Shelter looked down at the table where the Ministers were assembled. He’d called the emergency meeting a full week after the Head Engineer had gone missing. Perhaps someone else knew differently, but they couldn’t keep going like this if they didn’t know where she’d gone.
He looked down at the podium he stood by, papers strewn about around a book. “Minister, your suggestions, please.”
The Minister of Truth picked up a paper of her own. “I propose a plan in two parts. First, we need a small team to look around here in the caverns to see if Dignity left clues as to where she went. At this point, I haven’t ruled out the possibility that this was a kidnapping either.”
Shelter nodded. “And the second part?”
“We need a larger task force, something on the scale of forty or so Engineers, up on the surface. If she left any clues up there, each day we wait is another day they have to fade away.”
“I see. How would this work with our existing Sentries? Are we going to relax protocol about having to go with an armed person when topside?”
The Minister of Truth nodded. “I don’t like it any more than you do. But the contingents already on the surface need to stay where they are, especially because I’ve heard reports that bandit activity is increasing. And those in the low cavern need to stay where they are. We can rush along some of the newer recruits and press them into service a little before they’re ready, but even that won’t get us to the numbers we need. We’ll likely have to do that anyway.”
Shelter rubbed his eyes. “Very well. As Head of the Council of Engineers, I officially, but temporarily, lift the topside armed escort policy. Let’s hope I can reinstate it soon.”
“Indeed.” The Minister of Finance tapped a charcoal pencil on the edge of the table. “Is that all we must do there?”
“For now, yes. Assemble your internal team and get them to work. Start on the topside task force, but wait for my approval before heading up. At the very least, I want to arm those without an escort.” Shelter glanced down at his papers. “Objections and addendums? No? Very well. Then we shall move to the more difficult portion of this meeting. Until such time as the Head Engineer reappears and is able to serve in her position’s capacity as a leader, we will need to appoint an interim Head Engineer. This is not a decision I take lightly, but please feel free to suggest whomever you feel is most qualified for the role.”
“Mercy. Third Corps.” The Minister of Finance rubbed his thin mustache.
The Minister of Surface Affairs raised a finger. “Chance, Fourth Corps.”
Both were decent options and would do the job well. Shelter worried about consistency and motivation, but if they got the job done, he didn’t really have room to worry.
Joy, the Minister of Maintenance, cleared her throat. “Light, First Corps.” That caught his attention. He knew Light well enough to know that she wouldn’t agree to the position. At least, not without a lot of convincing from the right person. But she was high-ranked and very good at her job as floor coordinator. He’d have to try his best. Or get someone more persuasive.
“No other candidates?” He wrote down the three names on a loose sheet of paper. “Very well. I shall review these Engineers and select the one I believe is most qualified. Expect a decision within the week.” Shelter looked around the table. “Are there any other issues or comments that need to be brought before the Council?” Silence reigned. “Excellent. I declare this meeting adjourned. Minister, start building your forces.” The Minister of Truth nodded before standing up and exiting the room. An aide scuttled in after her and stacked her paper nicely on top of the book at her place. The other Ministers were standing and straightening their own places, trickling out the door until only Shelter was left in the Council Room.
He crossed to the door and leaned out into the hallway. As usual, a solitary Sentry stood at the door.
“Morgan?” The woman turned her head slightly in his direction and nodded. “Keep the room empty until I tell you otherwise.”
“Yes sir.” She turned back to her previous stance and stared straight ahead.
Shelter closed the door in front of him and turned to the now-empty Council table. No one would admit it, but they were just hanging on. Something needed to change. Perhaps a new Head Engineer wouldn’t be a bad idea.
He walked past the table and the podium, pressing his fingertips to a metal petal on the back wall. The panel swung out and away, revealing a pulley alcove. He grabbed onto the worn handle, fingers assuming their normal positions despite the lack of controls. One step and he hurtled downward faster than any other pulley system. The six other levels passed, the Pillar last of all. He could feel it as he passed, including a new vital, something brighter than the others. He’d have to look into that when he came back up.
The pulley handle finally started to slow after another minute of dropping, a faint blue light reflecting up the shaft. Shelter crouched slightly as he hit the floor, letting go of the handle and stepping out of the way by habit.
The cavern in front of him had seen the least adjustment from the Engineers, staying in its natural beauty. Great stalactites hung from the ceiling like spears and monstrous stalagmites jutted up like teeth. The whole chamber looked to be easily the size of Honor Cavern and the Pillar Chamber combined, probably bigger. Mountains of gold and silver rested all around the chamber, often ringing stalagmites. A large flat path had been dug out from the piles. Here and there among the rocks and piles, blue crystal formations shot up and branched out.
Fine pieces of worked copper and copper coins also littered the cavern, still in its pristine new state. Magic could do odd things when left undirected. And the chamber’s inhabitant definitely had some magic.
A gargantuan dragon curled up in the center of the chamber, tail tucked around its scaly body and head resting on a pile of coins like a soft pillow. Each and every scale on its hide glowed with an inner light, with a smooth head covered only by a few patches of scales. Its claws looked like they had been dipped in molten silver and allowed to cool.
Although it looked to be sleeping, Shelter knew it could sense him. Not much else moved down in these caverns.
Come closer, Council Leader. The words tapped on his mind gently, not intruding but draping themself in such a way that they could not be mistaken.
“I am sorry to disturb your rest, Honored One. I come with a worried petition.”
Be at peace. You are wise to come to me on a matter like this. The dragon’s eyes opened wide, staring right at him. Shelter felt as though they could see into his soul and out the other side. He bowed low, holding the position until the tip of the dragon’s tail raised him gently.
“I find myself at a loss, Honored Kiyora. Our leader has left us with no idea of how to move forward or when she plans to return, if she plans to do so at all.”
You are indeed in the dark, so to speak. Patience has served you well. But, as you have determined, now is the time for action. However, you must act in peace and with a clear mind if you are going to uncover the truth.
“Sometimes I wonder if we have the right idea, placing so much power on one person. What happens if they rust and take everyone with them?”
That is a distinct possibility for what is happening here.
“Esteemed Kiyora, may I make a request?”
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Yes, Shelter. You may.
“I would like to petition the goddess for wisdom. I fear that we do not currently possess the eyes to see and the minds to comprehend this.” He looked the dragon straight in the eye closest to him, holding his hand in front of him. His every instinct told him to flee, but he remained still.
I will grant your request, on the condition that you share the information you receive with no one until I shall give you permission to do so.
“Of course, honorable dragon.”
Kiyora closed her eyes and rose, shaking off the coins that had stuck in her scales. She looked toward the ceiling and started humming a note so beautiful that Shelter felt sure he would never find its equal if he searched for his whole life. Her scales glowed brighter and brighter, until he had to turn his head and close his eyes. The ringing note filled the cavern, shimmering in the clear cool air.
With a flash, the lighted scales cooled back to their original levels, and the dragon sank back down to her original position.
The goddess seems… unsure how to help you. A shiver ran up Shelter’s spine, like a cave spider digging its legs into him. If the very goddess herself, the most powerful being to exist, was unsure, what hope did he have of knowing what to do?
Peace, Shelter. Consider this a test, if you will. Seek knowledge and order, and aid will come. For now, she leaves a few words for you.
“I am listening, honorable dragon.”
The Head Engineer has left of her own accord, taking several Engineers with her. They are all from the low cavern and will not be discovered missing for a few days. She and her force have left this side of the mountains.
The shivers in his spine returned. “You mean she went over the mountains? Back to the empire?”
Those are the words I was given. She also reminds you to watch for one among the young who will rise up and lead the Engineers.
“Respect, but how old are those prophetic words? I’m starting to wonder if they will be fulfilled in my lifetime.”
Twice will they come to pass. You must watch and wait for that day if you wish to aid them.
Shelter bowed low. “I thank the goddess for her wisdom.”
You are wise, Council Leader. That will take you far. But listen carefully for others who seek to succeed. It is often their wisdom that will take you farther. Kiyora shifted her massive body, curled her tail in, and laid back down on the coins. After the coins finished settling, all was still. Shelter retreated to the alcove where the pulley handle waited. One tug and he was lifted from the soft blue light back up towards the real world. It seemed that conversing with the dragon had given him more questions than it had answered.
Aina crossed her needles again, looping the yarn around and over. Kima watched from the corner, taking occasional glances at the map in her hand. The whole land was laid out before her, the five Spires on their islands and the Western Isles on the far left. Aina had taken a pencil and marked where they were, almost right in the middle of the mountains. On the left of them, the capital city and the Sixth Spire shone proudly in the plains. To the right, the map’s markings were sparse, marked only ‘Uncharted Territory’. It sounded foreboding, like somewhere you would go and never return from. No, she needed to get to the city and find a school, as a place of learning was called. Maybe even the University, as Aina had said with a little awe in her voice. And then after that, what? She didn’t know.
The seas looked vast, and more markings of ‘Uncharted Territory lay below the southernmost Spire and past the Western Isles. Maybe she would go there and see what lay beyond. Then she could expand the map. Mikhel would like that.
“Aina?”
The woman looked up from her needlework. “Yes dear?”
“What would I have to do to go to school at the University?”
The needles stopped clicking. “You? The University?”
“Yes.” Kima looked up at Aina, who was staring at her like she’d just said something bizarre.
“Oh, sweetie, most of the people that go to the University are of noble blood.”
“Why should it matter if somebody has a certain kind of blood?”
Aina sighed. “It shouldn’t. But for some reason it does.”
“What reason?”
“I don’t know, love. I don’t think anyone does.”
“But that doesn’t mean I can’t go, right? There has to be a way.”
“I suppose Mikhel could ask around the next time he takes the road down. Why this sudden interest?”
Kima decided to choose her words wisely. “You both are wonderful, but I don’t think my purpose is here. I want to find out what it is, and to do that I need to be taught about everything.”
Aina set down her needles and string and walked over to where Kima sat on the ground, joining the girl in looking at the map. “You’re a smart one, aren’t you?” She wrapped her arm around Kima. “I can look into this for you.”
“Why do you treat me as you do? I am not your daughter.”
Aina laughed. “You might as well be. The day Mikhel brought you home after he found you was one of the best for me. We had only a son, and he died years ago. So many times I wished and prayed for a daughter. I feel as though Yukima answered my prayers with you.” She looked down into Kima’s eyes. “So please try to understand if I don’t want to let you go that easily.”
“I think I understand.” Kima rested her head on Aina. “Who is this Yukima? You speak of her often, but I’ve never seen her.”
“Of course you’ve never seen her, dear. She’s the goddess of the moon and of all the people across this whole continent. She’s up there right now, watching down over both of us.”
“But how do you know if you’ve never seen her? You wouldn’t want to believe a lie.”
“I don’t know, Kima. But I have faith that she is. Many times I’ve prayed to her and been blessed in times of need.”
Kima frowned, trying to process all the words. “But if you don’t know that she’s there, how can you be sure that all those things weren’t just coincidences?”
“You talk of finding your purpose, right? Do you know how to find it?”
Kima looked up at her, quizzical about the change of topic. “I don’t right now. But I think I can find a way.”
Aina stood up, offering her hand to Kima. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”
The two walked through the kitchen and into the bedroom, each room getting a little smaller. Aina sat down on the edge of the bed and patted the covers next to her. “Come, sit.”
Kima sat down and folded her hands in her lap. What did you want to show me?”
Aina pointed up at the wall. “This right here.”
A tapestry hung on the wall, as long as a man and about half as tall. The background was a deep navy around the edges, but in the center it bled into white. In a circle around the center were the eight phases of the moon, each with a list beneath them. In the white center, a woman in flowing robes held both her hands out, black hair spilling down and over her shoulders.
Aina pointed to the different parts of the tapestry as she spoke. “Around the edges, this silver embroidery is a reminder of the complications and intricate beauties of life. Then inside that, all these stars remind us to look to the sky for the moon. Some of them are connected with lines, like these ones. Those are called constellations, and they’re from the old stories. They remind us of the things that Yukima has done for mankind.”
“Are there actually lines in the sky?”
“No. These are just for us down here to remember. Some people use them to navigate the seas. Then here are the phases of the moon, each one with a description of the position and a list of the most likely blessings. The full moon is the time to pray for enlightenment and wisdom. That will be soon, so if there’s something you would like to know, you could try praying for it then. The first quarter is a time to pray for balance and success, while the third quarter, or last quarter as a lot of people call it, is the time to pray for strength to endure hardship. As the darkness overtakes the light, the balance is upset.”
Kima traced the patterns in the air with her finger. “I think I see.” She pointed to a constellation traced in thicker, darker lines than the rest. “What is that?”
Aina shuddered. “That is the Black Knight. He is the enemy of Yukima. Once a mooncycle, his darkness overtakes the whole moon and we cannot see it. On that night we do not pray, as Yukima is waging another battle against him in the heavens.”
“And is that her in the center?”
“Yes, that’s her. Normally you don’t see her in full color like this. Every town has a statue of her in their town square, and most of those are bronze or some other shaped metal. They do justice, but I prefer to see her as she is.”
Kima looked closely at the picture’s clothing. “Wouldn’t long robes like that not work very well when you’re fighting?” Mikhel had rehearsed to her several long stories of battles, usually the ones where the empire and the people of the mountain had won. But after a little pleading, he’d told her of some other battles, civil wars and petty land disputes. It seemed to her that war was a terrible thing, but that it was hard to see that when you were winning.
Aina nodded. “You’re right. You’ve been listening to my husband’s stories, haven’t you? I’ve seen drawings and paintings of her in battle gear, mostly white with blue embellishments. There’s something I like about those paintings, but at the same time, I prefer to think of her as a welcoming figure. Anyone can be saved by her if they have faith and live a virtuous life.”
Kima thought this all over. Religion seemed to be so odd. But Aina did have some good points. “So when you asked me if I knew what I was meant to do…”
“She knows all and watches over all. She put you here for a purpose, here in this place and here in this time. She knows your purpose, but she leaves it to you to find it and magnify it.”
“I guess I see why you believe like you do. Having someone to look over you always sounds nice.”
“You can have that reassurance too, love. I’m not going to push you into anything you don’t want. Maybe when you go down into the capital city you’ll understand a little more of what I’m saying. But for you, the door is always open.”
Kima leaned her head against Aina’s shoulder. “I would like that. I will keep learning and determine if this is what I want.”
“You do that, love.”