“Get changed. Put on the library overalls for disguise, but wear something else underneath. I’m getting Freyah. I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes.” And then he left, as if being away from her after the night before, even for a minute, was easy.
Eldric had deluded himself into thinking that, due to the early hour, with the sky still dark and the streets empty, the walk to their destination would be quiet and peaceful. He should have anticipated that with these women by his side, no journey would ever be calm. Since leaving Breno’s, they had been devising the most absurd theories about why Eldric had forced them out of the house so early.
“Maybe he is taking us to the woods to finally kill us,” Freyah muttered, her tone serious, but her lips were pressed tight to stifle a smile.
“Or maybe he is taking us to the palace to announce he is a long-lost prince!” Their giggles earned them a bored, sidelong glance from him.
“Perhaps he is an evil mage ready to turn us both into frogs.”
“Or maybe he will remove a mask and reveal himself to be Mr. Hamit,” Alissa said, earning a fit of hysterical laughter from Freyah so intense she had to cover her mouth.
“How long are you two planning on continuing with this?” he asked. “Just so, you know… I can better plan how I’m getting rid of you.”
They looked at him skeptically.
“Hey! You had plenty of chances to get rid of us before, and you didn’t. Now you’re stuck with us, mister.” Freyah shot him with a determined look.
They continued walking through the streets of Golheim, none of which Alissa recognized from her time in the capital. As they ventured, the buildings and paved streets gave way to large trees and dense bushes. A pebble-strewn path led them toward a trail so dark it was difficult to discern anything. Inthis secluded part of the city, the only sounds were their own footsteps mingled with a strange noise Alissa had never heard before, growing louder as they approached the looming darkness ahead.
She first felt the ground beneath her feet shift, as her once-firm footing gave way to sand that extended farther than her eyes could see. She removed her boots, savoring the sensation of the sand grains tickling the soles of her feet. The chilly temperature was a refreshing contrast to the warmth of her body. Her gaze then wandered to the source of the intriguing sound, and she found a vast expanse of water stretching out before her. She wondered if it was as immense as it appeared or if the reflection of the moon and stars on the water was creating an illusion, making it seem as big as the sky above them.
“What is that?” she gasped in awe.
Eldric had thought Alissa was beautiful before, but at that moment, as she encountered a new world for the first time, the light in her eyes and the shift in her posture marveling at the wonders that had been hidden from her, made her look almost divine. It was as if she belonged to this land as much as the sand and the sea.
“It’s the ocean,” he said softly.
Growing up within the walls of Bryniard, Eldric suspected that Alissa and Freyah had been deprived of many of the world’s beauties, with the ocean being the greatest of them all. Fascinated by the ocean since childhood, captivated by the thought of an entirely different universe lying beyond reach, Eldric could hardly imagine growing up without ever learning about the sea.
After seeing Alissa’s suffering again last night, he felt a strong urge to bring her the same peace he found at the beach. He knew that before daylight came, this was their only chance to experience it without compromising their safety.
Without another word, Alissa and Freyah ran to the water, their feet sinking into the sand, muffled by their giggles. They collected seashells and enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, flinching at the chilly touch of the water.
Eldric stayed behind, keeping a watchful eye on them. He wanted this moment to belong solely to them, and so he observed from a distance, finding his joy in their happiness.
Alissa understood why he had suggested she wear something underneath her overalls; he had known she wouldn’t be able to resist getting into the water. When both Alissa and Freyah removed their uniforms, their chemises covering them as they waded knee-deep into the water, they dipped their hands in to wash their faces, only to discover the water was salty.
“How is there salt in this water?” Alissa shouted the question at Eldric, her arms raised in astonishment.
He laughed, watching with bright eyes as his friends discovered the ocean with the innocence and purity of children.
They ran, leaped, rolling on the waves, leaving no part of their bodies untouched by sea as the sand stuck to their skin like a part of them. When the sun began to rise, they sat back to watch the spectacle on the horizon, a private show meant only for them. Alissa had thought the place was beautiful in the darkness, but as the light illuminated it, it evolved into something that could only be described as sacred. It made sense to her why theLizienbelief was all about nature ruling existence. How could they not when nature alone was capable of creating such a masterpiece?
They put their uniforms back on, though their hair still dripped and the colder breeze made them shiver slightly. The sky turned into a shade of yellowish orange while the water mirrored the same tone in its reflection.
Alissa and Freyah’s eyes gleamed with emotion at the view. The beauty of the place swept their feet and overflowed them with emotion, which spilled out in tears.
“Now I understand why you always wanted to cross the walls when we were little.” Freyah chuckled. “It’s like an entirely different world out here.”
“I only did it for the thrill. Not even in my wildest dreams did I think it would be this wonderful.”
Freyah glanced down and realized her toes were completely hidden under the sand. “Do you remember that time my mother caught us trying to build a huge ladder to cross the walls?”
Alissa broke into laughter. “Of course I do. Your parents were almost out of firewood to last the winter because of us!”
“They were so mad they made us clean the basement for a month.” Freyah smiled fondly at the thought, nostalgia bringing an ache to her heart.
The memories of Alissa’s childhood came rushing back all at once. Not long after, her parents had died, and the Wellers welcomed her into their family. Mrs. Weller had been her role model ever since—the woman she loved as a mother. Mr. Weller had provided for her when Alissa was still too young to make a living as a huntress.