Page 30 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

I play our brief conversation over and over again in my mind when I lay down to sleep that evening, but I can't figure out what I said that spurred Finn's demeanor to change. There is a chance I'll never know, but something deep inside me, call it gut instinct, warns me that I'll learn about Finn's secrets soon.

Ten

Bava.Wheretheancientworld and the present meet.

The capitol city of the Kingdom of Bava sits in the middle of the dense jungle at the end of the Nepita River. Stone and wooden buildings with equal outdoor and indoor spaces lie beside thousand-year-old temples and marketplaces all connected by cobblestone streets that weave in and out of the city and spiral around the hilly terrain.

The trolls are a vibrant and lively people, and with the Festival of Benni Yashi in full swing, celebrating the dead, we've arrived just in time to partake in the revelry during our short stay in the capitol.

Everywhere I look, I see pale green or blue skin Bavans with pointy ears and tusks on either side of their mouths. They adorn their ears and lips with gold jewelry. As I strain my neck to look up at them, what catches my attention is the different colors the Trolls use to dye their hair: blue, red, orange, green, purple, pink and any other color you can imagine. They are free to express themselves in their dress and their hairstyles range from long and flowy, to shorn to the skull, to spiky mohawks. I’m speechless and despite how desperate I am to find an inn, so I can bathe, I want to continue exploring every inch of this city.

My mouth salivates as we pass dozens of street vendors cooking up Bavan treats and delicacies. Smoked meats, seafood shipped from the coastal trade city in The Quarters, sweet pastries – I don't think I would ever grow tired of trying food in this city. I'm now convinced food is my love language.

Nyx and I stop to watch a pale green troll use two butcher knives simultaneously to cut up sizzling pieces of meat. The vendor's eyes light up when he sees us watching and he puts on a show. He twirls his knives, flips food up in the air, and catches it with his mouth, skillfully avoiding his two protruding tusks. I admire his lip piercing and I'm mesmerized by his red spiky hair.

"Would the lady care to try?" He wiggles his eyebrows playfully, his accent thick and sultry.

I glance up at Nyx who smiles and motions his head forward, so I nod at the vendor. He hands me a skewer with unidentifiable meat and Nyx gives him a couple copper coins from his pocket.

"Thank you," I smile at Nyx and the Troll before tugging a piece off the stick and popping it in my mouth. It's hot and moist with a hint of spice. My mouth waters as I chew the tender morsel. "This is delicious," I say between bites. "What is it?"

The troll smiles and his chest puffs with culinary pride. "It'senocks."

"Enocks," I repeat the Bavan word which excites the vendor and amuses Nyx. I bob my head and thank the troll again, waving as we walk away to catch up with the others. "What doesenocksmean?" I ask when we're a fair distance from the food stand.

By the childish smirk on Nyx's face, I'm almost terrified to hear the answer.

"It's grilled snake."

If I grimace or recoil, it'll only prove to Nyx that I'm repulsed, and I don't want to give him the satisfaction. So, I smile, and pop another piece of the reptile in my mouth.

"This might be my new favorite food."

He quirks an eyebrow, stifling a chuckle. "Oh, really?"

"Absolutely," I hold the stick out to him, offering him the last piece. "Care for a bite?"

Not to be outdone or leave a challenge unmet, Nyx grabs the skewer, and sinks his teeth into the morsel. Once he swallows, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and shoots me a grin.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I huff.

"You never cease to surprise me, Shaye."

I smile. My entire life I've followed orders and kept a strict routine. I never left the confines of the Golden Palace or wandered the streets of my own city, but this week with Eris and the Harland brothers has been full of adventure, and for the first time in my life, I feel free, despite being afraid of what lies ahead.

Nyx bumps his arm against my shoulder. "Atlas probably stopped at the bank up the street to make a withdrawal. We'll meet him there."

"Atlas has a bank account in Bava?"

He nods. "We have a bank account in every kingdom, just in case we end up shipwrecked and are in need of funds to get back home." He winks and I laugh.

"What is the withdrawal for?"

"We will need to purchase tickets for the river boat to The Quarters, we need hotel rooms for the next night or two, supplies, new clothes, and of course," he flashes a mischievous smile, "more snake bites."

"New clothes?" I can't hide my excitement at the prospect of a brand-new outfit and shoes that fit properly. My tattered nightgown is hanging together by a thread and a prayer. I've gotten odd pieces from the others over the week's journey – Eris' spare boots, Finn's jacket, Nyx's extra socks – and although I'm grateful for the shared items, I'm ready for something of my own. Something I can choose without my mother's approval.

Then it hits me. I don't have any money. I will have to rely solely on the brothers to provide for me. What if Atlas doesn't want to buy me new clothes and boots? What if he expects me to make it to Tronovia in what I am wearing as punishment for sinking his boat?

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