Avondale V by Toby Neighbors Page B

mountain and into a safe place.
    “I can’t believe we’re leaving the city,” Desyra said as they passed through the massive gate.
    People were stopping and staring, but Olyva guessed that strange sights were becoming common in Avondale. She hitched the pack higher on her shoulders and kept walking.
    “What’s it like passing through the mists?” Desyra asked.
    “You’ve been through them,” Olyva explained.
    “Yes, but that was on the sky ship. This time we’ll be walking.”
    “It’s no different—it only takes longer,” Olyva said with a smile.
    She admired her sister’s courage and enthusiasm. Olyva had been a complete mess when she had been banished with Rafe. It hadn’t been all that long ago, but she could barely remember it. She had been so fearful, and then the Hosscum grove had changed her. She knew that the sentient trees had been trying to change her completely, to make her part of their grove. And she also knew that should frighten her, but it didn’t. She felt almost honored to have been chosen. The changes she experienced were wondrous, and she was a stronger, better person because of it. Those very changes now filled her with a sense of purpose and gave her the ability to trek out on her own into the blighted lands and even lead the people of Avondale down the mountain if it came to that.
    They crossed the barren space between the walls of Avondale and the thick barrier of mist. There was very little vegetation outside the massive city walls. A few stunted trees managed to grow in the rocky soil, but very little else. When Olyva looked at those trees now, it made her incredibly sad. Those trees were meant to be tall and strong; instead, the thin soil and harsh winds had stunted their growth. They looked almost painful to her, but there was nothing she could do for them.
    They walked boldly into the mists, knowing that there were dozens of men on the city walls watching them. She hoped they could see her lack of fear and trust that she could lead them to safety. She also hoped that would never be necessary.
    There had been no more rumbles from the mountain after the initial quake. Still, Olyva was sure that the volcano Avondale was built on was becoming active. She could still feel the quiver of movement deep below the stone. Earl Ageus had seemed disappointed more than anything when she told him what she felt. Olyva wasn’t even sure he believed her, but the earl had been right in suggesting that their current plan of evacuating the city would be their best bet in case of either attack or volcanic eruption.
    “So tell me about your wedding night,” Desyra said with a mischievous grin.
    “Desyra!” Olyva said, feeling equally as embarrassed as shocked.
    “What? I’m not a baby. I know what happens when a man and woman get married.”
    “You do?” Olyva asked.
    “Of course. The man holds the woman all night long, and they stay up as late as they want talking. It sounds so wonderful.”
    Olyva giggled. She was relieved and didn’t even consider correcting her baby sister’s innocent notions of marriage.
    “Rafe seems really strong,” Desyra said.
    “He is,” Olyva agreed.
    “Was it hard to stay awake?”
    “Not really.”
    “I’ve tried, but I always end up falling asleep.”
    Olyva had done her best to stay awake as long as possible. Even after Rafe had fallen asleep in their bed, Olyva, who normally wilted quickly once the sun set, wanted to savor every moment they had together. Their wedding night was the only normal thing about their marriage, and she involuntarily touched her stomach. It was silly to think she might be pregnant, and she couldn’t think of a worse time to bring a child into the world, and yet she couldn’t help but hope. Having a baby with Rafe seemed like the pinnacle of happiness to Olyva.
    “That’s okay. Everyone needs rest. And we’ve got a long hike ahead of us,” Olyva said.
    “At least it’s all downhill today,” Desyra