The Bridge Between Worlds
Chapter Fifteen

Regina was glad to have Kalib as her personal guard. She felt comforted knowing he was nearby, especially when she had an audience with Eadward or the other Council members. The Council was not very pleased, as she had anticipated. Regina had to calculate her every move. Every thought and action. Her suspicions increased with every passing hour. More and more, the Council would wander off to speak in private. What they spoke of never reached her ears. Unless she specifically requested to know about it. Which would never happen.

In the early morning, Regina would walk the path which led to the very top of the mountain. She would close her eyes and listen to the sounds of nature. The leaves in the tree branches rustled as strong winds disturbed them. The birds sang to their mates. The elk bellowed to their young as they grazed. Even with the coming danger, the animals were a peace. But they were alert, as Regina was also alert.

“You wandering alone defeats the purpose of me being here.”

She turned and smiled as Kalib joined her.

“Have you heard anything from your contact?” she asked, tugging her dark purple cloak tighter against the rising winds.

“No,” he replied, sighing. “But fret not. You have my word, I will bring you to the Tree.”

“At least I know your word is trustworthy. Eadward and the others have given me less and less reason to trust them. In choosing to protect the people, my involvement has shown the people that I have claim to the throne. The Council had wanted to postpone my introduction ball. But I believe the time for waiting is long passed. I am done with their games and extensive lessons.”

Regina paused to take a breath, catching the pensive expression on Kalib’s face.

“What?” she whispered, her cheeks burning with mild embarrassment.

“Nothing,” was his reply as he shook his head. But not without a kind smile.

* * *

Regina took up residence on a chair outside her tent. Safe enough she could hide inside, but she still had full view of Mount Horsrath. Kalib was just a few feet away. His sword was sheathed, attached to the belt around his waist. Every so often, he would glance at their surroundings. He was so calm, collected. Kalib was alert and aware of everything happening around them. When he thought Regina wasn’t looking, he’d look her way. And her heart would stop.

The mountain was rumbling again. The urge to see the Tree again grew stronger. Regina held her tongue about the possible journey with Kalib, keeping the knowledge to herself. She kept this from Freydra as well. The less who knew, the better.

“Your highness.”

Regina turned her gaze away from the mountain to Eadward, Adis and Galisa. She thought it was strange the brothers and the sisters were separate. They always went in pairs.

“Lord Eadward,” Regina said, tilting her head to one side. “Goodness, you do not look like you’ve been sleeping. Are you well?”

“I am quite well. Not the purpose of this audience. Princess Regina, the Anerathians have sent their best warlock and the royal mage. You approved of this without the advice of your council. I do not believe this was a wise decision.”

“On the contrary,” she replied, rising to her feet. “I believe this decision was certainly wise and the best for the kingdom. One must never be too proud to ask for help from an ally. To be frank, Eadward; it would have been wrong if I have not asked the Anerathians for their help. I am grateful they sent aid at all. If you thought to ask them to come, I would have been grateful for such sound advice.”

Regina was being snarky. She knew what she was doing. In Eadward’s eyes, her own pride was rising beyond his control. Beyond the Council’s control.

“Furthermore,” she went on, smiling at Adis and Galisa. “Without the help of the Anerathians, we won’t have any success in stopping this disaster.”

She turned her attention to the people approaching behind them. She smiled when she saw her aunt, and the warlock known as Arcano. She dismissed the Council and went to explain the situation.

“What lies on the other side of the mountain?” asked Arcano, motioning to the mountain path.

“A coast of unoccupied lands,” Regina replied. “I was given a map of the are. You can take a look, if you need.”

“Actually, yes,” her aunt nodded. “Arcano and I would appreciate a map.”

Regina nodded and led them to the table within her tent. She proceeded to explain the location, her thoughts on how to divert the flow of lava when the eruption happened.

“I do not suspect any wildlife on the other side,” she said, pointing to the mark she had made on the map. “My thought was to create a barrier strong enough to hold off the lava and force it toward the sea. It would be a risk, but one worth taking.”

Regina’s eyes flickered to Freydra. The girl was straightening the covers of her mattress. She glanced at Kalib. He nodded and produce a small paper from the pocket of his jacket. He handed it to Aunt Glint as Regina walked over to her servant.

“Are you feeling well?” she asked, placing her hand on the girl’s shoulder and turning her away from the exchange. “I must say, Freydra, you look quite pale.”

“I am well,” the girl replied, clearing her throat. “Quite well. You needn’t worry.”

From the corner of her eye, Regina saw Kalib signal her with the flick of his hand.

“I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your hard work,” she said, smiling as she moved her hand from Freydra’s shoulder. “And I do know it is your duty, and you are glad to do it. But you must take care of yourself as well. Why not take the rest of the day off? Kalib is with me, as are the other guards. I should be fine until evening. Go bathe in the river. The water has been quite refreshing.”

The girl’s eyes grew wide. They was hesitation in them, but she relented after further insisting. When the servant was gone, Regina rejoined Kalib and the others.

“That should give us enough time,” said Kalib, nodding to Regina’s aunt. “We’d best leave now.”

Aunt Glint nodded and turned to the entrance of the tent. Regina hadn’t seen her use her powers, abilities, yet. She was curious to see her aunt’s strengths.

“We will need to move quickly,” she said, glancing over her shoulder as she extended her hands. While her left remained still, her right hand moved in a simple, circular motion. A crackling sound filled the air. In front of Regina’s aunt, the view of the tent entryway dissolved into a swirl of orange. Regina moved closer as the swirls expanded and opened in such a way it framed a perfect painting of where they would be going.

Regina smiled when she saw the Tree. It was just like she remembered.

“After you lead, my dear,” said her aunt, her hands still working to keep the portal open.

She nodded, motioning for Kalib to follow. And she stepped through the magical doorway.

* * *

A wave of unexpected relief came over Regina as she hastened to the Tree of Wanderers. She looked around, hoping to see the Keeper. But she was nowhere to be seen.

“Hello?” she called out, glancing all around. “Annabel?”

Regina looked to Kalib, who turned her in the direction opposite of the Tree. Approaching was a young woman in a white gown. She wore a white cloak over her shoulders, but the hood was down. In her left hand was a tall staff, with a long, silver cord wrapped around the center of the handle.

“Princess Regina,” said the Keeper, lowering her head in a gentle bow. “Daughter of Bortælus and heiress to the Xiphis throne. You and your company are welcome.”

Regina didn’t know how to respond. She resorted to nodding, dipping into a slight curtsy.

“I have been expecting you,” the Keeper went on, holding the staff into front of her body, placing both hands on the woven cord. “You come in search of wisdom. A great calamity is at hand, yes?”

“Yes,” Regina replied, clasping her hands together. “I have yet to truly understand the great gifts bestowed upon me. Passed down from my grandparents. Though I know I have the strength to prevent this disaster, I need to know my plan of action is the correct path.”

The Keeper smiled and drew closer.

“Regina, you are stronger and wiser than anyone will believe. You would not have chosen this path if you felt it was wrong. For you to come here is confirmation, my lady. The Tree has many branches. The branch with bearing your name is the strongest I’ve seen. Your heart is as pure as they come. Be at peace and you shall do well.”

She moved closer still, touching Regina’s forehead with the tips of her fingers. Regina closed her eyes as a white light nearly blinded her. She waited and when she opened her eyes again, she found herself back in her tent. Kalib, her aunt and Arcano were with her.

“Was that all?” Kalib asked, clearly confused.

But before she could answer, the ground began to shake.

“Come,” Regina said, hurrying out of the tent and toward the foot of the mountain. She came to a stop at the start of the path. Horsrath was rumbling and groaning. She stooped and placed her palm to the ground.

“The time is very near. Arcano, I need you and Lady Twileigh to create the barrier. It must surround and stretch around the entire mountain. When you sense the edge touching the shores, extend it into the waters. Kalib, you will come with me.”

“Your highness.”

Regina stood and turned to the approaching Council, joined by an armada.

“The Council will join as well,” she went on, squaring her shoulders. “The army is to remain here. No one else is to move beyond the barrier.”

“This is madness,” said Galisa with a disapproving shake of her head. “Do you wish to leave Xiphis without any ruler, at all?”

“At the very least,” Regina replied, “the people will be safe. Horsrath will erupt. But she will rest peacefully after this. We will live to see another day.”

She glanced at her aunt, who smiled and nodded.

“If there are no more complaints.”

She gazed at each Council member. None rebutted her words. With a satisfied smile, Regina led the troupe up the path. Kalib remained in stride with her steps.

“What is my part in this?” he asked in a voice only she could hear. “I stand by you, no matter what. I just . . .”

“You also have a part to play,” Regina replied, clenching her hand into a fist as she hoped to keep herself from reaching for his hand. “I will explain on the mountaintop.”

* * *

Reaching the top of the mountain, Regina rolled her shoulders as she unfurled her wings. She exhaled and smiled at Kalib. He also unfurled his wings. It was the first time she’d seen what they looked like. They were silver with a blue hue.

“What?” he chuckled, shaking his head.

“Nothing,” she replied, shrugging. “My dear Council.”

She turned to the consultants. Not much to her surprise, the sisters grumbled and rolled their eyes. Adis and Arthos had a similar reaction.

“This is what I wish for you to do,” Regina explained, clapping her hands together as she stood before them. “Each of you will stand in proportioned distance at the circumference of the mountain’s mouth. I am still unaware of your abilities, but I must assume they will be perfect for what you are about to do.”

“Which is what, princess?” asked Eadward, rolling his neck with his eyes.

She sighed, “I want you to create a second barrier. The barrier at the foot of the mountain is a fail-safe. Which means, yes, we are the martyrs. Time is of the essence. If we do not end this here, there will be no hope left.”

As Regina said this, she extended her hands to her sides and flew upward. Kalib followed suit as she scanned the mouth of the lava pit. She flicked her fingers, envisioning an invisible sphere in her palm. A sphere of fire formed, but not in her palm. It was a few feet away from her hand. She took a deep breath. As she exhaled, she sent the fireball to where she wanted the Council to stand. One after another. Fireball after fireball fell to the ground in the perfect position.

“Council members,” she said, raising her voice above the rising winds. “Take you places. It is beginning.”

The mountain’s rumble intensified as the lava grew hotter, and bubbled higher. Regina watched as the Five went into position. She nodded to Kalib, extending her hand to him.

“Your turn,” she said with a smile. “I know you have it in you to back me up. I just need you to give me a shove. The tiniest boost.”

Kalib took her hand. She gasped as the strange sensation of electricity coursed through her body.

* * *

“Put up the barrier!” Regina shouted down to the Council.

Lava spewed from the mouth. Smoke filled the air. Stones broke from the ground and flew like rockets. The ground trembled. If the barrier was not conjured soon, it would be solely up to Kalib to force the magma in the direction Regina was hoping to push it. However, she felt relief when she saw Eadward spread out his arms. The other members followed suit and the glimmering field rose halfway around the mouth.

“Kalib,” Regina turned to her guard. “I need to create a path for the lava to follow down to the sea. Your job is to take care of any stray spills.”

He nodded and lowered so he was beneath her, on the opposite side of the volcano’s mouth. Regina glided down to the place she was hoping to guide the magma. The sea raged below. Despite its beauty, the ocean was terrifying. She had never been a fan. Open water was too scary for her, but she loved looking at it.

Smoke and ash spewed. Lava boiled and finally rose to the brim.

It was beginning.

Regina’s heart pounded in her chest. What if they couldn’t stop this. What if all the effort was in vain? She looked to Kalib. His gaze met hers. He smiled, and all her courage was restored. She briefly remembered her words to Victoria. About how she didn’t want to distract herself from reaching the goals she had set to herself. She was beginning to believe she wouldn’t be distracted. If anything were to build between them from this moment forward, she would welcome it.

Power surged through her. The tingling sensation passed through her veins. From the soles of her feet. All the way to the palms of her hands. Regina exhaled as she moved into position. Right above the volcano’ Heat from the lava surrounded her. The temperature alone should have killed upon contact. But then she felt the faintest breeze as it jostled the hem of her cloak.

Kalib.

Regina closed her eyes. She listened to the sounds of the earth. The rumble of the mountain grew louder still. The birds cawed in distress. She could hear the soft drumming of four-legged creatures as they ran for the live. She then listened to the gentle whisper of the people of the land. They were so far away, yet Regina could hear their gentle cries. The world was scared.

“You won’t be scared after today,” she whispered to the air as tears filled her eyes.

The lava was beginning to spill out now. The barrier created by the Council was holding. Kalib sent a wave of air around her. Keeping her cloak from burning. The rubber-band of power stretched as she gathered it all to her chest. And then she released it. She threw her arms forward. Forging a deeper path down the mountain for the lava to move down peacefully.

“Hold your positions!” she called out.

She could feel the magma fighting to make a path of its own. Regina didn’t know how long it would take for Mount Horsrath to complete the erupting process. She could feel her strength depleting. The strain was becoming too much. But she remained firm. Focused on the task at hand.

Regina closed her eyes. Letting her senses and instincts take full control. The tingling sensation grew more intense. Sweat dripped down her forehead. Her wings felt weak. Her arms were tired. She didn’t stop pulsing her power. She would not give up so easily.

It felt like hours had gone by. Gentle hands wrapped around her waist. A kind, sweet voice in her ear.

“Regina,” it said. “You can stop now.”

“The people,” she whispered, shaking her head while keeping her eyes closed. “I need to protect the people.”

“Your people are safe. You’ve saved them.”

Her body sagged in relief and she collapsed into the arms which held her.