Page 150 of Artemysia
The soldiers pursuing us along the riverbanks above us holler in shock. They stop riding and point, disbelief on their frightened faces. I hold Riev’s arms around me as he clings to me from behind. I hope whatever I’m doing is steering the Lindwyrm.
I thank the Lindwyrm using a soothing voice, adding clicks and whistles as I would with an elk. I barely notice that my entire body trembles, shivering from being immersed in frigid water for so long, because I’m godsdamn soaring through the air! My heartis about to burst through my chest. It’s pounding at an ungodly rate. I’ll never know how my life came to this point, but the adrenaline keeps me going.
The Lindwyrm surges upward before leveling out above the tree line, and I aim it toward the heart of the forest.
Artemysia.
We soar right to the split in the giant oak, which begins to open as we approach. We dive right into it, perhaps because I’d entered it before, or because Riev, as the heir to Artemysia, is recognized.
The hollow swallows us whole as I steer the Lindwyrm between the two divided branches, and I find myself above the rooftops of the village outside the Artemysian palace.
A crowd of gentle Syf scream.
Apparently, they aren’t used to Lindwyrms either.
“I’m sorry!” I yell over my shoulder, feeling awful that I always elicit screaming upon entering Artemysia.
When we land at the palace entrance, Syf King Foss rushes out first, despite his guards trying to thwart him by standing in his way. They gesture emphatically at the Lindwyrm.
Perhaps he’d seen us flying in, but the king drops all formalities and pushes past his guards. He holds his palms open as he approaches, as if showing the Lindwyrm he means no harm. “What happened?”
As quickly as I can, in the least words possible, I holler at him in short bursts of breath. “East River poisoned. Water turns Syf rabid. Riev’s been in the river. We have to keep him from turning.” My body is weak and shivering, and I fall off the Lindwyrm. King Foss swiftly catches an arm, but I slam down onto my knees, dragging Riev with me. Guards advance cautiously to help us up.
No one mentions the Lindwyrm yet, but they leave a wide berth around it. Despite the Lindwyrm’s depiction in black jewels along one of the hallway walls, it’s clear the Syf are also unused to this creature of myth. The Lindwyrm settles beside me, heavy-lidded as if it wants to slumber after its swim and flight.
The king orders his guards to restrain Riev and escort him inside totheir healers to do what they can to slow the change. I want to follow, but they move fast and have already taken him away, and I need to speak to King Foss.
“Can you stop others from coming into contact with the river?”
“Immediately.” He speaks to his guards behind him, firing off numerous commands at once. They race off in all directions.
Foss returns his gaze to the enormous scaly beast beside me. It must be the length of at least six elk, with its trunk spanning the width of the most massive untrimmed antlers.
“You know, there hasn’t been Lindwyrm spotted in any Syf lands for centuries. We thought they went extinct. In the past, only the true royal line could control one. You’ve legitimized Riev’s rule—if he survives—despite those who may not want to accept a half-human prince.”
I don’t bother to correct the king over who the Lindwyrm actually answers to, and allow Riev to have the credit. Besides, my mind is muddled with panicked, incoherent thoughts. What will happen to Riev? Can they do anything to help?
“Do you think he’ll be okay?” I ask, afraid that I already know the answer.
King Foss sighs. “I’ve lost so many of my people. I will do everything not to lose my heir too. I’ll attend to him now and see that you are taken care of also.” He gestures to two guards to split off and stay with me, then spins on his heels to return to the palace without another word.
Ivy and Throg race out of the palace doors.
“I saw you from upstairs!” Ivy shouts, crashing into me with a hug. “Is Riev okay? Where’d you get the cool flying snake?”
“Are you hurt? What happened to Riev?” Throg asks, “I saw them carrying him upstairs.”
I’ve held it together this entire time. Since the beginning of the mission, when I steeled myself for the possibility that not all of us would make it back.
But seeing Throg concerned about Riev, and with my worries tearing through my heart, I break down. The tears flow when Throg embraces me in his crushing arms. I’m strong, but my heart is broken as I recount what has happened.
“You look worse than Riev. He’s tough,” Ivy says kindly, circling an arm around my waist to guide me into the castle. “We’ll get him back. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
The Lindwyrm snakes behind me, its wings tucked in flat alongside its sleek body. The Syf guards step aside. No one protests as it follows me into the palace, and luckily, the main hallways are wide enough to accommodate it.
“What’s it eat?” Ivy asks, glancing over her shoulder with one arm still looped around me. “I don’t like how it’s looking at me like a snack. Do we need to feed it?”
Its golden eyes blink at us, the black eyelids shutting sideways before the slats flick open again.
