When one enters the province of Itra, they enter a land laid out in six circles with each circle representing a city with an Eternal Clock Tower standing in its center. Long ago, timekeepers, mortals gifted with the ability to harvest time, used to live in these clock towers. These timekeepers guarded the Sands of Distant Past, a substance that allowed them to access others’ memories. But things changed after the War of Kings. It was during this very war when the last Ascended Incarnate of Yuitra, King Mikael, was beheaded by King Jaho I.

But despite his untimely death, the Itran people and its culture lives on, a culture intertwined with the concept of time. Itrans continue to take pride in their festivals celebrating the flow of time and the beauty of aging, their storytelling traditions, and in their colossal libraries. These colorful libraries, architectural marvels built from sandstone with massive clocks embedded into the facades, are visited by people from around Arla.

***

The moment the carriage crossed the first circle, they were in the Itran city of Seych. In the circle city, the outermost ring contains the Eternal Libraries, while the middle ring contains the marketplaces where goods from different times are sold, and the innermost ring contains the Residences.

“Wow.” Ginna murmured.

“It looks as if the city was never destroyed.” Enu added, stunned.

“As if war never arrived.” Jaho added quietly.

“Are they all really libraries?” Obo asked.

It was his first time in the Itran city.

“Yes.” Ginna and Jaho answered at the same time.

As the carriage traveled slowly along the winding, fairly empty road, Ginna quickly spotted a white building with an black colored dome and three doors.

“The Library of Nirea!” She squeaked loudly, while pointing at the building. “Can we stop there? I’ve never been.”

The Library of Nirea housed books that contained everything one could know about the hexing Goddess Nirea and her House in the oasis province, Siré.

Ginna turned to Jaho with pleading eyes who then turned to the commander who only shrugged his shoulders. “Lady Ewer is expecting us before night breaks. It is your choice, my Prince.”

Jaho turned his attention back towards his friends.

“Sure. Why not?” He agreed with a smile.

***

Inside the Library of Nirea, the smell of wood fills the halls, towering shelves stretch infinitely upwards, and the only source of light comes from the mounted fire torches. Once a day, hundreds visit this library. Some quietly congregate in the open areas and speak in hushed tones for hours, while others quickly visit to pick up a book.

As the Crowned Prince of the Desert, Jaho’s sudden appearance unnerved the record keeper for the day. A young girl by the name of Rae.

“Your Highness.” Rae spoke nervously. “How can I help you?”

“My friend here….” Jaho started slowly, while gesturing to Ginna. “she would like a tour.”

Rae glanced over to Ginna, who was beaming wide and bright, then back to Jaho.

“Sure, why not.” She responded with a smile, then pointed towards her right. “You can follow me.”

Ginna happily followed her with Obo not trailing far behind leaving Enu and Jaho briefly alone.

“I’m going to look around.” Jaho mumbled, then walked away.

***

As Jaho walked around alone, the floorboards creaked softly underneath him. The library was a winding labyrinth, each curve taking him in an unknown direction. As he cautiously walked around, he let his fingertips brush against the spines of the books on the shelves. He had just made it to the third floor when he saw the shadow of a tall figure, causing him to come to an immediate stop.

“Is there anyone there?” He whispered.

The silence on the third floor was profound, only interrupted by the occasional rustle of pages by those reading in the open area with oil lamps.

Assuming he was alone, Jaho began walking again. He took his time browsing the many books on the many shelves. One book in particular immediately caught his eyes: OF HEAVENS AND SANDS: THE FORGOTTEN CHILD

He was beginning to read the first page when the sound of someone whistling made him jump. He quickly turned towards the direction of the sound, but saw that no one was there. He let out a deep exhale then went back to his book. He had just made it to the third page when a feminine voice said,

“I never associated reading with you.”

Jaho knew the sound of that voice.

He slowly turned around with a big smile on his face where he was greeted by no one other than Lady Ewer of House of Yuitra…..a descendant of King Mikael. She was standing before the prince in a black, sheath long dress that covered every inch of her body except for her dark hued face.

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“Lady Ewer.” Jaho gasped. “It’s been a while. What brings you out of the palace?”

Lady Ewer, hands on her hips, took a long look at Jaho before turning on her heels and heading in the opposite direction. Jaho immediately followed.

“Are you not happy to see me?” Jaho asked, trailing her down the corridor.

“The Crown is always welcomed in Itra.” She mumbled back.

“That wasn’t the question.” Jaho laughed.

Lady Ewer suddenly picked up her pace, and so did Jaho.

The two were making their way down the winding staircase when Lady Ewer’s dress suddenly caught onto something. Jaho quickly reached out to prevent her from falling.

“I got you.” He shouted.

Lady Ewer’s hands instantly went up to Jaho’s shoulders as she grappled with her balance. When she regained it, she quickly let go of him and smoothed out her dress.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you until later.”

“My friend wanted to come inside. Why are you here exactly?”

Lady Ewer’s eyes narrowed. “Have you been following me?”

Jaho laughed. “I’m not my father.”

Lady Ewer slowly nodded, not really believing him.

“Come on, tell me why you are here.” He pleaded. “This library is far from home.”

Lady Ewer released a huge sigh.

“If you must know, I’m in the process of becoming a recordkeeper.”

Jaho immediately broke into laughter.

“A record keeper? What luxury does being a recordkeeper bring to someone of such rank? You are a princess.”

“I am a Lady.” Lady Ewer corrected, jaw clenched.

“Right.” He murmured.

Lady Ewer began walking again with Jaho following her.

“How could I forget?” He snickered behind her.

“Don’t test my patience.” She shouted over her shoulders. “Did you miss me?”

“I did, actually.” He answered. “I missed your fire….your stories.”

Since they were 16 years past their births, the two had a very unconventional relationship that both Mesyla and the king felt threatened by. Jaho swore it was nothing, but they didn’t believe him.

The two were then making their way through the second floor’s labrinth when another book caught Jaho’s eyes. He suddenly grabbed onto Ewer’s left arm and pulled her back to him.

“Wait!” He said loudly, then led them closer to the shelf where he pulled out a book titled,

OF LOVE, GODS, AND CURSES.

He flipped through the pages with desperation, searching for any mention of his family. Ewer watched him with curious eyes as he did so.

“I’m not sure how that book will be of any help to you.” She spoke.

“What do you mean?” He mumbled.

“That book is mainly about wronged lovers who sought out Nirea for help.” She answered. “Unless…there is trouble in paradise. Is there?”

Jaho slowly closed the book and turned his attention towards Ewer.

“Is this the only book on curses?”

“Of course not.” She laughed. “Your turn.”

Jaho frowned. “What?”

Ewer folded her arms across her chest. “Is there trouble in paradise?”

Jaho rolled his eyes then brushed by her. “I’m not here to talk about Mesyla.”

“Does your precious Mesyla know about the last time you saw me?” She shouted after him. “How you had your tongue down my throat?”

Jaho stopped walking then turned around.

“Don’t.” He warned through gritted teeth. “I wasn’t in the state of mind.”

Ewer began slowly walking towards Jaho, her footsteps echoing off the walls. Jaho just stood there waiting until she reached him. Identical in height, the two stared directly into each other's eyes. The sudden tension in the room could burn a hole through the towering roof.

“I’ve been meaning to ask.” She started slowly. “Does Mesyla approve?”

“Approve of what?”

“Your marriage to Lady Larella.” She answered quickly. “How is that going to work? Mesyla doesn’t seem like the type of woman to engage with a man belonging to someone else in title.”

“Mesyla is not your concern.” He said coldly. “Now, I have a question.”

Lady Ewer raised her eyebrows.

“Where is your mother?

“A city over. Darka.” She answered quickly. “Now I have a question. Why Larella?”

“My father chose her. My turn. Where is the gray dagger?”

Ewer slowly stepped away from him.

“Why?” She asked slowly.

The gray dagger has been in her family’s possession since the war. It was one of the few things the crown allowed her family to keep.

“My father requested it. Where is it?”

“My mother has it.”

“Are you serious?” He asked in disbelief. “Why would she risk it being lost?”

Lady Ewer started to laugh.

“My love, it’s the dagger of journey. That’s the only thing she has to protect her.”

Lady Ewer continued to laugh while Jaho watched. She didn’t stop until Jaho suddenly grabbed her by the waist.

“Protect her from what?” He whispered, just inches from her mouth.

“You know what.”

Jaho’s eyes darted from her lips to her eyes then back to her lips.

“Is your family still loyal to the crown?” He asked, voice low. “The Desert must stay unified.”

“Of course.” She whispered.

Jaho’s grip around her waist tightened.

“And no one has come to the palace?” He asked, still staring at her lips.

“No.” She mouthed, then changed her mind. “Well….”

Jaho’s grip loosened.

“Well?”

“There was this one guy.”

Jaho slowly removed his arm around her waist and put some distance between them.

“A guy?

Lady Ewer nodded.

“He came by wearing a cloak asking to know more about the king.” She revealed. “He said he wants to go home.”