“No, Naii, it was that we knew you were not to be trusted,” replied a woman to the right of Flynn.
“Why have you not told the world what you have done, if not for your shame?” cried Iviana.
The room fell silent again.
“Flynn,” Iviana said softly, longingly. “What have you to say?”
Flynn returned her gaze, but his thoughts were no more readable than before. He did not reply.
“Flynn?” she repeated with meaning. She could not give up on him―not yet. Her Flynn was in there, somewhere.
“The boy is wise beyond his years,” said Cinos. “He saw the light in our argument long ago―he knows the truth. He will not be turned by a mere Seeker, granddaughter of Latos or no. You forget, young woman, how you entered our world: against our laws. You have shown no respect for our land since then. You fled us the first chance you got. Why should you care about the affairs of the Greater Archipelagos now if not for some ulterior motive? If not to take the place of our Realm Leader yourself?”
Despite such a heavy accusation, Iviana paid him no mind. She continued looking to Flynn. Waiting.
When the room had grown uncomfortably quiet for all but Iviana and Naii, Grandia spoke in a closing tone, “I think that is enough for today. Iviana, we will discuss your view on the matter tomorrow and let you know, personally, what we come up with. Before you go, however, we need you to sign―”
Iviana did not remain to hear what the woman would say. She fled. Not entirely certain why she did so, she knew it was for more than one reason. Firstly, she had the feeling she needed to get out before they forced her to sign some asinine agreement. Secondly, Flynn. Flynn’s behavior had been too much for her.
Before she had gotten far, a strong hand pulled her from the path and behind a row of bushes.
“Ouuch!” she cried as she recognized who it was. “Could you pull any harder, Flynn?”
“What in the world did you think you were doing in there?” he shouted. “What did you think you were going to accomplish?”
Iviana could not believe he was irritated with her. “What were you doing in there? You just sat there!”
“Ivi.” Flynn rubbed the back of his neck until it grew red. “You’ve just sentenced yourself.”
“Sentenced myself? I assume you’re going to stand by and watch that happen too.”
“I’m not kidding. You have to go... now, today. You have no idea how hard I’ve had to work since Rhimesh passed to keep you safe. Those people... do not like you. Kurnin hates the very sound of your name. If you don’t go, you’re going to get yourself killed... along with the rest of the people in that prison.”
Iviana’s mind reeled. She could not care less what happened to her, but she cared about those people, about Waymith. But was the council truly capable of going that far? She supposed Flynn knew better than she by now.
“You can’t tell anyone else what you saw. It’s the only chance those people have.”
“Why?”
“Don’t you see? If the rest of the realm learns what you have, the council will have to cover it up before it’s exposed... if it’s not too late already.”
“Then lets go―now! Lets go and get them out!”
“How do you propose we do that, then?”
Her mind raced. She couldn’t save them. Especially not if she was dead. A deep hatred rose within her chest, for herself, the council, for Flynn. Oh, especially Flynn. Flynn had betrayed her. He was Realm Leader. She would not believe there was nothing he could do. Problem was, he was too afraid, too tied up in the dirty games of the council and Kurnin’s insipid brotherhood.
“I’m leaving,” she said angrily, on the verge of numbness.
“Where will you go. You’re a wanted woman in Kierelia, remember?”
Iviana glared at him. “You’re the one who said I had to go. There’s nowhere else to go. I’m going home.” Iviana rushed away from him, uncertain what she would do to him if she remained. Besides, from the sounds of it, she needed to get out and quickly.
Upon reaching her hut, Naii and Nimua were waiting for her.
“Iviana, you must leave,” said Naii.
“I know,” she said bitterly. “Flynn just told me.”
“I’m sorry. I really thought once they had been confronted, they would relent. Instead, I’m afraid it has put you in terrible danger.”
“Well, what about you?” asked Iviana as she stuffed her travel bag with the few things she truly cared about.
“I am the leader of this island and, thankfully, I am well-loved. I am not easily gotten rid of. But Nimua must go with you.”
“What?” cried Nimua. “I’m not leaving you! They aren’t even aware I know.”
“You are my daughter and Iviana’s best friend. They will assume, and rightly.” She turned to Iviana and gripped her wrist. “Take her, will you?”
Iviana stared back into her eyes. “I don’t know that I want to leave you either. Won’t you come with us?”
Naii shook her head. “I am Island Leader. I will not leave my people. I’ll be fine.”
It was difficult for Iviana to relent, but she knew it was not her choice. “All right.” She turned to Nimua with, “Come with me?”
Nimua was yet unconvinced as Naii faced her. “Please, Nim. Do this for me?”
Nimua glared back at her mother until her face softened. “Fine.”
“Good.” She reached under Iviana’s table and drew out Nimua’s bag. “I packed this for you.”
Nimua looked as if she would cry.
“Can we come in?” called Darist from the patio.
Iviana was surprised to see Marquen there, as well, away from his cabin in the hills. “What are you doing here?”
Darist watched as Iviana rushed about to put her things in order. “What’s going on?” Turning to Marquen, he asked, “Is this why we came here?”
“Oh, Darist, I’m glad you’re here,” said Naii. “Where’s Necoli? I asked him to meet us here. Oh, no matter, you’re here. Listen, Iviana and Nimua are leaving for Kierelia. I was wondering if you would mind coming with me to escort them to the dragon’s lair in case of any trouble.”
“Not at all,” he replied, utterly bewildered. “But why are they leaving... so quickly?”
Naii shook her head. “They are in danger. We cannot tell you why or it will endanger you as well.”
Darist shook his head. “Danger in the Greater Archipelagos? Oh... the council.” He thought a moment. “I’ll return as quickly as I can.”
“Where are you going?” cried Nimua.
“To pack. I’m coming with you.”
Iviana shook her head, but grinned at Naii and Nimua. Of course loyal Darist would come without even an explanation.
“I, uh, already have my bag,” said Marquen.
Iviana blinked at him, understanding the Great One must have shown him something. “All right,” was all she had time for as she prepared to leave her hut for who knew how long? But even as she did this, a thought occurred to her. “Dragons won’t do, will they?” she asked Naii. “I don’t like to have that many dragons in Kierelia. It would draw too much attention and put them in danger.”
Naii thought a moment. “You’re right. It will have to be Jaela’s Cavern.”
Finally, Necoli arrived, already packed. Nimua ran to him and he pulled her into his arms.
“You’re coming with us?” Nimua asked, relieved.
“Of course,” he replied with a smile. “I’m not letting my best girl leave the universe without me.”
Iviana was satisfied to see this news ease her friend as she darted into the kitchen. Their group had grown and so must their supplies. Most likely Darist would think to pack whatever he could spare and, between them, it would have to be enough. She felt an urgency in her blood, as if something was horribly wrong, even more than she was already aware of.
“You all right?” asked Darist as he returned and began helping her stuff food into their bags.
She noticed he had an over-sized sack full of food with him.
“Something is wrong.”
“No kidding? I wish I knew what.”
“No, more than that... we have to hurry.”
Naii overheard and gestured for the rest to join them in the kitchen. “You’re all here,” she said with some relief, “Once you’ve finished in here, you must go.”
“Where are you all going?” asked Brenna as she entered the hut, her eyes wide with confusion.
Iviana looked her over and realized she had been crying.
“What’s wrong, Brenna?” she asked as she rushed to her side.
“Oh, I thought you would be alone. I just wanted to talk.”
“What is it? It’s all right, we’re all friends here.”
“Well, I’ve just broken off my engagement with Flynn.”
“You did? Why?”
But Iviana knew why.
“We got into an argument. He said some terrible things. Something is wrong and I wanted him to talk to me about it. Of course, he wouldn’t. He never does anymore. And I just had to... to end it. I can’t marry him.”
Iviana hugged her friend tightly as Brenna cried into her shoulder, but Naii touched her back to remind her they must go. “Oh, Brenna, I know how hard that must have been.” And what a day Flynn must be having. “Oh, but we simply must go. I cannot tell you why, but if you would like to join us, you’re welcome. However, I warn you, I cannot promise your return.”
Brenna looked up in surprise. “Is something the matter? Does this have to do with Flynn?”
Iviana nodded. “But telling you would put you at risk.”
“I see,” said Brenna, looking a little shocked. “I wish I could say I’m coming with you, but my mother is ill and I must stay for her.”
Iviana regretted leaving her behind at such a time, but knew that even though Leilyn was Leilyn, the two were very close. Leilyn would be there for her. “I understand. We’ll miss you and... take care of yourself.”
Brenna smiled and brushed the tears from her face. “I hope all is well with you. Be safe. I love you, dear friends.”
Suddenly, a pang similar to her Seeker’s fire rushed through Iviana’s body, revealing it was imminent they leave immediately, so she gave Brenna and Naii one last embrace and gestured for the others to follow.
–
As the group made their way to the door into Kierelia, they started toward the dragon’s lair, where, thankfully, Tragor was at that very moment. Iviana ran ahead of the others that she could have a moment to say goodbye. As she embraced him, she prayed it would not be a forever farewell. She could not bear never seeing him again, but had no way of knowing where all this was leading them. When she pulled back, his eyes bored into hers. It seemed he did not understand her at all, which was not a common occurrence.
Iviana quickly filled him in on the details of her situation and the reason she could not bring him along. Knowing he was a very old dragon and must be very wise in his years, she knew he accepted all she had told him. Then, as the others caught up to her, she threw her arms around him once more. Tragor watched as she disappeared and her heart felt as if it would split in two.
It wasn’t long before they came to a large cliff-face with a blood red door wedged into the rock. She faintly recalled that door from the other side; it was mostly identical on this end. She had never passed through it before and wondered if it would be anything like the portal in the sky she was accustomed to.
All of a sudden, Iviana heard Nimua gasp as the sound of a great number of people came charging toward them, as if they would yet capture Iviana, if not her friends as well, who would now be considered liabilities. As it happened, Iviana and her friends were much closer to the door than they, so the race began.
Iviana was the first to reach it and as her hand grasped the dragon-faced handle, she wondered if it would open for her. It had rejected her once before. If it did so again, she thought she might lose it. Thankfully, the door swung open, almost as if pushed by some force on the other side, and a shifting opalescent substance shimmered before her. It almost reminded her of the dome that covered the Isle of Atlantyss, but she had no time for a true comparison as she was pushed through by the others. In much shorter time than it took to travel through her usual portal, she was on the other side, standing within Jaela’s Cavern.
Once the others had tumbled through, the door closed behind them and Darist held the handle still in an effort to keep their pursuers from following.
“Darist, it’s no use,” she called as she started through the tunnel, the others following.
“Besides,” Nimua said breathlessly, “I highly doubt there will be many―if any―who would venture through that door. Most are too afraid of this world. I’d venture to say we may not even need to hurry.”
“That’s a thought,” added Marquen. “Likely, they’ll have Flynn add us to the list of those unable to use the door.”
Necoli nodded. “I’ll venture to agree, and thankfully. This is too much running for me. What do you say we slow it down, Ivi girl?”
Iviana’s mind raced. Could they chance it? Running wasn’t going to be possible for much longer, anyway, as the tunnel was about to grow more cramped. Besides, they needed to conserve their energy.
“All right,” she gasped. “My side aches anyway.”
“Thank the Great One,” puffed Necoli. “I’ve been living the easy life too long.”
9
Era
Era awoke with a start. Breathlessly she pulled the covers back and found her body scratched, her nightgown torn and shredded. How had this happened? Next thing she knew, she was standing outside her body, looking down upon it. But whose room could this be? She did not know it. And, wait... the body on the bed was not hers at all, but that of another woman.
Somehow, she understood this woman with the beaten body to be that of the only other Seeker in the realm, Iviana of Kaern, the Chosen One. Era could not understand how she had ended up in what was likely Iviana’s bedroom, but as she could not turn her head away from the Chosen One, she realized she must be dreaming.
Suddenly, Era was no longer in the bedroom but soaring through the sky beside Iviana where she sat upon the Great Dragon of the Ages. Had she not already been aware she was dreaming, she would have been terrified, for it truly felt as if she was soaring through the winds, just as the dragons did. She journeyed beside the two until they landed on an island she had never seen before. Then again, she knew none but one—her own.
Iviana made her way through the island until she came to a passage in a mountain. Through it, Era followed her. By this time, she seemed to have formed a link with Iviana’s emotions and felt all that Iviana did: determination, confusion, dread. Era wished she knew why they were feeling as they did, what their purpose could be that they would travel through this labyrinth with such resolve. Where was Iviana going and why was she being drawn along with her?
She did not have to wonder for long. Soon, Era could hear the breathing and murmuring of what must have been dozens of people. Before she knew it, they had entered a large cavern containing hundreds of people caged behind bars that reached from ceiling to floor.
What in the world could this place be?
Iviana raced to speak with some of the people held prisoner there and Era quickly followed, not wishing to miss a thing. As Iviana received an explanation for the prison, Era listened intently, memorizing every word spoken and letting it sink into her heart. As she eavesdropped, she began to realize what she was experiencing was no mere dream; it was a vision of a real occurrence. For whatever reason, she was witnessing this scene for a purpose and she must remember it well.
Suddenly, Iviana pulled away from the people she had been speaking with and fled the place. Era attempted to follow, as she could not be certain where she was and would not know the way back to... No, Iviana could not help her. She must awaken...
Era awoke with a start. Breathlessly, she pulled b
ack the covers, absently checking to see that she was in her right body, in the right bed and the correct room, with no harm to her body or bedclothes. She released a relieved sigh to find all was as it should be.
Yet, it wasn’t, for she had witnessed something she shouldn’t have in the natural realm. Question was, what was she supposed to do about it? Luckily, there were no lectures to be held this day, so she had all day to sort it out. Firstly, she would speak with her parents.
Dressing quickly in order to meet them for the morning meal, she raced into the kitchen to find her mother and father eating quietly at the dining table.
“Are you all right?” her mother asked.
Era realized she was breathless and gulped a few breaths of air down. Taking a seat, she accepted the plate her father offered, though she did not feel capable of eating it.
“I had a dream,” she said.
“A nightmare?” her father asked.
“I thought you had moved on from your flood dreams?” said her mother.
“It wasn’t another flood dream, Mother. I saw the Chosen One.”
“Well, that’s a nice change. I’m sure that was pleasant.”
“It didn’t feel like an ordinary dream. I followed her and I could feel what she felt. She found this prison in a mountain where innocent people were being kept in some sort of dungeon for those blessed with unique gifts.”
“All right, not so very pleasant,” her mother admitted.
“Sounds like an odd one,” said her father. “That seems to be all the dreams I have, random. The other night, I dreamed I was on board a large vessel that both floated on water and flew through the sky. It was certainly thrilling. Felt as if I was really there.”
Era shook her head. “I felt the same way, Father, but this was different. I think it really did happen.”
Her parents exchanged glances.
“What makes you think that?” asked Father.
Era thought a moment. She couldn’t exactly explain just why. She simply knew. “It was as if I was being shown for a reason, so I could help or something. Perhaps the Chosen One needs me.”
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