Guardians: Dark Stars

Chapter 9: What Nightmares Are Made Of

Incipiens could be divided into three separate factions: the merchants, the poor and the rich. Passing merchants had developed a tight system that began and ended in Incipiens City. Salesmen here, unlike anywhere else in the empire, thrived off each other and helped each other wheel in as much revenue as they possibly could. The poor made up a third of the city located to the west of the central trading square. There, houses were poor excuses for single room shacks stacked on top of one another. Clay and mud composed the foundations of old buildings most likely constructed during the violent times that came after the End. Black tar roads were uneven with sinking craters that still smelled heavily of ash and smoke. Cascella's Tavern, like many of the cheaper taverns and bars, was located in this poor district where the beggars ran rampant and the workmen drunk away their sorrows. 

The Wurzberg estate was in the rich part of Incipiens. Only large homes could be found to the east of the trading square. All governmental buildings, such as the ornate city hall, were also found in the more fortunate of the three worlds. Instead of sloppy, wax dripping, candles lining the sides of ratchet structures falling apart at the seams, the rich third of Incipiens had fancy lamps to hold their candles high into the cool night air. There weren't many strangers cruising the smooth brick road that lead to personal castles. Leaving Emily and Cain isolated as they trekked towards the estate. 

Cain quietly explained trivia to her as they persevered the silent streets. The Wurzberg family had been around since before the End. They had been one of the first merchant families to colonize Incipiens and, as legend went, made their living by selling secrets to the warring generals of Kosmos. Many believed that what secrets hadn't been sold were written into a large tome by the paranoid Adelaide Wurzberg, the first Wurzberg 'duchess' to lead her family from the graveyards of struggle to comfortable victory. 

"I need you to steal that book for me," Cain finished ominously. 

"Do world-changing secrets fancy you," Emily yawned nonchalantly, containing her rising motions. 

Details didn't matter much to Emily Ridland. As long as Cain had the coin to repay her, she wouldn't mind doing anything that wouldn't lead her to possibly forfeiting her life. Now that she knew his purpose in destroying Wyatt, it made it all the more easier to comply with him. They had been walking alongside one another until now so it was easy to keep an eye on him. She tried not to squirm under his thoughtful gaze that she could see him directing at her through the corner of her light brown.

"I don't really believe the old stories," he chuckled wistfully.

 "Than why are we doing this," she inquired, her suspicions risen. 

"Wyatt wants the book," he replied softly, "so we're going to get it first."

When they reached the Wurzberg estate, it took Emily all her willpower to keep herself from turning back. Her head felt light as a free-floating feather. Throat dry and scratching, nerves squeamish, she grasped the hilt of her sword in order to help calm the deep pounding of blood in her ears. It was a sizable estate, impressive in relationship to other large homes they had seen on the walk over. Iron gates surrounded it, each few bars lit with a flickering torch. There were many more soldiers keeping watch here than she had encountered at the Coulter mansion. They solemnly patrolled the brick mansion painted over in one uniform color. Just beyond the thick oak doors laced in gold trimming, her past was living a wonderful new life. 

"I can't see much, damn shadows," Cain muttered next to her.

She had found them a good perch to look out from. The Wurzberg's next door neighbors weren't nearly as affluent. These citizens were still in good standing, the garden Cain and Emily hid in more than proof enough, but they weren't important enough for a private army. Ducking under the arms of a couple of old, fruitless pear trees, they were out of sight of the keen guards just up hill.