Kingsbane

Chapter 19

    Siva ran along the south battlement until the billowing smoke came into view. His heart raced, and his mind was in as much of an uproar as nature. Horror-stricken, he stared out at Unseelie. The flames licked across the dark landscape like the flicker of candlelight across a craggy face. "Has it come across the border?" He breathed, "Has it touched Seelie?"
    "Not yet. What they can't control with sand and water they're using magic on."
    "Do we know the cause?"
    "Goblins. We had word of a battle in their camp and then the flames began."
    "Fuck."
    "My Lord?"
    "Siva!" Siofra cried, running toward hem. The guards all knelt as she approached. "I have to go."
    The guards looked at one another, obviously put I'll at ease by the statement, but said nothing. Siva took her by the shoulders, his green eyes just as desperate as hers. "Can you stop the flames?"
    "Yes, if the land allows me. I am the protector of all Faery. I can not stand idly by while my people burn, Seelie or Un." Her red hair flew in the ashy breeze, her eyes catching the last light of the sun. At that moment she looked more a warrior in her golden gown than he ever had in all his armor. "I refuse to observe such chaos from the safety of my throne room."
    "The Court is going to lose their minds." He sighed, though he had no intention of stopping her. She was right. This was her place as Queen.
    "Let them." She spat, turning to one of the kneeling Fae. "Find the General. Bring him to the border, if he is not already there."
    "My Lady, forgive me for being so bold, but please rethink this." The guard pleaded, his dark eyes sincere and frightened. "It could be a trap. You are our hope and our light. Those creatures may want to put it out."
    "If they kill me, they kill themselves as well." She soothed with a tender smile. "You are brave to speak your mind. There is a place in my court for you. Find me after my return and I will see it done."
    As she turned and left, Siva looked at the guard she'd just promoted. "When looking for Rafferty, try Avalbane's first. Get her out, even if you have to throw her over your shoulder." He ordered, taking off after his wife. "Good luck."

     Siofra didn't have the patience to wait for the carriage to come to a complete stop. As they approached the border she opened the door and swatted Siva's hindering hands away. The soil seemed to rise up and catch her as she jumped. Siva followed her, much to the dismay of their driver.
    "Sio, wait-" He called after her as she raced toward the border and the flames that were growing dangerously near it. Guards were standing along the border, creating a wall to keep the desperate residents of Unseelie from entering.
    "What have we become?" She breathed, as he caught up to her.
    "Let them cross!" He snarled, rushing ahead of her, fueled by his outrage. "Are you fucking crazy! Let them through!" Grabbing the first guard he came to, he flung him to the ground. "They're still part of this kingdom! There's no reason to let them die!"
    "Your Highness?" The man gasped, surprised.
    "Let them pass!" Siofra shouted, hurrying toward them. "Where has our compassion gone?"
    At her words, everything fell quiet, even the flame's roar seemed to dull in comparison to her voice. Seelie and Unseelie all turned to look at her, momentarily enthralled by her presence. Siva fell in place beside her, looking out amongst the faces in the crowd, hoping to see one similar to his own.
    "Did you not hear me?" Sio snapped, "I am granting all residents of Unseelie temporary asylum. Bring them across and see that their wounds are cared for!"
    "Now!" Siva roared.
    His voice seemed to wake them from the daze her's had put them in and at once they hurried to do as she'd asked. A flood of Unseelie washed passed them, along with a slew of solider's trying to keep them organized. Like debris pushed ashore, a little boy brushed against her leg and clung for dear life. She quickly snatched him up, blood from his burns staining her dress.
    "Where is your mother?" She inquired, brushing dark hair out of his face. The boy did not respond, simply wept. With a soft sigh, she wiped his tears away, sending him into a peaceful sleep as her white light healed his injuries.
    "Avalbane is here." Siva informed, ushering her away from the river of refugees and onto the bank where his sister and Rafferty were standing.
    Siofra gave the boy to her sister-in-law and then turned to the General. "Keep our people safe." She ordered, "I'm going to ask for Faery's help. Do not follow me. Let no one come near."
    Rafferty looked at Siva, concerned, but the King's mind was elsewhere. He simply stared out at the fire with distant green eyes. "Has there been any sign of Sverre?" He whispered, so quietly that they all had to pause to put the words together before responding.
    "He can take care of himself." Avalbane assured him gently, though she did not believe it herself. If their brother was not somewhere among the others now, he was amongst the ashes.
    Siofra couldn't spare time to think about it. She had too much already to worry over. Shaking the dread from her heart, she slipped away from the little group, ignoring any calls for her return. People parted to make way for her as she stepped across the border for the first time in it's existence. The wall of flame rose up no more than thirty feet from her, the heat of it so intense it took her breath and would not allow her another.
    Removing her shoes, she dug her bare toes into the spoiled soil and raised her arms, her palms turned upwards. Closing her eyes, she settled her soul, turned her mind to granite. Her world was suddenly silent, and she knew then that Faery has been expecting her. The connection to the land had come so easily, it could mean only that it has been awaiting her.
    Fresh air rushed into her lungs, a gift from her power source. Her limbs chilled despite the raging flames before her and a frost gathered over her pale skin. She knew immediately her request was granted. As she inhaled, moisture from the earth and sky was drawn to her, gathering above her in large dark clouds.
    Siva and Raff stood in awe a few yards from her. Neither of them had ever witnessed such a thing before. No one had. Faery rarely intervened, for it to do so now, was disturbing but strangely comforting.
    "Siva," Rafferty took the King's arm. The air had become so wet that they had to move away from her in order to breath without feeling as though they would drown. As they headed toward the outpost building, the grass beneath their feet began to turn brown as water was taken from it and the trees dried and cracked.
    Rushing, dancing torrents began to spiral down from the clouds. The fire hissed and writhed as they touched down. Smoke billowed as the flames started to die. Siofra brought her hands together above her head, and thunder clapped in the same instant. Beneath her icy skin, golden veins of light began to flash, mirrored in the sky as lightning. Wind spun around her, sending her long red locks flailing wildly.
    In minutes the worst of the flames had been subdued. The torrents drew back into the clouds and Siofra opened her eyes, a soft smile across her lips. She parted her hand slowly, and brought her arms back to her sides. As she did this, a heavy ran began to fall, pelting the remaining fire. Her skin warmed again, returning to it's creamy self.
    She took a step forward and fell to her knees. Both Siva and Rafferty hurried over to her. Kneeling beside her, Raff peered behind the curtain of her hair and Siva wrapped his arm around her waist, but she did not yet seem to be out of Faery's clutches.
    Her eyes were glazed over and tears ran down her face even as a smile still graced her lips. Weakly, she made an upward gesture with her fingers. Groundwater surfaced, summoned by her call, killing what was left of the great blaze's embers.
    She blinked, and her grin fell away. "Siofra?" Siva breathed, pulling her into his arms.
    "Faery had this planned...from the beginning." She murmured, fainting into his chest.