Chandeera

by Wolf Golan

  They nodded to the Guard and said their 'Thank You’s, then made their way into the dark staircase.

  As they climbed down, Max grew tired of watching Alex's dark green sweater hanging out of her jacket, so he reached down and tucked it in. She jumped.

  “Hey! You Whack!” She hit his hand away. “What are you doing?”

  “I'm tired of looking at it.”

  “Yeah good! Mind your own business.” She said sarcastically tucking in her shirt. Max smiled as they finally reach the first floor.

  They saw a passing Official and stopped him.

  “Excuse me? Are we in the South Hall?”

  “Yes you are. What are you looking for?”

  “The South Dining Hall,” they said together.

  “It's up the stairs and down the hall this way.” He waved his hand left.

  “Thank you much.” They said together again.

  They walked upstairs and came through a door to a hallway. Max recognized it as the South Hall because he was passing the windows overlooking the sea the other day. They cornered the hall, pass the windows, and swathe familiar double-doors. They made their way down and pushed them open and walked in.

  Prince Cornigan sat at the left with a couple of his Knights guards walking forward, but he gestured them down. They calmed and got back into position.

  “Your Highness,” Max said bowing.

  “Your Highness,” Alex bowed too.

  “We will leave you.” Max said attempting to lead Alex out.

  “No! Don't be foolish, come sit.” Cornigan gestured them forward.

  They walked over and sat down.

  Prince Cornigan had both his hands up waving away their formalities. “Please, act natural, I'm just like you. I'm not Royalty yet.” He said smiling. He took a drink of his ale and slammed it down. He swallowed with a big gulp.

  He squinted at Max and Alex, as they in turn glanced at each other, estranged.

  “General Ryzen helped escort your companions back to the Kingdom with your ship.” He blurted out. Max raised his eye-brows, frowned, and nodded his head. Alex did the same. “They're wheeling it back and should tomorrow morn.” The Prince said burping.

  “Thank you Sire,” Max bent his head.

  “Cornigan please, not Sire. Like I said, I'm not royalty yet.” He picked up a knife and fork and put it on his empty plate, as a servant came and picked it up.

  “What do you two want?”

  “Oh I'm fine with whatever, as long it's well-cooked.” Alex replied smiling, crossing her arms awkwardly. Max looked at her then to Cornigan, “yeah me too.”

  Cornigan turned to the servant, “Get them two slow-roast Forest Ground Bird.”

  Max and Alex looked at each other.

  “So I heard you two took the Woodland River?”

  “Yeah, we did” Alex replied.

  “Such a coincidence, when I was a child my uncle Luthrick started a campaign to assassinate me. My father hid me in a cottage at Teewell Gardens in the Yem Mountains. I stayed there for three Winters while my father drove Lutherick’s forces out.

  A Knight came to me one night and told me to pack everything. He rode me to the Woodland River and put me in a small boat. Just like you guys, we sailed all the way to the West Sea and came to Densmere through the drainage. I appreciated my home more after.”

  Prince Cornigan stared at the wall reminiscing.

  “Wow,” Alex nodded her head. “I bet.”

  “Yeah,” Max added.

  “Glad you arrived okay.” Alex added.

  He snapped out of it and turned to them.

  “Yeah, me too,” Cornigan said taking another drink of his ale.

  “So Prince,” Max said.

  “Cornigan.”

  “Cornigan… can someone teach me the sword?”

  Alex looked at Max disconcerted.

  Cornigan smiled and laughed. “Yes Sir Max, Knight Guyin taught me when I was young. I'm sure he can do the same for you. He's been in my father's service for forty Moon Cycles now.” Cornigan signaled a Knight to get him and he walked speedily out.

  “Thank you,” Max bowed.

  Cornigan bowed back then turned to Alex, she bowed and so did he before walking out.

  The next day, Alex asked Max to go to Densmere Square. They were not finished with their sightseeing.

  They started down the Grand Staircase passing Servants, Knights, and Nobles, until they reached the bottom at the base of Freena’s statue. They marveled at it, as they slowly rounded it.

  They saw the statue in a new light, now knowing the background. They stopped by the fountain underneath and Alex looked to see her reflection. Max could tell she had never looked at herself in a long time, so she immediately fixed her hair.

  Max sat down by her and smirked.

  He looked in and then to Alex, “there's no coins in it?”

  “I don't think they're culturally aware of Wishing Wells Max.” Alex said glancing at him sarcastically before resuming fixing her hair. She turned and looked at the distant square.

  “Come, let's go!”

  “I don't have any currency.” Max replied still sitting on the fountain.

  “Oh yeah that's right.” She froze. “What are we going to do?”

  “I'm not walking back up there.” He laughed sarcastically.

  Alex tilted her head and tensed her eyebrows. She thought for a moment then, dug into her pocket. “I just remembered Broglin gave me some coins for dinner, but I didn't need it because the Scribes feed me.” She pulled out two bronze coins with a Baelyin King's head on it.

  “Oh yes!”

  “Well now you can shop!” Max said to her smiling.

  Alex shook with excitement, as she grabbed his arm to make their way down.

  Densmere's main street was of stone slab under a line of sycamore. Alex twirled her head up at swallows flying about. A nice breeze blew, and she closed her eyes to enjoy it. Max looked up and tried to do the same.

  The street got busy with carriages and wagons. Baeylins walked about. Max and Alex were oblivious to them as they enjoyed their walk, and they in return.

  They got excited as they neared Densmere Square. It appeared to be brimming with activity and they had not seen such crowds, even in Yems. This crowd was twenty-times bigger than Yems.

  They entered the Square.

  Thousands melded about countless stands and tables selling food, clothing, and animals. Transactions were being done everywhere and directions were being told to Suppliers bringing in new items from the countryside. Max and Alex tried to take it all in. A buggy rode by them with two praides and nearly ran them over. Little Doons with their baskets of fruit or jars of honey walked by, brushing pass their legs.

  Two huge wooden buildings led them into the huge intersection, which was the Square.

  In the middle, were huge squares of the stands and two more lines inside. To the right, were people selling hay, wood, and manure from their wagons and stalls setup against the city wall. They decided to start from the North end of the Square and work their way around. They walked along to see countless stalls, storefronts, and even children playing games in the streets.

  They saw Baeylins selling dead animals, livestock of small lizard-like creatures, and Hirzogs. There were arts and crafts, Gentees selling weaponry and armor, and women selling clothing. Densmere was truly the metropolis of Chandeera.

  Among the crowds, were the usual Chandeerans Max was now familiar: Baelyin of all economic classes, Doons, Gentees, Raidins, Waywongs, and Modas. They also saw some Noos'ells at their own stand selling seeds, apples, and letting children pet their birds. Max also saw a Baelyin man using a chisel to make a wooden table.

  “Wow!” Max said to Alex.

  “Yeah, Jenny has been bugging me to come here with her!” Alex replied, almost having to yell over the crowd. The crowds got thicker the deeper they went into the center.

  They started walk shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowds, Alex grabbed
Max's hand. They made their way around the stands and tables to see more items. Alex took particular interest in a couple of the clothing items and Max waited.

  They reached the other side of the street and continued their way along the stalls, when they heard a voice from the crowd. “Alex!”

  Jenny came running up to them.

  “Hey!” Alex replied smiling. They hugged.

  Jenny said a quick “Hi,” to Max as she continued to hug Alex.

  “Hi,” Max calmly replied.

  “Isn't this place something?” Jenny said smiling to Alex, “Dallas and I have been coming here every fourth day, Saturdays, it gets the biggest!”

  “Wow!” Alex replied.

  “How do you get their currency?” Max asked.

  “Oh me and Dallas have been helping the bakery here two days out of the week and they've been paying us, plus we help the Wangs and get money that way too!” Jenny said over the crowd noise.

  “Oh wow! Cool!” Alex replied. “You guys adapted!”

  “Yeah I guess!”

  Max saw Donald Wang walking and carrying a porter.

  “Whoa!” Max shrieked. “There's Donald! Hey!” Max waved at Donald running over, but Donald couldn't hear him.

  “Where?” Alex asked.

  “There!” Max shouted halfway into the crowds, pointing across the street

  “Mr. Wang!” Max yelled again.

  Donald stopped and turned. He squinted into the crowd and saw Max running to him. He smiled really big, unloosened his porter, and opened his arms to Max. Max grabbed him and hugged him hard.

  “What the heck you doin?” Max asked slapping him on the shoulders. “How are you Mr. Wang?”

  “Sooo glad you're still alive young man! I missed you!” Donald said looking at him with pride.

  “Where's Terry?!” Max asked shifting his head around.

  “Oh she's corning behind me,” Donald gestured down the street. Max turned and saw Terry pushing a small wooden dolly of wool bags.

  He smiled and ran. Alex came after Max.

  “Alex! Beautiful young woman! Soooosoo glad you’re okay!” Donald said huggin her hard.

  “I want to say hi to Terry,” Alex said running after Max. Donald playfully shooed her off. Terry saw them, stopped the dolly, and leaned it against the wall to await them. They reached her and hugged her at the same time. She held both of their heads into her shoulders and giggled in happiness.

  “So glad you're okay Mrs. Wang, so glad!” Max said from behind her.

  “So glad Mrs. Wang!” Alex added.

  “Oh you two kids! I love you and missed you too so much!” She said giggling.

  “We missed you too! And love you too!” Max replied.

  “Yeah!” Alex added. Alex kissed her on the cheek.

  Donald came up behind them and looked on the reunion with pride. Max turned to him and rubbed his shoulder.

  “Terry how are you? How've you been?” Alex said in happiness.

  “I'm doing okay,” she replied.

  “What about you two? Where have you guys been?” Donald asked.

  “Oh it's a long story.” Alex said smiling.

  “Well, come by our house and have some tea and you can tell us!” Donald gestured them onward.

  “You have a house?” Max said raising his eyebrows.

  “Wow!” Alex added.

  “Yes, the Seamstress we work for let us have the upstairs loft above the shop. It’s good! We make a good living!” Terry explained.

  Max and Alex frowned in amazement.

  Alex reached over and picked up her dolly. “Well where do you want this?”

  Terry smiled and pointed at the end of the street. “Down that way, I'll show you.”

  Terry started leading the way and Max ran over to pack the porter for Donald.

  “Thank you!” Donald said smiling hard.

  “No problem,” Max replied lifting the porter on his back.

  Terry started speaking to them over her back, as she led Alex, Max, and Donald down the street. “Our Storekeeper Igenor is selling the fabric. We show them how to refine silk. They don't know!” She said waving her head as she continued.

  “Wow!” Alex replied.

  “Man it is so good to see you two again.” Max said under the porter.

  “You too Max,” she said turning to him.

  They walked for a few moments before Terry turned to him again. “You know, your sweetheart Alex was very worried about you at camp. When we came to Densmere, she didn't go. She wanted to wait for you. She loves you lots Max.” Terry said.

  “Yeah we met up in Yems. She's been by my side since.” Max looked at Alex, as she pushed Terry's dolly of wool bags.

  “Oh!” Terry stopped and turned to them with her hand over her mouth. “Can we stop by our stall first? I almost forgot about it!” She said a little concerned.

  “Sure,” Max replied.

  Terry walked back out on the street into the maze. Their stand was near the middle with elaborate lines of ivory and necklaces. Donald and Terry huddled behind the stand and started speaking Chinese to each other. They pointed to things and planned their set up with one another.

  Terry turned to them.

  “Alex you can start unloading the bags. We have to get them all out before sundown or the crowd will leave. This is the best day to sell garments.” Terry explained.

  “Sure,” Alex replied. She rested the dolly and started unloading the garments and Max put his porter down and started unloading the sacks. When they finished, the Wangs started setting them up. “It looks like tea will have to wait. We're getting pretty busy here. Sorry!” Terry said.

  “You know what, it's fine!” Max said smiling.

  “Yeah!” Alex added.

  “So you'll be okay with this?” Max gestured to the porter.

  “Yeah just leave it there,” Donald replied, “you two go and have fun!”

  “Okay Terry!” Alex gave Terry another hug. “You should come to the castle tonight, we'll dine together.”

  “Yeah!” Terry almost jumped with enthusiasm.

  “Good,” Alex touched her shoulder gestured Max to leave.

  Max and Alex gave them a light wave as they slowly made their way out into the crowds and the Wangs were enveloped by Baelyin buyers and merchants. Alex couldn't help stopping at a stand of garments, as Max waited again, annoyed.

  They soon cleared the markets and were back on main street. They came before a tavern. Max looked at Alex who put on a whipped hat.

  “You look like you just took a shower.” Max giggled.

  “Yeah I know right.” Alex said adjusting it. “It’s a little African.”

  “I can tell,” Max said playing with a ruffle on it.

  A husky Baelyin brushed by Max, as he stepped aside.

  “Well, what do you want to do?” Alex smiled at him.

  “I wouldn't mind going in here for a bit.” Max gestured to the tavern. They both stared up at it and Alex turned to him. “You know how I feel about drinking.” She said, sinking her head and eyeing him.

  “I won't stay long.” He said looking into her eyes.

  “Okay, I'm going to visit with Jenny up at the palace. We’re seeing the library.” She said reaching up and kissing him holding her whipped hat.

  “Bye,” Max said.

  “Bye,” Alex replied.

  She started toward the castle. Max made his way in.

  It was bustling so he squeezed his way through to the bar. The racket and loud sounds reminded him of bars back on the outskirts of Birchville.

  A large obese bartender with a beard stood scrubbing a cup behind the bar. Max leaned against the bar, “Hey can I have an ale?”

  The bartender eyed him for a moment and poured it into a mug in front of him. Max picked it up and put it to his mouth and drank. It was tasty, everything tasted better in Chandeera.

  Max drank more.

  Later in the evening, Max slowly made his way back up to the cas
tle buzzed. He cursed out loud a couple of times climbing the stairs, “Goddam stairs!”

  A couple of Servants stared at him as they walked by. He got to the top and made his way into the Great Hall, then the next stairwell, trying to act normal, but staggering. He staggered along the halls, as the guards gave him stares.

  “Now which tower is it?” He said looking up staggering, dangling. He sat down against the parapet, sunk to the ground, and fell asleep with his head hanging.

  Max was shaken and shaken until he hit the hand away. He raised his head as a headache streaked through his head.

  “Aahhh!” He held his forehead.

  The daylight burned his eyes, as he felt cold crawl through his chest, he hugged himself shivering. “Oooo... where am I?”

  “You're on the North wall Sir.” A Guard stood above him with a pike.

  “Oh.”

  The Guard helped him up and Max straightened out his jacket and buttoned it. He nodded to the guard with a burp and started to the south tower.

  Max walked into the bedchambers, but it was empty. He slowly made his way to the bathroom and saw water in the basin and threw a handful on his face. A knock came at the door. He walked over and opened it. A large, husky Knight in his fifties stood there with a firm stare. He had a balding with a square jaw and rough look. He wore the normal chainmail with a breastplate.

  “Yeah?” Max asked.

  “Guyin,” he replied.

  Max thought for a moment, “Oh yeah! Shit!” Max said tilting his head slapping it. “We're supposed to practice!”

  “Yes,” he said bowing. “We go to the Training Ground.”

  “You think we can start tomorrow? I drank a lot of ale last night.” Max replied, embarrassed.

  Guyin furrowed his eyes. “You drank ale?”

  “Yes, sorry.”

  Guyin giggled a little.

  “Sure, tomorrow morn,” Guyin quickly bowed and walked off down the hall. Max closed the door and leaned his head against it, feeling so guilty… and sick.

  ###

  It was later in the day, and Alex was still gone. Max still felt hung-over and buzzed a little, so he did push-ups and set-ups, then he washed up again. He decided to oil his gun. When he finished, he stared out the window onto the city.

  The door opened suddenly.

  “Ugh what smells like oil?” Alex said coming in.