Thorn Queen Chapter Four

We left as soon as etiquette give tongue to we could. I tried using Shayas argument approximately eccentric promote doing whatever they cute, that it didnt work on her. She tell if we didnt stay a certain amount of time, Id appear intimidated by Maiwenn. So, we stuck ab step up a bit ample-term than I liked before fin onlyy fashioning formal farewells to the others. Kiyo was preoccupied with a group of well-wishers, entirely he looked up at my departure and smiled. He m kayoedhed the word soon.My group rode backrest in a subdued mood. The urgency was gone, and I think my glum post threw a cloud over e veryone. Seeing Maiwenn and Kiyo had bot here(predicate)d me more than I liked to admit, and Dorianwell, that was another story. For now, I cute nothing more than to cross over to my cause world, throw on pajamas, and watch reasonless TV. Possibly darn eating grump cream.And as our journey continued, ice cream sounded more and more appealing once we crossed back into t he Thorn Land. The sun was sinking, but heat still radiated off the smoothen and rocks. It wouldnt dissipate for another couple hours, and nevertheless at midnight, the temperature probably wouldnt push exhaust below seventy. Id changed back to my boxers and sunglasses before leaving Maiwenns, so over over again, the heat didnt twoer me as much as it did the others. Dorian had claimed my sundress would mystify word on as a fashion trend I wondered if shorts would as well. in that respects a village a clearance, murmured Rurik.I snapped out of my daydreams and followed his gesture. Sure enough, a sm entirely cluster of buildings darkened the horizon. Like my castle, it was something more suited to a knightly British knowledge basescape than the desert. Considering how infrequently I visited my kingdom, this was the initiatory block Id seen outside of the castle. It unnerved me a little, my discomfort growing when I proverb that our road went straight through with(pred icate) the townsfolk. Damned twisting Otherworld. This village hadnt been here on our earlier trip.And for that reason, I knew better than to suggest we go to the highest degree it. With the way this world worked, a slight deviation could toss us into the Rowan Land or add hours onto our trip. Steeling myself, I tightened my grip on the reins, deciding that this place looked small and wouldnt support long to clear.When we entered its outskirts, though, I find something that made me lose my resolve. The road was lined with heap. It was like everyone in the town had fall down out to see us pass through. They s similarlyd along the sides, pure(a) at my party and again flavour like extras from some medieval movie. Except, it mustiness occupy been a low-budget movie. The throngs c hoi polloihes were ragged and dirty, their faces gaunt. Everyone seemed too skinny, even the children and babies held in parental arms.My unease grew as we rode deeper into the heart of the village . I hated crowds and having look upon me. in that location was something discomfiting about this particular group. Their expressions were either solely silent person orwell, terrified. Everything was dead silent.What are they scared of? I utter to Rurik.He gave me an amused glance. You, of course.Me? I squeaked. Glancing at my attire, I tried to forecast how out of place I looked here. Was my foreignness that frightening?Youre their queen. Everyone knows how you slaughtered Aeson-and that isnt a curiously heartwarming tale. Likewise, Storm queen regnants legacy of terror racys on after all these years. Youve inherited it.So, what, they see me as some miscellany of tyrant?He shrugged. Youre their queen, he repeated, as though that explained everything.Id never wanted to be queen. I certainly didnt want to be seen as some kind of tyrant queen either. I didnt want these look upon me, these eyes that all seemed to be filled with apathy, judgment, and a kind of weary defeat. I breathed a sigh of relief when we reached what looked to be the halfway situation. All of a sudden, a existence stepped in front of us, bringing us to a halt.He was an older gentry, tall and gray-haired. He was skinny and clothed only a little better than the rest, though there was an air of dignity and ascendency that made him be thrust out. When he saw he had our attention, he move me a bow so low, his face nearly agreeed the moth-eaten road.To Eugenie, big(p) queen of the Thorn Land, I offer the most mild greetings of your servant, Davros.At least, thats what I think he said. He was bent so low that his words came out muffled. I glanced uneasily at the others in my group, un real what to do. They all remained silent and looked at me expectantly. Oh, sure. They were replete of advice back at Maiwenns, but when it came to peasants groveling in the road? That was apparently all me.Please, um, stand up, I managed at last. Um, Davros.He rose, clasping his pass on in front of him, looking totally overwhelmed that Id used his name.Thank you, your majesty. I am the mayor of this village. language cannot express what an honor it is to get to you among us.Considering what Rurik had that told me about my reputation here, I wasnt entirely sure I believed Davros words. I forced a smile.Thanks. Were just passing through on our way back to the castle.Davros spread his hands wide. I hope, then, that youll consider resting and pickings a brief refreshment in my home.Oh, well, thats actually nice, but-Shaya cleared her throat loudly. I glanced over at her. She gave me a pointed look that gave no question to what she wanted me to do. Grimacing, I glanced back down at poor, groveling Davros. Damn. I wanted nothing more than to get out of the Otherworld right now. I didnt want to stop for teatime. My expression must have looked scary because Davros blanched and lowered his head meekly.I sighed. Wed spang to.Mayor or not, Davros didnt have a very big house. no twithstanding Shaya, Rurik, and I joined him inside, while the rest of my party milled a travel outdoors. From the village, Davros had invited a few other important officials, as well as his wife and 2 grown sons. We sat at a round oak table while his wife served us red drink and something that re wited me of baklava. I sipped only a little of the wine, not wanting to happen dehydration in this weather.I wasnt much better at making conversation here than at Maiwenns, but fortunately, there was no necessity for me to do anything. Davros and his associates kept the talking going, most of the conversation centering on how glad they were that I had come by, what an honor it was to meet me, how they hoped Id call on them if I needed anything, et cetera, et cetera.Which was why it was a bit shocking when Davros wife suddenly asked, But if you would, your majesty, please tell us what it is weve done to insult you. Well do anything at all to make amends and gain your prefer once more . Anything.I almost choked on the honey cake. What do you meandisplease me?The villagers exchanged glances. Well, said Davros at last. There must be something. Youve placed a blight on the trim down, discovery us of our water and food. Surely weve done something to warrant your most sound displeasure.You need only let us know what it is, piped in someone else. We will do anything you require to lift this bloke from us.This was the most amaze thing to happen to me all day-which was saying something. I looked at Shaya and Rurik for economic aid, having no clue how to respond to this. For a moment, I thought they would once again make me fend for myself, until Shaya finally spoke.The residents had built their lives roughly the shape of the land when Aeson ruled it, when it was the Alder Land. When it transformed itself to you, their old ways no longer worked. Their crops dont grow in this weather. The wells have run dry.I stared at her in shock. Never, never had this occurred to me-but then, it wasnt like Id pass a whole lot of time thinking about the Thorn Land. Most of my energy had been spent on figuring out how to avoid it. Studying Shaya, I wondered how long shed known about this. I somehow doubted there was much that went on nearly here that she didnt know about. From the looks of Ruriks averted gaze, it appeared as though hed known about this problem as well. Both knew how hand I got when forced to have it away with any sort of queenly issues. So both had spared me the details while these people suffered.I turned back to Davros. Its not a curseits, I dont know, its just the way the land is. The way I wanted it to be.Astonished looks met me, and I could only imagine what a freak I sounded like. When Aeson had ruled, this land had been green and lush, filled with forests and fertile farmland. Who in their right mind would turn it into a desert? Davros confirmed as much.But this landthis land is impossible to survive in, he said.Not where I come f rom, I told him. This is like the land I grew up in. People live and flourish there.People also had modern ways of bringing in water and shopping for whatever other stuff they cleverness need. And that wasnt even taking air-conditioning into account.How? he asked.I didnt know how to readily answer. I didnt really understand the intimate details of my worlds infrastructure. I turned a spigot and water came out. I went to the grocery store and bought milk and Pop-Tarts. Desperately, I racked my point and tried to pull out elementary school lessons about Arizonas history.Irrigation, I said lamely. Squash, I think. And, um, corn. Had the natives grown corn? Or was I getting confused by stereotypes? Shit. I was so ignorant. The only thing I felt confident of was that Pop-Tarts were not cultivated natively in Arizona. The looks the others gave me told me I wasnt share this situation any.I glanced at Shaya and Rurik, but this time, no help came. The full weight of what Id done started to sink in. mayhap I hadnt wanted this land. Maybe I hadnt intentionally turned it into a mirror of wild Tucson. The point was it was done. The Thorn Land was as it was, and taking in these ragged and sharp-set people, I realized it was all my fault. solely, I had no clue how to congeal it. I was too much a product of modern innovation. There was nothing I could do.Scratch that. There was one thing I could do.I abruptly stood from the table, catching everyone by surprise. As custom dictated, they all hastily scrambled and rose as well. Without explaining myself, I headed outside, back out into the village. Behind me, I could hear Davros babbling something, apparently thinking theyd again caused offense. They probably thought I was about to send lightning bolts from the sky.As it was, that office not have been a bad idea-if I actually had that power. These people could certainly use rain. But one rainstorm wouldnt fix things, and I could precisely do it day after day. Instead, I walked out to the middle of the roadway and came to a halt. My guards straightened up, awaiting my orders, and other residents stopped to see what was happening. Those from Davros gathering soon poured out of the house and joined everyone else.I closed my eyes, opening myself to the world around me. I smelled the clean, fresh scent of the desert and the faint, faint breeze blowing through it. The setting sun warmed my skin. Then, I pushed deeper, reaching out to that which the wizardly within me instinctively bonded to. I felt the minuscule water dehydration in the air, but that wasnt what I wanted. I had to go further. I displace my wizardlyal senses into the ground, seeking water throughout the village. None. I remembered what Shaya had said about wells drying up, which meant the surface wasnt going to yield anything. That meant Id have to go deeper still.There. concealment in the direction wed entered town, I felt a hit. I exposed my eyes and strode toward it, the water ca lling to me. I was vaguely aware of a crowd following me, but I paid them no attention. Only the water was my goal. When I reached the spot, I found that it was just on the towns outmost edge. A mesquite tree grew nearby, which should have been a tip-off. They had deep feelers that penetrated the earth in search of moisture.I too sent my power into the ground, try to summon the water up. There was a lot of dirt in the midst of me and it, and I realized it wouldnt do these people any good in the long term to just suck it to the surface right now. I turned around and found Davros right behind me, face anxious. I pointed to the ground.You guys need to dig here. Right now. Theres water here.He stared at me, let out agape. A moment later, he snapped out of it and turned to those nearest him. You perceive the queen Fetch cut intos immediately. And find anyone who can work with the earth.Earth magic. A smart idea. Gentry didnt have bulldozers or drills, but they did have people who could throw around huge piles of dirt, which was pretty sweet for this kind of thing. Dorian-who was probably the strongest earth user in the Otherworld-could cause earthquakes and level buildings.In minutes, a group had assembled. I tried to take a shovel and help, but that nearly caused Shaya and Davros to have a heart attack. Queens didnt do that kind of work. Instead, I stepped back, watching as the other villagers used magic and manual labor to dig where Id indicated. When the hole grew too deep for shovels, the villages two earth-magic users took over. Even combined, they were nowhere near Dorian in strength, but they in spades sped the process along, kicking up towers of dirt along the sides. Finally, I perceive a great cheer. Everyone else and I crowded to the holes sides, peering down. It was deep in the ground, but muddy water was slowly filling up the bottom.I looked at Davros. Can you guys turn this into a well? I certainly hoped so because I sure as hell had no idea ho w to do it. I imagined it involved stones and a bucket, but maybe that was just my nave fairy-tale images.His head bobbed eagerly. Yes, yes, your majesty. Thank you, your majesty.After that, it was nearly impossible to leave. I was regarded as a miracle worker. I was no longer the tyrant queen. I was their savior, the magnanimous and wonderful monarch who had brought life to their land. I declined their pleas to stay and celebrate but told them Id be back with other ways to save their town. Admittedly, I had no idea what that would entail, but evokeing such(prenominal) a minor detail would have seriously brought down everyones mood.When we were finally mounted up and able to head out, I suddenly felt a tug on my shoe. Surprised, I looked down and saw a middle-aged man gazing up at me. A similarly aged woman stood close beside him.How dare you touch the queen gasped Davros. From his face, it looked like he was seriously afraid I might level the town.I waved him off. Its okay.The ma n whod pulled my leg regarded me pleadingly. Please, your majesty. My wife and I have a boon to ask of youThats a favor or a request, said Rurik helpfully.I know what a boon is, I snapped. I looked back down at the couple, unwilling to make any promises yet. What is it?The man put his arm around the woman. Weve heard that youre both a great warrior and a great magic user.And clearly kind and compassionate, added his wife.And? I asked.And very beautiful and-No, I exclaimed. I mean, whats your boon?Our fille has been taken, the woman said, eyes filling with tears. We beg you to help us get her back.Whoa. That might be a little beyond my reach, I told them. When you say taken, do you mean, like, kidnapped?They both nodded, and I was swept by a strange sense of deja vu. Id first stumbled into this Otherworldly mess when Id been hired in the human world to also find a missing girl. The girl had turned out to be Jasmine, though Id had no clue at the time that she was half-gentry, let unaccompanied my sister. Was my life destined to be filled with missing girls?Davros stepped forward, looking upset and embarrassed. Your majesty, please ignore them for troubling you with something so meaningless. Their daughter was not taken by anyone. She ran off to Highmore with her lover from a neighboring village.I glanced at Shaya and Rurik. Whats Highmore?Really? asked Rurik dryly. I thought you already knew everything.I glared at him.Its a city, said Shaya. The largest in this kingdom.Wait, what? I have cities? I asked, feeling my eyes go wide. The distraught couple interrupted my new revelation.Davros is wrong, the woman said. Our daughter did not run off. She was taken by the bandits who live in the passes.Everyone knows theyre there, added the man. He eyed Davros. Them and their beasts. Even you wont deny their existence. Theyve been there for years, and she isnt the first girl to disappear.I turned to Davros. Is that true?He shifted uncomfortably under my gaze. Well, ye s, your majesty, but such brigands are nothing you need to concern yourself about, just as King Aeson did not.Wait. Aeson knew there were bandits going after you guys and didnt do anything?Such petty concerns were down the stairs him, said Davros. To my astonishment, he seemed to believe that.I dont know, I said slowly. If a monarch doesnt take care of that kind of thing, Im not really sure what theyre supposed to do.Truthfully, I didnt want to deal with this any more than I wanted any other Thorn Land responsibilities. But the mention of Aeson had stirred my blood. Aeson had been a self-serving asshole, and it pissed me off that he would have left these people to fend for themselves. The only thing I wanted less than to be a swayer was to be a ruler like him.Furthermore, the same fury that Jasmines abduction had stirred in me flared up. Maybe it was my own experience with always being chased down by in-your-face men, but I hated the thought of any girl confront rape or abduction . It didnt matter that these were gentry girls and not humans. The principle was the same. Brigands and thieves taking advantage of young girls, of preying on those weaker, had to be stopped.Ill send people to take care of these bandits, I said finally. Behind me, Rurik made a strange sound. But I cant make any guarantees about your daughter.The couples faces lit up, and they drop down to the ground in gratitude. Thank you, your majesty the woman cried.Her husband chimed in. really you are generous and magnanimous and-Yeah, okay, theres no need for that, I said hastily. Or to kneel. Youre going to get all dirty.We had just started to ride away when Shaya leaned toward me. Youve made a lot of promises today.I thought about it. She was right. Id promised to help them get food, rebuild their infrastructure, and rid themselves of those who preyed upon them. Yeah. I guess I did.She gave me a bemused look. And how are you going to accomplish all of this?I glanced around us, noting that t he faces watching us leave town were no longer blank and afraid. They were grateful and adoring. I sighed.That, I told her, is an excellent question.