After four months of travel, Sage was starting to understand the Sorcerer. Dalton was a kind and generous soul who battled within his soul a being who craved attention and power. The first few times she'd seen Dalton fight the spirit, she'd watched in shock. She realized he was more in control than he let on. The spirit liked to think it was free to steer Dalton's life, but in fact, he was the one in command.

They'd traveled all over Alefia. She'd walked through the beaches of Baldour and the dunes of Rillis with the man. She'd seen him help the needy in Eleim and they'd attended one of the famous costumed masquerades in Terein. Purvi had even introduced Sage to each of the famous immortals in Eleim in their travels, the Silent Healer Nyama, Wanderer Totec, Father Krishna, and the Dream Walker Cerdwyn.

Dalton had taken her everywhere except for the magic-hating country of Zandara and back to the Charancian plains. She missed her home, but Dalton had told her he was still working on a way for her to see her tribe and be safe. Sage understood the danger because the last thing she wanted was to be taken captive again by the Potentate.

He met her for breakfast each day and they made their plans to travel. Sometimes, Purvi went with them, and other times, she stayed back to work on her sewing projects. Sage liked it when Purvi came with them, but secretly, she enjoyed her private trips with the Sorcerer.

She loved it when his smile broke across his face through the freckles and the red pattern on his skin. It made him look younger and happier. She knew the pain in his eyes because she'd felt it, too. Today, though, Dalton smiled.

"We're going back to the plains today," he said. "We're taking you home for a few hours. I can mask our presence, but if there's any sign of danger, we'll have to leave. The Potentate has guards in each of his conquered village camps. We cannot do anything that draws their attention when we visit the Shuilhou."

"I understand," she said. "I don't want to put myself or my tribe in danger."

She half expected Dalton to change his mind and say it was too dangerous to leave. Instead, he took her hand and transported her to the plains. The moment they appeared at the banks of the river and she could see the water rushing by, she fell to her knees. The air practically sang with joy for her homecoming.

Dalton dropped down beside her. He took her hands. Sage looked up at him and raised her hands to shade her eyes. She'd forgotten how unforgiving and bright the sun was here, even with her headscarf.

"Let me help," he ran a finger under each of her eyes, swiping kohl across her skin. "I know Sages of the Shuilhou always had makeup like this. I assume it's to protect from the sun."

"And our weak eyes," Sage admitted. "It helps."

She didn't like to talk about her bad vision. Even when she was a child, her people looked up to her as the Sage. Letting people know she could barely see ruined the magic. Other Sages used aids and little things to make their days easier.

He helped her to her feet, and Sage looked around. There were wooden buildings in two rows beside the river. She shuddered. Her people lived in tents so they could travel up and down the river. Nothing was permanent. The abomination of these buildings altered the land.

"The Potentate brought poison to my people," she said. "How do I help them if I can't even fight him?"

"In time, love," he said. "For now, we need to see what your people need."

She let him lead them into the newly constructed village. He seemed to know where to go, taking them to a building in the center and knocking on the door. When it opened a moment later, Sage was face to face with Atohi Dario. His red-brown skin was worn weathered and he thinner, but he still wore his long dark hair in a plait with feathers like he had when they were kids.

"Bianca," her brother spoke her family name. "Come in, quickly."

He led them inside and Sage could see an open fire in the center of the home and several mats for sleeping. Two women stoked the fire, roasting tubers and vegetables. A man sat in the corner of the room, repairing a fishing net.

"Sage has returned to us," Atohi said.

The others looked at them in shock. Then they dropped their chores and came to hug Sage. Their faces and names came to her slowly, Junex, Linnel, and Verdi as they asked questions and she stood there, not knowing what to say.

"She has been through an ordeal," Dalton said. "But your sage is stronger than you know. I am very proud of her."

His kind words washed over her like the warm hug she received. Sage felt her cheeks heat. Her brother looked her over and frowned at the Sorcerer. She wondered if it was obvious how close she and Dalton were now.

"What did the Potentate do to you?" Atohi asked.

"Nothing I want to discuss, Dario-Aer," she spoke his family name with the title of respect of an elder family relation. "Where are the rest of the family?"

"The Potentate killed Mam and Da," Atohi said. "And Sage Gram. You are our last Sage, Bianca-Jor."

That terrible truth sank into her bones. Her parents were well respected in the tribe. The Potentate had killed her whole family. Atohi was all she had left. Her grandmother was the only other sage of the Shuilhou. Without the guidance of a sage, the tribe was lost.

"I am here now to do my duties," she said. "How can your sage be of assistance?"

Atohi gathered the tribe and brought them all down to the river. Sage looked at the water and watched it bubble and catch around the rocks. She'd never performed any of her tribe rituals on her own. She's always had Sage Granman to guide her. Now she needed to set her people right, and she was all alone.

Dalton met her eyes. His face was unreadable. She wondered how many times he'd felt like this when people came to beg him for power. The Sorcerer was his purpose. Being a sage was hers.

She stepped into the water and turned to face her tribe. "Bring me your requests. I will witness and interpret the will of the land."

It took hours to see to each request of her people. She could feel the air changing as the day crept on. The sun sloped across the sky as she blessed babies and confirmed the family names of children. She performed four weddings and allowed adults to take their place in the tribe with the knowledge of their true names. Sweat beaded across her brow and her skin felt like it was baking, but she knew it was all worth it. Her people needed their sage.

Finally, she turned to the last constituent as the sun hung low in the sky. She recognized the girl as one of the women in Atohi's home who'd first greeted her, Verdi. The woman held Atohi's hand and seemed to drag him towards Sage.

"Your brother doesn't wish to cause you distress," Verdi said. "But we have been betrothed for three cycles and unable to marry without you, Sage. That was why I found the sorcerer to tell him about you. Your brother wouldn't see us married without you, Bianca."

Sage looked at her brother. She could see the discomfort in his eyes. He thought she would think he was selfish. She set a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. There was nothing she wanted more than to see Atohi happy. She'd always liked the sort of weddings in the river and after doing several today, she knew this one would be extra special.

"Verdi Enna comes together today to be eternally bound by the river with Atohi Dario," Sage said. "Would any in this witness protest the devout faithfulness of this coupling before they come to the river?"

The tribe watched in silence. Sage knew that her presence was enough to capture their attention. Not a single person had left after their request was granted. They'd all stayed. Sage gestured for Dario to take Verdi's hand. He slipped his rough hand in Verdi's ringed one.

"Does the groom have everything ready for his bride?" Sage asked, and her brother nodded. "And the bride is prepared to leave her parents for the accommodations set forth by the groom?"

Verdi nodded. Then Atohi stepped into the river. Once his feet were planted on the bed of the river, he helped Verdi into the river beside him.

"In the eyes of the river we bathe you before those that have gone before us and those who have yet to join us," Sage said and Atohi scooped water in his hands and gave it to Verdi to sip. "Together, you are now bound in love and brought together."

Sage watched as her brother stepped out of the water with his new bride. Atohi looked Verdi in the eyes and kissed her right in front of everyone. Then Sage walked out of the water and tripped on the riverbank, but Dalton's steading arm kept her from falling. She looked at him gratefully and smiled.

"You did well," he said. "Your people adore you, Sage."

"Do we need to go?" She asked, noticing the sinking sun yet again.

She'd known they couldn't stay forever. Sage wasn't even sure what the Sorcerer had done to make this place safe for her. She's seen no sign of the Potentate's soldiers with their striped arms.

"There is a little time," he said. "And we shouldn't miss the dances."

He was right. Now that the rituals were over, Sage watched as her people brought out trays of food and a few had gotten out musical instruments. Some of the men were starting to play the ancient dances of the wind on a set of pipe flutes, drums, and a stringed instrument that plucked bright chords. The children gathered at the music to dance in circles while older women pulled men into formation for courting dances.

The Sorcerer nodded his head to the music. Wherever they traveled, Dalton seemed to gravitate towards local music. He seemed like a young man just old enough to marry whenever he lost himself in a tune. Sage loved how he seemed to lose all his cares and worries the moment someone started playing a melody.

"Do you want to dance?" She asked.

Dalton frowned. "They are doing a courting dance. Are you sure you want to be seen that way with me, Sage?"

She looked out at the couples. They swayed and whirled each other around. She'd always wanted to dance with the adults when she was a child. Their dances seemed so much more exciting than the children's dances.

Sage took his hand. "Please, Dalton. And call me Bianca tonight. You're family too now."

He allowed her to pull him amongst the dancers. "I thought you didn't want to use that name anymore."

"My true family can use it," she said. "And you're a part of that, Dalton."

His face softened as he twirled her around. "I'm honored, Bianca. Truly honored, love."

They danced until the sun sank below the horizon. Then, together, they said their goodbyes to the tribe and went back to Trabir. Sage thought she'd be sad to leave, but once they were back in the castle, she realized something.

As long as Dalton was by her side, any place would feel like home. 

This was the chapter I was most looking forward to writing. Shortly before I started writing, I heard "The Water Is Fine" by Chloe Ament, and it absolutely changed how I was going to write this chapter. I listened to this song on loop while I was working on this section. I highly recommend giving this amazing song a listen. The bridge is very powerful and the lyrics themselves tell an amazing story. While the whole song deeply speaks to this chapter, here are the lyrics that stuck out to me the most. 

"The silt of our wedding bed 

The pebbles where you lay your head 

 Love come in 

The moon knows our weaknesses 

 The cause of our sickness is 

Love come in, the water is fine 

 Blood runs thicker than water 

Blood runs thicker than water 

 Blood runs thicker than water 

Both feel the same when your eyes are closed 

 I am the river's daughter 

I am the river's daughter 

I am the river's daughter 

And you'll be her son when we're both reposed " 

Be sure to keep reading. Your support means the world to me-- Eliana Hale