Up in the north across the water was an island rife with wild vegetation. Lush trees loomed taller than River has ever seen before. The entire forest size could literally be built for giants. At its shore waiting for them stood Maksim, his arms crossed along with an imperious tilt of his chin. His face masked with intense focus as their boat got carried by massive waves from the ocean.
She couldn’t wipe out the apparent awe in her face if she tried. The man commanded the waves without even lifting a finger for it. He stood still, jaw set and brows puckered in deep focus. He looked different. She didn’t realize it before but the last time she had seen him between portals, she had sung for him. Then out of the heavy fog had came out his animal side, a giant white snake the size of an anaconda that shone under light in a multi-colored hue of his scales. The curse must have been lifted for him. Watching him now from a distance, he wasn’t quite as close to death like the first time she had met him. His muscles are filled out like a gym resident body-builder, his skin had a pinkish tinge underneath the pale complexion and then his hair, oddly enough, had turned gray. She wondered how much time did it take for him to get here. Death was necessary to pass through each dimension. What he must look like between each death. What he must look life if he was full of life.
Lei’la clung to her sleeve as they neared the rocky shore, the salty breeze of the sea blowing by them on a chilling brush that inspired goosebumps all over.
He looks like death! Lei’la whisper-hissed in her mind.
Suddenly, the image the weaver girl inspired brought to mind a dark king whose dreams lie in solitude at an abandoned throne room filled with shadows, waiting for River to tell the greatest story ever told.
“Don’t worry, he’s a nice softie underneath all the pale veneer.”
Maksim threw her a fierce glance, “Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you’re not making connections to other tribespeople some more. It's enough to have made connections in my universe, but here? You're going to stretch out your power, River. You don't want to see what happens when you do.”
She took his offered hand when she climbed off the boat, “You are not wrong.” She squealed when she spied a black water snake next to her feet. In her shock, she fell into Maksim’s arms.
“The trouble you must find yourself in,” he said wistfully.
“So I’m clumsy.” She lurched to her feet, pushing off him. “And I scare easy. I’m still a bad-ass, though. My body is made of power and resilience.”
“If you have to tell it,” he leaned close, giving her a challenging stare “then you don’t have it.”
She bit her tongue from talking back and instead brushed it off, looking away. “Are you gonna stay here for long?”
“No.”
Resisting to bite her her lip, she asked “How did you find me anyway? I’m in a whole other universe, they have got another snow tribe prince like you in this world. You didn’t have to come.”
“Don’t think so little of my hold on you.”
“Correction.” she challenged, wanting to off-set his serious vibes. She could tell it was starting to get Lei’la nervous again. “Do not think so little of my hold on you. Aren’t I the one haunting you when all else is so very important?”
Tipping his head down, he gave a great sigh “A wonderful distraction, yes.”
“Don’t they need you over there? Back at your tribe?” Before she can pull backpack straps on her shoulder, he snatched it away to tow it himself. He did the same with the baskets in the boat, offering a hand to Lei’la to assume the burden of her backpack.
I’m holding on to this, she murmured. Her nervous eyes growing wide at River as she spoke.
He won’t hurt you.
She shook her head, I’m worried about the predators, they move faster than tribespeople. I’m holding on to my survival pack in case a predator gets to us. Something tells me he will be getting to you before he gets to me.
Here, let’s stick together. She said, holding her hand. This way it’s us or nothing.
Moisture pooled in her eyes before she blinked it away, clearing her throat “The united settlement isn’t far from here.”
“Really? I haven’t seen buildings around.”
“A camouflage, I assure you. One of dark tribe’s greatest strength is in blending in with nature. Plenty of predators to go around here.”
Maksim nodded, “I will see to it you get home safe.” he said to the girl. “River, stay here. We won’t be gone for a minute.”
“No!” said Lei’la “I’m not going without her.”
He pinned her down with a glare “She comes home with me.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
River grabbed his attention from the frightened girl “You said I can’t go back.”
“Not when you were dead. This mark in you..”
“My scar?” she touched her throat.
“The one in your body. It’s been brought back to life. That kind of pull from death to life leaves a mark.”
Lei’la’s eyes bugged out “You’ve been revivified by the dark majesty?!”
“I think so? I thought you were mad angry about him before.”
Maksim replied in earnest “His power comes at the price of madness. This kind of dangerous power doesn’t need to get braced by one prince. It has to be set free. Back to its tribe.”
“You wanted to kill him?”
His voice went octaves down “Out of mercy. Exile is worse for him. Living his life with a madness-inducing curse is a hell of a lot worse than that. There are no good dark tribe princes. There is only suffering. For them.”
She threw her hands out and shrugged, “I sang for him. I don’t think that will be necessary. His curse is gone. Poof! I saw it myself.”
When he continued to stare, she could almost pout “My singing works! Ask Crow.”
“The god prince is dead.” interjected Lei’la.
“He is not dead! He’s alive! Just.. not in this universe.”
“River.” he rumbled, almost like a purr. A soothing sound that blanketed over her barbed irritation. “If you say he is good, then he’s good. I believe you. I had thought ending his suffering would be the least I could do for bringing you back to life.”
A sharp exhale. “How did that happen, anyways?”
Lei’la peered up at Maksim then back to River, “I suppose curses works the same like ours, no matter which universe? If a dark prince touches you, on-the-spot death. If he touches you and you’re dead, then..” she shot a wary glance at Maksim “It’s been rumored. But it has never been known to have happened.”
He tipped his head down “It’s real. I’ve seen it.”
River gasped. “I can go back? Right now? I want to see how Crow’s cure is going.”
A slight quirk at the corner of his lips. “It’s working better than expected. We have just opened the trading routes but still working on the new concept of letting people in and out of snow mountains. It’s a huge transition. We could really use your help.”
Inside, she felt her hope deflate. “Of course! That’s what I’m good at.” she laughed nervously. What has her life ever been for than a simple matter of convenience? Even the concept of behagthi was a matter of repair and rectify. The dismal thought encouraged her motivations further. “Let me finish my part here first. I can follow back after. Lei’la and I were just taking the long route to southern sun tribe. I’ll be here for a really long while unless the situation back there is dire?”
“It’s all good. Tribespeople are slow to trust at the newfound positive changes. It’s perfectly understandable. But the children from sun tribe are spectacular with my siblings.” A slow smile started spreading across his face “I’ve never seen them so passionate before, so dedicated to learn. They are easily surpassing what you do with your voice. It’s unbelievable. When they start singing together, they win hearts, regardless of which tribe who hears it.”
His smile was infectious. “You’re proud of them.”
A healthy blush crept up his cheeks “I am. You should see them. They’ve gathered quite a number of tribespeople to join their rowdy chorus. That little rascal, U’tu, had the brightest audacious idea for a singing competition for festival days. It’s a wonderful activity that gets a lot of love, and really brings the whole tribe together. No matter where they come from.”
The thin, slender hand of Lei’la tightened in her grip. “I’d love to see it. But, I’m sorry to say that it has to wait. I’m staying for my friend, Lei’la.”
“Well,” he searched the skies and watched the sun for a moment. “I’m also sorry to say that I’m staying right here for you.”
She shouldn’t melt at that, yet she did. This half-naked bare-chested prince wasn’t supposed to inspire anything but fear itself. Yet here he was, shining so splendid that it warmed the freeze in her bones.
“Wife?” he arched his thick brow at her.
She crinkled her nose at that. “Not your wife. You make it sound like I’m an old hag.”
“We shouldn’t stay long here above ground.” said Lei’la “There are predators.”
“What predators?” he asked.
“The eternal beasts. Monsters who rage destruction upon their wake.” She looked down at the rocky shores, waves from the sea sploshing around her ankles. Then back up at the gigantic forest. “They’re fenced in the forest, imprisoned. So we have to be quick on our feet. It won’t take a minute” she said, pulling River over her shoulder.
“Ugh. this is undignified.”
Maksim stopped them. “Don’t. It’s never going to happen with your mortality. It’s too dangerous.”
A mullish sigh escaped River as she pulled on the rims of her leather dress, untucking the edges to reveal yards of fabric to wrap around her legs up to her arms and head like a grub larvae cocoon. “This secret gets taken to your graves. No one will know about this.” she said, her voie muffled behind a thick layer of blanket that covered her whole face.
“It’s not that bad, River.” said Lei’la. “Look I even embroidered the peach Yarnneiyti flowers you like.”
She groaned. “Undignified.”
“How about Laltig? Don’t you like the Laltig flowers I made for you?”
“Are those the swirling vines with green blooms for flowers?”
“Teh.”
“It’s… really nice. Thank you Lei’la.” she replied, sounding like she was pouting. “Still. Don’t let anyone see me like this. It’s already bad that I stink of mortality.”
Lei’la shrugged at Maksim “Sun tribe cloaks are expensive. This is the best we could find instead.”
On cue, River disputed from inside her blankets. “I can’t take credit. It was all Lei’la. She’s freaking amazing. Can we go now?”
“You have tested this?” asked Maksim.
“A few times. It works really well.” answered Lei’la.
Well, almost well. River thought. But she wasn’t about to give Maksim any more doubts. The man worries over the smallest things. She was built for stronger pain, bigger challenges. This was nothing. Sure her pride could suffer. So long as two people in this universe knew about it then it won’t matter. Much.
“Fine.” he gathered the bags from her “I’ll take the bags. Make sure she’s safe. I’d hate for her to lose her head.”
“W-wait! Hold up! That can happe—?” They sped off into the forest with Maksim lagging behind. Her protest dying in the gust of whirlwinds.
She curled into Lei’la’s shoulder, growing rigid by trying to make herself as small as possible. The last time they did this, a branch brushed across her shoulders, tore through the blanket and left a gushing wound that she thankfully managed to heal by singing a small lullaby with Lei’la’s accompaniment during their last camp. The girl was an amazing quick learner just as she was amazingly skilled in weaving garments and embroidering blankets. Her level was next to godliness. A testament to a century-filled training poring over its intricate arts. She may look like a young blonde girl who could easily be 16-year old but the skill she mastered had already earned her an elder status. Why the dark tribe city chose to overlook this girl’s hardwork was beyond River’s imagination.
Moments later, they emerged out of a wildland forest into another side of the island where rolling amber grasslands spread out thickly into the far horizon.
“There!” yelled Lei’la which made River peek through the blankets.
Right down in the middle of its grasslands was a massive crack on the ground, a gaping black hole.
They sped towards it in a heartbeat, the movement inspiring amber grass stalks to thresh around in their wake, releasing a flurry of dry leaves to dance gently in the air.
The hole was a familiar sight. Up close, she could see the wooden box on the far end. Two elevators sat on the edge and the three of them took one to ride down with. It was a pleasant ride, still slow and like from the other universe, it groaned during the long way down but it did the work.
Soon as they stepped off the elevator, Lei’la shrugged off River to her feet. Maksim disentangled the yards of fabric and pulled it around her midsection, creating a puffy skirt that went down to her ankles.
“Much better.” he said, pushing a stray lock of hair off her face. Then, as if he couldn’t help himself. He proceeded to tame her wild unruly hair back into its crown braid. A smirk on his face as he did so. “We match color.”
Consciously, she smoothed her gray hair down until no strands stood out of place “Does it look bad?”
Without missing a beat, he murmured “You look perfect.”
“Thanks.” she smiled at her feet, suddenly embarassed “I wasn’t sure if it would match my skintone at all. But hearing you say it makes me feel better.” She patted his hand twice with her palm in gratitude.
In the cavernous tunnel ahead of them rumbled a giant wolf with glowing steel-grey eyes. His fur was blonde, the size too achingly familiar that she hadn’t realized she took a few steps towards him. It must have been Aidan, she thought but up close this wolf was older, and laden with burned scars across his skin, leaving the fur in a jagged, uneven growth.
A brown-haired woman with glittering jewels on each limb and neck followed behind the wolf. The woman looked to be in her 40’s, although, she could be much much older. “Roxo, what is it? Well, now this is interesting. What stinking rat have you brought to our doorstep, orphaned one?”
Lei'la stepped ahead of them and greeted the sun tribe king and queen.