Page 139 of Salt in the Seas
“Are you two offering to take first watch?” Elder Algaen interrupted them, his stern face making them sober. “Or are you going to keep disturbing the rest of us who wish to sleep?”
“We’re heading for bed now,” Aeliana said, knowing the elders would keep their own watch whether Aeliana and Cyrus slept or not.
After taking a shift watching over Iris’ shallow breathing, Aeliana thought she would be up late. She assumed she’d let the curse roll over in her mind again and again like she had the night before, if nothing else to keep the image of Iris stabbing Holm from running through her mind over and over. But something about discussing it all with Sylmar and Cyrus left her at peace. The Sun had likely known this would be the outcome when they came to see Lady Merinnia. The Seer had even declared it was a good outcome.
Aeliana had thought it was a terrible thing when she’d gone to Gahldric Valley’s Stargazer and her presence had been the cause of Della’s death. And it had been terrible. But so much more good had come from it, and it allowed her to see that sometimes there could be a good outcome despite terrible circumstances.
It would take faith like Cyrus’ for her to believe this could all turn out well. But perhaps her faith was growing. Perhaps like him, she was meant to bring something new to Vendaras. Not faith in a forgiving Sun, but a mix of cultures. A leadership born out of trying circumstances instead of family feuds and royal traditions.
Perhaps Velden had been right, and she didn’t need to become more Vendaran or less Lorvandan. Perhaps she needed to embrace the combination she’d been given and use it to bring change to all of Rhystahn.
It was a daunting thought, but for some reason she fell asleep more easily than she had in a long time.
CHAPTER 53
Arriving backin Tideholm felt like a step in the right direction to Gaeren—until the Sayhleens threw the Vendarans back in the hut. Extra guards were placed outside the walls as if they suspected the prisoners were more dangerous after seeing Lady Merinnia.
Nori brought them food the next morning, but the guards watched her like a hawk and little was said.
“I suspect they’ll revert to their original verdict,” she whispered as she passed Gaeren bread. “But I can help you escape.”
“What about the starbridges?” Aeliana whispered.
Gaeren tensed as one of the guards leaned over Nori’s shoulder with a frown. She never was able to reply.
That night, when she brought dinner, she spent more time flirting with the guards than trying to speak with the prisoners. It left several of the Vendarans irritated, but after she left, Velden chuckled and shook his head.
“Can’t you see what she was doing?” he asked.
The others frowned and glanced toward the closed hut door.
“I guarantee she just poisoned them.”
Aeliana’s jaw dropped, and Gaeren echoed Velden’s laugh, remembering all the times he and Riveran had snuck sleeping herbs into Enla’s food. It required sleight of hand and distraction. Velden was right.
“I suggest we all be ready for something to happen tonight,” Velden said, then settled against the wall as if taking a nap.
Sure enough, near the moon’s reign, there was a tap, tap, tap on the back of the hut opposite the door. Gaeren leaned over, attempting to see between the slits of the thatched walls.
“I think they’re all asleep,” Nori said.
“Valerian root?” he asked.
“A different herb. One that will be missed by our medicine woman. So I suggest we do this quickly.”
From inside, they dug through the thatch, widening a hole until the largest in their group could fit, while on the outside, Nori used a different seaweed to soften the net surrounding the hut.
“I don’t suppose you’ll send some of that home with us?” Velden asked as they all took turns crawling out. “Could be handy the next time we’re here.”
“I can’t imagine you’ll be back. It would mean your deaths.” Nori grabbed a sack from beside her feet, throwing it over her shoulder.
“And what about you?” Aeliana asked. “Are you coming with us or staying here?”
Nori bit her lip, glancing back at the homes in the distance. “I don’t think I have a choice.”
Before they could ask what she meant, a shout rang out from the heart of the village, and her eyes widened. “Quickly, come!”
She ushered them into the forest.
