Blood & Honour [Book Four of The City of Eternity Series] [✔]

4.12: Winding

For the most part, the streets of Eternity were created perfectly; smooth cobbled stones with seamless edges with symmetrical lamp posts lighting every pavement area. The carefully arranged cobbles glistened slightly under the soft, warm glow of the streetlights. The walls were different shades of sandstone, their hues ranging from pale gold to deep amber, often decorated with baskets of flowers or shutters on every window. The flowers, vibrant and meticulously tended, added bursts of colour and life to the otherwise uniform architecture. The buildings had been rebuilt from scratch to mark the occasion of peace; each one was designed to adhere to the message we were trying to create—togetherness, lawful togetherness. The clean lines and orderly aesthetics were a testament to the city's new beginning, a visual representation of its ideals.

The street outside of my house had many options in terms of travel, which offered a way to confuse me. Narrow alleyways branched off the main road, disappearing into shadows, while broader avenues beckoned with their inviting lamplight, "Where are we going exactly?" I questioned as the woman created a winding path that looped through narrow passageways and down roads I'd never had the pleasure of experiencing. With every turn, she seemed to make a calculated movement; avoiding the keen eyes of anyone on the streets, and moving too quickly for me to comprehend her actions. The streets were mostly empty, save for the occasional passerby who seemed to melt into the background as quickly as they appeared.

"That's not important, Sebastian." She had answered the earlier question, two streets away from where I'd asked it. I was evidently not her top priority in the current situation, and it showed. The quick look she'd turned to give me showed me vividly how she felt about travelling with me; suspicious disdain which was further highlighted by her next comment, "What is important is why your interest in the revolution has perked up since the meeting."

The statement seemed like a question I wasn't sure whether or not to answer. I hadn't quite decided on an answer that would fit this particular situation. The buildings around us loomed tall and imposing, their windows darkened, offering no clues or comfort. When I had agreed to aid Aubrey and Alaric, I didn't assume I'd be taken from the bed in the night and thrown onto the streets of Central with little knowledge of my whereabouts. The air was cool and crisp, a slight breeze rustling the leaves of the few trees planted along the avenues. I had decided to reiterate the same message that I'd relayed to Damiro, that had gotten me in this state of affairs in the first place, "I found the meeting eye-opening."

She snorted, her scepticism evident. The pace she set was relentless, her steps echoing off the cobblestones, an interrupting the calming silence that enveloped the city. Her green eyes flicked around, ever-watchful, ever-suspicious, as if expecting an ambush at any moment. The tension between us was palpable, a silent tug-of-war of mistrust and necessity. I struggled to keep up, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of my surroundings and her cryptic remarks.

The further we went, the more the city revealed itself. Hidden courtyards, with their ornate fountains and lush greenery, hinted at a forgotten grandeur. The scent of jasmine and freshly turned earth mingled with the distant hum of nightlife. Every so often, we'd pass by a bustling tavern, its rowdy patrons spilling out onto the streets, their laughter and chatter echoing through the hollowed city walls that surrounded us. In these brief moments, I caught glimpses of a city alive and thriving beneath the surface, a city that, despite its peaceful facade, held secrets and stories in every shadowed corner.