Flames (Book 3)

Chapter 36: Aron

Here's a beautiful fan cover for Glitches made by the amazing VictoriaRobinson64. Thank you for your support of the series, and I appreciate all that you've done for it!

Merry Christmas to all of you wonderful readers! You guys are some of my favorite people ever, and I hope you have a memorable day with your families and friends filled with snow, food, presents, and other awesome things. 

I send you all a shower of virtual truffles and candy canes.

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If Wellae had been big, Glaisse was colossal. 

As we stepped out of the ship, I was forced to crane my neck to get a good look at the city. The majority of it was built high above my head, on hovering Aural platforms and amidst hovercraft. The air traffic, which somehow flowed at an alarmingly fast rate despite the unbelievable amount of flying vehicles that zigzagged across the sky, blocked out most of the available sunlight. However, the lack of natural light was easily compensated for by advanced Aural lighting that perfectly imitated the heat and glow of the sun's rays. 

Hordes of Lessaenites filtered in and out of the spaceport with incredible grace- the most orderly crowd I had ever seen. The removable roof of the waiting area to which the passengers on our ship had been redirected after the landing of our spacecraft allowed for an unobstructed view of the beautiful city. 

"Put your head down," Rory hissed, shocking me out of my reverie. 

"What?" I frowned. 

"You've been staring at the sky for a full five minutes, now. It makes you look like an idiot."

"This is probably the only chance I'll ever get to observe the Empire's technological hub. Just because the Icehearts are power-hungry brats doesn't mean I can't appreciate their superior architecture!" 

"Not so loud!" Rory gave me a warning look. "We're less than three miles from the Ice Queen." 

I nodded, understanding her point as I looked around the waiting area, trying to appear as casual as possible as I silently made sure that all of us had safely arrived. Sure enough, what remained of the White Hot Flame was scattered throughout the open space, huddled together in small groups of two or three in order to avoid attracting unwanted attention. All of us were dressed in our best, which was, in Flame terms, defined as anything that wasn't ripped or covered in stains. 

"So, where are we going to hide nine hundred people?" I asked. 

"Lady Myers told me that the servants are willing to let us use their quarters for a few nights. After all, they love Princess Tara. They'd do anything for her." 

"Yeah," I smiled. "That's nice. So, has the Order decided who's going on the actual mission?" 

"Well, you're an obvious choice for Mission Commander," Rory laughed. "According to what I've heard, they want Ashlynn and me on the team. Sophie's going to be our on-base support. Well, not on-base, but you know what I mean."

"Yeah," I nodded. "And the Glitches?" 

"They're going to be in charge of tracking Viviana's receptors. Those will be able to tell us where she is, if she's alright, and what she's found during her time in the palace." 

"That's good," I said. Everything was falling into place very well. If only my stupid brother would just show up, for once...

I was shaken out of my thoughts by an unfamiliar Lessaenite woman, who bumped into me quite conspicuously. 

"Sorry," I muttered, stepping away from her. Yet, she didn't leave my side, staring at me until we made eye contact. Her fiery, red eyes instantly locked on mine, as if trying to communicate a powerful message. It was only then that I realized who she was. Her Aural Illusions had truly worked wonders.

"Start heading to Icicle Hall," Lady Myers whispered discretely in my ear. "You, your sister, and the Order will be attending the Icehearts' Pre-Festival Banquet. If we hurry, we won't be late." 

"What? Why?" I groaned. The last thing I wanted to do was sit through a long, boring Iceheart banquet. Even watching them on Auraview had been torturous. 

"We need to know the layout of the castle if we're going to effectively plan and execute a mission that is centered around it. This banquet is our earliest chance to scout it out, under the cover of a gigantic crowd. Of course, as guests, we won't have access to the inner halls, where all of the relevant people will be dining, but the servants will be able to take care of that part for us. Now, go." 

This came as an immeasurable relief. At least, since it was now an official part of the mission, I would have something to do at the banquet other than sitting around and staring at the backs of people's heads. 

Checking to make sure I had all of my luggage, which consisted of a single backpack, I began to make my way out of the spaceport and into the blindingly bright streets of the Empire's capital city. Finding my way to Icicle Hall was not difficult, because nearly every stream of traffic, pedestrian, ground, and air alike, was headed to the Banquet. 

Rory and I, after stepping out onto a sidewalk, were swept toward the center of the city almost without even having to try. The high turrets of Icicle Hall grew larger and larger as we approached the grand structure.

"Young folks these days," I heard an elderly Lessaenite spit at my back. "Showing up to an Imperial banquet in nothing but their disgraceful, casual clothing." 

Casual is better than nearly torn to shreds. 

We neared the tall, outer gates of the palace, which were now protected by double the number of Ice Guards. It seemed that the Queen had the good sense to appoint extra security for the occasion. That could definitely prove to be inconvenient, but it was nothing that we couldn't handle. 

Taking in a deep breath, I ducked my head, passing effortlessly through the gates along with the throngs of Lessaenites who had come before us. 

It was time.