City of Eld (eBook)

Chapter One - Alessa

In the hours that passed after the city came alive, Yoder and Leeni both took rest while The Wizard watched over them and the injured Faerie Dragon, Perrixstar. Sixer had yet to return from his victorious effort to power the massive, high-spired city of wonders and as time wore on, The Wizard’s worrisome frown grew deeper. Garrick Thain’s soldiers, the much feared Black Vanguard of Kurn, were close at hand but he knew that these two young people and their injured friend needed rest.

So when Yoder roused first, rolling his heavy mass onto his back with a muffled groan; The Wizard looked over to the floor of the room they had chosen to make their encampment in. It was dusty to say the least, yet a pleasant temperature due in part to the magical technology that not only sent gusts of air throughout the space from metal grates in the walls but also somehow closed and opened the door to the street whenever anyone drew near it.

The Wizard had spent his hours of watch playing with the magic room, first by dancing back and forth in front of the doorway to experiment with its awareness. The door hissed open and closed whenever he was mere feet from it, but it never seemed to notice beyond that. After his dance with the portal, The Wizard waved his hand back and forth in the winds the grating produced with a low hum, turned knobs and dials on the countertops to test what they do and after a startling eruption of heat that set fire to a dried out husk of a plant in a small circular pot; decided not to play with the room any further for now. He extinguished the flame and sat down to smoke and think instead.

Yoder sat up, blinking raw eyes while scratching his jowls with his right hand. “Where is I?” He mumbled blearily, to which The Wizard replied with a chuckle. “Where -are- you? The lost city, of course.” He said softly, upnodding. “You both needed sleep, it’s roughly midday.” Yoder turned his head slowly, recognizing words but not fully processing them in his tiredness. “Huh.” He looked away from the Wizard sitting on the floor nearby, noticing the small huddle on his other side.

Wrapped up tightly in her blanket, Leeni slept curled in a ball beside the young man and Yoder became enthralled by this. He stared at the subtle rise and fall of the bundle’s middle, watching the girl breathe in and out with growing wakefulness and young, foolish desire. The blanket shifted, sliding off her shoulder as she stretched out a leg. Yoder sat up a little bit more as the girl surreptitiously rolled onto her back and her leather-clad arm flopped out onto her face. “Leeni?” Yoder asked quietly. Leeni responded with a snore that reminded Yoder of a braying donkey.

The Wizard and his ward exchanged a glance, followed by a laugh that each man tried to quiet so as not to wake her. Yoder clamored to his feet, waddling toward the swaddled Perrixstar while straightening his trousers about his middle then adjusting black chainmail covering his chest. He knelt down on the plates that protected his shins then dug into his nearby pack for a piece of dried meat. “Perri….” He spoke gently, peeling back the cloth that covered the creature.

Beneath, Perrixstar lay in fitful rest. Half the little dragon’s body was a raw, angry shade of red, scorched flesh while the rest still glittered with rainbow scales. It’s good wing was curled gently over itself like a shield, but the other was tucked useless and decrepit against its mangled side. Yoder’s sadness welled up seeing his beloved friend and “master” in such pain, especially when the little beast mewled softly and opened its bright, glowing good eye to peer up at him. “I know it hurts, but you have to eat….just a little bit.” Yoder said, bringing the small hunk of meat closer to the tiny dragon’s mouth.

Perrixstar had saved his life yesterday, at the expense of itself; shielding Yoder from a powerful blast of unknown magic that would have killed him instantly. The dragon paid the price for it, mutilated and dying in agony. Yoder wiped the tears in his eyes with his cloak. “Please, eat. Please.” He begged his beloved friend, but the Faerie Dragon only closed its eye in response.

The Wizard sat up some, tapping ash from his ornate pipe onto the floor. “We must find the place of healing Sixer spoke of.” He announced, tucking his booted feet under him to rise up. Yoder frowned. “Sixer’s not back yet?” He asked, to which The Wizard shook his head. “I know not where he’s gone, we can only hope he returns soon.”

Yoder grew impatient. “I’ll go look for him, you stay with Leeni and Perrixstar.” He said firmly, moving away from the injured dragon to collect his sword and shield. “Perri can’t wait much longer.” The Wizard sighed, pinching his long nose at its bridge. “If only we knew how to utilize this city. A library of some kind…” Unseen by the two men, the magic window that continually spoke the same announcement of evacuation flickered, a blue light outlining its frame. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“I’m sorry.” A female voice said, frightening both men. Yoder drew his sword, the wolves running along the blade shining in the ambient light. The Wizard moved to Yoder’s side, lifting his cane defensively. “I don’t understand the question.” The voice said in a vaguely cheerful manner. “Who’s there?” Asked The Wizard, the two looked every which way to find the source of the voice. “Hello, I’m Alessa. Your personal home assistant. How can I help you today?” The voice replied.

Yoder and The Wizard exchanged glances, but The Wizard took initiative. “Alessa. Pleasure to meet you. Our friend is injured, we need to find a place of healing.” He said. Alessa replied from the aether. “I’m sorry, I don’t know that.” The Wizard scowled. “Bloody useful, you are. A place of healing.” He paused thoughtfully. “Where the sick and injured are tended to.” He added, but no response came.

Yoder looked around the room. The Wizard did the same. Silence loomed and the two exchanged glances again. “Hello?” Yoder called out hesitantly, waking Leeni who sat up with a snort and startled look. Yoder jumped, looking down at the girl who stared up at him in confusion. “There’s someone here.” He said worriedly.

Leeni pulled her shortsword from the belt she’d laid nearby, rising into an alert crouch. “Where?” She asked. Yoder shrugged. “I don’t know. Her name is Alessa. We asked her where we could take the injured but..” Alessa suddenly chimed in. “All injured citizens should be taken to the Hospital. Would you like directions?” Leeni jumped up, spinning around and holding her blade out warily. Yoder’s eyes lit up with hope. “Yes, please! We need directions to the Hospital, Alessa!”

“Is this a true, medical emergency?” Alessa asked while all three now searched for the source of the voice. “Yes! Our friend is hurt really bad!” Yoder replied, his voice high pitched with hopeful excitement that the mysterious woman could save Perrixstar. “One moment, please.” Alessa said, going silent for exactly one moment. “I’m sorry, I cannot locate the emergency response system. I can guide you to the hospital. Would you like me to do that?” She asked. All three practically screamed “Yes!” at once. Alessa seemed undisturbed by this, cheerfully responding. “Okay. I’ve calculated the route. Please exit the building and follow the blue lights to the Hospital.”

Yoder practically ran to shove the door open, but it hissed and slid aside before he even reached it and left the portly youth stumbling over his own feet. The Wizard looked to Leeni. “Get Perrixstar. Hurry.” He ordered, prompting the girl to strap on her sword belt and sheathe her blade. She bent down, scooping up the bundled dragon to her chest carefully then followed after Yoder.

Out in the street, the Wizard joined Yoder and Leeni. An ethereal blue light blinked down the black road outside like some invisible man hopping down the center of it. Yoder took off hurriedly after the light, which sped up as he did. “Wait! Slow down!” Called Leeni, hurrying to keep up while The Wizard curiously inspected the street behind them with a slower pace.

Through the ancient city’s streets, the companions carried their injured friend. The blue light steps guided them past myriad buildings of amazing shapes, some appearing to be abandoned shops. Everything was brightly lit with colorful lights now, just like the room they’d camped in and Yoder couldn’t help but marvel at it all until the lights stopped moving before a massive structure.

It was white and square but huge, the front of the building had hundreds of windows and a curved archway above its door where rested a large golden sun with a red, lowercase letter T emblazoned in its center. Yoder gasped, pointing it out. “The Cross of God!” He said, drawing The Wizard’s attention. “So it appears. Fascinating.” The Wizard commented, tilting his head curiously.

“You have reached your destination.” Alessa said happily from somewhere. “Oh, thank you, Alessa!” Yoder cried out, elated beyond words. “You’re welcome.” She replied. The Wizard brushed past Yoder with purpose, walking toward the large, glass, double doors under the archway. “Quickly now.” He commanded, prompting Yoder and Leeni to follow him.

The doors hissed like all the others, parting open on their own and the three walked into a wide open room with rows of chairs all facing a single, oversized, circular counter. It was empty like everything else, so empty that their bootfalls echoed loudly. “What do we do now?’ How do we get Perrixstar healed?” Yoder asked,...