“Doesn’t talk?” Iviana queried. That didn’t sound like Flynn. He loved to talk.
“That is, he does talk... a little. But I think something is bothering him. When things used to bother him, he would always come to me. He said it helped him. But now, he hardly tells me anything of substance. And... he’s so distant. I think he’s bored with me.”
“He couldn’t be bored with you!” Iviana comforted. “But I can believe perhaps something is going on with him. I’m sorry to say I have not noticed; I’ve been quite busy myself, lately.”
“Ivi... I know you say you’re busy... but I’m wondering if you could try talking to him... to see if maybe he’ll tell you something of his troubles. I know he cares for you a lot and you’ve been friends longer than he and I have; you’ve been through more together... so he just might―”
“I doubt he’ll tell me anything he wouldn’t tell you, but I can try.”
Brenna was more relieved than Iviana had expected. “Oh, it would mean the world to me. I hate to admit it, but I’ve been doubting we should even be married. I mean, how can I be his wife if he won’t share things with me? But perhaps a little urging from you will help draw him out.”
Iviana doubted her speaking with him would help, even if he did reveal something. She could not be expected to smooth over issues in their relationship when they were married. That would likely only cause more trouble and would eventually cause Brenna to dislike her. Still, she was curious now and wished to see if what Brenna said was true, that he was struggling with something he had not yet shared with his friends.
5
Era
Another day of classes were completed in time for the noon meal. Those who were especially gifted in certain areas ate a quick lunch before continuing for a few hours more. Though it wasn’t necessarily a comfort to be ordinary, Era was glad she was not one of these, for she could only take sitting still for so long.
Once released, Era usually made her way over to the Kais building where she ate while her friends, Aedis and Merrick, worked. Today would be no different. In fact, she had been doing this for the past year since the two had been invited to become Junior Kais. At the time, she’d been upset she was losing her classes with them, but as, by that time, they had really only shared one class, she had rarely seen them anyway. Besides, she couldn’t blame anyone for being willing to give up sitting around for lectures.
It was unusual the three were friends, for they had very little in common. Though Merrick was her own age, Aedis was a few years older, but this never seemed to bother the older girl. That was the reason Era looked up to her so much—that and the fact she was brilliant, as was Merrick. However, Merrick’s ingenuity affected his social skills. This was why she and Aedis were the only friends he had near his own age. He got along best with the adult Kais.
Being neighbors, Era and Merrick had gotten to know one another early enough that his brilliance had not set them apart. There were, of course, those who teased him for being so different, but Atlantyss did not tolerate that sort of behavior, so Merrick was saved from anything that might have set him back. Instead, he was set free to become all he possibly could and, at the age of fourteen, that had gotten him to the position of Junior Kais. As far as Era knew, no one had ever been offered the position at such a young age. Though Aedis had been offered hers at the same time, she had been sixteen and even she had been young for the offer.
The Kais were a well honored group of ingenious and creative individuals who contributed much to their underwater society, so selecting young people to join them was no small matter. They were meant to impact their society in future and would take over as the older Kais retired or passed on. This gave the position a deal of grandeur in the eyes of the city.
When Merrick and Aedis had been placed in similar classes before joining the Kais, Era and Aedis had been introduced. Their relationship had begun with Era feeling a little over-awed by the older girl, but she eventually overcame it until the two were true friends. Aedis had become someone Era could go to about anything. And, since Merrick had formerly been her only best friend, it was pleasant to have a friend with whom she could share deep conversation. Merrick talked easily enough, but he was not comfortable with heavy conversation.
“Aaah, right on time,” said Aedis as Era entered the room the two were working in. They were always happy to see her after classes let out, if not for her actual company, then for the meal she provided upon her arrival.
“I managed a fresh basket of honey rolls,” Era said as she laid the array of food on the table. “And one of the Swimmers gathered a whole bunch of jujii this morning, so I grabbed two for each of us.”
In addition, there was a finger salad of vegetables and nuts along with a plethora of other fruits and berries they managed to grow beneath the sea thanks to the light of the Great One’s miraculous dome.
“I can’t stop now,” insisted Merrick as he worked on something utterly unrecognizable to Era.
Aedis dropped what she was doing and immediately took up her share of the jujii fruits. “I’ll never understand why the gardeners don’t grow these.”
“It’s too cool down here,” Merrick mumbled over his work.
“You hush and finish up before these rolls get cold,” Aedis demanded as she bit into one. “Thanks, Era. I haven’t had a warm honey roll in weeks.”
Era shrugged. “They’re usually gone before I can get to them.”
“Oh, I wasn’t blaming you. It’s not as if you have to bring us food. Of course, if you didn’t we’d probably starve. You’d be amazed how easy it is to lose track of time in this building. Anyway, my mother doesn’t do rolls. Says she can’t get them to rise.”
“Yeast,” Merrick said.
“I guess hers always dies.”
“Warmth.”
“I thought I told you not to talk,” Aedis scolded. Turning to Era, she said, “Anyway, how were your classes this morning?”
“Same,” she said dryly. “I’ll never understand your thirst for learning.”
“Well, if everyone had the same attributes, life would be extremely dull.”
“I suppose.”
“Have you given any more thought about what you want to do when you’ve finished school—that is, if you choose to finish this year?”
“Of course I’m finishing this year. I’m not staying any longer than I have to and I’m not choosing a lifestyle that will cause me to have to.”
“Well, what are you choosing?”
Era smirked. “I don’t know.”
“But don’t you have to know by next year at the latest?”
“Exactly. I have a whole year. All I know is I want to get out and see the world. I think if I could get that out of my system I might have a better idea of what else interests me.”
Aedis nodded. “But to get out, you have to be either a Swimmer or go undercover.”
“Unless the Chosen One does her thing and we get raised from the ocean,” Era reminded. “Then a whole world of possibilities will open up... literally.”
Aedis’ eyes lit up, for she loved speaking about Iviana, whom she, along with Merrick, was lucky enough to call a friend. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“You two are so lucky; it is utterly unfair,” Era said mournfully. “I still can’t believe I was sick the day she came. I wish you could have brought her over.”
“Well, we barely had time to do what we did. You know I would have if it had been―”
“I know, I know. Still, if only I’d been in classes that day, I might have caught a glimpse of her.”
Merrick sighed as he took a seat, joining the two girls. “Honey rolls are cold.”
“I told you,” Aedis reminded.
“I know,” he admitted. “Say, what happens when we really do have a world of possibilities open up to us? I wonder if we would leave the Kais to contribute elsewhere.”
“You’d really leave Atlantyss, Merrick?” asked Era.
He shrugged. �
��Why not? You’re not the only one who wants to see something of the outside.”
“I’ve never heard you say so in all the times we’ve talked about it.”
He shrugged again. “Things change when you get older.”
Aedis and Era smirked at one another over the table. Since Merrick had joined the Kais, he’d been big on the growing up thing. Era sometimes felt he saw himself as older than her. Truth was, he was only a boy at heart.
“Well, maybe we’ll all do a little traveling, once we get the chance,” said Aedis.
Merrick looked her over quizzically. “I thought you said you’d never leave Atlantyss, even when we’re no longer submerged?”
Aedis laughed. “Well, I have moments of weakness, but you’re probably right.”
“Nothing is going to stop me,” Era said dreamily.
“We know,” Aedis said with a knowing smile.
“Boy, do we ever,” added Merrick.
6
Iviana
Iviana’s first thought upon waking was to visit Waymith, but recalling her promise to Brenna, she gathered up a picnic breakfast and started for Flynn’s hut. She knew he would be there at that early hour, for the council did not usually meet until a couple hours before the noon meal. Until then, he usually stole what quiet time he could.
He was delighted to see her, mentioning how he had been feeling her absence from their usual schedule. As they conversed, Iviana watched for signs of what Brenna had mentioned, but could find no obvious difference in him.
“Flynn...” began Iviana with some hesitation. She did not want to bring Brenna’s name into this, but she wished to know what could be causing her to worry to the point she was doubting their engagement. “I don’t suppose there’s anything you’ve been keeping from me?”
“Why on earth do you ask that?” he asked, surprised as well as a little perturbed.
“I don’t know. I just wondered. We’re the best of friends, but I expect you don’t tell me everything. But if there was anything you thought you should share, that you needed to talk about...”
Flynn scratched his head as he continued signing the papers on his table. “Well,” he began a little nervously, “I don’t know if it’s honorable to tell you at this point, but I feel I ought to get something off my chest.”
“Of course, Flynn. Don’t be bashful now,” Iviana said with a mischievous half-smile. But this did not seem to ease him as she had hoped.
“Well, I... er.” He looked up from his papers. “All right, don’t take this the wrong way, but there was a time I rather thought I would be marrying you...”
Iviana raised her brows. “You wh―”
“Don’t freak out. It was before you’d left for Kaern with Tragor―when you first brought me here. But then, of course, you left... and it didn’t seem as if you planned to return. Brenna and I began talking and became good friends. Before I knew it, you were back, but I had already invested my feelings in her.”
“Well, that certainly surprises me...” Iviana replied honestly. “I had no idea.”
“That’s good,” he assured her. “I always wondered if maybe you might have shared my feelings. As my best friend, I wanted to be certain there wasn’t anything we should put behind us.”
“To tell you the truth, Flynn, I was pretty distracted with everything going on back then. I couldn’t even say if I did or didn’t care for you that way. But I know you are my good friend now and I’m happy for you and Brenna. Besides... I don’t think the council would have allowed a wedding between us to slide.”
Flynn laughed. “You may be right... not that I couldn’t have handled them if I’d needed to. It’s not like you’re not worth fighting for.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I know that council. I’m surprised you haven’t found them to be too much for you as it is.”
Flynn’s smile dropped suddenly and Iviana regretted her statement. “I’m not saying you’re not capable―”
“No, it’s just... you’re not far from the mark there.”
“You mean you’re having a hard time?”
Flynn’s gaze stayed with her, but his mind was elsewhere. “Sorry,” he said, snapping back. “Like you said, nothing I can’t handle.”
Iviana wished she could press him, but knew he would tell her in his own time if he needed. Besides, he had Brenna now and if they were to be married, she would need to shoulder the responsibilities of the realm along with him. Still, Iviana was certain he was keeping something from both of them. He suddenly looked so tired and it was true he didn’t talk half as much as he used to. In truth, it occurred to her he had grown into rather a quiet person compared to the man she had first met. He listened readily to others, but it had become difficult to get him to share his feelings and opinions.
Now she looked him over as he dutifully worked through his paperwork, she was beginning to see the agelessness that came with being Realm Leader. There was a certain difficulty in identifying the age of his features, always shifting as Rhimesh’s had, though not to her extreme; he had not been Realm Leader nearly as long as she. Still, it was faint, perhaps only a figment of her mind, but it would one day make him a fantastical creature. She hoped he would be prepared for it.
She needed to keep him in the forefront of her mind, speaking to the Great One about him daily. She knew He was aware of whatever was going on with him. He would see everything worked out as it should, even in Flynn’s relationship with Brenna.
Flynn turned to her as if attempting to interrupt her thoughts. “Are you looking forward to Leilyn and Nico’s wedding?”
“Wedding? Oh, yes. That’s coming up, isn’t it?”
Flynn chuckled. “It’s tomorrow.”
“No!” Iviana gasped. “I’ve been so busy, I had no idea.”
“Well, same here. Good thing Leilyn pops in every day to remind me.”
“You know she has a thing for you, right?”
“Of course. Why else would she bring me stone-hard rolls every day?”
Iviana laughed. “So long as you know.”
“Don’t suppose you’re bringing anyone special with you?” he asked. “I guess it’s the custom to do so.”
Iviana’s face brightened at his words and she stood to her feet, an idea sparking in her mind. “Actually... I am.”
Abandoning Flynn, she raced to her hut to discover Necoli and Darist lounging in her kitchen.
“You’ve made yourselves at home, I see,” she commented as she began rummaging through the cupboards.
“We came to see you, but you weren’t here,” Necoli stated. “Then, of course, you’d left some freshly baked bread on the table along with a pat of cream, so we, uh, helped ourselves.”
“Well, I’m glad you did. Somebody’s got to eat it. Though, if I could snatch those last few slices, I can bring them along.”
The young men raised their brows at one another.
“Could you now?” asked Darist. “Picnicking with anyone special?”
Iviana grinned inwardly, fully aware of what they suspected. “As a matter of fact, I am.”
Darist appeared surprised. “Who with?”
Iviana grinned widely. “It’s a secret.”
“A secret from me?” he asked with wide, innocent eyes.
Iviana laughed. “Yes, for now. But you shall see him tomorrow.”
“So it’s a him,” Necoli said suspiciously.
“You’re bringing him to the wedding, I gather?” Darist asked.
Iviana nodded. “I’ll see you boys, then. Try not to eat me out of house and home.”
Heading out the door with her basket of food, she overheard Necoli bragging how correct he had been in his deduction as to why she had not been around as of late. This pleased her, for she knew what a marvelous jest it would be when she appeared with the man she had in mind for her wedding companion.
–
Arriving at Waymith’s shack, Iviana flew in with a cheerful spirit, greeting her elderly friend with a
peck on the forehead and fully ignoring his angry expression until it transformed into a meek smile.
“I brought fresh bread again, since you said you liked it. I’m afraid some friends of mine got into most of it, but there are a few slices for you. Besides that, I hid away some jam so there’s plenty of it.”
“I told you not to return,” said the old man humbly, pleased when she laid the plate on his lap and proceeded to pour him a cool glass of coconut milk.
“Yes, but old men have bats in their brains, you know. Or hadn’t you heard?”
Waymith grinned. “Sounds familiar. What are you so pleased about this day? Been meeting with a sweetheart?”
Iviana’s eyes sparkled. “Something like that.”
“I heard someone outside my window mention a wedding. I suppose you’ve got a beau to take you.” He seemed pleased by the idea.
“Something like that,” she repeated. She then offered him the glass of milk and knelt beside his bed. “I want you to come with me,” she said. “I want to get you out of this lonely place and have you among people again. I even want you to move in with me, if you will, where I can take better care of you.”
Waymith’s eyes were stern at first, but were soon softened by her words. “You darling girl. You are so much like my daughter... Oh, I cannot go with you. You do not know what it would mean.”
“I don’t care what it would mean. You’re done living this way. We’ve got to face whatever troubles you have and I am perfectly capable of doing so.”
He shook his head vehemently. “It’s too dangerous. There is much you do not know, child, and much I would not want you to know.”
Iviana hesitated, then plunged. “Did the council banish your daughter from the Greater Archipelagos?”
Waymith’s unseeing eyes grew cloudy. “They did not.”
“Then where did she go?”
Waymith was quiet a long while and tears streamed from his eyes, but he would not relent.
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