The Dreaming Land

Chapter 13: Halfway Around the World

The ferry boat pulled up to the dock in Magaville. The four day trip had been very relaxing, and the much due rest each of them needed. Orius' leg was almost completely healed, and he could walk without the help of the staff. As they stepped off the boat, they felt a little wobbly, having not been on solid ground in some time.

The small town sat in the shadow of the great Benitian Mountains. The narrow, winding road that lead through Trasa's Pass could be seen even from here. The white gravel contrasting against the dark grey stone of the mountains face. The top of the mountain range was hidden by clouds, blocked by the ridge. It was drizzling because of this, making the town feel gloomy.

They watched as the ferry, now full of returning passengers, made its way back down the river where it had just come. The only way over the mountain, now, was on foot or by horse. So, it looked as though they would be traveling on foot again, from now on. All they needed now, was a guide.

"You've really travelled quite far, haven't you?" Orius said to Imara as they walked through the tiny town.

"Yeah, I have." Imara said, thinking about it, "I must be half way around the world by now."

"At least, and we're only going further." Orius said.

"I never thought I'd travel so far." She laughed, "It was supposed to be grab the shard in Gigas, and sail back home. I never thought about it until now, things have been so hectic, but they'll be expecting me home soon."

"What's going to happen when you don't arrive home when they expect you to?" Orius asked.

"I don't know..." She frowned, "My father will probably assume I've run away, and he'll be happy for me. None of us want to live under the thumb of the emperor. I'll be the first in over twenty years to escape."

"I doubt they'll handle this like a simple run away, though." Quintir added, joining the conversation.

"No, you're right." She sighed, "They sent me after the shard, and when I don't return with it... Well, I don't know what will happen, but it wont be good."

"It'll be alright." Orius said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

She nodded, letting the topic of conversation shift. She knew what would happen, but she couldn't bare to say it. The last time one of her clan ran away from a mission, the emperor had forty people from her clan killed for treason. Hopefully, due to the nature of her mission, the emperor would have faith and give her more time. Time to do what? She didn't know, but just needed more time.

"Imara, I've always been meaning to ask you this." Misha said.

"What's up?" She asked, tuning back into the conversation.

"They speak another language across the sea, don't they?" Misha asked.

"Yeah, we speak Kesinese." She said.

"How did you come about learning Wessish?" Quintir asked, intrigued.

"Plenty of people speak it over there, too, actually." Imara replied, "It's more common than people over here think. The Western front is such a strong trade partner that we can't afford not to speak your language. It would be nice if more people spoke my language, though."

"Oh! Can you say something in Kesinese for me?" Misha asked.

"Sure." She nodded, clearing her throat, "Giyan hasai, no kaniwa xie?"

"What did you say?" Misha asked.

"I said 'Good evening, how can I be of service to you?', it's a common phrase for my people." Imara said.