CHAPTER 11: HOME

Struggling to hold my excitement, I barely manage to restrain myself from examining every species that passes me on the wide, crowded streets of the Capital. My mind simply euphoric as I try to catch a peak at walking octopuses with armour, talking rainbow clouds with legs, and perhaps most of all, surprisingly polite trash eating cubes.

Skyscrapers built in a beautiful array of architecture; ranging from Gothic Victorian to styles I can barely describe, overshadow the neat cobblestone streets. This place is fantastic! They don’t have the technology of Sol, but their skyscrapers would give any from twentieth-century Earth a run for their money.

“I am guessing it’s your first time in a capital city?” asks Malisa as I stare blankly at a platoon of armoured squid-like creatures. Nodding my head, I try to count the number of species I can see around me. Most of the population seems to be either human or elune, but I can spot at least twenty other species.

“I knew there were other species, but this many? It’s astounding!”

Malisa gives a small laugh before taking care of the other children. I wonder what everyone’s going to do now that we arrived. It’s almost been three months since I escaped, so I’ve gotten to know some of them quite well; ok… mostly just Malisa and a few of the older children.

Entering what I can guess to be a market district, I’m assaulted by the sounds and of sights from a city of old. Shopkeepers and merchants shouting over one another, while the sound echoed between the walls of perhaps some of the tallest buildings even Jason had seen. I guess magic really must help civil engineering reach new heights.

Looking at the sky through a narrow gap, I spot thousands of what look like letters flying from one building to another like a floating army of ants. “Impressive, right? We didn’t have many of those back in Leono,” remarks Malisa as our groups starts searching for accommodation.

“very, It’s way cooler than email.”

“email?”

“Ah… never mind.”

Eventually one of the Elune men wearing glasses and a yellow robe leaves the group of who I’ve learnt to be our leaders. I wish I could understand them, but they’re always speaking Lumic or Londorian.

“Malisa, we have decided to split for the night since there are too many of us,” says the man while pointing towards the main group of refugees.

“you and Algritz will take Lady Ellenville and the other children to that the Gateway Inn tonight.” says the man while handing Malisa two gold coins before leaving.

“Well, I guess looking for my parents today was a bit of a stretch anyway,” I say while rubbing my aching feet. It’s been far too long since I’ve rested on an actual bed.

“great… It just had to be Algritz” mutters Malisa as she beckons the other children to follow her. Algritz… I think he was the man who greeted me after I met the chef, he did seem a little impatient now that I think about it.  

In reality, the Inn was more like a hotel than anything else. Each room had a window that looked out over the now quite streets of Yherton, even flushable toilets. Well, I say flushable, but I suspect they’re just watered gravity shoots that get their water from water mages.

A small lantern lights my single room, with the flickering flame casting large shadows across my bed. “I wonder if the nightmares will stop now” I mutter to myself as I undress before snuggling beneath the soft blankets.

…

‘give me the key!’

‘No!’

Bolting upright, whipping the from my face, I look out the window.  “Still night…” I say out loud, before drinking a floating ball of water.

Thinking back on my dream, I record as much as I can with Simbrain before climbing onto the window sill. Every night since I escaped, my nights have been haunted by dreams. And it’s really starting to get to me…

Watching the dimly lit streets below; devoid of movement or life, I’m reminded of life on Mars. Silent.

Many buildings and people yes, but silence permeated the night. An hour or so passes before a drunken man smashes a bottle against a building; finally staggering away into a dark ally.

Later, a cloaked man strides across the street before shouting something into the cold night air. For a moment, I was worried he had chanted something, but he simply wondered into another building without anything else happening. I can’t help but feel paranoid that someone’s after me, I only escaped because I had help after all.

Returning to bed, tossing and turning; I realise it’s going to be a long night again. Thoughts of my dreams, my parents, and wondering if the Silent Ones are still searching for me, keep my mind in an endless loop of anxiety. I just want to experiment with magic, so why does everything seem to be in my way.

Giving up, I leave my room before and head towards the communal kitchen. Perhaps there are still some nuldrads left…

“Why! You saw her use magic, this is our chance!” echoed a man’s voice just as I was about to turn a corner. “Be quiet, you’re going to wake everyone up” hushes a female as I hear the door to the kitchen shut. “The girl barely sleeps, let’s just wake her up now and check!” pleads the male, apparently not concerned about being a disturbance.

“And I said no! We promised to stop searching when we left Leono, not to mention that boy said to her alone” the females voice rising, it didn’t take long to realise that it was Malisa’s. I wonder if they're talking about me…

“the boy said a lot of things. And just because he gave us some money, you think we should turn our backs on our orders!?” Yelled the man, agitation clear in his voice.

“Yes! Leono is gone Algritz, what don’t you understand about that!? There are NO MORE orders!” shouted Malisa before the sound of a small scuffle reaches my ears. Eventually ending with the sound of something shattering.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Turning the corner, I see Malisa standing over Algritz; a broken pot plant in hand. “Will he be okay?” I ask, making Malisa jump back in surprise of my appearance.

“L-Lucy, w-what did you hear?” asks Malisa as she drops the remainder of the plant. “Not enough. But if it involves me, I would very much like to know.” No, I really want to know.

Nodding, she doesn’t say anything else; only cleaning up the mess before healing Algritz. “I would very much appreciate an answer you know,” I state, feeling agitated that she hasn’t said anything yet.

Finally turning to face me, I see a nervous look in her eyes. “I’m sorry, but…I can’t.” A sudden sense of fury overwhelms me, as several tables suddenly fly into the surrounding walls. “Tell me!” I scream, forgetting where I am.

Malisa cowers slightly as she observes the broken tables spread across the floor. “I-I can’t. I’m forbidden!” seeing Malisa freighted, I calm myself down. Sigh. My lack of sleep’s getting to me.

“I’m sorry Malisa, let’s talk about this in the morning,” I say before leaving back to my room. “Wait, Lucy!” yells Malisa as I’m about to reach my door. “What?” I ask, now feeling slightly guilty for scaring her.

“Please. I’m sorry I can’t tell you, but just know that I’m trying to protect you.” That… could be interpreted in a lot of ways. “Thanks, but I would still prefer it if you told me.” Opening my door, I enter and lock it before she can say anything else. I guess it’s going to be harder to sleep now than ever…

…

The long awaited morning finally comes as I fishing my breakfast. Practising magic, I wait for Malisa to return from her meeting with the other groups. In my sleep continues sleep deprived state, I hardly even think about the events from a few hours earlier. Eventually returning, I notice Malisa holding a rather high-class set of clothes. “You told me you're a noble, right? We’ll need better clothes if they are going to even let us in,” awkwardly remarks Malisa as she hands me a long blue skirt, a white cotton long sleeve top, and a blue headband.

“what about shoes?” I ask, looking at my toes poking through my current pair. “Sorry. I would have brought them, but I never expected this place to be so expensive.”

Nodding, I walk out onto the bustling streets below. “Which way?” I ask as Malisa catches up to me. “we’re going to pay for a coach. Apparently, the noble district is almost five hours by foot.” Five hours? I guess that would be about right for a city this size.

 “Anyway, taking a ride might be good for a change. My feet are killing me” says Malisa as we head towards an empty coach with slightly rough looking driver. Thankfully the driver lets us on before rain drenches the streets.

“Lucy… about last night,” says Malisa as I stare out towards the scenery. The buildings moving along, pedestrians running sheltering from the rain. I can't believe how developed this city compared to Rohl.

“Um, are you listening?” asks Malisa, finally realising I was ignoring her explanation. “Malisa, do you know why I was stranded in the mountains?” I ask as I’m met with the shaking of her head.

“A group who worshipped gods called the Silent Ones tried to kill me; apparently on their god's orders.”

Malisa’s eyes showed no sign of surprise. Instead, she looked slightly sad. I guess she really does know something about what’s going on. “Did you see them? The Silent Ones I mean,” asks Malisa.

“yes. But unfortunately they are not some mythical beings; they are gods of science. And that makes them oh so much more dangerous. Not to mention they seemed to call themselves the Miltracity” Malisa looks confused for a second. “Science? … I haven’t heard that word since Nathan left.” So this Nathan spoke English? He really must be like me.

“Regardless. They are after me, and I have no idea why,” now raising my voice slightly “So, If you know anything about them; I would much appreciate it if you told me!”

Malisa remains in silence as I watch the buildings become increasingly lower in height. “Lucy… I can't say much. And I don’t even know what good it will do, but…” pauses Malisa while I continuing to stare through the window.

“Well then, what can you tell me?” I ask, trying to keep calm.

Malisa bites her lower lip, “Just… stay hidden.”

A flash of anger jolts through me for a second time, sending the entire carriage into the air. “JUST STAY HIDDEN!? No! I want to know why the FUCK these people are after me! And IF YOU have answers, then TELL me right now!” I scream, not even conscious of my magic.

“Be careful!” shouts Malisa as she points towards the receding ground beneath the window. Taken by surprise, my anger dissipates quickly; causing a sudden jolt as the carriage connects with the ground.

“What the hell was that!” screams the driver as he steadies the carriage.

Opening the driver window quickly, Malisa apologises. “Sorry, it won’t happen again!” Trying to calm myself, I recite tau in my head.

Watching the driver check the wheels, I slump back in my seat. “I… honestly don’t know much myself. But… I will tell you a little of what I know. Just promise not to tell Algritz, ok? Asks Malisa as the coach starts moving again.

Nodding, Malisa then lets out a small sigh before closing her eyes. “When I was a child… no, perhaps even a toddler. I would hear voices coming from all sorts of strange places.” Ok…

“Sometimes, they would originate from a pot plant, at times the fireplace, but most often; from behind a door.”

My eyes widen as I recall the several times I’ve experienced something like that. “W-what did they say to you?” I ask, slightly nervous.

“At first… it was simple stuff. I couldn’t read yet, but they would ask me to look at a document from my dad's study. And that was all, for many years,” Malisa low seemed to be looking away from me. “However, when I got older, they wanted me to do other things…” ok, that’s a little different from me…

“other things?”

“They would give me orders. Sometimes I would have to meet someone, sometimes they told me to follow my dad to the embassy, and just once… they told me to kill someone.” They told her to kill someone!? What if they just decide to kill me?

“A-And do you have to obey these… orders?” I ask, now slightly weary. Thankfully Malisa shook her head. “No, but… Algritz does. That’s why I want you to never mention any of this to him. Do you understand?”

Nodding my head, I continue to watch the pouring rain. I wonder If Malisa was ordered to tell me that... It doesn’t exactly answer anything though. “And the Silent Ones?”

“I don’t really know who they are, but there were several times I was ordered to stay away from them because they were dangerous.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

The door thing sounds similar to me… but I haven’t received any orders; more like threats actually. Is she really working for the same side as me? Am I even on a side?

Minutes later the coach finally comes to a stop outside a large white wall; almost three metres in height. Peering from my window, I see the driver talking to a man wearing a helmet and a chainmail chest plate; A red cape draped behind his neck swaying in the wind.

Not really paying attention to the conversation, I practice levitating a spoon until the guard opens the door. First staring at Malisa, his eyes widen when he sees me. “Hello, you would not happen to be a young Ms Ellenvale would you?” oh, I guess that means my families here!

“I am.”

A smile forms across the man’s face. “Finally, now that woman can stop pestering me at every dam moment,” says the man as he waves to another group of guards. “Let them through, take them straight to the Ellenvale mansion.”

The carriage moving again, the rain slowly subsided; beams of light descending from the sky through the gaps in the clouds. “Looks like you finally get to see your parents Lucy. I’m glad,” says Malisa as we pass several large two-story mansions. “So am I.”

Pulling something from her coat, Malisa hands me a map with a red circle. “If you ever need me. Go to that circle.” States Malisa as we finally come to a stop outside a large marble mansion with large garden and iron gates.

Nodding, I give a small wave as I exit the carriage. “I guess this is it…”

One of the guards who must have been following us opens the door. “Please come with me Lady Ellenvale.” Follow the guard towards the iron gates, I marvel at the size of the mansion as the coach departs.

“Just a moment,” says the guard as the gates open with the flick of his wrist. Nodding to himself as though he was impressed by his work, he leads me towards two large oak doors before knocking.

I only hear a series of footsteps before I find myself being crushed in my mother's arms. “I’m home mum.”