Blood of the Sea, Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter 23: Aspiration

Vance

Vance hangs back as Astrophel and his friends file back down the road toward the ships to catch the others up on what they’ve discovered. Seri begins to depart, drifting through the streets like some sort of ghost, but Vance catches her by the arm. “You mentioned magic.”

“Yes,” Seri’s startled expression molds back into her pleasant, welcoming smile, “are you unfamiliar with…”

“No. The opposite actually,” to demonstrate, Vance raises his other hand and the whole of the river in this section of the street rises above the banks like a living tube of water. People in the street take notice, some stopping dead in their tracks, mouth open wide; others clutch their companions, hurrying past, eyeing Vance with suspicion - as he is the last remaining stranger in this part of town.

“That is… quite something,” Seri says, eyes wide like saucers. “We haven’t seen a display of power like that in some time.”

“Do you not have magic users?” Vance lowers his hand and the water rejoins the riverbanks, flowing as normal.

“Oh, no. Well, we do, just not here. Our Mages tend to stick to greater Farrah. We are but at the tip of the region, and we have no nobles amongst us.”

“Nobles. Your Mages… they are well respected?”

“Respected, sought after…” Seri trails off. “They wield a great deal of power.”

Vance feels his heart race. The tribes always put more stock in the water callers, but those with Hilts attained even more status. “Who leads your society? Warriors? Mages?”

“The High Mage. It’s a familial position, passed down through blood and marriage. However,” Seri’s eyes darken, her tone serious, “it doesn’t always happen peacefully. The High Mage is always quite powerful. Our queen is no exception, and isn’t to be trifled with.”

“Magic rules your people? This land?”

“Yes, that is the way of things.”

“Take me back to your elder. I need to speak with him.”

“Let go of my arm first; you’re hurting me.”

Vance lets go, realizing he can see the outline of his fingers on Seri’s arm from tightening his grip. He dips his head to her, “I… apologize. I got caught up.”

She rubs her arm, eyeing him in a new light. “Of course. The elder is back this way.” She leads Vance through the tall buildings, some blocking the sunlight from reaching the street they walk upon. The low, almost dome-shaped building comes back into view, people still milling in and out of the doorway. Vance strides ahead, focused in on the elder, not paying much attention to Seri as she falls in behind him.

“Elder, I have some questions for you,” Vance calls out, his voice booming above the crowd. People part for him, eyeing his passage. The elder clasps both his hands on his walking stick, peering over his laced fingers at Vance.

“What is it I can do for you, young man? Where is your leader?”

“Where he went is of no consequence to my questions. Will you answer them?”

The elder frowns, “I’m sure your leader would like to hear your questions and partake in the conversation, but in the name of sharing our cultures, I will entertain you.”

“Mages, magic users. You are governed by them.”

“That was not a question, and it would imply that I, myself, am a Mage. You would be mistaken.”

“Seri said…”

“Whatever Seri said, she spoke true,” the elder holds up one of his hands, cutting Vance off. “It’s true, our society is ruled over by Mages. They have power, and know how to use it.”

“Where do they reside?”

“Do you presume to march up to them and make demands? Young man, heed me when I say that will not give you whatever desired result you would seek.”

“I have magic as well. I would like to speak to your leaders.”

“If magic was all it took…” the elder blows out a breath, “I cannot stop you. The High Mage is in Seyune, the Shining City.”

“Seyune. Is it a port?”

“No, no. You’ll need to travel overland. It is quite the journey on foot, especially seeing as you are not from here.”

“What transportation do you use, then?”

“You could take a cart and pay for passage for yourself, the driver, and whomsoever you choose to have go with you.”

“A cart? Is that all?”

The elder simply stares at Vance, “A cart.”

Vance frowns, “How should I pay for it? Our people have traded in goods and services.”

“Then find a way to pay for it.”

“You won’t help me? What happened to your famous hospitality?” Vance taunts.

“Our hospitality has seen you safely into Kildangan. It doesn’t force us to grant the fulfillment of every whim.”

“Fine. Point me in the direction of a cart, then.”

The elder points toward the doorway, “They should be easy enough to find outside.”

Vance spins on his heel, nearly topling Seri as he abruptly passes her, clipping her shoulder with his. He mutters a quick apology under his breath, but proceeds out. The crowd remains stiffly back from his passage.

Outside, there are indeed several carts. Most appear to be used for the transportation of a single passenger and his or her cargo. There is a large, covered wagon, but Vance would rather go for speed over comfort. I should be plenty comfortable when I get where I’m going.

He considers rejoining the others at the ships; imagines Raelyn’s excitement at the prospect of a city full of magic. He can almost hear her telling him that he belongs amongst them. She knows how powerful he is. He considers, too, that he would have to explain their sudden departure. Would have to share about this “shining city,” and he grits his teeth at the idea of Astrophel coming along. I deserve my own adventure. He pictures Raelyn’s dark eyes smiling up at him, but he shakes his head. They can wait.

He hails one of the people attending a smaller cart, probably capable of holding a couple chests and bags, but the bench is wide enough for two or three people, if they bunched together. “Do you know the way to Seyune?”

The lad, roughly half Vance’s age, to the nearest approximation, answers without looking at him, “Anyone would know the way there; what kind of question is that?”

“I was told someone with a cart could take me there.”

The kid stops for a moment, turning to face Vance. “Why not just take a J’korun?”

“A what?”

“A J’k… you know what… you’re not from here, are you? Your accent is funny.”

“I’m not.”

“Ah. The elder sent you to me?”

“Not you, specifically…”

“Well, you’re in luck,” the kid throws a sack of something in the back of the short cart, unhitching a strange creature with a long, sloped neck, hunched back, and knobby legs, “I was on my way there anyway.”

“What kind of payment are we talking?” Vance folds his arms over his chest.

“What can you do?”

“Fight. Shape water.”

The kid considers him, “Hunt along the way and we’ll call it even.”

“What would I be hunting?”

“Herd animals, mostly. Threskels, like this,” he gestures toward the cart-pulling creature, “and elvrix. Keeorie are more in the marshes, and J’korun are up north.”

“Herd animals, huh? Are they particularly tough?”

“Threskels will just out pace you. The elvryx might fight you though.”

“Fine, fine. Let’s be on our way.” Vance tosses his satchel in the back: food rations and another set of clothing in it, along with a dagger. His sword is attached at the hip and as he steps aboard the cart, he adjusts it to make sitting easier.

“You sure about this?” the kid’s eyes sparkle in the afternoon light. “What are you hoping to find in Seyune?”

“Myself,” Vance replies. “And a better look into your magic-praising society.”

“How did you lose yourself?”

“I haven’t.” I merely intend to improve upon that which I already know about myself. A society led by magic must be able to recognize my gifts.

“Then why did you say…”

“Nevermind that, kid. Drive.”

“Suit yourself, mister.” The kid pulls one side of the reins, turning the threskel around, before a light snap of the leather sends them trotting through the city of Kildangan. The already wide main street widens further still on the way toward grasslands fenced in by more distant trees. The sun is shining, settling hotly across Vance’s shoulders and the tops of his legs. He readjusts in his seat, but doesn’t offer Kildangan a backward glance as the cart pulls away from the city boundaries and bounces along the trade-made road. Raelyn would understand.

He tries to imagine what a shining city might look like. It’s hard to picture, beyond the sparkle of the waves which surround Magellani. What would make a city shine anyway? Though the answer eludes him, he isn’t too worried. I’ll have my answers before too long. Astrophel will see who should really be in charge.