Ashtium: City of Sun

ENOCH

It’s a far walk from one side of the city to the other. It’s why I rode my horse over, Belle.

Most of our empire’s citizens are unfamiliar with my identity. My statue has yet to be finished by our empirical appointed artist. It will be placed outside the city, next to mother’s, once completed. I imagine I will gain some popularity then, but the attention is unwanted. Besides, once I take over my father’s place, there will be no more statues. They are a waste of tax money when the poor of our people are still living out on the streets.

My neck still is beat red, my heart races even after the Krexbin finished feeling up my face. I can’t keep thinking about Greta right now. I must focus on what I came here to retrieve and then leave as quickly as I came.

I do not like lingering around in the palace longer than necessary with mother and Urdmin both around.

Belle trots up to the palace. Gracefully as I can, I dismount her. Then I tie her to one of my father’s statues just to taint his image. Belle will surely need to relieve herself and why not on the foot of the tyrant? Smiling, I enter the palace with a steady stride.

Just like the streets outside, the palace is a solid white marble. There are many circular windows in the ceiling and several metal chandeliers. Century-old black and white paintings are engraved high up above my head on the glistening white ceiling - beginning with a mosaic of the old war that led to our empire’s birth.

I don’t know if it can even be called a war though, there were no sides when the sun faded to dark. It was every person for themselves and the strongest warriors were the ones who declared themselves in charge. The rest is history created from their manipulation of the weak in body and spirit.

I find the empress inside the palace library with her nose in a book. She’s strewn across a leather lounge chair made of black alligator skin. It matches her black tunic. She only wears the dark color when angry.

Does she know the emperor has left for war again?

Light shines down from a window in the high double barrel-vaulted ceiling making her look like one of her many paintings. I turn into one of the numerous isles of old books in search of another read for Greta. Although, I may have better luck in my private library.

“Enoch, what are you up to?”

“Just browsing for a new read,” I say loudly so she can hear.

I hear her close her book; the clapping sound echoes around me. “Glad to hear it. Do you know when your father plans on coming back?”

“In a week -- as far as I’m aware.”

I walk out of the aisle, reluctantly looking over at her. All dramatics, she leans back resting her hand on her forehead while Urdmin places a rag on her forehead.

“A shame,” she replies. Her voice brightens, “I’m sure he’ll return with some spoils of war. Perhaps, a new collection of books for you.”

I watch with disgust as the old advisor rubs my mother’s feet with a wicked grin. Feeling uncomfortable, I grab the book I came for and head for the door.

“I’m not going to get my hopes up.”

Why must it be Urdmin she seeks attention from? I really can’t find any room to sympathize for her anymore. He would be so easy to kill unlike father. Mother has anger issues too.

I’m just glad I’m not a woman because enough of them go missing after their “luncheons” with mother. She may not be a murderer, but enslaving so many women over such worries is plain cruel.

She holds her title as empress very close to her heart.

Every time a woman so much as glances at father’s temple she feels her title dirtied. Can she blame the people for looking up to him or being remotely interested in their ruler? I am the last person who would defend him, but she confuses their interest for a love that does not exist between them and him.

From the perspective of our people, they can live in comfort with an extensive array of luxuries. Our streets are void of the sand outside. We live in a wonderful light that allows our plants to grow and our people to live in health. Everyone is fairly pleased with our city, except the slaves of course.

I will free them though once I take over. I hate to admit it, but our city would not have reached its advancements without them.

“Enoch, where are you off to in such a hurry? Lucas is expecting you to go riding in the track with him this morning.”

“Sorry mother! I have work to do and it will have to wait for another day.”

Poor Lucas. Knowing him though, I’m sure he’ll find a woman to entertain him until I have the time to catch up with him on his plans for the new atrium addition being renovated in the city bank. He does not need my mentoring anymore to design such a thing. I will just meet up with him tomorrow and give him the go-ahead for construction.

“No, the emporer’s son does not disobey the orders of the empress,” Urdmin announces, but I keep walking. “Enoch!” the old man shrieks.

I stop by the door to the library turning to find the advisor right behind me. “What?”

“Ruler Adler has asked me to bring five horses to carry the extra load on their return. You will go in my place as punishment for talking back to your mother.”

“You snake! Do not tell me what or what not to do!” I retort, tempted to grab his neck and end him here.

Mother yawns loudly, but leisurely stands up watching the two of us. She crosses her arms and approaches me first.

She’s quick to side with the old advisee. “Urdmin is right. I am already disrespected by my husband. I will not be disrespected by my own blood and flesh. You must become a warrior to gain what you wish to steal from the emperor. You will go meet up with him. Urdmin, escort him to the stables and do not return to me until you see him pass the city walls,” Mother demands with callous.

I scoff and roughly pull the advisor’s arm from my own. “I can walk myself.”

The empress rubs her temples looking agonized by my actions. “This is for your own good, Enoch. I know you like to escape the city when the chance arises. However, you cannot escape your father and I until the day comes one of us dies. I will always support your goals. You cannot ask me to cross my husband, but I will not step in your way.”

I raise my eyebrows at mother’s confession as my face turns tomato red at her calling me out. What else does she know!? I have not told a soul of my hopes for the kingdom’s future. Of course, I have spoken out against father’s wishes, but never have I admitted to anyone my wish to overthrow him.

I’m to inherit the throne from him so there would be no cause for anyone to believe me to wish to kill him.

“That’s not-”

“Go, Enoch. Don’t worry! I am not angry. I want to see you surpass him,” Mother calls after me.

Urdmin shoves me out the door. “Let off!” I retort.

He laughs while thumbing through his notebook. “You are none the wiser than the emperor. You are hungry for power to spite him. You are unfit to rule.”

I ignore the slave beater and stride ahead of him out of the palace, mounting Belle and taking off before he can stop me. I know father plans to ransack the Harlong Kingdom. I will not be taking part in the slaughter of another city -- especially one of our old allies. So if he wants horses, I will deliver them solely to play the part of the dutiful son. I will not be joining on partaking in the barbaric ways of his army.

I can only hope Greta will fair well in the courtyard, but I will only be gone a day.