Chapter 107 – An’Larion, the Chalk Capital (5)

While the sun started its slow descent to dusk, Cait’s hasty steps led them out of the cathedral grounds. As they left though the gate, the sounds of the city once again filled the air.

Arwen visibly breathed out a sigh of relief. Her eyes regained their wonder-filled glimmer as she began smiling again. Even her steps were energised once more.

Midhir watched her with a scowl as he trailed behind the two women. She had been acting odd ever since they stepped foot in the cathedral grounds, and now that they left, everything about her seemed normal again. He couldn’t help but wonder what that was all about. Hastening his steps, he caught up with them, and breathed in to talk, only to notice where they were headed.

“C-“ he stopped himself. “Is this…?” His voice trailed off as they turned a corner, and a terribly familiar view stretched out before him.

A glimmering blue river, wide yet shallow, cut through the city. It flowed down from the mountains, feeding the lake at An’Larion’s centre. He could see the shadows of the fishes swimming beneath the water’s surface.

Dread filled his heart as he raised his gaze beyond the river.

A thick, blue-silver mist covered the shore, and the city beyond it. A few spires and rooftops peeked out over it, though even that was a rare sight, and time had clearly taken its toll over those taller structures. The mist swirled and danced, ever-moving as it sought a way to spread further, beyond the confines the enforcers had put up around it.

Arwen gasped, her eyes widened, and her hands clenched around her cloak. Her lips formed a thin line as she gulped, summoned her courage and approached the river. She visibly shivered as she stood by the shore, her gaze fixed on the mist.

Midhir turned his gaze towards Cait. The young enforcer met his gaze with an apologetic glance before quickly looking away.

“This is the edge of the thirteenth district.” She spoke up, stepping closer to the shore. “It was plunged into the mist fifteen years ago – a terrible day for the whole Empire, not just An’Larion.” She glanced over her shoulder, signalling Midhir to approach as well.

He did so, albeit reluctantly. The familiar cold sent a shiver down his spine. Dread gripped his heart, and fear threatened to overtake his mind.

“The thirteenth district was home to many noble families – many lineages were lost that day. My family perished there, and so did that of many others. Countless riches were lost to the mist, and even more importantly, knowledge that spanned ages simply sits there, unreachable.” She folded her arms, her gaze fixed on the mist. “The Empress and we enforcers have been keeping the mist in check – it will never leave the thirteenth district as long as we live, and probably even after we die.” She chuckled. “But we haven’t been able to push it back.” She added, her voice growing cold.

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“How is it kept confined there?” Arwen asked hesitantly.

“A powerful resonance. Back then, the enforcers and the Empress herself fought to save the people and the city. When they couldn’t, and they were forced to retreat, they created an array made of stakes like these,” she twisted her hand as a simple silver bracelet glimmered under her sleeve. A metal stake, about as long as Midhir’s forearm appeared in her hands. It was made of silver, with golden symbols and scripts carved around it. A golden gem nearly the size of a closed fist was embedded on it. “These were struck all around the thirteenth district.”

“Why did you bring us here?” Midhir finally asked. Memories had begun to surface – memories he’d rather forget forever.

Cait lowered her gaze. “Commander Aoidh’s orders. She felt all of her students should see this.” She took a deep breath, then turned around. “Since you’ve seen it, we can go back to the inn for today-“

“Do you mind if I stay here a while longer?” Arwen asked.

Midhir’s head jerked towards her, while Cait’s lips parted. “What for?” She asked, her confusion nearly palpable. “There is nothing else to see here.”

“That may be so, but I’d still like to stay a little while longer, if that’s alright.” Arwen peered into the mist. “It’s fascinating, and terrifying at the same time. I can’t imagine what it must have looked like as the district was plunged into-“

“Fascinating?” Cait hissed, her sharp gaze on Arwen. “This is fascinating to you?” She pointed towards the mist with a fire in her eyes. “People died there, and those were the lucky ones! We don’t even know what happened to those who didn’t die when the buildings collapsed, or the ground gave in, and you call this fascinating?!” Her voice grew louder as she glared at Arwen with anger. “I pray to the daughter and the sun that my mother died that day. That my father died. That my little brother died. That they met a quick end. But they may not have – maybe they were possessed, maybe they still wonder those empty, dilapidated halls in a stupor, forever lost!”

Midhir bit his tongue. Every word she spoke hurt like someone was twisting a dagger stuck in his heart. Memories he wished he could forget forced their way into his thoughts. “Cait.” He softly spoke, startling the young enforcer. “I think that’s enough.”

Cait’s shoulders dropped as she breathed out. “My apologies.” She muttered, avoiding looking at Arwen. “Are you alright?”

Midhir nodded. “We’ll head back to the inn in a little bit, you don’t need to wait for us.”

Cait visibly flinched before nodding. “Alright. I’ll drop by the inn later.” With that, she promptly left.

Turning his gaze to a pale, shocked Arwen, Midhir let out a sigh. “Fascinating wasn’t the right word to use there.” He walked past her, stopping at the shore of the glimmering, bright blue river.

“I didn’t think she’d be so angry,” the young woman muttered.

“You didn’t think.” Midhir turned around. “This isn’t like the fall of the Rose Capital – this is real. We remember it. We lived through it. It wasn’t centuries ago – it was just fifteen years ago. It’s not fascinating, it’s tragic. We all lost people that day.”

Arwen lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re apologising to the wrong person.” Midhir turned away from her. “I was only five years old when it happened. I don’t remember much – and what I do remember, I’d rather not think about. Cait lost her whole family that day, and she watched it happen from the Vermillion Keep. She watched part of the city collapse, and the mist rise from the earth. She won’t ever forget that day – it’s why she became an enforcer after all.”

Arwen raised her eyebrows. “How do you know all this?”

Midhir let his gaze wonder. “She is somewhat famous – the youngest person to become an enforcer, and an incredibly skilled swordswoman.” Besides, they had practically grown up together, though Arwen certainly didn’t need to know that. “You wanted to watch the mist – so stop looking at the ground.”