The Emerald Staff Read online

  “Faedra, it took all the power of the seven realms to defeat him last time. What do you think a young thing like you can do?” His tone wasn’t mocking or accusing, just resigned.

  “I know I can because I just survived his attack. He tried to burn me alive but look.” She pointed at the big burn hole in her clothes and the flawless skin that peaked out from underneath. “If you know anything about Savu, you know that there should be a gaping hole where my stomach is, but there’s not. I know how to defeat him. I have to get back in there.”

  Emotions were getting the better of her at this point; she was tired and her heart was aching over what may have become of her loved ones. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

  “You have to believe me, I have to find a way in there,” she pleaded.

  The vicar gave her a thoughtful look and cast his gaze over her bare midriff once more.

  “For what it’s worth, I believe she can do it,” Etyran said.

  The vicar gave them both a long considering look and puffed out a heavy sigh, his decision made. “There is a way, but if you are wrong, Custodian, you could put the seven realms in great danger. We’re talking billions of innocent lives lost if Savu gets his hands on both the book and the amulet. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Follow me, I have to find it. I’ve never had to use it before, so goodness knows where I put it for safe keeping.”

  Faedra and Etyran exchanged glances as they followed the vicar back to the rectory.

  “So who are you anyway?” Faedra asked as they followed him along the gravel path to his home.

  “I was stationed here to keep an extra eye on you, and your mother before you, and her mother before her, well, all the Custodians, actually.”

  “But that’s donkey’s years. Don’t people notice that you never get any older?”

  “Oh, I change my appearance to age over the years, and then every few decades I start over with a new face.”

  They reached the door and followed the vicar through the house into what looked like his study.

  Faedra’s eyes widened at what greeted them. Bookshelves were overflowing with books and papers. Every conceivable surface was piled high with more books, and paperwork spilled onto the floor.

  The vicar waded through the sea of papers and rounded what must have been his desk, although, it was completely submerged with clutter. He scrubbed his face with both hands and muttered.

  “Where did I put it? Where would I have put it? When was the last time I even saw it? Hmmm, three hundred years ago, yes, that sounds about right.” He looked around the room drumming his fingers on the top of a book as he did so.

  “What are you looking for?” Faedra was almost scared to ask.

  “Hmm? Oh, sorry, dear,” the vicar broke from his thoughts and wandered over to a stack of dusty books balanced precariously on a table in the corner of the room. “A code.”

  “A code?”

  He carefully plucked a book from the bottom of the pile and blew on it, sending a plume of dust in Faedra and Etyran’s direction. “Yes, dear.” Then he held the book upside down by its cover and wiggled it so the pages fanned out underneath. When nothing fell out, he placed the book on the top of the pile.

  “Not in that one,” he said as he started scanning the books on the shelves beside him.

  Faedra sneezed.

  “God bless you,” the vicar said.

  “Thanks.”

  Faedra sighed and looked around at the disarray that was the vicar’s study. If he had to go through every book, Azran would be in tatters by the time she got back there.

  “Can we help?” she asked.

  “No, no, I’ll find it in a minute.”

  She very much doubted that.

  He scanned another couple of shelves. “Ah ha! There you are,” he said as he pulled a book out from between two others and did the same thing with it. Faedra spotted the title, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She rolled her eyes at the irony.

  An envelope fell out from between the pages and the vicar bent over to pick it up. He held it out to Faedra. “There you are, my dear, the king gave me that when I started here. Just in case there was ever a time when the portals were on lock down but I needed to get word to him if anything untoward happened to the Custodian. That code should open the portal.”

  Faedra looked at the envelope that still had the royal wax seal on it.

  “You never opened it?”

  “Never had need to until this day. Faedra, until you came into the world, things between Azran and the World of Men were as smooth as a baby’s bottom.”

  Faedra raised her eyebrows, then looked down at the envelope and tore it open. When she pulled out the card and read it, her eyes raised to the heavens. “You’re kidding, right?”

  The vicar looked perplexed. “Sorry, my dear, I don’t know what you mean.”

  She turned the card to face him. “Open Sesame?”

  The vicar stifled a smile. “Well, the king always did have a sense of humor about the way humans regard magic.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Within minutes, they’d run back to the path behind the church. With a disbelieving tone, Faedra said aloud “Open Sesame.” She wasn’t sure if it worked or not and was just about to take a step forward when Etyran put a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

  “At least let me go through first and make sure the coast is clear.”

  “Good idea.” She stood still and watched the Lightbender disappear in front of her eyes before he stepped through the portal. A moment later, he poked a now visible head back through and gave her the all clear.

  “Good luck,” the vicar said.

  “Thank you.”

  Faedra stepped through and met Etyran on the other side.

  “Let me guess,” a familiar voice said, coming through the bushes. “Todmus, can I please borrow Aesti?” he put on a mock female voice.

  Todmus appeared a moment later from the parting in the bushes that led to the opening on the other side. “I had a feeling I’d see you sometime soon. Didn’t think a lock down would be able to keep you out.” He gave Faedra a tender smile.

  “Have you heard anything from the castle?” Faedra asked.

  “Only that there must be something pretty heavy going on if all the portals got locked down. I had a feeling it might have something to do with you.” He gave her a wry grin.

  “Hey! None of this is my fault.” Faedra said in her defense. “Savu took the king, my dad, Faen and Jocelyn hostage. Not to mention all the guards.”

  Todmus let out a heavy sigh, full of dark memories. “If you are correct and Savu is back, then he has the whole realm held hostage. If I were in my right mind, I’d escort you right back to the World of Men. If he gets hold of that amulet, we’re all done for. But something tells me you have a plan, and, to be honest, I think you are probably our best hope right now. I just pray you know who you’re going up against.”

  “I have a rough idea.”

  “Go on with you, he’s in the clearing,” Todmus said, nodding his head in that direction.

  Faedra leaned down and took the little man’s face in her hands. “Thank you, Todmus.”

  Todmus smiled but didn’t say anything.

  “This way,” Faedra said to Etyran as she started through the bushes.

  “What is Aesti?” Etyran asked, following close behind her.

  “You’ll see.”

  They entered the clearing and Etyran blew out a low whistle.

  “Yeah, I know, cool isn’t he?” Faedra responded.

  Aesti stood tall. Ready for action, he pawed at the ground, impatient. Flame red eyes glowing with a fierceness Faedra now respected.

  He snorted as she stroked a hand down his face. “Hey, boy, please will to take me to the castle again?”

  Aesti kneeled on one front leg, lowering himself enough that Faedra could mount him with ease.

  She looked at Etyran who was staring
at the horse with wide-eyed reservation.

  “Come on, get on. We can’t waste anymore time.”

  “You’re joking, aren’t you? I’m not getting on that thing.” Etyran said, fear now visible in his eyes.

  Faedra looked at him and shrugged her shoulders, she didn’t have time for this. “Fair enough, I’ll go without you.”

  Aesti rose up to his full height again and started to turn.

  “Wait. Just wait a minute.” Etyran looked hesitant, chewing on his bottom lip. “Okay, I’ll come with you, but that thing better not throw me off. I don’t have wings, remember?”

  Faedra rolled her eyes. “Well, duh, neither do I? Get on you wuss, Aesti’s not going to hurt either of us.”

  Etyran took a reluctant step forward eyeing the winged beast with caution.

  “How did Todmus get himself a Valkyrie’s horse anyway?” he asked as he mounted and settled in behind Faedra.

  “I’m told it’s a long story,” she replied. “Okay, Aesti, we can go now.”

  Aesti turned, galloped down the clearing and took off just before the trees. Etyran gave a little squeak of surprise, which made Faedra stifle a giggle. Until this moment, she wouldn’t have thought the strapping great hulk of a man could be scared of anything.

  “You can stop that,” Etyran said.

  “Stop what?”

  “Laughing at me. It’s not my fault I’m scared of horses. One nearly trampled me to death when I was a kid. Although, looking back, I was partly to blame.”

  “Hmm, why does that not surprise me?” Faedra retorted.

  “Now, now. I was just learning how to control my power and I spooked the bloody thing when I appeared out of nowhere right in front of it.”

  Faedra smiled but didn’t say anything more. The two rode in silence for a while until Etyran spoke up again.

  “So, do you have any idea how you’re going to get Savu to use his fire on you if he knows you can use it against him. He’s not stupid, it won’t be easy to lure him into a trap.”

  “Yeah, I know, I’ve been thinking about that, too. I was hoping something would come to me before we got there, but, so far, I’ve got nothing. You got any ideas?”

  “Sorry, no.”

  Faedra sighed and looked around at the scenery flying by. Then she stiffened to attention. “Of course, urgh. Why didn’t I think of that before? Aesti, change of plan, take us to the Alovison Mountains.”

  Aesti looked back and nodded his majestic head then banked right to change direction.

  “In the name of Kernunnos, Faedra, why are we going back there?”

  “I have an idea. I just hope he will help us.”

  “He who?”

  “Draconis.”

  As Azran castle came into view, Faedra bit back a curse. The courtyard they were planning to land in was crawling with redcaps. This was not good. She looked back at Draconis, who was flying close behind them, and pointed to a stand of trees not too far away. He nodded his understanding and followed their descent behind the trees. They needed to discuss another way of gaining entrance to the castle.

  Faedra thanked her lucky stars that Draconis didn’t hesitate to help when she asked. He wanted to see his brother dead just as much as Savu wanted the same for him. And if Savu did gain control of Azran, he would surely go gunning for Draconis next, in a bid to conquer Zutherindal. That’s probably why the redcaps were patrolling the mountains. But Draconis had his heir back now, and he was not going down without a fight.

  “I didn’t see any redcaps on the roof as we passed. If we land on the other side of the turrets to the courtyard, they shouldn’t be able to see us,” Faedra said. “Draconis, would you allow us to ride on your back? I don’t think Aesti will be able to land on a turret.”

  “Of course, little one, it would be my pleasure.” Draconis inclined his head to the Custodian.

  “Thanks.” She turned to the winged horse. “Aesti, you stay here in case we need you.” The horse understood the request and also inclined his head in response. She patted the side of his neck.

  “Well, let’s hope this works,” Faedra said as she climbed aboard Draconis.

  “I’m guessing the king and your dad must still be alive,” Etyran said as he climbed aboard the big black dragon behind Faedra.

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Look around you. They obviously don’t have their hands on the book yet, everything is still flourishing.” He swept an arm around to demonstrate that the trees and plants were all in full bloom. “That means they still need bargaining chips, and my money would say they know you’ll be back as soon as you can, to try and rescue the people you love. My bet is that they have everyone in there alive and well, just waiting for you to return.”

  Faedra allowed her heart to fill with hope at Etyran’s words.

  “Ready?” Draconis asked.

  “Ready,” his passengers replied.

  Draconis flew a large low loop around the castle to avoid being seen and then made a beeline for the backside of the turret facing the courtyard. His sharp talons dug into the stone as he carefully walked down the side of the wall until they were standing on the roof. They made their way across the roof to a heavy wooden door.

  “Well, I can see I’m not going to fit through there dressed like this,” Draconis said, giving Faedra a crooked smile. “Please excuse me while I change. I don’t usually do this in public, but it looks like I’m all out of dressing rooms.”

  Faedra gave Draconis a bemused look, then her eyes widened as he shrunk down to the size of a man and changed into human form right in front of her. Fully dressed to boot.

  She sucked in a breath and took a step back. Draconis in his human form was the spitting image of Savu. The only difference being that Draconis had kind eyes, a vibrant emerald green, whereas his brother’s were nothing more than black pebbles of onyx, cold and soulless.

  Draconis noticed the recognition and fear in Faedra’s eyes. “We are twins; I am older by just a few minutes. Savu could never accept the fact that I was born first and, unfortunately, his hatred and anger made him stronger.” He gave Faedra a somber look. “I only pray this idea of yours works, Faedra.”

  Faedra puffed out an anxious sigh and gave the dragon a weak smile. “Me, too.”

  “Okay, so this is how we are going to do this,” Etyran said. “I’ll go first. I’m the only one of us who knows their way around the castle. I’ll also be able to see if the coast is clear without anyone seeing me. I’ll wave you on when it’s safe.”

  “How will we be able to see you wave us on if you’re invisible?” Faedra asked.

  “You’ll see.” He gave her a cheeky grin before disappearing.

  “Be careful,” Faedra said as the door to the castle opened, seemingly of its own volition.

  Faedra waited by the open door with bated breath. The stone steps disappeared into the spiral staircase below her. She couldn’t hear a thing, not even the faintest footsteps, but didn’t dare take a step onto the staircase until she got the all clear. Draconis stood back to back with her, scanning the rooftop for possible signs of life.

  A few moments passed and she nearly jumped out her skin when a voice whispered in her ear; she could feel a warm breath fan over her cheek.

  “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” she reprimanded Etyran as best she could in a soft whisper.

  “Sorry. Well, on first appearance, there doesn’t seem to be anyone guarding the upper corridor but that could change quickly. Follow me down the stairs and wait at the bottom until I give the next signal to carry on.”

  Faedra thought it a tad ironic to be ‘following’ someone who was invisible but nodded in agreement.

  When she and Draconis got to the bottom of the stairs, they waited as instructed. Faedra braced herself for another whisper in her ear but none came. Instead, her eyebrows rose to the ceiling when she saw a disembodied hand at the end of the corridor waving them forward. So that’s what Etyran meant when he said
‘you’ll see’.

  They stepped out from the stairwell and crept down the corridor as quietly as possible. Faedra wished at this point she were wearing slippers, but no such luck, so she did the best she could with her clunky boots on the flagstone floor. Why couldn’t the king carpet his castle?

  They went through the same routine when they came to the end of that corridor, and two more like it. In fact Faedra was starting to get a little unnerved that they hadn’t yet seen any evidence that the inside of the castle was being guarded by redcaps at all. But she couldn’t possibly be that lucky, and refused to be lulled into a false sense of security.

  Sure enough, as they made their way to the end of yet another corridor, the disembodied hand gave a sharp motion to stop. Faedra and Draconis came to an abrupt halt, causing Faedra’s heart to do a little jig in her chest for the umpteenth time that day. A moment later, Etyran returned from his reconnaissance with a pretty bleak report.

  “We’re going to have to think of another plan. The corridor leading to the great hall is teeming with the ugly little blighters on both sides of the door. There’s no chance we’re getting in that way.”

  “What about through the library?” Faedra asked.

  “Uh-uh, that’s heavily guarded, too. I say we get the heck out of Dodge and think of something else.”

  Faedra shook her head. “No way. There is not a chance I’m leaving everyone I love in there with that monster, especially now that I’m so close.” She slumped back against the hard stone wall and sighed. “Think, Faedra. Think,” she whispered to herself.

  A moment later a cunning smile crept across the young Custodian’s face as she looked up at Etyran and Draconis.

  “Uh oh, I’ve seen that look before and it’s not good.” Etyran said.

  Draconis raised an eyebrow as he looked over to where the Lightbender’s voice came from, and then back at Faedra.

  “Okay, little missy, hit us with it.” Etyran said.

  “Well, I doubt very much that Savu would have ordered the redcaps to kill me on sight, he wants the pleasure of doing that himself. So, with that in mind, getting into the hall is quite simple really.”