The Prince of Machines (The Last Mechanics)

by Holly Law

  Elisha felt a chill go through her at that revelation. She could only stare at the horrible being before her. She had heard stories of him her whole life. Horrible, nasty stories that made him seem nothing but evil. Stories of mass destruction. Of whole cities vanishing from the world at a mere twitch of his fingers. Of mountains erupting in flame simply so he could enjoy the display as villages burned around the outskirts. Of children being tortured for his very amusement. Of him singlehandedly murdering the Mechanics in the worst act of genocide the world had ever seen.

  Yet none of that made sense to her, and in that moment she felt torn. Everything she knew of him said the opposite. He had treated her with nothing but kindness. He had arranged a wonderful life for her when no one else cared. That was at odds with the stories. If he had truly killed the Mechanics, he wouldn’t have been helping her. Somewhere there must have been a horrible mistake, a misunderstanding. But she could not reconcile to the two sides in her mind. She couldn’t pretend to understand.

  “And as the Havalla are want to do on occasion, I have decided to show off. And it will not be a display of power you will soon forget.” The Prince gave her a quick, amused smiled and then launched himself over the railing of the balcony. Elisha gasped as he jumped, as did others. She stood, frightened for him, but realized quickly how foolish she had been.

  The Prince landed on air as though it were solid ground. All gasped at the sight. He was well above the ground, and it spoke clearly of his identity. All knew the stories of the Havalla walking through air at a whim. It was one of their more amazing feats. The Prince calmly walked forward, his hands clasped behind his back, as they so often were when they had walked together in the hallways of his palace, the perfect image of calm and peace.

  Then he held out his hand. At first, Elisha could not see what caused other’s to gasp, but then she saw the blue flickering lights dancing from fingertip to fingertip. He tossed the light in the air, and Elisha saw it for what it truly was, lightning. It created a fountain in the air that leapt to the ground. Snakes of lightning raced across the surface and people on the edges of the crowd were terrified.

  But then the lightning turned and began to create complex patterns on the ground, crossing paths again and again. Then some of the lightning changed color, making it all the more of a show. The lightning started creating patterns in the air as well, like a beautiful fountain that kept changing. And all the while, the Prince paced above the display calmly. His face was serene, but slightly amused.

  Abruptly, he clapped his hands and the sound was like thunder. The lightning vanished, and Elisha shut her eyes several times trying to get them accustomed to the change in light. The Prince still stood above the crowd. His face calm, as he waited for everyone. Slowly applause started, and Elisha joined in. Then he gestured them to silence.

  “And my final display,” the Prince said, and his voice carried easily to every person in the crowd. “I know this tends to fascinate humans, and I will not deprive you of the sight.” A moment later, a sword of light appeared in his hand. “But I will not show you this alone. I will call on the aid of another Havalla in the city.”

  Elisha felt a chill go through her at that pronouncement. One Havalla was bad enough, but two was like the worst legends come true. She could only watch as the second Havalla walked forward from the crowd and into the air like one slowly climbing a staircase. Elisha put a hand to her mouth as she recognized Lenora approaching the Prince in the air, her face coolly aloof. She felt tears come to her eyes as she realized the horrible deception that had taken place around her. She wished she had listened to her brother.

  A glowing sword appeared in Lenora’s hand as well. Lenora saluted him and curtsied at the same time, showing deference to the Prince whom she served. The display that followed was amazing, and Elisha could only watch breathless. Every stroke they made was as fast as the snaking lightning. They twisted and turned in the air, making the acrobats they had seen earlier seem nothing more than amateurs. Every stroke and thrust of the blade was deflected. The display of swordsmanship took place on all different levels of the air, each strike ringing in the air more than steel ever could.

  Elisha barely saw it, but the Prince made a quick gesture and Lenora froze in mid swing. An instant later, Lenora was kneeling before him, her head lowered respectfully. The Prince smiled, pleased at the display, and his face was still calm. He spoke to Lenora briefly and then turned back to the balcony. He began to walk back to his seat as the crowd cheered wildly. Elisha sat in her chair consciously aware of the fact that she was trembling.

  He smiled at her, and it was the same smile he always had for her. “Relax, Elisha, are we not friends enough that you know I will not harm you?” the Prince asked her. His tone was teasing. He gently took her hand and kissed it. She was all the more aware of her trembling as he made that gesture. He looked all the more amused. But that amusement faded as he turned once more to face the city. Clearly, he was not done addressing them.

  “I do have something most unfortunate to inform you of,” the Prince told the city calmly. “I came here in part to negotiate with your mayor, seeking to add the city of Sumvale to my domain. The mayor refused to cooperate, and as such, I am forced down a most regrettable course. I am not one to cross, as I am sure many of you have heard repeatedly throughout your lives. When that unfortunate occurrence does happen, the results are quite disastrous. This day you will face my wrath.”

  Elisha’s heart plummeted at those words. She heard some screams in the crowd and saw some trying to push their way out of the square and she presumed, out of the city. It simply could not be. Only a moment earlier, he had assured her that he would not harm her. She felt tears of fear come to her eyes.

  “You will not face my power directly,” the Prince told them calmly, as though explaining a punishment calmly to a child. “Ironically enough, I came here searching for an ancient machine referred to as the Shaker. I found it here buried beneath your city. This machine, which was with you for so long, will be the means for your end. Any of you unfortunate enough to survive will be killed by soldiers. Then I will return this landscape to its previous glory, eliminating every possible remnant of this pathetic eyesore of a city.”

  The Prince sat down calmly and sipped his wine. “I am glad of your choice to serve me, Elisha,” the Prince said conversationally. “It would have been a pity for you to be down there with the rest of them.” Then the shaking started. It began so softly Elisha barely saw its effects, just a faint swaying in the fountain in the square. Then she could see it. It was like ripples of water coming from the town hall, only it was the land moving in that unnatural way. It was like waves that could not be stopped. When they hit buildings, they lurched. She could hear the cracking of stone and the screams of the people of Sumvale trying to escape the inevitable destruction.

  But the ground beneath Elisha did not move. It was perfectly still, giving her a surreal look at the city as the buildings started to crumble. She watched as the ancient tower on the town hall slid from its base and crashed into the square, crushing all those caught beneath it. In seconds, the destruction was beyond belief, and yet still the ripples came and stronger than before.

  “Please,” Elisha begged the Prince, unconsciously grasping his hand “stop this. Please, they…”

  “Shh,” the Prince told her calmly, as though shushing a child that was overreacting. “It is necessary, and as I said before you are safe. Do not let it trouble you.”

  “Corpal, those people didn’t do anything!”

  “They stood in my way. That was enough. But why does it bother you, Elisha?” the Prince asked her, taking another sip of his wine. “This city never showed you any kindness. Indeed, they would have been happier had you never existed. You find no pleasure in knowing those who tormented you most of your life are no more? That disgusting orphanage you grew up in is no more, and no one will ever suffer inside its walls again.”

  “But…”Elisha tried again,
and her voice hiccupped. The Prince looked at her, and there was pity in his calm face. Elisha didn’t know how he could be so calm as so many died. She didn’t know how he could just sit there and sip his wine.

  “If this bothers you, then go inside,” Corpal told her. “I had room prepared for you already. We will not be leaving until tomorrow morning at earliest. You can go inside and relax.” He reached out and touched her face. He stroked her cheek with his fingertips soothingly. He meant to calm her, but he terrified her all the more. “And tomorrow morning when you awake, it will be like this city never existed. You will see nothing to mourn. We will be in Melink before the week is out, and you may start your life anew. I assure you, you will have ample opportunity to practice your craft. I have many machines for you to fix.”

  “And will any of these machines be responsible for things like this?” Elisha asked, feeling nauseous.

  “Of course there will be some,” the Prince told her conversationally. “But I have machines of every use and purpose to be fixed. Some you will find truly fascinating. Machines like a bigger form of that engine you found just waiting for you.”

  Elisha knew she must have been deathly pale. In that moment she understood why he wanted her ability. It wasn’t because he treasured machines or found them fascinating. It was because they were a weapon to him. They were a means of destruction and of dealing with those he found inconvenient. Her brother had been right.

  “I won’t make or repair machines that lead to people being killed,” Elisha told him, tears coming to her eyes.

  “You will repair what you are given to repair. Make what you will, but I have machines only you can repair. Some of the machines I have use for, are destructive. You will fix them.”

  “No, I won’t. I…” Elisha began, horrified.

  “Elisha,” the Prince cut her off calmly. His eyes regarded her calmly, but there was something different there, something weighing, “if you choose not to serve me, you will leave me with no choice but to kill you. I cannot leave a mechanic alive who does not serve me. Surely you know that? Your dread of a few simple machines cannot be worth your life. You will be well compensated for your anguish.”

  Elisha realized how horrible her choice truly had been. She had not been choosing whether to serve him or not. She had been choosing whether she would live or die. And yet again the choice was before her. It was a terrible choice, and yet the answer was plain to her. She could not be part of a destruction that was so great. As she looked out at the city, the shaking slowed.

  “I will not repair machines that will cause anything like this. I won’t be responsible for people dying.”

  “Then you refuse to serve me?” the Prince asked her.

  “I do,” Elisha said, knowing it would be the last thing she ever said. She was frightened of her fate, but knew it could be no other way. She could only ponder how he would kill her. His display had been so terrifying and his power so real.

  “Pity. I had grown rather fond of you, but this is your choice,” the Prince said calmly, almost dispassionately. “Kill her.” The order was offhanded; Elisha’s eyes widened in shock as she realized it would be the guards and not himself who killed her.

  Elisha did not pause another moment. She did not wait for the soldiers to get to her. If they were going to kill her, she would not make it easy for them. She was up from her seat in an instant and fleeing down the stairs. Even as she turned the corner, she felt a sword slice her side. She gave a soft scream, but kept running, her hand clutching her bleeding side.

  Chapter 22

  Eldwin could not stop his body from shaking even once the shock waves stopped. He felt like he had been on top of a stormy ocean that would never stop. Yet it had stopped, and as he glanced around from where he laid, the destruction was surreal. Buildings that had stood for hundreds of years had toppled to the ground. They were nothing but rubble and ruins that gave no hint to the city that had once stood there. It seemed impossible. Only a few minutes earlier everyone had been laughing and enjoying themselves. Now most of those in the square were dead.

  He was not the only one who lived. He saw others pulling themselves to their feet. Some had bloody gashes running down their heads. He could hear screams for help from those partially trapped under buildings. Carefully, he righted himself and cast a cautious glance towards the Prince as he regained his feet. The Prince was once more speaking with Elisha. Only Elisha was no longer calm and accepting towards him. Elisha was terrified and clearly pleading with him.

  What followed happened so fast Eldwin could scarcely believe it. The Prince looked away from Elisha, and the soldiers on the balcony moved towards his sister. Elisha looked terrified but resolute. She bolted from her seat and to the stairs. Even from where he was, he could see the soldier’s sword slice her side just as she reached the first stair.

  Eldwin forced his feet in a run towards his sister, knowing she would need help. As he neared the gate, he saw the dancers still kneeling on the ground obediently. “Why didn’t you run when I told you?’ he heard Amalia weep from where she knelt.

  “Because I need to keep my sister safe,” Eldwin told her as he raced past. The soldiers clearly had not been given a warning of what was to happen and had been thrown to the ground. Elisha passed them clutching her side even as Eldwin approached her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she looked relieved to see him. Eldwin wasted no time because he saw the guards pursuing her still.

  He scooped Elisha up in his arms and fled as fast as he could towards the rubble that had been the city. The guards continued to pursue him, but thankfully the Prince did not. Elisha wept in his arms as he ran. “I’m so sorry,” she wept in his ear.

  “Not, now, Elisha,” Eldwin told her. “Apologize when we get to safety.”

  He was immensely thankful for all the months of hard labor he had put in. Back when the Prince had arrived, he would not have had the stamina to run so far carrying the weight of his sister. He tried to run down what had once been streets and found he could only climb over rubble of buildings. Thankfully, the soldiers had to climb as well.

  He dodged behind ruined walls and clumps of stone that were unrecognizable. As he passed, some people screamed for help. Most had been crushed and were beyond screaming. It seemed hopeless, but he had to continue. He had to get them both to safety. In desperation, Eldwin dropped into what had been the basement of a building in the split second he was out of sight of the guards.

  He quickly huddled against the far wall hoping they would not follow. He heard the commotion up above as they continued to run, oblivious to his hiding spot. He let out a sigh of relief and lowered Elisha to the ground. Elisha was very pale, and the bleeding had not stopped. Eldwin pulled off his shirt and pressed it against her wound.

  “I’m so sorry, Eldwin,” Elisha told him, her eyes closed tightly in pain. “You were right, I should have listened. He was a Havalla. You were right. It seemed impossible, but you were right. I’m so sorry. I’m…”

  “Don’t apologize,” Eldwin told her fiercely. “You had no way of knowing. They were always good to you. You had no reason to suspect them.”

  “But I…”

  “Save your strength,” he told her firmly. “You’re going to need it to pull through this.”

  Corpal paced in his room calmly waiting for word of the inevitable. Lenora sat in a chair. her face pale and tears just at the edge of her eyes. In all the years he had known Lenora, he had never seen her get to that point because of a human. Yet Corpal was truly no calmer inside. He had grown strangely attached to Elisha and had hoped she would have served him without question. The world would definitely be poorer without her in it, but it was necessary. He felt no regret for his decision.

  “Perhaps you should not stay, Lenora,” Corpal told her as he stopped to look out a window. “You will not like it when they bring her body. You spent so much time with her, spare yourself the heartbreak.”

  “I thank you for the offer, but I will remain.
I owe that to her,” Lenora said simply.

  “You owe her nothing.”

  “She had been a good friend. Out of friendship, I owe her much.”

  “As you will then.”

  They were silent for several more minutes and Corpal fought to keep the anxiousness he felt from his face. He wished it were done and over. The prolonged waiting was painful. “May I ask, my Prince, why did you not kill her yourself?” Lenora inquired. “It would have been quicker, cleaner. Are you so bitter towards the mechanics you would wish a painful end on one you had claimed friendship with?”

  “I hold no bitterness towards Elisha, and my decision had nothing to do with the mechanics,” Corpal told her and grimaced as he confessed the truth. “I did not have it in me to kill her myself. I did not wish her blood on my hands.”

  “Then you did care for the girl,” Lenora said, briefly a smile flashed on her lips before disappearing.

  “Even so,” Corpal confessed.

  “I knew you were capable of horrible, terrible things, my Prince, but I would have thought the murder of one you loved even beyond you.”

  “She agreed to serve me and then refused to fulfill her end. I was left with no choice. It is the way of things.”

  “I wish it were otherwise.”

  “As do I,” Corpal said softly, so softly Lenora could not have heard. He would think back on Elisha fondly, but he would be glad to distance himself from her memory. He would be glad to be free from Sumvale. It had brought him only pain.

  Then the door opened, and the soldiers walked in. They knelt down and lowered their heads. “Well?” Corpal asked them. “Where is she?”