you so much for the dress. I am so very grateful.”
“Save your money, sister, work and study hard, and listen to Danai here. She’s a survivor and a fighter.”
“And Lara loves to exaggerate,” countered Danai.
Lara wielded a yellow feather at the Weltonian. “Get outta here. Give your mother a hug and a kiss from me, and come back any time, my sisters.”
#
Britea was full of curiosity when they left the shop. “I have questions.”
“Fire away,” said Danai easily.
“First, what happened with Boren and Kliev?”
“When Lara opened her shop for the first time, I was one of her first customers. Unfortunately, the guards correctly identified me as Weltonian from my attire but incorrectly treated me like a criminal.”
“They did what?” gasped Britea.
“I tried to explain I was a friend of Lara’s and a student at the college, but they laughed and tried to detain me. Suddenly, they found themselves surrounded by six-foot flames. Lara ran out, saved their hides, and fired them on the spot. I intervened on their behalf, and she gave them back their jobs after I asked her to forgive them. Since then, they’ve behaved, well…differently whenever I show up.”
Britea tried to imagine the terror the men must have felt. “I can imagine. And you and Lara? What was all that about lower-tier wielders?”
Danai sighed sadly. “She’s right. Lower tiers, from one to three, tend to have a harder time graduating. Plus, finding a well-paying job is harder to obtain for lower tiers and those from poor families. Tier four and higher have a chance to further their education in the Army or Naval Wielding Divisions, but it’s a tough competition.”
Britea felt disquiet at her words. “You two seem quite close.”
Danai smiled at the change of subject. “She was my roommate before you, and she stopped me from running away when the bullying got to me.”
Britea stared at her.
“I was where you are now. She saved my sanity, and she too was bullied by Lady Selina Arkei. They were in the same class. When Selina and her group realized Lara was protecting me, they went after her and left me alone. Yet, somehow, she always seemed to keep her head up, using her eccentricity to cope with the constant bullying.”
A thought struck Britea that made her stop in her tracks.
“What is it?” asked Danai.
“Lara graduated two years ago and has completed her Year of Discovery. She even owns a business, but Selina is still on her own Year of Discovery.”
Danai smiled evilly. “Selina failed a couple essential general education exams, and she was forced to repeat a few semesters.”
“Oh,” was all Britea could say.
“Yes, though of noble lineage, the Arkei sisters have rocks for brains.”
“I definitely agree,” Britea said with a laugh. Danai joined in, and they nearly doubled over.
#
The main road and paths gradually became charcoal grey again as they left Fashionista Lane and headed for the docks. The smell of rotten fish slowly surrounded them.
“I can’t believe I missed all this when I disembarked,” said Britea.
“It depends on when you arrived. You got here just as the weekend was ending, so there were far fewer fishing boats about. It’s definitely the worst time for shopping though. There are way too many people then.”
Britea wrinkled her nose as the stench of rotten fish got stronger.
Danai laughed at her expression. “You’ll get used to it after a while.”
“Uh uh,” disagreed her younger roommate. Britea found herself searching for the Windrider even though she knew it must have departed over a week ago. She hoped her dah didn’t get seasick this time. She forced her mind to return to the present. Ships of varying sizes and purposes were docked in the harbor, some offloading passengers and cargo, some departing. This was nothing like Port Xanthos, the closet seaport to her village. Xanthos was downright comatose in comparison to Port Trident.
“There he is,” said Danai softly, pride evident in her voice. Britea looked straight ahead, expecting to see a man. Instead, she saw the most colorful ship she’d ever seen. Its bright iris-colored sails were rolled up, but the ship’s hull was of burnished, gleaming, rich-brown cedar. Even the murky waters of the harbor could not dull its brilliance.
“Welcome to the Wandering Star. It belongs to my mother, Sonei Riverun.”
Britea stared at the Weltonian ship in mute amazement as they approached the gangway.
Danai hailed the Weltonians carrying cargo onto the ship. The crew stopped and shouted back greetings. They were clearly happy to see her.
At first, Britea was unsure how to behave until Danai yelled, “She’s one of us, brothers and sisters!” And just like that, they welcomed her as a Weltonian. Their kind smiles and greetings almost brought tears to her eyes.
“Whose voice is it that I hear?” The owner of the voice was a tall stately looking woman, with almond skin and thick walnut-colored curls held back by a cerulean hair band. Her matching silk blouse, close-fitting indigo leather pants, and battered thigh-high boots gave her a daunting air. Britea took one look at her face and knew immediately who she was.
Danai’s eyes brightened as she ran up the gangway and flung her arms around her mother, who eagerly returned her only child’s hug. Britea stood to one side as she watched them reunite, oddly not feeling awkward.
The two finally separated. “You look a bit thin, daughter,” said Sonei with a small frown.
Danai shook her head with a laugh. “I’m fine, mah. By the way, Lara sends her love.”
“Why didn’t you bring her with you?” asked Sonei.
Her daughter sighed. “She has to mind her shop. Anywho, I’d like you to meet Britea D’Tranell of Weldaros. She’s also one of us.”
“Indeed. I heard you announce it to every ship in the harbor,” said Sonei dryly. She walked over the Britea and held out a hand. “A pleasure to meet you, daughter of my sister.”
Britea was a bit startled by the greeting and timidly held out a hand. “I...um…it’s a pleasure to meet you too.” Sonei laughed and drew her into a gentle embrace.
“Enough with the formality. We are all sisters in the eyes of the Mother. Come inside, my girls.”
Once seated, Sonei didn’t waste time questioning Danai and Britea while also trying to tempt them to stuff themselves with a parade of aromatic dishes.
“So, Britea, you’re Danai’s roommate. That’s fabulous. I hope your studies are going well?” Before she could answer, the captain turned her attention to her daughter. “Danai, how’s your martial arts? I hope you’ve been practicing? Are the Arkei girls still pestering you? You really should consider setting their pretty petticoats on fire.”
“Mah!” exclaimed Danai in exasperation. Britea’s eyes were as round as dinner plates.
Sonei laughed. “I jest. But seriously, do something about them or I might.”
Now Danai looked worried. “It’s fine mah. I can handle it.”
Sonei shrugged.
“I brought you and dah a few gifts,” said Danai, changing the subject. Sonei hugged her daughter again after she’d seen the presents.
“Your father will love this.”