Sophia Harris
Stories
7
Chapters
2,628
Words
1.4 K
Comments
0
Reading
6 m
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Cold salty gusts buffeted Kai’s face, carrying denser mana than anywhere in the Shallow Sea. They weren’t sailing through a unique area like the Veeryd Jungle, just a random stretch of ocean. That more than anything made the realization sink in. He wasn’t in the archipelago anymore. No matter how much he boosted his senses with Body Augmentation and squinted, he couldn’t spot a speck of land. There were only churning waves, far darker than the aquamarine waters of his home. Leaning on the…-
239 •
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The It was a true seafaring ship, capable of sailing the open ocean without fearing marine horrors. Offshore, the sea became a patchwork of shifting mana regions that extended in all three dimensions. The boundaries were less distinct than on land, though deeper waters were always more dangerous. Navigators spent their whole lives and professions guiding their vessels around dead zones. Kai trusted they knew what they were doing; they’d all be on the same ship after all. The route between the…
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239 •
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Two years in the Sanctuary had gifted Kai the instinctive ability to spot any monster nearby. Mana tickled the hairs on his arms, the slight pressure in the air pushed down on him as if gravity had become imperceptibly stronger. The governor’s wife stepped into the courtyard behind him. He didn’t need Mana Observer to know she must be late Yellow, perhaps half-step into Green with her profession. Apart from a few passing mentions, Lady Cressida remained overshadowed by her husband, the only green…
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239 •
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When Lou asked if sailing hundreds of miles across the archipelago would grant them enough time to hear his story, the question hadn’t been rhetorical. They sat in the cramped cabin, the ship gently rocking towards their destination beneath them. It was the only place warded from eavesdropping. Kai almost regretted deciding to talk about anything aside from Zervathi. His all-clear had opened the floodgates to an endless deluge of questions. He had spoken for hours till his throat hurt—quite an…
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239 •
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The more Kai studied him the more certain he became. Lou had grown as tall as Flynn and twice as muscular, but behind his short beard, his studious gaze was the same—especially when he looked at him disapprovingly. Kai hung his head low, his ears burning for such an embarrassing mistake. He searched Lou’s face for an answer, but what he saw was a visage of cold professionalism. There was no hint of recognition or common understanding. Whatever awkwardness Mat showed, it would fit with the image of…
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239 •
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“I just liked it.” Kai evaded the question. A stroll across the streets of Higharbor wasn’t the time to tackle Flynn peered at him, clearly suspicious. “No other reason?” “It sounded better than Calvin Smalls,” Kai shot back. “You’re always so hurtful.” He mimed a stab through the heart. “You made up your mind pretty quickly. I thought you’d agonize over the choice for weeks. I had even prepared a list of names to help you.” Flynn rummaged through his pockets for a wrinkled…
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239 •
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Somewhat reassured by Valela’s own awkwardness, Kai took a seat. Two porcelain plates and an array of cutlery lay over a green satin tablecloth covered by delicate white lace. There was no menu or food, just a crystal bottle with flavored water, a vase of red peonies and a golden bell. Judging by the sympathetic link engraved on the metal, the chime must be used to call a waiter through magic rather than sound. Enchantments covered every item and piece of marble, some even intertwined with the…
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239 •
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Five men howled a sea shanty as Kai walked by. “Why are we here if we’re not meeting Valela?” He had just managed to set his bags down at the house when Flynn had dragged him back outside. The alleyway smelled of fish guts and unwashed sailors. In its furious rush to expand, Higharbor’s sanitation hadn’t kept pace in the poorer districts. Doubts were creeping in. Amongst everyone he knew, Kai struggled to predict how the princess might have changed. They had parted ways on cordial terms—more…
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239 •
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Kien’s giggles filled the southern beach with a cheerful melancholy. The toddler chased a flock of pixies and a puppet dragon with outstretched fingers. Delicate mana constructs with wings of ice and fluid frames flew circles around him, leaving a trail of shimmering mist in the late afternoon air. His eyes sparkled with wonder and delight. Each time one of the fairies tickled his nose, his laughter grew louder. He extended a chubby hand to grab the dragon’s tail, only for his fingers to slip right…
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239 •
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“Of course I trust you.” Kai looked at the scaly features of the merman, taken aback by his sudden seriousness. Despite never having spent much time together, Reishi was one of his oldest friends and had always done right by him. The merfolk leaned back in his chair, covering his face with a webbed hand. “You’re unbelievable,” he mumbled with a reluctant smile. “Huh? What do you mean?” “Do you have any idea how much all of this is worth?” Reishi waved at the bounty of mana treasures.…
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239 •
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