Page 126 of Salt in the Seas
A gasp went through the crowd, and Nori’s eyes widened.
“What does that mean?” Aeliana asked. “Why is he giving us what we wanted after he said we couldn’t see her?”
Nori swallowed hard. “He’s not doing it for you. He’s doing it for me.”
“Take them back to the hut.” Elder Algaen waved a hand at the guards surrounding the prisoners, cutting off any more questions Aeliana might have had.
Her knees grew weak as the truth sank in, making her trip as the guards dragged them away. They were going to see Lady Merinnia after all. It was what they had wanted from the beginning. But now the only thing she could feel was terror. Would the Seer judge them fairly? Would she still give them answers about the curse if they came seeking to have their names cleared?
The trek back to the hut was quicker than it had been coming to the village center. The guards whispered amongst themselves, and Aeliana caught optimistic phrases proving that Nori’s unprecedented request was binding. When they were deposited in the hut, their stomachs still growled, but this time her companions’ faces held hope.
Holm pulled Iris into a tight hug, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. Lukai hesitated, as if he might try to do something similar for Aeliana, but instead he sat alone, keeping his distance from both Aeliana and Kendalyhn.
Even Sylmar’s teeth showed under his beard and mustache. “Not only did she gain us access to Lady Merinnia, but she bought us time,” he said. “We owe her much.”
“We owe her our lives,” Gaeren corrected.
Velden patted him on the back with a squishy, webbed hand. “Well, you and Riveran do, that’s for certain.”
Gaeren and Riveran let out nervous laughs, the stress of the afternoon coming through.
“Nori said they weren’t letting us go to the Seer for our sakes, but for hers,” Aeliana said as they all found places to sit. “Does anyone know what that means?”
Velden shrugged. “My guess is that her father didn’t want her losing her chance for her own answer. If she went by herself only seeking our judgment, she’d lose out on her opportunity. If the rest of us go, we get answers for our actions and questions and she can get answers for hers.”
“Then why did her mother look terrified?” Cyrus asked.
“Because she expects Nori will see her own death?” Gaeren suggested.
Aeliana shuddered. “But she can avoid it, right? By marrying Gellen?”
“Oh, I hope so.” Iris leaned against Holm, her face stricken.
“I saw a memory within a memory.” Gaeren raised his hands in surrender. “I don’t know how it works.”
“And none of us really knows how a visit to the Seer works,” Velden said. “The crowd’s reaction is a good reminder of how little we know and that we might not like what we find.”
The joyful atmosphere shifted a hair as he pointed out the truth they’d all been ignoring.
“That wasmypessimistic line,” Sylmar muttered, attempting to settle on his side for a nap. “You’re supposed to tell a joke here.”
The entire room stilled until Velden chuckled. “No, I think the uncharacteristic role reversal was much better.”
It felt like ages, but the Sun still hadn’t gone to sleep when Nori arrived accompanied by Gellen and a few others, bringing a feast in comparison to the paltry food they’d previously been served. Aeliana’s mouth swung open when she also saw blankets and pillows tied on packs on their backs.
Kendalyhn raised her eyebrows. “Are we being fattened before we’re served up on a platter?”
Nori snorted. “It’s a three-day journey to Seer’s Sanctuary, two across land and one across the water. They want you to be rested and well fed before we leave in the morning.”
Gellen scowled, his eyes constantly following Nori, making it difficult for Aeliana to ask any questions. When they’d all eaten, Aeliana managed to pull Nori back for the briefest moment.
“Why did the people react that way? When your father offered for all of us to go?”
Nori gave a guilty glance to the hut door, where Gellen had bent tocollect some spoons he’d dropped. “Lady Merinnia prefers to see people alone. It’s not that she can’t assist us all at once—it’s that it leaves her agitated. It’s disrespectful for us to ask so much of her.”
Aeliana frowned. “Would the elders do that just to make sure you get your questions answered too? That was Velden’s theory, but it feels weak if it’s disrespectful.”
“It could be that my father pushed for it. But the others likely agreed because they no longer trust me. I might be on trial just as much as you are.” Her smile held a sorrow that made Aeliana’s heart ache with regret.
