Maga's a Beast (The Beast Within Book 3), page 8
Finally, they found the man Tangier told her about. Brighton was a stout man with a shining bald head. Sheree could only see him from the neck up as his robes covered his body entirely.
“Lady Sheree, welcome to Largania.” Brighton extended his hand to her, but she only saw the tweed fabric of his garb. She held out her hand and took a bit of the material and shook briefly returning her hands inside her cloak. The chill in the air did not stop at the doors. In fact, it almost felt colder inside the building.
“Do you have enough blankets for these people? Why is it so cold in here?” She asked with a scowl on her face.
“Sorry, lady. We were the first to be attacked once those beasts were able to leave Ormshire. They set fires to outboard buildings and threw bricks at our windows. We have more blankets and are working to get them passed out to all the patients.”
“Why are so many sick?”
The man continued to attend to his patient. A middle-aged woman with a hard, dry cough and shallow breathing. “The death of the land came first. Then, the loss of wildlife and sea creatures; fish, crab, lobster and the like. Then our small ones began with fevers. Until rashes formed. Then, the mothers and the fathers started to come down with strange anomalies. Our realm was first. If it hasn’t spread to the others yet, I suspect it will my month's end.” The healer moved to the next patient. There was no rhyme or reason for how they were laid out. A little boy was healing from an amputated arm. “This is Trevor. He developed a fever, then the rash. It started on his fingers and began to move up his arm just like all the others. So, we made the decision to remove the infected limb to save his life.”
“What happened to the others?”
“It spread to their hearts, and they died.”
Sheree was heartbroken. Never had she seen so much suffering. Children lay lifeless on cots throughout the building. Some had parents by their side, but most had nobody sitting with them. It was more than likely those without anyone by their beds had lost their family long before they ended up in there.
“Mother, you look tired. I could take you to the temple to get some rest. Or would you prefer the castle? I believe Lorthos has not gone to Hearthstone. He will be happy to have you there.”
She didn’t know what to do. She wanted to help the injured and the sick, but she was no doctor. “The castle will be fine. Though, I do find it hard to believe Lorthos has not answered the King’s summons.”
Just then Brighton piped up. “Have you not heard? The king has gone mad with grief. He’s stepped down and allowed the princess and her husband to take the throne.”
“Her husband? My son has married the princess?”
“Yes, the king insisted after Queen Karen’s funeral.”
“Wow,” she looked around at all those suffering bodies. It’s no wonder she heard nothing of the wedding while she was being saved, Rowan wouldn’t want to make a big deal of it with everything going on. “I missed it.”
“I’m so sorry. If I had known, I would have taken you there instead.”
“Tangier don’t worry. It’s fine. Your brother’s nuptials were planned for years. It was necessary to the curse being lifted for them to be wed.”
“The Third does not require a name,” Brighton said in a forceful whisper.
“He is my son. I have every right to give him a name.”
“No, he is the son of the temple.”
“Please, both of you stop. I am both, and now I have a name. Big deal. It doesn’t change my role in this war. Brighton, I will return to help.” He gave the old man a nod and offered Sheree his hand to be led through the medical building and out to the castle. “Do you know how many more have been affected?”
“No, I’ve only just returned myself. I left for the palace shortly after you departed.” The old man said to Tangier’s question.
The battlements were charred black. The gate held long deep scratches in the wood. No doubt from the Metitore. The entire village, castle included, was damaged by the attack. Sheree silently wondered whether or not the other realms had been attacked as well. She knew the beasts were headed to Corinthia to collect her, but would they have attacked Hearthstone? She had to find out if her other two children were safe.
No. They had significant roles in the ending of the curse. They would not be okay until the mess with Sheree’s husband was over. Until Ourobus was defeated or dead, nobody would be safe. Sheree resigned to leave well enough alone. She would know soon enough. Since they were to have a hand in the battle to come, she decided to believe they were fine—for the time being.
They stepped into the keep of Lorthos’ castle. It was no bigger or smaller, for that matter than the palace. Rowan saw to it that each of his lords had a home equal to his own. None of them were to feel like less of a ruler. Though one did and sought power regardless.
Sheree thought of her lord husband. Of how he must look in the form of a giant beast. No doubt one of his own making. She wasn’t aware that the curse would have had such an effect on him. She guessed it was more likely because he had defied the Fate’s. Just as their son was marred by the changing of fate, Ourobus could have been changed to his current state because he too challenged it.
“Ah, the Third has returned. How was the journey? Any problems along the way?” Lorthos entered the hall as they stepped through to the great room.
“No, sire. There was a pack of Metitore on the way here, but we were able to outrun them with some quick maneuvering.”
“See, I told you to let me send troops with you. Though it’s good you have arrived well, but next time, heed my word.” The lord finally looked over to Sheree and held out his hand. When she offered it, he placed his lips to her knuckles before speaking. “Lady. How did you find the journey?”
“Cold, my lord. I found it to be unusually cold for Pylira.”
“Ah, yes, well that’s the new pattern here these days. Gone are the days of sunshine and green grass. As you could probably tell once you returned. I’ve heard some amazing tales about the conditions in your other world. Perhaps you can tell me more at supper.”
“I would not mind doing so. Though maybe you can explain to me why you chose to ignore your king’s call to the palace?”
Lorthos stood tall then, squaring his shoulders and folding his rough hands together in front of him. He made no show of moving the few locks of his golden hair from his face but instead regarded Sheree with a steely gaze.
“I chose to stay here to oversee the movement of my people. We are at the brink of war with your own husband. Any day now, he might find himself able to leave his prison. Ormshire is crumbling. When this is over, there may not be a realm for you and your children to return to.”
“That does not concern me at all. We have no plans to return to Ormshire. As far as all are concerned, it can crumble to the ground, returning to the dust it once was. My concern is the king needs his lords at his side to assist in finding the great power. It was not stated that Renee and Ty were to find it themselves. Just that it would come at their joining.”
“Yes, and I hear they have joined. A small ceremony. Neither of their parents were even in attendance. Though I bet, it would have been hard for you to attend, with being kidnapped and all,” he looked at Tangier and winked at him. “Nice job.”
“Don’t you dare.” Sheree protested.
“Dare to what? Praise the child for getting you to safety? If Lord Ourobus finds he is able to leave the confines of his castle where do you think he will go? Certainly not Corinthia. There is nothing there but a dying race. No, he will come here. Largania will be his first stop before conquering this little continent of ours. We will be at the forefront of the battle. Our healers are all well known. The High Temple has been here since we set roots in this land. A strategic battle plan would be to take out the temple first, before doing anything else. I must be here to keep a watchful eye on what is mine to protect. The king understood that. Or at least he did before he was driven mad by the death of his wife.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. Taking away their healers would make it easier for Ourobus to tip the scales in his favor. He’d always had his own healers in Ormshire. His own two brothers were amongst them. At that moment she was bewildered. How was it she did not see all of it coming? How did she not know what her husband planned for so many years?
I wasn’t aware of the state of things so much so that I would have known the land would look less than fine once we left the safety of the circle of the forest of the fae. While on the journey to Hearthstone, the forest was mostly green, by utilizing fae magic. Hearthstone was, in fact, protected by the forest which surrounded it entirely. So in some ways, the debilitating look of the grounds was only as well preserved because of magia. Regalis was not so lucky.
I was told the entire land of Pylira had died. I did see much of that when my friends and I entered into Ormshire, and then Corinthia. However, I was later told the death and destruction began on the northern borders. Another reason why everyone believed the death of our lands was the after effects of the murder of Queen Renal. Aurora, home of the fairies was positioned just between Regalis and Largania. Only it was several hundred-thousand miles north of the island which was Pylira. I had never been there, but at night the lights of their island could be seen all the way from the castle in Ormshire. We called them the northern lights.
Regalis did not even have the remnants of grass. The straw seen everywhere else was a missing component to the realm labeled Bear Country. Nor was there dried dirt or a soft trickling river. No, the ground there was black as night and moved beneath our feet when we stepped. I kept to horseback, worried my body would slip far below the ground if I dared touch down. With each step of my horse, it felt as if we were back in Cherry Valley and I was walking over the squishy gym matt my friends and I used for cheerleading practice. I always felt off-kilter while walking on them, and the feeling was much the same as my mount clopped against the ground with forward movement.
The trees did not fare much better. They were unidentifiable. Long gone were the leaves, and branches that held them. Each looked to have been set on fire and left to burn. Only to have let the tops float away as ash. There were no birds, no pesky fae to contend with on the northeast side of the forest. The air was quiet.
“It’s far worse than I ever could have imagined,” Farlow stated sidling up next to me on his giant black stag.
“How is it the horses have not been affected?” I asked as Regginad slowed his steps to walk alongside me.
“We have cared for them much like we do the people. Kept indoors; in barns and stables. Fed table scraps, as all household pets, have been. Regalis doesn’t have any more wheat to feed them, and they seem not to mind. We keep healers on hand for both the people and the animals.”
“Take care of them, and they take care of you,” Tabby offered.
Regginad looked behind him to where Tabby sat on top of a chocolate colored mare. “Exactly, princess.”
“Oh, no. Our father might think of himself as a king, but I am no longer his daughter. I’m no princess.” Tabby scoffed.
“I merely call you that because of your family relations—with your brother.” When she looked at him sideways, Regginad continued. “The new King of Pylira.”
Tabby’s mouth formed a giant O, and she looked away as the rest of us began to laugh at her expense. “Right.”
“You’re not in line for the throne, but a princess now in title only. It’s how Rowan wanted it to be, ever since their betrothal.” Regginad pointed to Ty and me.
“Father, you haven’t mentioned our family at all. How is everyone?” Chris asked her father who closed his eyes. With Chris at his back, she couldn’t see the struggle he seemed to be having at how to answer her question.
“They will be delighted to see you.” Was all the Lord said before mounting his horse and taking the lead once again.
“I don’t understand.” Chris looked down at her hands and then back up to me. “Something is off. He is always going on and on about mother and my sisters. What if my brother never returned?”
“Chris, sweetie. Calm down.” Tabby did her best to place a hand on Chris’ shoulder. “We will be there soon, and then you will know. Don’t beat yourself up for his decision. We knew this was a possibility.”
Chris rode with revered silence, no doubt contemplating something I had no idea about. When she fell to the back of the line, I whispered to Tabby so Chris wouldn’t hear me question her.
“What is that all about?”
“Her brother, Jamie was in Cherry Valley. Somehow he managed to get away from there and into the mortal world.”
“Outside of the barrier?”
“Yes. Chris found him near the beginning of the curse. Before she found me. We were stuck there for some time. Once she explained to me about her family, she told me Jamie had indeed decided he liked living amongst the mortals. He even married one and started a family about ten years back.”
“Oh,” was all I could find to say. To think one of our own was living out in the wilds of the mortal world without magia to aid him was astounding. It also raised a few questions I had for some time. Though, I continued to keep those questions to myself. I wouldn’t tell anyone what I thought until there was no hope left for Pylira.
Stepping inside the castle walls was harder to take in. The gate was wide open, only because it was missing. The wood was decomposed to nothing. The only sounding structure seemed to be the stone which made up the walls of the building, as with all the rest in the small village left around the keep.
“This way,” Regginad said as the horses were led to a nearby stable. It was fairly new and made of nothing but stone. “As with the trees in the forest, wood is hard to keep. Even when brought in from other areas of the land, eventually it rots. Concrete and stone is easier to come by, and seems to last much longer against the plight that has overtaken us.”
He led us past the entrance and into the great room of his home. The furniture was all wrought iron and held no cushions. Passing the dining room, I noticed the stone slab that made up the table and wrought iron chairs in there as well.
“We’ve had to accommodate the way we live with the destruction of the realm.” He continued as the voices of children began to echo through the halls. “Children, I have returned. Fetch your mother.”
Mariella soon joined us in the great room. I watched her as she placed a few logs into the fire, and Regginad pointed to the wood in her basket. “From the forest on the west side. We don’t need to keep it long, so it doesn’t have time to decay,” he pointed out. I stood in silence as she positioned each bit of wood into the hearth. She held her long brown hair in her hand at her nape as she worked.
Once Mariella was satisfied that the hearth was aglow with flame and radiating heat, she turned to take in the sight before her.
“Had I known we would have the princess here I would have tidied the place.”
“Nonsense, dear. It’s about as good as it can get. Our Queen is aware of the state of things.”
“Queen? Well, then this is a party. We must celebrate,” she said moving to me taking me in her arms. “Welcome to Regalis, majesty. How is your father?”
“He’s seen better days, I’m sure. How have you been? Besides the obvious.”
“We’re all getting on okay. Just eager to be done with this—death.”
“I quite understand.”
Chris pushed forward past Nolan and Tabby to gain access to her mother. It wasn’t until the lady of the realm saw her daughter that the cool exterior she held in place began to crumble.
“Mother?”
“Christina. Thank goodness.”
Their embrace lasted so long the silence in the room grew awkward.
“I only just thought of you this morning. I’ve tried so hard not to, for fear I’d never get to see you again, but you did as I told you. You found Renella and brought her home.” Mariella looked at me and then back to her daughter.
“Actually, I found her, but I believe she and Ty brought me home.” Chris laughed and then Mariella extended her arms to take Tabby to her as well.
“I can’t wait to hear all about it but first, I need to warn you.” The woman’s eyes grew soft and weary as she let Tabby go and moved back to Chris.
“Maybe we should let you three talk,” I said to Regginad, but he put a hand out to me to stop me from leaving the room.
“No, you will all find out soon enough.”
“Mother, what is it?” Chris searched her mother’s eyes but only found them full of tears that couldn’t be shed.
“Ester. She’s no longer with us.”
“What? What happened?” Chris’ eyes filled, and hot tears began streaking her face. For all the loss I had already experienced I found I could not shed tears for the sweet girl with ringlets in her hair. I’d already shed the last of the tears my body held, but a deep sadness crept in me.
“She was one of the first in the realm to come down with a sickness. We had no idea how to treat it, or that it would spread the way it has. She died in her sleep and in no pain at all.”
Chris began to sob uncontrollably, but before either of her parents could grab hold of her, Farlow was there to swoop her into his arms. He took her to the nearest bench and sat with her until her body succumbed.
“I am so sorry for your loss. It seems as if we are being punished by the Fates for all that we have done. None more so than those taken far too early.” Ty said to Regginad and Mariella.
