into the tour. That was the feeling Cyrus got, at least. He couldn’t blame Luke. After all, he came all this way from Sirius’s famous capital, Aetas Origo, one of the greatest cities in all of Asundria. Castitas was… well, Castitas. It was what it was, and nothing more. A small, simple village with little in the way of excitement.
worked. Each person had a role, a comfortable place in their miniature society of some two hundred people. Add more people— become a city— that’s where it goes wrong. Too many mouths to feed. Too many people with nothing to do. Too many people to even remember the names of!
used their well. Were that so, the soldiers of those days, either side, would have tasted excellence. Castitas had the purest water this side of Altair. Perfect for cooking.
I should ask Luke to show me some gourds from Sirius if he stays another night, he thought idly, grabbing his bag. He shut the door and stepped out onto the gravel road. He must have a few. Even traveling city folk carry a few gourds.
were doing that? Loud, for a prank. It had been happening all morning. And if it wasn’t a prank… well, Castitas didn’t celebrate the Empire’s birth. Did they? No, there was no chance. He’d have to ask his father.
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was true. After all, this quiet little village called Castitas did not simply have an Elite-Ace pair strolling around.
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Yes, this is a nice orange. Very… orange. Anything to distract him from the fact that the man’s sweater was the same clipping shade of pine green as his son.
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could not hide from him for much longer.
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The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
or strike him down for blasphemy, so what was the point? Some people seemed absolutely convinced of one or the other, but thievery was often cited as a reason for the so-called striking down, and nothing had ever happened to him other than the occasional shopkeep chasing after him with broom or sword.
“rattle. He eyed Luke, then laughed. “Not what you’re used to, I imagine. Castitas only has one carpenter, our number for most things.”
Right. The village. Castitas. That’s what it was called.
more papers. Luke seated himself on the other side of the desk on a short stool, setting his large blue traveling bag on the desk at the mayor’s insistent prompting. Then, the man went back to his drawer, noisily shuffling and sifting. How did people manage to keep track of all that junk? You can’t even eat paper. Luke should know. Once, in Aetas Origo, he tried to—
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“Close enough to a grandfather. No need to overcomplicate it. “There’s a person, er, someone I’m trying to find. I think Mirastelle can help me.”
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“…The General of Ulciscor has the best chance of knowing the information I’m looking for, and he always meets new recruits as part of a joining ceremony. That’s what I’m aiming for.
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did smell it!
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Wing-clipped fool, he thought ruefully. Are you going to be afraid of fire your whole life?
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very pure Rixator blood.
But who? Luke thought. Flocks, why?
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Disobey, and I will have no choice but to use this. Obey, and I will guarantee your safety. Understand?
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was a nobleman— it couldn’t be anyone else.
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Ace! The Third Ace of the Terra Daeva Empire was right in front of him!
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When I find him, I’m going to kill him.
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needed to be done.
I can’t let them catch me. I know what the Daevan military is like. This village, whatever is happening, this village is finished. I need to do something to get out of this, fast. Think, Luke!
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Not a flute I’ve ever seen.
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I need to move. Green. …Green? Stop thinking about the damn pine green shirts, you wing-clipped idiot! Your life is in danger!
What was down there? Grass? Or stone? Luke looked to Orcus. The mayor sweat profusely, face panicked.
I’m sorry, Luke thought sadly.
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blue the cloudless sky was.
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Luke?
imagine that crashing sound; those glass shards sparkling in the sunlight as they fell from the window? Did he imagine that figure in sky blue hitting hard, dropping and rolling across the grass? Surely he had. He was about to slap his forehead feeling like a clipped fool with an imagination running wild when he saw the young traveler sprawled out on the ground. He blinked three times. Not his imagination. He glanced up at the shattered window, then dropped his brown paper bag, filled to bursting with ingredients, and ran for the garden. Tomatoes, onions, and various other things he didn’t take notice of rolled on the grass behind him. He approached quickly and crouched down to get a closer look at Luke.
Of all things, Cyrus thought, panic rising. We don’t have a doctor! Castitas still doesn’t have a doctor! Apprentices, but are any of them ready?
“Oh, Phaethon… I have to get someone, fast! I—
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“Now!”
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