'Yes, we will be there soon. There is no need for subterfuge this far north, the residents here are friends to our people.'
She realised that her knowledge of Silvercrest was limited. Over the years, Selene had had dealings with traders from the town, people who dealt in gems, and no questions. Her favourite people. Never did she bother to ask questions though. Sounding too eager when you're trading in stolen merchandise, was never a good idea.
Gareth spoke of it once after returning from a trade deal Vin sent him on. The people were friendly, but cautious, most had little dealings with the outside world. She supposed that there was little reason for the outside world to travel so far when Silvercrest merchants were regularly in Eitane.
They had made their way to the road once they cleared the tree line, it had been the best thing that happened in days. Selene felt almost claustrophobic beneath the canopy of the trees, she loved nothing more than being able to see the sky.
It had taken less than an hour to reach the town once they'd moved to the road. No walls, no city gates guarded by armour clad men, watching every move you make, Silvercrest was the exact opposite to what she'd known her entire life. They walked the city streets, and while passing from area to area, she noticed that there was no separation, no slums, and upper quarter, just people living together, no matter their class.
'This place is strange.' She said, almost beneath her breath.
'The people here live in relative prosperity and have as much space as they need. It makes for a much better way of life.' Neesha said in answer.
A large building lay before them as they passed through the town's centre, it seemed a different design to the others, older too, she noticed as they drew closer. The scouts guiding the group seemed to be approaching the building, their destination since entering the city.
'What's in that building?'
'Tonight, it shall house our party. But on other days, it serves as a place for the residents of Silvercrest to speak to our people. Mostly trade related, but from time to time, they require our aid in other matters.'
Selene wondered how an entire town had escaped the king's law, banning Zin and magic from all of Emeer. She looked around, and took in the town in its entirety, she could see it had been a good thing, however they'd managed it.
An elegantly dressed man approached Neesha, he was tall and well built, but not in the way a warrior was toned and muscular, more like a noble who’d had no shortage of food in his life. There was no honour or respect, the way that Neesha’s scouts addressed her, this was something else. He gave a short, quick bow, out of formality, Selene thought, noticing the bored look.
‘Neesha, how good of you to grace us with your presence. We were expecting you days ago.’ He said, no trace of emotion on his face.
‘These tasks are never set in stone, they are fluid situations that require flexibility, Torin, you know that. Have the others arrived?’
‘They have. The night before last, they’ve been waiting for you before returning home.’ Torin said dismissively, turning and walking back towards the large building.
There was no love between Torin and Neesha, and given the complete disregard for Neesha, Selene surmised that while she had outranked every other Zin they’d crossed paths with, Torin was not someone who answered to her. The group began to file into the building behind the other scouts, they’d all become so used to following over the last three days, that not one asked a question or hesitated.
‘Charming guy, that Torin, I take it you’re good friends?’
Neesha looked down at Selene, a smirk crossing her lips. ‘You’re very perceptive, little one.’
‘Ugh, can you stop with the 'little one’, and ‘child’ stuff already. If you need a pet name for me, try harder.’ She said, joking, but with a genuine touch of frustration, before they both hurried into the building behind the last of the children and scouts.
There were no inner corridors, or entrance hallway. Through the large metal double doors, a massive hall stood before her. Selene gawked as she took it in, it was twice the length of the main hall in the Thieves Guild, but three times as high. Two rows of ornate wooden pillars from floor to ceiling spaced evenly apart, separated the room, and led up to a head table at the far end. Large dark wooden banquette tables were set in rows from one end to the other, two rows on each side of the pillars, making eight rows in total.
She had never seen a room like it, not even in the largest of nobles homes, Selene wondered if there was even a room like that at the palace. The intricate details of the pillars came into view when they walked further into the hall. Each pillar was hand carved with symbols she’d never seen before, the depths of which were lined with rich colour, and accented by gold. No expense had been spared in the creation of the hall, it had been created to impress and humble any guests they might be entertaining.
‘Far too indulgent for my tastes,’ Neesha began, coming up on Selene’s left. ‘The military aren’t consulted in the creation of such buildings. That duty is reserved for men like Torin, who take comfort in expressing their wealth and superiority.’
‘What is it between you and Torin, he doesn’t seem to think much of you, and it would appear that the feeling is more than mutual.’ Selene asked, curious.
‘Ours is a story best left for another time, when so many inquisitive ears aren’t close by.’ Neesha placed a hand on Selene’s shoulder and spurred her forward.
The children and scouts had taken up seats around the hall where ever they could, the gaps filled with more Zin entering from doors on either side of the hall. The Zin from the town were dressed in long tunics, made of dark green and brown wool, but without the leather armour that the scouts wore. Greetings were offered around the hall as they all took their seats, some more friendly people embracing each other with hugs, and offering thanks for their safe return.
‘Word had spread of the Magi attacks, there are many who are glad to see us home safe.’ Neesha whispered in her ear when they reached the last row of banquette tables. ‘Here, sit at the top of this table, I’ll be close by. I must sit at the main table with the others.’
Selene looked to the empty seat to her right, but recognised no one occupying the surrounding seats. ‘Do I have to sit here?’
‘I’m afraid so. It’s just for dinner, afterwards, people will mix, and gather around to share stories, I will return to you then.’
She took up the empty seat, and smiled at the strange men that sat on either side of her, in some feign attempt to seem friendly and welcoming.
* * *
Dinner had long since ended, one course followed another, each a sumptuous plethora of food. Selene had never seen her appetite matched until she slowed down at the third course, only to see everyone around her already finished theirs. She had wondered if perhaps her large appetite was due in some part to her Zin heritage. The night had progressed, and the banquette tables had been shuffled around the room into large circles, an iron fire pit moved into the middle of each.
Neesha hadn’t been wrong, everyone gathered together in groups to retell stories, some new, others more ancient than Selene could imagine. The Zin appeared to be marvellous story tellers, their voices smooth and captivating, the entire crowd hanging on each word, waiting for the next. She heard tales of bravery and heroism, mythical stories of creatures that couldn’t have existed, and even more about the great war that the Emeerian king had stricken from their history.
It was only as she passed one group on the way to get more of the delicious Silvercrest wine that the night changed for her. The story teller was not familiar to her, one of the local Zin, she thought, given his garb. She heard a single word as she passed by, ‘Saend.’ Her mother’s family name, her name. According to the man, he had been present for the events of his tale, a story so profound she would have never believed a word he’d said, if not for the events in the sewers of Eitane.
She had taken up a seat at the outer edge of the circle and listened intent
ly, every word had her leaning closer and closer, until one moment when she almost tumbled forward into a girl she recognised from Eitane. The man spoke of her mother, a mighty warrior he referred to as ‘Larisa Saend, Storm Caller,’ always fighting with someone he called Sunneth, through many battles. She called down bolts of lightning from the sky, flooded battlefields with a thick fog, confusing their enemies, and commanded frozen rain to chill even the mightiest of foes.
‘He doesn’t do her justice.’ Neesha had said, sitting next to Selene. ‘Your mother was the most intelligent person I had ever met, her battle strategy was matched by none, not even your grandfather, our greatest general.’
Selene looked up at her, so many potential questions, but the story was still fresh in her mind. ‘Who is this Sunneth he keeps mentioning, will we meet them when we reach your city?’
‘No,’ Neesha hesitated for a moment. ‘Sunneth is gone, long before your mother passed. He was her closest friend, and companion, he fought by her side, even more than I, and in the end, he gave his life in the defence of hers.’
Another name to add to the list of people I’ll never know, she thought. Selene realised the hall was far quieter than it had been, some circles had faded away, fires extinguished, and benches removed to make way for cots. It was only when she saw the small wooden beds that exhaustion took hold, and the lure of something even resembling a comfortable bed was enough to draw her in.
‘I assume we’re sleeping on those cots tonight?’ She said, already half asleep.
‘For most of you. I have quarters here in the building, far more comfortable than those flimsy beds. You are welcome to stay with me tonight, I have enough room for both of us.’
Selene was in no mood to decide, she nodded to Neesha, who stood and led the way out of the hall. The great hall took up most of the building, but a corridor lined three sides of it at the back half of the structure. They passed several doors and made it to the right-hand corner of the building before Neesha stopped and entered the door in front of her.
It wasn’t what Selene had imagined when she’d heard the word ‘quarters’. The room was large, just a living area, with comfortable large leather chairs that sat before a stonework fireplace that was almost twice the height of a person. She marvelled at the height of the room, not as tall as the great hall, but higher ceilings than she’d ever seen in a home. Several doors led off from the living room, one of which Neesha walked towards.
‘You can stay in this room tonight. The bed should be comfortable, it hasn’t been used in a long time, but the servants keep it clean and made up, none the less.’ She said, gesturing to the open door of the bedroom.
‘Where will you stay?’
‘I have my own room,’ she turned and pointed to a door on the opposite side of the room. ‘If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask.’ She turned and walked towards her own room. ‘Goodnight,’ Neesha said without turning back.
Selene eyed up the large bed in Neesha’s spare room, it looked like a gift from the gods, and without a moment’s hesitation, she pounced on it, not even stopping to remove her clothes. She closed her eyes enjoying the comfort of the bed and sleep took her almost instantly.
THIRTY NINE
An almost sickly sweet smell filled the room, wafting in through the open window. Selene had been awake only a few moments and had yet to open her eyes. She enjoyed the soft mattress and pillows far too much. When Neesha offered to let her share her quarters, she did not realise it would have been so comfortable, three days sleeping in the woods had her aching and she relished the opportunity to sleep in a real bed.
'We leave in ten minutes, time to rise. You slept through breakfast, but I grabbed you some cheese and bread. I wasn't sure you would be ready for the sweet pies they bake here. The berries come from the forest at the foot of the mountains, and when baked with honey, they can be sweet enough to leave your teeth in pain.'
She perked up a little at the idea of food. ‘Is that what the aroma is?'
Neesha nodded and smiled, throwing down a small white cloth parcel next to Selene's bags.
‘Thanks,’ Selene said, getting out of bed. 'For the food, and for letting me stay here last night, I know I should have been in the great hall with the rest of the kids.'
'Think nothing of it, you've been through a lot, I thought you could do with a good night's sleep.'
She gave Neesha the best smile she could manage, picked up her bag and went to wash up and dress.
They had left Silvercrest as swiftly as they'd come, it had been a meeting point on their journey and nothing more. Selene and Neesha led the way for the group that snaked far behind, with the new additions they'd picked up in town. A few of Neesha's men had been sent forth, to scout ahead, but also to inform their people that the group was approaching.
‘What will it be like when we get there? I mean, I know no one, where will I live, what will I do? I can’t imagine your people will take too kindly to me using my, talents…’ Selene asked, concerned.
Neesha seemed to consider her words for a moment, as she scoured the path ahead, which Selene noticed was winding up, leading towards the mountains that grew ever closer.
‘Each newcomer will be assessed and assigned tasks suited to their skills. Sleeping quarters will also be provided. Once you become more settled, you will be free to search out work around the city that is more to your liking. Your talents,’ she began, with a grin on her face, ‘shall not be necessary for that work. Also, you know me, that’s one more person than anyone else joining us today.’
Neesha’s words, while a little comforting, fell short of reassuring Selene. With everything that had happened, kidnappings, mysterious assassins, Gareth’s death, she’d never had time to let everything sink in. It seemed to be catching up on her, one piece at a time, and while the immortality, and immense power she’d unleashed may never be comprehended by her, the rest was taking its toll.
Deep in thought of the city and people that lay ahead, and how she could fit in, she had missed that they were moving off the mountain path and headed straight for a sheer cliff face.
‘Are we resting?’ She asked, puzzled at their heading.
‘You’ll see.’ Neesha said, standing next to a large, smooth, stone wall.
Selene looked behind her, the rest of their company were gathered in a large group behind her, all looking as confused to her, as she must to them. When they had gathered round, she returned her gaze to Neesha who was facing the wall. She watched as Neesha placed her hand, palm open to the stone’s surface, and muttered something she couldn’t quite hear, or understand. The entire smooth section of the cliff face rumbled, Selene, and the group took a few steps back, startled by the thunderous sound.
‘What’s happening,’ she heard herself say aloud, without thinking.
‘Behold, our path to the city.’ Neesha said, now standing next to Selene.
The stone moved back and disappeared into the cliff, revealing a path through the cliff and what she could only imagine, the mountain beyond.
‘You didn’t think we would have a well travelled path into our city, did you?’ Neesha didn’t wait for a reply, she just led the way.
She followed her into the newly revealed entrance, the entire group followed close behind.
The passageway wasn’t large, enough to allow several people to walk abreast, its stone walls hewn smooth as glass, as if a hot poker had been pushed through, melting the surrounding walls.
They had walked awhile before Selene noticed that the entire passageway was strangely lit. She wasn’t sure how she hadn’t noticed it straight away, she supposed a secret tunnel was enough to distract anyone. There seemed to be a glow, bright enough to light the way, but not so much that it was possible to pin point the source of that light, it was as if the rock itself was emitting the light.
‘We’re almost there.’ Neesha said, just as a bright, white light could be seen in the distance.
Selene stayed close to Neesha as the
y pushed on, the path smooth beneath her feet, paved with large stones that had been carefully placed by someone, or some force, she thought. The light was blinding as they came to the tunnel’s exit, she could see nothing beyond the arched rock exit that lay feet in front of her.
She took a careful footstep outside into the warmth of the sun, and then another, before she was frozen in her standing. Before her lay a wide valley of lush green grass and a crystal clear river, surrounded by mountain peaks on all sides, a city too vast to fully take in, filled its centre. Every building was constructed from the white stone of the mountain, some even appeared to be built into the face of the mountain itself. The white stone reminded her of the great walls that surrounded Eitane, maybe the Zin helped them build the walls, she thought. Selene finally looked to Neesha, who was staring at her, a smile on her face.
‘Five hundred years I’ve walked these lands, never has the City of Light failed to take my breath away upon each return.’ Neesha placed a hand on Selene’s shoulder, ‘welcome home, Selene.’
Home.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book has been years in the making. Procrastination aside, there were many other things that had to take priority. But no more! It is here for your reading pleasure. And book two is well underway.
I’ll keep this brief, but I’d like to thank my amazing friends and family for all their support over the last year. They’ve been there every step of the way. My A-Team for their never-ending commitment, and the insane amount of work they’ve done for me, and this book. Including organising a kick ass launch party. And without question, the most important of all; this book would not exist, if not for my wonderful girlfriend, and partner in crime. She has been there for me like no other. The months and months of intense work on this would never have happened without her shining optimism and loving support. This book is for her.
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