Chapter 25 Eiden
Eiden
“Tell me, are you well, brother?”
— Correspondence from Lord Xavian Steele to Lyonsreach
The port city twinkled under the first light of dawn, deep blues and purples filling the skies.
I had expected the Castivian capital to be grim, but I was wrong. Eiden was a mural of a city, even from a distance. A vibrant array of jewel toned buildings with black roofs hugged the coast behind a harbor filled with little boats with glowing bulbs attached to their sails.
Salty winds kissed my face as I braced my hands on the ledge of the ship.
Somewhere out there, my brother was waiting for me.
Was I ready to meet him? I wanted to, yes, but what could we possibly have to say to each other? Where would I live? What jobs did Castivian have to offer a Blackheart? Did it matter anymore that I was a Blackheart?
“Are you ready?” Riven asked.
The rising sun smeared orange across the water. Soon, the capital city of Eiden would wake to our arrival.
There had always been Dark Natured people in Castivian, ones that never knew the Waywards. Were the people here skilled with their Nature? What did it look like if someone was well practiced with their Dark Nature? Was it dangerous here?
Was I ready?
“I hope so.” It was the most honest answer I could give.
Riven leaned on the ledge next to me.
“Are you ready?” I asked.
Riven looked out into the distance. “I know I’m ready to get off this ship.”
I grinned, but he didn’t. He looked almost disappointed.
As we docked, the masses crowded the bridge for departure. I couldn’t blame them for being eager, though I’d likely be bruised from the relentless crashing of shoulders.
Riven led the way, shielding me from those who were aggressively desperate to get off first.
At the dock, he went to retrieve Kostini. The animals were last to disembark.
I stood alone with all of my belongings packed away in a bag at my feet, save for the clothes on my body, Singer, and the orb.
Ship bells tolled as waves lapped against the posts below. All sorts of people made their departures and arrivals. They hauled luggage and dreams past fishermen who were out with their nets and buckets, casting lines, while traders unloaded their goods along the docks.
None of the ships in the bay bore the Drakington falcon or the Lestivian swan. Who was Castivian trading with? I had never learned what was beyond the neighboring kingdoms.
Riven led Kostini down the bridge, who greeted me with cheerful neighs and a chipper shoulder sniff. It did not take Riven long to load our few things up before we took off, riding out on dark stone streets into the city.
Some buildings had stained glass, while others had large round windows, revealing families having their morning meals. I tilted my head curiously at the full plates and laughter.
Further down the street, a woman stood outside of a lilac bakery, propping open a door, letting out scents of coffee and rich chocolate.
Some of the homes were like dark cathedrals with colorful flowers displayed in their yards. Others were more humble buildings, but they were well-maintained all the same.
A crimson puddle gathered beneath a bush.
“Why are those roses blue?” I asked. “And why are they… bleeding?” Blood dripped from their petals, staining the grass red. They were the strangest flowers I’d ever seen.
Riven held back a smile. “It’s that time of month. When I was a child, I was told it’s rude to point out.”
I wasn’t sure whether or not he was joking, but there were too many things to look at to get caught up on the flora.
We passed inns with colorful paintings on the outside of women with fish-like tails, children in little black uniforms walking in groups while discussing school, street vendors setting up for the day while illuminating their stalls with orbs, and a library stacked four stories high.
I’d always been told that Castivian was an unruly land where plenty of Dark Natured worked, but the majority of money was sent to Drakington for taxes. Never had I heard that there were still riders for bladebreathers, or even proper cities.
We travelled through the capital until the buildings were behind us, and only grass and rocky patches stretched ahead.
“Is there a castle here?”
“No,” Riven answered.
“Where does Xavian live then?”
“The Lord of Castivian and his council’s homes are all in the Silver Circle. We’re not far.”
Riven was rigid, as if he’d taken ten steps back from the friendship I thought we were forming.
I swallowed, palming my orb for distraction until we finally made it to the top of the hill, where there was, in fact, a circle of striking manors.
Each home was dark and hanging onto the edge of the misty, seaside cliff, daring gravity to test its structure’s strength. Tall arched windows revealed nothing at the early hour.
“They’ve already left for the day,” Riven mumbled.
“Who?”
“The council.”
My face fell. “Where did they go?”
“The House of Sterling. It’s not far.”
I nervously waited as we rode past grassy, gravel pathways and black stone barracks that were evidently for the Brotherhood of Bastards. Finally, we arrived at our destination.
Long and silver, the stone structure looked more like a fortress than a house, fenced in with a gate made entirely of swords and guarded by a singular Blademan.
Riven dismounted first, then helped me down. The guard did not wear armor, only black leathers with blades secured in various places, similar to Riven.
As my hands began to shake, I raised them to the straps on my bag.
“We’re here to see Lord Xavian Steele,” Riven said to the Blademan. “We have a message from the king.”
The brunette guard crossed his arms and grinned. “He’s in the grand hall. Just finished up an initiation ceremony. You can head in.”
The guard didn’t bother opening the gate for us, nor did he alert anyone that we were entering. It seemed odd and unsafe for the Lord of Castivian. Nevertheless, I followed Riven through the gate, the stone doors, and finally, inside the House of Sterling.
If I didn’t know from Payn that Xavian hated Sapphires, I would think it was blood magic.
Murals of haunting battles sprawled across high vaulted ceilings, the array of colors bleeding the stories together.
Open windows sat between beautiful spiral grey columns, allowing salty air to flow through the hall.
There were shining stone floors, and carved archways revealing a dining hall, a stunning library, and even a room where women in dresses were having tea.
From the outside, this seemed like a place of punishment.
Yet the more I discovered, the more it felt like a campus.
Riven walked confidently, not surprised in the slightest at anything.
“Have you been here before?” I asked as he turned down another hallway.
“Yes.”
He’d never told me.
I swallowed, nervously gripping my bag again as we faced a large black door with silver handles. There were faint sounds of men laughing and swords clashing beyond the door.
“He’s in there,” Riven said, unenthusiastically.
My heart skipped a beat. “I’m ready.”