The man gave up something between a laugh and a cough and exclaimed, “I’ll be dipped in shit. Is that you, Ezekiel?”
Ezekiel nodded. “Hello, Matthias. Good to see you’re as eloquent as ever.”
The man laughed, and this time, it clearly turned into a coughing spell. Gaining his composure, he cried, “Come in, come in, you salty sonofabitch. I can’t believe you actually came back, but it’s damn good to see you.” He turned and waved for them to follow. “And who is this little tight-ass? Another student of yours? I thought you would have learned your lesson after what that shithead Adrien is doing.” Matthias looked over his shoulder at Gregory and then at Ezekiel. “He looks like an idiot.”
Gregory opened his mouth, but couldn’t think of a response.
“Gregory is a friend of mine,” Ezekiel corrected. “And one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever met.”
“Well, any friend of Ezekiel’s is a friend of mine. Welcome to Villgen.”
As they walked into a living room filled with old and worn furniture, the blue glow of magitech lights snapped on. Gregory looked at it closely as he took the seat offered to him by their host.
Matthias grunted. “What? Surprised that anybody outside your precious Arcadia is capable of such things?”
“Well, no… I mean, yes. I guess I am. I thought we were the only ones who had developed magitech.” Gregory tripped over his words as his face turned red. Matthias grinned like a child at him. “I mean, that’s the story we’ve been told, at least.”
“Do you also believe in unicorns?” The man laughed.
Gregory’s eyes slid to Ezekiel. If the young man were truthful, he would say that he didn’t quite know what he believed in anymore, but he realized that wasn’t the point. “No, of course not.”
“No matter how many stories you’re told?” Matthias raised his brows.
“They’re just stories.”
Matthias nodded like a madman as he stood in the doorway between the living room and the rest of the house. “A lot of stories out there, kid. We believe what we want, I suppose. Especially if they make us seem special. But, if I’m honest—”
“Which you generally are not,” Ezekiel interrupted.
Matthias ignored his old friend. “This tech actually did come from your walled city. At least, the idea did. An engineer who had had enough of Arcadia emigrated here a number of years ago. I guess you could say he fled the stink your city was built on. But we’ve developed most of this independently.” The old man turned. “But enough about the past. We need drinks!” he exclaimed, as he rushed out of the room.
Once the man was gone, Ezekiel took a seat in an overstuffed chair across from Gregory. “He’s a good man, though a bit eccentric.”
“Obviously,” Gregory replied, as his face returned to its normal color. “How do you know him, anyway?”
Ezekiel snorted. “Matthias? I’ve known him for over forty years. He was one of the first people I met after leaving my home with the Oracle. He was one of the original founders of Arcadia, along with me, Eve, and—”
“Adrien.”
He nodded. “Yes. Adrien.”
“So why didn’t he stay in the city?” Gregory asked.
“You have to remember, it wasn’t a city back then, just a handful of survivors trying to make ends meet. Actually, once it started to look like a city, he ended up leaving us. I think he wanted a simpler way. I remember, one time he said to me, ‘You and your imagined republic will never have a place in this world.’” Ezekiel shrugged. “Maybe Adrien has proved him right, but I hope not. He told us he was setting off to the West. Several went with him. Villgen is the result.”
“So, he’s their Founder?”
Ezekiel laughed. “Indeed he is. Although I imagine he likes the title a bit more than I ever did.”
Matthias pushed a cart into the room holding a decanter and three glasses. He poured three drinks and passed them to his guests, keeping one for himself.
Raising a glass, he said, “It ain’t the brew of the mystics, but this shit isn’t bad.” He tilted the glass toward Ezekiel and Gregory. “To Arcadia, and to the future!”
“To the future,” Ezekiel agreed before tilting the glass and drinking. “Not bad at all.”
Gregory sipped the elixir. It tasted like the mystics’ ale, only stronger. The heat went to his gut and then worked its way to his head. He nodded to affirm his pleasure.
Matthias smiled broadly. “I’m glad you approve. We don’t have access to much better than this. You’d think a friend stopping by would bring some brew from the Heights with him, but hell, I imagine you have something more important in play than my drinking preferences.”
“We do indeed, Matthias. And, unfortunately, we will only be staying the night. Tomorrow, we venture into the Forest.”
Matthias set his cup on the edge of the table. “Ah! Going for help, I presume?”
Ezekiel cocked his head to the side. “Going to tell the story. The people of the Forest are a reclusive bunch, much more than the mystics. I hardly believe they will fight, but I have to try. Where there is hope, there is always a chance.”
Matthias laughed. “A chance of getting your dick cut off, there is. None of my people even go close to their border if we can help it. But, when there’s great need, right? We have some time before dinner. Why don’t you tell me what really happened in Arcadia?”
Ezekiel drew a long drink of the ale and settled in to recount the events that had transpired in Arcadia the night the Boulevard burned.
****
The three men talked and ate for several hours, until Ezekiel decided that they should call it a night. After visiting the washroom, Gregory wound his way through the house and found his room. From the front of the building, Matthias’s residence didn’t look like much. If anything, it was quite narrow. But the structure stretched back for what seemed like miles, and the second floor had room upon room. Clearly the old man had done well for himself in the tiny village.
Just as he was about to close the door, Ezekiel cleared his throat behind him. Gregory turned to look the wizard in the eyes.
“Get some good sleep, Gregory. We will likely not have hospitality or comfort such as this for many days.”
He nodded. “I'm tired enough to fall asleep on top of the city wall right now.”
Ezekiel smiled as he turned to find his own room. “Just so long as you don’t fall asleep while we’re walking through the Dark Forest.”
With that thought to terrify him, Gregory shut the door. Looking around, he eyed the magitech lights illuminating the space. They were identical to the new magitech torches Arcadia had developed just the previous year, down to the very last detail. He found it strange that Matthias insisted that they had developed the tech themselves. The artifacts were clearly Arcadian. It was just surprising how many of them were in the city, even the small part of it they had seen.
He kicked off his shoes and dropped onto the single bed in the lavishly decorated room. The magitech lights clicked off as soon as he was horizontal, leaving Gregory in complete darkness.
Cool, he thought. Just like the motion-sensitive lights back home.
Settling into the bed, Gregory imagined all the things he could do with magitech; all the good he could bring to the world. As his mind churned, sleep finally took him over, and he dreamed about his magitech torch running out of juice as he tried to navigate through the pitch-blackness of the Dark Forest.
****
Maddie stood waiting on the top step of the staircase leading to the tower as Hannah approached. A bag was slung over her shoulder, and another sat at her feet. The girl looked radiant in her winter cloak, which had only a few weeks’ wear from her time in the tower. A year ago the two of them would have had nothing in common, but Ezekiel’s return had changed everything.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Hannah said, “Sorry I’m late. Amelia started to train our magician warriors today, and we thought it best if magic user
s from the Boulevard and the Quarter were both there.”
“Not at all.” Maddie glanced at the position of the sun. “You’re right on time. I just wanted to be ready.”
The girl smiled and a dimple on her chin trembled, defeating her attempt to look brave. Maddie’s life in Arcadia had been, on the surface, one of relative ease. She and her Aunt Eve had all they needed, and her days were spent caring for her aging relative. But below the surface, things weren’t as simple as they seemed. She had lost her father and buried her mother too young, and recently her aunt had passed, leaving her alone in the world.
Although living through loss had matured her beyond her years, she was still not used to life as she now knew it in the tower. But helping with the rebellion and working for the revolution were making her stronger, or maybe uncovering a strength that had always been there. Still, the thought of venturing beyond the tower into the open spaces of Irth clearly intimidated her.
Hannah grabbed the pack and squeezed her arm. “Don’t worry. This is an easy one. A few hours’ walk to a farmer’s homestead. We’ll be back before dark.”
“I’m good,” Maddie said with a blush. “Especially since you’re coming with me. It’s just, this is all so new to me, you know?”
Hannah laughed. “Considering I only met Ezekiel eight months ago, I’m still pretty new to it myself. But we learn quickly.”
They shouldered their packs and descended the staircase. Hannah placed her thumb and middle finger into her mouth and let out an ear-piercing whistle. Just as she did, the sound of a rushing wind hit them and Sal emerged from the tower, cutting through the air in a half-circle and drifting down to land at their feet.
“Been practicing, have you?”
The dragon tilted his head to one side and then back, as if nodding. Hannah and Maddie laughed as the beast fell into a walk next to them. The trio set off to the northeast, following the River Wren toward the farmlands that flourished along its banks. Hannah could feel her companion relax now that the dragon was along for the journey.
It was cold, and everyone in the tower was wondering when the weather would break. Depending on Adrien’s moves, they had already considered planting in the springtime when the ground thawed and the weather warmed, but Hannah expected they would not see that time of year in their current residence. Sooner rather than later, this whole thing would come to an end.
The sun was high overhead, and that, combined with a brisk pace, warmed them quickly. Content to walk in silence, Hannah watched the river with its ice-crusted edges roll on beside them.
“I won’t lie,” Maddie exclaimed, finally breaking the silence. “It’s nice to be out of that kitchen for a spell. I don’t mind the work, but Parker’s mother is driving me a little crazy!”
“Of course she is,” Hannah replied. “I’ve known Eleanor since I was a little one. She’s always been the same. Poor woman’s disease makes it hard to always get along with her.”
Maddie turned to her. “Disease?”
“Oh, you don’t know? There was never enough money in their house to officially get it diagnosed by the doctors, but we all know it’s there. Poor thing is broken.”
Maddie got silent, suddenly feeling bad for speaking ill of the sick. “What is it?” she finally asked.
“Shit-Lips Disease.” Hannah smiled. “Always had it. She is sweet as the day is long, but whenever she opens her mouth, she talks shit to someone. Usually to me.”
Maddie laughed with her hand over her mouth. “Yes! And I don’t think we need a doctor to diagnose the obvious. I’m glad it’s not just me. Walking on eggshells around her doesn’t help either.”
“Sometimes makes it worse,” Hannah replied with a wink. “She’s a good woman, though. And she has put up with Parker all these years, so she’s basically a saint.”
“Uh huh…” Maddie drawled suggestively.
“What?”
Maddie jabbed Hannah with her elbow. “Don’t what me. You don’t honestly believe we don’t see all the sexual tension between the two of you? So tell me.”
Hannah had never been good at girl-time, maybe due to living with two men without a mother in the house, but she thought she’d give Maddie a shot. “You got the tension part right, but sexual? Um, no. Just freaking no!”
Giggling, Maddie sighed. “Ok, if you say so. Doesn’t help to have that hot mystic running after you at the same time. It looks like you have the pick of the litter.”
“The only thing you’re getting right is the litter part. Parker and Hadley are a couple of wild dogs, running around growling at whatever moves and sniffing their own asses.” Hannah went quiet and walked like that for a moment. Then for some reason, she was moved to vulnerability. “I’ll be honest with you; Parker is great. We’ve been friends forever, and I don’t think I could find anybody who is as good a man as he is.”
“And the mystic?”
Hannah coughed. “Hadley? You can have him! I mean, hot, yes. Talented, sure. But…”
“Sounds to me like you’re not making a move because you’re not sure what move to make,” Maddie quipped.
She shook her head. “Maybe it’s a timing issue. My brother was murdered, our city destroyed, and we’re about to launch a suicide mission against a maniac who has a thousand times our strength. Let’s just say that all of this doesn’t allow me to pay attention to desires other than for justice and vengeance.”
“A little love could do you some good.”
“I love all of you,” Hannah whispered, uncomfortable with the words.
“That is not the kind of love I’m talking about.”
Hannah could feel her face grow warm, and she started to wish she was traveling with Karl instead. Listening to stories of the rearick’s escapades and his inane dick jokes would more pleasant at this point.
She attempted to steer the conversation. “Enough about me. What about you?”
“What about me?”
“A noblewoman from birth, daughter of one of the originals. With that pedigree, you should have been attached before you grew those legs.”
The girl blushed and waved her hand at Hannah. “Not that they didn’t try. But before I grew these, it was mostly gross old men who wanted my hand in marriage.”
“Yuck! Sick old bastards.”
Maddie grinned. “Tell me about it. My mother did well to stave them off, and once she passed, Aunt Eve did the same. But when she fell sick, I spent most of my time caring for her and looking after the house. And I loved it. Didn’t want for much else. But now that they’re gone,” she shrugged, “you never do know.”
“Really? You’ve got your eye on somebody!” Hannah faked a squeal, giving her best impression of a giddy schoolgirl.
“Can you keep a secret?” Maddie asked, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
“Always.”
“It’s kind of embarrassing, but I do have my eye on one of the men in the tower. No, forget it. I can’t.”
Hannah stopped, grabbed Maddie by the arm and spun her so they were face to face. Hannah looked up at the tall beauty. “Come on. I already bared my soul.”
She pursed her lips and gave a slight nod. “OK, but you have to swear by the Matriarch that you will tell no one.”
Hannah crossed her heart with her index finger and held her hand up, palm out. “Swear it.”
Maddie waggled her finger at her friend. “No one.”
She nodded, expecting Maddie to express her desire for Hadley. And what woman wouldn’t?
“OK. This is embarrassing.” She exhaled deeply. “I mean, he is so strong and confident…”
“You’re bloody killing me!”
“OK, I can’t believe I’m about to say this out loud, but the day I laid eyes on him, I completely lost it for Karl.”
Hannah’s face twisted, and for a second, she was certain she had misheard the Arcadian noblewoman. “What? You're screwing with me!”
Maddie’s face was deadpan, but only for a second before she bent
over giggling.
Hannah screamed and swatted at Maddie’s arm before the women broke into uncontrollable laughter.
“You’re such a douche nugget.”
At that, Maddie took a bow. “And proud of it. I’m amazed that you believed me.”
Hannah started walking again, trying to control her laughter. “I don’t know… Maybe you have some sort of short-man fetish and like the way he talks about his war hammer.”
“Sick,” Maddie cried.
“Very sick,” Hannah agreed, still laughing. “And very unlike you!”
“I know. I guess all that time hanging around with you rebels has really perverted my virtuous nature.” Maddie laughed and then fell into silence for a few paces. “Seriously, though, when I was a little girl, I did what all the other noble girls did—played house with my dolls and had tea parties with my girlfriends in the Quarter. I always imagined myself being like those dolls, settling in with a husband, having children. You know, that picture of the good life.”
“We never really had that picture down in the Boulevard,” Hannah answered.
Maddie nodded, slightly embarrassed. “Sorry. Sometimes I forget how different our upbringings were.”
“Nah. Don’t mention it.”
The women kept walking, and finally Maddie continued, “As I got older, things got more complicated with my mother’s death and then Eve’s sickness. I never minded the responsibility. Hell, they would have given everything for me. But the circumstances made boys, and later, men, a low priority.”
Hannah nodded. “Then we’re not so different after all. So, enough about boys. Let’s talk about magic.”
“Magic?”
Hannah shrugged. “Yeah. Why did you never study? You’re old enough to be enrolled at the Academy, and you would have gotten in without a problem. And you’re smart. Could’ve been somebody important in the Capitol.”
“You mean like Adrien?” Maddie laughed uncomfortably, knowing how sensitive a subject the Chancellor was for Hannah. “Adrien was actually part of the reason I never studied. Well, I guess Aunt Eve was. She knew Adrien well, probably better than most. She had watched everything from the beginning, and knew what kind of a man he was. When it came down to it, she realized that I could have a good life without magic. At least that’s what I assume.”
Revolution - C M Raymond & L E Barbant Page 10