🔥 The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) 🔥

Chapter 4.2: Leadership Sucks

Not for the first time, Leena wondered if she should bail. This was not her responsibility. She could make up a story about abduction – which was only partially untrue – and she was sure one of these man-haters would help her out with a horse.

Why aren't I?

She knew the answer, but refused to let the words enter her mind. Instead, she focused how she would get Turrent out of jail. They wouldn't leave him unsupervised, so there was no chance of sneaking in and breaking him out. Leena's only option would be to convince H.E.R. –High Elder Rina – to reconsider her punishment.

She assumed that the High Elder's home would have some sort of marking to distinguish it from the rest. After all, that church had those archers. However, she'd been wandering some time and nothing stood out.

Two women walked in her direction. They took turns giggling and gasping at whatever the other said. Their eyes were focused upon each other and Leena took the opportunity to angle into their path. "Hey!"

"Yes," said one of the women. As she looked up, Leena noticed that she had an intricate tattoo of leaves and vines starting on her neck and going down below her neckline.

"Sorry, but I'm a bit lost. Where can I find the High Elder's home?" She ran a hand through her wavy blue hair.

Vines scratched her chin. "I can lead you to H.E.R. home, but you need to know that she's still not going to let your friend go."

"I still have to try." Leena gave her best smile. "Maybe now that the confusion has died down, she'll be a bit more understanding."

Vines shrugged her shoulders and waved her friend on. "We'll talk later Sister Olina."

The High Elder's home was close; a few yards forward and a right turn. It looked no different than the other homes, boasted that same grass build with a thatch roof. Leena would have walked right past it as she probably had beforehand. You'd think being the leader of the tribe, it would be much bigger. These people aren't much for show.

"You will not have a problem speaking with her," Vines said. "Rianna guide you."

"And you," Leena said, fumbling over the words. The hell does that mean?

As Vines departed, Leena knocked on the door. She was not made to wait long.

The lady who opened the door was exactly what she expected. Tall, with long black hair and a dark purple hooded robe which trailed down to her knees. Throw in a half-eaten little boy and we'd have ourselves a Rianna stage show.

As she lifted the hood, Leena saw for the first time that she was much younger than she thought. Not quite the splitting image of the Rianna witch.

"I've been expecting you," She told Leena. "Come in."

Leena followed her in. This 'savage' lived in a home very similar to any Acadian. Four simple wooden chairs surrounded a wooden table. A simple unadorned clay pot sat in the middle of the table and two cups sat at opposite ends. It was much cooler in here than it was outside.

The lady took a seat, carefully folding her dress. "I am H.E.R. as you have guessed and I know why you're here. Please sit, child." H.E.R. motioned to the chair closest to the door.

Leena nodded her thanks and sat down.

The High Elder continued, "Turrent will be released when you are ready to leave. It is for our safety as well as his own. He makes our women very nervous. Sabin looks similar to an Echu, so he doesn't worry them as much. That is why we allow him to roam. Contrary to your belief, our women enjoy the company of the Echu, some more than others."

Leena blushed. "There are many things we are told of the Rianna tribes in Acadia. Many of those things are..." She paused for a moment to collect her thoughts. "Clearly wrong as one can see if they were to visit."

"I suppose they tell you we are savages," H.E.R. said in a calm voice, but her eyes betrayed her annoyance. "Who do a number of things an Acadian would think immoral. Some, I would imagine, are completely false. Others, though, like the separation of men and women are true, though for how much longer only Rianna can tell."

"Is that what that young girl's complaint was about earlier?"

"Yes," H.E.R. started. "It's a long story. Let's just say in the past four years it has become more intense and I doubt the separation will last another half cycle-years." She paused and took a sip from her cup.

Leena mimicked her holding motion and mimed taking a sip. One of Terrick's old lessons rang in her head: "Angel, don't drink something you didn't see prepared."

It smelled of some fruit Leena had never had before. "This is wonderful!" She exclaimed.

"Blueberry and coconut," H.E.R. said, smiling. "Please child, do not worry about such things. We are civilized women. No harm will come to you."

"No disrespect, meant, but I'm not drinking that."

"No offense taken." H.E.R. pulled Leena's cup across and she took a sip, before sliding it back to Leena.

"Let's not make this unpleasant. You came to locate a Serien, correct?"

"Yes," Leena said. "How did you know all of that?"

"As I said child," H.E.R. said. "Some of the rumors you were told are true. Almost every child that is born in the northern Rianna region, especially Feral and Echu, has Talent. I believe in Acadia you would call them an Incomplete. Here they we call them mages."

"So it is because of your Talent that you knew our purpose?"

"It was not my Talent, specifically, but yes." She took another sip of her drink. "One of our daughters displayed a great attunement to Wind. So great that we knew it was more than mere Talent; she was a Serien. We have awaited your arrival ever since."

"Thank you," Leena said, her voice slurring. Am I tired? "May I," Leena started. Then it hit her. "You," she said, collapsing to the floor. "How?"

"I told you my dear that there was nothing in the drink." H.E.R. calmly took another sip of her beverage. "Did you know that certain species of toad produce a venom that can be absorbed through the skin? It's quite fascinating."

Leena's consciousness began to fade. As the world went dark, she heard one last thing from the Feral leader.

"Our daughter is a Serien," she said. "Unfortunately, you will not leave town with her."