Chapter 39 #2
When I open my eyes, I’m not in Isthyr. That is for certain. Nor am I in any city at all.
I’m above the trees, flying over dense forest. The type where the leaves grow so close together that shadows knit with shadows, walling the forest floor off from the wind and the world as even the thinnest rays of light struggle to find a way in.
My stomach coils. Trees like this make me think of the Rottings, and if there are any near here, that’s more than enough reason for me not to be.
And so, with far less effort than I expect, I soar a little higher, then release control and let the wings take me wherever they desire.
Sometimes I slow – sometimes I quicken. There’s no city in sight. Nothing. And so my frustration grows.
This is not where I want to be. If I must use my Raven Sight, then can’t it show me that my family are safe or even teach me more about the Rottings? Forest canopies teach me nothing.
These visions – these slips – have ended prematurely only when Fen has pulled me out, sensing my fear. Will acting afraid work? I’m about to try it when a glimmer in the distance catches my eye.
There’s something there on the horizon. Something other than trees.
A river. The one I found Fen in? It’s certainly possible, though I know there are many other rivers in the kingdom, and there’s nothing to even say that I’m still in Morathka.
But it’s what’s just before the river that holds my attention: a large group of people.
Yes, from the way they’re moving and the horses that travel with them, they’re definitely people, not Rottings.
I quicken and draw closer. The people I can see are wearing veils over their faces, but it’s their weapons that cause a churning within me.
Bows slung over their backs. Quivers full of arrows at their sides.
‘Torailians,’ I whisper to myself, immediately switching direction and sweeping higher and higher, out of their arrows’ reach, because the last time I was in bird form and saw the Torailians, they tried to kill me.
As I flap the wings ever harder, the memories of that moment threaten to engulf me.
Adrenaline surges, and my body jerks, wrenching me away.
‘Rose, thank goodness. I was getting worried.’
I’m lying on a bed that I don’t recognise, and Caz is on her feet next to me.
‘Where am I?’ I ask, a little confused.
‘You’re in the priestesses’ quarters in the temple,’ she explains, wringing her hands. ‘You’ve been out for quite some time. They came and got me. I was worried you’d burned yourself out with magic until I saw it was a Raven Sight thing.’
‘Yeah, I’m not burned out yet,’ I say wryly as I sit up.
Caz comes over to sit next to me on the bed, her eyes eager and worried all at once. ‘See anything interesting?’
‘Torailians,’ I tell her. ‘I think.’
‘You think?’ She raises an eyebrow.
‘They had bows and arrows, but veils across their faces and caravans with horses.’
‘You think the vision is trying to tell you something about them?’
‘Probably, but I’m damned if I know what.’
It’s always a surprise how clear-headed I am in these moments. There’s no dizziness, no wooziness. No readjustment. I’m just back in my human body.
As I scan the quarters, I find Fen lying across the doorway, stopping anyone from coming in or out.
Where’s Kyor? I ask my wolf.
I can tell from the darkness that sits solid outside the window, not to mention the distance I travelled in my raven form, that I was gone for a long time. Given that Fen already told me Kyor planned to apologise, I’m surprised he wasn’t here to offer it the moment I woke.
My mate and Kyor are on the other side of the city, learning things, Fen says. Apparently, the prince is on a quest.
A quest? I question, eyes narrowing. What does that mean? Is he in danger? Is his quest to kill Stefan? I demand, then shake my head. No, no, he wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t.
They are not in any danger, Little Raven. And I do not believe anyone else is either. But the prince was very determined, focused, and I did not want to worry them. I could feel you were in no distress. He could not assist you in your current state in any event.
True enough, I respond, looking back at Caz. The way she’s chewing on her bottom lip tells me she has something she wants to share.
‘What is it?’ I ask.
‘I need to check, but I think that makes sense, about the people you saw being Torailian, I mean. I’m sure I read somewhere that they only show their faces when they’re fighting. They want their eyes, and the smile on their lips, to be the last things you see before you die.’
‘Well, that’s not fucked up at all,’ I comment.
‘From what I recall, when they’re travelling, they tend to cover more.
Could it be a rite or pilgrimage, perhaps?
I’ll need to find that book again, make sure I’m right.
Though where it is, I have no clue. The Issen library is categorised differently from what I’m used to.
I’ve been trying to find out more about the Great War that Oel spoke of, and the whole Child of Four thing too, but I’ve been coming up empty.
Still, there are so many books. There has to be something somewhere.
’ She visibly brightens at the idea of once more poring over the stacks.
With a slight stretch and a click of my neck, I push myself onto my feet. My mind may be clear after a slip, but that doesn’t stop the aches in my arms and legs, which feel as though they have truly flown that whole distance.
As we leave the room, there are several priestesses standing outside.
‘Princess Rose, you are welcome to stay if you need further respite.’ They all bow their heads respectfully as one speaks.
‘Thank you,’ I respond. ‘And thank you for … taking care of me.’
‘It is an honour to help Etta’s gifted,’ one of them says, flashing an awe-filled smile that reminds me of Linnea. With a slightly awkward dip of my head, I indicate my thanks again before Caz and I continue out of the temple.
Outside, I stare up at the sky.
Dense streams of starlight cascade over the mountains like clouds of light, illuminating the darkness and scattering it with almost as many colours as a rainbow.
Maybe this is why the Issen don’t bother with large temples to the Gods.
When this is what you’re looking at each night, it almost feels as though you’re standing among them.
‘So I want to talk to you about something.’ Caz is walking slowly in front of me, and the nervousness in her voice hurries me to her side. The manner in which she’s wringing her hands also makes me uneasy.
‘What is it?’ I ask. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘Yes. Yes, I think so.’ She pauses, glancing up at the stars before looking back at me. ‘You know Thessa and I talked about travelling together? Meeting more of her people?’
‘Of course.’
‘Well…’ The word hangs in the air. ‘The more time I spend here, the more I wonder whether I actually want to leave Isthyr. At least not for a long while.’