by T. C. Edge
I don't partake in much of anything, truth be told. Though all sorts of food I've ever been denied are now available, I have no stomach for them. I eat idly, only to satisfy my appetite. I indulge in some wine in the evenings but not much. I think endlessly, though rarely with much clarity. Lilly and Jude, my grandmother, and parents, my home near Pine Lake, the people of the Fringe. All enter my mind but don't linger. My thoughts are ever drawn back to the single thing that now dominates them.
I ruminate for hours on what I might have done differently, how I might have performed better. I begin to grow bitter, cursing the world for placing me here. I feel no true joy at all these gifts being bestowed upon me. I begin to fall into a darkness that closes in around me, from which I fear I may never break free.
No, it must be temporary, I think, growing desperate. It will pass soon. It will pass and I will learn to live with it, to accept it, to be satisfied with the glimpse I was given. It was an honour few ever receive...
I should be happy with that.
It is the third day when Marlow suggests I go outside and take a walk. He enters my room in the late morning, knocking tentatively, entering with a smile. The exchange is enough to wipe the smile away quite quickly.
"No, I'm not going anywhere," I snap. I don't know why I snap. I don't like that I snap. But, regardless, I do snap.
"I just thought..."
"What? What did you think?"
He takes a short step back, withdrawing towards the door. "Only that, some fresh air might do you some good, my Lady. I could arrange for you to be shown some more of the city. You...you enjoyed that before, didn't you? Seeing the north, around the Temple of Fire."
"I'm not going anywhere," I grunt, turning my eyes back out of the nearest window. "I can see the city from here. There's plenty of fresh air here."
"But..."
"But what, Marlow? What do you want?!"
"Nothing, my Lady. Nothing but to serve you."
His words draw a twinge of guilt. "You are serving me," I say after a pause. "But realise when I want to be alone."
He nods. "Of course, my Lady. If that is what you wish."
He starts to withdraw. The guilt inside me grows a little stronger. I prepare an apology, but he turns before I can utter it.
"Oh, one last thing. I have received word from Lady Felina. She's invited you to lunch tomorrow. I believe your sister will be there as well. Um, what should I say? Will you be...well to attend?"
"Yes," I say immediately, drawing a breath. I feel some of the strange shroud around me dispel. "Of course, yes. I'd love to go."
He smiles. "Excellent. I shall inform them immediately. Do tell me if you need anything more from me today. I will get to selecting some young Worthies for you to choose for your household. They're more suited to this sort of work than I am."
"Right, of course. And er...sorry, Marlow. Sorry if I'm being a bit of a bitch. I'm just...going through some stuff."
"No apology necessary. I am here to make life easier for you. I hate that I'd ever be considered an annoyance or..."
"You're not an annoyance," I assure him. "This isn't about you at all."
"Yes, I understand. I have heard of such reactions before upon meeting the Prime. It isn't unheard of."
"You have?"
"Of course. And you suffered a great disappointment as well. You are well within your rights to spend some time alone, in lamentation. It's only natural. But it will pass, I'm sure."
"I hope so," I say.
"Have faith, Lady Amber. Something brought you to this city. Many, myself among them, would call your arrival here fate. It was prophesied, after all. We can't know what else is in store for you."
He leaves me with that, the load on my back feeling a little lighter. I return to the balcony, to my thoughts, to my solitary vigil.
To my addiction.
And there, I mull on his words. Words that make sense to me, that line up with everything else I've been through. Maybe there is something more here for me. Maybe I should trust in that, in that word that fools use when committing to blind faith.
Destiny.
And that night, destiny comes calling.
It's almost pitch black in my room, the clouds gathering below the moon, the stars, blotting them out. My eyes creak open, the shape of the window hardly visible ahead of me. That familiar panic rushes into me, waking me quickly. I sit up, blinking, and stare out towards the darkness. Suddenly, the clouds move off, blown away on the winds, and the moonlight shines back down.
The Hill of Olympus, just a silhouette in the night sky, comes briefly into view. The clouds seem to part fully for a moment, the celestial light above flowing down, illuminating it in all its glory. I see the Sacred Steps rising to the summit, the plateau at the top. And there, the hint of something brighter. A dazzling white radiance lights up, split between two sources.
I gasp, standing, and rush out onto the balcony, planting my hands on the edge, staring out. I gaze out for a single, glorious, second before the clouds sweep back over, and the light disappears once more.
I find that my eyes are watering, my heart racing. Was it them, I wonder? Was it really them?
I stand for a second longer, hoping for another glimpse, but nothing comes. A cool chill of air rushes in, wrapping me up, my body shivering. Seeking the warmth of the bedchamber, I turn and move back towards my bed.
I stop in place.
A shadow stands near the door. A silhouette in the shape of a man.
My heart rattles with a sudden trepidation, before, suddenly, the room lights up bright.
I shield my eyes, lifting a hand to my face, peeking through my fingers. And slowly, through the gap, I begin to make out a tall figure, hand hovering on the light switch, lips cast into a smile.
The Overseer stands before me, regally dressed as always, observing me in his usual manner.
"Good morning, Amber," he says. "Apologies for the strangeness of the hour."
I gather my wits, frowning, and lower my hand.
"What...what time is it?" I croak, rubbing the dew from my eyes.
"Very late. Or very early, depending on how you look at it," he says. "Enough, either way, for the city to be sleeping."
I glance back out towards the large balcony. The bright light inside the room now gives view to nothing but a blackness beyond.
"I saw," I whisper. "I thought I saw..."
"Trust what you saw, Amber," the Overseer says. I turn back towards him. "We are not the only two waking right now." He steps forward, smiling, eyes turning around the room. "It appears you've settled in well. Rather too well, perhaps." He looks towards the mess I've created over my days here, locked away alone.
"I..."
"Is High Worthy Marlow not keeping this household in order?" he asks. "This is not an acceptable way to live."
"No, he's doing everything he can," I say. "It's my fault. I...I'm a bit of a slob, I guess."
"So it would seem. Something to work on, Amber."
I nod, utterly confused by his sudden presence in my room at this late hour. The man has a habit of sneaking up on people, sure, but this is taking it to the next level. "Um, forgive me for asking, but what exactly are you doing here?"
He raises a brow, eyes still turning around the room, nostrils flaring a little at the smell, which probably isn't great. "Where are your Fire-Blood robes?" he asks.
I look about, trying to remember where I put them. I took them off after seeing Lilly and Lady Felina several days back, choosing to dress in some more 'homely' attire since. Mostly, that's been the nightgown I'm wearing now. It could do with a wash.
"Oh, there they are," the Overseer goes on, moving to a bundle of clothes upon a chair. He extracts the crimson robes, brushes them off, and steps over to me, reaching out. "Go ahead, get dressed. I'll wait for you outside."
"Why? What's going on?"
He looks towards the balcony, smile lifting.
"Oh, they're awake all right, Ambe
r. And they're waiting for you." He moves towards the door. "Quick now. They do not like to be kept waiting."
7
As I stand at the foot of the Sacred Steps, gazing up to the clouds above, I think I must be dreaming. My Fire-Blood robes gleam in the faint moonlight, shimmering a little brighter than normal. I gaze up the steps, excited, nervous, confused.
I am set to meet with the Prime once more. About what, I haven't been told.
"Go, Amber," the Overseer whispers. He lays a hand on my shoulder, straightening me out, keen eyes looking upon me in that paternal way of his. "You must ascend alone tonight."
"Alone?" I whisper, the thought making me anxious. "You're not coming with me?"
"No, I am not. I have been given no such invitation this night. Go, climb the Sacred Steps, child. Listen to what they have to tell you."
"And what is that?" I ask, looking up at him.
He shakes his head. "That isn't for me to say. I couldn't, even if I wanted to." He smiles again, and turns me to face the steps. Either side, two mighty Titans stand at attention, the way unblocked for me to pass. "Enjoy it, Amber," comes a final whisper. "This is an honour of great rarity. Now go."
The words slip into my ear, and I find my legs moving. The Titans stare out, eyes straight ahead across the square, great statues ever watchful. They don't look down as I step forward, reaching the first step, climbing upon it.
I feel a thrill rush through me as I begin to ascend. Five steps become ten. Ten become twenty. When I've covered at least a hundred, I glance back at the square below, empty but for those I left behind. The moonlight shines bright, creating dazzling patterns on the cobblestone streets. Ahead, the mists remain thick, the pathway yet to be opened. I turn back and continue into it, the fog gathering around me, closing in as I rise.
This time, it doesn't part, no pathway created for my solitary procession. I press on, the grey soup thick around me, step after step as I keep central to the path. I continue to wonder if this is some dream, some vision placed into my mind by the Overseer. Will I wake in my bed, a cold feeling in my gut as I find this all some trick, some ploy?
I choose not to believe that, to trust in my own instincts as I always have. To think - to know - that this is all real. Could it be that the Prime have rethought their decision? Could it be that Elian isn't the man they thought he was?
Hope blooms at the thought as the mists begin to fade, the steps revealing themselves more clearly ahead. The top comes into view, the grand plateau that stretches away to the left and right and off into the distance ahead. And there, upon it, I see the Temple of the Prime looming, a dark shape in the night. Other buildings, those I've yet to enter, rise grandly to the sides; the accommodations of the Chosen and Heralds, halls for feasting and baths for bathing, wondrous visions of architecture that house, feed, and entertain the greatest men and women in the city.
My eyes trace them, wondering where Elian might now live. Within the darkness I can garner few details. No figures appear before my eyes, none of the lofty residents of this place waking. It is silent, empty, eerily so. And then, from the darkness, a light begins to bloom.
It comes from right ahead, within the Temple of the Prime, a soft, glowing beacon for me to follow. Casting aside my nerves, I start stepping forward, a frigid wind blowing across me, sending my crimson robes fluttering. I combat the chill with a pulse of fire, sending a flare through my body. My veins begin to glow faintly within my skin, my robes brightening there in the gloom.
I press on more quickly, the fire helping to settle me, calm me, narrow my focus as I approach the temple. The light within drifts from the rear, a white radiance mixed with warm hues of orange and yellow. I reach the high pillars that mark the perimeter, climb the steps to the great, arched doorway. Ahead, alongside the walls of the hall, I see braziers lit with fire, the glow warm and attractive, inviting me forward.
And there, at the rear, I see two figures within their thrones. White, glowing softly. Perfect.
"Hello, Amber," comes the sound of their combined voices, overlapping, merging into one another. "Come forward. Let us see you."
The voice eases across the space between us, sounding so close. It sinks through me, so glorious to my ears. I begin moving towards it, desperate for more, so eager to look upon them once again. And as they grow clearer, so my smile grows wider, my eyes wider, my heart bigger as it yearns to soak up all it can, latch onto this euphoric feeling and refuse to let it go.
I stop before them at the foot of the stage, gazing up like a child. Two perfect faces look down, an expression of deep affection in their eyes, like those of a parent looking upon their dearest daughter, so happy to see her.
And oh, how happy she is to see them.
"Hello, Mother, Father," I find myself saying, the words coming unbidden. I should feel foolish for uttering them. I know I should, but somehow, I don't. They feel natural on my lips, like sweet tasting water, or the kiss of a lover. And when I speak them, I see the Prime smile.
"Hello, dearest Daughter," they say together, expressions changing as one. "How beautiful you look tonight. Have you enjoyed your stay in your new accommodations?"
I nod, bright eyed, smile fixed to my lips. "I have. I am so grateful for everything I've been given."
"That is good to hear, child. Gratitude is a quality we support and admire." Their eyes change a little as they lean in, inspecting me more closely. "Tell us honestly, Amber. How did you feel when we spoke Elian's name ahead of yours?"
The question takes me by surprise in its directness. I flinch at the memory, though don't try to hide the expression. They asked for honesty and will get it.
"It hurt," I tell them, "but I understood. I would never doubt your decision."
"Oh, but you did, child. And such a thing is only natural. You believe yourself worthy of a higher purpose, do you not? You believe yourself capable of...more."
They put the words in my head, words I cannot deny. "Yes," I whisper. "I believe that."
"That is good. To believe in yourself. To have confidence in what you can achieve. We all have our purpose, Amber. We all fit a role. Yours was never to become our Chosen Fire-Blood. No," they say, heads shaking as one, "your path is of a different course. A...higher course."
I stand, rooted, watching their lips move, listening to their words seep inside me. They resound, echo, set their tendrils in deep, caressing me with every syllable, every sound they make.
"What is it that you want of me?" I ask, words slow, almost robotic.
They rise as one from their thrones, moving forward to the front of the stage. White robes flow as they glide down the steps, Mother moving to my left, Father my right. I turn my eyes to them, one at a time, mesmerised by the proximity. Even so close, their faces appear ageless, beautiful, perfect. That soft glow around them continues to cling.
"You have shown your loyalty to us, dear Daughter," comes a voice, different from before, more feminine. I look at Mother and realise that only she is speaking now. She reaches out and takes my hand, sending a surge of joy through me. "You have proven yourself committed, shown your true desires. Your long, lonely vigil, staring up at this hill, has made that clear to us. Oh," she says, looking up and past me at Father, "we have been watching."
I feel a hand on my shoulder, and turn to find Father looking at me now. He smiles, so handsome, so masculine, jaw wide, chiselled from stone. "You wish to explore, our dearest Daughter," he says, alone. "Your true desires were shown to you when you first faced the trials. That was no trick of the Overseer, child. You have ever yearned to see more of this world, to matter within it. Oh, you can matter. You can matter a great deal."
I'm turned again, back to Mother. She reaches out, lays a smooth palm upon my cheek. "There is something so pure about you," she whispers. Behind me, I hear the subtlest hint of Father's voice, joining with hers. "You are pure of heart, and pure of power. We didn't select you as Chosen, child, because we believe you are more." A frown falls upon
her eyes, an unexpected concern within them. "This city isn't as safe as it may seem," she whispers, shaking her head slowly. "There are people who want to take it from us. People who would see it destroyed."
I share in her fears, my expression coiling. I turn to look at Father, and find the same look on his face. "The world beyond our borders has grown wild and untamed," he says. His eyes turn towards the grand doorway, to the endless expanse beyond. South, beyond the city, beyond the Fringe, beyond it all. To a world...unknown. "They are gathering out there," he whispers. "Men and women, gifted, powerful; they are awakening. Our society, our future, is under threat. We must act fast if we are to secure it."
"You, Amber, will be part of that," comes Mother's voice behind me. She moves around my side, stepping beside Father. They line up, next to one another, slipping back into that coordinated motion. "Do you wish to see this city safe? To protect your sister? To protect the Fringe and all those who live within it?"
My mind flourishes again with my loved ones, clear as day. I nod forcefully, no space for doubt. "Of course. I will do anything to protect them."
"And us?" they say, as one, voices combining. "What would you do to serve us, dearest Daughter."
"Anything," I say, without thinking. I bow my head. "I will do anything to serve you."
"Good, child. Then you have proven yourself what we thought." I look up, heart hammering. "You will join us here upon the summit," they say, "but not as a Chosen. You, Amber, are to become a Herald. Your task - your gift - is war."
I stare at them for a moment, a silence falling in that great space.
"War?" I say softly. "A Herald of War?"
They nod in unison, voices melting into one. "The fire runs deep in your blood, an endless well of power. It can help to make this city safe from our enemies. With it, you can save many lives. Those of the Fringe. Those of our Children. Isn't that what you want?"
