Luyna was oblivious to her ’daughters’ departure, ignorant of Blakast’s lingering loyalty and blinded to the damage she was inflicting on herself. All she could hear was the pounding of her heart, louder than the storm outside. Rage beat out any other emotions until it consumed her. With a sickening finality, Luyna felt a piercing pain in her chest. Letting out a strangled cry, she fell to the ground. Her vision was blurry so when she looked at her unfamiliar hands, it seemed to be a trick of the senses. When Luyna tried to get up she had no strength in her limbs and found herself trapped within her own body. The Matriarch came forward, knowing the battle was over. Luyna looked a hundred years old, only her yellow eyes revealing it was the same person. Few spectators even noticed Damselfly had stopped singing; the melody lingered in the air and held everyone in a trance.
It was over. Fable was safe.
A forceful gust of wind extinguished all the lights in the castle like a giant hand covering the sky. No one moved until a flash of lightning revealed a cloaked figure retrieving his timepiece from Luyna’s frail grasp. Blakast wailed pathetically by his mistress’s side. While others reignited the lights, it was to find Death gone, Luyna still alive, although barely, and her children, along with the betrayer Rat, missing. Damselfly ran across the hall to be embraced by Kimson and Uriel.
“You did it, sweetheart, you saved us all,” Uriel cried.
Damselfly hugged Uriel, feeling safer than she had in what seemed an eternity. The enormity of what had happened would not set in for some time, yet one thing did reveal the startling consequences of this moment. Holding Uriel close, she felt the baby inside her kick, and the presence of new life beginning became a reality.
Chapter 20 The Beginning of Times
Phoebus the owl flew down the burgeoning River Thane which threaded through green pastures that supplied fresh crops and animals. A new born ewe was taking his first trip to the water’s edge with his mother, learning the risks and rewards that life could bring. Bakka, the great smith, had been working on a fresh series of rivers planned to stretch across Fable. The Garden Gates had been an ingenious feat of engineering, yet their purpose to connect the kingdom had ultimately failed. Now they would be replaced with rivers reminiscent of the days when Bakka’s father had worked as a shipwright at the castle. A spectacular spring was blossoming across Fable. Time was catching up with itself after being on hold for so long. Every day new flowers were blooming, the numbers of animals in the fields were increasing and the dawn was greeted by the song of nesting birds. Phoebus was far too old for chicks of his own, yet he reveled in the joys of spring, flying with an ease that belied his many years. Travelling downriver he came to what had been known as the Wintergarden. Now the snow had thawed, leaving behind a fertile, rich soil that was bringing people back in droves. The small village that Damselfly had visited was becoming a full-scale town with all manner of craftsmen and wares being offered. Many men lived off the woods’ bounty, always careful to respect the Peritwinkle’s territory, of course. Phoebus turned away from the sun, heading towards his personal favourite place in Fable, the Fairiegarden which was a land of small creatures and great beauty. It had been enhanced by the recent arrival of Jinx and his band of Sprites who had been gifted with the ability to fly by Damselfly, before Phoebus himself had removed the magic bell from the princess’s throat. With their new abilities of flight, the Sprites were finally accepted into the Fairiegarden where they continued to wreak havoc and cause mischief to their new neighbours. In every direction except east, Fable was at peace with greater unity than anyone could remember. In Shadowgarden, the Scorj remained entrenched in the past, unable to move forward even after so many years of civil war. Yet time would resolve all such issues. Phoebus knew that things were changing and for the better. Only one thought concerned the wise owl and that related to Luyna’s missing daughters. Coral and Celeste had disappeared from the castle on that fateful night, no doubt guided by the orphan Rat. Any attempt at finding them had failed, and Phoebus guessed they had journeyed into the Lostgarden. A place where all the things one loses over a lifetime end up. Filled with labyrinths and mazes, it was practically impossible to navigate. Should the trio eventually find their way back from the Lostgarden, Phoebus foresaw only danger.
On a beautiful spring day like this, it was difficult to worry about the future. Phoebus headed home, which was now Castle Thrane. The old fortifications had been patched up, banners and flags hung from the towers so there was no longer a feeling of decay. Inside, King Abeldine was throwing a feast for his residents alongside his new queen, the Matriarch. With the return of time, residents of Thronegarden had seen their stores refilled and food was bountiful once more. There was a great deal for the people of Thronegarden to celebrate. The royal wedding was still fresh in their minds with a simple ceremony and a party that had lasted several days. King Abeldine was completely restored after his illness; the
