by Holly Law
“I can finish when I get back,” Eldwin told her.
“Excellent, then please come with me.”
The two of them left the house and Eldwin instantly felt the stress of his job leave his shoulders. They walked silently for several minutes, just enjoying the day. “How do you know Lenora?” Eldwin asked her.
“Oh,” Amalia asked surprised. “I’ve known Lenora for quite some time. We met when I arrived in Melink several years ago.”
“Are you from Melink?” Eldwin asked, feeling suddenly wary of her connection to Lenora.
“No, I’m from Gwantana, but when it fell to the Prince’s armies five years ago, I moved to his capital, Melink,” Amalia told him and seemed uneasy about sharing that information. “But that was a long time ago. There is a machine rumored to be in the far western sector of the city. I would like to search for it.”
“Sure, I know that area well. It’s where the orphanage I grew up in was.”
“I would also like to shop around for some small machines and parts. Lenora asked me to find more for your sister.”
“I know some stores to check,” Eldwin said, nodding.
“Then please lead the way.”
When they approached the first shop Eldwin knew of, he pushed open the door for Amalia. Amalia looked at him approvingly as she stepped into the store. It was a store filled with all sorts of interesting odds and ends. It had machines in various states of repair. Some were working perfectly, others could only be used as art because they no longer functioned. The owner of the store was a round man with a white beard and a balding head. He was polishing a broken machine when they entered.
Amalia examined every shelf with fascinated eyes. She bought several pieces right away, that while broken, showed clear signs that they could be repaired. She also bought the spare parts that were in a bin for very cheap. She arranged with the man to have them all brought over to the finishing school so she wouldn’t have to carry them. It was on their way out the door that a lap sized machine caught her eye. Eldwin saw it as well and was equally as fascinated.
It was a long machine and had small arms that rotated back and forth. Steam emitted from the top of it as well as from a crack on the side. Its sounds were sickly, but its motion was still fascinating. Eldwin had never seen a machine like it before. “I’ve heard of such machines,” Amalia marveled. “But I haven’t seen one. It is said that there were once more larger machines than this, L4s I believe that used to be on wheels. They would move heavy loads and people all over the land in the heyday of the mechanics. But sadly that technology is now lost.”
“Curious, I wonder how it works,” Eldwin reached out and touched it. The machine whirled to a stop and the steam faded. Eldwin made a face. He hadn’t meant to do that. He had been careless. His sister always said he needed to control himself better when it came to deactivating machines. “Oops.”
Amalia looked at him sharply. There was something suspicious in her eyes. “Don’t worry about the machine,” the store keeper said at once, waving off the machine’s sudden lack of movement. “It’s been on its last legs for years. It was going to die eventually.”
“I will still buy it from you, sir,” Amalia said at once. “Will you send it to the same place as the rest?”
“Sure, but what do you want with all these machines and parts?” the man asked looking very curious.
“My sister fixes machines,” Eldwin told the man. “I can a bit too, but nothing like her.”
“Descended from the mechanics, are you? Well, there is something rare. Wondered why you two were always poking around in here and why some machines always worked better when you left. For the two of you mechanics, that machine is free. I would be glad if someone got it running again.”
“Thank you, sir,” Amalia said politely. “That is very much appreciated.” The two of them walked outside. They hadn’t gotten far when Amalia turned on him. “How did you do that?” she demanded of him.
“Do what?” Eldwin asked confused, surprised by the intensity in her eyes.
“Turn it off. How did you turn the machine off?”
“Oh, I um, can deactivate machines by touching them if I’m not careful,” Eldwin said awkwardly. “I can’t turn them back on though. I need my sister for that.”
“You deactivate machines,” Amalia said numbly. “That is a dangerous gift, Eldwin. I would advise you to keep that to yourself. Some would find you a man to be feared.”
“Feared? Me?” Eldwin snorted. “I don’t go around purposefully shutting off machines and when I do I get my sister to turn them back on.”
“Still, keep your ability quiet.”
“Alright, if you say so,” Eldwin shrugged.
“Let’s go looking for that machine I mentioned earlier.”
The two of them only got to the next intersection before Eldwin heard something that made him stop. There was a man standing on the edge of the water fountain shouting at the top of his lungs. Other people saw and heard him and rushed by quickly, hoping not to attract his attention.
“You are all in grave danger!” the man declared at the top of his lungs, gesturing wildly. “Heed my words and you may live! This city will fall! You welcome into your midst the very man who will be your doom! Beware the one called the Prince! He is evil! He…”
“I don’t want to listen to this rubbish,” Amalia sniffed. “Let’s go.” She tried to pull him on.
“Hey, I want to listen,” Eldwin told her and resisted the pulling.
“Eldwin, please, I don’t want to be seen near this man.”
“Shh, I’m listening.”
“If you don’t believe me look at the other cities the Prince has been to!” the man continued to shout. “Look at Calamar! Look at Visay! Look at Gwantana!” Eldwin looked sideways at Amalia then. She looked truly unhappy with the situation and almost angry.
“Please, Eldwin,” Amalia begged softly. “I don’t want to listen to this.”
“What harm is there? I’m curious what the old man has to say,” Eldwin said dismissively.
“The Prince is not what he seems. He is a part of the ancient race, one of the Creators, one of the Havalla. No, not just one of the Havalla! He is their ruler, their leader! He is an evil being of unimaginable power. Once long ago, he roamed this world freely. He ruled the world with an iron fist bending everyone to his will! He viewed the world as his, as a toy to play with how he saw fit! Do not underestimate the Prince! He is very powerful, he may act human, but he is not! He can crush entire cities with a single whim, kill hundreds with a mere flick of his wrist! Do not underestimate him! You cannot harm him. Blades and machines do not scratch his skin. He cannot die! He is immortal! The Mechanics were right to imprison him! We should learn from them and do the same before we all perish at his hand! Do not be fooled by his outward appearance of goodness. He is evil and uncaring towards human plight! He will kill us all and if not death then slavery! He…”
The man was cut off by a soldier pulling him down roughly off the fountain. Four others were there as well. They started roughing up the old man. Punching him and kicking him. Their armor made it clear who they served. They were the Prince’s soldiers.
“That’s not right,” Eldwin said angrily. “He’s just a crazy old man. They shouldn’t be doing this!” Eldwin unconsciously started moving towards the violent scene that everyone else was ignoring.
Amalia roughly grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “No, Eldwin you will not interfere with this,” Amalia said firmly. “Let it be.”
“But he did nothing wrong!”
“He insulted a prince,” Amalia disagreed. “Such an action is illegal in any kingdom.”
“But,” Eldwin began again. Amalia grabbed his arm more roughly and dragged him off the street with surprising strength. The next thing he knew, he was down an alley. Amalia blocked the exit and was looking at him fiercely. “What’s the matter with you?” Eldwin demanded.
“The matter with me?” Amalia sai
d angrily. “What is the matter with you! Do you have no sense in your head? Listening to that man! Are you trying to get yourself killed? Do you think there are no consequences for insulting a prince? The Prince has never permitted such behavior to continue upon discovery. You’re lucky you weren’t arrested just for listening! Criticizing and insulting the Prince is a horrible mistake to make.”
“I don’t trust the Prince,” Eldwin told her heatedly. “That man is hiding something. Some of what that man said made sense. Why silence a man like that unless you’re afraid of what he has to say? He was onto something. I’ve never had a good feeling near the Prince, despite his smiles and kindness to my sister. I overheard both Trinsin and Lenora talking about my sister. They’re using her for some reason, and I do not like it.”
Amalia did not reply instantly. Her features softened just ever so slightly and she looked at him with thoughtful eyes. She reached out a hand and touched him on the arm comfortingly. “Eldwin, the Prince intends Elisha no harm. I give you my word on that. I serve the Prince, and I have served the Prince since the fall of Gwantana. He doesn’t want to hurt her. He…”
“What does he want with my sister?” Eldwin demanded, brushing aside her hand.
“Your sister’s skill with machines is rare. My understanding is that were she alive during the high point of the mechanic’s culture, she would have been highly revered. She is the only one in existence with the ability to fix the fine details of machines. The Prince values her highly and seeks to gain her services, nothing more. He won’t hurt her, I promise.”
“I don’t believe you,” Eldwin retorted. “You’re his servant. I’m done helping you.” Eldwin forced his way past Amalia. She looked wounded by his reaction.
“Eldwin!” she called after him, her voice pleading. But he didn’t even glance back at her.
Chapter 12
Elisha hadn’t been near the ancient mansion since the Prince had acquired it. She could remember its former shape well. She could see the crumbling stone work, the gate at the entrance swinging awkwardly on its hinge. She could see the dirty and broken windows with the tatters of ancient curtains behind them. It had been an eye sore to be sure, and Elisha had never seen any beauty in the massive house.
That changed as the carriage approached it in the setting sun. The walls that surrounded the mansion’s property had been repaired and cleaned. Lanterns had been lit on top of them, lighting their path to the gate. The gate had been replaced with gold sheathed iron. The Prince’s crest was in the middle. The house beyond the gate was breath taking. The exterior had been repaired and polished until it gleamed even in the dim lighting. The driveway up to it had been smoothed and repaved with stones cut in intricate patterns. A fountain in the front of the building sparkled happily in the dim lighting. Lanterns lit the driveway showing off the others exiting their carriages in their fine clothes.
All too soon, Elisha’s carriage arrived at the front of the Prince’s mansion. As the door to the carriage was opened by a footman, she had a sudden fluttering of nerves. All the calming efforts Lenora had extended on her behalf vanished when the footman’s hand reached into the carriage to help her out. With a slightly trembling, gloved hand, she permitted the footman to help her. She stepped onto the smooth stones and looked up at the mansion. It did not seem possible that she was there and dressed as she was.
Lenora had told her that her sponsor had wasted no expense on her dress, and Elisha had discovered as she had waited to exit the carriage that Lenora had been very right. Elisha was dressed just as finely, if not more so than the others she had seen. She wore a cream and pale blue dress of the finest materials. The embroidered designs were of the highest degree. Her petticoats had the finest of lace. The other girls, even Asinoa and Demisi, had admired her dress for hours upon its arrival. Their estimates of the cost of the dress had been staggering. That was before the jewelry had arrived to go with it. Fine, pristine pearls were strung in chains around her neck and wrists. They were far from an ocean and such things cost a great deal. The most fascinating piece had been a small, mechanical butterfly that slowly flapped its wings every few minutes in her hair. Whoever her sponsor was, he truly had spared no expense.
Needless to say, Elisha felt very beautiful. She didn’t know how she could have avoided that sentiment dressed as she was. The other girls had been very complimentary of her, and Asinoa had looked green in envy. Demisi had simply glared at her.
But Elisha didn’t feel like herself. No matter what Lenora said about her abilities and competence, she did not feel like a lady and didn’t feel like she deserved the privilege of walking up those steps and towards the Prince’s mansion. Yet that was what her feet were doing at that very moment.
Elisha joined up with the other girls just inside the entrance. Lenora was there with them working to calm the gaggle of overexcited girls. Only Elisha remained silent as they waited for their turn to be shown down to the ballroom and announced to the Prince. Time passed slowly and Elisha took in all the details of the room. She found it to be fascinating, but if she were to be asked about it later, she would not have been able to remember a single detail.
Finally, it was their turn. The girls entered the ballroom one at a time. They were announced by a servant at the door with a loud, carrying voice. Elisha cringed at all the titles the others were announced with and whose daughter they were. Elisha’s announcement would be very short. All too soon, it was Elisha’s turn to enter.
She approached the door, and the servant looked to her for her name. “Elisha,” she told the man simply and gave him a weak smile.
The man’s eyes clearly held recognition of that name and he nodded. Elisha stepped into the ballroom and stood at the top of a staircase as the man announced her. “Lady Elisha, daughter of the mechanics,” the servant proclaimed. Elisha flinched internally at that made up introduction. It gave her airs she didn’t deserve, and she hoped the Prince would not be angry. She saw others looking at her quizzically as she made her way down the stairs at the slow pace Lenora had insisted upon and across the floor to where the Prince stood before a gilded throne.
The Prince looked every inch royal. His clothes were impossibly fine and put all the rest of them to shame. The golden crown on his head proclaimed better than any servant just who he was. And of course, he was handsome and the finery of the moment made him more so. His expression and bearing were aloof, but welcoming.
Elisha stood a few feet away from him and curtsied low to him. “Your highness,” she said respectfully.
The Prince inclined his head to her politely and gave her just the hint of a smile before he gestured her away to let the next girl come closer. Elisha stepped aside politely to join the group from the school. They all stood politely watching everyone enter. Lenora’s entrance put them all to shame. Lenora had a very long and involved introduction. “Duchess Lenora Dela Cora, advisor to the Prince, commander of the second division, and archivist of machines.” Elisha stared at Lenora startled, as did the other girls. She had never realized just how connected Lenora was to the Prince. Lenora had clearly been in the Prince’s service for some time.
Lenora was stunning in a silvery dress and almost seemed to glide regally down the staircase. Her head was high and her expression aloof. Elisha felt like she barely knew the woman she had spent the past few months with. Lenora approached the Prince, and her curtsy made the rest of them seem bumbling and awkward. The Prince smiled at her and it was genuine. The Prince took Lenora’s hand as she rose and kissed it. He spoke to her briefly before Lenora joined them. Lenora looked very pleased with herself.
“How did you do that?” Elisha breathed softly, unable to contain her amazement at Lenora’s entrance.
Lenora smiled at her. “Years of practice, my dear,” Lenora told her simply and turned her attention back to the entrance.
Elisha was surprised to see that there were several members of the Prince’s court who had travelled all the way to Sumvale just for the party.
They were all nearly as regal as Lenora and put the rest of them to shame with their dress. Only Elisha had a dress to rival theirs, it seemed to be beyond the wealth of those in Sumvale. That began to make her suspicious of who exactly her sponsor was.
When the introductions were done, the brief time before dinner began. The girls went to all different directions abandoning Elisha to fend for herself. Elisha felt terrified by the crowd around her and was very tempted to try to sneak back up the stairs before any realized she was gone.
“Lady Elisha, is that right?” a middle aged woman asked her with a smile. She was dressed as one of the noblewomen from the Prince’s court.
“Just Elisha,” Elisha said simply.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” the woman said looking very pleased. “I’m Countess Beliana. I’ve heard great things about your work. I’ve heard that the Prince and Duchess Lenora are very pleased with you.”
“Thank you,” Elisha said modestly, flushing with the praise.
“But when will you be joining us in Melink? Everyone can’t wait to meet you. You’ve become something of a celebrity.”
“Melink?” Elisha asked startled. “I’ve never even thought of leaving Sumvale.”
“You really should, my dear,” the woman said taking her hands affectionately. “It’s clear that the people in this backwards little city don’t appreciate your talents. Here, let me introduce you to my son.”
Elisha found herself led over to a dark haired man who had been speaking with Asinoa. Asinoa looked like she had been trying her best to flirt and did not appreciate the interruption—particularly not by Elisha. The look she got for a brief second was very nasty. “Carllo,” the Countess said, getting her son’s attention. “This is Lady Elisha, the mechanic we’ve heard so much about in Melink.”
“It’s wonderful to finally meet you, my lady,” Carllo said, taking her hand and kissing it. Elisha felt very uncomfortable by the gesture.
“Just Elisha, my lord,” Elisha said shaking her head. “I’m not nobility. I don’t know why the announcer…”