Sky Forever

Chapter 5: First Stop

We docked the System Uncontrollable on the side of the Infant Mountains. We then made our way down the hill towards the large, sparkling city of Entrevale. The Icicle could be seen towering above the city, shining in the midday sunlight. The Icicle was the Emperor Rod Grimm V's palace. It was placed in the centre of the city, surrounded by many white buildings. Entrevale was a pleasant place. Although, it had a history of unusual deaths occurring to its emperors. For example, Rod Grimm III, the fourth emperor, died when he broke his back falling down some stairs in the palace.

“So, how are we planning on speaking to the emperor?” I asked, as we approached the city gates.

“We’ll ask around, see if anyone has any links to him,” Amber said, “or if anyone’s got a way to arrange a meeting with him.”

“First stop, an inn.” Ryder said, “They always have information in those places.”

“Yeah but they always con you into buying a drink” Amber replied, “How much money have we got with us?”

“I only brought 10 gold pieces. The rest is on the ship.” Ryder told her.

“10 pieces isn’t going to get us far…” Amber said.

“Well, it’s lucky I brought this then.” Ryder reached into his bag and brought out a small wooden instrument.

“Is that a flute?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Ryder answered, “There’s always a spot in every town or city where people pay you money to play music!”

“In Ryder’s case, they pay him to stop.” Amber butted in.

“Anyway, it should get us a few more coins.” Ryder said, choosing to ignore Amber’s statement.

We reached the gate. Two guards were there to greet us.

“Are you citizens of the city?” One of them asked.

“No, we’re visitors.” Ryder answered.

“What is the nature of your visit?” The other guard asked.

There was a pause.

“We’re just on vacation.” Amber said, smiling.

“Can I see your travel packs please?” The guard replied.

A travel pack is something each person has to have in order to enter a city. It contained information on who you were and where you came from.

Ryder and Amber got theirs out, but I realised that I didn’t have one. I had lost it, along with all my other possessions, when Homunculus had captured me. All I had was the t-shirt, trousers and boots that I was wearing at that moment. Then something unexpected happened.

“I have his as well,” Amber said, pointing to me, “He’s always losing it, so I have to keep it for him.”

She got another pack out her bag and handed it to the guard.

“Ryder Jones, Amber Thorn…” The guard read out, “And Gregory Fiddle.”

I stood, mouth slightly open.

“This is you three, correct?” The guard asked.

“Correct!” Amber said.

“Alright” The guard replied, handing the packs back, “You’re free to go through.”

He signalled to someone above on the wall and the gate started opening. We walked through into the beautiful streets of Entrevale.

“Gregory Fiddle?!” I blurted out, as soon as we were out of earshot of the guards.

Amber and Ryder both laughed.

“We carry around a couple of fake travel packs,” Amber explained, “Just in case things like that happen.”

“And you chose Gregory Fiddle for me?!” I exclaimed.

 “It was either that or Fiona Diamond!” Ryder said.

“Right, let’s get to the inn then.” Amber said.

We eventually made it to the nearest inn, after several directions from locals. It was another white building with a sign hanging over the door that read “The Whisperer’s Station”. It was accompanied with a painting of an old woman, wearing a pointed hat.

It was dark inside compared to the sunny exterior; the place was laden with shadows and seemed slightly eerie to me. There were people of all shapes and sizes scattered around the room, some at the bar, some sitting at tables, some playing various board games. But they all had one thing in common: everyone here looked extremely unkempt. They all had unwashed hair, missing teeth or dirty clothes. It made me feel unclean just to look at them, and I had spent a week in a prison cell just two days earlier.

I followed Ryder and Amber to the bar. We all sat down and ordered drinks. I looked around and found that I was sat next to an old man wearing a brown, floppy hat and sporting a rather large, dishevelled beard.

“Or’ight, sonnie?” He growled.

“Yeah…good thanks.” I replied, although it came out as more of a squeak.

My nose wrinkled up at the smell of him as he looked me up and down with his eyes, one of which was glass.

“Whut brings ya ta these ‘ere parts?” He asked me, “Ya look like a whippersnapper!”

He chuckled slightly, which turned into a hacking cough.

“Well, me and my friends are on holiday here…” I replied, once he’d finished spluttering his guts up onto the bar.

“Great place to visit is ol’ Entr’vale.” He said. He took a long slurp out of his murky glass.

I looked over at Amber and Ryder who were deep in conversation about whether anyone in here would have connections to the palace.

Great, looks like I’m stuck talking to this guy, I thought.

I turned back to him.

“So…do you come here often?” I asked, politely.

“E’rry Goddamned day.” He replied, gruffly, “T’ wash away the sorrow…”

“What sorrow?” I asked.

“Me wife died…” He said, “And both me kids went wit’ ‘er.”

“I’m so sorry…” I said, wishing I hadn’t asked, “Do you mind if I ask how?”

“YER, AH DO!” He boomed at me, spittle flying out of his mouth in several directions.

I coiled back.

One guy from a nearby table quickly stood up and came over. He placed a hand on the old man’s shoulder.

“Come on, Jeremy, that’s enough for today.” He said to the man.

Then he turned to me.

“I’m so sorry. My uncle gets a bit drunk sometimes…starts telling stories about how his family has died.”

“You mean, they haven’t died?” I asked.

“He never had one,” The man replied, as Jeremy skulked off towards the door, “I’m the closest he’s got.”

And with that, he left too.

I turned back round to the others.

“Just a quick assumption, but I don’t think anyone here knows the emperor…” I said to them, quietly “Or even knows who the emperor is, for that matter!”