Nori said she had an idea of how to get to Bolivé, so I let her take the lead. I fashioned a backpack from linen cloth and packed the essentials—ginza, dried fruits, pickled vegetables, and my water gourd. Anything else we might need, I could always manifest along the way.
We stopped a few times to ask for directions, just to be sure. My refuge sat deep within Sylva, between Avion and Bolivé, and it took us a couple of days before the forest finally gave way to open land.
The prairies stretched endlessly before us, blanketed in tall grass and wildflowers that swayed gently with the breeze. Water channels cut through the fields, forming streams and shallow pools that reflected the sky like scattered mirrors. Bolivé looked nothing like the rugged, dangerous forests I had grown used to. It felt peaceful. Fertile. Alive.
I breathed in deeply and took it all in.
All around us were creatures—geese, ducks, hens, sheep, and more—most of them mothers guiding their young. Some strolled leisurely, others hurried along with purpose. They all had humanoid forms, each marked by animal features that made them unmistakably Bolivé-born.
We ended up walking beside a frazzled mother goose whose goslings were absolute hooligans—darting everywhere, never listening. Nori and I instinctively herded them back, corralling the strays until they were safely returned to her side.
"Thank you!" the goose huffed, ruffling her feathers. "That wasn't fun, was it? These goslings are a lot of work. Are you two heading to Bolivé as well—for the king's welcome feast?"
"Yes," I answered. "Are most of the creatures going too?"
"Oh, absolutely! It's been so long since we've seen our king. We're just glad he's finally made it through his trials and returned to us safely."
Hearing how deeply Aron was loved warmed my heart. It showed in his people—the way they spoke, the way they moved, the way they trusted him. Leadership wasn't just about power; it was reflected in the lives of those who followed.
As we continued walking, more geese joined us, forming a loud, bustling group. They strutted together as if they'd known each other all their lives, greeting one another and immediately launching into conversation.
Gossip.
Of course.
It really does exist in every world.
"I heard the sheep were furious about King Aron's return," one goose said.
"Well, that's because their days of bossing around that pushover ox he left in charge are over," another replied smugly.
"Good riddance. We're better off under King Aron anyway! The ducks said he wasn't sulking somewhere—he was out fighting battles! They saw him with other mighty kings, crushing hyenas alongside elks in Velaris!"
"That's our king!" another goose declared proudly. "I knew he wasn't hiding!"
I couldn't help but giggle. The stories were half true, half wildly exaggerated—but still heartwarming.
They talked about the sheep conspiring with rats, the rats hoarding food, and how everything was finally being set right now that Aron was back.
Then a duck chimed in, lowering her voice dramatically. "Have you heard about Shelley from the Bunny Tribe? The girl sent by Eriu, the Goddess of Abundance? They say she's been saving clans, restoring kingdoms, and bringing prosperity wherever she goes."
"I remember the old stories about Eriu's vow," another duck added. "Do you think she's returned? The lands where her name is spoken have been flourishing ever since that mysterious girl appeared."
My chest filled with warmth.
You hear that, Eriu? I'm doing the work. Surely that counts for something.
Nori suddenly spoke up, her voice earnest. "I met the girl from the Bunny Tribe. She saved me. She's kind and wise, and because of her, I changed my life. I'm helping her spread word of Eriu's blessings."
The flock stirred, murmuring with awe.
I hugged Nori and whispered, "Thank you."
A duck in human form tilted her head at us. "Are you two familiar with our king? Or are you hoping he chooses one of the many ladies seeking to be his mate?"
Before I could respond, a hen-looking woman interjected, eyes sharp. "Not a chance. I heard from some wild flocks that King Aron already has a mate. What's worse—this girl caused a rift between old allies."
I froze.
"A rift?" I asked carefully.
"Well, it's just what I heard," she said. "King Aron and King Talon of Avion—longtime allies—fell in love with the same woman. That's why some birds are worried Bolivé won't welcome Avion anymore."
The words crashed into me.
A rift… because of me?
My mind reeled. Had I really done that? When I saw them in Velaris, I hadn't noticed any tension—but I'd been so focused on Gideon.
Was that why Talon was distant before the bats? Why Aron disappeared?
Nori tapped my arm. "Shelley—Sienna—are you okay? We're falling behind."
"Yes," I said quickly. "Sorry—I just got lost in the stories."
We caught up to the geese, who were still chattering.
"Poor King Aron," one sighed. "Lost the love of his life, found another, and lost his closest friend."
They sighed together.
So did I.
No. I have to fix this.
I broke into a run, Nori right behind me.
"Sienna! Why are we running?" she called.
"I don't have time to explain," I said breathlessly. "Just follow me."