Page 6 of Ashes In The Wind & Islands Of Ash
“Your mother is still with the healers. The elders are teaching and preparing everyone. We’ve successfully moved those who aren’t fighting here, hoping to keep them safer. Ace and a few other elves are delivering the last bit of supplies before we head back to our village.”
“Any change to the Ember soldiers at the docks?” I asked, and Hallan huffed a breath.
“Skies above,” he cursed, “you are your father’s daughter.” Hallan laughed, but my father had a look of pride in his eyes as he beamed at me then looked back to Hallan. It sent a warmth fluttering through my chest. I grinned as Hallan continued, “But to answer your question, the docks have stayed the same. We think they’re holding back until the rest of their troops arrive.”
“Do we know when they’ll be here?” I prodded further.
“Based on when we got the letter, they could be here as early as tomorrow morning.” His features grew stoney. “At the latest, the day after. We don’t know for sure when Ember left to come here or which port they took off from.” He paused a moment, looking off into the distance as if he could see the warships sailing the seas. “But we have elves posted along the mountaintops, scouting for Ember. We should be thankful for the Empress's warning or they would have blindsided us.”
He grabbed a cup sitting on the small stone ledge along the cave side, tilted the kettle to pour some warm tea into it, and offered it to me. I took it, turning to my father.
“When will we be heading back home to prepare our village for what’s coming?” I said before taking a sip. It bloomed on my tongue. It was a creamy and sweet tea full of heady flavors. Cinnamon and spicy cloves that I had never tasted before coated my mouth. On the second sip, I took down the whole thing.
“We’ll be leaving shortly.” My father spoke up after finishing his drink. I grabbed for the kettle to pour some more, but Hallan smacked my hand away.
“It’s iron, you dolt! And where are your manners?” he spat.
“Since when are you my ima?” I questioned, and he smirked, taking my cup and giving me some more. “What is this stuff?”
“It’s the tea of Heavensreach. We call it pojo. Twice a year, it blooms in the mountains. It’s delicious, isn’t it?”
“Yes, the best I’ve ever tasted.” I hummed as I drank more of it.
“I’ll have Ace bring you some, but be mindful. It won’t bloom again until the heavy winter,” he suggested, eyeing me as I drank down my second glass.
“I’ll save it for a special occasion,” I said, setting my cup down with a smirk, but he gave me a look that told me he didn't believe me.
“When will Ace be done?” I asked and got a grin from both of them.
“Why do you ask?” Hallan winked at me.
“No, it’s not like that. Don’t be getting ideas,” I said to both of them. Surely, they had talked about joining our families somehow. Two leaders—best friends, one with a son and one with a daughter. It was too obvious. I shook my head at them again as they snickered to themselves like two boys rather than two grown men.
“I want him to teach me how to sign fluently.” I was determined to learn, not just for the benefits of knowing another language, but I was confident it would come in handy with the army sailing Draynua to get to our shores.
“I’m sure Ace would love that.” Hallan gave me a joyful smile. “I’ll have him meet you back at your village, ready to teach with your tea in hand.”
“Thank you, and thanks for the tea,” I said as my father placed a gentle grip on my shoulder.
“We should get back.” He whistled for a bird. While holding out his arm, one landed on him. He tied a quick note to its leg before sending it off. My father spoke as I turned toward our home.
“I’m letting your mother know we’re heading back so she doesn’t worry herself sick.” When our people left for long journeys or hunting trips, we would use birds to send letters back and forth to check in on each other. Most societies in Osparia used birds to communicate.
“Hallan, keep me updated,” my father said over his shoulder.
“Will do,” Hallan responded as we started our trek back home.
Chapter Four
The only things I wanted upon returning home was a bath, fresh clothes, something to eat other than plump cave rats, and to relax from what was happening in the world around me. I hadn’t bathed since before my father and I trained. The braids throughout my matted hair pinned it away from my eyes, but loose strands of silver always got loose and framed my face.
My father and I walked up to our small cottage home, and he opened the door for me. As we walked inside, my mother looked up from whatever vegetables she was chopping. The clank of the knife she was using hit the table as she rushed to us to pull us into her warm embrace.
“How is everyone in the cave?”
“They are well. They have supplies and will stay there until this is over.” My father rubbed soothing strokes down both of my mother’s arms. I could tell she had gotten little sleep. Her bright-green eyes were darker with lingering shadows under them.
“How are the healers doing in their studies?” My father changed the subject.
