Starborn

Chapter 15

The light consumed us quickly, and after floating in a vortex of blue flame for a short period, I tumble out onto a hard floor. I see my emerald eyes staring back at me, and I hear the grunting of my comrades as they fly out of the geyser as well. Within the Communion Temple, the heavy clothes for the mountain weather are already making me sweaty.

"Oh, lord, does it feel good to be off that rock," Duncan says as he peels off his coat. "I hope they have some soup ready."

"I hope we're not too late already," Roland says. "That woman better uphold her end of the bargain."

"Hey, y' made it back!" I hear a familiar gruff voice say.

Standing at the temple doors is Kenric, who smiles heartily at us. Then, with his ax clinking against his back, he jogs over to us and greets me with a pat on my shoulder.

"Nicely done! Not many people ever made it to the Monastery of Altimus! How are the old geezers doing up there?"

I can practically hear Charlotte slowly bowing her head in mourning. Kenric drops his smirk.

"It's been destroyed...." I say with a sigh. "They're all dead."

"Damn... poor fellas," Kenric says. "Rayburn's not gonna like that." He heads for the door. "Well, come along. Captain Armitage expected y' to arrive around this time. We're meeting at the White Lion before we set sail."

We all practically sprint out of the temple, and I recognize the mouth of the tunnel and the sounds of civilian life on the other side. I can only imagine what we've missed in the past three days. But, indeed, the damage to the village has been treated, and hopefully, the people will welcome me back. At the very least, welcome everyone else. And little Ameline, I'm looking forward to seeing her again. Although I doubt she will be happy- I remember that sour look on her face when we left.

But my smile swiftly melts away when the village center comes into view. Kodalia looks the same as when we left, with char and burns everywhere I look. All those terrible memories come flooding back to me at once. The foremen are still repairing the White Lion. The people are still bandaged and slightly disturbed.

As everyone heads for the mess hall, Kenric leads me down the eastern tunnel into a hole in the cave's wall. It's a small hallway with several hovels carved to make bedrooms for civilians. Tiny holes poked in the stone give off an orange glow. Leading up a small flight of stairs, Kenric opens the curtain in the doorway.

Kenric lightly rubs an orange crystal perched on a sconce nearby, which suddenly glows brightly with a warm orange light. This room is filled with little tokens. Hanging on the wall is a woven net encased in a ring, with tiny feathers dropping down from its sides. A dreamcatcher, I believe they're called. And pasted on the walls is a collage of crudely painted drawings. They all depict a warrior wielding a sword at black, formless mounds.

And in a bed far too big for her is a head of long blue hair.

Kenric nods and leaves me be, and I quietly walk up to the bed. She still has some paint on her face, but it's starting to chip away. She must have bathed since we left. Giving Ameline a gentle shake, she scrunches her brow and gives a disturbed moan before opening her eyes. Her golden eyes snap open when she sees me.

"Triton?" she says while sitting up.

"Hey, Am'," I say with a smile. "We're back."

But after a moment of staring, she grabs her pillow and hits me straight in the cheek. It doesn't hurt, but she keeps repeatedly hitting me. She only stops when I grab the pillow.

"What's that for?!"

"Why couldn't I go with you?" Ameline says. "I'm not a baby! I would've been fine!"