Stars Of Memory

Chapter 13

Jīvitaya wakes to sunlight shining in her eyes and jerks away from it with a hiss, holding back a shriek of pain at the movement. She waits for it to ebb away before sliding out of the bed and onto the levik, the healing stone clasped tightly between her fingers. She emerges from the room to the kitchen, where Kysanden and Rebexi wait, sitting on the couch. Kysanden looks at her and bursts into laughter.

She practically growls at him. "What is it?!"

He barely gets a word in between his chuckles. "I'm sorry, but your hair is a mess!"

She grumbles. "Shut up."

He raises his hands placatingly. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Rebexi holds out a plate to Jīvitaya. "Do you want some biscuits?"

Jīvitaya takes the plate gratefully. "Thank you."

The biscuits are a soft blue, and Jīvitaya bites into one gingerly. Instead of tasting like berries, which she expected, she is pleasantly surprised by a warm cheddar flavor.

"These are wonderful, Rebexi!"

"Thank you."

Kysanden stands up, and when Jīvitaya looks at him, he speaks, "I'm going to get the boat all ready to go."

Jīvitaya nods and turns back to her biscuits. She finishes them quickly before polishing off the plate, not even leaving a crumb. Rebexi looks at the plate and chuckles.

"You really did like those biscuits!"

"Yes, and I would love to have that recipe, if it's at all possible."

"Of course. I'll give you the recipe for the chiantori too."

Jīvitaya beams. "Thank you!"

Kysanden hits a button, and the boat shudders to life, heading back to shore at a sedate pace. Jīvitaya moves the levik out of the way and pulls out her tablet, opening up a window with one of her books, grateful that she had transferred her favorites before leaving her house. She sits there, engrossed in the unfolding story while the boat tugs along towards the shore at a steady pace. Kysanden pulls himself away from the wheel for a moment to peer over Jīvitaya's shoulder.

"What are you reading?"

"It's an old story, about an assassin who takes up the mantle of her past and becomes Queen, going on to defeat a demon King and Queen."

"It sounds interesting. Have you read it before?"

She smiles. "Many times, it's one of my favorites."

He grins at her. "Have fun."

She beams at him just before Kysanden returns to the wheel. The rest of the ride back to shore is comfortably silent, everyone busy doing something of their own. When they arrive, there is a small crowd of people waiting for them.

Jīvitaya is confused. "Rebexi, why are all these people here?"

Rebexi smiles. "I may have told them that our test had good results."

"And?"

"They want you to explain it and how it is good."

Jīvitaya lets out an audible groan. "Yay."

She moves the levik to the stern of the boat and descends the ramp to the shore. The gathered people instantly turn to look at her, their faces expectant. Jīvitaya gulps.

"Um, hi?"

There is a slight shifting from the crowd, and one person in the back waves at her. She takes it as encouragement, and continues on.