Page 9 of Aubade Rising
The climb up from the islet’s small quay to the laboratory is breath-stealing.
Wind whips my cheeks as I venture higher, easing the nausea from the crossing.
The unforgiving path is treacherous, lined with loose slate.
A single misstep will see me tumbling over the cliff edge.
Dervla leads the way, sure-footed and confident, all trace of weakness from our aqueduct escape gone.
Captain Devath glowers at my back, resentful at being my escort.
His family own this islet, which is why I assume he’s continued to follow us up the cliff.
He probably wants to make sure I don’t stick my nose somewhere it’s not wanted.
“How was the Concord session yesterday?” Dervla probes. I’d rather have this conversation in private considering the last time we spoke. I wait a few steps whilst I consider what she wants me to say.
“I… left.” I feel as if I’m about to be told off. The fierce breeze from the ocean slaps me in the face, I don’t need more rebuke. Captain Devath snickers at my admission.
“Oh. That’s surprising,” her voice fades, inviting me to elaborate.
“I’m taking time to adjust.” It’s the story I’m telling myself, and the other Concord members who have accosted me this morning. None have been friendly but they aren’t above scouting out how my vote could be bought.
Behind us the Captain’s snicker has turned into a full-on scoff and I turn to him in anger.
“Would you like to join the conversation, since you clearly have an opinion? I thought you’d already made your disapproval evident.”
Despite being several steps ahead of him on the hike up the cliff front, Captain Devath is at my eyeline and those eyes – the colour of delicious caramel – are taunting.
“I’m here for the view,” he retorts, his mouth quirking into a half-smirk.
My eyes widen and I force my face to glare back at him. I have no intention of becoming his next library conquest, splayed out all over the reading table. Dervla’s stony expression greets me as I turn around.
“I’ll make sure I attend in full in future.” She nods, disapproving and we continue the climb.
It’s the first time I feel as if I’ve disappointed Dervla.
In the years she’s been my sponsor, she’s never criticised or complained when our research hasn’t gone to plan, yet skipping out on my new responsibilities has riled her.
I can’t ask her while the Captain is lurking at my back but perhaps, she is worried about the new Concord’s lack of action too.
It’s been nearly a year since the old king was assassinated and the hope of change, we all had for King Cado’s reign is fading.
Even though agreeing with the Captain vexes me, the view as we continue to climb in silence is stunning.
On this side of the islet, hidden from the city, all I can see is the edge of the archipelago and the ocean, all shades of cloudy grey above and deep navy dusted with white frosting in the waves below.
The sea spray continues to chase us up the path and I concentrate on placing my feet so I don’t slip and slash my hands on its slate shards.
My nausea from the bumpy crossing has finally faded as we reach the top of the cliff and brace ourselves against the large reinforced steel barn doors of the islet’s largest outhouse. The Captain unlocks them and proves himself useful by heaving them open.
A loud bird call sounds before we enter and we raise our heads to find Kaens circling.
Dervla grins and extends her arm and my breath catches as the beautiful bird of prey plummets towards her leather gauntlet.
At the last second, she flares her wings and lands, forcing Dervla to absorb the shock and slither down the path a little.
A half-crazed laugh erupts from her lips at the bird’s antics and pieces of slate tumble into the ocean.
Kaens pecks at Dervla’s short braids in apology and extends her leg so Dervla can untie a small glass canister with a message inside, before turning to the Captain and calling sharply, “Eskar, you’re needed at Chi An Mor.”
His face becomes stormy and darkens. Kaens clucks sympathetically and takes to the skies, scouting overhead as the Captain takes his leave. Dervla wistfully watches her fly over the archipelago and into the distance.