by Jon Monson
“Besides,” Barrick continued, “I’ve never been to Palmas before. Can’t pass up these delicious breakfast pastries I’ve heard so much about. Want one?”
“I’m a little indisposed currently,” Aydiin said, shrugging as the tailor continued to work on fitting his tuxedo.
“Oh, right. Ladies?” Barrick said, holding up the spare pastry.
Byanca politely shook her head, and Lissandra refused to acknowledge the offering, instead focusing her gaze across the room.
“Oh well, more for me,” he shrugged before stuffing half the pastry into his mouth. “Say, what are you lot doing later? I hear they race dogs here. Dogs! Can you believe it?”
“I don’t think we have time for that today,” Aydiin said slowly. “We have…planning to do – for the wedding.”
“That’s right boring, that is,” Barrick replied. “Just yesterday, you were keen on ditching out, and now you won’t even come watch dogs chase a rabbit with me! Some friend you are.”
Aydiin blushed at the mention of his nearly-forgotten plan to escape. He hadn’t mentioned that to Byanca – so much had changed since he met her that he had nearly convinced himself that he never really wanted out of the marriage. In only twenty four hours, all thoughts of the Pharone Mountains had nearly fled. Byanca didn’t really seem phased by the remark, however.
“Barrick, you’re more than welcome to accompany us,” she said. “Any friend of my future husband is a friend of mine.”
“Now that’s a sweet lass you’ve got there, mate,” Barrick replied with a smile as his eyes turned to Aydiin’s tuxedo. “I’ve changed my mind. I think I’d fancy a new tuxedo.”
He hopped up onto the neighboring platform, arms outstretched awaiting the tailor to take his measurements. Lissandra gasped quietly while Byanca suppressed laughter behind her hand. Aydiin just smiled at his old friend.
“Just make it like Aydiin’s,” Barrick said after a moment. “It shouldn’t be asking too much of yeh – already done it once, right?”
The tailor’s face went red, and he looked at Aydiin.
“Go ahead, my good man,” Aydiin sighed, nodding at the short man.
“I really think Aydiin should be the one to get the fitting,” Lissandra said, the alarm evident in her voice. “He is the one getting married.”
“Right, but I’m the best man,” Barrick replied as the tailor began taking his measurements. Lissandra stood from her chair.
“Byanca, let’s continue this tomorrow,” she said, trying her best to ignore Barrick. “Perhaps when we have fewer distractions.”
“Are you sure, Mother?” Byanca asked. “I think we’re all having a wonderful time. We really only have a small amount of time to get everything together.”
“Oh, it’s quite alright,” Lissandra sniffed. “I’ve suddenly remembered a very important engagement. It can’t be avoided – please accept my apologies.”
She gave Byanca a rather strange kiss on the cheek. In reality, her lips never touched Byanca – she brought her check within a few fingers of Byanca’s and made a kissing motion. Then, Lissandra exited the shop with more speed than was probably necessary, again doing her best to avoid looking at Barrick.
“Thanks, Barrick,” Aydiin said, not trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. “That’s my future mother-in-law. I think I need to at least attempt a good relationship with her.”
“Oh, she’s like that with everyone,” Byanca said. “I really do want to thank you, Barrick. The thought of spending the rest of the day shopping with Mother was almost more than I could endure.”
“I’m glad ter be of service,” Barrick said, hopping down from the platform and turning to the short tailor. “And I really don’t want a tuxedo, mate. No offense, but I find ‘em downright boring. I just wanted that old woman to bugger off. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to see some dogs chase a rabbit.”
“Oh thank the Divines,” the tailor muttered quietly after Barrick exited the shop before turning to Aydiin. “Would you like to continue our fitting, My Prince?”
“I was rather hoping we could reschedule our appointment,” Byanca said. “I was hoping to spend some quality time with my husband-to-be. You understand, right, Maurice?”
The tailor seemed irritated, but did his best to hide that from showing too strongly on his face. He nodded and Byanca smiled at the man. Then she grabbed Aydiin’s hand and led him out onto the street.
The sidewalk outside the tailor’s shop was filled with pedestrians – workers dressed in dirty clothing heading to factories, young clerks sporting trousers and white shirts heading to various firms, and housewives out doing their morning errands. The paved street was filled with automobiles honking and speeding past. The overall atmosphere was so full of life – it was nothing like Maradon.
“So, what should we do?” Byanca asked, pulling Aydiin from his thoughts. “I think Barrick may have bought us the entire day.”
“Well, it’s up to you,” Aydiin said smiling. “I’m not sure if you know this, but I’m rather new to Palmas. I still don’t have a good feeling for where I am, not to mention where to find anything worth finding.”
“Well luckily you find yourself in the company of the world’s foremost expert on the city,” Byanca said, extending her arm, indicating that Aydiin should take it. The two began walking down the street as Byanca continued.
“Palmas proper can be split into three areas – the palatial, industrial, and financial districts. Of course, there are also suburbs of the city, where a sizeable portion of the population lives.”
“That’s a strange concept to me,” Aydiin said, split between admiring the beauty of the city around him and the woman on his arm. “It’s hard to imagine a city so large that other cities have to spring up nearby to support it.”
“Well, it’s only recently done so,” Byanca said. “The city’s industry has grown so much, and only so many people can cram into the valleys between the hills. They have to live somewhere. That’s what the metro is for.”
“I love that there is a train system within the city,” Aydiin said. “It took years to convince my father that trains were useful, and we still have less track than any other nation in the world - besides Pilsa, of course.”
“Well, even Genodra doesn’t have it everywhere. Most of the countryside is far behind the cities,” Byanca said, leading them around a corner onto a narrower street filled with small shops. “The railroad only connects the major cities at this point, and it’s quite uncommon to see automobiles even just a few leagues outside of Palmas. They don’t have anywhere to refill their petrol.”
“That seems like an oversight,” Aydiin chuckled.
“It is,” Byanca said. “The revolution has brought great freedom and prosperity to Genodra, but it can have its drawbacks too. Squabbling within the Senate over the past few years has brought major projects to a standstill.”
“I can see that happening,” Aydiin replied, trying not to be distracted by a street juggler tossing flaming torches. A crowd had gathered around the man, while a young boy held an old top hat, into which the spectators tossed various coins and bank notes.
“Close your eyes,” Byanca said, and Aydiin turned from the street performance to see a barely contained smile on that lovely face.
“I’m sorry?” he said, eyebrows raised.
“Just close your eyes,” she said, her smile breaking through. “Just trust me. I have a surprise for you.”
Aydiin lifted his hands and covered his face. He could feel Byanca waving her hand, checking to see if he were peeking out between his fingers. He wasn’t, anxious as he was to see what had come over the woman.
She grabbed his arm and led him through the crowded street. He wondered how this must look to the others. This kind of behavior would be highly unusual in Maradon. He reminded himself how little he knew of Genodra and its culture.
Byanca stopped, and Aydiin could hear a soft bell chime as she opened a door to what he assumed
to be one of the many shops on the crowded street. The smell of dust, paper, and mahogany filled his nostrils as he walked through the open door. The noise from the street dimmed as the door closed, and the quiet of the shop filled his ears.
“Alright, now open your eyes,” Byanca whispered. Aydiin brought his hands down, and his jaw dropped. He stood in the midst of the greatest collection of books he’d ever seen. Sunlight filtered in through high, dirt-smudged windows, creating a warm glow in the room.
Tomes with covers in all colors lined wooden shelves that rose up three stories. Tables lined the walls, sagging with the weight of their contents. Display cases protected several old, fragile works.
Aydiin had scoured every book store in Maradon, and he thought he’d seen a large number of printed works. His father’s library, with its meandering hallways dug deep underground had seemed like a never-ending source of knowledge. He now realized how little he’d actually experienced.
A dark, mahogany stair case spiraled in the center of the shop, its red carpet enticing him to climb and explore the rest of the shop on his own. This wasn’t merely a library or a bookstore – this was a monument to the world’s great works of literature.
“I had no idea this place existed,” Aydiin whispered in awe.
“Welcome to the Adriano Brothers’ Bookstore. It’s the oldest in the city,” Byanca said. “I know we were talking about the city, but I thought you might enjoy spending a few minutes here.”
“A few minutes?” Aydiin gasped, his eyes unable to take everything in. “I think we could spend hours here, days even.”
“So you like it?” Byanca asked, her voice a soft whisper.
“I love it,” Aydiin replied, grabbing Byanca’s hand and running up the spiral staircase. His feet pounded on the wood, creating more noise than was probably acceptable in such a quiet building, and more than one person turned to stare. Aydiin found himself not caring.
A large sign hung over a section of books that read “Adventure” and another that read “Non-Fiction: Science”. Aydiin looked around to see half a dozen such signs with a variety of topics.
“How did you know I would love this place?” Aydiin asked, turning to Byanca.
“I’d only known you a few minutes before we began discussing literature,” Byanca said. “I think it was pretty obvious.”
Aydiin thought for a moment, sucking on his bottom lip.
“Come on, there’s something I want you to see, too,” he said, grabbing her again by the hand and leading her downstairs.
“I thought you could spend days here,” Byanca laughed as they exited the building.
“Yes, and I fully plan on doing so,” Aydiin said. “But first, I want you to see something.”
Aydiin hailed a cab – he’d seen several people do so just that morning – and a black, mass-produced automobile stopped, its engine popping loudly. Something told Aydiin this ride would be less enjoyable than the others he’d had so far.
“Where can I take you this fine day?” the cabby flashed an overly friendly smile.
“We’re going to the palace,” Aydiin said, and he could almost feel Byanca’s eyebrows raise in curiosity.
“What could you have to show me at the palace?” Byanca asked.
“It’s a surprise,” he smiled. “Now, just get in the taxi.”
She gave him a questioning smile but hopped into the vehicle, and Aydiin climbed in after her.
“This seems strange,” Byanca said.
“I quite agree,” Aydiin smiled. “So tell me, what’s your favorite place in all of Genodra?”
“Are you really trying to change the subject?” Byanca asked.
“Of course I am,” Aydiin replied. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I asked you a question.”
“Well, as a child, we used to go quite often to my Uncle Mateo’s estates out in the country. I would get lost for hours out in those rolling hills with Cael. Mother would always be appalled at how dirty we would get.”
“And I’m sure that made you want to get dirty all the more,” Aydiin laughed. “It sounds lovely. Maybe we could go together.”
“Oh,” Byanca blushed. “We haven’t gone in years. Father never talks about it, but I think he must have had a falling out with Mateo. He’s not really my uncle, you see. He was just a close friend of the family, but I haven’t seen him in years.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Aydiin said. “Now, I’ve heard the Capos Islands are beautiful. Have you been there?”
“You heard correctly. They’re as beautiful as everyone says they are, if not more,” Byanca replied. “We should really consider having our honeymoon there.”
The words made her turn bright red again and she suddenly became very interested in looking out the window.
“Byanca, it’s okay,” Aydiin responded. “We’re going to be married in just a few weeks, we probably should talk about our life together. I know it’s an arranged marriage, but I’m determined to make it a happy one.”
“Are you?” she asked. “From what the ambassador told me, it sounded like your father was trying to punish you. I didn’t mind that so much until I met you. Now, I can’t bear the thought of making you unhappy.”
“Until yesterday morning, it was the most brilliant punishment my father has ever conceived,” Aydiin lowered his voice. “But after having met you, I can’t seem to remember why a solitary life of scholarship and adventure seemed so appealing. It’s stupid, I know I only met you yesterday.”
“No, I get it,” Byanca said. “Like I said, subjecting some unknown prince to a loveless marriage for political gain didn’t seem like such a bad idea – but now, I just really want you to be happy.”
The taxi stopped.
“We’re here,” the man said, turning around. “And it’s been a pleasure driving you two love-birds around.”
Byanca handed the man a few small coins and the two exited the rickety vehicle. Aydiin was glad to be back in the sunlight. The palace loomed ahead, absolutely stunning in the daylight.
“Now it’s your turn to cover your eyes,” Aydiin said, turning to Byanca. He again grabbed her hand and led her into the grounds.
“Where are you taking me?” Byanca asked, her hands covering her eyes while Aydiin led her by the arm. He didn’t answer as he led her through the grounds. The smell of the stables was getting stronger.
“It’s only fair that I get to guide you around with your eyes closed. Besides, I keep telling you, it’s a surprise,” Aydiin chuckled as he carefully led his bride-to-be.
“And I keep telling you that I don’t like surprises,” Byanca responded with mock severity. It had only been a few days, but Aydiin knew by now when Byanca was joking.
As her foot reached the bottom of the stone steps, Aydiin stopped her.
“Okay, now open your eyes,” he said.
“Why are we at the stables?” Byanca asked, blinking as she uncovered her eyes. Aydiin smiled at the confusion in her voice.
“I’ve been thinking about something,” Aydiin said. “You haven’t really had a chance to meet Askari yet. Along with Barrick, he’s my best friend. It would make sense for the two of you to become more comfortable with each other.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Byanca gulped, the color leaving her face slightly. “He won’t eat me, will he?”
“No, of course not,” Aydiin laughed. “At least, not while I’m with you.”
“So Barrick’s comment about eating a man –,“ Byanca said, her words trailing off.
“Oh, you know Barrick. He’s always making a joke,” Aydiin said. He didn’t feel like now was the time to tell her about the attempts on his life. It certainly didn’t seem to fit the moment. She gave him an inquisitive look as if to say she knew there was something he wasn’t saying. Aydiin grabbed her hand before she could continue the look and led her into the stables.
A harried stable boy – he couldn’t have been any older than twelve or thirteen years of age – ap
proached Aydiin. The boy’s freckled face seemed paler than it should have and his eyes seemed to show a significant amount of shock.
“Prince Aydiin,” the boy bowed slightly. “Have you come to take your kerton?”
“Just for a minute,” Aydiin said, trying not to chuckle at the hope in the boy’s voice. “I just wanted Byanca to meet my good friend.”
“Oh, right,” the boy stammered. “Well, he’s at the last stall – the one farthest away from any of the horses.”
Aydiin looked around and noticed the horses seemed restless. A large white charger pawed the ground, his eyes wider than usual. Obviously, keeping a kerton with steeds unfamiliar with the creatures seemed to not be the best idea.
“Thank you for taking care of him,” Aydiin said. “Did he eat well?”
“Yes, sir,” the boy responded, his eyes opening wide before continuing in a whisper. “He ate an entire goat – bones and all.”
“He does that,” Aydiin laughed. “It’s quite the sight to behold. I still remember the first time I saw him do it. I’ll never forget it.”
He again grabbed Byanca’s hand and led her forward. It was not difficult to see the conversation had done little to assuage the fears she had previously expressed. Still, Byanca was of the more adventurous type, and he guessed she would rather die than let fear stop her from a new experience.
The two reached the stall housing Askari at the far end of the stables. True to form, the kerton was snoozing on a bed of straw. Aydiin motioned for Byanca to stand back as he entered the stall.
“Hey there,” Aydiin whispered as he began scratching the lizard’s long head. He admired the green shimmer of the kerton’s scales. The leathery skin felt good on his hands. It was a reminder of home.
“This is the safest way to awaken a kerton,” Aydiin whispered, turning his head to address Byanca. “You never want to startle one awake. It could lead to…unpleasantness.”
“I’m not quite sure I ever want to wake him up,” Byanca said. “I’d rather just admire him from a distance.”
Aydiin laughed quietly to himself and turned back to stroking Askari’s head and neck. Within a few moments, his friend began to stir. A soft noise – it was somewhere between the purring of a cat the growling of a dog – announced that the kerton was pulling out of his slumber.