Yuan Shimes sat at the front of the ship tapping his arm and smiling a pleasant smile as air brushed past. Behind him, metal railings separated the driver’s area from the seating. A lone Emporian in a red snakeskin jumpsuit steered with, what appeared to be, a long lance. Zain sat closest to Yuan on the man’s left hand side across from Issac.
Instructions delivered in harsh and thick and incomprehensible Emporian were given to the standing driver before Yuan shared words with Zain. “How fared za seas?”
Zain feigned not to hear the whisper of Yuan, but that did not stop Issac from responding.
“The goddess Anemie blew us straight enough. No storms.”
“I’m glad you’ve had such fair conditions. I would hate to see za ship and yourselves in shambles already.”
“Already.” Zain said the word without thinking and bit his lip afterwards.
“I only mean zat if your troupe came sea-stressed zan talk might be minimal. Za sea can play on emotions and minds greatly, somezing ve should not like to see.” Yuan smiled and followed Zain’s gaze towards a lake due south. “You have a fighters taste in you, Sir Zain. I see what you look at.”
In the distance a lake lay as a lush doormat to a huge building with tall cylindrical towers. Flags of a purple and white circle with a dagger protruding southward waved their welcome in the distance although too far to see what they bore. Regardless he knew the place—Gracie’s Academy. It didn’t make Zain think of fighting, though, only of Gabrielle.
“Well, I have studied at Gazo’s all my life. It’s hard not to stare at our sister school when it looms off in the distance.”
“I hear you even vere selected to partake in Guardian Eska’s recent Trials.”
“I was.”
“I’m sorry zey did not fare better.”
“They faired fine.”
“Zat is not as I heard.”
Zain wanted to correct him but what was the point? He hadn’t accepted the apprenticeship because of Zakk and now he searched for his father. Once my family is safe, Zakk, I’ll find you. I know I will.
“And how did you hear?”
“Why Empora boasted zeir own contestant. I’m sure you heard of her, Gabrielle Ravwey.”
Gabrielle, would she really meet with the Lord? Perhaps…but…
“She is quite the fighter,” Zain said.
“She beat Zain.” Issac readjusted the glasses about to fall off his nose.
Zain looked at Issac, eyebrow raised. Quick with his words. Why did he butt in? The Academy died off behind rolling hills.
“She did.” Zain went along with Issac’s statement. Despite his intrigue, he kept his face stoic like Gerald would have.
“Is it true that the women of Gracie’s can walk on water?” Issac asked Yuan.
Yuan chuckled. “I am not a girl. I would not know.” He adjusted his halfhat after a hard gust. “Za lake before Gracie’s is called Toetouch, though, if zat interests you.”
“Is Gracies Academy inside Mendeck’s rule?”
Yuan tilted back his head and let out a belching laugh at that. “Foolish boy everyone on Empora is under Mendeck rule. Ever since za capital moved from Rydel.”
YOU ARE READING
The Curse of Pirini Lilapa (GotC #2)
FantasyThe Trials have concluded. Coronation has elected a new apprentice to Guardian of the Core. Since, Zain Berrese, Prince Hydro Paen, and Eirek Mourse have gone their separate paths, thinking each other a faint memory. But, it seems that fate has othe...
