Flynn shrugged. “Speaking of hungry, I’m starved.”
“Lucky for you, I know a kitchen that’s always open.”
Flynn smiled a little sheepishly. “Thanks, but I’ve got to meet someone. I’ll probably just grab a chunk of bread and run.”
Iviana looked him over skeptically. “All right, Sir Mystery. I hope it’s to tell your fiancé your wedding has been approved. I’m certain she’s dying to know.”
“Might be.”
“Well, make certain you’ve told her before I see her or she’ll hear it from me first.”
Flynn laughed, but was obviously distracted with other things. “It’s a race then,” he replied and set off in another direction.
Iviana watched him until he was no longer in view. He had not been quite himself and she hoped everything was all right.
Sighing, she turned to race in the direction of her home where she had an appointment to meet a few friends for the noon meal. She knew she would be late, especially since she was supposed to have had a meal prepared by the time they arrived, but eavesdropping on the council had taken longer than expected.
It had been difficult to find Nimua with an hour of free time as of late. She seemed always to be busy with some small adventure with Necoli. But Iviana was simply glad he seemed to be fitting into their lives. She was surprised to find that, though the council obviously looked on the young man disapprovingly, they wholly ignored his presence on the island. She supposed his family was in better standing than hers, but couldn’t entirely blame anyone for questioning him. He was certainly different from anyone in the Greater Archipelagos, refusing to dress in the garments of the realm, just as Iviana did most of the time. And he wore an earring, something the Greater Archipelagos thought gaudy for a man. Still, he was a truly pleasing person, as it happened, and had become a good friend, even if he had all but stolen her own friend away.
Still, she was delighted they were happy and she had Darist, after all. It used to be the three of them―Iviana, Darist and Nimua―on adventures together, so Darist, too, had all but lost what had been a lifelong friend. Even so, when they had spent time in Kierelia, he and Marquen had formed a strong bond, so the three of them often sat talking together in Marquen’s cabin in the hills.
Upon their return, Marquen had gone back to his home in the mountains and proceeded to leave it rarely, the only exception to visit Iviana’s own home. Still, he could no longer be considered a hermit now he had so many friends, thanks to the quest for the parchment. The group had grown very close during their travels and their bond had been sealed well by their encounter after Iviana had met the Anointed One, the son of the Great One.
Since then, they had attempted sharing their knowledge about the Anointed One, but it was received with a leery ear. The council, it seemed, scoffed at their story, according to Flynn, who had been made to take the brunt of it when he’d shared it with them. His being Realm leader meant they could not come out and call him a lunatic, but they had drawn as near as possible.
Having encountered such wonders that no one would believe was enough to make them feel distanced from the rest of the realm, as if they did not belong—even Darist, Nimua and Brenna, who had lived there their whole lives. Iviana had always felt this way, in truth, but it was no longer an option for her to return to her cottage in the FairGlenn wood, nor anywhere in the Kierelian kingdom. She had been amazed by how fast Sir Loric had spread the rumors of her using witchcraft and sent the promised hunters after her. She and her friends had barely escaped through the door in Jaela’s Cavern.
She ached for the freedom to return to the home she had shared with her mentor, Naphtali, if only to gather those things that held sentiment. She hoped that, even though she was a wanted woman, her friend, Merri, would continue to send her eldest to look after her cow, though there was no one to tend the garden she and Naphtali has spent so many years on. Of course, for most her life, the people of FairGlenn had thought her a witch and, for all she knew, they still did. So, the wanted posters would be no surprise to them.
Whatever the case, she had left the little village on good terms when last she had been there, so she knew the one who had betrayed her to Sir Loric, calling her a witch, must have left the village before she had become an accepted and esteemed citizen. Often, she wondered if the villagers would protect her if she were to return but knew better than to hope for such a thing.
“Iviana, you are scandalously late!” cried Nimua as Iviana entered her hut. “Tell me it was because you were spending time with a new beau and I will let you off. Otherwise, you’re in dire trouble for making me prepare the meal that was to have been your responsibility.”
Iviana grimaced. “Unless you count the entire council, I’m afraid I’m apt to be punished.”
Nimua turned to her with concern. “What did the council want with you? They weren’t picking on you again, were they?”
“I’m sorry to admit I was only there to eavesdrop.”
Nimua made a face that revealed her aversion. “Why would you want to do that?”
Iviana grinned confidingly and Nimua drew close. “I wanted to hear what would be discussed about Flynn and Brenna’s engagement.”
“I forgot about that! What did they decide?”
Iviana looked about, but the only person near was Necoli, who was setting the table on the patio. “Brenna isn’t here yet?” she asked.
Nimua shook her head. “She said she would be late. Though how she could be later than you, I don’t know.”
“Well... they’ve approved the marriage—not that they had any real say in the matter, in my opinion, but it should be clear sailing.”
“Oh, I’m so glad. That council can stir up more drama than a war―not that I’ve ever seen one. Still, I’ve read of them. Anyway, I’m so pleased for them. Perhaps that’s why Brenna’s late. Maybe she’s with Flynn.”
“I think so. I was just with him and he didn’t come out and say, but I can only assume―”
“But what if she doesn’t know when she arrives? I want to tell her!”
Iviana looked at her skeptically. “We should probably let Flynn share it with her.”
“Fine... but this is going to drive me crazy.”
“Crazier than you already are?” asked Brenna as she suddenly appeared in the doorway. “What in the world could do that?”
Nimua threw a piece of bread at her. “None of your business.”
Iviana laughed. “Come, lets eat. I’m famished.”
While the four sat around the table on Iviana’s patio, they discussed everything but what they were all thinking about. Brenna made attempts to breach the subject of the council meeting once or twice, but Iviana and Nimua quickly changed it to avoid temptation as it was clear Flynn had not yet told her after all. At last, to Iviana’s relief, Leilyn, her old enemy, came waltzing up from the shoreline and monopolized the conversation.
“Are you discussing my wedding?” she asked. “I hope you know you’re all invited. Even you, Iviana.” She added the last as if it was a surprise even to her.
Iviana smirked. “I’m certain I’m grateful.”
“But you will come?” asked Leilyn, almost demanding.
Iviana nodded. “Of course.” Ever since Leilyn and Nico had finally set a wedding date, Leilyn had been impossible with wedding conversation, as if it was a planet-wide event.
“Oh, wonderful. But please, do wear some of our finer, local clothing and not that awful leather Kierelian garb.”
“I shall aim to please,” Iviana promised.
Leilyn then turned to Nimua and Brenna. “You two are my bridesmaids, as you know. I wonder, how do you feel about green frocks?”
Nimua shrugged. “It’s fine with me. I’ll wear whatever you want me to.”
“And you’ll each have your beaus to dance with at the celebration afterward.” She returned her attention to Iviana. “But I suppose you’ll have to sit out the dancing.” She shrugged. “Oh, well. It isn’t
my fault you won’t give any of our local boys a chance. I have tried.”
Iviana lifted her brows. “Woe is me.”
“Though if you let me choose your garments for the wedding, you might just catch someone’s eye and then you’ll be able to have just as much fun as the rest of us.”
Nimua grinned and could obviously take no more. “I suspect she’ll take her chances. But, tell me, have you decided where the ceremony is to take place?”
“In the Grand Pavilion, of course. I’ve told you this.”
“You don’t want to select some place more memorable?” asked Brenna with concern. “Everyone marries on the pavilion and there are so many far more scenic places on the island.”
“Then marry in one of them yourself,” Leilyn retorted. “I want people to actually attend mine and they won’t be able to if they can’t find it.”
“Touché,” Necoli commented. He had grown to understand Leilyn well enough to know there was no winning with her; he simply wished to avoid another argument between her and the others.
“As if it’s any of your business,” Leilyn said with a raised brow. “But then, I suppose it may be someday, if you’ll ever pop the question to our Nimua. I do hope you have honorable intentions, Necoli.”
Iviana could not suppress a giggle at his obviously flabbergasted reaction.
“Oh, just leave that to me,” scolded Nimua, sending Iviana into another fit. She knew how Nimua detested Leilyn attempting to play the caring, pious friend when, truly, she could be a real pill.
Leilyn raised her arms in surrender. “Just trying to be helpful. Anyway,” she turned to Brenna,
“now that the council has approved your marriage, have you and Flynn had a chance to set a date?”
Iviana and Nimua gasped while Brenna’s eyes went wide. “How do you know they’ve approved it?” she asked with a wide grin.
“Oh… my mother heard if from one or two of the council members. I didn’t realize you weren’t aware. I assumed Flynn would have told you by now.” She said this more to the young women who sat looking at her with irritation than for Brenna’s benefit.
“Does anyone know where Flynn is now?” Brenna asked as she stood
“Last I saw him, he was leaving the Council Hall for some appointment,” was the most Iviana could offer. “You could head that way and ask around.”
With that, Brenna raced to locate her fiancé.
“Really, I wouldn’t have spilled it had I known,” Leilyn defended to those remaining. When they appeared doubtful, she added, “Truly, Brenna is my dearest friend. I know she would rather have heard it from Flynn.”
Nimua relented at last and patted Leilyn’s hand. “I believe you.”
“Oh, but what a privilege to be married to the leader of the realm and to have the council approve it,” said Leilyn dreamily. “If only it were me.”
Necoli sat up and raised a brow. “We were just discussing your marriage to Nico, weren’t we?”
Leilyn blushed. “Of course, but a girl can dream, can’t she?”
Iviana chuckled, but Nimua scolded, “Certainly, but she shouldn’t.”
“As if either of you will be able to marry now, anyway. Well, I suppose maybe you, Nimua, but you’re just lucky Necoli has fallen from grace right along with you.”
“Excuse me?” asked Necoli. He was ordinarily a relaxed fellow, but it seemed he could take the jabs at his friends and himself no longer.
Leilyn held her hands up in defense. “It’s not my fault. You’re the ones who claimed the Great One had a son and Iviana had met this mysterious entity in person. I can’t help it if every eligible man in the vicinity is going to think twice before courting Ivi. I’ve tried to help her, after all, but to no avail. She’s sabotaged herself well this time.”
Iviana and the others knew how true this was. There was no secret how people saw her. They thought her unbalanced, when putting it nicely, and assumed she had drug the others down with her.
Iviana knew the Anointed One had sent her back to the Greater Archipelagos for a purpose, but just what that was she could not say. She had thought it was to share his heart with his people, but those people were less than interested. In fact, Iviana had gone from being tolerated before the journey to something of a joke after. It seemed she was obviously as crazy as her father and grandfather before her and it was unfortunate she couldn’t have turned out more like her great-grandfather, Latos. A Latos they could use right about now, as things were growing tense across the Greater Archipelagos.
Iviana and the others had yet to fully understand why this was, but they had felt it upon their return. They doubted even the people knew why they felt as they did, only that their spirits were picking up a sort of shifting in the atmosphere—a building up of something that was making it difficult to breathe. But as the Seers had nothing to say on the matter, it was wholly ignored.
Iviana described the feeling as the twisting and tightening of a coil―a coil that would eventually spring free, if they were lucky. Just who was doing the twisting was a mystery to her. The people? The council? The Great One or the Dark One? She knew no more than what she felt.
“Oh, by the way, Iviana,” Leilyn said, pulling her from her revelry. “I was asked to let you know the council wishes you to attend their earliest meeting tomorrow.”
Iviana weighed this, for if it was so, Flynn would have told her, wouldn’t he? Besides, she’d been listening in. The only way they could have discussed it without her knowing was while she had been sleeping. “Who says?”
“No need to take that tone with me. It was Cinos. He caught me on my way here, asked if I would be seeing you and to let you know.”
“But I just saw Flynn,” Iviana retorted.
“So?”
Leilyn wasn’t making it up, which meant Flynn had neglected to tell her of this very important matter... and she had missed it during her nap. Pity. She had been so close to having foreknowledge of what was to come and yet so far. But she wasn’t going to admit any of these things to Leilyn.
3
Iviana
Iviana stood upon the steps of the Council Hall, gazing up at the tall structure and attempting to place its age. The years were apparent in the large cracks racing down the four columns as well as in the hole in which her foot was currently placed. She couldn’t help wondering why nothing had been done to update what was presumably the most prestigious building in the world.
She had learned, some time ago, that the realm had at one time been under several small rulings until eventually it was split into two divisions, the East and West—each side secretly wishing to conquer the other. It wasn’t until Latos, with his great anointing, charisma and servant’s heart, had come into leadership that things began to change for the better. He had traveled to the western division where they miraculously agreed upon total unity, forsaking their own government to become a part of what Latos was doing for his own people, bringing order, unity and peace to islands that had been struggling with the opposite for so many years. It was why his reign had been called the Age of the Great One. The Great One had used Latos to bring harmony to a world that had for so long been in turmoil and it had come just in time, from the sounds of it. There was talk they might have entered into an all-out war if not for him.
Iviana wondered if there were other precious buildings such as this where the Realm Leader held council as he traversed the planet. As far as Iviana understood, Flynn was supposed to do that very thing quite soon. In fact, he was meant to have done so in the beginning of his reign, but he had forsaken it to follow Iviana on her quest, and a worthy quest it had turned out to be.
At last, Iviana realized she had avoided entering the Council Hall long enough and stepped up to the door. It was at once opened for her, revealing they had been watching her as she’d looked over the building. This was an awkward beginning for their conference.
“Thank you for appearing,” said Cinos, almost sardonically, revealing he had grown impati
ent.
Iviana casually sat upon the provided chair in the middle of the room―the part she hated most. “Oh, you’re very welcome.”
Cinos’ expression conveyed his disapproval, but Iviana ignored him.
Instead, she turned to her friend. “What is this about, Flynn?”
“Admittedly, it is not I who has called you here,” he replied, eyeing her closely to convey his meaning. “I must leave this matter to my council.”
“Very well, then,” said Grandia, the friend of Kurnin. “I’ll take that as a call to the beginning of our meeting.”
“Iviana of Kaern,” began Grandia.
Iviana did not miss the suggestion she did not belong to their world in the mention of Kaern.
“We would like to speak with you about your previous journey.”
“All right,” Iviana urged, wishing they would not take so long in getting to the point.
“What was your purpose in taking your journey to the planet Kaern?” the woman probed.
As if they don’t know. “It was not an outright plan. We were fleeing the cannibals you have now learned of and my Seeker’s fire led me to a small portal I understand had not yet been discovered.”
The woman nodded. “And how much do you know about the portals, Iviana?”
She shrugged. “Very little, really. I know you go through them to enter another world, either Kaern or the Greater Archipelagos. I would like to learn more, of course. I find them fascinating.”
“Do you?” asked Cinos, stepping in. “Why is that?”
Iviana hesitated, getting the feeling she’d mentioned something she shouldn’t. “I had not heard of anything like them before traveling to your world. They’re somewhat... magical.”
“You are not aware, then,” began Grandia, “that portals do not simply appear from nowhere. They are placed, we believe, by the Great One. However, there was an Inventor, some time ago, who believed he had discovered the formula for creating portals. I do not suppose you have ever met that man?”
Seeker's Revolution Page 2