Page 85 of The Book That Wouldn't Burn

Always the Bright Side, by M. P. Thon

CHAPTER 38

Livira

Livira and Meelan followed the soldier down the mountain road. Livira decided not to mention that she’d escaped the complex on a fairly regular basis over the last few years and got to know the city quite well, all without needing Malar to keep her alive. She’d seen the changes there, month by month, building and rebuilding, better this, better that, reaching for a bright tomorrow. The poor remained though, haunting the narrowest streets on the northside, where you could smell the laboratory fumes on a still afternoon. They were joined by the war-wounded these days. Not that there was an official war. But still, more and more of the injured veterans seemed to crowd the corners, rattling their cups for coin. Soldiers who had lost arms, legs, and eyes to the sabbers, but most of all it was their spirit that had been taken from them, snatched away by the sight of too much horror, too much dying.

She kept her experiences to herself, however. It wasn’t that she thought Meelan or Malar would tell on her, but secrets always seemed to escape if given space. One person could hold a secret tight to their chest with both hands. When it was two, or three, or four people it was as if that secret had to be tossed back and forth between them, creating many chances to drop it. Instead, she asked, “Why now then? What’s so important out in the world that we’re risking things getting murdery again?”

Malar pretended she hadn’t spoken. “Your friend Yute had thoughts to share on wealth. In his opinion, it’s not the gift of money that’s the greatest—it’s the gift of purpose. He said, and the fancy words are all his: All of us in our secret hearts, in our empty moments of contemplation, stumble into the understanding that nothing matters. There’s a cold shock of realisation and, in that moment, we know that nothing at all is of the least consequence. Ultimately, we’re all just spinning our wheels, seeking to avoid pain until the clock winds down and our time is spent. To give someone purpose is to free them, however briefly, from the spectre of that knowledge.”

Meelan whistled softly. “What did you say to that?”

“That my price was still three silvers and two wouldn’t cut it.”

Livira snorted laughter. “A good imitation.” Malar had caught Yute’s gentle, rather distracted tone well, and the fact that he was given to wandering into speeches as if everything still amazed him and he was keen to share each new epiphany. “Still, you remembered what he said. So, he must have made an impression.”

The former soldier shot her a narrow look. “You’re not the only one with a good memory, girly. And I remember everyone who tries to short me!”

—

At the next turn Livira paused. “There are a lot of lights out beyond the wall.”

“Campfires,” Malar said. “There’s dead wood out on the Dust if you know where to look.”

“Those are the people the king doesn’t want to let in?” Livira asked.

Malar shook his head and spat. “The refugees are camped so close to the wall it hides them from here. Also, they haven’t got enough fuel to waste on fires like that.”

Meelan tried. “Who is it then—”

“Fucking sabbers,” Malar snapped. “Too many of them. One’s too many, mind. Especially when they get into the city.” He tapped the hilt of his sword, as if explaining his presence and the size of his fee.

“They’re in the city?” Livira gasped.

“Sometimes. We’ve had raids.” Malar spat again. “You’re safer down there than up here though. Been scouting ways over the mountain lately... And if they blockade the passes then there’s going to be a lot more hungry bellies in Crath. The mountain trails are the only way food’s reaching us right now!”

“Why is killing us so important to them?” The old stone of Livira’s hatred began to warm in her stomach.

“The king says they’re just evil, vicious animals that—”

“Animals aren’t evil,” Meelan said.

“If you’re going to start calling the king out on his nonsense, we’ll be here all fucking night.” Malar spat to the side. “Me, I think they want what we’ve got.”

“They want to eat us?” Livira frowned. Are you good to eat? The sabber’s words from that day long ago echoed in her mind.

“What we’ve got.” Malar waved expansively at their surroundings.

“Houses?” Livira frowned again.

“The library?” Meelan snorted. “What would they do with that?”

“Maybe they’d surprise you. They kept on surprising me out there.” Malar shrugged and led on. “I do keep hearing one scary rumour though. And it might just be true.”

“And?” Livira asked into the following silence.

“They’re running from something.”

---