Shadow Bands

II. Prominence

Golden leaves drifted onto the manicured green of the Garden, a place of false peace that resided in the Second Ring of the great kingdom of Kogeer. It was a courtyard and a place of meditation at the heart of the Grand Senate building, providing deceptive cushion and shade from the relentless duties of the politicians inside.

The afternoon sun was giving way to the cold wake of night, and the daggering wind of autumn had arrived.

"Aeris," a woman's voice called, laced with impatience. "It's getting dark, sweetie. You know how cold it gets."

A couple of giggles scattered from the bushes.

"Shhh," one voice whispered. "They're almost out." The thick foliage buffered the wind, leaving only a cool breeze to rustle the leaves of their hiding spot.

"Girls, you're going to catch a cold." The lady emerged from around a tall cedar, her lips pursed. Her flowing gray dress was severe, and her golden hair was pulled back into an ornate headdress. It was the uniform of power.

"Hold on, mother. Lyra and I want to see the stars."

"Both of you can view the stars anywhere, Aeris. What makes the Garden so different?"

"The serenity. No light pollution. That kind of thing."

"Serenity?" Her mother laughed, a sharp, practiced sound. "You're talking serenity when Lyra is around."

Lyra shot up from where they lay, her fiery red hair swaying. Her green eyes narrowed above a challenging smirk. "Senator Veil, what is that supposed to mean?"

"It seems you know exactly what I mean. Need I ask your mother how many windows she had to repair since you've been tinkering?" Senator Veil lifted an arm, a silent command for Aeris to approach. Before the afternoon sun vanished behind the Montenyu mountain range, Aeris's long golden hair, much like her mother's, shone brightly. Her white dress, formal but simple, was lined with gold—a muted version of her mother's grandeur. "Come now. The Senate has gathered, and this one I cannot miss. You still have much to learn, Aeris."

Senator Veil turned to Lyra. "You should get home. Aeris will likely be there tomorrow, knowing her." She giggled to herself, satisfied.

Lyra watched them walk away toward the towering Senate building. Lyra couldn't help but smile; thanks to her discovery of electrical energy, the Kingdom of Kogeer had a sufficient and brighter light source than that of fire. The new lights illuminated the colossal structure, its many windows shining from within—a beacon of her creation.

Aeris walked one full pace behind her mother, at an angle that let her peer past the senator's commanding profile. The hall was a relentless echo chamber of power. Senators and diplomats from allied nations bustled past, giving Senator Veil the low, respectful bow of the head she demanded without asking.

Guards in polished gray armor stood at perfect attention along the walls, their swords rested in front of them, the tips of their scabbards tapping the marble. Aeris hurried to keep up, the polished purple carpet stretching down the endless corridor. Rampart arches soared over them, their white interior reminding Aeris of a suffocating rib cage of stone.

Senator Veil finally stopped at a massive door. Aeris peered out a nearby window, feeling the immediate vertiginous drop; she couldn't see the ground, only the hazy lights of the lower rings below. The guards bowed deep and opened the doors.

The room was vast, an enormous reception area with a few stairs leading down to a tiered balcony. Plush lounge seats sat near the edge, overlooking the main Senate Chamber. A plethora of identical balconies lined the dark, cavernous hole of the chamber, already filled with allies and dignitaries.