November's End by Heather McVea

Author:Heather McVea [McVea, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-01-24T02:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Nessa’s eyes widened as they rounded a bend. The dirt path beneath them gave way to a cobblestone road, surrounded by sheer rock walls on either side. The air was noticeably cooler than in the shire or the forest, and Nessa thought she heard a waterfall somewhere in the distance.

Nessa had imagined Aylin would be a large stone castle set alongside a calm lake, like the fairie tale images of her youth. Instead, towering columns and spires jutted out from the top and side of a massive mountain. The facades of the grayish white rock buildings were covered in elaborate flowering vines, and the entire city seemed to be emitting a subtle white glow.

Nessa stared in awe as Perth guided the horse over a narrow wood and stone bridge. Looking down, Nessa’s head spun as she stared into a cavernous gorge with a raging river at its base.

The sound of grinding metal, followed by a series of scrapes, preceded a large iron and wood planked gate opening. Perth urged the horse through a large archway and into a sprawling courtyard covered with the greenest, most meticulously trimmed grass Nessa had ever seen.

The city teemed with people, and Nessa struggled not to stare at the myriad of iridescent eyes locked on Perth and her. Perth maneuvered the horse through a second, smaller archway, and into a narrow alley. It was then that Nessa realized the Aylins were only looking at Perth while avoiding eye contact with her.

Perth dismounted the horse with ease. “Do you need help?” He held his gloved hand up to Nessa.

“No, I can do it.” Nessa knew her competence level in dismounting a horse fell far short of the confidence she was attempting to exude. She wasn’t used to being the one not in the know, and it was starting to irritate her.

Taking a firm hold of the brass saddle horn, Nessa swung her left leg off the horse and slowly slid down the animal’s side. Straightening her disheveled dress and blouse, Nessa took a deep breath to center herself before turning to face Perth.

“Are you hungry?” Ernmas hopped down from her horse.

“No.” Nessa’s stomach continued to swirl and she feared if she tried to eat, she would only make a fool of herself by getting sick.

“Suit yourself.” Ernmas turned as a young woman dressed in dark brown leather trousers, riding boots, and a thick greenish blue shirt approached. The woman’s hair was a golden blonde and pulled back, allowing Nessa to marvel at the intricate veins of light running up her neck.

“Kaie.” Ernmas approached the woman. “I thought you would still be scouting.”

The woman offered Ernmas a warm smile. “We were done early, and I just finished debriefing my father.”

Ernmas turned to Nessa. “Kaie, this is my daughter, Eri – Nessa.”

Pleased Ernmas wasn’t pushing the renaming point, Nessa smiled. She put her hand out and then thought better of it, quickly lowering it back to her side. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Kaie’s gray eyes sparkled in the dim light of the alleyway but stayed fixed on Ernmas as she knelt down.

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