Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Disney/Dreamworks/Game of Thrones characters, locations, and/or terms. I am just a humble weaver unraveling cloths of stories to thread together and create a new pattern. If you would like to read the info and details of this fic, you may go to the Preface section. Thank you!


TIANA

Soft, melancholy music filled the air as Mama Odie pulled the cloak tighter around Tiana's body. "I am so sorry for having to ask this of you, child. You are the only one I can trust this with."

"You helped my family, Mama Odie. It's the least I can do." Tiana smiled and slung a satchel over her shoulder.

The old woman looked at Tia tearfully, like she was peering into the soul. "I fear it is too much for you. It is a burden I do not wish to impart to you, but I am old. I cannot travel as much."

"I would gladly accept the burden-"

"No, you will find that you would not." Mama Odie interrupted, her usual jovial face taking on a somber expression. "Animare is a dangerous place for one who bears what you have. There are shadows everywhere, whose eyes and ears belong to men who wish to hold onto what is not theirs, and they will do what must be done to keep it. I told you to take with you those whom you can truly count on," her milky white eyes narrowed. "Did you do as I said?"

Tiana looked over at one figure under the shade of the tree playing the flute, and the other leaning against the swaying boat. The trip was sudden, as was her leaving; she was to take the word of what Mama Odie had seen in the smoke to someone in the mainland of Animare, but no one was to know. Mama Odie helped explain to Tiana's mother that Tiana was chosen to deliver a special spice directly to the hands of a merchant somewhere in the Highlands, and must be done so without delay so as not to spoil the merchandise. Tiana was to take a companion, who should not know of the truth, and someone who could ferry them across the sea to the mainland. In her whole life, the only people she had ever trusted could be counted on one hand. Two of them were with her right now.

Louis, with his large build and passion for music, was her cousin and childhood friend. He was like a brother to her. Rey was a middle-aged widower who had sailed to Animat and back countless times. Tiana met him as a young girl, and was the one who led her family to Mama Odie. She knew in her heart that she could entrust her life to them.

Turning back to Mama Odie, Tiana nodded grimly. Forgetting that she could not be seen, she added, "Yes, I did."

"Take care of yourself, child. And them too." Mama Odie chuckled and shouted over Tiana's shoulder, "You take care of this girl, you hear me? Or the both of you will end up as part of my next stew."

"There be no problems with me," Ray said as he untied the rope tethering the boat to the shore. "Though this other one right here…"

The music stopped. Louis crossed his arms and glared at Ray. "Are we not leaving yet, Tia?"

Mama Odie cupped Tiana's face in her hands "I can only keep the shadows out of Atlantica. I cannot shed light on the mainland. But if you find her, she will be your light." She gave Tia a kiss on the cheek. "May the shooting star guide you safely to your destination."

Pressing her lips to the top of the old woman's head, Tiana replied, "And may it shine on your purpose as well."

The moon was bright and full in the sky when Tia climbed into the boat. The same melancholy music that Louis was playing earlier struck up once again, the boat bobbing about the water as it pulled out of the inlet. All Tia had ever known was Atlantica. It held her life, and though she was willing to leave it to travel Animare and live her dream, she never thought it would be under these circumstances.

She felt the warm stone bounce against her chest, and she ran her hand over her tunic, feeling the amulet through the thick fabric. A vision in the smoke, Mama Odie had said, a vision of frost in the flames. Tia understood nothing of it. She felt like a vegetable picked from the ground, chopped up and thrown at once into the stew without a moment to spare. She was sent to find the old lady in the forest near the seat of Wayra, the amulet her proof that she had been charged by Odie of Atlantica, with nothing more than a few scribbled instructions on a map of mainland Animare.

"You all right there, chere?" Ray asked from his position on the stern. "Not half a day from home and you already sick for it?"

Laughing softly, Tiana answered, "No, I… I'm uncertain is all."

"No worries, no worries," Ray waved his hand dismissively. "I've got you protected under my wing. We'll be taking you to that buyer and be getting a sack of gold for it."

"I wouldn't exactly say a sack of gold…"

"Enough t'buy you that trip around Animare with your cooking, ain't it not? This be just your first step to that."

Tiana sighed. "I wish."

"Mama Odie ain't about to let you on some fool's journey. That woman may not be right in the head all the time but she got a good heart."

His words echoed in her, making Tiana shiver suddenly. A sad humming accompanied the flute as Ray's voice mingled with Louis's tune, and Tiana let herself be lulled by the gentle swaying of the boat in time with the music.


A/N: Reviews would be lovely :) Thanks!