My smile fell away. While recording Zyri’s experiences, I’d revisited so many memories of Tyrak that I couldn’t help thinking of Paono. I missed him so much. The streets of Istanik would be empty without his smile. Fried dough wouldn’t be as delicious without him.
During the voyage, I’d attempted to make contact with the strands infused into the mainsail. While I could sense their vitality—the same with my pendant, a low hum of life within it—I found no way to speak to the spirits as I had the little girl in Mieshk’s dagger. Maybe I needed to be upon Ioene to open myself wide enough; I hadn’t thought to ask Peldin before we said goodbye. Still, I imagined I’d keep trying, if only to fill the empty spaces left by Paono, Zyri, and the Vanished.
Raav seemed to sense my melancholy. “We’ll rescue them. Even if no one else will help, I’ll beg Frask for a ship—he’ll probably be glad to be rid of me.”
A shout went up from the quay when we were spotted. I can’t imagine what the Istanikers thought, seeing the glowing sail pull the ship forward as if the light breeze were a fierce storm. By the time we reached the quay and threw lines to waiting men and women, people stood ten deep waiting to greet us.
My eyes roved the crowd. Stunned faces. Many worried looks. For every happy reunion, there would be two tearful disappointments. Many people here would not see their beloved sons or daughters or husbands or wives for many months yet. In some cases, never.
We would go back for the survivors. There was no question. If Stanik and Araok Islands couldn’t stomach it, if Raav’s brother refused to help, I’d search as far as the Outer Isles for people willing to take on Mieshk.
I rushed to the gate when the captain lifted away a section of rail. The crowd on the shore raised a bridge for us to cross.
When my foot touched the quay’s solid stone, my knees turned to water. I sagged into the arms of strangers, and a knot of people helped me through the crowd. On a bench in the afternoon breeze, I sat fighting tears.
“Lilik.” His voice was like a warm hearth fire. Like the first embrace of sunlight after months spent above the night line. My father.
I flew into his arms, crying, sobbing, laughing. Jaret bounced around us like a puppy. I buried myself in my family, hardly able to breathe.
“What happened to you?” my father asked. “Tides, Lilik. The sail. It’s . . .”
“It’s the greatest gift that one civilization has ever given another, Da. They sacrificed themselves for us. For me. Because they believed in me. And I won’t let them down.”
I was a failed nightcaller and a fraud. But I was also a survivor, a leader, a daughter, and a friend. I looked up into the deep blue sky and wondered who I would become next.
Next up, Lilik's story continues with Shadowbound. Click here to view the book on Amazon.
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Dear Reader,
Thanks for joining me on Lilik’s journey! If you enjoyed the book, I'd love it if you would leave a review. Even a sentence or two helps! As an indie author, I depend on readers to spread the word about my books, and your support can help me keep writing them.
Thanks again, and I hope to meet you at the end of many future books!
Carrie
PS. On the next page, I’ve included more information on book two, Shadowbound.
Shadowbound
Book Two
Shattering of the Nocturnai
Lilik is a survivor.
After the disastrous expedition to the island volcano, Ioene, she is home with a warning. The malevolent tyrant, Mieshk Ulstat, is gathering devastating magical power. Unchecked, Mieshk will obliterate Kiriilti civilization. But when the ruling Trader Council refuses to heed her, Lilik turns to her own kind: the gutterborn.
As Lilik rallies rebels from the slums, she delves into her abilities as a soul priestess through contact with a nightforged dagger. Tyrak, the soul imprisoned within the blade, mistakes Lilik for his love from centuries past. Through their complicated bond, she learns the arts of swordplay and leadership. But when a surprise attack comes from a rogue trader House, she learns the hard truth of war: no plan survives first contact with the enemy.
Warships lay siege to the city. Traders and gutterborn clash in the streets. And with each passing day, the true enemy just grows stronger.
Click here to purchase Shadowbound and follow Lilik on her next adventure!
Acknowledgements
No author works alone. Many people helped me create this book, either by offering feedback or services directly related to its production, or by lending support when I needed it. I won’t be able to thank everyone, because my life is so full of wonderful people. However, for the direct help on the book itself, I am indebted to my readers, David Forrest, Mary Anne Tarr, Anna Mahlin, and Frances Silversmith. Anna Genoese is an amazing editor, and I remain floored by the cover art created by Amalia Chitulescu. Additionally, many writers offered feedback on critical sections, including members of my online writers’ group, Codex, my fellow winners of the Writers of the Future contest, and my local writers’ group. I would have never have advanced beyond my first, inept paragraphs without the guidance of the wise writers of alt.fiction.original.
As always, I would be nothing without the support of my family and friends. Thank you.
Nightforged (Shattering of the Nocturnai Book 1) Page 26
