Phoenix Gift

Chapter Ten

Xavier looked out across the water. Foaming waves swept over the beach as if trying to reclaim the warm sand. Instead, it only served to amuse the young princess and dragons. Alexis’s laughter rang in the warm air. He watched her and the two small reptiles run in and out of the surf.

She appeared happy and innocent, like any child her age. She had no fear of what lay before them: the journey waiting to begin or the future hovering beyond the horizon. Xavier wished he could be as fortunate, but all he saw was uncertainty. A short distance from them, others were loading provisions for their journey.

Milagros boasted several ships, each constructed of materials and resources from its bounty. These ships alone could travel from Milagros to the rest of the world and return through the ice fields. Xavier glanced at the activity on the docks.

Among the large trade ships were several small fishing boats. The seas surrounding the island were rich in fish. It was unknown whether the fish remained in Milagrian waters or traveled beyond the barrier. The docks were situated in the deep water of the lagoon at the south end of the beach. Even at low tide, the ships never grounded.

Several horses were led to one of the ships. The first was Xavier’s own gold-colored destrier. Tossing its head, it pranced down the docks, unsure of the hollow sound of its hooves on the wood slats, but never once did it hesitate. As was true of his most precious gifts, the stallion was a gift from Akina. Why did you have to leave me, Akina?

“Your Majesty?”

Xavier turned to the voice and answered, “Yes, Lady Natalia?”

Natalia curtsied and replied, “We are ready to set sail. We await only Your Majesty and her Highness.”

“We’ll be along shortly.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Xavier sighed, giving Alexis a few more moments. He had carefully chosen his company. Seven knights, including Park, would accompany him. Natalia and Whitney, a slim black-haired woman, were along as Alexis’s nurses and attendants. Tavel and M’zuzi were also making the journey, one to represent his family and one to represent the Council. It was not known which, if either, Merrille would listen to.

Seven knights, two nurses, two wizards, three servants and two royals, Xavier silently listed. Smaller entourages than royals were used to on Nuwa, but acceptable for a peace mission.

Xavier called to Alexis, “Alexis, time to depart.”

Alexis left the foamy surf and ran to her father. She wore her regular attire: gypsy dress, leggings and boots, as well as a hunter-green cloak. Xavier was not dressed very differently: simple tunic, trousers, boots and cloak. His clothes were fitted and free of extravagant trim, though more formal attire was packed for their audience at Castle Culan.

Xavier also had several trunks of gold, silver and gems. He was familiar enough with Nuwa’s royalty to know most were not beyond bribery. The King of Castle Culan was a friend. Still, Xavier knew he should be prepared.

He stooped and picked up Alexis as she ran to him. She giggled as he threw her into the air and caught her. Turning, he then carried her across the beach to the waiting ship. The Wizard Council and several knights, including Kendrick, waited on the docks to see the ship off. Kendrick served Milagros for several years but originally hailed from the Southern Continent where he was well-known. Xavier thought it best for the knight to stay behind and handle any problems that arose during his absence.

“I wish you’d reconsider taking Alexis,” Kendrick’s wife, Lady Caitlin, said. “She’s so little.”

Xavier smiled at Caitlin’s casual concern as he set Alexis on the dock. He could not expect less from the petite Lady, whose own children were orphans or otherwise abandoned on her doorstep. It might have been that Caitlin was a better choice than Whitney to accompany Alexis, but, like Kendrick, she was also from the Southern Continent and would attract too much attention.

Sending Alexis to say her goodbyes, he turned to the dark-haired woman and said, “And what would milady have me do?”

“It’s just that she, her Royal Highness, is so young.”

“She is, and I have done what I can to make the journey safe for her. Seven knights, two wizards and two dragons should be ample protection.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Cadmus and Eja shadowed Alexis as she hugged each person in turn, including the wizards and witch. It was only after much debate that he allowed the two reptilians to accompany them. On Nuwa, dragons were pests. Their eggs were destroyed and the young slaughtered. A pair of little dragons might not fair well beyond the magical barrier. Tavel could, most likely, command his dragon to stay, but Cadmus was Alexis’s constant companion. Both would be quite distressed if he forced the dragon to stay behind.

After saying her goodbyes, Xavier picked Alexis up and carried her aboard the Reen Dorema, the grandest of the Milagrian ships. With the last passengers aboard, the ship’s crew hoisted the gangplank and drew in its securing lines. The ship bobbed and swayed as the crew used long poles to push it from the dock, slowly turning it to the lagoon’s entrance.

Moving swiftly to their posts, the crew was eager for a true voyage. Even the youngest, Park and Natalia’s son, Dale, moved sharply to secure the rigging. There was only one small opening deep enough to allow safe passage through the reef. Almost consciously, the ship gently glided through the aperture and into open water. Dolphins chased the ship as they sailed across deeper waters. Alexis giggled at the playful animals.

She gasped and leaned against the rail when she caught sight of an orange shimmer. Staring into the water, she watched green and blue forms join the first orange one. Thick tangles of filament flowed behind them as they raced alongside the dolphins, but never breaking the surface themselves. The two dragons barked at the water beasts. Alexis watched the creatures disappear into the depths.

“Mermaids, abu. There are mermaids in the water,” she giggled.

Xavier watched from the helm and smiled. He, like most others, knew mermaids had long since passed into the realm of lore. Yet, if he intended to tell Alexis, he gave no sign. It was best to let her retain her imagination and the creatures it pictured.

As the Reen Dorema reached the barrier, the air thickened and magic pulsed through the ship. The dolphins sensed the change and dropped away from the boat. With nothing but the distant spouts of whales to hold her attention, Alexis turned away from the rail. Her head pounded with each wave of magic coursing through the ship. Her vision blurred and her stomach churned.

Gripping her ears against the persistent throbbing, Alexis ran to her father. He picked her up and cradled her as she cried. She buried her face in his cloak, trembling. Cadmus slunk around Xavier’s feet, whimpering, while Eja returned to his master. The scene attracted the others, more disturbed by Alexis’ abrupt change than Xavier.

“Alexis?” Natalia stepped closer.

Alexis whimpered, and they could discern two words from her soft mumbles, “It 'urts.”

“You don’t have to be scared,” Natalia assured her.

“It’s not fear,” Xavier corrected. “She’s too sensitive to the barrier’s magic. Akina was the same way.”

Natalia stepped back. She left Xavier to deal with the situation with which he was obviously familiar.

“Shh, it’s all right, Alexis,” Xavier whispered. He carried her below deck. Cadmus followed, whimpering in empathy.

Xavier did not know why, but traveling below decks seemed to help Akina’s odd affliction. He hoped the same would be true for Alexis. Xavier carried her to the royal cabin and rocked her in a chair during the ship’s passage through the barrier. Cadmus lay at the foot of the nearby bed, watching and alert for danger.

Alexis whimpered as the air crackled and grew dense, but at least there were no shrieking howls. The Reen Dorema glowed as its inherent magic harmonized with the barrier. Suddenly, the air thinned. The ship passed through the ice flows of Nuwa’s far north. Frost crystallized on the rigging. The crew and passengers huddled in the cold as ice flows, large enough to crush a ship, broke apart and allowed them unhindered passage: such was the magic of the Reen Dorema.

After crossing the barrier, Alexis’s pain subsided, and she fell asleep. Xavier lay her in her bed. It swayed, suspended from the rafters. Cadmus lay with her. Xavier sat in the rocking chair and watched the pair sleep, wondering what waited for them at journey’s end.