The Illyrian Series: The Oracle Of Rosedale
Chapter 13

I open the door and true to his word, see Violet and Malin. They're tied to one tree while the horses are tied to another.

"I'm so glad you guys are okay, what happened?" I untie Malin first.

That makes Violet visibly pissed. "The Niphin, it tied us up. What do you think happened?"

"What happened to you?" Malin notices the book in my hands. "You got it, how?"

"He gave it to me." I undo Violet's knots.

She rubs her red wrist. "He just gave you the book, for absolutely nothing in return?"

"Not nothing, we have to make a stop and deliver this letter for him."

"What's in it?" Violet reaches out for it and I hold it up high.

"It's personal, we can't read it."

"He's a Niphin, this is obviously a trap."

"Maybe it isn't, I made a deal with him and I'm not going to break it. Now let's get across the lake before the sun sets."

I untie Apple, they do the same with their horses. I then deposit the letter safely in my bag and we're on our way. I keep turning back to stare at the cottage until we're completely out of its view.

We get back to the shore and I approach the fisherman.

"We have the book." I hold it in my hand.

"Pleasure doing business with you." He looks behind me at Malin.

The fisherman reaches out to me for the book but I don't give it to him.

"You'll get it after you've carried us safely across the lake."

He scoffs. "Sir, tell your wife that I don't have time for this."

Malin stares back at him with a frown. "As you can see, the book is in her hand. If you want it, you'll have to talk to her."

Violet smiles.

"I don't have time for this." The fisherman lunges at me and I duck out of the way.

"Careful. We wouldn't want any accidents to occur now, would we?" My voice is ominous. "Violet." She understands what I mean immediately and creates a ball of fire in her left hand.

The fisherman starts sweating and shoots us a glare. "You're both crazy, I'm not talking to you. Mister, control them."

Malin folds his arms across his chest and sighs. "And how am I supposed to do that?"

Violet steps forward, fire in hand. "You see, this is a very, very, very valuable book. I don't think it's worth a mere boat ride. Do you think it's worth a mere boat ride?" She asks me.

I flip through the book and gasp. "A map to an island in the middle of the Dupont sea. Says here it leads to riches beyond my wildest imagination." Thankfully, below the map is a note. It seems to be the only thing not written in Dae.

"It does?" Violet peers at the book. "Oh no, this deal isn't at all fair."

"I don't negotiate with women, and you two have proved my point. Power-hungry whores."

"You can do better than that." I roll my eyes. "Violet." I stretch the book out to her and she begins burning the edges.

The fisherman falls to his knees and begs us to stop. "Please, we lost good men trying to retrieve this book."

"Are you ready to negotiate?" I ask. He nods. Violet stops burning the book and we climb aboard his boat to talk.

At the end of our negotiations, he hands us a silk pouch filled with jewels. Among it is a golden locket shaped like a book, a dark-bladed dagger, a necklace with an amethysts pendant, and finally, my personal best, two gold rings with light pink diamonds. He also hands us a tiny pouch filled with gold coins.

Malin inspects the pouches and nods. "And that is how you negotiate." Violet taunts.

Malin claps lightly. "I'm in awe."

I laugh as he hands the pouches back to me. "Violet." I produce the two rings. "Friends forever?"

She looks me up and down. "No. Definitely not."

I turn to Malin. "Friends forever?"

"Of course," he replies. Violet snatches the rings and pouches from me.

"We can sell them to a blacksmith for money. We'll be running out soon enough."

"We still have some from our first sale." Most of that went to my travelling equipment.

"Well, we need food more than we need jewels so, we're selling."

The fisherman calls something out and the boat leaves the dock. "I should go check on the horses, they're probably not used to being on the water," I say.

I go below the deck and see the horses laying on a big pile of hay. "We'll be back on land in a few hours. I promise." I sit between Apple and Holly, Violet's horse.

I bring the new dagger out of my boot and examine it. The hilt is silver with gold engraving and the main sword is a thick black metal. I like it. I swing it around in my hands, it feels light and swift. I'll keep my old dagger in my bag and start using this.

I stay with the horses for half an hour before climbing back to the main deck. I catch Violet and Malin talking at the edge of the boat. They stop when they see me.

"What are you talking about?" I ask once I'm in front of them.

"We'll reach Rinus Valley in two days, if we travel west, we'll be out of it and headed for the mal lundrues." Violet says.

"The floating mountains." I translate. "I can't wait to see that, always wanted to visit."

"I'll go check on the horses." She goes below deck.

"What happened to her?" I lean against the oak edge.

"Don't worry about it, she's fine." Malin replies.

I move away from the railing and face him. "Lake Keller." I'm smiling. "Do you remember?"

"Your mother promised to let us come once you turned sixteen. I remember."

"And now here we are, fate's so cruel." I stare down at the beautiful clear waters of the lake and smile. I catch Malin looking at me, he has an unreadable expression on his face.

"I need to sit down." He goes to the cabin in the middle of the boat and slides down one of the walls. I take a seat beside him.

"Now you're acting strange, what's happening to everyone today?"

His smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Its been a long day, a long week. We just need to rest."

I place my head on his shoulder and watch the view. The sun has begun its descent and the water looks orange in the light. "Can't believe Violet is missing this, the view looks so beautiful."

Malin hums in agreement. After some minutes, the gentle breeze rocks me to sleep.

When I wake up, the sun is almost down, we're on the other side of the lake, and the fisherman looks relieved to have us off his boat.

Violet hands Apple over to me and gives the fisherman his book. We get off the boat.

"We should set up camp for the night." I say as the boat distances itself from the shore.

"We have to leave very early tomorrow, we still have to deliver your letter." She says this a tad accusingly.

"You mean the one little task that got us across the lake and a pouch filled with jewels. I'm just the worst, aren't I?"

"You can toss it in the lake, or it can serve as kindling for our fire."

"I made a promise and I'm keeping it, you don't have to come if you don't want to. I can deliver it myself."

"You won't survive on your own, you're barely surviving now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means."

I scoff. "If you have a problem with me, say it to my face. You've been acting even worse than usual lately."

"Have I?"

I take a second to catch my breath. Violet has a belligerent look on her face.

"We need to set up for the night." I say and walk further away from the water to a single tree.

I begin unloading my stuff. I hear the others arrive at the spot a minute later. Malin makes a pit, fills it with twigs and lights it. Soon, the area is bright. Malin and I begin making dinner while Violet stays in her tent.

"I have a plan, we wake up before the sun comes up, extra early, and just leave her here," I whisper to him.

"That sounds very rude."

"She's been rude to us since we met her, maybe we'll be better without her."

"We're not doing that, Addy." Malin looks serious. "She just needs time, trust me. She'll be better by morning."

"What did you two talk about? On the boat, you stopped talking as soon as I arrived."

"I'm sorry, I promised her I wouldn't say. But it's nothing serious, just some stuff she's dealing with from her time at Lockheart."

I'm a little hurt she's talking to Malin even though she's know me longer. "Do I look like the better, more powerful mage that bested her in everything?"

He laughs. "Maybe. It's not important, don't think too much of it."

"Fine, but I have one more question." He stops chopping and stares at me. "What did she say to make you stay on the quest, that first night?"

He sighs. "She helped me realize that I needed to do this. Reminded me this might be the miracle I've been waiting for. And I'm glad I did, now we're friends again."

I smile. I think he just said that to change the topic. We finish making dinner and cook the fishes Malin nicked from the fisherman's barrel.

"I'll get this to Violet." He reaches for her plate.

"It's okay, I have it." I get to it first and rush up to her tent and open the flap. "Dinner."

"Just drop it on the floor." She doesn't move from her spot on the ground. She's currently sitting with her legs crossed and staring at the map. Beside her is a candle on a metal saucer. I do as she says and turn to leave. "Princess." She stops me. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been so hostile."

She's actually apologizing. "It's okay, we're all stressed."

"Yes, we're stressed." She repeats. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Violet." I leave her alone and join Malin in front of the fire. He hands me my plate. "Thank you."

He's watching me with an amused smile on his face. "I can't get over the sight of you, sleeping on the floor, eating cheap food off cheaper plates, and worse of all, making that food."

I huff. "I'm a lot more impressive than you think, Mal. Took you long enough to realize it."

He looks up at the starry sky. "Do you know something I've wanted to do for a long time?"

"What?"

"I've always wanted to sleep under the stars, with you." He laughs. "It would have pissed you off so much when we were kids, now you're used to it. Won't be fun anymore."

"Sleep in the comfort of my tent away from bugs and mosquitos, or stay out here with you?" I pretend to think. "It sounds like such a hard decision."

After dinner, we go down to the lake to wash up the dishes. We get ready for bed after that.

"Goodnight." I say before retiring to my tent. I close my eyes and soon fall asleep.

I open them and replace myself in a familiar courtyard. I look around and see pretty flowers lined up in neat rows. I walk around till I hear a voice.

"Princess Adria," the redhead says. "Pleasure to see you again, a bit surprised you haven't died yet. Then again, it is just getting started." She giggles. She's standing on the other side of the courtyard in a pretty gold dress.

"Not this again," I whisper under my breath. This really isn't the time to be sleep-deprived. "Hello..."

"Rosalie." She fills in. "My name is Rosalie."

"Lovely name. Can you please just take me to your mistress?"

"Mistress." She smiles approvingly. "She'll be glad you're finally showing her the respect she deserves. No more frolicking, time to learn more about your destiny."

I follow her down the same set of halls to her mistress's office. "And here we are." She opens the door for me and I walk in. "And also, a word of advice. Don't lie to her, she already knows so much more than you. It would be insulting."

"Thank you for that. But I wouldn't dream of disrespecting her, again." Her smile widens and she shuts the door.

I look around the room, it's empty. Just like last time, she emerges from her secret bookshelf. I'm starting to get the sense that she likes dramatic entrances.

She appears in her usual leafy dress and waltzes to her desk. "Adria," she starts. "I've been expecting you."