Over the Sea [Dual Trilogy Book 1]

Kano

Around midday, we reached the rocky shores of Uskyae. I told Lily we arrived, but she didn't respond. I shrugged it off. The cold air already hit my face, so we all donned the fur cloaks, boots, and gloves to keep warm. Living in the tropical area of the moon, I had never felt a winter this cold before. The only person who didn't seem to mind was Evan.

Because the trigon was too big to get close to shore, and because there were no docks nearby for us to use, we flew off the trigon's back, one at a time setting down our phonxes, climbing on, and taking off.

Before climbing onto Zale, I turned to look at the dockmaster. "Thirty days, be in Everton," I told him, to which he nodded. "I'll give you double what I gave you this morning."

We began the four hour trek to Mirstone's capital. I had Uskyae's map in front of me to lead everyone further east. We flew over its western forest. The trees bore no leaves, leaving the villages and towns open for our viewing. Snow covered the ground, and brightened the already bright sun. Not a cloud in the sky.

As we neared Mirstone's capital, we landed in the woods just outside city limits, and walked through its outskirts to find a tavern to stay. Everyone we passed had pale skin and blond hair. A few people here and there had brown hair, but that was few and far between.

"I think I should do the talking," Evan suggested as we neared the tavern.

"No," I refuted. "I'll be the one who talks."

He grabbed my shoulder and whirled me around to face him. "If you haven't noticed, Your Highness, I'm the only one in this group who looks like a native. They'll be more likely to believe that you're with me if I tell them I'm from Uskyae. Otherwise, you may not be treated kindly."

"I will talk to them," I said through gritted teeth, turning around and leading them into the tavern.

The tavern was very long, with large fires down the middle. I suppose one needs all the heat one can get this far north. A few men and women chopped wood near the fires to keep them burning. Most of the people sat around the fires, but a few sat around the bar drinking ale from golden cups, and eating meat and bread.

The owner walked up to us, his nose red and his left eye watery. He spoke words that I didn't understand, and when he saw my incomprehension, he spoke in the language all Paracosians speak: Oglena. "Can I help you?"

"We are in need of a room, just for one night."

He looked skeptically at me. "Where are you from?"

"Broasau. Why? Does that matter?"

He placed his hands on his hips, never breaking eye contact. "I am afraid I do not have any available rooms tonight. If you are not going to eat or drink anything, please see yourselves out."

"But, sir, we--"

"Out." He pointed to the door.

We turned and walked out the door, and I allowed the bag of money hanging from my belt to jingle quietly as we left.

It didn't take too long before we found the next tavern, and of course, Evan volunteered himself to talk to the owner. After my last interaction, I looked forward to seeing his smug attitude be torn by rejection, so I allowed it.

This tavern wasn't as long as the first one, but it had just as many fires, and just as many people talking, drinking, and eating. The owner waved us over from behind the bar, and it already felt more welcoming than the previous one. His eyes didn't water, but his nose was red, and he had his long blond hair tied behind his head.

He spoke to us in their native language, just like the last one, but to my surprise, Evan responded in the same language. Their conversation lasted for a minute; there was even some laughing. In the end, though, Evan managed to get a key for two rooms, and led us down the stairs and down the hall.