by Marlow York
I shrugged. “Fiero don’t get on boats very often.”
“Fiero?” His dark eyes sparkled with interest and flicked down to the Warrior’s Shield on my chest. Saven loomed over my shoulder, but the old man didn’t seem intimidated or defensive. He leaned in and lowered his voice. “My condolences for your people. The rain carried news of what the City had done.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely. It was oddly refreshing to meet someone who didn’t immediately look down their nose at my people. “What’s your name?”
“Sula,” he said. I watched as he expertly wrapped the rope around a post. He straightened and brought his face close to mine. “By any chance, can you control fire?”
I nodded. “I’m the only one who can.”
“May I see?” he asked.
Polite as he was, I was more aware than ever of the crowd still milling around the harbor. Most were busy working, but several watched the crew and the newcomers. I noticed Cypress chatting animatedly with some of the islanders while Anza and Mjoll stood at the end of the dock, waiting impatiently for the rest of us and glaring at anyone who stared at them.
Sula chuckled and waved his hands in front of him. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Never mind. You aren’t a dog performing tricks for her dinner. But, if you’re worried about the onlookers, don’t be. Believe it or not, Three Winds is probably the safest place you could be. The City has never once managed to make it here and they never will.”
“Don’t jinx yourself,” Saven muttered.
“Everyone here is a distant cousin to the Fiero.” Sula swept his arm towards the crowd. “We aren’t so different from you. Both our clans believe in hard work and doing what’s best for the community.”
“Do you know much about the Fiero?” I asked.
“Enough to know your people are good and didn’t deserve what happened to them.” His eyes grew solemn. “My wife and I take care of the raven messengers. It’s a family tradition. Many years ago, all clans used to communicate with us using birds. It’s how we earned enough trust to be included in the trading routes, especially with the Secara and Grakkir. But times changed. The City found out what we were doing, and we had to be more careful. Many clans spoke poorly of the Fiero, saying your people were the City’s puppets. I think you were just doing what you needed to survive.”
My throat tightened. “I’m glad there are some who think that way.”
He gave a nod and opened his mouth to speak when Captain Lagan called from the deck. “Old man, the ropes won’t tie themselves!” He threw a rope over the railing and it hit the dock with a heavy thud.
Sula laughed good-naturedly despite the captain’s glaring eyes. “Duty calls,” he said to me. “Meet tonight at the North Star and we can share stories over a pint.”
“North Star?” I asked.
“A pint?” Saven wondered.
“The pub. Roger knows where it is.” He swiftly turned away and tended to the ropes.
Cypress came up from behind, startling me. He grinned. “I like these people already. They’re much more welcoming than the Nordahl and the people in Edgewood.”
“Well, they aren’t dying of Sickness here,” Saven said bluntly.
“I’m surprised they’re so open.” I glanced around. “You’d think they’d be cautious like the other clans, but it’s not like that at all. It’s like they feel…”
“Free?” Cypress asked.
“Exactly.”
The islanders chatted loudly as they worked, not caring who overheard them. Even the gruffest-looking sailors swore good-naturedly to each other. I’d never seen a village so carefree.
Anza walked up to us, scowling over her shoulder at a pair of young girls who were fascinated by her hair. “Let’s go someplace less crowded.” Her irritated voice pleaded with us. I realized this was the first time she was someplace where people didn’t look at her and Mjoll with fear, only admiration and curiosity.
I snickered. “Not enjoying all the attention?”
Anza glared at me, her cheeks red with discomfort.
Roger finally made his way to the docks. “The Salty Mutt isn’t in any worse shape than she was before we set sail, but it will still take a few days to repair her. I’d appreciate it if you all were willing to help again; it will be much quicker.”
“Yes!” Anza blurted.
Though entertained by her awkwardness, I was exhausted and didn’t enjoy the attention we garnered. “Perhaps we could go someplace to rest?”
“There is a boarding house just down the way.” Roger gestured vaguely to the right.
“Big enough for them?” I nodded to the Animal Gods.
Roger hesitated before giving a sideways grin. “They have a backyard?”
I looked to Saven and Mjoll, who glanced at each other. After a moment’s pause, Mjoll nodded.
“That will be suitable,” Anza said. Without another word, she spun and hurried away from the dock.
The rest of us followed. Anza paused partway up the cobblestone street, which curved with the island’s natural shape. Stone and wood buildings lined every inch of free space to our left, separated only by the occasional alleyway. Boats of various sizes lined the harbor to our right, bobbing gently on the ocean which spread endlessly and sparkled in the sunlight. White seagulls screeched above us, flocking to take advantage of the sailors’ catches.
“It’s just like you described, Roger,” Cypress said.
I looked at him, then realized he and Saven both drank in our surroundings with the eyes of a child. Cypress was visibly delighted to see a new place so different from his home, and though Saven’s face was stoic, I felt his vibrant enthusiasm. I giggled, and both turned to catch me watching.
When we caught up to Anza, Roger took the lead. He gazed around the island, eyes twinkling. “It’s just like I remember,” he said. “The events that forced me to this place weren’t ideal and I missed my family during my stay, but I can’t deny a bit of nostalgia to be back.”
We rounded the corner and I spotted a god-like bird perched on a wooden post.
I jumped and froze at the sight of the huge creature, its beady eyes following us with every step. Its beak was freakishly long, and when it spread its grey wings to stretch, the mouth opened to reveal a flap of skin that dangled like a huge net.
“What the hell is that?” I asked nervously.
Even Anza paused and slowly reached for her sword’s handle.
“The pelican?” Roger asked.
My eyes fell on him. “A what?”
He chuckled softly, and once again I felt like the dumb Fiero girl who was too sheltered to learn about animals from other regions.
“It’s called a pelican,” Roger explained. “They only live near the ocean, so I’m not surprised you’ve never seen one. See that big pouch on its neck?” He pointed. “They use it to scoop up fish as they fly over the water. Pretty neat, right?”
“Neat?” Anza put her arm down, but judging by her knit brow, she’d never seen one in real life either.
Roger laughed and we both glared at him. He didn’t notice. “Oh, my. You remind me of the first time I took my youngest son on the boat. He cried when he saw a flock of pelicans soaring overhead. He swore they were monsters!” He laughed again and I relaxed at the reassuring sound.
“At least you didn’t cry,” Saven joked, nudging my shoulder.
We continued down the road, scooting to the side to let a horse-drawn cart pass by. The horse snorted and tossed its head when it spotted Saven and Mjoll, but the driver managed to keep it calm as they passed. A group of women carried baskets of fruits and vegetables, smiling politely at the group.
“It’s so strange.” I frowned at Saven.
“Hmm?” he asked.
“This place reminds me of the Fiero village in many ways. You’d expect an isolated island to be struggling and primitive, like everyplace we’ve visited. But Three Winds seems better off than the Fiero village, even without the City’s help.”<
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“Maybe that’s why they’re doing so well. They don’t worry about the City here; they get to do what they want.”
I turned to watch the women, picturing myself and my fellow Harvesters in their place. We had laughed just like they did, but I wondered if they ever stopped themselves when the Blackguards walked by. Probably not. Did they censor their conversations, careful they didn’t say anything that might sound like criticism of the government? Did Three Winds even have a government?
“Roger, who is in charge of Three Winds?” I asked.
He was pointing at a building down the street, deep in animated conversation with the others. He paused suddenly and frowned at me. “In charge?”
“They have a government, don’t they? Rulers?”
Roger looked thoughtful. “Well, I suppose that would be Captain Lagan and the Blackguards, but they don’t call themselves ‘rulers.’ They’re more like protectors.”
“But there must be laws,” I said.
“Yes.” Roger sounded uncertain. “You’ll find things here aren’t so…strict. The Fiero are used to absolute control, and the Secara and Grakkir both have chosen leaders and councils. Here, not so much. People understand the need to work together, and if conflict arises, anyone is free to put an end to it. In most cases, it’s best to get along.”
“And the Blackguards just watch over them?” Cypress asked.
“Mostly. If anyone attacks, they’re the ones who intercept them. They’re the big guns, so to speak. Captain Lagan and Calima earned their positions because they are very strong and well-respected. They aren’t so ambitious to demand obedience, but they earned it.”
“It sounds too good to be true,” Saven said.
I shrugged, watching the others approach the front door of the boarding house. “I’m not sure whether I should be wary or jealous.”
“I think it’s best to be both,” Saven said assuredly.
“You two coming?” Cypress called down the street. He smiled and held the door open. I smiled back and made my way towards him.
✽ ✽ ✽
I hadn’t realized I’d fallen sleep until a tapping on the window woke me up. My eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness. I noticed Anza wasn’t in the bed on the opposite side of the room; she must have slipped out sometime during the night.
“Val!”
My bare feet landed on the cool wooden floor. I wrapped a sheet around my shoulders and shuffled to the window, pulling back the curtain to reveal the moonlit yard below. Cypress stood beside an annoyed Saven, his hand poised to throw another stone at the glass. He grinned as I pushed the window up.
“What are you doing?” I asked. “What time is it?”
Cypress shrugged. “Time for you to come to the North Star. Everyone is waiting for you.”
“Everyone?” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and glanced at Saven.
“Sounds like a party,” Saven said. His tongue flicked the air and I followed his gaze to the distant sound of music and laughter.
“Do you want to go?” I asked him.
He hesitated. “I will if you do.”
I knew he was curious to see what all the excitement was about, but this was honestly the first time I’d been invited to a boisterous party. Fiero celebrations were muted, respectful occasions, and Saven and I hadn’t been allowed to celebrate when I became a Grakkir Warrior. I swallowed hard as nervousness welled up in my stomach.
“Let’s just go for a little while,” Cypress persisted. “If you don’t feel comfortable, we’ll leave.”
I bit my lip, tightness clutching my chest and screaming for me to say no. “Okay,” I agreed. “I’ll meet you out front in a minute.”
I slammed the window shut, more forcefully than intended, and scurried to the other side of the room. With a touch of my finger, I lit the lantern beside a wash basin and mirror. In the flickering light, I saw my face clearly for the first time in I couldn’t remember how long. The summer sun had peppered my nose and cheeks with freckles, but my hazel eyes looked colder than I remembered. The Warrior’s Shield laced up my chest and throat almost shocked me; I’d never fully seen it like this before. Though not much time had passed since I’d escaped the Fiero village, I looked years older.
I grabbed a clean cloth and scrubbed lingering sweat and dirt from my face and arms. Quickly, I ran a bone comb through my tangled hair, disgusted by how greasy it felt. There was no time to bathe; I didn’t even know where I could do that except in the ocean. My dirty clothes sat in a pile where I’d discarded them before passing out on the bed. I rummaged through my bag for the cleanest shirt and pants I could find and pulled them on.
I risked another glance in the mirror. This will have to work.
I sped down the stairs, my feet light in my summer shoes, and trotted out the door and onto the cobblestone street where Cypress and Saven waited. They gazed at the darkened sea and, if I hadn’t known better, I would have guessed they were talking about me in my absence.
Saven tilted his head at me. “Why are you so nervous?”
“I’m not,” I lied. “I was just…in a hurry.”
He hiss-scoffed. “Right…”
“Ready?” Cypress asked. Though it was late, he looked as wide-awake as ever.
I nodded and the three of us headed to the North Star. The building was glowing like the sun. People chatted outside where it was somewhat quieter, while dozens of voices rang inside. Curious eyes glanced at us as we passed, but none appeared hostile. It was a strange feeling but helped lessen my nervousness a little.
A man staggered out the door, slopping his drink over his hands. He held the door open for me, smiling politely. With a quick glance at the interior, I realized Saven wouldn’t comfortably fit.
“Sorry, Saven,” I said sincerely.
He sighed with disappointment.
“That big mountain lioness is ’round back,” the man said, slurring his words. I wondered if he was sick. “Maybe wanna keep her company?”
Saven assessed the man, thinking the same thing I had. “I’ll be back there if you need me.”
“I’ll come join you shortly,” I promised.
I stepped inside the tavern and was met with a crowd of laughing faces. Men and women chatted with each other, some danced to the music coming from a desk-like instrument where a man ran his fingers over white buttons.
“They have a piano!” Cypress exclaimed, staring at the object.
“Oh, that’s a piano?” I asked.
He nodded enthusiastically.
A group of Blackguard men clustered around a table where two others sat, hands clasped while each tried to force the other’s arm to the table. One man finally succeeded, slamming his opponent’s fist onto the rough wood. The group cheered, and the loser shook his head in disappointment. He stood and wove through the crowd until he made it to a long counter on the right side of the room.
“Wow,” I muttered to Cypress, overwhelmed by the activity.
“There’s Roger.” He pointed to the man behind the bar. Roger filled two large glasses with an amber-colored liquid and passed them to the loser of the arm-fight.
We pushed past bodies until we reached the bar. Roger turned away from a tall shelf covered in glass bottles and beamed when he saw us. “What will you have?”
“What are you doing?” Cypress asked.
“Paying for materials to repair the Mutt. It’s like déjà vu.”
I furrowed my brow and watched as he mixed the contents of two bottles into a glass and passed it to the woman beside us. “Is that…alcohol?” I asked.
Roger laughed. “Why yes, it is.” His tone was sarcastic.
“Roger,” Cypress chided.
The old man must have noticed my embarrassment, because he quickly apologized. “I forgot the City didn’t allow the Fiero to drink. Here.” He filled a glass with the amber liquid he’d given the Blackguard and passed it to me, then poured a second and gave it to Cypress. “They call it Three Winds Specialty.
The best ale brewed on the island.”
“There you are!”
A body collided with mine, spilling the full beverage over my hand. It was the old crew member, Sula. “You aren’t drinking without me, are you?”
“I uh…haven’t started drinking yet, technically.”
He laughed and hopped up on a wooden stool, then climbed onto the counter. “Can I have everyone’s attention?” he shouted over the noise. “Canis, can it for a second, will ya?” he called to the man at the piano. The music halted abruptly, and all eyes turned to Sula.
“We have a few special guests here tonight, as you all may have noticed,” Sula said.
I swallowed and my cheeks grew hot.
“Captain Lagan has requested we treat them with the same hospitality we would treat our own. They’re our cousins, after all! Except old Roger here, but he knows how to correctly pour a beer, so we let him stay.”
The crowd laughed, some cheered, and Roger chuckled good-naturedly as Sula clapped him on the shoulder.
“You all have met Anza, the Grakkir Warrior, and her Animal Goddess companion, Mjoll,” Sula continued. I looked around but didn’t see Anza anywhere. Perhaps she was outside behind the building.
“We also have Cypress, a Secara trader.”
Cypress smiled and waved at the crowd as they lifted their glasses in greeting.
“Peeking through the window is Saven, another Animal God.” Sula nodded towards the window to our left and a few people gasped, then laughed to see Saven’s amber eye staring back at them.
“And last, but certainly not least, we have the honor of sharing a drink with the last Fire Bringer, Valieri of the Fiero clan.”
I forced myself to meet the sea of staring eyes, many noticing the Warrior’s Shield on my chest. A few stood to get a better look, as if they expected me to burst into flame at a moment’s notice.
“As you all know, the Fiero have suffered greatly at the hands of the City, and Valieri has traveled many miles to grace our humble pub.” Sula’s voice became low and somber. “Let us raise our drinks in honor of our lost cousins and wish Valieri strength and courage in all her future endeavors.”
