cascade | kotlc

5. Alluveterre, the Sands of Dawn

Alluveterre.

"Some sort of plague struck the colony a few weeks back," she heard Mr. Forkle explained, jolting her back from her daze. "It forced them to flee. They arrived in Lumenaria three days ago for medical treatment. And that is the extent of my knowledge. The Council has been extremely guarded with their information, and at the moment they're allowing no visitors. But I do know that all our best physicians are working to isolate the pathogen. I'm sure they'll find the cure soon."

Goddamn, of course. The second I start spewing about a fresh, new, blooming life, a plague comes along and destroys my dream.

Fucking hell, Mother Nature. I swear to god, if this is the ogres-

"Oralie told us before we left that she thought the ogres were stirring in the Neutral Territories. Does this have something to do with that?"

Mr. Forkle scratched his chin. "Interesting that a Councillor would agree with the theories."

"What theories?"

Oh, fuck this, of course the damned fucking ogres are involved, why the fuck would they not, fuck you ogres, stop messing with our lives and live your own, pathetic fucking lives, stop trying to fuck with us! Fuck you, Neverseen!

Fitz grabbed her shoulder. "That was some interesting thoughts there, June. Maybe don't curse as much. Keefe is definitely feeling your emotions radiating off you right now."

She glanced at Keefe, who gave her a wink.

Fucking hell.

"And there she goes again." Fitz gently kissed her on the back of her head. June couldn't help herself from smiling.

Man, why do hot boys just make me-

"Thank you," Fitz interrupted.

June blushed furiously, grabbing Fitz and pulling him into a deep kiss.

"The Wildwood Colony has claimed ogre sabotage for centuries, but they've never been able to provide proof. I'll have to rally my sources and see if Oralie has evidence for her suspicions. In the meantime, please put this out of your mind. You know better than most, Miss Foster, how truly powerful our medicine can be. I have no doubt the gnomes will recover soon. Shall we?"

He motioned for everyone to follow him toward one of the stair-wrapped trees, and they climbed to the bridge that connected the two houses. He pointed to the gazebo in the center, filled with pots of vibrant flowers and a round table with cozy chairs.

"Since you'll be dwelling in separate residences, we arranged this common eating area. Dinner will be served here, and you're in for a treat. Calla's starkflower stew is life changing. Otherwise, boys are that way, and the girls are just above us. June, Sophie, your rooms are connected and on a single floor. I must return to the Lost Cities and be seen for a few minutes. Get cleaned up and meet me at ground level in an hour. You all have an appointment with the rest of our ruling Collective."

- 

"Thank goodness they have decent taste in clothes!" Biana said, twriling in her pale pink gown that looked like a cupcake.

June whooped. "Let's go! It's white, and it's a skirt! The Black Swan know my taste in clothes!" She rushed to the bathroom to change into her white skirt. It was relatively simple, but the folds in the skirt were layered on top of each other, making it look thicker than it actually was. June threw it on and tied the straps behind her back, before sprinting back over.