We arrived at Aestos' island in the night, and my people were relieved to be off the sick-inducing sea. At the coast, the ship waited, plunged into the sand while my people and I wove grass coverings onboard, hoping that they would conceal our presence from the beasts dwelling in the green ahead.
My people were skeptical they existed. Monsters were no more than fables to them. Tales to share and discuss and alter. The people of Salyras had never encountered such beasts, but they believed my account. And for another night, we remained on the ship while Aestos delivered my people and our crewmen in groups of ten to the city.
I stayed back to console my people who had grown afraid. Singing to them, despite my exhaustion—I had learned I could not sleep well on a ship.
Then, Aestos returned the next afternoon, waiting at the beach for our final group. He led us through the density of forest, and half an hour later, we reached the city gates. Still gloriously shimmering and deficient. Relieved, we abandoned our coverings and walked through to where the rest of us waited.
I had feared we would not be welcomed despite the king's promise. But Aestos assured me this island had the room for us, and that the king would not go back on a promise he had made. I was grateful.
Although the king could never learn from where my people had come. And I would hold onto that secret since I had built a private community I could play music for once I returned from my journey with Aestos. I would not have to hold my breath and keep even my humming silent.
It was not ideal to establish ourselves in a land we did not know, but at least we had each other. The few of us who remained. That was home enough.
At the gate entrance, the king's men inspected the coming of my people, screening us for weapons and things we might have brought but could not bring inside. Finding none, we were hastily welcomed. I learned that these soldiers were hospitable, and I thanked them warmly.
When I found my side empty and lonesome, I glanced over my shoulder. Aestos had not come through with us.
"You are still outside the gates," I observed, and I stood where the paved forest floor met the sparkling stone street of the city.
The look Aestos gave me was exhausted. He also had not slept much these past few days. I could imagine he fought now to remain upright.
"Yes," he eventually sighed.
"You are outside the gates while my people have already passed through," I repeated, although I knew he understood.
The sound he made was almost frustrated. "Do not pretend to not understand why."
"I am not pretending," I answered. "I'm disagreeing with you. Come with me, Aestos."
"The city will be at risk if I do not watch the forest."
Excuses. Worthless reasons and futile words. Even he did not mean what he said, although he had not told a lie. But we both knew the king had already assigned men to the forest because Aestos and I would be setting on our journey to Hethonious in mere days. The obligation to protect the city had already been passed to someone else.
Aestos' reluctance shimmered like obsidian, creating a beacon of his true concerns. He believed he did not belong. In this city. Amongst these men and my people. He was nervous to be perceived. Hesitant to be feared. Being a god to these people repelled him from taking chances and feeling hope. He had grown comfortable in his alienation because at least in solitude, he could be ordinary.
My sympathy for him was fundamental. I had not had to learn it. "The king has other men to protect this city. Come. Commune with my people and me. We all want you, friend."
I crossed into the dirt when he did not answer and took his hand into my own. I squeezed affection into him. Showed with my eyes that I was genuine.
"Trust me, Aestos," I said boldly. Trust me to keep my back turned away from you. Trust me to always accept you.
I smiled, and he relaxed.
Aestos and I were led to the western corner of the city, to a pillared building known as the Council's Hall. My people and I were registered there and generously given stipends to last us the few weeks it would take to decide which occupation we wanted in this new land. The people of Salyras were hard workers. Skilled craftsmen, intricate weavers, and dedicated farmers. I knew it would not take long for them to establish themselves.
I was not as fortunate.
There was not much I knew how to do as a former prince. I had never been required to physically work. To soil my hands cleaning things or develop calluses and welted skin from crafting weapons, as most men did. As most men knew how to do. I did not know what role I would fall into once I returned. And I felt the worry root itself in me that I might not contribute as well as everyone else. I could build stringed and piped instruments—they were easy to make—but what benefit would that serve if there was no music here?
Maybe I could be the one to introduce it to the people of this land.
Counselors led my people from the Hall to the city where we would live. And this place brimmed with people. Thousands I could not count, and more than that. But the population had not reached capacity. In this endless city of diverse environments, there were plenty of homes available, I had heard. Plenty of empty property and fields that had yet to be owned.
Many of us could live alone, but my community would not choose to. We were too woven. Too familial. If all of us could have piled into one residence, we would. I smiled, the thought warming me from the inside.
Aestos followed me out of the Hall, and the sky was bright enough to shake my exhaustion.
I turned when I felt eyes on my back and discovered a man. He was leaning against a pillar. Plain looking and inquisitive. Soft blonde hair that appeared nearly white beneath the gazing sun. Brown eyes, the color of ground almonds. And a mole by his upper lip. By his crown, woven and elaborate with gold and braided satin, I knew he was a prince.
And he came over and kneeled before me. So abruptly, I was ashamed to admit it startled me.
"Please, raise your head." I was astonished. It was inappropriate of him to bow to me. I was both a foreigner and a stranger in his land. He could not trust me so readily.
The prince looked up, and his eyes were wonderfully kind. "You are Nevian. A prince. My father told me about you." His gaze moved to the flooding of my people onto the streets. "He said you lost all your people."
"I am fortunate to have rescued some. With Aestos' help." I pulled Aestos closer. So he could be seen.
The prince glanced beside me once, although his eyes did not reach above Aestos' waist. Then he smiled. A sincere draw of his lips. "Good for you."
My own smile followed. "Yes. I am quite blessed."
The prince stood with a near bashful change to his expression. "Forgive me if this is inappropriate, but your voice is lovely. Smooth, but not delicate. You produce a beautiful sound."
If Aestos had not stiffened beside me, I might have thought to introduce singing to the prince. Affect his heart first and create wildfire amongst the people of this city. I remembered all the reasons I could not.
"That compliment is very unique." I grinned, and my heart extended naturally. "Thank you, friend. What is your name?"
The prince's grin was delighted and youthful, although he appeared older than me. He held a hand to his chest to identify himself. "I am Prince Jules of Aspita." He lowered his head. "It is a great pleasure to meet you. I am not used to visitors who are regaled and like-minded. I travel to other nations for that manner of interaction since no one wishes to come here. The monsters," he added, perceptibly irritated at the existence of them. Then he gestured outwardly. "Let me deliver you to my father. I am sure he will need to speak with you."
Aestos and I were ready, and my sister, too, as she peeled away from those she had been instructing to follow the counselors who helped us. Even in men's clothing—that had been the only clothing available on a men's ship—and without her usual embellishments, she was magnificent to gaze at.
Nelera addressed me first. "I need to introduce myself to the king and thank him for his hospitality." She looked over the prince and bowed accordingly. "And you as well, I wish to thank. For being kind to my brother."
"Please," Prince Jules said quickly. He looked panic-stricken. "Your head will grow heavy. Please raise it. And may I…may I ask for your name?"
"Nelera," she answered modestly.
So I added, "She was our island's queen before it was destroyed."
Prince Jules' eyes expanded with sympathy and shock. "Queen? At such a young age?"
My sister smiled, the corners dipped in sorrows of our past. "We lost our parents at a young age. I had no choice but to accept the responsibility."
Prince Jules considered us even softer than before. "I did not expect to meet such strong individuals. Losing your parents…I do not know how you survived it, but I am grateful you did." He gestured his hand to a few counselors lingering at the Hall entrance. "Miss Nelera, please follow these workers. Let them bring you somewhere to bathe and give you proper clothing. I can take you to meet my father afterward."
My sister considered it and turned her eyes to me.
I nodded with a smile. "I will be alright. Go." Then I kissed her head, and she left.
Prince Jules noticed, and I thought his eyes looked envious. But still, they remained kind.