Starborn

Chapter 11

Kodalia is breathtaking. Beautiful fire surrounds us, and Ameline grabs my hand, which snaps me out of my trance. The rest of the group seems lost in wonder too- even Roland can't keep his mouth closed. Kenric and Kiara bring us into the town center, and several bystanders look at us with friendly smiles and waves. They look like delightful people, with clean and pressed clothes, full color in their faces, the smell of roasted meat in the air, music in my ears, and even a few children playing and running around. And not one Fiendish eye in sight.

"Do my eyes deceive me?" I hear an old raspy voice say. "So the rumors are true."

A man with a scraggly gray beard stops me and smiles at me. "I know that mark. It's been so long." And then the old man kneels before me. "Our lord has returned."

Soon, more and more begin to arrive, piling out of their huts and calling out to more villagers about me. Even the children stare at me like I am a ghost. Some are pushing through the crowd to get a better glimpse at me. Some follow the old man with the scraggly beard and kneel before me, though most just stare in awe. And to think I believed only my comrades were the last bit of Cinedime's former glory.

"Now, now, everyone," Kiara shouts. "Let's not overwhelm him. Back to work!"

As the crowd begins to disperse, Kenric starts to point out different parts of the village. "There's the schoolhouse for the little ones. Down that way is where Asgabah makes the clothes. Casbar's hut is over there, and he makes the weapons. Over there is Haybar's butchering lodge, and just past the waterfall there is the crop garden. Down the west tunnel, there is the crystal deposit, and down the east tunnel leads to the bathhouse. Then down through the north tunnel is the mess hall."

"I'd like us all to celebrate by sunset here in the center," Kiara says. "Then we'll have ourselves a feast for the ages!"

"Make y'selves at home!" Kenric shouts before he runs off. "I gotta get me a drink before I shrivel up!"

"If you'll excuse me," Charlotte says. "The bath beckons me."

As Charlotte walks away towards the east tunnel, Duncan wanders toward the blacksmith, scrutinizing his sword. Roland stays behind, leaning against the back of the ship from the dock. And Ameline is suddenly approached by a little blonde girl, who smiles at her and takes her hand.

"You wanna come play with us? We're playing Battle Mages! You can be the warrior princess!" she says.

I give her a nod. She laughs and runs along as the kids start playing around. The children's parents are nearby, cleaning their homes or tending to their businesses. Nobody is barking out advertisements, so they must not accept any money. No animals are around, so they must not eat much meat.

The last one I see is Alistar, who looks mindless as he looks around, trying to find something to occupy his time. He notices the clothing hut and starts to walk that way, but suddenly, Kiara stops him and embraces him. He looks unaffected.

"You're a brave boy," she tells him. "This is nothing like Pirema, but I hope you'll find comfort here."

Then she lets the boy go, and he gives me a sad look before turning on his heel. I couldn't imagine his grief now, but I believe he will heal in his own time.

"So! How do you like our town?" Kiara asks me, bringing me out of my trance.

"It's nice. It's very welcoming and organized. I wouldn't have expected that from a cave."

"That's all thanks to my dear father. He discovered this cave many years ago and brought his platoon to modify it into a fortress, but after the horrendous strike on Asreal, they decided to stay here to avoid the Shadowhearts. It's been protecting us ever since."