Chapter 27 Origins #2
Alianna led them down a series of corridors as they explored the Origins exhibit.
They passed many old sets of clothing, deeds and title papers, old tools and statues.
There was a small, dull round circle, with a sign next to it saying that this was the ‘First Ironmark Given To The Porthan Locals’.
Rionan looked on hopefully at this, but sensed nothing out of the ordinary about it.
Alianna found a piece of parchment, which appeared to contain details of travellers arriving in Porthan some 1500 years ago. The faded letters were hard to make out, but a sign near the display read the following:
On this day in Porthan, during the year 525.
The Strangers have come to Porthan, but they do not mean us any harm.
They bring with them artwork, textiles, and music unlike which we have ever heard.
They have gifted us with spices for our cooking, seeds for our farms, and are comprised of some of the most beautiful folk I have ever laid eyes on.
Though their arrival had been a worry for the community, I feel that their presence brings nothing but prosperity and opportunity for our people.
Let word travel far and wide of our new alliance. In forging new allies, we sow the seeds of a strong future, and in years to come, we shall reap the benefits of our faith.
A.D.
“Look at this,” she called, beckoning to Rionan, who was otherwise bent down, examining a small wooden carving of what appeared to be a horse.
“What is it?” he asked, standing up and moving towards her. He peered over Alianna’s shoulder at the letter, which was cased in glass.
“I don’t know. A letter that talks of strangers arriving in 525. Any ideas on the year, or who A.D. is?”
Rionan read the letter three times before cocking his head and scowling. “No. Although it does sound like it could be relevant. ‘The most beautiful folk I have ever laid eyes upon’ – can you attest to that feeling, given that you were the one who found me on the shore?”
“Enough of that,” Alianna giggled, playfully hitting him in the arm. She turned to hide her blush, recalling that that was actually her train of thought when she saw his face for the first time. “Let’s keep looking.”
The pair of them combed the exhibit for the next two hours, reading every single sign, piece of exhibit information, and looking at every artefact they could find.
Rionan grew more and more frustrated as time went on.
The hope that had been shining in his eyes when they began their search had now faded into a weariness that made Alianna want to wrap her arms around him and tell him everything would be alright.
They’d find what they needed, one way or another.
But would they do it in time?
Offering him such false promises would be pointless.
They sat on a bench, staring ahead at some artwork which showed Porthan before the cafes, the nightclubs, and the roads were built.
Horses pulled carts along wide open roads.
The beach was set back in the distance. Alianna could picture where the hotels now stood.
Where The Rinniel sat in all its splendour, and where Rionan stood on his balcony, looking out to the sea in the evenings.
“I am sorry that we haven’t found anything. I really thought we would,” Alianna offered, turning to face Rionan. “Are you alright?”
“No,” he responded mutely, “I am not sure that I am. I do not know how long I have left before I must return to Xanthia. Should I not return at all, I alone will be responsible for the destruction of the realm. But if I return empty-handed…it would be very difficult to turn the tides of the war, which may still be raging on in my absence.”
Alianna felt her face drop as she looked at him, her heart aching as she focused on one phrase: I do not know how long I have left before I must return to Xanthia.
Over recent days, she had not allowed herself time to consider that he could not stay here forever. Alianna had tried her best to ignore the inevitable. The prospect of it now caused such feelings of sadness to stir within her that she did not want to face this reality.
Rionan looked at her and gently laid his hand on top of hers. She understood that he must be feeling this way, too.
They stared at each other, their eyes saying enough that no words needed to be expressed between them.
Alianna would not get to see those piercing blue eyes again, once he had gone.
Would not see the way he so often swept his hair back from his eyes.
Would miss his smile, his strange charm, the feeling of static in the air as they were wrapped up in each other.
Rionan squeezed her hand. Alianna sighed. She wouldn’t dwell on this now. Not while he was so focused on something much bigger than the two of them.
“Come,” Rionan beckoned, standing and pulling her up with him. “Let’s go. We could return later, see if there is something that we have missed, but I feel we have searched this exhibit as thoroughly as we can. Thank you, Ali, for your suggestion.”
Alianna nodded and turned to head for the elevator. When Rionan didn’t move, she faced him. “Are you coming?”
“Let’s take the stairs. Truth be told, I have never been in a human museum before. It has been enlightening to see what your people treasure enough to preserve behind glass and display in such a fashion. I would like to see more, as we depart.”
Alianna and Rionan wound through the corridors of the museum, passing the marine life exhibit (which Alianna noted she still hadn’t gone to see), and ancient history.
They made their way down a set of stairs, and the floor was occupied by displays about botany (which Rionan found himself mildly interested in), herbalism, and a large collection of taxidermied animals.
Mammals, insects, birds. Rionan commented that the creatures here were much plainer than the ones in Xanthia, except for Shadow, of course.
Heading down the last set of stairs, the corridor opened up into a large, dimly lit expanse.
The sign above their head said ‘GEOLOGY: MINERALS’.
Another sign nearby said ‘EXIT’, with an arrow directing them straight ahead.
The corridor they would need to go down was lined with glass cabinets, showcasing different rocks, minerals, and sediments.
“What does this mean?” Rionan said, pointing at the sign that said geology.
“Geology? If we see John outside again, he could tell you better than me. Put plainly, I think geology is to do with the study of the planet’s structures. What it is made from and composed of. Basically, this area is a really big rock collection.”
“I see. It isn’t something we do in Xanthia – dig up our lands.”
“It isn’t?”
“No. We preserve it as best as possible.”
“Then how do you understand it?” Alianna asked, as they began walking down the corridor, their fingers interlocked.
“Because of the power of the Lords. Our power is passed on from generation to generation – or, in incredibly rare circumstances, by the killing of another Lord. When you acquire the power from another, you also acquire the knowledge that comes with it. We give life to the land, so we understand the land.”
“I see. What happens if a Lord has no children when he dies, if he dies of natural causes?”
“It has not happened in my lifetime. Usually, a Lord will ensure he has sired an heir before he passes. Should he fail to do so, it is suspected that the power of their territory would pass to another. The most deserving and powerful member of the territory.”
“For you, would that be somebody like Ulreah or Thallax?”
“Planning my death, are you?” Rionan cocked an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth raising into a half smile. He looked down on her, and Alianna felt her cheeks redden.
“No – oh gods no, I hadn’t meant it to sound like – ”
“Do not worry. You are just trying to understand something that is quite foreign to you. The truth is, I am not sure. There are other members of my territory that are - ”
Rionan stopped mid-sentence, eyes locking on the glass behind Alianna.
His face had gone slack, eyes wide. She turned to see what had caught his attention.
Within a glass case stood a chunk of shimmering rock, flecks of gold and red glinting amongst the brown sediment.
The rock itself was the size of two balled fists being held together.
“Rionan?” Alianna asked quietly. Rionan had slowly stepped around her and was moving towards the cabinet at the pace of a predator sneaking up on its prey.
As he reached his hand towards the glass, Rionan stiffened and recoiled as if struck by something. His eyes flew wide, a look of shock on his face. Before he could speak, Rionan collapsed to the ground, his body limp and eyes closed.