Engineer's Empire: Aether and Abyss: Chapter 12

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Chapter 12

"It's like a fortress," Tyler noted. Indeed, the outside of the palace of Brickton, with its sweeping wings and high domed center was guarded by an army of guards. Some wore the black and crimson of Brickton, others wore the regalia of whatever noble they were accompanying. With bandits and brigands out on the road, nobles knew better than to travel without an armed escort.

"I don't see how on Jorth we could possibly get in there," Jeffrey admitted. Slade was staring at the gates and fences.

"We could use a hook and rope to scale the wall," Slade suggested.

"And do what when one of the guards sees us? And probably shoots us," Tyler replied. Slade sighed.

"We could catapult over," Slade grinned. Tyler stared at Slade for a moment.

"You go first," Tyler answered.

"Whatchya doing?" a voice said from behind them. All three spun around. The boy had long dark hair. Now he wore a tunic and tartan of red and green. He was about their age, although taller than only Jeffrey, with bright, mischievous eyes. A gold medallion was affixed to his shoulder, depicting a the face of a gryphon. They all gulped upon seeing the medallion. Whoever this person was, they only knew one thing about him. He was a noble. Although where he was standing in the shadows, they could not make out his face.

Tyler turned and ran. Jeffrey stood frozen in place. Slade looked at both of his friends and offered a sheepish wave.

"Um, hello."

The other boy chuckled.

"Thinking of sneaking into the Masquerade?" the boy asked. Slade looked over his shoulder back at the palace.

"What? Us? No...." Slade replied, shaking his head and hoping he sounded convincing. The other boy folded his arms. Slade rocked back and forth on his heels, not sure what to say. He looked over at Jeffrey, fairly certain that Jeffrey had stopped breathing. He nudged Jeffrey, who inhaled for the first time in several moments, startling Slade. The other boy chuckled. This laugh was not the usual, derisive sound that came from people of rank above Slade, which was pretty much everyone. It was a clear, joyous sound. Slade looked at the boy.

"We weren't really going to," Slade said.

"And why not? I think that sounds like a great adventure, breaking into the Grande Masquerade," the boy declared. Slade did not move, still not sure what to do next. He looked at the boy for a long moment. The fancy clothes and the hair pulled back had confused him in the dim light. He stepped closer, revealing his face.

"You're Xander!" Slade exclaimed, then covered his mouth to keep from bringing the palace guard down on his head. The boy chuckled and held out his hand.

"Xander ap Iorworth, of Tredegar. At your service," Xander said.

"Are you going to turn us in?" Jeffrey asked.

"Turn you in? I'm going to help you," Xander said.

"Help us? Why would you help us?" Slade asked.

"Honestly? Because it sounds fun," Xander answered. Jeffrey shrugged.

"Sounds about as good a reason as any," Jeffrey admitted, looking around.

"Where's Tyler?" he asked.

"He took off when he saw Xander," Slade said.

"Huh," was Jeffrey's only reply, looking in the direction Tyler had disappeared. After a few moments of awkward silence, Slade decided to make introductions.

"I'm Slade. This is Jeffrey," Slade said. Xander inclined his head. Slade and Jeffrey bowed in return. Xander held a hand up to his chin.

"That never stops being awkward," Xander murmured to himself.

"What? Did we do it wrong?" Jeffrey asked, looking over at Slade.

"No no. You're fine. It's just the bowing thing. Or having people bow to you. It's just... weird. I think anyway. Especially when older people bow to me. That just seems strange to me for some reason. You think I'd be used to it by now," Xander said. Slade and Jeffrey glanced at each other.

"Everything alright?" Xander asked.

"Yeah. No. You just... don't act like any noble we've ever met," Jeffrey admitted.

"What am I doing differently?" Xander asked.

"You haven't hit us with anything or told us to remove ourselves from your presence yet," Slade answered. Xander waved this off.

"Remove yourselves... who says that anymore? Wait, did you say hit?" Xander said. Slade and Jeffrey nodded.

"Who? When?" Xander demanded. The other two shrugged.

"Whoever. Depends on the day really," Jeffrey answered.

"It happens that often?" Xander asked. Slade and Jeffrey exchanged uncertain looks. Without enthusiasm, Jeffrey kicked at a pebble. Slade and Xander locked eyes for a moment. Xander tilted his head, as though intrigued by whatever he saw there. After a moment, he held up his hands.

"I think I have my answer."

Xander sighed and walked toward the city. He put one foot up on a rock ledge, staring at Brickton Manor. The other boys turned and stared down the slope of the ridge at the gates of the palace. Torches lit the walkways from every entrance, bathing the gardened estate in an orange glow. Night blooming jasmine hung from the gates along the inner courtyard, dappling the air with their sweet aroma.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Slade said at last. Xander looked over at Slade.

"Yeah, it sure is," Xander said. He scratched the back of his head.

"Look, I can't take away whatever bad things were done to you. I wish I could. But I can offer my friendship, and promise not to hit you. Unless you're attacking me or something, then I will unleash the fury!" Xander said, striking a dramatic pose and lifting his fist into the air. Slade and Jeffrey blinked. Xander brought his arm back down at his side.

"Anyway... let's get you some outfits, shall we?" Xander suggested. Slade and Jeffrey looked puzzled.

"Oh, and... where's your friend?"

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