She looks so familiar...
---- the whispers are growing louder
After a day of resting in the infirmary and eating a lot of the good local soup, Alexandra was finally able to stand. Her feet were shaky and she wobbled a bit at first but finally was able to be upright without support; Hughes was an able healer and just within a day she felt a lot better.
Luca and Sophia had enjoyed the game of playfully reminding Alexandra during the day of all the times she had helped others and gotten herself in trouble or hurt. They were not reprimanding her or trying to make her feel bad, they were just teasing her about this latest bout of injuries she brought on herself. Alexandra could not help but laugh along with them, she certainly had done a lot of stupid things over the years, and she knew she would do them all again.
Zooey had been in and out, not saying much, mostly just napping and staring at the crowds out of the shuttered windows.
The crowds had not dissipated yet.
Actually it was quite the opposite, the number of people assembled outside of the city infirmary had grown since they had initially carried Alexandra there. Word had spread throughout the town of the young people who had alone stood up the sadistic Cornelius soldiers; word had spread of a red-haired girl who stepped in front of a steam whip to help someone she had never met before. Many had witnessed the event and within hours, the entire city of Alloa was alive with the talk.
Torpha had been taken home and cared for her by her family, her wounds thankfully not too severe in nature, Alexandra had intervened before that point. The town girl was shaken and scared but she remembered clearly the red hair, the feeling of someone covering her vulnerable body with their own, she remembered that a stranger had come out of nowhere and saved her. Fortunately her recovery was going quickly, much to Patrik's relief.
As for himself, Patrik had returned as promised. He was a little more at ease now, a little less stammering and nervous sweating. He still blushed when Alexandra looked at him though.
Still weak and exhausted, Sophia and Luca helped her back into bed then made a not-so-subtle retreat out of the room. Patrik had moved a chair over and sat down next to her bed. They had talked for several hours, so long that Alexandra had lost track of time.
The townspeople had taken to referring to her as a phoenix in their chatter and gossip. No one knew exactly who first said it, but soon everyone in town was using the reference, it was in vogue and seemed pretty nifty. As gossip spread from the caravan as well about some of Alexandra's other exploits, the name just seemed to fit better and better. She wished they would not make such a big deal out of it, she had just always tried to do the right thing, surely that was not something out of the ordinary that warranted such attention?
To help shield the still-recovering Alexandra, Hughes located a large green hooded cloak in one of the infirmary's closets. She pulled the hood up and tied the string in the front, ready to leave. Hughes and Luca pushed open the doors while Zooey went out first, trying to move the crowd back, with Hughes leading the way. Alexandra was uneasy, not because she was afraid of the crowd, it was their attention that put her ill at ease.
They started clapping and cheering for her. Alexandra stood there stunned, no one had ever done that before. She did not know what to do. She could not speak, she had not done what she had done for praise, yet they were praising her. Luca and Sophia each put their arms around one of hers and guided her through the crowd, Zooey running interference.
Halfway there, Luca had to abandon her side to help clear the way with Zooey; Patrik was right there, putting his arm firmly around his and supporting most of her weight. She looked up and smiled; it was good to have him there.
It was nice to have him so close.
Alexandra had not really had the time to properly think about what was going on, things had just been moving so fast. Regardless, she knew how having him close felt nice.
The crowd followed them all the way to city hall, even more joining their ranks as they went. Alexandra tried to smile, everyone was trying to catch her eyes. She was unsure of what she was supposed to do; the adulation felt weird. She did not think she deserved it, especially not after all the terrible things she had done to her friends: make them fugitives and risk their lives several times since then as well.
Once they reached the building, they had to leave Patrik behind as he wasn't invited to this official gathering. He made sure Sophia safely had her before releasing Alexandra's arm. She let it linger for a moment, not wanting it to go. He stood on the steps, never taking his eyes of her as the group continued to ascend.
The doors to city hall were pushed open and Alexandra was led by a city official with her friends into the main hall. There the leaders of the Alloa business and industrial infrastructure stood at two long rectangular tables, the Lederan and his advisers sitting at a head table beyond those.
All eyes turned on her as she entered, a few of the assembled whispered. Upon seeing her enter, the Lederan stood from his chair at the head of the hall.
He was an older man and his voice was laden with age and wisdom. "Welcome stranger who is now family, welcome formally to Alloa. In the short time you have been here you have done a tremendous and brave thing and for that we thank you for making up for our slowness and cowardice. We welcome you with all our hearts to our home."
"Thank you very much ser," she dipped her head, unsure of the protocol.
"I am Agon, elected Lederan of Alloa."
"I'm... I'm Alexandra." She was reluctant to give out her real name in case of Cornelius learning of their location but considering what she had done they probably were already being informed.
"We also welcome and thank your companions," Lederan Agon acknowledged the others efforts in the town square, "you all as well are welcome in Alloa."
"Thank you," Luca made a deep bow, enjoying the pomp and circumstance.
"Yeah," Zooey shrugged.
She enjoyed being appreciated and praised, but it conflicted within her. She hated people who held position and money. She felt that most people socially above her were naturally her enemies. To have them now clapping for her made her a little unsure how to feel exactly. She enjoyed it no doubt, and hated the fact she did.
"Thank you for having us," Alexandra began, "we have been looking forward to seeing this city, we have been traveling a long time. The sight of the bell towers coming over the hills was a very welcoming sight."
"And within hours you stood up alone," the Lederan was referring of course what to what had transpired in the city square.
"I'm sorry," she realized she may have brought the wrath of House Cornelius down on the city because of what she had done. "I hope I have not brought any future hardships here because..."
"Please," the Lederan cut her off quickly, "none of that. What they were doing was not lawful and certainly not warranted. We are not gathered here to reprimand you, no, in fact we all would like to meet you and shake your hand."
"Uh, okay," Alexandra felt small in the room filled with important people.
Over the next hour, she shook hands with and met everyone in the hall. They were mostly large business owners, heads of trade groups, or factory leads. Every one of them seemed impressed to meet her, which she thought was just strange. They all enthusiastically thanked her and wanted her to tell them her story. Everyone was interested in the strange traveler who had come into their town and instantly had made such a big splash.
Her friends to had commanded quite a bit of attention, some handling it better than others. Sophia was quiet and timid, she did not like attention. She smiled though and made polite conversation, but she was unused to being the focus of attention. Even in the slums, Alexandra and Zooey had usually drawn all the attention during whatever they were doing, Sophia's quiet nature usually relegated her to the back where she liked it. Luca on the other hand was relishing the praise, he especially liked their favorable comments on his fighting technique. Zooey was also strangely withdrawn, but at least forcing and smile and pretending she was having a good time. Alexandra knew something was off with her but could not put her finger on it exactly.
They all gave their cover story about being farmhands just traveling, just in case anyone from Cornelius was listening. Alexandra tried to make small talk but found it extremely difficult. She was a good talker, that was the skill she was blessed with, but she was used to talking to the desperate, the lonely, the hopeless. She was used to talking to angry guards or officials, trying to get her and her friends out of some kind of trouble, but she had never really ever practiced making conversation, just talking without a purpose. She could talk to her friends for hours on end, but these were strangers, she shared no common history with them at all. She could talk to her mother for hours on end, when her mother was still alive, but that was a long time ago.
Nevertheless, she bore a smile and made polite conversation with the city officials gathered. She found it strange: all of them asked why exactly she had done it, why had she stepped in front of the whip. The concept not to was foreign to her; she had seen someone in trouble and had done something to stop it with little regard for herself. It dawned on her for possibly the first time ever, there as she spoke to the Alloan people, that maybe that was not a universal trait.
Why was she like that?
Did she really care about others that much? She had never really thought about it. Maybe she did secretly like the attention, the rush of doing something for someone else, which at that point became a selfish deed.
No. She knew she cared about others, maybe too much sometimes and that is why Zooey was constantly exasperated with her.
The gathering lasted just an hour more, people thanked her again and then started to disperse with the day getting late. The Lederan granted them rooms at the main hotel, as thanks for what they had all done for the town. Alexandra was concerned that she had stirred up trouble for the people of Alloa with House Cornelius, but the Lederan assured her that what she did was right and they were all thankful for her.
As they opened the doors once more, Alexandra's spirits were lifted: Patrik was still on the steps, dutifully waiting for her. The crowd had thankfully dispersed, and Alexandra handed her warm cloak over to Luca and Sophia, tired of wearing it for the day. The coat was very luxurious, but also heavy, and her frame felt better without it on. Despite the limping and sore legs, didn't need support now, but took Patrik's hand anyway. She had been nervous in the gathering, unsure of exactly how to act, but as Patrik's fingers closed over hers, those thoughts vanished completely.
They headed back to the hotel, Sophia and Luca wrapped in Alexandra's long cloak next to her. Zooey was a few steps ahead keeping quiet, lost in thought. Alexandra, Patrik, and Sophia and Luca were laughing, joking as they walked across the town square to the hotel where only a day or so before the awful event was taking place.
Alexandra glanced at the well covering, the brutal hits of the whip still near the top of her mind, but she tried to ignore them and turned her thoughts to joking with her friends.
Their room was lavish, near the top floor. Luca had instantly taking to jumping on the beds, not believing that such a place was going to be theirs for at least a little while. Settling in, they spent their first restful night in Alloa.
For a while, Alexandra watched clouds pass by the moon outside the large window in their room, Patrik sitting next to her.
"You're doing a lot better," Patrik commented as they sat there.
"Still pretty sore," she yawned, "but yeah, it's not as bad."
He nodded, "I'm glad. Does that mean I can't hold your arm when we walk?"
"No," she smiled, "you still can."
"Good," he smiled back, looking her directly in the eyes, "I was hoping you'd say that."
He put his hand on hers.
"Patrik," she withdrew her hand, "there's.... there's something I think you should know before, well, before anything goes any further."
He could see in her eyes that this was important and it had her concerned, "what is it?"
"Well, I... I'm an Oonskat"
She waited for the inevitable look of disgust, betrayal, and anger.
There wasn't one.
"So?" he finally said.
"What?" Alexandra couldn't believe it. "I'm an Oonskat. I'm untouchable. I'd understand if maybe you wanted to leave..."
"None of that matters to me," he interjected, "all that matters is who you actually are, and you're the greatest person I've ever met. I know we've only known each other a short time, but when I'm with you, I know it's right. When I'm with you, nothing else seems to matter. I'm happy with you and I don't want to be anywhere else. I don't care what title other people gave you, I don't care about anything else that's happened before. All I care about is right now, about you. Look at me, you know I'm not lying."
She searched his eyes and was told what she already knew: he wasn't lying. She wasn't sure what to say exactly, this was kind of a new situation, but she did know that she felt the same way about him. She wasn't normally like this, she wasn't just one to fall for someone, but Patrik seemed different, he seemed like maybe she could trust him.
There was still so much confusion inside her about what all this meant and how it fit into her search, but right now there was nothing she could do about that, so she put her hand back next to Patrik's. He took that as a sign and put his hand over hers, their fingers intertwining. Neither said anything, they just sat together and looked out the window.
It helped her fall asleep to watch the lazy clouds traverse the sky, just flowing along with the cool northern breezes. She knew she would need to rest up because tomorrow began her search for whatever she had come to Alloa for: answers about her pendant and maybe even the truth about her father.
Alexandra kept nodding off, her head resting unconsciously on Patrik's arm. He put his arm around her to make sure she didn't fall. She'd wake up occasionally, blush, and go back to watching the night sky until she fell asleep and did it again a few minutes later. She probably would have stayed there all night, but Sophia finally came over just as the town clock was striking one of the very early morning hours. She led a sleepy Alexandra off to bed, making sure she was tucked in before walking Patrik down to the lobby.
Sophia liked him, he was a good person, a good soul. She was happy that Alexandra may have found someone, here in the distant north of all places. But even so, Sophia felt heavy with the thoughts.
"We've stumbled too far astray!" the old man cried out in the Market District.
The people around were shocked at the outburst and took some worried steps back. The old man's clothes were ragged from weeks of traveling, his sandals worn down to mere threads. He continued walking across the Market, the people moving out of his way. His eyes were fixed at some unknown point far on the horizon.
"We've gone too far and they're coming back to judge us!"
The people murmured, this man must be crazy. Someone sent for the guards.
"All our sins will come out! The betrayed will be the judge and the betrayers will try to hide but there will be no place of rest! An accounting is on the way!"
The Cornelius soldiers were on the way.
"Emerald eyes will see!"
The soldiers arrived but could not find the old man and no one could say definitely where he had gone, in fact no one had seen him leave or arrive for that matter.
A thorough search of the entire Market District turned up nothing.
Alexandra had awoken early, making sure not to wake her friends as she slipped on her shoes and left their room. Alloa was just waking up as the sun was barely breaking over the horizon. There was still a chill in the air with a cold wind blowing down off the nearby Rotsen Mountains. Still being able to see her breath in the air, Alexandra pulled her cloak tighter as she stepped across the mostly-empty city square.
There were a few people out this early in the morning, shopkeepers for the most part on their way to prepare their stores for the days business. Some farmers were heading out into the fields, and other city workers could also be seen going about their daily duties. The streetlamps were just extinguishing themselves as Alexandra had emerged outside.
She walked the streets with no destination in mind. She had been told to go north to find her answers, this was as far north as one ever got in Prydain. She had been told the answer would present itself, what she was supposed to find would be made clear. Now she was here and still nothing was clear or apparent.
Like a snake, a cold doubt slithered its way into her mind. Had she chased away whatever she was looking for by helping Torpha? Had she made too much a spectacle of herself? What was she doing with Patrik? What did he mean to her? Could anything ever work out? She knew she could not worry about that because it was outside her control now. Alexandra just walked around, taking the sights of Alloa, hoping that something would happen...some revelation might occur.
As the city slowly awoke, Alexandra noticed people would see her and point, whispering to each other. She had become a celebrity of sorts since they had arrived in town. Most people seemed nervous to meet her, they figured she was someone special. A few caught her eyes then looked away, each knowing she had done something they were too scared to do themselves, help one of their own in need.
She did not like the fame, she did not like being set apart, just like in the slums but now on the other end of the spectrum. It was an odd feeling, one that she did not think she could get used to. She was well used to people staring and pointing because of her being an Oonskat, but never because they respected her, never because they thought she was special.
Sitting down on a bench, she allowed herself some rest after hours of aimless wandering. She caught her breath as she watched the people go by about their daily activities. Despite being the largest city in the entire north, Alloa was still pretty rustic when compared to Avindr or one of the large cities in the south east; there were not nearly as many steam contraptions or conveniences here. The streetlamps of course, but no flytters or self-walking steam-powered footwear here. The city had a form of centralized steam distribution like Avindr, but on a much smaller scale and certainly not to every building like in the capitol. She looked up and watched the clouds pass by slowly overhead.
Something caught her eye, it looked like a small dot passing in front of the sun.
The glare forced her to blink and when she looked again, the dot was gone. Shrugging it off, Alexandra got back up and resumed her walk down the street.
She looked in at shops as she passed, even stopped for a bite to eat at a bakery. Her pace was slow, her eyes ever-watchful. She did not want to miss what she was supposed to find, whatever that may be. It was well into the evening before her feet finally declared too much and she was forced to retire back to the hotel. Her body still weak from the ordeal, she knew she needed to grab some rest or she'd easily overdo it.
Radulfus Cornelius stood before the Fork in the Winnowing Chamber, his eyes staring at its flawless surface with anger and contempt. Since a few hours after the 'incident' there, where Cornelius soldiers stormed the chamber under the guise of 'protecting it', engineers from House Cornelius had been scouring the entire room. They were trying to pry into the secrets within, to learn the fabled secrets of the Watchers.
Cornelius soldiers had kept the building locked-down, no one but their own personnel inside. Radulfus Cornelius himself had been soothing the Watchers, telling them the Chamber might still be dangerous, feeding them sweet-as-honey lies. So far, they had bought it, not being able to fathom the possibility that a Noble House was at that very moment shoveling dirt into their graves.
Despite the weeks of prying, House Cornelius had nothing. The many books in the adjacent chambers in the building were mostly histories, essays and other inconsequential writings. The only place to hold mysteries was the Winnowing Chamber itself, where the strange and ancient machine sat quiet and still.
The Fork had been there for centuries, the entire stability and evolution of the naming conventions are entirely based on the infallibility of the Fork. No one knows how it works, possibly save the Watchers. The Cornelius engineers, many quietly pulled away from the Avindr College, had been attempting to determine how the machine operated, what makes it tick. After weeks, they still had nothing, they could not even get below to the lower chambers. The gaps where the Fork came up through the floor were too small to get down through and no other entrance way had been discovered.
For weeks they had been attempting to open the Fork but could not even put a dent into its surface. Radulfus was furious, weeks wasted, this was the only opportunity any had ever had at learning the Watcher's secrets. With the secrets this chamber held, Radulfus could easily crush any opposition.
Even after he disbands the Landskyp and takes sole control of the nation, the Watchers could still be a problem if they decided to open their eyes and get involved. The Watchers were an absolute in society, the people would follow them no matter how much power Radulfus had obtained. If he could crack the Winnowing Chamber, learn the secrets of the Watcher's power, he could undermine them as well and his victory would be complete.
Radulfus was anxious: he was on the cusp of beginning his absolute rule of Prydain, a new dynasty was about to begin. Years of work, planning, underhanded deals, numerous crimes, all of it was about to pay off.
"Father," Ulfarr stepped out from behind the Fork, "what a pleasant..."
"Save it," Radulfus hissed, he was in no mood for polite small talk.
"Yes," Ulfarr took his place at his father's side.
"You have something, tell me you have something. Weeks you have been in here, weeks have passed since we took control of the Winnowing Chamber, not a small feat. Still, after weeks, all these useless inventors and engineers have nothing!"
"Father," Ulfarr tried to sound calm and confident, "the inventors are confident that..."
"You!" Radulfus yelled at one of the head inventors walking by.
The engineer came quickly over and deeply bowed. "Yes exalted one?"
"Everything. Tell me everything you know about this place."
The inventor was sweating and his voice was wavering. "Yes sir. Well, um, we have been, well, we've been trying two different approaches: to get under the Fork and learn its basis, and to crack open the covering of the part that's up here in the Chamber and learn what it's made of."
"And?" Radulfus was growing even more impatient.
"And...," the inventor gulped, "we've had no progress gaining access to the chambers we believe are below or pulling the skin of the part of the Fork that is visible here in this chamber."
"Weeks you have been here day and night," Radulfus' tone was not a pleasant one, "can you explain to me how no progress has been made at all? Blast through the floor!"
"Well, um, no doors or crawl ways have been found. Steam-drilling on the floor has no effect, neither does controlled blasting caps, we cannot explain it. The floor and wall are just stone but they resist any attempt to break through."
"So rock is confounding you, inventor?" Radulfus straightened his coat.
"We cannot explain it sir..." the man began apologizing.
Radulfus flipped the small switch on the hilt of his sword. He swung it out quickly and pointed it at the terrified engineer. A small puff of steam shot out the end of the handle and the top half of the sword suddenly broke away and extended forward on a hydraulic pole hidden within the blade itself.
He skewered the man, shook the blood off of his sword, and replaced it on his belt. The engineer fell dying to the floor and everyone else in the Chamber looked on in fear.
"Father, why not force the Watchers to tell you? Our soldiers already guard them, why don't we topple them now? Remove them from their place of power and secrecy. They'll talk just like any man given the right inducements."
"Not the time yet," Radulfus had a carefully laid out plan, "we cannot move openly against the Watchers, not yet. Once we eliminate the other Houses, then we can push them aside and demand their answers. Right now we must maintain our subterfuge, our calm. Let the people and the Watchers still believe we have nothing but their safety and benefit in our hearts. The time is not yet ripe to reveal our true intentions."
"Very well father," Ulfarr would prefer just taking the sword to the Watchers.
"Get me results. Get me results before the next Landskyp. I want to definitively cement our position atop the other Houses. I want to crush the worms beneath my feet."
Ulfarr was thankful he was the heir to the house or else his father may have directed his anger onto him.
"Double the efforts," Radulfus stared at the Fork, "triple them! In order to cow the Watchers, I need to know the secrets of this place. The mysteries of the past cannot stay locked away for long from me. Get them for me and quickly, our plan advances."
"It will be done."
Ulfarr was rather relieved to watch as Radulfus departed to head back to the Cornelius city estate.
The engineers quickly went back to their work, also relieved that the feared head of House Cornelius was no longer present. They had attempted everything in getting under the Fork, but nothing had proven any use. The machinery seemed impenetrable, their science could not explain.
The next plan was to dig from underneath the building, not an easy or quiet operation, but it was beginning to look to be the only way to gain access. Ulfarr had given orders for the College to begin making a huge steam-drill, a modified mining device to be put on stand-by. There would certainly be questions from the nobles as to why a hulking mining device would suddenly be in the middle of the Garden, but he was confident that their quiet fear of the Cornelius name would keep anyone from stirring up any real problems. Besides, soon there would be no more Houses, Radulfus was near to sweeping out the old way of life and ushering in a new age of Cornelius dominance over the land.
Alexandra's routine continued for four more days. She would rise before the others, slip out quietly, and begin walking the streets of Alloa alone. She was looking for the answers about her father that were said to be here, only she did not know what guise they took.
People still stared and pointed at her, but were becoming more brave and were actually coming up and talking to her. All of them wanted to thank her for standing up to the Cornelius soldiers and wanted to know where she came from. She did her best to answer their questions without giving away too much but also tried to probe them in each and every conversation about anything they might know about her what she may be looking for.
She would innocently ask about pendants, most would refer her to the jewelers, but she had already investigated that lead. She had showed the various jewelers a glimpse of her pendant, but none had recognized it. She kept it mostly hidden still, she did not want someone maybe connecting it to the events in Avindr, if the news had even reached here. One or two people said that the design etchings on it looked familiar but could not recall where they had seen it before.
Luca had volunteered to work at the stables just outside of the city, he loved animals and was learning a lot from the handlers there. He would come back to their room wreaking of hay and random animals odors, but each day he also bore a huge smile and could not wait to tell his friends about his day.
Zooey would spend most of her time either sitting in the pub or down an alley practicing her sword skills. She was becoming even more impressive and was driving herself even harder than before. She would return each evening with her tunic drenched with sweat, her hair sticking to her neck, out of breath.
Meanwhile, Sophia was enjoying the peace and quiet, she would sit near the window in their room and read books, waiting for the others to get home. She would read until Luca came home and then she would set her book down and listen as he related all his stories to her. He was riding the horses, learning grooming and proper animal care, and was truly happy. Once he had gone through all of his tales for the day and would go to bathe, Sophia would return to her book until Zooey would come back.
Zooey did not talk much these days, usually too tired and out of breath from sword practice. She would come in and just flop herself down on a chair, a soaking mess. Sophia would set her book down on the table, take a brush, and stand behind Zooey, brushing her knotted hair until it was smooth again. Zooey would not say anything, just lay her head back with her eyes closed, letting her body calm down and normalize after her intensive training. After awhile of this, then Zooey would go off to bathe and Sophia would return to her book.
Finally, the last to come home, Alexandra would walk in the door. Sophia would search her expression for news but each and every day it was the same: she had not found what she was looking for.
Each and every day though had a silver lining: she saw Patrik. Often in her strolls she would find herself near the blacksmith where the young man was apprenticed too. She had not intended to walk in that direction, but somehow always found herself in the vicinity. She felt stupid, childish, but she would stand on the far side of the street and watch him work. Patrik enjoyed his job, always talking and laughing with customers or just people walking by on the street. She did not know a whole lot about being a blacksmith, but it looked like he was pretty good at it. The master blacksmith, the owner, would constantly be praising Patrik's abilities and craftsmanship in the things he made there.
What was she doing?
She didn't know. She had not been looking for someone like Patrik, up until now it had been the farthest thing from her mind. But she had found him and she was on unfamiliar ground. She did like him, she enjoyed his company.. She kept telling herself that this wasn't the time for something like this; she and her friends were on the run and didn't know how long they were staying in Alloa or if they would even ever come back if they did leave. She told herself it was irresponsible to entertain the idea of a relationship, she told herself it was unfair to Patrik because she might have to leave at a moment's notice.
Sophia had told her to not worry about that, she had said that if Alexandra really did feel for Patrik then she shouldn't deny herself. The odds were stacked against them, but Sophia said that should never interfere with matters of the heart.
Alexandra had been trying to deny exactly how she felt for Patrik, to make the inevitable pain of her leaving easier, but she could not deny it any more. She was worried she had rushed into things, she had only known him for a short time, but in that short time he had proved himself to be more then the measure of men she knew, he had proved himself to be an honest and good person. She didn't know how it was going to end, but Alexandra decided to go with it, to take a shot at something good happening.
She finally entered the blacksmiths.
"Hey there!" Patrik waived, setting a white-hot piece of metal into a vat of water.
"Hey," she smiled back, waiving the steam out of the way from the cooling sword he was working on.
"So this is where I work," Patrik motioned around proudly, "I'm so glad you can finally see it."
It felt good the way he was always happy to see her.
"I like it," she moved around the open storefront, looking at the master work, "you made these?"
"Yeah, well, some of them," he answered, "the ones Master Hadley makes are the best swords and armor in Prydain. I'm still just an apprentice. I did make this one."
He removed his prize work from the wooden handles on the wall and held it out to her.
"Oh wow," her mouth fell open, "it's beautiful!"
She was surprised and in awe of the excellent sword he was holding out for her inspection. It was a short-sword, intricate leaf patterns danced around either side of the double-edged blade. The handle looked like spun gold, a gem of not inconsiderable size at its end. There were knot designs on the handle as well, intricately etched in, not a flaw or blemish to be found among them. Looking down the length of the blade, she could see it was perfectly smooth and symmetrical. This was a master sword if ever she had seen one.
"You made this?" she couldn't believe she was seeing such a weapon made by an apprentice.
She was not doubting his skills or talent, but weapons like this usually adorned the halls of the rich, bought for a princely sum from a celebrity master blacksmith. To see one like it made by an apprentice was something special.
"Yeah," Patrik said proudly, "my best work so far. I think I can do better though, I've been thinking up new ideas and I'm just waiting for there to be enough spare materials around the shop and Master Hadley says I can make another one. He said if I could make another one equal or better than this one he would consider me a full-fledged blacksmith. Can you believe it? Not an apprentice anymore! With swords like this I could set up my own shop. If I can do it again of course."
She found herself getting excited with him.
"I know you will," she was confident.
"Can I see you tonight?" he asked suddenly.
"Of course," she said, not thinking about what she was saying.
"Meet you at your hotel right before dusk?"
"Yeah," she nodded, "I'll be waiting"
The rest of the day seemed to drag on. She had spent a little more time at the blacksmiths before heading back to the hotel. An eternity passed by before it became dusk. She was mad at herself for feeling this way, but Sophia just sighed and told her to stop being so uptight.
"You'll always help others without a second thought," Sophia had said to her, "for once, help yourself."
He finally did arrive and they went out walking. Alexandra was still amazed at how easily she could talk with Patrik, the topics just flowed from one to the next. She had been looking for a flaw in him, trying to see that he was a real person, and apart from being a little meek, Patrik was a good guy. After everything that had happened she had begun to seriously doubt they existed, but here was one, and found under the most unlikely circumstances she could imagine.
He led her up the clock tower steps and through the trap door. Sitting side-by-side on the roof, they watched the sun go down and the stars come out. It was an amazing view of Alloa and the fields surrounding it, watching them bathe in the sunset and then disappear into almost an ocean of night.
It wasn't too cold, and if it was, Alexandra probably wouldn't have noticed anyway. Her and Patrik were holding hands, just talking and watching the stars one by one pop into view. She had told him her concerns, about not knowing where her journey would lead next. He had told her that it didn't matter to him, because he knew he had to grasp at what was right in front of him.
"...and you don't know exactly what you're looking for?" Patrik was asking.
She had told him a little about her quest, but not the fine details. If Cornelius came looking for them, the less Patrik knew the better.
"Exactly," she sighed, "I was just told to come here."
"I'm sure you'll find it," he reassured her, "Alloa's a big place, it'll be here. You probably just haven't run into it."
"You're probably right," she felt better hearing him say it.
"I'm sure it's frustrating."
"It is," she conceded, watching a star slowly fade into view way above.
"I'm glad you came here though."
She looked at his inviting brown eyes, "yeah," she finally said, "I'm glad I came here too."
He leaned in. She suddenly felt a twinge of panic, a flashback to when Garth leaned in that first time. Her muscles tensed up, the fight or flight response starting to kick in. She was about to say something or jump up, but he kissed her on the cheek.
He didn't try to do anything, just a single tender kiss on the cheek and he pulled back. Alexandra put her hand to her face, a tear in her eye.
She wrapped her arms around his and leaned on him. Together they watched the stars come out the rest of the way and talked half the night. When Alexandra did get back to her room, she felt as light as a feather. She accidentally woke Sophia up when she entered. Alexandra related the story of the kiss, how they just talked about anything and everything after that, and then Patrik walked her back to the hotel.
Sophia gave her a big hug, "see? I told you it would work out."
The fifth day, as Alexandra was sitting on a bench watching the clouds go by, a messenger approached her. He came running up and handed her a folded piece of paper. The symbol on the front side of the paper was the Alloa city symbol, on the other side was a hand-written note. It was from the Lederan and it asked her to please go to his office at the city hall as soon as was convenient for her. With no other solid plans in place and still no luck with her quest, Alexandra stood up and began retracing her steps back to the city square.
She had walked everywhere in Alloa and nothing had presented itself. Miss Florence had said she would find what she was looking for in the north, well this was as far north as one ever went in Prydain and there was nothing here. Despite spending time with Patrik and their fledgling relationship, Alexandra had of late been feeling a weight on her shoulders, the realization that the trail might have gone cold was preying on her. She even checked in the mirror, there was nothing there, she just felt it. Alexandra told herself it was nerves and the pounding her body had endured on this trip already. She did her best to hide these dark clouds from the others; even as she enjoyed getting to know Patrik, these other feelings were growing at an even greater rate.
She had been quieter the last few days as the pressure increased; all the while she grew depressed with the realization she had probably ruined her friend's lives for nothing... there was nothing here to find.
The whispering in her head asked her that when they realized that there was no reason for their journey at all, would they leave her?
She bit her lower lip, the thought upset her stomach. She knew they wouldn't, their friendship was too strong; they would never let anything break them apart.
Would things work out with Patrik?
"Where is this coming from?" she asked herself, unable to shake the fears and doubts that plagued her.
No matter how many times she assured herself that her friends would not betray her, a voice that sounded like her said they surely would.
Lost in thought, she soon found herself at the city hall. Finding a city worker in the main lobby area, she was given directions to the Lederan's office at the top of the three-story building. Alexandra was surprised again, just as she had been when she had first seen the city hall. The Alloa city hall was not very large and despite certain decorative luxuries, was rather humble, the exact opposite the opulent palace that was the city hall in Lerwick. This city hall was practical, not showy at all. Alexandra liked it, she liked Alloa in general. They could walk freely in the streets and could actually sleep in real beds. Their room had running water and no holes in the roof; Alloa was a very good place.
She knocked on the large door to the Lederan's office.
"Come in please," the elderly man called from within.
She pushed open the door and entered. His office was modest size, books laying on every conceivable flat surface. A round stained-glass window sat on the back wall behind his desk. It portrayed an image of a man atop a mountain, clouds seemingly swirling around him. The Lederan was standing inside, watering one of several potted plants he had among his many books.
"You wished to see me ser?" she bowed, showing her respect for the elected official who had been very kind to her and her friends.
"Yes," he went on watering, "I think I may be able to help you."
"You've already done so much," she was very grateful to him, "allowing myself and my friends to stay here in this city as we have."
"That's nothing compared to what you did."
"We are still very much indebted to you for your kindness," Alexandra did not like people making a big deal out of what she did.
"I think I can help you with what you're looking for."
Alexandra went quiet. No one except her friends knew she was looking for some answers about her pendant.
How did he find out? Did he guess? Did someone tell him? Did he know she was wanted by House Cornelius? Was he going to turn her and her friends over to spare Alloa from any retaliation for what she did?
"Don't look so alarmed," he chuckled, "it's obvious to anyone who observes and has half a brain that you're wandering, looking for something that you are not finding. I've seen you up here from my office vantage point, just walking with no destination, traveling the same streets over and over again."
"It is as you say. I was told that I might find something in regards to a pendant I have here, and what I may find might possibly lead me to find out who my father was."
The Lederan put down his watering pot. "It sounds important; a worthy quest. Please, if it is not too much to ask, may I see the pendant you speak of?"
He already had figured out so much, Alexandra did not see the harm in showing him. She pulled the pendant out from her tunic and held it up so he could see it. The elderly man came over and looked intently at it. For a moment it seemed as if his eyes lit up, then his face went back to normal.
Had he recognized something or was he just admiring it? Alexandra was not sure. After a few more moments, he stood back up straight and went back to watering.
"It looks special."
It was an odd comment.
"It is to me," she put it back safely under her shirt, "it's the only thing I have from my father."
"The carvings look to be an old design."
Alexandra's heart almost stopped, was this the first real bit of information about her pendant?
"You recognize it? What is it?"
"I can't place it," he sighed, "but the pattern looks like it belongs to an older time, not a common motif in these modern days."
The Lederan only said the next words in his mind. "Could it be? It might too much to hope for. But still..."
Alexandra let out the breath she had been holding.
"And no one in town can give you any idea of the origin of your pendant?" he cleared his throat and refocused.
"No." She cast her eyes to the ground.
"They might know..." his voice trailed off.
"Who?" Alexandra frowned, she was sure she had probably asked everyone in the city by now, "who might know?"
"My dear, do you believe in magic?"
The question came as a total surprise. She frowned, not knowing where it came from.
"What?"
"Do you believe in magic? The supernatural arts? Either you do or you do not"
Alexandra was confused at the question. "Magic's not real, everyone knows that."
"Are you sure?" he pressed.
"If it was real, it would be used," she reasoned, "but everyone knows that magic and supernatural beliefs were put to rest ages ago."
"The advent of the first steam age, yes," the Lederan nodded, "But you are aware that there are those who still believe in magic?"
"I've heard stories," Alexandra recalled overhearing old wives' tales in the Market District."j "Just fantasy stories about ridiculous things, strange creatures, and people with impossible abilities. They always said the belief in magic still existed in the north, but laughed it off as farm-land superstitions."
"Tovanaar," the Lederan was speaking as if it were a matter of fact. "They are people who, or at least claim to, possess magic. They are called Tovanaar."
"I've heard that word before."
"I don't doubt it, these days people refer to Tovanaar with disbelief, or just think of them as crazies who have probably had too much Red Sand."
"They're just stories to put children to sleep."
"Perhaps."
Alexandra knew this had to be going somewhere. "What are you trying to tell me?"
"There are stories," he looked up at the stained-glass window, "of Tovanaar in the Rotsen Mountains just north of here, in a town from the old times nearly forgotten by time and the rest of the world. If anyone could divine any knowledge from your pendant, you're best hope is probably with them if they exist."
"Magic is not real," Alexandra reasserted, "that's just a fact of life."
"True or not," the Lederan said simply, "there appears to be no answers here for you in Alloa. Perhaps the Tovanaar in the Mountains can help you."
"Are you saying there are real Tovanaar in the Rotsen Mountains?" She did not believe it. "People who think they can do magic? How can an entire town be forgotten?"
"Things go missing all the time, out of neglectfulness or sometimes on purpose. But, the answers you're looking for, what were you told to do in order to find them?"
"Go north." Miss Florence's instructions had not been detailed.
"The etchings on your pendant are very old, you need to find people whose knowledge extends back into times forgotten. They are said to live in the Mountains, which are still north from here. Perhaps you just haven't gone far enough yet."
The thought struck Alexandra like a lightening bolt.
Just because Alloa was the last major documented place on the map, she had thought that is where she was supposed to go. But no, the Mountains still were to the north, that was the true end of the map. She could not believe he had not thought of it, she had been wasting days in Alloa.
She had been told to go north, and there was still a little more north out there, just a little further to go.
"You're always welcome in Alloa," the old man smiled, he could see how anxious she suddenly was to resume her trek. "I hope we meet again Alexandra."
"Thank you so much!" she bowed and hastily retreated out of the room, sprinting down the steps, and running as fast as she could back to the hotel.
Alexandra almost ran into the door of their hotel room in her haste to get inside. Her thoughts were jumbled, she could not wait to leave the city and continue north. The answers had to be there; she was so close.
She startled Sophia as she entered, stumbling over her own feet.
"What? What is it?" Sophia looked worried.
"I have to go," Alexandra tried to focus, "I need to go north."
Sophia put her book down. "But there's nothing there, there's nothing past Alloa."
"Except the Mountains!" Alexandra was mad at herself for not thinking of it sooner. "That's as north as we can get, that must be where I have to go!"
"Let me get our packs and let Luca know he'd better end his nap," she stood up from her chair.
Better they stay here and not get hurt, Alexandra heard a voice say, better you be alone.
"Why don't you all stay here? It's nice here, a lot nicer than it'll be in the Mountains. I'll come back once I see what there is to see." Her traveling backpack was already out and in hand.
"You're not going by yourself," Sophia told her, putting her own shoes on, "Luca! Time to get up."
He rolled over on his bed, bleary eyed.
"Huh?"
"Get up, we're going to the Mountains," Sophia pulled his pack out from under his bed.
"The Mountains!" Luca was instantly awake, "I've been wanting to get closer to see them! Neat!"
He bounded up and ran into the adjacent room to get the rest of his things.
Better they be safe.
The thought drifted across Alexandra's mind again unbidden; she felt the weight on her shoulders.
"Come on you guys," she was trying to think of the right words to keep her friends safely in the comfort of the city, "you don't have to go. You've all come so far already."
"Exactly," Sophia informed her, "and we're not going to quit on you now, we're going to see it through to the end."
"Sophia." Alexandra was actually a little angry; she just wanted her friends to be safe, she wished they would not insist on going with her.
She also needed them with her, she wanted them to be with her.
They wanted to, she wasn't forcing them into anything. They loved her and she was better having them with her, so why was she still plagued with this guilt? She could not shake it no matter what truths she knew.
It was tearing her apart.
Her friend noticed the small tear in the corner of Alexandra's downcast eye.
"What's wrong?" Sophia's voice was quiet and as gentle as a warm summer breeze.
Alexandra wiped away the small tear, "I do want you all to come. I never want to separated from you, Zooey, and Luca. I... I can't explain it. I'm terrified that something bad will happen to you all. We've reached the north so just please, please stay here in the city where you're safe. It's better here than any place we've been so far. Please, I can't put you all through anymore... I just can't."
"What's this?" Sophia put her hand on Alexandra's arm, "you're not putting us through anything. We're here because we want to help you and we want to be with you."
Alexandra knew that in her heart, but the whispering voice in her head told her otherwise.
"Don't deserve it," Alexandra whispered, echoing the thoughts in her head.
It almost felt as if she hadn't said that, but sure enough it had come from her lips; almost as if the words had a mind of their own.
The voice that sounded like hers in her head told her that she knew that her entire quest was selfish and many people had been put out because of it.
Sophia wouldn't hear any of it however. "These times since we left the slums have been the best in my entire life, the same goes for Luca and Zooey I know. We've gone so many places and met so many wonderful people, this is way better then the life we had before."
There would be no dissuading them.
"Okay," Alexandra relented, composing herself.
She had known everything Sophia just said, she even believed it. Still, the guilt wouldn't leave her, the voice telling her that she was wrong and it was her fault. She tried to ignore it.
"If we're all going to go we're going to need to find Zooey," Alexandra took in a deep breath and continued.
"I think she's downstairs in the pub," Luca re-entered, all dressed for travel, "you probably passed her on your way in."
"I must have been thinking about other things and didn't notice," it was true, Alexandra had entered the hotel somewhat lost in her fog.
"Luca, grab her pack, we'll meet her down there," Sophia tightened the straps on her backpack, ready for the road, "are we meeting Patrik?"
Patrik.
In her excitement over this new lead, Alexandra hadn't thought about Patrik. She was going to leave, after everything that had happened, she was leaving so soon. She knew telling him would hurt him just as telling him would hurt her.
Better he not get hurt, maybe he would forget about her, move on.
"We're heading out," she stated firmly.
"Alexandra!" Sophia knew this wasn't the best choice.
"Please Sophia," Alexandra couldn't take debating it, "maybe we'll come back, who knows. I just can't tell him right now. Clean break."
Sophia disagreed but she knew how important this new clue was, so she cinched up her pack the rest of the way and hurried out, all the while wishing she could change Alexandra's mind about this. She normally could but this was a different circumstance and if just leaving hurt Alexandra less, then that is what Sophia wanted as well.
Alexandra wanted more than anything to see him, to hold his hand again, but she had to stay focused on the reason they had come this far. Her heart felt like a stone in her chest, but she swallowed down the regret and redirected her energy into this new chapter of their travels.
When they did find Zooey in the bar, they were afraid she would object to being displaced so suddenly and going back on the road. She just shrugged and said it was 'cool' and took her pack and followed them out of the hotel.
In truth, Zooey could not wait to leave Alloa, the scene of her crime. She was still torn up inside about what she did and the consequences it brought upon Alexandra. She wanted nothing more than to confess, to tell her what she did and beg for Alexandra's forgiveness. She knew Alexandra would forgive her too, and that only made it worse.
After what she did, Zooey did not think she deserved to be pardoned, there was no way she was brave enough to let anyone know what she did. She was good at taking care of herself but had never done anything really that someone else had to pay for, at least that she knew of. To have to see the consequences of her actions in horrible detail as she had witnessed had been too much, it tore at her heart and soul. Her pride was hurt, stabbed right through, and her pride had fallen away to guilt and shame. She was relieved though as Alloa slowly fell behind them, maybe she could think about it less.
As they departed, a small crowd had gathered to watch the four strangers leave towards the frigid Mountains. The Lederan watched them go from his window, four small figures in the distance bracing themselves from the winds that hurled themselves down to the ground from the Rotsen Mountains.
The countryside between Alloa and the Mountains was barren, mostly craggy rocks; there were no roads either north of Alloa leading to the intimidating and impassable mountain range. They had to be careful with their steps as they had to go cross-country now, no easy highway to follow.
The shadowy peaks lie ahead, soaring up into the clouds, piercing the sky it seemed. It was even colder than in town, gusts of cold wind blowing down off of the peaks and whipping all around them. The cold hurt, Alexandra more than the others. The metal in her tattoo cooled and her when her shoulder moved, the skin becoming inflamed and began tearing slightly.
Alexandra gritted her teeth and tried to push past the pain, she knew learning about her father would be worth any cost.
"No, not any cost," she corrected herself.
This trip had already cost her and her friends so much, too much. They had been made fugitives, traitors who would most certainly be killed if Cornelius soldiers ever tracked them down. On top of that, they had been made the prisoner of a mad Lederan in Lerwick, and had to endure countless nights of sleeping outside and days of weary walking.
Alexandra pressed ahead, hoping each step would bring her closer to the end of her journey and then they could all return safely to Alloa. The sky was darker, thick clouds swirling around the Mountains ahead, blocking out the sky and casting shadows across the ground. This close, the Mountains looked like jagged walls of rock, shooting up too far for the eye to see the top of. Snow was flying ahead, the ragged wind gusts pushing it every which way.
From what Alexandra could see, the Rotsen Mountains certainly earned their reputation of being a dark, mysterious, and unsettling place.
"Lady Divorna," Gerlander Benedikt bowed deeply to his fellow Noble as he met her in the Market District, "what a pleasant surprise seeing you this morning."
"Sir Benedikt," she curtsied, "the same to you as well this fine day."
"May I have a moment of your time?"
"Of course," she set down the fruit she had been inspecting at the store and walked alongside him, "what is on your mind?"
"Have you heard the rumors?" his voice was lower.
"About the money?"
"Yes, most of it is gone," Gerlander's voice sounded worried.
"What have you heard?"
"House Cornelius already controls the Counters Circle, economy is in their hands. Now word has gotten around that many records are missing, many of the Noble Houses suddenly have no money! The Counters Circle is responsible for all of the banked funds in Prydain, now a lot of the money from Noble Houses is unaccounted for. Receipts and logbooks are suddenly missing, so I've heard."
"So, House Cornelius is finally taking advantage of the fact they pull the strings at the Counters Circle and have pulled the rug out of most of the Houses financially."
"Many Houses have trade obligations to pay or just the salary of their soldiers or servants. Many are suddenly caught with nothing. Most are turning to House Cornelius to lend them money."
"And they become indebted to House Cornelius," Lady Divorna mused, "a position they will probably never be able to get themselves out of."
"Exactly," Gerlander was disgusted, "I can't believe no one sees what's going on!"
"I'm sure many do but either choose not to believe it or are too afraid to think about it."
"How is your House?" he asked, "with your resources I mean."
"House Divorna has not had their funds held at the Counters Circle for several seasons, ever since House Cornelius graciously volunteered to oversee and maintain it."
Gerlander laughed at that fortunate premonition. "The same, my father pulled all our treasury out of it too last season."
"Then at least our two Houses are okay for the moment." She was relieved.
"But not for long," he warned, "this is but the first attack, the first move in House Cornelius' game."
""You're wrong," she replied flatly, "they are already several dozen moves in, we are just trying to play catch up at this point."
"Pretty soon Cornelius soldiers will be breaking down doors; this way of life is coming to an end and the commoners go on in ignorance and the nobles refuse to see the truth of things."
"Blissful and willful ignorance," Lady Divorna observed, "they refuse to believe that House Cornelius' ambition is so strong, the lengths they will go to achieve their goals."
"My father is getting tired of all this," Gerlander was whispering now, "he wants it over."
"It would be dangerous to move against Cornelius without public opinion on our side."
"Nothing so drastic yet," he assured her as they came to a stop near a high fashion store, making a show of window shopping. "But we have been hearing about things amiss near the Distansera, caravans going missing. The locals are scared and House Benedikt is planning to send a small expedition to see what is going on there."
"I've heard the same," she confirmed, "people suddenly vanishing. Tell me, have any of your people heard anything from the north?"
Gerlander allowed himself a small smile, "quite a bit, actually..."
A commotion suddenly interrupted him. Someone was shouting near the center of the Market District, people were running to see.
"What is it?" Gerlander frowned.
"It's probably him," Lady Divorna stood on her tip-toes to try to see something.
"What? Who?"
"The old man."
"Who?" Gerlander was still confused.
"He started showing up a few days ago, he's an old man that suddenly walks into the center of the Market District, yells some incoherent phrases, and then is gone again."
"I'm surprised the Cornelius soldiers surrounding this District let him in."
"They don't," Lady Divorna grinned, touching the tip of her nose.
"What do you mean?"
"They all have sworn to their superiors that the man has never been seen before and most certainly was not granted access. I overheard them trying to explain it the other day to a higher-ranking Cornelius officer."
"Well, I'm surprised they don't just arrest him then, or even kill him."
Lady Divorna laughed, "that's just it, by the time the soldiers reach him, he's gone."
"Someone has to have seen where we went."
Gerlander found this whole situation quite absurd.
"No. He's just gone, no one sees him go or can say exactly when he left. It's driving the Cornelius soldiers crazy."
"Who is this old man?" Gerlander now wanted to see him too, his curiosity piqued.
"No one knows. A lot of people are scared of him, but mostly everyone is fascinated. Oh! I think I can hear him."
It was true, not far away, an old man with tattered clothes and moldy sandals was trudging across the Market District, yelling at the top of his lungs.
"Repent Avindr!"
His eyes looked around but did not seem to focus on anything.
"The wickedness in your hearts will soon be made to account for itself!"
Gerlander could hear the fast march of soldiers approaching.
"The time is drawing close for you to answer! Their hands are stretching up from the grave even now!"
Gerlander could see Cornelius soldiers with swords drawn, charging as fast as they could from every direction towards the center of the market.
"The fiery bird is waking up and is on the rise!"
The soldiers reached the center of the market but the old man was nowhere to be seen.
None of the hundreds of surrounding commoners could say for sure where he went either. Gerlander had been looking right at the old man but had blinked and then did not see him anymore. No one could move that fast, no one could disappear like that. Gerlander rubbed his eyes, they must be playing tricks on him.
The soldiers mulled around for awhile in frustration before returning to their posts guarding the gates to the Market District.
Gerlander bid farewell to Lady Divorna and hurried back to his family's estate in the Garden. He was eager to finish his official duties in the capitol, then join his family at their country estate. It depressed him being Avindr, with the signs of House Cornelius' control evident everywhere. He wanted to travel, he wanted to feel like he was doing something. That is why he had insisted on joining the expedition to the border of the Distansera that House Benedikt was going to quietly send out. He wanted to take action, he wanted to stop sitting down and watching Cornelius seize the nation.
Gerlander was ready to fight, he was ready to make a difference.