonlight. The dream lingered as if she had just been standing there, facing down that monster. It was like a sharp rock wedged in her mind’s eye.

She soothed the voice in her head with reassurances that it was some scary picture show that fear made up while she slept. Chandra’s adult mind, however, couldn’t shake that there was something different about this dream. She couldn’t clearly see what changed and was afraid she would only be able to identify when it was too late.

Part III: Meeting Destiny

Part III: Meeting Destiny

Days and then weeks of travel eventually brought her to the end of Matta's forest. The trees stopped and opened to a rocky land with little grass and nights of cold wind and filled with strange, distant howls. The forest did not bring Chandra to civilization in any form; there was further travel before the world gave signs of people.

At the crest of a rocky hill, Chandra saw houses grouped together. There was just enough of them to be considered a village. It looked to be about half a league away. She felt a flutter of relief as she started down the slope. She might finally be able to purchase supplies and understand where she was. Frostwhite was excellent at showing her the face of the land, but he couldn't tell her where they were specifically. Chandra needed names of places to get her bearings and use what information she'd read about the continent.

Downward momentum of the hill gave her no choice but to speed up. As she did, her breath came in white puffs in the air. As she watched her breath leave her body, it occurred to her that there was nothing similar coming from the chimneys ahead.

Frostwhite?

At the thought, she felt the familiar presence of her aerial companion in her head.

Do you see people or smoke in the village?

In her mind, she was shown an overhead view of the village ahead. There was no one out and about. There were no shadows, birds, or dogs in the streets. Nothing in Frostwhite’s vision indicated life.

Chandra muttered an oath and leaned back to slow her pace. She wasn’t sure what the still silence portended. When she reached the edge of the village, she looked at the first set of houses. They were tiny with yellowed and streaked fences that had seen better days. The woodpiles looked well-stocked, but there was still no sign of life even from animals around the sheds and barns behind the houses. The windows were dark and staring; the doors like a mouth pressed shut to avoid giving her answers. Chandra looked but couldn’t see outlines of furniture within the houses and concluded that the curtains were closed.

Though the area seemed deserted, she noted the windows had glass and the yards looked kept and clear of clutter or random debris. It was unlikely that the place had been abandoned. Frostwhite’s call from above seemed to echo and bounce off the buildings. The sound was jarring and strange and it sent a ripple across her spine despite the fact she knew the source.

Frostwhite projected his view of the village from above into her mind. Chandra had gotten accustomed to seeing what her friend saw without losing her own vision. It had taken her a while to add to this skewed sense of sight, but she could now do it without falling on her face; an accomplishment she was very proud of.

She saw the tiny town in a sort of split vision as she walked. It was gray due to the overcast sky. No shadows marked the outline of buildings or leafless trees. The few buildings that were more white than not looked as murky as the fences from the overhead vantage. As she watched with both sets of eyes, there was suddenly movement in the still world and sound. A single person moved onto the street and slammed the door behind them.

Chandra had a sudden urge to run to this glimpse of humanity. She released the link to her friend and looked with only her eyes. Frostwhite circled and settled on a building near where the figure, a middle-aged man, walked the uninhabited streets.

Chandra didn't get a chance to speak before the man realized he was not alone on the street. She assumed she must have made a small sound because he paused and turned his head to look at her. His face froze as did one foot, mid-step. He seemed to shake himself and the surprise dropped away.

“Ye shouldna be here, lad,” the man looked her up and down, noting her worn clothing patched with hides and skins. “Where did ye come from? It mae be in yer best interest to go back.”

“I apologize, sir. I’m a traveler, and I was hoping to purchase some supplies to continue my journey,” Chandra told him. She didn’t correct him about her gender, figuring he had assumed her male from her lack of hair. She even spoke in a slightly lower tone to encourage the misunderstanding. It wasn't common for anyone to travel alone, much less a woman. At least with a young man, people would assume that it was for good reason. If the man had seen any bulletins about her, there was less of a chance of being recognized if he didn't realize that the "lad" was a she.

“Well, ye’ll be outta luck for buyin anything hereabouts. We have ne market anymore. If ye follow me, I’ll give ye a bit to carry ye on.” He gestured at her with a gnarled hand with dirt ringing the fingernails, and Chandra nodded at him, grateful. The only thing she had left in her sack besides her water skin was one apple left from what she had found at the apple grove on the edge of Matta’s forest. Frostwhite had been bringing her food, but she was better with the skins than she was at cooking anything properly.

“I’ll pay you what I can, sir,” she told him.

“Ye na hae to worry ‘bout that, lad. Just hurry on home afore ye find yerself dead. Hae ye not heard aboot the beast hunting in these parts?” The old man eyed her through glaring blue eyes.

“Beast? No, I haven’t come across a village in a while, I’m afraid,” she told him. “I was heading toward Faust to see if I can find work.”

“What in the realms would ye want to do that for? Not a lotta jobs to be had round there.”

“I'm a scholar. I’m hoping to find work as an apprentice in one of the libraries.” Chandra had thought of this answer on her journey. Most people did not journey anywhere near the Winterbourne lands. She had heard villagers near the estate say that the only people to travel to the frozen north were fools and scholars. Scholars often found a home there because of the continuous need for educated apprentices in the libraries. From there, those who completed their training were either keepers of the library, when the royal family allowed, or were sent to adjacent territories to gather information and followers for the royal family. Many became spies for the king and queen, but more often they were messengers.

“Ye didna strike me as a farming lad to me with yer soft hands and speaking manners,” the old man coughed at her. “I would offer ye shelter here, but we have little space. Ye may be able to knock at the house a few doors down.” The man pointed. “Tell em Ebb sent ye and ask if ye can hunker down in the barn fer the night.”

He popped open a barrel buried in the dirt near his front door. Chandra watched silently as he continued to talk.

“It's bin a bit of a rough-up ‘round here with the beastie loose and the princess gone missin. When the princess went missing, was a lotta strangers wandering about wanting to collect on the reward.”

Chandra tried not to look shocked at this news. A scholar would know most current events, especially something as important as a member of the royal family going missing.

“Some says that the beast wuz sumpin let loose ta hunt the princess from one of the other territories that dinna have nice thoughts about the Winterbournes. I dunno wae thet nightmare come from, but I ken it came straight from the depths.” Ebb spit to the side as he said it as if cleansing himself of the taint of speaking of such a creature.

“What type of beast is it that people are worried about? I have some experience with animals...” Chandra trailed off as Ebb wheezed. It took her a moment to realize that the sound he was making was actually laughter.

“Lad, the hunters havena been able to find it and come back alive. They say it’s a beast unlike anything but legend. A magic beast that burns a man alive, it does.”

Chandra attempted to dislodge the lump of fear in her throat by swallowing. Ebb nodded, not realizing the images of men burning alive scared her more than the idea of a beast.

“That’s right.” He handed her a small sack of root vegetables and a round of cheese he pulled from the barrel before closing it up. “Tis said they found an encampment of hunters burnt and butchered. Weren’t enough lef of em to feed the vultures.”

Ebb gave her a nod at her thanks and Chandra hurried away as the man went inside. She heard the rough thud and scrape of a bar being placed across the door after it closed. She rushed down the street, passing the house Ebb had pointed out and making her way out of the village. She called Frostwhite with her mind and he swooped down and landed on her shoulder. The force was almost enough to knock her to the ground because she was distracted by Ebb’s words. His grip on her shoulder was tight and likely would have drawn blood if she hadn’t sewn padding in there per Matta’s instructions. It hadn’t taken either of them long to realize that Chandra would need protection on her shoulders and forearm from Frostwhite, even though he tried to be gentle. The gloves needed a few layers of hide, as did the shoulder perch, but Chandra did the best she could with what she had.

Chandra walked for a while with Frostwhite on her shoulder. She knew he sensed that she needed the comfort of his companion ship despite the added weight. Chandra’s mind was pandemonium. The same images that haunted her mind when she tried to sleep rolled through her brain: Master Dreys' death, the clearing of men burning to death. She kept walking because she would have dropped to her knees and prayed for death otherwise.

She doubted that the "beast" Ebb had heard about was anything of the sort and more likely word of what she had done to those men. Chandra couldn't believe that news of what had happened had traveled so far or so quickly. Not that anyone would recognize her as a beast, but every mention would have Chandra reliving her own personal hell.