Chapter 22 Returning Home

Being back on the Origin Floor, I felt uncomfortable toting around the heavy strongbox. Due to the inferior benefits available on the First Floor, there were few Wielders with powerful Cards lurking about, excluding those from the Academy. Parading about on the First Floor wasn't too risky, and aside from a few outliers, I shouldn't face any significant threats until I reached the Tenth.

On the Origin Floor, however... I wasn't conceited enough to believe I could keep my spoils if someone coveted them. Forget my one century. There were Wielders here with multiple of those under their belt. Origin City was policed well enough by the Tower Administration, but their forces couldn't be everywhere.

Well... at least I have a deterrent. Once I'm on the train home, I'll feel more at ease.

I glanced over at the still-silent Nathaniel, walking beside me with his hands behind his head, looking around. He still hadn't spoken, so I figured it was time to strike up a conversation.

What a strange young man. Hmm... What would I have liked to talk about at his age? Ascending? Adventure? Or I suppose I can simply ask why he's tagging along.

"That crate of yours looks kind of heavy." Nathaniel smiled, glanced in my direction, and spoke over the crowd, beating me to the punch. "Where are you heading?"

I chuckled lightly and ignored his first statement, nodding to one of the signs above the Station's entrance, "I'll be journeying to my manor in Grandhardt. There are a few matters with my estate I must attend to before heading to the Second Floor."

"A manor in Grandhardt, huh?" Nathaniel looked at me appraisingly, "That explains the way you speak... mostly. I have some business myself in Syward, but I would like to have a chat when we aren't in such a rush. If you aren't too busy tomorrow evening, we could meet at Eden for a dish of tea."

"Oh?" I grinned and thought of the small cafe my mother and I frequented before she passed. "Alright then, lad. Let's say three hours to dusk? The flavour of their Eve's Apple is absolutely divine."

The two of us gabbed about our favourite flavours of tea as we climbed the stairs to the central crossing. Nathaniel would have to wait another half hour after my departure for the railway that headed into Syward. Our conversation stopped abruptly as soon as we dismounted the stairwell.

"Out of the way, you mots! Some of us have places to be!"

"Bloody hell, get on with it!"

"Who you callin' a mot, you old codger?!"

No longer able to speak freely over the clangour of the Station, we pushed our way through the fussing crowd until we stood before the large booth in the centre. A middle-aged man stood behind a window, accepting Essence and handing out tickets through a hole in the glass.

"Next!"

We stepped up to the glass, and the man behind the counter held out one hand without giving us a second glance. His other hand pointed casually toward a sign above his head. The Station's bluster vanished, and I could only assume that the clerk held some sort of noise-cancelling Spell.

"Where you lads headed off to?"

"Grandhardt, sir," I replied, reaching through the gap in the window and placing 15 Essence in his outstretched palm.

The clerk fiddled with a device I couldn't see before sliding a cardboard ticket across the counter and turning to Nathaniel, "Here ya are. And what about you?"

"Syward, please. Round trip. And I'd like to pay in advance for a ticket to Grandhardt at noon tomorrow," Nathaniel passed over a single large shard of Essence, and the clerk's eyes widened.

"Sir! I don't have change for this!"

"Keep it," Nathaniel shrugged, and the man swiftly prepared his tickets and bowed slightly as he handed them over. The clangour of the Station resumed once we stepped out of the clerk's range.

"I'll wait with you at platform 8," Nathaniel spoke over the noise while pointing at his ticket. "The train to Syward won't arrive for another hour."

We continued to talk about this and that, though I could tell the young man was holding something back. The conversation never once turned serious, and it seemed he was avoiding any topics that could develop into more personal questions.

I did find out the lad was well-versed in the workings of the railway and how Essence powered the contraptions. It seemed he was formerly acquainted with the curious young miss of the York family, who talked non-stop about the Relics her family developed.

It seems strange that this technology is the same now as it will be in a century. I wonder if we've reached the limits of what Essence can do or if the Yorks were busy developing something else.

"Rowan?"

A soft voice disrupted my thoughts, and I noticed that the clamour of the Station had once again vanished. Nathaniel was looking over my shoulder with an intrigued gleam in his eye, much the way I'd seen him stare at me.

I turned back and found a familiar face just a few steps away. Aurora Price stood beside us, her breathing heavy as if she'd been running. Her once blue eyes were now a brilliant emerald green, though her black hair and delicate features hadn't changed.

It's subtle, but she looks... uneasy.

One hand was clutching tightly to a large, brown suitcase. I could see the whites of her knuckles from how hard she gripped the handle. She scratched her elbow uncomfortably with her free hand, and her gaze darted between the faces of the crowd a few times before settling on mine. Her eyes widened briefly, but she caught herself and reverted to her usual visage... though she couldn't hide the unease that was still there. Not from me.

"Aurora," I smiled and shifted the strongbox on my shoulder to give a slight bow. "To what do I owe this pleasure? Oh, and pardon my rudeness. This is an acquaintance of mine, Nathaniel Syward. Nathaniel, this is my classmate, Aurora Price."

"How do you do, miss," Nathaniel gave a slight nod and resumed his usual stillness.

Aurora's nerves seemed to settle after Nathaniel's introduction. She looked him over, and I didn't miss her eyes lingering on his burly arms and chest. Her cheeks started to flush, and she quickly looked away after giving a half-hearted curtsy. I chuckled lightly and did my best to appear oblivious to what had transpired, gesturing to her suitcase.

"Could we offer our assistance? It doesn't seem you're travelling light."

"Hmm? Ahh... N-no. Thank you for offering," Aurora adjusted the handle slightly and stepped back, speaking softly. "I'm heading just there to Platform 2. It isn't that far."

"I see," I smiled and motioned to my timepiece. "It was nice seeing you, but we really must be-"

"Ah... Could you wait just a moment?" she reached out to stop us from leaving and took a deep breath. "I... I just wanted to apologize!"

"Uh..." I was taken aback by the sudden apology. What reason could she possibly have to apologize? I glanced at Nathaniel, who shrugged and gestured that he was leaving, obviously not interested in listening to the private matters of others. "What exactly are you sorry for, lass?"

"I... I used to be jealous of you..." Aurora clenched her fists and looked at the floor. "You were this lucky fool who managed to get into the Academy on scholarship even though you were so ordinary. My parents... they gave everything to get me in... and watching you squander your fortune as if you didn't care..."

She sighed deeply and shook her head, "I never thought that you actually deserved it. Not until the ceremony. So, I wanted to apologize for being wrong and congratulate you on your perfect exam score. I don't know why you've chosen to lay low for so long, but I'm willing to admit that I was wrong."

Her head was bowed low at this point, her eyes facing the floor. I reached out and patted her head gently, chuckling, "Don't you worry about that, young miss. You had every right to feel the way you did. I'm not sure why you feel the need to apologize for what everyone likely thought, but I forgive you, lass."

Aurora's shoulders loosened, and she raised her head, though she still looked like she had something to say. I gestured for her to resume.

"Why do you act like an old man?"

I chortled and scratched at the back of my head, "Old habits die hard, I suppose."

"I see," she squinted her eyes and shrugged. "Thank you for accepting. I'll be going now."

I nodded, "I wish you safe travels on your journey."

What a kind gesture. There was no need for her to do that... I hope she'll be alright this time around.

A nearby whistle sounded, signalling the arrival of car 8. I shifted the weight on my shoulder, pulled the cane from under my arm, and proceeded toward the extended platform to wait for the doors to open.

The closer I got to the loading dock, the more crowded it became. Waiting passengers pushed and shoved at others, trying to get closer to the front of their assigned zone. My own ticket was marked for zone 12, which, unfortunately, was on the opposite end of the platform. By the time I squeezed my way to the 12th zone, the 15-carriage train had already arrived.

The contraption was multiple large carriage-like structures strung together by an elastic material found on one of the upper Floors. Each of the boxes was painted pitch-black with a bright purple 'York' painted on the side of each.

These trains were one of the many innovations of the York family. Using the circuit carving method of the Church of Liberation, the Yorks discovered a way to send Essence energy down the rails. The wheels on the cars were Relics that kept the vehicle hovering a hair's breadth above the tracks. Finally, another Relic provided by the Church of Damnation was used to 'chase' the Essence energy, causing the entire train to move in whichever direction the hub sent the Essence.

I can't imagine how many beasts it took to gather enough blood to fill the circuits. There have to be fourteen hundred miles between here and home alone... and there are twelve of these contraptions.

"Platform 8 to Grandhardt will depart in fifteen minutes! All aboard! Have your tickets ready to check in upon entry!"

The booming voice came through the Relics mounted on posts every twenty yards or so. I moved into the train's halls alongside the crowd, only peeling off once I found the number of the compartment I would be staying in for the seven-hour journey. Finally, I placed down the heavy container and collapsed on the bench beside it, locking the compartment door.

Grandhart... After all these years. I am finally returning home.

Zachary stood in a small group on the platform's edge, staring out into the crowd of individuals wandering to and from the central hub of Origin station. He took a long drag from his freshly rolled cigarette and gazed through the thinning smoke of the last puff.

The cordoned-off area was hazy, explicitly reserved for those individuals who needed a hit before boarding their trains. Zachary ignored the conversations around him and stared at a specific place on a nearby platform.

There, two individuals were chatting. One woman with long black hair that flowed freely, and the other a man with even darker hair tied neatly into a ponytail. He watched as the man smiled and patted the woman on the head. Zachary's gaze shifted toward a third figure who had just fled the scene, a silver-haired man who was wandering off toward Platform 6, where a train would leave for Syward City.

"Platform 8 to Grandhardt will depart in fifteen minutes! All aboard! Have your tickets ready to check in upon entry!"

Zachary plucked the cigarette from his mouth, turning it over and dabbing the cherry on his tongue before tossing the half-finished roll to the ground. He savoured the pain as he washed his hands under one of the area's Relics.

His vision blurred as the pain sunk in, a feeling of relief washing over him. A high-pitched ringing replaced the racket of the Station. The faintest of smiles formed on his face and-

"Excuse me, sir, but it's not appropriate for a young gentleman such as yourself to be littering here," a voice cut into Zachary's reprieve, and he turned to find a plump, bald man standing behind him.

The man wore a light brown suit with a black bowtie. A dark red handkerchief was tucked into the front pocket, and he walked with a cane, reminding him of Rowan, though this man's was much more ornate.

Zachary looked over the plump man briefly before flashing a charming smile and bending to retrieve the damp cigarette from the floor. He tucked the remains into his chest pocket and turned back to the gentleman.

"You are absolutely right. How unbecoming of me," Zachary extended his hand to the fellow. "Zachary Gray, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir. And thank you for calling me out on my blunder."

"Ahh! A young man with manners!" the pudgy man accepted the handshake and smiled exuberantly. "It's nice to meet you as well. Dominick Marcus, at your service."

"What an intriguing name," Zachary grinned. "May I inquire about your business, Sir Marcus?"

He let go of the man's hand and showed a curious expression. Dominick's smile widened further, and his back straightened with pride. He pulled a small card from behind his kerchief.

"I happen to be the manager of the Luxton Bank down in Grandhardt," the man passed the card over to Zachary. "Have you heard of it?"

"Oh? Luxton?" Zachary accepted the card and looked at the address before tucking it into his coat. "That's no small feat, Sir Marcus. My father uses the Luxton, and there's no finer bank amongst the Familial Cities."

Dominick rubbed his nose in embarrassment. He knew the young man was flattering him, but it was hard not to blush at such a comment.

"Your father is an intelligent man. We offer some of the best rates on the Origin Floor," Dominick chuckled. "How about you, lad? What is it that you do?"

"Me? I just graduated from the Academy," Zachary showed a similarly prideful smile and replied merrily.

"The Academy, huh?" the banker looked him up and down. "If you need any help with funds for your ascension, you and your dad should come to visit ol' Dominick. I'll make sure to treat ya right."

"Last call for Platform 8! 5 minutes to departure!"

"It seems I must take my leave," Dominick smiled and patted Zachary's shoulder. "You have my card. If you need anything, please stop by and show that to the teller. She'll get us in touch as soon as possible."

"It was nice speaking with you. I'll be sure to visit," and almost as an afterthought, Zachary added. "By the way, nice kerchief. That red is a lovely colour."

"This?" the banker stopped and nudged his pocket, "If you come to visit, you'll have to stop by Mikalian's Crown! Mika is one of the best tailors in the business!"

"Platform 10 to O' Connel will depart in fifteen minutes! All aboard! Have your tickets ready to check in upon entry!"

"It seems I must be off as well, Sir Marcus," Zachary waved. "I'll be seeing you."

"Stay safe, young man!"

Zachary turned to head for the adjacent platform, the smile on his face fading into a flat line. His eyes dulled, and he patted the card in his pocket and weaved his way through the crowd, vanishing amongst the masses.

Grandhardt Station 4

After the seven-hour trip, I stepped out of the train, cane tapping along the platform and strongbox lifted over my shoulder. Grandhardt's fourth and final Station was almost deserted, being the last on the line. Still, I saw one beaming figure strolling toward me.

"Rowan!" Crook shouted and jogged up beside me, carrying a massive satchel on his back. He looked at the strongbox and laughed loudly, "You're mad, boy! I can't believe you actually pulled it off. And you're not dead!"

"Nice to see you too, you old cad," I patted Crook on the shoulder and laughed, falling into step beside him. "How have things been here?"

Crook passed over a small bag, which I gently took and placed in one of the pouches on the pack he was carrying, "Things have gone well, but I've been wandering around for most of the early morning trying to avoid telling the drayman where to drop my goods. He's walking around acting pissy at a nearby inn for now."

I laughed and pulled out a set of keys I'd plucked off my keyring on the way here, "Tell him to take it to emporium number 15 up on Devonshire. It's just a few spaces down from Mikalian's Crown. You know what to do, right?"

"Yes. You don't have to worry about a thing," Crook shook his head. "To think you were a moneyed man playing poor this entire time. Saying you have an emporium on Devonshire like it's nothing!"

The overweight merchant looked left and right before snatching the keys and swiftly stuffing them in his pocket. He poked his head behind the stairs before climbing up. His behaviour caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"What in Tara's name are you doing, lad?" I raised an eyebrow when he shot me a questioning look. "We aren't doing anything unlawful."

"Eh..." his face stiffened, and he rubbed his hands together awkwardly. "Force of habit..."

"Alright, well, you have a safe trip to the shop, ya hear?" I tucked my cane into the side pocket of the satchel and gently pulled it from his shoulders. "There's a full tenement above the shop. Make yourself at home. I'll visit you after I've settled with Luxton."

"Okay, I'll see you then."

I bade Crook farewell and adjusted the satchel, so I wasn't off balance. My estate was only an hour's walk from the Station under normal circumstances, but with the added burden, the sun was already beginning to crest as I made it to the edge of the property. It was on the outskirts of Grandhardt City, and the grounds covered the edge of the furthest road to the massive black wall of the Tower that loomed a few tens of miles in front of me.

53 Cloverdale St.

It makes me a bit uncomfortable to be this close to the wall... but I'm glad to be home.

Knowing what was on the other side of the wall made me uneasy, but it was something I had to live with. At least for the next century. I adjusted the sign, which was leaning slightly, and pushed open the wrought-iron gate. It took a lot of force, almost enough to snap it off its hinges.

I'll need to have that looked at. I didn't expect to start a repair list this early.

A polished earthen wall stretched for miles in either direction on either side of the gate. When grandpa had the place built over a century ago, he'd hired some of the best earthen Card users to raise eight-foot walls around the property. Another chunk of Essence had been spent on adding protection circuits to the walls, grounds, and manor, though the ones outside the mansion hadn't been active for decades.

I turned back and gazed at the floating clock far in the distance. Here, far away from Origin City, the numbers were nearly impossible to see. I liked it better this way.

Spinning slowly, I took in the surrounding land. The high walls, the decorated fence, the perfectly spaced trees my dad planted with his as a child, and finally, the manor.

Standing in the distance atop a hill was a beautiful mansion surrounded by fields of red and yellow flowers. The walls were made of polished white bricks, and the pitched rooftops were covered with blue tile. Six large windows taller than any man adorned the face of the home, looking out over the captivating fields. The pebble path leading to the front door was overgrown, but it brought back memories of my pops racing me to see who would get a taste of momma's cooking first.

I strolled to the entrance as the sun began to rise, watching the shadows dance as its rays stretched across the land. My keys were already in my hand when I stepped onto the stone veranda leading to the front door.

The door creaked loudly, and a shower of dust fell upon my head when I pushed it open. I was glad to have gotten my Infernal Wash back from Crook. That train compartment could have used an entire case on its own.

Sitting the pack and lockbox down in the foyer, I rummaged blindly through my bag and found a vial of the coveted liquid. The dust vanished, and I opened my eyes to see that the house was covered in grey.

At least three inches of dust covered the floor and every piece of furniture I could see. Well... aside from a wide area beneath where I was standing... and a spot by the door where it looked like someone had been pushing papers underneath regularly for a while. I picked up the cleanest one and unfolded it.

Mr Wilder,

Your payment is overdue. Please pay the amount owed, or we will be compelled to seize the property. You have five days to respond...

Luxton,

100:01:14:32:20

I didn't bother to read the entire notice.

If I go tomorrow, I'll be within their five-day deadline. Maybe I should-

Thud!

The chandelier jingled melodiously, and I glanced to the top of the open foyer. There were three primary levels and an attic in the small space above.

I snatched my cane from the satchel and Dashed up the stairs, moving quickly and carefully to the third floor. Doors lined the hall, and at the very end stood a single door leading up to the attic. It was too dark to see.

A bright light filled the hallway as I cast Illumination... and revealed the attic door wide open with a black-clad figure standing inside. The figure slammed the door shut, and I could hear the faint sound of steps rushing up the attic stairs.

I yanked up the door and sprinted after the figure, but by the time I reached the top, it was too late. The attic's only window was swinging back and forth in the morning breeze, and the figure was nowhere in sight.