[Story] The fisherman's son (based on my Solar campaign)

[Ekorren]

Chapter 44: Founding a city


Manovan woke up shortly after dawn by the comfortable sensation of Chanti's warm breath against his neck. She breathed heavily, still exploring the realms of her dreams. He turned around so his eyes met her sleeping face. She had always been so full of power. She had seemed so strong to him. But as she slept, Manovan noticed that she looked just like a woman in her early twenties – though far more beautiful than any girl he had ever witnessed. The Glittering Wolf he remembered had been beautiful too, but she had been human. Chanti transcended humanity and went far beyond. He wasn't sure how much it was her actual appearance that attracted him to her. She had no features that weren't perfect in his eyes but he noticed that she radiated some kind of supernatural attraction that was closest compared to warm beams of light.


He looked at how the refreshing morning light caught her light-brown skin and how its smoothness reflected some of that light like the finest porcelain. He carefully stroke her chin with his index finger. He enjoyed its softness and it's natural warmth. He let his finger slowly slide down to just below her chin to which he gave support as he kissed her.


He couldn't help but to notice the scent of her breath which was that of cinnamon, his favorite spice. He wondered if that scent was her natural or if her celestial beauty made him imagine his favorite scent as he kissed her only to increase his attraction to her. Glittering Wolf used to smell of cinnamon too – but that was because it was a cheap spice in Nexus which she used for most of her cooking. It was her scent and that was why he liked it. He had never seen Chanti eat or even carried cinnamon before. Did he want to think about Glittering Wolf when kissing Chanti? He carefully leaned in for another kiss. Yes, the scent was too perfect.


She sighed deeply in her sleep and Manovan thought he could hear a faint moan as she exhaled. Some of her perfectly clean, red strands of hair fell down over her cheek and he carefully moved them back with the palm of his hand. Even her hair had caught some of the sun's warmth as they were illuminated by the morning rays. He looked at her silver-white lock and wondered why it was of a different color. It wasn't colored by her, he knew that much. He thought he had recognized similar traits, though not as hair locks, with the other Lunars. Omar had a strong silver-white glitter in his eyes and Horizon had some silver-white spots on the skin between his shoulder blades. He hadn't gotten a too good look at Blackhorn to make out any traits on him. Manovan touched the lock. It looked good.


Shortly after he touched the lock, he noticed how she slowly opened her eyes. He thought that he could see traces of oval cat-like pupils over a moonsilver iris widening out as the silver-color iris became nut-brown. When she had fully opened her eyes, the eyes were like normal. She smiled to him and was just about to open her mouth to say something when she suddenly sat up in the bed and sniffed the air around her. She tilted her head backwards and raised her nose like a dog sniffing in the air.


“You're such an animalâ€, Manovan mumbled and stretched his arms and legs. He noticed that her moonsilver tattoos made a faint glitter and her caste mark appeared on her forehead. “Is something wrong?â€


“Probably notâ€, she said and gave him a reassuring smile before she moved her sheets aside and stepped out from the bed. “I just caught something strange with the scent of Horizon's sweat. Like if something is troubling him.â€


Manovan turned to the side and rested his head on the palm of his right hand as he watched Chanti's naked body from behind. He watched her patterns of moonsilver tattoos that were widely spread over her body. There were mostly curved tribal tattoos that didn't seem to mean anything, but with a few exceptions of markings that followed specific patterns – though he couldn't make out what they portrayed. He remembered that Cypher had told him that the Lunars used tattoos to protect themselves from the Wyld's chaotic shaping effects. If he would step into the Wyld like Chanti could do, he could have his body and mind reshaped and he could be killed by chaos alone. Wait a minute? Did she say “the scent of his sweat�


“The scent of his … sweat?†Manovan asked with a pitch that was somewhere between surprise and indifference. It was something new, that was for sure, but nothing with Chanti could really surprise him anymore. “Isn't he in the jungles … miles away?â€


She stepped into her leather skirt and pulled it over her hips where she tied it with a belt. She turned to him and he couldn't keep his eyes off her naked breasts. He had never seen any being more perfectly shaped and he doubted he ever would.


“Yes? What about it?†she asked and then reached for her one remaining garment to cover her breasts before she went out.


Manovan shrugged. “Nothing. It's just a remarkable sense of smell.â€


She smiled.


“But that's not all that is remarkable about youâ€, Manovan continued. “I'm sure Horizon is fine. Why don't you come back to bed?â€


She leaned in over the bed to give him a kiss on the lips. “I should goâ€, she said and smiled before she leaned back. “I'm proud of you for how you handled the gods yesterday. But today you should focus on the villagers you brought here. If you are to be their leader, you must start practicing to become a good one. More mortals will show up sooner than you think.â€


“I knowâ€, he said and leaned back on the big, fluffy pillow with the back of his head rested on the palms of his hands. “I must tell them about Hera – and have them choose a temple for her at once. She might be impatient.â€


“I can't promise I'll be back todayâ€, she said. “I have lingered here for too long already.â€


“Just come back soonâ€, Manovan said with a smile. “I want to get to know my soul-mate.â€


“You willâ€, she said. “But you and I have time on our hands. I wish I could say the same about the approaching Wyld.â€


She transformed herself into an owl and flew out through the open window. Manovan remained in the bed for some time, thinking about Chanti and about his meeting with the gods. He was looking up at the painted ceiling. It looked like the painting portrayed the Elemental Dragon of Fire. It was probably done at the time the Dragon-Blooded daimyo ruled this city after the Solars had been wiped out. It was a beautiful painting with colors intact despite the many years that had passed. But this was his palace now. Maybe he should think about new motives?


He focused on sensing the Sun's presence in heaven and decided that it could be wise to get up. He looked through the deep closets for clothes that had survived the centuries in good condition and, to his surprise, he found plenty of them. One set of clothes that attracted him were the short, red yukata with fitting, black pants. The yukata had embroidery of black dragons and symbols that reminded him of old realm but clearly wasn't. Maybe it was an old form of high realm. He didn't know but assumed the garment was from the Shogunate. He put it on and tied the yukata together with a black sash. He also found a pair of matching sandals.


Manovan walked up to a mirror and looked at himself wearing these old clothes. They looked fresh, like they were made of threads of materials that didn't deteriorate with time. Maybe red and black jade? It wasn't an artifact though. He realized that much. His moonsilver necklace with its glowing, violet hearthstone and his orichalcum bracer were clearly visible when wearing these clothes. This was his city. He had no reason to hide who he was anymore. He looked like a daimyo. Now he would act like one too.


He took a nice bone comb he had found in a drawer and combed his long, black strands of hair before the mirror. There was a water fountain just next to it. He tasted the fresh water and then splashed some in his face and hair. He dried it off with his hand and combed his hair until it was all clean and shiny. He had to settle without soaps and perfumes. He felt respectable anyway. He decided to let his hair fall down to just between his shoulder blades.


He noticed his black snake bag lying on the floor next to his bed. He picked it up and realized it was empty. “Come here, Dawnâ€, he said and tied the bag to his sash. Shortly thereafter, his coral snake slithered out from under the bed and up his leg towards the bag. “Can't go anywhere without you now, can I?â€


Before he left, he put on the harness for the Essence glider and his black backpack holstering his serpent-sting staff. He left his item bag, his throwing knives and his poisons back in the bedroom, grabbed the half-empty bottle of that special wine which he had shared with Chanti when in bed and then headed out through the corridor to the office. He took a few sips along the way. It tasted too good to pass up.


The big tome lied open on the desk in the office. He remembered that they had cleared it from the desk after they used it a few days ago. He walked up to the table and closed the giant tome, took a sip from the wine and then placed the bottle on the table. He heard three knocks on the door behind him and opened the second later.


“Manovanâ€, Yuko said. “I saw you come in here.â€


“You're up early.â€


“So are you.†She took a few steps into the office but chose not to approach him. He turned to look at her and their eyes met. She had lifted her hair with a comb and her robe looked clean. It was rather respectable. “The people have settled in at a square just north-east of here. Twenty minutes by foot. We found an administration building where Lucas, Gorg and Harm have gone to work. They are waiting for you.â€


“I'll be right there.â€


“You look good in those clothes by the wayâ€, she said but avoided eye contact as she did so. Manovan noticed that she had seemed reluctant to say it at first but maybe she wanted to make peace between the two. He thought about giving in to it. If he looked at it from her perspective, she had given up a lot for his and Cypher's sake. Master Dawn had taught him that there were Dragon-Blooded who followed paths different to the Realm's. The state of Lookshy was one proof of that. She was another. He had enjoyed their little conflict because he had, for the first time in his life, felt in a position of power compared to a Dragon-Blooded. But maybe it was time to put that act to the side. She was trustworthy after all.


“Thank youâ€, he said. “I found some robes too if you want a change of clothes.â€


He immediately noticed that she raised her eyebrows, surprised by his comment. “Umâ€, she said. “Thank you. I'd like that.â€


“You've done good, Yukoâ€, he said. “I assume you're the one who registered the villagers.†He nodded towards the tome.


“You were gone for hours yesterday so I took the liberty to use the office.†She scratched her forehead. “But there's something you should know.â€


Manovan crossed his arms and leaned back to the desk. “Yeah?â€


“We lost a life yesterdayâ€, she muttered. “A young man. His name was Han Sprout.â€


Manovan tilted his head. “How?â€


“Some of the buildings seem to have traps. He walked into one and was melted by a beam of light just as he stepped through the door. There were some children witnessing the event. They are scared.†She pouted her lips and looked down at the floor. “We had a memorial in your absence last night but maybe you should say a few words to calm the people.â€


“Have you had Cypher look at the building?â€


“He has still not come back from the Factory-Cathedral District. I sent a man over there to fetch him last night but the man couldn't get past the guardians. I doubt he's dead but I can't help but to be worried.â€


“You're a sorcerer-engineer, aren't you? What are your thoughts on the traps?â€


She shrugged. “I doubt this city is within anyone's but Cypher's expertise. We have marked the house with a red x. I suggest we do the same to all trapped buildings until we can properly deactivate them. Though finding out which one's are trapped are difficult without trying to set them off. A few buildings are safe to use but most of the people slept outdoors on the square.â€


Manovan nodded and then stood up from the desk and walked up to her. “Lead me to that squareâ€, he said.


They walked out from the palace to the central square outside. The sun was shining brightly and the sky was clear. Manovan noticed that the city sounded different to the first days here. He could hear mosquitoes, crickets and birds. More and more life came back to the valley.


Yuko pointed to a building opposite to the palace from across the square. Despite being a large five floor building, it looked tiny in comparison to the palace with its enormous tower. “That building is clear. I've taken the top floor as my quarters.â€


He gave the building a short gaze and then smiled to Yuko. “So where is that square?â€


“It's in what we call the Living Districtâ€, she said as she led him towards it. “The people are hungry though. I could feed some of them through Food of the Aerial Table, but I've drained my Essence. Can they send out some people to hunt in the jungles?â€


“Of courseâ€, Manovan said. “As long as they stick to the eastern ones. You already know why.â€


“Yes, about that. How did it go with the prayer?â€


Manovan grabbed his violet hearthstone in a fist and thought about the intense conversations he had with the celestial gods the previous night. “I offered the city to Hera, the Will of Fire, a celestial god who had experiences with the city in the First Age. I suggest you take some priests – or people who can take the role of priests – to the Temple District and give her a temple today. I promised her daily offerings and prayers.â€


“Hera, the Will of Fireâ€, she repeated. “Yes, I can do that.â€


They continued to the square where tired and hungry people suddenly got up on their feet and greeted their mayor with graceful bows. It was a beautiful square with a five-layered fountain in its center with thin water streams running out from it like rays from a sun. Surrounding the square were three- to five-floored buildings in polished white stone. One building standing out was a five-floored building with a big sign in old realm above its porch. From the door came Lucas of Harps to greet the mayor.


“Mayor Manovan of the Seaâ€, he said and bowed before Manovan. “We have decided to use this building to archive our meeting reports.â€


“According to the sign, it was used to as an administrative center for the living quarters surrounding this squareâ€, Yuko filled in and pointed to the sign above the porch.


“We could use the three of you exalted ones for our first meetingâ€, Lucas said.


“Momentarilyâ€, Manovan said with a smile. “First of all … People! May I have your attention, please?†He walked up to the fountain and stepped up on the edge of its first level so that they would more clearly see him across the square. The people gathered around him and more people showed up from nearby houses that were seemingly clear of traps.


Manovan thought for a moment if he should use Essence to help with his speech but decided not to. To them, he had a radiating enough presence to have them listening to his words. “I know you've had a rough first day. You have left your homes because of a tragedy and you came to a new home greeted by another tragedy. A young man died yesterday and it has affected all of you. But remember to have hope. I have summoned a god to look out for you. Her name is Hera, the Will of Fire, and she will grant your heart comfort even in the darkest of times. All she asks for in return are your prayers and your gratitude.†He noticed his hearthstone make a faint sparkle and he continued. “If you want to be a priest in Hera's name, go with Master Yuko to the Temple District and choose a temple that you think will be the best representation of Hera as this city's god. The city itself will be her sanctum but that temple will be her altar. Give her daily prayers and offerings and she will grant her will to you when in doubt and her fire to you when in darkness. As a Priest of Hera, you will radiate valor and strong will while I, as a representative of He who is Unconquered, shall radiate the brightness of the Sun upon you.†As he said the last sentence, he made his caste mark glitter as a reminder to the people of what he was and what he had done to save them from the Wyld barbarians a few days ago.


The speech seemed to have worked. His presence alone were probably enough to calm the villagers. About a dozen men and women walked up to Yuko and offered themselves to help finding a temple for the city god.


Manovan nodded to her. “Come back here in two hoursâ€, he said. “If you run into Cypher, make sure he shows up as well. Can't you sorcerers send messages or something?â€


“I already told you that I've drained my Essenceâ€, she said. “But I'm sure he'll show up.â€


“Whispering Rainbow Cypherâ€, a metallic voice said in old realm. “Whispering Rainbow Cypher. Whispering Rainbow Cypher.â€


Cypher scratched the sleep from his eyes. His face was sore. Had he been sleeping with his face on this panel? He was sitting in a chair before an ancient panel inside the giant dome that was the center of the Factory-Cathedral District. It looked like some system of magitech and clockwork where the panel controlled a big crystal screen as well as the machinery of this Fire Aspected manse. He hadn't managed to get into the system. It was probably broken. The crystal screen had lit up at one point and introduced itself by saying “I AM†before it broke down again. He remembered those words from the crystal screen he found inside one of the towers.


The manse was hot and humid and he could hear the mechanical sounds of machines at work under his feet. He assumed the heat came from underground but he hadn't found a way down there. Figuring out these systems would take long. He knew that much. He could probably hijack individual factory-cathedrals but he didn't have any blueprint plates that fitted the machines. There should be some plates archived somewhere in this district, but without access to this manse, he would have to look for them manually. How troublesome.


“Whispering Rainbow Cypherâ€, the mechanical voice said.


He turned around and noticed an automaton shaped like a human with about the size of himself. Its mechanical chassis was smooth and perfectly clean, but it had some dents along the neck and chest. It was probably bugged in some way.


“Yes?†Cypher said.


“How can I be of service, Whispering Rainbow Cypher?â€


Cypher understood that the automaton knew his name because he was registered in the tome in the palace. There had to be some connection between it and the oldest, sleeker automatons so that they would be able to identify individuals and help them with their needs. He tapped on his nose. “Um, how do I gain access to the manse's systems?â€


The automaton looked at him with its lifeless eyes but didn't respond.


“Wellâ€, Cypher said. “Then, um, where do I find the plates for the factory-cathedrals?â€


“Blueprints are located in Plate Archives.â€


“How do I, um, access the Plate Archives?â€


The automaton didn't respond. Cypher looked at it for a moment and then sighed. He assumed that he had to repair the systems itself to get it to work, but that wouldn't be easy without any experiences of the systems themselves. If he had actually been one of the Solars constructing this system in the first place, then why couldn't he remember how to use it now? Could it be that the Unconquered Sun didn't want him to or was it because the memories were still too vague to be accessed?


He leaned forward and sighed, tapped on his nose and then leaned back. How long had he been here? An hour? A day? He focused his Essence to feel the Sun's placement in the sky and noticed that he had been here a day. He knew he ought to go back to Manovan and Yuko to figure out what's going on with the rest of the city.


He had to do something practical. If he couldn't figure this out, then he had to work with something else.


“Read it up to meâ€, Manovan said and leaned back in the creaky chair and crossed his arms. Lucas sat with a quill in his hand and a couple of papers on the table and they both glanced at Gorg who stood before Manovan across the oval table.


Gorg was a chubby old coot with a bald head and a trimmed, gray beard. He looked tired with dark rings circling his bloodshot eyes but Manovan could tell by looking at him that he enjoyed crafting the foundations of what was to come, even if it deprived him of a proper night's rest. He was holding up a parchment from which he read in forest-tongue: “This is the first decree of the City of Dreams, located in the Solar Valley.†Manovan smirked as Gorg spoke “Solar Valley†and felt proud of the name, which had sprung from none other than himself. “We welcome you who follow the virtues of the Unconquered Sun. If you are compassionate and brave with great conviction but strong temperance, then you are welcome to make this city as your home.â€


“Stopâ€, Manovan said and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. “I'm not sure I like those sentences. In a world with a widely spread Immaculate Philosophy, it would be unwise to add the virtues of the Unconquered Sun into the decree itself. What we should do is … work it into the text somehow.â€


“Could you elaborate, Mayor Manovan?†Gorg asked and gave the parchment to Harm who sat next to him at the table. Next to Gorg, Harm looked starved with a fragile frame. He quickly finished braiding the long hair with his swift, skinny hands, grabbed the parchment and put it before him on the table. Manovan and Harm exchanged glances. The man's face was wrinkled with long years gone by. He raked through his thick gray beard and dipped his quill in the inkwell and waited for his mayor to tell him what to fix.


“We welcome you who are … peaceful and ambitiousâ€, Manovan said. “Effective but simple and it covers two of the virtues.†He leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. “Look, it was your idea to bring the Unconquered Sun into it all. I am grateful to him for the powers he has given me but I'm not the kind of man who risks attracting the Realm by spreading the word that we have children of the Sun living here.â€


“Yes, Mayor Manovanâ€, Harm said and scribbled something on the parchment.


“Read the rest of it.â€


He gave the parchment to Gorg who looked at it and read: “The City of Dreams needs you who want to help forming a city of greatness. But to form a city, we need workers, scholars and soldiers as well as youths who can take apprenticeship with them. Unprovoked harassment and murder will get you exiled. Property is yours if you have been given it, traded it or worked for it. Stealing and unlawfully using others' property will have you either pay for it or be exiled.â€


“I have a questionâ€, Lucas said without taking his eyes off his papers. “With all these estates and valuables around, how do we know who it belongs to? I mean, we're alone with all this property but no owners.â€


“It's a bit complicated at the momentâ€, Manovan said and scratched his chin. “Even though Cypher deactivated many of the guardians, we are not sure if we can take all the remaining property without triggering some active ones. In addition, there are property we can't identify that might be dangerous. What I suggest – and you should write this down – is that we catalog property and distribute it when we have identified it and know it safe.â€


“That's quite an undertaking, mayor.â€


“Better to be safe than sorry, Lucasâ€, Manovan said with a smile. “Would you continue, Gorg?â€


“Taking and owning slaves is forbidden within the Solar Valleyâ€, Gorg continued. “If you, as an outsider, bring slaves on a temporary visit to the City of Dreams, the slaves will not be taken from you but they will be treated equally to free human beings. If you, as a slave owner, permanently become a citizen of the City of Dreams, your slaves will be freed from your ownership and must be payed for their work like free men and women.â€


Adding that law was obvious to Manovan. The three elders had argued against it at first but they had never been slaves themselves. They didn't know how it felt to have one's freedom stripped. But his word was stronger than theirs and they dared not argue against him.


“Speaking of paymentâ€, Lucas said. “Any suggestions on how to get an economy starting?â€


Manovan shrugged.


“I suggest we start trading with wares and servicesâ€, Harm said. “Until we have enough jade and silver to make it go around. We need to open trade with other villages soon but it won't be easy with neither money nor wares for export.â€


“I understand that money is an issueâ€, Manovan filled in. “But maybe Cypher can get those factory-cathedrals to produce something for export. And this valley should be able to grow whatever we need in no time with those artifacts underground.â€


“What artifacts, mayor?†Lucas asked.


“Well, apparently there are artifacts buried under the meadows and jungles that speed up plant growth. If we start working the meadows, we should be able to harvest in no time.â€


“That's amazing. If we send someone to Sen'i and tell them about this city, then we can grow cotton in the meadows for export.â€


“Sen'i?â€


“Yes, it's a village three days south from here. They make a living making cloth with cotton as their specialty.â€


The conversation came to a halt when they noticed Cypher standing at the entrance, tapping on his nose and looking at them with his big, round eyes. “Helloâ€, he said and helped himself in.


“You've been gone since yesterdayâ€, Manovan muttered.


“Ah, yesâ€, he said and sat down at the table. “I lost track of time. Um, much work is needed still on the factory-cathedrals.†He looked around himself and seemed to have found a sudden interest in all the book cases along the walls. “Oh, what are all those scriptures in here?â€


“We haven't had time to read them yet, Master Cypherâ€, Lucas said.


“Cypher, do you still have that map you found in the tower?†Manovan asked.


“Yes. Why?â€


“Can you show them the area around this valley?â€


Cypher tapped on his nose and then looked through his bag for the orb. He found it, placed it on the table and activated it. The three mortals all flinched when the map of Creation appeared in the air above the orb. Cypher let his fingers move and slide over it and he had zoomed in to the valley within moments.


“Lucas, could you show us where that cotton village is?†Manovan asked.


“That … that is ...†Lucas got up from his chair and leaned in closer to the map. “That's the valley right there.†He smiled. “And where our village used to be. Was that all of Creation we saw before Master Cypher ...â€


“Noâ€, Manovan said. “Apparently it's smaller today. The Wyld ate it up. Just like they are currently trying to do with your country here.â€


Lucas gave Manovan a confused look.


“Don't worry about it. Chanti is fighting it back. Could you please show us that village now?â€


“Ah, yes, I'm sorryâ€, Lucas said and moved his index finger closer to the map. He gave Cypher a bewildered look. Both Gorg and Harm came closer to watch the display.


“Slowly slide over it with your fingerâ€, Cypher explained.


Lucas nodded and slid his finger towards himself and the map followed with its focus southwards. “There!†he said and pointed to an area on what looked like an open field even in the times of when this map was created. “Many of the villages in Melekin are dedicated to some kind of specialty. While Sen'i produce cloth and work with textiles, we have Fo'ji close to the iron mine to the west where they specialize in metal craft. Of course, not every village and town is like that. It was the king's idea to focus a knowledge in one area. Since this is a small country, he wanted it to excel in certain fields and by having one village focus on one thing, it wouldn't be distracted into mediocrity.â€


“Where does the royal family live?†Manovan asked. “I would like to speak with them.â€


“They live in Ro'yaru, the capital cityâ€, Lucas said and slid his finger further east and showed an area that was dangerously close to where Chanti had told Manovan that she was fighting the Wyld. “But I don't think it's wise to send someone there. We got words about two weeks ago that the military is fighting those tribes of Wyld barbarians from one direction and tribes of beastmen from another.â€


“Beastmen, you say?â€


“Yes. Well, they don't know that Chanti Green-Paw is sending the beastmen there to fight a common enemy.â€


Manovan wasn't so sure that she sent them there only for the Wyld. Knowing her strength and age, he assumed she would work towards her goals whether there were mortals there or not. She would probably have her beastmen eat right through that city if she thought it was in the way.


“I'll just ask her to check up on them some dayâ€, he said and leaned back in the chair. It could be wise to check up on some of the villages in case there were more Wyld barbarians out there. “I would like to take a couple of villagers with me and go to Sen'i. Preferably today.†He placed his hand on Lucas' shoulder and let Essence wrap around his tongue. “Lucas, you're coming with.â€


“Yes, mayorâ€, Lucanstantly replied.


Manovan knew that he didn't need to use the Hypnotic Tongue Technique to have him obediently follow his orders. He had first used it on Cypher that time in the armory when it had him work intently on subduing the guardians. He kind of wanted to test it out on a mortal once and the request had been harmless. He had to be careful though. A Charm like this could easily be addictive.


He nodded to Gorg and Harm. “Enlighten Yuko about what we have discussed and have her help you finish the decree.â€


They nodded.


“Cypherâ€, he continued. “Ask Yuko about the trapped buildings before you go back to doing whatever you are doing. A man died yesterday.â€


He stood up from the chair and nodded to Lucas that they better get going. He couldn't help but to smile. Being in this kind of position was truly a pleasure. He hadn't been giving people orders since Nexus.

 

[Ekorren]

Chapter 45: Calling Lookshy


Manovan of the Sea was met by the admired gazes of his people who were out on the square outside the administration building. A few of them had put up tents next to the fountain, afraid of entering any buildings because of yesterday's incident. They had made themselves comfortable on the square and reminded their mayor more of a group of beggars than of a proud people. “I need three people who can handle themselves in combatâ€, he said and waited for a response.


“I know how to swing a swordâ€, a husky man said and stood up from having leaned over the fountain and drunk from its water. He was able-bodied, that was for sure, and he looked at his mayor with granite-colored eyes over a bulbous nose and a big grin. He wasn't the most pleasing man to gaze upon, but that was irrelevant. He looked like a man who could beat people up. He combed his straggling carrot-shaded hair with his bulky hand. “My name is Thor, mayor.â€


“My brother and I served in the army, Mayor Manovanâ€, another man said from a balcony of one of the safe buildings around the square. He didn't look younger than thirty years old but had a scar across his nose and a short, trimmed beard covering a dirty face. Next to him stood a man with a similar appearance but without the scar and without the beard. It had to be his brother. “We fought in the war against Injir.â€


“I don't need you for a warâ€, Manovan said and expressed a smile of delight. “Lucas and myself will be traveling to Sen'i and we need armed men to protect us along the way.â€


“Do you want us to protect you, mayor?†the man on the balcony asked and he couldn't help but to grin by the mere thought. Manovan noticed that he lacked both middle teeth like a young child who was beginning to lose the baby teeth. “You are a god. How can we possibly—“


“I may have godly powers but I am still only one manâ€, Manovan interrupted him. “I am not the only one on this trip. Lucas will be with me. And I will need one more. Someone who is good with words and can speak for the city.â€


“I didn't mean to offend, my lordâ€, the man said. “We will gladly assist you on the journey. If you're looking for someone who's good with words you ought to speak to Bildan who should be at the square with the crystal orb.†The man pointed to a street leading southwards.


Manovan looked at the street and nodded. He hadn't heard about a square with a crystal orb before. Most of the crystal orbs he had encountered had been used to illuminate dark rooms but he didn't rule out that there could be ones with other purposes.


“Be readyâ€, he said to the men and nodded to Lucas to follow him.


They walked along the road until they entered a smaller square surrounded by similar houses. A few tents had been placed around this square and about a dozen people were here. A few men and women sat in an open tent and smoked from a pipe while a handful of kids ran around and played in the area. In the middle of the square was an open pavilion with a shimmering crystal orb, about as big as a water melon, resting on a podium. Once the people noticed Manovan, they quickly got up on their feet and greeted him with respectful bows.


“I am looking for Bildanâ€, Manovan said, though his gaze was focused on the orb.


A young man with straight coffee-shaded hair reaching down to his shoulder-blades stepped out from the small crowd and bowed. He was holding a small notepad in one hand and a lead pencil in another, but still bowed more gracefully than most of the other villagers. Manovan looked at the young man. He was dressed in a crimson-red cotton shirt and matching pants tied with a sash in orange linen. They were simple clothes but the red and orange matched the man's hazel skin and copper eyes. The man was about as tall as Manovan himself and his facial features were quite similar with high cheekbones and curved lips.


Manovan instantly liked the young man. Not only was he beautiful but he reminded him of himself. “Are you Bildan?†he asked.


“Yes, Mayor Manovanâ€, the man said but avoided eye contact.


“I've been told that you are good with words.â€


“I don't know, mayorâ€, Bildan said and lowered his face. He gave his notepad and his pencil a quick gaze. “People keep saying that but I'm nothing compared to the poets of Inbun.â€


Manovan gave Lucas a quick gaze. “Inbun?†he asked with raised eyebrows.


“It's a small village just west of Sen'iâ€, Lucas explained. “They have the only academy outside of Ro'yaru.â€


Manovan nodded and looked at Bildan from top to bottom. Their eyes met for a moment and the young man blushed. His self-esteem didn't seem to be the best, but he would have to do for now. He surely had the looks and the sense of fashion needed to give a good impression. All he had to do was to straighten out his back a little to show a more proud posture and dare sharing eye contact, even with someone of Manovan's status.


“I don't care who you compare yourself toâ€, Manovan said. “I'm making you my herald.â€


Bildan took a surprised step back and gasped. “Herald? What ... what do you mean?â€


“It means that you will be my closest servantâ€, Manovan continued. “And I'm not referring to the kind of servant who will run around like an errand boy. Your duties will be strictly political. You will travel to neighboring towns and nations to speak for the City of Dreams and you will be greeting visitors of high status to make sure they get a good impression of us. Would the royal family come here from Ro'yaru, you will be the one to greet them and make sure they are comfortable.â€


The young man tilted his head and tried to speak but only managed to stutter and smack his tongue. Manovan frowned his forehead. He understood that stuttering and smacking wasn't what he would describe as being good with words. He might as well let the boy get a moment to process the idea of being his herald before he said anything more.


The people listening to the conversation were as quiet as Bildan, but it didn't take long before he managed to loosen up his locked tongue and speak. “Thank you, my lord. I am honored. However, I'm not sure I am deserving of such a position.â€


“You'll beâ€, Manovan said with a friendly smile as he walked up to the young man. He placed his arm around his back and led him towards Lucas. “I'll be going with you to Sen'i today. If you follow me, you will get your confidence up in no time.â€


“Thank you, my lord.â€


“And this is a position that will have you bathe in wine and luxuryâ€, Manovan whispered with a smirk. “Every boy would want to be you and every girl would spread her legs for you.â€


Bildan blushed a little and then gave a nervous look over his shoulder. Manovan followed his eyes and noticed that he looked at a young woman around their own age. She was sitting next to a water barrel with a firm grip around a filled cup. She was looking intently at the two of them, as fascinated by Manovan as she was curious about what he wanted with Bildan. So she was the girl of his dreams? An eighteen or nineteen year old with curly raven-black hair and eyes as deep blue as the great ocean itself.


Manovan smiled. “Only interested in one girl, I see.â€


“Her name is Revaâ€, Bildan said and couldn't help but to smile. “She's my muse. But I've been too shy to ask her out. Her father doesn't think much of me.â€


Manovan gave a short chuckle. “As my herald, not thinking much of you would be a direct insult to me. Just stand proud and show her that enchanting smile of yours. If she doesn't fall for you then, we ought to question her sanity.â€


Bildan nodded and smiled. “Thank you, my lordâ€, he said once again.


“Lucas!†Manovan nodded to the elder. “How many horses did you bring with you from the village?â€


“About eight or nine, mayorâ€, Lucas said.


“Take six horses with you to the southern gate. Make sure the men from the square come as well. We'll be there shortly.â€


“What are you going to do?â€


“I'm going to give my herald a matching set of clothes. And—†He gave the shimmering crystal orb a short gaze. “I should check if that orb is safe to be around.†He took Lucas' hand as a gesture for him to leave and then placed his hand on Bildan's shoulder. “Stay back.â€


He walked up to the pavilion and to the crystal orb. He wondered what it could be and why it was placed in the middle of a square in the Living District. He carefully placed his hands to the smooth surface that felt almost like liquid to his touch. People's eyes were on him but he didn't care. He let some Essence flow into the orb through the palms of his hands. The sun's strong light faded away and all he could see was pitch-black darkness.


But within that darkness appeared a faint source of light. Manovan couldn't move. He could only follow the light with his eyes as it approached. He noticed the figure of a middle-aged man with long, white hair and bloodshot eyes. The man was dressed in beautiful purple robes and he held a blazing orb in the palm of one hand and an open book in the other.


“Who are you?†Manovan asked and the man almost recoiled by the sudden sound.


He turned his head to Manovan and couldn't help but to frown his forehead and raise his eyebrows. Manovan felt small in comparison to the man, like if he was looking up at him from the floor. The man slowly crouched down towards Manovan who noticed that he wore Lookshy's crest on his purple robe. If the man was from Lookshy, then maybe forest-tongue was the wrong language to use.


“Are you from Lookshy?†Manovan asked, this time in riverspeak.


The man gave his crest a quick gaze before he placed his book in a bag tied to his belt and reached for Manovan with his hand. As the man stood up, it felt like the young Solar followed him up from the floor. It was almost like he grew in size or was lifted by the man.


“And you are?†the man asked in riverspeak.


Manovan wasn't sure what was going on. Had he traveled to Lookshy or was there a man from Lookshy here in the City of Dreams? He focused on releasing himself from the orb by cutting his flow of Essence to it. Lookshy was the last state, except from the Realm, that he wanted to have on his back.


He could once again feel the liquid surface against his palms and he realized he was back in the square. He looked around himself and noticed that people were staring at him. He gazed intently back at a Bildan who stood a few steps beside him. “What did you see?†he asked.


“I'm not sureâ€, Bildan stuttered. “Your eyes went blank when you touched the orb. And … you spoke.â€


“Did you see an old man?â€


He shook his head.


Manovan took a sigh of relief. Maybe there was no man from Lookshy here after all. He couldn't afford to get their attention. At least not when the city was in such a young state. They could simply take it from him if they wanted to. He looked out over the crowd. “Approaching this orb is strictly forbidden!†he yelled. “You may live in this square but do not touch the orb!â€


The people gave each other bewildered looks but seemed to have understood the message. He nodded to Bildan and they walked together towards the palace at the central square. Manovan informed the young herald about the decree and about what he could and could not say when speaking about the city. Once they could see the central square from the road, they encountered an exhausted Ledaal Yuko together with one of the priests as a follower.


She waved to Manovan from afar. “I'm sorry for being lateâ€, she called. “Did you have the meeting already?â€


“We hadâ€, Manovan said. “Gorg and Harm will enlighten you. I will leave the city for a few days.â€


“Where to?†she asked while nodding approvingly.


“Sen'i. Possibly Inbun. Villages in close proximity to the valley.†He smiled to her. However, the smile was more to prove himself to Bildan than it was to acknowledge Yuko. “You might have understood this already but it's up to you to take care of the city while I'm gone. I can't trust Cypher with it since it's impossible to break him out of his shell of social awkwardness.†He noticed she couldn't help but to smile as she recognized his point. “I trust you not to start spewing any dynastic nonsense though.â€


She rolled her eyes, not at all surprised by his sly comment. She tilted her head and smirked to him. “No need to hurry back home, mayorâ€, she said with a sarcastic tone.


He snorted and then nodded to Bildan that it was time to keep going. Bildan bowed gracefully as a farewell to Yuko and she responded with a polite nod. As they entered the gardens of the central square, passed some idling guardians and approached the entrance of the palace, Bildan was looking at everything around him.


“I will never get used to this placeâ€, he said. “It's beyond the words of poetry.â€


“The city itself is poetry, don't you agree?†Manovan replied and walked up the stairs to the gate. He pulled them open and revealed the great vestibule with its majestic display of animated paintings overlooking them from the ceiling.


Bildan looked at the ceiling above and tried to follow the great battle it portrayed. Heroes who radiated golden light fought otherworldly creatures and behemoths as big as mountains. “It isâ€, he said. “What does it say?â€


Manovan looked up. He didn't know what battle it portrayed but he recognized the Solar heroes. It was hard to imagine that there had been creatures like those behemoths in the world. The battle had to be symbolical, like a testament to the powers of the Solar Exalted. If the old Solar Prince had used this ceiling to impress his servants and mortals, then maybe he could use it for the same.


“Those blazing heroes represent Cypher and myself, children of the Unconquered Sunâ€, Manovan explained and pointed to one of the animated heroes who drew a sword that emanated strong light. “A long time ago, we had created a utopia in Creation. There were countless cities across the world that looked similar to this one. Unfortunately, now only ruins remain.â€


“Why? What happened?†Bildan looked at Manovan with big eyes, waiting impatiently for an answer.


His mayor could do nothing more than frown his forehead. “I'm not really the one to askâ€, he said. “Cypher is the historian of the two of us. What I do know is that the Solar Exalted were betrayed by their trusted servants who craved the power they had. You have heard of the Shogunate, haven't you?â€


He nodded. “Master Lucas told me many years ago. The Shogunate was a military era where the world was ruled by daimyos. According to Lucas, one of those daimyos ruled over this city and was the one who summoned the curse to prevent it from falling in the hands of an overwhelming army.â€


Manovan raised his eyebrows. That was more than he knew about the cause of the miasma. It could very well be true since parts of the city had looked like a battle field when they first came here. “The Shogunate was formed by those who overran us in the First Age. But they lacked the power to control – and protect – the world themselves. The Realm of today is what remains of their attempt to take over. In order to make sure we don't reclaim the world from their iron fists, they formed the Immaculate Philosophy as a ways of manipulating the public into seeing us as something dangerous – or anathema, as they call us.â€


“Are you saying the Dragon-Blooded used to be your servants but betrayed you to take over the world? That's horrible.â€


Manovan gave him an approving smile. “Indeed it is, Bildanâ€, he said.


“Is that why you and Master Yuko doesn't seem to get along?â€


Manovan scratched his head. “She knows her placeâ€, he muttered. He placed his hands on Bildan's shoulders and looked deeply into his eyes. “But don't worry. If we can – through goodness – show our light and will to make the world a better place, then maybe we can have the Realm accept us without any blood being spilled.â€


That sounded so cheesy, he thought to himself. He had sworn since the tragic day fourteen years ago that he would spill much dynastic blood when the opportunity would come and he was reluctant to breaking that promise to himself. However, it was much too soon to be speaking about war with a people who couldn't even defend themselves against something as simple as Wyld barbarians.


He gave Bildan a compassionate smile and then led him upstairs to the bedroom. He sat him down on a stool next to the mirror and then looked through the closets after something that looked good but he didn't want for himself. He found a white robe with old realm pictograms in bronze and crimson. He held it up to Bildan. “What do you think?†he asked.


“I'm grateful, my lord, but it's too much a gift.â€


“Nonsenseâ€, Manovan said with a smile. “Try it on.â€


He gave the robe to Bildan and then leaned back to the closet door and crossed his arms. He watched Bildan change into the robe but evaded with his eyes as the man stripped naked. He didn't look away because he was shy but out of a sudden respect for his fearsome wife. Manovan knew very well that the male form could attract him. He had seduced many men in his days as an assassin, though most of the time it was while posing as a woman. There was a time when he could do whatever would work to get close to his targets. Though he wasn't sure if it were those acts themselves that had shaped his fascination for both male and female forms. It was probably something that had always been with him.


He couldn't say he wasn't attracted to Bildan. But he could say that he was not going to pursue it. His bond to Chanti was strong and it grew stronger with every day. And he had not only transcended mortality but transcended the need for mortal companionship. Chanti was all he needed and he longed for her already. As a Solar Exalted, he was now too good to let himself be attracted to a mortal. At least he liked to think of himself as too good for it.


Bildan posed before the mirror and seemed to like the robe. “Thank you, my lordâ€, he said.


Manovan nodded in agreement. “Shaped like a mortal but dressed like a godâ€, he said. “Now you are ready to represent the City of Dreams.â€


Bildan grinned with all his teeth and Manovan could see how his posture was much more valiant and proud than before. Giving him the robe seemed to have been enough to give the man some self-confidence.


“If only the king himself would be as kind as you, my lordâ€, Bildan said while looking at the invaluable robe he wore. “If only you were king. Someone like you could turn this country around. I know it.â€


Manovan couldn't help but to smile.


Whispering Rainbow Cypher was happily strolling down the road to the square with the crystal orb. As soon as he noticed it, he found a sudden interest to investigate it further. An orb was always a good sign. The orb was said to be the ultimate shape, representing completion and perfection. A shimmering orb in the middle of a square could only be a good sign. It was located there to be of use. He couldn't wait to find out how.


As he approached the orb, one of the square's inhabitants called out to him. “Master Cypherâ€, the man called. “Mayor Manovan said that the orb was forbidden.â€


Cypher didn't acknowledge the man. If something was forbidden then it was only more reason to investigate it further. He had just deactivated a trap in a building Yuko had marked with a red cross. The security systems in these estates were simple dealings after all. All needed to deactivate such systems were understanding of magical materials and Essence flow as well as a basic understanding of architecture and First Age technology.


He touched the orb and investigated the liquid surface. It was smooth and reminded him of the central mind unit in the armory. However, this one was much simpler than that. He could feel some traces of starmetal within the crystal shell. This artifact wasn't trapped. He understood that much.


He let some motes of Essence flow through his hands to the orb. The sounds from the square faded away and he noticed that his eyes gazed upon something else than the orb he was at. It looked like he was in the middle of a round mahogany table surrounded by men and women dressed in white and purple robes. They all raised their eyebrows when they noticed him on the table. He felt small and he couldn't move.


“That's not the same man as I saw beforeâ€, a middle-aged man with long, white hair said to the other people at the table. He spoke in high realm, the language of the Realm, but his crest was that of Lookshy.


“Um, excuse meâ€, Cypher said in high realm. He understood what the orb was. It was a communication device connected to a simple artifact. Somewhere in the world – most likely in Lookshy – a projected image of himself appeared as a hologram from a small device that was directly connected to this orb. It was probably placed in the square for representatives of the people to have direct communication with those who led the city if they were on trips away from home. The device had most like ended up in Lookshy somehow.


The people at the table all frowned their foreheads and looked at Cypher. “Who are you?†one of them asked. It was a second middle-aged man with a fragile frame and short, steel-gray hair. He looked at Cypher with slim, brown eyes framed in by a stern face.


“My name is, um, Whispering Rainbow Cypher?†Cypher said. He wanted to tap on his nose but he couldn't move. “And who are you?â€


The men and women gave each other quick looks. The old man then leaned forward over the table and rested his chin in his palm. “We are sorcerer-engineers of Lookshyâ€, he said. “I believe you have activated one of our artifacts. Where are you currently?â€


“Um, in the City of Makersâ€, he said.


The sorcerer-engineers gave each other bewildered looks and the man raised his eyebrows. “The City of Makers?†he said. “I've heard that city is cursed. Isn't that true?â€


“My friends and myself, um, lifted the curseâ€, he said. He really wanted to tap on his nose.


“You lifted the curse?â€


“Yes.â€


“And how many are you?â€


“Umâ€, he said. “We are three. Oh wait, we're more than a hundred now, I think.â€


“More than a hundred?†the man tilted his head and looked at an old woman next to him. She looked back at him and shrugged. The man scratched his forehead and then grabbed a quill in his hand and dipped it in an inkwell. He let it rest over a blank piece of parchment. “Where exactly is the city?â€


“Um, in Melekinâ€, Cypher continued. He suddenly realized at he had just told strangers about the location of the city. Was that a good idea? Somewhere deep inside his mind, he could feel a throbbing ache telling him that he had just done something stupid.


“We'd like to know more about you, Whispering Rainbow Cypherâ€, the old sorcerer-engineer said. “We'll send a diplomat to you. Expect our visit in a week or two.â€


Cypher wasn't sure how to react or respond. He released his flow of Essence to the orb and reappeared in the pavilion on the square. The shimmering orb was still shimmering before him. He had just told Lookshy where they were and that the city's curse was lifted. He was certain that Manovan would not approve of this.

 

[Ekorren]

Chapter 46: The boy from the fishing village XVI


“Open your giftâ€, Viper said with a smile as he nodded to the small package he had placed on the table. He had been smiling a lot today. Since it was Glittering Wolf's birthday, it felt like none of his troubles could bother him. He wanted to spend time with her, as he had promised. The present he had bought for her was packaged in a small box of varnished black jungle oak. He hoped she would like it.


She was full from eating much of the whipped cream and cinnamon cake the other orphans had baked for her. They weren't very skilled in the kitchen but it was still the best tasting cake she had ever had. At least that's what she had told Viper during their little morning feast. They were all sitting around the long table – Viper sat next to Glittering Wolf, surrounded by the youngest of the children: Lotus, Bean, Chin, Chan, Max and Violet. The teenagers were there as well; Mint sat together with Saya and High Leaf while Farim had gone to clean the kitchen. Rume hadn't been able to join for the feast since he had to open up Vinegar Well for the day but he had left a common bottle of white wine as a gift for Glittering Wolf before he left.


Glittering Wolf gently touched the smooth varnished surface of the dark box and investigated it with her eyes, curious to find out what hid inside. She gave Viper a quick look and smiled before she slowly opened the box. Inside were five rings in glittering silver, all with sharp pins. They were resting on a maroon-red sheet of thin silk. She dropped her jaw.


“Are these in silver?†she asked. “I mean, in real silver?â€


Viper nodded with a smile.


She quickly removed one of her earrings, placed it on the table and took a ring from the box. She let the pin pierce the tiny hole in her ear lobe and closed the pin to the ring's lock. She gently touched the smooth silver surface. She looked at Viper and grinned. “I love itâ€, she said and kissed him on the lips. He could taste the cream and cinnamon cake on her shapely lips. “But they must have cost a fortune.â€


“I've been saving up for some timeâ€, he said. “You deserve more.â€


She smiled and kissed him again. Then she kissed him on the cheek and on the nose, forgetting that his nose was still aching from yesterday's incident with Dagger. He ignored the quick surge of pain to not have her worry about him.


Glittering Wolf removed her other earring and put on another of the rings. She looked at the box and suddenly stopped. “There are five of themâ€, she said and gave Viper a bewildered gaze. She carefully touched the two metal rings in her bottom lip. “I only have four piercings.â€


“Wellâ€, he said. “You've been saying that you wanted to pierce your eyebrow. I bought another one in case you wanted to do it today.â€


She exposed all of her teeth with a big grin.


“Though I can't imagine how you'd want toâ€, he continued. “It must be painful. Piercing my ears was painful enough.â€


“You cried like a babyâ€, she said with a smirk.


“I was eight years old and you didn't even sterilize the needleâ€, Viper tried to explain himself.


Saya giggled a few seats next to him. He gave her a frowned look and pondered whether or not to point his tongue at her but decided to go with pouting his bottom lip. Her giggle turned into laughter. The laughter passed on to Lotus and the children. Viper noticed Mint leaning back in her chair with an amused smile.


“That's what happens when you give a sharp object to a ten year oldâ€, Glittering Wolf said with a smile. She gave Viper round eyes full of excitement. “Can we do my eyebrow now?â€


“Sureâ€, he said. “If you want to start out your birthday with a moment of pain. Crazy woman.â€


She pouted her tongue at him.


“I'll get the kitâ€, he muttered and stood up from the table. The kit referred to a small bag with needles, alcohol and cotton pads. Glittering Wolf's love for facial piercings had rubbed off on many of the other teenagers who lived, or had lived, with them over the years. While almost all the orphans had cheap jewelry in their ears, only a few of them dared piercing their lips like Glittering Wolf had done. Mint was one of those teenagers. She also had a fake ruby in her nose which matched the ruby-red lines she had colored her otherwise black hair with. Viper did have pierced ears but he rarely wore jewelry in them. It tended to get in the way when he was training.


He gave Glittering Wolf a kiss on the top of her head when he passed by and was then met by Farim's brown eyes at the doorway leading into the kitchen. The boy nodded for him to come over.


Farim was a head higher than Viper and looked like the stronger of the two. However, he always lost in the fake brawls they had from time to time when playing around with the kids. Though Farim was not a slouch. He was an amateur street fighter and he brought in some serious cash by betting on fights.


“Can I have a word with you?†Farim asked as his brother walked up to him at the kitchen entrance.


Viper nodded and followed him into the kitchen. It was a small room with alabaster-white wooden walls. You could clearly tell that the room had previously been part of a storage due to the cracks in the walls and floor. One exception was the wall overlooking the living room which had been put up by the orphans when they moved in a few years ago. On the bench next to an open barrel of water was a pile of dishes. The cinnamon scent was strong in here and Viper felt that he could relax. He leaned back against the wall and raised his eyebrows. “Is something wrong?†he asked.


“Wellâ€, Farim muttered and scratched his chin. He was trying to save up for a beard but only had an indication of it as of yet. The stubble itched on his face and he seemed to enjoy how it felt against his fingertips. “Nice nose, by the way.â€


Viper gently touched his injured nose. He could feel the blood pulsing within the swelling. “Thanksâ€, he said with a sarcastic tone. “I'm trying out a new look.â€


“It suits youâ€, Farim said with a smile.


“Like looking into a mirror, isn't it?â€


Farim took a deep sigh and leaned back against the bench with the dishes. He got a little whipped cream on the palm of his hand and he dried it off against the wood. “I can't come with you to Cinnabar todayâ€, he muttered. His otherwise stern face got slightly blushed and he locked his gaze on a stain on the floor.


“How come?â€


“Wellâ€, he said and clicked his tongue a few times. He gave Viper a quick gaze. “Not the best moment to tell you this but you're barely home nowadays. I got a job. A legal one.â€


Viper tilted his head. “Isn't that good news?â€


“Yes and no. I mean, the fact that I have a job is good news. The bad news is that it's not in town. I need to leave Nexus. Today.â€


Viper frowned his forehead and looked at Farim from top to bottom. It didn't look like he was lying. “Why haven't you told me before? Do the others know?â€


“No, they don't knowâ€, he muttered. “It all came up out of nowhere. I didn't know about it before yesterday.â€


Viper sighed. “So, where is it?†he asked. “Is it on the fields outside?â€


“Good Harbor.â€


“Good Harbor!?†Viper bellowed, but silenced as he realized that his voice could be heard outside the kitchen. He lowered his voice. “But that's so far. I mean … it took Glitter and myself years to get from there to here when we were kids.â€


“I knowâ€, he mumbled. “Should I say no? I mean, if you need me here I will stay for sure.â€


“What is the job?â€


He gave a forced smile. “I was chatting with a Guild merchant a few weeks back. I showed him I was good with numbers and all. You know, because of my betting. Didn't tell him what I bet on, though.†He made a slight chuckle. “To get to the point … he told me back then that he would see with his superiors in the Guild if he could hire an apprentice. I didn't want to give you false hopes in case I wouldn't get the job, so I kept it a secret. Now he told me that he had to catch an urgent ship to Good Harbor and he wants me to come with.â€


Viper flickered with his eyes a little bit and felt his heart skip a beat. Had a strange man told Farim that he wanted to take him away from Nexus as an apprentice? Could he really trust such a man? What if he was some pervert or slave dealer? Viper felt week in his knees.


“Are you sure it's, you know … not some kind of … you know ...â€


Farim made a quick frown but then opened his mouth in surprise as he realized what Viper was referring to. “No, absolutely notâ€, he stuttered. “I mean … shit, well, no, the guy is reliable. I've seen his work. He has a full crew too. It's the real deal.â€


Viper felt the strength come back to his knees and he could breath more easily. “That's goodâ€, he said.


“I meanâ€, Farim continued and scratched his head. “You must think of me as some kind of traitor or something for even considering leaving. I just felt, you know, that maybe I could start over and do something decent with my life. Get a job and a family and just … forget things. Well, not you of course. But, you know … things.â€


Viper walked up to his friend – his brother – and embraced him tightly. “You don't need to explain yourself, brotherâ€, he said. “I'm happy for you. I really am.†He let him go and took a step back. “But you must tell the others.â€


Farim sighed deeply and then nodded. Viper gave him a friendly push on the shoulder and then reached for the piercing kit in one of the kitchen drawers. He lit up a candle with some tinder they kept in the kitchen and then carried both the flickering candle and the kit with him to the living room where the others were chuckling and chatting as Glittering Wolf received presents from the others. Farim followed him to the table.


“Look what Mint gave meâ€, Glittering Wolf said and held up a transparent bottle with a strange red liquid. The bottle was tied with a crimson ribbon.


“What is it?†Viper asked with a smile as he sat down next to her.


“It's hair dye.â€


“Just like mineâ€, Mint filled in.


“You'll look like a completely different person after today, Glitterâ€, Viper said and kissed her on the cheek. He gave Farim a quick nod and the boy weighed his feet from one to the other as he cleared his throat. He scratched his head and then said something that caused mixed feelings among the orphans.


Viper knew that Glittering Wolf had said good bye to many more orphans than he had over the years and that all of those good byes were sad and happy at the same time. The troublemakers of the streets would finally grow up and do something with their lives. It was never easy to lose a family member – even though they moved on to better lives.


It was afternoon when the orphans took farewell of Farim at the Nexus Pool – the northern one of the city docks. They were all waving to the swift brig carrying the Guild's neutral crest on which Farim had boarded. It was first when Viper had seen the merchant ship that he had been able to breath easily. He now knew that his brother had really been hired by the global trade organization called the Guild and he knew that he would most likely live a wealthy and healthy life. The ship had enough defenses to fight off common pirates and the crew looked experienced and reliable. And trading meant money. Lots of money.


Glittering Wolf had now red lines in her otherwise straight, black hair and she couldn't keep her fingers off the new silver ring in her sore eyebrow. She had complained a little about the pain as she had had troubles keeping still when Viper pierced her, but she seemed happy with it nonetheless. Her eyes were now wet from tears due to Farim's departure.


“Do you think we'll ever see him again?†she asked and carefully leaned her cheek on Viper's shoulder. They were sitting on a bench on the docks, gazing upon the ship traveling north-west along the Yellow River. Everyone but Rume and Mint were there. Rume had said farewell to Farim at Vinegar Well and Mint had said that there was something she had to do. Viper trusted that it wasn't something illegal.


“I hope soâ€, he answered. “It's not that far if you go by the river. Maybe we can go there together one day.â€


She gave a little smile but then sighed deeply. “I don't think I'll ever leave Nexusâ€, she muttered.


Viper gave her a bewildered leer. “What makes you say that?â€


“Because of the kidsâ€, she said. “They need someone to take care of them.â€


Viper was quiet for a moment, unsure how to respond. “I understandâ€, he then mumbled and scratched his forehead. His own ambitions would eventually force him away from Nexus. He had told Glittering Wolf that. But then again, he could not leave her. Would the right thing be to leave his dreams of revenge behind and run an orphanage with Glittering Wolf here in Nexus? He knew that it was her dream. But could he live her dream and not his own? He looked at his girlfriend and noticed her bloodshot eyes. She had been crying on her birthday. He couldn't allow that.


“Heyâ€, he said to the orphans. “Let's go to Cinnabar. I'll buy all of you the biggest grilled salmon skewers in Creation.â€


“Cinnabar is awesome!†High Leaf bellowed with his mouth full of salmon. He was looking at everything at once, impressed by the great stairways and pillars of the many art buildings. They were sitting at the terrace of a busy restaurant at one of Cinnabar's many market lanes. The scent of curry was strong in this district and Viper could even smell the mild vanilla-flavored smoke coming from a water pipe at a neighboring table.


Viper chewed on some salmon and leaned forward to High Leaf, grinned at him and pointed to one great building reaching over the shops surrounding the street they were at. The building was surrounded by stone pillars holding up a framework with a heavy dome. He knew that High Leaf had wanted to go to Cinnabar for some time now and he had overheard quite a few boring details about the district in his days among the upper class. Maybe those details could interest someone with a more artistic approach to life. “That's a museumâ€, he said. “Did you know that those pillars are actually tilted inwards so that the building will have the perfect perspective from all angles? If you stand next to one of the pillars, you can see that it's weirdly shaped.†He swallowed the food he had in his mouth and smiled. “Quite an illusion, don't you agree? Since it looks perfectly straight from here, I mean.â€


“Why did they build it like that?â€


Viper shrugged. “Because they could, I guess. And this district is all about art.â€


“I don't really understand artâ€, High Leaf said. “But this place is amazing.â€


“I know you're good with the pencil, Leafâ€, Viper said and leaned back in the chair. He drank a sip of wine from his glass and then smiled to his little brother. “Maybe you will have your own gallery here someday.â€


“Yeah, rightâ€, the boy muttered with a questioning pitch. He smiled and ate more of his salmon without taking his eyes off the impressive buildings.


Viper smiled too and drank some more wine. He could see Glittering Wolf in his periphery. She was leaning discretely towards him. He leered at her and noticed that her eyes looked nervous.


“Viperâ€, she whispered. “There's a boy staring at us. From across the street.â€


Viper looked over and immediately noticed the familiar face of a twelve year old boy with azure hair shining brightly like if it was wet. His eyes were like two sapphires staring intently at him. He carried an ebon bandana on his forehead and his stern, dark face looked sweaty and cold. It was the same boy who had led him to Skin the other night. He had remembered back then that he couldn't read the boy. He had no idea what he was thinking but his intense stare was unnerving.


“That bandanaâ€, Glittering Wolf whispered. “Do you know him?â€


“Kind ofâ€, Viper muttered. “I better go talk to him.â€


“Just be careful. I don't like his eyes.â€


Viper smiled. “He's just a boy.â€


He excused himself from the table and crossed the busy street to meet up with the boy who was leaning back against a wall with his arms crossed. The young assassin followed Viper with his sharp eyes and still refused to give away even the slightest hint of what was on his mind. Even Viper, the most promising recruit of Nighthammer and about three years older than that boy, was unnerved by his eyes and his blue hair. Was everyone in the Cinnabar Squad as cold as this boy and his master?


The boy didn't say a word as Viper walked up to him. He looked at him from top to bottom and gave the orphans at the restaurant a quick look.


Viper leaned in close to his ear. “I don't know what your problem is but I don't like itâ€, he whispered. “I would love it if you could stop staring at us.â€


The boy forced a smile that made Viper even more unnerved. He could clearly see how fake it was. The boy didn't even try to hide that fact. “Your name was Viper, wasn't it?†the boy asked. “You're famous now.â€


“So? Do you want an autograph?â€


“Noâ€, the boy said. “Just curious. Are those your friends?â€


“None of your business, little boy.â€


The boy tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. He lost his fake smile and just looked at Viper for a moment. “Are you sure you should speak to me like that?†he said. “You're in our district.â€


“I'm off duty today so I couldn't care less if this is your district or not, little boyâ€, Viper said with a slight hiss. He stared at the boy with intense eyes. He had to prove himself. He couldn't let a twelve year old mock him like that.


“I should tell Master Skin that you said thatâ€, the boy replied with a snort.


“Why don't you tell daddy too when you're at it?â€


“Oh, you wouldn't like thatâ€, the boy said with a smirk. This one was real. Viper could feel it.


“Yeah?†Viper grabbed the boy's collar. He could feel the boy's calmness through the shirt. But the boy didn't seem calm because of a lack of emotion. This wasn't a Dust Spider. The boy seemed calm because of headstrong self-confidence. Viper didn't even intimidate him the slightest. This realization made Viper grind his teeth.


“Don't touch meâ€, the boy said. “I might have to kill you. I would get away with it.â€


“I don't think you can.â€


The boy grinned. “Look over your shoulderâ€, he said and nodded to something on the street.


While still holding the boy's collar, Viper looked over his shoulder. All he could see were people eating and drinking at the restaurant's terrace. Others were walking the street or protecting themselves from the strong sun by cooling off in the shadows.


“Do you see the man who is about to drink from that carafe of water?â€


Viper noticed a husky man sitting on the ground in the shadow next to the terrace. He dried some sweat of his bald head and was gulping down refreshing water from a glass carafe.


“Now. Lookâ€, the boy said as Viper begun to feel something strange about the boy. It felt like drops of water ran down his clothes even though it wasn't raining. He noticed the husky man drop the carafe and gag. His face turned red and then blue and he tried to puke but couldn't. People around him were yelling chaotically, someone slapped his backside but they couldn't get the water out of his lungs. Viper lost his grip of the twelve year old. He gave the boy a confused look and noticed that his blue eyes were shining faintly and water ran along his skin like if he had been bathing.


“Get it now?†the boy asked with a grin. “My father is a river god and I have inherited this power from him. I made that man drown in the water he was drinking.â€


Viper frowned his face and looked across the street. Someone was confirming that the man had indeed died. Viper ground his teeth even more and gave the boy a hateful glare.


“You killed an innocent manâ€, Viper hissed.


“Just be glad that it wasn't youâ€, the boy said, emanating self-confidence with a big grin. “But I guess I can't kill a celebrity.â€


Viper was angry. This boy was a twelve year old brat and was far more powerful than him. The boy's youth had indeed surprised him when they first met. Now he knew that the boy possessed strength despite his age. He wondered what Skin was doing to his subordinates to have them this messed up and cold-blooded. Did he want to know? He wasn't sure how to react to this. It was against the rules for an Ebon Dagger to murder someone who wasn't a subject – unless they would get in the way of a mission or if they would witness an assassin at work. He could report this to Master Dawn and have her talk with Skin about it. But how would that portray him?


“You have proved yourself, kidâ€, Viper muttered and stepped back from the boy. “Stare as much as you want but if you pull that trick on any of my friends, I don't care if you're the son of a puddle god or whatever.â€


“You've got guts after all. Or are you not scared of dying?â€


Viper was angry but not afraid. Sure, the boy had enough power to kill him easily but he had also said that he wasn't going to. And he trusted Master Dawn to make sure that wouldn't happen. This boy could be nothing compared to her after all. At least if he was still below Skin in the ranking. “Why would I be scared?†Viper asked. “You're just an immature child who borrowed daddy's sword.â€


The boy smirked.


“Viper!†Glittering Wolf yelled from across the street. There had been a loud ruckus at the dead man next to the terrace and the orphans seemed scared. Viper ground his teeth. Why couldn't he give her even one day without any worries?


“What's your name, kid?†Viper asked.


“Son of the Weeping Eyes.â€


“Weeping Eyes? Viper couldn't help but to smirk at that name. It felt a bit … too much.


“Well, I like to make people cryâ€, the blue-haired boy said. “Maybe I'll see your tears one day.â€


Viper heard Glittering Wolf yell his name again. He gave Son of the Weeping Eyes one last gaze before he walked back across the street and took the orphans home – away from this place. He felt bested by a twelve year old. He had to become stronger. He couldn't let himself be intimidated by someone younger than him – even if that someone was god-blooded.


Even the power over water had to be useless against a knife in the back of the neck. He had no plans on killing the boy. But he had to show presence of being able to. Otherwise, he would never become the best assassin in Nexus.