13

Raiya

When they arrived at Bellasea Fortress, it was late in the afternoon. Julian had planned to reach the fortress by evening, but they had moved faster than normal, not stopping once they had left the village. The usual two-day journey to Bellasea from Dragonspire had been extended an extra four days with each stop they had made and had given the fortress plenty of time to prepare for its visitors. As the wagon came to a stop the white walls of Bellasea rose up, the white coast to the right of them. Julian could feel his bones creak as he got down from the wagon, stifling a groan as he stretched his sore muscles. He was tired and cranky from the long journey, forced to camp outside during their travels instead of in the sick villages to minimize the risk of falling sick. He would accept nothing less than a hot bath, warm food, and a nice bed before any sort of meeting.

“Speaker Julian,” a deep voice called out from the distance. Julian squinted, shading his eyes to see the Chief and Chieftess of Bellasea Fortress striding up to them while the circling dragon-flyers overhead prepared to land.

“Ah, you honor our arrival Chief Warren, Chieftess Seberga.” He nodded first to the tall, willowy female, her long blonde hair fluttering in the breeze before turning his attention to the blonde-haired, broad-shouldered man.

“We had no idea at the time when word had come that Hyun was to be sent here that you would be accompanying him,” she responded, nodding her head in return. “It was a pleasurable surprise however when we heard news of your travel. Welcome to Bellasea, I’ll send word for chambers to be made ready for you. I’m sure Kiana will be delighted to see you as well.”

“Well, truth be told delivering Hyun wasn’t the sole point of my journey, but we can discuss business later. Right now, I’m sure my traveling party and I would enjoy a hot bath, meal, and a nice bed.”

Raiya meanwhile had made her way off the wagon a bit more slowly, completely distracted by the majestic seaside fortress. The fortress had thirteen narrow towers scattered in a seemingly random pattern connected by low, narrow walls made of what appeared to be white stone. On the walls and towers, small windows only big enough for archers and artillery were scattered across in another seemingly random pattern. The two figures that had approached their group had come across a bridge with an enormous metal gate hanging behind it. To the right, the white coast bordering the glittering turquoise waters was filled with individuals, either knee-deep in the water with nets and buckets in their hand or walking the white sands with fishing poles. To her left, she saw green fields divided into sections for crops and cattle, workers getting ready to go home for the day. Further off, forests bordered the fields, these trees larger than any she had ever seen elsewhere.

While she had been busy taking in her surroundings, Julian had been speaking to the two people who had arrived, but when he mentioned his traveling party and realized she was not beside him, he turned around trying to locate her. She was further back than he’d like, facing the forests with a smile on her face. While he couldn’t blame her for wanting to enjoy the scenery, there was a separate time for that.

“Raiya,” he called out her name and when she turned, he beckoned her over with his hand, a frown replacing his usual smile.

When she approached, he quickly dragged her forward, nudging her when she chose to remain silent.

“You honor me, Chief Warren, Chieftess Seberga,” she greeted, bowing low.

“Welcome Raiya of Dragonspire, we’ve heard much about you from Kiana as well. She said the week she spent watching you was an interesting experience.” Seberga smiled down at the young girl.

“Congratulations on becoming an acolyte, no doubt you’ll make a fine Speaker one day,” Warren added.

“Thank you,” Raiya replied hesitantly. It was her first time meeting another chief and chieftess in an official manner.

“Now,” he clapped his hands together, rubbing them as he winked at the girl, “let’s go in and get settled. Tell your dragon-flyers that they may visit the barracks and then the dining halls to see to their needs. I’ll have Ezio take care of their sleeping arrangements.”

Julian nodded and signaled Levi over, relaying the information to the short man. Levi nodded his head in understanding and returned to his squad.

“Come Raiya,” Julian said, placing his hand behind the girl’s back and pushing her forward gently. “It’s time we show you around this beautiful sea fortress.”

Beautiful it was indeed. She had thought the fortress both beautiful and majestic the moment she had laid eyes upon it, but once she stepped foot inside past the raised portcullis, she saw that the outside held nothing in comparison to the inside. The inner courtyard of the fortress had a stable for horses with greenery all about. They had a junas tree filled with diamond-shaped fruits, ripe for plucking. Vines covered with white flowers clung to the white walls, the air sweetened by their scent. A stream cut through the courtyard, flowing lazily. A gazebo with intricate carvings and a green canopy stood to the side, the tables and chairs underneath it occupied by people. The path wound through the courtyard, trailing through the planted gardens, over the stream, and beneath the awnings of the fortress. On the opposite side of where they stood over the stream, lay a set of steps leading up to large, double doors, the entrance to the inside of the Bellasea mountain range and the floors of the fortress. As she walked, her gaze landed on a small group of people, dipping buckets and pouring water into tubs. As she followed the party over a small bridge crossing the stream, she could see that all eyes were drawn to their large party with curiosity, including the ones she had been staring at.

"'ello Chief Warren!” one called out playfully. “Didn’t mention we'd be haveng any visithrs today to me!”

“We have new visitors everyday Felix, do not blame me for your lack of awareness!” Warren responded back, his tone just as playful as the other's.

“That man that just spoke, the one with the long brown hair tied back, he's Felix Ross,” Seberga whispered to Raiya. The woman had taken a liking to the girl and took on the position of explaining things to her while Julian walked away with Warren. “He’s our Master of Science. He’s very invested in the marine ecosystem. If he catches your ear, he’ll fill it with his outlandish thoughts and theories about the oceans here. That's probably why there is no room for him to remember anything else, even things we talk about within our meetings.”

“No one really ventures deeply into the waters though, right?” Raiya asked. “They say if you sail too far, you’ll never come back. You’ll go to where the dragon gods went. They say you’ll disappear forever.”

“That’s an outlandish theory,” Julian, having overheard their conversation, fell a few steps back to partake. “So don’t say it around Felix unless you want to have a long debate over it that ends with him sailing off into the sunset to prove otherwise.”

The adults shared a laugh at that, but she frowned, continuing to stare at the man by the stream who was currently examining the water in the bucket he was holding. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up. She looked away quickly, feeling embarrassed at being caught staring.

“How’s Siana by the way?” Julian asked Seberga. “I heard she came down with a sickness.”

His tone was light but there was a bit of an edge to it. Raiya could tell that he was trying to see if this sickness was in any way connected with the one found in the villages.

“Her health is much improved thanks to the works of Felix and Kirdan. Of course, Sibilla also sent over some herbal concoctions she personally made. A reminder of how grateful we are for the alliance we share.” The woman's smile was tight however despite the kind words.

“Ah, I mean no offense,” he began, realizing how his words might have been taken. “I just want to make sure that there is no cause for concern.”

“What's this business talk I keep overhearing? We can talk more at the meeting,” Warren said, turning his head to the side to exchange glances with Seberga. The three adults continued to walk in silence this time while Raiya fell behind, wondering what might have caused offense for Julian to apologize.

They climbed the steps and went through the doors, entering into a large chamber with numerous openings leading to different sections of the fortress. The white walls were covered with murals and tapestries, sconces lit up the interior, and what appeared to be a statue of a giant fish took up the center of the room. People were scurrying about, entering and exiting through the openings without sparing the party so much as a glance. Seberga and Warren headed to the left and the other two followed.

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“Your chambers will be the same as usual,” Seberga told Julian. “Now, with Raiya, she’ll have to stay on a different floor. Will that be a problem?”

“Raiya is a very capable girl. She’ll be fine on her own,” he assured the woman.

She glanced at Raiya, seeing the child gazing around in awe. “No doubt,” she agreed quietly.

They didn’t move very far, stopping before a single door at the very end of the first corridor. A servant had just emerged, bowing to the group before departing in the direction they had just come from. The adults promised to hold a meeting as soon as everyone had settled in and ate before Julian entered his room, giving Raiya one last smile before the door closed behind him.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll start on preparations for the meeting with Kiana,” Warren said to Seberga as she nodded her acceptance. “You’re free to roam about the fortress, Raiya, but be careful if you head to the coast. It can be treacherous for those inexperienced around the ocean. Most of all, don’t enter any caves you see. They are extremely dangerous as well.”

“I understand,” she replied, but her curiosity had risen at the behest of his warnings, wondering what she might discover if she did enter the infamous caves inlaid into the large cliff.

“Shall we?” Seberga asked gently, gesturing back down the way they came. “We’ll take the stairs up to the next floor.”

“What material is this?” Raiya asked, her hand gently feeling the gritty white walls.

“Sandstone. As you can see, we have an abundance of sand at our disposal and often use it as a building material.” She laughed at the girl’s surprised expression. “You’re probably wondering how you can use sand to build. Sandstone is quite different from sand itself. It’s made from sand but, when combined with other materials, it turns into a durable and resistant building material. Unless a dragon happens to fly into it.” At Raiya’s sudden fearful expression, more laughter escaped the blonde woman. She couldn’t help but tease the child, she found it very amusing. “What family are you from, by the way child? I know most noble bloodlines within Valeria, but you look like you are from Jauzen.”

“My last name is Marlo and we’re not from any noble bloodlines. I only remember vaguely being told the story of my grandparents coming from the southern continent to the west to seek their fortunes. They settled in Siramar, not far from here actually. That probably explains my southern complexion.”

Seberga nearly paused in step at this sudden information. She had assumed the girl to simply be a noble from another continent, but the child was just a commoner. She had been lucky to have been born with the unique gift.

“That is indeed surprising to hear. You are lowborn entirely then? I mean no offense,” she quickly said when she saw the young girl’s upset expression. “You are incredibly lucky to have climbed up so far at such an early age. Most people spend lifetimes struggling to find better opportunities for themselves and their families. Like your grandparents, for example.”

“It wasn’t without help,” Raiya admitted softly, thinking back to everyone who had it made it possible. “Sibilla and Godrick, they took me in and provided for me. Mistress Ashari, Speaker Julian, they all contributed. I was only lucky in being born with my gift, nothing more. Even then, I didn’t appreciate it until I came to the fortress.”

“With a strong talent for observation, memory, and such wisdom as well,” Seberga observed thoughtfully. “Psychic sensitivity, last name ‘Marlo…’” she trailed off, feeling like she was forgetting something important.

Raiya was unsure of what to say or how to respond to the woman suddenly deep in thought. In truth, she felt as if Seberga was trying to obtain something from her, but she didn’t know what. She wanted to steer the conversation away from her and learn more about Bellasea instead. But just as they finished climbing the stairs and she began to walk down the corridor, she noticed that Seberga wasn’t there leading her. She turned back to the other questioningly.

“Your room is the last one on this floor, on your left. I’m sorry to leave you so abruptly, but I must speak with our Master of Knowledge before the meeting. If you’ll excuse me.” The woman turned, her long blonde hair swishing behind her as she quickly descended the stairs, leaving Raiya alone.

She stood there alone for a few seconds, trying to process the sudden absence of the woman. She wondered if she had said something she shouldn’t have. Should she go back downstairs and talk to Julian about what just happened? Hesitating, she decided it would be best to leave the man alone to rest before the meeting. She could always ask him later. She entered the small room assigned to her, seeing that someone had already brought up her bag from the wagon. Looking around, she saw there were no windows, but at least there was another entrance covered by a curtain, signifying there was a bathing chamber attached to the room. The room was sparsely furnished, but Raiya didn’t mind considering she would only be here a night.

She poked her head through the curtain to see what the bathing chamber looked like. It was smaller than the one she shared with the other girls at Dragonspire, but it had all the tools she needed. She could see that whoever brought up her bag had also laid out a selection of soaps for her use by the small, heated pool alongside a towel. She decided it would be best to bathe first then before going down to see if Julian would be interested in eating together. That is if he was still in his room by the time she was finished.

Sighing, she dug out a spare set of robes from her bags and pushed aside the curtain separating the two rooms. She disrobed quickly, dropping her robes on the small table before wading into the warm water. It felt so good after being on the road for nearly a week with only the ability to wash her face with what water they had. She reached over to the tray laid out next to the pool, smelling the different scented soaps. She decided upon the purple one, its lavender scent further calming her. Soaps and oils were two of the more expensive bathing products. Usually servants had to use scrubbing sands that were unscented because they were affordable. This was a luxury she had rarely had the pleasure of using, only when Sibilla had bathed her when she was much younger had she experienced it. What she didn’t expect was how slippery it became as soon as it got wet. The bar slipped from her hands repeatedly, soaping the water instead of the girl. Frustrated, she grabbed a cloth that was on the tray, using it to help her pick up the soap. She gently placed it back on the tray and used the cloth to scrub at her skin instead, finding the soft texture and bubbles far more amazing than the scrubbing salts she was used to. Dunking her head underwater, she worked on her hair as well, using a comb to brush out the knots and kinks that had accumulated from the lack of washing for days. When she was finally satisfied with her level of cleanliness, she stepped out, wrapping herself up in the towel. It was then that she heard a knock on her door.

“One second!” she called out. She figured it to be either Julian or a servant summoning her to him, so she hurriedly dried and tossed on her robes, pinning her wet hair back.

“No need to rush,” a voice responded back after a few minutes of waiting. The amused tone was familiar, and she paused, realizing who it was on the other side.

Throwing open the door, she saw Hyun leaning against the frame, casually munching on a junas fruit. “Did Speaker Julian send you to get me?” she asked, frowning. “Why aren’t you with the squad?”

“Nope, I came on my own.” He stuck his head inside the room, glancing around before chuckling. “Nice room by the way. Levi’s squad share a room together. If they know you get your own room, you’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Well, I didn’t ask for my own room,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I wasn't allowed to share with Speaker Julian.”

Hyun gave her a look. “You do know why right? It would be very inappropriate.”

Raiya gave him a confused look. “Why would it be inappropriate for a student and their teacher to share a room together while traveling?”

“Surely, you’re not…? You cannot be that sheltered. You must know why a single man should not share a room with a female, much less one as young as you?”

Her face colored as she finally understood his implication. “Speaker Julian would never! He is a good man! He doesn’t have a single dirty thought or bone in his body unlike you!”

Hyun tossed her the diamond-shaped fruit he had been holding in his other hand, throwing the girl off guard as she caught it reflexively. “I’m not saying Speaker Julian is a bad man, I’m saying that people’s interpretation of it will be bad. And that’s what matters at the end of the day. What people think, not the truth. The truth never matters because it is often less interesting.”

“That’s not true. History is actually very interesting, especially ours.”

Hyun threw back his head and laughed. “You think history is written with truth? Truly you are sheltered. Come on, let’s go explore around.” He turned and headed back down the corridor, not even glancing back to see if she was following.

Raiya hesitated, unsure if she should just head straight to Julian as she had originally planned. But her curiosity and interest regarding this new fortress won out and she also couldn’t deny wanting to spend more time with Hyun, so she begrudgingly closed the door and hurried after him, biting into the fruit hungrily.

“Where are we going?” she asked as she caught up to his long strides. “Can we eat first? This won’t be enough to fill me up.” The fruit was already half gone.

“Just around, to see. We’ll even go to the beach. I heard there were a lot of caves located on the cliff face, we can explore some of those too. They say there are ancient remnants of the old alien race inside those caves. We can eat afterwards. The daylight will only be around for an hour or two more.”

She gave him a look. “Even if that’s true, those would have already been discovered and destroyed right?”

“You never know, maybe they overlooked something. We could get lucky.”

Raiya didn’t say anything else, a sinking feeling beginning to settle in the pit of her stomach as she followed the boy. They went out the front doors into the courtyard. It was empty this time, further amplifying the sinking feeling she had that something was going to go wrong. She was only afforded one last quick glance at the fortress before she was through the gates, wondering what Julian would think were he to find out what she was doing.