Ice Burns Read online

  “Look at this spring and tell me what you see, Chandra.”

  Chandra watched the rushing water for a moment, not knowing what Matta was asking. A test of magic on her most-favorable element wasn't much of a test. She thought about what Matta had taught her and closed her eyes. She pushed to see with her magic, but couldn't see anything.

  Chandra opened her eyes to look again at the creek and saw it had almost disappeared. In its place was a shiny blue line of light. She frowned and looked around, as if the tiny spring had moved. She reached out and ran her hand across where the light now took its place, her red-lined nails glowing. The length on her nails had become red as well and turned an angry purple tint within the blue.

  “Where did it go?” Chandra turned to Matta and frowned.

  Matta’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly. “Do you see anything?”

  “Blue light,” she said with a shrug. Other than that basic description, what she saw was nondescript. Despite that, Matta had a look of smug pleasure laced through the slight smile on her face.

  “I really wasn’t sure what you would see, but that's impressive.” She met Chandra’s confused green eyes with her own colorless ones. “What you are seeing is magic, pure and undiluted. Edvard’s, in fact. The creek that you first saw was simply a marker on the border of his magical sanctuary. It was a sort of...” Matta paused and her face took on a flabbergasted expression. “Well, it is a line, really. It marks where his magic ends.”

  “Why do I get the feeling that what I'm seeing isn't normal?” Chandra asked.

  “Because it isn't.” Chandra nodded, but Matta continued.

  “However, I see the same thing. My magic is tied to the earth elements because I am an earth element. The reason I see a blue line in place of a tiny creek is because the creek is not real. My senses pick up the color and identify it as magic and I see the same color in Edvard, so his barrier is obvious to me. He would also see it as a blue line.”

  “I'm not a dryad, or Edvard," she paused to give thanks and Matta chuckled, "so why do I see it that way?”

  “That's my question,” Matta said. “I don't know how to answer it. Questions like that are better posed to Edvard.”

  “He’s not going to answer anything I ask,” Chandra imagined the jutted lip and glare.

  “I think you'll be surprised. You may have to submit to a long line of questioning in return, though,” Matta said, stooping down to pluck a few purple flowers Chandra recognized as lavender. “I will concentrate on gathering some herbs to make us tea while you ask him.”

  Chandra opened her mouth to protest, but Matta gave her a significant look that brooked no argument. Matta turned and, whistling, wandered off into the trees, leaving Chandra alone to decide what she wanted to do.

  Chandra was tempted to find a way out of the magical clearing and away from Edvard. She didn't like the way he looked at her, and the things he said worried her. The urge to run away and let her curiosity remain unsatisfied was so strong that she turned away without thought.

  The blue line of the border drew her curiosity so that it swelled over her like a great wave. It called to Chandra to move forward and see what she could learn on her own. It dampened her will and whispered that not all decisions are ours to make.

  She shook her head. This was her decision to make. If she chose not to approach Edvard, that would be her will. The only thing that caused her to pause was the worry that her questions wouldn't have an answer. She wasn’t sure she would be okay not knowing.

  She walked through the forest and arrived at the cave entrance faster than she had believed likely. Chandra stepped forward, unhesitant, through the threshold. Edvard was back at his seat with the several books around him, though he didn’t appear to be reading any. His piercing blue eyes were locked on Chandra as she entered.

  “I want to know what you meant,” she said, lifting her chin and glaring at him.

  “No, you want to know if it’s true,” Edvard said with surprising clarity.

  Chandra’s eyes widened for a moment, but it was the only indication she gave of her surprise before she tamped it down. “Have it your way, then,” she replied with a shrug.

  Edvard narrowed his eyes at her. “I'm right, and I have a hard time believing you don’t already know; it's too coincidental.”

  Chandra held his gaze but said nothing. She could tell he was getting irritated with her indifferent act, but she had a feeling that he would tell her what she wanted if she just waited him out.

  He huffed after the silence had dragged on for several minutes. He cocked his head and continued to glare at her for one more heartbeat.

  “You are her,” he said. “I am never wrong about things such as this.”

  “You often touch people and proclaim them royalty, do you?” she cocked an eyebrow at him. He hissed and stood, knocking the precarious books to the floor.

  “My magic helps me find things that are lost and know things others do not, so in a sense...” he paused “...I am the only one who could find you.”

  She started and recalled Matta referring to her as "Chandra the Lost", but managed to hold her tongue for a bit longer.

  “I have it on good authority that the young woman who had been residing in Winterbourne Palace as their princess is an imposter,” he told her as he crouched down to pick up the books and settle them back on the tiny workspace.

  “Perhaps it's for good reason that these two events occur so near each other,” Edvard said, pacing a few steps away. “It wouldn't be unusual, given the portent of the prophecy that the information come to me. I think I'll have to research it further, perhaps with some of that wonderful tea Matta makes.”

  Edvard looked up and started slightly as if he had forgotten Chandra was in the cavern with him. He blinked at her for a moment and scurried away down the passageway, deeper into the cave network.

  Chandra huffed and plopped down on the stool Edvard had vacated. She rested her hand on the stack of books and then looked at the heavy cover. She opened it but saw that it was in a language she was unfamiliar with. The second book was worse, not having been written in letters but squiggly lines. The last book, however, was in common language and very old if she were to judge by its appearance. The bindings creaked ominously when she opened it and the pages were dry and brittle.

  The section it fell open to was about the royal families of the continent of Areen. This was news to Chandra as she had never heard of any other royal family than the Winterbourne family. Granted, the King coming into power and the coup that brought a mage genocide likely got in the way of that. Master Dreys had said that was likely how Chandra’s parents had died; suspected of being mages, they had been put to death.

  Chandra thought about Edvard’s accusations and wondered which was worse; never having had parents or finding out hers were royals who sought to rule through murder. She thought the former was more likely one she could live with.

  She looked back at the book and was drawn in. The passage read:

  “And the great family of Winterbourne with its most powerful of magic was placed in a ruling status. This house possesseth both magnanimity and faithful spirite. Good deed and charity within humble our society. Their connection to the power of nature’s core cannot be disputed. Prosperity reigns with thine command.”

  Chandra looked up from the book and tapped one finger across her lips.

  Was the author mistaken? Why would they seek to kill their own kind? If they were so “humble” and filled with “charity”, how could things be as they are?

  “The ancient one is waiting for you outside. He seems most agitated. I hope you're okay?” Matta asked from the entry.

  Chandra looked over and nodded. She lifted the book and stepped outside. Reading by sunlight would likely hurt less than the light from Edvard's lanterns.

  Matta followed her a moment later, carrying her bag. She waited until Chandra had settled herself on the grass with the hawk perched beside her before speaking.<
br />
  “There are some herbs and candles in the bag,” Matta said, peering at Chandra’s face as if trying to read her thoughts.

  “Thank you,” she said softly. She opened Edvard’s book and carefully started at the beginning. She skimmed pages looking for any further mention of the Winterbourne family.

  It was hard to find anything since it was an account of history but didn’t specify families so much as following the lines. It listed names of various ancestors within each family. She found multiple references to magic, though. She was having a hard time matching up events and instances to the family they belonged to. Frustrated, she put the book down and reached for the bag Matta had left beside her. Mixed in with the herbs and candles was a tiny book on mythical lore. She flipped through pages of various creatures, and beliefs until she found an entry on Dryads.

  “Dryads are mythical woodland spirits. Their origin is highly disputed. One legend states that they were created by powerful ancient mages to help protect the forests and the creatures who inhabit them while also guarding the mage’s home to hide it from intruders. Another legend says they were created by one great forest spirit who turns unwary travelers or persons who commit crimes against nature into guardians of the forest. The last legend states that they are the oldest living beings in our world, having been here long before humanity came to exist. Little is known because few have ever seen a Dryad or had opportunity to converse.

  “Dryads are Masters of knowledge; they guard it, though they do not share knowledge easily. Questions are answered with questions. These spirits are teachers who seek to teach through self-education. They will, however, share knowledge when they feel a cause is just and righteous.

  “Few weaknesses are known as each Dryad is unique. Some are driven purely by need to protect their beloved forests and will go into a rage at interlopers. Some can be damaged by fire but generally only if they are caught unawares as their magic is more powerful than that of ordinary elementals. An absolute weakness is not known for all Dryads.”

  Chandra heard the grass rustling around her and lifted her head to see Matta approaching her. Frostwhite also stirred from where he had been roosting in the branch of a nearby tree.

  “You found the book. Is it interesting?” Matta asked. Chandra nodded and looked at the rough sketch of a forest dryad in the book, trying not to laugh at how odd the tree-form human looked with leaves for hair and clothing, a stern countenance on its narrow face. Matta smiled and Chandra tried to draw the image in the book over the old woman but shook her head.

  “Why do you answer my questions?” Chandra asked.

  “Because from the moment I was able to see you moving toward my cottage, I knew you needed my help,” she said.

  Chandra arched an eyebrow at her. “So, I’m a ‘worthy cause’?”

  Matta laughed a deep, rumbling laugh that didn’t sound feminine in the least but went well with her raspy voice.

  “Worthy is questionable, but you are certainly a cause,” she responded amid chuckles.

  “Lovely,” was Chandra’s soft reply as she shook her head at the still-laughing woman.

  “Do you not remember that I told you were you not in need you would not be able to see my cottage?”

  “I remember, yes.”Chandra nodded.

  “Well, I believe that something made you able to find my home. At first, I thought the Ancient One had chosen to bring you to me, but since then...” she trailed off for a moment. “I’m not sure anymore. I wonder if something in you knew where to go; Some thread of destiny.”

  “So, you believe Edvard’s words?” Chandra didn't know what to think.

  “I don’t believe that he has all of the information, but who am I to know? An old woman who speaks to trees?” she laughed at her own joke.

  Matta’s eyes lit up like new Spring leaves and Chandra wondered what she was thinking. She cocked her head at the old dryad, remembering the grouchy woman she had met when she stumbled into that clearing weeks ago. Was this the same woman who immediately put her to hard labor to "earn" her keep?

  “I cannot see the things he does. His magic is powerful and has made him a bit off over the years from the force of the visions. I would not, however, immediately discount his beliefs, even if they don’t quite add up. Edvard has been around a long time and seen a great deal.”

  “Most trees outlive humans by a good many years,” Chandra commented. "Doesn't that mean you have or will have a lot of information that he doesn't?"

  “A true observation, but my nature doesn't allow it. Were a tree spirit to wander about seeking knowledge or adventure, their life span would be decreased,” Matta replied. "Adventure and experience with the knowledge they bring always has a price. Edvard has lost a great deal of who he once was."

  “So is it better to live a cloistered life away from actively seeking anything?”

  Matta shook her head slowly and smiled a wry smile. “I don’t think I'm the one to answer that question, either.”

  Chandra nodded, having already surmised the answer she would get before she even asked. She picked up the book again and paged through it. She heard Matta leave followed by the departure of Frostwhite. The day passed unnoticed while she immersed herself in both books.

  When the pages became hard to read, Chandra lifted her head and realized night had fallen on her studies once again. A few apples and some bread sat on a piece of cloth near her leg, and Edvard sat on a rock near the entrance to his home. His gaze was a pinpoint of focus as though he would burn her with it if he could.

  26

  Chandra was surprised she hadn’t felt Edvard’s presence with how intently he watched her.

  She stopped the snide comments by taking a bite from one of the apples. Edvard made a derisive noise through his nose that sounded very similar to a horse. Without saying anything to her, he stood and walked inside the cave. Chandra finished her meal before gathering everything up and following him inside. He was the only one inside the cave when she entered.

  “Find anything useful in the book you took without permission?” he asked, his voice rose slightly as he fought his own feelings of anger and annoyance.

  “Not really, no,” she told him honestly. “Granted, I’m not sure what I was looking for, and I couldn’t even read two of your books.”

  Chandra placed the book on top of the stack slowly crushing the rickety table and stepped back.

  “Thank you,” she said softly. Edvard glared at the dirty floor and said nothing in response. “It would be easier if I could ask you questions, though.”

  “You may ask,” he said, still not meeting her eyes.

  “What did you mean by ‘prophecy’?”

  Chandra could tell it was a question he didn’t want to answer. His small body seemed to draw in on itself and he didn't look up.

  “There is a prophecy about the last princess to Areen.”

  Chandra waited, but he didn’t elaborate. She heaved a sigh before asking the obvious.

  “And what is that prophecy?” Chandra fought the urge to walk over and bang her head against the cavern wall.

  “I cannot speak the prophecy to any other than those involved in it,” Edvard said after a pause that seemed to Chandra as though he were searching for a reason to not tell her.

  “Didn’t you say that I’m the princess and that you’re never wrong?” she asked, opening her eyes and arching an eyebrow. He raised his eyes to glare at her.

  “You say you aren’t,” he countered, a petulant look on his wrinkled face. Chandra fought the urge to call him out as a spoiled child.

  “One of us is wrong, then,” she said, running one hand through her hair and staring at the ceiling. "I wonder which one of us that is likely to be?"

  Edvard didn’t raise his head but eyed her out of the corner of his eyes. Chandra turned on her heel to leave and heard his rasping voice.

  “Well, you certainly act like a princess,” he said. Chandra stared at the domed ceiling of the cave and shook
her head.

  “If you are who I know you are, you won’t need to be told the prophecy. It will find you," he stood up and leaned toward her. "Destiny always finds us, whether we want it to or not.”

  “Destiny is also about choices. Especially choices made by the person involved, not those around them,” Matta’s voice called as she walked through the entrance to the cave.

  She glared at Edvard. “You should be ashamed of yourself, trying to make yourself important instead of telling the girl what she needs to know. Keeping information from her would be wrong; what happens is not your decision especially if you know who she is.”

  Matta glared and advanced on Edvard. Chandra felt the emotion radiating off of the woman and the cave seemed to shrink around them. Tension made the air hard to breathe and she found herself stepping closer to the cave mouth.

  Chandra didn't want to look at Matta bearing down on the old mage, but she couldn't help herself. Matta seemed to glow with an effervescence that made her think of rushing water or a gale wind rustling through tall reeds. Edvard, in contrast, seemed to shrink continuously as the dryad moved near.

  “You cannot interfere! You are a nature spirit,” Edvard sputtered, all bravado though he backed away.

  “You forget, I was human first and have deemed Chandra worthy of my assistance,” she glared down at him. Her voice deepened to a howl that echoed around the cave. “I’m assisting.”

  “You are not part of this, no matter who you once were. Elementals cannot interfere in the ways of mankind. You cannot interfere with this!” Edvard’s face turned the shade of an under-ripe plum as he spoke.

  “You are interfering now, mage.” The glow from Matta increased and several books lifted from shelves and fluttered off. Dust motes rose from the floor and swirled in little dust storms. Matta gained a green luminescence like mossy growth had during the full moon. It was as though a light shimmered within her skin but instead of the red glow of blood, it was one of plant matter.