Page 9 of Phoenix's Fire

"That's the plan!" I assured them. "But Meri - the new refugee - is overwhelmed by how Dragons do things. She's not used to having the right to state her opinion. She's never been treated kindly before. She's been beaten and abused by the Moles. She's been terrorized until that is all she knows. Be gentle with her and she will return the favor, just like Ayla did."

"How do we know her name?" someone asked.

"Because Ayla grew up with her. This woman may have helped the Phoenix come here." I lifted a hand, holding them off. "I do not know that much yet, but I do know Ayla spoke of this woman and another. I know she called them friends, and they were theonlypeople she used that word for before coming to Lorsa. So let us trust the Phoenix, because she has already proven herself. Let us give the new refugee a chance. When we know more, we will share it."

There was a murmur in the crowd and I saw a lot of heads nodding. A few looked angry, but they were likely the same ones who'd doubted Ayla. Either way, this news would spread, which meant Jerlis would be inundated with questions tomorrow.

Hopefully, I'd have some answers for him, because I hadn't seen this coming.

Three

Ayla

The walk home was slow. Meri's body was frail, thin, and weak. She kept her eyes squinted as much as she could, but since we were headed south, the sun didn't glare into her face. That helped. I knew because my friend looked around at everything, but the expression on her face was terrified.

"What is this place?" she finally asked.

"It's a town," I explained. "This is Lorsa, Meri. Most of these buildings are homes."

"But not all?" She turned to glance behind us, stumbling in the process.

I caught her, making sure she didn't fall. "Some of the bigger ones are businesses or other amazing things. One is a school! A whole building just for children to learn in. Another is a library."

"Like... Books?"

"I haven't been there yet," I admitted, "but I was told about it. And there's a church too."

That was more than Meri could take. Her feet stalled out, forcing me to stop beside her. "The demons have a church? Is it for the Devil?"

"It's to God," I promised. "Father Dayne is very nice, and he says God is kind and loving. He also made sure my marriage to Reynold was annulled."

"The elders said it didn't count because it wasn't consummated," Meri assured me. "He's still looking for a wife because the Righteous think you're dead."

"Does Callah?" I asked.

Meri shook her head as we continued walking. "No. She got your message, Ayla."

What message? I hadn't sent one! I'd promised Callah something yellow, but I hadn't been able to... Wait. The hunters! Ihadsent something back with them! Jamison hadn't been among the dead, which meant the healers had seen him.Those arrows I'd shot him with must've still been in him, and they were very yellow.

"The arrows?" I asked.

"I don't know," Meri admitted as I turned her towards the last house before the city entrance. "Callah just said you'd sent a sign that you were still alive. She said this was my only chance." And her hand went protectively to her belly.

"Okay, let's get you out of the sunlight so you can see." I slowed, making sure she didn't trip on the pair of stairs that led to the porch. "And maybe a bath? Some clean clothes?"

"Where..." Meri's words paused as I opened the door and guided her in. Then she looked around. "What is this?" she finally asked.

"Home," I assured her. "This is where I live. It's called a house, and it has two levels. My room is on the second one, but this is the living room." I pointed towards the kitchen. "That's where we cook. Over here is the bathroom, for the facilities and washing. It's private, meant for only one person at a time."

Meri followed me as I walked up the short hall. Unlike me, she didn't gawk at the other doors. She clearly trusted me enough to believe I wouldn't lead her into anything bad. Still, once she saw the large tub the Dragons used, a little rush of air slid from her lips.

Hopefully, the fire for the water heating was still going. Lifting the handle of the faucet, I trailed my fingers in the stream, thankful it came out warm. Pushing the plug into the hole at the bottom allowed the water to start filling the thing. Moving towards the cabinet to pull out towels for her, I couldn't take it anymore.

"How did you get out?" I asked. "Meri, you got married, then you told us what happened, and Gideon caught us. I didn't see you after that."

"He was so mad," Meri admitted. "He locked me in the room, keeping me there for days at a time. I managed to tell Mrs. Myers, and she made sure my brother Nateniel knew. He came to speak with me, reminding me I was now a wife and needed to act like it."

"I'm so, so sorry," I breathed.