Page 45 of Aofie's Quest
Facing the queen, Romulus announced, “May I present Aofie Mor, eldest daughter of Queen Ceana—may the gods guide her spirit in the afterlife—former royal of the kingdom of men.”
An astonished hush swept across the hall and hundreds of eyes bored into me. The hairs on my neck pricked and bumps rose up on my arms. I wanted to cower and hide away as fright consumed me. The Hall of the Queen blurred around me until I only glimpsed the glow of Queen Iris as she sat on her throne in a blaze of royal glory. Romulus announced Takari and she spoke to the queen, detailing the story of what happened to her people, the soldiers, the raid, and how she was rescued by Romulus and I. She dwelled on that part, and when at last she finished speaking, the queen descended a step. A haze of her rose-scented perfume washed over us, but she angled her body toward Takari and held out a lotus.
“Takari of the woodland nymphs, you are granted clemency here in Anon Loam. During the duration you dwell here, you may not use your magic for anything other than the benefit of others. According to our laws, you are free to face the Shrouded Gates at any time you wish to leave. Do you have any other requests?”
My vision cleared as Takari took the lotus from the queen’s hand. The smell of flowers filled the air and I took a deep breath. A calmness swept over me and my anxiety faded. I waited for Takari to say something, to ask the queen for help regarding the missing faun. But she merely bowed her head and backed away.
Words filled my mouth but did not escape my lips as the queen turned her brilliance on me and I was lost in her radiance. My mouth went dry as I met her honey-colored gaze. There was a fierceness to her. She crossed her arms and held my gaze as though she’d put me under a spell.
“Aofie Mor.” She tilted her head and examined me. “I knew your mother, what she did, and what she asked of my people. We knew a day would come when you would join us and I often sent scouts to seek word of your coming. It is no surprise to find you here, and yet I would ask, why have you come? What do you seek here?”
I forced words out of my mouth, blinking rapidly. “I would like to learn how to use my magic. Your Majesty,” I added afterward. Heat covered my face as I blushed, ashamed of the way my words bumbled together.
“Magic?” Queen Iris repeated. “Is that all?”
“Yes,” I mumbled.
“Why would that be?” she probed.
I could not read any expression nor indication of emotion in her straightforward stare, and the way her words moved together unnerved me. For a moment I sensed fingers parting my hair and digging into my skull, reading the thoughts I stored there. I felt the urge to tell her what I’d been through and it came out in an undignified rush.
“I hail from the Beluar Woods, where I grew up among the centaurs. A vision from the gods sent me on a quest to find my birth mother and along the way I accidentally set free the goddess of fire, Jezebel. She destroyed a village and I fled, because there was nothing I could do. I met Romulus while in the village and he led me to the river, where we later heard Takari and rescued her. Shortly after, we found the home of my mother, which was under a Spell of Evasion. She claimed your people, the elves, created it for her in exchange for the red sword,Claíomh Dearg.Later, I learned that she wanted me to travel here to learn how to use my magic and take up the red sword. She wanted me to take back the kingdom from the angel of death and restore the kingdom of men. Before I could leave, I was captured by Jezebel and when she let me go free, I continued my journey here.”
The invisible fingers disappeared and I found that I was shaking. What had the queen done to make me say all of that? My eyes moved to her hands. I wanted to look up at her face—to catch a hint of her sorcery—but I was too frightened and overwhelmed.
“Ah. You said yourmotherwished for you to travel here, learn magic, take up the red sword, and restore the kingdom of men. Earlier, you simply said you wished to learn magic. Are your wishes not aligned with your mother’s?”
I swallowed hard and the stinging sensation of overwhelming aloneness returned to me. I felt both embarrassed and ashamed that she would ask such personal questions in front of the entire assembly. “I am new to this world,” I admitted. “I would like to learn magic so the goddess of fire will cease torturing me. I am not sure of the red sword nor of the kingdom of men. I have no armies and my mother’s alliances were defeated by the goddess. I need to seek and understand before I make plans for the future.”
The queen spoke evenly and almost kindly. “Aofie Mor. If you would dwell here in Anon Loam, you must understand. We are at peace among the races and our only war is with the angel of death and his demons. The kingdom of men has fallen and it will not be restored, nor should any seek to do so. Instead, we have created a haven for those who wish to abide by our laws. If I grant you clemency, you may remain here and learn magic, but you may not take up the red sword, nor scheme to restore the kingdom of men. Do we have an understanding?”
I bit my lip. “We do…I understand…” I trailed off miserably, aware that the entire assembly listened to my words.
The queen’s fingers moved. A lotus grew out of them as though she were the fertile ground that brought it forth. She held it out to me and her voice became louder in proclamation. “Aofie Mor, princess of the kingdom of men, I grant you clemency here in Anon Loam. During the duration you dwell here, you will be instructed in the ways of magic, however, you will not attempt to take up the red sword nor make plans to take back the kingdom of men. According to our laws, you are free to face the Shrouded Gate when you wish to leave. Do you have any other requests?”
I shook my head and backed away, intimidated by her presence, but even as I did, a question rose on my lips. I did have additional requests. I wanted to know more.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The restof the evening passed in a blur. After the queen granted me clemency, she announced the celebration of the autumn harvest. Elves, humans, fauns, centaurs, and nymphs moved to the feasting tables. An abundance of food and wine was brought out and the elves played lutes and other stringed instruments. Wide-eyed, I took in the sights and pleasures of the beautiful people. The elves ate with a grace I’d never seen before, with varied delectable dishes. I tasted everything, surprised at how delicious it was and yet unable to name the flavors that burst on my tongue, some sweet, others savory with a bold tang. Takari joined her fellow nymphs, dancing and creating garlands until they faded from the gathering.
At last, someone touched my elbow, and I looked up with relief into the familiar face of Romulus. “You seem overwhelmed.” He sat down in the empty chair beside me and lifted a goblet to his lips.
“I am,” I almost whispered, my words caught in my throat. “It is always like this? They are so beautiful and…”
Romulus popped a berry into his mouth and pulled a forkful of meat off a platter. I studied the way his jaw moved as he chewed. His eyes roved over the room before returning to me. “Aye. The elves have a deep respect for their culture and their devotion to the queen is unmatched across kingdoms. Her word is law and all agree with her, but she is also fair.”
Careful to keep my expression neutral, I glanced at the throne, where the queen relaxed with courtesans by her side. They ate and spoke together with pleasant expressions on their faces, as though they did not have a care in the world. “I felt something when she questioned me,” I admitted. “Does she have magic?”
Romulus gave me a bemused grin. “Of course. She is a great sorceress.”
I paused and a sinking sensation came over me. I pushed it away.
Romulus chuckled. “Relax. You look as though you swallowed something wrong. Anon Loam is well protected and heavily guarded. The watchers are always on alert. Should the demons attempt to break the barricade, they will be shattered.”
I wanted to ask more. If Queen Iris was so powerful, why didn’tshestop the angel of death? Why did she hide in her lands instead of fighting? A blush surfaced on my face as I recalled that I was also hiding. I preferred safety to the dangers of facing the demons, even though I could hold my own with the blade.
“There will be a time for questions later.” Romulus stood and held out his hand to me. “Come.”
