Secrets of Silverwind

by Sanders, Richard L.

  “What is that? What the hell?”

  And then a blinding light a mile away, followed by the crashing thunder of a massive explosion. Caythis threw his arms up defensively, shielding himself from the brightness. His heart pounded.

  What had once been a building was blown into bits, fires erupted everywhere, choking the air with smoke.

  More screeching could be heard, and quickly two more explosions appeared. Destroying streets and buildings as they crashed down. Closer this time. Fires began dotting the borough. People were streaming out of buildings to see what was happening. Forming a collective, disorganized panic.

  “Get underground!” a military officer ordered through a megaphone. His men were hurrying to the scene and trying to contain the terrified mob. “Do not panic. I repeat, do NOT panic. Go to the nearest underground entrance and remain.”

  Caythis spun to see the members of the District scrambling to find Kira and Gavin. He felt his heart lurch and he ran to them. Wanting to keep Kira from danger. No matter what.

  An extremely loud explosion boomed nearby and a flash of light blinded him for a second. He was thrown to the ground, his arms scraped against the stone floor. He heard the skylight crash into a million pieces above, spraying down a rain of glass. The ground trembled and the garden became extremely hot.

  He climbed to his feet, brushing off as much glass as he could, and winced from the pain. The smoke made him cough too. He wished he had his helmet and armor.

  The pavilion was on fire and the roof was about to cave in. Half of the pillars had crumbled or were on the verge of collapse.

  “KIRA!” He yelled, sprinting into the palace. The building sustained a direct hit and the walls shook. The ceiling came down around him. He covered his head. Something smacked him hard. He collapsed. Everything became hazy. He rubbed his eyes, and crawled forward in the debris. Being close to the ground made it easier to breathe the smoke-saturated air at least.

  The door in front of him had been buried. He was trapped, except to go back the way he’d come. What had been a series of beautiful glass doors had been blown into dust that glittered orange in the firelight. He crawled back towards the outside, enduring the pain and coughing that tormented him.

  More explosions could be heard echoing in the distance. It looked like the whole city was on fire. Sirens screamed, they seemed to be coming from everywhere. He crawled forward... almost there… The air tasted a little cleaner.

  Dizziness overcame him. Blackness coated his vision. He tried to shake his feelings away. It was like falling into a bottomless pit, even though he could feel the ground firmly beneath him.

  With tremendous effort, he kept crawling forward into the courtyard. He had to keep going. Had to get underground. He got to his feet, barely able to keep his balance, and ran. The ground shook hard and he fell once more. The pain was incredible. He yelled.

  And then all of the aching vanished. And his stiff muscles relaxed.

  ***

  Caythis awoke, severely disoriented. It was daytime, but still dark. And hot. He rolled to his back and saw the sky full of dark smoky clouds that were slowly dissipating.

  “You all right? Hey there’s a man over here. I think he’s alive.”

  Caythis didn’t recognize the voice. He rubbed his eyes and felt every muscle in his body protest. He wheezed, trying to breathe. His body relaxed after a minute or two, but he was very sore.

  “Can you move? Are you in pain?”

  Caythis saw a woman standing over him. She was middle-aged, a bit overweight, and wore a black overcoat and helmet. Blue stripes on her jacket identified her as an emergency medical respondent.

  “I’m fine,” he said, getting to his hands and knees. She helped him stand.

  “You’re one of the lucky ones,” she said.

  Other than the coughing, the soreness, and several cuts and bruises, he felt all right. She checked him over, gave him bandages where needed, and moved on.

  He surveyed the scene. There will still corpses that hadn’t been pulled from the rubble and a great deal of people, significantly more injured than him, were crowded together near some medical vans. Either receiving treatment or being evacuated.

  The palace had been blown to dust, only part of its frame still stood. Everything seemed destroyed. What had once been a lavish city center was little more than ashes. In the distance, several fires were still burning.

  He followed a line of people to receive food and water rations. “Did those in the palace make it out all right?” he asked.

  “Some did, some didn’t,” the man handing out the water bottles said. “Word is the king isn’t doing well…”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. What about the others? I had friends in there.”

  “I think most everyone made it. Some better off than others. If you don’t see your friends then they’re probably in the Central Business Tower, a makeshift hospital’s been set up there. It wasn’t hit.”

  “Thank you.” He shuffled on. He finished his water and food ration then walked, somewhat painfully, to the Central Business Tower. Drinking in the carnage as he went. So much destruction. And for what? He felt wrathful. And afraid. Afraid that Kira hadn’t survived.

  The business headquarters was a tall, thin building. The inside was plush with brand new carpets and tastefully decorated walls. In the lobby, several makeshift beds had been arranged and patients were being treated. Others were just trying to sleep, most battling some degree of shock.

  He checked out several of the rooms—all similarly full of confused and sad people—before he found anyone from the District.

  Dr. Erikson was easiest to spot. As Caythis ran to him, he picked out Dr. Ferguson, Captain Grayson and, to his tremendous relief, Kira and Gavin from the crowd. Jaden was there too. Holding Kira’s hand. Comforting her. Seeing that connection between them was like having the wind knocked out of him and he slowed to a walk. Even though he knew he could never have Kira and that he was probably married to someone else—a vow he would never betray—he couldn’t help his feelings of jealousy toward Jaden. Did he really appreciate how much of a treasure Kira was?

  Dr. Erikson smiled as Caythis approached. “Captain Ceteris, you have a way of making a dramatic entrance just after everyone’s feared the worst. By god, I think you’re invincible.”

  Kira spotted him and a huge smile spread across her face. She broke free from Jaden and ran to him. Throwing her arms around him. He hugged her briefly and let go. She didn’t. Not for several more seconds.

  “I was so worried,” she said.

  “I was worried about you too,” he replied. Smiling back. It was a bittersweet smile, though. Feeling her close to him, seeing her smile, it only pricked his heart. Made closure that much more difficult. He tried to be cold and she eventually returned to Jaden’s side.

  “What kind of skytechnology hit us?” asked Caythis.

  “Rockets,” replied Dr. Erikson. “Long-range rockets from Citadel. I guess that answers the question I posed yesterday. Rigil means for us to fall. He fears Silverwind.”

  “How bad is it?”

  “Hard to say. Every borough was struck but none more heavily than Manors. Especially around the city center. The general feeling is that the damage to infrastructure isn’t as bad as it seems, but our war against the insurgents has flared up again. The king is severely injured, and half the government is dead.”

  “Will Silverwind fall?”

  “If the city’s left alone… no,” said Captain Grayson. There is enough of a military presence, and organized government, that it will be able to stabilize itself and eliminate the insurgent threat. However, if the city sustains another attack like last night… it’s all over.”

  “Do you think Rigil has more rockets?”

  “I hope that he stopped firing at us because he ran out, but there’s no way to know. Maybe he is holding back for now, waiting for us to submit to him or beg for his mercy,” said Dr. Erikson.

  “Doe
s that ruin our plans?” asked Caythis. “Will Silverwind have any forces to send against Rigil?”

  “Our plan has become more important than ever. I don’t know what can be spared,” said Dr. Erikson. “But, while Silverwind has fewer troops to commit to the attack, it has more motive than ever to launch it. Now it isn’t about liberating our unfortunate friends in Citadel, it’s a fight for our very survival.”

  “I understand what I must do,” said Caythis. “As soon as I dig my armor out of the rubble, I should leave.”

  His eyes met Kira’s. An outpour of mixed feelings filled him. He could tell she did not want him to go, and there was confusion too. She wondered why he was acting so strange and distant. If only he could explain.

  Instead, he turned and left. Went to recover his equipment and see to the logistics of his mission to Skyhaven.

  He looked around at the displaced citizens. Felt pity for them. And hate towards those who’d caused them so much harm. For a little while, he’d thought he’d wanted to be one of them. To have what they had. To settle down and start a family. Have children. But even those people weren’t safe anymore. So again he would enter the fray. Put his life in jeopardy to defend those who could not defend themselves.

  Everyone had their place, he realized. And that seemed to be his.

  18

  The rush of wind was chilly but it made him feel alive. He clutched the rubber handles of the jetbike as it zoomed forward, toward the dawn. A bright red spilled over the mountain, and he breathed in deeply the brisk morning air.

  The simple clothes and jacket were liberating compared to the enforcer armor which he’d chosen to pack in the saddlebags. The air brushed through his hair like cold fingers and he loved it. Couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so free. The bike hummed loudly beneath him, vibrating and bouncing over changes in terrain, and he could see thickets of trees and small green hills rush past him like a blur.

  He dared a glance behind, Emon followed close and Jaden was a bit farther back. The three had elected to go ahead, their aids and other Silverwind staff would show up a day later. This gave them the chance to scope out the scene in Skyhaven. And for Caythis to reacquaint himself with Miriam. Truthfully, now that he was on his way, he was anxious.

  A crackle in his ear stole his attention. He released his left hand and pressed a finger over the communication piece he wore.

  “About thirty more miles,” said Emon-Zed choppily. “And we’ll be able to see the city.”

  “Good to know,” replied Caythis. He maneuvered around some hazards and pushed the bike back onto a well-worn trail. Enough hovering vehicles had carved a relatively smooth path.

  An engine roared on his left and a moment later Jaden had caught up, matching Caythis’ speed, flying parallel.

  “Caythis,” he said.

  “What is it?”

  “I have to ask you what your intentions are with Kira.”

  Caythis didn’t say anything right away. A blend of conflicting, but powerful feelings swirled inside him. He bit his lip and pushed the bike low again. Not because he had to duck anything, but because the rush of the wind and the blowing dust, like smoke in his wake, distracted him from his own bitterness and confusion. He focused his thoughts, and after a few seconds, ascended the bike.

  “Did you hear me?”

  “Trust me,” said Caythis. “You don’t have anything to worry about there.” A sense of resolve poured over him as he said the words. It was bittersweet. He had already come to terms with the fact that he and Kira could never be together, but admitting that out loud was harder than he’d expected.

  “Good,” said Jaden.

  But you don’t own her, Caythis wanted to say. She isn’t yours. She’s free to choose. But he didn’t say any of that, instead he nodded to himself and pitched the bike farther away. Giving himself more distance from the other riders. He opened the throttle wide and pushed forward to the point position, feeling the roaring wind all around—exactly like his feelings inside. He focused solely on the path ahead.

  They didn’t speak again until the city of Skyhaven filled their view. They were first met with rural communities that stretched out for miles around the mountain’s base. Countless farms that somehow survived the cold weather hugged the land all the way up to the base of the mountain.

  They slowed as they began their ascent. It was a jagged trail carved precariously into the mountain. It led to the city’s main hub. Small levels of city appeared around them from time to time. Growing a bit denser the higher they went. Skyhaven was much smaller than Silverwind but its culture, especially its enforcer Academy, had influenced the entire world.

  They reached the hub, which was on an awesomely large plateau. Instead of shimmering skyscrapers and crowded highways, the design was rustic and spread out. The architecture was elegant, great vaulted rooftops over arched windows that curved to sharp points. It wasn’t an atmosphere choking with metal, glass, and concrete. It was about wood and stone. Deep mahogany, dark marble, and black granite. Everything felt reverent. Even archaic.

  At the plateau’s highest point, Caythis could see a bold, simple, black tower. It seemed to loom over everything. He knew it was less than half the height of the tallest structure in Silverwind, but here it seemed massive.

  The road took them to the edge of the plateau, which cut across the whole southeastern side. Several sharp drops tapered the edge of the mountain, making it perilous if they strayed too far. But, the closer they neared the edge, the more spectacular was their view of the world. It was, undoubtedly, the most majestic view Caythis had ever seen.

  He brought his bike to a full stop, landed it on the ground, and walked to the edge. He stared out into the sky. It was thick and full of white clouds in complete overcast. The rocky, distant land below seemed to stretch on forever. He understood how this quaint city earned its name. It felt safe here, and, with such an infinite view of the world's landscape, a person felt more like a god than a man. He breathed in the chilly mountain wind, and raised his hands high. Tiny flakes of snow were falling now, melting as they touched his skin. It was so surreal. He looked down on the great glass Silverwind river, so tiny from here, surging in the distance, shimmering in the light, charging for miles toward the glowing city of Silverwind. Even farther away was the never-ending black ocean, it carved along the continent and even past Skyhaven's lofty peak. Charging against the great rocks again and again, the tiny glitter of waves broke in the far distance. It was breathtaking.

  Only when Emon sounded very impatient did Caythis manage to tear his eyes away from the view and get back on his bike.

  They followed the edge of the city, and because jetbikes were illegal to take on the smaller roads, they parked on the outskirts and checked in their vehicles to a couple of enforcers on duty. It was almost strange to see enforcers busily at work serving the people, their intended purpose. If only Lucida hadn’t risen to power and warped Silverwind’s Combine, the city would be a much better place.

  They transferred their cargo to backpacks and headed out on foot, catching a bus that led to the center of the city. The bus slowed as it approached a group of kids who ran into the street from nowhere. They were yelling excitedly at each other, chasing a ball. So carefree and young, so innocent, and yet so stupid. Seeing them awakened some part of him—a young boy who'd never been allowed to be a child.

  The roads weren’t laid out very well, they were narrow and took any variety of angles, but the traffic was minimal and the beauty of the buildings surrounding them never grew tiresome. It didn’t feel like time passed here and, before he knew it, they were standing at the foot of the capitol.

  “This is where I split from you two,” said Caythis.

  “What do you mean?” asked Emon.

  “You’re here to represent Silverwind,” he pointed to Jaden. “And you’re here to represent the Silverwind Combine.” He pointed to Emon. “I don’t represent anyone. I’ll let you two handle the politics.”
<
br />   “I’m sure your presence will only help our argument,” said Emon.

  “Maybe. Maybe not. Frankly, I hate politics. And negotiations. So, if you are bent on convincing the queen of Skyhaven today to go along with any attack plan, that’s your problem. I have other business to take care of today.”

  “If you want to go. Then fine. Go,” said Jaden.

  “Sorry, friend. There is something more important on my mind. If you were in my situation, you’d understand,” said Caythis.

  Emon shrugged. “Go. Stay. I don’t care. Whatever.”

  They parted ways. Agreeing to meet back at this spot at the end of the day.

  19

  Caythis stepped out of the taxi and it drove away. Leaving him standing on the sidewalk, facing a simple, yellow cottage. Bright and optimistic, with a reasonably well-kept garden. No elaborate plants, just cropped grass and a few flowers. Nothing fancy whatsoever.

  In his hand was the page torn from the directory. It had been an old directory, so he didn’t feel bad ripping the page out of it. It gave him tangible proof that there was a Miriam Ceteris. And this was her address.

  He took a deep breath, adjusting the backpack so it hung on only one arm, and then walked to the door. Hoping with every step that it would scream out with familiarity. That a flood of memories would overwhelm him. But no such thing happened. He pressed the chime and waited, feeling more nervous with every second. Wondering what his wife’s reaction would be. What she would say. What she would look like.

  It turned out she looked nothing like he expected. A fifty-something man with a bushy moustache and gray hair opened the door. “Hello? Is there something wrong, enforcer?”

  Caythis was confused for several reasons. “How did you know I was an enforcer?”

  “The sword sticking out of your pack.”

  “Ah,” Caythis nodded. An uncomfortable feeling hit him as he realized Miriam might have re-married, and this could be her father-in-law. That would be awkward. He felt embarrassed and was overwhelmed by second thoughts, but he pressed on. Wanting to know.