Though Kamo doubted that the Laukian soldiers knew where to find the gate to Blosso, she felt that Rolin promised her sincerely. And, if by chance they did find them here, at least she wouldn’t have to keep looking over her shoulder as she traveled with Rolin.
Kamo nodded her head, and Gobi did the same, but with more hesitation and less enthusiasm.
They walked on, following the trail through a forest of pine trees. The scents and sounds were unfamiliar to Kamo but not unpleasant. The trees smelled fresh and sweet, and chipmunks scurried across their path, carrying nuts, pine cones, and acorns as big as their heads. Kamo felt a nip in the air that she hadn’t felt before, and she noticed a sting in her fingers from the chill.
“It’s colder here,” she said aloud.
“Mm-hm,” Rolin muttered quietly. “I meant it, though; we’ll get you bundled tightly enough once we reach Pacha.”
Kamo smiled and thanked him. Then, she addressed Gobi, speaking in her native tongue.
“Gobi, I don’t know if there is anything that will keep me warm enough, even if Pacha has the thickest, fullest jacket ever made, and it comes with the warmest hat and the warmest gloves. I don’t see how I could be warm if it gets much colder than even this.”
Gobi smiled at her and replied in the common tongue, for both she and Rolin to understand.
“Well, the good news is that Pacha knows you’re coming. And since she knows, and she knows Sea elves, I think she’ll have exactly what you need to keep warm, even as it gets much colder than this,” he said, teasing her as he mimicked her voice.
Rolin laughed at the impression and smiled at Gobi. “Thank you for the translation, Gobi. It’s not fair to leave a person out of the conversation, Kamo,” Rolin said in a playful, scolding voice.
Kamo rolled her eyes and again spoke in Oshia. “Not fair,” she said, “but infinitely more fun for me, you know?” She walked past them both with a flip of her long, white hair and a teasing look in her eye.
Gobi laughed, and Rolin smiled a mischievous and knowing smile. He almost responded when Gobi grabbed his arm.
“Come on,” Gobi said. “I’ll teach you some more phrases when we stop in Blosso.”
Rolin laughed and winked at Gobi. “I’ll hold you to that.”
They walked on, Kamo slowing her pace slightly to let Rolin retake the lead. As the trees thinned, Kamo could see the mountain range looming ahead of her. The Pennifold mountains stood tall and foreboding, snow already capping the treacherous peaks. A worried look must have stolen across her face because Rolin stopped, his eyes fixed on hers.
“It’s not as dangerous as it looks.” he tried to assure her.
“I know,” Kamo said. “It’s just different than what I’m used to.”
Gobi had stopped several feet behind them to admire the view of the mountain range, and Rolin spoke now in quieter tones so only Kamo could hear.
“Philip and Rima said Pacha could help you find what you’re looking for,” he whispered. “What are you looking for? What do you plan to do once we reach the Fire nation? We can’t exactly stride in and ask to see the king. That, and we can hardly go unnoticed in their midst,” he said, pointing at his ears. Then, a little more gently, he whispered again, “That long hair of yours will get us into trouble there too, no doubt.”
He reached toward her face and gently tucked a strand of white hair behind her ear. His hand was warm and gentle. Kamo, surprised by this tender gesture, blushed as she turned her head and gathered her hair into a bun on the top of her head. Rolin laughed and stared at her as she tied the bun neatly, smoothing the wisps that had escaped her grasp the first time.
Kamo stayed silent as she again contemplated the nature of her journey to the Fire elves.
“Well,” she said finally, “I don’t know what I’ll do. I have the image of that Fire captain burned in my mind, and every part of me yearns to find him and make him suffer the same pain I have.” She stared at him, filling her gaze with all the determination she could muster. “But then, I realize that he may have just been following orders, and I don’t know what to do. I need to know who would give an order like that.” Her words were spilling out faster than her thoughts could form. “And then I think there’s only one person with that kind of authority, and I’m afraid—”
Rolin interrupted her. “The king.”
She nodded.
Rolin seemed to be contemplating how to reply as Gobi strolled to meet the pair of them. “It’s incredible up here!” he said.
Kamo cleared her throat and smiled at Gobi. Rolin smiled sadly and looked again at Kamo.
“It really is,” he agreed. “But, if we want to reach Pacha before nightfall, we need to pick up the pace. That means no time for ogling, Gobi.”
He nudged him on the arm, and Gobi laughed. “All right, all right. I’ll pick up the pace,” he shouted as he broke into a sprint ahead of them on the trail.
Rolin grinned at him, and rolled his eyes, and then looked back at Kamo.
“We’ve been so focused on reaching the elves, I’m afraid we haven’t been wise in thinking of what happens after we do reach them,” he said, more to himself than to her.
Kamo sighed and nodded again. “I’m just hoping Pacha will have some thoughts on that subject as well,” she replied. “It seems to me a seer would have at least some insight on how to reach a king without dying first.”
Rolin chuckled. “If she doesn’t, I’m sure Gobi will have a few ideas,” he said. “Though, I’m afraid every plan will have to include doing something about your hair.”
Kamo smiled weakly and gently ran her hands across the top of her head to her bun. “I know,” she replied. “I just keep hoping that will be more of a last-minute change before we enter the gates. It sounds silly, but I love my hair. It reminds me of my sisters.”
“I see no reason why it has to happen before the time is right,” Rolin assured her. “And for the record, it isn’t silly. If I had such a precious and constant reminder of someone I loved, I would be reluctant to change it as well.”
They walked on, Kamo absent-mindedly tousling the strands that had escaped her tight bun, and Rolin lost in thought.
Gobi jogged ahead of them, occasionally doubling back to point out magnificent trees and vibrant flowers that he noticed along the path or to comment on the rumors he had heard about the Earth elf village they were approaching.
Despite her distraction, Kamo couldn’t help but notice the beauty surrounding them as well. The pine trees were a deep, frosted green, and golden cones hung like lanterns on their stout branches. The gray, rocky mountains were shrouded in mist and fog. The day had passed quickly with their walk, and the sun was just peeking over the tallest peak, piercing the fog with slivers of yellow and pink as the sun continued to sink out of sight.
“It’s beautiful up here,” Kamo said as she paused to watch the last rays of the sun dip behind the mountains.
Rolin paused as well. He stood and watched the sunset, and Kamo saw a look in his eyes she didn’t quite understand.
“Is something bothering you, Rolin?” she asked.
“Oh,” he said, “it’s nothing. I was just thinking of my family. They would love it here.”
“You haven’t told me anything about your family,” Kamo said, painfully aware that she had never taken the time to ask. “Well, except that you aren’t Talkers,” she added sheepishly.
Rolin sighed and took a deep breath. “I’m the oldest of five, which is a pretty big family in Laukia, especially when so many of those family members are daughters,” he said.
“You have sisters?” Kamo asked, a little surprised.
Rolin nodded. “Three,” he replied. “And one brother. Younger. He died in battle before the war ended.”
Rolin’s voice was steady and unbreaking as he spoke, but Kamo searched his face in the twilight. A pang of sadness crept into his brown eyes– a sadness Kamo knew all too well.
“I’m very sorry to hear that,”
she said. “You must miss your brother. What was he like?”
“Believe it or not, he was a lot like Gobi,” he answered quickly, his eyes lighting up, a fiery copper color. “He was adventurous and brave- loyal to a fault. Though, I doubt he had the discipline of a sailor. He struggled to be a soldier, too many regulations for his liking.”
“What was his name?”
“Reginald,” he said, his eyes beaming with pride. “Reginald Abalone Ankor.”
Kamo knew the comfort of reciting the names of her family. It made them seem closer, somehow.
“Abalone?” she questioned, sure there must be a reason for any sane parent to name their child after a shellfish.
“Yeah,” Rolin said slowly. “I think they were hoping to make him colorful on the inside,” he joked.
“Huh,” Kamo said thoughtfully. She quietly tucked away her urge to laugh and instead asked, “Did he look like you?”
Rolin cocked his head in thought for a moment. “Our mother always said we had the same brown eyes,” he said. “But, other than that, we aren’t very similar. Reginald inherited the blonde hair from my mom, and I take after my dad.”
Kamo felt the corners of her mouth perk up as she imagined a blonder, shorter version of Rolin. “He sounds handsome,” she said, realizing too late that she’d spoken aloud.
Rolin turned to face her. His eyebrows raised so high they disappeared into the hair on his forehead.
“What I mean is,” Kamo stuttered, “well, you know. Blonde hair, brown eyes. Some women find that attractive…”
“I suppose,” Rolin replied, sarcasm dripping in his tone. “But I think most women prefer the tall, dark and handsome type.” He smiled. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
Kamo opened her mouth to dispute, if only to tease Rolin and his ego when Gobi ran back to them.
“Just a short time to the city gate, right?” he panted.
Rolin winked at Kamo before answering. “Yes. They should have guards standing watch all night, but if not, we can make camp off the trail again.”
“If we do get in, should we try to find Pacha tonight?” Kamo asked.
“Yes,” they answered in unison.
Rolin and Gobi looked at each other, and then Rolin spoke.
“I don’t see any reason to wait,” he said.
“As long as we also get some food and wine,” Gobi added.
Kamo’s stomach grumbled in agreement.
The wall surrounding Blosso appeared sooner than Kamo expected. Its stone gray color stood as a foil to the vibrant blue sky surrounding it. It was massive and tall and seemed to span the horizon for miles.
“I didn’t realize Blosso was so big.” Kamo tried to count the torches in the turrets.
Gobi’s eyes were wide with wonder as they got closer to the city’s barricade. Rolin seemed unimpressed, probably because he’d been here before.
The path led them straight to a portcullis. Kamo could make out two green-haired guards through the holes in between the iron columns, standing as sentinels.
Content to watch, she and Gobi let Rolin approach them first.
“Hello,” Rolin said. “Is it too late for entry now?” he asked in a friendly voice.
One of the guards stepped toward the gate to get a better view of the visitor.
“Who’s askin’?” he huffed in a grumpy voice.
“We’re travelers passing through to the Pennifold mountains,” he stated. “I am Rolin Ankor of Laukia, and these are my companions, Gobi and Kamo.”
As he said their names, Gobi and Kamo came up to the gate as well.
The guard peered through the gate indifferently but did a double-take when he saw Kamo’s hair and scales.
“Oy,” he fussed, “you’re a Sea elf, you are!” he cried, pointing at Kamo’s white bun.
Kamo nodded, unsure if he was delighted or angry.
“Brit!” he shouted too loudly, “Brit come over ‘ere, it’s the Sea elf!”
Delighted, then, I guess.
“I got eyes, don’t I?’ Brit shouted back, sauntering close to the gate as well. He stopped just short and started winding a lever.
The gate clanged as it retracted into the stone above. Kamo peered up until it disappeared into the dark ceiling and then walked through the gate, thanking Brit and the other guard for their service.
“Before you get back to your watch, do you know where I might find Pacha? Mr. —?” she asked sweetly.
“Name’s Tow,” he gruffed, bowing slightly, “glad to be of service to m’lady. Pacha will be in the main square this hour if you head toward the heart of town on this road,” he gestured to the center path. “You can’t miss ‘er.”
“Thank you again, master Tow,” Kamo said.
Again the guard bowed, deeper this time, and Kamo led Gobi and Rolin down the path.
Once they were out of earshot, Rolin cleared his throat and began to imitate the guard.
“A Sea elf ‘ere, Brit! Can you imagine? I’ll be d—”
“Thank you for that,” Kamo interrupted, eager not to be teased about her expected arrival.
“I’m just saying,” he continued, “maybe you should take the reins while we’re in the city. You’re a novelty.”
Kamo smacked him on the arm. “And once again, thank you,” she said with all the sarcasm she could muster.
Gobi walked between them, acting as peacemaker.
“He’s right, Kamo. It seems you’ll be the one to open doors for us here. And let’s face it, we need all the help we can get.”
Though she hated to admit it, she knew they were right. Her status as an elf would grant her access to many places, and as a Sea elf, she would be a fascinating guest at any table.
“I know,” she grudged. “I guess I’m just not used to the idea of being so unique.”
In Tartha, she had grown accustomed to being stared at as an elf, but this was an elven city. She assumed the novelty here would have ebbed, if only slightly.
Lamps were lit along the road, illuminating the cobble steps as they strolled. The stonework was even and refined. Though Kamo wasn’t familiar with stone cutting, she imagined the slabs beneath her feet were cut from the mountains. They were shades of gray and white, occasionally marbled with veins of red. The houses lining the cobbled road appeared to be made of similar material, though much more polished and symmetrical in their refinement.
Even in the darkness, flowers and bushes dotted the space between homes. Towering trees obscured half the sky, while others barely gave shade enough for one person. The flowers varied in color and shape, but they showed vibrantly against the stone's muted tones.
There were still some green-haired elves out and about, but the street was not overcrowded. Most of them were consumed in their labors, but a few paused and waved as Kamo walked further into the town.
The atmosphere changed as a bustling bazaar replaced the homes. Instead of the scent of wildflowers, a plethora of scents overwhelmed Kamo’s nose—bread and stew and bacon, the steely ash of blacksmith fires, and even far off the clean smell of newly made leather. The Earth elves didn’t seem to mind the lateness of the hour: businesses still had their doors open, and lamps still burned bright.
Surrounded by new sights and sounds, Kamo momentarily forgot her aching feet and freezing fingers. Although, she remembered both when an Earth elf with a large and furry coat brushed against her. She shivered and folded her arms, rubbing her palms against them furiously to get more warmth. She felt a weight on her shoulders and turned to see Rolin wrapping his jacket around her. She opened her mouth to protest, but the lining was soft and warm, and it smelled like pine with a hint of honey.
“Thank you,” she said. “That’s very thoughtful.”
“It’ll have to do until tomorrow. I haven’t seen a clothier yet,” he replied.
They walked for only a few more minutes before they heard and saw a tall fountain gushing mists of water into its stone basin. Sitting alone on the curve of its edge was
an old Earth elf woman.
Like the others they had seen, her hair was green. But it seemed a deeper shade and more regal somehow. A plait of white calla lilies adorned her head, resting on her pointed ears. Her worn hands folded in her lap, and she swayed as she hummed a beautiful melody. Though her eyes were closed as they walked closer, Kamo knew she would see the most beautiful, earthy colors when they fluttered open.
This must be Pacha.
As if she could hear her thoughts, Pacha’s eyes snapped open, and she stared at Kamo with a curious intensity. She had expected to see a shade of gray in the woman’s old eyes, and instead, she saw the gleam of polished, shining silver. She shivered under the silver gaze.
“I wondered when you would come to see me, Kamo,” Pacha crooned.
Surprised at hearing her name, Kamo slowed her steps.
“Don’t be afraid, dear. I mean you no harm. Quite the opposite, in fact,” Pacha sang. “Good to see you again, Rolin. Who is this you’ve brought with you? A sailor, no doubt?”
When they reached her, she stood and embraced each of them in turn.
“Miss Rana, I can tell you aren’t accustomed to our cooler weather. Let’s take our business to the inn. I assure you that your toes and your nose will warm up quickly when you have a hot drink in your hand and a fire burning next to your table,” she said, taking Kamo by the hand and guiding her to a set of oak doors just past the fountain.
It was an inn, much like the one in Tartha, but instead of the scent of saltwater wafting through the air, Kamo could smell vegetable stew and oak mead. The tables were situated closely together, occupied mainly by Earth elf men in work clothes. Some had stored pickaxes and saws next to the door, and Kamo imagined they were loggers and miners.
Pacha led them to the back of the crowded inn and found an empty table near the brick fireplace. The fire blazed, and warmth started to creep back into Kamo’s fingers and toes.
“Much better,” Pacha chimed. She closed her eyes for a moment and then glanced at Gobi. “There’s no need to be afraid, dear. If you stay loyal to your companions and near them always, the fire won’t burn you again.”
The Last of the Sea Elves Page 5
