image [https://i.imgur.com/FcdVGWa.png]

THE OLIGARCHY

"What is the Abbas?" Monte asked. He had caught up to Pavani and Karth. The two of them walked a dozen paces behind their mother. She walked just as far behind her husband. Monte noted it as a little strange but judged he wasn't in a place to comment, and nobody had so far instructed him where to walk.

"It's 'who' and he is the governor here, of sorts." Karth replied confidently. Monte watched Pavani roll her eyes and look away.

"Do your parents have business before the governor?" Monte asked. He himself had recently had reason to see a town mayor, and knew it wasn't so easy to simply walk into a government office. This appointment must have been made long ago.

"Is that the real reason you're all here? To make some case in front of the mayor?" Monte followed up with another question.

"It's 'Abbas', not 'mayor' and, well… sort of." Karth said.

"The Abbas controls the Oligarchs, and the Oligarchs control everything. This is just a fancy party my father has been invited to. It's surely to get some concession from him and make one family even richer." Pavani spat the words out.

Monte could tell she'd been holding her tongue as they walked. She clearly had spoken a little too loudly because her mother cast a warning look over her shoulder at the three of them.

"Careful sister…" Karth chided. His tone was unfamiliar to Monte, but he could tell it wasn't new to Pavani.

Pavani fumed as they walked in silence for some time. The scenery became increasingly lavish and green as they approached their destination. Monte sensed they were walking uphill slightly and away from the sea. Yet he could still smell the briny water as if they were close to it. Each corner they turned exposed a new row of buildings more intricate than the last.

We must be close.

"So the Abbas controls the Oligarchs, and the Oligarchs control everything… where do we fit in?" Monte asked.

"My father has run a successful business in our home for so long, and made many people here rich. We will be the guests of honor tonight I have to imagine." Karth replied. Pavani scoffed.

"He's made one man rich, because he's been a mark all these years. And these people don't care about us." Pavani whispered this time, but with no less distaste. Monte saw Karth shrug.

"Either way, we just need to show our faces for a bit then we can leave." Karth said.

"Finally, we agree on something." Pavani smiled. As she said it she reached behind Monte to give her brother a playful shove. They both giggled, eliciting a friendlier glance from their mother.

"Do you really not remember me?" Pavani asked.

I'm sure I would.

"It was a long time ago, just give it up." Karth said in response. Pavani gave him a well-practiced petulant look.

"I'm sorry, but I don't. I had a lot on my mind around the graduation ceremony. My father…" Monte started to say more stopped. He hung his head slightly, unsure of how to continue.

“Oh look what you’ve done now Pavani.” Karth whispered to his sister.

"Shape up now. We're here." Karth's mother snapped and the siblings were quiet.

Monte looked up and found before him a building of such ostentatious ornament it didn't register at first as real. On their level was an elaborate garden complete with a large fountain and gold statue. A grand staircase led up from it to a terrace. Each step was paved with dyed tiles, each inlaid with a matching jewel. The railings were highly polished brass and wrought beautifully into elegant curves.

Upon the terrace a party had already started. Men and women in traditional clothing mingled about with drinks in hand. Further up still was what appeared to be the main entrance to the building. Large doors of gold banded wood were currently shut.

Most incredibly, the palace appeared to be situated on the edge of a cliff, overlooking an inlet of water from the sea. Monte found himself, once again, gawking at the incredible beauty and obvious expense of the place.

"This doesn't look like any town hall I've ever seen." Monte said jokingly as he gawked at the palace. Pavani and Karth both gave him knowing looks.

"This wouldn't exist if the people here had any say in it." Pavani hissed.

"Keep it to yourself. I'm getting a drink. Come on both of you." Karth said and followed his mother and father up the stairs to the terrace.

"Are you sure I'm supposed to be here?" Monte asked Pavani. He hadn't changed out of the clothing he'd boarded the ship with. His blue tunic and brown pants made from humble cloth served him well in most situations. On the terrace he could see the guests resplendent in colors and fabrics he'd never dreamed of.

"None of us are supposed to be here. These people are hollow, they would criticize you behind your back regardless of what you wore. Come along, let's get this over with." Pavani replied, with some exasperation. Monte didn't feel much better having heard it, but didn't have any other options.

I just need to remember my manners.

"After you." Monte said, holding his arm out in front of Pavani. As she walked by he got another look at her and caught a waft of her perfume.

I know I would remember meeting you.

Monte didn't have to wait long for a drink. As soon as he stepped foot on the manicured grass on the terrace, a man with a tray offered him a flute of something golden and bubbling. Monte assumed it was, except the flavor was much sweeter and the bubbles rose up almost into his nose as he sipped. Monte locked eyes with the cat for a moment and her bell tinkled gently.

He quickly moved to his second serving. Any apprehension about his clothing started to melt away. Monte patrolled the outskirts of the party, taking in the views of the jeweled city. From the terrace he had views of the streets veining through the city clogged with stalls.

Monte could also see the palace was built almost into a cliff. Below them was inlet of water that led out to the port where they had landed earlier that day, and the sea. The water was a dark blue and appeared to be rather deep below the terrace. Monte couldn’t help but be entranced by the idea of diving from his platform into it.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

That’s a long way down.

The cat had been sleeping on his bag since the rose garden. She didn’t care for water and hopped down onto the stone gate around the edge of the terrace. She looked around for something to climb on, or better yet, to steal for her dinner.

We're on our best behavior.

For a brief moment they locked eyes, and Monte heard her bell tinkle a clear note. He couldn’t begin to guess what it meant.

The sun was ending its journey for the day, descending toward the distant horizon. Monte marveled at the purples and deep reds that pierced the clouds as he looked in the direction of his home. He couldn't help but feel peaceful as he stared into the distance.

"You see one sunset, you've seen them all." An unfamiliar voice said.

Monte was startled and turned to find a small group had appeared around him near the edge of the terrace. Two men, one woman, and much to his surprise, a large blue bird. The cat took notice of the bird immediately and the bell rang out. To Monte's surprise, she must have judged she would be no match for a creature her own size and stayed perched on the railing.

The people, and bird, standing before Monte were dressed in fine raiment of blues and greens. The men wore jackets with high collars that nearly covered their ears. The woman wore a wrap of delicate silk. Monte took in the picture before him for a long moment. Were these people not enchanted by the views before them? Then he remembered he too must be on his best behavior.

"Ah yes. Still, I must marvel at the beauty. But now I see such beauty before me I must marvel again." Monte responded. He made sure to soften his face and smile. His flattery must have worked, even the bird seemed to turn away and blush.

"Tell us your story then. Everyone else here is so…. Dull." The second man spoke this time.

Monte had nearly finished his second flute of bubbly drink and felt loosened up by its effects. If the other people here were dull, he was certain they wouldn't care much for his life story. Monte thought for a moment and decided to tell them an abridged version of finding the Old City.

Much to his own surprise, the audience was rapt. Monte made sure to add some elaboration and drama to the accounts of the tunnels and rats. He spoke about the mystery of the clockmaker. When he revealed even the most inconsequential thing, there were gasps and cries from the crowd. No detail seemed too small for them.

By the time he finished telling the story, another small party had joined the first, and doubled the audience. This had drawn the attention of Karth, who came with a third flute of bubbly drink.

"It seems your stories haven't gotten any worse, or more believable, since our academy days." Karth said playfully, joining in on the performance.

"The Academy? Do tell us one of those stories, won't you?" The first man in blue insisted.

"No no, come now. I've told you one now it's your turn surely. You seem like the most interesting of the crowd here, tell us one of yours." Monte batted the request back. Once again, his flattery was the successful key to navigating the situation. The man didn't wait for anyone to insist and started in immediately.

"Though it may be a difficult one to hear, I must tell of our encounter with the pirates of late." The blue man started, drawing an immediate gasp from those standing around them.

"We of course control the sapphire trade." The blue man said and took a dramatic pause. Monte wasn't sure what was expected so he gave a subtle and short bow towards them. This had the desired effect and the man carried on.

That explains the blue.

"As of late we've had many problems moving our jewels around without attracting the attention of the pirates." The blue man continued. Monte heard murmurs rise up from the crowd. He looked around and noticed that now most of the attendees of the event were gathered around them. One group wore gowns of green, another of deep orange and red.

"A chest filled with the finest stock from our mines to the south will arrive empty." The blue man paused again to allow for the gasps and outcries from the crowd, which of course came promptly.

The only people at this event who weren't currently gathered around Monte and Karth were still standing near the stairs in the center of the terrace. Monte could that it was Karth's parents and Pavani speaking with two people clad in shimmering white. Just as he saw them, they began to make their way towards the crowd.

"It is of course a great shock when we open the chest, expecting our wares, and find in their place bottle caps and worthless date pits!" The blue man spat. Monte thought he was overselling it a little, but the reveal was still fairly interesting.

"We really must do something about these pirates." A serene voice spoke from the crowd clearly. The words silenced the crowd instantly. Monte looked to see where it came from, and saw a shimmering turban moving through the crowd. The figure emerged and came to stand next to Monte in front of what was now the entirety of invited guests.

"It's why we are all here today. I thank you for such an ideal introduction." The shimmering man in the turban said. At that, the blue man gave a deep and long bow.

"Monte here will be the one to help us. He's quite the tracker where he comes from, and I've been assured he can help us get to the bottom of where these pirates come from, and who leads them. You'll help us, won't you Monte?" The shimmering man asked. Then he extended an arm toward Monte and the crowd erupted in applause. All, Monte noted, aside from Pavani.

What have I gotten myself into?

Monte decided his best course of action was to mimic the blue man. He gave a deep bow towards the shimmering man. There was no time to think through the proposal, it had come, seemingly, out of the blue. Did Karth know this was happening? Did Pavani?

A little warning would have been nice.

"I am honored by these accolades and I do see the obvious plight you find yourselves in. If I can help the people of this city with my skills I will." Monte said, using the most authoritative voice he could muster. He tried to be careful to neither commit to anything, nor tell any lies. The art of saying nothing while speaking in a convincing way was something surely Karth recognized in his response, it was an entire course at the Academy.

"However I do feel this is task best suited to the Guard. I would be happy to be your representative to them." Monte spoke to the crowd. Out of everything said so far, these words drew the most gasps. One of the men in read clothing looked like he nearly fainted. He remained standing only thanks to the quick actions of a nearby woman in green.

"Monte, surely you know the Guard haven't operated in my city for nigh on two decades. This is why we so desperately need you. We thank you for your help. Now, let's get back to the event. I can see dinner is being served!" The shimmering man raised a single finger from a single hand and the crowd moved as one back towards the center of the terrace. Only Karth, Pavani, and Monte remained behind.

No Guard here?

"Is that true, the Guard don't operate in this city?" Monte asked. He hadn't seen any but that didn't mean they weren't here. Did that mean this place was lawless?

"No, not for years. The Abbas himself ran them out so he could smuggle and steal freely." Pavani said.

"And now you're going to be his pawn." She spat.

His pawn?

Monte stared back at Pavani. Was the shimmering man the Abbas? Monte had been hit by so much new information so quickly he was having trouble making sense of anything. The sun had fallen below the horizon now and the terrace was illuminated only by the lanterns near the stairs. Monte realized suddenly they were nearly in darkness.

"Cut it out Pav. Look, nobody is watching us. Let's get out of here while we can. Mom and Dad are done with us now anyway." Karth said, looking from his sister to Monte. Monte had seen the look before, Karth was set on his plan. Monte knew at this point he should go with him, or risk getting into more trouble.

"Good idea, I know a back way out.' Pavani said. Then she climbed over the railing next to where the cat had been sitting.

Where is she now?

Monte didn't have time to remark on Pavani's back way. He turned and saw the cat stalking after the large blue fowl. He hurried after her and scooped her up before she caused another problem, he would have trouble getting out of.

"Let's go. We'll get something to eat soon." Monte said. The bell rang out, this time in annoyance Monte had no doubt.

Karth swung his leg over the railing and beckoned for Monte to hurry. The cat curled up on top of Monte's bag. Monte slipped over the edge of the railing and saw there was a brass trellis covered in flowering vines.

Karth was almost to the ground already. Carefully, he placed his feet into the top rungs of the trellis and made his way down. Along the way the cat swiped at any passing flower that had the misfortune of being within striking distance.

Once on the ground, Monte noticed Pavani had removed the wrap dress she'd been wearing. The piece of fabric was casually cast aside, revealing her legs and shoulders. Her shirt hugged her close.

Monte found himself gawking at her for a moment before she looked back at him with a coy smile. It shook him out of his stupor in time for him to recognize the pattern of her shirt. It featured cream and red stripes arranged vertically.

Where have I seen that before?

"Come on, I know a place this way." Pavani said, and they took off downhill, down into the depths of the city.