“Yulia, how did you get here so fast?” Kai whispered.
Her toothy grin bubbled into laughter. “Dragons fly over the mountains, and I know a few.”
Before he could ask more, Haygan and a few other men ushered Kai into a moss-covered stone gazebo. Thick green ivy covered the arched marble opening, concealing him from view. “Change into the white linen clothes on the bench,” Haygan instructed from outside. “Do so quickly.”
Vines or not, it was a little embarrassing to change publicly, but Kai quickly did as he was told. He struggled to remove his wet clothing. His damp things plopped on the white marble floor. A burst of wind whipped down from above through the gazebo and dried his skin. He hurried to put on the clothing provided. Like Rayna, he was now dressed in white linen pants and a white shirt. The material was soft and flowy.
In one hand, he held the stone he had carved out of Alenga’s mountain. In the other, he held his mother’s necklace. Unsure he should take it with him, he slipped it into his boot and stuffed his socks inside to ensure it would not be noticed.
“Ready,” Kai announced, running his fingers through his hair.
Haygan again took him by the arm. “We need to hurry.”
Beads of perspiration began to form on Kai’s brow. Sweat ran down his back. Again, he felt an urge to move forward. The power of Alenga pulled at his core. He clutched his stone and took note of his surroundings.
Two massive weeping willows sprang up where the mountain ridge ended, protecting the entrance to the secluded garden. Their long tendril curtains nearly touched the path. Two women in purple swirled their hands, and a delicate breeze parted the vines for the crowd to pass.
Together they traveled along a white marble path that curved through a magical garden. Occasionally the path arched over an iridescent blue stream. Wildflowers and blooming trees dotted the landscape. Kai could feel the energy in the air. Magic rubbed against his soul. He felt happy.
Katori was much more than Kendra and Liam’s descriptions. There were graceful stone gazebos, pergolas, and bridges, all modestly laced with flowery moss and variegated vines. There were sprawling gardens, each connected by endless blue waterways and delightful fountains and curvy white marble paths. Everywhere he looked there was harmony.
Unlike home, Katori gardens replaced the symmetry of Diu gardens with twisting pathways, mythical sculptures, and exotic flowers. There were green plants, arched stonework, sculpted cascades of stone and water. It was a delightful display of flowers, vines, and trees.
The sounds of bird song echoed on the wind. Birds of color fluttered across the deep blue sky. Wild animals slinked through the flowers. He saw three wolves and a mountain cat. Butterflies and hummingbirds buzzed from flower to flower.
Massive trees stood around the edge of the garden, beset with egglike structures made of living vines and branches, intertwined with stone spirals and connected sagging bridges. Strange-looking windmills swirled in the distance. There was so much to take in at one time. They were moving too fast. Kai wanted to gawk.
Haygan rushed Rayna and Kai towards a large structure. Through the flowering trees, Kai caught a glimpse of the Agora’s white and gray marble. Kendra was right, the stone curves and twists around the edifice looked alive. It appeared to sprout out of the ground. The rotunda had eight curvy arched entrances, one for each side of the octagonal building.
The closer they came to the Agora, the more power he felt. Peace washed over him. Energy coursed through his veins. The structure, or rather an essence inside, emanated a great power. Even the trees nearby swirled with energy, and each had grown twisted. Shafts of power had curled the trees into individual sculptures.
At the entrance, an older man awaited them. Kai was speechless. He had never seen an old Katori person before. He had wondered if any of them ever aged. The man’s skin was rugged, and his expression was serious yet playful. He stood straight and tall. If it were not for his long white hair blowing in the breeze and tan complexion, he could have been a statue.
“My name is Orin, Stoneking. I am the master of crystals. Hand me your stone,” he said to Rayna.
She cupped her precious stone in both hands, offering it to him.
Orin placed one hand atop the stone and the other underneath Rayna's hands. He looked deep into her eyes. His toothy smile brought a giggle to Rayna’s lips. With a bow, he took her stone. He rolled it over in his hands. Bits of ordinary rock fell away like dust through his fingers.
The sound of stone being crushed rumbled from Orin’s cupped hands. He worked quickly to remove the unnecessary bits. More dust slipped through his fingers. The wind blew away the unwanted material, and Kai caught a glimpse of her true stone emerging.
Orin pressed the crystal between his palms. White sparks slipped through his fingers. Rayna shielded her face. The old man ran his fingers around the remaining gem, creating the final shape. Finished, Orin opened his hands. He handed Rayna a smooth white teardrop crystal. “I see many tears in your future, some of pain, and some of great joy. Let them be a testament to the bold woman you will become.”
Then he extended his hand to Kai. “May I have your stone, please?” Orin asked.
Kai held out his rock-encrusted crystal. Orin’s vise-like grip surrounded his; Kai felt the warmth in the man’s touch. Orin’s cosmic blue eyes looked deep into Kai’s. It felt as if the man was searching his soul. Then the old man bowed. He took the stone and quickly began to roll his hands around it.
As before, plain rock disintegrated in his hands and blew away in the breeze. When he pressed against the stone, he shifted
