Drevakin

The dark tunnel we travel through is lit by the soft glow of sieni, a luminous moss cultivated for light, and the only break in the silence is the juntta with its hard carapace and dozens of legs clicking as it pulls.

It takes longer than usual to reach the Rakennus because of the extra load, I don't want to exhaust the juntta, so I don't push it. I didn’t plan for passengers or I would have used more than one. When we arrive, I'll have the stable master allow it to rest and feed it more than its usual amount. The creature has done well getting my people and I home.

Eventually we emerge from the tunnel. Between the natural walls of the massive cavern and the Alvan made border wall of my Rakennus, the ground is flat and smooth. Brilliant white lights, powered by the core-well, flood the open space, banishing even the slightest of shadows. The maan'alla, our word for the underground, is full of dangerous creatures the light keeps at bay.

We pass through the open gates to the village marketplace just inside, situated so the most traffic possible will pass through. It's a busy time of day. The people out and about greet us, but I notice a lot of frowns. I'm sure they're wondering why I have others in my carriage. I don't bother addressing the issue, knowing as soon as everyone in the carriage departs to their respective homes, the news of what occurred will spread quickly. It's most likely for the best. Everyone must be vigilant about their safety.

I don't stop the carriage in the village, but rather drive it all the way to the courtyard in front of my House Mansion. I want to take care of replacing what my people lost first. Coming to a stop, I bound down.

"Please, tell my stable master how many carriages you have lost and make a note of all the possessions that were stolen. I will replace everything once I receive the list."

"Thank you, my Prince," they murmur, almost in unison.

I give them a nod. In truth, I'm only fulfilling my duty to protect and care for my people.

"I will go to House Ti'ana and speak with Prince Rathorin about this matter." Their faces show fear and trepidation. They know the dangers of House politics. "But, as you know, that doesn't guarantee your safety. Please, take extra precautions."

"Yes, my Prince," the older man and leader of the group agrees.

"Good," I say, then turn to the stable master. "I need a fresh juntta, this one has worked hard enough. I'm going to House Ti'ana now."

This is not something I intend to put off.

"Of course, sire," he says, holding up a hand and motioning at the three stable boys watching from around the corner.

"Also, be sure to allow this juntta an extended rest and extra food. He did the work of two today," I add.

"Yes, sire," he calls over his shoulder as he enters the stables.

He and his crew of boys hook a fresh juntta to the carriage in short order and I leave House Lo'ara once more. Instead of hope in my heart, a fire burns in my belly.

The journey still takes time, even with the swiftness of a fresh juntta coupled with the lighter load of a single passenger. It would be an arduous walk after a hard day of work. One forced on my people. The thought of it makes my mood ever grimmer.

When I reach House Ti'ana, I keep my heavy leathers and fur lined cloak on. It's sweltering, but I don't want to blend in with the scantily clad population here. I want to stand out as exactly what I am.

A Prince of a Minor House.

The tunnel I pass through isn't gray and utilitarian as a Minor House's would be, but rather lined with colorful stones and painted with geometric designs. It's pretty enough, I suppose, but there's a frivolousness to it that offends my sensibility.

The tan stone border wall of House Ti’ana with its brightly painted gates comes into view as I emerge. Brilliant, near blinding light illuminates the area and sparkles on the light stone. I would not have used the rarer brown masonry to construct the wall. The gray used by my House is stronger and more plentiful, but Major Houses love showing off their fancy finery.

Entering the marketplace, I'm greeted with curious looks from some, curled lips from others, and expressions of disgust as I push through the crowd. The lighter, colorful fabrics used in their clothing is almost jarring after the more sedate grays, whites, and browns that predominate the wardrobes of Minor House peoples. I'm also not accustomed to so much skin showing. Arms, legs, chests- some of these people may as well wear nothing.

The marketplace itself is bigger, with more variety and frivolity on display. The scents of different cuisines meld with perfumes to create a very distinctive scent. It is not unpleasant, but it is exotic. It’s loud too, like the favored clothing styles.

As I make my way through the crowded marketplace, I catch sight of a stall selling merchandise similar to that of my people. Their gloves and capes are pretty and flimsy but not functional or warm. It is a mistake commonly made by people from the Major Houses when they attempt to create clothing for the cold.

I understand. Just as we are experts in warm clothing, they are the experts for cool clothing meant for the greater warmth nearer the core-well, the source of energy for our light and heat. What I don't understand is their arrogance in refusing to learn how to design such articles from people who know. Or at least only selling wares they know something about.

No one is at the stall, which is good. If they were there, I'd have to resist the urge to confront them directly. It's most likely for the best. No good would come of such an interaction. When I reach the courtyard in front of House Ti'ana's Mansion, sweat is sliding down my chest and back. I concede to slide my cloak off now that I have reached my destination.

Stepping down from the carriage, I stride to the ornate front entry, a wild combination of colors that is truly garish. As I reach for the knocker, the door swings open and an out of breath servant is there panting.

"May I help you with something?" he asks, his eyes disdainful as he looks over my clothing.

"Yes. I need to speak with Prince Rathorin. Let him know Prince Drevakin is here on an urgent matter."

"Very well, but Prince Rathorin has many duties to see to today. Perhaps it would be wiser to schedule a meeting in the proper manner?" the servant replies.

"I believe it would be wiser of him to come speak to me, now," I return, struggling to remain polite, though I know my expression is not polite at all. "Please let him know it is a matter of some urgency. Regarding his own people's behavior."

The servant stands even straighter, tilting his head back to look down his nose at me, even though he must be a full foot shorter. Someone should let him know the action looks downright ridiculous. If he didn't stand between me and my goal, I would do him the courtesy.

He doesn't invite me in, instead he nods and shuts the door in my face. Well, we'll see about this. I turn and walk back to my carriage to sit and wait.

And wait more.

I wait for an inordinately long time before the servant comes out of the House Mansion and saunters over with a haughty air. More than a few people have come and gone, all of them entering without delay, barely taking time to glance in my direction. All of them from Major Houses, ascertained from their clothing and haughty looks.

"Prince Rathorin says he cannot see you at the moment," the servant says with a thin smile, enjoying imparting the news. "Could I schedule you an appointment?"

I stifle the urge to punch his smug face but one good blow would probably kill the silly little twit and cause me no end of trouble. I might as well declare war. Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I let it out in a long sigh.

"Fine. When is the next available appointment?" I ask, gritting my teeth.

He says a date more than a cycle later. The urge to strangle his skinny neck curls my hands into tight balls.

"I cannot wait that long. This is an urgent matter, as I have said, more than once," I growl.

"I'm afraid many matters that reach Prince Rathorin are urgent," the servant says with a smirk. "This will need to wait like all the rest."

I stare him down and doubt seeps into the small man’s eyes. Perhaps he realizes our size difference. Or that nobody is nearby to help him. I let that thought settle, even though I have no intention of harming him. Infuriating as he is, he's not the real problem.

"Fine," I spit.

Relief is clear on his face as I step back, though he covers it by throwing back his bony shoulders. I click the juntta into motion without another word.

As I leave the courtyard and pass through the marketplace with its frivolous offerings and people inflated with their own sense of importance, my mind turns back to the possibility of finding a Pari through Celestial Mates.

What if I am matched?

My people are no safer now than when I came here to speak to Prince Rathorin. And it doesn't appear as if that state of events will change any time in the immediate future. My mind turns over the problem again, and again I come to the hard conclusion that it would not be right of me to bring a female to a House I cannot protect.

Frustration, anger, and anguish all curdle in my belly as I leave House Ti'ana, having accomplished nothing.