Arriane

I walked quickly, winding my way through broken rock with only Binder and several waterskins. Sal’s directions had been clear, and I took two detours for water refills. I wanted to think over her words and advice, to plan for the meeting ahead and the questions I would ask.

Instead, I watched whatever was following me, while doing my best to appear oblivious.

They were very good, and I wondered if they’d been shadowing us yesterday as well and I simply hadn’t noticed. The first I caught only scattered glimpses of, and I was sure I missed more. Whoever it was wore a cloak that blended perfectly with the surrounding rocks - the only reason I caught it was that sometimes I would look away and then back, and a small rock would appear that hadn’t been there before.

The second was even better. I never saw it directly, and it made no sound. But the insects were my friend. In the woods I relied on the birds and small animals, and it had bothered me greatly when I realized they were almost entirely absent in this desolate landscape. Then I’d learned to listen to the bugs - the buzzing and rasping of wings, the chirps and soft whirls. They weren’t quite as good, but it was close enough. At one point whoever it was circled around behind me, so close my back itched and it took all my willpower to walk casually, and not to whirl and draw Binder. But then it faded away and I relaxed again.

They left me entirely perhaps an hour from my destination. I checked the sun, and realized with some dark amusement that I would reach it almost directly at twilight. Probably by design, although Sal hadn’t mentioned it. I set my jaw and quickened my pace. If they wanted me to follow a mystically important schedule, they should have told me about it.

To my great annoyance a wrong turn and a rock scramble left me at the base of the mountain almost precisely as the sun touched the horizon. I studied it, then shrugged. Hard to beat magic entirely when you’re a princess in a story, I guess. I turned around and regarded the gap in the mountain with some foreboding.

I’d caught glimpses of it as I approached, a dark line in the lined sheer rock face. Now I could see it was a chasm. Someone - some thing - had pulled out a series of pillars in a line, making a passage toward the center. I wondered again at the construction, and why - and how! - they had carved into the mountain. Looking up I could see sky, and a hint of a broader area near the end. But the light was fading and there was no use putting it off, so I took a deep breath and started in.

It was dark, and I waited a moment while my eyes adjusted to the light before continuing. The floor was smooth, although I didn’t know if it was by the passage of feet, manual labor, or some strange magic. The pillars were huge, and even though the passage wiggled back and forth through the mountain in an irregular fashion I could walk in a straight line. And the end, I could make out the flickering light of a fire.

Several minutes later I came into the gap. It was a great circular area in the heart of the mountain, perhaps a hundred feet wide. I glanced up and saw a brilliant circle of stars, but the scene before me demanded my attention.

The fire burned, to appearances perfectly normal. The stack of wood off to the side, to my experienced eye, would feed it throughout the night with some nursing. But the real show was the figures seated around the fire.

To my left was perhaps the largest mountain cat I had ever laid eyes on. It must have been four feet at the shoulder, fur a rough tan and gold that shifted like grass in the wind in the firelight. It regarded me with that absolute neutrality of nature, that just is and doesn’t care if you live or die, eyes glittering as it stared at me. My hand twitched to go to Binder’s hilt, but I forced it away from my waist and moved my eyes on.

Across the fire from me was a girl - no, a woman. She was pale, a pure white with no hint of pigment. Even her hair, which cascaded down past her shoulders and down her back. She was careless in her nudity, and I thanked Sal again for warning me about this. Her eyes were a light purple that reflected the firelight in odd ways as she looked at me.

To my right was what appeared to be an entirely normal rattlesnake, curled in a circle and facing away.

Together they formed three points of a square, leaving the one by the gash obviously empty. I realized that they were at the cardinal points, leaving east to me. It was also the most vulnerable, since my back would be exposed to the only entrance. But Sal’s words echoed in my mind.

Show no weakness.

So I didn’t hesitate as I stepped forward. I put Binder down carefully, then braced myself internally and started stripping. It seemed unfair that the snake and the cat always ran around naked, but I had to take my clothes off. I kept from hurrying, but couldn’t prevent my cheeks from flushing slightly as they continued to watch me closely. The woman especially. She might look unconventional, but she was beautiful, curved and normal and petite, and I felt harsh and rough in comparison. It was unfair, but I couldn’t help think that she was judging me and finding me wanting.

The last items I took off were my knives, and then I stood naked before them. I wondered if I should have shaved earlier, then gave a mental shrug. It’s not like I was the hairiest thing around the fire. I took my seat at the east position, made myself as comfortable as possible - so, not very - and then I did the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

I sat there and I waited.

The moment stretched out, the silence of the night broken only by the soft moan of the wind and the crackle of the fire. They stared at me, and I took that as permission to stare right back. I used it to take in more details.

That cat was even bigger from this angle, and I wondered - not quite idly - if I could take it in a fight. Well, she, most likely. While most of my training and experience has been against men - or, at least, human-like forms - the world has a lot of dangerous creatures too, and Sal had made sure I was at least competent against them. I figured I was screwed hand-to-hand, with just no way for me to deal effective damage. Maybe if I got the right hold before I was hurt too badly. With a knife I might win, but I’d get mauled. And I was reasonably confident that I could take her with minimal injury in my full armor and sword.

Of course, it was probably a moot point, given that the cat was likely also a witch and would use magic. And since my armor was several miles away. But whatever. I went with what I knew. I shifted my attention to the woman.

My original impression had been girl, and I was struck by it again. She was petite, but fully formed and striking with the lack of color. I was surprised she didn’t burn like crazy in the desert sun, but I remembered the scene earlier, being followed, and nodded to myself. With the right cloak, she’d be fine.

She caught me looking, and I felt my cheeks warm as our eyes met. Really, she was very pretty. It’s just that she’s petite, and with my size everyone looks even smaller usually. I mean, she was fully proportional and everything, the kind of woman I’d like… to look like. It’s just the paleness that threw me- ok. Moving on.

The rattlesnake was, by far, the plainest and most ordinary of the three. On the larger side, yes. But not exceptionally so. It was incredibly suspicious. I was still studying her when the woman spoke in a ritual, formal cadence.

“Greetings. Welcome to Twilight’s End. Take nothing unoffered, give nothing unwanted, and be at peace.” She gave a shallow bow, then met my eyes. “Why have you come to see me?”

I relaxed, but did my best to not be obvious about it. Her talking first was a good sign. But… I studied her again, eyes drifting down, and I saw her blush slightly, obvious with her skin even in the inconsistent light. Either she was an incredible actress, or there was no way she was old enough. I supposed the cat was a possibility, just an unlikely one. Which left the obvious.

I smiled at her disarmingly. “No offense, but I’m not here to see you.” I took a deep breath. I was about to either be brilliant or incredibly stupid, and there was no way to tell which one it was until it was over. So I might as well get it over with. I shifted to face the rattlesnake, then bowed my head low. “I am here to see you. Greetings, Shadow of Twilight’s End. I am Princess Arriane Dawnjack, and you hold the key to my story.”

Silence refilled the room, and I felt a moment of dread. Then her hissing laughter filled the air, echoing off the walls. Which was really weird because I was pretty sure she was speaking into my head. Her voice was smoky and sibilant. “Clever princess // welcome welcome shadow flickering final breath // salutations greetings .”

I opened my mouth and then closed it again. “Uh. Um.” I glanced over at the woman, hoping for some assistance, but she was immobile. “Hi. You are… the witch? Shadow of Twilight's End?”

I barely kept from wincing. Oh yes, a clever quick wit, that’s me. I hoped what I’d already said would be sufficient, because I was pretty sure I’d already forgotten the rest of her full name. Assuming that’s what she’d been telling me.

She laughed again, coiling and moving to face me. Her eyes opened, and I could see the raw age and power blazing out. “Yes correct // Speech complex mammal reptile incompatibility known // rook translates.”

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I stared up at the sky and mouthed the words. I knew what most of those meant… but I had no idea what she’d just told me. Except maybe that part at the end. I looked over at the woman hopefully. “You are… Rook?”

She nodded gracefully, dipping in her head in a slight bow of acknowledgement. “Yes. I am Rook. The Elder’s language is far from human. I will speak for us.”

I sighed with relief. “Ok. I- wait.” I looked over at the cat. “Sorry, but should we all be introduced before continuing?”

I could swear that Rook looked pained. But her voice was easy enough. “You may call her Cat.”

I arched my eyebrows skeptically. “That’s it? Just… Cat?” Although I guess Rook’s name was similar. I glanced at the cat, who was either smiling broadly or contemplating eating me.

Rook’s shoulders drooped slightly. “If you must know, her full name is Cat Who Mates Such That You Find Utter Despair In Your Heart Of Never Knowing Her Magnificence Beneath Your Weight.”

Shadow hissed in amusement while I pulled my jaw up with an effort. “Seriously? Her name is… wow.”

“Yes. She is a very... direct individual.”

“I can... see that. I’ll stick with Cat.”

“We usually do.” Rook turned serious, and I dragged my thoughts away from contemplating Cat’s full name. “As you must realize, we have been expecting you.” She hesitated. “Well, not precisely. We were expecting-” another pause - “well, the prince.”

I kept my face immobile - so much for hoping she’d give away the name that easily - and forced my voice to be casual. “Which is why you were following me earlier?” Rook look surprised and Cat started, and I grinned inwardly before continuing. “Well, that’s why I’m here. I’m ready to rescue him, but I need to know where - and who - he is first.”

She was silent for a moment, and when she spoke her voice was solemn. “Before we answer you, there is the question of the price.” She looked at me steadily. “The traditional payment is for the prince to lie with the maiden and beget a child.”

I stared back, glad Sal had filled me in on this little tidbit earlier. I’d almost think she was lying, but it did sound like the kind of thing some male storyteller would come up with. I sat forward. “Ok. Three things.” I ticked off one finger. “First, I’m not equipped for that. I assume you have some sort of alternative?” She nodded. I started to continue, then a horrific thought made my face go pale. “And just so we’re clear… the alternative doesn’t involve giving me the equipment for that, does it? Because I like my parts exactly as they are.”

She shook her head, and I relaxed a little bit. Right. “Ok, number two. Why do you need a prince to get you with child? Because, let’s be honest here, that’s a little fucked up. I mean theoretically, he’s on a quest to rescue a girl who he’ll likely end up marrying, right? And you make him lie with you just to get directions?”

They exchanged glances. Rook sighed. “How much do you know about witchcraft?”

I shook my head. “Not much.” I looked up and tried to remember everything Sal had told me. “That you balance magic between good and evil. That every coven has three, a maiden,” I nodded at Rook, “a mother”, I nodded at Cat, “and finally, the crone.” I indicated Shadow. “And that everything you do has a price.”

Rook opened her mouth, but Shadow’s shifting words overrode her. “Life price // magic fuel ignition system royal blood // infused latent.”

I must have looked as confused as I felt, because Rook’s words were apologetic. “To start our magic, to become a witch, we require a sacrifice.” Apparently I was an open book right now, because she rushed to add, “A personal sacrifice. Shadow can never have children, and Cat gave up…” she hesitated. “Sorry, it’s hard to describe-”

Cat cut her off with a low grumbling growl that turned into a chirp at the end. Rook chirped back, apparently perfectly comfortable with the language, and they had a short-lived conversation. I was intrigued - I didn’t know cats could make those kind of noises, I thought they just meowed. I was going to have to have words with my sister. Rook turned to me when it was over. “She says there’s no human word for it. The closest term is innocence. But not really, and with more… smelling?” She shrugged at me in apparently bafflement. “I don’t think you can really get it unless you’re a mountain lion.”

I blinked, thought for a moment, and decided it probably wasn’t that important. I also noticed Rook hadn’t mentioned her sacrifice, but it also occurred to me that personal sacrifices are, well… personal. And since Rook was the maiden I was guessing she wasn’t that old - you can’t always tell by appearances with magic - and probably hadn’t been a witch long. No need to open fresh wounds.

I nodded to her. “Ok, I can see that? But what does it have to do with the child thing?”

She shook her head. “Right. Royals are inherently magical - not because of what they are, but because of who they are, and the part they play in the stories of the world. The child of a witch and a willing prince is always a witch. And,” she looked off to the side, “the magic of the prince’s bloodline acts in place of the sacrifice. The child can be… normal.” She looked wistful, and I seconded my mental note to not ask about her own sacrifice.

I cleared my throat. “Ok, that makes sense. Right, number three is…” I stopped and scratched my chin. “Huh. I think I forgot, sorry- wait. Right, right.” I hesitated, then took a deep breath. “Number three… why did you do it? Why put us in a story? Is it just for that child?” I looked around at them, anger bleeding into my voice. “I mean, couldn’t you have just, I don’t know, joined a brothel near the palace for a few years and waited? Why did you have to destroy our lives and change us? I mean, gods. I spent twelve years in that tower. I went in when I was five.”

I was ranting, my voice rising, and I knew it was a mistake, but I couldn’t seem to stop. “Sal lost- well, Sal lost even more. And this prince, whoever the hell he is, he basically got turned into a girl. Because-” I stopped, then sighed, and continued in a lower voice. “Because I got impatient. So I took away his… manliness.” I looked at them, and they stared back impassively, statues of unemotional judgement. I blinked away a few tears, and worked to keep my voice steady. “So… why? Why did you do this to us? Just… tell me. Please.”

We sat there, the wind and the fire the only sounds in the room. My heart pounded in my chest, and I wondered desperately if I’d made a mistake. Sal had been very clear on the not antagonizing part of her instructions, and I was pretty sure I’d just blown that entirely.

I froze as Shadow slithered toward me, sliding around the fire and then uncoiling directly in front. She rose up and met me eye to eye. My fingers twitched, and it was only the knowledge that it wouldn’t make any difference that kept me from going for my sword. When she spoke, I could feel her sadness.

“Sorrow Sorrow // many many covens degrees evil measure // inevitable culmination.” And with that, she curled back up into a ball in front of me.

I looked mutely at Rook for help, and she took pity on me. “What she’s saying is that we were approached, and paid, to create your story.” I stared at her, and watched as she swallowed. “You understand that I was not here? That I only know this secondhand?”

I nodded, and she continued. “There are other covens. Some are better, some are worse. It is not for us to say which are which. But this particular… individual, was not likely to go to a better coven if it was turned down. So Shadow felt it was best that she take on this story, instead of leaving it for someone else.”

I sat there, mind whirling. I’d thought, when Sal told me that a witch created our story, that I finally knew where to find answers. But now it turned out that the witch was a… contractor, just doing this as a job. The word came out before I could think. “Who?” I clenched my fists.

Shadow rose up again before me. “Sorrow Sorrow // variable control light sound color breeze // rotten heart.”

She looked sad - I don’t know how I knew that, but I could tell - and I reluctantly held up a hand. “Look, I’m not entirely sure what you just said there, and I know you’re apologetic, but… you’re right. Someone else would have done it if not for you. And besides.” I looked down at my arms and flexed one, tracing the heavy muscle with the other. “I like being me. I like being active. Controlling my own destiny. Well,” I amended, “Maybe I don’t control it. But I’m not a helpless object either, just waiting for some guy to show up and get me out of there. And if I’d stayed at home, I’d probably be married off by now.”

I shrugged. “Either way, I’m happy. Maybe I’m not pretty. Maybe I’ll never find love. But if you asked me to pick again, I’d take kicking ass over a hot guy any day. So don’t feel sad for me.”

I slowly became aware that I wasn’t getting the reaction I expected. Well, not exactly - I hadn’t really known what to expect. But whatever it was, it didn’t involve an odd look on Rook’s face, Shadow staring at me passively, and Cat falling over on her side and chuffing in amusement. I coughed self-consciously. “Um. I would like to request that translate thing now.”

Rook smiled gently. “It’s understandable. She wasn’t telling you she’s sad. Sorrow is the name of the entity that requested your story.”

I pursed my lips. “Oh.” Sorrow. The name gave no clues. “What… entity? What is it? Can you tell me anything?”

Rook and Shadow shared a glance, then Rook spoke. “I cannot go into specifics. Sorrow is an ancient fae. It is… unique. And appropriately named.” Another look between the two of them. “I… witches do not like to use the word evil, you understand? We believe in balance, in shades of truth and morality. Very few things in this world are black and white.” I nodded my comprehension.

Her next words were solemn. “Nevertheless, Sorrow is very, very evil.”

I gulped. Then, to my surprise, Shadow rose back up and met my eyes. They swirled with power, the sense of age almost palpable, and I wondered how old Sorrow must be that this witch would refer to it as ancient.

“Morose ruminations // fang balance scale balance venom balance // query acknowledge?”

I started to talk, and then - since I am not always a complete idiot - I closed my mouth and turned to Rook for help. She smiled approvingly, and then had a hissing conversation with Shadow. It was the first time I had heard her real voice, and I was shocked at how frail and weak it sounded.

Rook turned back to me. Her words and cadence were oddly formal. “Shadow offers you two boons to aid in your task. The first is her regret. It is yours, with no payment or acceptance required.”

I froze for a minute, but Sal had spoken of this. Accept any boons offered. Do not ask questions. Do not say thank you. I bowed my head to Shadow.

Apparently satisfied, Rook continued. “The second is her trial. It is offered freely, with no obligation of acceptance. There is a price, but it is one you must pay to yourself.”

I started to bow again, then hesitated. Trial sounded… tricky. But Sal had never steered me wrong. So I girded myself and bowed again. “Th- I accept.”

At which point Shadow Flickering Final Breath, The Crone Witch of Twilight’s End and the architect of my life, struck forward like lightning and sank her fangs into my right hand.