A Spark Against the Shadows (Book Two) Fully Released

Chapter XIII - First steps to a plan

Alexis sat on the edge of a short stone wall as she stared down at her feet. She wrapped the small cloak around her body in the frosty morning air. Alexis looked to her right as she glared up at the black stone castle deeper into the city. Shaking her head, she groaned as she stretched her back before hearing a slight jingle of coin from behind her. "You ready to head further in?" asked Sonya as Alexis turned her body to see her moving a small coin pouch in front of her face.

"So, you could get some coin for the horse?" asked Alexis while Sonya walked up next to her.

Sonya reached down before placing the pouch of coin into the pack on Alexis's hip. She held the pack open and turned to see Alexis staring off into the distance. "Did you get enough rest?"

While Sonya tied the pack shut, Alexis nodded before directing the fire caller up to the black stone castle in the distance. The castle loomed behind several buildings leading up to its walls that laid deeper within the city. Alexis lifted herself off the wall and stood with the rising sun before fixing her the fabric over her head.

Sonya took a step closer and glanced around to see the different red iron soldiers and civilians walking the streets. "Do you have a plan to get in touch with this resistance or a way into that castle?"

Alexis shook her head in response as she walked towards the black castle while Sonya followed her step by step. The two continued to move in the castle's direction for a few minutes in silence before the two of them reached a small marketplace as the sun peaked over the houses with the city. Alexis stopped as two soldiers moved in front of her before quickly stepping to the side. The two soldiers appeared to ignore her.

She shook her head as she focused on the marketplace. Seeing the walls covered in green plants and flowers over every stall. "Not what I was expecting within the city of a King about to start a war. Not to mention the stone black castle in the distance," said Sonya as she placed her hand on Alexis's shoulder.

"Just remember, even Damira had an underbelly like Akar and he hunted Kota down across the land because we did not deliver that Gem," said Alexis as she followed Sonya into the small crowd.

Alexis reached down, feeling the mark of Damira on her right wrist under the wrappings. "Even the light holds its own shadows."

Sonya nodded her head in agreement as the two weaved through the crowds before stopping in front of a stall covered in fruits and vegetables. Getting the vendors' attention, she asked for a few apples and the two of them exchanged coin and merchandise. Sonya turned to Alexis and asked, "Speaking of which, did Cordelia tell you what she is after? Some Relic, right?"

"Yes. A Relic within Mara, but she did not go into further detail before she... well, did whatever she did to me," explained Alexis as she grabbed the pear from Sonya and took a big bite.

Sonya placed the rest of the fruit into a small pack before placing an apple in her mouth. She kept it within her teeth while she closed the pack and placed it back on her shoulders. Reaching up, she finished her bite as Alexis walked past her and got the attention of the vendor. "Would you know where a library would be?"

"Yeah, just over that way. A big building with a stain glass window above the door," said the man as he turned slightly pointing closer to the castle before turning back to the two of them and added, "Not sure if they would let you two in, you two do not appear to be the scholarly type."

The man finished his sentence as Alexis took a step closer to the man. "What does that mean?"

"No offense, but the torn clothes and the lack of supplies just are telling another story is all. I mean no offense," said the man as he took a stride back.