Page 2 of Journey to the Elderoak
“Neither did Ava. I seem to recall her distinctly saying shewasn’thungry, but you didn’t listen and?—”
Casimir glared at him. “Let’s go. We need to board soon.”
He turned and walked toward the docks, Ava and Raine hurrying to catch up. She placed the fruit in her pocket for later, while she unwrapped the pastry and took a bite, the sweet filling melting in her mouth.
Raine leaned in and whispered sarcastically, “Friends huh? Friends who remember your favorite fruit?”
“Are you going to be like this the whole trip?” Ava whispered back harshly.
“Yes,” Casimir said.
“So how are your lessons going?” Raine asked, changing the subject. “Learning anything interesting?”
After Ava trained in the mornings, she’d been spending time with Jorrar, the oldest and wisest advisor to the king. He’d been teaching her about fae culture and any other information she would need to know now that she was living in her homeland. The homeland where her parents had ruled as King and Queen of Monterre before dying and leaving it to her brother, Thorne.
“I learned that all of you are old.”
“Early one hundreds is far from old,” Raine said. “I’m practically a teenager.”
“You sure act like it,” Ava quipped.
Casimir chuckled quietly. “Still hard to get used to, isn’t it?”
“It is. Though you all look close to my age, it’s strange when I remember how old you really are.”
“Remember if you’d been born here, you’d be around one hundred now so technically, when you think about it, we’re practically the same age,” Raine said.
“Right...” Ava replied.
She’d learned that time in Eorhan moved roughly three times as fast as the human world, so even though Ava was thirty-two, she’d been ‘missing’ from her kingdom for close to a century. It was all still difficult to wrap her mind around, especially since after she became fae, she’d live just as long.
They approached the docks lining the bay. Several ships sat idle on the shimmering water, preparing to trade the goods Monterre was known for—healing balms, herbs and certain produce other kingdoms were unable to grow. They stopped before the largest vessel, crew members scurrying back and forth, loading crates of supplies.
Raine led the way up the wooden ramp, boots echoing as Ava followed. She had dressed in a pair of tan pants with rosesembroidered on the hips and a white cotton tunic tucked into her wide leather belt. The pants were tighter than what she typically wore, almost like leggings, and showed off the curves of her body she had finally regained after being starved in the daemon camp.
Casimir followed behind her and she may have swished her hips a little, knowing how good she looked in those pants.
“Welcome to The Song of the Wind,” said Raine as they stopped on the deck. “This is Gisela, the captain.” He gestured to a pale-skinned fae with ice blue eyes and white hair. She was dressed in navy pants, a white shirt with a blue vest, leather belt, and a sword at her side. On her shoulder was a large black raven eyeing them pointedly.
“Nice to meet you, Your Highness,” Gisela said as she approached, scrutinizing Ava. “This is Pascal,” she added, gesturing to her animal companion.
The raven tilted its head at Ava, released an enthusiastic caw, and flew off to perch on one of the nearby masts. She ached at the fact that they couldn’t bring their own companions onto the ship. It was much too risky being on the open water should something happen.
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
“These two already know the rules.” Gisela jerked her thumb toward Raine and Casimir. “But you haven’t been on one of my ships so let me lay it out for you. I’m in charge. Period. I don’t care that you’re the princess or he’s the general.” She jerked her head at Casimir. “Those ranks mean nothing on my ship. You do what I say, no questions asked. Especially if we come across difficult weather or enemies. Is that understood?”
“Yes,” Ava said. “Absolutely.”
“Good.” She clapped her hand on Ava’s shoulder. “Then we won’t have a problem.” She turned on her heel and walked across the deck, barking orders at the crew as they prepared to sail.
“She’s terrifying,” Ava said.
“You have no idea,” whispered Raine.
Crew members lowered the sails at each of the four masts of the large ship, readying for departure. Wooden railings carved with intricate vines and leaves surrounded the deck and depictions of the sacred Elderoak tree were prevalent on the vessel—embroidered on the sails, carved into the base of each mast, and integrated into the steps leading to the upper deck.
“Come on,” said Raine. “I’ll show you where we’re sleeping.”
