"He did. Would you have seen me if I had come without your father’s blessing?”
Laila thought back to her days sitting in the rain and the dark mood that had hung on her over the last few months. “Probably not,” she admitted.
“Well, your father seemed concerned that you hadn't been out into the city for some time. So he asked me to come and see you. As a day has finally dawned without rain, I wanted to come see if you would care to join me in the city center."
Laila did not like the formality that still edged Dio's voice, though she appreciated the gesture. "Thank you, Dio. But I don't know if—"
"You should go," Connor said, cutting her off.
She turned back toward Connor, tilting her head questioningly.
"I...I think it would be good for you is all. You've been spending a great deal of time in your room." Connor stammered his response, his initial confidence gone.
Laila considered for a moment. The rain had been pouring steadily for nearly a week, dampening her spirits with each day. She had not been to the city center since her return. She had not really been anywhere. Her father's intervention seemed to be a tipping point. Making her decision, she turned back to Dio.
"Very well. Are we going to work your stand? I haven't seen your work in some time," she smiled, trying to reassure herself that she was making the right decision.
"Uh, no, Shi...I mean, Laila. Your father's insistence on this meeting gave me the impression that I should take the day away from my work and spend the time with you." He returned her smile awkwardly.
Laila could never remember Dio demonstrating this level of discomfort around her. She noticed him give a quick glance over his shoulder at Connor, but then his gaze returned to her before dropping to the floor again. With a shake of her head, she returned to her rooms. She grabbed a wool cloak to cover her robes and stood for a moment longer, regarding her staff. It had become such a piece of her now, another limb. But it would mark her as different in the city, and while it was likely she would be recognized regardless, did she really want to draw more attention to herself? With a deep sigh she leaned the staff against the wall of her room and stepped through the door, closing it behind her.
She immediately regretted the decision, but decided that forward movement would help her past it. She walked through the gardens and met Connor and Dio at the front gate. Connor stood with his back straight and his shoulders pulled back, stiff and defensive. Laila shook her head again and motioned for Dio to lead the way out of the gate.
They walked out onto the avenue in front of Laila's house, and Laila pulled the hood of her cloak up over her head. Not enough to completely block her face, but enough that it would take concentrated attention to recognize the girl within the shadows. Dio fell into step beside her, silent, and Connor took his typical position, at her shoulder, a step or two behind.
"Laila!" a voice called out from behind them. Laila immediately recognized the voice and felt a wave of relief wash over her.
She turned to see the short, golden hair of her friend Selene bouncing about her shoulders as she rushed to catch up with the three of them.
"I see Dio beat me to it," she said, snapping a glance at the young man.
"Selene! It's good to see you." Laila stepped forward, returning the embrace her friend offered.
"I would have come to see you sooner, but your father made it pretty clear that you didn't want to be bothered. After everything that happened, I can't say that I blame you!"
Selene had been in the hall that day. Laila had feared her friend would never speak to her again.
"Let's not—" Laila started.
"Oh, don't worry. I've heard enough of the rumors. Besides, I know you'll explain it to me eventually." She smiled. "But, all of a sudden, your father made it a point to find me yesterday and tell me that I should come see you, after the Magus came. I guess he told Dio the same thing."
Selene crinkled her nose at the young Terun. He glared at her under dark brows.
"Icarus came to see my father?" Laila asked.
"He did. Though I'm not sure what they spoke of. Just another errand for the Consuls." Selene continued to smile, but her expression had shifted, become more forced. Laila decided to let the matter drop. She had experienced enough of the demands of the higher-tier Consuls in her single day at the Consulate.
"Where are we headed?" Selene asked, immediately taking her place beside Laila.
Laila found Selene's attitude infectious. A smile came easily to her face now, breaking the tension that had coated the air between her and the two boys.
"City center. You can tell me all about what's been happening since I've been gone," Laila said, a lightness touching her voice that she had not felt since she had returned to Terus, or even before.
"Well," Selene said, "that might take a few trips. Though most of the interesting rumors only started once you came back."
Selene gave her a sideways glance, and Laila felt her cheeks flush. Her hands knotted in the sleeves of her robes, wishing they had stone to grasp. The comfort of the moment had quickly dissipated. Selene, however, let the moment pass as they continued to walk.
The group made their way out onto the main road that led to the city center. Laila listened to Selene recap the minor incidents that had happened in Terus during her time away with Connor and Icarus. Much of it she already knew: Torin's ascension to Consulari, the deployment of groups of Guardians to the other cities of the Confederacy. Other things were less interesting. A few marriages, especially of people who were close in age to Laila and Selene. That often happened after the Test, especially among the Artisans and Guardians. Some families even drew up marriage agreements beforehand, with contingencies based on which caste each child eventually joined. Laila had always found the idea a little old fashioned, and she had been thankful that her parents had never betrothed her to anyone, though that practice was now very uncommon, to the point of being almost extinct, amongst the Conuls. A Consul's time was taken up by the needs of the city. Those who did marry often did not do so until they were much older, as her father had been.
"Laila. Laila!" Selene's voice broke into Laila's thoughts.
"Sorry," Laila said, coming back to the present. She laughed at herself, at how easy it was to fall back into old habits of thought, contemplating the nature of the city. "What were you saying?"
"Always so distractible," Selene laughed. "I wanted to know what you saw while you were away. Did you go anywhere interesting?"
"Oh... Yes. Well, no. Just to the mountains. Nothing truly interesting," Laila said, her own awkwardness apparent. Connor remained silent. "Where should we go?" she said, trying to change the subject. They had reached the city center.
Selene noticed the rough change of subject but said nothing about it. "I don't know. There's Tryphon's cafe. We could get something to eat for breakfast."
Laila nodded her agreement and the four of them headed to the western side of the circle, looking for the small cafe.
The city center was busy. The sun’s reappearance had spurred those who had stayed in during the rains to come out and conduct their business. The center was full of wagons and people, headed here and there. For a moment, it overwhelmed Laila. She had not been around this many people for some time and had become accustomed to her small, empty room. She pulled her cloak tighter about her shoulders and drew the hood of her cloak up over her face even further, dropping her eyes into shadow.
They walked quickly. Reaching Tryphon's, a few of the tables were occupied, but most were still empty. It was still early in the day. For cafés like Tryphon's, most of the business came once the Consuls and Artisans had concluded their business for the day and were looking for somewhere to wash away the labors of the day. Dio knew Tryphon's well. They took a table near the edge of the patio, giving them a clear view of the city center.
Dio and Connor had remained silent during the entire walk from Laila's house to the city center. Now they sat, just as stiff backe
d as they had walked, staring off into the crowds, both trying very hard to not pay attention to the other. Laila could still not put her finger on what was so strange between the two of them. She had known Dio far longer than Connor, but in all of her time with Connor he had never seemed so...uncertain. She brushed off the thought again, turning to Selene.
"Any news from the Consulate?" she asked, her tone a failed attempt at light heartedness. She desperately wanted news about Torin's fate, but her father would not tell her anything.
"Nothing new. I don't hear much. I was assigned to Consul Marinos after you left. He's quite the bore, honestly. Though I do occasionally get to help out with the other Consuls, even your father. He’s so busy," Selene said. She motioned to one of the small group of servers standing back in the main part of the cafe, a young woman, dressed in a tunic tied neatly at the waist and bearing a symbol Tryphon had designed himself to represent his cafe.
"Anything about Torin?" Laila knew she probably should not ask, but she needed to know whatever Selene would tell her.
Selene held Laila's gaze for a moment, but then she turned to the young server as she approached. She quickly ordered a plate of fruit and bread for the table. Laila did not remember Selene being so self-assured. Her time in the Consulate had changed her. Laila was still trying to determine if the change was for the better or not.
"You both have been very quiet," Selene said to the two young men, avoiding Laila's gaze and her question.
Dio shrugged and Connor half-smiled, half-grimaced.
"Come now. This is not the Dio I know. Where are the witty comments? The feigned ignorance?"
"I did not think it would be becoming of an Artisan to speak to Consuls in that fashion."
"To be honest, Laila is no longer a Consul." Laila raised her eyebrow at that. "And 'be becoming'? I don't believe I have ever heard you speak to me that way. I don't think I've ever heard you speak that way ever...to anyone." Selene laughed.
Dio shrugged again.
"Fine. What about you, southerner? Connor, right?"
Connor nodded.
"Since Laila's being tight lipped, any interesting stories from where you're from? We have the entire day, so it would be quite boring to sit around and stare at one another."
Connor's gaze darted back and forth between the young Consul and Laila. She and Connor had often spoken of his home beyond the southern mountains, Custos.
"There is not much to tell," said Connor, finally. "It is a simple place. Lots of trees, not that many people. Your cities here in the north always feel overwhelming. So many people in one place."
"They don't have cities where you're from?" asked Selene.
"No, I come from a small city. But it's much smaller than cities here. The whole settlement would likely fit into this city center. And until I'd come here with Icarus, I don't think I'd ever seen so many people in one space."
"I guess it could be overwhelming for someone with a simpler life. Have you at least been enjoying your time in Terus?" Selene asked, her tone warm and friendly despite the insult in her words.
"Aye. It's been different, at the least. Everyone here seems so caught up in their own life. Little seems to be done for the city itself."
Selene sat up a little straighter. "But that's what Consuls do. We work for the good of the people. Though it is unlikely that you would know that. Your only time at the Consulate, you were in a cell—"
"Selene," Laila interjected.
"Before that happened, I didn't even know there were cells," she finished.
Connor lowered his head in deference. "Aye, that is true."
Laila leaned in to Selene, keeping her voice low. "Was that necessary?"
Selene shrugged and smiled half-heartedly back at Laila.
The young woman Selene had spoken to appeared shortly with a handful of baskets. Laila quickly grabbed an apple from the basket of fruit, hoping to occupy herself with eating and avoid any further confrontations. The table remained silent while the four of them ate. Laila felt the absence of her staff even more poignantly now, wishing she could call on her power and calm her nerves.
As they ate, the city center began to bustle with activity. The Artisans and other merchants had opened up their shops and started to engage with various Citizens as they milled about the city center. Laila watched from under the shadow of her hood. This had all felt so comfortable only a few months ago. Now she felt out of place. Different. And different did not usually work well in Terus. Citizens were expected to act a certain way, follow a certain path, all for the betterment of the city. As she had when she was younger.
She laughed internally at that thought, wondering if that was really the best way to be. So much had changed for her in the last several months. The certainties of Terun life no longer applied for her. Certainty in general seemed to be lacking.
"Well, that was awkward," Selene said, breaking the silence. "Shall we explore? I feel that Dio and I are not living up to the expectations put upon us. Let's go do something."
Selene left a handful of small coins on the table and stood, expecting the others to follow. Seeing no better option, Laila stood as well, silently agreeing that movement might help the situation. Seeing the two young women stand, Dio and Connor quickly followed suit. The group moved out into the crowd of the city center, Selene leading the way, Laila behind, and the two young men shoulder to shoulder, neither one wanting to give way to the other.
They wandered through the center, occasionally stopping to look at some of the wares on display. Laila felt herself begin to grow more comfortable. Walking around the city center with Selene, and occasionally Dio, had been a pastime of hers for many years. This, at least, felt normal. After an hour wandering amongst the stands and crowds, they found themselves at the foot of the stairs leading to the Consulate. Selene dropped down onto the steps, taking a rest. Laila sat next to her, pulling her hood back finally, letting herself cool off from the heat of movement and the press of people. Even in the cool winter air, it had become uncomfortable underneath her cloak. Dio and Connor still stood, watching the crowds.
"What's it like?" Selene said, turning toward Laila.
Laila tilted her head at the question. "What is what like?"
"Being a Magus? The things I saw you do were...incredible." There was a sense of awe in Selene's voice, but there was also an edge of something else. Laila could not place it.
"I...I don't really want to talk about it."
"Come on, Laila. It's me. We used to talk about everything..."
"I'm sorry," Laila responded.
Selene held her gaze for a moment longer and then turned away, disgruntled, when she saw that Laila would not change her mind. They continued to sit in silence as the noon sun rose, flanked by lingering clouds. Laila stood, suddenly regretting her decision to come out. Dio and Selene had been good friends before she had left, but they did not understand what had happened. The group made their way back through the city center.
As they walked, Laila began to feel as though she were being watched. When she passed small groups of people, some would turn to look at her. Moving toward the middle of the city center, still a ways from the turn that would take her home, she saw a few people whisper to one another and point in her direction. She began to feel very exposed. She wanted to pull her hood up again, but that would only demonstrate her insecurity.
Laila picked up her pace, outdistancing her friends. A sinking feeling developed in her gut. She should not have left home. In the corner of her eye she could see a group of people moving along with her and her friends, angling toward the same side of the city center. She tried to move faster, but the press of the crowd kept her slow. Finally, she broke free of the crowd, moving hurriedly toward the main avenue leading to the east. As she did, the group that had been following her also stepped out of the main crowd...and began moving directly toward Laila. She lowered her head. By now she was several steps ahead of her friends, and she attempted to walk by the group casua
lly.
As they passed her, one of the members of the crowd, a young man Laila did not recognize, stepped in front of her. She could see the simple tunic of an Artisan hanging about his knees. Without looking up, Laila moved to go around him, but he stepped to the side, blocking her path. Her friends closed the gap, and seeing the man in front of Laila, she felt Connor step up protectively behind her shoulder. With a sigh, Laila looked up into the man's eyes.
"Can I help you, Shi?" Laila asked. She could not hide the slight tremor to her voice.
The young man pulled his shoulders back, standing taller and looking down his sharp nose toward Laila.
"You can. You can leave. Nobody wants you here, Magus." The last word was spat out with vehemence Laila had not heard since her encounter with Torin, although she’d known that Torin was not the only one who held animosity toward the Magi. Much of her early lessons about the history of the Confederacy involved the betrayal of the Magi and how following them had nearly led to the Confederacy's downfall. The story Icarus told was very different.
"I..." Laila stuttered. Now more than ever she regretted leaving her staff behind. "I was on my way home now, Shi. I meant no offense."
The remainder of the young man's group moved out to encircle Laila and her friends. It was a diverse group, a few other young men like the one before her now, some dressed as Artisans, others, those encroaching behind Laila, had the muscular build of Guardians, as well as a group of older women and at least one Consul who Laila did not recognize.
The same man spoke again. "Your very presence in our city is an offense. It's a wonder that your father still has any respect in the Consulate."
The others in the group nodded in agreement.
"Please, my father has nothing to do with this. Don't let my actions reflect on him." Laila was nearly pleading. Her father was already under enough pressure. Besides having to decide Torin’s ultimate fate, she knew he constantly had to defend her presence, as well as Icarus’s.
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