Page 26 of Realms of Shadow and Sun

He heard Selenia gasp behind him, and he realized this was the first time she saw his wound. It was healed, but the scar left behind was deep and an angry red.

“It's okay, Selenia. I'm healed,” he said, while wading through the stream. He dipped below the surface of the water, swimming under the gate. He appeared quickly on the other side and then looked around him. The source of the stream was a serene lake, lined with palm trees and soft grasses.

Selenia emerged on the other side of the gate, swimming to the side of the bank. “Wow, it's gorgeous here. We'll need to find a way to get the horses in so they can graze.”

Grayden looked around. They seemed to be in some kind of garden area, with greenery surrounding the entire lake, and lush flowers blooming. The most fragrant smell lofted towards his nose, and he inhaled deeply. The floral scent reminded him of Renya's skin, during those tender nights that they fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms. He quickly shook the memory away, determined to focus on the task ahead of him.

“Oh Fates,” came Phillippe's voice as he emerged from below the surface of the lake. “That's really something.”

Grayden dragged himself to the bank where Selenia sat, attempting to wring the water out of her skirts. He looked around for his boots and shirt, and found his boots just alongside the bank. His tunic, however, was floating in the water. He grabbed it, and joined Selenia in trying to wring it out.

Phillippe trudged up to the bank, removing his boots and dumping out the water from them.

“I'm going to head back towards the gate and see if I can find a way to get the horses in. I left them tied to a small palm tree, but they won't stay put for long,” Phillippe said. He stomped off, leaving a trail of dripping water behind him.

Grayden held out his hand to Selenia and helped pull her up off the bank. Another thick stone wall separated the lake and trees from the heart of the city. But this time the gate was unlocked. Grayden pushed against the iron barrier, and he and Selenia moved farther into the city.

“Do you think Renya has memories of this place?” Selenia asked as they entered the city, her voice filled with wonder.

“I'm not sure,” he said, his eyes quickly surveying the town.

Opulent, grand buildings greeted them as they emerged from the garden. Everything seemed to be made from either a creamy-colored marble or was gilded. Grayden found it incredibly strange that the city hadn't been looted long ago. He stopped to admire a particularly handsome building, with images of different fruits and vegetables carved on the stone door, entombed in a golden finish. He went to open the door, and a blast of heat hit him squarely in the chest.

“Grayden!” Selenia exclaimed, rushing to her brother's side. “What happened?”

Grayden rubbed his chest and stood farther back from the door, his mind racing. “It seems as though there's some kind of protective spell upon these buildings,” he said, his voice a mixture of awe and concern. “That explains why it's been untouched for so long. There's still some kind of magic defending this place.”

“Do you think we'll be able to get into the palace?” Selenia asked, frowning.

“I don't know, Selenia.” Grayden swallowed down the rising panic threatening to overwhelm him. What if they couldn't even get into the castle to find the scrolls? Before he could investigate the magic surrounding the building further, he heard the tell-tale sound of Damion's neigh and turned around to see Phillippe leading all three of the horses in the direction of the garden lake.

Grayden examined the next building along the street, his curiosity piqued. He peered inside the windows and found an ordinary home. There was a parlor, with cushions spread along the floor, and doors leading off to other rooms of the home. A fine sitar sat in the corner, and he could just make out some sheet music on the floor next to it. It did indeed appear as if the residents just disappeared. There was no sign of any kind of struggle on the streets and no damage done to the buildings. They were just...empty.

As he took in more of the city, he couldn't help but feel like someone was watching him. He turned around several times, expecting to see Selenia or Phillippe behind him, but they were both back at the lake, caring for the horses. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he felt a chill run down his spine despite the heat.

The unease followed him and grew more intense the farther he moved into the city. Finally, he decided to wait until Phillippe and Selenia were done with the horses. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into an ambush, even though none came.

As he was walking back towards the lake, he swore he saw a girl's face in the window of the vacant house he passed earlier. But when he looked again, the face was gone. He shook his head to try and clear his vision. His eyes must be playing tricks on him, he mused, but the unsettling feeling lingered.

He approached the bank and watched as Phillippe and Selenia brushed down the horses and unloaded them.

“I thought we'd camp here tonight,” Phillippe said, unrolling the sleeping rolls. “The horses can graze on the grass, and it's close enough to the palace that we can spend most of the evening investigating.”

Grayden moved over and started to tend to Damion. The horses were in rough shape after the desert, Grayden noted. They weren't used to the warm climate and instead, were bred and adapted for high altitudes and cold weather. As much as he hated to delay, it was a good idea to rest here overnight and most likely the next night, too.

“Are you ready?” Grayden asked, once the animals were properly seen to, his voice tinged with impatience.

Phillippe slung his broadsword on his back and Selenia grabbed a saddle bag and threw it over her shoulder.

“What's that for?” Phillippe asked, eyeing the bag curiously.

“You think we've come all this way and we aren't bringing the scrolls and books with us?” Selenia replied, a hint of excitement in her voice.

“Ah, good point,” he said, as he started up the path.

They walked silently for a while, and Grayden still felt the sensation of eyes on him, the feeling growing stronger with each step.

“Do you feel that?” Phillippe asked Grayden, his voice low so as not to worry Selenia.

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