Emerald, p.27
Emerald, page 27
“He really does sound like an amazing man,” Kya said. “I can see why you idolize him so much and what it would mean for you to see him again. The only brother I had growing up was Sylvester, and seeing as we’re the same age, I didn’t really look up to him. I think the fact that we weren’t blood-related also added to that, so he felt less like a brother and more like a distant cousin.”
Kya sighed, laying down next to her friend and staring up at the blue moonlight filtering through the golden leaves swaying above their heads.
“I’ve wished for siblings all my life, though I was never blessed with any. But when I eventually get married, I will make sure that my children will. I will give them everything I didn’t have.”
“Isn’t it a bit too soon to be thinking about children?” Karria asked.
“I’ll be sixteen in less than half a year,” Kya replied. “Old enough to marry and have children.”
“Yeah, but do you really want that already?” Karria asked.
After all, she was just four months younger than Kya, meaning she would be turning sixteen in just over nine months, and she wasn’t nearly ready to be settling down with anyone. In fact, she hadn’t even thought about boys in months. But that might have had less to do with the disinterest of marriage, and more the fact that she just didn’t find elven boys all that attractive.
Sure, they looked human, but the differences were very noticeable. And though they looked very good on Kya, she just didn’t like the pointy ear look on boys. It made them look younger than they were and, coupled with their large eyes, conjured the feeling of children rather than young adults. Even the fully-grown elven men simply looked too feminine. They were slender and lacked the same…well, she wasn’t sure what. But whatever it was, they lacked in it.
“I honestly don’t know,” Kya answered, snapping her from her thoughts. “But if the right one comes along, I don’t think I’ll say no.”
Karria wasn’t sure if she agreed, so she remained silent. Kya didn’t say anything either, though she didn’t need to. She felt much better than she had before. Talking things out always made her feel better, and she decided that she would talk with Kya every night from now on, no matter how tired she was. Kya likely had a lot to talk about as well and would need someone to lean on, and she would be that person.
“Looks like our destination is just up ahead,” Silver called out in a cheery voice.
Karria looked up, her head throbbing painfully as steam poured from her like a tea kettle. It was late afternoon, and the sun was already more than halfway through its descent in the west. She’d only had some minor success today, managing to increase her time a bit, but her body was completely wrecked as a result.
Her muscles were on fire, feeling as though she’d gone through the hardest physical exercise while carrying a hundred pounds of rocks. Her head felt like someone was beating at it with a sledgehammer. She wasn’t getting used to the pain either. Pain was pain. It freaking hurt!
“I don’t see anything but forest,” Kya said, craning her neck to see if she was missing anything.
“Ah, and that’s where the secret lies,” Silver said with a wink. “The place where we’re going cannot simply be accessed by anybody. No, this place is quite special, and without a guide, such as me, you would never find your way in.”
“Into where?” Karria asked.
She didn’t see anything but forest either. If Silver had dragged them all the way here for nothing, she might very well attack him. She was in a foul enough mood as it was, due to the constant training that seemed to be going nowhere.
“You’ll find out in a moment,” Silver said. “Now, come closer and stick with me. Don’t want you getting lost now, do we?”
Karria had no idea what the man was talking about. How could she possibly lose him? But she was too tired to argue, so did as she was told and stuck closer to him. Kya was going to walk next to her, but Silver directed her to stand on his other side. He seemed oddly excited for some reason, but she couldn’t see why. All she could see were Goldenleaf trees and…water?
She blinked a few times, rubbing quickly at her eyes and staring around in shock. The forest was gone! Instead, she now stood next to Silver on a sandy beach with water stretching out before her, reflecting all the colors of the rainbow. Stars spread in a circular pattern in the distance, and strange shapes fluttered across the horizon. Towering cliffs made of purple stone rose to either side, effectively boxing them in and the air smelled sweet instead of salty. She almost gave herself whiplash as she looked up to the sky, which shone with so many colors, it almost made her dizzy.
Seven suns hung in the sky, each a different color, though each was far smaller than the sun she was used to.
“Where are we?” she heard Kya ask, her voice tinged with awe.
“We are in another world!” Silver announced, walking forward and spreading his arms wide. “A world of magic so potent it flows through the very air.”
He turned then, the light of three suns outlining him while another two shone directly down. It cast him in an odd light and made his smile look more than a little disturbing.
“Welcome,” he said, spreading his arms out wide, “to Nexus!”
33
Arbor was released from the hospital two days before the competition was set to start. He was as close to a full recovery as he could be, with only a long scar tracing his chest where the assassin’s blade had cut into him. He still felt a bit shaky, but the doctor said that his magic should bring him back to full strength in a day or two, though he still advised against strenuous activity for at least another week.
“Man, am I glad to be out of there!” Arbor exclaimed as Sebastian held the coach door open for him.
The butler had been attending to his accommodations within the city, finding somewhere for them to stay while there. An inn was nice, but it was also impractical for such a long stay. There had been a few new houses constructed for those coming to stay within the city, but Sebastian said that it wouldn’t be befitting his station to stay there.
“I am glad to see you up as well, sir,” Sebastian said as he stepped into the coach.
It didn’t escape Arbor’s notice that there were several guards surrounding the coach, all eyeing every passerby with suspicion. He couldn’t blame his team for taking these precautions. After nearly dying twice from the same poison, they were going to make sure no one got to him again. He took a seat, sighing as he sank into the soft and cushioned seat.
This was the first time he could really enjoy the coach on which he’d blown a small fortune. It was nice and warm inside, as opposed to the near subzero temperatures outside, but he knew it couldn’t last. The winter was desperately clinging with the last vestiges of its strength. This time of the year was what his mother had called ‘winter’s last breath.’ It was the icy cold before the spring.
Frunk entered the coach a moment later, and Sebastian closed the door behind him. Hord would be riding separately while in the city, as a single aide was what most nobles permitted in their private coaches. Additionally, Hord could deal with the cold far better than Frunk, though the gremlin seemed to be adapting alright.
As soon as he was situated, the door was shut firmly behind him, and a moment later, the coach began to move. The two of them were silent for a few long moments before Sebastian pulled the slider back.
“We’re in the clear,” he said, before closing the slider once more.
“Have you been recognized?” Arbor asked.
Frunk shook his head, making him let out a huge sigh of relief. The biggest fear in bringing this army here was that they would be recognized as the former forces of General Sor’shin, one of the Four Gremlin Generals.
“Seems that humans never really pay attention to us,” Frunk replied. “And this time, I believe that is a good thing.”
“Are the rest of our forces close?”
“Indeed. The last report put them just two day’s march, so they should be here by the opening day ceremony. Of course, they will have to remain in their barracks outside the city, but it will be good to get them out of the cold.”
“Have we suffered any casualties?”
“One hundred and fifty-seven, I’m afraid.”
Arbor grimaced when he heard those numbers. While he’d known there was a chance that they would lose some of the soldiers to the weather, he hadn’t expected it to be that many.
“Find out anything about that gremlin sergeant who greeted us at the gates?”
“Indeed. His name is Stir, and he is under the employ of the kingdom. He does not work for any specific noble, so if you want to hire him and his battalion, I can extend an offer.”
“How many are in his battalion?” Arbor asked. “Specific numbers, please.”
“Very well, sir. There are one hundred and fifty total under his command. Seventy-four gremlins and seventy-six humans.”
“And the humans don’t mind taking orders from him?”
Arbor knew that most humans seemed to look down on gremlins, viewing them as a lesser species. In fact, all gremlins were conscripted to fight in the king’s military when they reached the age of sixteen. They then served a mandatory ten years before they were allowed to retire to go have children and raise the next generation of soldiers. Thus, most of the race was highly militaristic, while also treated horribly.
“On the contrary, they seem to respect him.”
“Then extend the offer. It isn’t common for human and gremlin soldiers to serve in the same battalion. If these humans are willing to, then they’ll be perfect for us. Now, onto other matters. Have we had any success locating Mages for hire?”
“Yes, actually,” Frunk said, shuffling the sheaf of papers on his lap. “We have received four applications, though they don’t look very promising. I have a feeling that until you prove yourself in the competition, we won’t get much more than the dregs.”
Arbor thought on that for a moment, before gesturing that Frunk should hand him the papers. His eyes scanned over the few names, noting their abilities were all Non-combat related. He was about to hand the papers back, when the name at the very bottom caught his attention.
“Saiko? That is quite an odd name,” he noted, looking closer.
“Indeed. This woman is foreign. She’s not from this continent but rather from overseas. Normally, foreigners are turned away from our borders, but she was permitted in, due to her status as a Mage. Unfortunately, they are mostly deemed as untrustworthy, so while they are offered work, no one will hire them on full time.”
“But that’s so stupid!” Arbor exclaimed, reading over the paper. “It says here that she’s an enchanter, specializing in agriculture and large construction. She would be a perfect fit! Have you…?”
“I have already set up a meeting as I figured she would be of interest to you.”
“When?”
“The night after the competition is set to start. You will need all the time you can get to prepare, and rest is imperative.”
There came a knock then, followed by two more, then another. This was Sebastian signaling that it was no longer safe to speak freely and that they should watch their tongues. There were delicate matters that Arbor didn’t want anyone else overhearing. For example, the fact that he had killed a gremlin general and stolen his army.
The coach came to a halt then, and a moment later, Sebastian opened the door. Arbor stepped out into the freezing cold, looking up in surprise to see a massive set of double doors.
“Please tell me you didn’t rent an actual manor,” Arbor groaned, already bemoaning the cost of such a monstrosity of a house.
“Indeed I have, Master. This is a manor, as is befitting one of your station,” Sebastian replied, walking briskly ahead of him to open the doors.
Looking over his shoulder, Arbor could see a pair of wrought iron gates not ten feet back, standing in front of a line of tall bushes. The bushes went all the way around the perimeter of the property, blocking anyone from looking in. The coach was standing on a cobbled path that was shaped like a half arc, stopping before the manner and branching off from there. One path led to another pair of gates, the exit, while another led to the stables.
The doors swung open, and Arbor walked into a massive entryway. The ceiling towered nearly thirty feet above his head and an oversized crystalline chandelier hung from above. A set of ornate staircases twined from either side, heading up to a single door on the second floor and two corridors stretched before him. There was also a trio of servants awaiting him, all bowed at the waist.
“What are they doing?” Arbor whispered out of the side of his mouth.
“Merely showing deference to the current proprietor of the house,” Sebastian said. “They will be caring for the manor while we are here.”
Arbor looked back to the three figures, two women and one man, all dressed in expensive-looking matching uniforms. Three people would be staying here just to keep the place running? He sighed, removing his cloak and going to hang it on one of the racks before one of the women came scurrying over.
“Please, sir, there’s no need for that. We are here to take care of all your needs during your stay.”
Arbor wanted to object. He could hang his own cloak, but after a nod from Sebastian, he allowed her to take it. Frunk entered then, followed by Hord, his coachman carrying his bag. A group of ten guards marched in, immediately fanning out and beginning to sweep the manor.
“Is there perhaps a training room in this place?” Arbor asked as the coachman followed one of the servants to drop off his bag.
“Yes, indeed. If you will follow me,” Sebastian said, heading to the rightmost corridor.
“Hord, bring my weapons,” Arbor called over his shoulder as he went to follow him.
“What am I, your nanny?” Hord called after him. “Bring your own bloody weapons!”
Arbor grinned, turning to walk backward and spread his arms wide.
“Can’t you tell I’m injured? You gonna make your poor friend carry all that heavy weaponry on his own?”
“You better damn well believe you will!” Hord called after him. “You may be a fancy lord, walking around in your frilly pantaloons, but I am a prince. If anything, you should be bowing to me!”
Arbor chuckled, turning back to face the right way as the corridor closed in around him. He was glad that Hord was still treating him the same as before, despite his new ‘station.’ Nothing much had really changed for him, yet he was already being treated like royalty.
He followed Sebastian through the dining room, sitting room, tearoom, and reception room before they came to the training room. It was a nice-sized space with concrete-reinforced floors, ceiling, and walls. The walls and the floor had been padded and there were several training dummies set against the back wall.
Strange script was etched into a panel on the far side of the room, and Sebastian explained that it was there to keep the room in pristine condition.
“If the broker is to be believed, then the room will self-repair so long as the panel remains undamaged.”
“And how trustworthy is this broker?” Arbor asked skeptically.
“Quite, I assure you. When catering to the upper class like yourself, it is important to be completely honest. Otherwise, you can find yourself in prison with a life sentence.”
“People really do that?” Arbor asked, though he figured he shouldn’t be surprised.
Judging by the way that pompous idiot Alexander was behaving, he seemed like just the type to have someone arrested for serving him cold tea or some other stupid reason.
Hord trundled in then, carrying a cloth sack over one shoulder and Arbor’s weapons on the other.
“Ah, so the mighty prince deigns to join us!” Arbor said as Hord dropped the sack to the ground.
“But of course, your Lordship. Whatever pleases your pompous little ass,” Hord said with a mock bow.
Arbor snorted out a laugh, though Sebastian looked disapprovingly.
“You can go now, Sebastian,” he said, moving to gather his weapons. “Send Frunk here when he’s finished with work. Also, I don’t want to be disturbed until dinnertime. I’ve been stuck in a bed for over a week, and I need to get in some exercise.”
“But sir, we still need to get you fitted for your evening attire for your meal with the Marquess at the Earl’s estate…” Sebastian began.
“I’m sure you know my size. Get me something appropriate.”
“Very well, sir,” he said, turning to leave.
“Oh, and Sebastian,” Arbor called after him.
“Yes, sir?”
“If you get me anything with frills, you’re fired.”
34
Arbor tugged at the collar of the too-tight formal jacket. True to his word, Sebastian hadn’t gotten him anything with frills. Instead, he had gotten him what amounted to clothes that seemed to want to murder him by means of strangulation.
“Stop fidgeting,” Grak said, slapping his hand away. “You’ll wrinkle it.”
She, by contrast, was dressed in a pair of fine leather leggings, a sleeveless leather breastplate, and had her rapier at her side. A heavy cloak was draped across her shoulders to protect her from the cold, but she’d be fine once they entered the manor. As his aide for the evening, she would be able to get away with wearing something like that, unlike him.
Arbor grumbled, slumping back in the seat and trying his best not to breathe too deeply, for fear of tearing through the fine silk shirt that was at least three sizes too small. He now very much regretted not allowing Sebastian to fit him properly, as he was sure this was the butler’s way of getting revenge. The butler refuted that, claiming that this style of dress was coming back in the capital, and he would be viewed as a ‘trendsetter’ if he wore it.
Sebastian had also tried, very hard, to get him to take a date along for the evening. He had blatantly refused, shutting the butler down at every turn. He didn’t want romance right now, and he certainly didn’t want some uppity girl hanging off him all evening. Grak was all the company he needed. The two of them got along well, especially after they’d had a talk regarding their relationship the previous evening, when she’d finally returned.
