Call of Brindelier (Keepers of the Wellsprings Book 3) (51 page)

Azi

“Ugh, you said it wasn’t so bad,” Flitt sniffs at the soot-coated ribbons that once decorated her pitcher and wrinkles her nose. “It smells like smoke and charcoal, and burnt things that never should burn.”

“I know,” I sigh and pick through the fallen crumbled roof near what used to be my bed. The black rubble puffs ash with every step I take. This is the first time I’ve been allowed here since we returned from Brindelier. My bedroom seems to have suffered the most damage compared to the rest of the hall. Due partly to smoke damage and mostly to the Queen’s favor, the Elite has been given rooms in the palace until we’re able to clean up and rebuild. I’ve been here since this morning, combing through the rubble to see if there was anything I could salvage. From the looks of it, there isn’t much.

The silver handle of my hairbrush glints in the sun and I crouch and pick it up. The bristles have burned away, but the rest of it can be saved. I wipe off the soot with the shredded remains of Redemption’s flag and toss it into my rucksack.

“They’re all just things, though,” I say with a sigh. “And thankfully, the fire didn’t reach far.”

“Right!” Flitt chirps. “Good thing Mouli stayed safe. I’d be sad without her sweet rolls.”

“And Luca, too,” I nod in agreement.

“Yeah, him, too,” she beams brightly. “Want to play?”

“Sure,” I reply as I nudge aside a pile of burnt timber with my boot.

“Good!” she chirps, then scowls as she points at the torn banner in my hand. “Will they have their heads chopped, like Prince Creepy?”

“Most likely,” I shove the rag into my pocket, gather an armload of charred masonry and roof tiles, and toss them out of the hole in my wall into the street below for the scavengers. “After the battle was won by Cerion, all of the banished members of Redemption were captured and sent to the dungeons. They say they recovered a good number of the escaped prisoners, as well. The elves were very helpful there. Eyes from the sky.” I gather another load and toss it out. “So, what did you find out?” I ask. Ever since our return from Brindelier I’ve been keeping myself out of sight, worried that my involvement in the final battle would garner me too much fame to be able to walk the streets without being bombarded by people. I gave Saesa leave to help the Ganvents rebuild, so I’m grateful Flitt agreed to fly around and see what she could find out.

“Nobody knows it was you,” she darts to my side, picks up a broken roof tile, and heaves it out of the hole. “They’re all talking about it, of course, while they work. You should hear the chatter! I bet they’d get a lot more done if there wasn’t so much gabbing. But you should see how much better things look already. Your uncle is doing a good job keeping his Mages busy.”

“They aren’t his Mages, Flitt,” I laugh softly.

“Well, for all we’re concerned, they are. I mean, Queen Naelle is doing all right as regent, but Gaethon is really the one in charge when it comes to rebuilding. He’s keeping them in a good, straight line. And the Brindelier Mages are amazing. You should see them! Gaethon keeps having to tell them to tone it down, though. He doesn’t want Cerion to look like Brindelier. I don’t see why. Brindelier is so much prettier. And the regular people are working really hard when they don’t even have to.”

“It’s our way, Flitt,” I explain. “Cerion’s craftsmen have always taken pride in their work, and for a long time, they didn’t have jobs. His Majesty was too distracted by the trial to make time for new projects. Now, they can work at their crafts and get paid. It’s almost like a rebirth for the city. In some ways, this is just what they needed.”

“Anyway,” Flitt says with a roll of her eyes. “To answer your question, everyone’s talking about the black dragon and the winged centaur. Nobody knows you were inside of it, though. It must have felt unreal, Azi! Being one with Memi!” she gasps and twirls prettily, sending beams of rainbows scattering across my blackened ceiling. “Oh! I wish I had been there. Everyone says you were enormous. Taller than your house! I believe it. The Light is very powerful, and you had the actual Dawn on your side, too. Great timing, just at sunrise. But that wasn’t an accident, I’m sure. Memi is smart. She was just biding her time for the sunshine. The fairies said you held your own pretty well before then. Your battle against Eron was impressive.” She pauses to think of her question as she tosses another broken tile outside. “Have you heard from your mum today?”

“This morning,” I reply quietly, my thoughts turning to my mother. Outside of my undamaged window, Da’s hammer rings against his anvil. He’s been working non-stop for two days now, since the battle ended, making trivial things: nails and door handles and tools for rebuilding. Keeping himself busy while Mum is away. “There was a bird to tell us she’s safe. Rian’s not going to attempt that journey again.”

Flitt laughs, but I feel the color draining from my face at the memory of myself in his arms as we plummeted dangerously toward the ground on our first attempt to reach Mum. Apparently, traveling through the Half-Realm to a flying ship that we’ve never been on and don’t know the exact location of is not a reliable way to reach someone. 

“Luckily Rian kept his head, Flitt, or you would have had a flatcake for a Faedin.” I shiver at the thought of it as I clear more of the rubble. Overcoming my fear of heights was short-lived. After my little adventure with Rian, I find I still have a hearty respect for heights. “So, we’re sticking with birds for now. The old way. They’re much safer for everyone. Once they arrive at the location, Rian and I will bring Uncle to meet them.”

“And then what?” she asks.

“Ha! You lose!” I clap in triumph, sending a puff of soot dancing off into her beams of light. “It was my turn for a question.”

“Oh!” she gasps and claps her hands over her mouth, leaving black fingerprints around her pink lips. She sneezes twice and then sniffles. “That’s not fair!”

“It’s fair,” Rian appears in my doorway, grinning. “Looks like you’re getting rusty at your own game, Flitt.”

“Hmph,” Flitt pouts. “I’ll get you next time, Azi.”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll regret it,” I say with a laugh and turn to Rian. He’s been hard at work with the other Mages, rebuilding and cleaning out, and yet his blue robes are perfectly neat and straight, and there is no hint of soot on his skin or pieces of rubble in his beard. A basket draped with a white cloth hangs on the crook of his elbow, and the aroma of fresh-baked bread and spices that wafts from it makes my stomach growl.

“Ready?” he asks me. I nod, and with a sweep of his hand, my clothing shifts from dingy gray pants and shirt to a soft white summer dress. My hair sweeps up on its own, my braid crowning my head. The soot and ash clear from my skin, leaving it soft, golden tan.

“Are you coming?” I ask Flitt as I pick my way across the room to join him.

“Not today,” she replies. “It’s dreadfully boring up there, and besides, Alex asked me to join him in the festival.”

“Oh, it’s Alex now, is it?” Rian wriggles his brow to tease her, and Flitt tosses her rainbow ponytails and raises her chin. Her cheeks go bright red, and her light pulses brightly. She doesn’t say anything, she just shrugs.

“They sure know how to throw a party up there,” I say, trying to steer the conversation away from the obviously embarrassing topic for her.

“Oh, yes!” Flitt exclaims. “It’s been going strong since we left, with no signs of stopping. No wonder Princess Margy was eager to leave, considering.”

“Right,” says Rian. “Speaking of whom, we ought to be going,” Rian says.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” I ask Flitt, and she nods and gives me a sooty kiss on the cheek before darting off out of the gaping hole in my wall.

“I thought she’d never leave,” Rian says, pulling me close. We fall into a long, lingering kiss, and then he takes my hand and leads me outside along the cobbled streets toward the palace.

We pause when we reach the forest park, where fallen trees trampled by the Void are being cleared away by horse and cart.  The area is crowded with onlookers, mostly children, who have been gathered at the edge of the park since the work started here. They have come to watch the spectacle of fairies, friends of Twig, who meander through the splintered stumps and lavish their magic upon them, helping the wood to mend together and grow strong and tall once more. The park has always been beautiful, but now it is dazzlingly so. The breeze that rustles through the new leafy canopy is rich with magic and fairy song. This is one place where Uncle has allowed the fairies free reign with their magic, to do whatever they like. The result promises to be a park much more beautiful than the original; an enchanted piece of forest to mirror Kythshire itself.

We slip past the crowds after a short time watching and make our way along the Path of Rites alongside the palace. The line to the Pyre is quite long this evening, and many waiting to pay their respects whisper excitedly as they wait. Not only are they here to see the Princess, but word has spread throughout the city of the mysterious prince from a land like no other who has come to court her. I suspect that most of those waiting have come to catch a glimpse of him as he keeps vigil with Margy.

The line creeps forward, and Rian squeezes my hand as he gazes across the sea to the floating Gate of Brindelier. It hasn’t changed since it first appeared. It still looks much the same: A mysterious stone archway set in the center of a small, floating piece of land. For now, while Cerion takes time to recover and Brindelier enjoys its Waking Celebration, it will remain out of reach of the common people. Eventually, when the Rites are over, the gateway will be open to anyone bearing a coin who swears fealty to the Dawn.

We reach the top eventually and pay our respects to the Pyre, and as soon as we turn to face her, Margy’s eyes light up. Poe, the prince, smiles in greeting as Rian and I approach, and the two royals sit stand beneath their canopy of woven vines and flowers, the fine work of Twig. Both are dressed in robes of plain white, and both have set aside their crowns in mourning for the fallen King.

At the Princess’s invitation, we sit beside them on cushions spread over the smooth, white stone. This area: the pyre, the wall, and benches were the first to be restored. There are no scorch marks left behind by our battle, no gouges in the stone where Mercy plunged through Eron and pinned him. The Circle of Rites is as pristine as it always has been.

Rian unwraps the sweet rolls and passes them around, and we eat together in silence as we greet the line of grievers that trickles in sporadically. The breeze blowing in from the ocean is cooler than it has been. Summer is waning, giving way to autumn. I lift my face to it and close my eyes as the sweet sugar icing of Mouli’s sweet rolls melts on my tongue.

“Any word from Twig?” Rian asks the princess softly.

“Not yet,” Margy replies. “And you? Have you heard from Shush?”

“I’m afraid not,” Rian answers.

“Don’t fret, Princess,” Poe offers gently. “The fae are clever. They can search in places our kind can’t. They’ll find your friend.”

Margy gives the prince a grateful smile. Though she was quick to accept Poe’s offer of companionship through the rest of the Rites, I know the princess well. There is a sadness deep within her eyes when she looks away from the prince. Her concern for Tib, who has not been seen or heard from since he left the Great Source, is plain to see.

“You’re right,” she says, and leans back against her pillows. Her wistful gaze searches the skies past her father’s pyre, out over the sea. “They’ll find him.”

…to be continued in Book Four of the Keepers of the Wellsprings series.

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Alexerin
(Ah-lex-AIR-in)
A light and earth fairy, Keeper of Brindelier's Wellspring, Poe's Faedin

Aliandra
(Ah-lee-AN-dra)
A light and earth fairy, Keeper of Brindelier's Wellspring, Pippa's Faedin

Amei Plethore
(Ay-mee)
Prince Eron's wife.

Asio Plethore
(Ah-zee-oh)
The first king in the Plethore Dynasty.

Aster
(AS-ter)
              An enchanted wand, once in the possession of Kaso Viro.

Averie
             
(AY-ver-ree)
An apothecary merchant at the Sea Market.

Azaeli Hammerfel (Azi)
(A-zee, A-zay-lee) (Not OZZY)
A Knight of His Majesty's Elite, and Ambassador to Kythshire. Daughter of Lisabella and Benen.

Benen Hammerfel
             
(Ben-in)
              Knight of His Majesty's Elite, Azi's father, and Lisabella's husband.

Bette
(Bet)
A cook at the Ganvent Manse.

Brother Donal Vincend
(DON-ol)
Healer of His Majesty's Elite.

Bryse Daborr
(Brice
) Shieldmaster of His Majesty's Elite, partner to Cort.

Cari
(Kaa-REE)
The bookbinder for the Academy.

Celli Deshtal
(CHEL-lee)
A street urchin from Cerion.

Cly Zhrel
(KLY zrell)
Warlord leading the attacks against the White Wall.

Cort Finzael
(Court)
Member of His Majesty's Elite. Swashbuckler and partner to Bryse.

Crocus
             
(Crow-cuss
) A plant fairy. Leader of the Ring at Kythshire, partner to Scree.

Dacva Archomyn
(Dock-Vuh)
Apprentice healer to Donal, Azi's former rival in training, former member of Redemption.

Dar Archomyn
(Dar)
A guard at the Sorcerers' Keep, a former member of Redemption.

Diovicus
(Dye-ah-vik-us)
The Sorcerer King of legend, who nearly overtook Kythshire.

Dreiya
             
(DRAY-yuh)
A peasant from Redstone Row.

Dub (Wade Cordoven)
(Dub)
A hired assassin for the Dusk.

Dumfrey Pilsen
(DUM-free)
A bumbling Mage in the employ of the Royal Family of Cerion.

Elan
(Ee-LON)
A page at Cerion's castle.

Elliot Eldinae
(
El
-
ee
-
oht)
Member of His Majesty's Elite. Husband to Mya, and Rian's Father.

Ember
              (
Ember
)              A Fire fairy, and high-ranking member of the Ring in Kythshire.

Emmie Ganvent
(EM-mee)
The only officially adopted child in the Ganvent house.

Eron Plethore
(Err-ohn) Son of Tirnon and Naelle. Prince and Heir of Cerion.

Errie Kreston
(AIR-ee)
Child of Maisie, a former resident at the Ganvent Manse. Illegitimate son of Eron.

Finn (Isaac Finnvale)
(Fin)
Princess Margary's personal guard.

Flit (Flitter)
(Flit (like bit))
A Light fairy who has befriended Azi and bonded to her.

Gaethon Ethari
(
GAY-thon)
Headmaster of the Academy, Member of HME, Advisor to the throne, Azi's uncle, Rian's mentor.

Garsi Ganvent
(Gar-SEE)
A toddler, the youngest girl at the Ganvent Manse.

Gemma Vander
(JEM-muh)
A barmaid at Seabird's Swoop.

Giff
(Gif)
A friend of Celli's.

Gred
(Gred)
Guardian of the North of Sunteri's Wellspring

Gustaven Felior (Gus)
(Goos-tah-vin)
Gatekeeper of Brindelier - Cerion's archway

Haris Kenswen
(HAR-riss)
A Royal Guard stationed in Cerion's throne room.

Hett
(Het)
A new boy at the Ganvent Manse.

Hew Deshtal
(Hyoo)
Celli's baby brother.

Iren
(EYE-ren)
Guardian of the northern border of Kythshire, Spirit of the Shadow Crag.

Jin
(Jin)
A henchman at the Sorcerer's keep.

Julini Ensintia
(Joo-LEE-nee)
An elf archer, and member of the White Line.

Kasha
Deshtal
(KA-sha)
Celli's mother.

Kaso Viro
(KAH-so VEE-roh)
A muse of the Six, a Master Mage bound to the sea.

Ki
(
Ki (like eye))             
Formerly Viala, an archer in the service of Iren, and Tib's sister.

Kristan Prew
(Kris-TAN)
A general of the Royal Guard.

Lilen Ganvent
(LILL-in)
A Mage Apprentice, the eldest girl at the Ganvent Manse.

Lisabella
Hammerfel
(LIZ-uh-BELL-uh)
Knight of His Majesty's Elite, a Paladin, Azi's mother, married to Benen.

Luca Salvaneli
(LOO-kah)
Groundskeeper for His Majesty's Elite.

Maisie Kreston
(MAY-zee)
A former palace maid, mother to Errie. Lives in the Ganvent Manse.

Margary Plethore (Margy)
(MAR-jee)
The youngest princess of Cerion's Royal Family.

Anod Bental
(Ah-NOD BEN-tul)
High Master of the Academy, Mage-Advisor to the King of Cerion.

Mevyn
              (MEV-in)
The last of the Sunteri fae.

Mikken
(MICK-ken)
A friend of Celli's.

Milvare (Sen Milvare)
(Mill-VARE)
A Mage-liason to Cerion's peasantry.

Mouli
(MOO-lee)
Housekeeper and cook for His Majesty's Elite. Married to Luca.

Muster
(MUSS-ter)
A half-giant thug for hire, worked with Dub in Call of Sunteri.

Mya
(MY-uh (not MEE-uh))
A bard. Leader of His Majesty's Elite. Rian's mother, and Elliot's wife.

Naelle Plethore
(Ny-ELLE)
Queen of Cerion.

Nan
(Nan (like Ann))
Tib's grandmother. A slave of the dye fields.

Nate
(Nate)
A page at Cerion's castle.

Nessa Ganvent
(NESS-uh)
Wife of Admiral Ganvent. Foster mother to Saesa, Raefe, and many others.

Old Ven
(Ven)
A resident of Redstone Row.

Oren
(OH-reh)
Plant fairies. The Guardians of the Eastern border of Kythshire.

Osven Chente
(OZZ-ven)
A Sorcerer for the Dusk.

Pearl
(
Pearl)
Azi's Horse.

Pippaveletti
Emhyrck
(Pippa)
(Pip-uh-veh-LET-tee)
Princess of Brindelier

Poelkevrin
Emhyrck (Poe)
(POLE-kev-rin)
Prince of Brindelier.

Polfe
(
Polf)
Mikken's father

Prent
(Prent)
A healer for the Dusk.

Quenson
Avenaire
(KWEN-sohn)
A Sorcerer for the Dusk.

Raefe
Coltori
(RAFE)
A swashbuckling apprentice, Saesa's brother, lives in the Ganvent Manse.

Rian Eldinae
(RI-an)
Mage of His Majesty's Elite, Azi's childhood friend and love. Son of Mya and Elliot.

Ruben Ganvent
(ROO-bin)
An orphan living at the Ganvent Manse.

Saesa Coltori
(SAY-suh)
Azi’s squire, a friend of Tib, lives in the Ganvent Manse.

Sapience
(SAY-pee-ense)
The Keeper of Kythshire's Wellspring

Sarabel Plethore
(SAY-ra-belle)
Princess of Cerion. Middle child, betrothed to Prince Vorance.

Scree
(SCREE)
Earth fairy. A rock, son of Iren, leader of the Ring.

Shoel Illinviesh
(SHOHL)
White Line, section leader

Shush
(SHUSH (like rush))
A Wind fairy, and high-ranking member of the Ring in Kythshire.

Stone
(STONE)
Leader of a band of thugs for hire, worked with Dub in Call of Sunteri.

Stryker
             
(STRIKE-er)
Gustaven's Faedin, Gatekeeper of Brindelier - Cerion's archway

Stubs
(STUBS)
An earth and plant elemental who lives in the Dreaming.

Sybel
(SIB-bel)
A Sorceress for the Dusk.

Thalin
             
(THAH-lin)
High Advisor to the Throne of Brindelier.

Tibreseli Nullen (Tib)
(TIB (like bib))
A slave to the dye fields who escaped to Cerion.

Tirie
(Tee-ree)
Margy's Nursemaid.

Tirnon Plethore
(TEER-non)
His Majesty, King of Cerion.

Tristan Ganvent
(GAN-vent)
Nessa Ganvent's husband, and Admiral of Cerion's Royal Navy.

Tru
Troo
Griff's father.

Twig
(Twig)
A plant fairy who has a special bond with Princess Margary.

Viala Nullen
(Vee-AH-lah)
A Sorceress who conspired with Prince Eron. Sister of Tib. Became Ki.

Victer Davesh
VICK-tur
A healer in Cerion.

Vorance Evresel
(Vore-ANS)
Prince of Sunteri, and Sarabel's suitor.

Wrett Oldsen
(Rett)
An archer assassin.

Xantivus Ucrin
(Zan-ti-vus)
A Mentalist-Sorcerer working for the Dusk.

Yorid
Gauntry
(Yo-rid)
Mage General of Incarceration in Cerion.

Zevlain Esen
(Zev-LANE)
An Elf Knight and Cygnet Rider of the White Line.

Zeze
(ZEE-zee)
Tib's cat companion.

Zhilee Nullen
(ZI-lee)
Tib's younger sister, who was killed by Sorcerers.

Zilliandin
(Zil-lee-ANN-din)
The Fairy Queen's high advisor.