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Shema placed her hands on Baya’s head. “It also takes a great deal of intelligence to pass these trials. You have succeeded. That means you are no longer a mistress, you are not only a grown woman but you have proven yourself to be a true leader. You are worthy of serving on the high council, should you receive a calling from the Great Ameris.”

  “Now let us pray,” Aga said. “Thank you Mighty Goddess for guiding Baya through her trials. Thank you for returning her to us safely …”

  Safe. She was safe. Baya’s thoughts drifted from her mother’s prayer. She was sleepy and her body was shaky and ached all over. It was all she could do to remain kneeling.

  After the prayer Shema resealed the door where Baya had exited the dungeon. It blended in perfectly with the black stone palace around it.

  Baya numbly followed her mother into the palace.

  “You must eat and bathe and rest. In that order,” Aga said.

  Baya furrowed her brow as she tried to think what the secret to making it through the trials had been. So many skills were required and that stupid riddle. What if I hadn’t been able to figure it out. She shivered at the thought. “Mom.”

  Aga smiled and put an arm around Baya’s waist as they walked. This served two purposes, to help support her daughter’s weight and to comfort her. “You never call me Mom. I like it.”

  “What’s the secret that you mentioned after the first trial?”

  “You haven’t figured it out yet?”

  “No.” Baya felt rather stupid but her weariness kept her from caring too much — about anything.

  “The secret is to be able to think beyond your fears. As Shema said, we must prove that we can control fear itself and not let it consume us.”

  “Oh. That makes sense.” Baya’s voice was flat. Like the riddle, it was obvious once you knew the answer. Not letting panic take over was the common skill needed in order to get through all the tests. She had almost let it consume her in the end. This thought sent another shiver down her spine.

  Baya ate enough to feed three people, then almost fell asleep in the tub. She was asleep before her head was on the pillow. And yet it was barely mid-day. Aga tucked her in and issued a prayer of her own. She fervently thanked the Goddess that her daughter was alive.

  Chapter 27

  Fay made her way up the steep mountainside, being careful to stay a safe distance away from the garden boy, as she followed him. She stumbled over the rugged path and complained to herself. The barbaric trail was about to get the best of her and she contemplated giving up and heading back down the slope. But then she saw it — a lovely cove far below. As she reached the top, Fay’s chest heaved.

  She tried to suck in as much air as possible and take in the lovely view all at once. It was almost worth the effort it took to get there, but not quite. Fay rested on a tree stump and scanned the cove for the boy. She spotted him as he emerged from the trees below, and she forced her shaky legs to climb down after him.

  When Fay reached the tree line at the bottom of the mountain she changed herself once again to blend in with a nearby tree. She couldn’t see Baya’s boyfriend anywhere. Her heart fell as she realized that he must have headed up the mountain on the far side of the cove.

  Forget it, I’m not going up there and I can’t stand here all afternoon for no reason, she thought.

  Fay was about to head back when her eyes briefly scanned the sea. She did a double take. He was sitting on the water! How, in the name of Ameris, was he able to do that?

  It was the last place she would have thought to look for him. She squinted to better make out what she saw on the water. She had never seen anything that far out at sea before. Yet, it was clearly a man and he appeared to be rowing a boat.

  Where had he found such a thing? Fay smiled with malice. This was exactly what she was looking for. Shema would want to hear about this.

  She headed back up the mountain at once, and struggled down the other side, cursing the trail the entire way. In fact, it was barely traversable in many places. As branches and bushes scraped her arms and pulled at her hair when she passed, she told herself over and over that the trip had been worth it. The boy would pay dearly for rejecting her and of course this meant that Baya too would suffer. Fay should be able to take them both down with this information.

  The mistresses would have been dismissed for the day and the council would be meeting in the Great Hall for the day’s closing prayers. Fay barged into the Great Hall. Aga and many of the other priestesses lounged about talking freely. Fay approached quickly. The smug and contented look on Aga’s face told Fay that Baya must have passed her final test this morning. She was most likely sound asleep right now. That’s what Fay had done after making it through the dreadful tests.

  “Fay, I thought you were not feeling well,” Shema said. She had been speaking with Aga as she sat on her divan.

  “Yes, my … head is ... much better.” Fay was still winded from her strenuous hike, followed by hurrying up the handful of stairways to Shema’s Great Hall.

  “The girls said your stomach hurt.” Aga narrowed her eyes at Fay.

  “Yes. … My stomach is feeling better as well. Thank you for asking.” Fay quickly tried to cover up her botched lie.

  Aga crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  “Please, Madam Unawi. I have important news. May I address the council?”

  Shema nodded and gestured for her to continue.

  “Thank you.” Fay bowed slightly. “It’s the garden boy.”

  Aga’s eyes widened with interest. She was no fool. She knew her daughter was close to the boy — too close. “What about him?”

  Shema lay back, relaxing into her divan, losing interest at once. The petty troubles surrounding a lowly garden boy did not concern her. This was about young love, which always included jealousy. She had no time for such trifles. After all, a garden boy could not cause much trouble.

  “He’s …” Fay paused for effect. “He’s made himself a boat.”

  Aga’s mouth fell open.

  Shema snapped upright. “What?” she demanded.

  “It’s true. I saw him, way out at sea rowing a wooden boat.”

  “That’s impossible. Boats are forbidden,” one of the priestesses offered.

  “Do you doubt the word of my daughter?” May interjected.

  “How does he manage to keep it hidden?” Shema’s thoughts whirled. How dare he go against the Great Goddess’s laws, against me!

  Ameris’s laws existed only to protect people. It always amazed Shema when someone was ignorant enough to break them. Boats could take people beyond the protection of this island.

  Shema stood and paced in front of her divan. The outside world was deadly. Therefore, boats had always been strictly prohibited. This was perfectly logical. Ameris had destroyed all of them and outlawed the creation of any new ones. Why were these basic concepts so hard for some to understand?

  Shema took a deep breath, doing her best to regain composure. “Where is this contraption?”

  “In a cove tucked away over the mountain to the east of the beach. It’s not easy to reach. This is where he and Baya spend their free time. I’m sure of it. She must know about the boat as well.”

  “Are you saying that my daughter somehow had a part in this illicit behavior?” Aga’s jaw clenched tight.

  Fay opened her mouth but was cut off.

  “What proof do you have regarding her?” Aga snapped.

  Fay’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t, Madam Priestess.”

  “Then be very careful about making such strong accusations.”

  Of course Baya knows about the boat, Fay thought. Baya could not have spent every free moment with the boy and not have known about it. Can Aga be so blind? Apparently she could when it came to her own flesh and blood.

  Yet, Fay understood her limits in the hierarchy. It would do no good to push the matter further. If only Baya had been with him, she could have taken them both down.

  Shema sent four
of her strongest theos and one of the younger priestesses to retrieve the boy. Fay was to lead the way.

  Fay’s shoulders slumped even farther at the thought of climbing that mountain again. Maybe she could make one of the theos carry her.

  “Bring the offender to me at once,” Shema said, as she finished giving her orders.

  “Yes, Madame Unawi. And what of the boat?” the young priestess asked.

  “Destroy it.”

  With a nod from the priestess, the entourage was on their way to find Vicaroy.

  Chapter 28

  “If this is true and the boy has managed to build a boat then what will you do?” Aga asked.

  “No one has attempted such a feat in ages, certainly not since I have been ruler.” Shema paced atop the platform that held her divan. Her theos watched her intently. “Such a crime requires a severe punishment.”

  Aga’s lips formed a tight smile.

  “Not imprisonment until death,” Shema continued. “That is reserved for only the rarest of crimes — violent crimes. This is not violent, still some time in prison perhaps?”

  “Might I suggest banishment?” Prison is not far enough away from Baya, Aga thought. She wanted this criminal out of her daughter’s life. She had never liked it that Baya was so fond of the boy. But he made her happy and he was not a problem — until now. He could not be allowed to ruin Baya’s bright future with scandalous rumors of forbidden activities.

  Aga bit on her finger in deep thought. If the boy were imprisoned Baya would still be able to visit him. And, when his sentence was up he would be free and, no doubt, causing trouble again. No. The threat must be eliminated — for good. Not to mention the boy was not worthy of Aga’s daughter. He was an unnecessary distraction for Baya. She would be better off without him.

  Shema had been thoughtful as well. “Banishment seems a bit harsh. How will he make his way in the North?”

  “That is his problem. How he will survive is not your concern. It’s something he should have thought about before he ran off and built a boat. An example must be made of him before others start to think that it’s okay to break Ameris’s holy laws.”

  Shema massaged her forehead with her fingers. Every day she prayed for a calling from Ameris to appoint a new Unawi. It was tiring to have to make important decisions — decisions that greatly impacted people’s lives. “As always, I am grateful for your guidance, Aga. I don’t know what I would do without you. It is no secret that all I want is a life with children of my own before I am too old. I wish someone else could decide what should be done with the boy.”

  “I am always here to assist you, Madam Unawi.”

  Shema studied Aga for a moment. At one time, all Aga wanted was to become the ruler and all Shema wanted was Aga’s life — to be blessed with lovely daughters. Shema shook her head. People always wanted what they couldn’t have.

  It seemed like eons passed before the entourage returned with Vicaroy, his hands bound behind his back and his eyes cast down to the floor.

  “It’s true, Madam Unawi. We found the boy as he was pulling a small boat, like a canoe, onto the beach in a hidden cove, just over the mountain,” the young priestess dutifully reported.

  As if to further make the point one of Shema’s theos threw an oar down in front of Vicaroy.

  Vicaroy didn’t dare to lift his gaze.

  “I turned the boat to ash with my own hands,” the priestess declared with pride. “No one will be able to use it again.”

  Shema nodded her approval, her thoughts whirling. A canoe was hardly a seaworthy vessel. He was simply playing around on the water. He most likely was not trying to leave the island. Still, boats are forbidden.

  Aga could see that the Unawi was wavering. “Be stern, Madam Unawi. We must make an example out of him.”

  “What do you have to say for yourself?” Shema asked.

  Vicaroy remained silent. He was grateful that they hadn’t bothered to explore any farther. If they had found the cave and his weapons, or his latest invention — that would mean life in prison. Weapons were viewed as man’s most evil creation. They would brand him as a violent person, even if he never hurt anyone. He would be as guilty as if he had actually harmed someone.

  The imaginary verdict rang through his ears, He intended to do harm with the weapons. He didn’t want to say anything to incriminate himself for his even greater crimes or to get Baya in trouble along with him.

  “Who else knows of your boat.”

  Vicaroy raised his head and took a deep breath. He looked Shema in the eyes. “No one. I built it and I alone used it. It’s … relaxing ...”

  He’s lying! Fay wanted to shout. Of course, he would say anything to protect Baya. She thought about calling him out on this but one glance toward Aga and she thought better of it.

  “I hereby banish you from all of the South. You are never to set foot near Una Sitka again. You have one day to gather your belongings and be on your way.” Shema’s verdict was final.

  Aga’s shoulders relaxed and a tight smile crossed her lips.

  Fay had hoped for more, but her mission of revenge had still been accomplished. The boy was exiled and Baya would have to live the rest of her life without him. Things were working out perfectly.

  Chapter 29

  Baya didn’t have time to enjoy her new freedom or even think about celebrating the fact that she was alive, as Fay was waiting for her when she finally emerged from her room.

  “Your garden boy has gone and gotten himself in trouble.” Fay’s smile was like the sun on a cold winter day. It was bright but there was very little warmth in it. “Big trouble, I’m afraid.”

  Baya’s heart skipped. She blinked at Fay for a moment, still groggy from her nap. She ran for the door, not wanting to hear any more from Fay. She had to find Vicaroy.

  Her only thought as she ran to Vicaroy’s shack was that he was in danger. When Azod opened the door Baya blurted, “Where’s Vicaroy?”

  Azod’s frown deepened. “You probably know better than I do.”

  He’s in our secret cove, of course. “What happened? I was told he is in trouble.”

  “He’s been permanently relieved from his duties to the Unawi. In fact, he will never work as a gardener again, his reputation will be ruined forever.”

  “Why would Shema do this? Vicaroy is the best and hardest working gardener around … well next to you, of course.”

  “Then it must’ve had something to do with you.”

  “Me? I would never do this —”

  “The daughter of the highest of the high priestesses was getting too close to the gardener’s assistant.”

  It hit Baya like a blow to her head. She stumbled a step back and placed her hand to her forehead. It was becoming clear — Aga’s disapproval of her friendship with Vicaroy and her advising Shema to get rid of the pesky problem — banishing him from the grounds. “He did nothing wrong.”

  “No, he didn’t but that’s our lot in life,” Azod spat. “They’ve accused him of having a boat. But Vicaroy would never do such a thing.”

  Baya’s stomach turned into a heavy knot. Her large lunch threatened to come up. They found the boat. That would be more than enough cause for her mother to convince Shema to send Vicaroy away. “What will … happen now?” Baya choked the words out.

  “A boy like Vicaroy doesn’t have many options and none of them are good.”

  Baya’s heart pounded against her ribcage even before she began to run.

  “Leave him alone. You’ve done enough damage already,” Azod called after Baya.

  Baya scarcely heard him and she hardly slowed her pace until she reached the top of the mountain. Her legs were on fire from the fast-paced climb and the loud drumming of her heart was all she could hear. She thought it might come right out of her chest.

  Vicaroy could be seen far below, sitting on the rock outcropping in front of their cave. He sat with his elbows resting over his knees staring out at the sea. He had not moved an inch
in the time it took her to reach him.

  Baya slowly sat down next to him.

  Vicaroy didn’t look at her. “So you heard?”

  She nodded. “Is this my fault?”

  Vicaroy chuckled. “You didn’t banish me. You were not the one who declared that I have to leave the South and never return. And that I would never be able to find work anywhere near Una Sitka ever again.”

  “What?” Baya’s mouth fell open. This was worse than she had thought. He was not simply kicked out of the palace gardens but … banished.

  “It appears that Shema, or perhaps more accurately, your mother, doesn’t want me anywhere near you.”

  “You see? This is my fault.” Tears filled her eyes. “What will you do?”

  “I’m sure Shema’s shaming me as a sinner, a sacred-law-breaker, will quickly spread over most of the island. I have to move to the North where they don’t know my face. I will have to change my name if I ever hope to work as a gardener again.”

  Baya wiped a tear away. “How did they manage to find the boat?”

  “I don’t know. Someone must’ve followed me here.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Fay.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  But it mattered to Baya. “Why would Fay do this?” Baya had almost forgotten about Fay taking Vicaroy away the previous evening. “What happened between you two last night?”

  “Nothing.” Vicaroy told her the story.

  Baya smiled. “I’m relieved that you got away from her.”

  “You think you’re relieved. I’ve never been more grateful. She’s a wretched person.”

  “True — and I know her. She would be furious with you for refusing her. She must’ve followed you here and seen you with the boat. Of course, and then she ran straight to Shema.”

  Vicaroy nodded. “I suppose. It doesn’t matter. The damage is done.”

  “Of course it was Fay.” Baya could not let it go, as Vicaroy seemed willing to do. “One time, Fay hid a dead bird inside a girl’s mattress because she had heard a rumor that the girl had said something bad about her. The bird was not found until it reeked so bad the girl could no longer stand to sleep in her room. It took weeks for the smell to disappear. That was when Fay was only twelve. She’s playing grown-up games now.”