We were falling.

I could see nothing but the rust-coloured blur of cliff walls. The green of the jungle was long gone. My hand was latched around a sturdy arm. It shook, slightly, and the ridges of a scar sat below my fingers. Wind whipped around us.

The ground was coming closer, I knew and I looked up to the edge of the hole. I could still see the lanterns, hear the faint sound of laughter.

Hope had left, nausea and dread all that was left inside my cold skin.

But now I'm getting ahead of myself.

🙞

'Village' was the wrong word.

Kita and Lennon T. James had referred to her home place as a village. By definition, 'village' means a group of houses and buildings in a rural area, smaller than a town. 

This inanimate creature of wood and stone defied Death himself as it sprawled in his garden.

I had stopped in my tracks when we'd reach the top of the hill--something I hadn't realised we were climbing. From my vantage point in the trees, I could see the jungle floor sloping down, and then falling away altogether. There was a large crater in the ground, its other side too far to see clearly. The tall trees, with spacious branches that curled over their structures, were easy to observe.

Wooden houses, some small and cabin-like, others large with jutting balconies, could be seen clinging to their tree trunks. They had their unique shapes, not one identical to another. Not like the developments in Hancochk's newest districts.

Rope bridges could be seen strung between platforms. Ladders scurried up the taller trees, where smaller structures hid in the canopy.

The sun was low enough in the sky that lanterns had been lit.

I could spot movement, obvious when the person was walking with a lantern.

Kita huffed a laugh. "Are you sure she comes from the village-city by the sea? The clans all speak of how many villages lie behind the man-made river."

Lennon T. James did not verbally reply, inclining his head to the side as he acknowledged her words. He stepped a bit closer to me, leaning down to point at the beginning of the crater.

"The village climbs over the edge. Can you see it?"

I looked closer, squinting as I tried to distinguish between the anatomy of the tree and the crafted buildings of the village.

"That is a watchtower." His finger pointed a bit to the side, and I finally saw the silhouette of the building he was pointing at. "I will show you more later. We need to hurry."

I nodded and allowed him to pass me, distracted as I followed the two of them.

As soon as I'd spotted the watchtower, I could make out more wooden structures leaving the canopy and reaching over the edge of the cliff. Anticipation curled beneath my skin, bringing with it the energy I had walked out.

That was something they never told you in stories of adventures. You became extremely fatigued; from the heat, the fleeing, the walking, the stress of the unknown.

Also, I was hungry.

We neared the village, the platforms becoming wider and easier to transverse. Guards, who carried spears and cloaks very similar to Kita's, patrolled the entryway to the city in the trees.

"Stop. Who approaches Bomsta?"

The voice was deep and scratchy, like chalk on a tablet. It belonged to a short man with wide shoulders, puckering scars on his arms and face, and with a well-decorated spear.

Lennon T. James did not slow down. "I wish to see To'an the old, Chief of the Garden."

Note: Lennon T. James knows the leader of these strange people personally.

Kita's whistle nipped at Lennon T. James' words. "Tier-kin approaches, Vik. He comes with a friend."

The guard chuckled, stepping aside. "So that is why we're using the official entryway to Bomsta?"

Lennon T. James smiled, shaking his head at the teasing, but didn't slow to chat.

Kita didn't either, calling over her shoulder, "See you later, Vik. The spira were close and we'll need to go hunting tonight."

"I am off in an hour. Shall I gather the hunting party?"

Only now did Kita stop, causing me to swerve around her as I tried to stay close to the adventurer.

"I only want our best five, Vik. My Seilg-noot will be eager to come."

Her voice faded behind me as we left her behind, Lennon T. James paying no mind as we lost a member of our party.

Something sharp pricked the skin of my foot but I paid it no mind. It was just another sliver seeking transport to a different part of the jungle.

"Shae--"

"I'm right behind you."

He glanced behind him. "I was going to inform you that most of the important conversations will be in the Common Tongue. Otherwise, I will do my best to translate the rest. Just ask if you are curious."

"Oh." A small laugh escaped me, aimed at my presumptuousness. "I thought you were going to ask me to hurry up."

"No."

And then we were in the village. In Bomsta.

Note: Lennon T. James is just as well known here is he is in Hanochk.

The further we walked the wooden streets in the trees, the more people we encountered. Most of them did not look too closely at the newcomers, content to be about their own business, but those that did, offered the explorer deferential nods and short greetings.

"Blessed eve, Tier-kin. We are happy to see you."

"Tier-kin. Relieved to see how The Untameable watched over you."

"Tier-kin! Glad you could join us for the Celebration of the Sapling."

I kept all my wondering to myself. It would not do to offend such devoted people with my ignorance. My questions would yield the same amount of answers my silence would.

Keeping close to Lennon T. James, I recalled the first time I had followed him. The day of the throne room.

I recall wearing my journalist robes, then, the fabric soft on my skin and my shoes clicking against the palace floor, the cobblestones of Hanochk streets. My satchel had been a constant weight at my hip, my eyes on the back of the proud figure in front of me.

Now, my feet my very little noise on the wood. Sturdy fabric clung to my skin, reinforced by the leather belts and buckles. My gaze followed the path of a seasoned traveller, a reluctant leader.

Note: Lennon T. James is silent and unforthcoming not because of his pride but because of something else about his personality I have yet to crystallize.

If I had not been so terrified of losing Lennon T. James in this plethora of strange surroundings, I would've taken care to note all the little details of Bomsta.

As it was, I still saw the living quarters stacked in the same tree. They were accessed by securely placed ladders or naturally grown branches. With more windows than walls, most of the 'houses' were open to the jungle air.

"What do they do about bugs?" I couldn't help the question. With it came the ghost of fluttering wings and the memory of a warm glow, and I suddenly longed for the little ugly things to hiss at me.

Lennon T. James replied, "You get used to it."

"Isn't it bad?"

He shook his head, though I was behind him and barely caught the gesture. "They become used to you, too. It's a natural integration with the jungle. Those who are particular about insects will reinforce their windows and doors with netting."

I smiled, stepping over some errant rope. "I would need netting."

"You'd need more than that."

My smile grew at his quip, unashamed at the truth of it. Yes, I would need more than some netting to keep out little jungle creatures from crawling into my bed and nibbling on my toes.

We passed a group of laughing people, their colourful clothing nabbing my attention. Metal glinted around the young men and women's wrists, pins nestled in long hair and powder painted on exposed skin. When they saw Lennon T. James, the instant hush of the crowd was followed by a whistle.

"Tier-kin!" One of the young men called in greeting, twisting his fingers into a gesture I did not recognise. His voice raised to shout ahead of us.

"The Wanderer has returned!"

As dusk settled in the sky, the glow of the lanterns grew stronger, wrapping around us in a welcoming embrace.

By the time we reached the top of the cliff, word had spread that 'The Wanderer' had returned.

Like I'd seen from my earlier vantage point, the jungle floor fell away sharply. Cliffs, the colour of rust and spotted with plants that grew against it, wrapped around the crater. I could see where the river tumbled over its edge, the trees trying to reach the top of the hole and falling woefully short, the small lake in the very middle of the crater.

A hand wrapped around my elbow. "This way, Shae."

Lennon T. James led me to the watchtower we had spied earlier. The guards didn't question him, greeting him with familiarity and eyeing me with interest.

They unlatched a short gate. It led us to a square platform with enough room for us and one other guard. Railings covered the sides. Several thick ropes were tied to metal hooks at the corners of the platform, winding through wheels and levers and losing itself somewhere along the way.

The guard had his one hand on a lever, the other on the railing, the knife at his belt his only weapon.

Lennon T. James stood in the middle of the platform. He seemed to take up more space than he did, planting his feet wide and clasping his hands in front of him. He was holding himself taller, chin up, eyes visible.

It always seemed like he was hiding his gaze.

"What is this?"

He glanced at me, a flash of blue. "Hold on, Shae."

It was either his arm or the railing.

My fingers clasped the smooth wood of the railing, watching curiously as they shut the gate behind us. The lever clicked several times as the guard pulled it.

We were falling.

My voice tripped out of my throat, my heart took up residence in my lungs, and my gut had knotted itself in at least three places. My free hand clutched Lennon T. James' arm. I could feel his laughter.

The forest disappeared, replaced by tan cliff walls that became a blur as gravity tugged us down. My eyes snapped shut.

Years passed by before I could feel the visible slowing of the platform. Then it stilled.

We were at the bottom of the hole.

🙞

The main square of Bomsta was on solid ground.

It was large: a clearing that stretched between the treeline, covered with grass that had been shortened to reach below the ankle. Torches had been planted in the ground, several bonfires crackled merrily, and small lanterns had been hung from branches.

People were everywhere.

"Tier-kin? We had given up hope looking for you!"

A woman approached us. She was dressed in a deep pink, wide bronze bracelets clasped around her wrists and upper arms. It was hard to determine her age; she was youth wrapped in a skin that wrinkled slightly around the eyes and mouth. Her outstretched hands were calloused and her arms were strong.

Lennon T. James gently took her hands, bending down to place a kiss on each of her cheeks. "Matda. I have missed you."

"Obviously not enough if you have taken so long to come back. My Seilg-noot will be so happy to see you." Dark brown eyes landed on me. "And this? Who is this you bring to meet us?"

Lennon T. James stepped aside, bringing me forward with a hand on my elbow. "Shae Burrower, matda. She has been sent by King Mollark as a recorder of my adventures. We were joined by several others Kita had told me were in your possession."

"Ah, yes." Her gaze did not leave me, lingering on my bare feet. "I will take you to them first, as you probably desire, but then you must eat and rest. I will have your place prepared."

She finally smiled at me, then gently gripped Lennon T. James' arm. "To'an is with them now."

I trailed behind them, once again following and waiting. The aroma of seasoned meat cooking filled the air, as did several sharp spices I could not place at that moment.

Their conversation did not reach me. I did hear her voice ebb and flow much more than his, which was to be expected, and I smiled at the older woman. She seemed fond of our expedition leader, and I wondered at their history.

If I thought she was happy to see him, it was nothing compared to her Seilg-noot.

We had reached another clearing, much smaller than the first, where stood the thickest tree I had ever seen.

And I've been staring at trees for weeks.

Tied to the large tree, with space enough between them to render whispered conversations impossible, were our partners in this travelling expedition.

My feet found themselves rooted to the ground.

"Tier-kin! Son!" The words were a shout into the night air. "I have missed you!"

A man with greying stubble and hair strode over to the explorer, grabbing the taller man in a firm embrace. He let go, patting Lennon T. James on his shoulders. "You look weary. We shall have you refreshed for your journey in a day or two."

"I can't delay more than that." Lennon T. James replied. "And I am happy to see you as well, vadta. I--"

"Jamie, I damn sure hope you are bartering for our release." Wade Lyong's sharp voice cut through all conversations. "I have been tied to this tree since breakfast, which was drier than my bank account. I am hungry, I am bored, and I have waited way too long for you to catch up."

Lennon T. James seemed to ignore his friend. "My friend would appreciate being cut loose. They are all travelling with me."

"You have much to tell me, then!" The older man, whom I assumed was To'an, stepped back after hitting Lennon T. James' arm. "Release them all, Stela, if you will."

It all happened quickly then: ropes were cut, guards took up positions further away, and our teammates flocked together.

Mitch was the first to spot me. She strode over to me with a steady stride and set shoulders. "Shae Burrower. You scared me! I thought you were drowned! How many times did you die?"

Her arms gripped me in the tightest hug I'd ever had. I hugged her back, my face pressed against her shoulder, and revelled in the human contact. She was a friend I'd be devastated to lose.

"Mitch, I missed you," I told her, unable to say much more as exhaustion pulled at my muscles.

Borys Nattaniel was right behind her, guarding his prisoner and faithfully doing his duty. He gently clasped my shoulder.

Gino Morton was next, sweeping me up in a loose hug. "I haven't been this worried about someone since my sister fell off the Aria Bridge."

My eyes widened. "Oh, was she okay?"

"Sure she was." His head tipped to the side, eye winking, nose scrunching.

I smiled, so happy to see him.

Then it was Elle Siwatskie. She hovered, happy to see me but unwilling to hug me. "I am happy to see you whole, Shae. Are you okay?"

"I am." My answer was tinged with surprise. "Are you?"

"Very." Her whimsical tone was followed by that odd smile of hers, and her faded and torn skirt swung with her movements.

Trust Elle to be a prisoner for a day in an unknown place, surrounded by people she could not understand, and tell everyone she was doing 'very well.'

I looked for Lyong next, only relaxing when I saw him approaching Lennon T. James, moving with a slight limp he was trying to hide.

"You took your time, Jamie. If you ever leave me to fend for myself in the next year, I will throw you out of our apartment."

As soon as his friend was near enough, Lennon T. James pulled him into a very brief hug. Then he shoved him away. "You should've followed my instructions."

"What instructions?" Wade Lyong asked, running a hand through his hair. It was hanging in his face. "You told me to follow the river. The river split in two, Jamie. What the hell was I supposed to do?"

"Stop cussing, maybe?" I piped up, joining them with Mitch at my side. "What happened to your foot?"

Lyong shot me a look. "What happened to all your things?"

"Fair enough." I shrugged my one shoulder, the other occupied with Mitch's elbow. Her habit of leaning against me persisted, even if we hadn't seen each other in over a day.

"So what do we do now?" asked Gino from my other side.

All of us looked towards Lennon T. James, who sighed.

Note: Lennon T. James doesn't seem to like managing the schedule of six people besides himself.

"We are invited to dinner," he said, turning to face the chief's wife.

She nodded, a glint in her eyes. "There will be a feast for the return of Tier-kin."

"Who the hell is Tier-kin?" asked Wade Lyong, most likely not realising how loud he was being.

Lennon T. James clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You have much to catch up on, Lyong."

And it was maybe the first time I was truly happy to see all of my fellow adventurers.

🙞

hello darlings!

this is a heftier chapter, according to my word count of 2800, but it's because of all the descriptions. i think.

so, the reunions didn't take such a big chunk of the chapter as i would've liked. i was going to dwell on it, exploring the different dynamics between characters, but this happened instead.

thoughts?

please, constructive criticism is much appreciated. i am logging everything for editing once i finish the first draft.

thanks again for reading!

<3 klara