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

Chapter 22: Lost in Translation

"How do you feel about your home?" Sakima asked Sabin. Fog puffed from his lips with each word.

"Toro is my home," Sabin countered.

They entered Sikati, a town on the border between Yua and Acadia. Yuans and Acadians alike huddled together on the stone paths, under thick cloaks of browns and blacks. It was the coldest day so far of Cold Cycle, and Sabin huddled under a thick cloak of his own. He once again made a mental note to thank Darren for his Merchant's Promise.

There was no gate guard to ask for papers or verification. Just the desperate and merchants who were eager to profit from whatever travelers braved the weather.

A thick wooden wall surrounded the city, more to repel the wind than aggressors. Border towns were a haven, meant to allow merchants and civilians to travel without incident. There'd been some skirting of the rules from time to time, but the Yuans and Acadians mostly stayed honest. Mostly.

The stone structures were lined in neat rows, spaced evenly apart. The combination of yellow grass and dirt was different than anything in Acadia. A pond sat at its center of the city and women walked from it with large jars of water balanced on their heads. The feat was amazing in its own right, but in the addition of the cold made it more so.

"Most people here speak Standard, although some will only speak Yuago," Sakima offered. "I have no problem acting as translator."

"May your ancestors find you worthy," Sabin said in Yuago.

"May they stand in paradise with yours." Sakima replied with the standard greeting. He raised an eyebrow. "You speak it?"

"My father insisted I would need it for diplomacy, but I think he wanted me to have some connection to my heritage." He sighed. "I also speak some Hruh-ya."

"What did you just say?" Alaina asked. Strands of brown and white peeked out from under her hood. She'd had a growth spurt during the trip to Yua and now she reached Kianna's chest. If he had to guess, she would be taller than her when she finished.

"I'll tell you later," he said. "Who runs this place, Sakima?"

"The merchant governor. Shouldn't come across him. We're just passing through after all. I can tell you this, the Serien is close."

"And you know this how?" Kianna snapped. She'd been very emotional since they left Rianna. Sabin guessed it was Sakima's new ability to sense Seriens, which took away her importance to the group. He had gone out of his way to let her know she was still important to the group and to him. Yet each time would send her into tears.

"I could use your help pinpointing the source," Sakima said.

She smiled. "Of course you do."

I like this version of Sakima much better. Before the ritual he would have made things worse.

Sabin dismounted and led Ares by the reins. He stopped at the booth of a bald Yuan, thick gold circle stretching the lobe of each ear.

He scratched his thick beard. "May your ancestors find you worthy."

"May they stand in paradise with yours," Sabin said. "My friends and I need supplies for the road."

"Grain for the horses, some dried meat and bread for your party. One hundred zen."

Sabin shrugged at the seasonal price increase and placed the zen on the stand. The merchant handed him some thin metal rods with red, green and yellow stripes in exchange. Sabin furrowed his brow.

"Yuan shortlings. You'll need those if you plan on visiting Yua. Might want to see the governor about exchanging those Acadian zen you probably have."