ENOCH

It is true I have memorized the geography of the desert about twenty miles out surrounding our domed city. I've been traveling in it alone since I could walk. Adler, my father, probably ordered me to and hoped I'd never return, but I learned to backtrack. I also picked up a few tricks such as leaving markers behind. All I need is a torch and my brain, assuming I am only going on a day trip.

I've never left longer.

Mother is too afraid to count on me meeting up with father further out. With my maps though it'd be a piece of cake. Nevertheless, I won't complain.

I could use some time away from this all. The darkness outside is sort of comforting in my solitude. There's less to worry about out there. Well, really, there's only one thing to worry about.

I've lived in the light all my life and heard the horrors of travelers who have gotten lost in the black desert. Only foreigners get lost though. Our kingdom is well educated and knowledgeable about the harsh environment surrounding our city. Children are taught about the geography of our land and most of them would be able to find their way back alone if they ventured a few miles out. Our city emits light anyway. 

Most who come do not wish to leave. And most inside, unlike me, never dream of leaving the comfortable shelter our empire provides.

However, most people are not in the royal family. They do not know what really goes on to keep our city up and running.

I don't even know how our city runs on false light. I doubt my tyrant father ever plans on sharing that with anyone. I doubt if he even knows for sure himself. The light existed long before he took over.

I urge Urdmin's voltak forward.

"I will be back in the evening," I chide.

Mother hands me a lantern from Urdmin. It's a special spherical lantern said to never have gone out, but on my travels, I have seen the flame die. I simply re-light it with a match. Matches are more beneficial. I make them myself with my own secret chemical mixtures.

I may be an architect, but I am also a chemist and an artist among other things. It is only because of the family I was born into that I gained such 'talents' as my mother would call them.

"Be careful!"

"Do be careful!" Urdmin echoes after cracking his whip on a nearby slave.

My blood boils at the sound of the slave crying out. Soon, things will change. I will drive a sword through the heart of the same man who marvels over their misery and my own.

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