I watched Braca skillfully climb the mast for the 1,673,281th time since we got on the ship. [Yes, Conor, I did count; there's nothing better to do.] I could feel how restless she was to get to land and climb a real tree. I myself couldn't wait to get to Sunset Tower, so I typically would stay on the crow's nest, waiting for even the slightest flicker of land on the horizon.
I stroked Braca's head as she clambered in beside me. "I can't wait, either. I hope Amaya looks as good as I remember. You'll love it, that I know."
Braca fixed her eyes on the edge of the sea. It was either just me, or she started glowing momentarily; when I blinked, she looked normal again. Curious, I looked closer, but the only glowing now was the reflection of the sunlight. Odd.
"Land, ho!" I focused again on the horizon and saw a smudge of gray. It could've been mistaken as a cloud, but I knew the differences and, sure enough, it was land.
I quickly made my way down to the main deck, my spirit animal right behind me. I go to the very front of the ship, the sea air stinging my eyes as I took it all in. We're almost home, Braca! Almost home.
It appears "almost" is relative. When compared to earlier in the day, we are "almost" there, but it still felt like forever. Every ten minutes I looked over the bow to see we hadn't even gotten a league closer than the time before. Eventually, I stopped looking for fear it added fifty years every time. An hour later, I couldn't resist a peek, and it was so much closer. I was sorely tempted to jump out of the ship and swim to shore, but Braca grabbed my green cloak and kept me anchored securely. I gave up and went back to pouting on the deck while Braca licked my hair into elaborate styles.
The sun had gone past its peak and was sinking in the sky when we hit land. I was off almost as soon as it was tied up securely. I had lost my land legs, but at the moment, I didn't care. I ran over to a tree and hugged it, mostly because I missed it, but also because I was having a hard time balancing. I started climbing it, relieved when it didn't randomly duck down and rise up like the mast. When I reached a branch in the middle, I buried my face in the petals of leaves to come, the fragrant scent of blossoms filling my nose.
I wasn't sure how long I was there before Braca came, pulling on my cloak to try and bring me back to ground level. After much tugging and shoving, she succeeded and I clambered down. Keith and Desta were waiting. The warrior Greencloak pointed at a jutting stone silhouette, dark against the dying red light. "Welcome to Amaya. That is Sunset Tower."
"I assumed. Can we stay here forever?"
"Just tonight." Keith replied. "Tomorrow we have to go to Greenhaven, which isn't too far away. You could probably see it from here if you tried."
On the bright side, I won't be too far from home. How did I ever admire Stetriol, with its deserts and no forests like this? I put Braca in the dormant state and followed the others inside the massive building.
"General Gar! I have news!"
The man on the throne looked up from his crocodile as a page ran in. "Speak."
The page glanced uneasily at the reptile. "One of the trainees, the one called Irena, she has found her destiny and has left."
"What!?" General Gar boomed. "How long ago?"
"We estimate over a week -"
"Why wasn't I notified sooner?!"
"Zerif thought she had decided to stay longer at the beach."
General Gar walked over to a window, hands clasped behind him. His irises turned yellow and, with a slight hiss, he replied, "Let the Greencloaksss have their Keeper. Sssssshe won't help them much."
"Keeper, Keeper, listen."
The glowing white thing was back. I shouted out, "Who's there? What are you trying to tell me?"
"Keeper, the time for the use of the talismans is here. Greenhaven is the only place you can be."
"What does that even mean?" I asked, though I didn't expect an answer. "What talismans?"
With that, I woke up. Braca was pawing my face anxiously. I noted that my hair had been put in another ridiculous style by her. I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and scratched her behind the ears. "Don't worry, girl. It was just a dream." I hope.
About time General Gar came in.
Qotc: Which canon Spirit Animal character is your favorite? (Animal or human)
