An Angel’s Road to Hell

Cassandra Pendragon

I shouldn’t have come. I really shouldn’t have come. But, by all the saints at the backside door of purgatory, I hadn’t expected to be forced to give a speech in front of the entirety of Free Land, their extended family, friends and pets. Still, despite my refusal, here I was, standing forlornly on one of the lowest branches of Greta’s tree, staring down at a wriggling mass of upturned faces. And I had thought the worst had already been dealt with…

The last hour hadn’t been relaxing, by any stretch of the imagination. First I had had to help Greta deal with and incorporate an alien piece of magic into her own unique structure, then I had been forced to make good on the promise I had given to Rachmahn and last but not least I had released a spitting mad vixen from my room, whose first course of action had been to try and scratch my eyes out. Apparently I had forgotten to include a provision for potty breaks and my sister hadn’t appreciated being locked inside a room without a toilet in sight. But first things first.

As you might have figured, once the dryad had been close to the portals, establishing the initial link hadn’t been that much of a problem. The fun had truly begun when she had tried probing the spells, an endeavour that had come crushing down around her pointy ears as soon as she had encounter my barrier. Consequentially I had been forced to remove it, something I hadn’t been willing to do until she had been in complete control, at least where the gateway to the slave islands had been concerned. An angry mob, riled up by Amon, marching through our streets while I was away was still something I was very much eager to avoid.

As you can imagine, me and her arguing about purely theoretical concepts had been about as peaceful as World War I. Suffice it to say that I was hoarse and sweaty at the end of it and Greta had developed a truly marvellous complexion, somewhere between plum and lobster red. We had still been in one piece, though, and two of the portals had been brimming with her energy, anchored around a solitary, silver spark, which would allow me to feel whenever someone was trying to cross over and, of course, turn their trip into a living nightmare with a rather… compressive ending. I hadn’t entered the chamber below her roots, yet, where the physical representations of her network were growing, but I had still been able to get a taste of what awaited me on the other side of the gate I was supposed to take. It had been the first time I had seen a snowflake in this life and the intricacies of the little thing had fascinated me to no end, until it had melted on my hand. Still, something to look forward to, even though I had to admit I wasn’t very keen on experiencing weather pretty similar to the climate in the underground temple.

Next up had been Rachmahn’s payment. The unfortunate merchant had even offered to return another day when I had greeted him, still huffing and puffing like an enraged bull. Pale and frightened he had hid his son and wife behind his back, his eyes glued to my oscillating wings. Quick like a weasel he had shoved a box of incredibly pure crystals into my arms and turned around on the spot, mumbling something about bad timing. Despite myself I had felt a little guilty, the poor blighter had done nothing but toil away in good faith and he definitely wasn’t the one I had wanted to strangle. In all honesty, it hadn’t even been Greta I had meant to take to the shed, but rather my own lack of patience. I had know for a while now that I wasn’t particularly suited to long and arduously intellectual tasks but my glaring ineptitude, especially in comparison to the dryad, had still rankled me… like an itch I just couldn’t scratch.

Biting my tongue I had apologised and asked them inside, barely able to keep up with the small talk. The closer the moment of departure had come, the more antsy I had felt to finally be gone. Paired with my already sunny mood it had been something akin to adding insult to injury and the suppressed curses I had heard wafting down the stairs in the tree, courtesy of my still imprisoned sister, hadn’t helped much either. To cut a long story short I had done pretty much the same thing I had subjected Faelan and Anna to. As soon as Rachmahn’s and his son’s minds had become connected to the stores of energy within them, they had synchronously passed out and begun snoring on the ground. His wife had looked after them with Greta keeping them company to ensure they wouldn’t wander off, accidentally, of course, once they’d come to.

Which had left me trotting up the stairs like a convict on their way to scaffold. The increasingly sophisticated swear words had been a pretty good indicator of what I had been headed for and my sister hadn’t disappointed, once I had opened the door. That she hadn’t torn off my ears entirely had been about the only saving grace and I had felt like a scolded school girl while she had cursed me through the closed bathroom door. In all fairness, it hadn’t been on purpose. I had simply forgotten the biological necessities I didn’t have to deal with anymore. I mean, holding your water for a few hours couldn’t be that hard, could it? Apparently it could.

I had only managed to shut her up when I had asked her to finally pack her things. Even though she had already begged… ordered Archy and Estrella to do it for her, it had still served to remind her of our trip and, true to her capricious nature, she had quickly gotten over the perceived grievances she had been forced to suffer through. Once her two, by now, black tails had rounded the corner in search of her trusted sidekicks I had meant to take a few minutes to calm down but, of course, my mom had come to inform me that our guest had been arriving. I had only just managed to place a few spells on the crystals, again thanks to Greta’s help, before I had been rushed down the stairs by an overdressed and overeager vixen, I just hadn’t been able to call mother anymore. Attention seeking slave driver, sure, but mom?

Which brings us to where I was now. Nervous and fidgeting while pretty much everyone I had ever met, from dwarven seamen, over Free Land’s remaining Captains and former slaves, to the king of the kitsune and his queen, stared at me expectantly. Even the goddamned god in the body of a raven was down there, his beak opening and closing mockingly. Still, despite our more than rocky history, I was still desperately clinging to the gazes of the few people I actually knew.

Throngs, gaggles… crowds of humans I had never seen before, not to mention exchanging a few words, were down there as well. Some could be easily associated with one group or the other, mainly by their exquisite robes and the colours or even insignia they were wearing, but most had a simply come for the entrainment or in hope of encountering some more free food. I didn’t particularly believe that the overwhelming majority gave even a rat’s ass about my impending departure, unless it came down to a few mumbled words, along the lines of “good riddance”. Good fucking times. Should I start with a joke? Unfortunately I didn’t know any suitable ones. An angel, a demon and a dragon walk into a bar… oh boy, that was never going to work.

“Hello,” I began timidly and immediately paused when I heard the insecurity in my own voice. God damn it, I had danced with dragons and monsters and now I was acting like a schoolgirl on her first day, only because I didn’t like crowds. Get a grip Cassy! I cleared my throat and tried again:

“I’m sure you know me, or at least of me, by now. Much has happened since last you heard my voice. Back then we were still reeling, struggling to cope with the aftermath of magics unknown and unwelcome in every part of the world. But despite the atrocious challenge, we… you prevailed. You’re still here and Free Land is already recuperating, its wounds closing, just like the heinous memories are slowly scarring over. I would love nothing more than to simply celebrate with all of you. You have earned it. You’ve earned your peace, your freedom… and surely a pint or two. Unfortunately I can’t.” I lowered my eyes and waited but no interruption came and I was decently convinced that they were listening, from the youngest toddler to the wizened elders.

“I’m not going to iterate our plans for the future, plans you have been a part of since the very beginning. You know what needs to be done, what we are determined to do to prevent another disastrous attack to bring us to our knees. The future is ours to take but it’s going to be a long and arduous path. But I have faith. Faith in my family, my friends, faith in the place I have come to call home. You will manage, you will prevail, as you have already done before. Of this, I have no doubt. But I won’t be here to see it.” Murmurs rose throughout the crowd but whenever I tried to pinpoint their source all I gained in return were blank stares and nervous shuffling.

“I have to travel north to the Emerald Island. With a little luck I’ll be back before the week has run its course but I can’t say for sure. My brother will act in my stead. Between him and our newest citizens,” I gesticulated towards Quenda, Narros and Sera, who immediately transformed and turned into glowing mountains of silver and gold, towering over the crowd, “I’m sure you’ll be safe, even if our enemy should decide to return. That’s the reason why you’ve been called here. Before the sun has reached its zenith I’m going to leave but until then… sizzling meat and cold brews are begging for your attention. I urge you to let go of your fears and inhibitions and not waste this chance to get to know your neighbours over an early lunch. If there’s anything, anything at all that’s on your mind, approach us, talk to us and you’ll find that we aren’t any different from humans. We bleed, we cry, we laugh and we love, and if there’s one thing I’d like to ask of you for the battles we’ve fought in your name, it’s that you don’t judge us based on what you might believe to know but on what we’ve done, what we’re still going to do. Well, since most of you are already eyeing the cooking pits with more than just a little longing I won’t keep you any longer. I hope I’ll see you all hearty and whole upon my return. Until then, may the ancestors protect you.”

I nimbly jumped off my branch without waiting for a reply or unfurling my wings, the drop not nearly enough to over exert my strengthened muscles. Once the rushing wind had died down in my ears I flinched as a cacophonous avalanche of sound rolled over me. For a split second I crouched, ready to defend myself and my family, but when my overstimulated mind caught up with my senses I realised it was applause. The people of Free Land were clapping, for whatever reason, even going so far as to shout their thanks and farewells and not a single one abstained. Some might have succumbed to the pressure of everyone joining in but the majority was genuinely cheering. I hoped.

“Not bad,” my mom mumbled as she engulfed me in her frail arms. “I couldn’t have done much better.”

“But a little?” She shrugged.

“Probably. You did well in reminding them of what they’ve already lived through but I wouldn’t have painted such a bleak picture of the future. For people to function properly they need the reassurance that it’s going to get better. They don’t need sunshine and rainbows but the knowledge that every single day the blood and sweat they’ve shed matter and serve to build a brighter tomorrow. Also, I don’t think it has been wise to remind them of how different we actually are. They’re already starting to accept us, why point out and maybe exacerbate a problem that’s already in the process of being solved?”

“You’re right,” I grumbled, “but if you hadn’t put me on the spot or at least had told me what I was in for I wouldn’t have had to make something up on the fly. Why didn’t you?”

“Honestly? I thought you’d know. You can’t be that blind.”

“I’m not, despite my moaning I do know what I am to the people of Free Land, but I simply don’t have the luxury to keep it in mind all the time and honestly, neither do I want to.”

“Want has very little to do with it, but I didn’t nag either, did I? I know you have more than enough on your plate.” She surprised me with another hug before she added in a whisper: “I do think, however, that you should prioritise how you’re seen by others. Ignoring that particular aspect has cost you your life before, hasn’t it?”

“That’s low,” I mumbled without any real heat while I breathed in her scent, “but not wrong.” She squeezed me tightly before she let go and smirked.

“Of course not, I’m never wrong and, lucky for you, always prepared to share my wisdom with my children.”

“Speaking of which, you’re going to keep an eye on Mordred while I’m gone, won’t you?”

“No, I’m going to let him run headfirst into every wall he can find. It’s always fun to watch you or your brothers nurse your injuries. What do you take me for? Helping him is the only reason why I’m not lining up behind Reia to join you. I’d love to see the home of the elves for myself and I also think you could use my help in acquiring a few resources. You do know that they’re the ones who can mine flying stones, don’t you? Still, what we’re doing here is more important.”

“If everything goes as planned you’ll be able to go shopping there soon enough.”

“When does everything we do ever go according to plan? On a related note, are you going to take the enchanted chest with you?” I shook my head.

“I thought about it but you’re going to need the coin more dearly than me. I’ll leave it with my brother or you.”

“Give it to your brother. If he has to make decisions, he’ll need the money. Now, I know there are throngs of people you want to talk to before you go, but I’d quite like for Mordred, Arthur, Sylvia, Reia, you and me to have a few moments before you depart. Think you can manage?”

“Hopefully. There aren’t that many… oh, whom am I kidding. I’ll be lucky if I can keep my wits together after saying goodbye to Xorlosh and his lads.”

“I thought you couldn’t get drunk?”

“If I don’t want to. Today, though…” she smacked the back of my head lightly. Sort of.

“That’s exactly what I mean. The dwarfs might appreciate it but the rest…”

“Fine,” I interrupted her, while I massage the throbbing spot. “No boozing. Are we done with the instructions now? I’d like to start my rounds, otherwise I’ll be stuck here until well past nightfall.”

“Mostly. One more thing. Could you do me a favour and offer Faelan and Anna, you know, Asra’s former slaves, the opportunity to accompany you?”

“Where’s this coming from?”

“A few conversations. They try to hide it but they’re lost. I don’t think they can find their way back without a change of scenery. Even Liz is holding up much better than those two.”

“Why is this the first time I’m ever hearing any of this?” She eyed me almost pitifully.

“Cassy, you’re more intimidating than Sera and you’re… well, despite my best efforts you’re more of a warrior than a leader and it shows. Nobody would want to show their weakness in front of you.”

“Right. How come I’m always the one holding them when they cry, then?”

“How come they never return afterwards? You’re… do you remember the Glen of Solitude?” I nodded. It had been a place back on Boseiju where kitsune had gone to confess their worries.

“That’s who you are… most people come to you to realise what ails them, but not to heal.”