Twelve Thrones: Khiz

1214-05-20

Knock, knock.

"Wah!"

"I'm awake."

Amanda's wide awake. I pick her up gently and rock her in my arms while cleaning her off. Once she's calm, I glance out the window. The stars still linger faintly, though the light of the rising sun begins to wash them away.

"How did you sleep, Amanda?" I asked, leaning over her crib with a soft smile. She let out a happy little coo in response.

Knock, knock.

Another knock echoes through the house. I head downstairs. Amanda snug in my arms. The glow of candlelight flickers on the walls. At the door a group of three women stands on my doorstep, their faces lit with excitement.

"It's great to see you, Mia!"

"I didn't know you were coming so early," I replied.

"Well, we're here now," Ava says with a grin.

"Wait—I'm not ready!"

I follow them, still holding Amanda as they sweep into the room like a whirlwind. Each woman carries something: bags of groceries, bundles of clothes, and other items I can't quite make out. They set everything down on the table, filling the room with the scent of fresh bread and fruit.

Carefully, I place Amanda in her crib and begin sorting through the bags. One is filled with food, another with clothes for Amanda and me, and the last…

The last bag catches my eye. It's filled with Var.

"I can't take this," I say, glancing at the group.

"Consider it a present," Lily replies with a smile.

"Yeah, it's for the festival," Maya adds, her voice light and cheerful.

"The festival… that's soon, isn't it?" I mutter, looking down solemnly.

"You're usually more prepared!" Ava laughs, nudging me playfully.

"We'll help as much as we can," Lily says quickly, shooting Ava a disapproving look.

"What needs to be done?" Maya asks, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.

I pause for a moment, cradling Amanda as she begins to whine softly. "I need to clean, cook, put up the banners…"

"Wait," Maya interrupts, shaking her head. "We don't need to do all that. Let's just enjoy the festival!"

"I can't," I sigh. "I have no one to watch Amanda."

"She can come with us!" Maya suggests.

"I don't know… What if something happens? I'd hate it if she got hurt," I say, my voice faltering.

"Oh, come on," Ava rolls her eyes. "Isn't Barta the safest island in the archipelago?"

"Fine," I concede reluctantly.

"Great!" Lily beams. "Let's at least put up the banners first."

We leave the house together and head to the center of town, where the festival banners are freely distributed. The colorful designs feature fish and serpents, symbols of Barta's connection to the sea.

Back at home, we set to work hanging the banners. Amanda sat in the yard, giggling as she played among the white flowers. Maya keeps an eye on her, which puts me at ease.

As we work, we hum familiar songs and exchange stories. The conversation shifts to life in Disla.

"The council recently left to collect taxes from the islands," Lily says casually.

"Is that why you came here?" I ask.

"No, we came to give you the presents for the festival," she replies with a grin.

"How long before the council makes it to Barta?"

"A few weeks, I'd say," Ava answers, tying a banner securely.

"How are you liking Disla?" I ask, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"Disla is… well, Disla," Lily says with a shrug.

"It's boring," Ava chimes in. "The days are always the same and so busy. It's nice to visit smaller islands like this."

"After the festival, you should come back to Disla with us," Maya says suddenly.

"I don't know…" I hesitate.

"Disla has some of the best schools," Maya adds, still keeping an eye on Amanda. 

I reply, shaking my head. "We'll see."

"I'm not going to stop pestering you about it," Maya teases.

"Leave her alone," Lily scolds lightly.

"No! She should at least visit. She's not giving it a chance," Maya insists.

"Fine," I sigh, giving in. "I'll go back with you."

"Yay!" Maya cheers.

"When are you leaving, anyway?"

"How about the Monday after the festival, early in the morning?" Lily suggests.

"That's too soon! I'll have no time to prepare."

"Fine, we'll push it to the 27th," Lily agrees with a nod.

As we finished cleaning the lawn and putting up banners and decorations, we took a break to play in the dirt with Amanda. She had gotten absolutely filthy, tearing up flowers and tossing petals into the air with glee. At one point, Maya had to stop her from shoving a handful of them into her mouth, earning a sheepish giggle from Amanda that made us all laugh.

A sudden whoosh of wind swept through the yard. There, soaring through the sky, is a white dragon.

"Is that… a dragon?" Lily asked, her voice filled with awe.

"They pass by all the time," I replied casually, though I couldn't help but watch it too.

"I've never seen one this close," Maya murmured, her eyes wide as the dragon's shadow glided over us.

"It's beautiful," Ava added after a moment, her tone almost hesitant. "In a weird way. Very clean, like it doesn't belong in the real world."

We stood in silence for a moment longer, watching as the dragon looped back to where it came.

We went back inside. The smell of the bread and sweet fruit fills the air as we sit around the table. Amanda giggles happily in her chair. Ava, laughing, pours a little of her drink into Amanda's small cup and holds it out to her.

 "Here you go, little one," she says, but I spring to my feet

"Ava! What are you doing? She's too young!" I blurt out, reaching for the cup. 

"Relax, Mia—it's just water," she says, grinning.

 I sank back into my seat, feeling my cheeks flush as the others joined in the laughter. Amanda, oblivious, sips happily from her cup, her big green eyes sparkling with delight.

Disla—the greatest city in the world on the greatest island in the world, or so they say. It's a place of sandy beaches and towering peaks, known for its dual nature: one of beauty and trade, the other of chaos and endless motion. I've never been there myself, though my husband once said he was stationed there for a time. He described it as too busy, a palace of trade where life moved too fast for comfort.

But maybe my friends were right. If I wanted to give Amanda the best life possible, I'd need to step outside my comfort zone. I'd need to stretch my legs—and my wings—so that one day, she could do the same.