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Sovereign City-State: The Library
19th Day of Month 6, Year 1628 DG
The Catacombs are concentrated in the core of the Library. Packed marketplaces and dense populations evaporate in the outer neighborhoods, where open plots of greenery and farmland take root.
The Stream and the Loop do reach the outer neighborhoods. The last exit of each is only a few minutes walk from the Library’s southern gates. Unisa sits on the ledge of one of the Stream’s canals, where Rafael said he would meet her.
The four suns strike her new, yellow silk tunic and ignite her like a beacon. The bag sitting at her feet contains five more, along with three casual outfits, some creams to moisturize her chestnut skin, and a few vials of rice water and natural oils for her hair.
It’s in a single braid, wrapped tightly on top of her head. The bun gets a little heavy, particularly when she’s flying, but it’s a small price to pay for being able to protect her coiled, natural hair.
A splash catches her attention. Rafael stands in the exit bay of the canal, dripping from head to toe with a waterproof bag and a bow strapped to his back. He’s naked, save for his sister’s bracelet, so he rummages through his bag for an outfit and gets dressed.
There’s a moment of hesitation when he approaches Unisa, but then he leans forward and greets her traditionally. She can’t remember the last time it wasn’t done naturally, easily.
Rafael sits down next to her on the canal’s ledge. Neither of them says anything and Unisa senses how tense he is. A pang of guilt ignites. The cold distance between them is a scar of her sins.
“Are you scared?” Rafael asks her, finally breaking the silence.
Unisa looks up to meet his eyes. “A little. You?”
He nods slowly. “Does that mean I’m Fully Broken?”
She pauses, then recites, “Fear is your heart’s recognition that you’re doing something important.”
Rafael smiles. “Where did you hear that?”
“Ora,” Unisa admits, then brings the conversation back. “You’ve been out in the world before. What are you afraid of?”
“I haven’t truly. Fifteen years in SeaBed and then”—he hesitates—“eight in exile.”
The light in his eyes dims and Unisa can’t keep herself at a distance anymore. She wraps her arms tightly around him, but he doesn’t return the embrace.
“I’m sorry, Rafa,” Unisa says, as the guilt forces its way through her heart and burns her eyes.
“Don’t apologize.”
Unisa releases him and leans back, surprised. “It’s my actions that brought us here.”
“That doesn’t matter now. All that matters is making it back in one piece.”
“How,” Unisa begins, as her eyes moisten, “can you forgive me so easily? You should be angry with me.”
Rafael’s gaze stays affixed to the ground. “I was. Maybe I still am. But after Joaquina died, I remembered all of the unfinished conversations we never had the chance to complete.” He looks into her eyes. “Uni, we’re about to go on a journey that could be dangerous. And if anything happens, I don’t want our conversations left unfinished because I was angry. No one can ever replace Joaquina, but, in my exile, you’ve allowed me to feel like I have a sister again.”
She embraces him once more, and this time, he does reciprocate. “I love you, Rafa.”
“I love you, too.”
They sit huddled together for another few minutes, quietly taking in one another’s company, until Unisa breaks the silence. “Where’s your quiver?”
Rafael laughs and reaches into his pocket to withdraw a narrow, metal cylinder. He holds it out in front of him and presses down on the center. There’s a light pop and both sides of the cylinder extend outward rapidly. A sharp pyramid unfolds at one end, while a nocking point and fletchings appear at the other.
“A collapsible arrow,” Unisa comments.
Rafael nods. “I have tons of them. A nymph in my building makes them. She said it’s the latest design upgrade the Bravers had before the ore.”
“I’m glad you’ll have some protection. Hopefully you won’t need to use it.” She looks up at the positions of the suns. “It’s time to meet Kyoko and Alba.”
***
“ANA MUST HAVE BEEN devastated,” Kyoko says, running her fingers along the cold stone beneath her.
“We both are,” Alba replies, leaning against the boulder upon which Kyoko sits. Both Librarians’ travel bags lie at her feet. “She accepted it after a couple of hours, though. By the morning, she was actually relieved that she has a few extra days to pack.”
Kyoko smiles. “Ana the optimist. I hope she never loses that.”
“She won’t,” Alba says with a laugh. She turns to face her Vice. “Kyoko, I’m sorry you’re being forced onto this journey.”
Kyoko raises an eyebrow. “Why are you apologizing? You’re also being pulled into it.”
“I volunteered,” Alba clarifies.
“You didn’t have a choice. The Prime loves his games, but he doesn’t know who he’s playing with.”
Alba smiles. “I appreciate the confidence you have in me. I hope you have some in yourself.”
Kyoko lightly brushes the yellow silk tunic she’s wearing. “I haven’t earned this.”
Alba places her hand on Kyoko’s knee. “You have. I’ve been so fortunate these past six years, watching you grow. You’re going to make a fine Ambassador, and this journey will prove it.”
Kyoko forces a smile to hide what she’s truly feeling, as she looks up at the path leading through the forest and out of the Library’s bounds.
“What’s wrong?” Alba asks.
Kyoko hesitates. “It was right there.” She lifts a finger to the edge of the forest. “Six years ago. Kanako and I were standing right there when she said it.”
Alba frowns. “People say things they don’t mean when they’re angry. That doesn’t justify her words, but if you see her, things might be different.”
Kyoko groans. “I don’t want to see her.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do. I hope she’s happy now, truly. I’m not going to spring back into her life and remind her of the terrible sister she once had.”
Alba taps Kyoko’s knee in reproach. “Don’t say that. Those are the Prime’s words.”
Kyoko’s eyes remain steady on the spot where her sister last spoke to her. “And Kanako’s. I’m going to avoid her if I can.” She turns to Alba. “I hope your journey goes smoothly. And safely.”
“Thank you. I’ve sent word to Saila that I’m returning sooner than expected. Perhaps Unisa and I can stay with her this time.”
Kyoko’s stomach wraps into a thick knot. “Unisa. She has no idea what’s about to happen. It’s going to exhaust her.”
“It’s not the physical journey that concerns me. It’s the philosophical one. The existential one. She’s going to think her life has been wasted on a lie. The weight of that realization will crush her unless I can bring her to it piecemeal.”
Kyoko smiles and puts her hand on Alba’s. “She’s in capable hands.”
The ground vibrates as the enormous golden gates creak open. The patrolling Librarians escort Unisa and Rafael out of the city limits, then wave goodbye before heading back in.
When Kyoko sees Rafael, it occurs to her that she’ll be traveling with a stranger. Aside from the occasional salutation, the most they’ve ever spoken was once a few weeks prior, when she saw him having lunch and asked what seafood he liked, something their cultural cuisines share.
Shrimp? Or was it salmon? No, I like salmon. Maybe we both like salmon.
The former Gatekeepers, also clad in yellow silk, approach the boulder, and Kyoko descends. The four Librarians stand in an awkward quadrangle until Unisa breaks the silence.
“Have you come to see us off?” She directs the question at Alba.
“Not exactly,” Alba responds, lifting her bag and slinging it over her shoulder. “I volunteered to join you on your mission.”
Unisa’s lips curve into a smile. “What an honor to be under your guidance.”
Alba’s cheeks burn crimson and Kyoko stifles a chuckle.
“Are you well-packed?” Alba asks. Unisa nods. “And you’ve brought the book with you?”
Unisa taps her bag. “I have it.”
Alba turns to Rafael. “Follow Kyoko’s lead. You’re going to pass through a number of villages that were heavily affected by the war. Your tunics afford you diplomatic immunity, but I would stay cautious regardless.”
Rafael nods in acknowledgement, and she addresses Kyoko next. “That goes for you, too. Cautious and alert. Don’t draw any unwanted attention, and stay hyper-vigilant of local laws. Committing a crime, even unintentionally, can be dangerous. Remember—”
“I get it, Alba,” Kyoko laughs. “I promise, we’ll be careful.”
Alba smiles and wraps her arms around Kyoko, who takes in her mentor’s warmth, along with her sea salt and citrus scent.
The angi swivels her head, searching. “Where is the chauffeur?”
Alba laughs. “Will this trip be financed from your own pocket, or the Prime’s?”
“Uh, well, um,” Unisa mumbles awkwardly.
“I’ll be walking. You’re welcome to fly.”
Unisa shakes her head. “No, no. I’ll walk.” She turns and embraces Rafael. “Stay safe.”
“I’ll see you in a few days,” he says before turning to Alba. “Take care of her.”
Alba nods. “There is no one she’d be safer with.”
Unisa and Alba step onto the dirt path, leaving Kyoko and Rafael standing together awkwardly.
“We should head out, as well,” Kyoko suggests.
“That’s a good idea.”
The path heading south can easily fit two travelers walking side-by-side, yet Kyoko notices Rafael walking on the bare forest floor next to it.
Is he doing that deliberately? she wonders.
“You can walk next to me on the path, Rafael,” she insists. “I won’t bite.”
“I’m comfortable here.” His tone is so cold it nearly sends a shiver down Kyoko’s spine.
I need you to laugh at my jokes, Rafael, or it’ll be an unnecessarily long journey.
Kyoko’s thoughts drift to the road ahead, and the places she might find familiar from her journeys with Alba. She reaches into her bag in search of a map, but comes up empty, so she stops walking to look more thoroughly.
“What’s wrong?” Rafael asks, pausing to look back at her.
She closes her bag and hoists it back over her shoulder. “Did you bring a map, by any chance?”
Rafael nods. He produces the one he’s brought and hands it to Kyoko. She examines it as they walk.
“It’s outdated,” she states with a frown. “We need a new one.”
“How can you tell?”
“Some of these villages have different names now. Others have been conquered and merged, so these borders don’t exist anymore.”
“Is that relevant?” Rafael asks with a tinge of snark in his voice. “It’s the same land we’re walking through, regardless of what its name is or who owns it. The map is fine.”
Kyoko’s taken aback by his opposition. “No, it isn’t. You should always be aware of whose land you’re on, or whether a village is available for a stop.”
Rafael holds his hand out and Kyoko gives the map back to him. “I think you’re making a bigger deal of this than it needs to be.”
Kyoko takes a deep breath, ignoring his tone. “I’ve been Alba’s Vice for six years, Rafael. You’ve been within the city walls for the last eight. There’s a reason Alba asked you to follow my lead.”
She didn’t intend for her statement to hurt, but injury and insult flashes in his eyes. He nods silently and continues walking.
What a wonderful start.
The silence grows painful by the second, until, an hour later, Kyoko loses her ability to maintain it. She gestures to the jewelry on Rafael’s wrist and says, “That’s a stunning bracelet.”
There’s a pause in which Kyoko thinks he might ignore her, but then he responds with a tone no warmer than earlier. “Thank you.”
“Alba gave a similar one to Ana. It’s a mari sibling tradition, right?”
He nods stiffly. “My sister gave it to me.”
“How sweet. You must be very close.”
Rafael takes a deep breath. “I don’t want to talk about my sister.”
Kyoko nods. She’s unintentionally struck a nerve, so she attempts to change the subject. “How long have you and Unisa been together?”
He stops walking. “What?”
“Oh.” Kyoko’s cheeks glow red. “Are you not a couple?”
“No.” He shakes his head and steps forward again.
She worries about being perceived as overly emotional or dramatic, but she does want to understand Rafael’s coldness. “Have I done something to insult you?”
He looks genuinely confused. “No. Why?”
“You’ve just been very”—she pauses to find the right word—“closed off. Since we started walking.”
“I’m sorry,” he responds quickly, but it doesn’t feel genuine. “I’m nervous about going to EverEmber.”
Finally, more than two words.
“I understand. I have my own reservations about it.”
“Didn’t you grow up there?”
Kyoko nods. “I did, but there are people there I’d like to avoid.”
“That’s not the same thing,” Rafael comments abruptly. “Your concern is an inconvenience. Mine is a matter of life and death.”
“Life and death?” she says, her tone incredulous.
“Yes, life and death,” Rafael snaps. “The igni and the mari just ended a war.”
“Rafael, the war ended years ago. Everyone has moved on.”
He pauses before he responds. “Not all of us can do that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” he responds quickly. “I just don’t feel safe around the igni.”
Kyoko chuckles uncomfortably. “You’re traveling with an igni, Rafael.”
Rafael takes a deep breath and replies almost inaudibly, “I would never have willingly chosen that.”
Realization strikes Kyoko with the force of a hailstone. What she had perceived as a standoffish demeanor was actually an intense prejudice. Rafael’s reservations bleed into more personal sentiments toward her.
And now she’s trapped, traveling for days with a man who’s judged her before the journey’s even truly begun.