The Queen's Curse (10 page)

‘No! How awful!’ Artride whispered with her mouth hanging open.

Welcome to the real world!
‘Well yes, her body that one time was the only price he wanted from her so she had given herself to him. She claims there was no violence involved really; but I still see it as rape and my sister blames herself terribly, even today.’ She sighed. ‘But we were all happy with Elimar of course.’

‘Does he know?’

Tirsa nodded. ‘More or less; knowing my mother, she told a different, nicer story; that he already existed within her sleeping; awaiting to be brought to life and that an angel in the village, where she got the medicine from, did so. He is old enough to understand the real truth; but as long as my mother isn’t sorry, he is not.’

‘Now I understand why your mother isolated herself and her family. What was her reaction when you joined the army?’

‘It helped that Dad had been a knight and Nalis is one too. She understood that I had to do what I had to do after … some time.’

‘I bet she is proud now.’

Tirsa completed her story by telling her how she finally went to Ceartas two years after she first met the Ceartas knights. Shades had promised she could sign up if she turned eighteen.

‘A long and thorough training followed; for both my body and soul, but I was determined.’

‘But still to revenge your father?’

Tirsa fixed her eyes on her, incredulously. The
queen felt brainless for asking.

‘That was my only goal. What did I have to do with Ceartas and its people? However
, … slowly it became more than that; somehow I came to believe I could change the world; fight evil and all that.’

Even though it was not her world at all.

‘Noble indeed.’
And naïve,
Artride thought and was curious enough to ask, ‘Did you succeed; I mean did you get your revenge?’

The fire was dimming slowly and when a breeze blew Artride’s way
, she was breathing smoke, she coughed. When she stopped, she saw Tirsa grinning.

‘Of course.’ She began to tell her when she had had the opportunity as a beginner to meet and study the Razoras in their last war nearly four years ago. How she became a predator in her search for her pray and found at least one of them; one of the murderers of her father. She could not be any luckier.

‘Anger helped me to get closer to him and fight myself a way towards him. He was well protected, for he was a leader, but I got help from my fellow knights who covered my back. I … did not know how many I cut down, but … they say it was a lot. I do not remember anything though, only striking him. I managed to tell him who I was, but that was the worst; he didn’t remember … and I will never know why my father had to die.’

Artride thought about the story that she had heard from Barkor about Tirsa killing a
commander of the Umbraris two years ago; perhaps she had been practising then. And she had also joined the war against the Razoras? That was not such a big country; however, they had been a fierce enemy and the war had been serious. Why didn’t she know? Why hadn’t she learned this during her study? Had they hid it from her, her uncle and her father’s counsellor? Hiding the mere fact that a woman could be capable of those things?

‘You are truly a hero, Tirsa. You were the one who brought peace! I am ashamed I did not know it was you.’ And she shook her head
, embarrassed.

‘Not all on my own though. To me it is just that I won my own war. The rest wasn’t mine.’
Still isn’t.

She leaned back in a more comfortable position and yawned.

Artride stretched her legs and thought about what she just had heard, unable to respond.

‘Maybe we should get some rest
,’ Tirsa softly announced.

‘Yes, we should
,’ she remarked, still thinking about the story she had just heard. She laid a hand on Tirsa’s shoulder before walking a few feet to the shelter between the trees.

While Artride lay down and wrapped herself comfortabl
y in the blanket, she watched Tirsa still sitting with her knees tucked to her chest and her arms wrapped around them at the dying campfire.

‘Are you taking watch, Tirsa?’

‘Yes, My Lady.’

‘But surely you need your rest as well.’

‘When we come back I will be able to rest again, I hope; for now your safety is the most important.’ Preserving your life depends on everything. I can’t do this alone, can I? I am not of Royal Blood; I could never come close to the damn book to destroy it; even if I found a counter spell for the curse. She is the only one who can. To save my brother, once again, I have to fight a personal war.

Tirsa unsheathed her sword, stared at it for a bit and laid it close beside her; near to hand.

‘I feel very safe now I know you are a slayer,’ Artride said lightly and cheerfully. She had tried to comfort her, but failed of course. All she saw of her was her looming shape in the dark. So when Tirsa did not respond, she got up and said, ‘I am sorry, Tirsa, I did not mean … I just …’ and sighed.
I am not as good with people as I should be.

‘It’s alright, I know what you mean
,’ she said with a subdued voice. ’Goodnight … Artride.’

Artride lay back on her left side and spoke gently. ‘Goodnight, Tirsa.’

The strip of the sky to the west over the river glittered with stars, and a thin new moon rose high where the sun had set hours before. In the east, it darkened more and she heard an owl hooting in one of the trees behind her. An occasional bat flicked past and swallows flew over with a comforting familiar sound.
Home.

While Tirsa sat there she thought about the things she had said to the
queen; practically her youth in a nutshell.
Why did I do that? Nerves? Trying to be friendly or honest?

She found herself lacking a practical answer.
Well, she asked me and I just answered, as if I had to. I had no other choice did I? Oh, who cares …

Her eyes became heavy, while words and lines of no importance came by and pictures started to emerge.

She was dreaming.

CHAPTER
4

Dying can be quick and easy; life is the challenge

Look around you to see the choice you’ve made. Look behind you to see clouded spaces.

Look forward and face your fate with dignity
. We have to journey without fear

Birds called out in the canopy overhead. The night had been chilly, but the improvised bed had proven to be warm enough for Artride, so the temperature did not bother her too much. She had awoken a couple of times though, very much aware of sleeping outside with the roaring river nearby.

Tirsa was already attending breakfast and did not look sleepy at all. Artride assumed she herself must look a bit ruffled with her braid
having come loose.

When she stood, stretching her stiff limbs she smiled at her companion, who met her eyes.

‘Good morning, slept well?’

‘Good morning, I slept like a rose, thank you.’ Tirsa gave her a cheese sandwich and a cup of hot tea. They sat down on their folded blankets and ate in silence with just the birdsong around.

Tirsa was very much a night person; craving the stillness and clarity of its dark but enlightening hours. It bothered her she had fallen asleep while she was on night watch, but she did not want to inform the queen of her foolish and dangerous mistake; ashamed as she was.

‘I must say, Tirsa, you look quite relaxed; but you must be exhausted
,’ Artride remarked, examining her bodyguard.

She only grinned slyly and ate slowly; as if she was not really hungry.

‘Oh, I nearly forgot.’ Tirsa suddenly remembered, jumping to her feet to hurry off to the grazing horses. She searched through her saddlebags and when she got back handed a small package over to the queen. ‘It’s for you, from a servant who didn’t tell me her name.’

Artride raised her eyebrows and looked surprised. When she opened it, seeing the loaves of bread and biscuits she threw her head backwards, laughing aloud.
‘Ezra!’

Tirsa watched her
, feeling happy too.

‘Do you want some?’ she asked her, seeing the surprised look on the other woman’s face.

‘No, thank you.’

‘Me neither, let’s save it for later.’ And she wrapped it up again quickly.

Tirsa nodded, stood up, stretching her limbs and widening her arms, ‘I hope you are not disappointed with the camp, I know it is not exactly what you must be used to.’

The
queen glanced at her with wide, astonished eyes. ‘Of course I am not disappointed. This is what I call life! Do you think I enjoy living in a castle; stuck between four cold walls?’ she shook her head violently. ‘I resent it, always did. Not being able to go anywhere without being followed by some guard or servant. Or alone in my room peering through a window and seeing life passing you by? Tirsa, you have no idea how much I enjoy this!’ She glanced around at the trees and the gleaming river reflecting the red golden, early morning sunlight, and took a deep breath.

‘Permission to speak plainly?’

‘Certainly.’

‘Why don’t you do it more often then?’ She sat down again; not wanting to stand taller than the
queen.

With a sad look, she retorted
, ‘I am not allowed, remember?’ and she thought about the times she had denied the Law Book and had gone out to be alone in the wild, even if it was for a few hours; she felt utterly happy and free.

‘You always have to bring a guard, even in your spare time?’

Artride nodded. ‘Not in the castle gardens of course, but as lovely as they are it is not the pure, untamed wild.’ And she feared the question that would definitely come from Tirsa:

‘What happens when you disobey; have you ever done that?’

She turned inward and closed her eyes, remembering the incredible pains that followed when she stayed away on her own long enough, as if calling her back. Without fail every time upon her return, she would be violently sick the following hours as punishment. The book always knew, always.

‘Oh yes,’ she remarked sadly, but also with a faint undertone of pride. ‘I often wander alone in the woods or mountains. The rule does not stop me from going, though. The longer I am away for; the more pain in response I receive
, and once back, it is even worse. Nevertheless … even the hurt cannot take away the happiness of those short moments of freedom I experience. It is worth it.’

‘You are punished too?’ Tirsa’s mouth hung open and she almost stood from her sitting position as if she was about to face an enemy. She stiffened in anger and coiled her fists.

Artride studied her face. ‘Like I said; the power of the curse has no limits.’

Tirsa flopped down again and rubbed her hands nervously. Artride smiled warmly at the angry young woman and stood. ‘Do not worry about me, Tirsa. It is nothing I cannot handle. Do not forget that I am fully responsible for my own actions. We all are actually. If we are all good citizens no harm is done really
,’ she said in a mocking voice. ‘But then again everyone would have to know the Law by heart which is actually what I have been advising people to do. If only they would know the true reason behind this.’ And she sighed. ‘So, shall we continue our journey?’

I am glad she was sensible enough to bring me along this time.

They packed their things and left in search
of the bridge. According to the map, it had to be close, but they spent a whole morning as they scouted along the river, and became a little worried. They still had not seen a single sign of anything closely resembling a bridge. Tirsa felt self-conscious and regretted the fact she had never made it as far west as this before. She felt as if she was of not much help. And Artride cursed the old woman who had drawn the map; for that certainly wasn’t correct.

‘We should have spotted it by now! I just don’t understand.’ Tirsa felt uneasy as well, but did her best to remain calm and uplifting.

They had travelled miles along the riverbank, following the small trail downstream and it was getting dark already. A complete day was lost in their search and both were upset and worried. Neither of them mentioned it, but both knew that the next day would already be the fourth day of Elimar’s detainment, and they had only two and a half weeks to get back with a spell, or he would hang.

They were not even sure anymore
whether they were going in the right direction, for if the map was not correct, the bridge could easily have been upstream.

Tired and frustrated they made camp. They would have crossed the river if it was not so wide, deep and the current so strong. They really did need a bridge. After a few words, they agreed to go upstream the following day after a good night
’s sleep.

In the evening
, at their hot simple dinner of vegetables, nuts and dried fruit, both were silent and did not speak much. They tried to be cheerful and not give up; for they were very much aware what was at stake.

The next day was sunny and bright. However, Artride had had a nightmare in the early morning hours and woke up sweaty and alarmed. Tirsa had enjoyed a dreamless deep sleep whilst normally she slept quite light; like a cat. Nevertheless, she grabbed her sword immediately when she heard the
queen cry out, stumbling when getting up. However, when she realised the other woman had been dreaming, she stepped back.

‘I dreamt they took you away
,’ Artride explained in a quavering voice.

‘Who did?’

‘I do not know. Horses, shadows … hands pulling at you, dragging you away. I never felt so … despaired and … and … lonely before …’

Tirsa smiled when she realised the
queen had dreamt about her! ‘Well, I am not going anywhere, and I am a ‘slayer’, remember?’ They exchanged looks and Artride smiled; but in a concerned sad way and her eyes did not glow.

Artride bathed herself in the cold river while Tirsa gave her some privacy and went for a short stroll nearby in the woods. When they reunited, she was silent all morning, as if she could not shake the dream off; it had been too real. Alarmingly, she once had a similar dream of her father
, the night before his death last year. The doctors said he died of a heart attack, but she knew it must have been the curse responsible. The curse appeared to be milder for kings than for queens. But presumably, her father had done something the curse did not agree with; for he was a strong and healthy man, but what? She never found out, and her father’s counsellor seemed to keep it well hidden from her. Her father had never concealed anything from her. Unfortunately, it was not a written rule for a counsellor to share everything with a new queen if it was something that did not have to do with her new task and Ceartas. So whatever it was, it had had to be something else; something unpleasant. After her father passed away, his counsellor Gradolf, instead of becoming Artride’s new counsellor, left to become the new counsellor of her uncle Volmer. Not that she minded it that much; she never liked either of them anyway. Volmer was also the Count of Morinthië – an important trading county of Razoras; a former enemy of Ceartas, but now an ally since their last war. Even though Artride was not sad to see him leave, she was left alone with her new task and alone with the book, the army, and her guards.

The
queen and her bodyguard crossed their first camping place, which did not show traces of them at all; Tirsa had made sure of that, so only
they
knew they stayed there two nights before. Following the trail upstream, they strolled on.

And against all odds
, in the afternoon of their third day of travel they finely found the bridge. It appeared to be made of stone and wood and looked truly ancient and ready to collapse any minute.

‘When we come back, I have to make sure to replace this one.’

Tirsa looked surprised at her. ‘Why? With all due respect, why would you encourage people using the bridge when it might not be safe in Dochas?’

‘Believe not the bad report till it be proved. And what if
I
want to come back?’ and she smiled mysteriously at the knight.

What does she think she will find there?
Tirsa thought a little doubtfully
. A safe haven to escape to and never come back? Well, I couldn’t say I would blame her. It would be selfish, but what do I know about the life of a queen under the power of this horrid book? From what I heard so far it is a pretty helpless and painful task.

They dismounted their horses and carefully crossed the long fragile bridge. When they did so, they both felt a cold breeze rushing along their skin
, and dark clouds started to form.

‘What a sudden change of weather!’ Tirsa announced loudly
, trying to make herself heard above the upcoming roar of wind that brought sand and even small twigs flying about. The sand stung their eyes and their clothes fluttered and pulled at their bodies. With some effort they finally managed to reach the other side; a dark wood. When Artride looked up, she noticed the sky had grown overcast. The clouds had darkened from the grey pale of granite to anomalous grey-black. It was a very foreboding sky.

~ ~ ~

‘They are entering the Magical Land,’ a male voice hissed, displeased.

‘Precisely what I expected,’ another, more self-confident male voice remarked.

‘She is trying to get rid of the curse again. Hmm, she shows courage to go into Dochas with only one guard, but foolishness too. Come on, follow them.’

‘No, wait, Lord Volmer. Not too close. I have heard a lot about that young guard,
Commander Lathabris; she might look like a girl, but she has as much field experience as both of us and is just as dangerous as she is charming. Even for us – my Lord.’

The big dark man glanced restlessly at his older grey companion, but he tempered, for he respected his wisdom. He was after all his
counsellor. ‘All right then, from a distance.’

~ ~ ~

The two women mounted their horses and rode into the mixed woods. The storm still raged, but the trees caught the wind mostly. Soon they left the wood and came across brownish-dark purple moors, with no tracks.

When they entered another wood with old oak trees, large pine trees and large ferns, the sky had grown even darker. Rain started to fall heavily, sooner than expected and they dismounted to find some shelter under a huge dense conifer tree. The horses stirred restlessly and appeared nervous. Meanwhile
, the rain did not stop from sheeting down harshly, so after a couple of minutes they resolved to move on. Drenched from the rain soaking through their woollen tunics, and chilled to the bone, they continued on the now muddy trail, sticky with mud.

‘I have to warm up and walk a little
,’ Artride announced idly and patted her horse. Tirsa could hardly see her face for her dark hood covered most of her features. The horses walked in front of them with their heads hanging low, their bodies shining wet.

Tirsa suddenly saw Fiosa stretch her ears backwards, what she did when she heard a sound from behind. The knight stopped for a moment, shoving her chain mail coif backwards to listen while the two horses and the
queen walked steadily on. She squinted her eyes against the falling raindrops, and pierced her ears with her hair drained, close to her skull. She had discovered when you concentrated on your hearing you could actually hear more. Her shallow breathing created white plumes while she stood sensing for anything, and then when she was just turning around, in a flash of a moment she saw a face … a man’s white face. Rapidly she dug but not before gazing at Artride, walking unaware, away from her. She had not noticed that Tirsa had stayed behind to listen, and there had not been time to tell her.