Lady of the Sea: The Aureate Chronicles, Book One

by Heather Zwygart

  We traverse along a sandy path for some time before coming to another clearing. The sun is low on the horizon. Golden hues interlaced with an azure backdrop transform the sky in a splash of color and warmth. The shoreline stretches on for a way, small cliffs cradling us on either side. The beach is undisturbed and if anyone has plans to reach us, they must first go around those rocks.

  The air is beginning to cool and I take a deep breath of salty air, trembling with the release of tension. Nearby, I’m aware of Kai watching me.

  “You hungry?” he asks.

  “Practically starving.” I smile at him. With the release of tension, I can’t decide whether I feel like laughing or crying.

  “Good. Follow me.”

  I follow him down to the water where I’m thrilled to discover rock pools teeming with life.

  “Can I rely on you to collect mussels for our dinner while I get kindle to start a fire?” Kai asks.

  “I think I can manage that,” I reply.

  As soon as Kai’s back is to me, I lower my arms into the salty pool, relishing the feel of the water. I become aware of the bustle of marine activity below the surface. A blue starfish moves slowly as he tries to pry open a sand dollar for an evening snack. A bright orange sea slug pauses in his sojourn across the sand to observe me with eyes that extend out from his body on stalks of soft flesh. And something else…

  I reach out with my senses, trying to get a feel of what is watching me from deeper waters. Not shark or dolphin. Then what? I shiver, feeling suddenly very vulnerable, so close to the water’s edge.

  I apply myself to the mussels, which are no match for my nimble hands. I make quick work of it, not wanting to linger any more than I have to. After collecting enough to feed three grown men, I gather the mussels in my skirt. I give the sparkling expanse one last glance before carefully making my way back over the rocks to the sand.

  Already a small fire waits in the shadow of a sheltering rock. Kai is stretched out beside it with his arms thrown over his face in a pose of relaxed slumber. Over the fire is a stick, holding hostage a steaming fish. This seems strange to me, but the smell in not unpleasant.

  Not wanting to disturb him in his moment of respite, I begin to pry open the mussels, slurping down the slick meaty meal one at a time. I remember what it feels like to be hunted, and back there at the tidal pool, I know I was being watched. But why? And by whom? Have the Elders discovered my absence? Or is it something far more sinister?

  “What are you doing?” Startled, I look up to see Kai staring at me, his head cocked to the side, amused.

  “I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Couldn’t wait till they were cooked, eh?” Kai says motioning toward the mussels.

  “Cooked?”

  Kai takes the remaining mussels from beside me and puts them into a clay pot of sorts. He adds a small amount of water with a pinch of leafy matter to the pot and puts it on the fire. Several minutes later, he removes the pot and sets it on the sand nearby.

  “Done. Here try this.” The heat from the fire adds another element to the mussels’ taste and I find it to be improved.

  “What was that you put in with the water?” I ask.

  “Horopito,” says Kai. “What you would call pepper. So, what do you think?”

  “It’s good,” I say. “Really good.” Kai grins. It’s as though I’ve passed some kind of test.

  “Good. I want to show you something.”

  I stare, unsure of how else to respond. I grab his outstretched hand and we take off across the sand toward the cliffs I saw earlier. The sun has set and only a streak of red color remains on the western horizon. Kai take us into a small cave. It’s completely dark, yet Kai moves with confidence, leading us deeper in.

  I note where the sand stops, revealing a hard stone floor. The dark isn’t a hindrance for me. I am not paying attention, taking in my surroundings. When Kai stops with no warning I stumble, coming to an abrupt halt when my face collides with his broad shoulders. I feel the warmth of his body press close to me as he turns.

  “Just wait,” he whispers close to my ear.

  A few moments pass when I start to notice little specks of translucent green light blink into existence on both the ceiling and sides of the grotto. Some appear to be dangling like a string of pearls.

  “What—?” I begin.

  “Shhh.” Our voices echo off the walls and, suddenly, it’s dark again. “They’re shy. We call them titiwai.” Kai lowers himself down onto a rock in the center of the cave. He pulls me gently to sit next to him.

  We sit there in companionable silence for a time. It isn’t long before we are surrounded by these little creatures. Kai called them glow worms. I feel like I’m floating through a sea of stars. Forgetting where I am, I begin to softly hum a lullaby.

  “Stop,” Kai commands. I can’t see his face, but he sounds alarmed. “I’ve heard that song before.” Then in a low growl, he asks, “How do you know it?”

  “I… my… sister used to sing it to me when I was little. What’s wrong?”

  “No more lies, Avelessa. Tell me who you are?”

  He sounds so angry, and I’m mad at myself for having let my defenses down. I don’t know how he could have recognized that melody and I feel like I should be the one asking questions. But no, here I am, once again, feeling like I’m the monster.

  It should be the other way around. It’s his kind who can’t be trusted? They’re the reason the Aureate had to go into hiding to begin with, right?

  “I’m telling you the truth,” I say. I can’t tell him what he wants to know; it’s forbidden and goes against everything I’ve ever been taught.

  If he only knew how badly I want to tell someone, to not have to shoulder this heavy burden alone. My parents, Acelin, gone for what? To protect something I haven’t even begun to understand? And what of my own kind? Acelin seemed to be alluding that the Elders couldn’t be trusted.

  “None of this makes sense. People don’t just appear out of thin air.”

  “What do you want me to say?”

  “Forget it. Let’s just head back.”

  “Kai, I’m sorry. I wish I could remember more.”

  “I said forget it.” Kai storms toward the entrance. Reluctantly, I follow him back to the fire. He adds more wood to the pile and pokes at it with a stick a couple of times before lying down nearby.

  I’m confused by this behavior. Are we sleeping here tonight? What about Ethan? I haven’t thought of him all day and am surprised at the sense of guilt this brings. It certainly would be nice if he were here now. He wouldn’t shout at me.

  It doesn’t take long for me to make up my mind. I won’t be able to sleep with Kai so close. Much to my annoyance, I feel hurt by his behavior.

  Why should I care? He’s just a human. Soon, I’ll find what I came here for and then I’ll return home. I have no room for attachments, and I won’t stay where I’m not wanted. I head back in the direction of the cave.

  Kai doesn’t stop me.

  Chapter 11

  “Blast and damnation, Kai! And you thought I’d be the problem. Where could she have gone?” I wake to Ethan’s angry words somewhere off in the distance. “I looked everywhere for you two. Didn’t think for once you’d bring her here. I ran out of options.” They must be right outside the cave.

  I didn’t get very far last night. I walked to the cave to think about my next move. Once I got here, I realized I had nowhere to go but to White Island, but it seemed too risky to do alone.

  If I tried to take a canoe, it might create trouble with Kai’s tribe, and I wasn’t ready to confront them alone. If I swam there in my true form, I most likely would be spotted. But more alarming than that was the thought that something might be waiting for me there, in the span of ocean between here and the White Island.

  Either way, both Ethan and Kai would discover my whereabouts eventually. As for the here and now, let them work out my current location on their own. They will get no h
elp from me.

  “Her footprints lead here,” says Kai. “She probably fell asleep in the grotto. I won’t say I’m sorry, so you might as well shut up.”

  “No surprise there,” Ethan retorts.

  I feel like a wayward youth. In trouble for running away. It makes me so mad that I’m ready to burst when at last they find me.

  “There. See. Told you she wouldn’t get far,” Kai says. He keeps his distance, leaning up against the rock wall of the entrance in a detached manner.

  “You bloater!” I growl. “You’re as arrogant as the orca who thinks he’s master of all.” I can feel my face heating up. I make a concerted effort to unclench my fists. “I’ve done nothing but abide by your childish rules since you found me, but no more.”

  “There’s something you’re not telling us, Ava, and I’m going to find out what it is,” threatens Kai.

  “Don’t you dare call me Ava. You haven’t earned that. Only my sister called me that.”

  “What’s going on between you two? Ethan asks. “I’m gone for half a day—”

  “It’s nothing,” replies Kai, cutting Ethan off. “I’ve got work to do. Take her home; introduce her to your parents. She’s better off with you.”

  “Ugh, I’ve had enough,” I say, pushing my way past the two of them. I refuse to give Kai the satisfaction of bossing me around. I still can’t figure out what I did that set him off. And I hate that he can elicit such a reaction out of me. “You coming, Ethan?” I look back to see Ethan shrug as if baffled by my behavior.

  “Yeah, right behind you,” says Ethan. I look back just to be sure and see Kai, arms crossed and watching us warily. But I swear I glimpse a hint of regret cross his face before I turn my back to leave.

  Chapter 12

  Ethan and I walk in silence till we reach tree cover.

  “I brought some dried berries and slices of bread if you’re hungry,” he says breaking the silence.

  “I am,” I say, still seething from Kai’s mistreatment. I take a slice of bread and a handful of berries.

  “Want to talk about what happened back there?”

  I sigh, “No. I think I just want to forget about it for now. Thank you, Ethan. Thank you for believing in my innocence. For being a decent… human.”

  He shrugs. “I don’t condone Kai’s actions, but he’s got a lot on his plate right now.”

  “Oh yeah, like what?” I say, not so quick to forgive.

  “His own father excluded him from coming alongside him as one of his warriors. As a result, he lost any mana, power and prestige, he might have received from battling with the neighboring tribe.”

  “How is that a bad thing? Perhaps his father is trying to protect him.” Then it suddenly occurs to me, “Wait… do you mean to say that Tupaea is Kai’s father?

  Ethan looks uncomfortable, as if he said something he shouldn’t have. “I thought Kai might have told you himself already.”

  “Why the secrecy?”

  “Tupaea is Kai’s adoptive father. His mother found him wrapped in seaweed among the shallows. He doesn’t like people to know.

  “Kai doesn’t feel like he’s earned his rangatira, well-born status and, quite frankly, neither does Tupaea.” Ethan walks on while continuing to gaze at his feet. He looks up, jaw set, head shaking in denial, and says, “Which is ridiculous! Kai is the hardest working guy I know.”

  “That does seem rather unfair,” I say, mad at myself for the twinges of pity I’m beginning to feel for this enigma of a man.

  The path we’re on steers us up through dense shrubbery and towering trees. Wide grey trunks reach for the sky, giving way to a shower of branches. I gaze up at the canopy of leaves in awe. I imagine the weightless feeling of water surrounding me, elevating me toward the peak of the tree. It strikes me how difficult it would be to climb these trees in this world.

  Ethan slows his pace. He is looking at me, waiting.

  “What is it?” he asks. “Need a water break?” I grab the sheepskin of water from his outstretched hand and take several refreshing sips. Something else I’m not used to requiring in this strange and marvelous world.

  Ethan continues to lead us steadily uphill. Every time we round a bend, I think, surely, this is it. We finally come to a little clearing.

  Ethan points out a charming white house nestled up against the hillside. It has a steep roofline and a bay window facing outward. As we walk toward the house, the front door opens and a slight girl in a deep red frock, of about sixteen years of age, comes running out to greet us. She has pale blue eyes that contrast with her black wavy hair. It is long and unfettered. Her skin looks much like Ethan’s, warmed by the sun.

  “Ethan!” she cries, “is this her?”

  “Avelessa meet Poppy. Poppy, this is Avelessa,” says Ethan with a broad smile. Poppy flings her arms around me in a quick embrace and is back in her position before I can blink an eye.

  “I understand I’m to share a room with you,” I say, a little flabbergasted.

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way. Come on, let me show you around,” says Poppy, taking my hand and pulling me toward the house.

  Her russet curls bounce loosely with each step. She has her brother’s same cheerful and confident personality. I glance back at Ethan, who just shakes his head and grins at me. I have no choice but to follow.

  The inside of the house is elegant and simple. From the front door, we step into a small foyer that’s bare except for a coat hanging to our left. Clean wooden floorboards gleam up at me, and I’m reminded of my dirt-stained feet as I tread after Poppy.

  To the right is a small white table with four matching chairs, arranged neatly around the exterior. I catch sight of a pristine kitchen kitty-corner to the table before catching up to my tour guide who has already headed down the hall past the entryway.

  We reach the door to a small room. Poppy turns to face me.

  “Here it is,” she says, stepping aside so I can enter. “You can have my bed, and I’ll create a nest of my own on the floor.”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary. Let me sleep on the floor,” I say.

  “I won’t hear any arguments,” says Poppy cheerfully. “You hungry? Ma had to go into town for supplies, but I’m sure we can find something to eat,” Poppy says.

  We walk to the kitchen where Poppy finds a shepherd’s pie and a pitcher of lemonade in the larder. We sit at the table and enjoy the food and drink. The house is small and neat, but I feel like a pearl trapped in an oyster. Confined to this one place without any reprieve in store. I miss the open water and the lack of walls.

  To pass the afternoon Poppy regales me with stories of all manner and if my speech is strange to her she never says so. I find I am better able to relate to these stories of mischief and adventure. Of love and loyalty.

  I help her with washing clothes and salting fish, keeping our hands busy, which I’m grateful for. It helps distract me from the noise in my head.

  The music from the island hadn’t ceased since yesterday’s canoe ride, only become more distant the further we got from the ocean. It was taking up a different cadence now, more urgent if possible, making my head ache. I needed to get to that island, but I was farther than ever up here in these hills. I wonder how I’ll achieve this now that Kai isn’t speaking to me.

  I realize I’ve seen very little of Ethan since arriving at his homestead. As much as I’ve enjoyed my time with Poppy his absence leaves me feeling anxious and hypersensitive to my surroundings. I didn’t realize how much I had come to rely on him and Kai.

  “Where did Ethan go,” I ask.

  “He’s probably out back, getting things ready for when Pa returns,” Poppy replies. “Pa’s been out all day, gathering the sheep for shearing tomorrow. Usually, Ethan’s here to help him. Kai too, as a matter of fact. We’ve all been dying of curiosity to meet the girl that’s done it to them.”

  “Done what?” I ask, confused.

  “Done gone and distracted them so thoroughly,” she r
eplies. There’s no malice in her voice. She says it as though simply stating a fact. “I wish I had a boy to fuss over me. It isn’t from lack of trying,” she says, laughing.

  "Take Kai, for instance. I’ve flirted shamelessly with that boy, but he’s oblivious. Always the gentleman, I’ll say, but I might as well be one them sheep he’s shearing. That’s how unaffected he is by my attentions. It’s clear now that I’m not his type. I was beginning wonder.” Bringing her finger to her lips she begins rhythmically tapping. "Perhaps you’re his type?” Poppy says, giving me a pointed look.

  “I wouldn’t know. He and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms.”

  “What? Oh, do tell.” And I do.

  I tell her about the beach where Kai and I caught and ate mussels, and what happened in the cave. By now I’d grown an appetite and we both agreed to take a break and get a bite to eat. She gets up from the table, only once, to refill our glasses with lemonade. I manage to get a few bites of shepherd’s pie in between sentences.

  It feels good to speak to another female about what happened, especially someone not as ready to defend Kai as Ethan is prone to. But as the conversation begins to lull, I feel the itch to move once again.

  In the ocean, there are few moments when an Aureate, or any marine life for that matter, can be found stationary. When calm, the waves may create a gentle rocking motion. But at its most violent, you may find yourself relocated, to some other corner of the deep, against your will.

  “There’s a wild look in your eyes, like you’re getting ready to bolt,” Poppy says. “I’ve seen that look in the wild ponies in them hills often enough. It’s so mysterious, not knowing where you come from and all.”

  “How much did Ethan tell you?”

  “Truthfully? Not much. He told us you weren’t inclined to share where you’re from, but that you needed a place to stay. Said we’d like you.” She smiles. “He was right.”

  “Oh, by all means, go find Ethan. We’ll talk later. Ma should be home soon anyhow and she’ll be wanting me to help her get started on dinner.

  “Thank you,” I smile at her, grateful for the release. In another time, another world, I might have been good friends with this plucky girl. As it is, I’m unable to maintain the ones I already have, Ethan and Kai.