Page 12 of Twins for the Barbarians

It’s my turn to ride shotgun and hold the map to make sure we’re going the right way, not that I mind since Helios is driving. He knows I like speed. Prior to capturing Sapphire City and its fleet of vehicles, I hadn’t been in a moving machine since before I was abducted and dragged across the galaxies to Sunna. I’ve missed the wind in my hair.

“I don’t condone violence,” Kingo says. “I never have.”

“Most of us don’t condone it, boy,” Helios replies. “We are compelled by this wretched world to engage in it to protect ourselves and our way of life.”

“You’re making it sound more honorable than it actually is,” Kharo says, and I look over my shoulder to find a bitter smile lingering on his lips, lips I yearn to kiss again. “War is war, Helios. We both know it. It’s messy and bloody and fucking miserable. But I agree with Kingo; the less we have to deal with marauders, the better.”

“Nobody likes killing,” Helios grumbles.

I check the map again. “Keep to this road for a while longer. There should be a fork ahead.”

“Look to your right,” Kharo says.

I do and find myself speechless at the sight of a glistening city in the distance. Its walls are painted a scarlet red, its towers reach higher than Sapphire City’s, and are decorated with shimmering bronze rooftops. Even from here, I can see the marks of war streaking across the outer buildings. Much like the other continental cities, Ruby City was built around a dormant volcano, its peak visible in the city’s middle. I can see the sinuous stairs carved into the mountain, plus patches of blackwood trees and ancient fire spruces covering the sharp ridges. From afar, it’s a beautiful place. I can only imagine what it looks like up close.

“Perhaps someday we’ll be able to walk through those gates, and you’ll give me a tour of Ruby City,” I say, almost breathlessly. “I can certainly see where it gets its name.”

“Actually, you can’t,” Kingo says, half-smiling. “The name comes from the main palace. The rulers of the time had the outer walls decorated with sheets of unpolished ruby extracted from the nearby mines. This used to be one of the richest lands in Sunna.”

“Holy crap, ruby walls?”

“Pretty much,” Kharo replies. “There are about fifteen hundred mines in the region, each still overflowing with precious gems. The enemy sells the gems to provide funds to the military. The Sky Tribe rushed to claim these lands shortly after the civil war broke out. They planned the takeover, though. It took them months, and the people had no idea. Our fathers were still advocating for peace when the takeover occurred. Well, not my father, but you get my point,” he adds with a bitter laugh.

“No, you said it right. Our fathers,” Helios says, correcting him. “My father was just as much your father when he brought you to us, Kharo. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise.”

“Thank you, brother.”

I love their fraternal connection, even though they’re not related by blood. Helios and Kharo are loyal to each other, protective and fierce, patient and resilient—stronger together than apart.

“What was Ruby City best known for, aside from its fancy palace walls?” I ask.

“It was the royal residence and the capital of Sunna for about five centuries,” Helios replies. The honor previously belonged to Opal City.”

“What made them change it, then?”

“I think it had something to do with its geographical location,” Kingo says. “Ruby City overlooks the Sun River, whereas Opal City is far removed from any body of water. It relied solely on the underground springs, and as our population grew, the springs were no longer enough to sustain a capital city. Opal City remained the second most important city, however. It was the location of the king’s favorite summer residence.”

“And don’t forget the School of Fire Arts,” Kharo reminds him. “That was a prestigious academy.”

“Fire Arts?” I ask.

Helios shoots me a cool smile. “We’ve been warmongers for generations, but one of our favorite pastimes was literally playing with fire. There were fire-dancing shows and fire acrobats. It takes a certain skill and a certain dedication to master the fire arts. Once you did, however, the arts were hypnotic.”

“Have you ever seen such a show?” I ask.

“Only once, as a boy. There was a traveling circus that played up and down the Sun River,” he says. “They got caught in the crossfire about ten years ago, however. The handful of survivors came to live with us until they, too, perished.”

“I’m sorry,” I mumble, imagining the disappointment he must’ve felt. Changing the subject, I ask, “What is Ruby City like now?”

“Miserable,” Helios and Kharo reply at the same time, prompting a dry laugh from Kingo.

“I take it the Sky Tribe is running it into the ground?”

“Pretty much,” Helios says. “They’re not good rulers. They’re not at all organized. Were it not for their military brass, I doubt they would’ve managed to take the cities in the first place. They had weapons and machines of war aplenty and a few bright minds who were able to devise a swift strategy, but when it comes to governing, the Sky Tribe is virtually incompetent.”

Kharo nods in agreement. “They squander the few resources they have. They push all their funding into military operations and those damned breeding centers while the rest of the city is left to struggle. What we saw in Sapphire City when we first arrived is pretty much the blueprint of every other city on Sunna.”

“I guess that’s why the civilians haven’t fully embraced one faction or the other,” I mutter.

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