by J C Maynard
Mrs. Bernoil had just caught up to them and knelt down. “Oh dear.” She took Gilsha’s arm, which was bleeding from her fall. “Here,” she said, “let’s get you inside . . . Aunika, check on Mrs. Gold and give her anything she needs; I’m sure she too will be distraught that her sons are gone.” Turning to Gilsha she comforted her. “Calleneck and I will take you back to our house, Gilsha. I’ll make some soup. Come, we want to help.”
Aunika went inside the Gold’s house and Calleneck and Mrs. Bernoil took Gilsha to 138 Winterdove Lane, where Gilsha wrapped her arms around Calleneck and cried.
◆◆◆
Mr. Bernoil picked two potatoes off a market stand and handed them to Calleneck, who collected the produce in a basket. The price of food had increased since summer to pay for the war. A potato that cost a one eighth argentum now cost a half argentum. The markets in Seirnkov felt bleak and gray compared to the vibrant, bustling Aunestaunan Bazaar; instead, they were littered with weary men and women. Winter would arrive in a few months, and the poorer folk in the capital valley began to worry that they would not make it through.
Shopping at the market with Mr. Bernoil often prompted memories of his life as Kyan, who, day by day, had become less inclined to steal. The savings he had acquired from his deals with the giant man had accumulated over the years, and Kyan was able to pay for most everything he needed. Vree Srine had warned him once again to leave the capital, for Riccolo had become increasingly angered by Kyan’s lack of compliance. But something tore at him, causing him to stay in his rooftop shack in Aunestauna. And at sunset, Kyan began to tolerate the view of the Palace to the west on its steep hill overlooking the ocean. Although he didn’t admit it to himself, his view of the government was slowly changing, and he had become used to the idea that once every four times he lived the same day, he wore expensive robes beneath those ornate palace ceilings.
Eston had not been able to find out why Prophet Ombern was removed from the Council meeting, and he had felt a strange absence since Raelynn Nebelle had left for Cerebria. He thought about how day after day, as Tayben, he trained to take down the Ferrs, infiltrate their system, and disrupt communication throughout the Ferramish army.
“Calleneck,” said Mr. Bernoil, stopping Calleneck’s train of thought, “Come here. You see this price? That’s three damn argentums for a loaf of bread; three. We may as well try mining for our money, and if we strike gold, we might just be able to feed ourselves.”
Calleneck laughed; the man’s heavy Cerebrian accent made him sound more like a grandfather than a father.
“Speaking of gold,” said Mr. Bernoil, “your friend Gilsha Gold, is she alright?”
Calleneck shook his head.
“Mr. Gold was not a great man, every deal I made with him, he tried to cheat me. I can’t decide whether it's better that he abandoned Gilsha and her mother.”
“Mrs. Gold hasn’t got long, Father.”
“I know; which is why your mother would like to take Gilsha in after Mrs. Gold is gone — until she finds work or a husband somewhere . . .”
Calleneck remained silent as they walked through the afternoon market.
“You need to find a job soon too, as well as a wife. Your aunt and uncle and I can’t support you forever. At least Aunika now tells me she’s studying medicine. But you’re nineteen. It would do you good to find a partner in the next few years . . .” Mr. Bernoil hesitated. “I think Gilsha is a good girl.”
“She’s a good friend, yes.” said Calleneck. Mr. Bernoil turned a corner and he followed.
“I may not be young, but I see how she looks at you . . . I would approve. Of course that also depends on what you think of her.”
Calleneck stopped, he hadn’t thought much of marriage since the mental barrier to his other bodies vanished. Would only one of his selves ever find a wife? Could he bring himself to raise multiple families? Could he even raise a family if the Evertauri dethroned Xandria? He had an obligation as a prince to marry; as his minds became more and more alike over time, would three of his bodies live alone? “I guess I hadn’t thought of it. But I do enjoy her company — quite a bit I guess.”
Mr. Bernoil picked up a rose from a basket and examined its petals. “It’s simple to grow something once there’s a seed; try it and see. It’s as simple as giving her a rose.” Mr. Bernoil handed the flower to Calleneck. When he touched it, a petal fell off and landed in a cobblestone puddle.
◆◆◆
The sun had been set for hours when Eston reached Fillian’s door. I have to tell him everything. I have to tell him about Raelynn, how I know her, how I know all of these things. Raelynn might be the one responsible for what happened. I have to tell him what I’ve been seeing . . . these . . . other lives . . . Eston knocked on Fillian’s door and a few seconds later, it opened.
Fillian stood there with disheveled hair as always. “Evening, Eston. What are you doing?”
Eston stepped into the doorway. “I was wondering if we could go on a quick walk. It won’t take long — only to the courtyard.”
“Why?” Fillian asked.
“Just come along would you?” said Eston.
Eston had a hard time trying to broach a subject even he didn’t fully understand. By the time they arrived at the courtyard, he had stalled all he could by making small-talk, when he finally asked, “Do you — ?.” Eston stopped. What was I thinking, I can’t say this! I’m a prince. I can't sound like I’m going mad. Suddenly he switched topics. “Do you think I should be with Qerru-Mai?”
Fillian gave him a strange look.
Eston stumbled. “I- I mean, have you ever felt, you know, like that, toward someone.”
Fillian raised his eyebrow. “I don’t know why you’re asking me for advice.”
“I just thought you’d have another perspective that’s all.” Eston lied. “I just don’t know if I’m feeling those things because mum and dad want me to or if . . .” Eston’s mind trailed off.
Fillian shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. Wait until the war is over, when we have time to dwell on love and all that.” he joked.
Eston shook his head and sighed. The brothers spent the rest of the evening engaged in long-deserved casual conversation, something that gave Eston a much-needed break from the heavier things weighing on his mind.
◆◆◆
~September 23rd
Underneath the moss covered trees of Endlebarr, where the mist hung low and dense, Tayben sat in a circle with the other Phantoms sharpening their weapons. He looked around at the people with whom he would likely die. Thephern, the strict but strong leader. Ferron, the jester in rough times whose voice was sweeter than the birds. Chent, the reserved, unmatched bowman. Albeir Harkil, the First Platoon leader, who seemed to feel a deep connection with the forest. And of course, Gallien, the true friend and the one constant since Tayben left his little home in Woodshore to join the frontlines.
Tayben fell sick to his stomach thinking about his other lives — the fact that day to day he was betraying these brothers of battle. The soldier knew that in four hours, his other body would sit in a senate chamber hundreds of miles away, listening to the plans to counter his army. How could I fight against Cerebria? How could I support the Ferramish army? My “father,” the king, seeks to lay waste to everything I love. And how can I live beneath Seirnkov alongside the Evertauri, plotting to overthrow Queen Xandria and tear this nation down? It seems like it’s me against everyone else — myself. One final thought rang in his ear like trumpets, I have to fight.
◆◆◆
Kyan paced in the dirty fourth district outside the pawn shop of his dealer. Afraid to enter, Kyan stalled by kicking a hardened pebble of mud around. He had bought all of his food recently, rather than eating stolen bread. Finally, he got enough courage to walk up to the door and open it. There at the back of the shop was the giant man with the ink black beard. The giant stepped forward and Kyan thought the floor was going to fall through with how heavy the man seemed
to be. The man bellowed deep, “Kyan, you’re here early this week. What do you have for me?”
Kyan bit his lip and remained close to the door. “I don’t have anything.”
The giant man folded his arms. “What do you mean?”
Kyan swallowed and looked at the wall. “I won’t be doing business with you anymore.”
The giant man stood and Kyan’s body tensed, ready to bound out of the door if necessary. Horrifyingly quiet, the man said slowly, “Excuse me?” The man took a step toward Kyan. “You agreed to steal for me for two more years after I saved you from getting caught by the Guard.” he said as he inched closer. “You wouldn’t dare short me on our deal.”
Kyan stood his ground and looked the man in the eye. “I am.”
“What did you just say?” bellowed the man, who looked at Kyan with wide eyes. “You evil little rat.”
When the man stood up, Kyan lunged for the door and bounded out, diving into the alleyways of the fourth district. With adrenaline pumping, he couldn’t help but slip a little smile — the weight being lifted off his shoulders.
As he settled down to bed, he held his Olindeux and gazed through a small crack in his shack out at the starry night sky. A soft breeze sung him close to sleep when he heard a footstep outside. He slowly sat up and tried to look out at the rooftop when he saw a figure quickly run off the roof. But he knew the face. Vree?
Needing to investigate, Kyan silently grabbed a coat and exited his shack. Spotting Vree’s moonlit silhouette in the distance, he quickly followed to see what she was up to.
Eventually she entered a house in the second district. Kyan dared not follow her in, so he waited on an outcropping of the rooftop. Within a minute, another figure appeared on the rooftop, seeming to have been following Vree as well. It was a girl dressed in black. Is she with Vree? Kyan thought as he crouched behind a chimney so as not to be seen. Thirty seconds later, Kyan saw Vree climbing out of a window near the girl and onto the moonlit roof. She pulled a bag off her shoulder with something large and shiny inside.
Kyan’s stomach turned cold as the second girl pounced on Vree, punching her in the temple. In a series of hits and kicks, the attacker grabbed the shield and tried to run, but the jump to the next building was too far. Vree lay badly hurt, and the girl drew a knife. Kyan stood up from his hiding place and sprinted at the girl as she cocked back her arm. Running across the tiled roof, he collided with the girl in one hard hit, knocking them over the edge.
Instinctively, Kyan reached out and grabbed a windowsill a story down, knocking hard against the wall of the building. Hearing the sickening smack of the girl below him, he knew she was gone. Slowly, he worked his way to the ground where he looked inside the bag. Looking inside was a broken porcelain shield. From the dim moonlight, he could pick out “Gallegore.” Vree can’t steal this, she shouldn’t. He looked at the front door of the house, wishing to return it. Reluctantly, he tossed up the bag and quickly left the scene before the Guard came.
◆◆◆
Calleneck looked down at one of his many maps and traced his finger along the underground Network path, reading it by the sapphire light of Tallius’s Taurimous hanging overhead in the dark tunnel. “It’s to the left.” he said, and the two turned at a fork in the stalactite-filled tunnel from Seirnkov to Ontraug. President Nebelle had notified Calleneck and Tallius that an innkeeper in Ontraug had discovered the Evertauri by overhearing sorcerers that stayed at the inn, and he sent them to either sort out a deal of loyalty with him, or kill him.
As they walked, Tallius tried to keep up with Calleneck’s fast legs. “Why didn’t Sir Nebelle just ask us to take the regular path?”
Calleneck took another sharp turn, causing Tallius to slip and nearly fall on a puddle. “He wants me to confirm this other way in case Xandria were to find out about the Network and block the main path, or there was a cave-in, or something like that.” Calleneck ducked under a stalactite, “We need —”
“A backup plan, I know.” said Tallius, ducking under the same rock. “I just think we should be there already.” Tallius looked up at the glowing cave bugs on the top of the tunnel. “These weird glowing bugs on the ceiling creep me out.” He swirled his Taurimous up at a group of bioluminescent bugs and burned them; the ceiling went dark.
Calleneck looked back. “What did they ever do to you?”
Tallius laughed and shook his head.
Calleneck grinned. “Some traumatizing event in your childhood concerning cave bugs?”
Tallius shoulder shoved Calleneck into the cave wall, rolling his eyes. “Oh yes.” He deepened his voice like an old man’s. “When I was but a wee lad exploring in a dark and very scary tunnel, a swarm of cave bugs surrounded me, and slowly, started crawling up my skin —”
Calleneck stopped. “Tallius, cut it out.”
“and they began to gnaw at my throat . . .”
Calleneck put a hand over Tallius’s mouth, “Shut up, we’re here.” Calleneck pressed a hand covered in crimson flame against a rock wall and disappeared with Tallius through it. On the other side, a spiral staircase wound up several stories until stopping at a door.
Tallius frowned. “After you.” Tallius followed Calleneck closely. “Hey, so what do you think of me and Lillia?”
Calleneck shushed him. “Do you hear that?”
Tallius put his head against the door. “Yeah . . . sounds like music. Should we go through?” Calleneck nodded.
The two silently turned the doorknob and stepped out onto what seemed to be a dusty wood floor. All around them were ropes and levers, and the room was relatively dark, save for a little light coming from a crack in a curtain. “I thought this came out in the forest outside Ontraug.”
“That’s the usual one, I’ve never been this way.”
Tallius nodded and peeked through the curtain. “Shit.” He stumbled back, grabbing onto Calleneck.
“What are you do-”
Tallius pressed a hand over Calleneck’s mouth and whispered, “We’re backstage in a theatre! An orchestra’s playing. Get — g- go, get out.” They climbed through a window and out into an alleyway of Ontraug.
The city was as large as Seirnkov and sat at the convergence of two large Cerebrian rivers. Filled with huge clock towers and riverdocks, the city sat under a thick cloud of fog that night.
Calleneck and Tallius walked through the foggy night along a lamplit riverside street. The heavy mist obscured the far bank of the river and muffled the sound of creaking boats on their docks. Calleneck pointed ahead at a small riverside inn. “There it is.” he said to Tallius.
The inn stood above the water on large stilts and connected to two docks, where dozens of boats were tied up for the night. Named The Misty Wharf Inn, it served as a resting stop for people traveling on the river throughout central Cerebria.
Calleneck explained the plan to Tallius. “We’ll buy a room first and then try to find the innkeeper.”
Tallius and Calleneck walked into the inn just as rain began to sprinkle on the cobblestone street. A small fire crackled in the wooden lobby, and around it sat a few travellers on worn couches. Calleneck and Tallius took off their hoods and looked around the inn, seeing a staircase leading up to bedrooms. Before a minute had passed, a short and stout woman approached them. “A room for you, dears? How many days will you be staying?”
Tallius spoke politely. “One night will do.”
The hostess nodded. “And do you have a boat with you?”
Calleneck shook his head.
“Well that’ll be ten argentums then for a two-bed room.” said the woman.
Calleneck counted out ten argentums provided by the Evertauri and handed them to her.
She smiled and pointed up the stairs, “You’ll be just up there, second room on the left.”
“Thank you.” said Tallius. “But before we retire for the night,we were wondering if we could speak to the innkeeper.”
The hostess pointed to a door on the other side o
f the room. “He should be in there.”
They thanked the woman and went and knocked on the door. Shuffling and giggling ensued inside as a man’s voice said, “Who is it?”
Tallius looked at Calleneck for help. Calleneck spoke up, “Customers. Just a few quick questions.”
Whispering and jostling inside followed and then the door opened. A woman with heavy makeup and a nearly-exposed bust exited the room and said, “Go on in.”
Calleneck and Tallius entered the room to find a long haired man buttoning his wine-stained shirt. The man looked to be around forty with shoulder-length blonde hair and a thin beard. He chuckled and stumbled into his desk chair, obviously drunk. “Fine ladies of the night we’ve got here, aye?”
Tallius and Calleneck sat down in chairs in front of the desk and ignored the innkeeper’s comment. A gust of cool night air along with a few drops of rain blew threw the open window, along with the sound of creaking boats. Unsure of how to start the conversation, Calleneck skipped introductions and moved straight to the point. “My colleague and I understand that something strange happened a few days ago here.”
The man raised his eyebrow. “What are — who are ya two?”
Calleneck spoke again. “What did you see?”
The man shook his head and took a swig of wine from a glass on his desk. “You talkin’ ‘bout that crazy fire girl? Accidentally stumbled in ‘er room and she was makin’ fire in her hands.”
Tallius nodded to Calleneck. This is him. “Yes,” said Tallius. “Do you remember anything she said?”
The man’s eyes widened and he let out a laugh. “You’re those Everntari guys.” The man nearly fell off his chair laughing. “Sorcerers from Seirnkov tryin’a take Xandria down.”