Across the Midnight Sea

Chapter 29: Shaynaria

Hello lovely humans. Thank you so much for all the comments and votes. They mean the world. I hope you like this chapter. Its a little longer than usual but its a good one for Adira <3

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It had taken everything in Adira not to wait to see Imre one last time. A part of her had known that if she had stayed to see him she would have done something unforgivable like go to him again and what happened in the middle of the night in the haul of the ship was not something that could be repeated in the light of day.

She had handed the two letters for Lillia and Xavier to Smithers to be delivered back to Tameria. He had turned down her offer for coin. He had already been more than kind to her. He had saved her life.  She could not leave without repaying him somehow so she had stashed several coins in his cabin's desk drawer before leaving along with the largest of her rings.

There was a chance that she might need the money from it in the future, but she wouldn't have a future if it weren't for Smithers aide. In her mind there was no option to not thank him for his kindness.

A warm hug had been her sending off after Smithers had taken the time to arrange for a carriage for her. Saying goodbye to the man who she owed her life and Imre's was harder than she had expected and she made a mental note to come back to the docks once everything had settled. With any luck she would see him again.

What about Imre? What would happen if she saw him again?

Adira closed her eyes.

She didn't know if she would have the strength to walk away from him a second time.

"Where to miss?" asked the driver pulling her from her thoughts.

"Do you know the house of Rathor?" she asked giving her fathers name.

"Everyone knows the Warden's house, second biggest in the city. Only the Governors got a bigger place and that's half way up the mountain. You going somewhere near there miss?"

"No, take me to Rathor's house" Adira said numbly. She had no idea that her father was the Warden of Shaynari. She had been told many times that he was a great warrior. Lord Gregor and her step father had not spoken well of him so a part of Adira had just assumed that her father was nothing more than a common soldier.

Clearly that was not the case.

"Do you have an appointment to see him then?"

"No," she answered.

"Doubt you'll be able to right away then, straight off the docks. Busy man he is. Got his hands full since the Governor doesn't like getting his hands dirty with common folk and their problems."

"He will see me," Adira said, more to convince herself than the man in front of her.

"Alright then," said the driver and he gave a quick flick of the reins to get the horses moving.

As they rolled from the docks deeper into the city Adira watched the milling crowds and saw a clear divide between peoples.

The Shaynari, with their golden hair and skin wore nothing but plain brown or faded white clothing, where the Tamerian's wore bright colors. Even those who were clearly poor still had scarves or shirts of vibrant colors as if to purposefully show that they were not like the Shaynari.

A procession of slaves were being marched towards a cart, all in chains and Adira's mind immediately went to that first day when she had seen Imre at the docks.

She remembered what it felt like when their eyes had met.

Turning away from the window Adira held tightly to the feeling in her chest. She would rather have the ache there from leaving him behind than try and forget him. She had sworn that she would remember him and she had no intention of ever letting go of him. Even though it hurt, the pain was a comfort.