Page 15 of From the Mouths of Sirens

“They have their mentors just like we do,” Veila answered. “Their Tournament Ambassadors have analyzed every past trial and memorized every game, I can assure you. Our rivals will be well-prepared. Don’t think for one second that we have the advantage here. The arena will be unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before.”

Rook squinted, scanning the distant rolling hills beyond the mountain. If not for the sheer size of the arena at the base of the mountain, he wouldn’t be able to see anything other than the blur of green woodlands that spread out below Mt.Thalia in a sea of shifting treetops. The Stone Circle towered above the trees, crouched in the forest like a beast preparing to strike. From Coarinth, the menacing arena was a mere streak of gray against the forest. He had gazed at the ancient amphitheater all his life, but had never seen it as a palpable force. Until now.

“Have all the tributes arrived yet?” Eros asked. “The Tournament begins in two days.”

Rook knew the real question hidden between his words. Eros knew perfectly well that the tributes from Terradrin had arrived during the night, hidden in the cover of nightfall as they climbed out of the underground depths of their kingdom. The only people missing now were the people of Elorshin: the Mer.

“No,” Rook answered, turning from the window. “We’ve not had word from the Mer. If they aren’t arriving sometime today, they’ll be here tomorrow at the latest.”

“Not that it matters,” Eros said with a wry grin. “I’ll be surprised if they last through the first trial.”

Of all the nations that arrived within the city for the Tournament, the presence of the Mer created the most tension. On top of the bitter political history between their nations, this would be the first Tournament since the deaths of Aurandel’s former rulers eight years ago. Rook himself didn’t know if he could remain civilized around the enemy kingdom once they arrived.

* * *

“Tell me, prince, what do you recall of the Shujaa Desert?” Hasana asked, taking a sip of her noori tea. She poured herself some more, the hot amber shimmering in the afternoon light as it drained from the pot. A gentle breeze drifted across the table, the scent of jasmine and spiced noori on the wind. The princess had invited Rook and his companions to dine in a floating pavilion above the Citadel, one of the most beautiful views of Coarinth.

“It was hot,” Rook replied bluntly. He mentally cursed himself for making such a slow-witted remark.

“Obviously,” Veila snorted. She leaned back in her chair, strands of red hair pulling from her tight braid in the wind. Beside her, Eros was grinning.

Hasana merely smiled at Rook, a glimmer of humor in her golden brown eyes. There was a peacefulness about the princess, something about her calm demeanor that made everyone in her vicinity relax. Her dark hair was piled high on her head, twisting in intricate braids and threaded with beads of gold. Despite being high in the clouds, Hasana still wore her traditional desert attire. The crisp, white fabric of her tunic was loose and billowy, her wide sleeves tapered at her wrists with gold cuffs. Tinkling hoops and spiraling cuffs capped her ears in brilliant spills of gold. But her physical appearance was not what captivated everyone at the table. It was her soft voice and the carefully-chosen words that slipped from her mouth. When he had trained in the Shujaa Desert years ago, she had only exchanged a few words with him. But even then, he knew that there was something special about her.

“It is quite hot,” she acknowledged. Surprisingly, her tone was not mocking in the slightest. “And very dry,” she added with a wry smile.

“I remember the people the most,” Rook continued, watching as a flock of birds flew past the pavilion, darting in and out of the clouds. “Everyone was so kind and attentive. The generosity of your people is a rare gift in these lands,” he added honestly.

“Indeed,” Hasana replied, taking another sip of her tea. “Hospitality is greatly valued in Tellusun. I’m glad you noticed.”

“I’ve never been to the Shujaa Desert,” Eros said wistfully. “Though I’d like to go one day.”

“Perhaps after the Tournament,” Hasana offered. But as soon as she uttered the words, the air in the pavilion grew heavy. There was little promise in the statement. They all knew that half of the tributes could be dead after the trials. Those who survived would return to their own lands, broken and scarred beyond recognition. The winning kingdom would possess the Crown, accepting their newly-granted power without any thought of the losing nations. For ten more years, they would hold each other at arms’ length until the next Tournament season. There would be no casual traveling or frivolity. Not after the Tournament.

Clearing his throat, Rook said, “A marvelous idea, Princess. How are you enjoying your stay here in Coarinth?” he asked, changing the subject.

“I like it quite well. Hasana gazed out across the sprawling city below them. The gauzy scarf draped around her neck caught on the breeze, flowing in the gentle wind. “Everything I have seen is beautiful. I know why your people love the clouds so much. If I lived among the birds, I’d likely never touch foot on land again.” Something darkened in her expression as she gazed out beyond the pavilion. “My father spoke highly of the city. All of his memories of this place were lovely. I begged him to tell me about Coarinth over and over again when I was a child,” she said wistfully. “Though I doubt he will ever return. He would not survive the journey.”

After a beat of silence, Rook offered, “I’m sorry to hear that your father is sick.” He had met the ancient ruler during his tour of Tellusun in his youth. From what he remembered, the King of the Clay City had been kind to him. “I pray he recovers swiftly. Something tells me that he will step foot in Coarinth again. In the meantime, you should gather your own stories to tell him when you return,” he added. “Is there anything else you’d like to see while you’re here?”

She hesitated, peering at him as though he was some kind of oddity. “I’d love a tour of your family’s famed library sometime,” she finally told him. “Though it is my understanding that no one but the royal family may gaze upon your treasure trove of books. I understand if it is a request you cannot meet.” It was silent for a few minutes, nothing but the movement of the wind and the call of birds to fill the air.

“I suppose we can make an exception for you, Princess Hasana,” Rook replied with a swift grin. “Few eyes have ever seen our collection of books in the mountain, but it would be an honor to show you.” Hasana’s golden eyes lit up, pure delight on her face.“If you would please follow me,” Rook told her, standing up from the tea table. He gave her his arm, and she took it carefully. Out of the corner of his eye, Rook watched Veila give him a look of warning, her mouth twisting into a disapproving frown.

“Tell me, princess,” Rook asked, “have you ever flown before?” Hasana shook her head, eyes widening as he wrapped a hand around her waist. He pulled her into his arms and unfurled his wings, striding toward the edge of the levitating pavilion. Hot air rushed in from the south and tugged on his clothes and feathers. “Hold on tight.”

Without another word, Rook leaped off the side of the building and caught a draft of wind. Hasana, to her credit, merely gave a wordless gasp as they fell through the air. Rook swept his wings upward, pulling them higher into the sky. As always, a rush of adrenaline filled his chest as he soared through the clouds, the familiar breath of wind whispering across his wings like the greeting of an old friend. Though Hasana clutched at his collar, she looked out across the city with wide-eyed excitement. He held her firmly to his chest, knowing that if anything were to happen to the Princess of the Clay City, the Revelore Tournament would be the least of his problems.

Rook flew them straight to the Citadel, weaving between towers and floating homes with ease. He smiled as Hasana took it all in, pure awe etched across her face. The Citadel loomed before them, washed in golden light and marbled with the shadows of clouds that drifted overhead. Tucked into the mountainside at the highest peak in all of Revelore, his home sat like an ancient monarch proudly surveying her land. He glided down to the open courtyard where the banquet would be held later that evening, spiraling downward. With as much grace as he could muster, he landed gently onto the grand staircase.

“That was incredible!” Hasana exclaimed breathlessly. “I’ve never done anything like that before.”

Rook set her down carefully and folded his wings against his back once more. “I’m glad it didn’t frighten you too much. For those who have never left the surface, it can be terrifying.” Inwardly, he was impressed by the princess. She was curious and brave, possessing a rare hunger to understand his world. Not many in Revelore would be so open-minded. He offered her his arm and she took it eagerly.

They strode into the throne room, heading for the secret corridors that were buried in the mountain. Hasana stared wide-eyed at the huge open windows, taking in the stunning view of the mountain range. Rook led her to the inner wall of the throne room, guiding her behind the throne and into the private hallway that led to he and Raven’s personal chambers. Hasana said nothing as they descended into the darkness, merely absorbing everything they walked past with quiet wonder.

After weaving through several dark hallways, they reached the great oak doors of the library. Rook smiled as he pushed open the doors, watching as Hasana gasped in delight. As always, a roaring fire was burning in the hearth, making the room glow with a soft, inviting light. The floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stood like soldiers, protecting the invaluable texts. Hasana wandered between the shelves, touching the book spines as she walked past. Rook followed a few paces behind her, his heart swelling with pride. He could count on one hand the number of outsiders who had seen the heart of Mt.Thalia. Though he couldn’t say why, he was glad that Princess Hasana of Tellusun was now one of them.

“Incredible,” Hasana whispered as they made their way through the library. “I’ve never seen so many books in my life.”

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