Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Stranger Talks To You

  “Are you sure he has to come with us?” Lord Thomas whispered to Elijah, looking with his narrowed eyes at Einar. “We don’t need him if we’re going to talk about something private, or even if we do anything romantic.”

  “I can hear you,” the Ulfír replied.

  “Oh, yeah, my bad,” the Lord replied, then his voice rose from a whisper. “Are you sure he has to come with us?”

  “Yes, I do,” Einar replied. “No offense to you, I’m sure you’re a great swordsman, but the streets aren’t safe right now. Do you know how many times the Princess’ life has been jeopardized in the past few days?”

  “A few?” Lord Thomas guessed.

  “A lot.”

  “A lot? That’s more than a few!” He exclaimed, smiling. “Well, I guess you’re right, but it still feels weird to bring my girlfriend’s best friend along for a date.”

  “It’s not really a date,” Elijah told him as they left the second district. Although the fifteenth district wasn’t in sight yet, he knew it wouldn’t be long before he could see it. “What I need to talk to you about is important.”

  “But that’s my point. If what you want to say is private, I would prefer Einar not here. I love you,” He looked at the Ulfír, “But we’re not even that close.”

  “I won’t tell anybody, I swear on my mother’s life,” Einar grinned, then whispered to Elijah. “My mother’s dead, so I don’t need to worry.”

  “What do you want to talk about anyway?” The Lord asked. “If it’s about my dad again…”

  “It is, a little,” Elijah admitted, “But I’m not pressing the issue. And we don’t need to get into it yet. First, I need to ask you: do you know of anyone named Faría?”

  “Faría? Doesn’t really ring a bell, and it doesn’t sound like an Advantian name,” he replied. “Do you know anything about this person?”

  “Not really,” the princess replied. “I’m just trying to locate someone that goes by that name.”

  “Good luck with that,” Lord Thomas frowned. “Finding someone with that name here is less likely than a junkie asking you as a princess if you want drugs!”

  “You want drugs, princess?” A voice whispered in Elijah’s ear.

  “Jesus Christ!” He squealed, jumping backwards to face a haggard-looking man covered in a cloak, who, no doubt, was a junkie.

  “How’d you guess my name?” The man asked, eyes narrowed. “You bought drugs from me before? I think I’d remember if the crown princess bought some of my stuff.”

  “Your name is Jesus Christ?” Elijah asked, fighting the urge to laugh. “What, are you going to save the world or something?”

  “Yes, that’s me,” the man apparently named Jesus Christ said. “And the only thing I’m saving the world from is their stress, because one sniff of my drugs takes you to heaven. You’ll be seeing the fifteenth district even outside of it.”

  “Fuck off,” Einar growled. “Before I arrest you for selling illegal substances!”

  “How’d you know if it’s illegal until you try it?”

  “That’s not how this works,” the wolf responded. “Either back off, or go to jail.”

  “Fine,” the man said, bringing something to his nose and sniffing it madly before walking away. “Oh, yeah, that’s the stuff. Always tastes better when it’s illegal.”

  Shaking his head, Einar sighed, shaking his head in resigning.

  “Should’ve arrested the bastard,” he growled. “Say, Amanda, how’d you know his name?”

  “I like to guess people’s names,” Elijah lied, “And I think I just got lucky this time.”

  How do you know his name? Guide Amanda asked.

  I’ll tell you later.

  “Well, either you’re telling the truth, or secretly you like the delights of drugs, and I’d rather you not do that, so I’m going to take your side,” Lord Thomas told him, hooking his arm through the princess’.

  “Oh, you’re not going to believe me because you trust me?”

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Lord Thomas huffed. “I love you more than life itself, and I believe anything you say.”

  Einar gagged, pointing his finger to his open mouth and miming a vomiting motion.

  “If it makes you feel any better, princess, I don’t believe you simply because I love you more than life itself,” Einar teased.

  “That does, thank you,” Elijah rolled his eyes. “But, I’m not so sure that’s true, mister wolf.”

  Blushing, Einar looked away.

  “You’re right, I don’t believe you,” he grinned.

  “Is this the type of conversations you have with him all the time?” Lord Thomas asked. “Feels a little immature.”

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  “We’re minors, we’re supposed to be immature,” Einar crossed his arms playfully, “We must enjoy life before the pressures of politics get the best of us.”

  “I’m not judging you, I’m jealous,” Lord Thomas replied. “I was forced into maturity quickly after my dad got sick.”

  “First of all, I’m sure maturity is your strong suit,” Elijah winked playfully, “but you’re right. And that does bring me to the main reason you’re here with me. We need to talk about the new project you’re bringing to the court.”

  “You want to know more about it?” Lord Thomas asked. “Well, before my father got sick, he, uh…” Looking at Einar, he frowned slightly, but plowed forwards anyway. “Well, this is supposed to still be a secret, but our family found a mine down near Grimholt, and only Queen Evangeline knows about it. We’ve been hoarding the inventory for a long time, until the moment is right, and we would strike it rich. While it’s not a surefire way to make the Penrose family relevant again, with your backing, it just might help.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?” Elijah asked as the fifteenth district came into view.

  As they entered it, just like before, a sense of nausea grew inside Elijah as he saw the kaleidoscope of colors surrounding him completely. The Tube stood at the edge of the district, and this time, he would ride it to the Sky District. The three walked into one of the five tubes, and as soon as they entered, it shot into the air, letting Elijah’s heart drop into his stomach. As the Earth District grew smaller and smaller under him, the Sky District grew closer, like an imminent ceiling, until, for a split second, the ball rolled, flipping faster than the pages of a book, and suddenly, the Sky District was below him.

  Seconds later, they landed on the ground, and immediately, both Lord Thomas and Elijah turned to a garbage disposal next to them where they vomited.

  “That was amazing, we need to do that again!” Einar exclaimed. “I’m so glad we have to do that again when we go back to the castle.”

  “No, fuck that, I’m staying here forever not to ride that beast,” Elijah groaned, and Lord Thomas nodded.

  “I agree, I’m staying here and starting a family. No more Lord shit. I’ll call my father and he’ll run the family again.”

  Even I feel nauseated, Guide Amanda groaned. Why the hell did we ever agree to making something like this?

  “I can’t believe I’m agreeing with my boyfriend here, but I guess I’m staying to start a family, because the only thing worse than a group of little kids screaming in my ear is riding the Tube,” Elijah said. “Oh, I think I’m going to vomit again.”

  “Not on me,” Einar warned. “Last time you did that, it got in my mouth!”

  “Can we just stop talking about the Tube, please, I still have nightmares about it all the time,” Lord Thomas groaned.

  “It just happened,” the Ulfír responded. “Wait, was that a joke? Yay, you’re getting immature again!”

  “I’m trying it out,” the Lord affirmed. “I think the Tube scrambled my brains.”

  “You have brains?” Einar gasped. “Did you hear that, Amanda?”

  “Hear what, the ringing in my ears? Yes, that’s all I hear.”

  If this ringing is permanent, I’ll kill us both, Guide Amanda affirmed. I can hear it too, and as a conscious voice, it really hurts.

  A few minutes later, the ringing did go away—I can still hear it, you bastard—so Elijah was able to continue his conversation to the still green Lord, who was thankful to forget about the Tube as they walked the colorful streets of the Sky district.

  “I avoid telling you because no one was supposed to except my family,” he responded. “And I’m telling you now because I’m ready to reveal it.”

  “No offense, but it would be better if your dad was the one to unveil it,” Elijah responded. “More families would be willing to back this.”

  “I said I didn’t want to talk about it,” Lord Thomas said, hurt seeping into his voice. “Why can’t you understand that?”

  “I want to, Thomas, I really do,” the princess responded. “But it’s hard to forget it when one of the most important Lords in Advantia has gone missing, and he’s my boyfriend's father. Can you blame me? I care about him just like I care about you.”

  “No, I guess I can’t blame you,” Thomas sighed, and for a moment, Elijah thought he would spill his secret but his mouth tightened and he looked away. “I’m sorry, I can’t. He’ll return one day, but until then, I can’t say anything.”

  “Fine, keep your secrets,” the princess huffed, crossing his arms under his breasts and looking to EInar. “What do you think happened to his dad?”

  “My theory is he turned into a Karthan,” the Ulfír responded. “And now, they’re trying to find a cure. Am I right?”

  Lord Thomas didn’t respond, instead walking faster to avoid them, and sighing, Elijah looked at Einar.

  “There are still some parts of him that cling to childish behaviour,” he said, and ran after the Lord, grabbing his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Thomas. I’m just worried and careful. There’s a lot going on, and I just wanted to make sure you were alright. Has the events of last night gone in your favor?”

  “Well, I can’t be sure yet,” he replied, smiling softly. “But the Yarwoods have decided to join us and back us. You convinced the Lady Lina, didn't you?”

  Hugging the Lord from behind while his stomach protested with disgust, Elijah nodded, his head on the Lord’s shoulder.

  “Maybe I did,” he responded. “Are you going to thank me?”

  “Thank you,” the Lord smiled. “You’re a lifesaver, you know that.”

  “I know, you’re one lucky man,” he said. “Now, why don’t you stop being mad at me and just enjoy the walk with me and Einar.”

  “I feel like I shouldn’t be here,” Einar said, once again flushed as he walked next to them.

  “Didn’t I say you shouldn’t come?” Lord Thomas asked.

  “I need to watch out for the princess’ safety, since all you care about is kissing her,” Einar replied. “Imagine an assassin snuck up behind her, or another junkie. What would you do about it? Kiss them to death?”

  “Ha ha, very funny,” the Lord heir rolled his eyes. “No, my charm would do just fine.”

  “And another joke. This man is becoming normal again,” the Ulfír teased.

  “You don’t have to mention it every time I make a joke,” Lord Thomas replied.

  “You’re right, but I want to.” He laughed, and looked up at the sky where the Earth District was located, then looked down where the ground, and below that, the sky would be located.

  “It’ll be getting dark soon,” he said. “We should be heading back to the castle.”

  Elijah blanched. “I don’t think so. I think it’ll be sunny for at least a couple more…days.”

  “I agree,” the Lord declared. “How can you even tell it’ll be dark here? It’s always so colorful.”

  “It’ll still get dark at night.”

  “Will it, though?” Thomas asked. “Well, it isn’t dark yet, so we should stay here for a few more minutes…hours…days…weeks.”

  “That sounds just fine,” Elijah affirmed. “Just a few more weeks, Einar.”

  “You are so frustrating today,” Einar groaned. “We’re going, even if I have to drag you both there.”

  “They can’t take all of us!” The princess exclaimed.

  “Famous last words, those,” the Ulfír replied before, grabbing onto both their shirts and dragging them to where the tube would be. “Come on, children, it’s time to go home.”

  “I guess it’s time to stop being immature now,” Thomas sighed. “Unhand me, Einar, I’ve got some professional business to take care of.”

  Elijah sighed. What kind of people did you befriend, Guide?

  Say it again. I can still hear the ringing.