The Remembered (Elements II)

Chapter 44

She followed the elemental in silence, thinking over what she had just learnt. She kept glancing at her hands, as if by some miracle, she could see the threads of magic, but there was always nothing there.

“Isla?” A thought had occurred to her, one she wasn’t sure she was happy about.

Isla looked back at her, making her way easily over the paths and trails of the land. Catriona had to concentrate on where she was going, for it was all new.

“Yes, fy annwyl?”

Catriona hesitated. “The…my magic,” she said slowly.

“What about it?”

“Will Pablo be able to see it?”

“No. He has no magic of his own, and so will only see what you show him, Catriona.”

“So…does he know already?”

“I’m sure he has suspicions that something is different about you, un bach. You have a calmness about you that nothing breaks, and it has spread throughout the palace. That, and your sunniness. He feels lost without you.”

The princess nodded, looking down at her hands again. She still couldn’t quite believe it. “Will I have to leave him again?”

“Whatever for?” Isla looked back over her shoulder at her. “Unless you want to leave him?”

Quickly, the girl shook her head. “No! I just…to learn, I mean.”

“Not if you don’t want to. The best way to learn control is a place you are comfortable in. If that is the palace, then so be it.” Again, the elemental threw her a considering glance. “Don’t worry about it. There is still some months before you turn sixteen. There is no need to panic about anything.”

Catriona nodded again, keeping silent now. She didn’t recognise her surroundings at all, and quickened her pace to stay close to Isla, looking about her in wonder.

They were in another forest, but it wasn’t like the one near Isla’s home. Where that one had been dark, and almost brooding, this one was light and emitted a carefree air. There were fewer trees, allowing more sunlight to dapple the ground, and the birds were singing merrily, even though she couldn’t identify any of them.

“Are there really dragons in this world, Isla?”

Isla gave a small laugh. “Yes. They’ve retreated to the high peaks that were once their home. They prefer it there.”

“What do they look like?”

Isla shrugged, holding out her hands. All of a sudden, her tattoos glowed slightly, and soon a being of water came sweeping in between the trees to twine around the princess, almost like a cat. It was horse sized, with a flowing mane, and a scaled hide. It looked harmless and friendly, and Catriona reached out to touch it. Isla let her, the princess’ hand going through the water, but the dragon stayed where it was a moment longer before dancing off through the trees, evaporating as it went. The sound of its four paws lingered long after it had vanished.

“They’re…” She had no words to describe what she was feeling her, her eyes full of wonder.

“They affectionate creatures, yes.” Isla slowed her pace, looking at the princess. “Once, they were plentiful, even in your world. But once the humans started spreading into their territories, they fled to this world.”

“Were they hunted?”

“No. They left before that could even start. They’re smart, and the reigning female is still alive, here. She keeps them in line.”

“Are they cheeky?”

“Very. Just like you and your brother were.” Isla smiled slightly, and nodded her head to the gap in the trees. “Through there, tywysoges.”

Catriona pushed through, and stopped, her breath catching in her throat. The lake was beautiful, surrounded on all sides by the forest she’d just walked through, the surface of the water shimmering with magic. Isla didn’t stop, instead continuing to the edge of the water, where it lapped at her bare feet, dark brown against the pale sand.

About to say something, the princess caught sight of Isla’s expression, and held her tongue. She didn’t want to interrupt what was clearly a personal moment. Soon, though, the elemental turned her head, her eyes darker than normal for some reason. Catriona didn’t dare ask why.

“Come, bach tywysoges.”

The girl moved forward, taking Isla’s hand. She was trembling, scared for an unknown reason. “What’s going to happen?”

Isla only smiled, and led her forward, holding her hand tightly. The water parted before them, revealing what looked like a stone path, heading deeper into the lake. Catriona gasped in shock.

“What…what is it?”

“The path between worlds.” Isla said no more, and tugged her forward. “Come, tywysoges. It’s time for you to return home.”