Legacy

Chapter 24 - Streets filled with whimsy

The next day the prince headed off to explore the city. Kane had agreed that staying day after day in the estate wasn't healthy and as long as he was cautious and didn't go alone then the danger was not too great. Dawn Marie had jumped at the chance to show off the city to her two visitors and while Caladus Thane was less than pleased with her enthusiasm, made no objections to the venture.

The sun shone brightly and set the snowy streets alight with a warm glow. The morning was clean and fresh and people went about their business at a relaxed pace. The Ivory Road was bustling with activity, brightly coloured performers lining the street. Jugglers, fire breathers, acts of sleight of hand, tumblers, bards and poets all performed for the spectacle of the crowds.

All of the artists were given a stipend from the city and played for coins from the passers-by. Those talented enough would be invited to perform at the play houses, taverns, and parlours of the wealthy. All the best acts in the city started here, gained their fame and then wrote their own destiny. The most talented and spectacular act of each year was awarded the beggar's crown, the highest honour the people could bestow on a street performer.

There were little stands and shops throughout selling food and drink, as well as trinkets to entertain and amuse. It stood in stark contrast to the bleak industrial quarter of the city which was a triumph of technology and engineering. Here, there was nothing but whimsy and joy, the pride of people who spent a lifetime perfecting their art.

Dawn Marie's face was filled with laughter as the prince was clearly overwhelmed with the excitement and wonder of it all. He gleefully watched two tumblers dressed in bright yellow outfits that mirrored each other reciting dialogue back and forth while performing rolls, flips, and leaps.

Dawn Marie took the prince's arm in hers and led him to the next act. Kane followed a few steps behind enjoying the festivities and thankful to Laura for arranging for the fine new clothes he now wore. She had excellent taste and, despite himself, he was fond of the black and silver clothes she had chosen for him. During the years on the isolated farm there had been no need for such luxuries. The prince was dressed in imperial blue while Dawn Marie wore a white fur coat and hat. The two looked very happy together.

Perhaps the times of hardship were coming to an end. Caladus Thane's idea of having the prince endure the Rite of Contrition was a good one. It would mean giving up his dreams but he would not be hunted by the Praxis any longer. He could find a new purpose in life, although Kane admitted that it was hard to tell what the prince was thinking these days. His naming day was not far off now and his path would then be set.

There was a man nearby in a hat three sizes too big for him, dressed in black and white stripes handing out papers and pointing people in different directions. He was a guide to the street and there were several similarly dressed men along the road who helped visitors find the acts they most wanted see, as well as advertising any new shows being performed at the play houses.

"Greetings, young master, and to you his fine lady companion. I am Rogio the guide to the Ivory Road. Let me show you to the ways of laughter and whimsy. What is your pleasure today?" one of the men asked the prince and Dawn Marie.

"Go on, it's your first time here. What would you like to see?" Dawn Marie nudged the prince.

"Well, a while back I saw a street performer who was really great if a not little odd." The prince explained.

"We are all half mad and half genius here. What kind of act did they do?" Rogio replied with a flourish.

"Well it changed each day. But on the Day of Stories I think he called it, he did a show with a shadow box."