The Right To Rule

Chapter 16

Asandria crossed her legs sitting on a highbacked soft cushion chair as the air rushed from opened windows. She sat in the middle of the room, her hands playing idly with a half-full glass of wine, and her eyes took in the room in detail.

It was a study room, more like her own, however, this one was simple. On the western wall were bookshelves filled with rare and well-worn leatherbound covers, the desk about two feet wide was on the northern wall with a chair dripped with fine silk cushion and two inviting chairs in front of it. The wall behind the desk was covered with a detailed map of Sky Kingdoms; it detailed main and small roads, rivers, and small towns. The eastern and southern walls were huge windows of purple and pale-yellowish glasses. You can’t see outside unless they were opened and when they were, they provide the calming view of the sky, night, and smell of the salted sea. The floor was wooden, a polished dark wood that shone like stars outside. However, where Asandria sat, there was a thick hand-woven rug; if one looked closely will notice the rug somehow resembled their sky with stars and moons woven in a pattern.

There was a table in front of her, wide as arm, empty glasses, and a lidded jug of clear red wine; and across Asandria there was a woman sitting. The woman sat leaning back on her chair, her arms rested on the armrest and her feet crossed slightly and stretched forward. She wore well-word brown boots tucked in trousers, she added a long dress-like cloak which hides her trouser when she stood up. Her face held the warmest smile, it was clear as James’ face with eyes of penetrating gray. Her hair was short, it was combed but not styled.

“But why Asandria? You would think we stay in different cities. When I had I last seen you? Yes, about five years ago when Oslo had a lad. My, time flies even for us,” Salene said.

“Has anyone ever tell you that you are too cheerful for a Justice?” Asandria replied.

“Me cheerful? Please, I am just happy to see you,” Salene gestured through the air with her hand.

Salene de’Gerizim was the highest-ranked Watcher at Scorpius, she was the Order of Justice, second to Agatha ‘the Spider’ Seaworth. Asandria knew behind that smile and cheerful was someone she didn’t want to challenge. She had grown up with Salene, she knew the person who she was before she touch Celestial and the power of Celestial had made her more brutal.

“You are a rare presence at Betelgeuse,” Asandria said carefully, “I am certain you know the city has guests.”

“Yes, rumor has it. I heard you took the lad in, I didn’t know you were still fond of your pets, Asandria.”

“I am far too old to be seduced by a mere Vulcan,” Asandria laughed. “If I remember correctly you were the one who extinguish every bloom of romance I had.”

“My dear Asandria, it was not your romance I extinguish. It was their fire. You know as much as I do, fire burns.”

Asandria inhaled deeply and suppressed the memory. It’s best we don’t talk about youthful adventures, Asandria thought and changed the subject.

“When I heard you were not around I thought you went to Hamal, it was not later I heard there was some emergency at Timeless Halls. To be honest, you Justice have been a surprise for the last three years. I had wager five hundred starlings with Oslo that Berdal will die within a year, and now I am sure Oslo had spent even the last starling of his wager.”

“He killed Imperial. They are so political. He warned them and they didn’t listen,” Salene shrugged her shoulders. “There is nothing a Justice can do about that.”

Yes, but the Order of Justice always strives for justice.

“This is one of the moments I regret not taking my chain,” Asandria said as she drained her wine.

Salene laughed. “Only if Agatha can hear you say that. She asked about you, she is still fond of you.”

“In Creator’s name! I will rather be a Light than get closer to you two.”

Salene leaned forward, uncork the lid of the wine jug and poured herself a glass, and refilled Asandria glass.

“We both know you will get bored there,” Salene said as she sipped her wine, “that’s why you are helping Rodfold in his quest for a cue. Oh, Asandria, you are still a sweetheart, but you still pursued helpless cases.”

Salene inhaled deeply and look at Asandria directly. Asandria felt cold, not from touching Celestial. This coldness was different, it was looking into Salene’s eyes and saw everything she had done, everything she had seen. The coldness was of fear, the horror, the blood which had stained the ground. It was as if Salene had bent the air and cooled the temperature. Asandria met her eyes and wait for Salene to speak.

“Berdal is young and angry like most Vulcans, but anger, like a fire inside them, dies a slow painful death. Unless he unleashes his anger, only then…”

“Killing those Watchers was not anger?” Asandria asked.

“No, it was a show of power,” Salene smiled. “It was more like what you did during the Call, we both know Oslo doesn’t have the wit for it.”

Asandria returned the smile. “Yet I feel so powerless, I feel like a blind woman learning the steps of a dance.”

“An old blind woman. Don’t sell yourself short, my dear.”

“If Berdal is an anger-driven young lad, what do you think of Rodfold? Some of your sisters are worried about him being here.”

“I will be worried if I were you too. Your Vulcan is dying, and he is influential; he had even befriended some of the Vulcans in the city but within the first hour of his death, it will all fall apart. I am sure two or three Vulcans are waiting for that and well, chaos comes,” Salene said.

To be honest, Asandria had the same thought herself, mostly because the Banker learn more and more at Pitt and Jakob and the boys have no command bone in their bodies. There was something special about them, yes, regardless, it will take at least two years for them to reach their potential. By then, the Banker will be long forgotten. Unless Asandria finds this blacksteel.

Now here she was, sitting with an old friend, an old enemy, discussing much than Vulcan’s business. In this night cursed world Asandria had not imagined she will find herself casually sitting with Salene as nothing had happened between them. Some events were centuries old, yet some memories were hard to be erased. They proved to be immortal.

Moreover, Salene seemed to bested her all over again. Salene knew about the Call, the cure of the Banker and she can unlock the records. Even if Salene didn’t know about the records, now she knew. Ah, it’s time I lean on friendship and see if it will yield anything.

“But you can prevent the chaos,” Asandria said, “Night! No! I don’t mean as a Justice but highest ranked Watcher in Scorpius.”

Salene let out a burst of belly-full laughter. “Skygods! You should have seen your face. Honestly speaking it won’t be such a bad thing, I will be ending your pet Vulcan suffering. Oh please Asandria, don’t look me like that, you have probably killed as many Vulcans as I have and you are not a Justice.”

“It was salvation,” Asandria whispered, “it was what the city and the nation required of me.”

“Then it is also required of you, again,” Salene was intended and firm, “do what it needs to be done for Scorpius and stop this fantasy dream of yours.”

Asandria was twenty-one when she killed her first Vulcan. It was still fresh in her mind, it never went anywhere, it was more like a sleeping beast waiting to wake, curling in the back of her mind. It was her first trip outside Europa after seven years enclosed within its walls. She was still under training and still searching for her Order but she and Salene had grown favor from Agatha who oversees recruitment for the Order of Justice. It was so many years ago, but Asandria knew it started there, the beginning of all things.

There were a group of three Vulcans north of Polaris. It was the first time Asandria learned there was also Vulcans in Polaris like all nations in Sky Kingdoms. She found it unbelievably strange as Watchers and Vulcans were sworn, enemies.

Agatha led a group of ten north, two Watchers, and seven trainees. It was the first Asandria and Salene had walked as much, Asandria enjoyed the openness of the nation, and she spend the whole journey viewing everything in wonder. As they say, the first trip into the night was both terrifying and exciting, surrounded by three Watchers the latter was distant on her mind. However, her joy evaporated when she arrive at Stepping Stone, a small timber village, where Vulcans have taken as theirs. Asandria left Europa thinking it will only be a negation, but Agatha ordered all trainees to go into the village and kill all the Vulcans. It was the first time Asandria understood that duty was heavier than a mountain.

“I won’t do such a thing,” Asandria replied Salene as she stood up. “It was lovely to see you, Salene.”

Asandria made her way to the door. After she had taken only five steps, she stopped. No, she didn’t necessarily stop. She can’t move. The first thing that hit her was the coldness wrapping around her, suffocating her, taking all the warmth from her body.

Salene was touching Celestial, more and more as she willed it, hiding within it. Asandria saw blue line threads lacing against each other feeling the room like air itself. It was blinding, the weaves of Celestial.

Asandria tried to move. Her legs were solid rock rooted to the floor. Her arms ignored her command, she can’t even move her neck. Gravity Manipulation.

Salene’s was as advanced as Asandria in the arts of Celestial, probably more with the backing of Timeless Halls. Gravity Manipulation allowed a swift of gravity, it can allow a woman to stand on the wall upright or on the roof upside-down. The will and understanding of the Universe were always a consideration. The swift of gravity to the wielder of Celestial was easier than swift of gravity on matter.

Asandria inhaled softly and touch Celestial, she shivered as settled cold in her veins.

Salene had swift gravity to Asandria, Salene willed Gravity Manipulation to dense throwing layers and layers of gravity over Asandria. And since I am not having difficulty of standing, it was precisely willed.

“Have not grown tired of running?” Salene said. “Don’t be a coward Asandria, learn to fight your battles to the end.”

“Not all battles are fought and won by Moonstone and Celestial. Agatha had taught us to understand our skills at the same time learning the skills needed for a particular battle, you have not forgotten, have you Salene?”

Asandria searched the anchor of Gravity Manipulation. Everything concerned with Celestial has an anchor, you just have to know where to look.

Asandria knew Salene had connected the Universe with the physical world thus it meant there has to be a source of Celestial in this world where all Salene’s layers of Gravity Manipulation was anchored. It was not like threading where there were only one or two Celestial blue threads. Salene had used a hundred and more for Gravity Manipulation, they twisted about, intertwining over each other going in different directions. Asandria tried to look for anchor, her eyes darting left and right as soon as they blink. She cannot see it. The whole room was laced with Celestial threads. Ah, it was expected from someone skilled as Salene. It can’t be easy to break her Gravity Manipulation.

“I have learned not to take orders from lesser men, boys who play with the power of Skygods without understanding half of it,” Salene said. Her voice was no raise, it was calm and control, however, Asandria felt like she was shouting at the top of her voice.

Asandria made no notion to reply to Salene. Instead, she opened herself to more Celestial. It rushed to her like waves of water, colder than before, drowning her; she fought to keep herself from being taken by the waves and lost in the oblivious of Celestial. Her body became stone-cold, an endless pond of Celestial. She was touching all Celestial she had and more.

There were two ways of breaking Gravity Manipulation, first was serving the anchor, if that didn’t work, the second thing was creating Gravity Manipulation against yourself. The second one was easier, however, it needed an endless supply of Celestial lest the body will be squeezed into pieces. Asandria was going for the second way.

Her body shook violently for a few seconds as her body became dense as she anchored herself to the ground, it was a different anchor than the one she used a day before with a Moonstone. This one kept her firm to the ground without moving. She quickly lay Celestial threads on the floor of the room, her eyes were blinking repeatedly as she copied the way Salene had done her threads. The floor was an ocean of blue threads in her eyes.

Asandria gritted her teeth as pain shot to her every part of her body, her gut tighten as her head swell with blinding stars that had clouded her vision. She willed her Celestial easing the pain. She inhaled deeply, held her breath, and slowly let it out. The weight of a mountain which was sitting on her shoulders was lifted. She felt light. She was free. She wiped her face with the back of her hand. Asandria smiled deeply as the hand respond to her command.

“You are the second sister to break my Gravity without a Power Artifact, my, I am impressed, Asandria.”

Asandria turned her back to face Salene who had stood and faced her with her hands tucked behind her.

“Now there she is,” Salene continued, “the real Asandria de’Mist. My, how I missed you.”

Asandria took a step towards Salene, she stopped after a second step. There was a barrier beside her and Salene. Celestial Shield. Asandria frown slightly. There was a Moonstone dagger right in front of Salene which had anchored the Shield. The Shield was advanced compared to threading and anchoring, regardless, it was an easier art to master once one can anchor oneself. Asandria won’t concern with the Shield at the moment.

“Don’t look so surprised, Asandria. I have rattled a lioness’s cage, yes, but it never hurt to take precautions. You once broke Cerah’s arms three unique ways only because she said your Radiator Walmer was a helpless case and death was his salvation.”

Walmer? I have not heard the name expect in my heard in last two hundred years, Asandria thought bitterly.

“Do you remember the day Agatha sent us to Equinox?” Asandria asked and Salene replied with a blank stare.

“You said a time will come when I will need your help despite our fights and our endless arguments you will always be there for me. You said I will try to kill you, I will hate you, but your love for me won’t weaver. You said if I didn’t kill you when I needed help I should come to you.”

Asandria wiped a tear that was sliding on her cheek. It was three weeks after Salene had killed Walmer. Asandria thought the memory was lost to her, no, it didn’t leave her be. It was there burning her like a forbidden flame.

“I remember and no, I am not gonna go next to those records. I care little for Vulcans,” Salene said.

Asandaria walked to Salene. They stood facing each other only separated by the Shield. Asandria raised her right hand and rest it against the Shield.

“I have run away from you and Agatha, but you are right it's tiring to keep running. You have the whole of Crane to unlock the records.”

Asandria turned and walked to the door without looking back.

***

Kepnes Rodfold, an elite banker at Iron City, crossed his legs and leaned back on the chair trying to enjoy the sounds of the city; voices clashes against each other, footsteps echoed on his ears, hooves of horses drum the cobblestone street, vendors shout their wares and he also heard the soft whispers around himself. He has been at Betelgeuse for five weeks now, he was still not used to its busyness, its pace, and noise. Iron City was as busy as Betelgeuse, but at Iron City Rodfold has barely noticed. The richer section was always quiet whilst at Betelgeuse, there was no such thing.

There was a weariness about Rodfold, stubborn tiredness, and a slight shake of arms. He was a dying man, he knew that. It was terrifying. To die. The nothingness. His mind was broken, his body was in tatters and his flame burns dimmer each passing day.

He touch Radiation, the energy from the sun, trying to smooth his hands from shaking. In his mind, the Well was creaked and leaking, it was not stable. Very soon it won’t be able to hold Radiation, and without Radiation, he will die. Such a strange concept. His body was been killed by Radiation yet it cannot survive without it.

Radiation came to him like daggers piercing his insides into pieces. He cannot scream, he was too proud for that. Rodfold took the pain silently as his veins coarse with burning lava. It was as much as Radiation he can hold, it can light a few candles but that was that. Regardless, it was enough to stop his hands from shaking.

“How much time do you have left?” Minister Simon asked eyeing him cautiously. “You look worse than the last time I saw you and here I was thinking Daylight will brighten you.”

Daylight Crane was seven days ago. Seven days! That seemed like an eternity. A forever ago.

“A month at worst,” Rodfold replied.

“That’s not very comforting,” Minister de’Mist said carefully, “Vulcans rarely die peacefully.”

Rodfold looked at Minister Oslo de’Mist on his right. This was the second time he was seeing the Minister. Rodfold has to admit, Minister Oslo was a curious man. He didn’t know what to make of him as yet mostly because at worst Minister de’Mist decline his request of the audience or left him in the company of Skylady Asandria who was bad as he was.

This is the city is only peaceful if one is careful, a single fireball from Pitt, and their kindness will be daggers in our backs.

“Be at ease, Ministers. At worst, I say, however, I feel fine. I am still strong enough to take a stroll around the city with you.”

“A month will be sufficient to find this blacksteel?” Minister de’Mist said, “and I would like to remind you we have not yet reached an agreement that we will sell it to you if we find it.”

“Correct,” Rodfold replied, “and I will remind you I can be very persuasive.”

Rodfold looked at his view. He was sitting on a second-floor open balcony at Ram and Horns Inn at Oceanside, a third citizen section. Rodfold had learned from Minister Simon that Minister de’Mist was fond of supporting lesser citizens, it came to no surprise for him to find himself in Oceanside. The streets were narrow below, clean, and well taken off. The walls were washed by white lights it was easier to know to see their colors. Regardless, Betelgeuse was not fond of color on their walls, they were either a mud brown or fading gray, but their roofs, well, colorful as a maiden's cheeks.

Rodfold sat facing east, from a distance he can see the spires of the Sanctuary towering other buildings. He had not gone there nor gotten closer to it. He was already dying, there was no need to give those flaming women a short to his life. And Minister de’Mist said it will take the whole Crane. Another month at the Capital Port. Rodfold won’t have minded it but now things have changed. He didn’t intend to stay this long at Betelgeuse. But now Salene de’Gerizim was back and the flaming woman was cooked from the same Celestial that cooked the Spider.

Rodfold inhaled deeply. He wiped his face with a silk handkerchief and tuck it back into his pocket.

“I am curious,” Minister de’Mist said, “you passed Betelgeuse on your way to Adrastea and unbelievably you spend the whole year there.”

“Research, Minister de’Mist. Adrastea is full of the knowledge of early days of Origin.”

Honestly, Rodfold had thought he will find his blacksteel at Vela. He pleaded, he bribed and begged but no one gave mind to him. Velians kept their secrets tight as a beggar’s purse, but he was still convinced that a small nation had more blacksteel than the mainland combined. The only sad thing was he didn’t know where to find them.

“In the last three years, you had moved from Titan to Iron City. Then you spend time at Amalthea and take a ship at Draco. From Draco, you went to Adrastea and you are here at Betelgeuse. You made your stops to important cities, were you searching from blacksteel?”

“My dear Oslo let a dying lad take his breath,” Minister Simon said.

It didn’t take thought to understand what Minister de’Mist was accusing him of. How absurd!

“If I was at my prime war would have interested me,” Rodfold leaned forward, “what would I gain by igniting war at Sky Kingdoms?”

“You tell me. Support to Aamon Berdal seemed to tell a different story,” Minister de’Mist said.

“Yet Watchers sat down and sip some teas while others throw private balls at Timeless Halls. It doesn’t seem to be a war for me, Minister de’Mist.”

Minister de’Mist looked at him long and hard. After a few moments, he nodded.

“Well, that was intense,” Minister Simon blow air with his mouth. “On the other hand, Kepnes lad, we need answers and you are not very generous with them and I know because I have spent every third day with you since you came to our city.”

“I am very thankful. From henceforth I will be forthcoming,” Rodfold promised. For his sake, he better hold on to it.