“It is not probable they will look to hold Valshara,” said Bellisia. “Not so far from reinforcements. More likely they are striking at Amon Dahl. And if they try to hold it, we can take it back.” She spoke to Theopolou. “You know Valshara better than most. The battle plan shall be yours.”
“And if we find we are mistaken?” Theopolou furled his brow. “What then? Valshara can be well defended by only a few. If they brought enough force, they could hold it indefinitely.”
“You think in battle terms without taking all of your weapons into account,” said Nehrutu. He held out his palm. The air above it swirled and twisted, then burst into a small flame. Light and heat grew until it forced the gathering back. “We have abilities beyond your understanding.” The ball of flame shot skyward, then exploded with an ear-shattering blast. “They will not expect you to possess such weapons.”
This brought stares of awe and mummers of approval.
“Please, Shivis Mol,” said Aaliyah. We must depart. There is nothing for you to do here.”
Gewey looked at Kaylia. She nodded slowly, then kissed his cheek. Gewey nearly lost himself as the love flowed freely between their bond. He sighed heavily and forced himself to look away. “We leave as soon as you're ready.” He turned to Theopolou. “I'll return as soon as I can.”
Aaliyah had already prepared to depart and told Gewey she would await him at the edge of the encampment. Gewey gathered his pack, Kaylia at his side.
“I'll miss you,” said Gewey. Tears welled in his eyes.
Kaylia pulled him close and kissed him deeply. “Just be careful and return to me safe.” She embraced him, choking back her own tears. Reluctantly, she released him and took his hand. “It's time.” They made their way to Aaliyah.
Theopolou and Linis were also there. Linis smiled as they approached. He held a small silver flask.
“I made this last night,” said Linis. He handed it to Gewey. “If you are to go to the desert, it may be useful. A single sip will keep you strong should you be unable to find water.”
“Thank you, my friend.” Gewey put the flask in his pack and gave Linis a fond embrace.
Theopolou bowed. “Farewell, Gewey Stedding. My hopes go with you.” He looked at Kaylia. “You are now a part of my house and my family. Return to us soon.”
Gewey bowed in return. “I will.” He kissed Kaylia one last time, as tears streamed down both of their faces. He wiped his tears and turned to Aaliyah. “I'm ready.”
Aaliyah nodded and led Gewey to the trail. Gewey dared not look back for fear his heart would break.
“Are we going alone?” asked Gewey.
“We need no escort,” Aaliyah replied. “There is nothing so dangerous as to trouble us.”
“How long until we get there?”
“Two days. But if we press our pace and take no respite, we can reach the shore by morning,” she said. “My ship awaits us.” She slowed as to walk beside Gewey. “I know it is hard to leave her. But it is for the best. And you may find you are glad you did.”
Gewey was in no mood for flirting. “You told me you were once bonded.”
“I was,” she affirmed.
“When he died, did you think it was for the best?” He saw a pang of emotion shoot across her face. Immediately he regretted his words.
“At the time, I did not,” Her lips slowly relaxed, and she smiled sweetly. “But now, I think it might have been.”
Gewey struggled not to return her smile. Instead he reached out to Kaylia. Immense sorrow and worry is all he felt at first, then joy and relief as she reached back. Aaliyah quickened their pace.
By nightfall, Gewey was forced to use the flow more and more, to keep up his strength. At times they almost ran. He could tell Aaliyah was using only her own natural endurance and marveled, though he said nothing about it.
By midnight, the landscape flattened and the trees thinned. Patches of grass were separated by large areas of gray sand and red clay. The tall pines were being outnumbered by curved palms and thick brambles, and the musty scent of the forest was now mixed with the salty breeze coming off the Western Abyss.
“Do you need rest?” asked Aaliyah.
Gewey knew that if he released the flow fatigue would certainly set in. “No, I'm fine.”
Aaliyah reached in a pouch on her belt and pulled out a small orange berry. “Try this.” She handed it to Gewey.
Gewey examined it for a moment. It was no larger than a cherry, and was smooth and shiny. “What is it?”
“We call them Rain Berries.” She pulled out another and popped it in her mouth. Sighing with satisfaction, she motioned for Gewey to eat.
Gewey held it to his nose. It smelled like a plum, only sweeter. He slowly bit down. Sweet juice exploded, and a delicious flavor, unlike any other fruit or berry in the land he had ever encountered, filled his mouth and caressed his tongue. “I've never tasted anything like it.”
“They are my favorite,” said Aaliyah. “And very hard to come by. I searched many days to find only a small handful.”
“I wish they grew here,” said Gewey.
“Perhaps one day you will help me gather them in my homeland.”
Gewey noticed how the moonlight silhouetted the curves of her figure. She moved with a fluid grace that was unmatched by anyone he'd ever seen. She looked over just in time to catch his stare, and gave him a sly grin. He could feel himself flush with embarrassment.
An hour before sunrise he could hear the surf beating against the shore. Walking became increasingly difficult, as the sand deepened and the dunes began to rise ahead, though it didn't appear to hinder Aaliyah. As they crested the last dune, the dim light of dawn broke at his back. The azure of the Western Abyss stretched out before them. Gewey stood transfixed.
“Have you never seen the sea?” asked Aaliyah.
“No,” Gewey replied. “I haven't. I only left my small village a short time ago. Even then, we were on the run most of the time.” He breathed in the sea air.
“You will see the world soon enough,” said Aaliyah. “I must warn you. The first time on a ship at sea can be…disquieting.”
Gewey had not thought about spending two weeks aboard a seagoing vessel. He shrugged, not wanting to show his sudden apprehension. “I'll be fine.”
“Of course, you will.” She led Gewey down the beach to a small boat that had been pulled ashore and tied to a large piece of driftwood. “My ship is just over the horizon.”
Gewey looked out at the water. The waves were at least three feet high and the sea beyond the breakers was rough. “Is it safe to go that far out in this?”
Aaliyah laughed as she untied the boat. “We won't be going that far. My ship is already heading toward us.”
“How-” asked Gewey.
“My crew knows I am here because I let them know,” she said, before he could complete his question. “It is much the same as when you reach out to Kaylia, only we can do so without the bonding. You will learn soon enough.”
Gewey grabbed the side of the boat and helped Aaliyah drag it to the water. It was surprisingly light, which made him even more nervous as his eyed the churning seas. As soon as they were in the water and on board Gewey noticed something missing. Oars. Aaliyah had seated herself at the front and was sitting cross legged, hands in her lap, palms up. The boat lurched forward. Spray soaked his clothes as the craft cut through the waves and into open water. He could feel the flow coursing through her.
In the distance, he spotted red sails breaking above the horizon. “I see them,” he called out.
“Yes,” she replied. “We will be aboard soon.”
The ship came closer at an alarming rate. In only a few minutes it loomed above them. It was well over one-hundred feet in length, and its two giant masts were nearly the length of the ship itself. Gewey had only seen drawings of sea-going vessels, but could still tell that this ship was much sleeker in design, and looked faster. The sails were swollen full, and at first Gewey was afraid the ship would ram them. But just as it came within twenty yards, the sails went limp and the vessel slowed dramatically.