The gas lanterns of Keef’s Tavern are one of the great wonders of Salucia. The gas which originates from an underground tunnel far below Mr Keef’s property burns blue, and thus gives Keef’s Tavern its rather infamous nickname of “the Blue Oratorio”.
The network of immaculately polished copper tubes collects and pipes the wondrous gas throughout the tavern, which is far more than a common public house and inn.
The intertwining network of pipes supplies heat and light throughout the refurbished manor house. This wonder is said to be the work of a group of Chroniclers and a strange metallurgist, whom Mr Keef met during one of his many travels into the Great Wastes to the south.
- Chronicler Simon Rathelson in A Common History:1851– 2850 ATC, 45th Edition, 2850
Echinni
Edge of the Xinnish District, New Toeron, Bauffin
The tavern felt alive and vibrant as if the very air itself was eager to caress each and every one of your senses. Echinni had never felt anything like it in her life. The soft light of Keef’s famous blue lanterns and the strings of tiny santsi globes sparkling overhead gave the entire tavern its somewhat ethereal quality as if you were walking beneath a swarm of fireflies under the night sky.
The clientele of the tavern were wealthy and eccentric, and they had come in their finest. The servers danced between the chairs, somehow keeping time to whatever tune was floating through to the tables from the stage. They went about their business with cheery yet respectfully demure smiles while coolly bobbing to the beat. To Echinni, she had been transported into a majestic realm.
It was truly wondrous.
She now understood why the people of the city had named Keef’s the Blue Oratorio, for the music performed here had its own brand of much-deserved reverence. It was an interpretation, through style and atmosphere, of a musician’s desire to create and express, to bring something new and joyful into the world, to sing and be heard, to move the souls of those around you as they became lost in your music.
Echinni never wanted to leave.
The Will had brought her here, and she was truly thankful to whatever power was behind it, be it Halom, another deity, or something else altogether. It mattered not to Echinni for now, she was in paradise, an oasis for the soul hidden within the mechanistic reality of the city and day to day life.
All this Echinni felt, and she had only just stepped inside.
“Your first time, miss?” the very large and muscle-bound doorman said in a friendly tone.
The honorific of ‘miss’ was an almost pleasant change to ‘Your Highness’.
“Yes, sir,” Echinni answered. She was in disguise, as per Yuna’s preconditions for coming out to Keef’s tonight, and so far, no one had the slightest hint that she was the heiress to the throne. She gave the big doorman a quick smile from beneath the half mask which covered her eyes and most of her head, “It’s absolutely amazing. I’m in love with it already.”
The doorman chuckled as he scanned the ledger in front of him, “You wouldn’t be the first to say so. Now, my enamoured young miss, who might you be, and why are you dressed in such an eye-catching costume?”
“I am part of the Ascendants. We’re playing tonight. We ...” Echinni tailed off as the doorman’s attention shifted behind her.
Yuna ducked through the doorway, towing an enormous black case. She was also in disguise with a full mask accompanying head to toe leather, which upon closer inspection would be recognised as armour covered in gaudy decorations. Echinni had also insisted on Yuna deliberately wearing a low-cut undershirt and leaving the front of her leather armour unbuckled to ensure eyes were drawn to the large amount of cleavage on display. Yuna had not been happy about the modifications, but the argument which had erupted after Echinni suggested Yuna leaving her armour behind had settled the point.
The outfit had the desired effect on the doorman, and he was caught between appreciating Yuna’s finely sculpted body beneath the form-fitting leather and the intimidation which came with a hulking figure who had to duck significantly to get through the doorway. But in the end, his doorman’s instincts kicked in, and he held up his hand to stop Yuna. “Uh, Miss ...” The poor man’s mouth appeared to have gone quite dry as his voice actually squeaked the end. He swallowed and looked Yuna up and down once more.
“She’s with us.” Echinni grabbed Yuna’s hand before things could get ugly. “I’m afraid that’s all the free looks you’ll get. You will have to watch us on stage like everyone else.” Echinni tried to play coy and flirtatious, but her heart was racing. There were very few people anywhere close to Yuna’s size, so Echinni could only hope the uncharacteristic outfit was enough.
The doorman looked down at his list once more. His finger rested on their band’s name.
It was then Kai, and Jachem caught up with them, rolling the enormous drum through the doorway which Maestro Percival had allowed Kai to take from the Oratorio’s collection. “Oh, yes!” Maestro Percival had said. “Anything for Keef’s. Such a wondrous place,” he had laughed and added, “any drum, except those from the artefact section of course, such as Meskaiwa’s Demon Drum. But that goes without saying. Any other drum, Kai can take with him. That’s a very gifted young man you’ve found. I trust the two of you will take care of my property.”
Echinni found it amazing how quickly the usually reclusive Maestro Percival had taken to Kai. A passion for percussion she supposed.
“Pardon me.” The doorman cleared his throat and regained a measure of composure. “Apologies for the hesitation.” He looked up into Yuna’s eyes. “It’s just you’re quite striking, and,” he said, pointing to the huge case Yuna had placed on the floor, “I’ll have to check those.” He smiled apologetically, and then cast his eyes down to the long wooden cases Yuna had put on the floor and the cases Jachem was carrying.
Yuna surprised everyone by returning his smile. “I appreciate someone who takes their responsibilities seriously and would have questioned you if you didn’t.”
The doorman grinned. “Thank you. I’m Mikhail by the way.”
“Hannah,” Yuna replied, giving her agreed upon alias, and again surprising Echinni by then giving Mikhail a seductive grin.
“They’re just our instruments,” Kai said, trying to save Yuna from any more unwanted attention while gawking in amazement at Yuna’s transformation.
“I still have to check them I’m afraid,” Mikhail said as he indicated for Yuna to open the first case, “if you would be so kind, Hannah, I don’t want to damage anything, so if you could all show me what you have inside the cases.”
Echinni cringed as Yuna opened her very long case.
“Now that is a big cello!” Mikhail said. “It must be close to twelve feet long!”
“It’s an octobass, actually,” Yuna said. “I’m one of the only people in the world who can play it without a platform.”
“Hence, the enormous case.” Mikhail nodded. “I’ve worked here a long time, and I’ve never seen one of those before, what a wonderful instrument. Truly magnificent.” He looked up at Yuna as he said the last and Echinni wondered if he was still talking about the instrument or the woman.
Mikhail checked the rest of their cases, but the danger was over, as beneath the felt cradling the octobass was Yuna’s golden sword, Hunsa, along with her throwing knives and shoulder bandolier. He finished his inspection and seemed satisfied. “I’m eager to hear you play, Hannah.”
Echinni had to stifle a grin. The doorman was flirting with Yuna, and it looked as if Yuna enjoyed the attention!
“It’s not particularly hard to play, but it does add a rather unique element to our group,” Yuna said simply, but Echinni could see the pride on her face.
“Well, you’ve brought it to the right place.” Mikhail took a moment longer to marvel at the beautiful instrument before nodding to Yuna that he was satisfied.
Yuna did actually know how to play the huge instrument. The Head Maestro of Strings, Maestro Baptiste, had begged Yuna to try the instrume
nt for years, insisting that she was placed in the Oratorio by Halom himself to play the instrument. Yuna, of course, would always point out it was Echinni’s father who had ‘placed’ Yuna there. But after years of cajoling, the Maestro had simply begun having the octobass brought to Echinni’s violin lessons, lecturing on how to play the instrument while Echinni was practising. Finally, Yuna had succumbed and picked up the enormous bow, which Maestro Baptiste had custom crafted to fit Yuna’s large hands. The deep bass notes which had resonated through the room had brought one of the first genuine smiles Echinni had ever seen on her stalwart protector. She cherished that memory and could sometimes hear the rumbling notes echoing forth from Yuna’s room late at night.
Yuna would never admit it, but it was one of the few things in life which were just for her and was one of the hard woman’s most prized possessions.
It was also a way for Yuna to stay on stage next to Echinni; a stipulation which Yuna had insisted upon if they were going to go through with this mad idea.
And it was mad, wasn’t it? The whole city was on edge, ready to explode into violence and she chose now to play truant. What was she thinking?!
Panic began to grip her, and suddenly all she wanted to do was run back to safety.
Then, as if sensing her doubt, Echinni suddenly heard a pulse of the Will thrum through her. It felt anticipatory and eager. Things were building, moving into a crescendo. They were on the correct path. She felt the melody within the Will as it passed through her, and it filled her with its strange energy. She could feel the gentle pressure of it pushing her onwards. She knew with certainty that the Will had directed her here and her heart raced to see where it was leading them.
As quickly as it had come, the melody of the Will receded, and Echinni was left somewhat breathless and less connected to the world around her.
“Are you all right?” Mikhail was looking at her, concerned.
Echinni smoothed the front of her costume and took a breath. “Just nervous, it’s not every day you get to perform at Keef’s.”
Mikhail!” A raspy voice called to the doorman. Another large man, dressed in an identical uniform came running up to them with the grace of a practised dancer as he wove between the chairs. “Mikhail!”
“What is it, Wan?” Mikhail said, sounding irritated.
“So sorry to bother you, it’s just there is a ‘situation’ in the dressing rooms. Esmerelda has lost her ivory comb. Mr Keef told me to come get you as you’re the only one who can talk her down from these sorts of things.” Wan held his hands up perplexed by the entire situation.
“All right.” Mikhail sighed as he shook his head and strode straight towards a door near the stage. “Let these ones pass,” he called back to Wan. “I’ve checked them.”
Wan nodded and twisted the decorative bone Xinnish ring in his brow. “What’s in the cases, my lovely giantess?” Wan asked, and there seemed to be more to his question than simple curiosity.
“Instruments,” Yuna said simply.
“For the Ascendants?” Kai said, pointing to the ledger. “We’re playing tonight … Mikhail already checked them.”
Wan scrolled through the ledger. “Ah yes, here you are.” He looked Yuna up and down, then did the same to Echinni. Wan’s attention made her skin crawl, which was very different compared to Mikhail’s professional curiosity.
There was something very off about Wan.
Yuna seemed to notice it as well, her earlier demeanour retreated, and the warrior beneath resumed her role. If she were a wolf, her hackles would be up.
Yuna and Wan stared at each other for a moment, and suddenly Wan smiled a knowing smile, “Good enough for me. In you go. Take the door on the left of the stage. Giselle will fill you in on the rest when you get backstage.” Wan’s greasy smile stayed on his face as they passed.
Echinni grabbed Yuna’s arm before her guardian decided to teach this upstart some manners, “Come on. Let’s go get set up. We don’t need a scene.”
A deep bestial growl rumbled in Yuna’s chest, and Echinni knew why, no one smiled at Yuna when she gave them that look, but Wan had. Thankfully, Yuna let it go and let Echinni pull her forward.
“Oh, excuse me! Sorry!” Kai held up a hand as the large drum somehow managed to roll straight over Wan’s foot.
“Watch it!” Wan snapped.
“My apologies,” Kai said over his shoulder. “This is just so hard to steer!” Kai smiled crookedly at Echinni as Wan hobbled a bit on one foot behind them.
Echinni held back a laugh and then leaned into Yuna’s arm. “Yuna, I’m sorry about that, we can tell Mr Keef about it once we’ve performed.”
Kai caught up to them and cocked his head in Wan’s direction. “What was with him? I thought the staff at Keef’s are supposed to be known for service and manners. I guess they can’t all be excellent. On the plus side, I think I got all of his toes, and I made sure I had my weight on it too.”
“Yes, Wan is a thug, and knows how to fight,” Yuna stated. “I liked the first doorman better.” Her chin rose almost imperceptibly, but it made Echinni smile.
“Yes,” Echinni said, “he was a good match for you.” She grabbed Yuna’s arm and hugged it fondly, “You would hardly have to bend down to kiss him.”
Yuna grunted and shook her head, but Echinni saw how the tiniest of smiles touched the corners of Yuna’s eyes.
“How do you know he was a thug and knows how to fight?” Jachem asked behind them.
“His hands had lots of scarring, looked like knife wounds. Knuckles were calloused. The way he walked up to the desk, easy balance, rolling shoulders, feet always grounded. And his face is relatively unscarred, his nose hasn’t been broken. Paints a pretty clear picture.”
“Why would Mr Keef employ someone like that?” Kai asked.
“Disreputable people are efficient as well. A man of his skill could easily toss drunken people out the door while giving them a lesson they won’t forget. He probably hurts people more than needed, which is the part he lives for, but the point is made very effectively: enjoy the music but don’t mess around.”
They all nodded at that.
“Or he doesn’t work here,” Jachem said matter-of-factly.
They all stopped to look at Jachem.
“Don’t make Yuna any more paranoid than she already is, Jachem!” Echinni scolded, but the damage was done, and she saw Yuna staring back at Wan once more. “Come on, I’m sure he’s just a jerk as you said.” Echinni pulled on Yuna’s arm again. “We have to get ready, and the Will has already given me a sign that we are meant to be here.”
It seemed to be enough, and they once again resumed navigating through the tables with their equipment towards the door to which they had been directed.
They had only gone a few steps backstage when a woman, dressed in Keef’s Tavern livery, motioned them over.
“The Ascendants?” the woman asked.
“Well, that name hasn’t been completely agreed on and–” Jachem began.
Kai put his hand over Jachem’s mouth, as Echinni and Kai both answered in unison, “Yes! That’s us.”
Jachem’s muffled protests turned into resigned growls, so Kai took his hand away.
The stage manager quirked her eyebrow as she gave a quick stroke to her checklist, apparently satisfied, “All right, you’re here. I’m Xu Li, the stage manager.”
It was then Echinni noticed the bone eyebrow ring above her right eye. Xinnish again. She glanced around. There seemed to be a lot of Xinnish staff working at Keef’s tonight. The Xinnish did have an excellent reputation when it came to customer service. It was said that everyone was treated like royalty in every tea house or restaurant in Wadachi, the capital city of Xin Ya. That must be it. Mr Keef was just trying to have the best. Though Wan had also been Xinnish, and he certainly did not fit that stereotype.
“When the act on stage finishes, it’s the group of violinists next, then it’s you. Got it?” The attendant was addressing them all ye
t seemed to be diverting most of her attention towards Yuna. Echinni chalked it up to the usual gawking at Yuna’s height. Echinni once again marvelled at the thought of a whole nation of the giant people in Navutia. A nation which her father had obliterated in the Union Wars.
“Your eyebrow ring is bleeding,” Jachem said, pointing to Xu Li’s brow.
The stage manager’s hand shot up to her brow and saw the blood on her finger as it came away. “Well, so it is.” She looked at Jachem severely. “Aren’t you an observant one?” She ground her teeth. “Excuse me, I’ll have to go attend to this.”
Xu Li dipped her head and hurried off angrily.
“She didn’t seem very grateful.” Jachem scowled in confusion. “I would want to know if my head was bleeding.”
“Fair point.” Kai laughed but could see Jachem was properly confused by Xu Li’s reaction. Kai put his arm around Jachem’s shoulders. “Best not to worry about it all right, Jachem?” Kai moved into position, so Jachem had to look at him.
Echinni was noticing more and more how Kai subtly managed Jachem’s anxiety and how he helped Jachem interpret social situations. Kai was just so good to him. She didn’t know if she had ever met a man with such a big heart.
“Ooh look! You can see the stage from here,” Kai pointed out for Jachem, and they all rushed to the opening in the curtains and looked out.
Echinni had lived a life surrounded by grandeur and opulence, but what she saw took her breath away just the same. Three layers of stacked balconies ringed the grand stage in front of them. Booths and small alcoves were set back against the walls beneath the hanging balconies, no doubt providing private spaces for minor lords and ladies, wealthy merchants, well-to-do ship captains, and other members of New Toeron’s high society. In every direction, there were men and women clad in rich fabrics, exotic jewels, feathered hats, bright turbans, well-made suits, jewel-encrusted clasps, embroidered jackets, and dresses with such intricate lace it took her breath away.
Soon all those eyes would be watching their small band perform. The intimacy and closeness of the space gave her a thrill. So different from the formal stages and grand theatres of the Oratorio. It would be like she was right there with the audience.
Awakenings Page 39
