Cobblestone streets were gone, replaced by lush moss in deep greens that muffled their footsteps. Skeletal trees took the places of lampposts, supporting houses in their boughs. Glass sculptures of animals wove together like waves rising from the earth, as though it were a ghostly stampede, frozen in time. The very air was different, sweeter, warmer.
The nature did not feel natural. The man-made was impossible. It was as if they had stepped into a dream.
Olivin stared in as much awe as her. “It’s just like the stories say.”
“The stories?”
“Of the Twilight Kingdom. They say it is a land pulled between the folds of space and time. A kingdom of perpetual twilight, magic, and wonder.” He shook his head. “Some would say the magic is an affront to Yargen. That mortals should not possess the power to twist her blessings thusly.”
Eira bristled slightly at his words. Ducot had told her of how the Swords of Light had hunted morphi under Ulvarth’s rule. How Yargen was used, time and again, to justify the desires of twisted men and women.
“What doyouthink?” she asked.
“I can see why people made the argument. This looks as if it were done by the goddess herself. But I see…an homage to her wonder, more than an insult.” He shook his head. “My family was tied to the Faithful, once…but I don’t believe in gods.”
“You don’t?” Living more of a secular lifestyle wasn’t uncommon on Solaris. But Eira had thought it wasn’t regularly seen on Meru. And she especially wouldn’t think so with someone who was formerly linked with the Faithful.
“No. If Yargen was real, how could she allow Ulvarth to claim her as the reason for his evil deeds? If Raspian was real, how hashe not brought his legendary horde of elfin’ra to end all life yet? Ultimate good and evil? No…I don’t think it exists. Nothing in our world is that simple, or tidy.”
Eira filed away the note that his family was involved with the Faithful, but didn’t press on how for the time being. Perhaps she’d ask Ducot, or wait for Olivin to tell her himself. Either way, it didn’t seem like the time.
“Where do you think we’re supposed to go?” Even though they’d seen no other living souls, she still kept her voice low. “You really didn’t receive any word from Deneya?”
“I haven’t heard much of anything from the court since entering the village. I think it’s been too much of a risk for them. I was hoping you might have been given some hint as to their designs, being the winner.”
Eira shook her head. “But so far they’ve wanted us to earn our way. Perhaps they left some kind of clue, or message to decipher to prove we’re worthy.” The words left a sour taste in her mouth. She was tired of tests and hoped any subterfuge was driven by practicality in needing to stay hidden than genuinely continuing to test her at every turn. “The theme of our trial was things being not what they seem, after all.”
“Let’s look.” He gestured and they began to explore the festival grounds. “By the way, how did you figure out the ribbon?”
“The shift key was what gave me the idea.”
Comprehension lit up his face. “Good thinking.”
“I try.” She grinned.
They crossed through the sculpture garden framed with the glass wave and across a field of night-blooming flowers. Eira paused at a long stone table that had a miniature version of the town sculpted from the rock. Creeping vines wandered up the side of the table, blooming flowers along only one set of tendrils. Eira’s eyes were immediately drawn to them.
“I see it too,” Olivin said from her side. He followed the flowers with his finger, from the village, to the town square they were in, and then up to the coliseum, where it stopped.
“How long do you think we have?” Eira asked.
“Not long, I bet.” Olivin frowned. “We need to get back out.”
“Invisibility?”
“I see no other way.” He started back toward the archway. With a few words murmured under his breath, he stepped out of existence.
She paused and swung a hand over herself. “Olivin? Is my illusion strong enough?”
Olivin hummed. “You should take my hand, I think. Your craft is good when you’re still, but there’s a bit of a wobble when you move.”
Her worries were founded. She cursed under her breath. Yet another good reason why she brought him along. Olivin was a practical ally.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Not everyone can be as wonderful as I am at magic.”
Eira snorted. But instead of jesting back, she asked, “Would you teach me?”
“Pardon?” He sounded surprised.
