Page 56 of Salt in the Seas
“Maybe.” Kendalyhn squinted at Aeliana, but for once she didn’t seem angry. “Or maybe you’ll grow into their expectations.”
A wave of shock rippled through Aeliana. “Are you—did you just give me a compliment?”
Kendalyhn rolled her eyes. “Don’t read into it. I can still despise you. But for now you’re the ally of my allies, and I have to make it work.” Despite her words, a small smile graced her face.
“Well, ally of my allies,” Aeliana said, hiding her own grin, “any chance you have a pair of trousers I could wear?”
That night Aeliana said her goodbyes to the ailing Felk, and in the morning she fussed over the baby winex she was being forced to abandon. Emeris promised to give him memories of Aeliana, and Orra swore she’d watch out for all the winex in Iris’ absence. But it still hurt to pry the toddler from her legs the following morning when those traveling headed to the shore.
Saying goodbye to her parents was equally difficult after having just gotten them both back, so by the time Orra found her in the bailey, her emotions were raw.
“Are you ready to go?” Orra’s question seemed too simple considering who it came from. If anyone else had asked it, Aeliana would have said yes, because physically she was packed and ready. But Orra always got to the heart of the matter, and Aeliana couldn’t honestly tell the other woman she was ready.
“I want to be,” she said instead.
Orra smiled, and they stood in silence for a while, watching as dozens of horses lined up for the short ride to Gaeren’s ship. Three wagons filled with supplies were already being driven out through the gate, and four more had been sent out during the night. Aeliana marveled at the amount of work people were putting in to ensure the success of their trip. It should have made her grateful, but instead it made her nervous. Everyone was counting on them to succeed. What if they didn’t?
Her parents stood with Holm and Iris, the faithful maidservant giving final instructions to Rildan on how to care for Emeris, which he humbly took, either because he really needed them or just to humor her. Holm tugged on Iris’ elbow, likely trying to save Rildan from the barrage.
Sylmar and Velden were having a meeting with General Nels and a few of his men. All their faces seemed even more serious than they’dbeen during the meeting two nights ago, which brought a new round of nerves to Aeliana.
Brogdon seemed to have found his place among the sailors, working alongside Riveran and Thallahan to secure the cargo in the wagons. She suspected Larkos and the other sailors were already at the ship, organizing the wares delivered the night before and doing final preparations, but she had no idea all of what went into sailing a vessel.
For the first time, she felt a twinge of excitement. Being out on the open water sounded thrilling, even if their final destination didn’t.
“I’m glad you held your ground the other night,” Orra said.
“What?” Aeliana pulled her gaze from the chaos to try to process Orra’s words.
“When others wanted to go to Andel, you didn’t change your mind.”
“Did you sift the future? Is this the right choice?”
Orra’s eyes grew troubled. “My powers have grown too weak for me to know that for certain. Both paths have options for success and both have options for failures. It’s the decisions along the way that will make the journey’s end a success or failure.”
“Isn’t that always the way of life?” Aeliana tried to hold back her frustration. What was the use in being able to sift the future if that was the only answer Orra had?
Orra hummed. “A very wise assessment. Just like it was wise of you to step back and let the vote run its course. If you were certain there was no chance of success on this mission, it would be one thing. But knowing each has potential makes it a fight not worth having. It might feel backward, but letting them make that decision shows leadership skills that will pay off in your future.”
“It wasn’t exactly intentional,” Aeliana muttered.
“You could have refused to go,” Orra said. “You could have set off for Pacran on your own. You’re still showing faith and trust in them, and that will pay back tenfold in the future.”
Aeliana sighed. “Asking Lady Merinnia about the future seems like a gamble that risks insanity. And before we can even do that, we have to locate a starbridge that you’ve been trying to find for a thousand years.” She tried to focus on the fact that Velden’s mother had been tosee Lady Merinnia and that she’d come away with purpose and resolve—that she’d known the future and faced it with joy despite how much sorrow it held. But what about all the others who’d come away destroyed by what they’d seen?
Orra patted her arm. “When you reach her, you can choose not to ask her a question. You can choose to remain ignorant if you feel that’s best.”
The suggestion loosened a lingering tightness in Aeliana’s chest, but her thoughts still felt tangled as Lukai and Kendalyhn mounted their horses. “It might take the entire journey for me to decide which is more brave: to deny myself the knowledge or to face it head-on.” The admission burned. Neither option seemed good.
“There’s no need for you to prove your bravery,” Orra said. “When the time comes, you’ll know. Let the Sun’s warmth fill you, and you’ll sense what’s right.” She gave Aeliana an uncharacteristic hug, and Aeliana squeezed her back, her throat tight. Who knew what would have transpired by the time they saw each other again?
Her parents finally escaped Iris, and they wrapped Aeliana in one last hug as well. She was grateful her father was staying behind with her mother and even more grateful that Orra would be there to aid them. Even if the older woman remained aloof, she would be an asset if Mayvus returned. Aeliana knew she could count on Orra for that. Perhaps her mother would even find something in Mayvus’ journals that Aeliana and Sylmar had missed.
As Aeliana mounted her horse, another pranced in front of her, carrying Cyrus in backward circles toward the general direction of the wagons. He fought with his mare’s reins, clucking and tugging in his attempt to turn her around. But the mare seemed determined to do the opposite, making Aeliana laugh, and her friend looked up.
A grin split his freckled face. “Want to trade?”
She shook her head. “You should ask Riveran for help. I hear he’s excellent with animals.”
