The Windcaster [Fantasy/Adventure | Featured | Complete ]

Chapter 17: Darkness

Tia hummed to herself as she traipsed around the park. Unlike Mooncliffe, which was built on a lush seaside pasture, Kiramone's green areas were artificial and, in a city filled to the brim with locals, visitors, travellers, and tradesmen, the green spaces were limited.

The garden Tia had wandered into was quiet, a stark contrast to the festivities occurring only a few streets away. It was surrounded by high green hedges and soft, thick grass stretched all the way from the entrance to the small pond sitting at the end. Wooden benches were placed on either side. Beautiful bulbs sprouted in neat, colour-coordinated groups so that they formed the various insignias representing the cities of Dernexes. In the centre of these intricate arrangements was the symbol of the kingdom. The tantalising fragrance wafted to her nostrils and she breathed in deeply, with her eyes closed. The air had begun to cool as the sun set, just peeping over the top of the high stone buildings and staining the sky a violent orange and purple.

Kiramone is so beautiful, Tia thought dreamily, lying on one of the wooden benches and dangling her feet off one end. I wish I could live here forever.

A soft breeze ruffled her brown hair and she closed her eyes again, savouring the comfort. Her stomach rumbled and she giggled out loud, clutching her abdomen. There were still activities that need doing: filling her stomach was first on the list. She sat up straight and lifted the hood over her head again, swinging her feet back onto the grass. The tranquillity of the garden had settled her exhilarated heart and she felt calm and at peace, feeling the bliss her day of freedom had brought.

She made her way back to the busy streets of the colourful city. As the sky further darkened, the oil lamps were lit along the streets, bathing the busy road with an array of colours. Blues and reds and pinks and purples flickered on the moving bodies as people made their way to and from different shops. Shopkeepers were still yelling advertisement for their products, waving banners and strange garments in hopes of attracting passers-by. The shows had started to pack up though; ordinary people emerged from the backstage, make-up-free and wearing normal civilian clothing. The stark contrast with their glamorous, alluring alter-egos was quite depressing.

"An' what fer ye, madam?" growled the owner of the diner Tia had chosen. He wouldn't have looked out of place among the tough, foul-mouthed sailors at Mooncliffe. He had a food-stained apron tied to the front of his bulging stomach. Tia studied the menus scrawled messily on big signs hanging on the walls.

"What is 'beef nodo'?" she wondered out loud.

"'Noodle'," the man corrected.

"Oh. I would like that, please."

The man grunted again, turning back to the kitchen.

Tia hummed to herself, swinging her legs, her elbows resting on the surface of her wooden table. She was the only one sitting by herself in the bistro. All around her were groups of friends, families, and couples. Loneliness nibbled at her.

It would have been so much more fun if Enlil and Mommu had come with me today, she thought gloomily. Even Mommu has become more serious like Enlil now. He does not even do fun things with me anymore. So boring.

She took a big gulp from the tankard placed in front of her. The liquid was cold and bitter and it made her gag, but she defiantly took another mouthful, scowling at the mentally conjured image of Enlil's tanned face showing disapproval.

When the noodles came, she had become quite grumpy and had gone through two refills of her drink already. The dish smelled just as wonderful as all the other food she had come across in Kiramone. Strings of wheat noodles were soaked in a dark brown, rich soup. Thinly-sliced beef wa layered on top and sprinklings of spring onion were scattered at the surface. She tackled the salty cuisine with vigour and swigging regularly from the tankard. The food was indeed delicious and soon alleviated her mood. Having a full belly and quenched thirst dimmed the embers of disgruntlement in her chest. She felt much better, wonderfully sleepy and content.