60th Day of Fall, 518 AV, 16th Bell
“We found your pod, Kailani.” The sound of Coraline Pearltide’s voice narrowed her world to a pinpoint, the blood beating in Kai’s ears like the sound of waves crashing onshore. It was the news she’d been waiting for all season, and her heart was racing to hear it now. The look on the face of the Sunberth pod’s Lia wasn’t a cheerful one, however, and the young Svefra was almost reluctant to hear what she had to say. “Well… what remains of it.”
Kailani felt her stomach drop at that, nearly crumpling to the floor. What remained of it? Did that mean…? Had the worst happened? Kona looked up at her in concern from his place at her side, whimpering as he pushed his head under her hand. Upon seeing her young employee’s face, Coraline held out her hands, her own expression apologetic. “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant! Please. Let me explain.” Pouring herself a glass of red wine from the nearby decanter, she did the same for Kailani and indicated for her to have a seat. Stunned, Kailani did so, trembling hands clenched tight around the stem of the pewter goblet. She looked up at Coraline as she waited for her explanation, bringing the glass to her lips for a long swallow. The Akinva Deerstalker took a seat at his mistress’s feet, turning to look at the Lia as she did.
“We found The Wayward Tabernacle,” the Lia explained, taking her own seat across from Kailani and ignoring the dog entirely. They were in her cabin aboard the Pearltide pod’s main palivar, The Otani’s Lament, a ship Kai was growing more used to by the day. “My messenger was able to make contact with Azhure, the new Lia. You know her, yes?”
A nod was Coraline’s response, Kailani on the edge of her seat. “Aye, she’s my aunt. Karigan’s sister.”
“That’s what I thought. Well, from what Terra was able to gather, the Crestwidow pod splintered off not long after you got separated from them. Azhure was put in charge of the core group that remained, though it would seem not too many were very happy about the state of her leadership.” Coraline lifted a brow at Kailani, as if to confirm whether this fit with what she knew of her aunt.
“She was not always very popular,” the sandy-haired sailor confirmed diplomatically before taking another swallow of her wine. In truth, the woman was viscerally hated by quite a few, and the fact that the pod had split off into groups did not surprise her. “Though to be fair… After Karigan, it would be difficult for anyone to take the helm of The Wayward Tabernacle. Her legacy will not be an easy one to follow.” Her next swallow of the semi-sweet liquid drained her goblet, Coraline rising without a word to fetch her more. “So?” she prompted, watching as the older woman poured out another glass. “Did Terra tell her I was here?”
The Lia pressed the glass back into Kailani’s hands before taking her seat once more. There were a few ticks of silence as Coraline considered the question she posed, obviously reluctant to give the answer. “She did,” she responded at last, looking down and fiddling with one of the beads woven into her crimson locks. “Azhure was… unenthusiastic. She claimed you left of your own accord and you could return of your own accord.” Coraline kept her tone even, hoping to soften the blow she knew her words would land. “They’re not coming for you, Kailani, I’m sorry. Azhure said they were too far out now to divert their path back toward Sunberth. And according to Terra, she… she didn’t seem too broken up at the thought of leaving you behind.”
Coraline’s words hit her just as hard as the Lia expected them to, Kailani doubling over in her seat and pressing her head to her knees. Her breath left her as if she’d been punched in the gut, the pain she felt at Azhure’s rejection physically searing her flesh. She and her aunt had not always gotten along, but she’d never thought the woman would all but abandon her. They were in the same pod, and more than that, they shared the same blood. Family was not supposed to leave each other behind.
A cold nose pressed against her shin, Kona offering what comfort he could. She reached out to scratch the back of his neck, blue eyes filling with tears. At last she straightened, face miserable as she looked at Coraline. “She knows I only have my casinor,” she replied dully, absently dabbing at the moisture accumulating in the corners of her eyes. “She knows I can’t simply rush out to join them. ‘You could return of your own accord…’ She’s well aware that’s not true, not with that little ship. She’s kicking me out without saying the words.”
Kailani was utterly floored, at a loss for what else to say. This was the last thing she’d expected, whenever she finally found the Crestwidows again. As soon as they learned of her location, she’d expected them to come running, to snatch her back up and continue on as if nothing had happened. To hear she was being effectively abandoned instead… It was a concept she struggled to wrap her mind around. The Svefra did not abandon their own.
“I know it’s not what you were hoping for, Kailani,” Coraline finally said into the silence, reaching out to take one of the younger woman’s hands in her own. “And believe me… I know how much it hurts to lose your pod.” A bleak look crossed the Lia’s face before she squeezed Kailani’s hand. “But you’re not alone, girl, even if you think you are. The people of the sea, we take care of our own. Even if your aunt seems to have failed in that regard.”
She offered the girl a small smile before she dropped her hand. “I’ve had nothing but good reports about you, Kai,” she went on. “You’ve done your job well, without fuss or complaint, and earned us a sleuth of loyal clientele. You’re friendly, efficient, and you get your passengers to their destinations quickly and safely with nary a gripe.” Coraline’s smile broadened. “In addition to all that, we like you, Kailani. You’re smart, funny, and quick-witted, and you command your casinor as a true daughter of Laviku should.”
The Lia squeezed Kailani’s knee, the other woman blushing at Coraline’s praise. It was an honor, indeed, to be spoken of so highly by the Lia herself. “I’ve spoken with some of the others, and we’re all in agreement. There’s a place for you in the Pearltide pod, should you wish to accept. We take care of our family, Kailani, and we’d be delighted to count you among it. You’d never have to worry about us leaving you behind.”
The younger woman looked at the Lia in shock, unsure she’d heard her correctly. This, she hadn’t expected, either, and she was still reeling from her first bit of news. She was surprised, conflicted, and touched all at once, unsure of how to respond. “I… I’m honored, Coraline, I truly am,” she stammered, bewilderment clear on her face. “But I… I don’t know what to say. Do you… do you mind if I take a day to think about it? This is a lot to process all at once.”
It was about the response Coraline had expected, and she didn’t begrudge Kailani a bit for not accepting her offer outright. It was a big decision, to join a new pod in a city one didn’t particularly care for. But Sunberth suited the young Svefra, even if she couldn’t see it yet herself. Coraline knew she could thrive here. “Of course,” she replied warmly, patting the girl’s knee again before standing up. “Take all the time you need. We’re not going anywhere.”
Kailani rose to her feet as the other did, doing her best to remain upright on such shaky legs. “Thank you,” she told the Lia, both for her offer and the allowance of more time. “I’ll… I’ll come back tomorrow and let you know what I’ve decided. I’m flattered, I truly am, but… I can’t make a decision like this on impulse. I need to think.”
“Of course, of course,” Coraline replied, following Kailani and Kona to the door of her cabin. “I will look forward to your return.” The Lia took her employee’s hand as the woman made to pass her, giving it a firm squeeze. “But I really hope you decide to stay with us, Kailani. You’re a valuable asset, even if your vagik of an aunt couldn’t see it.”
A grin flashed over Kailani’s face at Coraline’s dig at Azhure, returning the Lia’s grip. “Thank you,” she said again before dropping the other woman’s hand. “I’ll… I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, then.” With that, the door was shut behind her, and Kailani continued above deck, her mind spinning with the possibilities. Something told her she wouldn’t get a wink of sleep that night. Either way she chose, her life would never be the same.
NaNo WC: 1529
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