CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
We should return to our room, Io said in a low, urgent voice.
Everyone else got up and we all followed her out of the auditorium. We had chores, but I had the feeling the rules and standards were going to be a bit loose today. It seemed as if everyone needed the chance to regroup.
Outside there were scattered pockets of women standing around talking to one another in raised voices. The shift of power in Ilion wasn t a predictable one and everybody was worried.
What would the prince do to claim his kingship? The pit in my stomach deepened and I focused on putting one foot in front of the other.
Eventually he would find out what I had done. Would he respect the vows that I had taken? Or would he insist that the signed, contracted betrothal that predated my entering the temple took precedence?
It didn t matter. Contract or no, the law still granted me the right to refuse him and marriage. I wouldn t even consider saying yes until I had healed the lands of Locris.
After we filed into our room, Suri shut the door behind us. There was a flapping of wings and Kunguru landed on the windowsill, as if he d been following us. He flew across the room to perch on Ahyana s shoulder.
Io came over to me and took my hands in hers. Are you all right? What s wrong?
She looked so upset. She was the most empathetic out of all of us and I felt bad that my anxiety and worry were affecting her.
I had to send a message to my family. Now. No more delaying. No more waiting for opportunities, like I had with the statue. I was going to have to take fate into my own hands and make something happen. Change my circumstances, my situation, my relationships if necessary.
I needed to let my sisters know what I had planned.
Taking in a deep breath, I announced, I need to sneak out of the temple tonight.
There. Too late to take it back or undo it.
It was a relief to finally say the words aloud. To show them more of my true self.
Why? Zalira asked.
I couldn t bring myself to tell them about my personal quest to find the eye, but I could share part of the reason why I had to find a way out.
My parents don t know that I m still alive. I have to get word to them. I m going to find a sailor down at the docks to carry a message for me.
Ahyana nodded. I can see how the king s death would push you to send word. It also reminded me that life is very short.
That wasn t at all the reason, but if I said so, it would just create a lot of questions I wasn t ready to answer. It was easier to go along with her assumption. I nodded.
You ve been planning this for a while, haven t you? Is that why you ve been asking us about the locations of specific buildings? Zalira folded her arms. It didn t surprise me that she would be the one to immediately connect those two things.
Yes. I wasn t sure how to get back to the docks.
Io released my hands and an expression that looked like she felt betrayed flashed across her face briefly. You could have told us. We would have understood.
She s telling us now, Ahyana said.
I don t want you to sneak out, Io said, directing her words to me. It s not safe. It worries me.
You always worry, I told her.
Because all of you give me a reason to! she said with an indignant huff.
This was unlike her typically warm and sunny personality and I found myself wanting to ease her mind. I will be fine. If anyone is foolish enough to approach me, Antiope has made certain I can defend myself.
Suri patted Io on the back, comforting her.
That s true, Zalira acknowledged. Lia can take any of us in a fight.
We should go with her, Io said.
No! I shouted and lowered my voice to a more moderate tone. No. I m not going to let anyone else get in trouble for my actions.
That s what we do, Zalira reminded me. We re sisters.
I shook my head, hard. They all kept telling me the city wasn t safe. I wasn t going to put any of their lives at risk. I would never do that again. No. I will do this on my own.
Will you be able to get past the patrols without getting caught? Ahyana asked.
Thanks to her, yes. I think so.
Io just shook her head. We need to get to the courtyard. Someone will come looking for us.
Right. Our chores.
We walked in a strange silence and I felt guilty. Io was obviously upset and I didn t want to be the cause of it. Even Kunguru seemed uneasy. He flew away from us, off into the distance.
Io led us over to the stone altar. We re supposed to replace the fruits and vegetables that have been left here, and then tidy up the courtyard. Zalira and Ahyana, can you go to the kitchen storage and get new ones? And Suri, could you get the brooms? Lia and I will get rid of the older food.
The others left and Io was quiet while she began to gather the fruits and vegetables.
Why are these here? I knew the answer but wanted to get her talking again. I wanted things to be all right between us.
They were brought in as sacrifices to honor the goddess. These offerings are to remain fresh all throughout the harvest season. The citizens count it as a miracle that they are continually preserved.
I hadn t known the last part. It seemed a little dishonest to me, but I knew that now was not the time to press that particular issue. Can t the goddess keep them fresh?
Why should the goddess do anything when we are available to do her work in her stead? It could be worse. I have heard that there are some bloodthirsty gods who demand the sacrifice of animals. She shuddered. Our peaceful goddess only asks for the first fruits of the plants she has grown for us to be returned to her.
Although I should have controlled my anger at her statement, it was too difficult for me to let her words pass unchallenged. Peaceful ? In my home, her need for vengeance has nearly destroyed us.
Io paused her work, looking at me. Sacrilege cannot be treated like other crimes. The whole community inherits the guilt from one generation to the next.
That seemed incredibly unfair. When I managed to steal the eye, would my children be punished for my actions?
Then, with a sinking feeling, I remembered that it wouldn t be an issue. I could commit all the sacrilege I liked because there would be no one to follow after me.
Should we quiz one another? she asked, and she still had that strange tone in her voice that made me concerned. But Io routinely tested us to make certain that we were retaining the things we were taught in our classes.
Yes. What should we start with?
Do you remember yesterday s lesson?
I helped her push all the food into a pile at the center of the altar. It was only yesterday, I said with a smile, teasing in an attempt to restore her typical good mood. So, yes. We spoke about shape-shifters.
She nodded.
Do you think they re real? I asked.
I don t know, she admitted. It s hard to tell sometimes what s been made up to illustrate a specific point and what s fact. Are there really creatures with a scorpion s tail, the head of a dog, and the body of a lion? Possibly? As I said, I don t know.
It s just hard to imagine that someone can be human one moment and then an animal the next. But I ve seen a water dragon in real life, so who am I to question whether or not strange monsters exist?
A bird called out. Io s back stiffened and then she suddenly turned, depositing a big armful of squashes and melons into my arms. Would you mind taking those to the refuse pile?
I nodded and carried them to the pile located not far from the kitchens. I spotted Zalira and Ahyana in one of the storage rooms throwing bits of food at each other, laughing. I shook my head and smiled as I returned to the courtyard.
When I got there, I saw Suri studiously sweeping at the far end, but Io was gone. I approached Suri and asked if she knew where Io was.
No.
I crossed the length of the courtyard and found Io on the opposite end, on the side of the temple. She was standing on a bench next to the stone fence, peering over the top.
Io?
She startled and then whirled around. Lia! You scared me.
What are you doing?
Nothing. She quickly climbed down. I thought I saw a bird.
And she had climbed up onto a bench to look at it? A flower I might have believed, but not a bird.
We should get back to work, she said. She hurried off, and even though I berated myself for being far too suspicious, I still climbed up on the bench to look over the wall.
The alley was empty in both directions. There wasn t anyone there.
But my instincts warned me that I was being watched. I continued to scan the buildings across the way, the rooftops. Nothing.
Uneasy, I jumped down and headed for the courtyard.
It reminded me that I wasn t the only one keeping secrets.
My adelphia stayed up with me long past curfew. Kunguru joined us while we kept watch at the window.
I started muttering the names of the guards that I saw. Isidora. Megiste. Phaedre. Cybele. Metis. I knew exactly which routes they would take.
My pulse beat quickly in my wrists but I had to admit that a part of me was secretly excited. I d wanted this for so long and I was finally going to be able to let my family know that I had survived.
I had already decided that I wouldn t tell them anything about Quynh yet. I wanted to deliver that devastating news in person. Not to mention that her heritage and name were unique enough that if the wrong person intercepted my messenger, they might be able to piece together my true identity.
My heart twisted as I thought of my sister. The passing of time had helped some, but not nearly enough. I still missed her every single day.
When? Zalira asked in a whisper, rapidly shifting her weight back and forth on the balls of her feet. She was excited, too. Like she was the one sneaking out instead of me.
Soon.
Another guard came into view, but I didn t know her. She had never patrolled before. I let out a groan.
What is it? Io asked, still exuding anxiety and concern.
A new guard. I don t know what her path will be. I wanted to kick something. I was out of time. I had to let my family know right away to delay the prince as long as possible.
I could contact your parents, Io said. I ll speak to the temple messenger and ask him to write a letter on your behalf. I would just need their names and where your home is located.
I nearly choked at her suggestion. Thank you, but this is my responsibility and I can handle it myself. I wouldn t want you to get in trouble.
Although that hadn t been specifically spelled out to me as a rule, I saw from her face that it was. It meant a lot that Io was willing to break rules for me. I squeezed her shoulder to let her know.
She patted my hand and then I released her.
With a sigh I realized that I had gotten prepared for nothing. I had all of my weapons on, my knapsack with a small bag of salt, and a hooded, black cloak. I should just go to bed.
Isidora passed by our window again. If I was going to still go, now would be the time.
Ahyana s face lit up. You need a distraction!
She rushed out of our room. I called after her as quietly as I could, but she didn t come back.
Zalira took me by the hand and we raced together to the front door of the dormitory. We waited several seconds and then I heard someone yell, Fire!
I bit back a groan. Was Ahyana going to burn down the complex just to allow me to sneak out?
Go! Zalira said with a grin, as caught up in the thrill of this as I was.
I smiled back and then ran out into the night.