The Queen's Curse (34 page)

Sempervirens smiled pleasantly with one eye jerked up appealingly. ‘Why yes indeed; no one ever said you weren’t. You wouldn’t be anything else, now would you?’

‘Why so? Only appealing people have a chance to come here?’ she asked confused.

She smiled again. ‘If you put it like that.’ Which meant a yes for sure.

‘And are we worthy enough to receive our prize now?’ Tirsa a
sked. Is that why we’ve been faced with these personal tests? To be worthy? Was that your purpose?’

Sempervirens had looked dull and a little bored, but now all of a sudden she looked alarmed and cautious.

‘My, my, you really only have one thing on your mind don’t you? Praise you!’ and she raised her glass to them before taking another sip. The two women, however, did not touch their drinks.

‘Well, that remains to be seen
,’ she added and giggled.

‘What do you mean? Do we not deserve a counter spell after all you’ve put us through?’ Artride asked. ‘Gods, you have played with our minds, our souls and our bodies! What more do you want from us? What more do we have to do for you? You; who can do magic and make anything happen to please yourself and create your own little world with! Who needs other souls to still your hunger if you can do all this? How more cruel can one get?’

‘Oh, believe me. You’ve seen nothing yet,’ the sorceress answered untouched. ‘This is mere illusion.’

‘Yes, illusion and tricks! Tell us what more you ask from us
,’ Tirsa interrupted.

‘Everything in its own time.’

‘That is our problem you see, we don’t have time. My brother is to be hanged within … I guess what must be one week or so by now. So if you please!’

‘Yes, time. Mortals are so obsessed with that. I almost forgot. What a pity.’

‘Well, not if you live a thousand years perhaps, but we don’t have that long,’ Tirsa said, annoyed.

‘You are my guests! I want you to relax; have a hot bath, a nice meal and a drink or two. I also noticed you look very tired; now that is not to be recommended if you want to retain your beauty. So a good long sleep would do the trick. And a relaxing massage. Let us talk later, ladies
,’ she spoke as though she did not have a care in the world, which was probably right.

‘That is very kind of you,’ Artride responded
, staying friendly, ‘but like Tirsa said, we are in a bit of a hurry. Lives
are
truly at stake. Now, I do not know if you remember what it is like to feel pain, discomfort or even the threat of death hanging over your head? But I can assure you; if I can make that torment shorter I will do everything that lies in my power.’

‘Hmm, yes. Compassion; a weakness of the human state.’

‘No, not a weakness,’ Artride commented. ‘It is our strength; something which sets us apart from the cold-hearted and the ignorant.’

‘Is it truly? W
hen it affects you nearly as much as the tormented and can put your own life at risk? What good can that do? No, I say it is a weakness for without it, you are truly free. And then you can work on other higher goals.’

Both Tirsa and Artride
felt angered and wanted to argue with the woman, but it was Artride that stood.

‘Such as what? Indulge in yourself, your power, gold and glory, here all alone with abducted people to serve
you
? I’ve never met a more selfish person in my entire life! What good can magic do if not to serve
others
?’

‘Did you come here to judge me or to get something from me?’ she reminded Artride with narrowed eyes.

Yes, they had to be careful what they said.

‘I’m sorry,’ Artride said honestly. ‘I just do not get it. With your power
… well why don’t I just shut up?’

‘Very wise.’ And she took another slow sip of her wine in thought.

Artride sat down again.

‘It looks like you are indeed worthy of your title
; there is no doubt about that. You want to defend your kingdom, end the people’s suffering, take control of your own life and theirs. You’ve got what it takes to be a queen.’

Artride’s face lit up.

‘But of course that’s not why you’re here and I can’t be bothered with titles.’

‘But why did the journey have to be so difficult? It looked like you wanted to stop us, why?’ Tirsa asked. Sempervirens smiled slyly.

‘The easy way is never the fun way. And I had a splendid time watching you. Do you know you are the first humans who ever made it this far in seeking my home? Do you know what that means?’

‘No, what?’ Artride shook her head curiously.

‘That you are the first people to see me in my element, my world!’ and she started laughing madly.

The
queen sighed. ‘And what about them?’ she pointed at the Woodchildren.

‘They aren’t humans as you must know! They feel more, know more
…’ and she smiled at them with understanding; sharing something they only knew.

And are harder to control; the harder the challenge the better
for you …
she thought.
They are worthy too.

‘And they serve me well, very well.’

‘I see,’ Artride said, ignoring the sexual hint. ‘So it is true you dislike humans and you really don’t want them here. But we made it, despite your traps. Now what?’

‘Ah, rest my dears, rest first and then we’ll talk.’

Artride sighed, ignoring her. ‘Both of us could have died.’

‘Ah, but you always had a choice to turn back. I haven’t invited you. You knew the risks when you entered my domain and you accepted them. Free will, remember?’

‘But you knew we couldn’t, so you had all the power and have been playing with us.’

‘Don’t you ever forget that.’

‘So, since I’m worthy of being a queen, and we’ve passed all your tests, may we have our reward?’ Artride hissed angrily.

‘After your hard journey and its very entertaining elements, I’d say you do deserve something.’

It felt good to hear that, but still they felt used and hurt. Artride tried not to think about that anymore or that someone could actually extract pleasure from hurting others. It was too far removed from her own standards.

‘But I do not give away spells that easily of course.’

Tirsa sighed. I knew it wasn’t over.

‘And this is a very special and a very powerful one; ancient and powerful. In fact from my own days amongst mortals.’

‘But … would you be able to lift the curse on the Law Book of Ceartas? she daringly asked, knowing the sorceress could die the instant she heard it.

Sempervirens gave Artride another disdainful look. ‘Of course I can, the counter spell however, is for you to find.’

‘What, how?’ Artride incredulously asked.

‘You are saying it already exists within your cave?’ Tirsa added questionably.

‘Right, ladies, enough talking, let me escort you to your chambers.’

‘After all we’ve been through you want us to find our ‘reward’ ourselves?’ Artride asked.

‘If you do not agree you can refuse naturally, I shan’t force you. However, you must understand I cannot let you go, now that you have seen me. I know you can keep a secret, but still … if more people come to try my tests, however difficult, but fun for me … well no. But if you hear what I have to offer you, you will have no desire to return.’

‘We’ll be just like your other slaves
,’ Tirsa guessed.

Sempervirens looked angry at her, but regained her calm composure fast.

‘Like them, you’ll have everything you desire; every imaginable wish I can fulfill.’

‘Illusions and captivity
,’ Artride commented.

‘No, not entirely. What I have to offer you, is the ultimate prize for your efforts. My slaves can only dream about that.’

‘And all that for us, humans?’ Artride asked incredulously.

‘You do not believe me. Like I said
, you are no ordinary humans, but capable of many things.’

Artride suddenly remembered what the Windchild Kasching had warned them of; either they could try to understand this woman or end up like her. Not much choice there. So, Sempervirens admired their courage and strength? Well, she would if no one ever made it this far. And now she wouldn’t let them leave? But if they chose to look for the spell, she would?

Somehow they both doubted she would ever let them leave with their gained knowledge.

‘So, if we find the counter spell, you will let us go, even with all we know?’ Artride asked.

‘If you choose so, yes, but I doubt you will by then. Why would you want to go back to all that darkness out there if I can offer you light and clarity?’

I don’t trust her
, Tirsa pondered.
She loves herself too much to give anything to another person, earned or not. What will she get out of this?

‘Alright, one last test to find the spell. The
gods know how much we need it. On one condition: it is going to be a safe test. I do not want any more dangers; no monsters, no thunderstorms, snow, rain or ice, no guards, no riddles, heat and swamps, breaking bridges, prison cells and nightmares,’ Artride said.

Sempervirens smiled
, content with herself.

‘Honey, you’ll be as safe as a baby in its mother
’s womb.’

Artride blushed at that, and waited with hungry eyes for their instructions.

‘Seek, seek and thy will find!’ And she laughed. ‘It worked before!’

Silence.

‘That’s it?’ Tirsa asked confused. ‘We’ve seen how big it is in here, where on Talamh are we going to look? It’s a maze!’

‘I shall guide you in the right direction; after that it’s up to you. I keep all my ancient spells in a secret chamber and it’s up to you to find it. It’s not impossible. It can be done, especially by the likes of you.’

‘A chamber. We shall find it. How long do you give us?’ Artride asked.

‘All the time you need.’ And she spread her arms wide; making the golden snake on her arms move slowly. Both women understood the hidden sneer.

‘So you’d better go, it is that way. I’ll be watching you,’ she almost sang.

They looked in the direction of a green curtain. Towards the part of the cave they hadn’t been yet.

‘We’re already used to that,’ Artride said.

‘I still think it’s not fair
,’ Tirsa said to her queen.

‘Is life ever fair?’ Sempervirens asked.

Tirsa turned around to face the sorceress. ‘Life isn’t good or bad; so fair is not the right word if we’re talking about life. We people make things happen! The way we treat others, the smiles we give, the joy we bring, but also the hurt. We do either positive or negative things. But everything we do has an effect in the world, however small. I know now that we are responsible for our own actions and if we’ve messed up, we should clean up after ourselves. Make it better, fix it. People should help instead of torment each other.’

Artride looked proudly at her friend and Sempervirens glanced with her dark eyes at her
. A smile painted her face as she nodded in agreement.

‘Right, and remember
… I’m helping you,’ she said.

Are you really
? Tirsa thought and grabbed the veils, Sempervirens had ripped off them, from the floor.

~ ~ ~

Covering themselves behind the green curtain with their make-do dresses, they found brown-grey walls again; the cave for what it really was. Perhaps Sempervirens had no business in this part. She wouldn’t if she never had any use for spells herself; all she had to do was snap her pretty fingers it seemed. But why she did have spells stored was another question. She did mention they were ancient; so that could mean at one point at the start of her ‘career’ she did use them.

‘I hate her for putting us through this again
,’ Tirsa mentioned softly.

‘I don’t care. All I want is to get this spell and go home
,’ Artride wearily pointed out.

There w
ere ancient wall paintings in black and red; some lovely, but others scary. They tried not to stare at the images; for the pictures became more and more alarming, with all sorts of monsters and frightening looking people.

Unexpected
, they walked into a closed wall.

‘I didn’t see that coming!’ Artride announced upset, having taken the full blow, rubbing her painful knees and hands.

‘Me neither. I could have sworn it was going further. You ok?’ the other woman said rubbing her sore shoulder.

‘Wait, maybe we do have to look at the disturbing paintings. I mean, nothing in this cave seems to be here without a reason. She even said so herself
,’ Artride stated, which made Tirsa wonder too. ‘I guess so, since there is no other way, but back …’

And they examined the pictures further; especially the ones on the closed wall in front of them. Perhaps it was a doorway? All they had to do was search for the key.