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Chapter 8: The Torchkeeper
Part 2
“No way,” said Zoey-Lee, bug eyed. “You went around the other side of the world?”
“Most Culdurians do actually, for their scholarright crystal.” She patted the skin above her right breast.
“I never even been to Pinedeck!”
“I’m sure you will one day.”
“I want to be a Puresear for my scholarright! Or maybe, hum…” Zoey-Lee paused, perhaps running through her potential career choices.
“Is Viktor Velessi a Puresear, my dear?” June said.
“Yeah!” she said, a triumphant finger raised. “Xe is our Torchkeeper and xe wants to see you!”
“Oh, well can you show me when xe is?”
“That’s why I’m here! Come on!” Zoey-Lee turned to rush off, and halted as a man stepped onto the pavilion’s deck.
“Quite so, little Miss Vetteris,” he said. “Excellent job on receiving our guest! Mind if I help?”
“I don’t need help! But you can watch!” Zoey-Lee turned to June, her expression pleading.
The newcomer wore a steel cuirass and lobstered pauldrons, though they seemed third or possibly fourth-hand. Once upon a time they were a gleaming red, now sun-faded to a dull pink-grey. The rest of his clothing was of the same plain, brown variety that the girl wore. It was the partial uniform of a Roythan Stateguard, likely dusted off and presented for her benefit. June found herself reminded of her imposing bodyguards back at the encampment, minus the unkempt hair, leather, and general odour. Broad, clean-cut and standing sure, this fellow seemed amicable enough, but had made no mistake in planting himself right in the middle of her path.
“Town Anchor, one presumes?” she asked.
“That’s me!” he said. “Kelron Doci at your service, official protector and watchman of little Zoey and all her friends back in the Ribbon.” He beamed a huge smile and ruffled the little girl’s mop.
June decided not to spin up her little blue wisps, and smiled back. “I think Zoey-Lee here should lead on, while we get acquainted? I am very curious to learn more about Wood Ribbon South.”
“Yes!” said Zoey, and bolted around the guard.
He gestured, and they strolled side by side as the girl raced ahead.
As they went through the pavilion, the town opened up before them. Her mental map had been aerial—to see it from the ground was such a welcome sight after so many weeks spent living in tents and trees. By all measures, it was only a tiny logging outpost, but it was her people—Aspectral people.
The road widened, bordered with inlaid stones. They had poles at intervals; at night they’d light up with Softshadow Artwork. The lodgings were mostly log cabins, but some of the larger buildings were paneled wood, often with stone arches. The biggest buildings looked like they were built from stone, with some kind of refined metal—imported, no doubt—for framing.
Kelron explained their logging business and went on about his own personal history, but she was more interested in relishing the clean scent of fabrics, gardens and whatever was cooking upwind at the Feasting Hall.
Zoey-Lee pointed at passerby and made introductions, thankfully letting go of the formal address. June nodded and smiled at all the little waves she received. People’s eyes lingered, though it felt more out of curiosity than hostility. This part of the world didn’t get many visitors from outside of Royth. She wondered what Mossa and Swinn thought of it all, if they were watching, which they almost surely were. She stole a quick glance at the treeline, trying to identify the roosting steelbarch Mossa had mentioned.
They arrived at the temple. Its foundational structure was a squat stone cylinder, perforated with holes and gaps. Hundreds upon hundreds of thick wooden planks slotted through these holes, building up past the top of the cylinder in an enormous stack. It was a much larger version of the pavilion’s bonfire canopy.
“Very fresh wood,” June said.
“They burned it! Just a few days ago! So hot you had t’leave the circle and we had to put water on all these places!” Zoey spread her arms wide and spun around.
“Why’d they burn it, dear?”
“Vik will fill you in,” Kelron murmured to her.
“I don’t know! ‘City won’t tell me. No one won’t tell me!” Zoey-Lee said.
“Because, Zoey-Lee Vetteris,” came a voice from the temple, “you are a snoop!” A tall Roythan appeared in the temple’s entrance, leaning against one of the protruding planks. Xe had a masculine appearance, but that was muted by their lack of eyebrows and slender frame.
“Am not!” the girl cried, laughing. Zoey ran over and wrapped her arms around xis knees.
“Lady Chillcrafter, I am pleased to introduce our Torchkeeper, Puresear Viktor Velessi,” said Kelron.
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