ACT X

Athyra stood in awe at the sight before her. Although it was unclear to Onica and Tavra what was happening, they could feel a sense of wonder emanating among the informed. Something very significant had been discovered, that much was clear. More of the clues which held this adventure together were beginning to unravel.

"What is this doing on your back?" Athyra wondered as she rose to her feet.

Nith covered herself again and turned to face her. "Well, that is an interesting story." She replied drifting into thought.

"That was the same map you have, correct?" Tavra interjected.

"It is," Athyra confirmed. "But the symbol which appeared I have never seen before." She abruptly turned to Padra. "Did you copy this already? Have you made a new map?"

Padra nodded. "We did."

"And?" Athyra looked to Nith again. "What have you discovered?"

"Nothing!" Nith snapped playfully. "You expect us to venture over the sea into uncharted regions? No. That is where you come in."

Athyra considered this for a moment. "I suppose you're right."

"I'm always right." Nith confirmed.

More questions remained under Onica's tongue. "But how did you know?" she inquired. The others looked to her with curiosity. "How is it that you knew exactly what to do to reveal the secret?"

"That's true," Tavra agreed. "With all the plant life in this forest, it would take many trine to discover the necessary concoction."

"And not only that," Onica continued. "How would you know to place it on your back tattoo?"

Nith remained quiet for a long while, as if gathering the appropriate words. "We were... instructed." She claimed.

Athyra crossed her arms and took a few small steps toward her. "Instructed?"

"Don't ask me by who." She said, answering Athyra's next question. "We don't know."

"Do explain." Athyra commanded.

Nith crossed her arms, attempting to mirror Athyra's defensive posture. "Well," she sighed as she recalled her recent experiences. "We started receiving letters--they were recipes, really. Cohesive guides to specific plant life in this forest."

"But that does not make sense," Athyra asserted. "The forest of the Port of Sky is relatively unknown to Thra."

"Almost completely unknown." Nith added. "Which--as we are well aware--indeed adds to the mystery."

"And so they told you how to decipher the map?" Onica asked. She was finding herself as curious as Athyra, for once.

"In a way, yes. After we acquired the materials, there was a page which read almost like a riddle. It spoke of a chain of islands which sounded very similar to our hidden islands. And because the potion we had made was to be applied to the skin, it didn't take us long to figure out it was for my map."

"Fascinating," Athyra breathed. "So someone must have discovered this long ago."

Nith nodded in agreement. "It suggests something ancient."

"But how is that possible?" Onica wondered. "How long has the Port of Sky existed."

"Well, it's not ancient."

"Yes, not the city itself," Athyra began. "But did you not mention to me once that some of the plant life was brought here from another location?"

"Yes, almost all of it." Nith confirmed. "It had to be, we can't grow a forest at sea."

"So a botanist, perhaps?" Onica wondered. "Of a time long past?"

"Without a doubt." Athyra agreed.

Tavra motioned to the tree. "But how would they know the plant grew here?"

Nith looked to her with a smile. "Oh, the travelers of the seas have good eyes, I assure you."

"And even better mouths." Athyra appended.

"Yes, I suppose that is true," Tavra concurred. "We get many travelers through Ha'rar every season of every trine--most of them from the sea. A large number of them are seasoned botanists, with very detailed catalogues. It's not surprising to think one or two of them came to document the forest."

"Right," Athyra was lost in thought. "And yet, I still find the preciseness of it all mysterious." She faced Padra again. "What of the paper itself? The ink? The wax seal, perhaps?"

"All of it." Padra answered firmly, his quirky demeaner silenced for the moment. "Unknown."

Athyra pondered the statement with a few shallow bobs of her head, placing a finger to her lips. "Well then, there is only one thing we can do."

Onica sighed. "I sense danger."

Athyra struck her with a sly smile, returning her hands to her hips. "Thought you would be used to it by now."

"I'm certainly getting there."

Nith wrinkled her face. "That's it?! That's your big conclusion?! I could have told you that from the beginning!" Her fiery attitude sprung to life again. "That was the whole point of the conversation, obviously! I thought you'd be amazed!"

"Why?"

Nith fumed as she stomped her foot. "Ohhh, you're the worst! Because, you crudder, it means that I'm important!"

"How so?"

"Has that sea air finally salted your brain?" Nith shook her arms wildly, then grabbed a hold of Athyra's shirt, pulling downward to meet her eyes. "Think about it. It means this tattoo was placed on me for a reason. It wasn't simply random, you see? Someone is trying to tell me something. It's a guidance."

The notion came over Athyra like a wave. Lost in her thoughts of port origins and strange plant life, she had overlooked the obvious: Nith was being targeted. And the letters were only the most recent advancement. "I see..." was all she could speak.

As Onica studied Athyra's face, she could tell it was not simply this new information which plagued her, but something else. Athyra's energy had shifted from curious, to disturbance. "What is it?" She inquired.

"Nothing," Athyra answered immediately. She returned her mind to the present. "I will speak no more of this tonight." She proclaimed, suddenly turning to walk down the path again.

Nith huffed. "There she goes,"

Onica stepped toward her and reached out her hand. "Athyra don't! You can't keep running away every time we need to talk."

"You two are the ones running." She retorted, continuing her long strides down the forest path. "I am seeking."

"Don't bother," Nith said coming beside Onica. "Let her go for the night. I'm sure she just wants to think. Anyway it's late."

Padra began to make his way down the path next. "Yes, that's right. Come now. We're returning." He ordered calmly. Then suddenly he began to sing. "The night, the air, the night and air, oh in the breeze we sing so free. We buzz and buzz the melody. But not a bee I be, you see, I am the star of blue the sea!" His playful nature swiftly erupted in the night air once more, dancing through the weeping branches under the sparkle of the stars.

Yet the moment of levity was quickly dissolved, as the events of the evening remained fresh on their minds. As Tavra and Onica stepped forward to accompany him, they soon realized that Nith was not following. Onica stopped and looked back at her. "Coming?"

Nith placed her arms behind her back and raised her chin. The silver glow of the moonlight glistened in her deep eyes. "Not tonight." She almost whispered.

"What will you do? Stay out here?"

Nith nodded with a genuine smile. "I will. On a night like tonight, I will stay beneath the stars. With this tree." She gestured to the black branches, tapping her fingers on the spindly tips.

Onica tried to understand, but with the abrupt intake of stunning new information they received, she decided it was best to leave the subject alone. "Very well." Was all she said.

Nith watched them go silently, allowing the waves of cool forest air to blow through her. Though she was happy to have made such wonderful new friends, a guilt came over her senses. A guilt of self. All her life she had struggled to define what she was, and now she was ordering others to solve her puzzles. Athyra was certainly an adventurer, who would relish the chance to bestow such a journey on her crew. And yet, it was not their path to follow. It was hers.

Nith turned away from the path and knelt beside the tree. She ran her finger down the stock and onto the roots where a small pool of purple sap had gathered. She rubbed it between her delicate hands, and traced the lines of her tattoos with it. She could feel the energy of the forest seeping into her skin, pulsating along the lines of ink like a wandering snake. This forest was alive, and she was becoming part of it.

The next day came faster than Tavra had expected. She woke suddenly, as if retreating from a nightmare she was unaware of. The events of last night came rushing into her head as soon as the first rays of sun hit her eyes. A flood of emotion and endless thought. The air in the room weighed heavy with a solemn chill; the unsettled rustle of revelation. She looked to her side and noticed Onica was still sound asleep. She looked beautiful and peaceful, as she always did. Her deep sighs and breaths centered Tavra's thought, reminding her of so many secret nights together hidden from the world, and lost in their own. At least they could rest together for now.

As the bright ocean sun rose higher over the horizon, both emerged from their guestroom, fully dressed and prepared for another day of adventure. Stepping into the kitchen, they were greeted with the now familiar scents of floral musk and pine, laced with the exotic incense of lands far away. At first the kitchen area appeared to be empty, and for a moment they assumed the others were still asleep. Or worse, Athyra had packed and left without them. It was eerily silent and still. But as they came quietly around the corner of the large stove, a vibrant buzzing sound filled the air. Following the sound, they rounded the corner and walked into Nith's tattoo area. And there, sitting before them as if awaiting their arrival, was Athyra.

She was sitting backwards in a chair, her arms perched atop the back and crossed tightly. She held a thin, long pipe between her crimson lips, puffing smoke from the corners of her mouth rapidly. Nith sat behind her, elevated on a high stool, with her arm resting on Athyra's back. In her tiny fingers she held the custom made tattoo gun, which appeared to be too large for her, yet she gripped it with certainty and vigor. The small needle at the tip pulsated wildly, carving ink into Athyra's hardened weathered flesh.

For a moment it was a wonderous sight, until Onica abruptly noticed one very important feature about this scene she had stumbled upon. Athyra was without a shirt. "Oh--Athyra! What are you doing?!" Onica shouted, raising her hands to cover her face. Tavra however, was quiet enthralled, until Onica gave her a hand to use.

Athyra slowly rotated her head toward her visitors. "I should think that would be obvious."

"That's not what I mean!" Oncia exclaimed. "Why are you shirtless?!"

Athyra pondered the question for a moment. "...I should think that would be obvious."

Onica huffed. "Forget it. Let's just move over here." She guided Tavra away from the sight, positioning themselves to stand directly behind Nith, who was concentrating hard on her work.

From this vantage, they could now see that Nith was tracing the designs of Hooyim fish, the sigil animal of the Sifan people. The design she was working on was a third fish, placed at the bottom of two others similar in appearance. They were nose to nose, leaping across each shoulder blade as if breaching from the waves. In the center was the golden outline of a Sharp Awlid; an elegant bird of prey native to the mountain tops of Ha'rar. They were known for ascending to such high altitudes that their talons became coated in frost. It was very clear, these were all symbols of meaning.

Onica could not help but admire the stunning artwork. "How beautiful," she said softly.

"Don't thank me," Athyra remarked, blowing a cloud of smoke into the air. "Nith is the artist." Nith said nothing, but swung her head around to deliver a quick grin.

Onica and Tavra drew closer, studying the mapping of the designs and the specific colors. "I assume this all must have specific meaning," Onica continued. "What is the significance?"

Athyra smirked and placed her pipe on the table. "Is it truly your desire to know?"

"Knowing is my specialty, isn't it?" She assured.

Athyra considered the notion. "I suppose so." She twisted her head back to meet Onica's gaze. "Will it help you understand me?"

"Only a miracle could do that." Onica's wit returned.

"And not even that..." Nith added under her breath.

Onica and Athyra shared a small, genuine chuckle. Then Athyra fell into quiet thought. "The three Hooyim represent my time on the ocean."

"Ah, that's right," Onica said recalling the samaudren customs. "Each one is granted for achieving five trine on the ocean."

"Correct." Athyra said.

"So, 15 trine?" Tavra interjected. "You have served 15 trine on the oceans?"

Athyra drew in a long, shallow breath. Her eyes glinting with memory. "I have."

Tavra was very impressed by this. "That is quiet a long time. Truly astounding." It was amazing indeed. For someone as young as she to have served for so long was incredible. Compared to most of the world, she had spent most of her life in a completely different environment, foreign to the vast lands of Thra. Her wild nature was not a show, but a map of her soul.

"Yet, still nowhere near the most seasoned of us," Athyra confirmed. "That is the nature of the Sifa."

"And the colors?" Onica asked, leaning closer still. "I see you have used all three of our most important colors."

"Yes," Athyra lifted her finger as if tracing the design in front of her. "The first fish I had done at the age of 20, five years after I had reached the Sifan shore. It is colored red, for the past."

Onica was confused by this. "But at the time it was your present--should it not be purple?"

"What is present? How does one measure time?" Her statement was provocative, yet true. "Remember, it all depends on our point of view, Onica. It is my past life which it represents."

"Letting go of your old self." Tavra said.

"Exactly," Athyra smiled, happy to be among intelligent friends again. "And the second fish," she continued, "I received, of course, at the age of 25. This is the one that is purple."

Now Onica was understanding. "I see. And that represents you finally becoming who you are now. Your present self." Athyra nodded to her. "So that means this fish will be colored blue."

"Indeed." Athyra grabbed her pipe again. "The future me." She puffed on the rich smoke, letting it pour from her mouth between swags of her tongue.

"Whatever that may be." Nith concluded for her.

"It's a scary thought." Onica remarked. The group shared a hardy chuckle.

Tavra's eyes then fell on the Awlid. "And the Awlid? What is the significance of that?" She wondered. Nith and Athyra became quiet again, as if Tavra's question had pierced through an invisible veil.

"That," Athyra began with a bit of unexpected hesitation. "Is a Sharp Awlid. The bird that touches the stars." She lifted her eyes to the ceiling. "It was my mother's favorite. To her they represented ultimate freedom. And fearlessness." Her eyes narrowed.

Tavra knew this bird well. They were a part of her home and history. "They were my favorite as a child as well," she declared. Athyra looked to her with quiet wonder. "I often forget your Vapran heritage. They are native to the high mountains outside the main city. A treasure to our people."

Athyra remained quiet for a moment as she gazed at Tavra. Her kin. Then she turned away, sheltering a well of hidden tears. "To me, they have always been a symbol of my free nature. A reminder to follow my dreams and reach the greatest heights no matter what the circumstance."

"Well, there's one thing we finally agree on." Tavra stated with a shallow smirk.

"Oh no," Onica sighed, her head drooping to the side with anguish.

Tavra turned to her in confusion. "What is it?"

"Now you two are connecting!" she motioned between them. "This can not be a good thing." The group shared another hearty chuckle.

"She's joining my crew, didn't you hear?" Athyra prolonged the fun.

"Quiet, you!" Onica exclaimed. Another burst of laughter erupted. It was a sweet moment, yet fleeting. A passing instant in which a bond was quickly forming. Though they were not fully aware of it, a firm cohesion was growing between all of them, it had been since the very start of this journey. Although Onica sensed this, a larger part of her refused to admit it.

Just then, the buzzing of Nith's tattoo gun ceased. She placed the instrument down on the table beside her, then grabbed a small rag soaked with endless color blots to wipe the blood and wet ink away from her skin. "Finished." She said proudly. "For now. I'll add the color later."

Athyra tilted her head back. "How does it look?"

"How does it look?" Nith repeated sarcastically, her face flushing with red. "It looks horrible--a mess--the worst work I've ever done! What kind of a question is that?!" she barked with exasperation. Then she slapped her hand across Athyra's back. "Now dress yourself and get going already!" She ordered, jumping down from the high stool.

Athyra grimaced with pain, sucking in a sharp breath as she rose to her feet. She pulled her shirt around her rough body, fitting the various cloth pieces and buttons together until she was presentable once more. "Yes. It's time to depart." She declared, turning to face Tavra and Onica.

"So soon?" Onica wondered. "But the ship, is it repaired yet?"

"Of course it is." Nith answered for her. "The shipwrights in this town are unmatched. The fastest and most talented." She claimed enthusiastically.

Athyra grabbed her sword from the corner and began harnessing the straps around her waist. "Well, the ship was not as severely damaged as I first thought."

"This time, thankfully!" Nith batted a hand at her.

"Did you instruct Loe to gather the crew?" She asked.

"I did." Nith confirmed. "I would imagine they are all waiting for you. In fact you're most likely late!"

"Indeed." She finished preparing herself, then looked to Onica and Tavra. "Are you ready?"

They shared a long gaze of silent agreeance, then met Athyra's eyes again. "Ready as we can be." Onica answered.

Athyra smiled. "Let's sail." She turned away and began to walk to the doorway.

"Wait," Nith called out. As the group swung around to see her, they realized she was standing directly behind them, a backpack slung over her shoulder. "I'm coming with you." She said.