The Spade Chronicles Book 0: Eagles Rising
Home Away From Home

The next morning I woke to Belladonna hopping onto the bed and licking my face.

“Are you up Allie?”

I groaned, she was a lot heavier than the cute puppy I picked up in the forest. I sat up and pet her head.

“Yes Belladonna, I’m up.”

“Good, because the other Eagles want to see you in the map room. And Robin said if I got you there in ten minutes he’d give me a muffin.” She bounced off the bed and circled me as I walked to the vanity. I heard a faint rustling of feathers and knew Kyrie must have returned late in the night, which made me glad I had left the window open for her, despite the chill. I put my hair in a braided bun and dressed in black and blue silks. It was a simple blue dress over black leggings. The holiday had finally began, and I decided I would dress to the occasion a bit. In five minutes I was out the door and on my way to map room, Kyrie my shoulder and Belladonna in tow.

I greeted everyone with a smile.

“Hello everyone, what are we here to discuss?” I asked, and Atalanta cleared her throat.

“Allie, I have to say something, and I don’t think you’ll like it, but I truly think it’s for the best.” She was nervous, and I had yet to see Atalanta to express even a shred of anxiety over the short course of our friendship. To see her put something off made a pit form in my stomach.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“I called this meeting to discuss,” She took a breath, “to discuss the matter of you staying in Ivaline over the break.” She finished in a rush, as though in a hurry to get those words out. I felt a pang in my chest.

“What? Why?”

“It’s just,” She continued, “you were just captured, and I doubt the Vipers will let you go that easily.” Daedalus rose to back her up.

“She’s right, Allie. I know you were looking forward to seeing your family, but it’s just too dangerous right now.” As much as I hated to admit it, I knew they were right. Before I could get too upset however, Kennedia had and idea.

“Why don’t you come with my family Allie? It’ll be fun I promise and there’s plenty of room for you.” Robin nodded his agreement.

“Not to mention the fact that it would mean you two could stay together. More than that, I could tag along as well.”

I didn’t like it, but I agreed, I couldn’t argue with their logic, as much as I might not want to.

Besides, I can’t remember the last time I had a friend who invited me to their home.

A half hour later, after marking the location of the Viper camp and arranging for Hawthorn and Ash to keep tabs on it in our absence, we were riding a carriage down the mountain together. Once we reached Lailoria we stopped for a quick breakfast at Ebony’s before we headed to the stables. Eagle Bastion provided transport for all the students visiting their families. I was given a black draft horse named Peppermint that was a towering 19 hands high.

“Blades, I’ve never seen such a tall horse.” Daedalus whistled as he mounted his own steed, a dappled grey mountain horse. On foot he was ten inches taller than me, but I found on horseback that I looked down on him. Despite my disappointment on not being able to see my mother, i enjoyed my new perspective as we headed down the mountain. We went through a hidden path that went through the Forest of Trials. A trip that took me three days lasted only one. Of course it didn’t hurt that this time we knew the way and we were on horseback, which meant we didn’t need to stop to rest as often. We stopped to have dinner in the Valley of Avalon, where they were just setting up the tents. We spent the night there while Atalanta and Daedalus waited for their transport to the Tower of Ivaline the next morning. After breakfast Kennedia and I met up with Robin and we bade Atalanta and Daedalus goodbye.

“Have fun at Heart Allie!” Daedalus said when he pulled me into a hug.

“Think of it as an opportunity to see more of Ivaline.” Atalanta said when she held me at arm’s length. I mounted Peppermint and waved them farewell as I followed Kennedia and Robin east.

The trail to Heart was a smooth one that followed a river through a smaller valley, the path one wide enough that we rode side by side. Gazing at the gently flowing waters, I was reminded of the river I almost died crossing.

“Hey guys, remember the river we had to cross to get to Spade?” I asked, and they both nodded.

“When I came up to it I searched for a spot that was shallow enough to wade through, it took me a couple of hours, but I got across okay.” Kennedia said, and I stiffened, realizing that probably would have been a better approach than climbing a tree.

“That’s what I should have done!” Robin exclaimed. “I just went upstream of my destination and swam with the current. It took me hours to get dry.” He turned to me, making me feel even more a fool for having a worse idea than his. In my defense climbing trees had been the answer to most of my problems for the past year.

“How’d you do it Allie? I heard that part of the Forest Of Trials’ purpose is to test the bravery of the candidate.” I looked down at Peppermint’s mane for a moment before reluctantly answering.

“I may, or may not, have climbed one of the oak trees and jumped from it’s branch to a tree on the other side of the river.” I explained a bit sheepishly. They were silent for a moment.

“Blades Allie, what goes on in that head of yours where that was the first solution that came to mind?” Kennedia asked, incredulous, and for the next of the trip we exchanged Trial stories. I went last, and it turns out they didn’t face nearly as many dangers as I did.

“We may have been safer, but it sounds like you made it through the forest in record time.” Kennedia mused.

“Congratulations Allie, you must be the bravest idiot Ivaline has ever seen!” Robin teased, and I playfully swatted at his head, which on Peppermint was easier than ever. We came across a meadow, across where we were riding was a city enclosed by a heart shaped gate.

“I’ll race you to the gate!” Robin exclaimed, and urged his horse into a gallop. I took off across the bright green grass, flying through the quiet pastures to the Gate of Heart.

Whereas the Spade castle was deep within our territory, the Heart capital was right there to greet us as we led our horses through the gate. We made our way through the bustling streets quickly enough, the pedestrians giving us a wide berth. Kennedia took the lead, guiding us to the outskirts of the city where houses dotted the surrounding hills.

The Amaryllis residence was atop one such hill, a scattered compound of little buildings surrounding a central garden, although there were no enclosing walls. Robin lived in a similar, albeit smaller, compound at the base of the hill closer to the bustling city. When we approached the compound, I was shocked by the amount of children running around the garden. When we dismounted, two little boys came running up to Kennedia and wrapping their arms around her legs.

She bent down and gave them each a hug before tying up her palomino. As she was busy with that they ran to embrace Robin. He laughed and ruffled their hair. I dismounted last, and was caught completely off guard when they hopped into my arms as well. I set them down a moment later and they scurried off without another word. Kennedia and Robin laughed.

“Clearly you haven’t been around many Hearts.” Robin pointed out.

“Those were my brothers, Anthony and Jack. Aren’t they the cutest?” I followed her to a building that was larger than the others, which turned out to be the kitchen. Inside was the kitchen and dining room. There was a tall, elegant woman covered in flour by the oven. She had Kennedia’s olive skin and warm brown eyes. She turned greet us.

“Hello dears! I see the Winds have guided you here safely. Oh, you’ve grown so much!” She gave Kennedia and Robin a tight hug. Then she turned to me, and I half expected to get a hug too, and was a bit disappointed when I didn’t. She took my hands in hers.

“I’m Wisteria, who might you be?” She asked with a smile, and Kennedia answered before I could open my mouth to speak.

“Mom, this is Allie, I told her she could stay here for the holidays. She won’t be able to see hers this year.” Immediately I could see her eyes soften and that’s when I got my hug.

Hours later we were all gathered around the dinner table eating a meal of fruits and the bread that Wisteria had made earlier that day. I sat between Anthony and Jack. Wisteria was asking all about our time at Spade as I munched on an apple.

“Have you found your magic talents yet?” She asked, and Kennedia answered first.

“I can control the winds, and some of the Guild members made me some chimes to practice on, so I’ve had a lot of help.” She said excitedly.

“I have a knack for healing, and I have been visiting Galen, one of the palace physicians, and he’s been giving me tips.” Added Robin.

“You’ve both got wonderful talents! I know you’ll use them well.” Cooed Wisteria before she turned to me. “What can you do, love?”

“I make weapons.” I said, feeling a bit out of place. Wisteria looked taken aback a bit before her enthusiasm returned full force.

“That’s remarkable! I’m sure you’ll make a Spade known through the ages!” She said right as two girls stepped through the doorway, one appeared to be a few years older than Robin, and the other was a toddler resting in her arms.

“Allie, may I introduce my two daughters, Ash and Wren.” Wisteria said as they came to sit at the table.

“Hello all,” called Ash, the eldest, “It was a great day at the nursery, we just got a shipment of these beautiful white roses.” The dinner conversation continued long after everyone was full. It was refreshing to be a part of such a lively meal. Even when my dad was alive, family dinners were a rarity.

That night I slept in one of the smaller buildings that used to belong to Kennedia’s uncle before he moved into the city. The walls were painted as a continuous mural of a forest, with creatures and birds in the trees. I couldn’t help but think of the night’s I spent in the Forest of Trials. I was surprised to replace this comparison soothing as I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning after a breakfast of bread and jam, Kennedia and Robin took me out to the wood.

“The Forest of Trials is made to look dark to test the courage of those who enter, but in actuality many of the forests in Ivaline are bright places if you know where to look.” Kennedia explained as she lead her horse onto a trail until we moved in single file, Kennedia leading the way and I taking up the rear. Unlike the one into Heart, this trail was small and I found myself having to duck several times to avoid colliding with the overhead branches.

“We used to play here all day when we were kids.” Kennedia whispered nostalgically. I could see why.

The pond was a natural wonder shrouded by the surrounding trees. There were vibrant blooms of every color circling the water. It seems that someone had taken advantage of this lake for themselves at one point, because a stone path had been laid down in the pond to create a path to the center, where there was a tiny island big enough for a round table and benches. It was on this island where we had lunch. We unpacked cheese and tomato sandwiches and a variety of cookies.

We munched and talked the afternoon away, and it wasn’t until we were in bed once again that disaster struck.

It was my dragon that woke me, and I saw three cloaked figures trying to pick the lock on my door. I leapt out of bed, startling awake both Belladonna and Kyrie.

“Stay back.” I called, forming my halberd in an instant. As soon as the door opened, I swung it around in a wide arc, causing most of them to leap backward. One however, wasn’t quite fast enough, and got a gash in their chest. I rolled out of the doorway and away from the hostiles, coming to stand behind them. I slashed at their ankles, and they both the two remaining fell down with shrieks of pain. I didn’t have much time to relax, because a moment later I saw Kennedia’s door burst open, a massive figure carrying her away. I ran in their direction, not wanting to throw my halberd or knives in case I hit her on mistake. I was too late, and I watched helplessly as Kennedia was thrown onto the back of a stallion and carried off out of the clearing. I dashed back to my room where Kyrie and Belladonna were waiting.

“What’s going on?” Kyrie asked.

“Not more running, I hope,” moaned Belladonna, “I did not enjoy that stunt across the meadow one bit.”

“Kennedia is in trouble. Wake Robin and the others.” I said as I ran across the compound where Peppermint was wide awake, startled by the skirmish between myself and my would be abductors. I mounted him in an instant and was running after them in a heartbeat.

They were headed towards the woods, they wound their way through the trees and up to the surrounding mountains. When they finally came to a halt they were approaching a small camp set up in a clearing.

I dismounted and crept through up into a tree to gain a better vantage point. I watched as they tied Kennedia to a stake in the ground, trying her best to stay awake but dozing off nonetheless, weary from the rough ride there. They left her outside as they went to their tents. Kyrie landed on my shoulder.

“I did a quick look around, it seems that there isn’t any other camps nearby, so there won’t be any reinforcements to speak of.” She said, “There is, however, a wolf pack a bit north of here.” She spoke, and I got an idea. A stupid, risky idea, but an idea nonetheless.

I rode back towards the house, running into Robin on the way.

“Is she hurt? Where is she? What are we going to do?” Robin grilled as soon as I caught his eye, a look of absolute rage on his face. For a moment I thought he would just go after them blades blazing, but was mildly surprised to replace he waited for my input first.

“Relax, she’s alive and, from what I can tell, unhurt. I have a plan, but I’ll need your help.”

I told what I had in mind.

“Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?! Who’s to say they will even listen to us?”

“Well if they don’t. We can come up with another plan.” I pointed out, and got a sigh of irritation in response. So we made our way around the camp as stealthily as we could on foot, and went north until we entered into what Kyrie informed me was the wolf pack’s meeting ground.

“Hello,” I called, “my friend and I would like to speak with the pack leader.” For a moment we stood there in silence. Then, just as we were about to give up, wolves materialized, melting from the shadows like water until we were surrounded. One of the bulkier wolves stalked toward me, ghosting over the ground without a sound.

“Why have you came here?” He growled in a low, authoritative voice.

“My name is Allie, and I’ve come to you for help.” I said, looking to the Alpha.

“What do you want of us?” He asked again, and I told him about Kennedia and her capture.

“What would these Vipers, as you say, want to do with a human pup?” He inquired, but his tone was softer than it had been a moment ago. It almost seemed that he felt sorry for Kennedia, but he gave nothing away for certain. I explained to him their plan and my abduction a few nights before. The Alpha let out a breath.

“Pup, I wish I could help you, but I cannot endanger my pack, I cannot order my wolves to attack humans for a human girl we barely know.” He said, turning away, and I hurriedly explained to him that I did not want him to attack anyone, I just needed a distraction to occupy the Vipers while I freed Kennedia. Upon hearing this, the Alpha agreed, and we came up with the final touches of the plan. It was slow work, getting everyone into position without alerting the Vipers to our presence, but we managed to set up undetected. An hour before dawn, we were ready to make our move.

Robin and I had walked back to the tree I had climbed earlier that night and waited. Kennedia was still in the same position outside, but she had fallen asleep and the guard had changed. After a while, Kyrie had landed on a nearby branch, not making a sound.

“The wolves are in position.” She reported, and I gave her the okay to give the signal.

She cawed thrice into the night, and the wolves rushed from the trees, wreaking havoc throughout the camp. The guard gave out a cry of alarm, and more Vipers came running out of their tents mere seconds before they could be stampeded by the pack. I dropped to the ground while Robin covered me. Kennedia was now wide awake and struggling against her restraints. I tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention, knife ready to cut her binds.

“Hold still so I can get you out.” I said, and she obliged. Within seconds she was free and we led her to where we had tied our horses and made off into the night.

We went back to the pack’s territory to meet up with the Alpha and thank him for his generous assistance.

“Nonsense pup,” He laughed, “I’ll admit that was more fun than I have had in ages, if you ever need help again, little Spade, you know where to replace us. Should you need to call upon other packs, tell them that you are a friend of River from the Heart pack, and they may be more inclined to help you.” As he finished, he turned and bounded off into the night, and we rode back to our beds.

We woke late that morning, skipping breakfast entirely, only rising at Wisteria’s insistence that we eat lunch. As we filled our empty stomachs, we were interrogated by Wisteria.

“Imagine my surprise when I’m awoken by my daughter’s boyfriend hysterically claiming that my daughter was stolen from her bed before he makes himself scarce? There better be a good explanation for all of this or you can replace your own dinner tonight!” Robin was the one to explain to her what we had been up to at Spade and I filled in the events of last night.

“So let me get this straight,” Wisteria said, “You three are part of an organization of your own creation founded with the purpose of counteracting a group of cretins geared towards an international war.”

“Yes,” I confirmed.

“And you plan to accomplish this is by turning your fellow students into an unexpected task force against the attack planned for the Festival of Colors.”

“That’s right,” replied Robin.

“Your method for achieving this is by organizing weekly school-wide sleepovers at which students can train and plan for the anticipated attack.”

“That’s pretty much it, yeah,” Kennedia affirmed. Wisteria looked at each of us in turn.

“You Spades are a strange group of teenagers, I’ll give you that.”

When the week came to a close we prepared for our return to Eagle Bastion. The day of our departure Wisteria had made us a of feast cakes and pastries to send us off that afternoon.

“I want you to know I’m proud of what you are doing and that if you ever need a place to stay, you have a home here.” While she meant it for all of us, I had a feeling that she directed it at me, and I never felt as welcomed as I did as I hugging her goodbye.