We cruised along through the traffic, moving slowly but steadily. I watched dragon riders and saw what I thought were Avians for the first time. If I was right, they were a product of High Dragons and other races coupling. They were stunning creatures. I’d heard they had an affinity for magic and could bond with dragons. Being able to see them in their element was incredible.
Beru tapped my shoulder. “Captain Rose wants to speak with you in her cabin.”
His tap was the most intimate he’d been since we’d arrived in Bruhier.
It startled me enough I could only nod. I headed to her cabin, but as I was about to knock, the door swung open.
“Close it behind you.” She was standing with her back to the door, looking over maps on a large, slanted table.
I looked around the room, amazed at the items contained on the shelves and in cabinets. Everything was either bolted down or latched shut, which I imagined was necessary in case of turbulence.
Every inch of the walls were covered in paintings, drawings, or maps. One wall was covered in shelves filled with more books than I had ever seen in one place. The bed beneath the window was a simple wooden pallet piled high with blankets and pillows, with drawers for storage below.
“Have a seat.” She pointed to a small table in the corner with two seats.
“You’ve got an amazing collection.” I sat down as she pulled out two glasses from a small cupboard beneath the table then grabbed a small bottle of amber liquid from a shelf above her head.
“Would you like a drink?” She filled both glasses before I could answer.
“Sure,” I lied. I’d never been one for alcohol, but I knew it was sometimes safer than water, from a healer’s perspective at least.
“I’ll get right to it. Everyone’s been gossiping about the dreamwalker who came to Bruhier searching for the Light Woman.” She plopped down in her chair, then grabbed a bowl of nuts, and threw it on the table in my general direction. “Food.”
“Thanks.” I looked down at the bowl, wrinkling my nose at the dust. “Been a while since you had company?”
“You could say that.”
“I’ll assuming you heard about the prison break swirling through the gossip, too?” I pushed the bowl away, electing to take a sip from my cup instead. The liquid burned as it traveled down my throat to my stomach. Whiskey. Well-aged, too.
“Yup, heard that, too.” She slammed back her cup in one gulp. “I’ve got my own thoughts on that.”
“You don’t agree?”
“I’m more interested in what you want with the Light Woman.”
“So, there is a Light Woman?” Relief Beru hadn’t lied flowed through me at her words.
“Yes, there’s a long line of Light Women.”
I examined her face carefully.
She had wrinkles at the corners of silver flecked green eyes, her sun and wind-beaten face showed laugh lines. She couldn’t have been more than thirty, so I was sure it couldn’t be her.
“We were told she’d passed away. Is that true?”
“Depends on which one you’re talking about.” She sat back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other’s knee.
I couldn’t read her expression. Was it hard for her to talk about this? “I’m sorry, are you saying there’s more than one?”
“What do you need her for?”
“She holds an important key to the prison. I’m hoping she can help us close it.”
She did a double-take, both feet slapping the floor hard. “Did you leave it open?”
“Not intentionally. We weren’t aware of it at the time, but somehow it ripped. Prisoners have started to escape, and more will follow once they find out.”
She stood abruptly, her chair rocking back, almost tipping over as she went to the shelf with the whiskey bottle. Instead of filling her cup, she drank straight from the bottle.
I couldn’t speak, alarmed at her reaction and wondering if I should leave. I looked toward the door but decided against it. Even if I left her cabin, it was impossible to leave the ship.
We were at her mercy, whatever her plan was.
“I am a descendant of the original Light Woman. It was important to have the key passed on to someone who understood what it was. You see, it’s a well-known fact in my family, one day someone would be stupid enough to open the prison and let Dag’draath out.”
Chapter 22
While Captain Rose shared her opinion of what I had done, openly and at length, she also offered to bring us to someone willing to help. She was the first person we’d met who understood the degree of difficulty we’d be in if we couldn’t repair the rip in the prison, so I bit my tongue at her less than flattering sentiments.
“It’s just off these mountains,” she called from the wheel of the ship, pointing to the right as a small island came into view below the clouds.
“Who are you taking us to see?” I laid my head on my hands on the side of the ship. I looked at the view from the ship, stunned by the beauty around us.
“My sister. She’s the only one who can help.” She made a hard turn, and everyone held on as chairs and tables toppled over on the deck. “That’s for your friend.” She winked, pointing at Astor, who’d turned a deeper shade of green.
“Does your sister have the key?” I was eager to find out more.
“I’ll let her tell you. We’re almost there.” She turned to shout out at the crew. “Haul off!”
The giants pulled hard on the ship’s ropes and I felt the ship lurch as it began to slow.
She turned the wheel again, and now we were positioned precisely over the small wharf in front of us.
One of the giants hauled out the long rope ladder and threw it over the side.
“Will you wait for us?” I turned back to her before I went over the side, hoping she didn’t expect more money.
She’d nearly cleaned us out already. “My sister would kill me if I left you here.” She smiled though, looking tempted by the thought.
I lifted my leg over the edge of the boat and fished around for the ladder, somewhat reassured we wouldn’t get stranded. I climbed down, finding it easier than going up. I watched as my friends descended, while Iri brought up the tail, again carrying Astor, but this time on his back like a child.
I shook my head at how he was acting, but all thoughts of his behavior fled when I turned to see a woman with long, flowing white hair dressed in a long pink robe waiting for us at the end of the pier.
“Welcome to the Island of the Temple.” She held out her hands, cupping them together as a light appeared in her palms.
“These are the idiots who broke the prison. They’re here to talk to Lunla.” Captain Rose jumped off the rope ladder and landed lightly on the ground behind us.
“Your sister is waiting to talk to the dreamwalker.” The woman extended her arm in the direction of the temple. “Your friends may wait here for your return.”
I looked at them and Sade nodded. For some reason, I wasn’t afraid to go with this woman. I assumed she must be a priest.
Her energy was so calm and peaceful I instantly felt at home. The magic ban the High Elves had in place must not reach this far.
I followed her along the sandy path. She was barefoot, and her gown flowed like the petals of a rose as her skin caught the light. She looked like a goddess, like she belonged to the land.
"Do you all live on this island?" I had so many questions I didn’t know where to begin.
She turned, smiling as she gestured to the building we’d just departed. "Yes, we stay within the temple grounds. The island suits our needs perfectly."
As we approached the second temple, colorful flowers framed the small garden, many of which were unfamiliar to me. I was distracted from their beauty by men and women playing a game in the grass, tossing a small wooden ball through round hoops.
"Do you play gronnet?" The priestess turned back to me.
"I've never heard of it. Is that what they’re doing?" I pointed
toward the players as I stopped to watch.
"Yes, it's one of our traditional games. It's very strategic." She folded her hands in front of her, her face serene as she waited for me to watch my fill.
"I'd like to learn." I smiled inwardly, excited at the prospect of learning a new game.
“I would be happy to facilitate that, once you’ve met with Lunla.”
I looked at the group, noticing a young man had stopped playing, watching me with a closed, unfriendly expression. I walked a little faster, reminding myself not for the first time since coming to Bruhier, these weren’t my people, and many were upset with me.
We came across some young girls and boys playing tag. They looked like any other group of children playing, giggling, and teasing each other, except for their ability to fly and climb trees like a lion. They all wore the same long red cloak with white underdresses, no matter their gender.
“Do you have any healers here? I noticed an abundance of herbs and plants any healer would be proud to have in their garden.”
“We are taught to heal as children. We don't have many chances to practice as we rarely get sick. Perhaps it is because we do not leave the island and rarely have visitors. Today is a special treat.” She smiled, continuing to glide along with a slow and steady pace. It was clear from how everyone was acting there was no rush on this island.
Directly in front of the second temple was a garden even more expansive then the first, protected by a glowing, translucent, white wall. The plants lined the ground in neat rows, and it was tempting to touch the glowing wall, but I didn’t want to get in trouble. I was curious as to what magic kept it up, and what exactly were they trying to keep safe.
The priest noticed my expression and as if she could read my mind, pointed to the garden. “Our sacred medical garden. The children are taught to heal almost any sickness from the trees, herbs, and flowers within the walls.” She nudged me along the sandy path. “Come, we are almost there.”
“How is it you’re able to use magic here? I haven't been able to use mine since coming to Bruhier. The High Elves said they blocked all use of it without permission.”
“They have no jurisdiction here, although they have tried. This is our land, and we do allow some magic here. It is still controlled and monitored though, and if anyone uses it against our treaty with the High Elves they will be stopped.” She looked at me sternly.
I read the warning in her eyes and rushed to reassure her of my intentions. “I'd never use my abilities to hurt any of you. I just want to fix what has been broken and appreciate whatever assistance you can offer.”
“We’re here.” She stopped in front of the temple. “You may go inside. I shall wait here to take you back to the ship when you have finished.”
“Thank you for bringing me here,” I bowed low before entering the building through two large elliptical doors. As I approached, they swung open to reveal a sun-dappled room. I looked around cautiously, expecting to see someone there, but other than ornate wooden sculptures in the corners, I was alone.
Instantly the scent of wildflowers filled the room and candles blazed to life in candelabras.
I realized I was so enthralled with the golden beauty of the room I hadn’t noticed a small woman standing off to the side.
“You must be Aria. I am Lunla.” Her skin was pale, and she had striking raven-black hair with alabaster skin. Dressed in a long white gown, the only physical attribute she shared with Captain Rose was the color of her eyes.
“You’re Captain Rose's sister?” I was relieved when she accepted my nervously extended hand. What was the proper etiquette for meeting a high priestess?
“Yes, Rose is my sister. I hope your trip here was peaceful. I am eager to discuss things with you.” She offered me a chair, sitting in the one beside it in front of a tranquil waterfall.
“This is incredible. I can almost feel the energy from the water soothing and restoring me.” Water was the perfect energy conductor. It was an ever-flowing source of traction to harness and drain energy sources.
“It was a must for the creation of this temple. This waterfall has flowed for many centuries and contains the energies of our ancestors.” She held her hands up to the water and the water curved slightly as if she drew to her body.
“Your ancestors are the Light Women?”
“Yes, and they were much more. I’ve been following your story. We knew the day would come and want to thank you for freeing Beru. Few understand how important it is for him to be out of the prison.”
She turned toward me and I felt at peace with myself and my decision. It was so overwhelming tears sprang to my eyes. Finally, somebody understood what I’d had to do. She leaned over and wiped my tears with her hand.
In doing so, she shared some of her energy with me. I closed my eyes, letting it tangle with mine. The restlessness I’d felt these past few weeks healed itself. I no longer felt tired and exhausted. Her energy revived and reinforced my drive to repair the rip.
Lunla removed her hand and smiled with half-lidded eyes. “Now, you must tell me everything you know about the prison.”
I took a big gulp and tried to figure out where to begin. “When I freed Beru, I didn't realize we’d left a tear in the prison. Some of the other prisoners have found this and escaped. We need the key to lock the prison again.”
“Why do you think the key will fix the rip?”
“Because it keeps the prison closed. There has to be a way that it can help fix it.”
“I'm sorry if that is the reason you’ve come. As much as it is powerful, the key cannot fix the rip. It has an entirely different purpose.”
She must be mistaken. We’d spent all this time trying to find her and the key. She had to be able to fix it. She must know a way to fix it.
“I don't understand.”
“I don’t think you know what the Light Woman represents and what she’s capable of.”
At her calm response, my heart began to pound. “But there has to be something. We can't let them all out.” We had to find a way to fix the tear, whether it was with the key or not.
“The walls of the prison were created from a sacrifice of a powerful mage warrior with the help of most of the high dragons. There's no way to recreate that.”
She stood and walked to a wall with hundreds of candles. She picked up one of the lit candles and lit three more. “These candles burn in memory of our ancestors. We must seek the truth through them.”
“Can you find out how to fix the prison?” I barely stopped myself from begging on my knees. She was trying to guide me, but I was still reeling from disappointment.
“You must let the walls fall, slowly.” She lit four more candles. “Then you must stop Dag'draath.”
“But how can I do that? If the walls come down, there's no way to control anyone leaving.”
“The answer is Beru. You must fix him.”
Chapter 23
“To heal Beru's soul, you need to dreamwalk. He is the key, but he is not yet up to the challenge. Unless he can be healed, he will be incapable of doing what needs to be done.”
I sat in silence as I processed what she said. After a moment, I shook my head. “I still don't understand. Wouldn't he know if he was the key?” Maybe that was why he’d been acting so strange lately. Did he remember something from his past?
“He does not know. He lost his way during the centuries in the prison and we must guide him back to his task. We must help him tap into the energy he needs to be the person he was born to be.”
She obviously didn’t know him. “And you're positive he’s the key? No chance it could be anyone else?”
“You’ve grown close.” She came back from the wall and sat across from me, watching my face with a calm, sympathetic look as if she could see all my inner turmoil.
“I wouldn't say close exactly, but I feel like I know him. I’ve had a connection to him, ever since the first time I saw him.”
But did I really know him? How clo
se was our connection if I wasn't even sure how he would take the news he was the key?
“Relationships can surprise us.” Lunla smoothed out the wrinkles sitting had created in her robe, her expression one of deep thought. “At times, you may discover something you weren’t looking for.”
“I guess.” I did find something in Beru. There were fleeting moments where it seemed we were inseparable, even if lately it seemed we were always at odds.
“May I suggest you keep this news to yourself? Just for now, until he's ready.” She cocked an eyebrow as she stood, then gestured for me to follow her.
I guessed our time was over. I kicked myself for wasting time and not asking more questions, but I’d been too shocked about finding out Beru was the key. “How will I reach you again? I'm not sure when he will be ready, and we don't have much time. Prisoners are already escaping.”
She embraced me. Roses and sunshine filled my senses as she pulled back. “Rose will be our connection. You are a healer and will find a way to reach Beru. You must trust your abilities.”
I turned toward the exit, bowing my thanks, but feeling uneasy and even more unprepared than I had before meeting her. How was I supposed to fix him? What did she mean, exactly?
We hadn’t been getting along, so the chances of him allowing me to help him remember with a healing seemed far-fetched.
I stood in the sun for a moment, appreciating its warmth. I wished it could burn away my confusion but the sound of Sade laughing in the distance brought me back. Maybe she could help me convince him to do a healing.
I walked toward where she stood with Captain Rose. “Sade!”
She didn’t hear me, engrossed in whatever conversation they were having. Even when I was right beside her and tugged on her shirt, she didn’t take my hint.
“That’s amazing!” Sade squealed as Rose pulled out a small carved figure from her jacket.
Sade laughed as she told a story of a one-legged man and I nodded and smiled, trying to get her attention, but nothing worked. She was very interested in Rose, and not so much in what I had to say.
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