Page 25 of Deadwood
He studied me a moment, almost like he was gauging if I was serious or not. “Common folk don’t have much to be happy about with trade being the way that it is right now.”
“Is it that bad?”
He shrugged. “In some parts. Some are better off than others, but that doesn’t make anyone particularly happy. Leaders are doing what they can, but with tensions high, uproar seems to be more common than not recently.”
I nodded, my mind at a loss on how to reply as his words did little to ease the nerves building in my stomach. “I haven’t,” I told him, though he didn’t ask. “Been to other kingdoms, I mean. I’m excited to see what’s out there, though.”
He let out the smallest snort. “There isn’t much. Besides, we won’t have time to explore, per your father’s orders. He’s sending us on the quickest route for a reason.”
I folded my hands together on my lap, straightening my shoulders. “Then I guess I’ll do my best to take in what I can as we travel.”
His brows rose as he slowly nodded.
“What’s that look for?” I asked.
He placed his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. “Are you not aware of how dangerous it is outside the kingdoms?”
“I thought you said there isn’t much out there,” I snarked. He was only trying to scare me.
“There are precautions taken inside Amosite’s borders to keep the people safe. The same goes for the other kingdoms, though they don’t have the same benefits of the chasm. The laws that protect you in here”—he pointed to the carriage floor—“will not be in place out there.” His finger aimed toward the window. “So I suggest you put your life before your sightseeing, Lady Auria.”
I inhaled deeply through my nose in an attempt to keep my composure. He wasn’t going to ruin my excitement of crossing that bridge by adding fuel to my reservations. If I died out there, so be it. At least I wouldn’t have lived without seeing some of the world.
“If this trip is so risky, why is my father sending us? Surely the kings and queens seeing the engagement announcement was enough to convince them.”
Lander’s eyes narrowed on me, though more so in confusion than annoyance. “It’s not just royalty that’s angry with your father.”
Of course it wasn’t. “Who else?”
“The people,” he answered like it was obvious. “What he’s done has essentially severed the peace between common folk and their royal leaders.”
I opened my mouth to ask what my father could have done, but before I could get a word out, the approaching city caught my eye through the window. I turned to peer out, excited to see it up close for the first time, but instead of feeling awe, more confusion coursed through me. Silicate didn’t look nearly as beautiful at this distance as it did when I saw it from the castle.
Every building was a different shade of mottled gray, the uneven stone streets reflecting the same trite palette. As we entered the city limits, the driver steering the carriage to where I assumed was downtown. There, the street turned to pure dirt, deep divots worn into the path from years of use.
As we ventured deeper, the social status of certain city folk was clear, as some wore nicer clothes than others, but nothing among the multitude of people compared to the finery Lander and I wore. Most of the townspeople wore fabrics lacking any color, aside from varying shades of white and brown, causing them to almost blend in with the buildings around them. Upon closer look, I realized most of the brown clothing was faded from its original red color, either the sun or age depleting the pigment.
Every few blocks, an establishment would reach three or four stories high, but most of the residences didn’t expand beyond the first floor. They were piled upon each other, not a gap to be found in between the houses.
Once we entered the main square, the carriage jerked to a stop. I braced a hand on the wall to keep from sliding forward onto Lander. The sound of boots hitting the dirt filtered through the carriage, and a moment later, the door was thrown open.
I looked to Lander, not sure if that meant I was supposed to get out.
He gestured to the door. “My lady.”
Using the wall to balance myself, I pushed off the seat, bending slightly at the waist so I wouldn’t hit my head on the ceiling. My excitement nearly made me rush, but I forced myself to slow. I set my hand in the waiting palm of the attendant outside the carriage and stepped down the two wooden steps, taking in our surroundings as my slippers hit the ground. I was barely aware of it as my hand slid back to my side, my mind trying to wrap around what I was seeing.
Lander exited as well, stopping beside me as the guard closed the door behind us, then stood post next to the wheel.
One glance around the square at the feet of the civilians told me enough. What looked to be compost sat in small piles littered about. Children had dirt-stained cheeks, mothers greasy hair, and men’s hands were caked with oil and littered with untended cuts.
But all the healing vials I produced… The water magic. Was none of it being sent here? Were they not able to bathe?
“Is it what you were expecting?” Lander asked as he meagerly attempted to straighten his button-down.
I swallowed, not sure how to respond. I never would have expected this was the reality of Silicate from my view at the castle. Taylin had told me stories of the city, but I guess I didn’t think it was this bad.
“Not quite,” I admitted quietly.
