Echoes

Chapter 16

Shae shut the door behind us, leading me down a dark hallway that opened up into a small living area. Several other doors lead out of the room, but Shae seemed content on settling here. She gathered her gown and sat down on one of the plush couches in the center of the room. I took to the one directly across.

"Nisa Kamura," she said, smoothing out her dress. "A lovely name for a miraculous girl like you."

My face turned red. "Thanks," I said awkwardly. Up close, I noticed a large patch of pale skin covering her left shoulder. She noticed me staring.

"I see you've noticed my sunspot." She didn't sound upset that I was staring.

"Sunspot?" I asked.

"It happens from time to time with the children of Ekota. The seers say it means we are blessed by Audral's light. It's one of the reasons I was chosen to lead the council," she explained.

"But that's not important. You're not here to learn about our traditions just yet. What I want to know is your story," she said gently.

I stared at her, her lips pursed. Once again, I ran through our story, starting with my parents' deaths, leaving Alvion, arriving and saving Krie. I even added in our journey through the mountains and run in with the Guardsmen. Shae laughed softly at the mention of Sanus.

"That man is so stubborn sometimes, he really deserves a break. Alas, in these times..." she trailed off. Shae noticed me staring.

"My apologies, please continue."

So I finished the story, ending with our arrival in Tomaleya.

Shae remained quiet for a bit, soaking in the information.

"It seems you've been through quite a bit over the last few weeks," she noted. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions if it's not too much trouble."

"Fire away," I said.

Shae gave me a puzzled look.
"Oh sorry, go ahead." I forgot there were phrases from Alvion that didn't quite transfer over as well in Ekota.

Shae pressed her fingertips together. "I should preface this by saying no pure bloods have been seen, let alone proved to be alive, in hundreds of years. How is it possible that you're with us now?"

I laughed quietly. "I was hoping you could tell me that."

"I wish I could," Shae said spreading her hands. "But we know just as little as you do."

I paused to gather my thoughts. "All I know is that one day I'm a normal teenager in Alvion, and then the next I'm a pure blood Ekotian who learned everything she knew was a lie."

"I understand that this must have been incredibly difficult for you. But you're here now, and we're going to do whatever we can to save our people," Shae reassured.

"You seem fairly young to be the leader of a nation," I blurted out. Immediately, I covered my mouth with my hand. Where did that come from?

"I mean, don't get me wrong, you seem incredibly wise, and you're so nice, and the people seem to like you and you're pretty and-" I stopped, realizing I was rambling.

Shae raised an eyebrow. "Nisa, do I make you nervous?"

I shrugged. "I don't really know, it's all kind of a lot to handle. I've never met anyone this important before. Or been tasked with such an important job."

Shae smiled and shook her head. She adjusted herself on the couch, making it evident she wasn't comfortable in that dress.

"If it makes you feel better, I was groomed for leadership at an early age. My father was on the council for Tomaleya," Shae explained. " When I was born with a sunspot, my family knew I was destined to lead, that Audral wanted it. And Audral has the same plan for you. I was lucky enough to experience all this from a young age, that's why I was already on the council at the age of seventeen. But I'm not here to gloat. You were thrust into this for reasons we haven't discovered yet, but know that I, and the rest of us are here to help you help us."