One of the men had come over from the other side and had just finished securing the ropes around her.
In a few moments, she would be openly swaying above the rushing river far below. Her stomach bubbled uncomfortably.
“Are you nervous?” Aden asked. He stood above her, tugging on the ropes around her to double check that they were secure.
“I’m anxious,” she responded, trying to show a brave face. “Anxious to be home, to see my father, to get the Floutast safely out of my care. Anxious to return to you.”
“Be safe,” he whispered, his deep voice rumbling over her.
“Areyounervous?” she asked him.
“Very,” he said. “These flimsy threads do not know the treasure they hold.”
“I’m glad you care so much for the Floutast,” she said, teasing him.
He growled at her, shaking the ropes above her head.
Her feet were still on the ground, so it did not sway her, but she gathered his meaning regardless. “Don’t you dare leave before I return,” she whispered, speaking quietly so that only he could hear her.
“You will take care of Warrior for me?” he asked, leaning his head closer to hers.
“Of course I will, but we can talk about that when I return and you are still here.” She grabbed his hands, burying her fingers in the thick fur around his claws, wishing she would never have to let go.
“We are ready,” the worker said, stepping closer to help ease Isa over the edge.
“Goodbye,” Aden whispered, squeezing her hands before releasing them.
She felt her feet lift from the ground as they tightened the ropes, slowly inching toward the canyon. “This is not goodbye,” she said loudly, not caring who heard her.
She closed her eyes, gripping the ropes that crisscrossed her chest, her mind holding on to the image of his face above hers as his yellow-brown eyes blinked above her.
In a few quick minutes, it was over. Her feet reconnected with the ground on the other side, and several respectful hands removed her from the harness. . As soon as she was free, she shamelessly dropped to the ground, glad to feel it safely below her while they returned the contraption to ferry Erich across.
Isa looked across the canyon, where the figures of Luca, Blanca, and Aden stood barely visible.
He raised his hand in farewell, and she raised hers in return. This was not goodbye. She would not let it be.
Thankfully, Erich left Isa to her own thoughts during their two-day journey back to the Allysian capital. His boundless energy and witty remarks were entertaining, but they felt like a facade. After spending time with Aden’s straightforward thoughts and honest emotions, it was exhausting to be around a human man again. Maybe being cut off from the rest of the world had not been so bad after all.
They pushed their tired horses to the limit, arriving on the outskirts of the city in the late afternoon.
“I would give up my right to the throne of Iseldis for a hot bath and a good meal,” Erich proclaimed as the houses grew more dense.
“Fortunately, you shall get both in a few moments,” Isa responded as the gate to the Bielsa villa came into view. “And I don’t think you’ll have to give up your birthright for either.”
She didn’t blame him. She was hot and tired, and her dress felt as though it might be stuck to her skin forever. Erich, on the other hand, for all his complaining, seemed as fresh and spotless as when they had just set out on their journey. He was wearing the orange blue he’d worn that first day on the other side of the canyon. He had even switched out the feather in his hat to match.
As they neared the gate, however, four guards wearing the Allysian uniform approached from the opposite direction. They began pounding on the gate, demanding entry.
“What is the meaning of this?” Isa cried, swinging down from her horse. She landed stiffly but was smart enough to keep her hand on the steed for balance.
“We are here to arrest Carlos Bielsa for crimes against the kingdom of Allys in aiding and abetting the criminal Majis people.” The leader of the guard spoke in a practiced monotone, his voice loud and commanding.
“There is no need,” Isa replied, fumbling with the pack on her horse to produce the Floutast. “I have returned with the documents my father was supposed to gather for the Council, so he is exonerated from these crimes.” She tried not to let her voice display the disdain she had for the so-called crimes.
“I don’t know anything about that, miss. I’m just here to carry out my orders, and I don’t have the choice not to. If you have a problem with that, you’ll have to bring it up to the palace tomorrow where they can review the case. Now, if you will let us in.”
“I most certainly will not.” Isa went livid. “Carlos Bielsa is deathly ill. To remove him from this house now would be an immediate death sentence. Surely this matter can wait one more day until I can get things sorted. Are the councilors from Chendas still staying at the castle?”
