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borealis-strange · 4 years ago

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Chapter 9 “Tree city”

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Summary. There’s no summary

Notes. This was supposed to come out last week but I was too lazy to translate it xd

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We headed to Tree City the next morning.

We left early that day, Franco did not want to spend another second in The Coast of Silence.

By a pure miracle, we got a cart that would like to take us. It was a farmer carrying boxes and boxes of fruit. I think he wanted to sell his merchandise in the city, I really didn't pay much attention.

The trip was… calm. The scenery was beautiful, more than I expected. As we got further into Illusia, it was possible to notice how the vegetation changed. There were increasingly in addition to that here, the trees were green . Likewise, I could notice how there was also more vegetation of luminous mushrooms here. Unfortunately, they were not appreciated much in the daylight.

For that part, I got to enjoy the trip, it kept me distracted from my thoughts for a while.

Regarding Franco... I couldn't say if things were good or bad. Neither of us spoke during the entire trip, although I did notice how Franco occasionally looked at me out of the corner of his eye . It seemed that he wanted to say something to me but the words would not come out. On the other hand, Franco seemed calmer after what he had confessed to me the night before. Although he still had a trace of sadness and nervousness on his face.

Even though I still had a million doubts about his story, I preferred to leave them out. I didn't want to keep tormenting him with past memories. Besides, I wasn't sure that Franco could tell me his reasons. As much as I wanted to continue with my "investigation", I preferred to abstain, the best thing would be to rest this day before returning to my uncle.

I don't know how long it was when Franco decided to speak. Although it was something that caught me totally off guard.

— Do you know why Tree City is my favorite one? — Franco asked.

— Because ... You do your service here? — I said with doubt. Where did he want to go with all this?

Franco gave a little laugh.

— No, because of Cristinini — I had never heard that name — I met her in this city when I was 18 years old. And we just fell in love—

I had never seen Franco as the romantic type. I couldn't help but smile a little.

—Was she ... your wife? — I asked, now I was interested in all this.

— No. We never married because… well, she was a princess and I was a simple knight. Although, a few years after we met, we had a daughter. Unfortunately, we had to keep our relationship a secret, and I couldn't see them very often. But it was the time when I was happiest — Franco spoke with a certain enthusiasm, you could tell that it was one of the few happy memories he had left.

— My daughter, she was just like Cristinin — It seemed that Franco was going to cry — The only thing was that she had my blue eyes, we decided to call her Lillian —

Just like my mother, how curious.

— And what was Cristinini like? — I asked curiously.

Franco smiled slightly.

— She was beautiful. She had… golden hair and beautiful purple eyes. And her voice was so… sweet and she always made me feel better. After so many years, I still remember the last time I saw her. I had to leave the Empire for a few months, and when we said goodbye I swore that I would see her again but that never happened—

Now Franco was really shedding tears, although they were of happiness.

— Why? — I asked in a whisper.

Franco shook his head as if he wanted to shake a bitter memory from his head.

— Simply, things did not work out between us — Franco answered sadly.

— Oh ... I'm sorry — I apologized sadly.

— Don't worry — Franco said with a small smile.

A long silence formed between us.

Why did Franco act as if nothing had happened? It was strange. I would, too, if it weren't for what happened the night before. There were too many sensitive things for Franco to act like nothing.

Truth be told, I didn't blame him at all. It was probably hard to confess all that, maybe I'm the second person he's told after thirty years. I just didn't know how to behave.

I could be like Franco and pretend that none of that happened so that things would be as before. Or I could remember it and mull it over until my mind couldn't take it anymore.

Or just do nothing. All the options sounded good in a way.

Maybe I was very hard on him. I was sure Cristinini was someone Franco wanted to tell me about for a long time but he simply preferred not to… for some reason. Although I liked to think of Franco as the romantic guy who brought him flowers or sang a song to his beloved even though he wasn't very good at it. It was a nice thought.

— You know ... we could tell all this to Cris — I said quickly to change the subject.

— Cris? — Franco asked.

Oh, true. I had never told him that I knew other kings.

— King Cristian Green — I clarified — He was always close to my uncle, and he was also like an uncle to me —

— We won't tell you anything — Franco said seriously.

— Why? He could support us in all of this. He would understand — I tried to reason — I know... my uncle Silithur scares you a bit but I assure you that Cris is not as hard as him. He is more understanding —

— No — he said coldly.

— May I tell King Shadoune? — I asked in a low voice.

— No —

— What about King Rubyk? —

— Do not tell anyone — Franco said, not angry but like ... tired — Remember what ... what I did. I doubt they are happy to see me after that, and even less asking for his help —

But a maniacal skeleton wants to attack the Empire. That would seem like reason enough to tell them. I didn't say anything else, I suppose Franco had other reasons for not seeing the kings.

Again, the journey fell into deep silence.

At some point on the trip, I fell asleep. I dreamed of the Netherite knight, although it was not a nightmare. The two of us were face to face in what appeared to be my uncle's castle. The Netherite knight said nothing, he just watched me with his white eyes. I carefully approached him but he took a couple of steps back. The knight carefully removed the helmet from him, revealing his shadowy appearance. He had no other distinctive features than his white eyes. It seemed like he was going to tell me something but just then I woke up.

It was Franco who did it.

— We have arrived — Franco announced.

I was a little mad at him for waking me up. I was curious about what the knight was going to tell me. I stretched a bit and all trace of anger vanished when I saw the big city.

The huge and magnificent Tree City. Franco woke me up just when the city could be seen from the horizon, probably so that I could appreciate it.

Even though I had already come a few times, the city never stopped impressing me. The city was... a tree but not just any tree but a tree as tall as a mountain,

As we got closer you could see the little things that were in the treetops, all the bridges, elevators, and stairs that people used to move within the city . I managed to see luminous mushrooms on the branches of the tree, which served to illuminate the paths of travelers .

We reached the base of the tree, where they had made a huge hole in the trunk for all the people who came. The place was full of wagons of all kinds, making the environment quite noisy. Our wagon stopped and Franco indicated that it was time to get off. I took things and went after him. We greatly thanked the farmer before continuing on our way.

To tell the truth, I never learned to move within the city. I didn't know too many places, other than King Cris Green's castle, which stood at the highest point in the city. And that was it, my uncle wouldn't let me explore too much. And the time I came alone, it was just passing through, I just stayed at the base before taking a wagon to Farfania.

Franco ook me by the arm so as not to lose me and led me somewhere unknown. Luckily Franco did know how to move here.

When I looked at the roof of the place, I saw how the tree trunk had several holes from which they went up and down in pulley elevators . Franco guided me to one of these elevators and we got on it with a few other people. Franco explained to me that we can also go up with the outside of the tree but that it was too many stairs and a complete disaster with the elevators .

After a few seconds going up, we reached our destination. Franco led me out of the elevator and onto the crowded street. The city of the tree had different levels, which are differentiated by huge wooden platforms that were supported by the branches of the tree. Fortunately, there was enough security to avoid accidents.

What caught my attention the most were the houses, which hung from the branches and looked more like birdhouses, in a way .

Franco took me to a hostel, where we will spend the night. We made our respective registration and left our things.

Not knowing where else to go, Franco decided it was best to find a place to eat.

We ate in absolute silence. I didn't want to talk about anything and all I wanted to do was leave now. I would have liked to explore the city a bit but didn't have the energy or humor to do it. Although who knows if Franco wanted to do the same or maybe he also wanted to rest a little, who knows.

— What are you thinking? — Franco asked after a while.

— I ... I don't know — I answered without looking up.

— You're still upset, aren't you? — Franco asked as he raised an eyebrow.

— I don't know whether to say that I'm upset, I just … I don't know. You could say that ... I don't know whether to trust you — I said carefully.

I could see a trace of pain on Franco's face as if he feared that he would say that.

— I'm sorry Franco… it's just … it was a lot for me the last two days and… with all this mess with Darkhawk I… confused. It's all — I said in an attempt to fix things.

Franco looked at me askance with some doubt and sighed heavily .

— In fact. I do not blame you. I know this whole thing is difficult. But I assure you that I have never regretted something so much in my life — Franco let out a bitter laugh — I ... I will not force you to trust me again, I just want to fix things —

I knew what he said was true, I felt it in his voice. I also knew that he never wanted Farfania's fall to happen but to tell the truth my mind just went round and round. They were conflicting feelings, a part of me said that Franco was the same as always, the same old man who cared deeply for me, the same man who spent every day in the Stone Pig tavern, the same man who until recently he did not want to leave what he called home .

However , the other part of me was screaming at me that that same kind man had done heinous things, that he had destroyed a city and killed thousands of people .

They were so different people that there was no way in my mind how they could be the same. Perhaps there was something more to all that, a version that Franco had not wanted to tell me. Or was it just my mind trying to deny the truth of the things Franco had done.

And now, he had no idea of anything. I wanted to go back to my uncle and forget all this but I knew it was not possible. I knew there was a madman out there. Who knows what his plans were. I imagined he wanted to finish what the Netherite knight started or maybe he just wanted to kill Franco. Nor was I going to risk finding out.

— Can I show you something? — Franco's question took me out of my thoughts.

— What? — I asked for.

— An impressive place — Franco answered.

I don't know why I ended up accepting. He had forgotten how difficult it was to get around in Tree City. We did a thousand and one laps all over the place, there came a point where I thought Franco was just bothering me, going around more deliberately . We went up elevators, walked over bridges, climbed stairs, and climbed branches, and yet there was more tree that we had to climb .

— How far is it? — I asked with annoyance. We had been going up and up through the branches of the city for at least half an hour.

— We're almost there — Franco replied, I could see the emotion in his voice.

I was absolutely exhausted and all I wanted to do was sleep. Why didn't I stay at the hostel? I knew perfectly well that the next day would be a long day and I still ended up accepting. This place had better be absolutely stunning to be worth it.

Franco kept climbing the stairs until he disappeared into the treetops. I was quite tempted to just sit here but with what little will I had left I continued.

I reached the top of the tree and immediately sat down on the first bench I saw. It appeared to be a small terrace made of stone. It had a few gas lamps and various colorful plants and flowers. Franco had brought me here for this!? If I had enough energy I would have yelled at him by now.

— Why are you sitting down? — Franco asked me. — Don't you want to enjoy the view? —

I sighed wearily and rolled my eyes at Franco. With what little will I had left, I got up from the bench and stood next to Franco. And to tell the truth, I'm glad I came.

The view was impressive, you could see much of the areas near the city. If you look out a little from the balcony, you can see the other floors of the city and the people who were there. The place certainly had a certain magic in the air, maybe that's why Franco loved it.

Even if you pay attention, in the distance you can see the wall that overlooked The Shelter.

— What do you think? — Franco asked.

— It's... beautiful — Was the only thing I managed to say, I just had no words for this.

Franco laughed a little.

— I know ... In fact this is my favorite place in the entire Empire —

— Because of the great view? — I asked amused.

— No. Because it was my first date with Cristinini. You would have seen us, at first it was somewhat uncomfortable. I was afraid someone would discover us but in the end, it was the most beautiful evening I have ever had. We danced and sang like there was no tomorrow and in the end, she kissed me —

Franco decided to tell me a little more about Cristinini. How he served her guardian, at first he only worked for her but the inevitable happened, he fell in love with her. He told me some of the crazy things he did to her for her, like sneaking into the castle of The Shelter just to see her, or the countless times he changed positions in the royal guard for the same thing .

It seemed strange to me that he had never mentioned her. Obviously , I didn't question it, I wasn't in the place to do that. Despite everything he told me, I knew he was not telling the whole story, or at least that was the feeling he gave me. I tried to ignore that feeling so that I could better enjoy Franco's stories. Who knows if this is the last time I'm going to hear them.

And for a couple of hours, I forgot what happened in the last few days.

After a while, we decided it was time to go down. More than anything, Franco insisted that I should sleep, I listened to him even though I would have liked to stay a little longer .

We returned the same way, going around the whole city until we finally reached the hostel.

Upon entering the room, the first thing I saw was my armor. I had completely forgotten about it. And now that I thought about it, I couldn't take it to The Shelter. I could easily hide it but it was also quite easy to see it. I didn't want to risk abandoning I forever. I took it carefully, as did my sword, and Vandal's badge. And I went to Franco's room.

I lightly knocked on the door and Franco opened the door for me a few seconds later. He looked at me strangely when he saw all the equipment that I brought.

— What do you want? — Franco asked.

— I need you to keep these things for me. I don't want my uncle to see them — I replied with a small smile.

Franco nodded doubtfully before ushering me into the room. I put things down on the bed heavily and stretched out a bit.

Franco took my sword and analyzed it for a moment.

— Are you sure you want to leave this? — Franco asked as he approached my side — Don't you need them? —

— I don't think so — I answered sadly.

— But ... What will happen if ... you don't see me again? — Franco asked doubtfully .

I would have liked to answer, that I would simply get another armor. But I knew that was not possible, I had a certain affection for that old armor.

— Maybe so I have an excuse to see you again — I replied with a smile.

Franco looked at me in surprise before giving me a little pat on the back.

— I hope that's possible — Franco said in the middle of a sigh — You better rest. Tomorrow ... will be a long day —

I nodded slightly before leaving.

Returning to the room, I remembered that I still had to write to my uncle. I'd been avoiding this moment all day, mostly because I never knew what to write to him. I thought about it a couple of times during the day but still had nothing to do with it.

With resignation, I went to my backpack and took out a small sack of ink and a piece of parchment. I put them on the desk. I walked around the room a couple of times while still thinking about what to write. I wasn't going to tell him the whole truth, as much as I would have liked to, but I didn't want to lie to him at all.

I sat down at the desk heavily and looked at the paper in front of me. I took the pen with trembling hands and dipped it lightly into the bottle of ink.

Where to start? I would have liked to start with Darkhawk and that he was trying to kill my mentor and therefore me. I omitted it at Franco's request, but that did not make things easier.

I was not yet ready to reveal to him what I had been up to for the past four years. It would be a gruesome encounter if I told him that I was training to be a knight. I had to find something else.

Maybe … tell him that I simply wanted to go home, that I was already tired of traveling all over the Empire. It sounded more reasonable and was partially true.

I took my pen and dipped it lightly into the ink before writing.

"Dear Silithur.

I know it's been a couple of months since you last heard from me. I assure you that I am fine. Franco has taken good care of me. These weeks we have been to fantastic places that you would not imagine. I went to Paladium for the first time! It is a beautiful place. We also spent the first night of the winter parties on the Coast of Silence.

I am currently in Tree City. It is such a magical place and full of so many things to see.

A part of me would like to live here.

Despite the fact that these last few years have been fantastic and I learned many things. I think it's time to go back to The Shelter. It's just that I've been away from home for a long time and I already want to see you and my cousin.

I would have loved that you met Franco, he is a great person and he always cares about my safety. Unfortunately, he will not be able to travel with me due to health problems. I hope that one day you can meet him.

I hope you can get me some money for the train back.

I'm already looking forward to going home.

With love, Regina "

I looked at the letter once it's finished. I had managed to smudge the paper a bit but it was still legible. I felt a bit strange, I had to hide something huge from my uncle, just because Franco was stubborn.

Maybe there was a way to tell him the truth, behind Franco's back. In the Shelter, I could do that, although Franco could do it too.

Someone knocked on the door lightly before entering the room. It was just Franco.

— Have you already written to your uncle? — Franco asked as he approached the desk.

— Yes… and I still haven't sent him the letter — I said nervously — I was thinking that… maybe you could come with me —

Franco glared at me and rolled his eyes at me.

— I don't think so — Franco said coldly .

— Why? If ... Darkhawk is looking for you, The Shelter would be the best place to hide. Don't you think? You ... you know why they call it The Shelter — I stammered a little hoping to convince Franco.

— I said not — Franco said sharply .

— But ... my uncle will have no problem. In fact, for a long time he wanted to meet you — I said in a low voice

— No. And that's my last answer — Franco raised his voice and left the room.

I looked at the letter disappointed. Why was he so reluctant? The Shelter was the perfect place, we could explain the situation to my uncle and he would surely help us with pleasure but no . Was it because he didn't like being underground? Did he have any bad memories there? Or was he just afraid of my uncle?

Whatever the reason for him, it was strong enough to risk being attacked by a madman.

I sighed sadly and took and closed the letter. I took the ink and wrote a symbol on the letter. It was a trick that my uncle had taught me, with that symbol I could send him any letter without having to send it by owl or something similar .

I waited a few seconds before taking the letter and heading to the campfire. I looked at it for a moment before throwing it over the fire.

The letter began to glow slightly before folding over on itself a few times before disappearing . The letter had been sent and now, I regretted not telling him about Darkhawk.

#queen fic #queen fanfiction #fem queen #between faith and the sword #my fic #roger taylor #magic au #fantasy au

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