Page 49 of Legacy of the Heirs
Sadira had been right to forewarn Caellum about how different Doltas Island would appear. When the group reached the crumbling wall, instead of stepping through the torn fabric he had peered through once before, they detoured to the right and circled round following the wall, which seemed in better repair with every step he took. Ivy continued to grow, but instead of tearing the wall apart, it seemed to entwine and nurture the bricks, as if it was at one with the wall, standing tall. The wall continued to grow, stretching higher until the group gathered at a large archway with wooden doors reinforced with iron. It looked like the entrance to any castle. Eliza knocked in a specific pattern, and the gates creaked open.
“Princess Sadira wasn’t joking,” Sir Cain murmured beside Caellum in his gruff accent. “This is far different from what you described.” Caellum nodded and hummed his agreement. He paused as he was met by floods of noise and took in the sights before them. An entire town square led to a castle that stood as strong as Antor’s. Different people crossed his path, all dressed in varied clothing; it was as though Caellum was in the Neutral City, where the influence of all four realms was felt. While some women dressed similarly to Eliza, others wore brightly coloured sarees and lehengas like Nyzaia often did. Many men wore clothing similar to Rodik, while others sported tailored jackets that matched Caellum’s. He increased his pace to catch up to Eliza. The sound of clashing metal reminded him of the Abis Forge, as did the spices in the air drifting from several butcher stalls lining the wall of the quarter, where a line of people queued with plates. Laughing children ran past him, looking no different and no less healthy than Edlen and Eve had growing up.
He surveyed each stall. A woman knelt, pouring liquid on a child's knee, the clear gel reminiscent of the liquid in Vala’s healing potions. A man cleaned bottles of Neridian wine before pouring new contents into them. Every stall reminded him of one of the realms. It hit him then. Soren must have an endless network of spies hidden on the mainland to have transported such copious amounts of goods back to her people.
“Are you fussy?” Eliza turned to Caellum, who raised his eyebrows. “About food? Are you fussy about what I get you to eat?” While he did not think he could eat just now, he did not wish to deny their hospitality. He shook his head.
“I would be happy with whatever you recommend,” he said politely. Eliza seated him at a large outdoor table before fetching his food. She was pulled into many conversations along the way, so much so that he expected she would not return.
“The quarter might be big, but I can see you from all angles,” Sir Cain said, resting a hand on the table as he leaned down to speak toCaellum. “I’m going to patrol to see what I can overhear.” Caellum never doubted the commander’s intuition or plans; he nodded in dismissal.
He did not know how long he sat there, watching the surrounding community, but he regained focus when he sensed Sadira’s presence. He turned his head to the gates where she appeared; she gathered her cloak around her and walked alongside Rodik, deep in conversation. Rodik’s arms swung loosely at his sides, occasionally bumping Sadira’s arm, though she kept her hands firmly clasped before her and her arms tight by her sides. For the first time in his life, Caellum wished for Elisara’s powers so he could listen in as Rodik bent slightly to murmur into her ear. Sadira smiled, and Rodik chuckled. An uneasy feeling festered in Caellum’s stomach as he twisted the ring around his finger while watching his betrothed. He wished he was next to her in that moment, and that it was him who she laughed with.
“They’ve been in love for averylong time.”
Caellum stiffened. “Soren,” he acknowledged as she sat down beside him. She huffed.
“You know, I would also feel somewhat insecure about my betrothed spending time alone with the man she loves,” Soren goaded, though Caellum tried his best to ignore her and not fall into the trap she so obviously placed before him.
“Sadira and I were very clear on the grounds of our betrothal,” he said, clenching his jaw. Soren rested her clasped hands on the table and angled her head towards him.
“Ah, I see. So, it was fine that another man took her to bed while you waited on the sidelines?”
The wooden table splintered beneath Caellum’s grip, a crack stretching down the middle. The children at the other end of the table turned to him, wide-eyed.
“Sadira can do as she wishes, but I willnothave my future wife spoken about in such a manner. Do you understand?” he snarled.
Soren laughed. “I wish I could take you seriously,” she said,rising from her seat when Sadira approached. Rodik was no longer with her.
“I will leave you two to talk.” Soren smirked. “Meet me at the gates in an hour to leave for the talisman.”
Caellum glared at Soren’s retreating back as she strode towards the entrance to the quarter, nodding to the people she passed, who smiled back at her. She did not acknowledge Sir Cain, who watched from beside a meat stall. After Soren passed, Sir Cain met Caellum’s eye, and Caellum nodded for the commander to follow the fallen queen.
“I have news,” Sadira whispered, resting her hand on Caellum’s arm, her touch gentle. Caellum looked up at her, searching the emotions in her eyes to detect if anything had transpired between her and Rodik. Her eyes were wide and hopeful as the light caught them. “Come.” She grasped his hand and led them into the castle. He was reassured when she did not let go of it.
“So, this is where you lived?” Caellum asked, taking in the grand stone hallway and the ivy crawling along the cracked wooden banisters of the staircase.
“Yes, but I can give you a tour after. This is more important.” She grabbed his other hand and turned him to face her. Caellum scanned her expression.
“What did he ask you?”
“Rodik said that after I left, Soren had a guard post set up to monitor the Garridon shoreline.”
“Oh? Is that all he said to you?” Caellum glanced away, fearing what her expression might reveal, but Sadira reached for his face and turned him to face her. She smiled.
“The guards saw a creature,” she said, and Caellum’s eyes locked on hers. “They only saw one; they did not see all five as it was too dark, but the view from the post looks past Garridon to the rocks rising off Nerida’s shores. They saw a creature flying into one the morning after our engagement ball. It could be Larelle! It could be the one who took Larelle.” Sadira’s eyes were wide withexcitement, her lips upturned in a grin. “She could be okay!” Lost in her elation, Caellum held her forearms, grinning back at her.
It took Larelle to the rocks.Caellum’s smile wavered. Sadira had not mentioned the creature leaving the rock since, so what if it held her there as a captive? Or worse… dead.
“I do not wish for you to get your hopes up. It has been nearly three nights since she was taken,” he said. Sadira gripped his hands.
“But it could be her, Caellum. We must tell Alvan. He needs to search them all.” Caellum nodded, her hope infectious.
“We need to get a message to him. Quickly.”
Chapter Thirty
Soren
