Messenger in the Mist (23 page)

She threw her carrier’s bag atop the first guarded unit. The overstuffed leather landed with a thud, raising eyes at the amount of correspondence she carried. And that was exactly what she wanted it to do. She’d brought it along with the documents from Ravencliff as a decoy to smuggle Valen’s letter and her own information to the queen. After all the time she was away, she couldn’t possibly turn up empty-handed.

Star did not want to face Zetta. She feared her emotions would give her intentions away. But the shrewd businesswoman surveyed the tables as always. She saw Zetta’s eyes pop out and watched, slightly amused, as her superior ran out to greet her.

“My goodness! For heaven’s sake, Star, you’re alive!”

Star dismounted and bowed to hide the various feelings flitting through her. When she regained a stoic composure, she straightened. “I apologize for my late arrival.”

“Late arrival? You’re weeks behind. We thought you were dead!”

“There’ve been some problems with the mist as of late, but, as you can see, the trail is now clear.”

Zetta looked frazzled as ever. “We don’t know what went on out there, or if it’s coming back. We’ve tried sending a few people out, but not far.”

Star did not want Zetta to know the mist’s disappearance was permanent, not until she’d forestalled the queen’s army. For all she knew, her superior could be one of the robed people herself, but she doubted it. Zetta would not be interested in their plight. In any case, it was better to act as stupefied as they were.

“You can never be too careful. Now, I’ve delivered my letters to the processing tables, and I ask my leave to visit my family before they worry themselves sick.”

“Of course!” Zetta eyed the letters apprehensively. Star knew she searched for the return reply from her assassination request. Unfortunately, there was no letter there for her. A sudden thought of Leer flashed in her mind and Star had to push it away. If she showed any outward emotions, she would endanger her mission, and she wanted to expose these conspirators. She owed Leer no less.

Zetta hadn’t seen her wave of grief, as she was too preoccupied with the bundle of letters. “You go on, take a break if you need it. You can report back when you are ready to deliver again.”

Star resisted the urge to quit then and there. With the mist gone, they could send anyone, even if they traveled on foot. She wasn’t needed. Because the beasts were dead, any layman who could walk could deliver letters, but for the time being, Star had to play along. “I fear my return will be some time yet.”

Zetta nodded. “Very well.” She signaled a ceremonial wave good-bye. With a nod, Star jumped back onto Windracer and rode off, leaving Zetta in the dust. As she rode away, she wondered if the woman would be in a dungeon cell by the end of the day.

* * * *

Valen’s letter facilitated entry into the palace. The guards recognized the royal seal of Ravencliff and allowed her to pass without question. As Star walked through the courtyard, she saw men suiting their horses, dressed in full battle armor. Flags and banners embroidered in blue with Evenspark’s insignia waved in the breeze.

Star had always enjoyed watching the flags on ceremonial days, but today all the blue thread signified was bloodshed. Valen was right. The Queen of Evenspark wasted no time to exact her revenge. If she couldn’t have Ravencliff by marriage, then she’d have it by force.

She quickened her pace and detoured to the queen’s main audience chamber. She’d deliver Vespa’s letter after dealing with the impending army. Five guards, all clad in armor with long battle swords, met her at the doorway.

Star’s voice was regal and commanding as she walked straight up to the guards. “I must speak with the queen.”

The guards looked to one another, uncertain. Since Tia Rood died, she was technically the head rider of Interkingdom Carriers once again, seeing she was the only adept carrier alive. Her authority outranked them all.

The oldest and tallest of the soldiers spoke. “We are on the eve of battle. The queen doesn’t wish to see anyone.”

Star dug out the letter with Ravencliff’s seal and held it up, careful to hide the addressee. “I have official business from the King of Ravencliff.”

The surprise was apparent on the soldiers’ faces. One of the younger of the men’s mouth actually dropped open.

“Now, if you’ll let me by…”

To her relief, no one stopped her. She pushed the large oak doors open, letting fresh air breathe into the stifled room, and marched right up to the throne. The queen rose from her chair, veils wafting on the breeze and blue velvet cascading down the steps in front of her. A trio of noblewomen flanked her, all wearing headdresses like proud peacocks, gems dangling beside their faces like chimes. An old jester sat on the floor at their feet, plucking notes on a lute. Star’s footsteps silenced the chatter and the melancholy tune all at once until she was the only person moving in the great hall.

The queen’s voice was sharp, blowing out the veils inches from her face. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Your Highness.” Star bowed when she reached earshot of the throne. “I am the head rider of the Interkingdom Carriers and I have a message from the King of Ravencliff.”

“Ha!” The queen laughed. The sound was more wicked than happy. “You lie. That old man hasn’t spoken one word to me in ten years.”

Star straightened. “That old man you speak of is dead. I have correspondence from his son, Valen Crawford, the new King of Ravencliff.”

Although the queen stood as unmoving as a faceless presence, intimidating Star more than she would have thought possible, an interest flickered in the eyes of those around them. The queen waved her long-fingered hand and everyone, jester and all, cleared out of the room.

Star waited until the last of their steps faded away before she spoke. “I have a letter from King Valen of Ravencliff stating his intentions to marry Princess Vespa. He wants to unite the two thrones once again.”

“Impossible. Just two months ago he spat in our face and said the engagement was off.”

Star took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm and informative. “Ravencliff has endured great challenges these past few days. They were attacked by the Elyndra, their walls breached. I know Valen cares for Vespa’s wellbeing, and he did not want to see her harmed. He knew it was not time for such celebrations. Their situation was perilous. He had to do what was necessary in order to keep her from danger.” She produced the letter. “But it is safe now.”

The queen looked her up and down, head moving underneath the veil until Star felt like the Evenspark’s ruler stripped her bare, but she held fast to her words and her stance remained steady.

“How would you know what is in the letter?”

“I am but the messenger. I deliver the words of His Highness and his trusted advisors. They wanted me to know how important this delivery would be, that I could not tarry or fail, and so they told me what words I carry. In just a few days, it will be no secret. Vespa will ride to Ravencliff and our two kingdoms will be united.”

Star could not persuade her so easily. “Give me the letter.”

She walked up the steps to the throne and kneeled before her queen, holding the flimsy folded parchment out before her. It was one paper that could save thousands of lives. “See for yourself.”

The queen ran her long fingers over the seal and scrutinized the handwriting. Star could hear her breathing change from quick intakes to long, thoughtful pauses.

“If this is true, then my army may rest again and you will be rewarded. If it is false, then you will go straight to the dungeon and be tried for treason.” The queen shouted, her voice resonating through the hall. “Bring me Princess Vespa.”

Conspirators

Long moments passed before Princess Vespa entered the hall. Star consoled herself by calculating each minute that sped away, assuming it would prolong the release of Evenspark’s army, providing Ravencliff with valuable time. But another few minutes wouldn’t help anyone. It would take years for Valen to rebuild their army and the fortress wall. Evenspark’s army had to be stopped altogether, and the only person that could decide was a spoiled princess. Star could only hope Vespa would accept his offer.

The main doors opened, pouring in sunlight with dust motes dancing around as a ceremonial trumpet blared. An attendant announced, “The glorious Princess Vespa of Evenspark.”

The queen waved her arm, forgoing formalities. “Yes, yes. Bring her forward.”

Princess Vespa waltzed in wearing a crimson gown of silk hugging all of the curves in her body before trailing to ribbons and lace on the marble floor. Her emerald eyes were alert as ever, eyebrows painted in gleaming gold glitter. In her retinue were ladies in waiting, servant girls and waiters with trays. Star wondered what they were all for.

“Your Highness.” The princess bowed ever so slightly, acknowledging the one person who held authority over her. A practiced smile stretched on her luscious lips.

“Princess Vespa.” The queen nodded. “This messenger brings a letter addressed to you from Valen, the new King of Ravencliff. She claims he wants your hand in marriage.”

Vespa’s eyes glittered with intrigue, but Star could also see a shadow of disbelief. “Did he change his mind then?”

“As it seems. This messenger claims he thought it unsafe to proceed with the marriage ceremony until they achieved victory in their battle with the Elyndra.”

“I see,” Vespa said. “How sweet of him.” Star could not tell if she was sarcastic or serious. The princess’s voice always held a haughty chime.

The queen handed the princess the letter. “You must open it now and give your answer, for my army is preparing to march.”

Vespa took the letter in her hands. She ripped the seal with long, painted fingernails and read, her gaze eating the words hungrily. All stood in silence until she finished the last hasty scribbles. “It is true. He wishes for me to come to Ravencliff immediately. He assures us the mist is gone and travel is safe. We are to be married as soon as I arrive. In fact, he’s preparing the ceremony festivities now as we speak.”

“You will accept his offer then?” the queen asked, suddenly impatient. Some of the servant girls behind Vespa giggled.

“I will have to think on it, of course. He did have me in a fit for quite a while.”

Star held her breath and the queen leaned forward, her bloodlust apparent. Star knew it would suit her just as well if Vespa refused. The fate of so many lives hung on the whim of a capricious young woman. Star hoped she’d choose love over vengeance.

However, power overrode all in the end. Vespa shrugged. “An entire kingdom. How can I refuse?” She turned to Star. “Messenger, come with me. I will write a response letter and you are to deliver it.”

“I apologize, Your Highness, but you will have to find someone else. I’ve turned in my messenger bag for now.” The last thing she wanted to do was ride back to Ravencliff and deliver Vespa’s letter of love. Their marriage proceedings would have to wait until another messenger was assigned.

Vespa’s tiny mouth crinkled, red lips pursing. “You can’t refuse the Princess of Evenspark!”

“I’m afraid I must. I’ve just returned from Ravencliff to deliver this letter and policy dictates that my horse and I are entitled to a good night’s rest before I can do any more riding.” Star had no care as to the future of her job. They could fire her right there and it wouldn’t make a difference. With the mist gone, they didn’t need her anyway. No one did.

“We will find another to deliver the letter. For now, write your response.” The queen gestured to the attendant at the door. “Inform the commander to put the army at ease. There will be no marching today.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The attendant bowed and retreated.

Star breathed again, relief flooding her senses. She’d accomplished two out of the three objectives. The last was to inform the queen of the spies. “Your Highness, there is one more issue to address.”

The queen sounded annoyed. “If you didn’t just deliver the letter making my niece ruler of Ravencliff, I would send you away this very moment. But considering your past history, your status as head of Interkingdom Carriers and your connection to the throne of Ravencliff, I feel inclined to speak with you.”

“My thanks, Your Highness.” Star bowed again to soften her next words. “It is vital information and must be in private.”

The queen once again waved everyone away. “This better be worth it.” Vespa left with all of her handmaidens following like ducklings.

Once the hall cleared, Star spoke. “There are conspirators in this kingdom, people from the north who want war.” She paused, gauging the queen’s reaction.

“Go on.”

Star had her undivided attention, and so she told her of Zetta’s letter, Tia Rood’s position change, the assassination attempt and, lastly, her trials at what seemed like the end of the world. She spoke of the brown-robed people, the mist machine and the end of the Elyndra.

The queen asked questions only when she needed clarification. Star left out the part about Ravencliff being defenseless. She did not want to give the queen any more inclination to attack.

“And so here I am, standing before you, asking you to question Zetta’s motives and her connections.” She’d given enough evidence to lock Zetta up for eternity, never mind calling her in for questioning. Now all she could do was wait for her answer.

The queen remained silent, as if she were taking it all in. “It seems these people have been meddling in our affairs for quite some time now. Do they want us all dead?”

“No. They want to control our population. They don’t want our numbers to take over the planet.”

“Impossible.” The queen dug her nails into the wood of the throne. “How could we?”

“I asked that very same question. But the man talked of other worlds that were destroyed. He said our civilization has a propensity to multiply until there is no land or food left, that we travel from world to world, taking over until we are the only species left alive.”

The queen clicked her tongue. “That is rubbish. You are certain you destroyed their mist machine?”