“Because the nagrata are creatures born of fire and spirit. They are allies to Iblees and were also friends to the Raknara. They do not forget, and they see the truth no matter the veil. Jaantor will provide you with a map to their lair. Best of luck, child. The fate of this world now rests on your shoulders.”
And boy, did I feel it.
Chapter 6
WALKING ON CLOUDS
We waited on the platform while the excision ceremony took place. The storm raged above us, and now that I knew that it was vayujaari that controlled it, it didn’t seem as fearsome. But it would be gone soon enough. When they left, they’d take the storm makers with them. This settlement would remain, abandoned to history…But we’d remember. I’d remember the beings who’d lived here.
“They’re coming,” Kalani said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Zarael and Jaantor joined us on the platform. Was it my imagination or had they lost a little of the ethereal glow that usually surrounded them? The glow might be gone, but the gleam in their eyes when they looked at each other was brighter than ever.
“The ship will be here shortly,” Jaantor said. “We will collect the civilians and get them safely to Shantivan. Then we can return with you and aid you in gathering allies.”
“I won’t be going to Shantivan. I need to act now. I have to stay behind and begin recruitment. The nagrata and whoever else I can find to aid me.” C’ael would find me once Zarael told him where I’d gone.
“She’s right,” Kalani said. “There is no time to waste. Yudh, Dhoona, and I will stay with her.”
Zarael nodded. “Very well. Jaantor and I will transport your people to Shantivan and then join you back on the mainland. Wewillfind you.”
“Where is the camp?” Jaantor asked.
“The Ustara Mountains,” Kalani said. “East of the?—”
“Yes, I know where that is. The nagrata lair isn’t too far from there. You should travel with us, say goodbye to your people, and then continue your journey.”
It looked like I’d be returning to camp after all. “How long will it take to get to camp on your ship?”
Jaantor grinned. “An hour. We move fast.”
“It’s here,” Zarael said, looking over my head.
I turned, breath catching at the sight of a ship made entirely out of clouds.
“Now that’s impressive,” Kalani said.
“Wait till you see on board,” Jaantor said, chest swelling with pride.
The ship came level with the platform, and a set of steps made from cloud matter formed to bridge the distance between us and the deck.
I arched a brow. “And that will hold us?”
Zarael grinned. “Scared?”
I rolled my eyes. “Hardly. If I fall, I know you’ll catch me.” I matched her grin, then climbed the cloud steps, surprised at how sturdy and real they felt beneath my boots. I glanced over my shoulders at the others. “Well, hurry up. We don’t have all day.”
I might not have had an army, but I had refuge for my people and a plan to gather support against the primordial evil. The nagrata would be powerful allies indeed.
I’d crossedthe ocean on a ship housed on the back of a turtle, so riding a cloud ship shouldn’t have felt strange, but the fluffy, misty appearance of the deck fueled my anxiety. At least on the turtle, the ground had looked solid. Here every step made me cringe, so I stayed close to the wheel, to Zarael as she kept us on course while Jaantor did something with the cloud sails. I couldn’t see what because he was hidden by mist high above.
“You get used to it,” Zarael said. “After a while, your mind and body will recognize the atmosphere as stable. You will differentiate between the space within and that which is outside.”
Yes, that was disconcerting too. There were clouds surrounding our ship. Clouds that looked like our ship. But the deck glowed with silver light, and so did the hull, so it was clearly defined as a safe zone.
It was warm, too, as if air was trapped within some kind of dome around us, circulating, staying temperate enough not to be uncomfortable.
Still, I needed a distraction. “So…you and Jaantor?”
