A Power of Old(35)

My father’s old warning came back to haunt me.

The dead remain to whisper in the trees, boy—never venture into the Dauoa or you’ll come back a half-creature, more demon than man.

The Dauoa had been forbidden to me and all the other children of Hellswan when I was younger. I had once, as a dare, approached its edges in broad daylight. Just standing there, staring into the gloom of the forest, I had felt as if I was being watched—as if the trees themselves were alive, their shadows and the thickets of their branches concealing whatever dark secrets the forest held inside.

It’s just stories—fairytales and stories…

I wouldn’t let fear get the better of me like Hadalix, and I wouldn’t expose my weakness to the other champions or the ministers. I would find a way to survive this even if it felt like I was stepping into a death trap.

“If there are no further interruptions, we will fly to the Dauoa. Your ministers are welcome to join you, but you alone will be going into the forest.”

With one last glare in Hadalix’s direction, the minister turned on his heel and rejoined the rest of his ancient clan.

“An interesting location.” Lithan sidled up to me. “They’re certainly creative with their trials. I can’t help but wonder if this is personally for your benefit, your highness.”

“What do you mean?” I snapped.

He gave me a sickly smile.

“Just that. Perhaps they think you will back out—it looked like Hadalix was about to.”

“Are you calling me a coward, Lithan?” I asked, more out of curiosity than actual anger. I knew I wasn’t a coward, so if Lithan’s comments were intended to strike a nerve, then they had failed.

“Not at all, your highness.”

He’d managed to say ‘your highness’ like it was a slur. I turned away from him, ready to return to my vulture. Lithan’s behavior was odd, even for him. If he wanted to continue working in the Hellswan ministry he had a funny way of showing it…which made me think that he had other plans.

Good.

I wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. But I also wanted to know where he’d be going. Lithan had been privy to a lot of Hellswan’s secrets—both the emperor and Tejus had kept him close by at all times. If he was planning to become advisor at another kingdom—say, the Seraq kingdom—then something would need to be done.

Not caring whether Lithan and Qentos joined me or not, I jumped on my bird, ready to take flight.

We all flew up, hovering for a few moments around the pavilion, waiting for the Impartial Ministers to take the lead. The Dauoa forest was vast, entirely covering the northern lands of Nevertide. Not a single sentry lived there, nor was the forest ever used for timber supplies or hunting—as a result its geography remained a mystery to most of Nevertide’s inhabitants.

The Impartial Ministers formed a ‘v’-shaped flock and began to soar off. I followed with the rest, keeping my pace steady. I needed to have a moment alone—everything was happening so fast. It was only just starting to hit me that I’d been crowned this morning. Was I about to be the shortest-reigning monarch Hellswan ever had?



We touched down at the forest border, landing at the edge of a vast, dried-out field of yellowing grass. Tall and imposing Okadale trees guarded the entrance. They looked ancient, and it occurred to me that whatever creatures were in that forest, they would be far older than any of us.

Even the vultures seemed jumpy. Many were squawking erratically, and shuffling back from where the trees’ shadows cast the grass in gloom. The Impartial Ministers gathered together a few yards in front of the forest’s edge, waiting impatiently for us to approach.

“Come, come!” one of them yelled, tapping on the ground with a gnarled wooden walking stick. I walked over. There wasn’t any point in trying to delay the inevitable—we would be going into the forest whether I liked it or not.

“For centuries the emperors of Nevertide have descended to the Dauoa Forest to test their mettle against the most feared land in these kingdoms. Those who have returned usually find that there is little to truly fear other than fear itself—that beasts are beasts, wherever they may live. The courage and self-belief that you will find on completion of this task will carry you through your rule, should you succeed.”

My eyebrows rose in surprise. For the Impartial Ministers, that speech was almost encouraging, and I wondered if their words belied the dangers that we would face.

“In the forest, there are four replicas of the emperor’s scepter. The scepter signifies the emperor as a leader of his people, fashioned in the likeness of the shepherd’s staff that the first emperor of Nevertide carried. You may use your powers freely once you enter, and there are no rules of engagement…but let me advise you this, those who turn on one another in the Dauoa never quite leave the spirit of the forest behind.”