Rise of the Lily

Chapter Two - The Unforeseen Announcement

"I hope you enjoyed the ocean, short as our view was," Nivar said. "I'm pleased I could be the one to show it to you."

"Thank you, it was beautiful." The silence stretched on. Kaya wasn't sure what she should say now. There was no one around. No houses, no animals. Just fields. Why did Grandmother have to live so far from Dindur? They were back on the main road that connected to town. She hoped this meant they were still moving towards her grandmother's house.

If she was going to be stuck with Nivar, she would learn as much as she could about him. Then, she would tell Grandmother and Aron what she knew when she arrived. "What brings you to Dindur? Many of the young men are moving to the capital for work," she said. Did that sound like she was suspicious of him? "I'm glad I met someone my age here." She laughed.

"I'm actually from Vahana," he said. Kaya frowned. He was from the capital? Had he followed her here? "I wanted to try something new. So, perhaps I am not so different from those that journey to the capital. I'm just moving in the opposite direction."

"You lived in the capital? Even better! If you've ever been in the palace, then you'll be able to understand all my recollections."

"I have not been in the palace, Kaya," he said. "But, I'm happy to hear your stories any time." She and her parents had a home in the city but had spent most of their time in the palace. How had he come to know about her? Why was he interested in her?

"Thank you, Nivar." Was anything he was saying true? But she couldn't sit in this cart and simply stare at the grass and sky. "Did you know about my parents?" Did you know about me? That was what she wanted to ask.

"Everyone knew of Adviser Mona," he said. "I was only a year or two old when the fever took many in the city. My parents spoke highly of her. As did others when her name came up in conversation."

"How did you know Mona was my mother?" Kaya blurted out. Then she immediately wished she could take it back. What would he do to her if she found out his true motives?

"You're Mistress Heema's granddaughter, correct? The townspeople told me that Adviser Mona was her daughter. She's the pride of Dindur, apparently." Kaya scowled. He'd handled her question smoothly. Her curiosity was stronger than her caution at the moment. She wanted to catch him out. "You must miss her."

Kaya felt the tension shoot out of her, creating a vacuum to make more room for the sadness she kept inside her. The guilt. She looked at the sky. Nivar could not see her, but she would not cry in his cart. She took a deep breath. "I do," she said. "And I miss my father too."

The cart jerked to the left as they left the main road once more, and Kaya saw a sprawling home come into view. It was much larger than her home in the capital. She had not heard of any other homes close to Dindur in this direction. Hopefully, it was Grandmother's.

Nivar guided the oxen to a stop in front of the entrance and hopped off his perch. Kaya jumped out of the back of the cart. This was it. She was meeting her grandmother. Maybe a positive aspect of being in a cart with Nivar and his questionable motives was that she had not had the time to get nervous. Kaya smoothed out her skirt and patted down her hair. Her clothing was full of dust from the road. She hoped Grandmother would not be disapproving.

She and Nivar took off their slippers and went into the open entryway. The brick and clay walls shaded the room, making it darker and cooler. The inner door opened and two people stepped out.

An older woman with silver-gray hair locked eyes with Kaya. Her lips were tight. "I was expecting you an hour ago."

"Apologies, Grandmother. Aron and I were delayed in the town. Our carriage was unable to pass, and I needed to find another means to arrive. Nivar brought me here with his oxen and cart."