Before Hope Fades

“Why are they taking so long?” Leyade cried, raking her hands through her hair.

“This is normal,” the blue-haired fairy began calmly. “They have to consider your account and the witnesses’ testimony. If there is more than one witness, they must confer, discuss the evidence and decide what to report to the queen. Then the queen will consider it, reach a verdict and determine the consequences.”

The fairy swung her legs, which dangled above the ground because of her small stature, as she watched Leyade pace like a caged lion.

“Yes, yes, I know that,” Leyade replied, turning to look at her without stopping. “But usually, if the deliberations take a long time, it means things are complicated. And if things are complicated, there’s a problem. And if there’s a problem, it’s going to end badly. And if it ends badly, I won’t be able to leave. And that would be the best-case scenario, of course…”

Her words grew increasingly frantic as she spiralled through an endless series of disastrous possibilities.

The fairy took a sip from a wooden cup she had retrieved from her backpack and filled with the infusion. She lowered her gaze to it for a few moments, then looked at Leyade and offered it to her without a word.

The elf glanced at her, took the cup and drained it in one gulp. When the fairy took it back, she wiped the rim with a cloth before drinking again.

“You should try to calm down,” she advised, holding the cup in both little hands. “Getting worked up won’t make them finish any sooner.”

Leyade made another circuit of the bench before collapsing against it, this time kneeling behind it with her body draped over the seat and her arms dangling down the front.

“I know…” she mumbled. “But I can’t stand this waiting!”

The minutes passed, and still no one came.

As the sun threatened to set, the ivy forming the wall began to unravel, and a beautiful red dragonfly appeared.

Leyade, who had been studying some lovely flowers near a tree, sprang to her feet at the sight of the insect.

“Neila!” she exclaimed eagerly.

The dragonfly looped through the air to catch her attention. Then she flew close enough to brush Leyade’s shoulder with her wings before returning to the opening through which she had appeared.

“It seems the time has come,” the blue-haired fairy remarked, watching the messenger.

“So it seems…” Leyade replied on a long breath.

She turned back to the fairy.

“Will I see you later?”

The fairy shook her head.

“If all goes well, you shouldn’t.”

“What a shame. I’d grown used to our long conversations at mealtimes.”

Leyade’s sarcasm was obvious, but the fairy seemed to think nothing of it.

“If it doesn’t go well, I’ll see you at the usual time,” she added as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

“I like you, but I’d rather that didn’t happen…” the elf confessed with a small laugh.

“I understand.”

The fairy nodded.

“Anyway, thank you for looking after me, even when I lost my head.”

The young elf smiled and bowed.

The blue-haired fairy watched her for a moment, looking slightly puzzled, but eventually returned the gesture with an inclination of her head, still seated on the bench.

“That is my job. But you’re welcome, I suppose,” she said, tilting her head.

Leyade waved before setting off after the dragonfly, who was flitting about impatiently.

“Well, it’s been a pleasure…”

She looked at the fairy with a mischievous smile, making a small gesture with her hand to invite her to finish the sentence.

The fairy regarded her impassively. Then, realising Leyade would not leave until she spoke, she sighed and supplied the missing name.

“Thalindra.”

“It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Thalindra. Thanks to you, I’ll have something good to remember from all this.”

Leyade smiled before following the dragonfly, leaving Thalindra sitting exactly as she had found her, like a doll a little girl had seated for a tea party.

She was too far away to be certain, and perhaps her exhaustion was playing tricks on her, but she could have sworn a faint smile had appeared on that doll’s porcelain face.

The dragonfly flew faster this time, swooping between branches and making tight turns around the trunks. Leyade followed nimbly, but her uncertainty grew heavier with every step.

What had they decided? Had Kiany appeared at the last moment? Would they finally let her go?

With those questions circling in her mind and her heart racing, she reached the imposing place where the trial had taken place.

Neila flew across it and hovered in the middle of the circle, marking where the elf was meant to stand.

“Welcome, Leyade,” the queen greeted her as she came to a halt inside the magical circle a few moments later.

“Your Majesty…”

The young elf bowed, then reached towards Neila and gently stroked her head with one finger.

“Thank you for guiding me.”

The dragonfly fluttered, seemingly pleased, before darting away to settle on Queen Elira’s crown.

“We apologise for keeping you waiting,” the queen said from her throne with a smile.

Leyade shook her head. Cold sweat was gathering on her palms and running down her back again. She could feel the trembling threatening to take hold of her, and her lungs were beginning to demand more air than she seemed able to draw in with her heart beating so fast.

The queen watched her for a few moments before continuing.

“I would not wish to prolong your distress unnecessarily, so allow me to begin.”

Her voice was calm, but then the queen always seemed to speak that way. Unfortunately, it gave Leyade no clue as to what was coming.

“The Council and I have reached a decision.”

The queen looked towards her councillors, who nodded in agreement.

The elf nodded too, unable to utter a word. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, and each word sent an unsettling chill down her spine.

“Very well. Before I explain our decision concerning your intrusion into the territory of the dryad named Maviran, I imagine you must be wondering how you came to be here after what happened, rather than being killed. Is that right?”

Leyade listened closely. In truth, with everything that had happened since, she had barely had time to think about it.

“Now that we have deliberated and heard all the testimony, I can explain. When you entered Liarieth’s territory, which includes Maviran’s domain, we sensed your presence and sent someone to watch you. However, when we saw that Maviran was taking the defence of her territory too far, we decided to intervene. She had the right to defend it against an intruder, but not to decide for herself that you should die. That is why we brought you before the Council, so that what happened could be properly judged.”

Queen Elira spoke calmly.

Leyade nodded slowly. At least she now understood how she had ended up in a dungeon rather than in an actual hell.

“As for your intrusion, we have decided that no severe action will be taken,” the queen continued. “Having heard your testimony, we understand that you entered that territory because you were unfamiliar with Kalneria. Nevertheless, Maviran would prefer that you stay out of her domain for the time being.”

The queen paused briefly before continuing.

“For her part, Maviran will not be required to compensate you for driving you from her territory. The Council recognises her right to defend her domain against your intrusion. However, that right did not justify taking the confrontation so far as to attempt to end your life. That is precisely why we intervened before it was too late.”

Leyade sighed and nodded, a little relieved. At least that matter seemed to have reached a satisfactory conclusion. In truth, it was not her greatest concern; she was determined to apologise to Maviran for what had happened.

“Now, let us turn to the matter of the sword.”

The queen looked at her councillors, then back at Leyade.

“We believe your account. You are sincere, and we are certain that you did not steal the sword. However, the fact that you are telling the truth does not mean we can be certain that the person who gave it to you was really Kiany. It is possible that someone deceived you, taking advantage of your desperation and your wish to save your village. For that reason, the Council has decided to confiscate the sword and send you home.”

At those words, Leyade’s legs began to give way, forcing her to take a step forwards to keep from falling.

“However, I consider that too cruel. That is why I have reached a different decision.”

The queen paused. Leyade was already on the verge of tears, but a glimmer of hope appeared in her expression.

“My decision is this: we shall erase your memory and send you to the human lands near here. There, you may find someone who can deal with whatever is attacking your village.”

Leyade blinked in disbelief.

“You’ll erase my memory?” she asked, her voice breaking. “And the sword? In that case… could I take it with me?”

She knew the answer, but perhaps this new decision might change things.

“I’m afraid not, Leyade.”

Queen Elira shook her head.

Leyade’s legs gave way completely, and tears spilled down her cheeks. The Council fell silent. Only her sobs could be heard.

“I am sorry to give you such an unwelcome answer, Leyade, but without Kiany here, or some proof of her involvement, we cannot allow you to take the sword.”

The queen tried to explain the reasons behind the ruling.

“You may speak, if you wish.”

Leyade struggled to her feet. Her wrists were still shackled. She wiped her tears away furiously and looked at them with determination.

“Yes, I would like to say something, Your Majesty.”

She took a few steps forwards to stand in the centre of the Circle of Truth.

“I understand your decision, but I will not accept it without an appeal. The fact that I cannot prove why I was given the sword is no reason to take it from me—to take away my chance to save my village. What does it matter who gave it to me, or why, or how, if I did nothing wrong to obtain it?”

Leyade spoke with conviction. The words came from her heart. They were what she felt, not what she thought she ought to say.

“My village is in danger. Dark spirits are destroying the surrounding land. Why won’t you let me save my people from that danger? I understand that they are far away, that they are not your people, and that none of this concerns you directly. But I cannot believe you are so cruel and unfeeling that you would simply look away.”

Her tears continued to fall, but she did not take her eyes off the Council.

“I don’t know why Kiany gave me that sword. I don’t know why she trusted me, and I cannot prove it without her here. But I know what I have to do. My village is in danger, and I cannot return empty-handed. Not after everything that has happened. I cannot give up now.”

The Council remained silent.

Leyade was breathing hard. She had said all she could. She had no more evidence to offer, no prepared arguments left. All she could do now was wait.

Then an unfamiliar voice broke the silence.

A young half-elf appeared unexpectedly, prompting an immediate reaction from those present.

Confused, frustrated, angry and utterly at a loss, Leyade stared at him.

“What is going on?” she demanded. “Can we please focus on the matter at hand?”

She turned back to the queen.

“Will you please give me the sword? Every minute I spend here makes it more likely that someone will die! I’m begging you!”

The young man looked her up and down with one eyebrow raised.

“You must be Leyade,” he said, tilting his head.

“I don’t know who you are, but whatever you want, say it or do it quickly.”

Leyade folded her arms.

“In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in the middle of a trial with lives at stake.”

She snapped at him, struggling to resist the urge to hit him.

“What a temper,” the half-elf replied, raising his hands to chest height in a calming gesture. “You should be careful how you speak to me.”

He lowered his voice and narrowed his eyes.

“What makes you so sure I’m not a member of the Council?”

The elf looked him up and down and snorted in frustration.

“Please don’t take me for a fool. This is not the time.”

Leyade narrowed her eyes, offended.

“You’re late, the guards are trying to stop you, and you haven’t taken part in the deliberations,” she began to list. “Not to mention the way two members of the Council reacted to you.”

With that, she turned her attention back to the queen.

The queen sighed with a smile.

“My apologies, Leyade. Silas has a habit of appearing without warning at the most inconvenient moments…”

She gave him a disapproving look.

“What do you want, Silas?”

“Well, although this young lady…”

He gestured towards Leyade with two fingers.

“…and the distinguished members of the Council may not believe it, I have come to contribute to the trial.”

His manner grew more serious as he finished.

Leyade stared at him in disbelief. Selwen clicked her tongue, as though something had fallen into place; Caelumir watched him with interest; Eldrin settled into his seat expectantly, and Fayla rested her head on her folded arms, peering at him over them.

“You have something to contribute to the trial, Silas?” the queen asked.

The half-elf nodded firmly as Elindra descended to perch on his shoulder.

“That is correct, Your Majesty,” said Elindra, the purple faerie dragon, in a sweet, gentle voice. “We have come as witnesses on behalf of Leyade Tíanladastra.”

“Kiany sent us,” Silas revealed at last, his tone serious and formal.