I lean in closer as he speaks again. “From what I’ve discovered, the path to the Oracle isn’t always straight. Nor is it always there.”
My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “What do you mean it isn’t always there?”
Tilner continues. “When I arrived here, I couldn’t help myself from interviewing several of the soldiers your father sent to find the Oracle. Some of them could see the pathway and some of them couldn’t. And even the ones who could see the pathway remember facing certain . . . challenges along the way, but none of them could recall what they were. And none of those men were able to find the Oracle.”
I exhale. “So you’re saying we won’t be able to find her?”
He shrugs. “There are cases where she’s been found, but I’ve been unable to find any links between those accounts. And none of them detail how she was found.”
Royce sighs. “That’s not a lot to go on.”
I tightly wrap my arms across my chest. He’s right. It’s not a lot to go on. But as I stare at the mangled bodies around us, I wonder what choice we have. “It might be the best option we have,” I say. “She could tell us what Dionysus wants and how to stop him.”
“That sounds like a terrible plan,” Hettie exclaims. “You’re just going to roam around the mountains and hope you stumble across her cave? What happens if you get lost or get eaten by some creature? What if Dionysus shows up while you’re gone?”
I rub my temples. I don’t want to leave the palace so defenseless, but how much worse will it be if we’re not ready with a way to defeat Dionysus when he does show up? “Hopefully Dionysus won’t attack if I’m not here, and hopefully the Oracle can tell us what he’s after.”
“That’s if you even find her, remember,” Hettie groans.
“Why don’t you stay here with Rhat and my father and work on plans to fortify the palace in case Dionysus does show up, while Royce and I look for the Oracle? Either we’ll find a way to get to Dionysus first or be ready when he comes.” Plus, I wanted her here in case Lord Lucar tried anything.
“Fine,” Hettie says. “But don’t blame me when you get eaten.”
Tilner nods. “I can continue my search for other options while you try to find the Oracle.” He stares off into space as though he’s already mentally preparing a list of books to read.
“Thank you, Tilner.” I gaze out the window again.
The sun sits low in the sky, not even close to midday. For some reason, I expected it to be higher. But it’s only been a few hours or so since I woke up, even if it feels like years. My consolation is that it’s still early enough to make it to the mountain today. Because I can’t risk Dionysus sending anyone else to attack the palace once he realizes his plan failed.
“We’ll leave immediately,” I say.
Leaving my father and Tilner to see to the cleanup of the main hall, I hurry to change.
My new maid, Kattrina, helps me into a pair of light trousers and a dark shirt. I pull on a hooded cloak and short, thick gloves. At least I’d had enough foresight to have traveling clothes made after my last adventure.
“Are you nervous?” Kattrina asks after I tell her about our quest. “I’ve heard oracles can be unpredictable.”
I nod. But it’s not just nerves. As much as the thought of seeking her out makes my stomach turn, I’m more afraid she won’t be able to help us. And every moment we go without answers is another moment the kingdom is in danger, a danger my powers can’t protect it from.
I only hope my powers will help us in the mountains, because who knows what we’ll face up there. I don’t like going in without knowing what we’ll encounter or without any sort of map to prevent us from becoming lost in the mountains forever.
Prince Ikkin had written that you should never go into battle without first knowing the lay of the land, so you know not only the conditions but also where the enemy may hide, waiting to ambush you.
His journal didn’t say anything about when you were already at war. And Dionysus had brought the battle to my front gate—no, through my front gate and straight into the main hall, where bodies lay still warm from life.
Royce and I would just have to be prepared for anything—because I had no idea what beasts we’d encounter if we didn’t get answers from the Oracle.
Then again, what will we encounter if we do?
By the time I join Royce in the courtyard, he’s already mounted his horse. I stare up at the horse the stable master chose for me. It’s a dark mare slightly smaller than Royce’s mount. I approach it slowly.
Animals don’t always have the best reaction to my skin.
The mare stomps her hoof but doesn’t run away, and I let her sniff my gloved hand for a few moments before I mount. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a horse, and it takes me a few moments to gain my balance. I’m not even sure what happened to my previous horse. I’d stopped riding her the day my skin turned to gold ten years ago.
I notice with the smallest bit of relief that Royce doesn’t look as comfortable on his horse as he does at the helm of his ship, so at least I’m not alone in my fears.
No one has come to see us off. But I do spot Kattrina waving from my balcony as Royce urges his stallion forward.
We speed out through the town. Faces whirl by. I keep my head down, hood pulled tight. Eventually the clatter of hooves on stone fades into the thick thud of hooves against packed dirt as we leave the city behind. Green fields surround us.
Butterflies with yellow-and-red-striped wings dance above tall, swaying grass. Small white flowers with faded pink centers grow in patches along the edge of the road. A hawk soars over us, casting a momentary shadow amidst the sunshine. In the distance, a sea of trees creates a moat around the great mountains.
I’d stop to enjoy the beauty if the kingdom wasn’t at risk.
Royce falls in next to me as we ride toward the thick copse of trees that swallows the road.
I’m thankful for the protection from the sun as the canopy swallows us. I wish I could let down my hood and release all the heat that’s built up.
But I know better than that.
Last time my hood came off, Royce’s superstitious crew tried to throw me overboard, and then I was chased by pirates on the Island of Lost Souls when they saw my golden skin. No, I didn’t have positive experiences whenever I took my hood off outside the palace.
I’m called back into the present by a bird calling out. Everything else is still. Sunlight flits between the trees, making the shadows dance and come alive—and making it impossible to see what they hide. The dark shapes reach out to me before curling back inward like a crooked finger beckoning me closer. I tighten my grip on my reins and look away.
The quietness of the woods suffocates me. I feel if I don’t break the silence, I’ll start convincing myself there’s something in the bushes.
I move my horse closer to Royce’s.
“I’ve never been this close to the mountains,” I say.
Royce smiles. “Me neither.”
“I hope we find some answers.” I sigh. “If we don’t, I’ll be dethroned before I make it back to the palace.”
“No, you won’t.” He moves his horse so it is a hand’s breadth from mine.