“No. He’s an apothecary and very much believes the flower is out there.”
“But you don’t?”
She shrugs. “I’ve heard his stories but can’t tell if I just don’t have any interest in the divinities or if there is no belief there at all. After all, who would want to live forever?”
“I suspect someone who knows their life is nearing the end,” Benny replies, and hands Ariah the anchor. “You’d be surprised what people do when they know there is little time left. “Now”—he moves the anchor in her hands to where the symbol is—“you might be able to help us settle a debate. What does that look like to you?”
She squints and then reaches for a magnifying glass on the table. “There are initials here as well. F.V. What does that mean?”
“Fraya Vellen a—” Deean is cut off by Ariah.
“Famous captain. Yeah, I know who she is. This is the anchor of Kailaric.”
I rush over to her, taking a seat at the edge of the table. “The divinity of the sea,” I whisper to myself.
“My father has done extensive study on them. The divinities that is. Just another thing he’s shared with me. But to answer Benny’s original question, I would say it’s a symbol of a tree.”
Deean taps on the table in frustration. “It’s clearly coral.”
She tilts her head. “Oh yeah, I can see that too. But given the legends I still say it’s a tree.”
The legend of Kailaric says he was a demi-divinity who was cruelly chased out of the waters of the Graying Sea, his home for thousands of years, by a wicked king who had gained forbidden magic. In the legend, it is written that Kailaric was forced to change into another form and washed up on Farella Isle, where his spirit rests. Many believe it is Kailaric’s powers that allowsthe island to flourish and are responsible for the Ivian Flower itself. They say the tree that blooms the Ivian Flower grew upon the spot he was buried.
“That would make sense,” Benny says, stroking the hairs of his beard as he dives deeper into thought. “If this represents Kailaric, I wonder if it needs some kind of submergence to work.”
“Ariah.” I stand, and she follows my urgency, our bodies mere inches from each other. “I hate to ask, but can you have the servants draw me a bath in my chambers? No oils or plants. Only water, and preferably lukewarm.”
She gives me an accusing squint and then her face eases into a smile. “I think I can do that.” She curtsies and rushes out.
“You know she’s going to want to stay.” Deean eyes me with caution, wondering what I’m up to. “You better know what you’re doing.”
“She knows this is my job. I search for things. She doesn’t know we are actually setting sail for it. We’re no different than her father. Just men with interests in history.”
“I’m sure,” Deean says.
“Let’s go put your theory to the test, Benny.” Ignoring Deean’s reservations, I take the anchor in hand and walk around the table. “I have a meeting with Marcel and the Queen soon, so we better make this quick.”
The three of us head back to my bed chambers. As we make our way, I notice the castle is oddly quiet and there is a bizarre sensation of being watched. I discreetly check my surroundings, but I pick up nothing but vacant corridors and empty rooms. As soon as we reach the frame of my door, I push all worries aside and instruct Benny to shut the door behind him.
We pass the freshly made bed and move into the bath quarters where we find Ariah.
“I sent everyone away. Said you needed space for a while.” She beams at the sight of me, and it is unnerving how much her joy brings me comfort. Foolish is more like it. I’ve known this woman all of a few days and yet I want to know so much more about her.
“Well, let’s get this going.” Deean snaps me out of thoughts that are on the verge of spiraling. “You have a busy day with our dear bro…prince and the Queen, sir.” Deean coughs, hoping Ariah didn’t catch the slip. “We wouldn’t want to be late for that.”
Benny hides his smile, and I pass Deean a grin of cautiousness.
“You’re right, Eli.” I move to the tub giving my brother one last look of warning. “Marcel will send people searching for me soon. Better try this quickly.”
I submerge the anchor in the water, lukewarm just like I asked, and release it. The others remain quiet but approach the large metal bath in time to see it sink to the bottom.
“Brilliant idea but I don’t think we’re discovering anything from that,” Deean says after waiting a few uneventful minutes.
Benny holds up a finger. “I have another idea.” He crosses the room and looks through cupboards. “Salt. Where is the bloody salt?” It doesn’t take him long to find a golden pot that he pops the lid off of and moves it to his nose. “If the artifact was created to represent Kailaric then naturally it will need salt water. Afterall, he is the divinity of the ocean. Here we go!” Benny holds up a jar, “Hopefully, one that’s lilac infused will do.”
“No!” Ariah shouts, backing away from the tub. “Let me leave first. I’m allergic to lilacs.”
“You don’t want to see? That’s if it even works. I’m sure we can find different salts.” My voice comes out disappointed at the fact she’s taking her leave.
