>>6342916You take in a whiff of sea air.
Leaning back against the ship’s wood, with Soralisa checking her notes while seated and Rubida walking back and forth, restless.
Turning back, the Maduan coast salutes you with its white shining shores, the piers, the houses. And the mariners who dare to look at you this time.
Ansàrra’s light show last night spread like wildfire, to use an expression that might abide to the Sun-Birther’s greatness. Now they do not consider yourself a servant of the Adversary. No matter how close you came to a proper partnership with her.
Hopefully Lithala is completing her preparations. There is a chance you will see her soon, especially if… if some of your thoughts lead into a certain direction.
Not now, though. Rosandra sits before Soralisa, her hands in her lap, quietly waiting for your boat to reach Sandora’s floating prison. Without the Blessed Blinds floating in chains over her, she almost looks like any other Maduan: white robe, no ornaments. Naked feet where sensible women would at least wear sandals.
You hope she behaves more comely when it comes to your Asterite friend. Shooting an Eye of the Sun at her (again!) ought to count as punishment enough.
You raise your glistening golden hand watching as it glints under Her sun. Ansàrra’s handiwork is awe-inspiring. Each corner of the honeycomb patterns perfectly entwined with the others. It is a masterpiece, and it is Her gift.
Her second greatest, after freeing your family. Finally.
Your eyes prickle with commotion once again. It took Rosandra’s whole unrestrained strength to peel you off your girls while you were bawling your eyes in joyful tears. Now that joy has simmered into a gladness that will sustain you more than food and water ever could, perhaps even as much as faith in the Sun-Birther.
For the first time in four years, you feel like you have achieved what you set off to. The cameo is just as comforting on your chest.
The ship picks up speed helped by open sea winds. You will soon reach Sandora and it will be time for dire news and discussions. Funny how in all the stories you heard and in every recount the good times are always skimmed over. How no singer or puppeteer at a show discusses how happy the characters were on their best moments. It is all about the struggle and the pain. You clench your gold hand.
Had enough of that, as well. But you will face what is about to come.
[cont.]
