Free The Labyrinth of Destiny by Callie Kanno Page B

food.”
    Adesina sighed in exasperation. “I
wish you had mentioned that before I bought these supplies.”
    The older woman gave a musical
laugh. “Just because we do not have to eat does not mean that it is a pleasant
experience to forgo all mortal necessities. Our bodies still use the
nourishment, even if it is not vital to our survival.”
    Sitara placed the apple back on the
cart with just a hint of longing and Adesina smiled.
    “Would you like to refresh your
memory?”
    Sitara nodded shyly. “If it would
not be too frivolous of me.”
    Adesina gladly paid for the
apple—taking one for herself as well—and turned to the others. “Is there
anything else that appeals to our returning travelers?”
    Ravi and Riel both chuckled.
    “We can hunt for our needs,
Ma’eve,” said Ravi.
    “Ruon?” prodded the L’avan queen.
    The Laithur’s face was conflicted,
but his tone was rigid. “No. I need nothing of this world.”
    Sitara smelled her apple and closed
her eyes happily. “It is not a matter of need, Ruon,” she said. “It is a
celebration of our return to our home.”
    Ruon looked as if he would refuse
purely out of spite, but he paused. There was a cart that had a small basket of
mushrooms set to the side. The Laithur’s slitted nostrils flared slightly as he
took in the scent.
    “I…might enjoy some fungus.”
    It took Adesina a split second to
realize what he meant, but after she sorted it out she walked over to the cart
and purchased the mushrooms.
    Adesina pointed to a direction that
was just a bit north of west. “The Thieves’ Forest is about a two-week walk
that way. It would be approximately half that time if we had horses, but we do
not have the coin to purchase them.”
    Sitara’s eyes lost focus as she
went deep into thought. “What if we were to fly?”
    Adesina had used her vyala to hover in the air before, but it was quite a drain on her energy. “Can we do
that over a long distance?”
    “I think so,” mused the Serraf. “We
would have to take more time to replenish our strength, but we could do it if
we shared our power.”
    The idea of flying was exciting to
Adesina, and her heart rushed at the thought of seeing L’iam in just a few
days. “Well, then I suppose we should finish our celebratory treats and prepare
to leave.”
    She took a bite of the apple and enjoyed
the burst of flavor in her mouth. It was both sweet and tart, refreshing
Adesina, who had been living off of traveler’s fare for many months.
    Sitara seemed equally delighted
with her apple, but Ruon’s expression was more contemplative as he ate his
mushrooms.
    “What do you think?” asked Adesina.
    “They are more dry than the fungus
found in caves, but the flavor is not unpleasant.”
    Adesina found herself amused by his
understated response rather than annoyed. “I am glad you are not displeased,”
she said drily.
    Ruon did not react to her tone. “I
am not displeased,” he assured her.
    They walked away from the market
and to an area that was more private, so they could speak freely. When they had
all finished eating, Sitara gave a soft sigh and then resumed a business-like
tone.
    “Before we leave, I must teach you
how to use your vyala .”
    Adesina was momentarily speechless.
“I…thought I knew how to use it.”
    Sitara’s smile spoke volumes. “Not
as an Immortal.”

Chapter Nine: Wanderers
     
    Adesina had never considered that
using her vyala would be different now that she was an Immortal.
    “How has it changed?” she asked.
    Sitara considered the simplest way
to explain. “Have you ever flown a kite?”
    The question caught Adesina off
guard. “No, but I have seen them flown.”
    “Imagine your vyala as a
kite. You have been able to fly to a certain height, but now that you are
Immortal you have an infinite amount of string. Your kite can fly as high as
you can imagine.”
    The idea was exciting to the
“newborn” Serraf. “Do you mean that I can do anything?”
    “In