In book two of the Torrent Skies Saga, Katerin continues to find adventure she didn't ask for, and the answers she finds only offer her more questions to answer.
Itrea is on the brink of peril, but Katerin's dreams are growing restless, a dark voic...
Fykes stood on a balcony, overlooking the city of Alkyrindaun. Giants in their diminished forms stood all around him, and a cluster of dwarves was to one side. The city glowed brilliantly in the sun, and it eclipsed the hair of the giants, providing a magnificent view.
Halessia and Raek stood next to Katerin and Roahn, Artovie the legend smith next to Brazen and Fykes.
Kul Galysa stood at the center of the grouping of giants and looked across Katerin, Brazen, Roahn and himself. "To return you home, I will need your hands, and I need you to name the place you wish to go."
The giants linked arms, and held out their hands on either side, and as Fykes offered his to hand the giant beside him he could not help but smile. "The docks of O'siaris, Itrea," he said, closing his eyes and envisioning the space in his mind as clear as if he were standing on it, now. He felt the image he pictured as it spread out from him, to the giant next to him, and moved throughout the circle.
"Say your farewells," Kul Galysa spoke in what would have been a shout, for any other. "Our own return to their home, with our blessing, our thanks, and our wish for prosperity, and peace! They endured every hardship we presented, overcame every trial we put before them, and proved themselves to be dedicated and deserving of our respect, our favor and rewards."
A chorus of agreements, farewells. and cheers rang out from everyone gathered upon the balcony.
Artovie cast a small smile to Brazen, with a nod of her head, Halessia squeezed Katerin's hand tight, and was one of the loudest voices to ring out. Only Anulin remained quiet.
"We send them home to carry the gifts we have taught them, and now they wait with us as we have for centuries, for our time on their world to come again." Kul Galysa's voice was somber, laden with an ache that the other giants seemed to feel, as well. "So farewell, our students. Farewell to our friends." She looked to the giants around her, most of them higher members of the Caste, with a question in her eyes. As they nodded, she closed her eyes once again.
And Fykes knew that when he opened his eyes again, he would be home. The air around him took on an electrified smell, the ground under his feet seemed to shift back and forth like waves. A tingling sensation fell over him, and suddenly he was spinning with his feet no longer on that waving, uneven ground. He heard a quiet pop, and sucked in a quick breath. And for the first time in months that breath held a slight chill, the smell of sand and salt, and fish. His feet steadied, and his eyes opened to the sight of wooden buildings, and muddy, rutted roads.
He let out a whoop, and threw his head back. Feeling the late fall breeze and the sun on his skin.
Katerin looked exactly as he felt, and she sank to her knees on the dock, gripping one of the wooden planks with a grin. "Welcome home," she said, just above a whisper, as if more to herself than anyone else present.
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Crowds were starting to draw, now, surprise on their faces as their lord and lady appeared without warning in the middle of the dock.
Roahn was laughing so hard her shoulders shook. "We'll be watching, they said." She paused, fighting to find a breath. "I hope for their sake they don't watch at all times!" She snorted, and shook her head.
