Chapter 11: The Windy Town Near the Sea

The sun rose in the sky as the Protector trio reached a large stone gate. Yellow flowers decorated it, a sign reading

> Welcome to Cameria

> The windy town near the sea

at the top. To say Trinity was excited would be an understatement. She nearly ran past the Astellacan Guards and into the town, the boys following behind. The sound of wind whistling filled Trinity’s ears along with the chatter of people walking along the streets. There were buildings as far as she could see with orange and yellow roofs, the smell of salt water in the air. “So, this is Cameria,” Trinity said. She spread her arms out wide. “It’s so big!”

Alexander shrugged, Phoenix hiding a chuckle behind his hand. “We should check in to the nearby inn,” he said. “Then, we should start searching for the next Protector.”

“Actually,” Phoenix said, stepping back, “while you do that, I have to find the Head Noble’s office. I need something to give my uncle once I return.”

“Suit yourself,” Alexander said with another shrug. “Trinity and I—”

“Adventure!” Trinity yelled, running down the street. She could faintly hear Alexander yelling after her, which she ignored. Slowing down, she walked along the cobblestone sidewalk among the people. It was more crowded than Atland Village, and the buildings seemed to reach the clouds. Turning a corner, Trinity reached a large arch separating a building. Going through, she ended up in a square, shops and tables all around. Most were selling food and trinkets, Trinity tempted. She took out her allowance bag and grimaced.

One gold coin and three silver left. She had spent too much in Southern Bridge.

Sighing, the sweet smell of flowers floated into her nose. To her right was another arch, a patch of flowers on the other side. She went towards it, discovering it was a large garden. Smiling wide, Trinity walked through, flowers every color of the rainbow around her. Even the trees had blossoms, the petals blowing softly onto the ground. A few landed on the head of a girl watering some plants. Her brown pigtails blew with the breeze, her gray eyes gentle as she smiled. Trinity stared, feeling as if she were looking at a painting. “So pretty,” she muttered.

The girl flinched and turned. Jumping up, she hurried away. “Wait, I…did I scare her?” Trinity said to herself. She watched her rush down the sidewalk to a large building, the sign with two large medicine bottle drawings on top making her guess it was a clinic. Atland Village had a small one with a similar sign next to the schoolhouse which Trinity had visited many times due to various adventure training injuries, much to the chagrin of her mother.

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“Are you alright?”

Flinching, Trinity turned, an Astellacan Guard staring at her with furrowed brows. Shaking her head, Trinity slapped her cheeks. It wasn’t time to be thinking about home. She was still adventuring. “I’m fine,” she said. “Um, do you know where the inn is?”

“There are a few inns.” The guard smiled. “Did your parents not tell you which one to meet them at?” Trinity frowned. Even far from home, she was still treated like a small child. “If it is your first time, they are likely at the Golden Inn. It’s next to the southern gate.”

“Thank you!” Trinity said, running off. Reaching the gate she arrived at, she turned left and saw the small inn. Going in, she went right to the receptionist’s desk. “Excuse me?” The woman looked up from her reading. “Did a boy with brown hair and ears check in here? Last name Espinor.”

“That he did,” the woman said. “We don’t normally allow children to, but he had a signed form from his guardian.” By guardian, Trinity assumed his mentor, though she was still surprised. “He said he had two other guests, a boy and a girl…which I assume is you.” She nodded. “You’re in room 103. It’s right down the hall.”

“Thank you!” Trinity said for the second time that day as she rushed down the hall. Reaching the room, she knocked. “Alexander?”

“It’s open,” he said from the other side.

Opening the door, Trinity stepped into the small room. A round table was near the window, two beds and a couch on the other side of the room. Alexander lay on one as she came over. “I’m ready to go Protector hunting!” she said with a grin. He groaned in response. “Alexander?” The grin vanished. “Are you okay?”

“I’m a little tired, so let’s search a bit…later,” he said.

“Um, okay. I’m going to go take a bath.” He nodded, Trinity glancing at him worriedly as she left to find the washroom.

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By the next morning, Alexander was coughing while laying down, his skin pale. It reminded Trinity of when Skyler came down with the seasonal fever. Phoenix stood by the bed as Trinity sat and felt Alexander’s forehead. It was warm. “Alexander, I think you might be sick,” she said, pulling her hand away.

“I’m…fine,” he said with a cough. “Just still a bit tired.”

“Bull!” Phoenix said, Alexander flinching. “You’ve been tired for twenty four hours. Trinity’s right; you’re sick.”

Shoulders trembling, Alexander closed his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Trinity said with a small smile. “Stuff happens, and we’ve been sleeping outside anyway.” She stood and grabbed her bag. “There’s a clinic on the other side of town. Let’s take you there to get checked out.”

Shuddering, Alexander pulled the blanket over his head. Just like Skyler had when Trinity’s mother had said the same thing. “No need,” Alexander said quickly. “I can just—”

He yelped as Phoenix yanked the blanket off the bed. “Get up! We’re going to the clinic,” he said. Whimpering, Alexander stood as a chuckling Trinity led him out the door.