Esterpine

Reyr kept watch over Claire's sleeping figure from his chair in the corner, careful not to disturb her. Her chest gently rose and fell, but her sleep was fitful. He could see it in the way her eyes twitched beneath their lids and in the way her body fidgeted.

She had surprised him at every turn! When he first beheld her, she brought emotions to his surface that had long been buried—feelings which were better left unacknowledged. She reminded him so much of Gemma. Beloved Gemma. Some two hundred years had passed since her death.

Claire would complicate his life. Somehow he knew this within an instant of meeting her. In those first few minutes while standing over Cyrus's corpse, he wanted so badly for her to be guilty. In truth, he needed her to be. Having a culprit—someone to blame for Cyrus's death and the torment it brought—would have made things much easier.

Deep in his heart he understood that she was no killer, though he did not trust her, not at all. Too many counts of suspicion were evident. She showed no obvious signs of magic, but that meant very little. A good pretender could do the same.

Claire stirred, bringing him from his thoughts. Her body regained consciousness as her eyelids fluttered. Her eyes opened. He gave her time to lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling ornaments, while he silently informed Jovari and Koldis of her condition.

As if on cue, her head snapped in his direction. "Reyr?" she croaked.

He stood and moved over to her bedside. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than I can remember in a long time." She smiled, returning her gaze to the ornaments that captured her attention. A strange look passed over her features though it was very brief. "This journey has been harder than I imagined. How stupid of me. Perhaps we can stay here a while and rest?"

He knew the last week had been tiring for her. He too could use the rest, but Claire's healing had slowed their progress enough already. The forest was safer, to be sure, for he knew the Vodar would not dare venture into the kingdom of the Sprites, but they needed to be on their way.

When he did not answer, Claire's face fell. "Well, it was worth a try I suppose. How long have I been asleep?"

"Since the night before last," he replied. It was nearing night again. She had slept two full days.

"We must depart at first light in the morning. Come, get yourself dressed. Supper will be soon, and we have been invited to dine with the Sprites in their city center."

"Good!" she said, jumping up from her bed with renewed excitement. "I'm starving!"

He was too, but not for anything that the Sprites might serve them. Allowing her privacy, he left the room.

When she emerged, he could not help his lingering eyes. She looked stunning—a stark contrast to the weeping girl he found in the other world. Far more like a woman.

The Sprites had given her a shimmery silver gown. It was less revealing than what Queen Jade wore, but beautiful all the same. It left her arms bare and fell to her ankles. A silvery cape of a slightly different shade and cloth clasped around her neck. The ensemble brought out the golden color of her hair and green of her eyes.

She caught him staring and her cheeks flushed.

"Forgive me," he said. "I did not expect to see you clad in their garb."

She permitted him a half smile. "Neither did I, but someone must have left it for me. It's lovely, isn't it?" As she spoke, she gazed down at the fabric to study it.

"Aye. It is." He listened as her stomach growled loudly, then smiled. Stepping aside, he held his arm forth in the direction they were to go. Part of him felt inclined to extend his elbow to her as he would for any lady, but he refrained. They walked side by side down the city's main path.

Having dined alone in his accommodations since their arrival, he learned earlier that day that many of the Sprites gathered for the evening meal in a vast, outdoor dining hall. The ceiling of the city center consisted of vine arches laden with blossoms and blooms. His sharp nose discerned floral scents as they mixed with the ever-present pine. Though he was reluctant to admit how much he enjoyed it, he found the smell relaxing.

When they arrived, he did not miss Claire's sharp gasp. She too was impressed with their dining accommodations. Already, most of the seats were filled with hungry Sprites. He found Jovari and Koldis sitting at a long table nearby. They too spent more time than was necessary gazing at Claire's garb. Strangely enough, he disliked the attention directed upon her. Perhaps he was being paranoid. Surely it merely surprised them as much as it did he, to see her dressed so differently. Compared to what she generally wore, it was a pleasing change.

Claire spoke little. None of them were in any mood to converse, though the Sprites sitting with them did trade bits of news. Except for Claire, who did not mind the table's presentation, they ate very little. Sprite food was just as poor as the reputation that preceded it. He was a Drengr and meat was his sustenance—preferably raw and freshly killed.

At the close of their meal, their guide with the blue hair stopped by their table. "If it would please the Lady Claire," he announced, looking at each of them before setting his gaze on Claire. "My mother has suggested that I take you up into the treetops. Your companions are welcome to join us, if they desire."

Claire appeared confused. "Your—your mother?"

"Ah. Yes. My mother. Forgive me for not introducing myself before. I am Prince Feowen." The prince bowed deeply, keeping his gaze upon hers. Her eyes grew wide with understanding and her mouth shaped into an O.

He felt his stomach tumble, watching the interaction. What was wrong with him?

Claire glanced from the prince to where he sat. He nodded, giving her permission. "You may go," he said, "if you wish to." Then, turning to the prince he said, "We too would like to join you. I have always longed to see the Gable Forest in its entirety." He understood that the honor was not often given to outsiders. It surprised him that Queen Jade had extended the offer to Claire. Then again, her obvious fondness for Claire completely bewildered him. That woman had thousands of years on him. She was wise beyond accounting. If she trusted Claire, surely he should too, but he simply could not bring himself to it.

Prince Feowen led them to a great tree, larger than any surrounding it. Many of them had stairs carved into their sides, spiraling up into the tops of the trees. On and on they climbed, but it was well worth the effort.

The world looked different in the branches of the trees, whimsical and dream-like. Little light bugs fluttered about them like glitter in a sea of blue and green. The breeze sang as it whistled melodies through the leaves. The mist shimmered and shifted around them.

At last, they exited the stairs onto a platform. The prince chose this tree because it stood much taller than those around it. It made for a most excellent vantage point.

"This is the highest place in the Gable Forest," he explained as they filed out onto the landing. Claire was breathing hard beside him. The climb left her winded. Glancing at her, he saw the awe upon her face.

To all sides of them, a vast stretch of green plumes met his gaze. The tops of the trees meshed together like a lumpy blanket. He saw nothing of the mists below. Up here it was a warm, clear night. If he strained his sight far enough, he could just make out the southern border where the trees ended. They would make their way there tomorrow.

What he missed most under the canopy of trees were the stars. Letting his head fall back, he looked upon the sky above. The moon was a small sliver, and the constellations sparkled around it.

"How come we didn't just fly here?" Claire asked, drawing his attention. "Couldn't we have just flown to this landing and taken the stairs instead of getting lost in the trees?"

He opened his mouth—

"Dragons cannot fly over our forests, Lady Claire," Prince Feowen explained. "We have made it so."

"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning.

"The magic we have placed upon the trees extends up into the sky. You may not see it, but the barrier exists. Any creature of magic or not, be it dragon, Drengr, bird, or elsewise, would merely slam into an invisible wall. Consider it one of our best safety precautions, aside from the maze we have created within."

"Oh..." She fell silent for a moment. "So you really did make it impossible for people to find Esterpine?"

"No, not impossible for everyone. We Sprites have no problem finding home."

Reyr did not miss the peculiar look Feowen imparted upon her, as if he was hinting at something. It left his mind spinning. Queen Jade had said much the same two nights before. Claire's ability to locate the city was unexpected. Even the Queen was surprised by it.

For a moment, the unlikely theory that Claire might have Sprite blood crossed his mind, but it was quickly pushed away. It was impossible. It was completely absurd to presume that a human from beyond the Gate—from a world that was supposed to house nothing but humans—could have anything other than human blood. The Sprites were not human. They had markings to prove it. Claire was. She had to be. Still, a little voice in the back of his mind nagged at him. Why then did she live through the poison?

He slept little that night, unable to get his mind off the same repetitive question. Who was Claire? Part of him believed that if he spent a few more minutes pondering it, the answer might come. The other part of him merely grew frustrated.

Queries like these forced him to unnecessarily dwell on her. It was dangerous, because it compelled him to admit how different she was—how much she stood out. Spirited, strong of heart, and stubborn to the core, she was unlike most of the females he knew, except perhaps Saffra.

And what cheek she had! The King's Shields were elite in both nobility and rank. She cared little for their titles. She didn't care about how she spoke to them, either. He admired that about her. It's what set her apart. Most would be cowering in her shoes, which led him to wonder, from where did she derive her strength? And just like that, he found himself back at the same question regarding her identity. Groaning, he flopped over to his other side and forced his mind to go blank. At last, sleep took him.

***

The following morning he was eager to rise. A new facet of stress was upon him. Once free of the trees, he would be able to stretch his mind with the help of Jovari and Koldis, and contact the king. He dreaded this part of the journey. The king's wrath would be absolute. He had failed. And King Talon would not be happy about that.

Their breakfast was more of the same—fruits, bread, roots, leafy greens, and nuts. The stewed bark broth was the worst. No amount of spices could possibly make it drinkable. And he could not help but glare at Claire as she willingly devoured everything placed in front of her.

"It's almost like tea, isn't it?" she said as she sipped from her steaming cup. "I love it already."

"It is almost like garbage, if that is what you mean," mumbled Koldis from across the table, glaring. Claire blatantly ignored him.

He shuffled around on his cushion and tossed a handful of nuts into his mouth. The sooner they departed, the sooner he could rid himself of these trees and go hunting. Perhaps they might find some grazers on the planes south of the forest.

As if reading his mind, Jovari expressed much of the same thoughts. "Please tell me we can leave Claire somewhere and go hunting once we make it out of here," he begged. "If I do not get meat soon, you will find me to be a real grouch."

Yes, he agreed, they would need to replenish their strength before beginning the rest of their journey south. And so they departed Esterpine. Claire was the only one reluctant to go. He saw it on her face, as if leaving pained her. Once more, his absurd thoughts nagged at him.

After hours of seemingly endless walking, their guide bid them farewell. Reyr could not help the sigh of relief that tumbled from his lips. They came out on the south-western part of the forest, ideally located for his quick trip to the western coast. He owed his brother Davi a visit. Mikkin's outlandish tale of wild dragons required the fort leader's attention.

"We will rest here for a few minutes," he announced, setting his rucksack on the ground and taking a seat. They would hunt before departing. Jovari and Koldis already knew of his plans to go west and rejoin them two days thereafter. They had discussed this in some detail while Claire was with the Sprite's healers. Fort Squall would be little over a day's flight from where they emerged, and he could easily make up time on the flight back if the wind ruled in his favor. But first things first—the king.

Claire wandered a short distance away, but he paid her little mind. His focus was on his two companions. "Are you ready?" he asked. Judging by their silence and their hard expressions, they were as eager as he. Which was to say, not at all. "Very well then."

Together, the three of them allowed their minds to meet and meld, becoming a force of strength as they pushed their thoughts forward. Like searching tendrils, they stretched their consciousness out over the planes of Eigaden, southward, going further and further, until at last, they reached Kastali Dun.

"Explain yourselves!" The king's voice sounded in their minds the second they reached him. His paired emotion was like a thundering avalanche. "Better yet, explain why you have brought a murderous witch into our kingdom."

"Your Grace, my apolo—"

"You should have killed her! Have you any idea what problems this has created? Gods above!"

"Please, Your Grace. I do not think Claire killed Cyrus. She—"

"You dare exonerate her? I am disappointed in you, Reyr."

"Your Grace..." He felt the king's emotion disappear. "Your Grace?" He reached out with his consciousness, using Jovari and Koldis as a boost to extend himself farther. There was no sign of the king.

"He blocked us," said Koldis out loud, shaking his head. "He actually blocked us out."

"Indeed, it seems so." In his anger, King Talon did not so much as allow them to explain. It was rather unfair, but hardly surprising. "This is going to be much harder than I anticipated," he said. The others agreed. Confronting the king was going to be an uphill battle. He dreaded it, but what he dreaded more was what might happen to Claire in the process. 

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