Ascension: Isle of Draconi

Chapter 7: Cleansing

A knock sounded on the door of Frasa's room giving her a start. She rose from her desk where a book on the Draconian language was sprawled out. Lyven had gifted it to her so that she might understand the language. Despite Frasa's initial hesitancy in reading it, she decided she might as well. Firstly, so she did not fall under suspicion, but secondly, so she could better understand the people around her. While many on the isle spoke Barnabasian, the common language of the isles of Barnabus, just as many did not. If Frasa wanted to blend in, understanding the language was key.

She walked to the straw colored door and cracked it open.

Her eyes widened when she saw Cyle, Caoli's nephew. The young, twenty something year old, Draconi man worked for his aunt and uncle as a horiculturist. In addition to an inn, the Rytze's also owned one of the most extensive gardens on the island. At least, that was what Frasa had been told. She had met him a day before when he had come to report on the state of the gardens. Cyle's blond hair matched his father's, his blue eyes alike Caoli's. However, like many on the island, his skin was deeply tanned, resembling umber.  

"Cyle?" Frasa asked, looking into past him down the hall as if assessing if he had meant to come to her room. "What are you doing here?"

"My aunt sent for you. A woman named Bǎihédah has come to see you."

Frasa froze, the skin on the back of her neck standing. Cyle simply gazed at her intently as he awaited an answer.

 "What?" she murmered, all too aware of his penetrating stare.

"My aunt has asked if you would join her for tea in the gazebo with a woman by the name of Bǎihédah. She has requested your presence."

Frasa inhaled sharply. She had hoped this day wouldn't come. While she had physically been more present with people the last few days, she had not allowed for any more friendships to occur. Bǎihédah had already been able to unearth too much truth about Frasa in the few days they spent together. It had made Frasa alert that despite how she had prided herself for years on concealing her emotions, she clearly was not as good at it as she thought.

Perhaps, it was the past years of hiding from the world that had been the cause of her failure in this area, or perhaps it was the genuineness of the people she had come across in Draconi thus far. It was easy to lie to a scoundrel, a thief, a murderer... it was harder to lie to a kind, good, and honest person. She couldn't face Bǎihédah- no- too much was at risk. And, she couldn't fathom facing the woman who she had said such harsh words towards. 

"I do not wish to see her," Frasa responded, moving to close the door.

Cyle stuck out his hand and caught the door before it closed.

"Please," he implored, his gaze earnest, "the woman begged for me to bring you. She said you would likely say 'no' but insisted you join them."

"I don't know..." Frasa began looking at the ground. 

"She brought her daughter as well. She said the little one had begged to see you. She asked if you would join her and Caoli for jasermine tea."

Frasa paused, her shoulders sagging slightly. Her mind glinted to the sweet girls that had accompanied her on her voyage. Oh, how sweet they were to hold and sing to. They gave her such a sense of normalcy and ease she rarely felt. And, Bǎihédah had been so kind to her. They had shared many cups of tea in those few days. She breathed deeply. She owed Bǎihédah for all she had done for her. The least she could do was join her and repay her for her kindness, even if it would be difficult.

"Tell them I will join them in a moment."

Cyle nodded with a soft smile, walking down the hall. His feet lightly padded away and echoed down the sandalwooden hall.