Page 114 of Riftborne
“Okay, it’s hot. But try it,” she urged, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
“Erm–Ma, what is this?” I eyed the liquid as my stomach churned. It was cooling into a thick paste.
“The red algae I collected from the Scarlet Coast. I noticed the fish in that area were behaving strangely, so I started studying it. After drying and grinding the algae into a powder... well the whole thing was an accident really. The dust was so fine that it became airborne, and I inhaled some. I was a bit nervous at first but after a few seconds... my lungs relaxed. And I realized I could hold my breath for an extended period. I played around with it a bit, discovering that a liquid version held the same properties. It’s a potential medical breakthrough, but I never knew what it's practical use could really be.” She held out the dish. “As for this whalebone, it’s an amplifier.” I had missed the way Ma’s eyes lit up when she talked about her work.
Reaching out slowly, I took the dish and held it to my nose. I coughed as bile rose in my throat.
“Dummy, you aren’t supposed to smell it first!” She scolded. “We don’t have much time, Fia.”
I closed my eyes and tipped the dish back, letting it fall down my throat. My face twisted. The taste was unimaginable.
“So…?” She eyed me.
“What am I supposed to be feeling?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Try to hold your breath,” she urged, rolling her eyes.
I took a deep inhale, halting once my lungs were full.
Seconds went by. Then a full minute.
I felt no burning sensation or urgency to exhale. My lungs weren’t contracting.
I looked at Ma with wide eyes. “This could save so many lives. You have no idea.”
“This is just enough for you, Fia. It won’t last more than a few minutes, so use it wisely.”
“Please, Ma. If you could make more of this, it could really make a difference. We could win.”
“I mean… I could go back to the coast, collect more algae. The whale bone I can get from traders.” Gears were turning behind her eyes.
“I’ll make it my first priority,” she assured me. “Jacquelina would probably accompany me. Maybe a few others. We can get as much of it as possible.”
“I’ll talk to the General. Maybe we can set up some sort of distribution to the West,” I said, as I heard the front door open. “That will be him. I guess my time is up,” I said, returning to meet her eyes. “Thank you for this, Ma. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She reached out, pulling me into another hug, “Be careful, Fia.And save this portion for yourself. Promise me?” She unbuckled my bag, slipping the vials inside.
“I promise,” I said hesitantly.
“Fia, it’s time to go.” I heard the velvety voice call from the front. He actually had the decency to give us a few last seconds of privacy. Color me shocked.
“I’ll write to you if I can,” I said, pulling my bag off her desk.
“I’ll be waiting. Love you, kid,” she said with a soft smile.
“I love you,” I responded before heading for the front. She didn’t follow me.
The General was at the door, pulling it open. “Let’s go,” he said, and we were on the cobblestone seconds later, walking quickly. Laryk veered right.
“Erm–the Compound is the opposite direction,” I said, looking behind us.
“We’re not going to the Compound,” he stated.
“What? Where are we going?” I asked. He was infuriating when he withheld information.
“To the stables.”
“Can you please tell me what’s going on?” Irritation laced my voice.
