Evenfall
Chapter 7 - The Surprise

They reached Kova as night fell. Nao, as per usual, had disappeared from beside the thundering caravan as the sun had begun to set. Isa had fallen asleep sometime after they had left the stream. She stretched awake now with a thousand aching bones, and a nasty headache.

“Ow,” she groaned, rubbing her head. Her mother chuckled from beside her as the caravan rolled up to the gates of Kova.

“I told you you should have brought a pillow out here with you,” her mother chided, smiling. “Now you’ll have a headache deep into tomorrow!”

“Hush,” Isa said, her mother’s sharp voice piercing her already throbbing skull. Her mother chuckled but didn’t say anything. She had been in a much better mood since she had told Isa about her Anala heritage. Isa figured she didn’t feel as alone now, as she had before Isa had known. It was a crushing weight, knowing you might be the last of your race.

The wall that surrounded Kova wasn’t previously intended to be a wall. The town itself had been built above a massive underground lake, accessible only through the maze of cave systems underneath the town. Settlers from long before Rhazien’s rule had found the lake by accident, and, upon replaceing the water enchanted to heal, had decided to build the small town of Kova above it. Unironically, Kova meant lake.

The settlers had found that the lake also contained a nearly unbreakable stone, one which they then used to construct the buildings they lived in. They called it fayanite; ‘unbreakable’. The stone was only able to be cut by itself, which meant it was resistant to any outside attacks. Had Kova been bigger, Isa figured it could have developed into a prosperous kingdom of its own.

Fayanite, as well as being resistant to breakage of any kind, could also not be carried outside the barrier of the lake. The wall that made up the border of Kova was littered with big and small stones alike, all bearing the blueish-green sheen of pure fayanite. Many had tried to take the stone out of the border of Kova, but they found it immovable once it reached the edge of the lake. Even the tiniest bit of fayanite became too heavy for a thousand oxen to pull.

So now, the border than ran the perimeter of the underground lake above ground, made solely up of dropped fayanite, had become the unofficial wall of Kova. Isa saw that the townspeople had since constructed a fayanite gate, which they had erected as the entrance to the town. It seemed they had purposefully piled more fayanite onto the dropped ones, to make the wall higher. Isa didn’t know why they’d want the wall, Rhazien had left them alone for over five hundred years.

Maria had brought Isa to Kova only once before, when she was barely five summers old. Isa realized that she had forgotten much about it, but now that she was back, the memories began to return.

The town was inhabited by a benevolent people, who never turned any traveler away. Their architecture reflected their spirits, as it wasn’t comprised of hard-edged, sharp-cornered buildings like a normal town, but rather of ethereal arches and curved walls and roofs, giving the entire town a calm and flowing feel. Much like the lake it was built above, Isa surmised.

The gates were graciously opened for the caravan, the Kovan men who opened it offering the two women welcoming smiles. Isa returned them, her mother simply nodded her thanks.

Isa marveled at how the white torchlight glinted off the fayanite buildings as they rode past, bathing the whole town in tranquil blues, purples and greens. Her mother seemed to know where she was going, as she navigated the wide streets expertly. Soon, they found themselves away from the buildings and in the forest once more, although this time they were within Kova’s wall.

Eventually, once they were out of sight of the town, her mother pulled Monte to a gentle halt. The only evidence that there was a town nearby was the shining fires that appeared now and then between the trees. If Isa craned her neck, she could see some of the taller buildings’ domed roofs, and the shadows that flickered against them whenever somebody walked past a torch.

“We leave at dawn,” her mother said, startling her from her thoughts. “So be sure to get a fair amount of sleep.”

“Where are we headed, then?” Isa asked, jumping down from the caravan and untying Monte.

“I told you, it’s a surprise.” Her mother smiled mischievously. Isa huffed and removed Monte’s bridle.

“Alright, I’ll hold my tongue if you insist,” Isa said. “I’m going to go replace a pond to bath in. My head still aches, and my back is sore, thanks to you.”

Her mother just chuckled and shook her head before disappearing inside the caravan, likely to begin preparing supper. Isa would return later to help her.

Finding a pond was a fair bit more difficult when one didn’t have a wolf to guide them. Luckily, Isa had spent enough time in the forest to replace one relatively quickly on her own. The pond was not much bigger than one of the Kovan buildings, maybe twice the breadth of Maria’s caravan. Isa noted how the water emitted a faint blue glow, allowing her to see straight through the unnaturally clear water to the pond’s bottom.

It was most likely filled with water from Lake Kova, the massive body of water that lay far beneath Isa’s feet. Smiling, Isa removed her sandals and hitched her skirt up, so as not to get it wet, and carefully waded into the water. Surprisingly, it was no colder than a bath that had been left to cool. The glowing water was blissfully warm, and immediately seemed to revitalize Isa’s tired body.

Sighing, she carefully lowered herself to sit on a small rock that led into the pond, swinging her feet back and forth in the warm water. She watched, entranced, as small trails of light seemed to follow her feet when they moved. They disappeared, however, when Isa stilled her feet. She already felt leagues better than she had when they entered the gates.

A commotion coming from the center of the pond startled her, making her pull her feet out of the water so quickly that she nearly doused herself completely. She looked up, mildly irritated to have been disturbed, to replace a naked man in the middle of the pond. His back was to her, and she was horrified to note that she could see everything below his waist. Her cheeks coloured red, grateful that he wasn’t facing her. How had she not noticed him?

She watched, scared silent and too afraid to move, as he ran his hands through his dark hair and shook it out. He stretched, as if waking from a long sleep, and groaned. She recognized his voice.

“Nikolas?” She said, astounded. This time, it was he who gave a small shout, whipping around in the water to face her. He seemed to remember he was naked just before she accidentally got an eyeful of a sight she would never forget.

“Isa!” He yelled, dropping his hands beneath the water to thankfully cover what should remain covered. She was glad to note that he was just as embarrassed as she was, if not more so, as his cheeks coloured a deeper shade of scarlet that almost appeared purple in the pond’s blue glow. Neither of them could move for a moment – or speak for that matter.

Nikolas was the first to regain his senses, a coy smirk crossing his features. “We really must stop meeting like this,” he said, his voice wavering a bit as he chuckled nervously.

Isa gave a small squeak of agreement, nodding so quickly Nikolas thought she might have given herself whiplash.

“Um,” he said nervously, lifting one hand out of the water. Terrified out of her wits, Isa’s hands flew up to cover her eyes. His boisterous laughter led her to frown.

“I was just going to ask you to turn around so that I could get my clothes,” he chuckled. “But this works too.”

Isa squeaked again, still unable to speak, as she heard splashing coming from the pond and realized that he was going to climb out. As if her vice grip over her eyes wasn’t enough, she scooted around so that her back was to the pond as well. She heard him chuckle again, as if she was amusing him by trying to preserve her – and, might she add, his – dignity. A flash of anger overtook her, and she whipped back around.

Nikolas shouted as he saw her full, uncovered, unwavering glare. Thankfully, he had his pants in his hands and he was holding them so that he was still mostly covered. He seemed just as surprised as she was that she had turned around. He frowned, and she sputtered in speechlessness.

“Y- you…” She stuttered, trying – and failing – to sound condescending.

“Me?” Nikolas asked, sounding innocent. If the smirk he was giving her was anything to go by, he was far from it. Isa clamped her mouth shut before she embarrassed herself further. She gave an agitated huff and crossed her arms. He raised his eyebrow. “Are you not going to turn around?” He asked, chuckling.

“Oh, um,” Isa stuttered, realizing her mistake and relenting. “Yes, sorry.” She turned around again, although this time she didn’t cover her eyes.

The pond’s blue glow reached the surrounding trees, bathing the leaves in a glow as well. She frowned, realizing that some of the trees’ leaves were coloured a similar blue-green to that of fayanite. They also seemed to be slightly bigger than those around them, and their bark had a deep purple hue. Isa hopped off the rock, careful to keep her back turned to Nikolas, and walked towards the nearest tree.

She reached up to brush her hand across one its blue leaves. As soon as she touched it, the leaf lit up with the same light that had come from movement in the pond. The entire leaf now shone a brilliant white, standing out like a torch in the darkness.

Mesmerized, Isa plucked it from the tree to examine it further. She frowned when the light immediately disappeared, and the blue colour faded to a simple green, the same as that of the surrounding trees. She glanced up at the rest of the leaves that were still on the tree and reached towards them, brushing her fingers across as many as she could reach. Like the first, they each lit up with a brilliant white light.

“Tai’en trees,” Nikolas startled her, sidling up to stand beside her. Fully clothed, she thankfully noted. “They only grow above Lake Kova.” He reached to pluck a handful of leaves, and they too dimmed as soon as they left the tree. “The Kovans use the leaves to light their torches.”

Isa thought back to the torches that lit the Kovan streets, and she remembered that they had shone with white fire.

“How?” She asked, touching more of the dark leaves and igniting them. “They dim as soon as they leave the tree.”

“The Kovans crush them into a powder,” Nikolas explained, rubbing some of the leaves in his hands together as he spoke. Isa noted that they were extremely fragile, almost like dead and brittle leaves, and grinding them to powder was very easy. She watched as Nikolas walked to the pond and scooped some of the water into his hand – the one that wasn’t holding the crushed Tai’en leaves. He walked back to her and held his hands out to her so that she could see. He carefully dropped some of the water into the leaf powder.

Immediately a bright, white flame flared up in the palm of his hand. Isa cried out as she jumped back, startled. Nikolas chuckled at her reaction. He seemed unfazed by the unnatural white blaze encasing his hand.

“You’re going to get hurt!” Isa yelled, rushing to pat the fire out. Nikolas laughed as she tried to stifle the flame. It seemed to only flare brighter.

“Isa,” Nikolas called. “Isa, it’s alright,” she frowned at him. Maybe the fire had fried his brain, and he was no longer thinking straight. “Tai’en fire doesn’t burn,” he said, reaching for her hand. He lifted it to hold above the flame. She started as she realized that the fire was cold. Amazed, she brushed her hand through the fire again and again, marveling at the strangely pleasant cold that engulfed her hand each time she did.

“Archen,” she breathed. “That’s amazing.” The flames seemed to catch onto the small amount of water she had on her hand from where Nikolas had gripped it. Tiny white flames flared up along her wrist and up her arm. She giggled at the strange feeling, turning her arm to watch the flames. “How do you put them out?”

“Ironically, with water.” Nikolas chuckled. Isa gave him a funny look.

“But that’s how they’re lit,” she frowned. Nikolas nodded, shaking his hand out. The fire clung to his hand like a stubborn child, even though the powder and water were flung away.

“With a few drops, yes,” Nikolas agreed. “But they won’t survive if you drown them.”

She followed him to the pond again and watched as he plunged his hand into the water. The fire immediately disappeared, leaving only the trails of light from the pond to show that there had been anything there at all. Isa made an impressed sound, striding forward to plunge her arm in as well. The small fires along her arm disappeared as well.

“Incredible,” she mused, swirling the water with her fingers, watching as the light trails followed them. She turned to replace Nikolas smiling at her. She smiled back.

“So,” she said before the air could become awkward. “Kova was the next town over, huh?”

Nikolas snorted and nodded. “It appears so,” something of a confused look crossed his face, but it disappeared too fast for Isa to be sure. Isa coughed and then chuckled.

“I see you found some clothes?”

Nikolas nodded and smiled, laughing a bit. “That I did,” he said, rubbing his hand on his shirt to dry it. “The Kovans were very generous.”

Isa nodded, and the conversation lapsed into silence once more.

“Um, Isa.” Nikolas muttered sheepishly after a moment. Isa could see that he seemed nervous. Had she upset him somehow?

“Yes?” She prodded.

“You didn’t…” He grimaced. “see anything, did you?”

Isa burst out laughing. “Archen’s daughters, no!” She said, shaking her head. “I’m so sorry, I practically marched in on you bathing,” she said quietly. “I honestly didn’t see you at all. If I had known, I would’ve high-tailed out of here the very moment I realized!”

Nikolas joined in with her, chuckling nervously. He seemed relieved. “Oh, don’t worry,” he said. “as long as you preserved your innocence, I’m alright with you being here.”

Isa nodded, and the two fell silent once more.

“So where are you staying?” Isa asked, watching him.

“Somewhere in town,” Nikolas said cryptically. Isa frowned.

“Somewhere?” She prodded. He simply nodded, refusing to meet her eyes. “Archen, you don’t have anywhere to stay, do you?”

“Not exactly…” he said defensively.

“Nikolas!” She slapped his arm, making him grunt in pain. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” She said, reaching for the arm she had dressed the night before. “I forgot about your arm, let me see.”

Nikolas relented after a moment of struggle, allowing her to roll his sleeve up. Her eyes widened when she saw that the wound was all but gone, bandages discarded Archen knew where. All that was left of the wound was an angry scar, about the length of her pinkie finger.

“What in the name of…” she said, examining the scar.

“Kovan lake water,” Nikolas explained, shrugging. “They said it had healing properties. I decided to give it a go.”

“Hum,” Isa said, prodding at the scar. “Well at least you didn’t make it worse.”

Nikolas shrugged and gave her a sheepish smile. She glared at him.

“And where have my bandages disappeared to?” She chided, dropping his arm. “Those were expensive, you know.”

“I have them with me,” he said, reaching into one of his pants pockets and producing the bandages.

“That is a lot more than I gave you,” Isa said, snatching the bandages to study them. “Almost double, in fact.”

Nikolas frowned, but this time Isa didn’t miss the nervous look that crossed his face. “What do you mean?” He asked, reaching for the bandages. Isa held them out of reach. “Those are the exact bandages you gave me, no more, no less. You must just be tired from riding all day.” He said.

Isa’s resolve faltered. He may very well have been correct. She sighed and handed him the bandages, nodding. “I suppose you’re right. I apologize for my accusing tone.”

Nikolas seemed startled at her abrupt change in demeanor. “It’s no bother,” he said quietly.

Isa sighed and glanced up at the sky. All three moons were visible tonight, although they were each waning. “You could stay by us if you wanted,” Isa offered. “I’m sure we could throw together an extra bedroll?”

Nikolas smiled, but declined, shaking his head. “It’s alright, thank you for offering. I’m sure I will manage on my own. I’ve heard that Kovans are known to be especially hospitable.”

Isa nodded, although she seemed disappointed. “I’d better be getting back,” she said after a moment, getting to her feet. Nikolas stood with her. “Thank you for the… eventful evening.” They both chuckled at her choice of wording.

“That’s one way to say it,” Nikolas shrugged. “Thank you for the company.”

Isa nodded, rubbing her hands down her dress. It seemed to be a nervous tick she was developing.

“Well, um…” she muttered. “Good night.”

“Good night,” Nikolas smiled, waving as she walked away.