With a loud toot, the transnational express approached the central railway station of Livoria, the capital of the Livorian empire. The train was an imposing colossus of steal, steam, and smoke and its huffing and puffing locomotive turned many heads that curiously watched as the newest mode of transport neared. Taking the train to travel across the country became the new transportation mode of choice for everyone who had the necessary coin and considered themselves a respectable man or woman of the Livorian high society. Who still wanted to step into horse manure or travel in an uncomfortable carriage that rattled over bumpy cobblestone roads and in which the noble travelers' bottoms hurt after just a few hours? No traveling per rail was now the way of the cultured man. The pitch-black boiler of the locomotive with its many pipes reminded one of a thick, potbellied man who blew smoke rings with great relish out of a pipe in his cheek. The thick layer of soot on the chimney told tales of many miles traveled and many adventures experienced on its journey across the country. Trailing the steam locomotive were around 20 passenger cars. The green-painted cabins with their polished steel roofs were strung together like sparkling green pearls on a necklace that lined the slender neck of a young lady from a good family. The train with the locomotive and the many passenger cars slowed and with one final squeak of the brakes they came to a stop.
The doors in the first passenger car opened and a conductor in a neat, light blue uniform jumped down onto the tiled ground of the platform. The pudgy little man gave a signal to the train driver and observed their point of arrival. After a quick check and a small nod to himself that everything was in order, he took out a brass whistle from his chest pocket and blew the signal that everyone may now get off the train. From his other chest pocket, he took out a small silver watch that was stamped with the emblem of the Livorian imperial rail service, a blazing horse on rails. He opened the lid of the watch, read the time, and with a self-satisfied grin he congratulated himself for arriving exactly on time once again.
The conductor put back his pocket watch, took off his cap, and from yet another pocket in his uniform he pulled forth a little embroidered cloth and wiped away the sweat that ran down his forehead.
The city center and the suburbs of Livoria were located in a hilly coastal region on average 200 feet above sea level. To the west and south, the city bordered the Misty Harbor Bay of the Azure Ocean. To the east and north, it lay surrounded by high mountain ranges. In the summer the heat in the city was only made worse by the humid air and mist coming from the sea. The wind coming from the sea was blocked by the mountain ranges, which led to the current situation of a humid heat dome smothering the city and all its inhabitants.
The conductor walked along the train with brisk steps, the soles of his leather boots clicking against the white tiles. He passed the first-class cabins and offered his help to an older gentleman who struggled to get his baggage from the storage compartment. He continued his steps, now arriving at the cheaper second-class cabins. Instead of individual couches, the passengers had to sit on benches together in compartments for up to 8 people. After witnessing that most passengers exited, he stepped back onto the train to check for luggage that an esteemed Sir or Madam had forgotten. As he stepped through the different compartments of the cabin he noticed a faint sound of snoring coming from the back.
Slightly baffled he approached the sound. The conductor wondered how someone could sleep through all the noise the train made when arriving at the station and the turmoil that followed when everyone exited. And yet as he opened the door of the suspicious compartment he was greeted by a wondrous sight.
Laying down on one of the wooden benches was a young man. His feet propped up on a big travel bag and his head resting on his coat he slept peacefully but soundly. His long, wavy, black hair flowed from his head over his chest. He wore a wide linen dress shirt and a brown pair of pants that he rolled up just below his knees. His leather boots stood on the ground next to him.
The conductor approached him and shook him at his shoulder.
“Sir”, he shook him again, “Wake up Sir, we have arrived at the capital. The train ends here.”
The young man shook himself and slowly opened his eyes. After blinking a few times he squinted at the conductor.
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Lucius squinted at the man who shook him out of his sweet dreams. In one moment he was peacefully dreaming of commanding a mighty army, and in the next he was ruefully awoken.
“I am awake, I am awake. Stop shaking like I am a cherry tree!” he exclaimed.
The conductor looked at him with his small beady eyes. “Apologies good Sir but you wouldn´t wake up.” His sweaty little face looked like he was very embarrassed by having to inconvenience his guest.
Lucius slipped into his boots, grabbed his coat and bag, and reached into his pocket. His hand grabbed empty air. Astonished he looked first at his empty hand and then at the conductor.
“My watch! Those thieving Alyrians stole my watch.”
The conductor looked at the agitated young man and internally shook his head. How can someone be so naïve that they can slumber so deeply in a public space and not protect their valuables?
“Maybe you have misplaced it somewhere good Sir.”
“Impossible, it was right there in my pocket. The watch was a graduate present from my university – even my name was on it. Surely it was those Alyrians that sat on the opposite bench.”
“I can notify the guard if you want. If they find it you will get it back.”
“Fine do that.” Lucius did not believe that the guard could find the thief but one can only hope.
“Then good Sir I would need some information from you. What kind of watch was it?”
“A small golden pocket watch.” He grabbed the golden chain from his pocket and showed it to the conductor. “As you see I still have the fitting chain for it, the thieves probably weren´t brave enough to steal that too, and just unclipped the watch from it.”
“Professionals then”, the conductor replied with a nod. “Now I need your name and address Sir. Of course for the guard to contact you when they catch the thieves. ”
“It's Lucius Ashford. My initials were etched into the inside of the cover. For the time I will reside in the house of my uncle.” Lucius grabbed a note from his pocket to look at the address. “It's 22 Silverleaf Lane, Suncrest District. I think it is in the upper city, I haven´t seen my uncle for years you see.”
“Suncrest District? Your uncle seems like an influential gentleman. Truly fate smiles upon your family.”
A flicker of sadness flashed over Lucius' face, just to be replaced by a calm smile again. The conductor didn´t notice and was still writing down the information. “Is there anything else that would help identify the watch?”
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“Yes, as I said earlier I got it as a present from my University – the Audmere Institute of the Five Arts to be specific. Their sigil is stamped on the bottom of the watch.”
“Oh, Audmere, my daughter Eleonora also studies there. A wonderful place, truly a forge of knowledge and pride of our empire. Have you met her? She got a stipend and began her studies in October last year.” The conductor's chest swelled with pride as he spoke about his daughter.
“Sadly I didn´t have the pleasure. We must have missed each other. As a fifth-year student, I didn´t have many interactions with the first years.”
“Truly a shame. You said you suspect that some Alyrians took the watch?”
“Yes, the two men traveling with me in my compartment. They said they were merchants.”
“Merchants – with what merchandise? While they can transport a small amount of luggage with this train it is by far not enough for a merchant. Mmh, maybe they transported their goods another way. It still doesn´t sound right to me.” The conductor furrowed his brow thoughtfully and squinted his eyes.
“Now that you mention it, it does sound a bit off.”
“Sir, can you tell me what those two men looked like?”
“One was an older gentleman. Gray eyes, long salt and pepper hair and beard. He had tanned, caramel-like skin, both had - that’s why I believe them to be Alyrian - and a hawklike nose. The other one was younger and a bit smaller. He wore a big hat and had an ugly-looking mustache. Only the older gentleman spoke with me the other one seemed a bit shy. Now that I think about it, they both looked fairly muscular for merchants.”
“Quite suspicious indeed. Thank you, Sir. I will relay your description to the guards. With this much information, I am sure those thieves will be caught in no time.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Once again, on behalf of the Imperial rail service, I am very sorry that this upsetting incident happened on one of our trains. I am sure your watch will be brought back to you in the next few days. If you would like to file for further compensation I am sure we can find a satisfying solution.” The conductor looked very apologetic as if it pained him to cause this fine young gentleman such an upset.
“That will not be necessary. Just bring me my watch back. I treasure the memories connected to it more than its value.”
“A good day to you Sir.”
“And a good day to you.” Lucius nodded, grabbed his coat, slung his travel back over his shoulder and stepped out of the train.
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As soon as Lucius stepped out of the train, the humid air smacked him In his face like a wet towel. The suffocating heat and constant pushing and shoving of the tightly packed crowd around the track made him feel like a sailor who was pushed overboard by a gust of wind and now desperately tried to swim back to his ship. Swimming through the waves of travelers and pickpockets and tightly clutching his travel bag Lucius elbowed his way to the central hall of the train station. Slowly the acrid smell of burning coal and steam from the trains gave way to the complex mess that was the combination of sweat and perfume from the many people bustling around mixed with the enticing smell of freshly prepared meals from the numerous foot stalls and street vendors. After he pushed through the last stretch of the crowd Lucius was finally able to take a breather and orient himself. After he sat down on a bench he observed the train station. On white-painted steel pillars as thick as a man throned grand arches that let in sunlight from many rectangular glass panels. Playfully decorated bridges and walkways on multiple levels connected to the different platforms. Countless travelers went and came, many of them doing their best to look busy and important.
Lucius looked up. Spanning the whole 30 m (98.5 feet) of the central hall was an impressive free-floating dome with a mosaic made out of colored glass. The image depicted a lofty-looking man dressed in a dark blue parade uniform. His shoulders were adorned with golden epaulets. From the left side of his hip up over his shoulder he wore a scarlet colored sash. His right hand rested on the saber at his hip and his left was raised into the sky.
“I presume this is the emperor”, Lucius murmured to himself.
“Indeed, his Majesty Nicholas III, may he live a long and healthy life, unveiled this masterful portrait of himself when the new dome was inaugurated last year.”
Lucius looked at the elderly worker sweeping the floor next to him. “What happened to the old one?”
“Oh, it was damaged from a boiler explosion. That was a mighty bang my young friend. One of these new locomotives had a malfunction. The blast knocked the glass out of its frames. The whole dome lay in shambles. Now the tracks were relocated a bit farther away from the dome and extra reinforcement was added to the walls.”
Lucius thanked the man, said goodbye, and resumed his journey towards the exit. As he walked in the direction of the coach station he passed a bakery. Lured by the enticing smell of freshly baked pastry he decided to approach.
“Hello Sir, how may I help you?”
Lucius surveyed the neatly laid out goods and decided to buy a cute strawberry pocket that he could eat while walking.
“Two and a half Livos please.”
He opened his purse and fished out the coins. Putting his change back he scanned the amount left. Next to two one hundred Livos notes and two fifty Livos notes were an assortment of 20s, 10s, and numerous coins of differing value. Altogether, around 400 Livos he thought.
Munching on his newly acquired meal he continued his journey. In front of him was a long queue of people who waited at a currency exchange. The front of the queue didn´t seem to move as an annoyed-looking businessman from the Salian Republic tried to push himself in front of a bickering family that quarreled over who was at fault for misplacing their purse.
Lucius shook his head and continued walking. At last, he stepped through the exit and walked towards the line of carriages waiting in front of the train station.
“A Livos for the news! Only one! Read the newest events!” A little boy standing next to a stack of newspapers loudly advertised his business. “Hear me, hear me. You have to read this - Only in the Livorian courier!”
Lucius got curious and approached. Flipping a coin at the newspaper boy he took one of the newspapers. In huge bold letters, it read: “TENSIONS BOIL OVER – IS A COUP D'ÉTAT IMMINENT IN ALYRIA?”
He continued to read.
Alyria, June 19, 1824 – The political landscape of Alyria has reached a boiling point as tensions between the ruling government and various factions within the military and nobility threaten to erupt into open conflict. Rumors of a potential coup d'état have been circulating throughout the capital Almata, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the nation.
The roots of the unrest can be traced to the controversial tax reforms of King Theodric IV, whose recent decision to increase the tax on flour has been met with fierce opposition. The king's attempts to raise funds after the last failed military campaign and poor harvests have led to a sharp increase in food prices, leading to a situation where the working man can no longer afford to feed his family.
In recent weeks, several high-ranking military officials have been openly critical of the king's leadership, showing sympathy to the protests of the populace. General Marcus Arden, a young decorated war hero who rose to prominence in recent years, has emerged as a vocal opponent, accusing the king of weakening the country and neglecting the needs of the common people. Reports indicate that General Arden has garnered significant support within the military and populace, raising fears of an imminent insurrection.
The situation escalated further yesterday when a massive protest erupted outside the royal palace. Thousands of citizens, spurred by economic hardship and political disillusionment, took to the streets demanding change. The demonstration quickly turned violent as clashes between protesters and royal guards left several injured and 17 dead.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing groups of armed men moving through the crowd, allegedly supporters of General Arden. This has led to speculation that the general may be preparing to make a decisive move against the king. The palace remains under heavy guard, with additional troops deployed throughout the city to maintain order.
In response to the mounting crisis, King Theodric addressed the nation in an open letter last night, calling for unity and pledging to address the people´s grievances. "We must stand together in these troubled times," he declared. "Alyria's strength lies in our unity, and we must not let discord tear us apart."
Despite the king's appeal, the atmosphere in the capital remains tense. Political analysts warn that the coming days will be critical in determining the future of Alyria. If a peaceful resolution cannot be found, the country could be on the brink of a civil war.
As the world watches anxiously, the fate of Alyria hangs in the balance. Will cooler heads prevail, or is the nation destined to be engulfed in turmoil? Only time will tell.
“What a worrying development. I have to ask Uncle what he thinks about it”.
Lucius put the newspaper in his pocket and approached a carriage. After a short negotiation with the driver about the price, he entered.
As the iron-clad wheels rolled over the cobblestone streets toward the Suncrest District, Lucius looked out the window with a mix of excitement and concern.