by T. C. Edge
"I...suppose so," I say, taking a breath, then a sip, my eyes working around the room in a vain search for my sister. Only then do I realise I'v made another social faux pas by drinking before she has. She merely smiles, then touches her glass to mine, accompanied by the words, "To the Prime."
"To the Prime," I repeat, smiling naturally, my mind filling with their perfect image.
"I suppose that phrase must be a hard one for you, for several reasons," Felina muses, after taking a sip and drawing a long, satisfied breath. She places her glass down, rearranges her legs so she's looking right at me across the sofa, and sends that sharp gaze upon me again. It's quite...unnatural, but mesmerisingly beautiful at the same time. "Here you are, a girl from the Fringe, your true nature so recently discovered. And, tragically, brought here as a heretic." She shakes her head. "You must have resented the Prime not so long ago?"
She doesn't deliver the question with any sort of scorn. Just a sort of curiosity, a smoothed out bluntness that doesn't offend me at all. It's just...fact, really.
"But, now you've met her," she goes on, sighing. "What a experience that must have been. What a turbulent life you've lead."
"That's um, understating it I think," I say quietly, though with a wry smile. "Well, actually that isn't true. Only the last few weeks have been turbulent. The months and years before that were a little more mundane."
She chuckles sweetly at that, nodding, picking up her glass and taking another sip. "Quite the change, I must imagine. It can't have been easy, all of this. What a ride, Amber. What a tremendous ride."
She reaches out as she speaks, squeezing my hand before releasing it. My impression of her comes quickly. She is as the Overseer said - truly lovely.
"Trouble is," I say, starting to relax in her presence, "I don't know where it's going to lead me next..." An impulse takes me, and my eyes switch to the window. To the hill beyond. To the clouds that cover it.
"She has a power, doesn't she," Felina whispers, eyes wandering in the same direction as mine. "You can sit for hours, can't you, just staring up there..."
"You've...been?" I ask softly, eyebrows lifting.
She gently shakes her head. "Never so lucky," she says, a smile beginning to form once again. "But I have lived here for some time now. I have caught glimpse of her light so many times. I have been closer than most."
"You call them 'her'," I say. "Why, when you know there are two of them?"
"Just a personal choice," she smiles. "I believe that the female form is always likely to be the more powerful and dominant. It's she who runs the show, Amber. Couldn't you tell that when you met them?" She grins mischievously.
"Well I...maybe," I say, not sure if she's serious or not.
She breaks into laughter, a quite pleasant sound. "Oh I'm only jesting," she says. "Well, mostly. I've spoken to several Children who have met our Mother and Father before. All say the same. That the experience is quite hard to describe. That the feeling when they gaze upon you is..."
"Euphoric," I whisper, feeling that light bloom inside me once more.
"Ah, yes. I can only hope I get to experience it one day."
No, you don't, I think to myself. Because nothing will ever be the same again.
We continue to speak for a few minutes more, Lady Felina evidently keen to ask questions about my time upon the hill. I try to answer, though have never been so great with words, finding it quite difficult to describe the experience as she might want it. Yet, I enjoy the conversation nonetheless, taking the opportunity to sound out this young woman to whom my sister will serve. I imagine Lilly will be happy here. Despite all my previous reservations, I start to see that this is a more suitable life for her than living outside Pine Lake. She isn't free, no, but perhaps freedom isn't all it's cracked up to be.
After about fifteen minutes of mild interrogation, Lady Felina suddenly stops in her questioning, takes a dramatic breath, and announces that she's done. "Is there anything you'd like to ask me," she says, scooping up her glass of wine, which looks like it will imminently require a second helping. She hardly gives me a moment to think. "No? Nothing?" she grins.
"Erm..." I try to go through the mental gears. There are surely a hundred questions I could, should, ask her. This is the woman who Lilly will be serving, after all. I need to do my due diligence, don't I? "Well, um," I begin, mind sifting through the available queries, "what...what are you?"
She draws back, frowning. "What am I?"
"Yeah. I mean, your eyes are...different. I assume you're a Farsight."
"A Farsight, yes," she says. "A Primary Farsight to be exact, the very same rank as you. How else would I be able to live in such a tremendous location?"
"So you're of high birth? Or you're, what, more gifted than other Farsights."
"A mixture of both, really, Amber," she says brightly. "I have rather good eyesight, if I may say so myself. That comes from my parents. Both are the same."
"And they live...
"Nearby," she says, smiling. "Both are Primary Farsights like I am. In fact, my father was once a Chosen candidate, like you. He is one of the aforementioned people I spoke of who have met the Prime. I really ought to be upset with him, and so should my mother, truth be told."
"Why's that?"
"Because, my dear, he has, ever since that day, made it quite clear that it was the single greatest experience of his life. Not wedding my mother. Not being present at my birth. No, meeting the Prime." She smiles coyly. "To be fair to the man, I can't very well blame him for that."
"No..."
"So, any other questions? Would you like to ask me about my alcohol consumption?" She looks at her glass. "Please, don't take this as the norm. I'm usually very proper, and won't get inebriated and ask your dear sister to do anything untoward." She grins again, thinking. "I keep an active social calendar, though only with very nice people who are similarly inclined as me towards the wonderful people of the Fringe. I do not currently have anyone 'special' in my life either, so you won't have to worry about me having some horrible, demanding man about the house. And, yes, I have several other Worthies who aid me day to day and see to the functions of the household, though Lilly will become my closest attendant when she's ready."
"I...that's good," I say, trying to keep up. "And, will she live here in the residence? Or..."
"Yes, she will. I have quarters here for my attendants and staff. They are very comfortable, and Lilly will, I'm sure, get along famously with the other girls, who are a lovely group. You also met High Worthy Kitchener, who oversees everything here personally. He is a very jovial old gentleman, and will make for an excellent mentor along with the others." She reaches over and takes my hands. "I promise you, Amber, that Lilly will be happy here. I can't be sure what you've heard about how those from the Fringe are treated here in Olympus, and yes, some don't have the best lives - which, I might add, many of us are trying to change - but the vast majority live long, happy, and fulfilled lives. Lilly will most certainly be among that number, and I'll make sure she's right up towards the top. Does that all sound OK to you?"
"It sounds...fantastic," I whisper, so grateful.
"Good. And don't forget, you can visit her - and hopefully me - any time you wish. Just one thing I might ask of you."
"Of course."
"If you're going to decide to take Lilly to live with you, please do so before she gets settled. That is, of course, your right, but the girl seems so sweet and attentive, and I'd rather not get too attached to her if possible. Spare me, Amber," she smiles. "If she stays too long, and you decide you want her back...well, I might just put up a fight."
I laugh at her lightness, her good humour, my face reflecting the smile on hers. I couldn't have hoped for a better meeting. It is the first piece in the puzzle of my life that is falling very nicely into place.
"Well, it's good to get all of that out of the way," Lady Felina finishes, turning to the door. "Now, let's get to why you actually came here today. Don't worry,
I'll give you all the privacy you deserve." She stands, and moves towards the door. "Let's go fetch your sister, shall we?"
48
My chest hammers as I watch Felina go, my limbs twitchy, not quite knowing what to do. Am I meant to follow her or just wait here? I stand, preparing to move after her, but she lifts a hand and shakes her head, gesturing for me to stay put.
I plant myself back down, eyes turning to the glass of wine ahead of me. I grab it, sink the contents, requiring the courage. It's ridiculous, but it helps. I'm not entirely sure what the ratio is between excitement and nerves, but the way I'm reacting, I think the latter might be the dominant proportion.
As I fill my second glass, taking the opportunity to do so alone and without judgement, my mind blooms with thoughts of my final meeting with Lilly. When we stood, either side of the window in her room, her attempting to say a secret goodbye, me having no idea of what was about to happen. When I watched her join our parents for dinner, and went and slept a little way down the shore of the lake. When I woke, my dreams severed, accosted by a feeling of dread, and marched into the house to find that Lilly was gone.
That was the moment all of this began, the catalyst for all this change. And now, here I sit, somehow assimilated into this city, my path ahead still undetermined. Awaiting my sister again. Reunited here, at the heart of it all, in the most unlikely of circumstances.
I stand, needing to move, and pace over towards the nearest window. A soft breeze caresses my cheeks, the city appearing below. It's a startling view, as it is from my own apartment, though the angle is different, the view of the Hill of Olympus, the Sacred Stairs, slightly altered.
I stare out, eyes on the clouds, trying to distract myself. It isn't hard. I'm immediately drawn back to thoughts of the Prime, perfect, radiant, godlike...
"Amber."
The voice is soft and has me turning, neck snapping quickly around to look at the door. There, I see Lady Felina, smile on her face, blue dress so glorious. She steps to the side, and a golden light appears. Golden hair. Golden eyes. The light grey robes of the Worthy on her frame.
My sister stands, skin glowing, looking more healthy than she ever has before. She smiles buoyantly as she sees me, though doesn't speak or move. Her eyes turn up to Lady Felina, whose own drop down to meet them.
"It's OK, Lilly," she says. "This is your time. Go to her." She looks up at me. "I'll leave you two alone."
Neither of us move until Felina leaves the room, the door shutting quietly, leaving only the whistling breeze behind. It takes a second, and then, from nowhere, we both thaw as one, rushing forward, arms wrapping, folding around each other. I grip tight at her skinny frame, no weight lost on her over the past days and weeks. If anything, in fact, she feels fuller, her skin brighter, her hair cleaner.
She looks beautiful.
We hug for an extended time, as if neither of us know just what to say. Before it becomes too awkward, I finally release her and step back. She moves quickly into a respectful pose, the sort she's been practicing all her life. The sort she'd adopt when Collector Ceres, or any other Children of the Prime might come to town. The sort that, as part of her training, she will need to perfect.
But not around me.
"You don't have to stand to attention, Lil," I say, reaching out and taking her arm. I pull on it, rearranging her posture, relaxing her. "I'm just your big sis."
She glances back towards the door, firmly shut, as if Lady Felina might be watching. Judging her performance, her every move.
"It's just us, Lillypad," I say. "Just me and you, don't worry. Relax."
She nods, but I can see she's uncomfortable. I try leading her towards the sofa and getting her to sit down, hoping that might work. I even offer her some food - though not wine - gathering together a small plate and handing it over to her. She looks aghast.
"I can't eat that," she says, as if I've just handed her a plate of regurgitated fish guts. "That isn't intended for me."
"It's food, Lilly. It's meant to be eaten."
"But not by me. I'm a Worthy, Amber." She frowns, as if she's done something wrong. "Sorry, Lady Amber..."
"No," I say firmly. "Hell no! You stop that right now."
She looks up at me, confused, conflicted.
"Don't you ever call me Lady Amber," I say firmly, setting a sharp gaze on her. "Do you understand me, Lilly. Never."
She nods, quickly, like Marlow might if I were to reprimand him. Or any other Worthy, subservient to me, obedient to my will. "Of course," she says. "I apologise. Anything you wish."
"No," I say again, exasperated. "You don't have to follow my orders. Just be normal around me. Like we were back home."
Once more, she nods, far too compliant. I sigh and shake my head.
We'll get there, I think. It'll just take some time.
"So how have you been?" I ask, hoping some regular conversation will help ease her up. "You look well. You're being treated nicely?"
"Yes, very nicely," she says formally. "Lady Felina is very kind. It has been everything I could have hoped for, to be in the service of such a prominent Daughter."
"Well, that's good," I say. "She does seem lovely."
"She is. I will do my duty and serve her with my full attention, day and night."
"Um, great," I say. "But you don't need to deliver the sales pitch to me, Lil. And, please, stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like that. Like you did when you found out what I was back home. I'm still your sister, first and foremost."
She glances at me, up and down, eyes scanning my shimmering crimson robes. A see a familiar ripple of excitement and wonder spread across her face.
"They've been talking about you," she says, eyes returning to mine. "All over, I've heard people talking."
"About?"
"About you," she says, a hint of the old Lilly returning. That preachy, impatient Lilly. That's the girl I love. "The things you can do. The journey you've been on."
"It's not that exciting," I say. "It's all been a bit of a rush actually. I'm still learning."
"But you're a Primary Daughter of the Prime," Lilly says, shaking her head in disbelief. "You have...met the Prime."
I nod, unable to hold back the smile on my face. "I have."
"How was it. What are they like? I can't believe...I can't believe there are two..." Her eyes drift off, childlike, that innocent wonder inside them. I take the mental picture. It's the sister I remember.
"I guess we didn't know much back home, did we," I say. "It's not how I expected it to be here. Not really."
"Nor me," Lilly says, excited. "It's so much more. Everywhere you look there's something magnificent. The buildings. The people. I'm living my dream, Amber." She grins broadly, her eyes working off towards the large windows as if she hasn't seen them before. The look of wonder on her face is almost palpable. "Do you mind if I...get a little closer?"
"You don't have to ask, Lil," I sigh. "But sure, come on."
We stand and move over to the windows, the view of the city building as we near. I find it hard drawing my gaze from the clouded summit, the wondrous steps I travelled only the previous morning. I do so with some effort, choosing instead to watch my sister, see the expression on her face as she locks eyes with the city's core, it's great monument, the residence of its most eminent citizens and rulers.
"I..." she starts, seeming lost for words. "I..."
She trails off, and I can't help but smile. I give her the space to enjoy it, not interrupting this special moment until she eventually turns back to me.
"Is this your first time seeing it?" I ask.
She nods, tears in her eyes as they go back and forward between me and the hill, the staircase. "I haven't been in this room yet," she whispers. "The other side of the apartment doesn't have this view."
"It's quite something, isn't it?"
She nods silently. "Is it...is it always like that? Covered in clouds?"
"As far
as I know," I say, enjoying having a little more knowledge on the topic than my sister, for once. "The clouds part sometimes, giving a view of the top, or to ease someone's passage up there."
"How?"
"One of the Chosen, I think," I say. "There's someone up there who can control the weather, to some degree at least."
Her eyes pop, and work right back up the hill.
"Did you see all the mists around the city when you came here?" I ask her. "The plains outside are blanketed in them."
She nods. "I did think that was odd."
"Same. I'm guessing there are Children who are assigned with keeping the city concealed within the fog. It's a pretty good defensive measure."
"That's...amazing."
"There's a lot of that here."
She turns to me at that, once again looking upon my shimmering robes. "And you're included in that," she whispers, reaching out, curious. Her fingers move towards the fabric, before stopping and looking up at me.
"It's OK. You can touch it."
Her hand continues, continuing its path and gently caressing my robes. She smiles. "It's so smooth. Is it comfortable?"
"Yeah, very comfortable. You know it can adjust to my temperature, change colour."
"It can?" she says, eyes widening.
"Sure," I smile. I take a few steps back into the middle of the room. "Check this out."
I begin to warm my body, my robes beginning to glow more radiantly. I turn them to a bright shade of red, raise up my hands, and send sparks of flame flickering between my fingers. Lilly's face is a picture of amazement. Then, suddenly, I draw my heat back, the flames doused, my robes rapidly darkening to a dark shade of blue as I focus on my Frost-Blood abilities.
Steam begins to rise from me, fingers stiffening with a coating of ice. I hold on for a few moments, though aren't quite as used to this sensation, before returning to my usual form and temperature. My robes adjust accordingly. The feeling is glorious, natural, a thrill I don't think I'll ever tire of.