* * *
I woke up to birdsong.
Except it wasn’t the kind of birdsong I was used to. No sparrows or crows cawing. This was melodic, almost like a lullaby, and it was coming from somewhere outside my window. I sat up slowly, blinking against the soft light pouring in, and remembered with a jolt: right, not home.
Definitely not Sevalis. The birds here had…range.
For the first time in what felt like actual centuries, I had slept like a rock. One of those big, ancient ones that hadn’tmoved since the dawn of time. I felt weirdly rested. Like someone had pressed “reset” on my soul.
I brushed out my hair, washed my face with water that smelled faintly of herbs and padded my way downstairs. The hallway was lined with enormous paintings, each one drenched in strange, mythic detail. I slowed when one caught my eye.
A battlefield. But not one of swords and shields, but a lone figure in the center. Soldiers fell around her. The dark figure was cloaked in ink-black robes, her mouth open mid-speech, arms lifted as glowing runes spilled from her palms like venom. Her face was turned just enough that I couldn’t tell who she was, but my stomach tightened anyway. The figures at her feet wore the armor of her own people. She had destroyed them. An inscription at the bottom of the painting simply read “Entire cities crumbled under her whispers.”
The uneasy feeling in my stomach grew, the notion all too familiar to contemplate. I moved on before I could think too hard about it.
There were more beings around now than there had been last night. Servants drifted through the halls, weirdly enough they all seemed to be male… or so I thought. It was hard to say. One had wings like a hawk and carried an armful of laundry. Another was so tall and thin he looked like he might bend with the breeze, and the last guy I passed had skin the exact shade of moss and eyes like polished amber. Not judging. Only… observing.
The kitchen was a full-on symphony of chaos when I entered. Steam was rising, pots were clanging, and voices were overlapping, all blending into a comforting composition of the mundane everyday life. I was immediately hit with thesmell of fresh bread, spices, and something sizzling.
Enbergin beamed when he saw me, his face practically glowing.
“Good morning, Miss Maelis! Sit, sit! I’ll fix you a plate.”
I slid onto the bench at the long wooden table. The kitchen was like a well-rehearsed performance: one group kneading dough with enthusiasm, another chopping vegetables with knives that moved a littletoofluidly. There was a rhythm to it, like everyone had done this together for a hundred years.
Still no women, though. Not one. And I was starting to feel like I’d stumbled into the all-male cast of a celestial baking show. The realization prickled under my skin. Not fear exactly, but unease. Every laugh that echoed across the room felt a little too loud, every glance that passed my way lingered a heartbeat too long. I straightened my back, pretending not to notice, reminding myself that I’d survived far worse places than a kitchen full of men. Still, the absence of another woman made the air feel heavier, as if the walls themselves were watching to see whether I belonged here at all.
Enbergin returned, practically glowing with pride, and placed a plate in front of me. Eggs, crispy bacon, and a bowl of something that resembled porridge.
“Eat up!” he said with a grin. “You’ll need your strength.”
“Do I lookthathungry?” I asked teasingly, but he just gave me a wide, nearly toothless grin. I tucked in, surprised at how hungry I was. It had been difficult to keep food in during the last months because of the constant headache and dizziness that I had felt. But since that fateful night when I had used the heka on myself, a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
“May I ask you a question?” I said between bites.
“Of course ya can, lass,” the elf responded and propped his underarms on the table in front of me.
“I noticed that there are no females employed here. Or maybe I have not seen them yet.” Enbergin grabbed a towel and wiped down the table in front of me. “That’s right, lass, the house rules state that no females are to work at the Lodge or the temple. It has always been that way, as long as I can remember.” Enbergin shrugged. “It’s rare that we get female visitors here as well; there have only been a handful of females who have been allowed to stay at the Lodge in the last few years.”
Should I feel honored or irritated by such a dubious compliment? I was going to confront Auretheos about his “no women policy.” He might be a God, but even he should try and go with the times, for Fate’s sake.
A young servant entered the kitchen. He looked to be no more than 17 or 18 years of age. The hands at his sides were twitching and his gaze was jumping nervously around the room, as if he was expecting someone to jump him at any moment.
“What is it, Serfried?” Enbergin shouted towards the male in question. Serfried winced and came forward a few steps. “Master Caelan sent me to tell the wordsmith that he was called away on business. You are free to roam the Lodge or walk into the city, should you wish. If you need to buy clothes or supplies of any kind, Master Caelan said to have the bill sent to the Lodge.” Sweat had formed on his forehead as he was speaking. His big brown eyes were fixed on me, waiting for me to acknowledge that I had heard him.
I smiled, trying to make him more comfortable.
“Thank you, Serfried, for giving me Caelan’s message. My name is Maelis, by the way.”
He nodded fervently and instantly turned around to leave. A violent cough escaped me. From his waist down, Serfried’s legs were replaced by the hind legs of a deer of some kind, ending in hooves. It was one thing to learn that this continent was filled with magical beings, but it was another thing to actually meet them. I didn’t want to stare, I knew it was rude. But the sight of a half man, half deer made it difficult not to freak out.
“Damn skittish these Cervidanes. Always look like they are ready to bolt at any minute.” Enbergin chuckled.
“Thanks for the breakfast.” I placed my bowl in the sink and blew a kiss towards the cook.
“Nah, it’s nothing, lass. Go and enjoy your day!”
I went up to my room and to my surprise someone had been in to make the bed and open the glass doors to let some Fresh air in. My dirty clothes were gone and on the bed there was a pair of brown cord trousers and a light blue tunic, embroidered with colorful flowers.
