“Is everything alright?” I asked him.
He nodded. “I was about to go out looking for you. You were gone a long time.”
“I wasn’t really. I just fell asleep for a while first. I told the guards about the injured man who attacked you. They said they’d have someone check the area, if they can find it, when they’re passing by. Now that’s dealt with, I would like to look for Araena if you’re feeling better?”
“I am. Where do you want to begin?” he asked. “I could search for her from the sky if I knew what she looked like, but Salfrey is a large place, and I’m afraid I don’t.”
“I discovered a statue when I was out walking earlier and I think it might be a clue or even lucky happenstance. I think we should find out if it is. It’s possible she could live nearby.”
I didn’t like leaving my possessions behind, so I took the more important things with me when we left the room. It was a relief that my bag was much lighter without most of the food and water. The hawk statue hadn’t seemed far away from the market street, but it was further away than I’d thought, and much of the walk was uphill. I was excited to see if it might lead us to Araena, and my spirit was buoyant as we passed stores and buildings, people’s homes, and climbed up weathered stone stairs. They led into an old park, and beyond it, a short road to the hilltop.
“It’s strange that the statue isn’t in a more public area of the city,” I noted, though it was big, and visible from the streets below. “I wonder what it means.”
We had a wonderful view of the ocean by the time we reached the hilltop. The statue was massive and carved of grey marble. There was also a large house nearby.
I compared my pin to the statue. “I’m sure the hawk’s the same!”
I’d thought about asking in the house whether they might know Araena, but I soon realised it wasn’t a house at all: it was a trading hall. The words were marked in writing above a large open door, and many traders bought and haggled over goods within.
This wasn’t a place most shoppers went to buy; this was where traders obtained some of their merchandise, which had been hauled in off ships. Some goods would be destined for cities like Korlas or transported to other places in the empire.
I searched the stands for familiar faces—Araena or her parents, but there was no one I recognised. I must’ve looked at every face present before reaching the conclusion she wasn’t there. At least, not today.
I felt a little upset, even though I knew the odds of finding her weren’t great. I turned to Karulo. “I don’t see her anywhere.”
“Try your visions and have faith in them,” he told me. “If she’s in the city, maybe they can help you find her.”
I reached out with my mind, connecting with my memories of her and the friendship we’d shared. I felt happier just thinking of her, but emotional too. I missed her… and then, it was as though I felt a tug, pulling me in a certain direction. Toward the door. I walked and Karulo followed me.
I stepped back out into the sunshine, and walked around behind the building, where many of the carts were left, with horses tethered nearby. There I saw a familiar sight—the dark blue cart of Araena’s father, and I walked toward it. Karulo quietly followed me; I was too distracted to notice his knowing smile.
A young woman walked around the side and our eyes met, and it was her. Araena, my friend. I’d found her.
She gasped when she saw me, and rushed forward to give me a hug.
“How did you find me?” she asked in wonder. “I could’ve been anywhere in the world.”
I tapped the hawk pin on my coat. “It helped me find you. I’m not sure I would’ve if Dunra hadn’t given it to me.”
“I never got the chance to give it to you, but I’m glad you got it anyway. Oh Astera, I have so much to tell you. I got married! My father was furious at first, but now my husband works for him.”
That was when she noticed Karulo.
“Who’s your friend?”
“This is Karulo. He’s… different. Special. He’s my guardian. I’m going to become an oracle in three days time and I wanted to see you again before I do.”
“I always knew you would,” she said, hugging me again. “Perhaps I should be an oracle for having seen it coming. You always knew things, and I somehow knew you’d find me someday. Is this what you want? I mean becoming an oracle.”
“I’ve thought about it a lot and I’m still working it out, but yes, I think so,” I said. “Just so long as you can come visit me from time to time. I won’t be leaving Korlas.”
“My father’s been considering extending his operations back out toward Korlas again, so you can bet I’m going to encourage him to. Yes, I’ll find a way to come visit you.”
“Thank you. That’s all I ever hoped for.”
The next three days passed in a blur for me, but it was a happy one. Karulo had time to recover and I didn’t run from my role as oracle. After a further day in Salfrey to enjoy the sights, we returned to Korlas in the cart owned by Araena’s father, drawn by two stocky horses. At first the horses shied away from my gryphon protector, but they accepted him in his human form, and we all had the chance
