study, a beautiful and complex language of hums, groans and trills, resonant low notes and soprano-like highs, had evolved. And with it, the songs.
Epaste, however, chose not to use his voice. Neither did he sing.
None of the assembled company trusted him as a result.
Epaste moved effortlessly toward Mom like a whale granted the gift of dolphin grace.
“Epaste,” Mom spoke the Ageirian language aloud. “It is good to see you again.”
Lunia. Greetings. And to your daughter.
The massive man offered the welcome of his fingertips over our eyes and cheeks.
I felt a chill. As a child, Epaste, the summoner of the Seekers, had featured in my nightmares. My eyes wandered to the Princess again. She was still covertly watching the children at play around her. I saw that, even engrossed in their swift game of tag, they knew not to go close to The Eye’s rushing walls. One blonde slip of a girl was particularly captivating. No-one could catch her. She wriggled away from all pursuers, who began to stalk her. Lecanora seemed to follow her clever, nimble form closely with her eyes.
Who was that child?
As I watched the Princess watching her, entranced, the tiny blonde waif circled ever closer to those angry walls, and I realized Epaste was done. The High Triad had finished; it was Lecanora’s turn. I gave her a mental nudge. Stay with the program, Princess.
My old BFF snapped back into the moment and floated over to us.
She waited a moment in front of us, tracing our eyelids and cheeks. “Welcome back to the home of your mothers. May Ran bless your stay.”
I spoke again to her mind. Hi, babe. Thirteen years. How’re things in Aegira?
Lecanora tried to smile. Dark, Rania. Confusing. And you shouldn’t talk like that. She curled her lip a little, like she was inwardly cursing her stiff response.
An image rose unbidden. Me, at sixteen, shocking Aegira by binding my breasts as I raced (and won) the Sprint of Atla. Atla, the second Billow Maiden Queen, had also been called Fury, and I’d channeled her rage that day, daring my too-big breasts to stand in my way.
Lecanora had swum skittishly on the sidelines. Worried for me. Always worried.
I thought about how we’d once been inseparable. Singing, swimming, talking to the dolphins. Lecanora had totally got me. Despite all my Land stuff. And despite her mysterious past. Or maybe because of all that.
She studied me slowly. Your hair’s shorter now. Like a pixie of Norse legend.
I laughed into her brain. I always forget how you guys talk.
She frowned quizzically. Yes, it must be hard. So long without hearing the language.
I shook my head. I didn’t mean that. I meant the—
The Princess seemed to be doing a nervous little jig on the spot.
I wanted to settle her. It doesn’t matter.
But she was still frowning. I just meant… It’s lovely. The hair. It sets off those strange brown eyes and full, algae-red lips.
I tried not to laugh again. How did you even start to explain how weird it was to talk like that to someone like Lecanora? I shrugged. That’s me. All land-dweller.
She shook her head, her hair billowing around her like smoke on the wind. Not all of you. She cocked her head to the side, sized me up. You are tall. Broad of shoulder. You have large feet and long fingers. Your neck is long too. The characteristic trait of the regal Gadula.
This time I did laugh. I tried to imagine any girlfriend on the land telling you that you had large feet and a long neck, like it was a compliment.
Lecanora’s gaze shifted to Mom, and I saw it soften even more. I tried to see Mom as Lecanora did, a classic Aegiran beauty, with a twist of something interesting and spicy. Like Abermonth, the rare delicacy from the south-western ridges, served at royal weddings.
Rich and sweet, but with a searingly hot aftertaste that rocks your palate.
Lecanora touched Mom’s eyes again and Mom smiled as she telepathed. Everyone is here. She motioned to the creatures parading around us. As it should be, for a Gadulan wedding.
Lecanora smiled too, but with a sad downturn at the edges. There are many others who are not. Species that are missing now. Since the warming began.
The Princess sighed and made to move off. My hand itched to grab her arm. Wait.
I wanted to wrap my arms around her. But too many would report to Kraken. Her uncle had never liked our friendship.