The air is so moist that my clothes stick to my skin. It feels as though a light mist blows into my face wherever I turn.
The people are unusually friendly. Everyone makes a point of saying hello as we walk by. They raise one arm high into the air in greeting. Though I think it odd, Kellyn seems unsurprised.
“Thersa is a busy city that relies a lot on trade. The people are sure to greet newcomers warmly. It’s what keeps travelers coming this far north. That and the sights.”
Before we even officially reach the city, merchants are hawking their wares. The smell of spicy meats is thick in the air, and kabobs are brandished under our noses. Temra finally gives in and buys one for each of us.
“Mmm,” she says after taking a bite. “What is this?”
“There are only two things in abundance in Thersa: fish and flightless birds,” Petrik says before Kellyn can.
“Have you been here before, too?” Temra asks.
“No. Part of my schooling was to learn about all the major cities of Ghadra. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of a flightless bird. Did you know that they still have wings?”
Temra grins at his enthusiasm.
Though there are people everywhere, I rest a bit easier knowing the crowds will hide me and Temra. They will keep us safe. This city is our salvation.
And it’s beautiful.
As we travel farther into the market, we can see the fjords. High cliffs tower over the inlet, and waterfalls thunder down into the water below. The sound is soothing, and the sight is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Suddenly all the rainfall doesn’t seem so bad. Not when these waterfalls are the result.
Black-and-white birds swim through the water and waddle on the shores.
Flightless birds, indeed. So interesting.
I catch Kellyn staring at me again and glare at him. “What is the matter with you?”
“It may be lovely here, bladesmith, but you should be careful. Don’t tell anyone who you are. Many in Thersa are superstitious about magic users.”
“Magic has been legalized for a long time.”
“Sometimes change takes generations,” Kellyn says. “And sometimes people disregard the law to pursue their own beliefs.”
“But none of the territory leaders have a problem with magic.”
“Doesn’t matter. This town has a history with magic that supersedes any law or ruler. Do what you want. I’m just letting you know to watch your back now that I won’t be there to do it for you. Oh, and don’t forget about my sword. I’ll be at the Dancing Kiwi until it’s ready.”
“Here’s your promised bonus,” Temra says, stepping forward to pay the man.
Kellyn gives me an entirely unnecessary wink before disappearing into the crowd.
That’s it? No goodbye or hope to see you soon? After so much time spent together, talking about orphanages and families and freckles, he leaves me with nothing more than a wink? He thinks I’m a beauty!
Why do you care? You hated talking to him.
Didn’t I?
“Good riddance,” Petrik says.
“I kind of like him,” Temra says. “He got us here in one piece, didn’t he?”
For the life of me, I cannot figure out why I feel as though I’ve lost something once he’s gone.
* * *
It doesn’t take much asking around before we’re given directions to the home of the Sotherans, our father’s family.
“Sure, I know where the Sotherans live. Their property is just at the top of that bluff there. Can’t miss it. You’ll find a trail leading to it on the northeast side of town,” an older gentleman tells Temra when she asks. “What business do you have with them?”
Temra turns to me, unsure of how she should answer. I nod to indicate she needn’t be fearful of the truth. “We’re relations.”
“How wonderful!” he says. “May the Sisters bless your reunion.”
“Thank you,” Temra says, not bothering to correct him. This is not a reunion so much as it is a first meeting.
We begin following the old man’s directions.
“Should I also find an inn to stay at while you meet up with your family?” Petrik asks.
“No,” I say quickly. I feel safer having an extra body with us now. Temra and I have no idea how our new relations will react to us.
Neither Petrik nor Temra questions the hasty response.
“Why is it that you’ve never met your relatives before now?” Petrik wants to know.
“They live far away,” I answer.
“Which is strange to begin with,” Petrik says. “Most people don’t go far from where they’re born. And didn’t you say your father took your mother’s last name?”
“Yes, but that’s not uncommon. Many couples within the princesses’ territories do that to honor the matriarchal rule.”
“I’m just saying it kind of sounds like your parents wanted to hide from these relations.”
“And why would they do that?” Temra asks.
“I don’t know,” Petrik says. “What if their business is illegal?”
“That might help us,” I say, “considering we’re on the run from … powerful people.”
“But what if they try to exploit that and sell your whereabouts to these powerful people?”
“We’re not about to tell them we’re on the run, now, are we?” Temra says, slapping Petrik playfully on the back of his head. “You worry too much, scholar. Why don’t you stick to reading and let Ziva and me worry about our relations?”
Petrik grumbles something under his breath, which Temra either doesn’t hear or pretends not to.
Petrik’s thoughts don’t worry me, yet I get a sinking sensation in my stomach when the house is in sight.
It’s a large estate, with many pens holding all manner of livestock. Pigs, goats, and birds almost as tall as I am with vibrant blue featherless heads.
The rain is pouring down by the time we reach the front step, and I’m nearly in a full panic over how we will be received, as though the rain might be an omen from the Sisters.
Which is silly. It probably rains here every day. Still, we’ve been so scared for so long on the road. It’s hard to let those fears go now.
“Here we go,” Temra says with a hopeful grin. “I’m so excited!” She knocks on the door, and we wait.
A man who looks so much like my memory of Father opens the door. I feel tears threaten my eyes just at the sight of him.
“Yes?” he wants to know. “If you’re here to sell anything, you’d better leave before Volanna finishes her morning prayers.”
Before I can think over the words, I say, “Are you Darren’s brother?”
The man blinks. “I haven’t heard that name in years. Who are you?”
“Darren is—was—our father.”
A heavy silence follows, and the man—our uncle—steps back. “I think you’d better come inside.”
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
We tie Reya off to a railing. Temra grabs the bundle of weapons to bring inside for safekeeping, while Petrik removes the saddlebags. We wipe our muddy boots on the colorful rug just inside the front door. The spacious receiving room is immaculate, with statues in the likenesses of the Sister Goddesses positioned on decorative tables. Ebanarra is always done in white while Tasminya is in black.
“Please have a seat. I’m sure Mother will be down shortly.”
He leaves us standing there, dripping from the downpour outside. We shuck our cloaks and hang them on nearby pegs. We’re so dirty from weeks of travel that we don’t dare sit on the finely upholstered couches.
“Who are you going to tell them I am?” Petrik asks. “If the mercenary’s cautions about magic are true, we probably shouldn’t tell them I’m a scholar studying magics.”
Temra thinks a moment. “A cousin on our mother’s side.”
Petrik blinks. “All right, then.”
I fiddle so violently with my fingers that they turn red. Temra reaches out a hand to still me.
“It’ll be all right, Ziva. Maybe we’ll even get to sleep in real beds tonight. Who knows? Think of happy things right now. I can do all the talking.”