《Tethered Souls》
Prologue: Awakening
ACT 1: EXPOSITION
-17 Years Ago-
¡°Subject number twenty two is in position.¡±
¡°Power the artifact.¡±
Dr. Rudolph D. Edgars¡¯ beady eyes bore into subject twenty two. He had not slept in two days and it showed by the swelling of his face. Time is of the essence, however, as much, much more than his life is depending on the success of his experiment.
Deep rumblings reverberated throughout the lab, causing the already dim lightbulbs dangling from the ceiling to flicker and sway. The seven scientists momentarily paused as dust spilt downward from above.
Wwhhhhhirrrrr...
¡°The artifact is powered.¡±
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Dr. Edgars wiped his brow free from sweat with his forearm and took a sharp breath.
¡°Engage.¡±
Ca-CHHH!
The incubator containing the infant labeled subject twenty two spun and collapsed in on itself. Brilliant white light shone through the cracks of the holding unit blinding the host of scientists.
¡°Status!¡±
¡°Subject twenty two¡¯s tether has been shattered.¡±
¡°Vital signs?¡±
¡°Negative.¡±
Silence permeated the room. Exasperation was mixing in with the exhaustion that was already more than abundant within the room.
Dr. Edgars voice trembled noticeably as he spoke.
¡°Prepare subject number twenty three.¡±
Chapter 1: Master Librarians
The Imperial library was built along with the rest of the city nearly 700 years ago, and its massive structure towers over the neighboring pillars. The Library is the second largest building in Windxor and one of three buildings that eclipse the city walls.
Sporting a population of 4.4 million people, Windxor is both the capital city of the Imperial Empire as well and the educational capital of the world. Windxor is, if nothing else, chaotic. Hundreds of years ago, the buildings were built around snaking roads and within the then small city walls. As time progressed, both the population of the city and the industrial revolution exploded, and buildings of thick metal were built on top of the previous buildings dozens of times to accommodate the growth, forming gigantic pillars. Construction was a game between builder guilds, and the city walls continued to expand upward as if to envelop the city.
Countless floors above the ground lies the homes and trading centers for the aristocrats. This level boasts clean, rust-less walls that reflect sunlight brilliantly above the other floors. The skybridges connecting the buildings are ornamented with glass floors, metal railings, and trading ships that are anchored just overhead.
As you descend the floors, the quality of buildings drops quickly. The housing of the commoners reflects no sunlight, as these floors are vastly overshadowed by the buildings above and adjacent to them. The little light that exists here is created by strings of dim light bulbs dangling across a few of the nicer complexes. The overwhelming smell of metal and rust permeates everything as no wind blows away the ever stagnant air.
The bottom floors are bathed in pitch black darkness. No electric lines go down this far and hundreds of years of pollution and garbage stack upon itself creating an uninhabitable wasteland. Many who venture here never see the sun again.
___________________________ ACT 1: CHAPTER 1 - Master Librarians: SCENE 1
Hugh watched as faint beads of light shuffled throughout the library. Seeing that they were moving away from his peculiar perch high above the floor, Hugh redirected his focus back to the book that he was reading.
Hugh Peregrine is a ward of the Imperial Empire and an acolyte of the Imperial Library. As such, the menial, tedious responsibilities of an acolyte could be safely ignored if one knew how to stay hidden, and Hugh knew every hiding spot in the stacks he had access to. The current spot he favored was situated on the far side of floor eighteen on the top of a collapsed stack. Few other acolytes ventured here as falling from the top of a stack, even when collapsed, can get you in trouble in more ways than one.
The book he was currently reading, Fundamental Ethereal Control was perhaps the newest book amongst those that he pulled to read from today. The information within was already well known to him despite not having read this particular book. Today was the forty second day of the year 2230 - Hugh would be celebrating his seventeenth year in the library''s care today, and he planned on spending it far away from prying eyes.
Colors of the Ether, Artifacts and their Contemporary Uses, and Ether for Imbeciles were all equally disheartening. A migraine was beginning to form at his temples, and Hugh decided that a break for dinner would be worth revealing himself to the Librarians for. Stretching his aching muscles, Hugh stood and quickly surveyed the stacks. Hundreds of rows of stacks three times as tall as a person lined up neatly in the dim lighting of the library. Inhaling a deep breath of the dank, metallic air, Hugh placed his books into his leather sling. Exhaling, Hugh stepped off the slanted stack and fell to the ground below.
___________________________ SCENE 2
¡°Now, just where have you been hiding, Hugh?¡±
¡°Good evening Librarian Nael. You could have found me perusing in the stacks on floor eighteen today.¡±
Librarian Nael studied Hugh as one might a book. Boleyn Nael had short, oily black hair that snaked to the right of his head and a wiry body. His uniform as a librarian was a simple black overcoat the reached to his knees. In the library, a librarian¡¯s rank was shown by the length of their coat. Being an acolyte, Hugh was adorned with plain black pants and a plain black shirt. Nael¡¯s pointed his crooked nose down at Hugh.
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
¡°Interesting. I had personally examined floor eighteen. Do you own an artifact of invisibility?¡±
¡°No, Librarian Nael.¡±
¡°Then stay away from the collapsed stacks. It is exceedingly dangerous and reflects poorly upon me. I don¡¯t need the extra paperwork right now.¡±
¡°Yes, Librarian Nael.¡±
Hugh bowed slightly and began walking towards the kitchens.
¡°Prepare yourself for the council. They have been anxious for your presence all day.¡±
¡°Thank you, Librarian Nael.¡±
___________________________ SCENE 3
The council room was located on the fourteenth floor of the Imperial Library. Like all pillars in Windxor, the library counted its floors from the top, down. The fourteenth floor was the highest floor that commoners and low status individuals could ascend to before being denied access. The council room was composed of six tall chairs placed in a semicircle within a plain, well lit room. In each of the chairs sat an elderly man, save for a single elderly female master librarian in the fourth seat, adorned with long, black, faded robes. The room was very much like a bowl, as the center of the room was lower than where the master librarians sat and the door on the opposite side, as evident by the declining curvature of the ground and steps that descend from the door to the center of the room. Hugh stood stoic in center of the chamber, looking up to return the gazes of the council.
¡°We presume you understand why today is significant for you?¡±
¡°Yes, Master Librarian Canon¡±
¡°Remind us.¡±
¡°Today is my assessment day, Master Librarian Zeeke.¡± Hugh had long since learned to identify every librarian in the city. Librarians were people of power, afterall.
Every year starting on their sixth birthday, the master librarians examine the acolytes and adjust their curriculum accordingly. Examinations were usually over quickly and did not result in any changes, as commoners very seldom won their librarian title and the general opinion of the examination was that it was but a grand farce. Hugh was not the least bothered by this fact.
¡°How many words are in the book Produce of the Sand?¡±
¡°Two-hundred-twenty-thousand-five-hundred-three in Mauyer¡¯s third edition, Forty-eight-thousand-nine-hundred-twelve in Kerr¡¯s ninth edition, Master Librarian Jace.¡±
¡°Incorrect.¡±
¡°What is the seventh book on the front side of the third stack from the top left?¡±
¡°On floor twenty-three, Vegetation of the Plains by Joseph Vann. On floor twenty-two, Metalwork Today by Aiza Fletcher. On floor twenty-one, Militaj Konkeroj de Niaj-¡± ¡°Enough.¡±
¡°What page can one find the procedure to mixing remedies for the common cough in Eisehaur¡¯s Medicine Man?¡±
¡°No remedies can be found in Eisehaur¡¯s Medicine Man. For remedies to the common cough, I would suggest talking to either Dr. Trugaan or Dr. Esseff on floor nineteen, Master Lib-¡±
¡°How much ether is required to bend three square marks of pure steel two eighth-marks thick upwards twenty-nine degrees from the horizontal?¡±
¡°Assuming that it is being bent in a vacuum-¡± ¡°At one atmosphere¡± ¡°Assuming energy is conserved by the steel through deformation, 906 thaums, Master Librarian Thipe¡±
¡°Incorrect. Because we are not convinced of your sincerity there will be no change in your curriculum. Leave us.¡±
¡°Thank you, Master Librarian Thipe.¡±
The master librarians waited in silence until the door shut completely behind Hugh. Master Librarian Thipe sighed audibly after the room was secured. This was Thipe''s twelfth examination he has held today, and by far the most tense.
¡°We cannot deny him much longer.¡±
¡°Yet we cannot have him move up, he would attract too much attention. He is far too young.¡±
¡°Does he understand his-¡±
¡°Of course he understands his predicament! He answered every question perfectly and didn¡¯t bat an eye at our responses. . . He was back on floor eighteen today looking through the new shipment. The report said he read through all four of the new books today, faster than usual.¡±
¡°Silence, please. I vote that we continue observing him. Once we confirm that he is capable of using ether outside of his studies we will intervene. We cannot afford losing him to the Imperial Army.¡±
¡°All in favor?¡±
Six hands went up collectively.
¡°Motion passed. Thank you for your efforts today, we will resume examinations tomorrow.¡±
Chapter 2: Pieces of Paper
Nice and clean
Enjoy :>
Trade ships were initially developed in the city of Mervuj. The first trade ships were humble wooden baskets tied to large patchwork balloons with a single motor powering the entire ship. As these ships were faster than ground travel by a staggering amount, the ship industry received lots of attention from the greatest engineers in the world.
There are two popular ships that define the era are galleons and catamarans. Galleons are typically 100 paces across and have two layers. The upper layer is exposed to the elements and has two rows of shipping containers with a walkway down the center. Shipping containers are roped from each end of the galleon¡¯s railing to hold them in place. A galleon¡¯s bottom layer has the living quarters and the engines, typically in pairs of two. Airship engines are powered directly from the ether via a rare artifact and ether conductors work with the engine to facilitate power flow. Galleons have on average 3-4 leather balloons keeping them afloat and 6-8 sails extending from horizontal masts on its bow and midsection.
Catamarans are much more common than galleons. Privately owned, catamarans can hold only a half dozen people at a time. On the ship, there is just a living quarter and the engine room. Catamaran¡¯s can be quickly identified by its dual hull. Due to its unique structure, a catamaran¡¯s engines can keep the ship hovering with little effect, with the main use of its single balloon being to raise its altitude and dock it for long periods of time. In addition to hovering, the catamaran¡¯s engines also provide lots of forward thrust and can propel the ship at a maximum speed of 20 knots.
Long, thick metal anchors were developed to tie airships down, and in the city of Windxor these anchors can be rented out at various skybridges.
By the year 2000 IC, airships far outnumbered land transport and as a result, ground routes were almost entirely forgotten. Few people post 2200 IC would dare venture out on land.
___________________________ ACT 1: CHAPTER 2 - Pieces of Paper: SCENE 1
Hugh stepped through the crowded halls of floor twenty-four, and into the stairwell resting on the side of the library. Built on the exterior of the building, these steps led downward towards the small living quarters arranged by the government for the library¡¯s use. At any given time there are enough rooms to accommodate the thousand staff and acolytes that attend to the library. The living quarters on the side of room twenty-four were single bedroom suites consisting of a window on the back wall, a sleeping mat, a desk, and a stool, all courtesy of taxpayer notes. Public baths were available throughout the city and there was a single spigot outside all quarters for water. Rooms on floor twenty-four were the most basic the library offered. It wasn¡¯t until the single digit floor rooms that you could find true luxury.
Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
In contrast to the all the commotion present nearly everywhere else in the library, all was silent save for Hugh¡¯s soft footsteps against the metal stairs. It doesn''t take much sound to fill the evening, and the echoes of his thin shoes reverberated across the small stairwell. Arriving at his chambers, Hugh quickly walked in and bolted his door behind him.
Orange light filtered through a foggy panel on his ceiling, cascading on the hundreds of papers and books that were strewn across the floor and walls. Hugh concentrated and using ethereal power released psion waves in all directions. Pulses of invisible ether, psion waves, vibrate when they contact with life forms other than the caster¡¯s. Sensing no others within fifty paces of his location, Hugh unraveled his mind.
Loud ringing pierced his ears as the mental barriers that kept himself in check tore apart. In the center of his forehead appeared a thin line of dull white light that slowly ran down his face. In a flash of searing pain, the line split in a multitude of directions, creating a jigsaw of complex tiles over every part of his
person, including his clothes. Spreading his arms and turning his palms up, the paper littering the floor and walls began swirling around the room ominously. Exhaling, the shapes around his being unfurled and detached from him, then transformed back into more of the paper that was now spinning around him. Chaos twirled everywhere, and Hugh took control.
''A2156, A2145, B5329, E0072, D1034...'' Focusing on the small strips of paper, Hugh¡¯s full concentration went into the torrent of paper, and he saw and understood everything. For the past ten years, he had been pouring his entirety into developing his abilities. The paper were each connected as if by a string to his mind and responded instantaneously to his whims. Each paper was labeled A through Z by size and numbered 0001 through 9999 as to be able to uniquely identify each piece. They were an extension of himself and his mind was powerful enough to wield it.
Hugh convulsed slightly as the storm of papers rushed onto him. Folding, bending, and morphing erratically, each paper was directed to its spot. After a moment more of furling and binding into his body, all was quiet once again. Peering at his reflection in the steel wall, Hugh nodded with grim satisfaction. He was now adorned in black and white paper mach¨¦ armor that weaved together in mesmerizing patterns. The armor extended from the bottoms of his feet to his neck. They would not impede his movement even slightly.
Stepping to the wall that doubled as the exterior of the library, Hugh reached out and focused ether to his hand. ''Degrade!'' The paper covering his hand and upper arm peeled away and his skin made contact with the metal plates. Simultaneously, the plates started to peel away, suddenly transformed into thousands of pieces of loose paper. No longer rigid, the panel separated and blew away into the night leaving Hugh standing with nothing between him and the immeasurable distance to the earth floor. The howling wind and chilling air swallowed Hugh as he dropped into the abyss.
Chapter 3: The Den of Thieves
Changed the tags to better fit the story.
Major changes going forward is the overall structure of the story. It is now being told in scenes. I am doing this because I only have time to write a few pages a day and I think that it suits my writing style. I am taking lots of advice from the English teachers in my university. Thanks for reading and enjoy :>
After hundreds of years of building upwards, the builder guilds encountered new problems. Workers were starting to experiencing chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and worst yet their lung tissue was scarring. The metal in the tallest buildings started to corrode and after the collapse of a privately owned pillar, it was deemed too dangerous to continue building up. Imperial scientists [adjective] discovered that the ozone in the atmosphere existed in far larger quantities than predicted.
As a result of the discovery, two important changes occurred in Windxor.
First of all, builder guilds stopped building up, and instead worked inwards on infrastructure. More space was needed for the ever growing population and because of the pollution in the lowest part of the city, it soon grew very crowded. Housing became more efficient as the thick metal walls were redesigned and compacted without reducing the support strength. Space became a scarce resource. Solutions were quickly implemented. Water lines were installed in more pillars and electric lines were no longer exclusive for noblemen. The tops of many pillars were completely renovated. This renovation is why the city of Windxor is often referred to as the most beautiful of all the Imperial Empire¡¯s cities.
Secondly, social classes further diverged. The cost of living in the top portion of the city skyrocketed and many pillars were cut off entirely from the lower classes; a perfect example of such being the Royal Palace. The trading pillars of the nobles are full of the best technology, shops, and medical facilities in the world. The majority of nobles earn their money managing intercity trade galleons and facilitate the economy across the globe.
The majority of Windxor¡¯s denizens belong to the lower class. The low class, for the most part, keep to themselves in the lower sections of the city. Most of the commoners live near the factories built into the city walls. These factories specialize in metalwork.
___________________________ ACT 1: CHAPTER 3 - Den of Thieves: SCENE 1
The sinking feeling of being weightless thrilled Hugh. He had read many stories where a character fell at one point or another, but words could not describe the thrill of the entire experience. Blood rushed to his head as he flipped and contorted and spun through the air. The paper mach¨¦ armor fluttered around its thousands of intricate folds but held fast. Gathering his ether to his eyes, the entire night was made visible to him. Spreading his arms and legs, Hugh veered to the right.
Slanted at a steep incline, the cable of an airship¡¯s anchor loomed parallel to Hugh¡¯s body. Reaching his hands out, Hugh grabbed the massive cable and zip-lined down to slow his descent. The built up heat from rubbing against the cable was completely absorbed by his ether enhanced armor and grinding sparks lit up the night from the high speed contact. All too quickly the cable evened out and Hugh took the opportunity to rotate his body around to land on the connected skybridge. Going too fast still, Hugh lost balance and flipped into a roll before tumbling to a stop. Most of the impact damage was absorbed by the ether surrounding his body and armor. Assessing that nothing was broken or bruised, Hugh jumped to his feet with flair. After rolling his shoulders and stretching, a tattered cloak peeled from his armor and enveloped him. Revealing his plating would greatly hinder the work he needed to do. Heart pumping and stock full of adrenaline, this night in Windxor belonged to him alone.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
The skybridge Hugh landed on was located in the middle of the commoner floors. Because of the icy temperatures and that the buildings directly adjacent to the library are strictly for government use, the surrounding area was completely devoid of others and an eerie quiet hung like mist. Hugh dashed across the platforms and created shortcuts as he saw them. Those that glimpsed him flying across railings and over awnings diverted their gaze and kept well to themselves.
___________________________ SCENE 2
The Thief''s Den has been owned by the Bowen family for 150 years. The current owner went by the name Mayer Bowen, a tall, muscular man whose face had been scarred from poxes during his youth. He had never liked the name of his bar and has to deal with every sort of rabble who finds their way through his doors. The Thief¡¯s Den was the largest hangout location within the entire Ruby sector and was the fastest way to connect you to the right people. If you needed a job done, all you have to do is talk to Mayer, offer a price, and within a day you would get connected to the right people. If the work is clean, so is Mayer¡¯s fee. If the job is¡ well... morally ambiguous, fees can get messy.
Naturally, Mayer did more business after dark than during the day.
¡°Mr. Perigrine! It has been too long since I¡¯ve seen you around here. I was starting to think that you had finally been conscripted.¡± Mayer grinned to the small, cloaked figure walking to the bar.
Hugh removed his hood and grinned knowingly ¡°The library has been keeping me under a tight lock. Today is a special day for me though and I¡¯m not going to let the library¡¯s antics involve me anymore. Today is my seventeenth birthday.¡±
¡°Well now.¡± Mayer raised his eyebrows ¡°How is the life of a man?¡±
¡°It is just as I read about. Angels called my name from above and the gods etched my true name into stone with thunder and lightning.¡± If angels were na?ve librarians and the gods played silly games with puppets who are not tied to any of the strings in their hand.
¡°So. What can I do for you today? If you are looking for work, I have a few contractors in the building who would kill to have your talents at their disposal.¡±
¡°Not this night. I need a place to stay for the next few weeks.¡±
¡°What happened to your place in the library?¡± Mayer gave a nervous chuckle as he checked the door.
¡°My personal goals have outgrown my status. I will not be returning to the library as Hugh Perigrine ever again.¡±
¡°But you will be returning to the library?¡± Now Mayers was equally confused, shocked, and suspicious. This conversation was too dangerous to be happening in a public bar full of seedy people.
¡°Relax. The library will not be able to track me. For all they know, I fell to my death trying to wield forces above my station.¡±
¡°Are you sure?¡±
¡°There is no doubt in my mind.¡±
¡°We will discuss no more of this here. Allow me a few minutes to attend to the bar and then meet me in my chambers.¡±
___________________________ SCENE 3
In the far back corner of The Thief¡¯s Den Ashe Cudlahan stirred from his false stupor with a mischievous smirk. Memorizing Hugh¡¯s face, Ashe walked out into the darkness of night.
Chapter 4: The Face of Nobility
Sorry for the delay. I was going to do 1 chapter a day but work and school got in the way. I''ll try for four chapters a week. Enjoy :>
Upon joining the Imperial Army and becoming a regular soldier, you are awarded a dirk. Footsoldiers are given black dirks engraved with the same double helix seen on the Imperial Flag. Upon becoming a lieutenant you may trade your basic token dirk for an ether strengthened glass dirk. Aside from being of the highest make and dreadfully efficient in combat, token dirks are also useful outside of battle; They are a ¡®token¡¯ symbol that opens doors closed to everyday civilians.
If you are made captain and awarded a warship, it is not uncommon to be gifted a weapon type artifact. Admirals are issued rare weapon type artifacts and fleet admirals wield mythic weapon type artifacts.
Artifacts are powered by ether infused gemstones tied to tethers of its wielder. Once gifted an artifact it is bound to you until death. Artifacts can be used by anyone but are very difficult to make. It takes the purest of metals and an extremely gifted ether user to infuse the gemstones. An artifact sword will never dull or break and is the weapon of choice because of its reliability. Artifacts have a variety of uses and are most commonly seen being used in architecture. Common artifacts cost around 10,000 notes; rare artifacts cost upwards of 100,000 notes, and mythic artifacts are invaluable.
___________________________ ACT 1: CHAPTER 4 - The Face of Nobility: SCENE 1
¡°Mr. Bowen, if you please, can I have a word with you?¡±
¡°How can I help you today master builder?¡± Mayer asked, directed toward a rather portly man in red laced clothing.
Mayer¡¯s regular patrons were all here this night. Eddie, a master builder from the outer walls, was one of his best customers. Eddie¡¯s particular line of work involves managing the hundreds of workers repairing the metal of the city¡¯s lower walls to ensure that it does not collapse. Because of the dangers involved in working so high up and in perpetual darkness, Eddie always needs more workers to replace those that fall or quit in order to pursue a safer line of work.
¡°I need a half dozen metal workers. Cheap labor, mind you. The last bunch wanted health benefits.¡±
¡°When do you need them by?¡±
¡°Hmm...No later than the fiftieth.¡±
Mayer paused a moment and did some calculations in his head. ¡°I can have some men sent to you as soon as the forty-seventh.¡±
Nodding to himself, Eddie stood up ¡°Thank you for the drink, master bartender.¡±
¡°Tip jar is to your left. Its pleasure to help, as always.¡± Looking around Mayer spotted Hugh walking through the back doors to his chambers. ¡°Kerly!¡±
Lifting his head up from behind the bar, Mayer¡¯s only son perked at his name.
¡°Father?¡±
¡°See to it that the guest in my chambers is comfortable and fed.¡± Mayer made eye contact will a few patrons and began making his rounds.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
___________________________ SCENE 2
Ashe Cudlahan turned the corner leaving The Thief''s Den behind him. He smiled and thanked his lucky stars for the fortune that has jumped into his lap. The tip off he received from the library turned out to have been the truth. Hiding a rogue ethereal user is ruled as high treason. If Ashe played his hand right, the politics keeping the library afloat in the city would be seriously damaged and the trading coalition would be able to seize the library¡¯s assets for themselves. ¡°I¡¯m going to have to thank that Librarian Nael for this gift.¡± He chuckled to himself.
¡°You can thank me now if you would like.¡±
Whipping around, Ashe caught a glimpse of the familiar beady eyes before his vision went black.
___________________________ SCENE 3
¡°Sorry for the delay. There were a lot of patrons-¡± Mayer closed the door behind him, turned to face the room then jumped in surprise. Hugh was sitting across from a tall man at his work table.
¡°WHO IN THE FORGOTTEN-¡±
Hugh quickly interrupted ¡°Relax. His name is Nael and he is a good friend of mine.¡±
¡°Sorry for my intrusion. It is important that I deliver this book to Hugh.¡± Handing over a large red tome to Hugh, Nael excused himself and walked past Mayer.
¡°Do not let people into my room like that.¡± Mayer said as icily as he dared. ¡°It is a betrayal of trust.¡±
¡°My apologies. I didn¡¯t think he would show up so soon.¡±
¡°Nevermind that. I got you a place that you can lay low for a while. Its very discreet.¡± Mayer looked Hugh over curiously. ¡°What is so important that you risk ?¡±
A twinkle appeared in the corner of Hugh¡¯s eye. ¡°Answers, Mr. Bayer. Answers that can only be found at the top of the world.¡±
Mayer shook his head. ¡°You are insane. Everything on top belongs to the nobles. Not even you can fight enforcement up there.¡±
Hugh laughed ¡°I¡¯m not so sure about that. I have just acquired the means to get there this night.¡± Holding up the red tome that Nael handed him, Hugh made it levitate out in front of him and magically flipped the pages quickly. ¡°I will not fight the nobility. I will join them.¡± Imitate! Hugh¡¯s face became lined with paper crease marks. Hundreds of minute flips and folds splayed across his head before settling down and disappearing into his skin as it had just moments before.
¡°...¡± Mayer clicked his tongue in appreciation.
¡°Ashe Cudlahan, Head of the Cudlahan house, owner of the third largest shipping fleet in Windxor, and former admiral in the Imperial Army, at your service.¡± Hugh bowed and looked up, grinning. ¡°I¡¯m sure we can work out something that will be beneficial to the both of us.¡±
Chapter 5: The Royal Palace
Enjoy :>
The Imperial Empire is the largest empire on the continent of Ierae. The Empire controls all the land from the northern mountain ranges to the southern shores at the continent¡¯s base. The country of Jaszimar controls the land above the northern mountains and dozens of smaller countries control the thousands of greater islands in the Eastern Ocean. Across the sea lies the continent of Asladv which is claimed by none.
The Imperial Empire is currently ruled by King Jarrod Alcazar. The Alcazar line has dominated the palace since the Empire¡¯s beginning and no bloodline is purer than the royal family¡¯s. King Alcazar and his advisors are the face of the Imperial Empire. Under the king is the Council of Nobles, who, led under the King in parliament, meet to discuss all manner of issues ranging from import taxes to declaring war.
Sharing the power of the Council of Nobles is the Imperial Library. The Imperial Library creates the laws and sets the standards of government throughout the empire. The Council of Nobles, Imperial Library, and King together create the central government.
Each city outside of Windxor is ruled by a Baron. Barons are high nobles who are each responsible for abiding by the standards set by the Imperial Library and the King. While a baron may rule their city in place of the King, all land belongs to the King.
___________________________ ACT 1: CHAPTER 5 - The Royal Palace: SCENE 1
-Four Days Later-
Hugh walked down the royal skywalk with his head held high. Adorned in the colorful clothings of a high noble, he fit in perfectly with the crowd milling around him. No one saw past his false face, or noticed that his clothing was made entirely from paper. Nor did anyone question the suspiciously large red tome tucked underneath his arm.
These fools aren¡¯t even looking! Ashe projected to Hugh. Can¡¯t anyone see that it¡¯s not me walking?
You are beginning to annoying me. Can¡¯t you just stay quiet? Hugh projected back.
While Hugh wears Ashe¡¯s face, Ashe can see everything Hugh can see and shares a mental link with him. While this link is vital to getting information from Ashe, his obsessant ramblings were starting to wear on Hugh.
Release me. This game has gone far enough.
Hugh sighed. I still require your face. Besides, I couldn¡¯t release you even if I wanted to. Librarian Nael is the only one powerful enough to do that. If I attempt to undo your bindings you will be worse than dead. Now be quiet.
Ten years ago, Hugh began his training under Librarian Nael. Nael developed his ether powers without the library noticing and has mastered the manipulation of paper. Under Nael¡¯s tutelage, Hugh learned how to conceal his powers and has just recently been able to dynamically control paper. While proficient, Hugh¡¯s technical ability is still far from that of what Nael can do.
Take a left here.
Hugh was currently walking to the Royal Palace. The bright sunlight burned his eyes as he looked to the top of the grand building. The network of skywalks spanning the top of Windxor were lavishly adorned with hundreds of plants, arches, lightposts, and stores. All upper class men and women did business up here while their children played in the open areas where skybridges came together. At every stairwell stood a city guard. City guards dress in deep bronze armor and are equipped with expensive large barreled pistols and black glass dirks sheathed at their belt.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Hugh took a left to cross a thinner skybridge that led to a side entrance to the palace, smiling at the guards as he passed them. The hallways of the palace shined brightly as the sun reflected off the walls from the many windows. Hugh was eager to be away from the surrounding people and moved at a quick pace.
It will be the fourth door to your right. The guard standing in front is Captain Antion. He is a friend.
Nodding, Hugh slowed his pace and called out. ¡°Ho! Nice to see you captain.¡±
Antion shook his head at Hugh. ¡°Lord Cudlahan. Your son is waiting inside. He seems eager to speak to you. Where have you been these last few days?¡±
Tell him nothing.
¡°I have had important business with our partners to the west. You know how it is.¡±
¡°I do indeed. Glad to have you back.¡±
Hugh walked past the captain and into the room. ¡°If anyone comes for me tell them I am busy. I do not have time for guests right now,¡± Hugh called behind him before shutting the door.
Ashe¡¯s chambers were large and comfortable. While not a windowed room, the lights were bright and everything was spotlessly clean. Composed of a large bedroom, restroom, and workroom, Hugh did not doubt the wealth of the Cudlahan house. Supposedly the rest of his family each held separate chambers on the floor beneath this one.
___________________________ SCENE 2
Josiah Cudlahan perked up at the sound of his father¡¯s voice outside. He had been waiting for nearly three hours in his father''s workroom for a chance to gain an audience with him.
¡°Father!¡± He cried from across the hall. ¡°I need you to hear out a request if you are not too busy.¡±
¡°I have a few moments. Speak your mind, but be quick about it.¡±
Josiah smiled and collected his thoughts for a moment. ¡°Father. I request permission to take command of one of your catamarans and travel to our sister city of Yerixor in the south. My education from the library is complete and my two years of service to the army is done with. I want to see the world.¡±
Having rehearsed his request in his mind for the past month, Josiah looked confidently at his father. His outstanding service record and perfect scores throughout schooling at the Imperial Library brought pride to his family name. Having come home just this week from the military, he was paraded as a hero.
¡°And of the Cudlahan company?¡±
Josiah¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°What of your company?¡±
¡°MY company? This is our family¡¯s company. Do you have no intention of keeping our name in this city?¡±
¡°I would like a few years on my own befo-¡±
¡°You will get no years on your own. Discuss this foolishness no more and leave me be.¡±
¡°Father-¡±
¡°LEAVE!¡±
___________________________ SCENE 3
¡°Well?¡± Asked Prince Elinor.
Josiah angrily paced into the dim meeting room. ¡°I was denied. The scrooge only thinks about the company and the money in his vault.¡±
A third, feminine voice chimed in,¡°What are we going to do? I thought your father would be more accommodating.¡±
¡°As did I. What are we going to do now?¡±
Prince Elinor responded, ¡°My father has forbidden me to leave and your father has refused us a ship. Gods know Mary shouldn¡¯t even be in the same room as us much less travelling outside the city.¡±
Silence permeated the room.
¡°I have an idea...¡±
Chapter 6: The Imperial Bank
enjoy :>
Notes are the legal tender throughout the Imperial Empire. Backed by the empire¡¯s massive treasury, notes are used to purchase goods and services. Each note is orange in color and is laced with impossibly complex ether bindings. These bindings, if tampered with, will irreversibly change the note to brown thus removing it from circulation.
Notes are numbered 1, 5, and 10. Bank slips are used when withdrawing large quantities of notes at a time. Notes are broken down into shards, and three shards make a note. Shards are small brown slivers of ether condensed mineral. While acting as currency, shards are useful in that the ether stored in them can be stockpiled and removed with little effort. If a person has difficulty powering artifacts they can build up ether in shards and substitute the shard as an energy source.
A crown¡¯s value fluctuates with the economy. Averaging at 1,000 notes a crown, they are widely used when dealing with large purchases. Crown as are similar to shards in that they too act as a storage for ether. Unlike notes, crowns are programmable and can redirect the flow of ether. White in color, crowns are used in all ether based engines and lighting systems. The value of the Imperial crown compared to other countries¡¯ crowns are used to gauge whether the economy is in a recession or booming and inflation is set to keep the markets thriving.
The third largest building in Windxor, after the palace and library, is the Imperial Bank. The Imperial bank is the investment center of the Empire and is where all notes, shards, and crowns are manufactured. Vaults are located towards the bottom of the building, manufacturing happens in the center, and transactions occur at the top. The top of the Imperial bank is the highest location in the city a commoner can walk to.
The Imperial Army is stationed near the Imperial Bank and most men who finish their two year service with the army are hired out by the bank as guards.
___________________________ ACT 1: CHAPTER 6 - The Imperial Bank: SCENE 1
Hugh watched as Josiah left the room. Ashe, are you sure this is what you want?
Mind your own affairs! Josiah belongs in Windxor. Especially while thieves parade around in my body. I will not let my house fall in disarray over a childish notion!
Turning to the workroom, Hugh stepped in and looked to the desk. Below it lay a small metal safe. Guarded with a triple combination lock, bolted to the floor and strengthened with ether, it would be impossible to break it open with force.
Ashe, I need the combination. Hugh waited for a short time to no response from Ashe. Sighing, Hugh gathered ether into his hands and began unknotting the horribly complex ether strands keeping the metal impregnable.
What Hugh was after inside the vault was the Cudlahan family bank seal. This seal would allow you to access the larger vaults where more valuable items are stored.
After an hour of weaving and threading ether, the safe clicked and swung open. Stacked in an orderly fashion were a dozen official looking papers and hundreds of orange notes. On top of the pile of papers was a single golden ring.
___________________________ SCENE 2
¡°Your father is moving towards the bank.¡± Mary spoke quietly into her bracelet. On the bracelet was a shard split in half. While not simple to setup, a broken shard can transfer energy across any distance to its other half as long as it is supplied with ether. Across on an adjacent skybridge stood Josiah wearing a similar bracelet.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
¡°And he is going to the bank?¡±
¡°Yes. He is wearing the ring on his left hand.¡±
¡°Perfect. I will be following behind you at a distance. Don¡¯t let him see you until the last possible moment.¡±
Elinor¡¯s plan was simple. Forging his father¡¯s handwriting, Josiah would write a letter to the dockmaster showing express permission to take out a catamaran. Mary would ¡®accidentally¡¯ bump into Josiah¡¯s father as he is being processed by the bank. She would have on her the envelope and would acquire the impression from his ring. Because Elinor cannot leave the palace without a guard, Josiah would follow behind her in the event a problem arose. Elinor would gather supplies for their journey and meet with them back in their hideout. After quietly settling accounts, they would sneak out of the city. Easy.
___________________________ SCENE 3
With the midday sun against his back, Hugh stepped through the glass bank doors. Ornamented with marvelous marble statues, thousands of people stood in lines and milled around. Littered among them were hundreds of bronze plated guards. Unlike those guarding the shops and stairwells on the skybridges outside, these guards stood rigidly in place, glaring at those within the bank as if each person meant to rob it.
Scattered against the walls stood a handful of captains. Unlike regular guards, captains wore light leather armor and leaned against the bank walls casually. At each of their sides was an artifact type weapon.
Rolling his shoulders back, Hugh walked towards the stairwell at the back of the room. Noblemen don¡¯t do business on the lobby floor, afterall.
___________________________ SCENE 4
¡°He¡¯s in the bank.¡± The voice came quietly from an earring.
¡°I see him.¡± Nael sat hidden in a the back corner of the bank, shadows covering his face. Nael grinned wickedly. ¡±Everyone get into position.¡±
___________________________ SCENE 5
Walking at a quick pace, Mary hurried along in the lobby, weaving expertly through throngs of people. Clerks noisily attended to individuals, directing them all over the lobby floor. Businessmen shouted loudly over each other to get instructions. Investors watched and yelled at the rapidly changing marquees hanging from the ceiling. And through the chaos Mary was able to navigate flawlessly. Ducking underneath a man holding boxes, she stood a few paces from Josiah''s father. Nervousness crept into her stomach. With the stairwell approaching, she steeled herself and approached fast from the side.
Feigning clumsiness, Mary ran into Ashe, purposefully pushing against the upper half of his body while locking his legs in place by stepping on his feet. The result threw his center of gravity off, tripping him into a fall. While falling, Mary reached her hand with the envelope out and caught his hand, cleanly getting the imprinting from the ring.
¡°Watch out!¡± Crying out far too late, Mary rolled to her feet blushing and disappeared into the crowd, without so much as a glance back.
She did not notice the large red tome fall to the ground with a thud or Hugh¡¯s shocked face peel into place atop where Ashe Cudlahan¡¯s used to be.
¡°Josiah, I got it!¡±