Black waves ebbed against the reddish-brown clay dunes. Yellow rocks of sulfur jetted around the edges from the years of impurities that washed upon the shore. The sun's bright light reflected off the rocks and glistened on the surface of the sea like sparkling flares. A beautiful sight that paused my sorrows for a moment and the warmth of the oil eased my tired feet as Sherwin and I pushed our canoe.

Not all beauty lasted forever.

Sharp pain stung my legs and bubbles of yellow oozed from my cuts. I gasped as I waded deeper into the oil. Although the sulfur trails that serpentine through the sea were not visible, its bite bore into the abrasions on my calf. Each second stung deeper and sawed through like a hot blade. I cringed and held back my whimpers. If only the sea were synthetic like our drinking well, or rather, at least I should have treated my wounds before we left. Still, Sherwin was right. We had to do this secretively. Elder Warlin would only persuade me to stay, or forbid me from trying. A risk I would not tolerate.

My mission superseded any suffering. There were bound to be worse fares than this that laid before me. This would serve only as a rite of passage. Nothing would stop me. I bit through the agony and held onto our canoe till the waves held it afloat.

"I think we're far enough, are you ready?" I asked as I steadied the canoe.

"Yes," he said and hefted himself on top.

Our canoe rocked gently as he settled himself in. It groaned in protest and I strained my arms keeping it steady. The old rickety boat passed through one generation too many. Now that the bounding tree perished, I wondered if they would make a new one. A fitting purpose for it to ferry those whose bounds were waiting to be retired.

Once he anchored himself away from me he nodded for me to join him. I steadied myself and carried my legs over the ledge. The solid petrified wood felt good to lean against and relax. Most of the pain subsided fast. I remained there silent for a moment as Sherwin oared. Each stroke dipped into the sea in a rhythmic pattern. I closed my eyes and hummed the lyrics of a childhood song.

Row, row, row, across the sea

Merely, merely, merely to reunite with thee

Row, row, row....

Tears trickled down my cheek as my humming stopped. There was no happy ending to me, not like the song. I wasn't going to reunite with anyone after our voyage. Would the Elders in the sanctuary understand me? They all lost their bounded mate, and surely there would be longing, but happiness waited for them in the end. Would any of them know the loneliness I felt? To know I would always be alone.

Stop it Ada.

I gritted my teeth. It pissed me off how somber I became. Whining like a dying ember. That wasn't me. I wouldn't let my flame die without sparking something.

Vector's passing wouldn't go in vain.

"Steady the boat," I said and grabbed the bow and arrow stowed away. This canoe belonged to our community for the passage of those who lost their bound. With how infrequent it happened, the Elders across the sea needed to be aware of our presence. Doing so, I would announce to the world that I lost my bound.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Sherwin asked.

I nodded. Normally such a grave task was done by the oarsmen, but this was my declaration. I notched the arrow and pointed it up toward the distance. Already the Elder's sanctuary came into view. Clear crystals with silver spiraled into the sky. The sun glistened off the gems embedded in it, and danced across the golden walls of the castle. A younger and happier me would be mesmerized. Just like the folksong said, a beautiful home awaited across the sea.

I let go my arrow. It disappeared above, but the sulfuric tip burned from the heat and streaked the sky in a blood-hue scar.

A moment later, another strike stretched out from the castle to meet mine. A bond to connect me to this place. If I wanted to, this would be my home forever.

I stared for a moment in silence as we closed the distance to the castle. Time ceased in thought as we pressed ever onward.

"So," Sherwin said and paused as my eyes rested no him. His eyes shifted to the black sea and he remained quiet.

"What is it?" I demanded. Silence in contemplation was better than waiting for someone to finish their thoughts.

Sherwin frowned and his words formed into a mumble.

Not everyone was used to my bluntness. Not like Vector. Nothing stirred him, no matter how direct I was. It was something he appreciated, and allowed me to remove those layers of secretiveness from him. Not everyone was like him. I sighed, tactlessness would get me nowhere with Sherwin. "Sorry," I said.

"Oh," his eyes caught mine and he relaxed his shoulders. "You're fine. I was merely thinking about what will happen next and what the world above would be like."

From what I heard, the Terrans were a vast species. If we gathered all the villages of Gaia together, we'd have probably a million people. Whereas the Terrans had that in a single village. They built their buildings tall and wide to accommodate, creating thousands of 'castles across the sea'.

Besides that, all I heard were rumors. Terrans were beings that slayed other species for fun. They created heartless beings made from our precious materials to destroy the earth. They tear out minerals and ores, bleed our wells and seas, only for their gain, and they never return back what they took. Leaving waste to all that belonged to us. They were as soulless as the machines they created.

I never knew how much of that to believe. How can we describe what we don't know? For the most part, we live with the comfort knowing that our souls will return to the earth. We respect it and treat it in kind. Without that knowledge, would we turn so easily to temptations of greed? To live only in the moment?

I looked at the black depth of the sea. Beneath our feet were demons from the netherworlds. Could I really hope to persuade them if they had no souls? I wouldn't know without trying.

"I don't know, but I'll find out," I said and looked toward the sanctuary's shore.

Already my destiny lied before me as two men in white robes approached the dock. They had several wrinkles upon their face of age, from years of worries and some of happiness. Their eyes were on me with glints of sadness in their greeting smiles. I was quite a sight. My tattered white dress, covered in earth and oil, laid bear with wounds across my flesh and misery on my face. I needn't another sign to declare my grace as folly and my fate as a boundless.

"Greetings," the taller elder said as he cast a rope toward Sherwin.

"Greetings," Sherwin and I replied when we reached the dock.

Both elders pulled the rope taught. Once we were close enough, the shorter one began tightening it around the post.

"What brings you here," the tall elder said.

I hadn't practiced much of what I would say. Sherwin stole what little thoughts I had with his curiosity. Still, it begged some though rather than blurting it out as I doubt they'd appreciate my forwardness like Vector.

I settled on stealing a moment with pleasantry. Worth a shot to test the oil. "Thank you, kind sirs. I am impressed by the beauty of this isle."

Both grumbled and nodded.

Not much for small talk. Still, there was only one reason why I would travel here, and with my age it was a rarity. They could tell my woe without a second thought, but I credited them with enough compassion to believe that they would understand eventually of what I wanted. For now, though, bluntness was definitely not ideal. So, the subtle approach it was.

"As for your question, I am boundless. My betrothed passed before the binding... and the tree...."

"Say no more," the taller said as he looked out to the distance.

Even here, the fallen tree could be seen. Its absence from the sky made my fake sorrow real.

"So," I sighed and put forward my best half-shy smile I could. Acting weak and defenseless didn't come easy as I thought, even when true. I settled my eyes on the talkative elder. "I am looking for direction of what to do with my life now"

"Hmm, indeed, there is much to be discussed. That, I am sure." He turned toward Sherwin. "As for you, young gentleman, thank you for bringing her here. I shall take her rom this point."

I paused and faced Sherwin. His mouth hung slightly ajar. Poor boy, I think he expected to go on the adventure with me. Yet, he was my oarsmen. He served to only ferry me here, and his purpose remained on the other side of the sea. The place where his bound remained ready to be forged. Still, I don't blame him. Even knowing this, I too held a solemn breath hoping it not come to fruition. He would have been my only support. Also, if I failed to convince the elders, I would remain here to live out my days. At least until another visitor arrived, and what woes I'd deal with trying to return.

One step at a time.

"Farewell, Sherwin." I said and waved goodbye.

He paused for a moment, but knew any efforts would be futile. So, for once he remained quiet and waved goodbye as well.

Even before I turned around the stouter one untied the rope.

"Come, let's go," the other said as he moved toward the castle.

The petrified wood remained solid under our feet unlike that rickety boat. I stared down at my worn shoes. In our haste, I ran without changing them either. They were my mother's passed down from generations of binding days. Now it was soiled and ruined like me. Great way to end traditions.

My self-contempt did not last long as we stepped out onto the iron roads. Dozens of other elders roamed the streets, dressed in

white robes as well. Their voices fluttering around as they wobbled near our path. A rarity of a visitor drew some clamor but it seemed fleeting as they went back to their tasks. Was it out of respect? Or were they simply cogs that only knew to turn. Either way, I was happy they didn't pay more mind than necessary.

"I believe introductions are in order," the taller one said. "My name is Elder Wheldon, and this is my companion—"

"Elder Gladestone." He held a toothless smile.

A pungent odor churned my stomach from his breath. I bit back the urge to gag. Perhaps that was why Elder Wheldon held the bulk of the conversation. A fortune I was glad for, as many I doubt would want to be bound to an isle with Gladestone welcoming breath.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both," I said as my stomach calmed. "I Am Ada, from the Northsire."

"Well, Ada from Northshire, we don't receive many young ones here, but do not fret. We have plenty of things that can occupy a youngester's time." He laughed. "It might even make this place more lively, wouldn't you say, Gladestone?"

He grunted with a smirk.

"Right..." I smiled the best I could, despite the idea of spending a lifetime with the lot. I needed out of here. Soon. "So, when might I meet the Maester to know of what tasks he might assign me?"

"She," Elder Wheldon said.

I was thankful for the correction. Last I heard, it was Maseter Evens. Although I doubt he would give me too rough of a time, he came from my village and knew my family. Likely he heard my mischievous pas and perhaps even link it to my current desire. At least now I had a fresh start and hopefully sympathetic ear.

"As for meeting her, we'll be showing you around first to your quarters and the geo-springs. After that, Elder Karl will tend our wounds, then you should be fit to see Maseter Purcell."

My body trembled and ached at the words of geo-springs. A thermal bath would be absolutely delightful after a long day like today. However, my smile radiated with knowing that I would see her before the beginning of the sleep cycle. "Thank you for your hospitality, and I look forward to it." I grinned as we climbed the golden-hued staircase to the entrance. Soon my fate would be determined, but for now I would indulge in the small luxuries until then.