A Spoiled Rule

Chapter 6

When Liam woke, he felt as if he had just woken from the wreck. It took him a moment to recall that he had already woken up before at Dínam, and he noticed Stephen sitting beside him. Prima was sitting at a table, and when she noticed he was awake, she smiled softly.
Liam realized he had been given a pillow and blanket, and he gently sat up and took the blanket away. "Thank you for this... It was too generous."
"Oh... Well, you needed it," said Prima. She stood, revealing a plate of food sitting behind her. "I brought back some food. It is simply fish and crackers made from organic material... Yet it should sustain you for a while."
Liam stood, and black spots danced before his eyes. He held onto the wall until he steadied, and grabbed the plate from Prima. He thanked her and stared at its contents. The fish seemed well cooked, and he wondered by what means one would cook underwater. "Is there a kitchen somewhere on the sea floor?" wondered the king aloud.
"Volcanic dispenses," replied Prima. "That is how we cook. It may be a little salty, but you will get used to it."
"Liam," said Stephen, "I must go out now and collect data, as you ordered. I do not suggest going out until you can stand steadily, though if you must, I simply suggest to take things slow."
"Thank you, Stephen. Do get some food yourself," said Liam, watching as Stephen secured a mask on his face and left the confines of the cave.
"So," said Prima, sitting down at the table. "How is it that a young king like yourself ended up on the throne?"
Liam took a bite of the fish. He was not accustomed to speaking of his parents outside general formalities. "My mother passed when I was sixteen, and my father when I was twenty. I am their only offspring, and only kin."
Prima frowned. "How can that be?"
Liam took a swig of water from the glass next to his dish. "My family has a history of misfortunes. Sickness seems to cling to our name. My great grandfather died of a heart disease. My grandfather died of leukemia. A disease of the brain took my mother, and pneumonia took my father. No advanced technology nor medical treatment could save them."
"I'm sorry," said Prima quietly.
A brief silence followed, in which Liam took the opportunity to begin asking the questions itching at his brain. "Where is your brother?"
Prima sighed and glanced at the door. "He is at work. Oh!" She straightened. "I nearly forgot. Your housing assignment has been released. You've been given the cave across the commons near the sea floor."
Liam could not help but detect a bitter sourness in Prima's words. "Should I be worried?"
"Oh, no," said Prima, clearing her throat. "You're sharing it with a common thief."
Liam felt as if he were about to undergo a mighty test. Perhaps the king of Dínam suspected that Liam was indeed the king of Harksgold. His first name could aid that suspicion, and perhaps he should not have been so honest. Yet if Liam were able to prove himself as a thief alongside this common one, then perhaps he could convince the king of Dínam that there was nothing special about him. "Well, I shall play the part."
Prima frowned. "That thief is devious, Liam."
"So are my advisors," he said. "How do the escorts work?"
"There's some sort of propellor beneath them that operates on the pressure of water," said Prima shortly. "They're programmed to travel on a strict course. You can stick your head outside and see for yourself."
Liam frowned. Perhaps he should choose his words more carefully. "I did not mean to offend-"
"If you are simply using Gresham and I for information, by all means, do so." Prima folded her arms. "But I will not stand for one who is a user and a taker." She pulled Liam's nearly empty plate away.
Liam straightened. "My intention was not to be a user nor taker, and I apologize if it seemed that way. While I admit I am curious about Dínam, I also enjoy befriending you."
Prima blushed and brushed her dark hair behind her ears. She cleared her throat. "Well, what else would you like to know?"
"Are you restricted to the walls of this cave and the commons?"
Prima scoffed. "Unfortunately, yes. I am under the assumption that the king has a much more lovely restriction..." Her voice trailed off, and Liam detected suppressed information. He leaned forward. "Do you fear speaking of something?"
Prima glanced at him. "It is not fear that is the root of this hesitation... Gresham holds more knowledge of this than I, but I do not know when he will return." She took a deep breath. "This is all of my Dínam, but if I were to be banished, my Dínam would expand."
"You speak of the community your brother mentioned?" asked Liam.
Prima nodded. "I believe it is very large. But we have no contact, for we do not know where they are. This is assuming they survived the banishment. Perhaps their masks broke under pressure of the water. This is what I suspect. One can only last so long out there."
"I have learned that to be optimistic is to be a fool," said Liam softly. "But that is a saying for a king, not for a citizen."
"Perhaps one should invent sayings to fit both king and citizen."
Liam frowned. "You speak of a world with no dominant hierarchy... In my kingdom, I believed there was such a thing, but I recall Chroal and realize that I was believing a lie."
"Chroal?" repeated Prima.
Liam nodded. "It was the poorest quarter of my kingdom, and though I thought I was turning it around, I now believe I was not."
"Well, I like to pretend that my king is protecting us for our own welfare, but I know that he is not," said Prima bitterly. "At least you ruled with dignity. Or so, I presume you did. I do not actually have proof of your dignity."
"I must admit that I am not accustomed to speaking of myself," said Liam quietly.
"There is my proof," said Prima, smiling. After a brief silence she stood and clapped her hands together. "Well, you must get going. The king may find it suspicious if two thieves are not united soon."
"One last question," pressed Liam, standing. "My clothes... How will they hold after being succumbed to all of this water?" He tapped the band on his arm, his mask springing to life.
"They won't," said Prima simply. "I will try and find clothes for you that will last. They look the same, but they are durable."
"And the mask," said Liam, his voice slightly muffled. "Why don't you get the same as me?"
Prima blinked. "Because I am a commoner."
Liam took a breath. "Thank you for your hospitality. I wish your brother a safe return from work."
Prima seemed taken aback by this, but she smiled. "Thank you. The escort is waiting beyond the door, it will take you to the commons. Find the western door, it will take you where you need to go from there."
Liam nodded and turned, stepping through the doorway. He stepped onto the golden plate which carried him slowly back down to the sea floor. As he neared the tall spire of rock, his thoughts drifted toward what Prima had said. She was only a commoner, yet she had saved Liam and been very hospitable. He would expect that from anyone, but commoners tended not to see their effects. It saddened him. Liam watched the disheartening of his people, yet he hadn't done anything to lighten their burdens. It became the downfall of Harksgold. It was only a matter of time before it too became the downfall of Dínam.
The escort stopped at the door of the commons area. Liam grabbed the plate from the sea floor and pushed through the door. Not many people were about as before, and Liam wondered what time it was. Only one or two vendors were open, suggesting it to be either very late or very early. Even the lights seemed to be dimmer than before.
He spotted a door to his left and began for it. He wondered where Stephen could be, if not in the commons. Perhaps he was with the family who rescued him.
He passed rotting tables and an odd man sitting on the sea floor, staring mindlessly above. Liam would have inquired about the man's welfare, but he had the sudden feeling that he was being watched. He glanced around, hopeful for his guards, but saw none and continued. Perhaps King Mettiam was watching.
Through the western door, he set his escort down and rode it through the water, toward another wall of rock looming in the distance. He realized the commons area was truly at the center of Dínam. The king's palace must be on the third side, leaving the fourth open to the dangers of the natural sea.
He was headed toward a cave along the sea floor, curtains of seaweed hanging over the door. He stopped before it and thought to knock, but when no one answered, he pushed through it.
Liam found himself standing in a dark cave lit only by a lamp on the ground. A man was sitting on the floor pouring over papers sprawled across a low table, and Liam was reminded faintly of Harvey. The man lifted his head, greeting Liam with cold, dark eyes. The man groaned and stood. He was shorter than Liam and had dark hair like Gresham and Prima, and there was an untrustworthy look to his face. He smiled, revealing crooked teeth. "My new roommate!" He spread out his arms.
It was then that Liam realized the man's eyes were not cold, but crazy.
"You're the thief I've heard so much of," said Liam quietly, taking off his mask, which dissolved into the band on his wrist.
"You've heard of me?" said the man, walking around the table. He wore baggy pants and no shoes, with an oversized shirt that was torn at the collar. "I must be doing a good job, then." He took a deep breath and scratched at his head before holding out his hand. "The name's Tholam."
Liam shook Tholam's hand. "Liam," he replied.
Tholam rubbed his hands together and sat down on the floor, examining the papers. He gestured for Liam to sit beside him.
"This is my next job," said Tholam. He pointed to a paper displaying some sort of map. "This is the way to the Shamaland. I've made the journey multiple times before. It sits unguarded because masks cannot support the pressure, but pressure is of no issue because I am a thief," he said rather proudly. "So, the plan is that we enter the Shamaland and collect the treasure from the royal vessel that recently sunk."
Liam frowned. "Might I ask a few questions?"
Tholam gave Liam a harsh look. "What sort of thief are you? Your name is Liam?"
Liam nodded.
Tholam rolled the name around. "I haven't heard of many ships going under lately, what with the war. Travel has been restricted..." His eyes widened and he looked at Liam. "You were on that royal vessel!"
Liam's shoulders fell. "Well, yes, but I am by no means the king."
Tholam shook his head. "Well, you must have a good explanation."
"I do, even ask the king! He knows!" Liam's heart was racing. He could not trust this thief like he could Gresham and Prima. "I stole that vessel because of the plague."
Tholam scooted away from Liam and stood, and Liam did as well. "The plague?" Tholam repeated loudly. He began to mutter under his breath like a madman.
"I don't have it!" said Liam assuredly. "I have been examined by a doctor. I do not have it. I am the only one who survived that wreck."
"You come from Harksgold?" asked Tholam. "That beautiful kingdom has gone to waste by the plague?"
Liam's heart saddened.
"All the treasures that kingdom held... now free for the taking!" exclaimed Tholam. He shook his head. "But that temptation must wait. First, we go to the Shamaland!"
"What is the Shamaland?" asked Liam.
Tholam's eyes widened with excitement. "The Shamaland is the most beautiful place in Dínam! It is where most wrecks take place, for that is what happens if you venture out of your restricted path, as you have found. I will go there tomorrow, and you shall come with me! Two thieves, double the treasure! I will show you how it is done beneath the waves!"
"Very well," said Liam. He felt he could ask this man more than he could ask Prima, for this man did not seem to fear questions; he simply disliked ones he could not answer. "How are you able to travel there with your mask?"
"Pfft." Tholam scoffed. "You see this?" He held out his arm, on which sat a rather rugged-looking band made of multiple scraps melted together. "I invented it. It will only support half an hour beyond, but it holds. I can get you one by tomorrow." He sat back down and shivered. "You got me spooked about those zombies! For once, I'm glad I live down here."
Liam sat back down, cautious to avoid talks of the plague. "Where are your parents?"
Tholam frowned. "Do I look that young? I'm a man now." He sniffed. "There was no one else on that ship?"
Liam hesitated. He was missing his guards. He was not comfortable with being truly alone. "Thieves do not have many whom they can trust."
"Nor do they have many whom they can love," said Tholam softly, his eyes glazing over. "We are involved in a dangerous line of work, my friend." He took a deep breath. "My parents left me when I was just a toddler. They made a run for a ghost community."
"The one of escapees and those banished?" clarified Liam.
"So you know," said Tholam softly. "I don't believe in that stuff. How could they even survive? Here in Dínam, this is how you survive. In the dark for more than thirty minutes..." His voice trailed off. "Moving forward, this is what I'll be looking for." He tugged at a piece of paper, on which sat a very detailed drawing and description of a necklace. It seemed to hold one large gem on a chain. "The thieves before left this for me to find. After we scourge that vessel you stole, I'll look for this."
"How long have you searched for this?" asked Liam.
"Two years, now," said Tholam. "But it will be worth it in the end. I would've found it by now had it not been for cheap masks and fish. Was there any valuable treasure on that ship you stole?"
Liam hesitated. The ship held nothing but the knife, which was now in the hands of the king. "Not that I could find."
"Well, we shall search it, anyways," said Tholam.
Liam took in the other papers on the desk. Besides the necklace and the map, there was a drawing of what appeared to be a large room with multiple shelves and lamps, and large chests and a door at the back of the space. In the corner was the name Thorne. "Who is Thorne?"
Tholam smiled. "That's me. I like to give myself different names. You know, ones that don't end with the same letters as every other man."
"That is not how it is in Harksgold," said Liam. "My name happens to be a convenient coincidence."
Tholam appeared shocked, his jaw dropped. "Really? That is... That is unheard of. Every woman in Dínam must have a name ending in 'ma', and every man, 'am'. It is... boring. But... I wonder... What are the names like in Harksgold?"
"Well, I have a friend named Stephen," Liam began. "I knew a man named Jackson. My mother was called Isabelle."
"Isabelle," Tholam repeated. "How... beautiful."
"Would you prefer me to call you Thorne?" asked Liam.
Tholam smiled. "I'd prefer that, yes."
"So... Do you know much about the king?" asked Liam. Whether he were being watched or not, he was not planning on staying in Dínam forever, and he also knew that the king was most likely toying with him. It was only a matter of time before the king caught up to Liam.
Thorne frowned. "I try to keep my distance with the king. I'm a thief."
"We have legends in Harksgold... Ones of the king," said Liam. "Have you heard any?"
Thorne narrowed his eyes. "No... Our king is a private man. There is... There is a blade rumored by some, though most who spoke of it have perished seeking it."
"What have you heard of this blade?" asked Liam.
"It is golden, and sacred to Dínam," said Thorne. "It was lost during the early war, to Harksgold..." Thorne narrowed his eyes and tensed. "Why do you ask of this blade, thief of Harksgold?"
"Because I found the blade, though the king took it from my possession," said Liam simply.
There was a long pause, during which Thorne sat dumbfounded, jaw dropped. Finally he leaned in close and said, "Did you happen to tear off the leather on the handle?"
Liam frowned. "Why would I do such a thing?"
Thorne sighed, and his shoulders slumped. "There is supposedly a name carved into the inside of the leather. The name is said to be of a man who tried to kill the late king of Dínam."
Liam did not understand the importance of this blade. According to the king, whom he could not trust, the blade was planted in the ship to tell of its maker. Liam felt it held more significance. Perhaps, before the mad scientist was thrown into the sea, he left a blueprint for the portmaster, in which case Liam's arrival was to be expected. Or perhaps it truly had belonged to a man who'd tried to kill the previous king of Dínam. There were many unknowns to be discovered, and Liam wasn't sure to whom he could go to obtain the information he sought.
"I shall get started on the building of your special mask," said Thorne.
"Special mask?" asked Liam, glancing at the band on his wrist. "I already have one."
Thorne snorted. "Not even that mask will last long in the Shamaland." He stood and moved over to a shelf in the wall, grabbing various odd tools.
"How many kings have there been of Dínam?" asked Liam.
Thorne actually laughed, and a tool clattered to the ground. "All are curious of that. Parents don't speak of any kings before the last one to rule. We do not see much of our king, but why should we? I am sure he is a busy man."
Liam took note of the defense.
Thorne held out his hand expectantly.
Liam frowned. "I don't know why you hold out your hand," he said bluntly.
"Your band," said Thorne.
Liam took off the band around his wrist and gave it to Thorne, who placed it on the table over his papers. "I will begin the process." He grabbed the lamp off the floor and placed it close to his face, and stabbing Liam's mask.
Liam took note of the table. It was the only piece of furniture in the room, and it was not rotten like Gresham and Prima's. "Where did you find a table like that one?"
Thorne smiled. "Stole it," he said simply. "Now, do not distract me. This is very dangerous."