City of Illusions

by Kim ten Tusscher

  “I lived with my parents at the edge of Arminath, in a house among the trees. When the war approached, we were told to go to the city center for our protection. My father quickly threw some things together, and my mother told me to hurry. I began to realize just how serious the whole thing was, so I struggled to keep up with them. My father picked me up to carry me.

  “We didn’t get very far. Men were screaming behind us, and I looked over my father’s shoulder, terrified. My parents exchanged a knowing look, and my mother took me in her arms and hid me in the bushes. I held onto her and refused to let go. She kept telling me to stay hidden until everything was safe, no matter what happened. I was shaking when I nodded, but still my fists clutched at her dress, so she tore herself loose from me. That was the exact moment I knew that she would give her life for mine. Can you understand that?

  “My parents made that decision without even discussing it. If we ran, we would be killed, all three of us. I wasn’t fast enough to escape our enemies. I am convinced that they knew they were going to die, but they accepted it, because it meant that I would live.

  “They hurried on, leaving me in the bushes, but the men quickly gained on them. One of them grabbed my mother’s arm and turned her around. She screamed and screamed in an effort to drown out my own cries. All that time, she looked at me with begging eyes to stay put, but oh, how hard it was.

  “I wanted to run out of the bushes and help them, and to this day I wonder if I should have. But, somehow, I knew that there was only one possible outcome. If I did try to help them, I would be killed, too. What could one nine year-old do against a group like that?”

  Elion’s voice faltered for a moment, but he went on anyway.

  “When my mother’s throat was cut she stopped screaming, and so did I. Our eyes had been locked to the last moment, and her love for me blossomed in her eyes one last time, just before her last breath. My father met the same fate. I stayed where I was, totally numb, trying to shut out the overwhelming grief that was washing over me. I’ve never quite been successful at it, even to the present day. I don’t know how long I lay there, but it was dark by the time I dared come out to continue on my way.”

  Heavy tears made their way down his cheeks. Lumea was crying, too. She wanted to wipe away his tears, but he turned his head away. He felt uncomfortable crying in her presence.

  “It’s okay... Elion, it’s okay,” Lumea whispered.

  He didn’t answer, and lay back down. He didn’t want her to touch him. Lumea rubbed her hands over her own cheeks, angry at him for being so hard on himself.

  She didn’t want to think too much about it though, so she focused her attention on the building and kept a constant watch. That was how she discovered that there was a second entrance. She watched a man walk towards one side of the building, and a short time later he disappeared, almost as if he had been swallowed up by the ground. After he was gone, nothing happened for the longest time, until more men came out. They were talking loud enough for her to make out bits of their conversation, and while she overheard that the three of them were expected, she could not determine how many of the Swintheri were guarding the building.

  When night fell, she woke Elion. He looked much better, well rested, though his eyes were still swollen and red. Lumea almost said something, but thought better of it and instead turned around to wake Siard. The young man was indignant that they had let him sleep for so long.

  During breakfast, Lumea explained what she had overheard. Since Siard was the better sneak they agreed that he would go and take a closer look at the building. After he left they lost sight of him within moments, even though they knew he was out there. On every corner of the building, bright lamps drove away the darkness, though just outside their reach the shadows seemed that much more impenetrable and deep by contrast, covering Siard as he sneaked toward the building. For Luma and Elion, it was comforting knowing that the Hosts’ troops could not see him.

  Elion asked in a soft voice: “What’s Lunadeiron like?”

  The question elicited an immediate smile from Lumea. “Ah... Lunadeiron. It’s a beautiful country, nestled in a valley between the Velvet Rocks and the Dragon Mountains. Nature there is wild, untamed. The gnarled trees reach deep down with their roots, and the bushes have vicious thorns, but on them grow the most beautiful flowers you’ve ever seen. Rapid rivers hack their way through the mountains and fall down in clattering waterfalls before continuing their journey through the valley.

  “Here and there nature forms bridges over them, often they’re the only possible way to cross. The waters flow too quickly to swim, or even row across. Narrow paths bend upward between the steep cliffs where no plant grows, except for dozens of mosses, giving the Velvet Rocks their names.

  “The Dragon Mountains are full of caves and grottoes, and rumors of mythical creatures living there abound. Every year many people disappear in those mountains.

  “The contrast between this wild nature and the fragile buildings of my people is stark. The villages are small, but the houses are built with high, soaring towers. I love the contrast. I used to go out into the mountains in the morning. When you look out over the valley, you can just see the towers reaching out over the trees. It’s so beautiful to behold, especially when there’s still a bit of morning mist. The sun casts its early light on the colorful mosaics that make up the rooftops, while birds sing to their heart’s delight.”

  Lumea’s voice was happy as she described her country. Her eyes stared off into space.

  “Your people... they sound very special.”

  Lumea looked at Elion for a moment without understanding his words. She had not considered her people in that light for a long time. Of course, she had noticed that the Omnesians were different, but in her own country, too, people were forgetting the old traditions, and many held themselves in esteem above the natural world.

  Elion continued, “Not everyone knows how to take away dreams. My people did, once, but with the deaths of so many, the knowledge has since been lost. You have a great respect for nature. Did your parents teach you this, or are you the only one of your people to live life this way?”

  Lumea realized that Elion must have seen her prayer back at the willow.

  “My love for nature comes from my grandmother. She taught me many things, but my parents also had more faith in nature than most in our village. That’s why my brothers and I were brought up within the safety of our house. They taught us the old values and traditions. But outside of our house, much of our culture has disappeared.” Elion heard the regret in her voice.

  “It sounds to me as though your house is one of the last safe places in the world, where the old values are kept alive, a kind of place I was looking for before I returned to Omnesia. Why did you leave?”

  “Perhaps you’re right. Now that I’m here, I realize that Lunadeiron is a unique place. It’s a very large part of me. The old Lunadeiron, that is, the one my grandmother knew, not the one I grew up in. For a long time, we had only ourselves. But with the coming of the airships, new ideas began to enter our lives. The new ideas were easier to live by, and many of the young people adopted them. They stopped respecting nature, because they began to believe that it couldn’t defend itself. They don’t even listen to the elders any more, so there is nobody to stop them.

  “Possessions have become far too important lately. Animals are killed for the thrill of the chase and their coats worn as trophies. Their deaths serve no other purpose. Sometimes their meat is traded with crews from the ships for trinkets, beads and mirrors. My generation murdered its own brothers.” The tone of her voice was bitter.

  Lumea continued, “My family saw this change earlier than I did, but since going away I have grown to realize it more and more. Only now I remember—and more importantly, understand—my grandmother’s words. My parents kept me inside the house, they gave me old scrolls to read. They were boring, of course, and I blamed my mother especially for taking away my freedom. I heard my broth
ers’ stories, and I wanted the same things.

  “I was angry with my parents for not trusting me to make my own decisions, and I still haven’t quite forgiven them for that. They held on too tight to old ways that I didn’t feel comfortable with. If I would have stayed, I would have never been able to lead the life I wanted to.”

  Lumea remembered all the times she had cursed her parents for the way they had raised her. Since arriving in Omnesia, she had begun to appreciate her home country more and more. Most of all, she realized, she was happy that she could fall back on her upbringing. Ever since they had started running from the Hosts, she had lived according to her parents’ values and her grandmother’s teachings. It had kept her standing during the darker moments. Only a little while ago she would not have believed it possible to think like that, but there it was. She looked at Elion and smiled.

  “They let you go in the end, though,” Elion said.

  “Yes, and it brought me much pain and trouble. We argued about it endlessly. I don’t think my mother ever really agreed that it was a good idea, but my father knew that he could not keep me from going, so he decided to let me leave with their blessing rather than without it. He even wanted to send someone with me, as a guide and protector, but I was annoyed that he thought I could not take care of myself. I realize now how much I hurt them by leaving, but there’s not much I can do about it.”

  “So how did you get your tattoo?” Elion asked, changing the subject.

  Lumea’s right hand unconsciously touched her cheek, and her eyes shone with pride. “I earned it with my Ankéabi.” The elf looked at her, though he did not ask.

  She continued, “It’s a rite of passage, which you go through the moment you are ready to enter adulthood. A Council of Wise Women, the Kunci, decides when the time has come. They come and take you to a place deep in the mountains. Only they know where this place is, as you are taken there blindfolded. It is a simple temple built on one of the highest mountains. Really, it’s just a columnated roof with a bell. They leave you there without food, and with only a minimum amount of water. You sit in the temple and can look in any direction you want.

  “The duration of each Ankéabi varies. From the moment the Kunci leave you, you are at the mercy of the gods, who send you a message, a vision. When it is over, you ring the bell, and that is the signal for the Kunci to return and get you. You are brought down to the village, only this time you’re not blindfolded, but rather wrapped up in black cloth and carried by the Kunci, which represents your death. They take you to their monastery, where you tell them about your vision from the gods, and they interpret its meaning for you. During the ceremony that follows they give you a tattoo, so that you always carry your vision with you.

  “Finally, they give you a new name, dress you in white and take you outside. The feast that follows celebrates your rebirth.”

  Elion was impressed. He said, “That is a very special tradition. Your tattoo must mean a lot to you, and you wear it with such pride. What did you see? But no, you probably can’t tell me that.” His face turned red, though Lumea did not see it.

  “No, you’re right, it’s not usual to share your vision with someone else. You’re also right that I’m very proud of my tattoo. My Ankéabi was far from easy, and it earned me the name Lumea Ouinwred, which means ‘Bringer of Peace Among the People’.”

  “Thank you for telling me. It’s a beautiful name. It suits you.”

  Lumea looked pleased, but her voice was earnest when she continued, “Unfortunately, few people actually undergo the ritual these days. The older generations all have the Ankéabi tattoo, but my own generation feels fear gnawing in its heart. The roots of our faith don’t grow deep enough any more. Many of the younger people ignore the Kunci when they come to get them, hoping that the call of the gods will pass them by. Most of them do get a tattoo, but they do it out of vanity and isn’t holy. The inks that are used are different, thankfully, so the difference is quite clear. The light of sun and moon is only reflected in the tattoos created by the Wise Women.”

  The rest of the night was spent in silence as they anxiously awaited Siard’s return. They kept their weapons at the ready in case of trouble, though they tried not to think about the possibility of violence. They heard people talking every once in a while as they came outside in spite of the late hour. Then suddenly, as if appearing from out of nowhere, Siard was standing beside them. He looked pleased by the things he had discovered.

  “Ward is in charge of the people here. They are, in fact, expecting us, but they’ve been ready for some days already and the soldiers think that we’re not going to show up. They’re getting careless. Ward doesn’t know that they’re using the side exit to get a breath of fresh air. He’d be furious if he did, because he’s afraid that they’ll give themselves away.”

  Elion laughed. “I don’t blame him!” he joked.

  Siard laughed, too, then said, “The side entrance is opened with a code. I don’t expect anyone to be guarding that entrance because Ward assumes nobody is using it. They’re working in shifts, with many people guarding the place both day and night.”

  They decided to try and enter the building the next night, so that the darkness would afford them some cover while they sneaked closer. Until then, they decided that they would rest. Siard would not stand guard, as he was tired from sneaking around. During the approach to the building, his would be the hardest task of the three. In order to ensure that they remained undetected for as long as possible, he would be responsible for wiping away their tracks. Siard agreed under muttered protest, though secretly he was glad that he would be able to get some sleep.

  Elion did not tell him about his nightmares, or his fear that they would return. Lumea would take them away privately, which was something that Siard could not do. For Elion, it was a comfort knowing that she would be the one standing guard while he slept.

  14

  The sky was blue and cloudless that day. While her two companions slept, Lumea watched the building and the men going to and fro. The knowledge that she was close enough to the enemy to see them felt strange to her, for it meant that the Swintheri could also see her, provided that they paid close enough attention. Luckily, they were too busy to notice.

  Suddenly one soldier looked in her direction. Lumea quickly looked down and dived to the ground. Had he felt someone staring at him? She carefully rose up and looked between the frozen leaves of the bush in which she hid. With a relieved sigh, she noticed that he was no longer there. She hoped that he had gone back inside, together with the other soldiers.

  Just then, she heard the snapping of a twig. He had gone toward the trees instead, he was somewhere to her left, mere feet away from their hiding place!

  Lumea’s brain worked at top speed. What could she do? Wake up the others? She dismissed the idea quickly; Elion and Siard were too far away and she did not want to lose sight of the soldier. Besides, he was too close, and if she moved, he would certainly see her. Her muscles tensed as the man took another few steps in her direction. Her sword was drawn and ready, but just as she was about to attack the solider, his friends, appearing from the side of the building, called out to him.

  “What’s the matter? Saw the enemy?” they teased. “Or did you see a wee wittle wabbit?”

  The man laughed along with them and turned back toward the building, though he kept looking back over his shoulder as he went.

  After they had disappeared into the building, Lumea allowed herself to fall sideways. She began to shake now that her muscles could relax. That had been a very close call! She knew that they had almost been discovered, and she was deeply grateful to the other Swintheri for distracting the man. She silently moved to another place to keep an even better eye on the building. She half-expected the soldier to convince some of his friends to come out and search the edge of the forest, causing her heart to pound nervously. Lumea waited for that moment, but no more soldiers came out of the building.

  The evening sky was
as clear and cloudless as the day had been, and Lumea could see the glimmer of stars and the full moon. As it often did, the moon gave her the courage she needed, but it not only shined upon her soul, it also lit up the world around her to a silvery sheen, reflecting off the snow. With that kind of light, the three intruders would be spotted with ease.

  Lumea spoke a quick prayer. Within moments, dark clouds covered the light of the moon, and with a proud smile on her face she ended her prayer. Again she remembered her grandmother’s words. The old lady had been proven right once more. “Remember, Lumea, if you trust in nature, it will help you, no matter where you are.” She stood up and woke Elion and Siard.

  After a quick breakfast, Lumea Elion and Siard started across the snowy glade. The men were terrified that the clouds would break and reveal the moon, and despite Lumea’s assurances that they would not, Siard was obviously uncomfortable during the time they were exposed.

  The utter darkness hid them effectively, and they slowly approached the building. Lumea carefully put one foot in front of the other. She tried to do what Siard had explained, feeling with one foot for a twig, and if she felt one she quickly turned her foot aside. She could not entirely avoid the twigs, though, and as they snapped in two they sounded like a thunderbolt. Every time it happened, the three of them would stand stark still for a few moments, wondering if someone had heard them and if they would come to investigate.

  After a while, they reached a stretch of snow with fewer twigs, so it was easier to move. Just before Elion entered the circle of light, he lay down on the ground and crawled forward, and Lumea followed him. Siard came last, erasing their tracks as he went to make sure nobody would know they had been there.

  When they reached the side entrance, Siard spoke the code that he had overheard. The ground disappeared in front of them, revealing a staircase. They went inside and the opening closed above their heads without a sound. The entrance had not been open but for more than just a few moments. They descended the stairs until they reached a dark, empty room with a door. On the other side of it they could hear the sounds of footsteps and voices as some workers passed. Lumea looked around for a safe place to hide, but luckily the sounds died away again.