When All You Have are Embers

XXI

Lilith

It'd been days since Coventry woke up from his sleep. Three days it had held him in its grasp. He told Lilith and Ric he received messages. None of which were of a savoury nature. Ric led them along the winding paths of the mountains before calling for Lilith's name.

"What is it Ric?" She asked. 

"Come look at the map." He called. She obeyed and ran up towards him. He handed her the map and smiled. 

"We're almost out." She smiled as she looked up at him like an excited child. He nodded, just as happily.

"The next turn should lead us straight to the Ocean." He pointed at the map. 

"Ocean Ather... It's been a while for you hasn't it?" She asked. 

"That it has. However, I reckon I still know my way around it. I wasn't a soldier for nothing." 

"True. But remember Ric, that water has shifted from last you saw it. It has new life dwelling inside it; dangerous life. Yes... I wouldn't go bathing in there again unless I had no other choice..." She said. 

Ric nodded as Coventry caught up to them. 

"I was going to come back down for you-"

"Ah piss off. I can walk on my own."

"I'm not saying you can't but the brand has weakened you."

"Shut up about the brand! I know it's there, I know it weakens me, I know it's dangerous! May I remind you I'm centuries older than you. You think you're old? I'm old. I've been branded more times than you've shit." His voice went from loud and angry to quiet and intimidating. 

Lilith stared back at him in silence but before she could respond Ric shushed her. 

"Excuse me?" She asked, shocked. 

"Be quiet. Do you hear that?" Ric asked, 

"Hear what?"

"Shh... The... Singing." 

As Lilith and Coventry listened closer they indeed could hear a choir of sorts from far away. Ric motioned for them to follow him as she walked closer to the voices. 

As they walked further up the hill they were greeted with the most breathtaking view they had ever seen. 

The water was as blue as it could be, and it went on for eternity. All three of them sighed subconsciously and let all of their tensed muscles relax. The Oceans breeze could be smelled from up on the hill they sat on. 

As Lilith was enjoying the view Ric tapped her shoulder and pointed down to the shores where a large group of people were hoisting cups in the air as they sang in unison. 

"What are they saying?" Ric asked. Lilith shook her head as she directed her attention to them. 

"It's Old Elthin." Coventry said. Lilith and Ric looked at him astonished. "Yes, I speak it. For it is my Homes Voice." 

"Your first language?" 

"Yes."

"Well go on then, what are they singing about?" Ric asked.