The Angel of Elydria (The Dawn Mirror Chronicles Book 1) (20 page)

“Look, faery nobles… Oh, what I’d give to have a gown like that,” Armonie pointed out as she shook Madam Elise’s shoulder.

Penny expected to see tiny, sprite-like creatures, but as she followed Armonie’s pointing finger she met a different image. The faeries stood beside each other with smiles on their faces that looked as beguiling as they were dangerous. The female had luxurious, thick black hair that hung to her ankles, and wore a crimson, embroidered silk gown paired with sheer sashes that wrapped around her body like colored fog. From her back projected a shimmering set of wings that reflected iridescent colors in the sunshine. The male faery beside her was easily six and a half feet tall, lithe, and gorgeous. His hair was just as long and grand, but grew in a bluish-silver that matched his eyes. His wings were larger and had a darker coloration than his female companion’s. Their dream-like beauty made Penny’s heart leap.

They rode on through the fantastic city, their eyes feasting on the wondrous sights until the carriage came to an abrupt halt in front of a colossal building. Both Penny and Armonie sprang out. Hector and Simon emerged, blinking in the sunlight, as Madam Elise spoke with the carriage driver. With sore, stiff legs, Penny darted around to Humphrey’s side. He was radiating excitement, his wet nose twitching madly to draw in all the new scents.

Satisfied he was well, Penny turned to face the behemoth structure, easily seven stories high and crafted from a type of stone that looked like alabaster. At the very top of the building, two star-shaped lamps stretched upward toward the clouds and several flags bearing different insignias rattled in the breeze. Patterns of knots and ancient lettering wove up and down the side of the building. The entrance was almost a quarter mile away, set above the rest of the city’s plane by huge, stone steps. Arched pillars marked the entrance of the building. Penny could just see a glimpse of sheer curtains drifting about in the breeze and obscuring the doors. As she admired the structure, she noticed Hector and Simon releasing Humphrey from the reigns of the carriage and tethering him to a nearby streetlamp. Armonie took a few steps toward the stone giant and sighed with contentment.

“Goodness. It’s even more beautiful than I imagined,” Armonie breathed, clutching her chest.

High Priestess Elise drifted up behind her. “This is the Grand Cathedral of Iverton, the official department for the Order of Lord Nestor and the central bureau of medical studies. It is the largest sanctuary in all of Elydria,” Elise told Penny, then turned to her protégé. “Little Armonie, today will be very special for you―it shall mark the first time you will ever look upon our exalted cardinal.” A proud smile lit her face as Madam Elise looked at Armonie.

“Madam Priestess, I have been preparing for this moment…since you took me in and adopted me into the sanctuary as a baby. Thank you so much. I am overjoyed,” Armonie said, and looked it.

“Little Penny. This is where the Junior High Priestess and I must part ways with you and your friends. Only sworn members of the Order are permitted to enter the walls of the Cathedral. It has truly been a pleasure to know you, my child.” Madam Elise extended arms draped in silvery robes and pulled Penny into a soft embrace. Her voice and demeanor were so maternal that, for a split second, Penny felt a twinge of emotion, almost imagining it was her own mother.

Armonie gave Penny a dewy smile and drew her into her arms, her waves of hair enveloping Penny. “I know we’ll meet again, my sister. I shall await the day.”

P
enny, Hector, and Simon sat on the white steps outside of the Grand Cathedral, their bags beside them. They watched for a long time as the crowds and traffic rumbled by.

“What now, o wise leader?” Simon directed at Hector, squinting at him from beneath the brim of his top hat. Hector watched as Humphrey struggled with his bonds several feet away before responding to Simon.

“This is an enormous city. We ought to find some place to put that silly beast, and then set about finding the airship Elise talked about. According to her, that will take us to Hulver. From there we can go on and begin our search in Mulgrith Woods. It’s just too bad we won’t have time to visit the library―I did so want to see it.” Hector looked wistful as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

“That is truly a shame,” Simon retorted with a hint of derision. “But I’m of the mind that getting back to a world that isn’t plagued by bloodthirsty demons is a
tad
more important than reading. Now, let’s mosey,” he proclaimed, leaping to his feet and offering a hand to Penny and Hector each.

They set off, dragging their bags and Humphrey along. After asking around, Hector located a nearby stable and checked Humphrey into it. They proceeded to roam the lively streets of Iverton, mesmerized by the vastness of the city. They wandered across a massive bridge stretching over a rushing river, past towering emporiums and alley shops. Colorful displays and posters adorned the city’s white brick walls.

Penny spotted more of the horned, catlike humanoid creatures she had first seen in Dewthorne shying away from the masses, and learned from Hector that they were of a race called therios. Little black creatures the size of small dogs engulfed in sheets of fur shuffled about by people’s feet, snuffling and puffing. Dragonflies zoomed through the air, leaving trails of radiant dust. More anteloos paraded by with their long slender necks bobbing.

Penny was drawn toward some crowded stores as Hector and Simon left her in search of a map, and awaited their return while window-shopping through an exotic array of magical home appliances, bottles filled with electric-blue liquid that might’ve been liquor, and steam-powered apparatuses.

Simon and Hector returned with a brand new map in hand, and they found a bench and spread the map over their laps, three heads pressing together as they examined it. The entire city was built behind a massive wall and divided into different districts. Hector pointed out some of the things on the map, reading the strange text with his enchanted glasses so that Simon and Penny could understand. They had entered the town from the eastern gate, which had led them right into the Royal District. This particular section of Iverton boasted such prestigious establishments as the National Museum, the Royal Academy, the huge library Hector was so keen to visit, the Crafter’s Guild, and of course the castle grounds.

On their way from the cathedral they had passed over a white bridge and crossed over into the Business District, which was in the very heart of Iverton. After a few moments of peering over the map, Hector spotted a tiny building labeled Airstation, and they all agreed that would be an excellent place to begin their search. The only problem was that it was several miles away in the far reaches of the Harbor District, which lay on the western edge of the city. Hector led them through the crowded Business District in search of a faster method of transport.

In the direct center of the Business District was another public Sophotri Stone, quite a bit larger than the one Penny had seen in Lindenvale. Off in the distance, a large coliseum-like structure loomed tall over the buildings. Beside the News Bureau of Iverton, which Penny guessed had a direct link with the Sophotri Stone, were lines of official-looking establishments. After a short walk past the industrial complex they reached a staircase that led underground. Hector read the gleaming green sign that hung above it and nodded with satisfaction, announcing they had reached the entrance to The Tunnels.

They descended the staircase, traveling deep underground. A thin, incense-like fragrance hung in the air and grew into a thick cloud of smoke as they went down the spiraling stairs. The way was lit with yellowing lamps in which luminous rocks were encased. The sounds of busy voices echoed from below and every so often a hurried person would push by them, headed toward the surface. They came into a shadowy chamber with many people shoving past each other. Several lines had formed, each one leading off into a different tunnel that connected to the central hall. Up against the wall was a collection of glass windows, each illuminated by an orangey glow. Hector went over to one of the windows. Behind it was another one of the amphibian-faced creatures Penny had seen on her first day in Dewthorne. Hector whispered to her that he was a goblin.

“Greetings, folks. Need a ticket?” the goblin asked, flashing his needle-like teeth. He wore glasses with inch-thick lenses and had a shock of green hair.

Hector squinted at a small list of prices that was tacked up beside the window before requesting three tickets to the Harbor District as he handed over a glittering handful of Yuebells. The goblin jabbed at a button on a board beside him and, with a hiss of steam and a clattering of machine parts, three tickets blossomed out from the slot on the top of the board. He handed them over and they went and stood in line underneath an illuminated blue sign with a depiction of little waves.

The Tunnels were humid, stuffy, and smelled terrible, but the wait was brief. They reached the front of the line, still not knowing what to expect. Another stout goblin collected their tickets and pushed them forward.

The trench extended into a tunnel on both sides, and it wasn’t long until a rickety car, gleaming with gears and puffing out great quantities of perfumed smoke, came clanking up out of the darkness, its dingy lamps swinging. Propelled along by four golden legs that moved like a spider, the car came to a sputtering halt and collapsed in front of the platform. The doors were yanked open by an elf, and Penny and everyone behind her were shoved into the car. The doors shut, latched closed by a flimsy hook, and the car rocketed into the darkness. Exiting The Tunnels in the Harbor District, all three of them walked bandy-legged and gray-faced as they clutched their stomachs.

The Harbor District lived up to its name, and Penny was surprised to discover Iverton was built beside a vast lake. The lake, which Hector said was called Olveria, brimmed with clear, deep sapphire water. Aged docks stretched out into the churning waves and white-sailed ships bobbed on the currents. Paint-cracked shops and restaurants with rustic, seaside aesthetic were grouped together by the entrance to The Tunnels. A salty golden aroma hung in the air. As the scent tickled her nose and the briskness of the air banished the last of her motion sickness, Penny realized she was starving, but Hector told her they’d have to wait. They strolled along the boardwalk, past lines of fishermen who leaned on the wooden posts at the docks. More of the cream-colored foxlike creatures pawed at their catches. The boardwalk stopped after a mile or so and gave way to white beaches lining the lake’s edge. Coming to the sandy shore, Penny caught a glimpse of their final destination.

The Airstation of Iverton was even larger than Penny had imagined. The entire structure seemed to be made out of glass and silver that shone like a mirror in the afternoon sun. She goggled, spellbound, at the most bizarre assortment of flying machines buzzing around, to, and from the gleaming building. The air was alive with whirring blades, colorful balloons, and mechanical wings.

“It’s like da Vinci’s notebook come to life,” Simon commented as they climbed the steps to the entrance.

They pushed the sleek glass doors open and entered the cool reception area. A black-furred therion, female and thus hornless, sitting at the main desk directed them to trans-continental travel. They moved along, their footsteps clicking on the reflective floor as they passed several halls reserved for recreational and inner-city transport.

A spirit of excitement was growing in Penny’s chest as they approached the department where they could find the airship to Hulver. She was getting closer to Della, which meant she could be closer to getting home. The idea of riding on a magnificent airship above the foreign oceans of Elydria seemed rather romantic.

Hector bounced in his step as the transcontinental travel desk came into view. The woman greeted him and as he began to question her about the airship, Penny took interest in a mammoth, cerulean blimp tethered to the ground outside the window. Lettering and designs were painted all along its ribbed body, coupled with a splendid wooden compartment at the base.

Excited, she ambled back to where Hector stood, and felt a pang of dread upon seeing his face. His brows were knit together and he was rummaging through his belongings.

“Well, let me see…” she heard him mumbling. “Is there a more, erm―economic rate, by any chance?”

The woman shook her bushy blonde head. “I’m sorry, sir. The Airships that cross the oceans only run on magic, and with the shortage…”

Penny’s heart sank. “How much is it to ride the airship?”