Ash and Coal

Chapter 2

Past

"Why do they have a cow stable so high up?" Leiv inquired. His wide, green eyes roved over the abandoned stalls in wonder. The cobwebs and dust swirled in the air as the pair departed from the empty rooms.

"How do you think our people were getting up the tower when it was first built? It would take us three days to reach the top if we took the stairs. Five cows could pull up a pulley system with ease," Ira explained. Her braids swayed around her heart shaped face. She gave her companion a swift glance before busying herself with the new set of rooms.

The servant boy was dressed in a loose, green tunic that brought out the colour of his twinkling eyes. Ira felt underdressed in her stuffy uniform in comparison. She peered down at the dreary colours in dismay.

Despite her initial reluctance Ira had taken up the mantle of a guide earnestly. She had given her fellow servant a detailed tour of the tower leaving no stone unturned. The whispers of her fellow palace workers trailed after the pair but Ira felt too dignified to respond to the rumours and leering.

"Hmm... I suppose they've found coal to be a better at manoeuvring the lifting mechanism," Leiv murmured. His nimble hands gently glided over the button that would open the wooden doors. The floating platform would lead them to any floor of their choosing.

"I'm impressed. Not many understand the intricacies of how this tower functions," The servant girl said with curious tilt of the head. She observed the man's flawless face until she realised she was staring. She cleared her throat as Leiv saved her dress from being shredded in the closing door.

"Well, the cows are gone and the coal mine is working at full throttle. I cannot fathom any other resource which would be efficient," The ash haired boy answered. His eyes shone with glee leaving Ira uncertain whether he found her mishap amusing or her constant staring. Neither of the options was acceptable.

"Without the coal the whole palace shall come to a frightful stop. We would have no means to go down," Ira muttered. She could a frisson of embarrassment at her constant distraction.

"What a load of effort for a silly tower. Couldn't the ancients have built the palace horizontally. There's miles of barren land around us," Leiv complained. The wooden platform clanked as it transported them to a new floor.

"I've never seen the shaking mountain erupt fire but it's meant to one day. It's still alive and shakes. This tower is meant to save us from its wrath," Ira replied the oft repeated tale with grave intensity. She bit her lip at the thought of being crushed beneath liquid fire.

"Only those who live in the palace. I imagine the villagers are on their own," The boy's expression remained bleak. Ira remained vigilant and kept a close eye on their surroundings. Their topic of discussion could be considered treason.

The servant girl could see the point Leiv was making. The villagers at the bottom of the tower dwelt in hollow caves, miles underneath the ground. The liquid fire would find them no matter how deep they dug. It was another facet of the ungenerous king who did not deem them worthy of saving.

"Do you wish to see the secret passageway? It was built during the time when the palace was sacked and pillaged by invaders," Ira asked, suddenly. She wished to forget the topic at hand for she missed Leiv's wide smile. He looked unrecognisable without it.

"Invaders?" Leiv asked with interest.

Ira led him to a shiny, suit of armour dressed in Royal colours. The servant girl tugged at the armour and an opening appeared next to it. Leiv whistled but Ira's quick hands hauled him inside with a hand over his mouth.