Echoes

Chapter 10

Truth be told, I wasn't entirely thrilled to be back on the road. I'd done more walking in the last few days than I had in my entire life, which just served as a reminder for how privileged my life had been in Alvion. Here, the people were much hardier after years of colder climate and attacks from corrupted pure bloods.

I exited the temple to find the elders huddled in a group around Gavie, while Pix sat by herself on the stairs. She was the first to notice me and quickly stood up, while the elders cut their conference short. The leader shuffled forward until she was barely a foot away from me, her icy eyes staring into my face.

"So the goddess has given you a task," she said before I could even explain what had happened.

I nodded shortly.

She sighed at turned back to the remaining elders still huddled around Gavie, motioning for the group to come over. Pix hovered behind me, close enough to here, but far enough to avoid speaking to the elders.

"Gavie, why don't you take your entourage back to your home for the night to rest before you leave tomorrow?" The elder woman asked.

"Yes, of course," Gavie stammered. Gavie stared at me, his eyes frantic.

I turned back to Pix and motioned for her approach. I made a mental note to ask Gavie about what the elders were saying to him when I walked out. The three of us wished the elders goodnight, then head off further into the city.

Gavie wordlessly weaved his ways through the low wooden homes, until he turned and stomped up the steps of one. Pix and I exchanged a look, then followed suit.

Gavie lit a lamp and the inside of his home came into view. It was mostly plain, made from the same dark wood as the temple. A few rooms branched off from the center room, but for the most part, the place had slim to no furniture.

"Make yourselves at home," Gavie said in a monotone voice. "Sorry for the lack of furniture, I'm usually on my ship more than I'm home." Gavie trudged into what looked like the kitchen, rummaging around for food.

A large fur rug covered the floor and a few chairs sat in the corner. I pulled one towards the center of the room while Pix took a seat on the floor. I could tell from the look on her face she was thinking the same thing I was.

"Is Gavie ok?" I whispered, leaning in so he wouldn't hear us.

Pix shook her head. "I wish I knew. As soon as we left you with the soothsayer, the elders crowded him. I didn't want to be nosy and follow but I wish I knew what they said to him, he seems so worried."

Gavie left the kitchen and headed into another room, his brows furrowed.

"So what did the soothsayer tell you?" Pix asked. "If you're allowed to say."

I smiled. "Nothing crazy, just that my entire life is a lie. The usual."

Pix giggled like a little girl. "Probably not the strangest thing to happen to us over the last few days."

I noticed she still had her sword, gently resting on the floor behind her. Pix noticed me staring.

"You're probably wondering where a poor girl like me got a sword like this," she said, tracing her fingers over the transparent surface. "To be honest, I stole it."

I raised an eyebrow. Pix didn't exactly strike me as a thief, but who knows what she did to survive on the streets of Hanaka.

"A man came into the city one day, bragging about his crystal sword," Pix began. "He boasted to everyone one, and made sure the entire city knew he had it. He claimed it was a sword made entirely from diamond formed from Mount Naui. I couldn't believe it existed. I didn't doubt that a sword like such was real, but I couldn't bring myself to believe that something so beautiful could come from the wrath of Mount Wanea. Not a mistake, like me."

I stared at Pix, her face full of melancholy.

"So I stole it. This man, this egotistical, selfish man didn't deserve it. I may have not deserved it either, but the sword is with its own kind now," she said.

Gavie came out of the room and dumped a pile of blankets on the floor, along with some bread and other assorted food. He sat down silently in the corner. Pix and I glanced at each other.

"Gavie, you're aunt Ryka is really nice," I said, trying to make conversation. "I wish I had an aunt like her."

"Thanks," he grunted, nibbling on an apple.

"Gav," Pix started. "Are you alright?"

I noticed she didn't use his full name.

"It's nothing," he said, shaking his head.

"Gavie, we're you friends," I said. "You can tell us if something's wrong."

He didn't say anything for a few seconds.

"The elders were updating me on my parents," he said. "They've been working for the last few years to help them, but..."

"But what?" Pix said gently.

Gavie stared at the floor. "They still haven't been able to get them out of jail in Inewei."

"Inewei?" I asked.

Gavie didn't answer, so I turned to Pix.

"The nation east of Ekota and south of Alvion," she explained. "It's a newer nation, only a little older than Alvion. They don't have many people, but they're really antisocial, and bitter due to their wintry climate. They rarely contact Ekota and have refused all requests for aid."

"Definitely didn't learn about that in Alvion. I'll add it to my list," I joked.

Neither of them laughed. Pix turned back to Gavie.

"Their prisons are worse than their people," he muttered. "My parents were sailors, like me, that traded lumber with the rest of Ekota. About five years ago during a trading trip, a storm blew them too close to Inewei, and they've been held captive there ever since."

"Gavie, I'm so sorry," I said. "Maybe, when this is all over we can visit Inewei and-"

"You don't get it do you?" He snapped. "You don't go to Inewei, and you definitely don't get out. The elders have been trying for years to bargain them out, but no one ever replies."

Gavie threw his apple core at the wall. Pix sighed and crawled over to him.

"Gavie, I know this is hard, but I promise we're going to help your parents," she said, gingerly placing her hand on his shoulder. "We're going to Tomaleya to speak to the council. If there's anyone who can help you and your family, it would be the council."

Gavie didn't speak but he didn't push Pix away either, which I took as a good sign. He stood up.

"Thank you, both," he said. "You can rest in here for the night, before we leave tomorrow. Make sure we visit the elders before we leave, it's customary to thank the leaders of an Ekotian town after staying there. Goodnight."

Gavie entered one of the rooms and closed the door behind him.

Pix shrugged and took one of the blankets out of the pile. "Well, better get some sleep before we leave for the capital."

I took the lamp and placed it on the floor between us. Pix wrapped herself up and turned, her back to me. I bundled myself up with the other blanket and laid back.

"Goodnight," I whispered blowing the lamp out.

I feel asleep, quick and deep. It would have been enjoyable, if I didn't wake up a few hours later to find the house on fire.