Chapter 6:

Muadhnait/Mai:

It had been a while since Aida's death. I still never really accepted it and in my heart, I knew she was alive. Zander took it the roughest, I believed. He was so torn up about it. I would have thought that he had known Aida for years instead of days from the way he was acting, but you knew what they said- the heart wanted what the heart wanted. Zander's heart just so happened to want Aida's heart and possibly a few other things from Aida as well- haha.

We all split ways. Zander went off to some village to teach. Tillie was in Ildis- as was Sky and Jace, I believed. I, however, was headed to Sun Drop Island which was the one place I had yet to visit. I had a lot of free time since I wasn't attached to anyone anymore- though I kept in touch with everyone. I visited each of the lands for a few days before I was off yet again. It was all about the adventure. On the bright side, the libraries in Ildis helped fill the gaps in my knowledge about this world as hopes of getting home were diminished.

Sun Drop Island and the Valond Mountains were the only places I had left to visit that might have the ingredients I needed to make the portal. I had a few of the things I needed- some candles, a black rose, a red dagger stolen from a dead body, and a few other things. I just needed a particular devil's plant and a holy ground to perform the spell. So far, I had no such luck.

I got off the boat at the harbor and headed straight to the beach where I found a few earrings. Humming slightly, I picked up the earrings and put them on simply because they were cute. I looked up at the sun overhead and the scorching heat from its rays felt very hot against my skin. If I wasn't dressed in the skimpiest of clothing, it would have been worse. I didn't really consider my outfit that skimpy- small black shorts, a dark green top that was low cut and ended just below my breasts, and two black belts that crossed over my stomach, barely hiding my many scars.

I headed down the beach. I was stopped, however, when I heard a familiar voice talking.

"Hey!"

I turned to see Aida. Her hair had gotten a bit longer and was a bit wavier, but I could tell it was still her. She smirked, but I wasted no time hugging her tightly.

"I thought you were dead," I cheered.

Then I hit her arm when I let her go,

"I thought you were dead! Do you realize how long we searched for you? Do you know just what we all have been going through?"

"I was trying to protect you."

"Bullshit," I said simply, "You know that we can take care of ourselves! We were so worried about you and it's terrible that you kept us worrying! However..."

I hugged her again despite the protests,

"It's really good to see you alive and when Sky finds out you're alive, don't expect such a warm welcome."

"Why not," Aida dared to ask.

"She seems the type to hold grudges."

"Solyn," someone greeted.

We turned and I saw a tall, shirtless Sun elf with log blonde hair, tanned skin, a few tattoos, and green eyes. His bow and arrows were hitched to his back.

"Do you know the Solyn," he asked me.

"No, I know Aida," I corrected, "And if I'm correct, Solyn means key- it's rude to talk to her like she's an object."

"She is a key, is she not," he said, "Then she is Solyn."

"She also has a smartass mouth, a mind, and a loyal heart so she's also a person therefore she is Aida."

The Sun elf and I glared at each other, but I kind of licked my lips since my eyes couldn't help but travel down his torso. He was pretty nice. Aida stepped between us,

"Look, I appreciate it, Mai, but no matter how much you correct him, Faelern will still call me Solyn."

"That is true," he agreed, "You are Mai?"

"It's a nickname," I shrugged.

"It doesn't suit you, what is your full name?"

"Ah," I said, "It's been a while since I even said my full name... But I'm not going to tell you. I don't trust you."

"Interesting," Faelern said simply, "Those who usually hide their name have secrets."

"Everyone has secrets, Faelern," I pointed out, "Just because I know your name doesn't mean I know everything about you... Granted, I'd like to know more."

I winked with a small smile. Aida looked at me shocked as Faelern looked only mildly amused.

"Perhaps."

With that, he was gone. Aida was still gawking at me.

"Did you just flirt with the emotionless Faelern and he didn't just flat our reject you?"

"Seems that way, doesn't it," I smiled, "Can you really blame me? He's a very handsome Sun elf. I've haven't slept with one of them."

"...Just how many races have you slept with," Aida asked.

"I needed something to do, so yes, I have slept with almost every race. Granted, Faelern seems different...Hmmm..."

"You actually like him, already! Don't you?"

"Perhaps, but enough about me, what about you?"

"What about me," Aida asked.

"Are you going to go tell the others where you are?"

"I don't know," Aida whispered.

I put a hand on her shoulder,

"Aida, we all care about you, know that, right? I'm going to be here at the island for a while to make sure you're doing okay, but I don't know if I can stay here. That aside, when I leave, I can take you with me. I know where Zander, Sky and Tillie are. I can take you to them."

"Zander," Aida said hopefully, "Is he doing okay?"

"You broke his heart, Aida. You died," I said firmly, "He didn't take that too well. But I'm sure he'll be more than happy to see you're alive..."

"I'll think about it," Aida finally said, "But I make no promises."

"All I ask is that you'll think about it, so it's all good... So... do you know where I can stay while I'm here? I didn't really think this through."

I laughed and Aida joined in on the laughter,

"Sure, you can stay with me in the hut. Come on."