by Callie Kanno
His heart ached with loneliness as he stared out over the golden dunes that surrounded him. L’unn’s presence had been a balm of comfort as L’iam did his best to cope with the imprisonment of his mind.
Now he was alone.
“What has changed?” L’iam asked himself.
He was not familiar with Dreaming, so he had no ready answer. He had never seen a desert such as the one where he now found himself. He wasn’t certain what that meant.
The connection that L’iam felt with his body was distant, to say the least. If he concentrated hard enough, he could feel random sensations or see glimpses of scenery.
Had he been on a boat?
He squeezed his eyes shut and focused all of his energy in reestablishing the link between his mind and his body. He needed to find out where that foul Shimat woman was taking him.
L’iam stood completely still for several minutes, giving all of his attention to what he was trying to accomplish. It almost felt like he was losing part of himself instead of bringing two halves back together, and he felt a surge of anxiety at the thought. His heart began racing and he broke out in a cold sweat, in spite of the desert heat that surrounded him.
The wave of fear broke his concentration, but not before he glimpsed through his body’s eyes and observed the arid terrain.
So, he really was in a desert.
Was the growing distance from his homeland the reason why he had lost contact with his father? Is that why he was suddenly on his own to face this nightmare?
Tears sprang to his eyes and he felt his despair rising. How could anyone help him if he was so far away from those he knew? Even his father was unable to help him now.
L’iam’s chest was heavy and his limbs were weak. He sat down in the sand and rested his head in his hands.
What was he to do now?
Chapter Twenty-three: Jame
Adesina was amazed that so many people could live in such close quarters. Jame was much larger than any city in Sehar, but it was so tightly packed with people that it seemed small. Dust and dirt seemed to cover every surface of the city, which contributed to the monotonous appearance of color. Only the citizens distinguished themselves from the drab surroundings.
Adesina and her companions urged their horses forward through the milling masses. The progress was slow, and Torith was eager to run after spending a week on the ship. It took a great deal of Adesina’s attention to keep her mount under control.
Eventually, they moved off of the main roads, and they were able to move more freely. Before leaving the ship, they had been given instructions on where to go for a suitable inn. Adesina’s initial reaction had been to simply follow Basha’s trail, but Satosh had advised against staying in that part of the city.
The directions they had been given were simple, and they soon found themselves approaching The Desert Pearl. Two young boys ran out from the stables and offered to take the travelers’ horses, leaving Adesina and her companions free to enter the main building.
It was quite a large establishment, and relatively clean, considering all of the dust that blew around. There was no glass in the windows of the inn—nor in any of the city’s buildings. Instead, it was covered with some sort of sheer fabric. It allowed light and the breeze to pass through, but it kept out most of the dust.
Adesina assumed that glass would make the interior of the buildings too warm for comfort. It was already much hotter than she was accustomed. A fine sheen of sweat covered her brow, as well as the faces of her companions. The heat had not been so noticeable on the ship, but the cooling effect of the ocean was greatly reduced with each step inland.
The proprietor of The Desert Pearl was not a native Zonnese. He was even darker skinned, like Captain Zulimar, and his short hair was tightly curled. He greeted them with a wide smile and extended his arms, as if to embrace the group.
“Welcome, friends.”
The common tongue was still used, even across the ocean, but the accent in this part of the world made the words seem slightly slurred.
“We do not have many guests just before the stormy season. What brings you to Jame?”
Adesina gave an easy smile in return. “We are hoping to find two of our friends who have passed this way.”
The man nodded. “Well, Jame is not too large of a city. I am certain you can find your friends before the first storm hits. In the meantime, I have many fine rooms at your disposal.”
Kendan glanced around the nearly empty common room. “It was my understanding that the stormy season was still quite a ways off.”
The proprietor frowned thoughtfully. “I think you must be speaking of the sea storms. They do not come until after the change of seasons. Here in Zonne we have our own worries. Every year we have desert storms that are so fierce we cannot even go outside.”
“How long do they last?” asked Mar’sal.
The man gave a careless shrug. “A few weeks, usually.”
Mar’sal’s eyes widened in interest. “How do you survive that long without leaving your home?”
The innkeeper gave a merry laugh. “We have the storms every year, young man. We know how to prepare for them. But that is why we do not have many guests this time of year. We who choose to make Zonne our home understand all that comes with that decision. Outlanders, on the other hand, come only when the weather is fair.”
Adesina’s concern with this new information was more pressing. “When do these storms begin?”
He shrugged again. “That depends on the whim of nature, yes?”
“Can you give any sort of estimate? We need to find our friends before they begin,” she pressed.
He rubbed a hand across his short, curly hair. “Ah, let me see…I would say you have at least a week. Maybe a bit more. You can see the first storm coming almost half a day before it hits. That gives plenty of time to board up our homes and bring in the livestock.”
Only a week. They had very little time to track down Basha and rescue L’iam before the storms began. How long would it take Basha to find the Threshold? If she found it before the first storm hit, Adesina would not be able to stop her from completing the ritual.
Did Basha know of her time constraints? Is that why she left Jame in such a hurry?
Maizah had reported that Basha and L’iam left Jame the day after their arrival. Adesina was dismayed at the speed of their departure. How had she hired a guide and gathered all of the supplies she would need in a single day?
However Basha had done it, they would need to find a way to do the same. They were still almost three days behind, and they could not afford to waste an hour.
Than’os seemed to read the emotions on Adesina’s face and took action. “We will need six of your beds, preferably in as few rooms as possible. And can you tell us where to go to purchase supplies? We will be traveling into the desert as soon as possible.”
The proprietor gave an adamant shake of his head. “Oh, no. You cannot go into the desert now. You would not reach any civilization before the storms begin. To do so would be death.”
“We must,” said Adesina in a firm tone. “Our friends have already entered the desert.”
He waved a hand dismissively. “Then, they are dead. Your journey is over.”
“We intend to go,” asserted Kendan with finality. “Would you be so kind as to tell us where we can purchase supplies?”
The innkeeper heaved a great sigh and rubbed his hands together in an agitated manner. “My brother owns a shop just down the street. He can supply you with what you need, and at a fair price.”
Faryl touched Adesina’s arm. “I also need to replenish some of my apothecary supplies.”
The young queen nodded. “You and I will go with Than’os to gather what we need. The rest of you will stay here. See if you can find out any useful information about the area or our intended destination.”
The innkeeper gave them directions to his brother’s shop and offered to let them use a handcart to bring back their s
upplies. Than’os was able to handle the cart on his own, so the other three simply walked along the side.
The sun was high in the sky, and it beat down mercilessly on the parched land. Adesina looked at her guardian with pity.
“How can you abide the heat with your black fur?”
He chuckled softly. “I am afraid I have little choice in the matter. I am not interested in having my fur sheared off.”
They all laughed at this statement.
“Perhaps we can find some clothing that will help us bear the heat more comfortably,” suggested Than’os.
Adesina shook her head. “We do not have much coin, and I doubt we will be able to afford anything but the basics for survival.”
The L’avan gave her a strange look. “Have you not checked your saddlebags recently?”
Her brow furrowed. “No, I have not.”
“Captain Zulimar left gifts for each of us. They are small, but they would be valuable for trade here in Zonne.”
Once again, Adesina felt her chest fill with warmth for the kindness of the sea captain. She vowed to herself that she would find a way to repay him someday.
“Did you bring those things with you?”
“I brought the ones left in my bag and Mar’sal’s bag. They are small containers of green dye powder from Emerald Harbor.”
She mulled over this information. “I do not know the value of such an item in this city. How will we know if we are trading fairly?”
Than’os gave a sharp grin. “Leave that to me.”
Not only was he an accomplished soldier, but it was generally known that he had a passion for trade. His father had been a merchant, as was his grandfather. He often joked that trading was in his blood. That was the primary reason Adesina had asked him to come along to purchase supplies.
The people of Jame seemed to be quite friendly. The L’avan were greeted cordially as they walked down the busy streets. Ravi was regarded with curiosity, but not with fear. They soon spotted the shop they were looking for, and the owner came out to meet them.
Not only was he the brother of the innkeeper, but he seemed to be an identical twin.
“Welcome, friends. Please, feel free to leave your cart there and come inside.”
If Adesina hadn’t known any better, she would have thought that it was the same man.
“Your brother recommended your shop to us.”
“Ah!” his face lit up. “Are you staying at The Desert Pearl? My brother’s inn is one of the best in the city. He is kind to refer your business to me.”
They entered the shop and inspected the main room. It was filled with a wide assortment of travelling goods. There were barrels filled with salt pellets and other strange pebbles, there were water flasks of every shape and size, there were strange metal tools that could be used to harvest certain desert plants, and more. Adesina enjoyed walking around and looking at all the merchandise.
“Is this creature your familiar?” asked the shopkeeper, gesturing to Ravi.
“My familiar?” she repeated with some confusion.
“Like the Desert Wanderers,” urged the man, unhelpfully.
“Ummm…no. He is my guardian.”
“Ah, I see.” He studied the Rashad more closely. “He is a beautiful creature. Where did you procure him? Where does he originate?”
“We are from Sehar. He came to me when I was younger, and he chooses to stay with me.”
A flash of disappointment crossed the shopkeeper’s face. “I assume, then, that they are not creatures that are traded.”
Adesina gave a wry smile. “No, they are not. They are sentient, actually, and are considered equals with my people.”
“How do you do?” asked Ravi politely.
“Goodness,” gasped the man. “What an extraordinary thing! Please, pardon my rudeness. I have never seen your like.”
“That is not surprising,” replied the large feline. “My kind are quite rare in these times.”
“I have heard of humans who have a deep understanding of animals, but I have never heard of non-human creatures with equal intelligence.”
Adesina only smiled at this comment. In her opinion, Ravi was a great deal more intelligent than most humans.
The zeal of trade gleamed in Than’os’s eyes, and he was clearly eager to begin. “We will be traveling deep into the desert, and we need supplies.”
“Of course, of course,” replied the shopkeeper in a jovial tone. “But, surely you do not intend to leave until after the storm season.”
“We will be leaving as soon as possible,” corrected Adesina.
The man’s face became tight with concern. “Oh, dear! I must advise you to reconsider.”
“Your brother has already informed us of the danger.”
He heaved a great sigh. “Well, if he could not convince you, I am certain I cannot either. I will supply you with everything you will need, but you will also need a guide. The desert is a treacherous place, and it is easy to get lost.”
The young woman smiled. “Do not worry yourself on that account. We are prepared.”
The shopkeeper led Than’os around the room, explaining which supplies he would need, and why.
“There are few places to find water, so you will need to take your own supply. That is the biggest burden you will be carrying. Do you have pack horses or camels?”
The L’avan nodded.
“Then I would suggest these large water carriers. They are strapped across the animal’s back, and they are capable of holding large quantities of water.”
Adesina felt Faryl’s gentle touch on her arm.
“Would you mind if I go to get my supplies now?”
She shook her head. “Than’os seems to be in control of this situation, so there is no need for us to stay.”
“Oh,” the older woman replied, “you do not need to come with me, if you would rather stay.”
“It is no trouble,” she insisted. “After all, I need a few things as well.”
Adesina turned back to the two men.
“Is there an apothecary shop nearby?”
The shopkeeper rubbed his head thoughtfully. “There are two that are close. Both of them just south of here.”
She nodded her thanks and waved to Than’os. “We shall meet back at the inn.”
He acknowledged her instructions and immediately returned to his task.
The two women shared an amused glance as they walked away. The street that ran south had a gentle downward slope. Their shoes kicked up dust as they walked, and it settled noticeably on Adesina’s black clothing. Strangely, though, none of the dust settled onto Ravi’s black coat.
They found the two apothecary shops without any trouble, and approached the one that was closest to them.
“I will wait out here, Ma’eve,” announced Ravi without warning.
She looked at her guardian in surprise. “Are you certain?”
He smiled at her knowingly. “Yes.”
With a shrug, she followed her other companion into the shop. They were met by a variety of scents, and Faryl immediately smiled as if she had come home.
The apothecary was busy helping another customer, but he called out a greeting and smiled at them.
“Adesina,” Faryl said hesitantly, “I am glad to have the opportunity to talk to you alone. There is something I have been meaning to ask you.”
“Oh? What is it?”
The older woman ran her fingers through a barrel of exotic seeds as she carefully chose her words.
“I was wondering if it would be possible for you to teach me how to use magic.”
Chapter Twenty-four: The Apothecary’s Request
Adesina was dumbstruck.
“What?”
“I was wondering if you would teach me how to use magic,” repeated Faryl.
The young queen hesitated, trying to word her answer as delicately as she could. “I think you know the answer to that, Faryl. Magic is not something you can learn, unless you alr
eady have the ability.”
“Yes, but I might have the ability. My mother was L’avan.”
Adesina slowly shook her head. “I do not know if that is enough. You have not shown any signs of being able to wield vyala up to this point in your life…”
The older woman’s voice took on a pleading note. “I know I have not, but there have been times when I have felt that I could do it if I just knew how.”
Adesina gave a quiet sigh, and gently fingered the leaf of a nearby plant. “What if you are not able to learn?”
“Then, I will give it no more thought,” she replied staunchly.
In spite of her brave words, the L’avan knew that this was Faryl’s dearest wish. Adesina had seen the longing in her eyes whenever vyala was used, and Faryl’s stories of her own life were tinged with the desire to be more than merely human. Faryl might put on a show of acceptance, but it would break her heart to be told that she could never be one of the L’avan.
“It might be better for Than’os or Mar’sal to teach you. In reality, I am still learning, myself.”
The former apothecary shook her head adamantly. “I know enough about your culture to understand that you are able to do things that other L’avan would consider impossible. That is what I need right now—the impossible.”
Adesina didn’t feel any more confident. She had never been told that what she was doing was impossible, so it wasn’t as if she was overcoming barriers of her own accord.
“I will try to help you, but I must warn you that I do not think we will be successful.”
A hopeful gleam flashed in Faryl’s vibrant green eyes. She tried to keep her expression calm, but she was not able to hide her excitement. “Of course,” she said somberly. “Thank you.”
The two women went about their shopping in relative silence. Faryl’s expression was filled with all of the possibilities of the future. Adesina’s mind was attempting to recall the most effective methods that had taught her how to consciously summon her own vyala.
They had just enough coin between the two of them to cover their purchases. Adesina worried about what they would do when they ran out of money and valuables to trade. The L’avan were not as wealthy as they had once been—most of their resources had been used to rebuild after the attack. They had needed to purchase livestock and seeds from nearby farmers in order to survive, and the farmers had not hesitated to take advantage of their desperation.