"A Royal Rescue" by Alison Hanslow

A Royal Rescue

Part 1: The Perfect Bait

          A black-cloaked figure sat in Hacylon Castle, watching the Enchantrians retire after a long night of celebrating.  He smirked as Kiara said goodnight to her best friend Anastasia, who had decided to stay the night due to the duration of the party.  She was the perfect bait for Celesta’s next attack on Enchantoria Vallyra.  Running a slender finger over his cloak-pin, a crescent moon pierced by a sword, his clothes changed to those that would allow him to mix with the Enchantrian nobles who stayed in Moonshine Manor, but making sure that his face was mostly hidden by a travelling cloak.  Satisfied with his disguise, he placed a black velvet cloth over his Scrying Crystal and teleported to Moonshine Manor.

The Manor was still open, and he walked casually inside, saying a hasty goodnight to the last few guests who were leaving.  He walked quietly up the staircase and looked around.  Recognising the door that Anastasia had entered, he ensured there was no one around, and then tried the handle.  Fortunately, it was unlocked.

The sorcerer crept inside.  The redheaded Queen was sound asleep and did not stir when he entered.  Stealthily, he approached her bedside, and placing a hand above her forehead, he whispered a spell that would ensure she would not wake this night.  Then, gripping her wrist, he teleported from Moonshine Manor.

Kiara awoke with a start.  Sighing, she realised the kidnapping of her best friend was just a dream, probably caused by too much rich food.  Looking over at her mirror, she could see herself trembling slightly, and small shimmers of sorcerous light were emanating from her body. Taking a deep breath to steady her powers and her heart, she tucked a few stray strands of hair behind slightly pointed ears and lay back down, soon drifting back to sleep.
         Several hours later, the sun rose over Enchantoria Vallyra, bathing the magical land in a warm, orange glow.  In Moonshine Manor’s vast kitchens, Enchantoria Vallyra’s queen, Ellyra, was helping the castle’s elemental servants place the finishing touches on a banquet for that night.
          Ellyra stored away the last dish for the banquet and strolled onto the Manor’s large veranda. A few moments later, she heard footsteps, and her husband Alexis walked out to meet her.
          “Morning Ellyra,” he said cheerfully.
          “Good morning, you’re up early,” she answered. Alexis nodded thoughtfully and looked into the distance.
          “Yes, I thought I’d train with Kiara and Anastasia this morning,” he mused.
          “Ana?” asked Ellyra, somewhat surprised. “Kiara’s at Pahai’yana Plains by herself, she thought Ana was still sleeping!”
          At that moment, Kiara cantered up on her unicorn Bel D’Ahn.
          “Good morning! Is Ana up yet?” she asked, dismounting from Bel D’Ahn.
          “Uh, well we don’t actually know where she is…” Alexis said uncertainly, “I checked on her before I came down and she wasn’t in her room, I thought she was with you!”
          “She’s missing?” Kiara said, puzzled. “I know Ana can be unpredictable, but she’d never leave without letting anyone know…”
          Kiara remounted her white unicorn, quite perplexed.  “She might be at Moon Lake, we sometimes train there instead of the Plains,” she explained.  “If she’s not there I’ll see if I can bring her to me magically.  Contact me if she comes back, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Ellyra replied, looking genuinely concerned.

   Kiara smiled, nodded a parting bow and cantered away. When she reached Moon Lake, Kiara dismounted and stepped away from Bel D’Ahn. She closed her eyes and concentrated, trying to sense Ana. Unable to do so, she pictured the redheaded sorceress and took a deep breath.
          “Anastasia é térra kŷrro,” she whispered.
          A light breeze surrounded her, and when it subsided, Kiara opened her eyes. Anastasia wasn’t there.
          Hmm…that means there’s some magical force preventing her from coming to me, she thought worriedly.  Suddenly, Kiara remembered her dream.  Furious with herself for not realising the signs of a premonition earlier, she ran to Bel D’Ahn and mounted swiftly. Sensing urgency, Bel D’Ahn went straight into a gallop, and they sped back to Moonshine Manor.
          “Ellyra…” Kiara gasped, breathless from the ride. “Ana…she’s been…captured…”
          “What?” exclaimed Ellyra and Alexis in unison, eyes wide in surprise.
          Kiara, who had gotten her breath back, conjured her weapons belt and fixed it around her waist, her expression steely.
          “I’m going to look for her.” She said shortly.
          “Kiara, you can’t!” Ellyra protested, “You’ll get hurt!”
          “It’s my fault she was captured in the first place, Ellyra.  Besides, you know I can look after myself.”

 “Kiara, you can’t blame yourself for this – “ Alexis began, but was cut off by Kiara.

 “Of course I can.  I had premonition this morning, but I dismissed it as a nightmare.  If I had paid more heed to the signs, this wouldn’t have happened.”  Kiara smiled, turning Bel D’Ahn around.  “Fortunately, I have a vague idea of what her kidnapper looks like and the look of where he lives.  I’ll be back as soon as I can.  Fare thee well!”
          With that, she pushed Bel D’Ahn into a canter and raced away.

Part 2: Lord Xenox

Anastasia awoke, shaking her head to clear it.  She felt groggy her body slightly numb, as though she had been spelled recently.  As her vision cleared, she realised her surroundings were not those she had expected.  She was in a room lit by numerous candles, the black curtains on the surrounding bay windows were closed, though a slight crack in one indicated that it was at least mid morning.  The room seemed to be a study of some sort, the walls were covered with bookshelves, and a large mahogany desk at the far end of the room was cluttered with papers, quills and crystals, one large one covered by a black velvet cloth. 

As the feeling returned to her limbs and she tried to move, Anastasia found herself firmly tied to a large ornate chair, carved from black obsidian.  She suppressed a laugh, her captor was neither intelligent nor creative if he thought he could hold her with simple ropes.  Closing her eyes, she called upon a power that would heat her skin and burn through the ropes.  No sooner had she whispered the incantation to activate the spell, a sharp pain pierced her stomach, wrists and ankles.  She yelped in pain and surprise, the ropes had rebounded her attack before it had even begun. 

A moment later, Anastasia heard footsteps.  A young man entered the room and strode over to the mahogany desk, opening a drawer and fiddling with its contents.

“It would be in your best interests to not injure yourself, Anastasia,” he said, somewhat absently.  “However, you will be of the same use to me, alive or dead.”

Anastasia glared at the man, at the same time studying his appearance as he turned and sat at his desk.  He was very tall, with skin pale as the moon, as though he rarely ventured outside.  His eyes were very dark and yet seemed slightly glazed, and the rest of his face bore resemblance to someone she knew, but could not presently recall.  A long black cloak obscured the rest of his clothes, revealing only dark brown boots.  Anastasia’s gaze ventured to his cloak pin, and she stifled a gasp as she recognised Celesta’s symbol.  Her eyes narrowed as she realised she was simply bait to lure Kiara to this trap.

“Tell me who you are and how you did this.”  Anastasia demanded, her voice cold.

“I, Anastasia, am Lord Xenox.  I am Celesta’s most prized warrior, the one who will succeed where Daemarius failed.”  Xenox replied, his voice laced with pride.

“I knew you looked familiar,” Anastasia said, a confident smirk alighting on her lips.

Xenox whirled around, anger blazing in his eyes and flushing his pale cheeks. 

“Daemarius can no longer call himself my brother!” he said bitterly, his voice rising suddenly.  He breathed deeply and turned away, quelling his resentment.  “You will not speak of him.  As for your other question, I’ve been watching Sai’Pera from Ferntree Forest for some time now, and decided you would be the best candidate to lure Kiara.”

Anastasia was taken aback by his outburst, she had never witnessed anger flare and ebb so quickly before.  Now that he had confirmed her recent conclusion, she was now aware that she was in significant danger, Xenox had said she was useful either alive or dead.  Suppressing the desire to pursue the matter further, Anastasia remained quiet and hoped that she would somehow escape her situation.

***

         Kiara slowed Bel D’Ahn to a walk and tried to sense Ana once again. Feeling a faint magical presence, she directed Bel D’Ahn into Ferntree Forest.
         “Someone evil has been here,” she said to Bel D’Ahn quietly.
         *Yes M’lady, * he replied telepathically, *I can also sense them. *
         The feeling became stronger as they neared a path that was rarely explored by the people of Enchantoria Vallyra. Kiara signalled Bel D’Ahn to stop. She closed her eyes, attempting to sense any recent magical presences.  Concentrating hard, she focused on the feeling and drew a picture into her mind’s eye. She saw a tall man swathed in black, with black hair and eyes so dark that they seemed to have no pupil.

 “Lord Xenox…” she breathed, recognising the brother Darrien had spoken to her about.
         The gleaming white unicorn sprang into action, thundering down the unused path. They jumped fallen logs and ditches, splashed through a small stream and emerged from Ferntree Forest. The place they were in did not look like Enchantoria Vallyra. It was rocky and barren. The sparse trees and no leaves and a nearby lake held blood-red water. In the distance, a castle was silhouetted against the blue sky. Trusting her instincts, Kiara signalled Bel D’Ahn to canter.
         In a few minutes, Kiara has dismounted and was standing at the drawbridge of what she found to be Hacylon Castle. Leaving Bel D’Ahn behind, she raised her right hand.
         “Opyrua!” she demanded, using the Enchantrian spell-word for ‘Open’.
         The drawbridge dropped slowly and she made her way across it, over the blood-red moat and into the darkness of the castle.
         Slowly, Kiara made her way up a flight of stairs. She grabbed a torch from its holder and lit it. She could now sense Lord Xenox and Anastasia, but the two powers were not together. Reaching the top of the stairs, she followed the energy she sensed from Ana.
         “Ana?” she whispered, opening a wrought iron door. Unlike the rest of Hacylon Castle, this room was brightly lit. In the corner, bound and gagged, was Anastasia, desperately trying to rid herself of the ropes. Kiara ran over to her and undid the piece of cloth covering her mouth.
         Ana took a deep breath and smiled.
          “How’d you find me?” she asked.
          “I just sensed Xenox, that’s all. Now let me untie these ropes.” Kiara replied.
          “Not so fast, Kiara,” snarled an evil voice, “that rope is made from pure dragonhair, the strongest rope substance known to the magical world.”
          Lord Xenox had entered the room.
          He began to laugh. A high, evil laugh that pierced the otherwise unbroken silence of the castle. Fast as lightning, Kiara drew her sword. The jewelled hilt glinted as she held it, ready to strike. It was then that she noticed something small and sliver in his right hand.

****

          Kiara walked backwards and raised her sword, smiling mischievously.
          “Unfortunately for you, this sword can cut through anything. Even dragonhair.” She mocked.
          “But can you cut her free and get out of the way fast enough?” Lord Xenox asked.
          “Get out of the way of what?” she retorted.
          “Of this.”
          He revealed the silver object that Kiara had noticed.  Genuinely puzzled, she cocked an eyebrow.
          “And it is…?” she enquired.
          “This, my dear, is called a gun. It is a non-magical weapon that shoots powerful metal bullets. Being non-magical, they should go straight through your petty forcefields.” Lord Xenox revealed.
          “That’s not definite. There’s a good chance, but my forcefields are very strong,” she reminded him, hoping her assumption was true.
          Xenox smirked. “These will. They’re magically reinforced!” he laughed.
          A small smile crept onto Kiara’s face.
          If they’re magically reinforced, she thought, they become magical objects and will be repelled!
          Her blue eyes narrowed slightly but she still smiled. *Ana,* she began telepathically, *get ready. I’m going to throw up a forcefield and cut the ropes. Then, we run. Understand?*
          *Got it.* Ana replied.
          Raising her sword, Kiara prepared herself for the implemaentation of her plan. Xenox pulled the trigger on the gun. In a split second, Kiara threw up a forcefield and slashed the ropes. The bullet rebounded off the forcefield and ricocheted around the magically guarded room dangerously, inhibiting Xenox’s ability to react.
          Kiara and Ana broke through the forcefield and bolted. The bullet bounced off one of the walls and grazed Kiara’s arm, but she didn’t notice in her haste to leave the room.
          Racing through the dismal castle, Kiara quickly found the staircase. With Xenox in now hot pursuit, she realised that there was no time to waste, and signalled to Ana to jump. They nimbly hopped over the banister and landed cat-like on the dusty floor below.
          “Opyrua quitos!” she yelled frantically, adding a spell-word for speed.
          The drawbridge crashed to the ground and they sprinted over to Bel D’Ahn. Kiara mounted swiftly and pulled Ana up behind her. Bel D’Ahn immediately galloped away, fearful for the safety of his Bonded one and her friend.         

After the trio disappeared into the Forest, Lord Xenox gave up his pursuit. He returned to one of Hacylon Castle’s balconies, robes billowing in the wind.
          “You may have escaped my domain, Kiara,” he said gravely to the wind, “but Celesta will soon have her realm.  You see, poison is not so easily defeated.”

Part 3:Enduring Threat

Bel D’Ahn raced through Ferntree Forest, across Pahai’yana Plains and past Moon Lake in a matter of minutes, using the speed of the Luni’ai that he rarely needed. They soon returned to the safety of Moonshine Manor, where Ellyra stood, anxiously awaiting their arrival.

“Are you all alright?” she asked concern clear in her voice.

Ana dismounted from behind Kiara, smiling.  Ellyra smiled back, happy that she had returned safely.  Kiara, however, remained atop Bel D’Ahn for a moment.

“Kiara?” Ellyra enquired, “is something wrong?”

Kiara felt strange, her vision was blurred and her breathing was slightly laboured.  She shook her head, trying to clear it, and leaned forward, swinging her leg over Bel D’Ahn’s back.  As her feet touched the grass, her legs gave way, and she was only prevented from collapse by Ana reading her actions and catching her before she fell.

“Ana, I’ll take Kiara.  Go find Mikayla and Zanari and bring them to her room, please.” Ellyra said, quickly taking control of the situation.

Ana nodded and carefully helped the nearly unconscious Kiara into Ellyra’s hold.  She then left hastily to find Enchantoria Vallyra’s best healers.

A few moments later, Kiara was aware of being helped into her four-poster bed by Ellyra.  She could barely see now, scarcely holding onto consciousness as she struggled to breathe and all strength left her muscles.  Slightly numb, Kiara could feel sweat running down the back of her neck, dampening her pillow.  The door opened, and she vaguely saw three figures enter before darkness overwhelmed her.

“Do you have any idea what’s wrong with her Ellyra?” Mikayla asked, tucking a lock of elbow-length brown hair behind her ear.

“I’m not sure, there’s a graze on her arm, I don’t know what it’s from,” Ellyra replied.

“I do!” Ana cut in, recalling their escape.  “Lord Xenox, he had a mortal weapon, he called it a gun, I think, and she got hit by the metal bullet that he shot out of it.  He also said that it was magically reinforced,” she said hurriedly.

“They could be poisoned, Mikayla, or she could be having a reaction to this…bullet.  It is a mortal weapon, after all,” Zanari, an olive skinned healer and warrior suggested.

“Or a combination of both…” Mikayla said, walking over to Kiara’s bedside and conjuring a cloth to wipe away the perspiration on her forehead.

The two healers examined Kiara’s symptoms, carefully assessing their Princess and friend.  Zanari then magicked her long auburn hair into a ponytail and collected a small phial, making a small cut in Kiara’s arm and letting a few drops of blood fall into it.  Running her hand over the cut, it healed instantly, and she brought the blood to Mikayla. 

Kiara’s blood was added to a bright blue liquid, a solution used to detect and identify poisons.  The blue liquid turned a bright orange infused with swirls of purple.  Mikayla smiled with relief.  The new emulsion indicated a common poison of medium strength, one that the Enchantrians kept the antidote to at all times.  She quietly told Zanari, who nodded and left the room, returning quickly with the antidote.

Once administered, Kiara awoke in only ten minutes, to the delight of all in the room.  All her symptoms disappeared, save for the loss of energy, and when she tried to rise, Zanari soon stopped her.

“You have to rest, Moonglow,” she said, using the nickname often used by all of Kiara’s warriors, the word being the Common translation of her last name, Lunasai.

“I’m alright, there’s no more need for concern,” Kiara protested, a hint of laughter in her voice.

Zanari shook her head.  “You know I can sense when you’ve lost energy, Moonglow, and you’re not fit to be doing any activity but sleeping right now,” she said, chuckling softly.

“Fine.  But if you and the others train, make sure you’re careful, alright?”

“You know we will.  Sleep well, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”

Kiara nodded and smiled, watching silently as Zanari said farewell to the others and left the room.  Mikayla and Ana also excused themselves, leaving only Ellyra.

“You did well today, Kiara, I’m proud of you,” Ellyra said softly, walking to her goddaughter’s bedside once more.

“Thankyou, Ellyra, that means a lot,” Kiara answered, blushing slightly at the praise.

Ellyra smiled.  “I’ll see you in the morning, but I want you to stay in bed until you’re sure all of your strength has returned.”

Kiara nodded, sinking back onto her pillows.  Ellyra magicked the curtains shut, closed the hangings on Kiara’s bed and left the room.  Immersed in darkness, Kiara smiled and closed her eyes.  Her realm was safe for at least a short while, and with that thought, she slipped into peaceful dreams.