“And what does that involve?”
“They clean the stone and leave offerings for the gods.” Rowan pointed to the cliff base. “See those?” Small piled of flowers and dried fruit lined the ground by the cliff wall. “They are in honor of Mlinzi and Walinzi.”
“And in a practical sense, the villagers also keep strangers away from these powerful gods that might be useful to Casters.”
He chuckled. “My practical mate. Yes, that, too.”
The cliff itself was a sheet of brown rock that split at the base. From this opening poured a great river. The main body of water was calm and dark, reflecting the comet’s red glow. Many tributaries snaked off from the main body. Along the numerous connected riverbanks, there stood lines of clay houses that crawled off into the distance. Tall lookout towers highlighted the horizon line.
No sooner had we appeared than a group of Casters noticed us. They wore multicolored leathers and drunken looks on their faces. Some carried flutes and beat on drums. Behind them, others danced in circles or belted out songs. The din seemed to grow louder by the minute. Their voices rolled over me in a barrage of greetings.
“Huzzah!”
“Genesis Rex.”
“Genesis Regina.”
When this greeting came, I merely nodded and smiled. I’d long ago given up trying to correct the Casters on calling me Genesis Regina. It was true that I hadn’t officially taken the crown of the Caster people, but to them, that was nothing but a technicality and, of course, a good reason for a future celebration of massive proportions.
Next, the group of Casters headed off into a clay dwelling where the singing soon became especially loud. I shook my head. Casters and their celebrations. A flock of children sped past us, trailing long strips of orange fabric on tall sticks. I realized they were supposed to represent monkey tails.
Rowan wrapped his arms around me, pulling my back against my chest. “How is my mate? You still feel well after your battle with the gateway?”
“I’m fully recovered, thank you.”
“Such a shame we couldn’t be together before the festival.” Rowan’s voice rumbled with desire.
A blush colored my cheeks. “There will be time later on.”
Rowan leaned in and kissed the tip of my ear. “A lifetime, yes.”
How I wished I could sit here all night, enjoying the touch of my mate. Unfortunately, we were for a very specific purpose. “Now, where do we find this Mlinzi and Walinzi?” And the Sword of Theodora.
“There will be a summoning ceremony at midnight.” Rowan gestured around him. “Everyone gathers here, at the base of the cliff wall and calls to Mlinzi and Walinzi, asking for help with their heart’s greatest desire. If the gods approve, the tricksters name the lucky supplicant and open the gateway.”
“Midnight, eh?” I scanned the moon. “That’s not too far away.”
“Yes, I have just enough time to introduce you to the celebration of the year.”
I tried to hide my smile. Not well, I had to admit. “Wasn’t the last week’s festival the celebration of the year?”
“It was. But this one takes place during the Martyr’s Comet.”
“So it’s the greatest festival until the next one.”
“Precisely. You’re acclimating to Caster life quite well.”
“Will you show me Jicho’s mechanical boat along the way?”
“I’ll try, but I’m afraid he’s keeping the location a rather big secret.” With a gentle touch, Rowan wrapped my hand around his forearm. “Let’s see if we can’t suss out the hiding spot?”
“That’s a plan.”
Together, Rowan and I proceeded through Trickster’s Haven. To me, the place became a blur of clay buildings and smiling faces. The network of rivers divided the city into districts with small reedboats lining the banks. Much as I scanned every vessel, I had yet to see Jicho’s mechanical ship. In fact, we both had yet to find Jicho himself. Yes, it was common for the boy to run off. Still Jicho was a nine-year old. Both Rowan and I would rather know where he was.
After we turned down a quiet street, one of the palace mages approached us. Rowan updated the mage about the missing villages of Changed Ones. I joined in, explaining what I’d seen in my vision with the Lady and Sire—how Viktor had prepped those poor Casters to turn into a deadly army. I just finished recounting my sad news when I spotted Jicho. The boy sat in a small alley between two rows of clay houses. He wore his red Seer robes and pushed a stick around in the dirt between his legs.
I stood on tiptoe and whispered in Rowan’s ear. “I found Jicho.”
Rowan cupped my cheek with his warm palm. “Go check on him, will you? We’re almost done here anyway.”
“Agreed.” After saying my goodbyes, I rushed up to the alley’s entrance.
“Jicho! Rowan and I have been looking for you!”
Usually, Jicho would respond with a grin and a gap-toothed smile. His happy face—combined with the shaved head that marked him as a Seer—somehow always made him seem younger than his nine years.
But there was no smile to greet me this time. Jicho merely looked up at me, shrugged, and went back to pushing a stick through the dry soil.
I glanced over to Rowan. He was still deep in conversation about what spells they could cast to find the lost Changed Ones. It didn’t seem necessary to pull him away. I stepped into the deserted passage and sat down beside the boy. “What’s wrong, Jicho?”
“Nothing.”
“Is that true? Normally, you’re far happier to see me.”
Jicho kept staring at the ground. “Sometimes, I wish I weren’t a Seer.”
“Have you had a vision? Something bad?”
“Yes.” Jicho’s voice cracked. “Worst one yet.”
“I’m so sorry. Can you talk about it?” Sometimes Jicho could tell me everything about a vision. Other times, he needed to wait until a certain thing was said or done before he could share anything.
“No.” Jicho jabbed at the ground with extra force. “Can’t tell you.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Jicho finally looked up to me, and I saw an old soul look out from his young eyes. “You must promise me one thing.”
“Go on.”
“If someone ever asked you to stop speaking to me, swear that you’d never take that vow.”
I frowned. “Is this part of your vision?” What situation would possibly arise where I’d be asked to refuse Jicho’s friendship? Nothing came to mind at the moment, but I set the thought aside to contemplate later.
Jicho shrugged. “Maybe.”
“No, I would never take a vow like that.”
“That’s good.” Jicho stared back at the ground once again.
My poor Jicho. Whatever this vision was, it must be quite a burden.
Rowan stepped up to the mouth of the alley. A crowd of villagers stood behind him, their silhouettes outlined by the darkened sky. “Midnight is almost here,” said Rowan. “Almost time to summon Mlinzi and Walinzi.” Rowan’s gaze locked on Jicho. “There you are.”
Jicho forced a smile, but there was no joy in it. “Hello.”