by J. M. Ivie
“I wish to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Should I have the pleasure of putting the riddle of Andras Apollo Faithe at rest? Or would that prove in vain? Will I ever put you together?”
“No,” I rested my hand on hers, hoping she wouldn’t move. Her skin, soft and delicate, made my pulse quicken and blood heat. “I doubt either of us will ever truly put the riddle of the other to rest.”
Zahra smiled, letting her hand linger under mine for a long while before she pulled away. She opened her mouth to speak, seeming to struggle for words. She settled in her spot, twirling her finger along the blue suede cushion. “Have you eaten yet?”
I shook my head. I didn’t take my eyes off her. The sun caught in her black-brown hair, making it appear almost golden. Her thick, long lashes shaded her dazzling eyes. She sat mere inches from me, tempting me to spill my feelings at her feet. I wished to hold her in my arms and tell her everything… The thought of Beth walking in if I took Zahra in my arms bubbled up into my mind, and I only watched as she sat on the sofa in thought.
“Apollo…” She looked up at me. “Would you like to do something with me tonight?”
Curious, I tilted my head. “What is it you want to do?”
___
Zahra grinned, taking my hand in hers. I looked around, trying my best not to think about how I stood out among the locals, being the only Bouldarnite for miles. This is a horrible idea. A horrible, horrible idea that could get me killed. The thought made me smile, and I relished the rush of adrenaline pounding through me.
Zahra dressed down for this occasion, wearing a plain tan bodice that pinched her waistline in, tapering into a dark brown skirt. Her ankle-high boots were plain, though, she made her entire outfit seem expensive. I blended in with the commoner’s attire. Brown trousers, white shirt, brown vest, and brown frock coat. At least one aspect made me happy… I wore my hobnail boots again.
We jumped out of the carriage and walked down the paved streets of a Luxterrian town, Suria. Band music poured from the entrance of a few places, yet, it was one in particular which we both found ourselves drawn to. A little restaurant called The Happy Cog. The music flowed freely from the swiveling double doors. A symphony of whirling notes and melodic tunes rushed into my ears. Luxterrians were dancing all around us, some to the beat of the music, some to the rhythm of their hearts.
“Oh!” Zahra smiled and pulled me into another section of the building. A warm fire crackled in the corner while people sat at tables quietly conversing with each other. “It hasn’t changed!”
“You’ve been here before?” I turned to her, watching her sharp green eyes soften with happiness.
“Yes. Mother used to bring me here from time to time. We would dress down, like this, and mingle with the locals. Oh, how they dance!” Zahra put her hand over her heart as she swayed ever so slightly to the music.
She stirred my heart, and I gave in to the impulse. “Would you care to dance?”
Zahra raised her brow, shot me a half-smile, and nodded. “I would be delighted! But, do you know this dance?”
“I know how to swing dance, if that is what you’re asking.”
“You continue to surprise me, Mr. Faithe!” Zahra giggled, and we spun onto the dance floor. A lively two-step was first since the song was more upbeat.
It was odd at first since I was also much taller than the other people. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. Aside from the few curious looks thrown my way, we were left relatively alone. We danced and danced, wearing ourselves out with every song that passed.
Zahra breathlessly leaned against me, smiling as we stopped our dance. “It’s so nice being away from everything and everyone, isn’t it?”
“It is.” I tucked the hair that made its way into her eyes behind her ear.
“You’re not even winded, Apollo. Wherever did you inherit your stamina?”
I laughed, taking her arm and walking over to a table. “I don’t rightly know. Though, it does come in handy.”
Zahra rolled her eyes with a grin, settling down in the seat I pulled out for her. The sun had long set, and we knew we didn’t have much time till Beth or Azu discovered we were gone. Nora could only cover for us for so long. Still, we wanted to eat at least one meal this place offered.
“So, Apollo…” Zahra turned her attention to me after ordering her meal. She hesitated a moment before she spoke again, making me wonder what she wanted to say. “Tell me something you haven’t ever told anyone else.”
My heart jolted. I couldn’t think of anything I hadn’t told her, aside from the fact that I was a Ranger…. I grimaced once it hit me. She must never know. With a sigh, I reached across the table and grabbed her hand. The silence surrounding us unnerved me. It was unbearably quiet… the band had halted their winsome music and even the people hushed.
“Perhaps it would be all right for you to know…” I fiddled with her palm, trying to make sense of why I was even telling her. “My father, he is—or was—a Noble. So was my mother. She never talked much about it… of him. I can’t even remember his name.”
“Oh?” she muttered, weaving her fingers between mine. “Why haven’t you told anyone this?”
“How do you think the Hierarchy would receive it?” I asked, finally looking at her in the eyes. “If the Hierarchy knew I was once a Noble and my father hated me so much he… he discarded both me and my mother… what would they do?”
Zahra’s eyes softened as a crease formed between her brows. “You’re correct. They would shame you even more than they do now.” She squeezed my hand gently, looking around the room, “They have no right to…”
I smiled, then turned my attention to the band who stood on the small stage playing their various instruments. The songs turned into a smooth, late night dance, which drew me into the calming melody.
“Shame isn’t it?” Zahra asked, looking at the band with me. “So much talent, and they are left under the title: commoner.”
“I don’t think it’s a shame.” I gestured to the man who played the trumpet, smooth and slow. The sway of his body and the upturn in his brow, along with the focused look in his half-closed eyes made one thing clear. “This, playing in this place? It’s their passion. They don’t care, title or not, because they are allowed to keep doing what they love.”
Zahra kept her eyes focused on the band, and, after a moment, smiled. “Is this how it is?”
“How what is?”
“Doing what you love. Following a passion,” Zahra muttered, looking at me with shining eyes, “and not caring what people think about you?”
“I suppose so.” I pointed my chin to the people on the dance floor as they slowly swayed to the lilting melody. “Many people don’t get that chance, to follow their dreams, but, some are brave enough, or perhaps foolish enough, to do so. Those are the ones who shape our future.” Guilt shot through me. Is being with the Rangers something I love? Something I want to do for the rest of my life?
Zahra smiled and sighed. “Perhaps one day I can do that. I tire of what I do…”
“What would you do then?” I leaned closer to her, intrigued.
“My true passion is gardening… and the study of plants and flowers. I once visited Baron Isa-Daiyu’s residence on Fiermont. He’s a family friend.” She paused, seeing my brows raise. “Yes, we have Fiermontian friends. Don’t look so shocked…”
“I’m not too shocked… knowing you yourself are part Fiermontian.”
Zahra smiled, drawing idle circles in the rest of her chair. “Isa-Daiyu, he showed me his garden then showed me the laboratory. What he did with the plants! Oh, Apollo! You should have seen the things he could do! The medical advancements that would come just from analyzing the herbs…”
There was a light that had sparked up in her eyes, making them appear as green as a newly sprouted leaf in spring. “You’d give up your position as a Countess for that?”
“In a heartbeat.” She laughed, looking up at the waiter who brought
our drinks. He nodded respectfully and handed us both our tea. “What about you, Apollo? Would you leave your job as an Archivist if it meant you could pursue your passion?”
I smiled and stirred my tea. “In a heartbeat.”
___
We snuck back to Winsdale, fully energized, yet, worn out at the same time. I found sneaking over the nearly ten foot tall wall on the side of the house was more trouble than I initially expected.
“You can’t hope to climb that!” Zahra covered her mouth, trying to stifle her voice.
“Well, there’s no other way in, is there?” I stared at her.
“No… Not unless we wish to be caught. I didn’t expect someone to lock the gate!”
“Neither did I.” Taking in a deep breath I grabbed hold of the bricking.
“We need to be careful, Azu may call the local patrol on you if he sees us sneaking in.”
“That’s motivation enough!” I laughed. With another reassured breath in, I jumped and climbed over the wall. “You ready?” I asked, stripping off my frock and tossing it on the other side.
“I suppose so.” Zahra gave me an unassured grin as I took her hand so I could help her up. With one hand firmly gripping the edge of the wall, and the other holding onto Zahra’s hand, I pulled her up. She helped me along, or she was extremely light, since the weight I assumed to meet me was half. I put too much force into helping her up and inadvertently toppled. We both fell, her atop of me, into the garden.
“Are you all right?” I groaned.
“Are you all right? I’m fine… you broke my fall.” She helped me up, pressing her hand to my chest where she had elbowed me.
“I’m all right…”
“Are you sure?”
I went to assure her again, though, when I gazed into her eyes, something else took over me. I placed my hand over hers, moving it over my heart. “This hurts…”
She pressed her lips tight together. The muscles in her jaw tightened as she tried to not speak, which failed. “You…” she whispered, filling the space between us. “You are just—”
A loud, echoing cough came from the other side of the garden. Our heads jerked toward the noise. Through the hedge I caught sight of Azu as he walked from the manor and sat on the bench with a book in his hand. I cursed below my breath, pressing Zahra up against my body.
Azu’s head turned, his eyes darting to our hiding spot. His military training still spun in his system. He snapped to his feet and searched. Heat rose on my back and chest; a nervousness puttered in my heart. Every step Azu took, the harder my heart beat. I thought for sure he could hear it. Perhaps he heard my labored breathing, or the crunch of the leaf below my left foot.
For Welkinia sake, Apollo. You are a Ranger! This shouldn’t bother you! I reprimanded myself, though, it didn’t do much good. He was mere feet away, closing the distance between us. I closed my eyes, preparing to take the worst.
“Master Rowe!” Madame Beth screeched, causing the hand of the old warrior to withdraw from the hedge. “I can’t find Zahra! And that seamstress isn’t helping! Help me search the house!”
“Madame Beth!” Azu yelled, exasperated, “You needn’t keep your rotten old eyes on her every waking second of the day.”
“Pardon me?”
“You heard me, old woman! Get!” Azu flung his hands as he stalked toward her.
We waited before moving. Zahra threw her arms around me, laughing. “Thank you for being risky.”
My heart thrummed in my chest. “You’re welcome.”
N I N E T E E N
ZAHRA RECEIVED AN INVITATION to visit her ailing uncle at Isangal. When she informed I was to come along, I wondered how that had come about.
The snow-covered peaks of Gyzarre mountain rose into view, and I saw the Veil of Isangal appear before us. The boiling water from the Gyzarre lake poured down the sides of the mountain, dropping into the pools outside of Isangal’s palace walls. We approached the barrier, awestruck by the measures they took to secure the gates. It made sense… Isangal was the place where the coinage of Welkinia was minted. Once our sleigh came to a stop, Zahra produced a document to the guard nearest. After several questions, and a search of our persons, they admitted us into Isangal.
The gates opened, and my breath caught. It seemed I stepped into another realm. Gardens covered with glittering ice and snow spread before us. A walkway of pure white marble glistened below our feet, clinking slightly from the heels of our shoes. Flowers bloomed, appearing like sheets of ice curled into roses. White hydrangea, as bright and glowing as stars, twined themselves between the latticework of the archways.
Trees of solid black bark reached limbs, wreathed with pale blue flowers, upward toward the sky. In the center of the grounds, surrounded by ethereal pink bushes, a fountain flowed. The figurehead was a Luxterrian goddess, Silva. Sentinel of creatures. In her arms she held a small wolf pup, signifying the strength of Arclend. Water trickled down the stone image, and steam wafted upward toward the sky. It was then, looking at the splendor of the grounds, I was certain the Count of Isangal was Zahra’s uncle.
“It’s beautiful, is it not?” Zahra smiled at me.
Nora giggled, as giddy as a child. “There are several more places very much like this one,” she said.
“What are they?”
“They are rumored to be places built by the gods.” Zahra looked at me. “There are six total. One on each island.”
“What are their names?” I ventured further, curious.
“There is the Lunar Castle, the City of Autumnfall, the Solar Palace, the Nebula court, Isangal, and the City of Firelight.”
“I’ve only heard of a few of these places,” I said. “But, not the others…”
“It’s not surprising,” Zahra chirped, running her finger across the cold marble. “Autumnfall and Isangal are the only ones which can be found.”
“What do you mean?”
Nora tugged at Zahra’s sleeve, as if to try and get her to quiet.
“The other four are direct connections to Mysia,” Zahra said, pulling her arm away from Nora. “It is said to be the home of the Sentinels… realm of the gods.”
“Welcome to Isangal!”
I looked up to see the friendly smile of Gaillard. It surprised me, seeing him here. It wasn’t till I went to ask did I recall what he mentioned during the Feast of Nox. He must have come by the summon of the Count.
“Fancy seeing you here, Mr. Faithe.” The way he spoke… I realized it wasn’t Zahra who wished me to come. It was by the request of Gaillard that I stood within the walls of Isangal. “Come, there is much I wish to ask you, for questions pervaded themselves upon my mind.”
He grabbed my arm, bowing to Zahra and making a face at Nora. A face I assumed only siblings made at each other. There was no chance to argue with him before he pulled me away from my companions. He guided me down the white halls of Isangal, weaving through archways that looked to have been made of snowflakes. Golden flowers and the figures of winged men protruded from the capital of the pillars which lined the halls. The floors, made of unbreakable pale-blue mirrors, reflected every ray of light which pierced the mountain veil. As we approached the stairwell in an open room, Gaillard turned his head and examined me.
“In the silence of these halls I pondered your origin. I heard of what you did to Masters back at Winsdale. That wasn’t the action of a simple Archivist. That was the instinct of a warrior.” Gaillard grinned and pat my shoulder. “I have put much thought into this. And, after what Nora had told me, I am certain of one thing which has put my mind at ease.”
I raised my brow, curious what he would say.
“You’re a man of conviction. The disparity of corrupt and innocence is heavily weighed upon you. You distinguished the lines, and therefore, acted accordingly.”
I laughed. How wrong he is…
“Am I mistaken in thinking so?” Gaillard questioned upon noticing my flippant attitude toward his profound statement.
> “I believe so. I am not a good man, Gaillard.” I held out my hands, looking down at them with disdain. “I was a soldier… With these two hands I… I took many lives. Most of those were nameless. I didn’t know who I was killing, or for what purpose. It sickens me to think I did that—willingly did that—but, it doesn’t change the fact I have. I am not a good man.” Not all lies. Not all truth either.
Gaillard scowled, “What you told me changes nothing.”
My mind grew hazy… How could my immediate denial of being a good man have furthered his belief that I am?
“The remorse you feel for your sins, the anger toward yourself, that is not the mark of a wicked man, but a repentant one.”
I frowned, not fully grasping what he was saying. I didn’t need to question him, for he began to explain.
“When I was young, my mother left with Nora to work at Winsdale so she would send back money. We were very destitute after my father’s accident which had left him unable to work. Still, with all the mouths there were to feed, my mother’s pension was not enough. I left home to work in the coal mines on Fiermont while Father kept watch over the two youngest.” Gaillard walked up the stairs and I followed.
“During my time in the mines I worked with the doctor to assure all the men were as healthy as they could be. He took to me as if I were his blood, so he taught me all he knew. After studying under him for a year at the mines, he offered to bring me to his master to study. I was honored he wished to do that. Yet, if I stopped working, the money my family desperately needed would cease to flow. So, I declined his offer.” Gaillard grinned, settling down on a seat on an open balcony. “He insisted I come, and that whatever I earned while working in the mines he would continue to provide. I couldn’t refuse such an offer, so I accepted. I trained under Malcolm Regent, one of the most skilled and gifted doctors in all of Welkinia. I was fifteen, and that was fifteen years ago.”
My eyes grew wide. “How long did you study under Regent?”
