Though she wanted to stay and explore, Yenni headed right back to the ship. She had to register for the entrance test and she would rather not tempt Father Esh, trickster and troublemaker that he was. Though she had no figurine to mark it, it took all night to navigate from Saint Ventas to the coast of Imperium Centre. The honeyed globe of the sun was just rising over the ocean, like a goddess stepping from her bath, when at last the towers of Cresh appeared on the horizon. It was also around this time that Yenni spotted her first dragon.

They were like a streak of fire, with scales that glittered orange in the light of sunrise. Yenni stood captivated on deck along with most of the sailors as the dragon swooped into the city. Beautiful but dangerous. Her conversation with Prince Natahi suddenly came to mind. Frowning, she fished a pot of runepaint and a brush from the pack on her hip. The Songs of the Sha said the first dragons were birthed from the fires of Father Gu’s forge, and their only weakness was water, thus she softly sang the hymn for water as she painted a rune on the back of each hand.

Soon their ship pulled into harbor, and it was time for Yenni to depart. Her eyes were wide as she took in the streams of people bustling along the docks. These were Creshens. Their skin was quite pale and their hair flowed like seaweed. But people of many different hues, including more northern Islanders, like those of Sainte Ventas, threaded through the crowd as well.

She felt a tap on her shoulder. “This is where I leave you, Yenni,” said her aunt. Yenni reached back and felt for her spring-spear, then felt for the small knife strapped to her arm. She looked at her left palm, where her father’s rune marked her skin.

“I am ready. Thank you for seeing me here safely.” She embraced Morayo and felt the taut strength of her aunt’s arms, muscle corded from a lifetime of ship’s labor. “May the Mothers and Fathers smile upon you,” she said.

Watching Morayo return to her ship, Yenni fought down a bubble of anxiety. She had never been this far from home, and never on her own. But she had her wits, her runes, and the divine guidance of the Sha. Bowing her head, she prayed.

From this moment on, I undertake this sacred journey in your name. Oh Most Divine, watch me and guide me, your servant.

Yenni hitched up her back-satchel and set off to follow the crowd leaving the docks.

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