by Jann Rowland
Her passion bubbled up inside her, causing her to charge ahead. “Why not take my sister instead? She is the heir to the throne. Am I merely going to be buried down so deep underground that no one will ever find me again? Shall I be returned to the surface in half a century when the bloom of youth has long since passed from my features and most of my acquaintances have already gone on with their lives and forgotten I ever existed?”
“I am sorry for the magnitude of your concerns,” Canyon said. Despite the potentially patronizing nature of his words, it sounded as though he meant what he said. “I can only assure you that all will be made clear in time, Your Highness. You need only wait.”
The man’s eyes flicked ahead to look at Quicksilver, and Tierra was reminded again just who was in charge of their party as he continued, “And I hope you will find your circumstances to be much better than you fear. The people you have known on the surface are not the only worthy men and women who exist in this world.”
“Tierra and I can never be happy down here,” River stated bluntly.
The man grimaced and looked away. “For both of your sakes, I hope you are wrong, River,” he said. And then he hastened his steps to move to the front of the group to speak with Quicksilver.
Tierra and River watched him go, their thirst for knowledge still unquenched.
“There is something at play here,” Tierra said thoughtfully as she watched the two men interact. “Everyone defers to Quicksilver, yet Canyon seems to speak with him on an almost equal footing.”
“Perhaps he is Quicksilver’s second-in-command,” River said with a shrug. “Does it really matter? He is one of the people dragging us around against our will. That is all we need to know.”
“You are right, of course,” Tierra murmured. “Still, I cannot help but wonder whether knowing more of what is happening here might help us determine how to escape.”
“He is not coming, is he?”
Tierra turned her head sharply toward River, surprised by the bleakness in the young woman’s voice. “Who?” Tierra asked, though her mind had already come up with the answer.
“Skye,” River whispered. The fact that she used his name in such a way—rather than saying “your Skychild” or “your fiancé” or something equally impersonal—indicated the depth of her despair. “He will not find us.”
“We do not know that,” Tierra said, reaching an arm out to hug her cousin against her as they walked. They were not normally affectionate, but Tierra rested her head on River’s shoulder in an attempt to impart comfort. “We have to hold onto our hope. You and I both know how stubborn Skye can be.”
River let out a weak laugh. “You are right. He could out-stubborn a wall of stone.”
“Exactly. He will find us, River. We need only wait.”
Yet despite her reassurances to River, Tierra felt she was in danger of falling permanently into the depths of despair herself. How could Skye find her in these tunnels? Stubbornness alone would not lead him through the darkest of night to her side.
At this point, her greatest hope rested in Terrain’s water. Perhaps she could guide Skye if he came close enough for them to speak in each other’s minds. She would pray for Terrain to help Skye save her and River. Maybe he would heed her call.
After a few days of journeying, the mood of the strange Groundbreathers transitioned into one of relief. Puzzled, Tierra asked Canyon about it. Whereas the men had been relatively quiet before, now there was a mild buzz of sorts in the air among the party.
Canyon’s mouth curved upward into a smile after he heard her question. “We are almost there.”
“Where, exactly?” Tierra asked.
“You shall see, Your Highness. I promise you that it will not be long.”
Tierra resisted the urge to sigh in aggravation. She did not see what there was to be excited about. The tunnels they had passed through were anything but impressive, and she felt certain there was nothing worthy of more than a cursory notice in this bleak place. But when she followed her captors around a corner with River at her side, she found herself halting in place, startled by the sight before her. Her breath balled up in her chest as she stared, utterly captivated.
The fact that such a massive city could have been carved out of the earth seemed almost impossible to believe, but there it was before her, gleaming in all its splendor.
Buildings formed from hardened clay were arranged in a semi-circle in a large cavern, and about the city, there were other dwellings carved into the rock of the surrounding walls on many different levels. In what appeared to be the exact center stood a magnificent castle that glistened in the light of all the torches and lamps positioned at regular intervals throughout the city. The castle was adorned with glittering diamonds and gleaming gold, iridescent opals and shining silver, scintillating fire agates and brilliant brass—all these materials and more could be seen, the gems and metals that had been birthed deep in the earth forming a veritable rainbow of colors, a cornucopia of riches bequeathed upon the world by the ground itself. This was the hidden gem of gems, a perfection of beauty that could never have been imagined by the Groundbreathers who lived on the surface of the earth.
Suddenly, some of the pieces of the picture Tierra had been attempting to assemble came together. Groundbreathers lived in this hidden city and had probably even made their home there for centuries. The paleness of the strange Groundbreathers was due to their limited exposure to sunlight, and the labyrinthine tunnels were meant to discourage any outsiders from coming across the city. What better place to hide a princess than a city that most did not even know existed?
“What do you think?” a voice asked from beside Tierra.
She turned to see that Canyon had come to stand beside her, a slightly satisfied expression touching his mouth. Skye would not have been able to refrain from outright smirking at her reaction, and Tierra was glad Canyon did not appear overly smug. Yet thinking of Canyon’s restraint only made Tierra miss Skye all the more.
“It is somewhat impressive,” Tierra said begrudgingly.
River snorted. “That is an understatement.”
Tierra turned to look at her cousin in surprise. “River?”
“I may despise these people, but even I have to admit that this city is unlike anything I have ever seen,” River said. “It defies explanation, really.”
“We are proud of our home,” Canyon said, his smile growing wider. His face was handsome when he smiled. “We view the castle as an almost living entity. Every year, our artisans add more of Terrain’s hidden riches to the outside and replace certain gems and metals. We seek perfection, that Terrain might look upon it and be glad for our efforts to honor him with the works of his hands. But just as the lands and seas created by our mighty god are always changing, so do we acknowledge the impermanence of our home.”
“Its exterior may perhaps be impermanent,” another voice close by stated, “but the structure is still far older than any building found on the surface.”
Tierra turned to regard Quicksilver, who had approached while Tierra was engaged in speaking with Canyon. The look of smug superiority on the man’s face was unmistakable, and it contrasted heavily with Canyon’s more modest, though unmistakable, pride.
“Now that you have seen the jewel of Groundbreather achievements, have you anything to say?” Quicksilver asked. “Surely the Groundbreathers above-ground do not have anything with which to compare this city.”
The man’s tone grated on every nerve Tierra possessed, so she ignored his self-congratulatory statements and focused on something he had said earlier.
“What do you mean when you say it is older?”
“The first location where Terrain led his people was the city you see before you. He established this place as the first home for the Groundbreathers.”
River beat Tierra to the obvious question. “The Book of Terrain says nothing about an underground city, so how can that be?”
“Of course it does not,” Quicksilve
r said with a sneer. “Terrain suspected the strongest and most dedicated of his people would someday be needed, so he made certain that all knowledge of Hearth was lost to those above the ground. It appears he was correct to do so.”
By this time, Tierra was wondering whether the man could still smile if all the teeth had been knocked out of his mouth. It was then that Canyon interjected, perhaps sensing Tierra’s mounting annoyance.
“We should press on to the castle. I will share the story of our forefathers with these young women, Quicksilver.”
“Very well,” Quicksilver said, bending to Tierra in a mocking bow. “You had best listen attentively and learn, Princess Tierra. Our god is quick to anger when his people do not obey his words and venerate him. Perhaps you should think about your life and decisions, so that you may become wiser and make better choices in the future.”
And with that, the man turned away and began to take the company down a steady incline that led to the city in the midst of the massive cavern. Tierra watched him go with disgust, thinking more violent thoughts than she had ever considered before. Even Wisteria had never possessed the ability to get under her skin as effectively as this insolent man!
“Come, Your Highness,” Canyon said, drawing her attention from Quicksilver’s retreating form. “It is no more than half an hour’s walk to the castle.”
“Thanks be to Terrain,” River muttered.
Canyon shot her an amused look. Then he gestured and began to walk at Tierra’s side, with River following close behind. Tierra turned a questioning glance on the man.
“I believe you had something you wished to tell us?”
Shaking his head and chuckling, Canyon said, “Yes, I did, Your Highness. According to our traditions, once Terrain had selected a sufficient number of worthy Groundwalkers for the honor of becoming his people, he led them into these caverns, where they could be safe and learn about their heritage and their powers. The city of Hearth was established, and the Groundbreathers lived as one people for many years, with Terrain guiding them and teaching them how he wished them to live.
“But then came the time of the sundering, not only of our people, but also of the Groundbreathers from our god. Terrain, as an immortal god, grew weary of the task he had taken upon himself, and judging that his people were now mature and knowledgeable enough to make their own way in the world, he withdrew in order to further contemplate the works of his hands and the nature of all he had done.
“At the same time, however, he recognized that his people had outgrown the limits of the city he had instructed them to build, and he informed our forefathers of his will that his people sunder themselves from one another, so that they might continue to grow and populate the earth he had made. He left a smaller portion of his people under the ground and led the greater part to the surface, where he established another kingdom of the Groundbreathers. Those on the surface were commanded not to speak of their original home, and they were instructed to never seek out their below-ground brethren again. Many think Terrain believed that his people underground would one day be needed to face the Skychildren once they became a greater threat to all of his people.”
“Surely you do not suggest our god had the ability to see into the future!” Tierra said, aghast at what the man had suggested.
Canyon shook his head. “Of course not. It is well known that prophecy is false and that not even the gods can see the future. But Terrain knew Celesta well and thought her children would eventually cause the Groundbreathers grief.”
“You are several eons too late,” River said sourly. “The Skychildren have plagued the Groundbreathers for many generations. Yet I do not suppose your aid would have alleviated the problems we faced either—unless, of course, you have managed to acquire Skychild powers.”
“No,” Canyon replied in a conversational tone. “We are as ground-bound as you are. But the matter of a few Skychild raids was not nearly enough for us to reveal ourselves.”
“Then what has changed?” Tierra asked.
It took no great insight to determine that Canyon was uncomfortable with the question, and Tierra was not surprised when he said only, “All will be revealed in good time, Your Highness. For now, I would beg you to be patient.”
Tierra and River exchanged an exasperated look, and they rolled their eyes almost as one. Tierra was positive that if she heard the words “be patient” or “it will all become clear later” one more time, she would scream. These underground dwellers thought highly of themselves, looking down on those who spent their lives above-ground. Of course, if their tale were in any way true, then it might be understandable for them to think that way, though Tierra was not willing to concede their story to be the truth.
Regardless, they soon arrived at the castle, and conversation ceased. Up close, the building was nothing like Tierra had ever seen before. It seemed more like a large house than a true castle. There were no walls and parapets for the underground Groundbreathers to use when defending the structure, though she supposed its location was defense enough. But for all that, it felt like the largest structure she had ever seen. While the seat of the Groundbreather kingdom above-ground was much larger, it was difficult to determine its true size since it was built into the side of a mountain. Even the Skychild palace sitting on Skymount was likely larger overall, but the location and the empty air around it made the palace feel less imposing than this structure, which sat like a sentinel in the middle of a large cavern.
When they entered through the front gates, Tierra noted that the bulk of the building was situated at the back, with walls extending out toward the cave from which they had entered, allowing for a spacious courtyard. There were servants aplenty, gathering in welcome and taking gear from Quicksilver’s party for it to be stored away.
As Tierra looked around, she realized there seemed to be no Groundwalkers in evidence here as there would be at her home. The city appeared to be populated exclusively by Groundbreathers.
The first hint Tierra had that something was different than she had been led to believe was the deference the staff of the building paid Canyon. The reverence found here was much stronger than what she had seen on the journey to the underground city. Everyone’s eyes had fallen on Canyon when he entered the castle, and it was impossible not to notice. Upon stepping inside, the man had moved forward to speak with some servants out of earshot of Tierra and River, so it was difficult to determine much more at first, especially since Tierra and River were soon accosted by servants themselves.
“Greetings to you and your companion,” one of the servants said pleasantly. She was the shortest of the three women who had approached, and her brown hair was a few shades lighter than that of her brunette companions. “Welcome to Hearth. My name is Violet. This is Garnet, and this is Jade.” She gestured first to a young woman with a half-smile on her face and then to a woman who did not even bother to hide her frown. “We will be showing you both to your quarters and tending to your different needs.”
“Ladies-in-waiting for a pair of prisoners?” River said with a raised brow. “That is something, I guess. I suppose what you three can do for us has certain limits?”
“Yes, it does,” Garnet said, her smile changing into a smirk. “We have been warned about you Surfacers.”
“Garnet,” Violet chided before looking at Tierra and River. “My apologies to the both of you. We have been given strict orders about your care, but we trust you will remain comfortable in our city for as long as you are here.”
“Assuming they do not bring us any trouble,” Jade muttered.
The expression on Violet’s face was one of strained patience. “You will have to forgive them their youth, Your Highness. It leads them to impetuousness.”
Brow furrowing, Tierra scanned the three woman. She had not realized Violet was different in age from her companions, but now that she studied them, she could see a greater maturity in Violet of sorts—something about the eyes, she thought.
“I understand
,” Tierra said after a moment. “Your people are not fond of having outsiders in their midst.”
Violet pursed her lips. “It is not that exactly. We are simply not certain of the king’s purpose for bringing Surfacers down here.”
“The king?” Tierra echoed in confusion. “What king do you mean?”
“The king of the Chosen, of course,” Violet said, her eyes flicking to her two companions in confusion. “You are here because of him, are you not?”
Before Tierra could respond, Canyon appeared, and the three servants backed up to allow him some space.
“Your Majesty,” Violet said with a curtsey, her words echoed by her two companions as they gave curtsies of their own.
“M-Majesty?” Tierra stuttered. Her jaw slackened, and she looked at Canyon sharply.
The man gave a slight grimace and glanced at the three women. “If you will excuse us for a moment, please?”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Violet said, pulling Garnet and Jade along with her to stand some distance away. They began to speak quietly among themselves, no doubt discussing their impressions of the newcomers.
Canyon returned his attention to Tierra. He did not seem to miss the pique on her face. “I am sorry, Your Highness. I had hoped to ease into this particular revelation, but I suppose there was no good way to do it.”
“You are the king of this place?” Tierra exclaimed. Had she possessed all her wits in that moment, she might have ventured for a less incredulous and more diplomatic response. But she was so surprised by the notion that the man was a king that she could scarcely contain herself. It made sense in its own way, of course—she had, after all, noted how he was treated by his people—but Canyon had been so unassuming that she had let her guard down around him. Learning that he was a king and had not told her felt like a betrayal of sorts. He had acted as though he could be a friend to her, but he was part of the reason she was tangled in this great mess.
“I am king of the Chosen, yes,” Canyon said. He met her gaze with a steadiness that seemed supportive of his claim. Unfortunately for him, his backbone failed to endear him to his audience.