The Gates of Night_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [81]
“Our journey is over,” Kin said. “Thelania awaits.”
“You must address the queen as her majesty, unless she gives you permission to do otherwise.”
“This isn’t the first time I’ve met a queen, boy.” In truth, Daine had met the young queen of Cyre only once and hadn’t been allowed to speak on that occasion, but he was confident in his ability to handle the situation.
“Perhaps, so, Master Daine. But your companions …”
“Good point. Xu’sasar, don’t say anything. Starting now.”
“You know nothing of the spirits,” the drow girl said. “I—”
“You’ll keep quiet unless I say otherwise, and that’s an order.”
Truth be told, Daine was beginning to warm to the dark elf. Despite her strange habits and unpredictable behavior, there was no faulting her courage. She’d put her life on the line time and again since their arrival in Xen’drik, and she hadn’t hesitated to engage the thorns when Daine needed time to get through the gate. Even now, covered with blood and sap and limping from a leg wound, she refused to acknowledge her pain. He could have used a few like her in Cyre.
“—bath,” Kin was saying.
“What?”
“You cannot see the Queen of Dusk and Shadow in your current state. Upon our arrival, you will be bathed and your wounds tended. Then you will be conducted to the feasting hall.”
Daine looked to Lei.
“And do you give your word that no harm will come to us within these walls, at your hands or any other?” Lei said. “Do you swear that you know of no plots against us?”
“The queen keeps her own council,” Kin replied, “and I cannot promise things beyond my power. But I swear by moon and blood, if any within the castle intend to do you harm I have no knowledge of it. And whatever it is that her majesty wants with you, she is a gracious host. Abide by the laws of hospitality, and she will do the same. If you face danger, it will be beyond the castle walls.”
“Very well.” Lei looked at Daine. “That’s good enough for me.”
They were approaching the shore of the lake. A golden portcullis faced them across the water, but Daine still couldn’t see any signs of a bridge. However, two creatures waited for them by the shore. Horses. A beautiful white destrier with a golden mane and a sleek black stallion with silver. And horns. Each horse had a single horn rising from his forehead. The horn of the white horse was brilliant gold, while the horse with the stars on his back had a horn that glowed like the moon. While Daine had heard of unicorns, he’d never seen one, and he was impressed by the aura of majesty that surrounded these creatures.
“Hail, traveler,” called out the white unicorn, in a voice like a lion’s roar.
“You are expected,” said the black unicorn, its words like velvet wind. “Let the way be opened.”
The unicorns turned and touched their horns to the water. There was motion in the lake, a bar of water rippling from the shore to the castle, and then a pathway rose to the surface, a span of iridescent stone that gleamed in the twilight.
The unicorns stepped back. “Go, honored guests. Destiny awaits.”
Daine glanced at his companions. Pierce was as impassive as always, and Xu’sasar seemed just as calm; of course, having lived all her life in Xen’drik, perhaps this sort of thing was an everyday occurrence for her. Then he looked at Lei, and her smile was brighter than the sun itself. He offered her his arm. “Shall we cross, my lady?”
“Of course, Lord Daine,” Lei said, twining her arm in his. “We shouldn’t keep the queen waiting.”
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Lei said. She took a deep breath, savoring the sweet steam that filled the air. “I’m never leaving this bath.”
Daine sympathized. He hadn’t seen such luxury since his days working for Alina Lorridan Lyrris. The last hour was a blur. He remembered a pair of nymphs massaging his sore