Chapter 14 Alar
"Identifying weak points and addressing flaws is crucial for strengthening fortifications."
—General Tiberon, Elurian Infantry
After finishing breakfast at the best eatery at Skywatcher's Point, I pushed my empty plate aside and turned to Codric. "I'm going to find the apothecary and get us something for altitude sickness."
I should have thought about it before embarking on a journey to Elucia and obtained medication for the condition, but it hadn't occurred to me. It wasn't like there was a manual for Elurians who wanted to join the Elucian pilgrimage.
Codric and I had interacted with plenty of Elucians during the lengthy process of getting our request approved, and yet none of them had thought to warn us.
They all knew that flatlanders needed help combating altitude sickness, but I suspected that many of them also didn't really want Elurians to make it to the top of Mount Hope and get selected for the Dragon Force, so there was that.
The truth was that healing herbs were not my only motivation for visiting the apothecary.
Kailin had mentioned that she knew a lot about healing because she was apprenticed to her grandmother, who was an herbalist. When I asked about a pharmacy, I was told that there was only one in town, so there was a good chance that I would run into Kailin, provided that I was lucky enough to walk in while it was her shift.
I hadn't seen her since the night I had escorted her home, and although we were supposed to meet again this evening at the blessing ceremony, I was afraid I would miss her in the crowd of pilgrims and all the locals who came to watch it.
My cousin arched an eyebrow. "I don't think that there is anything you can take for altitude sickness.
The only way for your body to get used to it is to spend time at this altitude, and we've been doing that for the past four days.
Besides, even if such medicine exists, I don't think we are allowed to take it.
" He lifted his foot with the pilgrimage-approved boot.
"Humility and equality. All pilgrims are assigned the same equipment.
The idea is to test our ability and persistence, not the contents of our wallets. "
"It does not apply to medicine." I rose to my feet. "Do you want to come with me?"
He shook his head. "I'm going to order another plate. Just thinking about starting the fast tonight makes me hungry. If you find something useful, get it for me too."
Codric and his voracious appetite.
I didn't look forward to going without food for three days, but I couldn't bring myself to take another bite. Besides, we still had lunch to fill up on.
"I will." I headed toward the door.
Stepping out, I made my way toward the center of town where I had seen the apothecary. A faded wooden sign with a carved mortar and pestle hung above the door of the quaint stone building, which had window boxes full of fragrant herbs.
Carried on the mountain breeze, the scent alone was enough to navigate by.
As I got closer and caught sight of golden hair through the window, my pulse quickened. Kailin stood behind the counter, talking to a customer and smiling at him in a way that made me want to get in there, grab him by the collar of his shirt, and toss him out on the street.
The problem with my fantasy was that there was a long line of people standing behind him, and I couldn't toss them all out so I could have Kailin to myself.
Get a grip, Alar.
I took a deep breath, reminding myself I was here on a mission, and that getting involved with an Elucian girl wasn't part of the plan. I wasn't like Codric, who could bed them and forget them.
That wasn't how I was wired.
While he had been with so many women that he couldn't remember them all, I could count my past lovers on the fingers of one hand.
Boring, I know, but I wasn't as easy with my affections as Codric, and I needed more substance in a relationship than just the physical. I wasn't a prude, and I wasn't a romantic, but my partners had been more than just bed warmers to me.
A tiny dog sat in the window, her graying muzzle pressed against the glass as she watched the street with keen interest. The famous Chicha, I presumed, the one who had saved Kailin's village from being slaughtered by the Shedun. She didn't look like the ferocious beast I had imagined.
As I approached the door, her ears perked up, but instead of barking, she merely tilted her head and studied me with a pair of suspicious eyes that were much less trusting than those of her owner.
Smart dog.
The bell above the door chimed as I entered, and as Kailin looked up, the smile that lit her face made my carefully constructed resolve waver.
"Good morning, Alar," she greeted me even though she was still dealing with that customer who had been the lucky recipient of her friendly smiles.
"Good morning." I joined the line of customers.
Chicha hopped down from her window perch and trotted over to investigate me, her tail wagging cautiously. She sniffed my boots, then looked up at me with those surprisingly intelligent and curious eyes.
"Well, this is new," Kailin said, finishing with her customer. "She usually doesn't take to strangers so quickly."
"I have this effect on females of all species," I said before I could stop myself.
Kailin rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched with amusement as she turned her attention to the next in line.
The guy she'd been helping before glared at me as he passed me by, but I didn't know whether it was because of my Elurian appearance or because Kailin had greeted me so warmly while still serving him.
"Gran," Kailin called and turned to look over her shoulder toward the back room, which was separated from the front of the store by a curtain. "We need more of the joint pain salve."
An older woman emerged, her silver hair pulled back in a neat bun, her blue eyes, so like Kailin's, sharp and assessing as they fell on me before turning to the lady Kailin was now helping.
"How are you doing, Ronda?" she asked.
"Oh, you know how it is, Jaida." Ronda sighed. "My old arthritic hands are giving me trouble when the weather changes."
"Yes, I do indeed know, unfortunately." Jaida pulled several jars from her apron pocket and handed one to Ronda. "Age is not kind to either of us. Anything else I can do for you?"
"Maybe some sleeping tea," Ronda said. "I have a hard time falling asleep."
"I know just the thing for that." Jaida cast me one more curious glance before ducking behind the curtain.
I waited patiently while Kailin helped the next customer and her grandmother returned with the tea for Ronda. I waited some more as Kailin helped the next person in line, and then I was finally the last one left in the store.
"How can I help you, young man?" Jaida asked.
"I was hoping that you would have something for altitude sickness. My cousin and I could sure use some help with that."
"Oh, I do." She turned her gaze to Kailin. "Is this the merchant from Vedona you told me about?"
The grandmother's knowing look made me wonder what Kailin had said about me.
"Yes." Kailin nodded. "This is Alar."
I dipped my head. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
Jaida narrowed her eyes at me. "I'm surprised a fine Elurian like yourself didn't equip himself with the proper medications before traveling to Elucia. Most outlanders don't respect our traditional medicines." She fixed me with a penetrating stare. "They prefer their fancy pills."
I met her gaze steadily. "My mother always says that nature provides the best remedies if we're wise enough to use them properly."
"Does she now?" The old woman's expression softened. "Well, she sounds like a sensible woman. Let me see what I can prepare for you."
Once Jaida disappeared behind the curtain, Kailin gave me an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. Gran can be a little too forward. She's very protective."
"Of her granddaughter or her herbs?"
"Both." Kailin laughed, and the sound made something warm unfurl in my chest.
Chicha, who had settled at my feet, thumped her tail against the floor.
"My dog seems to like you." Kailin raised the hinged piece of the counter and walked over to me.
Crouching down, she scratched behind Chicha's ears. The movement brought her close enough that I could smell the herbal scent clinging to her hair—something fresh and green, like mountain meadows after a rainfall.
"Your little dog has excellent taste." I fought the urge to reach out and touch one of the loose strands that had escaped Kailin's braid.
She looked up at me, and for a moment, the air between us seemed to crackle, but then Chicha let out a dramatic sigh and flopped onto her back, demanding belly rubs.
The tension broke as we both laughed.
"Here we are," Gran announced, returning with a small cloth bag.
"Ginger root for nausea, coca leaves for the headache, and a special blend of my own that helps your body adjust to the thin air.
" She began measuring out portions into smaller sachets.
"Steep each one in hot water for exactly seven minutes—no more, no less.
Drink it an hour before you start climbing each day.
You can also prepare one for the road and sip on it as needed. "
I reached for my coin purse. "Thank you. How much do I owe you?"
She named a surprisingly modest sum. When I tried to pay more, she shook her head firmly. "This is what I charge. Not a lumen less or more." She tied off the last sachet with practiced fingers.
"Thank you." I tucked the package of herbs into my pocket and turned to Kailin. "Do you know if they will allow us to boil water on the pilgrimage?"
"They will," Gran answered. "Every group of pilgrims is guided by a leader who has medical training. They have what is needed to prepare healing herbal infusions."
That was another piece of information Codric and I hadn't been told. "I'm glad to hear that."
"Just use them properly," the old woman said. "Be safe, Alar of Vedona, and stay alert. This land is not what you are used to. You'd better sleep with one eye open."
"Is there something in particular I should be aware of?" I asked.
Kailin shrugged. "Nothing specific. Everyone's a bit on edge with so many strangers in town. On the one hand, the pilgrimages are a major source of income for us, but on the other, it's not easy to get swamped with new people arriving three times a year for the pilgrimages."
I thought about the security concerns Theron had hinted at, and the suspicious looks I'd gotten from some of the locals. "Is there a specific reason to worry about the influx of people?"
"No more than usual." Kailin tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. "We're safe here, so close to the Citadel. The Shedun would never be stupid enough to attack Skywatcher's Point."
So she'd said the night I had walked her home, but she didn't sound so sure of that now.
Her grandmother made a noncommittal sound. "Even the safest harbor can have hidden rocks, child."
I turned to her. "Will you be attending the blessing ceremony tonight?"
"Of course. Wouldn't miss it." She smiled warmly at Kailin. "My granddaughter is a pilgrim." She patted Kailin's cheek and then sighed. "Only yesterday I bounced you on my knee. How time flies."
As she disappeared into the back room again, I lingered at the counter, reluctant to leave. "Will I see you tonight?"
"I hope so." Kailin smiled shyly. "You are so tall that I should be able to spot you over the heads of everyone. Other than that, it will be difficult to tell one pilgrim apart from the others. We will all be wearing the same fatigues."
"Even so, you will stand out from the crowd."
"Hardly." She waved a hand over herself. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm vertically challenged."
"You're perfect," I blurted, then immediately felt heat rise to my face. Then an idea occurred to me. "Codric and I will arrive early and secure spots at the front for you and Shovia."
"That would be lovely." Our eyes met again, and this time, neither of us looked away. "I look forward to it," she whispered.
Chicha chose that moment to let out a sharp bark, making us both jump. Outside, a group of pilgrims passed by, their excited chatter drifting through the window.
"I should go," I said reluctantly. "Let you get back to work."
Kailin nodded. "Don't forget—seven minutes."
"I won't." I headed for the door with Chicha's eyes following my movement. "Your dog is adorable."
"She is." Kailin smiled fondly at her pet. "Thank you for saying that."
"It's the truth. You should think about bringing her with you."
Kailin shook her head. "She won't take kindly to three days of fasting. Chicha likes her two gourmet meals a day delivered in a timely fashion."
I cast another look at the tiny dog. "Yeah, she looks the type who follows protocol. See you this evening, Kailin."