“That would be impolite,” Cera replied. “They’re buying us drinks.”
Zara hooted. “Now that’s more like it!”
The girls lingered until closing time and wandered home well after dark. Calix had stayed up waiting for them, but they pushed past him giggling. He sighed and headed off to bed himself.
Lily and Cera waved goodnight to Dhara and her sisters. Nara begged Forest to spend the night with her, and she allowed herself to be dragged off toward Nara’s campsite.
“I forgive you,” Lily called after her.
“I know,” Forest called back as Nara tugged her away.
15
Kala
Kala looked out the window of the airship as she consulted her journal. “We’ll have to stop for food and water,” she concluded and informed Hawke, Emilie, and Amber. “I didn’t bring enough provisions for four for such a long trip.”
Hawke looked a little guilty.
“I didn’t mean anything by that,” Kala added hastily. “I’m really glad that I ran into you.” She turned to Emilie, “And I’m happy to see you again, although the circumstances never seem to be ideal.”
Emilie smiled. “You can say that again.”
Hawke touched the bandage across his arm and winced. “We place ourselves in your capable hands.”
Kala replied, “I’m bringing us somewhere where I know the hunting well. We’ll be okay.”
The airship drifted for a long while, then began its slow descent and finally landed with a thud.
“It’s not pretty out there,” Kala warned them, “but it’s home.” She swung open the door to reveal the remains of her burnt-out village. The four of them disembarked, taking in the devastation. It smelled like wet charcoal.
“This was your home?” Amber asked.
“A long time ago,” Kala replied distantly. “Another lifetime.”
“I’m so sorry,” Amber said.
“Thank you,” Kala replied genuinely and paused to collect her thoughts. “Shelter, water, fire, food,” she rhymed off. “Let’s see what we can do.”
The airship was the safest place to shelter, but they all needed space to stretch and to feel unconfined for a time. No building in the village had been left unscathed, and even the least damaged of them was filled with charred timber and ash. The wall that had ringed the village had been largely pushed in or fallen over, but Kala found a section that still stood and provided a barrier behind them. The sky was clear, so they didn’t rue the absence of a roof.
Kala propped Hawke up with his back to the wall and ordered him to rest. She gathered wood for a fire, and Amber and Emilie joined her once she brought the first load back, and they figured out what she was up to. Kala got a fire going, and the girls helped stock a good supply of wood beside it. Kala walked to the village well and confirmed from the smell of the water that it didn’t seem to have been poisoned. She pulled up a bucket and carried it over to the fire.
She heated water to a boil and took a closer look at Hawke’s wound. It was deep and ugly but showed no signs of infection. She washed it with the boiled water and Hawke bit down hard against the pain. He was sweating from the effort when Kala applied salve and a fresh bandage.
She gave the girls instructions to keep the fire going and keep an eye out for any unwelcome visitors while she headed into the woods to hunt. Not much light remained, but the absence of villagers had emboldened the smaller animals that had once lived in its shadow. Kala returned before nightfall with a brace of rabbits and a grouse. She cooked them and passed the meat around.
“It’s delicious,” Amber said. “Ever think of opening a restaurant?”
The absurdity of it struck Kala, and she began to laugh, and once she started, she couldn’t stop. “Maybe once the world stops burning, we can open one together,” she replied once she’d regained some composure.
“You laugh,” Amber replied, “but I’d like that.”
Kala patted her leg. “Me too. Let’s hope our story turns out that way.” She turned to face Hawke. “What did I miss after I left? How did your story turn out?”
“You’re looking at it,” he replied.
“I mean before, you idiot.”
“I know… you’re so easy to rile.” He chuckled and shifted his weight. “I more or less dismantled Baron’s criminal empire, such as it was. I gave the brothel over to Marija with the understanding that the girls would keep an even share of their earnings. I thought I was doing right by them, but I guess that’s all gone now.”
“Some of them could have survived,” Amber pointed out. “We’re survivors,” she trailed off, remembering her former profession.
“What happened to your baker beau?” Kala asked.
“Dead,” Amber replied wistfully.
“I’m sorry,” Kala replied, sorry she’d asked.
“It was an accident. He was kicked by a horse in the street outside the bakery. I ran the bakery after he died. I think I got pretty good at it,” she mused.
“I’ll expect proof-by-pastry at your earliest convenience, madame,” Kala mocked.
Amber laughed, the sound of tinkling glass, surprising herself. “I guess I haven’t laughed in a while,” she said and laughed at laughing.
Emilie had scrounged up some unlooted blankets that were mercifully dry and pest-free. She cradled Hawke in her arms, and Kala lay beside Amber for warmth. They fell asleep, almost feeling at peace.
Amber woke in the night to Kala calling her name. Kala was reaming that she was still searching the bakery for Amber, but couldn’t find her. She looked frantically, but no matter how thoroughly she searched, there was always another room. Kala thrashed in her sleep.
“Shh, I’m right here,” Amber soothed, rolling over and pulling Kala closer. She held her until she stilled, all the while stroking her hair and whispering calmingly in her ear. Kala never woke, and Amber gradually fell back asleep herself.
They stayed at the village another two days while Hawke recovered, and Kala continued to provide game. Emilie scrounged around and miraculously found some turnips and potatoes that hadn’t been pulled from the ground or trampled into oblivion.
“She’s a keeper,” Kala joked with Hawke as they dined on baked potatoes and rabbit.
“I know,” he said, pulling Emilie close. She looked at him lovingly, and Kala wondered if Skye would still love her, broken as she was.
Kala excused herself and wandered into the remains of the village to be alone. She made her way to Lily’s house and sat down on the floor. Forest’s ghost joined her.
“Haven’t seen you in a while,” Kala remarked.
“I haven’t gone anywhere,” Forest replied. She stared at Kala with soulful eyes. “I was right, wasn’t I?”
“About what?” Kala asked.
“That no amount of blood can heal a heart.”
“I suppose so.” Kala stirred her thoughts like embers. “You’re one hell of a preachy ghost – you know that?”
“I know,” she replied, smiled sadly, and faded from view, leaving Kala alone in the dark.
Kala got up stiffly and returned to the fireside.
“There you are,” said Amber.
“Here I am,” Kala replied and realized that a part of herself had truly returned. Here I am, she thought.
They loaded the food that they had left, some water and Emilie’s blankets, and relaunched the airship.
“Where are we going?” asked Hawke.
“I hope you like fish,” Kala replied.
The airship touched down. Kala took a deep breath and opened the door to find Skye standing in front of her, expectantly. She stepped out hesitantly, allowing herself to be wrapped in his embrace, and burst into tears. “They’re gone,” she cried. “Grandfather, Lily, Cera, Forest, Calix – all gone – ash.”
“I’m sorry,” he comforted her and held her tight. What can you say in the face of that magnitude of loss? he wondered and cursed his inability to find words that would heal her. She
clung to him, sobbing, as he stroked her hair.
Hawke, Emilie, and Amber emerged awkwardly behind her.
“Sorry,” Kala said, wiping away her tears. “Skye, this is Hawke, Emilie, and Amber,” she said, introducing each in turn.
“This is your beau?” Amber asked.
Kala looked up into Skye’s eyes uncertainly. “Still my beau?” she asked.
He pulled her in for a passionate kiss.
Amber jokingly cleared her throat. “Hello… standing right here.”
Kala pulled back from Skye’s kiss. “Yup – this is my beau,” she replied, feeling relieved.
“He’s cute,” she said, making Skye blush.
“Edith has tea ready,” he reported. “She’ll be waiting for us. And Tiberius will be happy to see you too. Apparently, I don’t rub him the way you do,” he said and held up a hand covered in scratches as proof.
“He’s a tyrant,” Kala agreed and placed an arm tightly around his waist.
They walked down the path to Edith’s tiny house. She was waiting for them on the porch with a pot of hot tea and warm cookies.
“Kala, so good to see you, child,” she greeted her.
“Kala?” Hawke asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m Kala here,” she admitted. “It’s a different world.”
He nodded his understanding.
They all took a seat, a cup of tea, and a cookie or two, or in Hawke’s case, three or four.
“Sweet tooth?” Kala teased.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” he smiled.
“How did you come to know each other?” Skye asked.
“Hawke used to torture me,” Kala replied, straight-faced.
Skye froze.
“Technically, I patched you up after the torture,” Hawke corrected her.
“Well, you have to admit, you did hit me with sticks.”
“Got me there,” he admitted.
Skye watched their easy banter in shock.
Kala caught his expression. “It’s okay, Skye. It’s water under the bridge,” she said and tossed Hawke another cookie.
“See, you do care,” he joked.
Emilie looked a little put-off by her boyfriend’s familiarity with Kala. Noticing this, he pulled Emilie onto his lap and tickled her until she relaxed.
“I did not need to see that,” Kala said, jokingly putting her cup of tea down.
“And where did you meet Kala?” Edith asked Amber.
“At the brothel,” she replied. “The one she burned down, then the other one too, I guess. She’s my guardian angel.” She smiled broadly, and Kala’s heart leaped.
Edith, to her credit, just nodded and sipped her tea. “So what brings you to our quiet hamlet? Escaping the strife inland?”
Before she could answer, Tiberius jumped onto Kala’s lap and padded around until he deemed himself comfortable enough to lie down. She scratched behind his ears.
Skye pointed warningly to his scratched hand, which only made Kala laugh when Tiberius began to purr.
“Sorry for the interruption,” Kala continued, glancing down at the cat. “Yes, we’ve come fleeing the conflict. But, sadly, we can’t just hide out here. Someone has to put an end to it.”
Forest’s ghost nodded her assent from where she sat on the railing.
“But we just got here,” Amber protested.
“You’re staying,” Kala said, patting her leg, “but I have to return.”
“Please, don’t go,” Amber pleaded.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” Kala replied with confidence she didn’t feel. “We’ll get you set up here in the meantime.” She turned to Edith. “Does the town have a baker?”
“Of course,”
“Does the baker need help?”
“I imagine she’d welcome it.”
“Well, that’s settled, then. We just need somewhere for you to stay.”
“She’s dear to you, isn’t she?” Edith asked gently.
“More than you could possibly know,” Kala replied, a lump forming in her throat.
Edith turned to Amber. “I have a spare room here. You’re welcome to keep me company if you’d like. Would that be okay?”
“That would be lovely,” Amber replied.
Edith turned to Hawke and Emilie. Tomorrow, I’ll take you two lovebirds into town, and we’ll get you squared away too.
Hawke nodded his thanks.
Skye turned to Kala. “I can be packed and ready to leave when you are.”
“But your mother…” she began.
“Is doing well and expecting us for dinner,” he finished for her, smiling broadly. With that, he stood up and held out his hand.
She took it tentatively, shooing the cat off her lap, and rose.
“Edith, thank you for your hospitality,” Skye told her. “Can we leave these three in your care?” he asked.
“Anytime,” she replied amicably.
“Thank you. My mother will be waiting. Good night,” he said and led Kala off.
“I’m really in no condition,” she protested as they walked toward the village.
“My mother doesn’t care.”
She pulled him to a stop. “You don’t understand… I’m not quite… whole,” she finally got out.
“She’ll welcome whatever parts of you there are.”
“Some parts are pretty dark,” Kala said apprehensively.
“So they are,” he said, wrapping his arm around her and guiding her the rest of the way in comfortable silence.
Kala looked at Forest’s ghost for help, but she just shrugged. Kala felt the darkness flowing in her veins just below her skin and prayed to the Goddess to grant her a reprieve. The darkness moved deeper in response and she had to content herself with that.
She looked up to see that they’d arrived at a tiny cottage on the edge of the village. She tensed in apprehension as Skye swung open the door. “We’re home, mother,” he announced.
Mouth-watering smells enveloped them as they stepped inside. Skye’s mother stepped out of the kitchen. Her health and color had returned, and she was beautiful. Kala could tell in an instant where Skye got his good looks.
“Perfect timing, dear,” she said and gestured for them to sit at the places that she’d set for them at the table. Once they’d sat, she brought out an array of terra-cotta bowls containing steaming dishes. “I made lamb,” she said to Kala, then conspiratorially to Skye, “I know you hate fish.”
Skye leaned over and kissed his mother’s cheek, then began serving the three of them. They ate in silence, while Skye’s mother studied Kala with kind eyes.
Kala hoped that Skye’s mother couldn’t see the darkness swirling below the surface. “You’re looking well,” she said, putting down her roll.
“Thank you. I owe it to you two.”
Kala blushed. “It was nothing.”
“It was everything to me,” she replied seriously and placed her hand over Kala’s.
“I’m sorry I can’t stay,” Kala announced guiltily.
“I know, dear. Destiny calls. Hell, I can hear it calling you,” she laughed. “It’s okay. It really is. Just bring my Skye back to me if you can.”
Kala felt a lump her throat, and all she could do was nod.
“Thank you,” Skye’s mother said, patting Kala’s hand. “Now eat up, I have a cobbler in the oven.”
After dinner, Skye cleaned up and made Kala a bed on the oversized sofa in the front room. He made one for himself on the floor in front of it. “It’s small, but it’s cozy,” he apologized.
She gripped his hand. “Thank you for waiting for me,” she said.
“To the end of time,” he mumbled and drifted off to sleep.
They woke in the morning, breakfasted, and said goodbye to Skye’s mother. She stood in the doorway, watching them depart.
“She’s happier here than she’s ever been,” Skye confided.
You know what?” Kala admitted guiltily. “I never asked h
er name.”
“Evelyn,” Skye replied.
“It suits her,” Kala mused, and they trudged up the path to the airship.
Hawke, Emilie, and Amber were waiting for them.
Kala gave Amber a big hug, and their eyes filled with tears.
Hawke gave Emilie an equally big hug.
Kala looked over at him, confused. “What are you doing?” she asked him.
“Coming with you,” he replied.
“But… Emilie?” she stammered.
“If I can’t make the world safer for her, what kind of boyfriend would I be?” he asked her back.
She didn’t have an answer for that. “Fair enough,” she replied finally and turned to Emilie. “I’ll get him back to you in one piece,” she promised.
“You’d better,” she said, wiping away tears.
Kala, Skye, and Hawke boarded the airship. Hawke closed the door, and Kala dialed in their destination. The ship lifted off.
“Where are we headed?” Skye asked.
“Into the path of the storm,” Kala answered and the darkness in her stirred in anticipation.
16
Forest
Fayre sat down beside Jarom, who was running a whetstone over the edge of his axe. “You were with Soren, were you not?” she asked him.
“For a time, yes,” he replied, pausing his sharpening.
“Is what Forest says about him wanting to destroy the world true?”
“Completely.”
She mulled this over, then gestured toward the city, “They’re doing nothing here to prepare for him.”
“People can be stupid that way,” he replied, shrugging.
“We can’t just sit by,” she said frustratedly.
“People are pretty persistent in their stupidity in my experience,” he said but saw that it didn’t satisfy her. He sighed and put his axe down. “What were you thinking?” he asked.
“We should meet with the city officials and let them know the danger they’re in. They clearly don’t fully grasp it.”
“By ‘we,’ you mean ‘you and me’?” he asked.
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