“That’s enough,” Sampson said softly. He met Jo’s startled eyes. “I believe in you. I believe you can get the bow back.”
Jo knew better; blind faith on its own wasn’t enough. But in that moment, with his faith in her, she too believed that it would be as simple as they all said. She too believed that the world still had a fighting chance.
Chapter 23
Unconventional Transport
“It cannot be denied that your time here has been . . . a hindrance on my kingdom.” The king addressed Jo and the rest of her team—but mostly Jo. The royal family, as well as what must have been nearly two dozen royal guards, were there to see them off—the king’s way of offering the last word before wiping his hands of the whole affair, Jo assumed.
Following the infiltration of his palace, the king had been all too eager to send them away. Now, they stood just outside of two large gates which led to the elvish carriage deck, and their ticket out of High Luana. While it had been explained to her in some detail, Jo had yet to fully comprehend what that ticket was.
“We appreciate all of your help,” Jo said, instead of the multitude of sarcastic comments she wished to impart. Even if their help had been begrudging, the High Luanian royal family had stuck their necks out for them. “I’ll do my best to make sure it isn’t wasted.”
“I trust you will,” he sniffed, as if to say,Better see to it that you do.Jo barely managed to hold back her sigh, taking the king’s words as their final interaction, motioning for Wayne, Takako, and Samson to follow her towards the gate.
“Before you depart—” The king’s words cut her off mid-stride, and Jo looked over her shoulder at him with an eyebrow raised. He looked as indifferent as ever, though the corner of his lip twitched as if in protest of what he was about to say. “High Luana recognizes the risk you are taking on its behalf, on behalf of this world, should you be believed. As such, we also wish to allow our Grand Healer to accompany you. As an act of good faith.”
At that, Jo actually turned to face them all in surprise. It had been touch and go as to whether or not Eslar was planning on joining them. On the one hand, he’d offered the assistance they’d requested, albeit with unfortunate results, and Jo could see him choosing then to stay behind, to be with his people and separate himself for good from all lingering memories of the Society—to leave the rest up to fate. But on the other hand, Jo could see him being reluctant to let Samson walk into imminent danger without him, even if he had the rest of the team to back him up.
When Eslar walked up to them, however, personal effects in hand, it was a wonder Jo had ever thought he’d stay behind at all.
“Wasn’t sure we’d ever see you again, Doc,” Wayne smirked, clapping Eslar on the arm, though the elf seemed none too pleased by the casual contact.
“Yes, well,” Eslar sniffed, tightening the strap of his bag across his chest. “You came all this way to acquire my help. Who’s to say, when situations get difficult, you won’t require it once more? I’m simply cutting the burden of travel off at the pass, especially since my king has most graciously given you a fliorth as transport.”
Jo bowed her head to hide the grin threatening to take over her face. It was obvious in the way he situated himself next to Samson and in the looks they shared that his reasons had nothing to do with logical efficiency. His real motivations were far simpler. And more selfish.
Not that Jo blamed him. Though she did resist pointing out the irony of him almost outright criticizing her for the same thing when it came to Snow.
“I’m glad you’re coming,” Jo said. Even with their hardships and differences, they were part of the same team. They all wanted to see this danger come to an end. Pan was their problem to solve—allof them.
“I promise to take good care of your Grand Healer, King Silvus,” Samson spoke up, to the unmasked shock of everyone present, including Eslar. In fact, if Jo didn’t know any better, she could have sworn she saw a slight tint darkening the elf’s cheeks. Samson had saidI, notwe, and Jo had no doubt it was not by accident.
The king cleared his throat and made a motion toward one of his guards, clearly unsure what, if anything, would be a fitting response.
“To account for outside variables, we’ve arranged for a day’s worth of supplies for your trip as well as travel arrangements,” one of the king’s royal guard spoke up at last, everyone gathering up their personal effects to follow him to the gated entryway. “When you arrive at the Aristonian capitol, there will be representatives of High Luana there for a final customs check. They have already informed me that the Aristonian Crown has permitted your visit.” The last three words were said with a twinge of suspicion, but the guard continued. “From then on, we will consider interactions between our Kingdom and your group at an end.”
Jo held back a shudder at the mere mention of customs following their last interaction, choosing instead to offer the king one final bow.
“Fair enough, your highness.” Then, straightening her back and squaring her shoulders, she added, “Should this plan of ours succeed, know that you will have placed yourself in the favor of King Snow himself.”
King Silvus did no more than raise an eyebrow at the proclamation, but Jo could see genuine intrigue behind his eyes. Despite her feelings toward the elvish king, Jo figured she may as well try her hand at diplomacy—so she didn’t make things worse for Snow, at the very least, when everything ended. That was the note she left on, finally making her way towards the gate that led out toward their departure platform.
The carriage deck was massive, taking up the entire rooftop of one of the largest castle-towers. She imagined it to be at least the diameter of one of the super aircraft carriers from her time. In a way, it reminded Jo of a gigantic helicopter pad, though instead of any aerial methods of transport she might have expected in this world (planes, airships, maybe even dragons), it was filled with what appeared to be grand and spacious-looking carriages.
Each had a different color scheme, but adhered to a very particular design—swirls of metal arching in patterns along the roof and doors. In a way, they almost reminded Jo of the storybook depictions of Cinderella’s carriage she’d seen as a girl. Most seemed to be empty, mechanics and maintenance workers bustling about and fine tuning. But one, a ways down the dock, was currently in the process of being hooked to the creature that would actually bear the burden of transporting them across a continent and an ocean.
The beast was twice the size of the carriage in both length and width, its back stretching in a long, spiked slope that extended a good few feet above the carriage’s elegant rooftop. Its build reminded Jo of a lion, feline in body and face, but sturdier and with a muscular girth that seemed almost elephantine. Along with leathery, black skin and long, translucent wings, it had bright blue scales shifting along the length of its back and legs. At first, Jo assumed it was armor, but the closer they got, the more she could see its organic makeup. Add that to the large, opalescent claws and the protruding fangs, and it was truly an intimidating sight.
This beast was clearly an evolutionary predator playing at being domesticated in the way it regarded the elves checking its hookups . . . and the way the elves warily regarded it right back. Jo wondered what type of symbiotic relationship had to form to make such an unlikely alliance possible.
“Right this way, please.” One of the elves on the carriage deck stepped forward to escort them over to the beast and carriage. This elf was wearing a long robe with buttons fashioned down both sides, a hat perched atop his head in matching accents of blue and green. Either he was their bellboy or the captain, Jo couldn’t be sure. “Please leave any large belongings here and we’ll have them stowed for you,” he said, pulling a level that lowered a large panel from the bottom of the carriage. “I would like to stress that under no circumstances should you leave your carriage at any point in the flight. A fliroth has never failed to bring its passengers safely to their destination.”
They finally reached the carriage and, as if knowing they had been speaking about it, the beast turned and its nostrils flared, as if getting in a long smell of them. Jo hoped it didn’t think they smelled good, because its claws were even larger up close. “Now, if you please. . .” The man pulled open the door to the carriage, pulling out a stair from within for them to ascend.
“Well this is . . . something,” Wayne mumbled under his breath as he placed his briefcase on the floor by his seat.
The inside was as elaborate as the outside, designed in a way that resembled a fancy, ovular train car. Small couches were set up along the side walls on either side with tables in between. Lamps hung above the long sweep of curtained windows, casting the car in a warm, orange glow. A spread of drinks and snacks were stacked at the far end on the top of what appeared to be a well-stocked bar. She should have been accustomed to the opulence after spending nearly two weeks with the elves, but Jo couldn’t help suddenly feeling kind of. . . under dressed.
