Marcus led Susi toward the bookshelves so that she could look through them. Everything that had happened so far had happened like something out of a fantastic dream. Marcus thought surely the patrons of the library could hear his heart pounding like a drum through the quiet.

Susi’s eyes scanned the books for a few seconds before she stopped, her sea green eyes wide. She looked to Marcus. “You have a copy of the Tammakada right?”

“It’s certainly possible.” Marcus stroked his chin and scanned the markers for each bookshelf they passed. “It will probably be under the religious writings, which are up here.” He pointed up a set of steps, and the two ascended to a more prestigious level of the library.

The marble bookshelves matched the white marble floors of the castle. Marcus took the lead, knowing just the spot where it would likely be found. Taking a right, Susi followed him all the way to the back corner and up another ramp.

The two entered a circular room with tall bookshelves lining the walls that required a ladder to reach the higher volumes. There was a librarian standing at the top of the rolling ladder opposite to where Marcus paused to scan the book names written across the sides of each book’s dusty leather spine.

He looked up and saw it. Within a small glass display case were two copies of the Tammakada resting next to several other books on demons and dragons. Marcus pulled up the glass display case lid with the fingernails of his thumbs while Susi carefully slipped the top copy out.

It was a red book with a snake dragon twisting around a staff emblazoned in gold upon the front. The only title was on the side, and the book had no specific author as it was written collectively by the founders of the Talea Macto religion.

It spoke of many things, Susi knew, but the key takeaway was that no matter where one hides—in a different life, and even different universe—no matter what one does, they will never be free of their hada, which was translated into karma for the common tongue.

“I wish I had time to read the whole thing right now.” Susi took a deep breath and pressed the book to her chest, hugging it in both hands to know it was of her people, of their minds, and of their spirit.

“Why don’t you keep it? There are two copies.” Marcus suggested.

Susi smiled at the prospect, then used Marcus’s same method to lift the display lid. She slipped the book back inside on top of its twin copy. “I’m…not allowed to have possessions—I mean, other than my clothes and staff.”

“In that case, it will be here when you like. Come, I’d like to show you the town if you’ll let me.” Marcus waved toward the threshold leading back to the lower parts of the library.

“Thank you for bringing me here, Marcus.” Susi met his eyes, and he was falling again. It was as if his heart was at the top of that rolling ladder, and it released to descend into his never-ending need for her and all that came with it.

He had never imagined that he could kill with his bare hands for someone until now, but that felt like a relatively simple prospect were it to come to that. War, yes, he thought. Siege, absolutely. To the ends of Aallandranon and to his dying breath:…yes, yes, all of it, yes. Just…stop me from falling….

“Are you okay?” Susi had been staring back at him as he stared at her. Susi’s eyes widened as his eyes seemed to darken. He reflected the eerie dimness that was hidden in his father’s eyes, but it was only a shadow of what was deeper. He could tell she knew.

“Yes,” Marcus drawled as he relaxed. “I was just figuring the route we’ll need to take.” He led her down the stairs, and the two left the library.

Marcus took her through the side entrance to Castle Narcuss. They exited through a tall, arched transom and descended the steps to a grandiose set of stone stairways leading through the Gardens of Appey: named after Appey Narcuss, the princess who married the lord of Trenton at the southern tip of Chartan across the sea. The two countries within the Parceta kingdom were on the brink of war and had been for the last twenty years following the death of Appey’s father, Cerveys Narcuss.

Something flashed next to Susi’s face, illuminating the soft curve of her cheek. When Marcus looked over, it was his turn to be in awe.

The grape blossom tree with its long, thin branches and matching thin leaves was waving in the ocean wind, but every part of it was illuminated a brilliant turquoise green. Susi’s face looked so pure as she looked up to the lights dancing on the gently wafting grape blossom tree leaves.

Her eyes fell to his. How was it possible for someone so inconsequential to him twelve hours prior to take the ground beneath his feet by looking into his eyes with that timid expression?

“It’s a grape blossom,” said Marcus as he forced his attention up into the glowing tree leaves. “I’ve never seen one do this before.”

“It happens to me in the woods a lot.” Susi said. Even in the turquoise dimness, she couldn’t hide the red in her cheeks.

“Remarkable.” Marcus laughed, pulling a long tendrilled turquoise branch from Susi’s shoulder. “This was really only a shortcut, but I’m glad we went this way.”

He beckoned her to keep following down the steps leading to the castle wall. Within the wall, Susi could see a forest of trees preceding the back ramparts that blocked their view of the ocean beyond. Several warehouse buildings were positioned at the base of the wall next to them on the city side.

The two descended a small set of steps leading to a guard station. The soldiers within stopped everything they were doing to watch the two pass through the station quietly.

“I don’t know how interesting Narcuss history will be to you, but the city is nine-hundred and eight years old.” Marcus said as they dropped down the steps to the city streets.

“The bridge to the mainland was built in 11,983OM, which was about four-hundred and fifty years ago. This city square we’re in now predates Narcuss rule. Its construction dates to about 10,325OM, twelve-hundred years prior to the city’s founding. During that time, the city was known as Denesche. Its naval power was unmatched by any in the world, which is how they were able to build such grandiose structures.”

Marcus noted the large columns lining the mouths of every large stone building of the square. The biggest was the gargantuan Basilica of Omne that was packed with thousands of Aallandrons making their regular pilgrimage to the church.

“The Basilica of Omne is the largest church in Piphane,” said Marcus. “It is where the kings of the country are coronated.”

“And you were hoping that would be you next, right?” Susi asked with a smirk.

“If all goes as it should, the Chancellor has the power to decide who would be best positioned in the line of power. As my father is beyond age as far as most politicians are concerned, it is presumed that I would be the next in line. It’s not a position I voluntarily wish to observe, but I do understand that leadership is necessary. So long as Narcuss remains without a king, both Ire and Narcuss are in flux—adrift without anyone to direct them toward any possible goal.”

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

“What is your goal, should you be crowned king?” Susi inquired.

“To unite the countries once more, to depose the self-proclaimed king of Chartan, and bring the ongoing civil war between Ire and Chartan to a close. That would be a start if all goes well.” Marcus led Susi alongside the large basilica with its dozens of columns marching atop the stairs toward the heart of the city.

“And if Chartan refuses to see you as king?” Susi looked to Marcus’s still youthful face.

“It is not a choice whether one wishes to acknowledge the ruler of the land. It is the citizen’s job to pray that their ruler is a just one. Some rulers are good, others are not. I have studied for the last fifteen years how best to rule this country of Piphane, how to unite its people once I’m in charge, so whether swift action, serious confrontation, or even bloodshed is involved: it is a necessary experience to clip the rough edges. Our country will be governed, and that will be the reality no matter who wears the crown.”

“How can you take upon yourself such a heavy role?” Susi shook her head.

“It is something one must ponder upon for decades. It requires the trait of wisdom, and to know that there is always more information to absorb. It requires patience and knowing that this is a job that must be done properly.”

The two entered an even larger city square. This one was full of people, even though it was nighttime. There must have been a thousand people within the square at any given moment as they crowded around the vast rounded buildings and their matching column design. Large braziers stood within thickets of vendors and patrons.

There were so many different smells to Susi: leather, sweat, salt, all different kinds of food, cooked meat, pork broth; it all mingled in the senses to create an aroma that almost smelled of perfume. The smell would stick in her memory as distinctly Narcuss for the rest of her days.

“It’s unfortunate that you’ll eat nothing because I could show you the best seafood you’ll ever eat. The finest desserts are merely a five-minute walk away.”

“I can’t.” Susi said, looking at a window displaying racks full of pastries and cakes. They passed an ice cream shop a few buildings down. Her stomach and tongue yearned to enjoy such delicacies, but she hadn’t eaten after lunch in years. The only times she could remember even drinking tea after lunch was when she caught a random illness now and then while traveling.

“If you’re certain.” Marcus shrugged. “What about a staff? Yours was broken during the Tornetum. How about we outfit you with a new piece of equipment?” He beckoned her over to a weapon supply store that stood next to a wine cellar.

The smith working the table with his wares saw Susi first and didn’t know if he should engage for a sale. Most women don’t buy weapons, so it was odd to see the girl perusing the different knives and blades. Then the bearded man noticed Marcus. He made his way over to them, obligated to be of whatever service he could.

“What are you looking for from a humble inventory such as mine, good lord, Sir?”

“She needs a replacement quarterstaff.” Marcus answered.

The smith’s expression fell to disappointment. “Only staves we have are practice staves—for children usually.” He showed them to a tall vase with a large mouth containing six practice staves resting within.

Susi withdrew one, whirled it between her fingers in a way that stunned the smith, gave a quick snort, and returned the staff to the vase. “Thank you, but I need something that won’t break within the day.”

“Last staff maker I knew moved up to the mountains. Used to say the best stock came from the hills where the trees are stronger from the wind.”

“That’s true,” said Susi. “That’s how our apprentice weapons are made.”

Marcus nodded and he and Susi left the vendor's shop. They walked down the street, Susi feeling content just seeing all the people and city itself. She had never been in a place that was this busy before. Marcus was a little more uncomfortable because there was no place he could think of that would be useful to her.

“You won’t eat food, you don’t drink, the weapons you might need are laughable to you for their quality, you don’t wear conventional clothing, you’re not religious toward Omne so the churches are a waste of time.” Marcus mused aloud. “Where shall I take you that would be of some benefit?”

“You don’t have to take me anywhere.” Susi said. “I just enjoy seeing the city.”

Marcus paused on the street corner to allow a group of people to continue past him, stroking his chin. He looked up to the overcast sky as raindrops dotted his hair, then dropped his eyes to Susi again. Her eyebrows raised as she realized that it was drizzling.

“Come, I have just the place in mind.” He beckoned her to follow down a quaint road beneath an overpass. Houses and estates peered down at her from above the bridge and along the canal of street they were traversing.

Susi followed as Marcus spread his arms and balanced on the cobblestone rim of the sidewalk that arched through the passage. He hopped back into the street as they exited the passageway so they could cross the road. He could feel the drizzle on his neck.

They continued down the avenue toward a gate in the cobblestone wall that separated the properties from the street. Beyond the wall, the two could see a shadowy steeple rising into the misty night sky.

Marcus approached the gate and put his hand beneath the central seal of Omne that was set in its wire frame, then lifted the gate up and back enough for him and Susi to enter. He closed the gate behind them as they went from city street to quiet, into the overgrown grove of trees preceding the yawning black threshold of the church’s interior.

“This is the third oldest church of Omne in the city.” Marcus motioned at the building. “It’s been purchased three times over the last ten years. People have tried to renovate it, but they say it’s haunted.”

Susi looked up to the towering cathedral with its tall steeple overlooking the shadowy coast beyond a crumbling cobblestone wall. “Do you want to go inside?” Susi asked.

“Only if you’re not afraid.” He smirked, observing the pitch-black arched passage leading inside.

“Are you?” Susi cocked her brow.

“It’s my city,” he shrugged. “I can’t be afraid.”

“I should remind you that neither of us are currently armed.” Susi said.

“True, but I have you here,” said Marcus. The drizzle had become a light rain as they could hear the thunking of the drops upon the building and within the brush beneath the canopy of overgrown tree limbs. Marcus knew the occasional vagrant would use the property, but it was regularly monitored by the city guard.

“Let’s go.” Susi grabbed his arm to lead him inside the dilapidated cathedral hall.

Their eyes adjusted to the dimness. There were holes in the rafters so that whole parts of the sky could be seen beyond the ruined ceiling. Most of the rotting pews were broken. What was not part of the fallen building debris was covered with ivy: nature’s fingers slowly pulling everything back into its depths.

Marcus had thought Susi would be bored, but she smiled as she walked between the fallen rafters and splintered seats. The misty drizzle fell through the open places in the ceiling, giving the cathedral an enchanting, ghostly air.

The two walked through the aisles and Susi caught a glimpse of an archway leading outside beyond the speaking podium. Marcus followed her out onto a balcony that wrapped around the back of the cathedral.

“Now this,” Susi waved at the clear view of the cloudy night sky above, “is the best I’ve seen of Narcuss.”

Part of the ornamental stone banister had fallen away from the exterior balcony railing, another casualty of the building’s disrepair. Susi still made her way to the end of the balcony and put her hands on the banister. The wind brought the drizzle down in flurries. The ocean crashed against the stones at the base of the building’s construction below.

Up above, the orange-pink moon of Fara peered through the cloud cover, shrouded in fog. Susi took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she took in the sound of the sea and the smell of the air around her.

Marcus put his elbows on the banister and leaned upon it as Susi breathed out to behold the visage of the everchanging mountains of the sea ahead. “Did I pick a good one this time?” He asked.

“Very good.” Susi said, glancing at him as he watched her.

Marcus put his hand upon hers.

“As much as I like you…we can’t do anything, Marcus. It wouldn’t be right.” Susi dropped her eyes back to the waves.

“Because of your religion?” He asked.

“You know it is.” Susi said.

“I don’t care about that.” He said and looked past her. “I’ve been at the precipice of choice so many times in my life. Every choice I’ve made I’ve questioned myself after making it. But being with you doesn’t feel like a question. It feels like destiny.”

“I don’t think you understand, Marcus.” Susi’s flushed expression darkened. “You’re a decent person, but unless you want to renounce your kingship—unless you want to give up your life to be with me: we can never be together.”

“Relax, Susi,” said Marcus as he lifted her hand in his. “It’s just you and me here. We have no obligation to do anything but enjoy one another’s company.”

Susi looked at his hand and didn’t know what to say. He hated that look because he knew she wanted to give in, but it was only the religious upbringing in her mind holding her back. She wanted him as much as he wanted her, maybe more. “I think,” she swallowed hard as she looked to the waves dancing like mountain points on the horizon ahead. “I think I need to leave.”

“Susi, I—” He tried, but she pulled her hand back.

“This was a mistake, all of it. I shouldn’t have allowed it.” Susi’s eyes darted as she licked her lips. “Please take me back to the castle.”

“If that is your wish, then so be it.” Marcus said.