Phoenix Gift

Chapter Three

“Biervenido. Please, sit.”[1]

The wizards selected a pair of padded chairs. Tavel’s dragon climbed onto the high back of its master’s chair as Akina set her knitting aside and Cadmus climbed into her lap. Alexis danced around them, suddenly stopping in front of the fireplace.

“I like it when we have a fire,” Alexis sighed. “It’s happier.”

“I agree, Your Highness,” Tavel leaned forward, extending his staff toward the hearth.

He muttered a couple of words. The small crystal at the end of his staff glowed. A stream of smoke rose as a tongue of flame charred the wood. Then there was a spark of flame. The crystal glowed brighter. The flame spread, shedding light and heat. Alexis clapped and giggled.

“You’re a master of red magic, aren’t you?” Alexis turned to Tavel.

“Yes, young Highness. I am.”

Alexis smiled and danced to a corner of the room where some of her toys were arranged according to a child’s order. Cadmus purred as Akina stroked his smooth scales. She watched her daughter play. The shadows deepened and shifted with the dancing flames. The smell of smoke permeated Akina’s nose and with it also came…brimstone?

* * *

Tall rock walls rose up on either side of her. Brimstone hung in the air. Dragons were near and using their fire-breath.

But why? Dragons rarely breathed fire and never against their own kind.

A roar rippled through the air. The canyon walls shook. Small rocks bounced into the pass. Treasure snorted and stepped back. Akina quieted the mare with gentle words and soft caresses. Cadmus squirmed between the horse’s legs and scrambled up the trail. The dragon hissed as another roar vibrated through the canyon. He turned and ran to Akina, chirping and scraping his claws.

* * *

Alexis laughed. Akina returned from her dream-like trance and turned to her guests. Before she could ask them about their travels, the door opened. Xavier entered, followed by M’zuzi. The two wizards rose to their feet and bowed to the king. Xavier nodded, motioning for them to sit.

“Abu!” Alexis ran up to her father.[2]

Xavier picked her up, kissed her and carried her back. Setting Alexis on her feet, he let her return to her game. Xavier lovingly grasped Akina’s hand and kissed it. Her features softened as she smiled. Xavier returned Akina’s loving gaze, then moved to his own chair beside her, never letting go of her hand. M’zuzi remained standing beside the queen’s chair.

“I’m sorry I could not greet you myself. I am sure that my wife has seen to your needs,” Xavier said.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Absalom nodded, “we would be hard-pressed to find better hospitality.”

“M’zuzi has told me much about you, good Absalom. He was once your apprentice, and he assures me you are a master far beyond his skills.”

“M’zuzi speaks true.”

“Forgive me if I am imposing, but why is it that a powerful wizard like you is not on the wizards’ Council?” Xavier asked.

“It is quite all right, Your Majesty,” Absalom’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “The Divine Sisters choose who shall be on the Council. They choose only those that they believe will suit the Council well.”

“And what brings you to Milagros?” Akina asked.

“Retirement, Your Majesty.”

“Retirement?” M’zuzi repeated. His owl rustled its feathers.

“Yes, M’zuzi. For all my power and incantations ensuring long life, I am still mortal. I feel my days are drawing to a close. I’m old, too old to be of further use to Nuwa. I was born on Milagros. I would much like to spend the remainder of my days on its soil.”

Akina did not hesitate in answering, “Of course, good Absalom. Milagros is your home for as long as you wish.”

“I thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesties.”

A knock at the door seemed to finalize the agreement.

Xavier looked up and said, “Enter.”

The doors opened. Three servants entered, each carrying two silver trays. The servants bowed to the royalty and their company before they set the trays on low tables beside each of the chairs. Removing the silver domes, they revealed platters of steaming meals and cool drinks. The servants bowed again before they left.

“And now Absalom, you promised stories about your life on Nuwa,” Akina said, “where was your home?”

“On the Western Continent, near the Vanishing Mountains. Have you heard of them?” The wizard reached for the bread and cheese on his platter.

“I have heard of them, but never seen them,” Akina shook her head.

Alexis brushed her doll’s hair, saying in a voice too soft to hear except for the most perceptive ear, “I’ve seen them in my dreams.”

“They are quite a spectacle to behold. As I recall, they vanish at dawn and dusk,” Xavier nodded.

“Correct, Your Majesty, but it is only an illusion. The Vanishing Mountains are one of the last places to see unusual beasts in the outside world. Only a few days ago, a griffin visited our well.”

Alexis set down her toys and joined her mother to eat. She fed Cadmus bits of food from her plate as she listened to the wizard’s tales. Absalom told his stories long into the evening.

Alexis climbed into her mother’s lap, sending Cadmus away to sleep on the warm hearth. Akina stroked Alexis’s hair as the child fell asleep. The firelight cast its warm glow over the room. Cadmus appeared to be made of stone while Tavel’s dragon looked like fire incarnate in the flickering light. Alexis’s face was turned away from the fire but still seemed to glow with its shifting light. Akina gazed into the l*****g flames, listening to Absalom’s tales, but she seemed unable to draw in the warmth of the light.

“Wonderful tales, good Absalom, you are a fine storyteller,” Xavier leaned back in his chair.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. But it is late, and it was a long journey,” Absalom and Tavel stood. They bowed to their royal hosts.

“Quite right. Good night to both of you,” Xavier agreed.

“Louam, may your night be restful,” Akina added.[3]

M’zuzi escorted the other wizards out of the chamber. Xavier stood. Leaning down, he kissed his wife, then picked up Alexis, cradling the sleeping child in his arms.

“Best get her to bed as well.”

Akina nodded and stood. Cadmus awakened, stretched his serpentine body, then followed them down the corridor to Alexis’s chambers. Akina opened the door and held it for Xavier. They passed through the small sitting room to her bedroom. Akina pulled back the covers of the oversized bed, then fetched a night shift. Xavier laid the small form of their daughter on the white sheets. He stepped back, allowing Akina to exchange Alexis’s clothing for the shift before tucking her in.

Alexis shifted under her covers and whispered, “Agia geth, maya. Agia geth, abu.”[4]

Cadmus climbed up one of the bedposts supporting the canopy above and crawled onto the bed. He curled up next to Alexis, yawned and settled. Akina stepped away from the bed, into her husband’s embrace. Xavier kissed the back of her head and breathed in the lavender perfume in her hair.

“Will you be coming to bed?” she whispered.

“I have some matters to finish. I won’t be long,” his voice was tired, but uncompromising.

They stole a quiet moment before parting. Akina returned to their chambers alone. She turned from the slowly dying fire, entering the adjoining bedroom. Sitting down in front of the dressing table mirror, Akina began her nightly ritual. Freeing her hair from the twisted braid taming its length, she brushed the long tresses. Setting down the brush, she stood and exchanged her wool dress for a night shift. Akina laid the dress on the cushioned bench next to her wardrobe.

After the ritual was over, Akina left the bedroom. She walked across the sitting room and opened the glass doors to the balcony. She stepped to the balcony’s marble rail, overlooking the courtyard and garden. Brief flashes of light moved in and out of the garden’s trees: light reflected from the backs of Moon Doves. Akina felt her mind wander. The intangible pull was strong as she turned away from the rail.

* * *

The marble was cold, penetrating the cloth soles of her slippers. Moonlight streamed through the dome and windows, casting a dim glow on the entry hall. The candles were lit, struggling to warm the hall from the night chill. Akina walked past the glittering fountain and through the great doors. She wandered across the night-softened courtyard and into the north garden. Stars filled the sky.

Akina shivered, pulling her cloak tighter. A short distance from the carousel was a small spring surrounded by willow trees. The clear water bubbled from the unknown depths of the island. Over the spring-fed pond was a small stone bridge. Akina placed her hands on the cold railing and gazed into the depths of the water.

* * *

Xavier returned to their chambers late in the evening. Entering the sitting room, he noticed the curtains moving in the draft of the open door. He crossed the room and stepped out onto the balcony. It was vacant. Confused, he walked to the railing and looked across the expansive view. Movement caught his eye. A shapeless form moved among the willow trees.

Is the garden haunted now?

It seemed unlikely, but not impossible.

Xavier turned from the railing, hurried out of the chambers, through the castle and out the great doors. The king felt a strange sense of urgency as he crossed the courtyard and entered the garden. He halted beside the little bridge. Akina stood, gazing into the water. She wore only her night shift.

“Akina?”

She did not respond.

“Akina,” Xavier stepped up to her. Reaching out, he touched her bare shoulder, “Akina?”

She swayed. Her eyes blinked shut, and her body went limp. Xavier caught her. He stood holding her, worrying that she had been possessed. Her face was calm in her slumber. He cradled her in his arms and carried her back to their chambers.

He laid her on the bed. She softly moaned as he covered her with warm blankets. Xavier smoothed her hair before moving to his closet. He hurriedly pulled off his boots and unstrapped his sword before changing out of his clothes in exchange for a long sleep shirt. Then he returned to bed and joined her. Lying next to her, he draped his free arm around her waist, pulling her body toward his. The lavender scent of her hair wafted around him. He kissed her neck and closed his eyes, hoping he would awaken should she sleepwalk again.