The Burning Flowers

Chapter II

Nobody was given a chance to process what happened at the Festival of the Shadow Solstice, let alone mourn the deaths of Lady Clara and Lady Nium, before they were ushered into the carriages and on their way to Stellareid. They were told that Nogara and Eldoran would handle things in the city both in regards to funeral preparations and calming the rightfully terrified and angry citizens. As was uncomfortably common for the Kosah-Rei, not a single civilian lost their life, with the casualties of the skirmish falling only within the city guard and the cultists themselves. Leiolai Sartella and Tali Firrik were not seen again, nor did any evidence come to light that Rotana Vesh had been present for the attack. As for Barron Kristoff, despite having been swiftly defeated by Master Acostav, they weren’t able to declare him dead since the Master of Light was insistent that he used some unknown means to escape just before the armor was destroyed. Therefore, just like in Hiriech, the Kosah-Rei made a clean getaway and the Ijirians were left with only death and defeat.

The silence in the carriages was deafening, a stark and depressing contrast to the lively atmosphere they had enjoyed on the ride to Noctalus. They were all lost in their heads, each of them dwelling on the incident and pondering what they could have done differently, or done better. Abigail Reiner, especially, was left in a state of shock as she watched the snowy fields pass them by through the window. In all her life, her sixth sense was the most reliable thing she had. It had saved her countless times both when she lived in the wild, as well as during her time on the royal team. It had never once been wrong. Those it assured her were trustworthy never turned their backs on her, and those it warned her about were always as dangerous and threatening as she knew them to be. Her sense had been what first alerted her to Rotana Vesh and Mallicent Malloway the day she arrived in Aquesen. The warning had been so strong that, in Mallicent’s case, she reactively drew her mana, to the disapproval of Ilirianna and Nakoma.

So what was different about them? Why were Vesh and Mallicent so bad if Sartella and Firrik were pure? Not even neutral, pure! I don’t understand this. How could it be possible that the two of them are trustworthy after what they’ve helped to do. I mean, Sartella almost killed Master Rana! They were as involved in the combustions as anybody, so…?

Her thoughts had already been in such disarray due to the contradiction between the murders at the ball and the Kosah-Rei’s work in the countryside. During her stay in Piriit, Abigail had heard such wonderful things about Pastor Saechak from Mikea Tarva, and the whole time, she had to remind herself that the Kosah-Rei were ruthless killers. She had to remember how terrified Aeyir Malloway was before he was killed, and she had to recall the charred bodies of the victims in the ballroom. Pastor Saechak had to have been manipulating Mikea. That was the conclusion she knew she needed to come to, for if she didn’t, then what was she to do? Was she to decide that Mallicent Malloway had a point—that he was right? Could it be true that the common people could not better their lives without the forceful removal of the current government?

I don’t know! It’s not fair!

“Go to hell, you treacherous bitch.”

Mikea’s last words hissed at her in her mind, making her want to throw up—a feeling that her pounding headache wasn’t helping with. Abigail Reiner sought to be a person who fought for the greater good. She went to the Academy to learn how she could help the average person more than she already was, but those people she had dedicated her life to helping no longer wanted her.

They hated her.

They cursed her name as a traitor and a liar.

But they never saw the ballroom! she always told herself. They didn’t! They weren’t there! They didn’t feel that heat or witness the gruesome deaths of so many people at the hands of the man they call a saint! How could they understand?! They can’t!

“Unfortunately, it seems you’ve already fallen prey to the same propaganda that everybody else does. I agree that sinners and criminals should face judgment, but if the justice system is rigged in the favor of the elite, then what are we to do?”

Murder is wrong… It’s not the answer…

“Do you think the Iijis are going to arrest the lords of the Great Cities for such things? Hell, they’re so scared of upsetting them that they had to assign you to a secret investigation, as well as smuggle Nyx Rana into the city, just to avoid offending my dipshit of a father.”

That doesn’t mean they should die…

“Trials and executions are not for the lords! They are for the common people! Do you think I am wrong? Do you think I am misguided?”

I do! I think you’re wrong on so many levels! You’re a killer! Your words should never be considered! You almost murdered Laura and Scott! You aided in the death of your brother and father! Why should I ever humor such disgusting things? Why…am I humoring you…when my best friends just lost their mothers to your allies—when Neah was kidnapped by them? Why am I humoring you, Mallicent Malloway?

I’m revolting, aren’t I? What’s wrong with me? Where did I go wrong?

Leiolai Sartella and Tali Firrik were pure. That meant Abi couldn’t just blindly rely on her sense.

It was leading her astray.

It was lying to her.

The Kosah-Rei were manipulating it somehow.

They had to be.

Leiolai and Tali couldn’t be pure.

They couldn't.

It was wrong.

It was a lie.

It was impossible.

Abi spared a weak glance up at the young woman sitting on the seat across from her, her head down and her eyes blank, the tears having run dry a few days ago. Album had hardly spoken since learning of the death of her mother. Abi had ridden in the same carriage as her for most of the trip, but they had probably shared only a few words to one another.

Lady Clara was dead.

Lady Nium was dead.

Neah was gone, kidnapped by the Kosah-Rei and, if their note was to be believed, taken to Stellareid.

On that specific day, the others in the carriage with them were Faye, Iris, Nigreos, and Jessi, but none of them were talking either. Faye and Jessi had been understandably rattled by their encounter with Barron Kristoff, and even setting aside that they had almost died, they were confused by the fact that the red knight targeted Rennigan specifically. For an unknown reason, the Kosah-Rei desired the death of Rennigan Glaus.

“I get that he’s an asshole, and I’ve joked about beating him up multiple times, but I don’t actually want him to die, you know?” Faye had said the night before they left Noctalus. “I’m worried about him, hard as it is to admit. The Kosah-Rei will try again, and I’m afraid we won’t be able to stop them a second time…not like we were the ones to stop them this time.”

Turning away from Faye, Abi eyed Nigreos, but like Album, he wasn’t speaking. Not only was his mother dead, but the sister he had been working so desperately hard to save was now in the clutches of the Kosah-Rei.

“They didn’t spare Neah out of the kindness of their hearts,” he had growled. “They’re going to use her against us. They want us nobles dead, and they’ve proved that by killing my mother and Lady Clara. I don’t know how they got to them, but they did, and now we need to react. I will not let Neah die, to her disease or these infernal cultists!”

But are they going to kill her? Abi had asked herself, though she didn’t say as much to Nigreos. Would Sartella…really let Neah die? She’s pure… No! She isn’t! Think like that and they’ll get in your head, Abi! Don’t let them do that!

She let out a weak sigh seconds before she felt a head gently rest on her shoulder, and when she turned to look, she found Iris leaning against her. Her pupil didn’t say anything, but as if knowing she needed comfort, she was giving it. Iris had been keeping to herself since the trip began, claiming that everybody other than Faye and Abi intimidated her, but Abigail was more than happy the young woman was there. Not only had she offered emotional support, but her healing abilities had saved the lives of a few guards back in Noctalus. Her talent had been inexpensible, especially given the murder of the NightLight’s Head Healer.

You did well, Iris. You will make a fine Master of Nature someday…

Abi’s hand subtly rose to just below her stomach, and though she couldn’t yet sense the child within her, she was comforted by the action nonetheless. Even so, it also reminded her of what she was going to do, and the guilt only strengthened.

To leave my team after Nigreos and Album lost their mothers… I truly am revolting…

“Woah… Guys, we’re here…” Jessi’s murmur caused Abi to glance her way only to find the fire mage gazing out the window with wide eyes. “I mean, I had heard about it, but it’s still crazy to see it in person…”

Nigreos and Album didn’t move, but Faye, Iris, and Abi looked towards the window, giving them their first ever glimpse of the Great City of Stellareid, the City of Starlight and the Ijirian Capital of Science. It was as Jessi said, it’s one thing to be told an entire city could float in the sky, but it was another thing to bear witness to the majestic sight with her own eyes. It wasn’t that Abi doubted that buildings could rise into the air, for the Wind Department’s main building at the Academy was levitating due to the magic of air crystals fused into the dirt beneath it. However, to keep an entire city in the sky would require an ungodly amount of crystals, and it suddenly made sense why they were such a rare item in the markets.

Stellareid was separated into five distinct areas known as the rings, with the first one being not in the air, but on the ground, making it the most traditional section of the Great City. The next four, however, were all at different heights, with the Second Ring being surrounded by the First Ring and floating above it. The Third Ring was just above the second, also surrounded, followed by the smaller Fourth Ring, and finalizing at the very peak with the Fifth Ring. This structuring gave Stellareid the appearance of a massive layered cake, with the centerpiece being the Grand Observatory stretching high into the air above the Fifth Ring, the Great Telescope acting as the highest point in the city as it aimed towards the midafternoon sky. From what she was told, the city was big, with a diameter of thirty miles. Castle Saientia, the home of House Cartigan, was located on the Fifth Ring not far from the Observatory. Connecting the five rings was a vast network of wind-powered gondolas attached to sloped cables. From their position approaching the outer walls of the First Ring, Abi could see these square-shaped, roofed gondolas rising and falling at careful speeds as they transported their passengers.

“You know, not that there’d be a reason to lie about it, but I’m still kinda shocked it’s really floating,” Faye muttered. “Though I have to wonder what the point is. I think I’d be too afraid of it falling down to be comfortable here.”

“From what I remember, there’s two reasons for it,” Nigreos answered softly from behind them. “The first is simply to make a statement. It’s to show anybody the true power of scientific study—to say that science can raise an entire city into the clouds, and that if it can do something as amazing as that, then it can do anything.”

“And the second?” Jessi asked.

Nigreos shrugged. “Defense. It’s being held up by millions of air crystals embedded in the grounds, so to bring the city down, you’d need to destroy over half of them all at once to cause any real damage. And as you’d expect, those of the highest importance live on the Fifth Ring, meaning any invading armies would have to not only fight through and breach the walls of the first four, but somehow fly themselves all the way up to the fifth.”

“Ah, so like the Citadel then,” Faye clarified.

“Yes, like the Citadel.”

Their carriage was second in the line of three as they traveled down the road and towards the western gates of the First Ring’s wall. Naturally, Lord Cartigan knew they were coming, so Abigail was unsurprised when they rolled up to the city and were almost instantly permitted access once the Masters flashed their badges.

Stellareid was always depicted in books and by word of mouth as a wondrous and beautiful place, even as far as the six Great Cities went, so Abi was very quickly thrown off as they rode through the gates and entered what appeared more like a slum than anything else. The buildings closest to the walls were decrepit and falling apart, with tents strewn about in between houses and within alleyways. The few people she saw outside were dressed in tattered clothes, their heads down, but the few who did spare a glance at the carriages did so with disgust and hatred, as if they would gladly break them apart if they’d had the ability to.

“This…is depressing,” Faye uttered. “Noctis?”

Inquiring an answer as to the scene they were witnessing, Faye turned back to gaze at Nigreos, who once again did nothing but shrug. “Every city has its slums. The First Ring just happens to be where Stellareid’s is located. On that note, I wouldn’t recommend opening the window. The smell probably isn’t pleasant.”

“R-right… Noted…”

Unable to watch any longer, Abi returned her gaze to her lap, refusing to dedicate even a second of her thoughts to the First Ring, for if she did, the guilt and self-loathing would only grow worse. It was better to turn her eyes away than face yet another forgotten facet of the Ijirian common world.

She wasn’t sure how much longer they rode before the carriages finally came to a stop. The doors were pulled open by their driver, who motioned for them to step outside, so Abigail followed Faye and Jessi while Nigreos and Album took up the rear. As the dark mage had warned, the air reeked of sewage and rot, causing Abi to flinch as she glanced over her shoulder to see the occupants of the third carriage stepping onto the dirt as well, those being Ryokumo, Hiro, Rennigan, and Ilirianna. The remainder of their party—Viiro, Acostav, and Eko—were already deep in conversation with a young woman who had tied up black hair and stern eyes, as well as black and gold noblewoman's attire. Given that she was accompanied by nearly ten soldiers in armor, Abi knew her to be someone of importance.

Noticing the approach of Princess Ilirianna, who was moving to join the Masters, the woman turned and bowed. “Good afternoon, My Princess. It is my honor to welcome you to the Great City of Stellareid. My name is Ella Cartigan, heir to Castle Saientia, and I have been sent by my father to escort you to the Fifth Ring.”

Ilirianna returned to bow with a polite smile. “A pleasure to meet you. I thank you for your hospitality.”

As Ilirianna spoke with Ella, Abi casually glanced around to survey their surroundings. They were no longer on the public streets, rather they had driven into a large courtyard of sorts, though the ground was entirely dirt and snow while the walls that surrounded it were old and cracked, indicating that this place wasn’t all that well maintained. Her eyes then wandered to a metal grated staircase just behind Ella that led up to one of the gondolas she had seen earlier, though this one was much larger than the others, appearing twice the size and shaped like a rectangle rather than a square. Before she could begin to wonder why, she tuned back into Ella's conversation with Ilirianna and the Masters.

“This particular gondola is a personal ride of my father’s and will take us directly to the Fifth Ring,” she was saying. “It’s mostly reserved for special guests so that they don’t have to wait in the public lines and get off at each individual ring.”

Ilirianna nodded. “Perfect. Again, I thank you.”

“Then let’s be off. Come, My Princess, My Masters.”

Ella Cartigan turned, motioned for her knights to remain behind, most likely to save room, and began walking up the two flights of stairs. Ilirianna, Viiro, and Acostav followed directly behind her while the rest of them fell into a random single file line as they ascended towards the gondola. Contrary to the rather grimy courtyard, the gondola itself was rather nice, having been colored the black and gold of House Cartigan in the exterior. The interior was cozy, with two long cushioned benches facing each other that could each sit around eight people if they squeezed together tightly. Fortunately, their party only consisted of fourteen, so there was no need to get uncomfortable as they took their seats moments before Ella raised her hand and cast Ortumo.

The young woman’s features strained as the gondola began to move upwards, causing Ilirianna to quickly ask, “Are you sure you can raise this thing on your own? If you need assistance, both Caeli and Pafran here are excellent wind mages, and I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to helping.”

But Ella just shook her head. “Thank you, but Father insists this is good practice. I can assure you I will not be dropping us, and for those of you that don’t know, the gondola has emergency safety charms anyway so there is no risk.”

As the Lady assured them, the gondola did not so much as lurch as they ascended high enough for Abi to see the Second Ring down below. Given their angle, the courtyard must have been on the outskirts of the First Ring, just beside the walls, giving them plenty of space to pass by the middle rings on their way to the Fifth. Even from such a high altitude, Abigail could tell through the gondola’s windows that the other four rings were where Stellareid got its beautiful reputation from. The first clearly was the exception to the rule, for she could see the crowds of people traveling the roads, as well as the glittering buildings of schools, shops, and factories with their billowing smoke stacks jutting out from the top. Most buildings in Erika, Hiriech, and Noctalus hadn’t been much taller than three or four stories, but the Third and Fourth Rings had some buildings that rose up to around ten to fifteen, which only put the height of the entire city into perspective given that none of these buildings came close to the edges of the next ring up.

“So, have there been any changes in regards to Uma Miyon?” Viiro questioned after a moment, turning a firm look towards Ella. “Is he still held in the dungeons, and for that matter, has he revealed anything of importance yet?”

Ella let out a sigh that didn’t completely conceal her annoyance. “Unfortunately, he has remained uncooperative. We’ve had our best interrogators working on him, but thus far, the man has not given us so much as a peep about anything. At the very least, I can assure you that he is kept in the highest security cell in our dungeon, and there have been no attempts to rescue him.”

Good, Abi thought with a rare sense of relief.

Given the fact that Vesh and the potential sixth leader had not made appearances in Noctalus, there had been some fear that a separate attack may have already been waged in Stellareid. To know that Miyon was still in captivity was a small weight off her shoulders.

“And the Kosah-Rei have yet to make any contact with you?” Nigreos added quickly, intruding in a conversation that he normally would have kept out of.

Ella glanced over at him and frowned. “No, not that I know of. Did we think they’d try to bargain for him or something?”

“No, we did not,” Viiro answered sharply, shooting Nigreos an irritated glare. “Please ignore my impolite son, Lady Ella. Instead, I was wondering more about Rickori Keskivaara. What’s the current state of the People’s Mind?”

Due to the awkward glances shared among them at the Noctis’ brief exchange, Ella must have certainly picked up on the fact that they were holding something back, but she seemed to decide it wasn’t her business to press into since she answered Viiro’s question immediately.

“No changes,” she assured them. “Keskivaara remains a strong figurehead among the civilians and has been present at some of the recent protests against the Company Lords, but he has yet to do anything violent. In addition, we still have not confirmed whether Rotana Vesh is in this city or if he’s in conversation with him. Our people are keeping a close watch on Keskivaara’s home in the Third Ring, but given the number of guests that man has on a daily basis, we can’t be confident a Kosah-Rei member has not been among them. At the very least, Vesh has not personally spoken with him.”

“Lovely,” Acostav grumbled. “I suppose no change is better than new problems, but no matter. I…?”

The Master of Light trailed off, his brow furrowing in curiosity as he noticed something through the window behind Abigail’s row. Nearly everybody turned to see what it was that had caught Acostav’s eye, and it took hardly a second to do so. As they were passing above the Fourth Ring, a massive, nearly four-story tall red and yellow tent became visible down below, five triangular flags flapping in the wind on the four corners of the rounded tent and in the very center’s peak. Even from there, it was easy to see just how many people were gathered around the base, making Abi wonder what it was for. Ryokumo’s soft mutter beside her gave her some of the answer.

“A circus?”

“Ah, that,” Ella said, understanding dawning on her features as she realized what they were looking at. “Yes, for the last week, a very popular band of traveling performers have been holding shows down at the edge of the Fourth Ring’s entertainment district. I have yet to visit it myself, but those I know that have gone say it’s a very unique and exciting experience. The ringmaster, a man by the stage name of Hakelades Omorossa, is apparently famous in the southern territories and is well respected in his craft. The people have been going wild over it, and since our laws dictate some of the earnings go to the Lord, we’ve been quite lenient with Mr. Omorossa.”

“If its a circus from the south, what’s it doing all the way up here in Stellareid?” Acostav grunted.

Ella shrugged. “Not sure. Like I said, I haven't been, but my father thinks they’re just doing a northern tour. They were first in Jeysa across the Starlight Bay and I hear they plan to continue up along the coast once they finish here.”

The Master of Light still seemed dissatisfied, but the matter was set aside as the gondola passed over the walls of the Fifth Ring and brought Castle Saientia into view. The home of House Cartigan was far more elegant than Abigail had expected, making the building appear more like a palace than a castle. It was built of a white stone standing at around seven stories tall with a dark green slanted rooftop. Most of Saientia’s western side was perfectly rectangular, with a rounded tower jutting out of the wall facing them and a much taller tower stretching up two more stories above the rooftop’s peak. The eastern side, while connected to the main section of the castle, was much smaller, standing only around three stories with a massive courtyard in the middle and another tower against the easternmost wall that the cable of their gondola was attached to. It was a beautiful place, and had the circumstances preceding their arrival been more positive, she may have truly been in awe of it. However, after her experiences in Castle Aquesen and the NightLight, Abigail could only gaze at Saientia with discomfort and paranoia.

Ella took them over the large courtyard, towards a square platform at the very top of the eastern tower before they finally came to a stop, the door being opened moments later by a young servant standing outside. All of those in the gondola filed out onto the tower, and instantly Abi was taken aback by the strong salty smell of the sea, being enhanced by a soft breeze. It had been easy to forget down in the slums of the First Ring, but Stellareid was only a couple hours' ride from the Great Orientem Sea. She could also just barely notice the thinner air so high up, something she knew would probably take a little while for her to adjust to.

And it’s certainly not going to make my headaches any better…

However, there was very little time to dwell on it before she turned and noticed the individual standing not far from the gondala’s exit, accompanied by two more armored guards. The man was probably somewhere in his late fifties, with short graying hair, a thin mustache of the same color, narrow brown eyes, and a smattering of wrinkles across his skin. He was on the shorter side, with a thin and wiry build, dressed in the same black and gold colors as Ella. Given his similarity to the young woman, Abigail already knew without a doubt who he was before Ilirianna had even greeted him.

“Lord Cartigan,” the princess said with a respectful bow. “It is good to see you again.”

Eganno Cartigan returned her bow with a polite grin. “Likewise, Princess Ilirianna. It is my honor to welcome you, the royal team, and the Masters of Darkness and Light, to the Great City of Stellareid!”

As always, Abigail’s first instinct was to open up her sixth sense to get a reading on this man, but for the first time in her life, she hesitated, finding herself afraid of activating what was supposed to be her greatest blessing. She hated that fact, yet in that moment, she refused to use it as she swallowed back the sudden nausea assaulting her throat. It was then that she realized she hadn’t even considered using it on Ella down in the First Ring either.

After what happened with Leiolai and Tali, she simply could not allow herself to trust it.

What’s wrong with me? I really am…just falling apart…