Chapter Six

Year 2775, 3rd Sun

Vicinity Twelve (Diton)

Months turned into years, and Aradag's once emotional frown faded into a hollow blankness that captured his being. After spending so much time at sea, his hopes of seeing his mother again diminished, leaving in their place a shell of an ambition.

He had started in Demoor, his hometown, checking city after city and knocking at door after door. His course continued into the great sea and every shore it held, drew unto the Glistening Abyss. Upon reaching the five-year mark, Aradag arrived at his final stop, Vicinity Twelve, Diton.

Extravagant was the only word Aradag could use to describe this parade; dozens of people dressed in sunsets and sunrises flocked around him, showering him in blessings and gifts. He glanced at the floats overhead, noting that all of them represented his persona or his deeds along the years. He did wonder how Diton had heard about his small acts of kindness throughout the (isolated) vicinities.

The welcome warmed his cold heart.

After a while, a pair of knights emerged from Diton's castle to escort him inside. They introduced themselves by profession as opposed to name, but the young man didn't dwell on it. Soon Aradag found himself face to face with the Count himself, the latter of which was beaming. Aradag did not understand why the nation was so happy to see him. He really didn't, but who was he to turn down such hospitality?

"Ah, Mr. Spectro!" the Count called upon seeing Aradag walk into the dining hall. "A pleasure to meet you, lad!"

My mother has been missing for five years and you say it's a pleasure to see me? "Likewise, Your Excellency."

"Ah, have a seat! I hear your journey has been most exhausting. Would you like some tea?"

"Sugar-free, if you please." I hate sugar-free. I hate this. This guilt...

No sooner had Aradag given his reply when the Count called a maid. It felt like a blink of an eye when he looked up and found a mug being offered to him. "Your tea, sir."

"Thank you." Does it go away?

The Count had also ordered a cup of tea, and so both men took to silence as they sipped their beverages. Aradag heard the Count's cup being placed on a table, which he took as his cue to do the same, prompting the latter to speak.

"So, Mr. Spectro, I take it your search has been plenty disappointing so far."

Aradag paused to inspect the Count's face, which upheld its bright smile effortlessly. "Yes, Your Excellency. I have searched far and wide for my mother but to no avail. My last hope lies within Diton." It's suffocating...

"That's unfortunate." The Count's smile faded into a frown as he looked to be deep in thought. "Very unfortunate... you have my utmost sympathy."

Aradag was not sure why, but the tips of his fingers had gone numb. "I thank you for your warm welcome, Your Excellency, but the sheer extravagance, I am not deserving of it." The Count's eyes were on his as he changed the subject. "If I have been unable to find the woman who has loved me more than the sun, so much so that I am starting to believe she is well and truly gone..."

"Is there no trace? Nobody evaporates into the air without a trail, son," the old Count chuckled, causing Aradag's heartbeat to pick up.

If those words had been uttered five years ago, the young man would have given the Count a less stoic response. "We are all eventually clouds in the air, nay?"

"Is that so?"

Just as Aradag prepared to respond, footsteps echoed throughout the hall until a silhouette approached the table. By all means, Aradag did not expect to be blessed with such beauty; a lady dressed in expensive fabrics took a seat by the Count, whose face was unreadable. The younger man examined her features, eyeing the blush on her blank expression. No, he wouldn't let her appearance distract him. This woman likely had a reason to show herself at this time; he would focus on that.

"Father," she said, her voice deep and melodic, "this young man must be escorted to the interrogation chamber at once."

The Count's face reddened. "What is this nonsense? Our guest is a nobleman from the City of the Spider's Web! Show some respect!"

Aradag had to admire the confidence in the woman's posture. Despite her sitting position, she seemed to unleash an aura of authority that would not be challenged. "He is still a foreigner. Do not forget the ancient rules of Earth, Father. Standard protocol is to escort guests to the interrogation chamber after their arrival."

"My word, Avis, your attitude is quite unpleasant this evening!" The Count's daughter's expression remained unchanged, but her black eyes hardened. "You may ask for the preparation of the chamber, then. Such a disgraceful—"

"The chamber has been prepared since dawn," she interrupted the older man. "The young man may be escorted at any time. Excuse me."

With her final quip, Lady Avis stood from her chair and made her way out of the hall, all the while Aradag's gaze never leaving her lavender hair. His stomach twisted at the idea of this woman's hostility, but the Count's laugh brought him back to his senses.

"I am terribly sorry, my boy," he said. "My daughter can be quite the handful!"

Aradag shook his head whilst forcing a smile on his face. "Quite the contrary, Your Excellency, Lady Avis seems a respectable woman."

He did not miss the flash of malice that passed in the Count's eyes.

"Your opinion is flattering."

Aradag decided to stay in Vicinity Twelve for a bit longer than he intended. Why should he rush to return, anyway? He had five years until the final deadline for his quest, and the TDI Institution would have a hard time catching up with him if he were a guest at the Count of Diton's castle.

Aradag's interest now was to discover the reason behind Lady Avis's attitude. He wondered if she only acted so cold around him or if that was her general attitude.

Aradag went back to his residence, took off his navy uniform and started to think of a good place to run into her "by accident." The best place he found was a big diner that doubled as a bar which wasn't far from the castle. What such an esteemed lady would do in a common diner, he had no idea, but he had a strong feeling that she would be there. Perhaps he could get a job for the time being to increase his chances...

Aradag entered the diner, quick to start his small quest. Ignoring the hearty laughter and the raw stench of alcohol, he asked after the owner of the establishment. The man in question was nowhere to be found, so he approached the bartender on shift and asked him about the royal lady. "Excuse me, may I ask a question?"

The man eyed him before responding. "What d'ya need?"

"I would like to know the whereabouts of one Lady Avis," replied Aradag, "since I believe that she could be wandering the Vicinity without the Count's knowledge." He hated to lie, but it was the only way the man would believe him, at least in his mind.

"Lady Avis, you say?" the barman said as he stowed away the freshly washed cup in his hands. "Never seen that face 'ere before. You must be new 'round these parts."

Think, Aradag, think! "Well, one can say that, yes." Aradag internally winced at his subpar reply, but the barman shrugged him off. "Thank you anyway."

The young man returned to his guest chamber in the castle after his failed attempt. The following night, he stopped at the same diner to grab a small meal in exchange for more information on the Count's daughter. He fought to push away the thoughts that questioned his actions, reminding himself that he had the time, he had the energy, he had the curiosity. Perhaps the Lady was a powerful woman who controlled the lands from the shadows, maybe—alright, he was overthinking.

It was when he exited the diner that he was presented with his first promising lead.

A figure darted by his peripherals as if in a hurry. They were headed in the direction of the grand market, and so Aradag paid the barkeeper (who surfaced this time) and set off. Perhaps this hooded figure held an answer.

Once he caught up to them, Aradag deduced from the lavender hair peeking out of the tattered hood that it could well be his target that was hiding in plain sight. The possible Lady Avis clutched her rags as she extended a hand in the direction of a fruit stall. From his passable position by the jewellery stand, hidden in the crowd, he could have missed the hesitation in her movements.

Then she trudged up to her desired stall and her sleeve tugged back, revealing a large black stone on her finger. He remembered seeing Lady Avis shoving her hands in her dress pockets when she caught Aradag inspecting her; this has to be her.

She did not stop at the fruit stall. Aradag weaved through the crowds as he followed the hooded lady, earning strange looks from the vendors. At one turn, Aradag found himself in a bind; he lost her. Before he could regroup, a shadow appeared behind him.

"Do you always follow common women in the market, diner boy?"

Aradag turned around to see the hooded lady before him. His face was as red as the apples in the lady's bag. What was he thinking, not using stealth to his advantage? "You are mistaken m'lady, I was going my own way."

"Where to?" Poison dripped from her voice. "If you may oblige, of course."

"I was looking for Marley's Hole," he lied through his teeth.

"I dare say that is where you came from, but so be it." The lady turned around, beckoning Aradag to follow her. "Walk ahead, turn left twice then right once, continue straight then turn right."

Aradag didn't think his next actions through. Desperate to keep the woman from walking away, he grabbed the rags covering her and pulled, revealing her expression of disbelief in its entirety. Surely enough, he was standing in the presence of the woman who never left his mind.

"Lady Avis, you dont look like an old common lady," Aradag smirked.

"The people of this Vicinity are usually less bothered by being followed." Avis's eyes radiated fury while her hands shook. "How dare you lay your hand on me?"

Aradag had seconds to explain himself. "Forgive me, m'lady, I was—"

"Have we met before? You look disturbingly familiar."

"Disturbingly?" Lady Avis ignored the question. "Well, indeed we have met. Aradag Spectro, m'lady, Navy Captain, on this land by permission of the Duke."

"Yes, yes, the navy boy..." she waved him off. "Missed your ship I assume? What about the bartender scarf? A fashion trend?"

"No, nothing of the sort." A small wave of embarrassment washed over the young man. "I decided to stay for some time. A man has to toil for bread. I actually wish to have a conversation with you, if possible."

The woman's eyes narrowed. "Ha, funny. I cannot help but wonder what brought you here in the first place, Navy Captain. aren't you from The City of Spider's Web? I hear it holds wonders and miracles."

"True, I am from Vicinity Three, but I had a reason for coming. I was searching for someone lost, someone dear."

Silence followed Aradag's reply. Lady Avis seemed to contemplate something before her face relaxed the slightest bit. "I am sorry for your loss, Navy Captain. Perhaps I could indulge you in a quick conversation..."

A trip to Marley's Hole and two glasses of beer later, Aradag found himself questioning the Lady's constant fidgeting. Her face was void of emotion, but her hands fiddled with her cloak without reprieve. The young man felt the need to start the conversation himself. "Forgive me if I intrude on your privacy, m'lady, but I must ask if His Excellency the Count Robert is mistreating you. H—"

Lady Avis stood at attention, startling Aradag. "That is an offensive judgment you make about a man who offers you a chamber in his castle, young man!"

But he did not reply, forcing the Lady to continue speaking.

"Discourtesy aside, you may well be right to question things... I am sure Vicinity Three handles noblewomen in a different fashion."

"So what is the real reason behind this?" Aradag pushed on, fueled by the bitterness in Lady Avis's eyes. "Why is he doing this to you?"

"You are overstepping your boundaries, Navy Captain."

"Am I, m'lady? I am merely trying to help."

She scowled at his response. "You are a foreigner! Any input you have would be overruled immediately."

"While that may be true, I insist on providing assistance if I can." Aradag feared that he was sounding pushy, so he smiled and sat up straight in his stool. "I apologize for my daring attitude, Lady Avis. I realize I sound very condescending and authoritative when it is not my place. However, I would hate to leave this land while an elegant lady like yourself seems to be suffering."

Something in his speech looked to strike a chord within the noblewoman, for she sighed in defeat. "You are one strange man, Mr. Spectro. I have not once come across such a curious fellow."

Aradag beamed. "It is not curiosity, m'lady. As a Navy Captain, I am entrusted to protect the lands and their peoples to the best of my ability."

"Yes, yes. Follow me, then; my story is a winding one and this establishment is crawling with eyes and ears."

Having paid for their drinks earlier, Aradag slipped out of his seat and followed Lady Avis out of the diner. She took him through several streets until he could glimpse the moon shining on the sea. Judging by its position in the sky, it was nearing midnight. Mist enveloped the old harbor where Lady Avis had brought the young man, causing him to squint to see beyond the crashing waves.

"Mist at midnight?" Aradag mumbled to himself, but his attention soon turned to the noblewoman who seated herself on the ground, back facing the sea. "A splendid choice, Lady Avis, I—"

All too soon, Lady Avis cut him off, her voice turning to stone again. "Your constant chatter gives me migraines. Be silent and listen, or I will return to the castle alone."

Feeling nervousness creeping upon his thoughts, Aradag pursed his lips and nodded. "You have my undivided attention, m'lady."