Meadowcity (2 page)

“I’ll just take the long way home, and stop there on my way.  Thanks, though, Anna.” 

“You’re so kind, Sylvia.  Make sure you head home right after, you’re dead on your feet.”  Anna bounced Cari, who was clearly not in any mood to go to sleep just yet.

Sylvia made her way to the door and opened it, the cool night air inviting her out.  “Good night, Anna!” Sylvia smiled at her and closed the door gently.

The sun had set but the sky remained a deep orange, casting its strange hue onto the secluded city.  The lamps lit by the moss-covered villas now stood out, giving the meadow illusion a magical look.  She could only just make out the other side of the treewall from where she stood.  Boots thumping on wood, she made her way back the way she came, towards the gate.

The Citizen’s Hall held not only the seat of government, but also the city’s defense stronghold. There had never been a need for serious protection, but old fears died hard, and there were many tales of ancient cities destroyed by great enemies, reduced only to rubble.  The Cities had been founded after such follies.

Sylvia was not a stranger to the Citizen’s Hall. As a Rider she was one of the few contact points between Meadowcity and the rest of Arcera: Skycity, Riftcity and Lightcity.  As she reached the gate, the Citizen’s Hall loomed up on her left.  Its structure was nothing like the surrounding moss-covered villas.  Two tall levels and spanning a great deal of length in front of the gate, it was made entirely of stone.  The walls were several feet thick, impenetrable.  It was said that stoneworkers from Riftcity had helped build it.

There were rumors that the Hall had hidden tunnels leading outside of the city.  Sylvia had never seen them herself, but who was to say they didn’t exist?

A wide stone path led to the Hall’s entrance.  The massive wooden door was cracked open on one side, and Sylvia went in. 
Almost done,
she thought,
and then I can go to bed
. She had been four days on the road travelling from Skycity.  Before that, she had spent two whole weeks in Lightcity awaiting a parcel to deliver.  But for that one she couldn’t complain, she had been paid handsomely for her time, presumably delivering some unnecessary custom-made bauble to that rich Councilman in Skycity. 

After the Councilman’s contract, Sylvia had surprisingly been summoned to Skycity’s Hall. 
That
was a place she had never been inside before.  Skycity generally preferred not to contract outside Riders for their official communications, so immediately she had been on the alert.

From a distance, their city looked picturesque perched on its mountain’s apex, so far up from the earth.  Skycity’s buildings were built mostly of stone, but they also favored glasswork since they shared an old connection with Lightcity.  The citizens there lived in villas built right into the mountain face, or stood clustered together in the city center.  Several winding stone paths led up the mountainside, all leading to the top.  Their Citizen’s Hall was built on the highest point.

Skycity’s Hall was impressive from the outside, as she knew, for she had passed by it many times before.  The stone building loomed down upon the street, a tall staircase leading up to an ornate glasswork door. 

On the day she received the parcel, she had mounted the staircase, gathering her resolve.  When she entered the foyer, her stomach dropped, along with her jaw, reacting to the sight before her. 
The floor is made of glass! 
The immediate panic she had felt was instantly replaced by embarrassment, as she now seemed to be holding up traffic at the door, peering down at the floor like an out-of-city brat. 

Stepping to the side to allow others by, she caught her breath and tried to force her heart to stop attempting to escape her chest, all the while peering down at the earth below.  It was one thing looking down at a mountain that you’re climbing, but to stand over it as if there is nothing between you and falling thousands of feet to your death?  What was with the people of Skycity?

Governor Greyling had been implicit with his instructions.  The message he wished to send would be read by absolutely no one other than its intended recipient.  The man’s narrow face and thick black hair came up out of her memory, sneering at her—as if she would read a private message for her Governor.  His black and grey cloak swept across the terrifying glass floor as he advanced on her and roughly handed the parcel to her
. 

Why contract a foreign Rider if you didn’t trust her?
  Sylvia could not understand.  He promptly gestured her towards the door without another word, but the look in his eyes worried her. 

Sylvia had practically run from the building, eager to stand on something that didn’t look as if she could fall right through it.  The Governor’s face as he showed her from his office haunted her the next four days, her entire journey back to Meadowcity.  She had jolted awake more than a few times dreaming of falling through floors and down an endless mountainside.  How could they stand to live there? But more importantly, what is so important they needed to hire a foreign Rider they clearly despised?

Pulling herself out of the memory, Sylvia stepped out of the foyer and into the Hall hoping to find Gero—which she did immediately by running straight into him, since he was heading
out
the door.

“Oof—sorry there—oh, Sylvia!”  Gero’s face warmed as he backed away, and invited her into the building with a gesture.

Gero waved to the night guardsman and headed to the public meeting room open to the right.  Here there were benches and chairs strewn around casually, most focused near the fireplace.  The high, raised ceiling was paneled in gleaming wood, lit by the dying fireplace below, and glass globes scattered about.  Sylvia always came here before leaving on a courier mission since it was a common meeting place.  Claiming her favorite bench, Sylvia put her legs up across it, trying to shove down those thoughts of Skycity that were making her stomach twist uncomfortably.  Gero sat in a nearby chair, facing the fire.

“So, Gero,” she said. “I’ve a parcel for you,” she began to unstrap it from her belt.

“What’s that?" he looked up from the fireplace, somewhat startled.  “I thought you were here about that Rider.” 

Sylvia finally unbuckled the small parcel and handed it to him.  He continued as he opened the small box, “Injured on the trail it seems.”

“From Governor Greyling,” she gestured as he unfolded the paper, the giant wax crest of Skycity visible at the bottom.

Eyes squinting, he leaned closer to the fire for better light.  As he read, a terribly dark expression came over his face, going from white to red rather quickly.  Sylvia opened her mouth to speak, but closed it when she saw the look in his eye.  He roughly folded up the paper and stuffed it securely in an inside pocket of his vest, a thin sheen of sweat now visible on his brow.

He cleared his throat. “Very well.”  He looked around the empty room.  “Am I right in thinking that I’m the only person to read this note?”

“Absolutely, sir.” Sylvia fell to addressing him formally.  She bit her lip, waiting for him to continue.

“Excellent,” he said, but his expression said otherwise.  “Let me walk you home Sylvia, you must be dead on your feet.”  Gero rose from his chair suddenly and patted his vest pocket where he had put the note, assuring himself that it was still there.

After that peculiar exchange, Sylvia was interested to know what was so obviously
not
excellent.

“Goodnight Ell,” Gero called to the guard as they walked through the foyer.  Outside the Hall, Sylvia turned left on the perimeter path, leading the way.  The glass lamps lined the walkway, their soft glow spilling warmly onto the pathway.

“About that Rider…”  Gero began, his seemingly lighter tone reassuring her nerves.

“What’s his name?”  Sylvia asked.

“Flint.  From Riftcity.  That’s all we’ve been able to make out.”

“Riftcity, huh?” Sylvia inquired.  Her pace down the wood planks slowed a little as she gained interest.

“Your guess is as good as mine.  He’s about your age.  Not a good omen, a half-dead Rider arriving at the gate.”  His voice had become grim once more.  “His injuries are...unusual.”

Sylvia raised her eyebrows.  Their footsteps echoed off the darkening treewall as they trod the path.  Riders weren’t sent out alone unless they were fully trained.  There wasn’t a formal test, but since it was usually their family that trained them, they would always make sure they were absolutely ready.  Sylvia had gone earlier than most.

Perhaps he wasn’t a Rider
?  The thought came unbidden to her tired mind.  But that made even less sense.  No citizen would venture outside alone to travel
here
.

Riders had to know the different ways to cross Arcera, of course, but the most difficult part of their livelihood was defense from the predators that lurked in the forest.  For the woods and the hills between the Cities were full of them. 

The Four Cities had been built long ago to band together—as the stories went—since the people were scattered throughout the torn land, unable to survive on their own.  Each city was built with different security measures, for they had remembered what the past had accomplished: destruction and chaos. 

They had walled themselves off, and the natural residents of the forests and meadows and fields regained their independence.  The predators were left with free reign for centuries, easily picking off any and all prey they desired, until they were the masters of the land, and the humans were all left cowering behind their walls.  Passage between the Cities had dwindled to almost nothing, since each city had learned to be basically self-sufficient.

The Riders now were the only citizens who passed between Cities.

Sylvia halted, no longer hearing Gero’s footsteps beside her.  She turned and looked back at him—she had missed the stone path that led to her villa.  She opened her mouth to say goodnight to Gero but he spoke first.

“Meet me tomorrow morning at the Healer’s Hall.”  He paused for a long time, as if deciding something; then said heavily, “There’s a war coming.”

Chapter Two
 

I screamed as the floor disappeared from underneath my feet, a long drawn out scream that would carry me downward—down to my death.  All the while the wolves howled below, circling underneath me.  The sky rushed past and I gazed upwards, arms and legs flailing.  I could still make out that face—that face!

“Sylvia!”

Sylvia sat straight up in her bed, almost hitting her head on the low ceiling.  She shook her head to rid herself of the now familiar dream.  Greyling’s face swam in her waking mind, sneering.

“Yes?” she called, her voice still soft from sleep, but her heart was racing under her night shirt.  She cleared her throat and turned to look out the window beside her.  The sky was light pink dappled with white, still early, the sun still hidden below the horizon.  She flipped back her blanket and swung her feet around to the floor.  The window cubby her bed was built into was just high enough off the ground that her feet just brushed the ground now.  She slipped her feet into her soft leather shoes and stood.

“Come eat breakfast with me,” her younger sister’s voice came through the dark curtain.  Sylvia could see Sonia’s bare feet scuffing the floor of the hallway.  She smiled at the excitement in Sonia’s voice.  She was only six, but she was going to rule the city someday she was so bossy.

“I’m coming. Don’t you start without me!”  She picked up a white blouse from the shelf, along with her favorite leather leggings. She pulled the leggings on, sighing at their softness.  These leggings were well worth the week it took to trap the mountain lion they came from.   Running her fingers through her not-quite shoulder-length hair a few times, she pulled aside her curtain and stepped out into the hall, walking the few short steps to the main room. 

Through the large window above the water basin, Sylvia could see the sun trying to poke its rays above the trees.  Sylvia’s mother Adeline stood braiding Sonia’s dark hair as she sat at the head of the table like a queen upon her throne.

“You sit here, Sylvia,” the little girl indicated the bench to her right. “And mother will sit here,” pointing to the seat on her left.  Adeline winked at Sylvia, both of them well used to Sonia’s dictations. 

Sylvia sat at her appointed place, reaching over to Sonia to pinch her cheek lightly. 

“What are you up to today little princess?”  Sylvia took the serving spoon and took a great scoop of oats and berries.  She didn’t know what kind of day today might be, so she might as well take advantage of a hot, homemade breakfast.

As their mother finished braiding her hair, Sonia began listing all of the things she hoped to do today; including picking flowers, and building a tiny toy boat to sail across the lake.  Sylvia’s thoughts couldn’t stop wandering to Gero’s words of war last night as she poured a cup of cool water from the pitcher.

“Ah, but first the little princess has to attend her royal duties,” Adeline began, as she moved to the counter to get herself a cup of tea.  “There are some carrots behind the villa that require her attention.”

Sonia sighed, but did not complain.  At that, Sylvia chuckled and tucked in to her breakfast.  Sonia was a good girl; she just liked pretending she could boss everyone around.

“You’re not leaving right away are you Sylvia?” her sister asked, staring at her bowl, toying with the berries with her spoon.

Sylvia swallowed the huge mouthful she had just taken, the tart berries leaving their tang across her tongue. “Not yet.  I’m just meeting with Gero today at the Healer’s Hall to see that injured Rider.”

Adeline nodded, but Sonia beamed.  Sylvia was rarely home to spend time with her.

Not one to take her time eating slowly, after a few short minutes, Sylvia scooped the last blueberry out of her bowl. She stood, and headed for the water basin.  Her mother cleared her throat, “I’ll take care of that Sylvia.  You go on.”

Sylvia gave her mother a grateful squeeze on the shoulder as she passed back into her room.  She could hear Sonia complaining loudly that she always had to wash her own dishes, and why did Sylvia get to skip it?  Smiling, Sylvia searched her room for what she needed.  Her tan leather coat was on a hook next to the door, along with her shoulder pack.  She had taken the time to restock it last night, even as tired as she was. 
Be prepared for anything
, her father had always told her.  She exchanged her soft house shoes for boots, slipping them on over her leggings.  Her long knife was propped up against her doorframe in its usual place, but she tucked a small dagger inside the sheath in her belt instead. It wouldn’t be necessary to bring the long knife to the Healer’s Hall. 
Hopefully
.

She shrugged into her jacket, running her hands down its smooth sides.  Her father had bought it for her when she had first become a Rider.  Tripping her memory, she called out into the hallway, “Where’s Lark this morning?”

Her mother replied from the other room, “Out in the back fields.  He’s been helping bring the grain in.  I think city life is too slow for him.”  Sylvia could hear the smile in her mother’s voice, knowing that Adeline Thorne was one of the luckiest women in Meadowcity.  Her husband, a Rider for decades, had always come home to her.  The same could not be said for every Rider.  Adeline was grateful that Lark had recently retired and settled back down in the city, busying himself with city councils, building projects, and apparently, bringing in grain.

Sylvia came back into the main room, excited but on edge for what might happen today.  She knew Gero had said war, but could it really be?  There had never been a war in all the hundreds of years the Four Cities existed. 

Each City operated on its own.  Each had their own ruling government, their own systems that had functioned for ages.  There was trade, there was friendship between them.  What had changed?  Was it the message from Skycity, or the boy from Riftcity?

Tucking a short strand of sandy-colored hair behind her ear, Sylvia slipped her shoulder pack on and headed for the door.  On her way by the table, she tugged lightly on Sonia’s braid.  “Maybe later I’ll take you down to the lake for those flowers, okay?”  Sonia’s smile grew wide, and she nodded eagerly.

She called goodbye to her mother and Sonia, and stepped in to the morning sun, closing the door behind her.

Even with the possibility of war hovering over her, Sylvia reveled in the feeling of the morning sun on her face and the cool, sweet air that filled her lungs. 
It’s good to be home
, she thought.

Meadowcity was bathed in light from the rising sun, its rays glinting off of the unlit glass lamps all over the city.  Sylvia struck out not for the perimeter path, but followed the stone one that led inward toward the lake. 

The path was more or less straight as it led her through the different clusters of villas.  Most of Meadowcity was just waking up; its many chimneys beginning to smoke with breakfast fires.  The Healer’s Hall where she was to meet Gero was located towards the center of the city by the lake.  Sylvia’s path merged with many other paths along the way, since almost all of them led inward.

Two great intersecting paths divided the city into four quarters.  The upper left quarter was known as the farming quarter, where Sylvia’s father was now.  The other three quarters were not so easily defined.  Meadowcity had many types of shops and workplaces and these were located closest to the center.  The city’s villas were gathered towards the perimeter path.   Sylvia’s wide stone path was now leading her towards the woodworkers’ shops as she headed for the lake.

The woodworker’s section was one of her favorite places to walk through.  Intricately carved benches, chairs and tables displayed along the path in front of some shops, and beautifully gleaming bows, staves or spears in front of others.  Woodworking was Meadowcity’s pride.  The huge forest that surrounded the city gave them all they needed for their craft; sometimes even using wood that came from the treewall itself.  Those pieces were highly prized and very expensive, as it was illegal to cut anything from the treewall, and they could only use the rare pieces that came off the trees naturally.

The other Cities were known for other specialties—Lightcity was known for its supreme glasswork, and Riftcity was renowned for its stonework.  Skycity was known for its wealth of knowledge—holding the largest library in the Four Cities.  There was a nasty stereotype that they were greedy for knowledge.

Some ambitious citizens would even travel to other Cities to learn a different trade.  Meadowcity had a few such citizens—Sylvia had once escorted her friend Carlene to Lightcity to learn glasswork.  She had spent over two years there but came back with the skills to run a successful shop here in Meadowcity. Even now, there was a gentleman from Lightcity apprenticing in woodwork in order to take the trade back home.

Sylvia greeted some of the shop owners as she passed, but kept herself from lingering at any of the displays, intent on reaching the Healer’s Hall without making any detours.  The seriousness of Gero’s warning was beginning to form a knot in her stomach. 
He can’t really mean war
. 

“Sylvia!” A call came from behind her.  She turned her head to see Ven coming out of the knife shop she had just passed.  His short brown hair looked ruffled, but otherwise he looked ready for a day of hunting.  Several knives glinted from his belt, and the bow strung across his back thunked across his shoulder bag as he strode towards her, grinning.

Without preamble, he took her in a great big hug, catching her off balance.  Sylvia staggered out of the embrace, her face no doubt turning some horrible shade of red.  Ven held her shoulders at arm’s length and looked her up and down, as if making sure she was in one piece.

“Made it back from Skycity alright then?” he asked.  He let go of her shoulders, grinning at her expression.

“Let me guess, you’ve been talking to Bolt?” she said, knowing full well Ven enjoyed gossip as much as Bolt did.

“Of course.  So you’ve heard about the Rider from Riftcity.”  It wasn’t a question, but he seemed to be hinting at something.

Sylvia nodded.  “I’m off to the Healer’s Hall now to meet Gero.  Coming with me?” She asked, hoping Gero wouldn’t mind if she brought him along for what could be a challenging meeting.

“Only if we take the lake path,” he said as he hooked his arm in hers, grinning.

After a few steps, Sylvia slipped out of Ven’s arm as they began to walk in the direction of the lake path.  She peeked at him sideways, then returned her eyes to the stone path.  Just outside of the woodworker’s section they reached the path.  It ran the circumference of Hart Lake, both sides of the path adorned by flowers and trees, the landscaping meticulously maintained by the city.

“So, what do you think happened?” Ven asked.

“Couldn’t say,” Sylvia replied, still puzzled about it herself.  “You wouldn’t think an experienced Rider would get injured like that.  But…” She trailed off, not wanting to voice the idea that she had last night.  It didn’t make any sense.  “Gero said his injuries were ‘unusual’?”

Ven just nodded his head, eyes unfocused.

The Healer’s Hall came into view off the left side of the path.  The building was comparable in size to the Citizen’s Hall, but it was only one long level, and made entirely of wood.  The roof was covered in moss for protection against the cold and wet just like the villas, but its four walls set it apart. 

Sylvia reached the wooden door and opened it, Ven entering silently behind her.  The compact entrance hall was bright, and the morning light streamed down from a large glass pane above them.  It smelled very clean and crisp, like fresh laundry. 

A young woman sat at the desk in one corner of the foyer.  She wore the customary tan cotton dress of a Healer, and her hair was bound in a tight braid down her back.  She looked up from several books spread out on the desk and her eyes slid right past Sylvia, landing on Ven.

“Hello again, Ven,” the woman said, a slow smile forming on her face.

Ven shifted, clearly uncomfortable.  “Hi Caylee,” he said.  “We’re here to see the Rider from Riftcity.”

She put a ribbon in the book at her hands, closing it.  “You and half the city.  Sorry, no visitors.”  She sounded apologetic, but certainly didn’t look it.  She settled in her chair with a sly grin.

“I’m meeting Gero here to see him.” Sylvia said, putting one hand on her hip casually, trying not to look too threatening.  Sylvia could argue all day, but today she wasn’t getting paid for it, and she wanted to get in there.