Sometimes, life gets really funny, things that you thought impossible can happen in a matter of minutes. All your past suffering would suddenly matter less as the new horizon promises greatness. Everything you thought to be an accident and regretted doing could be the right push needed for your next chapter.
The whole thing happened so fast, it seemed like a blur of activities. I was greeted by the Dastas then invited to the Vaedrin city, I had the option of taking a family member and Darius was an obvious option. We went together to the city; authorized this time. We were taken in a bus which was different from the one used for working.
We got to the city and were shown where we’d stay; it was beautiful. We could live in the city if we wanted; an option we were clearly going to pick. We were also given a time table of things we were meant to do; the picture of the city’s map was placed on the wall in the living room for easy navigation. That evening we were to attend an occasion in the hall of Vael, yes the hall of Vael, our inauguration was after the occasion. I was beyond ecstatic, who would’ve guessed.
We entered the Tholen market, it was a little area where, Tholens who lived in the city traded. Everything about the city seemed meticulously calculated and precise unlike the Nadrin city. We were able to get outfits for the occasion. The Vaedrins took dressing very seriously and dressed in attires that go back to our roots; ensuring that technology blends with culture, that tradition may not be lost. We picked up formal Nadrin attire and headed to our new apartment.
When the time for the occasion was close, we got dressed and headed there arriving an hour early. Darius was dressed in heavy wool trousers, cut wide and loose at the thighs but gathered into tight, black-bound cuffs at the ankles. His tunic was made of thick, dark silk that wrapped diagonally across his torso, creating a sharp, clean line from the shoulder to the hip. Over his left shoulder draped a short, heavy mantle of dark charcoal wool, held in place at the collarbone by a large, circular iron clasp. A broad, polished leather belt cinched his waist, keeping the layered fabrics close to the body and giving the silhouette a grounded shape.
I on the other hand, was dressed in a long-sleeved dress of midnight silk that reached ankles, layered beneath a heavy, open-sided over-dress. This outer garment was anchored at my shoulders by two large, oval iron polished brooches, with a simple bronze chain draped between them across my chest. A broad leather sash cinched the layers high at my waist, creating a long, flowing silhouette. To finish the look, a thin silk wrap was draped loosely over my hair and neck, held in place by a simple iron headband that kept the fabric from fluttering.
We took a look around and tried figuring our way through the building, it was huge, there were more statues of heroes in the building in rows and below them were inscriptions of what they’d done.
After aimlessly walking around I finally saw someone that I recognized, I wasn’t sure if I were to be grateful or cautious. There was no time to think because he had started walking towards us.
“You’re the girl from that day,” said the guy who had carried me.
I smiled, pretending to have everything in control, Darius looked puzzled obviously not knowing who the guy was.
“Oh, Darius meet um…” I turned to the guy.
“Piran.”
“Piran, he’s the man who helped me down the stairs. Piran, this is Darius, my bestfriend,”
Darius turned to Piran, “it’s nice to meet you,”
“The pleasures all mine,” Piran said shaking his hand.
“It’s nice to see you again, you disappeared before any introduction could be made,” Piran said turning to me.
“Yes, I was kind of in a hurry.”
“I noticed. Since you’re here I’m guessing you have a high position, and that’s why I’m confused. How have I never seen you before?”
“We’re the reason for the event, we’re the new addition to the Dastas,” Darius said gleaming.
Shit. Piran looked extremely confused, I needed a quick save.
“When Franu Leif asked for me I knew something was up, I just didn’t expect this.”
“The news going around is that the new additions are Nafrens. That means you’re a Nafren, where did she even see you? There’s no way you two would have met.”
That was when Darius realized what he’d said. He was visibly panicking, which wasn’t what we needed right now; he never thinks straight when he panics. Right then I saw Mrs. Vishtaspa heading our way, I wasn’t exactly sure what Erik told her and if she was on my side but I wasn’t ready to take chances.
“Oh wonderful, it’s Mrs. Vishtaspa,” we all turned facing the woman heading our way.
A group of people were passing by behind us so I used the opportunity and pulled Darius, making us blend into the crowd just enough for us to leave without being spotted.
We followed the crowd until we got to where seemed like the venue for the main event. It was a huge hall with holograms of winged lions and flower motifs, the floor was something that looked like a large blue crystal which glowed when you stepped on it.
It was really amazing to be in a place like this, I felt honored for the opportunity. Darius and I were gawking at everything in display when someone tapped me from behind. I turned to see Yasmin in a formal Vaedrin attire, she looked good, I almost didn’t recognize her, from her makeup, to her hairstyle, to her clothing, she looked like a different person, like beauty and power all in one. No wonder people feared the Vaedrins.
She was draped in a floor-length gown of deep gold silk that pooled around her feet, layered under an over-dress of fine, black wool. The outer layer was sleeveless and open at the sides, anchored at each shoulder by large, oval gold brooches connected by three tiers of heavy gold chains that swept across her chest. Her sleeves were wide and translucent, shimmering with gold-wire embroidery at the hems. A belt made of interlocking gold plates cinched her waist, finished with a polished gold crown on her head.
“I know you said you’d handle it but I couldn’t wait.”
“Wait, that means…”
“Yup, I arranged everything. Well not exactly. I just kept insisting something be done. It was Erik that did all the work. I don’t know the details of what he did but I’m glad it worked out. Um so…who’s your friend.”
“Oh, where are my manners. Darius meet Yasmin, the beautiful Vaedrin I told you about,” I turned to Yasmin and winked, “Yasmin, meet Darius, my bestfriend.”
“Greetings Franu, I didn’t get to thank you for helping Tira, it was really nice of you,” Darius said, clearly clueless of the spotlight he was put in.
“I'm glad I could help. She wasn’t any trouble.”
“There you are,” Erik said, stepping in between Yasmin and Darius, “what did I say about talking to dirty things.”
‘Yikes,’ he was at it again with the belittling, he turned to look at me and I shot him a bright smile like some kind of idiot. Why did he always make me act like this? He then turned back to Yasmin and pulled her away while she complained. Why did he pretend not to know me? Darius, knowing that hurt me put a hand on my shoulder. I wasn’t ready to talk, so I gently pushed his hand and mustered a fake smile.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry he spoke to you that way.”
“Nah it’s cool. He’s a Vaedrin.”
Thanks to Erik’s strange behavior, my argument about Vaedrins being nice was totally baseless.
The event kicked of nicely, all attendees gathered and enjoyed exquisite meals, dressed in high quality silk and cotton; and decorated with gold jewelry. It didn’t take us long to find out we were the ones serving in the party, we were scolded for the conversation we had with the Vaedrins, ‘know your place,’ I couldn’t help but wonder if that was why Erik acted that way. We were given plain white masks to wear at the party, it made sense why Yasmin had never seen a Nadrin. We wore masks and kept our face down to avoid eye contact.
After the occasion, the speaker called a man they called the godfather to the stage and the godfather gave a speech about supporting the Nadrin society, he spoke about us like we were no different from the Avarins. I immediately admired him, he was officially added to my list of idols, he also spoke about something going on in the Vaedrin society but I stopped listening the second the topic changed from Nadrins.
“I think I have a new Idol,” I whispered to Darius.
“Your first Vaedrin idol. Congrats. I’m sure he’s honored, that idol list is really tough to get into,” he whispered back
We both smiled as the Tholens in charge of organizing the occasion gave us death stares. After a while we got called to the stage as the new addition to the Dastas and the first Nafrens in decades. The speaker made us feel like charity cases, I wasn’t exactly sure how to feel about the whole thing.
We got to the stage and stood at the corner barely visible which to me defeated the purpose of us coming to the stage. The speaker kept talking about the kindness of the godfather and the nobles: the four pillars of Vaedrin society.
“Well, isn’t he a complete kiss ass?” Darius whispered.
I tried my best not to laugh. I wasn’t ready to get in trouble.
Acknowledging the four pillars meant he also honored the Leif household, I spotted their table in the crowd, the stage gave a really nice advantage; I could keep my head low and still get a good view of the audience. I could see Erik looking at me but I wasn’t sure if that was real or if I was just being paranoid.
The event finally ended. We took off our masks and cleaned up, I was finishing up with the tables when someone walked up to me.
“You’re the new addition to the Dastas, correct?” a beautiful lady asked, I could tell she was a Nimvar due to her blue eyes.
“Yes we are,” Darius said from behind her.
She turned to him and smiled, “excellent! Your presence is requested by the godfather.”
“No way. For real?” I asked in excitement.
“Affirmative.”
We followed the lady out of the hall and were lead into the hallway until we got to the elevator. We weren’t sure if we, being Nafrens, were even supposed to go in, but she gestured for us to get in and after my last encounter with a staircase, I obediently obliged with no question asked.
“How come you came to deliver the news?” Darius asked once we entered the elevator, “aren’t Tholens supposed to be the ones running errands?”
“Indeed, and they do. But this is the godfather, I assist him with personal matters. Didn’t you notice that the event’s speaker was an Arazin?” she smiled menacingly, “I understand that you’re confused on the society’s balance, but soon enough you’ll find that at the end of the day it’s the Vaedrins that rule this planet, and we all, regardless of societal position, serve them.
The elevator door opened as chills ran up my spine, she walked out and gestured for us to do same; we followed and walked till we reached the end of a new hallway, she knocked and the huge door at the end of the hallway opened to reveal a reception. We stepped in to see two Nimvars standing guard at another door.
“Make yourselves comfortable, I will request for you shortly.”
She reached the door putting an ID card on a card scanner at the side, making the door slide open, she got in turned around to face us smiling and the door slid close.
“I do not like her,” Darius whispered loudly.
“Same. she gave me literal chills,” I said raising up my sleeves to show him my arms.
“You were right though, the air here is nothing like I’ve ever experienced, air back at home isn’t even close to this. It’s just so much cleaner and fresher.”
“Exactly.”
“He’s ready to see you now,” the Nimvar lady said coming out of nowhere. “this is just an advice which would do you good to heed to, it’s better to be truthful. The godfather doesn’t like lies.”
We were both startled by her sudden appearance, we followed her into the door entering into an office, the entrance had a formal sitting area occupying the center of the room, featuring two low-slung black leather sofas and a matching pair of armchairs arranged around a heavy, smoked-glass coffee table. A long stretch of polished dark wood floor led to the far end of the office, where a desk stood. The desk was a massive, monolithic slab of brushed steel and obsidian. A floor-to-ceiling window offered a panoramic view of the city, turning the sprawling city skyline into a living mural.
At the desk sat the godfather, he had dark caramel skin that was pulled taut over his high cheekbones, showing surprisingly few wrinkles. A scatter of large, prominent freckles dusted the bridge of his nose and the tops of his cheeks, standing out in sharp relief against his warm complexion. His eyes blue and clear beneath the thin, silvering hair of his brows. Though his skin remained smooth, his age was evident in the slight hollows at his temples.
“Have a seat,” he said pointing to the seat in front of him, “Thank you Astrid.”
She gave a slight bow and left. He stood up from the desk an occupied one of the leather sofas. He stayed quiet for a while, he stared at me, then at Darius.
“You two are dating?” he finally asked breaking the tension.
“No!” we chorused, making him raise a curious eyebrow.
“Uh no herrar, we’re bestfriends,” I said.
“My first thought was siblings but the contrast in your skin color made me change my mind, caramel brown and white are very unlikely. Were you not told to bring family?”
“Well, I’m an orphan, me and my bestfriend, Darius are almost like siblings, so I brought him along. Uh herrar.”
“Orphan? What happened to your parents, child?”
“My dad died in a fire accident and my mom died of gazhum, along with depression from losing my dad. I’ve been independent ever since.”
He stayed quiet.
“My apologies, I’ve never been a fan of sob stories,” He said with a kind smile.
“Also orphan I assume. I’m guessing your friendship strengthened on lack of family.”
“Uh not really,” Darius said smiling, I could tell he also liked him, “I’m from a family of five. I’m the last child”
“I wasn’t even close,” He laughed loudly, “one more guess then, you two have a bestfriends to lovers situation going on, anyone with hidden feelings?”
“Nope. He has a girlfriend, and I’m single by options,” I said, getting comfortable.
“Isn’t that interesting,” he smiled, “an orphan Nafren that’s single due to options and a baby of the house boyfriend. Hmm, fascinating indeed. How exactly did you manage to win a rating with the Leif household?”
And there it was. Is it a crime for things to move smoothly, why did I always have to get into trouble even when I didn’t do anything? Okay maybe I did do something, but still, can’t it just pass? What exactly was I going to say now?
“We’re not exactly sure, herrar,” Darius said, which was a quick save.
“What do you do?”
“I’m a mechanic and he’s a constructor.”
“Mechanic? As small as you are? Besides, I thought Nadrins weren’t open to that skill.”
“Well, Herrar. My size has never stopped me from doing an excellent job. And you’re right Nadrins weren’t open to that skill, my dad fought for that right until Nadrins were allowed to.”
“He sounds like a brave man, I’m sure he would be proud of you. I’m guessing that’s why you picked up the skill.”
“Yes herrar, he taught me everything I know,” I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.
“Did you also pick up your skill from a parent?”
“No herrar, my parents had medical skill, and so did my senior sisters but it didn’t work well for me, I preferred to build.”
“Defiant, I like that, those are the things that shape the world, stepping out of the same standards and walking into something new,” he cleared his throat, “How old are you two.”
“I’m 21 and he’s 23.”
“Still very young. How exactly did you get referenced? I received a letter from the Leif household, requesting an addition to the Dastas, and your name, Tira Dagr was specifically mentioned. It baffles me that a Nafren was being requested for. Nonetheless, since you have stated that the reason for your request is unknown I will pry no further, it was lovely making your acquaintance.”
Darius and I turned to look at each other unsure if we should share the story of our trip to the Vaedrin city. We weren’t sure what the penalty would be and we didn’t want to lose this opportunity so we stayed quiet. He called Astrid in with a device on his desk. She walked us out of his office and into the hallway.
“Good luck with the Leif family you will be needing it,” She said before walking away.
Well no pressure, I guess. If I wasn’t panicking before I was definitely panicking now. The second the elevator door closed, Darius turned to me.
“Okay now I definitely don’t like her, why would she just scare us like that. I’m getting really nervous.”
“Tell me about it, she gives me the creeps, how can a scarecrow like her work for a jolly man like him, it’s uncanny.”
“It really is. He was pretty cool though, I think he made the Idol list for me too.”
“Awesome, our first Vaedrin Idol. I couldn’t shake of a feeling when I met him though.”
“What do you mean.”
“He felt familiar, really familiar.”
“That’s probably because were kindred spirits,” he said, making raise an eyebrow, I was clearly confused, “Like me and you are already kindred spirits being twins but from totally different parent…”
“And historical background,” I added.
“Yup and even different time frames, so that kind of makes us one. So now we’re kindred spirits with him.”
“I don’t understand what you just said but okay. I can’t shake it off though. I’ll just go with your confusing explanation.”
“It’s not confusing; it makes perfect sense.”
The elevator door opened and we stepped out, on our way outside the building we saw Mrs. Vishtaspa and Piran having a conversation. They saw us before we could maneuver ourselves away from their point of view. It looks like we won’t be able to avoid them any longer. They walked over to us.
“I don’t know why you keep avoiding us but you’re going to have to explain yourselves,” Mrs. Vishtaspa said with a stern voice, “luckily for you, I’m too tired to listen to anything so you’ll have to explain yourself tomorrow when you come for work, we work a very early shift and I do not tolerate late coming,” she said before walking away.
“Welcome to the Leif household, working for them is an experience you’ll never forget, goodluck, you’ll need it,” Piran said eyeing me, “I’m not too tired to listen to your explanation but luckily for you, I have to make sure Mrs. Vishtaspa gets home safe.”
“What’s his deal with Mrs. Vishtaspa,” Darius said when they had walked far enough.
“Beats me.”
We started our walk home, both lost in our thoughts.
“I have no idea why they keep wishing us luck and it’s making me scared. We definitely have our work cut out for us,” I finally said.