by Elina Vale
“I am not a liar. Unlike you.”
"When did I lie?”
“Maybe you haven’t lied, but you are hiding something.”
"Like what?”
“You’ve regained your memories, yes? Tell me what happened to you during the Gate Run.”
Javid glared back, unspeaking.
“Fine,” Teron said. “Tell me what happened while you were in the Spike. How do I know that you aren’t a spy for Shea, sent with me to find Shri?”
“Boys,” Sambran said with a firm voice, placing himself between them. “We’re approaching the Thunder Islands. I suggest you leave your bickering and help me to get this boat to safety. We should pretend to be lost. The Mairas are suspicious people, and it won’t do to have ‘em think we came here for a reason. You can look for your friend once we’re in the city.”
The boat slid towards the harbor. As Teron came closer to the city, the docked ships loomed ever larger. They were enormous, like floating castles. Teron stared at one of the figureheads, a woman of gold with an orb in her hand.
Magic.
A group of fierce-looking men and women came to meet them. Feathers, beads, and ribbons swayed from their clothes and in their hair. They stood like statues, but they were unarmed.
“Who are you and why are you here?” one of them asked.
Sambran removed his hat again, pulled his hand through his thin, gray hair and made an awkward bow. “We’ve no idea where we are or how we got here, great sire. Our boat was taken by a storm and we lost our direction in a terrible fog. Me and my helpers here, we need some place to rest and get food. We’ll leave as soon as we can.”
“How did you get through the mist?”
Sambran rolled his head and put his hat back on. “We nearly didn’t! Awful rocks everywhere, but Mother were on our side.”
The Mairas leered at them. Teron tried his best to keep his head down. Distant music echoed from afar.
“Fine,” one of the Mairas said. “You can stay for one night. Drop anchor and we’ll find you a place to sleep.”
“Eh... My young boys here can do all the shopping and that. I’m an old fisherman, used to my customs. I will stay here and sleep in the boat if you don’t mind.”
Teron avoided the guard’s eyes. They could absolutely not let these people see Eavan.
“Fine,” the guard said. “You two, come with us.”
The city was beautiful. Teron tried to see everything, to paint the images permanently in his mind. He couldn’t wait to get inside and write it all down. These were the events that needed to be written down for future generations. He was, after all, the only one in his party capable of doing it. All those years with his tutors had taught him to write with skill.
Neat white houses were scattered across the hillside. In the approaching evening, several torches had been lit on the sides of the streets, creating a dreamy path. The people passed Teron were dressed in fur-lined coats and beautiful dresses. The city looked like a paradise.
After they had walked for a while, Teron and Javid were taken by the arms.
“Hey!” Javid protested, attempting to shake his captor away. “What are you doing?”
“We don’t believe your story,” one of the men said. “I can smell something rotten, and I’m gonna take you to Aigon. He’ll tell us what to do with you.”
“Please, we are not here to do any harm,” Teron said, but the Mairas yanked him forward.
They were taken to a tiny house at the center of the city and locked inside a windowless room. The guards left, but Teron could hear them outside.
“We should break free,” Javid murmured, glancing at the walls. “I can break that wall. I’m sure of it.”
Teron sat down on the floor. “No.”
“Why not? They don’t know we’re senatai!” Javid stepped closer to him. “And who put you in charge?”
“They don’t know that we have magic; we should keep it that way. For now. Let’s wait and see what they want from us.”
After several minutes, the door opened and Teron stumbled up. A familiar man stepped in. Teron recognized him as the same man who had taken Shri back in Glasswater. At the very least, that meant that Shri had likely been taken to the island. But was she still there?
“Who are you?” The Maira pushed his face close to Teron’s.
“Hello,” Teron said, offering a friendly smile. “My name is Teron DeLureau, son of Baron DeLureau.”
The Maira watched him suspiciously, then replied, “I am Aigon.”
Teron bowed. “Please to meet you, milord.”
"I feel you have magic,” Aigon said. “You are a senatai.”
“Alas, not a very good one.”
“Why are you here?” His steely gaze studied Teron.
Teron hesitated but decided truth was his best chance. “You have my friend, Shri. Something terrible has happened.” Teron said. “I must speak with her. Is she... still here?”
“She is here,” Aigon mumbled. “Why would I let you meet her?”
“Please. It has to do with... the ones who are after her.”
“We got attacked on our way. According to Mahox, they were after Shri,” Aigon said, rubbing his jaw in his thoughts. “Very well, I will bring you to her, but do not practice any magic while you’re on the island.”
“No magic, understood. But it’s of great importance that we see Shri.”
Aigon nodded. “Understand this: you now know the location of our home. For the security of the city, you will never be allowed to leave.”
CHAPTER 30
SHRI AND ROXANA STOOD at the edge of the castle courtyard. Happy music was playing, and the people looked joyous. Even the increasing wind didn’t bother them. They collected all the handkerchiefs and cups and tablecloths that the breeze tossed to the ground and continued with their happy chatter.
Tarinna Goldring sat on a plush chair atop a podium decorated with flowers and streamers. Torches flickered around her.
“You seem distressed,” Roxana said to Shri.
“I’m fine,” she answered, rubbing the arm with the markings. She would have to convince Tarinna and all of the Mairas to join her cause. She had the Heart, but they would never let her leave the Thunder Islands if they knew she had it. It was probably considered a lost relic, and it had been in that cave for hundreds of years. Now, it was under Shri’s shirt. It felt cool against her skin, somehow tingling, reminding her of its presence. It seemed to call for Shri to touch it, to use it.
A hand fell onto Shri’s shoulder, and she nearly lashed out in self-defense before remembering where she was. She turned to find Aigon. His hard, wrinkled face was serious, as always.
“Have you seen Jogen Bloodrock?” he asked.
“No, we haven’t seen him,” Roxana answered. They had locked him in Rondig’s house for safe keeping. How she would sneak him out from this city without anyone noticing, she didn’t yet know.
Shri quickly hid her arm behind her back, as she was not ready to reveal it at this point, but Aigon wasn’t a fool. He saw what she did, grabbed her arm, and pulled the sleeve up. For a time, he studied the marks with no emotion. “So,” he muttered, still expressionless. “You have come to take what’s yours.”
Shri pulled her arm from his grip and covered the marks with her sleeve. “I have not.”
“Have you deceived us? You knew all this time?”
“I didn’t,” she said, cradling her arm. “I never wanted this.”
“The universe chooses our paths, Aigon,” Roxana said with a smirk.
Shri was a bit annoyed at Roxana’s smug attitude. She was enjoying all of this.
“Oh, indeed,” Aigon grumbled. “She just happened to stop by Emba while she was here.”
“You brought her here!” Roxana pointed at him. “She is where she needs to be. You found her when she needed you to find her. Isn’t that obvious? Trust in the signs, Aigon.”
“What did I tell you, Aigon?” Shri said. “I was eng
aged in a completely different quest when you scooped me up and dragged me here! If not for you, I wouldn’t even know about Emba!”
Aigon frowned. “Maybe I’ve played a role.”
“Maybe you meant to!” Roxana said. “I know how you feel about the Goldrings, even if you never speak of it.”
“Roxana,” Aigon said, his face darkening. “I’m warning you.”
“From now on, my loyalties lie with someone else.” Roxana laid her hand on Shri’s shoulder. “I stand with Shri.”
Aigon studied Shri. “What do those markings tell us, then? Are you the descendant of Perivalos?”
Shri nodded. “I am the daughter of Merrilon, son of Ravin, son of Perivalos. I have been told I’m the great-great-granddaughter of Garmand. But in Emba...” Her voice trailed off, and she frowned. “I learned things in Emba.”
His eyes narrowed. “What things?”
“Nothing I can tell you yet,” she said. “I haven’t the time to think about it. Before I do anything else, I must free my father.”
Aigon studied her for a while, then nodded. “Follow me. There’s someone you need to speak to.”
“Who?”
“You’ll see.”
He guided Shri and Roxana through the streets and alleys, leading them to a small house at the center of the city. Aigon knocked, and the door opened to reveal several guards. Between them, two captives stood in the shadows.
Shri froze in her spot. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
"Shri?” one of them asked. “Is that you?”
It was Teron, looking as studious as ever. As much of a shock as his presence was, Shri was even more surprised to find Javid Boudot, his curly hair wildly around his face.
She rounded on Aigon, fury in her eyes. “Is this some kind of trick?”
“No,” Aigon answered. “They claim they’ve come to speak with you.”
"Oh, dear Gods.” Shri was overcome with emotion. Confusion, warmth, and fear ran through her all at once. She took a few steps closer and looked into Javid’s golden-brown eyes, those same eyes had first seen in Gate Run. There was a curious new shade within.
“Your friends?” Roxana asked.
“Yes,” Shri whispered. “My friends.”
Javid cleared his throat. “It... It’s good to see you again, Shri.”
Swallowing a lump in her throat, she collapsed against Javid. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her head against his sturdy chest. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Eavan Firestone took my memories to keep you safe. But I remember now.”
Perhaps Shri had cried out all of her tears of anger and sadness, but for the first time since leaving the Pit and her father, she felt comfort. Hiding her face in his shirt, she closed her eyes. He smelled like the ocean. She wanted to stay there and never look up, to bury her head and dream of a different life.
“I hate to break the moment, but we need to sort this out,” Aigon said.
Shri let go of Javid and took a step back. She glanced at his eyes, embarrassed by her moment of weakness. Inhaling a shaky breath, she took Teron’s hands. “It is good to see you.”
“Likewise,” he said, squeezing her palms.
“How did you two come to be together?” she wondered. “Why are you here now?”
Teron’s face drooped. He looked tired. “It’s a very long story, Shri.” Noticing the mark on her wrist, he pushed her sleeve up a few inches. “What is this?”
“My story is also quite long,” she muttered. “But why have you come? The fact that you are here can only mean that something is wrong.”
“Many things are wrong.”
"Has the King attacked?” Shri said, her eyes full of concern. “What has happened to Ironflare? Is my family alive?”
“The King hasn’t attacked. Not yet.”
Shri breathed a sigh of hope.
Sighing, Teron considered his position. “I’m afraid this is rather personal,” he told Aigon. “Listen to us if you must, but may we have some privacy?”
Aigon stared at Teron for a few moments, then turned to the guards and commanded, “Out.”
The guards obeyed, leaving their captain alone with Shri, Teron, and Javid.
“What I’d like to know,” Aigon said, “is how you managed to come here through the mists?”
“We were led,” Teron said. “By a mermaid.”
“A mermaid?” Roxana asked.
Aigon threw his head back and laughed. “No wonder you wish to speak in private! Less people will learn of your madness!”
“It’s true,” Javid said. “I saw her.”
“Her?” Aigon said. “Mermaids are nothing but mindless animals.”
“How interesting,” Teron said. “That’s what Glimmer thinks about you!”
“You named it?” Aigon laughed again. “That creature would devour you given a chance. Don’t believe a word of this, Shri.”
“Why not?” she answered. “I know it’s true. Teron has been studying mermaids for years. I, too, communicated with one.”
“When?” Teron asked.
“On Sambran’s boat, before we reached Glasswater,” she said.
"I admit,” Roxana said, “even I was suspicious about that part of your story.”
“So, Teron, you’ve learned the secret of speaking with them?” Shri asked.
“Yes, but that’s not why I’ve come.” Removing the pendant from around his neck, he handed it to Shri. “Shri, this is the Pendant of Absent. It belongs to Boa Riverson. He wanted you to have it.”
“Boa?” Shri asked. “Where is he? Is he well?”
“He’s fine.” Teron shook his head. “I mean... I think he’s fine. He was when well I last saw him. But listen: that pendant makes it impossible for the wearer to be scouted magically. Put it on, and when you leave the Thunder Islands, Shea won’t be able to scout you.”
“Ingenious,” Shri said, slipping it over her head. “Surely, Eavan has some cunning plan to get me close to Shea.”
Javid and Teron traded frowns. “Shri...”
“What?” she said, fingering the pendant. “Wait... Where is Eavan? And why are you traveling together without her?”
Taking her hand, Teron announced, “Shri... Eavan is out of our reach.”
"Oh no..." Tears leapt into Shri’s eyes as she covered her mouth. “She’s... dead?”
“No,” Teron sighed. “Not dead. She’s... Well...”
“She’s been ripped, Shri!” Javid interrupted. “The great Eavan Firestone has been ripped!”
“Firestone?” Aigon said, uncrossing his arms and straightening his posture. “The chief of Senatai Island?”
“The same.”
“That’s who you have tucked away on your boat?”
“Wait...” Javid said. “You know?”
“Of course I know,” Aigon scoffed. “We were suspicious of you the moment you landed. I had no choice but to search your ship. You could have smuggled any sort of contraband into our city.”
Teron stepped closer to Aigon and stared him down. “What have you done with her?”
“Nothing, boy,” Aigon said, pushing him away. “The old fisherman is still watching her. I recognized her condition, but I told the guards that she was a tribal slave from the south.”
"Have you told Tarinna?” Shri asked.
“Not yet. I don’t want to report anything until I know more about who these visitors are and why they’ve come here.”
Shri shook her head in disbelief. “How? How could this have happened?”
“It was Shea,” Javid said. “We’re not certain when it happened.”
“It seems she entered the Spike to rescue Boa, who had gone back to confront Shea,” Teron said, “or perhaps she wanted to parlay with the High Mistress. By the time we arrived, it was too late.”
“What are we going to do?” Shri pouted. “We can’t win this war without Eavan!”
“She might not be lost,” Teron said. “Remember my research? It’s possible that I ha
ve found a way to cure the ripping. We must get back to Senatai Island,” Teron said. “Hopefully, the senatai there will help us test my theory.”
“Hold on a minute!” Aigon shouted. Grabbing Shri’s left arm, he pulled back her sleeve to reveal the divine marks. “We’ve a matter of succession to solve! These markings prove that you’re the rightful heir to our throne. You can’t go anywhere until we’ve sorted this out!”
“What?” Javid stared at Shri. “What does he mean?”
Glancing at the floor, she replied, “I visited Emba, the place of the Gods. There, I was told that I’m the rightful heir to the throne of these people.”
“But how?” Teron said, his eyes wide. “How is that even possible? What connection could possibly exist between you and them?”
“My grandfather,” she said. “He was a son of a great clan-leader. He was locked inside the Pit over seventy years ago.”
Teron lifted his brows. “So... you’re a...”
“You’re going to be their queen?” Javid did not look amused.
“No!” Shri returned. “None of this is part of my plan! I was brought here against my will, and despite what everyone keeps telling me, my goal hasn’t changed! I’m going back to Ironflare to rescue my family before war arrives.”
“And these divine marks?”
“I intend to use them to convince the Mairas to join me,” she admitted. “After all, their rightful clan leader, Merrilon Moongale, is a captive.”
“I knew you were up to something,” Aigon said. “That’s a bold move, Shri Moongale. If you reveal that mark to the people and they refuse to accept you, you will be killed. Lady Goldring will make certain of that.”
Shri pushed the sleeve down. “If I don’t try, my father, along with thousands of innocent people, will be killed! There’s not much choice, is there?”
Teron grabbed Shri’s arm. “You could die attempting that. If Eavan is lost for good, we need you more than ever. No one else can stand against Shea!”
Shri frowned but didn’t answer. She was being pulled by two different purposes, but they were both in the same direction: Ironflare. She wanted to save her father and the others in the Pit, while Boa and Eavan wanted her to confront Shea. She refused to let Tarinna Goldring, or any of these people, stop her. “Whatever we do next, we go to Ironflare and confront Shea,” she said, “and that means we’ll need an army. The Mairas must listen!”
