by Kelly Carr
“And the others?”
“They seem curious, but cautious. They watch us a lot, but haven’t been talking to us much,” Valeria said.
Liana nodded thoughtfully. Apparently, she had overestimated how accepting Humans would be. She resolved to keep their true identities a secret once they left the forest.
Gingerly, she checked the wound at her side. It appeared to have healed properly, at last, thanks to Davu’s ministrations, but it had left four long scars that she doubted any magic in the world could erase. Cautiously, she tested her range of movement. As she felt no pain, she unwound her glider from her waist and unfurled it.
Valeria raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Since when have you cared what’s a 'good idea?'” Liana said with a mischevious smile.
Valeria grinned. “Alright, then. See if you can catch me.”
They jumped into the air, their gliders billowing out behind them as they sent a gust of wind upwards. Valeria shot forward, but Liana was close behind her. Their race did not pass unnoticed by those below.
“Liana! Come down from there!” Elias shouted. “You’re barely healed.”
Liana ignored him, though she knew she’d hear about it later. Her muscles were cramped from two days spent in the back of a wagon, and the wind in her hair seemed to blow away everything but the present moment.
They flew well ahead of the company and landed in the next campsite to wait for them. By the time everyone arrived, they were sitting by a roaring fire, watching the sun go down. Liana grimaced at the expression on Elias’ face when he rode into camp. She eagerly threw herself into helping fetch water and prepare dinner to avoid the inevitable lecture from him.
As she was carrying a bucket of water into camp, she caught a man staring at her with unusual intensity. Never one to back down from a confrontation, Liana approached him.
“Can I help you?” she said.
The man shook his head. “I apologize for staring. My name is Andrew. It’s just that I’m curious. I don’t suppose you would remember me, but I was travelling with your family the night you were taken into the forest.”
Liana’s eyebrows shot up, and she nearly dropped the bucket of water in her surprise. “Oh!” she said, unsure what else to say.
“I suppose you did know that you were born Human?” Andrew said.
Liana shook herself slightly and laid her bucket on the ground. “Yes, though I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention that information while you’re in the forest. It isn’t common knowledge among the Trevi and might not be well received, should they happen to overhear you.”
“Do you remember what happened that night?” Andrew asked.
Liana’s heart constricted. She took a deep breath before she replied. “Not very clearly, but Davu told me about it when I was sixteen.” It was a burden she carried with her always. She tried not to think about it too much. “I’m truly sorry if I hurt anyone you loved. I had no control over my magic then, and it is incredibly powerful.”
“I know,” said Andrew. “Davu told me. Can you really do all kinds of magic?”
Liana shrugged. “All the ordinary Trevi magics and a few others besides,” she said, “but the special powers don’t make me a special person. I’m no braver than Valeria, no stronger than Davu, and no kinder than Elias.”
“She’s no smarter than an average person either,” Valeria said, coming up behind them. “You should have seen some of the boneheaded mistakes she made in her lessons. Let me tell you about the time she set her own hair on fire while trying to light a—“ she ducked as Liana made a swipe at her and ran away laughing.
Liana waved her hand at the bucket beside her and doused her friend with its contents. “Hah!” she said triumphantly.
“Not fair!” Valeria pouted, though her eyes twinkled.
“Funny though,” Liana pointed out. Several people around the campsite who had been watching were stifling laughter at their good-natured horseplay.
Several of the braver children approached Liana, asking to be part of their ‘game.’ Liana shrugged and with a wave in Andrew’s direction, she allowed the children to pull her away. They spent the rest of the evening chasing each other around the camp and getting sprayed with water until they were all thoroughly soaked.
Liana watched the adults from the corner of her eye. They seemed to have relaxed for the moment, but she knew she had given them a lot to think about.
Chapter nineteen: Valeria
Over the next few days, the Humans watched Liana and her companions closely, and their wariness soon changed to curiosity. Valeria was interested in them as well. The men seemed to treat their women as though they were breakable. At first, they extended this treatment to Liana and Valeria, but both women quickly made it clear that they could take care of themselves.
Valeria found the daily tasks of the women unbearably dull, and instead found herself spending most of her time with the Human men. They were doubtful when she asked to join their sparring practice in the evenings. However, after watching a whirlwind match between her and Liana, each was more eager than the last to test their skills against hers.
The morning after they had flown ahead of the traders, Elias admonished them and forbade them from doing such a thing again. Even earthbound, however, they made rapid progress down the road. The Humans travelled much faster by the straight, clear trading route than the Trevi could have by foot along forest paths. Still, Valeria often found herself looking off into the trees as they passed near some point of interest that lay off the road. She would have loved to show them to Liana and Davu, and even to the Humans, but there was no time.
As the days passed, Liana became more and more familiar with the Human language, and soon she was talking animatedly with their fellow travellers in their native tongue. Davu entertained himself by asking whoever happened to be riding next to him endless questions about Human society and customs. As usual, Elias was alert but uncommunicative, so Valeria was often left on her own, quietly observing the Humans.
She quickly noticed that the Humans greatly valued small pieces of metal they called ‘coins,’ which they seemed to obtain by selling goods and services. Among the Trevi, whatever one needed was gladly given by another. Many things they could make themselves, and others they traded. However, since they were travelling amongst Humans, Valeria wondered if they ought to have some coins of their own to use.
After observing the kinds of things Humans seemed to find useful, Valeria began to carve some small wooden boxes. Her tools were limited, so the shapes of the little trinkets were very plain, but when they were finished, she traced a finger along their surfaces, leaving behind intricate designs of leaves and flowers burned into the wood.
The Humans were delighted with the boxes and gladly handed over a few coins in exchange, along with advice on how to use the money, and suggestions on other things she could make to sell.
One night, as they were approaching the Cliffs of Kerval, Jacob took it upon himself to prepare them for the remainder of their journey.
“Your best chance to talk to the King will be Market Day,” he said, unrolling a scroll on the ground. Valeria devoured its contents eagerly. It was a map, but its depiction of the world was the exact reverse of any she’d ever seen: the Human lands drawn in, and the forest left blank. The two merged in her mind, and the world lay before her in all its incredible potential for exploration.
“Market Day is every full moon,” Jacob continued. “You’ve just missed one, but if you can acquire some horses and travel hard, you should be able to just make it to the next one.”
Elias nodded, seemingly without thinking.
“As to your attire,” Jacob said, brow furrowed slightly, “You may be able to trade some of your boxes for something less likely to draw attention, and I recommend that you keep as low a profile as possible. If people find out who you are and what you can do, they’ll want to stop you and ask lots of questions, and you ca
n’t afford to lose time. However, you’ll want to obtain something more formal to wear to meet the king. Unfortunately, I can’t help you there.”
Valeria was amused to see a grudging respect in Elias’ expression at this wealth of practical advice. He had been even more withdrawn than usual recently. Now, to everyone’s surprise, he emerged from his thoughts long enough to ask Jacob several questions about their journey.
Davu had been silent throughout the entire discussion, but suddenly he spoke. “What about the kingdom of Marakai?” he asked, indicating the kingdom that lay to the east.
“What about it?” Valeria asked, peering more closely at the mountainous little kingdom.
“Why aren’t we going there to ask for help?” Davu asked. “It’s much closer, not only to us, but to Lezar. They need to be warned about what’s happening.”
Liana frowned. “That’s true, but Torvain is much larger and would be likely to have more soldiers with which to assist us.”
Valeria found herself frowning as well. “You’re right about Torvain having more resources to help us, but Davu isn’t wrong. Even if they won’t give us any aid, Marakai needs to be made aware of the situation. One of us will have to…” her voice trailed off, and her eyes met Liana’s. She was about to say more, but Davu placed a hand on her shoulder.
“You won’t have to go anywhere, Valeria. I’ll go. Jacob, you won’t mind if I continue to travel with you for a while longer, will you?”
Jacob shrugged. “Of course. If you wish to continue east with us, we’re glad to have you, but are you sure you can leave your friends?”
Davu smiled warmly at Liana, though there was a touch of sadness in his eyes. “Liana can take care of herself,” he said, then looked seriously at Elias and Valeria, “but I’m trusting you two to watch her back, no matter what happens.”
Valeria’s expression at the suggestion that she would ever act otherwise made Davu laugh.
Liana took his big hand in hers and looked up into his face. “I hate the thought of being so far away from you,” she said.
“You’re a grown woman now,” he replied. “You don’t need me anymore, but I’ll hurry to catch up with you as soon as I’ve done all I can in Marakai.”
The two embraced. Valeria turned away to let them speak alone. Instead, she went to retrieve her little boxes so they could trade for the supplies they would need on the next stage of their journey.
Before the evening was over, Liana was reluctantly clad in a plain, homespun dress, and Valeria, who flatly refused to wear anything so ridiculous, was trying on a man’s shirt and trousers. They spent several hours attempting to learn a few of the Humans’ social niceties that would help them pass relatively unnoticed through any Human towns and villages they encountered.
Finally, ten days after they had started their journey, the Cliffs of Kerval came into sight. In all that time they hadn’t seen any sign of pursuit, though Liana was frequently pestered by winds bearing pleas for her to return, sent by the Sylphs. Nor had they been bothered by any attacks by the Genvu. Valeria wondered, doubtfully, if perhaps the queen of Lezar had given up.
The Cliffs of Kerval towered hundreds of feet in the air and were visible for nearly a full day before the trading party even stepped into their shadow. Valeria craned her head back as she stepped into the twilight beneath the massive wall of stone. The Mother of Magic had raised the cliffs as an additional protection against potential invasion by the largest kingdom.
This was the closest Valeria had ever come to the southern border of the forest. The Trevi considered it bad luck to cross the shadow of the cliffs, and Valeria had to admit that the place was eerie. All forms of life seemed to avoid it, and a deep silence pervaded the area. Even the Humans seemed to sense it and ceased talking until they camped with the cliffs at their back. It was the least cheery camp they had ever made. There was little conversation and less sleep, and everyone was glad when Jacob signalled that it was time to go.
A narrow path zig-zagged up the side of the cliff. The slope was mild enough for horses and wagons, but they were forced to travel single file. Eventually, Valeria grew frustrated with their pace. With the prospect of weeks of travel, unable to fly, ahead of her, she unfurled her glider and soared up to the top.
As she flew, Valeria marvelled, as she always did, at the sheer size of the cliffs. Waterfalls tumbled over the edge in places and vanished into mist halfway down. She wondered at the power that could have created such a thing. Perhaps if there had been such a barrier on the northern side of the forest as well, the Trevi might never have been bothered by Queen Katya’s desire to unite the kingdoms. Such a dream would have been impossible to achieve, had these cliffs been on either side, forcing any armies to move in single file along their narrow paths.
When the Humans caught up to Valeria, she was standing on top of the cliffs, gazing out across the forest. It stretched as far as the eye could see in every direction but south. Wisps of cloud obscured the trees in places, but Valeria could see many places she knew well. She suddenly wondered if she would ever see them again.
Abruptly, she turned and raced to the other side of the cliffs. Her jaw dropped at the sheer size and strangeness of the land that lay before her. It was mostly bare of trees. Instead, the ground was a patchwork of fields with a few tiny, oddly constructed houses scattered amongst them. A breeze brushed her face, fresh and cool, but free of the earthy smells of the forest.
She felt someone come up behind her and looked over to find Liana standing there, her eyes wide and mouth slightly ajar. A small sound escaped her lips, a tiny “Oh!” of surprise, as though perhaps she had never truly appreciated the scope of the journey she had chosen to set out on. After a moment though, she stood up straighter and squared her shoulders in determination, and Valeria knew that for her friend at least, there would be no turning back.
Book Two
Chapter one: elias
They parted ways with Davu and the Humans at the Cliffs of Kerval. The traders turned east, on their way to sell their goods in Marakai. Davu hesitated, looking back at his friends as if waiting to see if they would stop him.
Liana hugged him one last time. “I’ll miss you,” she said.
Davu returned her embrace as gently as if he held a newborn bird in his arms. “And I, you. Listen to Elias’ advice and do try to stay out of trouble,” he said.
Liana nodded and let him go.
Valeria said nothing, but clapped a fist to her chest, a sign of respect and farewell.
Davu met Elias’ eyes last. An unspoken understanding seemed to pass between them. Davu had been the one to bring Liana into their lives twenty-five years ago. He had seen from the moment he met her how special she was. As a child, she had been a daughter to him. Now she was a grown woman, but she was still a treasured member of his family. He was trusting Elias to make sure no harm came to her in his absence. Elias nodded. Davu nodded too and, squaring his shoulders, turned to follow the traders.
Elias, Liana, and Valeria watched their friend until he disappeared between the trees, then began the slow climb down the other side of the cliffs. They all knew that none of the Trevi would dare follow them out of the forest, so they allowed themselves a brief rest when they reached the ground. Elias watched as Liana placed a bowl of water on the ground and waved her hand over it, attempting to scry Jina.
The Sylphs and Undines each had unique methods of communication over long distances. For the Sylphs, it was messages carried on the wind; for the Undines, it was scrying. Liana was eager for news of what was happening in her absence. However, Elias had cautioned her not to use the scrying spell until they were beyond the reach of the Avenai Jevar.
Several moments passed, then slowly, Jina’s image appeared on the surface of the water. She seemed to be speaking angrily. With one arm, she gestured wildly, with the other she leaned heavily on a beautifully carved wooden staff. Around her, the Avenai Jevar sat, faces set, plainly determined to refuse her whatever she wa
s asking. Elias wished that he could hear what was being said, but scrying had its limits. Still, he could guess. Clearly, the council had refused to acknowledge Liana’s instructions that Jina lead the Trevi in her place.
Elias was unsurprised. He'd had no doubt that the Avenai Jevar would leap at the chance to take Liana’s position away from her. Unless she succeeded in saving them from Queen Katya, it was unlikely she would ever be able to return to the life she had led before.
Elias placed a hand on Liana’s shoulder. The image of Jina faded as Liana released the spell and looked up at him, something like fear lurking behind her eyes.
“Our course is set now,” Elias said grimly. “All we can do is continue on it and hope it works, for all our sakes.”
Liana swallowed, then nodded. Together, they lifted their packs and resumed their journey.
It was nearly a day before they encountered any more Humans. The land around the cliffs seemed to be relatively uninhabited. Perhaps the Humans found it as disconcerting as the Trevi did to fall under their shadow. They passed a few Humans working in the fields who eyed them with curiosity but made no attempt to speak to them.
Their progress was much slower than it had been with their previous companions. The traders had been unwilling to part with any of their horses, so they were once again on foot. Elias didn’t mind, but he could see Valeria’s irritation at being earthbound and Liana’s desire to make haste was clear. He occasionally wondered if he had done the right thing by insisting on accompanying them, but then night would fall.
Without the comforting presence of many armed Humans, the travellers once again found themselves nervous. They had gone beyond the reach of any pursuit by the Avenai Jevar, and according to Liana they had stopped calling after her, but how far the Genvu might pursue them, they had no idea. They began to set nightly watches, taking it in turns to get some sleep.
When they finally reached a town large enough to find horses to buy, Elias insisted on handling the purchase. He drove a hard bargain, and despite their meager supply of coins, they still had enough left, when he was finished, to buy a small amount of food.