Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Festive cheers filled the streets of Hinica; a pleasant change for the citizens that usually heard the loud hum of voices mixed together. It lifted the spirits of the people as they optimistically prepared for the festival only hours away. The warm noon sun beat down on them as they worked, warming their smiles to even the Lyraths that occasionally got in the way, playing contently with stray dogs.
Blue birds and pigeons wondered the streets and perched atop houses as they waiting – watching carefully – for some careless Human to drop something for them to eat.

Cecilia wondered the streets aimlessly, following closely behind Lumia, who followed Alexander. She’d explained to the group that the Hinician celebrations were to do with the arrival of a Lyeician Prince – the explanation was confirmed when they were turned down at the grand concrete wall gates, being told no one could enter or leave the town until the party had turned up. It had angered their leader, who was still stalking around with his head low, brown locks falling messily into his face, and kicking around a metal can that had been left out on the streets.
The Lyrath girl shrunk back. Too many times had she suffered at the hands of an angered Human and she knew their rage could often be worse than the blades of a castle Knight. She paused, trying to create a distance between herself and the male.
“Don’t mind him.” A warm hand placed itself on Cecilia’s shoulder and forced her to walk with him. The girl turned her head slightly to see Evan smiling towards her. “He may seem mad, but he’s actually just sulking.”
“Ah.” The girl let out a breath of understanding as she nodded and glanced towards Alexander. His head was still cast down to the floor, but every so often he’d lift it to laugh. Lumia trailed behind him, chatting animatedly about things she saw in an attempt to liven the leader’s spirits. There was a friendly calm situated over the two, relaxing the Lyrath slightly.
“He’s still a child.” Edwin muttered with a shake of his head. “Yet he tries to make others believe he’s an adult because of what he’s been through.”
The child quickly turned to look at the man walking behind her. “What he’s been through?” She pressed on, earning a sullen look from Edwin.
The male picked up his pace, walking just behind Alexander and muttering something inaudible. He sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets as he nodded towards the dark haired male but said nothing. Cecilia glanced to Evan, who shrugged. “We don’t ask them about their past. They’ve never answered when we do, so I guess it’s too personal to share.”
“Oh.” She looked towards the Elf as she spoke in a hushed tone. “What about Lumia?”
“You should ask her yourself.”
“Then what about you?”
Evan seemed to freeze on the spot but recovered with a quick response. “It’s…not important?”

A frown found its way to the girl’s face. Did they not trust her enough to tell her about who they were? Was she expected to just travel with them without knowing a single thing about how them?
Did they not think her important enough to share their past with her? She was just a Lyrath, after all. Her importance was much lower than the Humans and Elves – and theirs was considerably lower than an Angel’s.
In fact, Cecilia was fairly certain that Lyraths were lower than rodents.
They were pretty much the intelligent equivalent to rats and mice. So if that was how they felt, she could see why.

Still. There was something distressing about being classed as unimportant as a rat.

Cecilia’s small steps came to a stop just behind Lumia, who had stopped abruptly besides a crowd. She stood on the tips of her toes, her silver heels digging into the dirt underneath her as she tired her hardest to see over the tops of people’s heads. The sudden silence from the girl caused Alexander to stop and turn, wondering what had happened to his Elven friend.
“What’s going on?” He blurted out in utter confusion. He walked back with quick, impatient strides, studying the older female as she excitedly pointed towards the main road.
“Something’s happening.” She responded. Her voice was high in thrill as she watched the scene in front of her unravel, never once looking away from the people passing by.
A large horse pulled carriage road through the centre of the main street. Six white, majestic beasts strutted in line, positioned in pairs. Their reins where a vibrant orange that contrasted against the dull backdrop of the Hinician town.
The carriage behind was a brilliant pristine. It looked much like a ghostly vehicle passing through the living village. It most definitely didn’t belong – Cecilia thought. Glass windows protected the passengers that sat safely inside the painted wood. Peach-orange curtains hung in the windows, drew back so that the people inside could look out onto the street.
Sat inside was a man that looked to be in his mid-thirties. He had mid toned brown hair – the colour of chestnut. His eyes were a bright blue that seemed to lock onto everyone he passed as he stared out of the window in disinterest and his skin was a ghastly white.
But the people didn’t seem to notice his annoyance and cheered on anyway. It wasn’t everyday they were offered an excuse to celebrate; not with the war that was going on and separating the cities.

“Who’s that?” The Elf asked; her voice rich with curiosity.
Alexander shrugged. He didn’t care much about the happenings in Hinicia; it had nothing to do with him. Nor did it affect his journey. All Hinicia was to him was a short stop, a place to restock; there was no need for him to get involved in the town’s business.
Cecilia, however, peeped through the small gap in the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever it was drawing so much attention. Her dull blue eyes scanned the carriage in front of her until she jumped back, her eyes seemingly meeting the bright orbs that belong to the man.
He couldn’t possibly have seen her and yet she felt terrified. Her heart raced wildly and a chill settled over her. She rubbed her arms in desperation, pushing the numbing temperature away. She didn’t want to be reminded of the cold. “The Lyeician Prince – Jasper. He’s the second hair to the throne, both in Lyeica and Hinicia.”
“In both cities?” Evan asked, his eyes glued to Cecilia. He wondered how she had managed to feel so cold in such a warm heat. “How does that work?”
“The King of this town is the son of the King in Lyeicia. Prince Jasper is the King of this town’s brother and the son of the King in the other town.” She explained, seemingly confused by her own words. “I don’t understand it much myself, but I suppose that this town and Lyeicia are one?”
“So Hinicia was only granted a King to keep the people under control?” Alexander suddenly spoke up, questioningly. The playful teen had almost completely returned to his normal self – save the hateful looks he’d throw a Knight or guard whenever he saw one.
The Lyrath nodded, Lumia laughed. “That’s similar to the way Elven cities work. We have one ruling family but each town has a different Elder. It creates a sense of order among the citizens.”
“You don’t have Kings or Queens?” The Lyrath uttered suddenly. Her eyes were wide – she was completely amazed at such a thing. As far as she had known, a city or town couldn’t work without a member of Royalty ruling the land. She never would have guessed that Elves did things differently to Humans.
“Not in the same way that Humans and Angels do, no.” The woman shook her head.

Cecilia turned to look at Evan, but by now the young male had turned his attention to something else. His golden yellow eyes were fixated on the carriage being pulled away towards the castle, watching it intently as his loose ponytail blew in the breeze. The Angel’s eyes hardened as his gaze met that of the Prince inside the vehicle, as though some kind of ill feelings lingered inside the boy.
The Lyrath couldn’t help but frown. She too despised the Prince of Lyeicia, but no matter how much she thought, she couldn’t understand why Evan would dislike him. Not unless something had happened in their past, something she wasn’t aware of – which would make sense as she had only just met the boy.
“Come.” Edwin’s calm voice spoke through the cheers. He placed a comforting hand on the Angel’s shoulder, waking him from his thoughts. “We should be able to leave now that the Lyeician party has arrived.”
In an instant the hatred left Evan’s face as he trailed behind the black haired man. A sullen look replaced it and he looked towards the floor as he walked, guided by Edwin. Cecilia glanced towards Lumia, who gave a knowing look before she turned to walk off towards the main gate. Alexander cleared his throat and followed after her, gesturing towards the Lyrath to start moving.
Nobody spoke a word on the way to the large metal gates. The Angel was too absorbed in his thoughts to speak, Edwin never said much anyway, and Lumia was concerning herself with the shops and stalls and people that belonged to the town. She was totally astonished by everything; every small detail caught her attention, including a sign telling people that the bread being sold in a bakery was thirty percent off. Cecilia couldn’t help but giggle slightly at the sight.

As the large gates came into sight Alexander sped up and walked in front of the group. He didn’t mind trailing behind every so often, but as soon as he felt he needed to lead, he did so. The boy had a strong sense of leadership and Cecilia smiled slightly; feeling she was in good hands.
The main gates of the town were made of thin metal bars. They were painted a dark brown colour, but by now the paint had chipped in places to reveal the copper underneath. A pattern much alike the ones on the castle doors was engraved either side of the metal exit upon concrete podiums that held the gates in place. They stretched as far as the eye could see and loomed down on the city.
It was the second time that day that Cecilia had seen the gates so close up. She hated them. Their metal framework reminded her much of the cells that she had seen been locked in many years ago. She’d rather forget their eerie memories and the cold that they brought with them than relive the painful days.

A small voice called out of the darkness by a small brick house as the group passed by. “Ceci…?”
If not for the Lyrath pausing in place, no one would have paid attention to the ginger haired boy that slowly emerged from the shadows. A sad smile was plastered on his face as he looked longingly towards the girl, like he knew this would be the last time he spoke to her. Familiar ice blue markings lined his eyes.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” He asked, teal orbs watering slightly.
The eleven year old girl stepped towards him – her arms outstretched as she brought the boy into a hug. “Bray, I’m sorry. I have to.”
“No you don’t.” Bray muttered as he held his sister close, not wanting to let go.
He knew that no matter how much he tried to argue with the younger girl she would always win. That was just the way things were, they always had been. He could tell her not to go but she would anyway, that was why she had planned on leaving without saying a word to him.
Cecilia pulled away from the boy. “How did you find out?”
He looked towards the ground, trying to avoid the girl’s glare. The last thing he wanted was for the girl to bare a hatred towards one of her close friends before she left – never to return.
“Bray. Who told you?”
“Korvin…?”
A sigh escaped her lips as she shook her head. “That tattletale. Can’t he keep anything a secret?” She asked in a raised voice, hoping he was near. But her fake anger quickly subsided as she glanced towards her older companions. They watched her carefully, waiting patiently despite being postponed by the Hinician festival anyways. She returned her attention to Bray. “I have to go now.”
“Let me come too.” He urged as he grabbed onto her arm.
His eyes showed desperation but Cecilia held her ground. “It’s not my decision. Besides, do you think the others will last long with the both of us gone? Bray, you have to stay here to look after everyone else.”
“I just…” He started before he sighed. “Cilia if you leave then I’ll have no family left. You’re the only sister I have!”
The girl shook her head. “That isn’t true Bray. Everyone at the orphanage is your family, they’re our family. They need you more than I do.” She assured him, not fully believing her own words. “I’ll be fine. We’ll see each other again after all this is over, I promise.”
Bray’s smile was empty. He wanted to grab the girl and pull her back to the orphanage; but there was no way that would work. Her strength was much greater than his and she could easily overpower him. “You can’t break a promise.” He seemed to joke before turning serious. “Don’t die.”
Cecilia gave a smile, though sad it was sincere, truthful. “I won’t. You don’t, either.”

After one last hug, Cecilia jogged to re-join the group of adventurers. She gave them a sad smile, similar to the one she gave her brother before leaving him.
“Are you sure you want to leave?” Alexander questioned as he looked towards the male Lyrath that had turned his back towards them, returning to the Western side of the town. Alexander knew what it was like to leave a family member behind forever, but his pain was lesser than that of Lumia, Evan or Cecilia.
She answered with a nod, no longer having the will to speak. Cecilia had hoped to leave the town without running into her friends or brother – she thought it would be easier than having to deal with the goodbyes. The last thing she wanted was for Bray to find out and come searching for her.
The leader nodded, setting off once more towards the copper gate.

No one spoke a word to Cecilia as they left the town. She was left to think over her decision. It wasn’t too late to turn back and return, but she shook her head free of the thought. She had to do this; like something told her that if she didn’t then nothing would change.
This was her journey to seek the truth; and the journey started now.