Page 45 of Shrine of Fire

Fairuin was a large island, but the word island didn’t really cover the size of the land. Ember Island was an island, but the size of a small country. Fairuin was half the size of the Ateas continent, and the biggest of the three Northern Islands. To the very far north were frozen lands where most clans didn’t dare trek, and to the south was a windswept crag, with rich soil and long rolling hills.

I took a deep breath in, the stinging cold filling my lungs and cutting my face.

Nova looked wide-eyed, taking in the same rolling hills and small town. The squat, brown village was a far cry from the bright colors of the dwellings of Ember Island, or even the jeweled cities of Shahre, but there was a rustic, hardy beauty I couldn’t deny.

Aki and Kalahar came to stand next to me to see more easily those gathered below us on the docks. A small crowd of men waited to greet the Ember Island delegation. All were wearing buff-colored pants tucked into tall leather boots and tunics with wide belts from which a variety of weapons hung. Those at the back wore a range of colors and styles of tunic, but at the forefront were men wearing green woolen tunics heavily decorated with braids and knot designs woven into the fabric.

There was an abundance of facial hair, with most of the men sporting beards and long hair. Some had it pulled back in braids while others let it hang free.

The ship pulled into the dock, and after some shouted commands from Captain Lin and scrambling from the crew, the gangplank was lowered, and we were ready to go ashore.

Stefan and Nova went first, both wearing pleasant expressions on their faces. Behind them, Lord Baylin followed with his group of ministers and ladies. Aki, Kalahar and I attached ourselves to the rear of the group.

The waiting crowd parted around the arriving party, with an older man in the center. He had snow-white hair and wore an eyepatch. Intricate cables and braids decorated his green tunic, woven on the sleeves and going straight down the front of the garment.

“Welcome Crown Prince Stefan and his royal fiancé, Callenova!” The older man raised his hands in the air, and the crowd cheered.

Stefan nodded his head gravely. “Greetings Chief Uatear A’Cuiric. You honor us with such a welcome.”

Chief A’Cuiric chuckled. “You have seen nothing yet. We will feast in your honor. But first, my son, Cuanciardha A’Cuiric.”

He gestured to a striking man standing next to him. Like his father, Cuanciardha wore a green tunic woven many times over with knots and cables forming beautiful braids. His long blond hair spilled around his face and hit his shoulders like a mane, while his beard was closely trimmed. The burly man had an easy grin on his face, like he was ready to laugh at a moment’s notice.

I liked that. Nova was too serious for her own good, and I couldn’t be the only comic relief around. Even if Cuanciardha wouldn’t become a pack mate, maybe he would provide some necessary fun.

I pulled to the side of the group, getting close enough so I could have a front row seat to the circus. My companions followed behind me.

“Cuanciardha has won many battles, uniting the clans!” Chief A’Cuiric took his son’s hand and raised it high over the crowd as the men cheered.

“Time for reciting the mighty deeds,” Aki muttered, hand on his scabbard.

“Yep,” I said. “I wonder what they would say about me if I was introduced in such a way. Drank his way through the Golden Coast?”

Aki raised his eyebrows. “Helped stop an ancient spirit from ending the world as we know it?”

“Oh, yeah.” I laughed. “That.”

That hadn’t felt like a mighty deed, so much as an act of desperation. I liked my world. I wanted to keep living in it. When we’d found out an ancient spirit was controlling one of the two omegas powerful enough to break the Shrines and release all the spirit magic back into the world, there’d been no conscious choice, no bravery. Just a blind need to stop her before the world as we knew it was destroyed.

“And finally, he has made the journey to the spirit lands and returned to find his life’s true purpose.” Chief A’Cuiric finished with a flourish.

The crowd cheered again.

Stefan paused, probably wondering if he needed to recite his mighty deeds. He had defied his father and given us the metal we needed to mend the Shrines. That took courage most people didn’t have.

“I am Prince Stefan, Heir to the Ember Island. This is Callenova of the Shrine of Everlasting Fire, champion against the Faceless One.”

The crowd of Fairuin men grew quiet.

Chief A’Cuiric bent down on one knee. Behind him, everyone else followed suit. “For that mighty deed, my lady, we are forever in your debt. The spirits have grown more numerous as of late, and it’s good to see them return to the lands. But a return in such numbers as would happen with the breaking of the Shrines would be too much for even our wisest men to handle. You have but to name it, and it’s yours.”

Nova blushed. “Thank you, sir, but that’s not necessary.”

She paused, and I knew her well enough to know she wanted to ask a question. Instead, my pretty omega gestured for the Chief to stand up. “Thank you for such a gracious welcome. Your land is more beautiful than I could have imagined.”

“As are you,” Cuanciardha said with a laugh. “Imagine my relief at being intended for a woman as lovely as you.”

The Chief shot his son a look. “Please, allow us to accompany your party to the Great Hall. We will feast in your honor.”

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