Our announcement of engagement was not as shocking to the village as I would’ve liked. My mother had seemed oddly relieved, and I couldn’t help but wonder if negotiations with another village had already begun. Kerul gave the marriage his blessing almost before the words were out of Philben’s father’s mouth. Preparations for the wedding had already begun, despite being a year away.

A week after our intention had been revealed, a villager from an outlying farm came to Kerul with unnerving news. I happened to be nearby, gutting fish from my mother’s most recent catch.

“What did you see?” Kerul asked in an undertone, his voice laced with concern.

“A ship.” The farmer was one I didn’t know, which meant he would usually have stayed on his property. “A big one.”

“How many sails?”

I knew the headman was wondering if the farmer had just seen one of the royal navy ships, patrolling the waters for pirates. But to see a ship on its own, this far from the main island, was rare. My fingers trembled as I filleted deftly. I knew what Kerul was suspecting.

Pirates haunted the waters of the outer Isles. They often attacked small villages, looking for gold, trinkets, women – anything that could be of value to them. They usually left the towns as burnt husks, its people slaughtered. News of a pirate ship in the waters around Ta Raman was extremely worrying.

“Three,” the farmer was saying. “Three sails.”

Kerul glanced up, noticed me watching, and hastily drew the man away. But I’d heard enough. I put down my knife and brushed my hair away with the back of my hand. The farmer had seen a pirate ship – and it seemed to be travelling towards the village.

I found Philben mending nets by the seashore. As I waited for him to finish, I stared out over the bay. It was a natural cove, the land scooping around it, sheltering the inner waters from the larger waves. To the north was a bluff, and around the other side was Dead Man’s Beach. The bluff would provide the best view of the surrounding waters; it would be the best place to spy a ship from.

“Where are we going?” Philben asked as I gripped his hand tightly.

I made sure to smile coyly at him as I whispered my next words. “A farmer has spotted a ship to the north. I want to get a look at it.”

Someone called rudely at us, trying to guess our intentions for sneaking off together. I giggled and steered Phil towards the trail that would take us to the bluff.

“You think it’s a pirate ship?” He asked, once we were surrounding by jungle.

“Kerul questioned the man. He said it had three sails.”

“It could be a navy ship.”

I snorted. “Since when does the Emperor care what happens on the outer islands, Phil? As long as the capital isn’t in danger, he’ll never deploy the navy to help.”

Philben didn’t respond. Instead, he let me lead him towards the bluff. Urgency hurried my footsteps. Since Laru had arrived, Kerul had grown too uncertain to lead. If the villagers had to rely on him to remove them from danger, we were doomed. I wanted my own information, untainted by the men he would undoubtedly send to verify the farmer’s claims.

We passed the turn off for Dead Man’s Beach, continuing up the hill. Philben’s hand grew sweaty in mine, but I didn’t let go. Of all times, I couldn’t let go of him now. Our muscles were burning and our breath shallow by the time we reached the summit. I squinted against the wind as it whipped past us, carrying the salty scent of the sea and faint mist from the waves breaking on the rocks far below.

“There!” I pointed hastily at the blot on the horizon. “That has to be the ship, right?”

Philben looked to where I was pointing. “How did he know it had three sails?”

I’d been wondering that too. “I guess his farm must be further north – he could’ve even spied it going past.”

The black dot didn’t seem to move to us, it was too far out. “Even if it is a pirate ship, how does it know where Ta Raman is?” Philben asked.

I turned back towards our village. Though hidden by the bluff and cove, spirals of smoke rose into the air before being whirled away by the wind. Smaller fishing boats ventured beyond the safety of the bay in favour of larger catches, and it was easy to see them against the sparkling ocean. “They know we’re here, Phil. We have to leave.”

“That’s not your decision to make, Illy.” Philben turned away from the distant ship, facing me and blocking some of the wind. “Kerul has to give the order for us to leave.”

I nodded, though I had a bitter taste in my mouth. Kerul couldn’t be trusted to make such a decision anymore. A leader he had once been, but no more. But the villagers still looked to him, trusted him, to guide them to safety. They couldn’t see past the stoic man who had once been so respected in our community.

They couldn’t see the spineless coward that I did.

We began our descent down the bluff, hands clasped, and I wondered if either of us would make it to our wedding day.

My worst fears had been confirmed; we weren’t leaving Ta Raman.

The men Kerul had sent to see the ship had returned saying that they couldn’t know for sure it was a pirate ship. Instead, the story had been passed around that it was a naval scout, patrolling the islands to keep the peace. The villagers had seemed relieved to receive such an innocent explanation, but I knew what the ship truly was. I couldn’t describe it – I only knew in my heart that death was coming.

Prayer was now called daily, in service to Sarhi, the new, all encompassing god that Laru worshipped. Every morning and every evening, my mother and everyone else who I’d grown up with, knelt on the rough volcanic rock and prayed to his unforgiving statue. Laru was taking advantage of the recent scare, using guilt and fear to frighten people into attending his sermons, denouncing the old gods.

Only I continued to tend the old temple on the cliffs. I knelt on its smooth dirt floors one afternoon, the sea breeze making the beads hung around the room clink together softly. Scented smoke from a fresh stick of incense curled in the air, and the only other noise came from the sea, far below. I prayed at the feet of the Yani idol, hoping that I could make up for the abandonment of the village. I was so engrossed in my prayer that I didn’t hear the footsteps behind me until it was too late.

Strong arms grabbed me, hauling me up. At first I was so shocked at being interrupted that I didn’t resist. Slowly, I realised that the one who held me was Laru, his browned face twisted into a sneer.

“Heathen!” He snarled at me, and I tried to escape his grasp, writhing like a fish on a hook.

“Let go of me!”

He hauled me outside, where I was surprised to see other villagers standing on the worn path, some holding torches in expectance of the coming evening. My surprise soon turned to fear when I noticed that they wore expressions of accusation, matching the one Laru turned on me. He threw me to the ground and I landed hard, feeling sharp stones cut into my skin. My hands stung where they’d slapped the ground.

“This heathen continues to worship false gods!” Laru’s reedy voice had become one of a preacher, strong and determined, reaching out to those who stood back. “She will be the one to bring the wrath of Sarhi, the true god, down upon us if she is not punished for her wicked ways!”

Villagers were nodding in ascent, as though they had not once worshipped the Yani. Fear beat a painful drum in my chest as I searched the crowd for a familiar face, and failed.

“She must be cast out of our community! Let Sarhi see that we do not house sinners in our midst!”

“Hear hear!” The cheer was taken up by the crowd of onlookers, some more vehemently than others. I staggered to my feet, only to have my arm snagged by the furious holy man once again.

“I do not worship false gods!” I snapped angrily. “The Yani are the ones who have always protected us, accepted our willing sacrifices. There can be no other god!”

The preacher’s slap came without warning, and it knocked me to the ground once again. My cheek burning, I looked up through tears at the onlookers. Relief flooded my system as I recognised Philben pushing through.

I fell into his arms gratefully, choking back sobs of fear. “What is the meaning of this?” He demanded angrily, and it was not my childhood friend that spoke, but the voice of my husband-to-be. “Why are you treating my betrothed so?”

Laru launched into his heathen spiel, but Philben was not listening. He wiped away my tears with his thumb, pressing his lips against my forehead. When the preacher reached his reason for me to be banished from Ta Raman, Phil stood angrily, pulling me with him.

“Don’t be ridiculous! You are not our leader – only Kerul can make a decision like that. She will not be leaving the village.”

Laru’s face twisted in anger. He did not like being shown up by Philben, a boy in his eyes. Fear for my betrothed gripped my chest like a vice. When the preacher narrowed his eyes at me in barely repressed hate, I could absorb it, but Phil… no one had ever spoken an unkind word to him in his life.

“Fetch Kerul!” Laru demanded, and a several left the group to do as he bid. Kerul arrived a few moments later, red-faced and short of breath. My mother followed closely on his heels, but unlike Philben, did not make any effort to comfort me. “This woman has returned to worshipping your false gods, even when commanded to turn to the arms of Sarhi! She is a sinner, and must be removed from our community.”

The preacher’s accusation hung in the air, as Kerul looked over me. I was burning to defend our gods, to plead for Kerul to show a little spine for once and stand up to the preacher, but as I looked upon my leader, I knew all hope was lost. I remembered Kerul from my childhood – fit, lean and a dedicated leader, ready to protect our village at any cost. But the man that stood in front of me now was not that man; he was a pale shadow of him.

“My daughter will not be leaving Ta Raman.” My mother finally spoke up, pushing past Kerul to stand beside Philben. “And you, preacher, need to reassess your position within our village. You are a newcomer. My daughter has grown up on these shores, and grown up with the gods you have cast aside. If it is anyone’s fault for her sins, it is mine; I taught her to be a dutiful, spiritual daughter, and I think you will find that many of us are having a hard time forgetting those gods we knew before yours.”

Several villagers were nodding in agreement with her statement, and I felt a pinch of satisfaction to hear the tone she usually used on me directed instead at the vicious man. As I watched, his face twisted into a snarl, and the look of pure hatred on his visage managed to take me by surprise. Never had one had such vile feelings towards me – it was unnerving.

“If you will not make her leave, then there is only one course of action!” Laru snatched a burning torch from a woman nearby, and before anyone could stop him, tossed it into the Yani temple.

At first I thought it wouldn’t catch, but then the torch rolled under one of the beaded curtains, and the flames roared up to the roof with gusto. Fire spread with surprising speed throughout the temple, the dry driftwood offering no resistance to the heat. Before long, the entire temple was burning, the heat of the fire forcing us all back. Tears rolled down my cheeks as the rest of the building caught. With a roar of embers, the roof collapsed, and the Yani temple was destroyed.

Villagers were returning to their homes, heading back down the cliffside path. Laru stayed, a grin on his weathered face as he watched the rest of the flames devouring my holy sanctum. It took all my strength to not shove him off the cliff, to the hungry waves below, so instead I drew on my magic.

But even as I gazed on the face of my most hated enemy, I could not summon my power at will. Forcing down more tears of frustration, I took Philben’s hand and let him lead me back home.

I sheltered in Phil’s hut with his family. One of his little sisters, oblivious to what had happened on the cliffs, started braiding my hair. It felt like a tiny parrot preening me. Philben and his father were muttering darkly in the corner, while Seruni, his mother, cast anxious looks my way.

“Ilsa,” Phil sat next to me, closer than we usually did. I welcomed his comforting warmth. “After our wedding, I think we should leave Ta Raman.”

I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to repel his words. “This is my home,” I whispered.

“As long as Laru remains here, you aren’t safe,” Hekam sat on my other side. His smallest daughter climbed onto his knee, and he absent-mindedly fixed the beaded necklace around her pudgy neck. “He will try again and again to cast you out, to make an example of what happens when you don’t worship Sarhi.”

His words sickened me. I knew hatred for Laru then – raw, pure hatred.

“Is there anywhere in the Empire that still worships the Yani?” Phil asked, and I was surprised. He wasn’t particularly religious; he preferred spearfishing to prayer.

“The islands far to the north might. But Sarhi’s influence is spreading. Ilsa, your safety-”

“- is more important than my religion.” I murmured. “I know. And I would never do anything to put your family at risk.”

I saw then what had to be done, and forced the words through stiff lips.

“Our engagement must end, Phil.”

The room went silent. The comforting tugs on my hair as the sister braided it ceased.

“C’mon, girls,” Seruni said, and led her daughters from the hut. I was left sitting between Philben and his father.

“Ilsa… do you think I asked for your hand because it was the right thing to do?” Phil sought my grip, and I let him pull my limp fingers into my lap. “I asked you because-”

Hekam cleared his throat loudly. “I am going to join your mother and sisters outside. Ilsa… please think carefully about your steps from here.”

We watched his push past the curtain, and suddenly both became very aware that we were alone.

“Phil. I’m putting you at risk of banishment. I’m putting your beautiful family at risk of banishment. I’m the lowest ranked member of the village, you know this. It was wonderful of you to ask me, to try to grant me protection, but-”

My words were cut off by his kiss. His lips against mine felt strange at first, then familiar, all at once. His hands cupped my face, one thumb moving against my jaw.

“Marry me, Ilsa,” he murmured against my mouth. “Marry me and I’ll protect you for an eternity.”

“Yes,” I whispered. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

I felt his smile, the eagerness in my chest as he leant in to kiss me again, wondered how long we’d have before a nosy little sister snuck in-

“Philben!” His father’s voice was harsh. “Ilsa! Come out!”

Fear rocked me to my core. I’d never heard Hekam’s voice like that before. Phil took my hand as we stood, and we wasted a moment with our foreheads pressed together, finding silent understanding in each other’s eyes. As he led me from the hut, I saw him take the spear leaning against the wall. Its razor-sharp point glinted in the midday sun as we emerged outside.

The entire village stood in the square, some on the beach. Other men, like Phil, were armed, and for good reason.

There was a pirate ship in our harbour.