The Golden Throne

Chapter 28: Madam Zeno

"There it is," Hilbert whispered, "the floating city."

The three of them were flying on their Pokemon. Down below was a massive lake with a city at its centre. From up here, Hilbert could see that its buildings were very old-fashioned. There were no modern skyscrapers like the ones at Castelia or Adaru City. Instead, the place had a strong Renaissance-like aesthetic.

"Wow..." Hilda gasped in wonder.

"Hilda, remember, we're not here for sightseeing," Hilbert said.

"Of course," she replied. "Brave, take us down there!"

***

"So how do we find Madam Zeno?" Kye asked as they were walking through the city plaza. Despite its traditional setting, Thamis City was not left behind in technological advancements. The people here were walking up and about the streets of the city with their mobile phones and Xtransceivers.

"It shouldn't be hard; Yannick did say that Madam Zeno is a well-known figure in this city. We'll just ask around," Hilbert stated.

"Woah, look at that!" Hilda pointed excitedly at a water taxi docked at the edge of the plaza. There were water taxi services to transport people to other parts of the city. The city was not a singular mass, instead, it was broken up into many districts that were scattered around the centre of the lake. The only thing linking these districts were water taxis and bridges.

"Don't get distracted, Hilda," Hilbert turned to her.

"R-Right," Hilda muttered and kept quiet. She looked over her shoulder to see a couple taking a water taxi across a waterway. She watched the girlfriend sit on her boy's lap as he put his arms around her waist. The girl leant against him and the water-taxi set sail. Hilda glanced at Hilbert for a moment and saw him deep in thought with his brows in a furrow. Will I ever get to experience that?

Hilbert walked up to the nearest guard. Before Hilbert could speak, the guard gave Hilbert a salute, "Good afternoon Sir Hilbert! It is an honour. How may I assist you?"

"Yes, could you tell me where Madam Zeno's residence is?" he asked, feeling a little proud that the people of Odara were beginning to respect him.

The guard pointed out on Hilbert's town map the location of Madam Zeno's home. It was on the other side of the city.

"Alright Hilda," Hilbert glanced at her, "fly us to this address," he pointed at a section of the map. Hilda had her hands behind her back and looked at her feet nervously. "Hilbert," she began.

"Yeah?" Hilbert asked, "what is it, Hilda? We don't have time to lose," he said.

"Never mind," she looked away. Hilbert and Kye looked at each other with a puzzled face.

Hilbert, who was oblivious to the thought processes of the female mind proceeded with what he was saying earlier, "alright then. We need Brave to fly us to this address," he pointed to the map again.

"Can we take the water taxi?" Hilda asked in a soft voice.

"What? This isn't the time for games, Hilda. We're in a hurry," Hilbert chuckled. "Now, let's not waste any more time--"

"I'm serious," Hilda looked up at him. "You know," she shrugged, "since we're here and all..."

"Hilda, we need to get that book before the Zaff does," Hilbert stressed. Hilda looked down at the ground and let out a desolate sigh.

"Fine," she mumbled and reached for Brave's Pokeball. Hilbert looked at her. Her head drooped over her shoulders and her eyes were still fixated on the ground. Her hand fumbled lazily for her Pokeball. "Okay, here goes," she said as she was about to release Brave.