Akio turned another page in her book, leaning against the icy windowpane. Outside, the raindrops chased each other across the glass surface. The dim light filtering through the clouds gave the landscape beyond the rain a fantastical cast. As for reading, she had a candle burning softly next to her. The flame and the rain were so similar in so many ways…
This book told of travel, of chasing a monster across the land and fighting fatigue, hunger, and discouragement. Each time she read it a warm feeling settled on her shoulders and spirited her off into a world where she roamed free like the raindrops. And she could do all of it from her comfortable marble slab right beneath the window.
She shifted again and placed her other shoulder against the window as the rainy cold finally made its way through the thin fabric. It happened quicker and quicker every time. Each of these dresses wore down faster than she’d thought possible, and her stepfather refused to spend the money to have new ones fashioned. An unnecessary expense, he called it. Spending time with her fell into that category as well. Not that she wanted to be around him any more than necessary.
Muffled footsteps sounded in the hallway, softened by the carpet. Akio quickly blew out her candle and huddled in the corner of the alcove, behind the curtains and by the window. Chances are some servant had simply decided to take a different route today. But it could be her stepfather. And if he ever saw her reading instead of doing her chores again, he’d probably burn the book. No, he’d burn all her books. And she didn’t even want to know what would happen to her. The dungeon had a new set of sketchy figures every week. Please just keep walking.
A hand reached out of the curtain and gripped her shoulder. Akio tensed, waiting for the worst. A face followed the hand, grinning. The hand relaxed its grip.
“Sora! You can’t scare me like that!” Akio pulled open the curtains and slid over to the edge of the windowsill, letting her feet dangle over the edge.
“I thought I might find you here.” He boosted himself up and sat next to her on the windowsill. The dragonflies in her stomach started flitting around again, just like they did every time he showed up.
“Why are you here? Don’t you have things to be doing?”
Sora smiled. “I think you should ask yourself that question.”
“Well, obviously I’m reading. What does it look like I’m doing?” She grinned. Sora was the only person that could make her this happy.
“Okay, Honored Akio of Tallspire. What are you reading today?”
“It’s a story of adventure. Two men go on an expedition to find a monster. Sometimes I wonder who’s chasing who.”
“Adventure? That sounds nice.” Sora paused. “Maybe we should go have some adventures of our own one day.”
“You mean leave here? I don’t know…”
Sora looked over at her. “You do realize that one day you’re going to have to leave this place. Maybe even leave Tallspire. There are other Spires out there, you know.”
“I know. Mother taught me about them. But even back then, they seemed like places out of a book. So far off that they might as well be fiction.”
“Akio, I’ve been to all but one of them, including the Sixth Spire. The closest one is a few days of hard sailing from here.”
“Really? You never told me that.” She raised her eyebrows. “Are you telling the truth? Yukima will know if you’re not.”
“I swear on the moon that I’m telling the truth. They’re definitely real.”
Akio stared down at her swinging feet, trying to form the words. “Do you think that maybe you could take me to them? I want to see them now.”
Sora took her hand. “I’d love to.”
He spidered his fingers up her arm, sending a shiver through her. She yanked her hand away. “Hey!”
Sora hopped off the windowsill. “I need to get back to my duties before your stepfather gets too suspicious. But when you think you want to leave, let me know.” He held out his hand and helped her down to the carpeted stone.
Akio collected her book and candle in one hand and gave Sora a hug with her other arm. “Alright. Not today. Probably not tomorrow. But one day.”
“Don’t be afraid of the unknown, Akio. It’s the only thing that will teach you something new.” Sora let go and smiled again. “Good luck, my moonbeam.” He spun around and marched away down the hall, whistling softly to himself. Akio headed the other direction, back towards her room. She needed to hide all the evidence of her bookworm-ness before anybody caught her. And maybe she’d finally get started on that polishing job the duke had assigned her early that morning.
Creed pulled a lantern off the wall and set it on the table. “Everyone come over here. We’ve got a raid plan.”
Cheer looked up from the charcoal picture she’d been sketching, a map of the town. They already had several, but it never hurt to have extra maps. Especially disposable ones. She reluctantly set the charcoal pencil and paper on a small ledge cut out of the rock face and walked over to the center of the cave chamber where the planning table stood.
Trust poked his head out of a chamber off the passage to the outside, his white-blonde hair tied back and yet still covering part of his face. “Another raid? Didn’t we just do one a few days ago? I seem to recall planning one.”
“We did. But I planned another one.”
“Hold up. You planned a raid? Isn’t that my job?”
Creed shook his head. “No, it’s what you like to do. And this particular job interests me, so I planned it.”
Trust shrugged. “Whatever.” He tipped his chair back out of view and walked out of the hole in the wall a few seconds later. The black pencil behind his ear contrasted with his hair.
“I swear on the moon, if I see another stupid little contraption in my room…” Mantra stomped out of another chamber and into the passage, shaggy black hair shining in the lantern-light. “Ooh, another raid! What’s the deal with this one?”
Creed folded his arms. “You’ll see when Levity gets out here.”
From the ceiling of the passage, a rope dropped down through the hole, and a girl slid down and landed in a crouch. Her faded-purple braid hung all the way down her back, tied with a crossbow-string. She’d ripped the sleeves off her latest shirt, showing the tattoos underneath. Her left arm bore was a crescent moon, cracks spiderwebbing their way across its surface. Opposite that, a bear paw darkened her right arm, the claws tapered down to nothingness. Everyone except Cheer had a tattoo of some sort; Creed had a pattern of dots around one bicep and a set of crossed knives on the other arm, Mantra had a warhammer on his forearm and a rat creeping around his leg, and Trust just had a shield on his side. He rarely exposed it though.
“Why do we have to go on another raid? I have things to do around here. And we really ought to keep working on the lookout up top.”
“Just sit down and I’ll tell you.” Creed stood up while Levity found a seat with the others. “Now, yes, we did just have a raid. But I’ve been watching the weather, and we’re about to get a big rainstorm. The clouds have patterns in them that I haven’t seen for at least a mooncycle. We’re going to want more supplies for the lookout and for the entrance. Beyond that, our stockpile of cloth and needles is running low. Mostly because someone kept breaking all the needles.”
Mantra frowned. “I didn’t do it on purpose! Okay, well maybe one or two of them were on purpose. But they’re so much fun to break!”
Creed shrugged. “My point stands. It also wouldn’t hurt to find a new set of tools. I don't think we'll have to carve any new drainage routes, but I personally would like to see some of these rooms touched up.”
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Cheer looked down at the paper on the table. “That’s already a lot. What’s the plan?”
“I tagged a box of clothes down near the bakery a day or two ago. We can either use the clothes or rip them up and use them to patch the screen. Trust, I want you to find that box and take what you can from it. The wood won’t be worth much, so take a bag.”
“Is this because it’s unlikely someone’s going to show up while I’m there?” Trust pulled the black pencil from behind his ear and twirled it.
“Yes. Levity, I’d like you to go pilfer some supplies from the sewing shop. You’re good with small items. Mantra, if you can manage without making a scene, there’s a stack of wooden panels near the lumberyard. We could use a few of those for the hideout. Oh, and Levity, if there’s a container of glue or sap somewhere, that would be really useful.”
“Which puts me in charge of tools?” Cheer leaned over the map.
“Yes. Don’t mess it up.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Creed.” Cheer leaned back in her chair. “When do we leave?”
“Tonight. We’ll hit right before the rain. Hopefully the water will wash away our tracks and we’ll have a clean getaway.”
“Great. I’ll go get ready.” Cheer stood up and turned on her heels, heading back to her corner. The drawing would go back in her offshoot of the cave. Then she’d find her cloth wraps. It wouldn’t do to lose hold on something she was pilfering.
Creed whispered something to Levity as Cheer walked away, too soft for anyone else to hear.
Why did it have to be today? Prince Hyeon stared out across the city, his gaze settling on the stoic mountains at the edge of civilization. Soon he’d rule it all. For years that had been all he could dream of, all he could think about. But now, on the cusp of fulfilling such dreams, he doubted. What if he wasn’t the right one? Surely there were others out there who were smarter and more wise.
The mountains normally gave Hyeon a sense of peace and sturdiness. But today they seemed darker. Almost like they were hiding something. The stories came flooding into his mind, spurred on by the dream he’d had last night. Engineer savages, raking his entire city across the whiterocks. Not a living soul left. And then they all disappeared without a trace. Just like before.
He’d had dreams like this for many mooncycles.
No, the mountains looked too dark to be innocent. No one knew where the Engineers had fled to, but it had to have been the other side of the mountains. They’d scoured the isles and the Spires, every square centimeter checked and rechecked. His ancestors had made sure the Engineers left no trace, no secret traps. And yet they couldn’t keep the fear and the worry from the minds of the people.
Hyeon had to be emperor. It was his calling in life. But beyond that, he had something that no one else had. A drive to find the Engineers and put an end to their reign of terror. That alone qualified him to lead the empire.
Focus. There will be time for plans. Right now, your people need you.
“Your Eminence?” Hyeon started and pulled his gaze from the dark mountains. In the doorway of the balcony stood a servant girl, hands clasped behind her, gold highlights weaving through rich fabric on her uniform. Everyone had to look their best today. He nodded to her. “The princess Nari wishes to see you. She’s in her quarters.”
“Thank you. I shall make my way there.” The girl nodded and spun around, retreating back into the darkness of the palace. Hyeon straightened his own uniform, a mix of light blue white, and silver. He wished it consisted of the normal colors, jade and royal gold. But as the head of the government changed shoulders and a new emperor rose, they needed all the blessings they could get. Yukima would only bestow blessings if she were honored. Hyeon still doubted her, to some degree, he had no interest in being called a heretic. Only the most vocal among his opposition would dare make such a claim, but he couldn’t afford to concede even that. He had to have the people on his side, and religion did that best. Well, second best way, after national security.
Hyeon pushed through the balcony doors, the wood panels closing and sealing behind him. Even here, in the heartland of the empire, the influence of the Engineers couldn’t be escaped. Every advance, every piece of new technology they had from the Engineers. The royal tinkerers couldn’t even begin to match what the savages had done. On second thought, when he found the Engineers, he wouldn’t kill them. Only the leaders. Without someone to lead and somewhere to run, they’d take his offer and become slaves to the empire. That way they could repay some of the debt accrued by their ancestors and be productive pieces in the empirical machine. He’d treat them fairly. As fairly as they deserved.
The hallway in front of him stretched long, just as long as his own quarters through the door to the left. On the right, the door to Nari’s rooms stood closed. After the coronation, the architects would tear down the walls that kept the two rooms apart and create one large room for the two of them, befitting of their station. But the balcony would stay. Maybe then they would enjoy their mornings together, watch the moonset before going about their duties.
Hyeon pushed through the door, noting with satisfaction that just inside were two more servants standing at attention. They wore no visible weapons, but Hyeon had the utmost confidence in their abilities. He nodded once to each of them before staring around the room as he always did.
Nari had a talent for decoration, at least when compared to him. Instead of the shelves stuffed with books, scrolls, and plates in his own room, tapestries hung lightly on the walls. Most of them depicted nature scenes, lush forests or open fields. Each one had a border of runes stitched in white thread. Pillows sat in every spare corner, as if the princess were afraid she might fall unexpectedly and hurt herself. A mural of a dark sky stretched across the ceiling, constellations traced with lines so thin Hyeon always questioned if they were even there or if he was just imagining them. Each star seemed to have a life of its own. Even with all the decorations, the size of the room always surprised him; it measured easily twenty meters by ten, roughly the same as his. The difference had to be that he’d stacked and crammed books and ornamental weapons into every open space of his own room, so he’d never noticed the size.
The princess lay across the neatly folded blankets piled atop her bed, dark hair braided and pinned up in an intricate pattern. The sleeves on her dress were long, but much shorter than the current fashion. A tall collar matched his own, although the fabric of the dress contrasted with his robes. Instead of smooth patches, silver thread created the effect of dragon scales. She stared up at the ceiling, fingers laced together on top of her stomach.
The two attendants retreated to the corridor outside and closed the door behind Hyeon. Nari looked over at him and beckoned him closer. “Happy moonset, my prince.” Hyeon tried his hardest to smile just like he normally did, but Nari still creased her lips. “What’s the problem?”
He sat down on the edge of the bed, pulling his feet up and laying beside her. “Am I a good person?”
Nari turned and propped up her head on one hand, elbow on the soft blankets. “Why would you ask something like that? Of course you’re a good person.”
“But am I a good leader? Am I the right person to be in charge?”
Nari rested her free hand on his arm. “Of course you are. I’ve seen you give orders. You know what to do and you care that things get done right.”
“Surely there are other people out there who would do a better job than me.”
“But they’re not here, now, in your shoes. You’ve taken lessons from childhood. You trained for this. Now let yourself be content.” She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. “I know I’m content to be right here beside you the whole way through.”
Hyeon felt himself relax a little, but something still nagged at him. He struggled for a moment to put his thoughts into words. “There’s something else too. Something that I can’t just stop worrying about or reason away.”
“It’s okay. You can tell me. I’ll listen.” Nari threaded her arm under his body and pulled him close. He stretched out his arm and hugged her back.
“Night after night, I have nightmares. Sometimes they won’t go away for a whole week. Sometimes there are weeks in between. Once or twice I thought they were gone for good. But each time they creep back into my mind and don’t let go.”
“What are they about, love? Maybe there’s a way I can help with them.”
Hyeon closed his eyes and felt the comforting warmth of Nari next to him. “It’s always the Engineers. Sometimes they find me, other times they plunder and pillage the city, and still others they’re assaulting the walls. Even when I’m awake, they still find a place in my mind. The mountains don’t console me any more. It seems like they’re hiding something.”
Nari combed her fingers through Hyeon’s hair, careful to keep it looking presentable. “I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have to deal with that constant fear. You have enough to worry about as budding emperor. But this is something you must come to terms with. I too have doubts and fears about them, but I cannot allow those doubts to rule me either.”
“What do I do?”
“If you continue to dream of them, perhaps it’s a sign from the goddess in the sky that something is to be done about it. And whenever you feel that time is, I’ll be right here to help you.”
Hyeon smiled, this time genuinely. His fears didn’t dissipate, but they did relent long enough that he could lock them away for another time. For now, for today, he needed to be calm and confident. If he succeeded, the people would love him.
Nari saw his features relax. “You have a beautiful mind, Hyeon. This land will be blessed greatly from it.”
“Thanks, Nari.” Hyeon pushed himself up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. Nari followed him, standing and pulling him to his feet. “So, are you ready to be crowned Empress of the Sixth Spire?”
She smiled. “Only if you’re ready to be crowned Emperor.”
“Well, I suppose we shouldn’t be late. I need to go fix my hair…”
Nari disentangled herself and clicked her tongue at him. “Oh, none of that. Come here and I’ll fix it. Then we can go eat breakfast together. What better way to start the day?”
“Very well. I accept.” Hyeon bowed low and earned a poke in the ribs. “Hey!”
“Not behind closed doors you don’t. I’m not a princess here, I’m just Nari. Now sit down.”
Hyeon took a seat in front of a mirror bordered by metal flowers and smiled at his reflection. If he could get his mind to match his appearance, he’d have no problem winning the favor of the people.