CHAPTER SIX #2
For whatever reason, as I left the lake, the loss of the protective barrier didn’t hit me nearly as hard as on my first trip.
Maybe because I was fully equipped—my moonstone necklace tucked under my tunic, my dagger stashed underneath my cloak, my satchel filled with a sizable amount of currency, my map canister slung across my back.
I purposefully wore my hair over my ears in case they drew any unwanted attention.
Unlike the other kingdoms, Sivell didn’t share a direct connection with the Fae courts.
What could stop me now?
I was more concerned about the risk of imprisonment than death.
Some warrior accusing me of being a spy, tossing me in a prison cell for trespassing, and throwing away the key.
Maybe I would worry less if I were officially the Midnight Sovereign, but the inauguration was still several moons away.
Certainly, stepping through the gateway at the Winter Solstice would fortify my reputation with the rulers of the land.
There might be other changes in store for me.
The realm’s monarchs derived power from the inauguration ceremony.
After renewing their vows to their people and to the land.
The Bunyip’s gaping maw danced suddenly before my eyes. I suppose you can’t predict everything. Might as well add the threat of death back to the list. Best not to focus on that now though, or I might just turn my small boat right back around.
The journey upstream was peaceful. When I reached the shore of Sivell, disembarking onto land, arms sore from rowing for most of the afternoon, I felt a faint pull tugging at my conscience, taking me by surprise.
I focused on the feeling. The boat was…waiting.
And I could somehow sense its intention.
I brushed my fingers lightly against my necklace, wondering if I had it to thank for this newfound awareness.
Touching the necklace only amplified the feeling.
“Return to the island!” I shouted boldly, giving the boat a command to follow.
It began to drift back downstream.
“Ha! Yes! That is going to be useful. Let’s just hope the command works both ways.” Or I’m in for a rude awakening. “Return?” I shouted after the boat, much less confidently. The boat stopped, then began to reverse direction.
I sent it off again, grinning from ear to ear.
I might not have the island’s full protection out here, but its magic had not completely forsaken me either.
I was connected to it; the boat listened to me.
I found that tremendously comforting. Perhaps Kaylin had not been wholly correct, telling me never to leave the island.
Perhaps I could leave and still take a piece of it with me.
The training fields I sought were conveniently marked on my map, which detailed the City of Grence.
Learning from my past mistake, I obsessively checked it during my journey into Sivell—nothing notable would sneak up on me this time.
According to the books in my study, the phoenix warriors commonly trained near its outskirts: There is no sight in Grence more majestic than a phoenix in flight, training alongside his warrior companion.
The two bonded until the warrior’s death.
The phoenix awakening in him a capacity for magic.
The clip-clop of horse hooves and the rattle of wagon wheels alerted me that I was near the road.
I approached as stealthily as possible, walking quietly away from the river, until I stood hidden by a tree, watching the flow of traffic.
I observed a steady stream of wagons and caravans, all traveling toward the city.
I just needed to secure passage for a short while…
get close enough to reach the training fields.
I waited until the wagons slowed down some, stalled by the congestion on the road. But who to ask?
I scanned the three closest wagons, observing their coachmen. Trying to decide who looked trustworthy. I took a step toward the wagon farthest behind. My necklace pulsed and then grew heavy. I stumbled, the weight pulling me into a crouch. What was happening?
The sensation held me locked in place as the horses trotted forward again.
I stayed still until the feeling fully abated.
I’d lost my chance to find a wagon. Was that the necklace’s intent?
Could I trust its intuition? I watched the road, another wagon on the horizon was rapidly approaching.
The necklace warmed. An approval? I intended to find out.
When the wagon drew close enough, I stepped into view, waving it down.
A well-dressed gentleman sat in the driver’s seat of the open-covered wagon, holding the reins of a single horse.
He had flawless brown skin, much like the deep bronze of his pottery collection, neatly stacked in the back of the wagon, each piece unblemished and meticulously polished.
Based on the pottery and the man’s professional appearance, he was likely a merchant heading into the city to sell his wares.
“Excuse me!” I shouted to get his attention. “May I join you as you travel into the city? I can pay.”
The man looked me over, scanning the tree line behind me as well. “Are you traveling alone, madam?”
I reached into my satchel and pulled out a generous number of coins. “Yes, I’m alone. I don’t mean any trouble, but I would appreciate your assistance. Like I said, I can pay. I just need to reach the city…” I waved the silver in front of him for good measure.
He knitted his eyebrows. “Alright, you can hop into the back then. My name’s Endrik.
No nonsense now; I’ll have my eye on you.
” I handed him the payment with a grateful smile.
Finding an open corner in the back of the wagon, I settled down, watching the landscape pass by as the merchant resumed his travels.
Up close, I could further appreciate the artistry that must have gone into making such high-quality pottery.
My childhood friend, Agatha Somners, possessed the same talent, her hands always covered in dried clay from the pottery wheel.
The merchant didn’t engage me in any small talk, but I caught his occasional backward glance, probably checking that I wasn’t getting into any trouble while he drove.
As we drew closer to the city gate, the grassy fields we passed became more and more populated.
I stifled a gasp as a blazing fireball went flying through the air in the field adjacent to the road.
The fireball made contact with a stationary practice target with deadly precision, setting it aflame, as a phoenix flew overhead.
I located the warrior responsible just as he flung his hand out again, sending another fiery projectile toward a secondary practice dummy.
It met the same incendiary fate as the first target.
I gulped, the sight more than a little intimidating to behold. The phoenix swooped low, extinguishing the flames with a wave of its wing. It was a creature of fire alright. Its scarlet feathers shimmered in the sunlight and I gasped aloud, no longer able to contain my amazement.
The merchant whipped around, knuckles tight on the reins, until he noticed the direction of my gaze.
He chuckled. “They still impress me too, even after all these years. You never get used to seeing them.”
“I believe you,” I replied, an awed smile still on my face. “Could you drop me off here please?”
“Here?” He frowned. “Are you sure? I’m happy to take you all the way into the city if you wish.
You certainly gave me enough coin.” He regarded me, the lines of his eyes softening.
“May I give you some advice? You might not want to travel with your coin purse so visible; otherwise, you’ll be an easy target for cutpurses looking to make some easy coin, or worse.
Buy yourself a belt you can attach it to in the city.
Or sew it into the lining of your cloak instead. ”
“Thank you for the advice. And for the ride. I appreciate both. You can leave me here. I’m sure.”
“Alright, if that’s really what you want.
” He sounded reluctant to leave me behind, voice tinged with guilt.
Pulling on the reins, he brought the wagon to a full stop, allowing me to dismount back onto the ground.
“Take care then,” he called over his shoulder as the wagon pulled away and back onto the road.
The merchant’s parting words hung in the air. What would he think if he knew what I was about to attempt? Would he have warned me away? Or chastised me for my foolishness? Take care. Nope, in pursuit of phoenix flame, I was about to walk, unwelcome, into the army’s training camp.
I was about to fling all caution to the wind.