Page 11 of Sea of Stars

Near the bottom was a long mountain range named Azure Cliffs, which I assumed was where I was presently located. The Sea of Stars spread out below the mountains. The name was fitting. Yet, the ocean still glowed when the sky was filled with storm clouds, so it wasn't just reflecting the stars. The name indicated that not all seas glow like the Sea of Stars. This ocean was special. I looked down at the islands that dotted the very bottom of the map. Words had been written, and then smudged out, on most of the islands. It looked like Swishel hadn’t known what was on the islands, or she at least kept changing her mind about what creatures lived there.

I looked out at the rain pounding on the rocks. There was no mention of divinares on this map. How was I supposed to find them? As far as I knew, we could have already passed their village. Swishel had said to go south, but everything on the map was south of where the Iron Gates was. I felt defeated. I had barely been gone from the Iron Gates a week and I had already almost died twice. Not to mention that Chinook was still hurt and I was stranded here with mountain dwellers lurking somewhere close by. The thought of getting burned alive and then almost eaten by a huge beast should have sent chills down my spine. But the image of my friends' lifeless bodies made everything else seem insignificant. I vowed to return for them. I had failed.

I stole a glance at Chinook. He was still sleeping soundly. I thought about how strange it was that he had suddenly appeared in my life when I had no idea what to do. My owl decidedly preferred flying during the day and sleeping at night, the exact opposite of a normal owl. He flew at speeds I would have thought to be impossible for such an animal to achieve, made strange noises, and had unusual facial expressions. It even seemed as though he could read the strange symbols on my body. In fact, Chinook didn’t seem to act like an owl at all. It was almost like he was sent here to help me on my journey.

I reached out to pet his feathers. A sweet, familiar scent caught my attention. I leaned in closer to Chinook and the smell grew stronger. I knew this bird. It was no longer a forgotten memory. I stood up and walked to the cave’s opening. I must just be fantasizing. My hands shook as I crossed my arms.

“Magic,” I whispered. But I knew better than to let my imagination run wild. There was no magic. My mother had told me that magic had been lost completely, that it had been erased from this world long ago. She said that it was for the best because magic was too dangerous. Although my father was the true storyteller, he always just listened and smiled as my mother discussed this topic with me. There was always a slight glint in his eye, as though he thought her stories were humorous.

That left me with the conclusion that I kept coming back to over the last few days: I was going crazy. I started to feel feverish. Swishel had tol

d me that I had the gift of the Moira, but she also warned that it would get worse, as though it was a disease. I sat down and hugged my knees into my chest.

Thunder continued to roll in the distance and lightning sparked through the sky, stronger than ever. I gulped. No wonder the stranger in the tree wanted to kill me. He was probably trying to rid this land of my sickness. That was it then. I was ill and I kept company with a crazy owl. I laughed to myself. The last few days had been horrible, but I was on this journey for a reason. The other divinares must hold the cure to my disease. Soon I wouldn’t have to worry about strange images on my skin, and once I was cured I was sure Chinook would act much more like other owls. That glorious thought allowed me to finally join Chinook in slumber.

When I awoke, Chinook was glaring at me. Although he looked upset, he also looked much more alert than he had before. He flapped his wings and I could see that his wound was mostly healed. His eyes were full of authority. I knew there was no reasoning with him anymore. Besides, I was eager to resume our journey as well. If I sat here any longer thinking about Jeremody and what could have been, I'd drive myself crazy. The sooner I got to the divinares in the south, the sooner I could get back to the Iron Gates and free the others.

I grabbed the map and shoved it into the bag. Then I pulled the chords on the knapsack and secured it over my shoulder. I folded the blanket under my arm and ran out of the cave. Chinook hopped behind me. The rain had finally stopped and the sky was clear. I jumped onto Chinook’s back. His wings burst from his sides as he sprung into the air.

Together we soared over the glistening water. I was glad Chinook seemed to know where he was going because the map had been incredibly unhelpful. The sun was just rising, casting brilliant orange shadows across the ocean, making it almost glow as much as it did at night. The smell of the ocean air was stronger above the water. Even though I had grown accustomed to it over the last week, the salt still stung my nose. I glanced around Chinook. The water sped by below us as Chinook flapped his wings vigorously. I hoped we were near the lands in the south and that Chinook was just flying rapidly because he was excited to arrive. The faded symbols on my body probably did not mean good news, though.

Looking out in the distance, I realized that there were absolutely no landing spaces. I began to fear that Chinook would soon grow tired. The islands that dotted the bottom of the map were nowhere in sight. Even dangerous rock was better than an endless ocean.

Chinook continued to fly as fast as he could. By the time the sun was high in the sky, my hands and legs were tired from holding on. We had been flying for hours. Chinook began to dip lower. I once again peered around his neck. Finally, there was land. I gripped Chinook as he slowed to make his descent towards the island.

A wretched smell entered my lungs. I slid off of Chinook’s back and looked around me. I clasped my hands over my face as the stench of blood and death filled the air. I fell to my knees and looked up at the destroyed village. Dozens of divinare huts lay smashed in ruins. The whole village had been torched. Chinook hooted softly and I looked up at him. His eyes were glistening, as if he was about to cry. I dropped my gaze. Everything I had been searching for was gone. My eyes focused on several large imprints on the ground. Blame washed over me as I sank deeper into the mud. Mortwar had been here, just like he had been on that road in Murkthed Forest. He had been trying to find me.

“I’m so sorry,” I said into the silence.

The sound of faint coughing caught my attention. My hair danced around as I ran, trying to guide me to the noise. I gasped, but quickly put my hand over my mouth. The old woman’s body was badly burned and the cloth on her stomach was drenched with blood. I crouched down beside her and placed my arm on her shoulder.

“I can help,” I said. “I have healing waters.” I moved to open my satchel, but the old woman grabbed me fiercely, smearing blood on my arm.

“What is your name?” her voice shook.

“Mahlia,” I replied, holding back tears.

“The wished for child,” she choked. Blood spluttered from her mouth and dribbled down her chin. “We knew you would come,” she sighed. The tension was now gone from her voice. The old woman’s hand fell from my arm, the life leaving her.

“No, please.” I rummaged through my bag and pulled out a bottle of salt water. I looked over the woman’s body. There were so many fresh blood stains on her clothing that I didn’t know where to start, but her face was a blank stare. She was already gone.

Any hope I had of finding answers had burned down with the rest of this village. What am I going to do now? I thought to myself. It was only a matter of time before Mortwar killed all the divinares back at his camp.

I grabbed my sword, suddenly very aware of the fact that I was being watched. I stayed low to the ground, turning slowly, searching. If it was one of Mortwar’s minions I would surely be the next one to perish. The old woman had said, "We knew you would come." Hopefully that meant it was just another divinare and that she was mistaking me for her.

Leaves crunched nearby and I dove behind the remains of a hut. My heart raced. It was probably just Chinook, but I couldn't be sure. I couldn't see him from my hiding spot.

“Where did you get the Assassin’s Dagger?” A man’s voice broke the silence. His voice was strong, yet filled with apprehension. It didn't sound like the slow, booming drawl of a brutarian.

I stared down at the strange glowing blade. My gut told me to stay quiet and hidden but I needed answers. Maybe this man could help me. I took a deep breath. “Do you mean my sword?” I asked.

“Is that what you call it?” the man scoffed. “You're either a fool or incredibly naive. The blade you hold is cursed.”

The symbols blazed brightly on the sword, and I had no doubt that he spoke the truth. I peered out from behind the pile of rubble. My eyes darted around trying to find the owner of the voice.

“As am I,” I said. The blade had filled me once again with confidence, and I stepped out from behind the ruins. “I beg of you, sir, I need your help. I too have been cursed.” I held so firmly to the hilt of my sword that my knuckles began to turn white. I knew he was nearby, but I wasn’t sure where he hid. My hair danced, trying to find him.

“Mahlia? Is it really you?”

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