The Veil (16 page)

The Elf glanced at the Lightwardens as if she was unsure if it was a trick or not. As she passed by me, ushering her confused son with her, she gave me a final thankful glance and then hurried off to find a seat. As I turned away I could feel the Lightwardens’ eyes boring into my back.
I just publicly belittled them. They won’t like that.
As I rejoined the others, a sick feeling spread through my stomach.
She’s okay for now, but what happens to her and her son in a month?
I couldn’t say for sure where she would end up, but I had a pretty damn good idea.
I just hope she can find more money before that happens.

Our guide gave a smile as I reached him and the group, who were waiting at the foot of a grand set of stairs set against the wall. “That was very generous of you, Guardian, but unnecessary. Sometimes the card readers malfunction. It’s nothing to worry about at all. Let’s keep going.”

Yeah sure, Mr. North Korea.

I glanced at Gabriella, her face calm and expressionless. But as we started to follow the Lightwarden again, I felt her hand reach out and squeeze mine.

The next level of the Atrius was higher quality, with most of the pillars and murals restored. Rather than a single run of tables, there were smaller ones placed at even intervals along the long room, and those who emerged from a different staircase and gathered around them seemed to know each other well. I also noticed that each table had their own Displaced waitresses, who bought food and drinks over after the citizens selected from a small menu.

The third level was dripping with opulence. Golden statues stood among countless banquet tables, each loaded with arranged bouquets, ornaments and a sea of food that released mouth-watering aromas and made my stomach grumble, despite everything. There were far fewer citizens on this level and all of them sat with the relaxed poses of the indulged. Whilst they sipped wine and darkmead, the prettiest of the Displaced waitresses – made up and wearing reveling robes – moved seductively around the tables, presenting dishes of beautiful food that looked like they had been prepared by Michelin-star chefs.  A band was playing against one wall, producing a rich and melodic sound from their bizarre instruments.

We moved up a final set of steps that opened into a smaller room filled by a grand oak table and lined with throne-like chairs. The table was laid up for several courses and exquisite chalices sat waiting to be filled with the contents of the ornate pitchers and carafes that ran down the centre. The lighting was subdued, emanating from small wall-hanging lights that looked like water droplets, and in the small shadows cast by the light fixtures, the most otherworldly beautiful of all of the Displaced waitresses stood waiting to serve. The music from the level below was pumped through speakers in the corner; the device resembled conical white twigs, twisted around each other into an arrow point. 

But by far the most impressive thing about the whole room was the stunning piece of artwork spread across the vast ceiling. The piece depicted the four Elementals facing off against six fierce-looking Dragons with differing forms. It started as a painting, but broke out into a 3D sculpture of ivory and adamantine that hung six feet down, twisting together and capturing the kinetic ferocity of the battle. I couldn’t deny its utter beauty. It was like the Pandemonian equivalent of the Sistine Chapel.

The waitresses moved forward in absolute symmetry as we entered, pulling back ten chairs closest to the near end of the table. As we took our seats, they swirled around us like choreographed dancers, pouring specific drinks from different jugs. “Highwarden Caria will be with you shortly,” said our Lightwarden guide with another, final smile, and then he disappeared from the room.

“God damn bastards,” said Troy as soon as the Luminar had gone, chugging dark frothy beer from a thick mug. “Child soldiers, forced labour, martial law, and an oppressive class system. It doesn’t get much worse than that.”

“Are we going to say anything to Aegis?” Hollie asked Gabriella, after taking a tentative sip of a black, wine-like drink.

“I’m not sure yet,” she replied. “Let’s see what he says first.”

I picked up a mug of the same beer that Troy was drinking. It had a strong and earthy taste, but was actually pretty good. As it hit my throat, I realised how thirsty I was and drained most of it in one long pull. Setting it down, I wiped my mouth. “We need to be careful. Like we said earlier, we weren’t meant to see what we did.”

A moment later Aegis walked through the door, followed by six Lightwardens. He was still wearing his uniform, but his helmet was gone and his hair had been unleashed, hanging over one of his shoulders and shimmering gold in the light. Gabriella stood up in reluctant respect and we all followed her lead. The Highwarden opened out his arms in the same inclusive gesture he had used on us when we first arrived. “Guardians, welcome to the Atrius. I am so glad you decided to join me. Please sit.”

As we sat down, the Lightwarden troupe split in half and took their seats at the extremities of our group, sitting on the left of Grey and the right of Aran. Aegis waited whilst a female Pixie waitress with silver hair piled into a complicated design on the top of her head pulled out his chair. His large, chalice  – studded with a dozen glinting gems – was quickly filled with a thick golden liquid, and he took a long sip, closing his eyes and nodding his head.

“Nothing like a good drink after a long day,” he said with a sigh.

A long day of oppression and war crimes
.

He set down his drink and made a sweeping gesture with the same hand. “The foundations of this Atrius were among the first laid when our ancestors originally built Fenodara and has since become one of the defining cornerstones of this wonderful city. It has taken countless forms over the countless years, including a palace, a courthouse, a teaching institute and even feasting hall devoted to the Thirteen Pale Princes before they were all slain in the Great Sacking. Now it is the hand that feeds the many. You may have noticed that many of the smaller restaurants are closed.”

Gabriella nodded. “We did notice.”

  “Money is a difficult commodity to come by these days and is better spent elsewhere. However, it seems cruel to scatter the memories of such a once- beautiful area of diverse Luminar cuisine to the wind, so we do our best to keep as many of them open as we can. For those who are willing to pay the premium price, of course.”

“They were all empty,” I said.

He gave a wan smile as he rolled the stem of his chalice between his fingers. “Like I said, money is difficult to come by these days.”

A moment later, the waitresses, who’d left the room so quietly I hadn’t noticed, poured back through the door, loaded with steaming platters that they set down in the middle of the table. “Ah, excellent,” said the Highwarden, as the Pixie placed a napkin down on his lap. “I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of ordering for you all. I have no doubt you will find the food more than adequate.”

“That’s fine. Thank you, Highwarden,” said Gabriella in a formal tone.

After having my own cloth placed down over me, I looked down at the medium rare chunk of meat sitting on the silver platter in front of me. It was lying on a bed of steaming vegetables – not a single one I recognised among them – and was coated in a dark red sauce. The rest of the Chosen were given the same; Scarlett and Mikey had a bowl of rich blood, and Aran was presented with a plate of vivid green leaves and pieces of what looked like dried bark.

“Please, help yourselves.”

I was pissed off and appalled by what we had seen, but I couldn’t deny that I was also starving. The journey through the Veil and everything since had taken a lot out of me. So I carved several large slices of the meat and piled it onto my plate, followed by the vegetables and finishing with a splash of gravy from a nearby jug. As soon as it hit my mouth, I knew it was one of the best things I had ever eaten. It was rich, delicate and filling, yet somehow light on my stomach all at the same time.

“White Hart meat,” said Aegis, his smile widening as he watched us all digging in. “One of the finest foods that this world has to offer.” It wasn’t hard to see why it had achieved infamous status.

I looked up to see that Aran had placed her fingers into the bed of leaves. At first I thought she was going to stuff them into her mouth, but instead she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. With astonishment I watched as the leaves dried and turn dark, and the bark dissolved into powder as the veins on her blue arms turned white and pulsed. A passage from my handbook filled my mind: “
Urisks absorb the nutrients directly from their foods.”
Reading about it was one thing, but seeing it in action was something else entirely. 

“So how are you all enjoying this fine city?” he asked, with a wide smile on his face.

“It’s…interesting,” said Gabriella reluctantly. “Very pretty.”

The bits of it we’re allowed to see,
I mentally added for her.

Aegis took a large mouthful of White Heart meat and gave a nod. “I am very proud of Fenodara. Even with the Ageless War raging outside, this place has managed to remain a sanctuary for those in need.”

Not for everyone.

“I heard you visited the Aquadome,” Aegis continued. “Did you enjoy the Kor’Istis?”

“It was fine,” replied Gabriella.

The Highwarden raised an eyebrow. “You don’t seem too convinced.”

Gabriella didn’t say anything in reply. “It was quite violent,” I said instead.

Aegis nodded. “I heard that a few of the Mermen lost their lives this year. Very unfortunate.”

A few? So more died after we left.

“No one seemed that bothered about the one we saw,” said Gabriella, not even trying to keep the hostility from her voice.

Aegis nodded. “Unfortunately the Kor’Istis is a distraction…a spectacle. As harsh as this might sound, the violence of it helps to keep the Citizens’ minds from the war. I’m assuming that’s why you both left early?”

I stiffened.

“My Lightwardens stationed at the Aquadome informed me, as they do with all irregularities. It is uncommon for anyone to leave before the games are complete.”

“It was a bit too rich for my palate,” said Gabriella, taking a sip of her drink. “I see enough death in my life, I’d rather avoid it when I’m trying to relax.”

“I understand. You should have been warned of its harsh realities. My apologies.” I couldn’t be sure, but there seemed to be a slight mocking tone to his words.

Sophia had broken off small chunks of the White Hart meat and was gently feeding it to Midnight, who was sitting on the table next to her in the form of a bearded dragon. He darted out his tongue, snapping up the food and chewing it in an amusingly human way.

“I have spoken with the Elder Council and they will see you, Huntmaster De Luca, and Guardian Eden as well,” the Highwarden continued. “They are keen to meet him. However, I’m afraid no others will be permitted to venture up the Tower of Ascension, but of course they will be free to explore the rest of the city whilst they wait for you.”

The bits they are allowed to see, that is.

“Thank you, Highwarden. We look forward to meeting the Elders too.”

The Elf nodded and then we all carried on eating in silence. Something inside was nagging me; I could feel a slight tension in the room that wasn’t completely one-sided.
He must have heard about the commotion earlier…does he suspect something?

After a while, Gabriella broke the silence, washing her food down with a sip of the dark wine and clearing her throat. “Highwarden Caria, we wanted to visit Iralia earlier, but were told we had to ask your permission first,” she said as pleasantly as she could muster. “Can we have your permission to visit her after we have eaten?”

The Highwarden set down his fork. “That is impossible, I’m afraid. Immediately after dining the curfew comes into full effect and all non-military personnel must return home. I am aware that you are essentially military yourself, but not in this city. So, unfortunately, you must also abide by these rules. I can assure you though; she is being well looked after.”

“Surely you could escort us? The curfew isn’t in effect for you, after all.”

“You will see her tomorrow.” He said the words with a finality that meant there would be no further discussion on the subject.

I could feel the tension in the room increasing, like something palpable – growing and spreading across us all. Aegis took another long sip of his drink and then set the chalice down.

“Now that we are all settled in, shall we broach the subject of why you deliberately broke the laws of this city and then fled instead of explaining your actions?”

My stomach lurched.
Shit, he does know.

“What–” began Gabriella.

Aegis held up a hand to silence her. He gestured to one of his Lightwardens; the guard stood up and pulled an identical display unit like the one on the Lightrail shuttle from a pouch at his side and handed it to the Highwarden. He set it down on the table and slid it over to me. I stopped it with my hand and glanced down at it with Gabriella. Like what the Crone had showed me, the image was zoomed in on a picture of my arm. My heart hammered in my chest as I stared down at the telltale tattoo.