Ajo: Chapter Two

It was Galeia's charge to care for the squire.

For a time she lost the right to walk the woods freely. Instead of swinging through the trees she was bound to the castle, tasked with someone to care for.

She didn't refuse or argue against it, but spent her days and evenings dutifully tending to the human in his bed, feeding him every meal, cleaning and dressing his wounds, and making sure he was comfortable.

It was an odd thing for Ajo to see her in such a gentle capacity, for she was still a child, but when it came to the squire she was as careful as a mother, showing maturity Ajo had never known her to possess.

Galeia was convinced the human would hate her, and the stronger the squire grew, the more Galeia feared his vengeance would rear its head. She did not voice her concern to anyone except Ajo, and told him that she would accept whatever fate the squire deemed appropriate.

But the squire never spoke cruelly to her. In fact, his face lit up in her presence, and he looked at the girl with tender love.

Ajo watched their meetings, ever suspicious of both their intentions, and he was always surprised to find nothing but friendship growing between them.

Galeia was changed by the human's mercy.

When anyone in court snickered or gossiped about the squire within earshot of the princess, she was quick to reprimand them. She protected his reputation as fiercely as a dragon guarded its last jewel.

"Why don't you hate me?" she once asked him while spooning broth into his mouth. "After what I did...you should be angry."

"Aye, but then I'd deny myself the joy of knowin' a lovely princess."

"I'm not a real princess," Galeia admitted. "Mother found me in the woods."

"I know that. Queen told me all about ye, Galeia."

"What did she tell you?"

"That ye were a special thing, but needed a bit o' lookin' after. Like all children. But Her Majesty said ye had a spark o' powerful wildness runnin' through yer veins!"

Galeia's eyes fell to the floor. "I'm wicked."

To her surprise, the squire reached out and touched her cheek.

"Yer not wicked. Yer jus' learnin'."

"How can you be kind to me? After I—"

"Suppose I hope it'll serve as a reminder to ye, tha' some vengeance requires more hesitation and thought first."

Galeia winced.

"And I hope the little princess will try to think of me as her friend," the squire added with a smile.

"Do you think of me as your friend?" Galeia asked.

"I do. First one I have in court, too."

Galeia returned his smile.

"Ye know," the squire continued, "I had a child of me own once."

"I didn't know that."

"She was taken from me, oh, not long after she learned words."

"Why?"

"Debts must be paid, and the towns always made sure folks had plenty of 'em to spare—debts, that is. So when winter came and I had nothin' to survive on, I had to make a choice. Sent her off to some place, and was promised she'd never know hunger or cold. I thought I'd be allowed to see her, but..." He shook his head. "It was better than watching her starve."

"Did you see her again?"

"Once. She was older, but I knew it were her. I'll know her face, no matter how old she gets, no matter the number of wrinkles. I know my child. But she...she looked at me like I was a stranger. She didn't remember. Tha's when I knew everything had been taken from me. Knew I had to leave the towns. I had no future there, 'cause me future didn't even know her own da. And if she's alive—" His voice cracked and he cleared his throat. "I keep a whisper o' dreams she's capable of staying that way. That she's as strong as ye."

There was a whimpering and Ajo realized it had come from Galeia.

"It's all right," the squire said. "I get to have me own adventures now, don't I?"

"Yes," Galeia squeaked.

"If a certain wild girl don't see to poisoning me first."

He winked and Galeia laughed.

"I don't believe she will," Galeia said.

"Guess humans aren't all bad, eh?"

***

"Do you have these feelings often?"

Ajo was committing the ultimate sin by spying on the Queen and Galeia in a private moment. He didn't understand why such a thing had tempted him, but he seized the opportunity all the same.

"Not often," Galeia answered the Queen. "But when it's there...it's hard to stop it."

"What does it feel like?"

"It tells me things...it tells me to be bad. Sometimes I want to hurt something—or someone."

"What do you do?"

"I tell it 'no'."

"Good."

"But the feeling gets so loud. I would do anything to stop it."

"And how do you stop it?"

"I...I have to find something."

"Like what?"

"Trees, mostly. I feel horrible after but...I hurt them, mother."

"And now you've hurt a human."

Galeia began to cry. Ajo couldn't remember the last time, if ever, he heard her do so.

"You told me they were dangerous."

"All life is precious, Galeia. Even the dangerous ones." The Queen pulled her daughter into her arms. "You're afraid one day you'll hurt someone you love?"

"I know I will."

It was an ominous statement, but Galeia's voice held no threat, just a painful truth.

"There are times when the feeling isn't there at all, but I still do something bad, even when I mean to do good. I get carried away, and then...I call to something. And it calls back. Every time."

"I see."

"Am I wicked?"

"You were born from darkness, my child, so it is a part of you. But not the whole. The daughter I found in the woods was not a monster. You were lost, and perhaps you remain so. We have to find a way to bring you home."

"How?"

"You must become more steadfast in your lessons, for one. The things I teach you are not just rules and expectations, they are ways to help you. You have powerful magic, and you must learn the proper ways to channel it. You must learn to choose kindness. The most important thing now is that you try to control these urges and emotions. But that does not mean ignoring them. We will find ways for you to release what's inside and channel it to something productive, something good."

"Like what?"

Galeia's tears had stopped but her face was painted with worry.

"When you feel these thoughts rising, do not run and hide, but come to me. If I am not close by, go to Ajo."

"What can Ajo do?"

"He is a child of light, Galeia. Not only your equal, he is the temperance to your passionate nature. His calm and caution meet your ferocity like water to fire."

"But...what if I hurt him?"

"Ajo is more capable of handling himself than you think."

"Temperance," Galeia echoed. "What am I to him?"

"You are the boldness that gives him courage. Together, you are balance itself."

"But I—"

"What you should concern yourself with now is controlling those dark urges. I will help you. Ajo will help you, too. But we cannot do that if you run from us and destroy trees in secret."

"I understand."

"How is your squire faring?"

"Very well."

"And does he hate you? Has he made claims to seek revenge for what you've done?"

"No. He says I'm his friend."

"Unexpected kindness from a human. It's a rare gift, Galeia. Do not squander it."

"I won't. I promise."

"He seems quite healthy now, and I don't believe he'll need any more caring for." The Queen noticed Galeia's frown. "Does that upset you?"

"I like talking to him."

"Who said that had to stop? And now that your patient is no longer in need of you, I grant you freedom to return to the woods."

"Really?"

"Yes, but that freedom comes with an order to be careful. Go on now, and find Isolam to play. He's missed you."

The Queen kissed the top of her head and the child scurried away. When Galeia was out of sight the Queen turned towards the corner where Ajo was hidden.

"You can come out," she said to her son.

Ajo slipped into the light with his head lowered in guilt.

"How did you know I was here?"

"A mother's instinct. My words to Galeia bear as much importance for you. Did you hear them?"

"I did."

"The health of the human was Galeia's charge, but yours will be something far more important. To pull Galeia towards light. Can you do it?"

The question stunned Ajo. The Queen was placing a great honor upon her son.

"I...I think so."

"But do you want it?"

"Yes, of course."

The Queen nodded. "Do you know why I charged Galeia with the human's care?"

"To punish her?"

"I needed to know that she possessed the capacity for good. For Galeia, it's easy to hurt. She had to be shown the result of it. She needed to see what she had done, and what she almost cost the world."

"And...she did good, didn't she?"

When the Queen replied there was an edge to her tone. It hinted at something sinister, a secret that uneased her.

"She did. And Galeia will never know that she didn't save one life, but two."

***

Galeia was a little older, with forest green hair that trailed behind her in waves.

She was running, now much more graceful in her movement, but she was far behind the magnificent buck that galloped ahead.

"Isolam! Wait for me!"

They were heading to a familiar tree in the distance, but this time Isolam reached it before his friend, and he had already lowered his head to munch on grass when Galeia arrived.

"Where's Ajo?" Isolam asked.

"Probably—with his—first—love," Galeia panted. "Books."

"He's not around so much anymore."

"Why does it matter? He never plays with us."

"We're getting a little too old to play, anyway."

"You sound like Ajo when you say that." Galeia shook her head. "He's too serious.".

"He has to be."

"No, he doesn't. It's so boring, always being scolded by him. He's turning into mother, with all his reprimands and rules."

"That's not fair. You can't blame him for fulfilling his duties." Isolam winked. "Even as you shirk yours."

"I don't have any duties."

"Maybe that's the problem."

"The problem is Ajo's turning into a withered husk who spends all his time obsessing over boring words. What a frail king he's going to be."

"Don't be unkind."

Isolam galloped away and Galeia inhaled sharply before following.

The leaves of the tree rustled as a body moved through their branches. Ajo jumped to the ground, clutching a thick tome to his chest.

Like Galeia and Isolam, he was older, and his black hair fell to his ears.

He stared after the pair, trembling, his face wrenched in shame.

Galeia's words stung his pride.

It was an injury far worse than a twisted arm.

***

Ajo had found a secluded piece of the forest to settle in.

It had taken him hours to decide on the perfect spot, and he was content in his solitude, engrossed in a fascinating history when a shrill whistle cut through the air.

He looked up, his brow furrowed in frustration.

"I don't wish to be disturbed," he said to the trees. "Find someone else to pester."

A light tap hit Ajo's shoulder. He turned to confront the one who had dared touch him, but no one was there.

Tap tap tap.

It was on his other shoulder now. Ajo turned to catch the intruder but met with nothing again.

When the third tap came Ajo was ready, and his hand shot out and grabbed his attacker, wrapping around a small wrist. Ajo pulled hard and was answered with a yelp.

A heap of leaves and twigs fell before him.

It was Galeia, a mess from head to toe. She'd costumed herself with foliage and mud and was drenched in the muck.

"Galeia!" Ajo cried and slammed his book shut. "What are you doing here? I thought mother was giving you lessons today."

The twigs and leaves shuddered.

"What's Galee-uh," a high-pitched voice asked.

It was a ridiculous affectation for Galeia to have chosen. Ajo rolled his eyes.

"That's a terrible disguise."

"What's disss-guise?"

"I'm not going to fall for something so obvious—"

She tore the book from his hands. Ajo dove after it, but the lump held it out of his reach.

"What's it?" she asked and put her mouth on the book.

"Stop it, Galeia!" Ajo yanked the book from her. "That's my book!"

"What's boooooks?"

Ajo was not amused. "I know it's you, Galeia."

"Who be Galeia? I's the Gretch, formed by tree mud."

"That's not funny—"

"I be the one who grabs your ankles when you run!"

"—or convincing."

She watched Ajo as he wiped mud off the book's cover.

"It's not fair," he said. "You'll probably track dirt all through the castle and no one will say a single word about it. But if I brought back one leaf on my shoe I'd get an entire evening of lectures on cleanliness. Look at you!" He pointed at the mess covering her body. "Head to toe in—what is that?"

"Me body," the so-called Gretch replied. "You don't like it?"

"It's foul, Galeia."

"Why Galeia? Why say that to me?"

"I can see your face. You really thought I wouldn't recognize you?"

"Ahhh, I see, I see," the mess said with a cackle. "Forgot me own powers! Gretch takes the form of one you love most."

Ajo paused.

"What did you say?"

"Gretch is different to all sorts. Sometimes a badger, sometimes got scales. And sometimes, with you, a Galeia."

Ajo snorted. "Why haven't I ever heard about the Gretch before? I've read almost all the histories and tales. My mother, the Queen of the Wood, would have said something about you."

The lump shrugged.

"Was only born a month ago," she said. "Is why you never heard of me."

"How convenient."

"Magic does what magic is."

"You're awfully big for being a month old."

"How old'er you?"

"More than a month."

"You know magics?"

"Of course."

"Prove it. Show me!"

Overcome by a strange urge to impress her, Ajo flicked his wrist. A cascade of lights flew from his fingers, and an array of colors danced through the air. As they fell they transformed into flower petals that landed on the Gretch's leafy back.

"Is good," she cooed with delight.

"You think so?" Ajo's posture straightened. "That's nothing. Watch this!"

He laid his hand on the ground and closed his eyes, pushing energy into the forest floor. Tiny sprouts shot through the soil, growing bigger and fatter until they burst into hundreds of flowers around them.

The Gretch turned to him with a wide grin.

"You're big power," she complimented and Ajo spotted a hint of Galeia's skin peeking through the mud.

"Yes, I am."

The Gretch nodded vigorously before asking with great anticipation, "What else you got?"

They spent hours this way. Ajo dazzled her with smaller magic and the Gretch marveled in wondrous awe at everything he conjured. She encouraged him to use his powers for play, a stark contrast to his mother's instruction that magic should only be used with responsible intention, and Ajo felt a mountain's weight lifted from his shoulders as they laughed the day away.

They were laying on the ground, staring up at the sky where the sun had begun to set.

"Thank you," Ajo said. "I enjoyed today."

"We have more days," the Gretch said.

"Yes, when I don't have lessons." His stomach grumbled. "I'm hungry."

He pulled himself from the ground and extended his hand to her.

"Come on. Mother's probably waiting."

But the Gretch did not take his hand.

"Trees is mother," she said.

"I told you I wasn't fooled."

"Don't fool you. Tell truth."

"All right. Stay here until I leave—but if you're late for dinner mother will be cross. And you should have a bath before then, too."

When Ajo arrived at dinner he was shocked to find Galeia sitting by the Queen.

She was spotless. Not a hint of dirt under her fingernails.

"How did you do it?" Ajo asked her.

"How did I do what?"

"Get here so quickly—and so clean?"

Galeia looked at the Queen, who returned her perplexed stare.

"Ajo," the Queen said carefully, "are you feeling all right?"

He pointed to Galeia. "She was in the woods—I left her."

"I haven't been in the woods," Galeia said. "I wish I had been."

The Queen shot her a quick glare before turning back to her son.

"Galeia's been with me all day. You know that."

Ajo stared at the women, dumbfounded. Galeia could not have been in two places at once.

"Perhaps you've overexcited yourself," the Queen suggested.

Ajo fell into his seat, defeated.

"What's wrong with you," Galeia whispered to him.

"Nothing," he snapped. "Let me eat in peace."

***

"What are you writing?"

Ajo was staring at Galeia, curious to find her in the study where he took his lessons, hunched over a book and scribbling into it with a quill.

"I'm trying to figure something out," she answered without looking at him.

"Don't tell me you're...studying?"

" 'Course not, I'm trying to guess what mother's Soul Bind spell is."

"Oh."

It had been a considerable time since Ajo thought of it, and he'd moved its memory to the corners of his mind, trusting that when the Queen wished for him to know about it, she would tell him.

"What do you think it is?" he prodded.

"I don't know. If it's a weapon it would be invaluable."

"Why do you need a weapon? Does someone threaten you?"

Galeia sighed. "No, Ajo, but enemies are always lurking about, waiting to strike."

"Maybe that's what you wish, but that's not true at all," he said with a laugh. "Our kingdom is peaceful."

"That's exactly what enemies want you to think."

She raised her head from her writing and glanced at the glass dome on the shelf.

"We could steal a peek," she said slyly. "You be lookout while I read the spell."

For a moment Ajo was tempted to join in her mischief.

"No," he said at last, "mother would be furious."

"Only if we get caught."

"We will get caught. Mother knows everything—"

"No, she doesn't."

"She does. She told us she would reveal the spell when she was finished, so we should forget about it."

Galeia snorted. "Easy for you, with all those books crowding your mind."

"I don't think the spell is a weapon anyway."

"What else could it be with a name like Soul Bind?"

"Maybe it's the opposite...a love spell."

They stared at each other in silence before simultaneously bursting into laughter.

"Love spell?!" Galeia cried through her cackling. "What use does mother have for that?"

"None," Ajo acquiesced, "but she doesn't have use for weapons either."

"You don't really think it's a spell for love, do you?" she asked with slight disgust in her tone.

"Well...I think..." Ajo shrugged. "I think it could be a weapon, but I don't think mother would put much effort into something for harm."

"Maybe I'll read it without your help and prove you wrong."

Ajo grinned. "Or maybe I'll convince mother to teach it to me during lessons, and then I'll cast a love spell on you!"

He meant it as a jest but Galeia's smile faded. "You wouldn't dare—"

"And then you'll be begging me for a kiss!"

"Gross!"

Ajo flicked his hand and sent a scattering of colorful sparks towards her.

"And now Galeia is utterly in love with me," he teased, "and will be forever more!"

They began a chase, alternating between being the pursuer and the pursued, until Galeia finally grabbed the book she'd been writing in and tore half the page away.

"If the Soul Bind is a love spell, I want nothing to do with it."

She crumpled the page in her fist and tossed it into her mouth.

"Galeia!"

She chewed several times, staring defiantly at Ajo as she did so, and after a few painful gulps she had swallowed the last of it.

"And as a reminder," she muttered as she took the quill between her fingers, "I'll write a note."

Ajo watched as she scribbled a warning on what was left of the page.

After she stabbed the last dot of ink, Galeia nodded at her message.

"I will never fall in love," she declared.

Ajo scoffed and Galeia moved to grab another book from the table, one he was currently studying from.

"And lest you forget and try to cast any sort of love spell on me, I'll write my warning in every last one of your books, too!"

She opened the cover and Ajo dove after her.

"No!" he cried. "You'll ruin it!"

"Let me do it," Galeia snapped in childish petulance.

"Put it down!"

"It'll teach you to—"

"Galeia, stop!"

He pulled violently on the book and Galeia released her grip.

The playful mood in the room died, and the pair regarded each other with caution. Galeia sighed, defeated in her task, but her tone remained bitter.

"You've been spying on me," she accused.

Being conquered was the thing she hated most, and Ajo knew this continued pugnaciousness was nothing but an attack from bruised pride.

"A prince does not spy on people," he huffed while making sure the book had not been damaged in their wrestling.

"Who was in the bushes when Isolam and I were in the woods yesterday?"

"Wasn't me."

"Why did it run away when I called your name?"

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"You think you're good at hiding but you're not. You're the worst at it."

As changeable as water, the fight in Galeia's spirit flowed away, and the tension in her shoulders relaxed. She reached out to ruffle his hair playfully but Ajo pulled away with a wince.

"I'm sorry," Galeia said quietly. "All I do is upset you. I don't mean to."

Ajo's irritation deflated.

"You don't upset me."

"Why are you always angry with me? Why don't you talk to me?"

"I have—"

"Work to do, I know. I miss you, Ajo. I miss playing and talking to you."

"We're talking now."

"It's like you wish I was gone."

"I don't."

Galeia leaned in and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Don't forget about me," she commanded gently.

***

"I love her."

Ajo was standing before his mother on her throne. They were alone, though Ajo suspected someone was listening, a servant or courtier, so he kept his voice low.

"I know you do," the Queen answered. "And she loves you."

"No. It's...different."

Ajo was hesitant to speak further, but the Queen, always one step ahead, knew the words that were stuck in his throat.

"You don't love her as your sister. And she is not your sister, not truly, is she?"

"Sometimes I love her like that. Other times..."

"Say the words, Ajo. Lift the trouble from your heart."

"I wish...to marry her."

He was embarrassed to admit it, but more than that, he was scared.

The Queen smiled. "And you will."

Ajo looked at her, his mouth opened in shock. For a moment he feared she was playing a trick.

"Destiny brought Galeia to us, not chance," the Queen said. "You are meant for each other. The perfect match."

"I should tell her of my love, so she can be as happy as I am."

To his disappointment, the Queen did not agree.

"You are both young, and Galeia is still naïve. I've seen the love in her eyes, as strong as yours, but she hasn't realized what her feelings mean."

"But shouldn't I tell her—so she can realize?"

"No, let her come to it in her own time, as you have. It will be for the better, I promise."

"When will we be married?"

"When you are ready to become king, you will be ready to announce your queen."

"Must we wait so long?"

"Time will pass in the blink. Until then, there are ways to help Galeia understand."

She winked at her son.

"And you have a powerful and wise mother to aid you."