Hume, the City of Power. It had the largest population in the whole of Dernexes, with at least sixty per cent of the people slaves under employment. It was the powerhouse of the kingdom, specialised in energy production and mechanical industry. Opaque smoke poured constantly into the sky, so thick that sunshine could barely shine through. The streets were swarming with muscular men with brown, leathery skin that was shiny with sweat. Many had their heads shaved and they carried sacks of heavy goods: grains, coal, wood, rocks; the brand of Dernexes was clear on their wrists. They moved out of the way for Master Anu, eyes cast down after noticing his light blue cloak rimmed with black.

Enlil, Tia, and Mommu followed the old man through the crowd quickly. Their leather boots stepped over well-worn stone steps. Tia's eyes widened at the four-storey buildings that lined the long streets, the walls stained grey-black by the heavy air pollution. The houses were cramped, split into different units for each occupant, although there was no rubbish strewn around or windows broken. It was a relatively clean, albeit stained, city.

Used to the fresh, clean air of Mooncliffe, Tia found the air particularly difficult to breathe. Her throat tightened and her eyes watered. The air was so humid and polluted that walking through it felt like swimming through syrup. The temperature of the city was several degrees higher than the outskirts due to the heavy machinery at work, and she soon found herself sweating profusely under her travelling cloak and tunic. Her fringe plastered to her forehead with perspiration. Even the movement of the carriers had grown sluggish, particularly Mommu's Kuri, whose long grey hair did little to help it rid excess heat.

Tia wiped another handful of sweat from her forehead. She took a dislike to Hume almost at once, although it was amazing to see so many people congregated on the streets. Hume held none of Kiramone's beauty; it was a hard, tough city where people toiled to put food on the table and to maintain a roof over their heads. There was no pretty décor or flashy shows, just sweat and muscle.

Enlil appeared to be unaffected by the soar in temperature and did not pant or stop for frequent recovery breaks as Tia and Mommu did. It was difficult to read Enlil's face. Tia knew he must have tons of thoughts for this city full of his people, but his expression was nothing beyond solemn. The Master, about twenty steps ahead of Tia, was looking at him too, his blue eyes intense. Every so often, a non-slave civilian would pass and slaves would part way respectfully before converging together again like a stream meeting a boulder. Enlil glared at the latest civilian, eyes burning into the back of the man's head as he made his way towards the bakery. Again, slaves parted their ways for him; some drifted off down a side street. Tia craned her neck. She could see some sort of slave congregation, a square where numerous slaves sat and engaged in conversation with each other. Tearing her eyes away, she hurried on.

The Windcaster frowned but said nothing. As they caught up, Tia's tiredness was overtaken by elation of being in a new city once more. Her head swivelled in all directions; her hood fell off, and she jammed it back on again, not caring how messed up her hair had become.

Enlil had held his tongue throughout as they arrived at their inn. Tia scanned the inn's title and was disappointed to only see a normal name, 'Lady Ishtar's Arms'. It was a sturdily built four-storeyed building constructed out of darkened stone. There was no flamboyance to it, pure practicalities. Inside, simple candles were lit on the walls and a large painting of the beautiful queen of Dernexes was hung on the wall. The artist had captured her child-like features well: porcelain skin glowed in the candle light, her rosebud lips were curved in a gentle smile, and her sparkling blue eyes appeared to stare straight at Tia.

"She is so pretty," she said to Mommu, who nodded, his grey eyes also fixated on the painting. Enlil on the other hand showed no interest in the depiction of the royal. He stood just behind Master Anu, holding the Windcaster's staff and belongings, looking every bit a personal assistant. Tia couldn't see his face from her distance but his posture was stiff and upright. "Do you think there is something wrong with Enlil?"

Mommu followed her gaze.

"Normally he would have said something about people being well-fed and clothed and slaves living in horrible conditions but he has not. It is like he has something on his mind."

Master Anu nodded his head and gave his two pupils a glance, gesturing for them to follow him. They hurried and fell in step behind Enlil, who made no attempt to talk to them or even look at them. They helped the Windcaster move his travelling bags into his room and bowed respectfully, exiting.

"What is wrong, Enlil?" Tia blurted out the moment the door closed shut with a click.

He strode ahead, not speaking.

"Enlil!" she called, running after him.

It wasn't until he had set his bags with a thump on the ground did he turn to face her; by that point, Tia had worked herself into indignity, panting with a furious expression on her face.

"I am talking to you, Enlil! Why are you–"

"Do you not see them?" he hissed. She took a step back warily.

"Who?"

"The slaves, that is who, Tiamat!" His tone was vehement. Tia was stung. His usual calm mask had slipped off. "Every one of them branded as property of the kingdom and chained to a lifetime of servitude. Over three hundred thousand of them!"

Tia, oblivious to the nervous looks thrown in her direction by Mommu, didn't catch the hints.

"But they appear happy–"

"Happy?!"

Mommu groaned.

"You are a sweet girl, Tiamat, but you can sometimes be so stupid!"

Tia glared back, affronted.

"Please do not fight," Mommu said beseechingly.

"You do not see it either, Mommu, do you?" Enlil's fists were clenched and his face flushed. "Such a big population of slaves – they have the power to overthrow this oppression. They have the power to restore their rights, yet there they are, still pattering on with their day-to-day duties obediently like dogs." He ran a frustrated hand through his dark hair. "They cannot be legally married, they cannot walk the streets as a civilian's equal, they cannot vote for the kingdom, and yet when war comes, they will be expected to fight to the death. They will be the first to fall, all of them, before any Dernexan comes to harm." He spat the last part.

"I think you are the stupid one, Enlil."

The taller boy stopped, astonished despite his rage. Tia glared right into his eyes.

"If you are so angry, why do you not do something about it?"

"Tia!"

She shushed him with a look. Enlil looked thoughtful.

"You should not have said that, Tia!" the apprentice said, horrified.

"Why?" She couldn't understand why he was always so worried. She stared back. "If he is that passionate about equality, why should he not take action?"

Mommu sighed.

****

"Tiamat."

Tia looked up from her breakfast gruel. Master Anu stood at the bottom of the wooden stairs, wearing his cloak and holding his staff in one hand and his satchel in the other.

"Yes, Master?" She hurried to his side.

Tia missed seeing the friendly twinkle in his eyes; it seemed the events that have occurred ever since they left Mooncliffe had aged him many years, despite the fact that not even two weeks had passed.

"I wish you to stay by Enlil's side during our stay in Hume," he said softly. "I know about his... displeasure about the situation with slaves, but I do not want to see him injured or his freedom jeopardised. Your safety is more important to me and Hume can be a dangerous place."

Tia nodded. She fidgeted, plucking at the hem of her tunic.

"I shall be seeing the Windcaster of Hume today and you three are to accompany me. After that, you are to train with her apprentice."

Her fingers paused.

"We cannot explore Hume by ourselves?" She was disappointed.

"Not after the last episode," the old man replied in a stern voice. She bit back a reply and nodded again. "Mami's apprentice is a talented trainee. You can benefit much from training."

"Yes, Master."

"And you are not to let Enlil out of your sight. I do not trust his judgement in this city."

"Yes, Master."

"I shall meet you three outside in ten minutes. Please ready yourselves."

She bobbed a curtsey and raced back to the table where she relayed his instructions word for word. Mommu looked relieved, although Enlil's face remained stony and impassive as ever. She waved at the Master as he left.

 And even though he waved back with a smile, the light did not reach his eyes.