True North [True North series book 1/3]

I followed Phaedra into the palace, studying her as we went. She was beautiful, her rich umber skin shone in the dim lights of the palace hallway we passed through. Her hair cascaded in mesmerizing strings of azure beads, a glassy symphony that seemed to sprout effortlessly from her scalp. Each bead was stacked delicately upon the next, creating what seemed like braids of vivid blue washing down her back.

Phaedra led me through the palace, past courtyards and ballrooms, up ornate stairs and past Ardanian knights lining the walls, until finally, we reached what seemed to be a more intimate part of the castle. There were fewer knights here, and the place was well-decorated, and seemed almost cozy. I glanced into one of the rooms we passed, and found Morai already relaxing on top of a four-poster bed.

Phaedra took me further down the hall, and showed me to a room overlooking a field so big it could easily fit my village twice.

“This is yours,” she said, “I’m right across the hall if you need anything. The bathing chambers are toward the left, and I’ll have the servants bring you some clean garments. Go have a bath, I will be back to collect you for supper.”

She flashed me a quick smile, and then disappeared into the hall. I looked around.

The room I found myself in was fit for a queen — everything you’d expect a palace chamber to be. I walked into the bathing chambers, and marveled at the view. A large tub made entirely from some sort of polished stone, was sunken into the floor. It was already filled to the brim with water, that was warm to the touch — hot, actually. I wondered where they had gotten this much water, as I hadn’t spotted any body of creeks or rivers on my way here. There was a small fire gently crackling away in a fireplace across the room.

I walked back into the adjoining bed chamber, and found a set of neatly folded garments on the bed. I found a large linen cloth meant for toweling, and took that, and the garments, into the bathing room with me. I swiftly undressed, and stepped into the water. It took a second for me to adjust to the heat, but eventually I slid into it. The polished stone was smooth to the touch, and was slippery with the oils that had been added to the water.

I leaned back and closed my eyes. Being submerged in warm water like this — it was incredible. Back home, we usually bathed in the stream during summertime, but even when the weather was nice out, the water was always freezing, as it trickled down from the glacier in the mountain. During winter, we usually just had quick sponge baths, as the hot springs were often too crowded to use.

I found soap — a rarity back home. The soap was made with fresh herbs, and smelled amazing. I washed myself, scrubbing my skin until it turned pink. I washed my hair too, and then exited the bath and toweled myself dry.

The fresh garments were different from those at the camp — no leather or fur was used in them. I put on the linen tunic and silken gown, and used a belt to cinch them at the waist. I looked for pants, but found none. I put on the stockings and boots, and went back into my bedroom, where I found Phaedra waiting for me.

“Allow me to help you,” she said as she approached me, and started lacing up the back of my dress. She removed the belt from my waist, and placed it on an mahogany desk in the corner of the room.

“Supper is ready,” she said, “follow me.”

Phaedra took me to a large formal dining room, where the others had already gathered around a table. Everyone was there, even Thoridor. For some reason I had expected him to dine alone. There were lots of silver dishes, with grilled meats and vegetables, much like the ones at breakfast. We sat down, and after I had stealthily crumbled my trusty Wisproot over my food, began eating in silence. I looked up at Warrian a few times, but his eyes remained glued to his plate as he ate.

I turned to Phaedra. “You’re a Royal Alchemist,” I stated, “what does an Alchemist do if I may ask?”

Phaedra swallowed her food and took a swig of the ruby-colored liquid in her goblet.

“Experiments, for the most part,” she said, after dabbing her mouth with a napkin. “I focus on discovering potions, elixirs, and transmute base metals into silver and gold.”

I looked around. “Did you make these?” I asked, gesturing to the dishes on the table.

“I did,” Phaedra confirmed, and I could have sworn I saw a glimmer of pride in her eyes.

There was a knock on the heavy wooden door, and we all turned to look.

“Enter,” Thoridor called out, and two knights entered, each holding one arm of the little old lady that was stood between them.

“You requested the human’s company, Sire?” one of them asked.

“I did, she may join us,” Thoridor said.

Myrtha. I looked at my fellow human, and was baffled by how old she looked. We had many elders in our village, but none of them looked this old. Myrtha’s face bore the intricate map of a life well-lived, etched with deep lines that whispered stories of bygone years. Her silver hair, thin and wispy, framed the shriveled skin of her face, yet her eyes sparkled with timeless vitality. Stars for eyes. My heart started pounding with excitement at the thought of my eminent return home.

“Myrtha,” I stammered, “what an honor to make your acquaintance.”

Myrtha’s eyes found mine, and she smiled at me. “A human girl,” she said with a frail, raspy voice, “I didn’t think I’d ever encounter one.”

I looked at Thoridor. “May I approach?” I asked, and he simply nodded.

I stood up and slowly walked over to Myrtha, feeling the eyes of all of the Ardanians burn into me as I did. I halted before her, and slowly held out my hands. Myrtha grabbed onto them, and tears clouded my eyes as her soft fingertips brushed over mine. Feathers for hands.

“Please,” I begged her, “Please, milady, I need to return home. I believe you hold the power to grant my wish and open up a gateway to the human world. I would be eternally grateful if you would help me — I need to get back to my brothers before it’s too late.”

My voice broke, speaking those last few words. What if it already was too late? No— I couldn’t think like that.

Myrtha studied my hands as I spoke, and then looked up at me. “What makes you think I hold such powers?” she asked, her face ridden with confusion.

“The prophecy,” I explained, “I think it’s about you.”

Myrtha shook her head. “I don’t know how,” she said, “I would love to help you, but I wield no such magic, I am but a simple human.”