Princess Rainy's Arc

Chapter 7 of 12

Rowan warmed by the fire while his bear slept in the stables. Rainy waited until his color returned.. He looked stronger now, ready to talk. "We ride at first light," she said. "But the night is long. Let me show you my home before we leave it." Rowan rose and followed her into the halls. Rainy led him through the pale stone corridors. Blue-green light fell from the domes above. She pointed to portraits of kings and queens, their faces stern in old paint. Her lynx padded ahead, tufted ears turning at each sound. "My grandfather hunted with a sabre-tooth," she said. "The same beast waits for me now, to carry me north." Rowan slowed at a tall window that showed the frozen peaks. "Those passes nearly killed me," he said. "I know them. I will get you through." They came to a fountain in an inner hall. Water rose from its center and fell in a thin sheen. Rainy held out her hand. The water lifted at her call. It curled into a ribbon and spun above her palm. Rowan stepped back, his pale green eyes wide. "So it is true," he said. "The stories of the water princess." Rainy let the ribbon drop. "I do not know why I can do it," she said. "That is why I ride north. To learn who I am." Bells called them to the great hall. King Anthony and Queen Della stood at the high table. Her father's silver crown caught the firelight. Her mother's sky-blue gown swept the floor. "Sit," King Anthony said. "Eat well. You leave at dawn, and the mountains give no comfort." Servants carried in the feast, potatoes and corn and bright fruit, and fresh deer from the morning hunt. Rowan ate like a man half starved. He praised the deer between bites. The Queen smiled while they ate. King Anthony cleared his throat “I hope your father is well, you’ve grown into a fine man Rowan.” Then King Anthony set down his cup. His face turned grave. "There is a thing you must know before you go," he said. He looked at Queen Della. She nodded. "The tribe you seek moved higher this winter," the king went on. "A rider came today with word. Storms drove them past the High Crags last year. The path we planned no longer leads to them." Rainy's fork stilled. "Then how do I find them?" she asked. Rowan set down his knife. His grin was gone. "Past the High Crags there is only the ice shelf," he said. "No trail. No shelter. I have never crossed it." The king met Rainy's eyes across the feast. "You wanted the truth of yourself," he said. "It lies farther and harder than we thought." Rainy looked at the frozen peaks through the window. The warm hall could not reach them now. Rowan took Rainy’s hand “We will get through it together I swear it to you.” Rainy smiled