Keeper of the Lost Cities: Phoenix Rising (Book 9)

Chapter 13 - Keefe

The first thing Keefe was aware of was the light. It came from all directions, wrapping him in warmth. Then, his eyes adjusted and he gasped. 

He stood on a crystal suspension bridge that led to a bustling town.

Ok, to call it a town would probably be the understatement of the century.

The city was massive! The roads were paved with beautiful blue crystal that seemed to glow with warm and inviting energy. Each building seemed to twist and spiral in a majestic dance.

At the center of the city was a great fortress. The fortress had three tiers and six spires with the largest at the very top. At the topmost tier was a statue of a phoenix with it's wings spread wide. An outsider may have found the statue threatening, but to Keefe, it was almost like the phoenix was welcoming him home.

Home

Keefe frowned. He had a feeling that he was close discovering something vital.

Something about his fractured memories.....

"Everything alright?" Kayla asked abruptly, making Keefe jump.

"I think." Keefe replied.

"There was something about this place that was directly connected to the Lost Cities."

"I just can't seem to figure out what."

Kayla shrugged.

"Aerilon has that affect on most travelers." she replied.

"People like us think we've been here before, but in reality its just our subconscious reacting with the Eyrie."

"The Eyrie?" Keefe asked.

"Shhhh!" Kayla hissed.

His sister cast a furtive look around, then swiftly led him across the bridge and into a dark alleyway.

"The Eyrie is Phoenix's most closely guarded secret." Kayla explained. "It's not a subject to be discussed on the open streets."

"I know you've probably just come from one of the Lost Cities, so you're expecting the entire city to be controlled by one group."

"In Aerilon, it's different."

While Kayla talked, she kept one hand on her sword sheath, almost as if she was expecting an attack.  Her easy familiarity with the weapon made Keefe slightly uncomfortable, but he kept his nerves in check.

"Phoenix controls the upper levels of Aerilon, but down here in the streets is Stormweaver territory."

"What's a stormweaver?" Keefe asked.

"An insurgent who is willing to kill anyone to find the Eyrie." Kayla replied darkly.  At Keefe's confused look, she sighed.

" Look, Keefe, loitering in storm-weaver territory is dangerous, so I can't exactly answer all your questions at once."

"Do me a favor and just wait till we're secure." "Understand?"

Keefe nodded, despite feeling a lingering sense of confusion.

"Good." Kayla acknowledged, and opened another portal of blue light.

"Oh heck no." Keefe said, backing away. "I'm not going in there."

Kayla rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on." "These are Tyluan gates, Keefe. Only the caster and her companions can enter."

Keefe frowned. "What does Tyluan mean?"

Kayla sighed. "I'll explain later." she said. "For now, just follow me."

With that, she stepped into the portal. Keefe sighed to himself. He hated portals, but since it was to either follow his sister or potentially be attacked by a stormweaver, he chose the slightly more safer option of following his sister.

With a deep breath, he stepped into the portal.