Page 101 of Cages and Crowns
We dined on grilled fish and crusty bread. I had way too many mugs of disgusting ale, but I laughed. We joked and talked about random things. Nero joined us as we enjoyed ourselves.
As welived.
When we were done with our meal, Enzo set gold coins on the table and gestured for us to leave. The sun was getting lower in the sky by time we exited, and I realized we had spent hours just inside the small tavern.
Torches were being lit around the city, lighting up the small streets and alleyways. I followed Enzo down one, Nero close behind, as we descended. We turned a corner and I realized we were at the docks.
The boats I thought were small before, weren’t. They could fit twenty or so men, and they lined the piers and docks. Men and women were working on the boats as well as carrying different barrels and boxes back and forth. The salty air was sharp as I inhale, causing me to sneeze.
The ships docked way out in the water had lightson, making them glow against the darkening waters. The sea seemed to stretch forever, and only the smallest sliver of land across from us was visible.
“What country is that?” I ask, pointing at the dark line.
“Ovobia and Khailes are directly across from us.” Enzo responds.
“What are they like?” I ask, as we watch the water.
“Ovobia is what people call the land of savages. It’s run by a monster of a man named Selkath. His entire country is filled with for-hire mercenaries. Men are bred to be killing machines, women used as cattle. It’s not a very nice place, if I’m being honest. The men, they are another breed. They can be nearly double the size of a human man and can replace ten men on a battlefield.” I swallow as I stare at the dark sliver across the sea.
“My gods.”
“There may come a time when their services are needed.” I don’t answer.
“What about Khailes?” He laughs.
“Khailes is the exact opposite. It’s a country of great beauty. Women there tend to have an ethereal nature to them, almost too perfect to seem real. Grottos and hidden caves fill their country, making it possible for almost the entire population to live underground. Most cloths and silks come from Khailes. However, much like Ovobia, men are used as cattle there. There aren’t really families. The women find men to mate with, and then send them back to wherever they came from.”
“Really?” I ask, surprise coating my voice.
“Yeah. I’ve never been, but Nithe said it was one of the most insane places he’s ever been.” He snorts.
“Of course he’s been.” I sigh, swallowing my insecurities. “What queen reigns there?”
“No one knows. It’s rumored to be run by a goddess, but unless you live there, or are the High Queen,” he glances at me. “No one knows.”
We stay quiet as the sun dips down below sea level, turning the sky a deep purple.
“I wish we could stay longer, but we should get going. Travelling at night tends to be questionable.” Nero interjects.
“You said it was safe.” I counter, turning away from the water.
“It normally is, my queen, but with the Noterran men on our border, it’s better to be safe.” I sigh and nod. Enzo offers me a tight-lipped smile as we turn away from the sea and head back towards the inn.
The slope isn’t as forgiving on the way back to the inn and I can feel the ale coming out of my pores as I sweat. I’m panting by time we get to the stables and Enzo pays the stablekeep. Our horses are brought out, and I use one of the nearby stools to mount, instead of asking for help.
We turn away from the bustling city and the sea as we trek back through the hills. The air turns sweet as the salt dissipates and I sigh.
“Can we come back?”
“Of course. Maybe we can make a trip out of it, stay for a few days.”
“I would really like that.” I turn and smile at him. His eyes are shining in the moonlight, his face relaxed. “What do you think it would have been like to grow up together?” I ask. He laughs.
“I heard you were pretty wild as a child, so I imagine we would cause a lot of trouble.”
“I wish we were never separated. I was so alone.” I admit, biting my lip.
“I wish for nothing more than to have grown up with you, Elaenor. Truly. But if we had, I wouldn’t have Mali. She may or may not have existed, and I love her. She’s everything to me.” He offers me a sad smile, and I know I could never ask for him to give her up.
