Chapter 30 Iann #2
“That’s it,” Nico says, interrupting our quiet conversation and pointing an arm between Ariah and me. “There is the fork.”
“Does Fraya have any notes on that?” Ariah asks as Nico tilts the map towards her, allowing her a better view.
“Fraya had symbols embedded into the map and I was able to copy them from what the anchor showed me. For instance, there is an eagle over here.” He moves his finger over the map. “There is a strange pattern of different shapes over here. And this is the fork.”
Ariah asks, “Which way do we go?”
“To the right,” Nico checks the map once more. “We should come to a bridge soon.”
We go right and come to a long path arched by a canopy of trees. Vines swing from one branch to another, and bright birds fly overhead. I stop as I watch them get a little too close and immediately feel Ariah’s hand in mine.
“A totally rational fear.” She scrunches her nose to keep from laughing, and although she’s mocking me, she doesn’t let go, and I don’t either.
The path through the tunnel is clear and takes us hours to make our way out of. A few claim to hear strange noises but nothing of great concern comes from it. Overall, the island is eerily quiet.
We eventually find ourselves at one end of a wooden bridge, held together with rope, that is who knows how old. Thankfully we don’t find ourselves too high up and a fall would land us in a murky swamp. I’m more afraid of what’s in the water than the bridge snapping.
Not one plank threatens to give way with each crossing. On the other side we find another path. This one is steep and rockier than the first.
Ariah has to take a few inhales of her spray the higher in elevation we climb, but overall, all goes well.
Hours later, the ground begins to level out and past a clearing of trees, we see a cliff that overlooks most of the isle. A dark orange paints the sky, with lines of purple-and-pink brushed throughout. Utterly stunning.
“I’ve never seen a tree look so luminous,” Ariah whispers. “Like it’s crawling with glowworms.”
There are several trees covering the land. Most of them are situated in shadows as night nears. But nowhere do I see a lustrous tree.
Deean comes forward and stands between us, squinting so he doesn’t miss anything. “I see a lot. But there is no glowing tree out there.”
“It’s right there.” Ariah points a finger off in the distance. “Just next to that waterfall.”
The waterfall is practically on the other side of the isle, a good day’s worth of hiking away.
Nico pulls out the map and points at something below, not too far off from the shore. “Is it just over there? Near that cluster of rocks.”
“See, Nico sees what I’m talking about,” Ariah says.
“I know what you’re talking about but I can’t see it. On the map it shows this is where we’ll find the tree that grows the Ivian Flower.”
“She really did enchant it,” Chana says.
“Greedy witch.” Vera continues along the path, away from the cliff.
“There is a cave up ahead.” Benny states in between sips of water. “Might be a good spot to rest for the night. Given it’s not occupied.”
There is also a river nearby, flowing out into the sea. A chance for us all to get water and food. “He’s right,” I offer in response to Benny’s suggestion. “Let’s scout it out and see if it’s a safe place to camp for the night.”
The cave is clear. No animal tracks or signs of danger.
“I’ve been thinking” —Chana takes a seat near Deean who bangs two nille stones together, sparking a fire—“if legend is true about the isle forming from Kailaric, the chances of there being any invasive species are slim. We might be fairly safe here.”
In The Forbidden by Wanner, he went on about native plants.
He referenced birds and snakes but not much else.
Any other creatures would have to have been brought here, which is unlikely.
The isle is already difficult to find. I can’t imagine many discovering such a place just to bring foreign animals.
“Explains why we’ve only seen birds.” Deean sits back on a log and passes out the food Sallen packed.
“That reminds me, I know the Captain said it was for emergencies but maybe in the morning, or when we’re closer to the tree, we can light some of that powder.
Make them come get us instead of having to journey back. ”
Benny looks over to me and raises his eyebrows. Both of us are surprised at how much help Deean has been.
“I think we can definitely make it by sundown tomorrow if we get an early start,” Nico says. “First light. First cavahor.”
Chana’s head flies up. “You’re from Ethmay?”
Nico flashes the usual grin. “I am. My father worked for a number of merchant crews there, but three years ago we met Prince Iann and were allowed to reside in Saden for work.”
“Can either of you explain what cavahor means to the clueless,” Vera inquires.
“It means ‘to be filled.’ The first up and moving are usually more filled with their day, or life in general. So Ethmaians believe.”
“I enjoy sleeping in and I feel just as satisfied as any other.” Deean takes a bite out of the stale bread and dried fruit we have for supper.
“Filled with liquor,” I say, giving some of my bread to Ariah as everyone laughs.
“Even better.” Deean tosses me a wink.
Benny pulls out his notebook and scribbles something down. “I have a question for our Haymelian guests. How did you all become secret servants to the Queen? I would like to make sure I get my notes correct.”
“Are you going to put us in a book or something?” Ariah says, swatting at the crumbs in her lap, then pulls out the ribbon in her hair. Curls fall to her side, brushing over elbows I desire to kiss and nibble on. I love it when her hair flows loosely.
“Of course. Every story must be told, especially one as grand as this. No person can be left out or the story is incomplete.”
“No one would know we’re missing anyway.” From his bag, Sky pulls out the orchids and other plants he’s collected on the trail.
“We would,” Benny replies and gets his writing tool ready.
“My mother was once a Fox.” Vera goes first. “She got injured when her partner didn’t show up to a task they were assigned to.
” Her eyes drift to Ariah, who is awash with sudden guilt, but Vera attempts a faint smile.
I assume there is much more to the backstory, but I’ll ask Ariah at another time.
“Anyways,” Vera continues, “she was beaten by some grifters who weren’t meant to be there.
Left her bloody and broken. A lord she was supposed to be spying on discovered her, along with a vial poison and a suicide note she was to leave behind to make it look like he had taken his own life.
The Lord learned of my mom’s identity and all Foxes are to remain unseen.
Queen Cayleen knew she could never employ her again, so she exiled her to a small island on the northern shores of Haymel.
It’s where I grew up. But come my sixteenth birthday, the Queen sent a carriage.
My gift that year was the chance to redeem my mother’s name and I’ve been a Fox since. ”
Benny widens his eyes as he writes down her story. “I’m sorry. Thank you for sharing though.”
Vera shrugs. “It’s not what I wished for that birthday, but I suppose she could have killed us instead. If it means my mother is forever done with her, then so be it.”
“Haymel and Ethmay do a lot of trade.” Chana picks at her bread and continues on without giving us time to digest Vera’s story. “Mostly food, spices, and material. On occasion they decide children are best. In my village we called them coratas.”
“Night thieves,” Nico says.
“Yes. They came in the dead of night, seven years and two hundred and twenty-seven days ago. They wanted my sister and I offered them me, instead. It was the last time I was home. The last time I saw her.” We sit in silence for a minute or two.
“It could have been worse though. Most don’t end up in the Queen’s court.
There are far worse fates than ending up a Fox. Some have no fates at all.”
Vera rubs Chana’s arm in comfort, causing Chana to smile. Although she has every right to feel hopeless and miserable, she isn’t. They both turn their attention to Sky, who immediately rolls his eyes.
“Oh, you want me to follow you two?” Sky huffs.
“Mine is not as horrid as all that. No clue who my father is or where he’s from.
Ma has tried to tell me several times, but in all honesty I don’t care to know anything about the bastard, which ironically is what I am.
My mother got into trouble a few years back and to make all her issues go away she made a deal with Morrena.
I was simply part of the deal and ended up working under Morrena as a Fox about five years ago. ”
“Your mother traded you to get rid of her problems?” Deean sounds like it’s a concept too unfathomable for him to accept. Suddenly, all the trials in our life added together seem minor compared to the lives these seasoned Foxes have had to endure.
“Maybe I was the problem.” Sky lets out a dry chuckle. “But that’s how I got there. Any more life facts from me require stronger drinks—or cruel poisons—so that’s all you’re going to get.”
Benny ends his interviews there, already knowing what reasons Ariah has for being here.
Guilt sweeps in. According to Ariah, one of Queen Cayleen’s greatest rules is to never fall in love, and I can’t help the remorse I feel knowing we are repeating a history similar to Ariah’s parents.
But she turns to me and gives me a smile so rich that I would do anything to wrap myself in it, even if it means making enemies with the Queen of Haymel.
We sit around a fire and share more stories, happier ones, until sleep carries us away for the night.