Chapter 7: Cold Eyes and Warm Sun

Jack awoke from his peaceful slumber when he felt Molly get out of bed. From below them on the main floor he could hear the familiar hustle and bustle of the Phoenix’s patrons and servers starting their day.

During the night Jack’s dreams were pleasant and safe. He felt refreshed and eager to start the day, remembering the task he had set for Nolan and himself. Molly threw open the shutter which let in the dusty morning sunlight, Jack gauged it was about two hours past dawn.

“Get up lazy bones,” Molly said cheerfully. “The day is bright, and a fair bit warmer too.”

The young couple got dressed and made their way down to the main floor, where smells of porridge and roast meat wafted pleasantly around the place while the fireplace played host to a modest blaze.

Directing the serving girls this Restenday was Molly’s mother Alice. She liked Jack, yet wasn’t ecstatic about her daughter growing up quite so fast, but as they were both consenting adults, there wasn’t too much she could say about it. However despite Jack’s attempts to gain her favour she was often reserved and cordial around the pair, which Jack knew bothered Molly only slightly.

“Good morning,” said Alice to the both of them. “Would you care for some porridge dear?” she asked, more to Molly.

“Oh yes please Mum, we’d love some,” responded Molly.

“None for me, thank you. Normally I would, but Nolan and I have some things to take care of today,” interjected Jack. “But I’ll take a bit of joint if there’s some to spare.” Alice looked apprehensive as if she were about to object but Molly quickly chimed in.

“Oh love, you’re always so serious in the morning. I do wish you’d stay. Of course Nolan certainly could use your help today. I’ll fetch your breakfast for you. Mum, why don’t you sit for a spell. I can manage for a little while.”

Alice waved her hand gently in that gesture so many Lazarians were fond of indicating Molly’s actions were not necessary.

“I don’t think so dear you don’t take too many days off and I’d be remiss in my motherly duties if I didn’t take care of you from time to time, after all you do so much for me.”

Molly gave her mother a hug. “Oh very well, we’ll be over in the usual spot then.”

They made their way over to their table and spoke idly while they waited. Within moments Alice returned with a steaming bowl of porridge for Molly, a bit of mutton for Jack and two mugs of watered down ale. Jack attempted to make eye contact with Alice as he said his ‘thank you’ but she refused to meet his gaze. Eager to be away from Alice and to start his day he ate quickly, kissed and bade farewell to Molly, and exited the tavern.

Exiting left out of the Phoenix, Jack casually strolled in the direction of Castle Lane, the main and widest street in Lazaras that led directly to the Stalwart gates.

As every traveler and visitor to the independent City-State of Lazaras could be from anywhere in Talla Arcaya, the city’s original planners took great efforts to have Lazaras appear grand and majestic to all who viewed her. As such Castle Lane was almost as impressive as the Stalwart herself. The entirety of the main road that characterized Lazaras was paved with flagstones. Recalling his history, Jack reminded himself that almost a century ago, during the Thalekian occupation, Thal Krios’ army tore up every flagstone of the Lane in the Lower Quarter, planning on continuing the destruction all the way up to the gates of the Stalwart.

However, right as the invading Thalekian army got to the east end of the Mid Quarter spring hit the mountains (after what was a particularly heavy winter) and quite suddenly turned the bare earth of the Lower Quarters into a treacherous mudslide. It was at that point Thal Krios decided not to continue with tearing up Castle Lane, and instead devoted his attention to fixing a serious logistical problem in a city he was supposed to be besieging.

As Jack pondered this he wondered how such inept thinking could come from someone who used to be the leader of what was still the single largest Empire in all of Talla Arcaya. Then again, most of the Emperors of Thalek had been perfect embodiments of Thalekian virtue: headstrong, impulsive, utterly committed to the application of power.

The prevailing historical opinion was that almost every invading war incited by the Thalekian Empire had failed because the emperors that led them were far too convinced of their own superiority. Emboldened by the Thalekian predisposition of domination and power, they placed very little emphasis on collecting proper intelligence and planning accordingly, thus failing to apply appropriate forethought in most circumstances.

As Jack crossed to the other side of Castle Lane, he found himself musing on how much there was to learn of the histories and cultures of the other nations. Quite often in recent days, he wondered if he should have travelled abroad, studied at the Academy in Galla Aquilla, or attended the prestigious University of Nasay in Frontè and learned more about the history of Talla Arcaya, or at least his own continent of Northern Aldoria. Jack quickly dismissed such thoughts based on their impracticality, there was too much he loved about Lazaras to leave it for a new home, Molly and his family first and foremost.

His far away thoughts were interrupted very suddenly when a single horse and carriage erupted from the side street he was planning on entering, forcing him to make a rapid course correction, resulting in, thankfully, not getting trampled by a careless driver.

The supposed owner and operator of the carriage shouted a perfunctory apology at Jack and made his way into the mainstream of carriage and foot traffic proceeding up towards the Stalwart. Having narrowly avoided being trampled, Jack regarded the near miss as yet another reason he admired life in his home city so greatly: it may be tumultuous and chaotic at times, but it was certainly never boring.

As Molly had remarked on when he awoke, it truly was a beautiful day. The yellow spring sun hung high in the east, shining clear and bright out of a hopeful blue sky while more than a few pillowy clouds lazily made their way across the sky’s azure expanse.

The cool breeze coming in off the plains was soft and comforting, wafting harmoniously through the cool stone surroundings of the mountain environment.

Despite his objections to Alice and Molly, he knew it would be at least another chime before Nolan would rise on Restenday. In truth, it was Jack’s discomfort caused by Alice’s gaze and that had inclined him towards exaggerating the time sensitive nature of his task. He decided to make a stop at home first to grab a few things he might need if he and Nolan would be going into the Low Quarter today, but mainly he wanted to see what his family was up to, on this most gorgeous Restenday in the Stone City of Lazaras.