Crescent (Old Version)

+ Part 54 +

The cliff was a massive hollowed out circle cut into the side of the mountains. Carved into it, there were several other docks just like the one we stood in, each what I could only guess was a mile mark. They were busy with coal-blackened workers bussing crates or unloading barrel loads from the chain and pulley system that seemed to connect it all. The pulley chugged along at a snail's pace, but the sound was loud enough, it reverberated around us, shaking the cliff, filling the town.

One of the gargantuan metal barrels passed us slowly, and as I came nearly shoulder to shoulder with the Butcher, I realized what what inside. Gems. Stones, uncut dusty jewels all of variety and size.

We were standing at the heart of all the realm's wealth. And I doubted a single person in town was even really aware of it.

The Butcher plucked a jagged green stone from the bunch, tossing it between his palms before he brought it too his mouth and bit down with a clank. "Tough as nails, this is. Only part of how ye know it's real." Butcher pushed the stone into my hand, and I grimaced as the wet stone glistened up at me. "Won't scratch ver' easy."

I dared to look over the edge of the floorboards where the ground just dropped off. Falling from this height would be fatal. "Does this mine run all the time?"

"Most days. Everything closes down on Blesses Day, 'course."

I handed the jewel back and stuffed my hands in the pocket of my coat as I inclined my head toward Moira. "Well, I think it's time we had a look at what we came for."

Moira nodded, and Butcher gave another wholly smile. "Right. This way then."

He lead us back toward the corner he'd first appeared from and when he unlatched a door there, we stepped back out into the snow. We fell behind Butcher as he made a direct path to another larger-looking dock just like the one we'd come from.

As soon as we came upon the door, I was hit with another wave of what smelled like magic. The door creaked open, and once inside, I found that there were true walls this time. Tables and tables in every direction sat full with metal tools and saws. A layer of dust, saw dust, coated everything, and when Butcher turned right and led us toward the space at the back of the work shop, his boots left tracks. He seemed to know his way around, and as we passed a couple of unloaded chests of half-cut gems, I realized that his name was probably rather fitting. A butcher of stone, cutter of gems.

I stopped in my tracks when our destination came into view: a room toward the back with glass walls and bright fluorescent lights. I've been here before...

Only last time, my mother was waiting inside for me.

Something felt heavy in my gut, and I watched at Butcher propped open the door and let Moira inside. My mother was gone, but the room was now filled with glass vases of flowers and tables had been arranged with rich bolts of fabric and décor I'd seen looking through catalogues.

"Brenna?" Moira called, watching me expectantly from inside.

I somehow brought myself inside. There was no sign that she'd ever been here, and part of me wondered if coming here had somehow been part of some cruel joke on Ceth's part. Moira's brows creased together looking at me as Butcher went off on a tangent, listing in-detail all the different selections we'd chosen to view. He picked up a few pieces, rolling them out on display.

But, I didn't care about any of it. I didn't care about the gala, didn't care about the party or the celebrations or whatever ceremonies or rites Ceth had planned. I only cared about my family. Damn the rest of it.

I didn't want to think or look at any of it anymore, and as Butcher opened another chest of things to look at, I snapped. "These will do. Moira will check over everything and we can arrange transportation for the rest." I turned towards the door again.