“Aurelia has no idea what’s coming to it,” Said a guard with a gold-star insignia to his squad standing opposite to him. He was leaning on his large metal sword and talking with a soft tone of voice. “I mean, having to tell everyone that the crown prince was murdered, let alone the betrayal and death of one of the king’s top advisors— I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

  “Sir, the Tiris is gone,” noted another guard, pointing at Ba-Khet-Sah, Aylenne, and Ficus, all standing in a corner.

  “What?! You good-for-nothing grunts let him slip away! I want the whole castle on lockdown! Well, what are you waiting for? Find him!” Commanded the guard with the gold-star insignia.

  “Aylenne, can’t you pull some strings with these guys?” Ficus asked impatiently. “Use your royal powers so we can at least take a seat?”

  “That’s not how that works,” Aylenne explained. “I’m not in control, my father is, and he’s on his way up from the dungeons. The best thing we can do is wait. Ba-Khet, what was it that you saw again?”

  “My name isn’t Ba-Khet. It’s Ba-Khet-Sah. And what I saw—” Ba-Khet-Sah thought back for a moment, to the time he first learned of the Sah. “I saw a red tumbleweed. I’ve seen it before, the night before we met, Ficus.” Ficus looked at Ba-Khet-Sah with intrigue.

  “Ba-Khet-Sah… right, but why were you talking to this… er… red tumbleweed?” Asked Aylenne curiously.

  “It congratulated me for finding the Sah. I said, ‘Who are you?’, then it said to find the Ren. I have a tingly feeling in my fingertips now.”

  “Is that what that white orb is called? The ‘Sah’? Does that have something to do with your name, Ba-Khet-Sah? I have so many questions!”

  Before Aylenne could think anymore, the king, with bloodied wrists, marched in majestically. Guards were swarmed around his flanks.

  “Aylenne, let me speak to you,” He commanded. Almost without thought, she hastily moved out of the corner. He took a seat on his throne, and they talked quietly. Ba-Khet-Sah and Ficus watched as she handed him Felix’s letter.

  “Do you think she’ll vouch for us?” Ficus asked.

  “Of course she will…” Ba-Khet-Sah replied naively. “She has to. We saved her life.”

  “I wouldn’t be so certain, you killed her little brother.” Ba-Khet-Sah got uneasy at the idea Ficus presented. What if it got locked in a dungeon for all of eternity? Cliffside falls, poison, random substances, sub-zero temperatures, fire, the endless fighting, the lack of food, the lack of water, and the lack of sleep never hurt it. It had been through many deadly predicaments in the past four days since it woke up on that beach, yet none ever posed a threat like eternal boredom locked in some cell.

  The king flicked his hand in an outward motion and Aylenne walked away.

  “Here she comes,” Ficus said in desperate hope.

  “I have some great news for you, Ficus. And for you Ba-Khet-Sah— not so much,” Aylenne stated. “Follow me, I’ll explain on the way.”

  Ficus and Ba-Khet-Sah looked at each other tentatively as they started walking out of the throne room to a grand hallway, Aylenne in front. Ba-Khet-Sah was disgusted at how close Ficus was to shedding sappy tears from his green eyes. Why couldn’t it get great news? What did it do to deserve this?

  “So,” Aylenne started as she twisted her neck to speak behind herself. “As it turns out, my brother is alive. Actually, he’s barely hanging on, the fact you left the blade in him saved his life. You’re lucky, Ba-Khet-Sah. If the king’s only son was dead, you would not live to see another day. Now, the king says, for your actions, you are banished to the sewers until Rebar is found.”

  “I’m going to the sewers?” Ba-Khet-Sah investigated. “Why?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? You really aren’t the brightest. The king said it was my job to bring you to the sewers to search for Rebar. He is to be found and killed. He says that this Tiris is evil, according to some thousand-year prophecy. A load of crap if you ask me, he greatly assisted in taking down Felix, and has my respect for that.” Aylenne led them to a wide-open door at the end of the grand hallway. They entered the foyer, a large room with gold relics and decorations everywhere. Unsurprisingly, it was buzzing with the military and strange individuals. There were grand staircases leading up multiple floors, all handrails and steps and carpets displaying bountiful wealth.

  “What a beautiful place,” Ficus mentioned, looking up at the ruby enhanced chandelier.

  “It’s all fake,” Aylenne stated, walking underneath the stairs. “Well, not the gold. The gold’s real, but the glamour. Trust me, Ficus, this life should not be cursed onto anyone.”

  “I can’t imagine a word you’re saying.”

  Aylenne sighed, and she lifted up a fancy red carpet, revealing a wooden trapdoor. “Ba-Khet-Sah, I don’t know if we’ll ever meet again. I would like to thank you for freeing me and helping me stop Felix. And give Rebar a bath, please.” She smiled as Ba-Khet-Sah started climbing down. The trapdoor remained open.

  “Alright, ladders, attempt two,” Ba-Khet-Sah muttered. Immediately, it slipped, and it fell, still gripping the edge, hitting its forehead on each of the ladder’s handles; its head banged many times in rapid succession. The ringing of the metal ladder formed an unlikely song, ending with a THUD!, which was Ba-Khet-Sah’s untimely landing on the concrete.

  It was a short while until Ba-Khet-Sah got up and realized it was placed in the middle of an intersection with four identical branches. It considered going back up but the ladder had made its frightful impression.

  “Oh no,” Said Ba-Khet-Sah.

  * * *

  “He’ll be fine, right?” Aylenne questioned, closing the trapdoor.

  “You would not believe what I have seen him withstand,” Ficus told Aylenne. “There is nothing that body can’t take. What was your great news for me, Aylenne?”

  “Right, right,” Aylenne paused. “You are being officially recognized by the king himself for helping take down Felix at the festival tomorrow.”

  “What an honor! Am I being paid too?” Ficus asked excitedly as he rubbed his hands together, thinking about profits.

  “No, no, much better. You’ll show up and you’ll get applause and a word from the king,” Aylenne stated as if it was the best thing in the world. Ficus audibly groaned and began to sulk. “We better get going, Ficus, the king has also provided you with your very own room for the next few days. Hey, that seemed to put some spring in your step.”

  They climbed the seemingly endless flights of golden stairs from the foyer to a green hallway on the ninth floor. Aylenne opened the door for Ficus. “This room was designed specifically for dryads.”

  The room was gigantic, similar to a hotel, but decorated with real gold trimmings and little knick-knacks everywhere.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Ficus said in awe. “It’s like a dream come true.”

  “Only the best in Aurelia,” Aylenne explained. “Now, will I see you tomorrow at four in the afternoon outside the south side of the city?”

  Ficus pondered the option. A word from the king would increase his reputation, maybe give him another story to tell the Aurelian Trading Guild to help him get a deal.

  “I’ll be there,” Ficus replied, then shut the door.. She left promptly to her own bedroom.

  -

  The next morning, Ficus heard a knock on his door. He reluctantly got up and opened the large, green and gold trimmed door.

  “The princess requests you in her presence,” Spoke a young alcion boy in a high-pitched voice. “Are you Feecus?”

  “Huh? Yeah, Ficus, that’s me,” A drowsy Ficus responded. “What does she want from me at this hour? The sun’s barely crossed the horizon.”

  “I don’t know, Ficus,” Answered the boy. “But you can meet her at the chapel.”

  “And where’s that?”

  “Follow me.” The boy motioned for Ficus’ departure. Ficus grabbed his sling-sack and his staff, before a worried look appeared on the boy’s face. “Uh, weapons aren’t allowed near royalty, Ficus. I know dryads don’t start fights, but—”

  Ficus, disappointed, put down his staff and headed out with the young alcion. Ficus struggled to keep up with the swift kid as they passed through hallways and gardens, to a side exit of the estate, where two guards were standing.

  “You cannot leave without first identifying yourself,” Said a guard with a copper-star insignia. “The castle is on lockdown after recent events.”

  The alcion boy identified himself first. “Jornlinno Gattonshiem, I… work here?”

  “That’s weird, I don’t recall a Jornlinno Gattonshiem in the employment logs,” Said the guard, squinting his eyes. He crouched down to meet the boy’s level. “Where do you live?”

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  “Uh—” The boy paused, sweat trickling down his face. “The chapel.”

  “The chapel? What chapel? People don’t live in chapels," responded the guard.

  “He doesn’t seem like the type to know anything about the Tiris everyone’s looking for,” Said the other guard. The copper-star insignia guard sighed and stood up. “He’s a child.”

  “You’re right,” said the lead guard. “You can go kid. What about this dryad? Identify yourself.”

  “Ficus Witherwood. I live in the Coedwig Forest, in a small dryad grove.”

  “Ficus Witherwood, the dryad who helped reinstate the king’s throne. Have you seen the rabid Tiris after he disappeared?" He asked, in a more serious tone.

  “No,” Ficus replied. “We met him in the sewers, I assume that’s his home. He’s probably there.”

  “I see. You may leave, Witherwood.”

  “Thank you,” Ficus rejoined with the alcion boy, who was waiting for Ficus.

  “Come on, Ficus! The princess is still waiting for you!” The boy told Ficus, right as he nearly started running down the street.

  Ficus was in the heart of Aurelia. Aurelia was a bustling city on normal occasions, but a distinct hush overwhelmed the people; the city was in shock. The buildings were magnificent here, not a single structure in sight was less than three floors high. Alcions walked the streets solemnly, and dryads stuck out as green splinters in this coastal paradise. Suculans of all varieties were also mixed in the crowd. Some were giants, and some were too short to be seen without looking down.

  “Come in, Ficus,” The boy requested, standing in front of an octagon-shaped building, with eight windows on each side, spread evenly along the height of the building. “We’re here.”

  Ficus felt uneasy. ‘What an odd place to meet,’ thought Ficus, as he ambled in. There was a small, tattooed alcion man standing in the center of the empty building with eight stories of headspace.

  “Alright kid, what is this dumb joke?” Ficus demanded as he looked back, The child was missing, and the door was shut behind him. The click of the lock was heard in the pale silence, a display of Ficus’ recent dilemma.

  “It’s a wonderful pleasure to finally meet you, Ficus,” said the man, wearing all black traveller’s clothes. He had fine, brown hair, and was tattooed head-to-toe. The man dashed towards Ficus, offered him a handshake that Ficus reciprocated, and the man gave off a wide, insincere smile. “I’d like to discuss some things with you.”

  “I’ve got gold on me, that’s all. If you’re here to rob me, just take it.”

  “Gold does sound appealing, but that’s not why we’re here. You see, Ficus, want to know everything you know about your friend, Ba-Khet.”

  “Oh, Ba-Khet-Sah? Or, Ba-Khet I guess, the one with the uh, purple marks?”

  “Yes, that one. Tell me, where is he?” The man inched closer.

  “The sewers. The king ordered him to search the sewers for Rebar,” Ficus had made many deals before, many sacrifices, and certainly had many run-ins with crime, but none were that intimidating because no one could really hurt him, as his soul was connected to his tree which was miles away. The information about Ba-Khet-Sah wasn’t something he thought was important. “Because he hurt the king’s son.”

  “I don’t understand, why is Ba-Khet looking for rebar in the sewers? Don’t tell me you are lying now, Ficus.”

  “No no no, Rebar, the Tiris. His name is Rebar.”

  “Rebar the Tiris… interesting, Ficus, very interesting. You’ve been cooperative, I like that. You see, I have a job for you, and it’s not the kind you can decline. Ba-Khet has done a horrible thing to a person I knew. From what I’ve seen, he’s a spirit of hell, no doubt, the unkillable kind.”

  “Are you asking me to do something to him? He’s a useful man, we’ve gone so far together since we met in the mountains.”

  “No, you stand no chance against that immortal freak, I need you to kill Princess Aylenne.”

  “What?! How could you expect me to do such a thing? Killing the princess?”

  “That’s right. You’ve seen how she sympathizes with Ba-Khet, we can’t have all of Aurelia knowing about what we’re up to before we kill that murderer. Your connection to her is exactly why we’ve chosen you, Ficus.”

  “What makes you think I’ll do it?” Ficus asked, arms crossed.

  “We found your tree.” The tattooed man said coldly. “We could kill you on a whim.”

  “No…” Ficus stuttered. “That’s not true.”

  “We thought you wouldn’t believe us,” The man said as the time hit nine in the morning. He glanced at a pocket watch and Ficus flinched when a cut opened on his arm. “I have a man who was told to pull a piece of bark off your tree at exactly nine. If you do not kill Aylenne before the sun sets, down goes your tree, Ficus. Do you understand?”

  Ficus sighed, massaging his arm. “I do.”

  The tattooed man moved to the door, inserting a key and opening it. He stood by the door and waved goodbye in an oddly friendly tone to Ficus as he merged into the masses. The sun had risen a decent bit into the sky. He went to the same gate he had left, anxiety gnawing at his chloroplasts, wondering if they’d let him in.

  “Ficus Witherwood, just the man I was looking for,” Said the guard with the copper-star insignia. “Princess Aylenne wants to see you. She’s been looking for you all day.”

  “That’s what the last guy said…”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “She’s waiting at the greenhouse. I’m sure you’ll love it there, Mr. Witherwood. Do you know where that is?”

  “I presume it’s that building over there?” Ficus pointed to a long, semi-circular, domed structure made almost entirely out of windows.

  “That’s right, enjoy yourself.” The guard smiled and motioned him onward.

  As Ficus made it to the greenhouse, a familiar alcion woman became more distinct. Someone he could trust. He entered the greenhouse.

  “Alright, Ficus, I wanted to prepare you for the festival. I’m sure you must be stressed about standing in front of all of Aurelia.” Aylenne said.

  “I suppose I am,” Ficus replied, although that wasn’t what was stressing him. “Why did you want to meet here?”

  “Well, of course we keep all the dryad tuxedos in here. Plus, I thought you were hungry, so somewhere sunlit would be preferred.”

  “Ah, thanks for your hospitality, Aylenne. Truth be told, food has become my last worry, due to recent events.”

  “Yeah, I get it, a lot’s been happening,” Aylenne responded sincerely. “Pick your favorite tuxedo, they should be near the tool closet.”

  She turned away from Ficus, leading him to a cabinet. She took out a golden key from her bag and inserted it into the cabinet’s lock. She began harshly muttering to herself, “Stupid. Unused. Lock. Someone ought to oil these old darn things.”

  This is my moment, Ficus thought, she’s distracted. He reached for a jagged spade lying on the plant bed, positioning it at her back. This person he was about to kill had helped him greatly, and she truly had never wronged him. She was even offering Ficus clothes… but Ficus has a goal to meet, and a purpose, so the decision was clear.

  “Ficus! No!” Aylenne yelped, turning around. “There’s not a single tuxedo left! See, where it’s labeled ‘Dryad Formal Wears’? There’s even clothes hooks still here, but no tuxedos left, darn it. Maybe there’s some in the closet of the room you’re staying in. I doubt it, but…”

  “There might be one in my bag,” Ficus offered. “Honestly, it’s been years since I’ve searched through it. Actually, I’m confident there is, there’s something fabricy taking up lots of space.”

  “Oh, really? That’s wonderful. I’ll go with you. This way.” Aylenne pushed open the large greenhouse double door. Ficus put the spade down and Aylenne asked, “What do you need that for?”

  “Just… sniffing the dirt on it. Reminds me of home, yeah. The soil here is similar to what my wife and I live in.” Ficus said methodically, wiping sweat off his brow.

  As they walked to Ficus’s room on the ninth floor, Aylenne took this as an opportunity to learn more about the one who freed her. “You have a family? Tell me about them.”

  “Oh, they’re just great, really. I have three children, they were quite a bit when they were saplings, I tell you.” Ficus reminisced. “My wife— she’s beautiful in her old age, her branches are really healthy.”

  Aylenne smiled, “I see. It must be hard to leave them, when you go on your… merchant trips?”

  “That’s the worst part about what I do, going on trips with the Aurelian Trading Guild, as their negotiator. Say, Aylenne, do you have any dreams? You still have a full life ahead of you.”

  “I want to bring glory and wealth to Aurelia, utilizing all of Aurelia’s resources to better itself. I mean, it’s the epicenter of the region, how can we still have slums?” She stopped moving and looked down. Three guards had joined Aylenne the moment she entered the foyer. They were now going up the first flight of stairs. “Sorry, I got a little worked up there. My father does not like my ideas, he spends our excess tax incomes on stupid renovations, rather than funding Aurelia.”

  “What about the Tiris? Not to be abrasive, but you don’t seem to like them very much, and they are living in the sewers of all places.” Ficus implored.

  “Have you ever heard the Tiris tale?”

  “Can’t say that I have.”

  “That makes sense,” Aylenne paused. They were on the fourth floor now. “It’s a story kept in the royal lineage. You may not know the true history of Aurelia, most people think it was founded by the alcions. Centuries ago, Aurelia was just a village. The alcion people were living in stilted houses over the shallow ocean off the coast. It’s a shame; that’s what alcion life was intended for. But, there were floods, and pirate raids, and fires.”

  “I don’t understand,” Ficus interrupted as they made their way to the sixth floor. “Fire in water villages?”

  “We lived above the water, on stilts, remember? And we’re on the north shore of Heldonia, fires started often ‘cause nobody likes the cold, and they spread quickly through the interconnected city of ropes and bridges. Anyways, Aurelia was settled by the Tiris, coming from the eastern hilly regions of the Thuapa Mountains. Yes, the Tiris were the original founders of Aurelia. Not the alcions, remember we’re still living over the water. There was one overwhelmingly bad fire, so the chief, one of my great ancestors, made the decision to have all the alcion people take refuge in Aurelia, permanently. Aurelia was already visible from the stilted communities, and it appeared to thrive, there was no better city. We actually only moved outside the city, the Tiris lived in the inner wall, and we built our own outer wall. They didn’t necessarily like us there, but we traded goods, ideas, and cultures anyway. It was ‘harmonic’, as my father calls it, but I don’t think so. I’m sure we weren’t the best neighbors, causing fires since we didn’t have fur to keep us warm. And so Aurelia grew, attracting various races and inventing sophisticated technologies, like the vast sewage systems. The Tiris couldn’t keep the new influx of immigrants out, so they revolted, attempting to banish everyone outside the inner city. Needless to say, the Tiris War ended as soon as it started, and we ended up banishing them, while the rest that didn’t leave fled to the sewers. They lacked unity and, I guess, intelligence, which the Alcion people had.”

  “That’s a very interesting story,” Ficus commented as he opened the door to his room. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a green suit. “Does this work?”

  “That’s perfect,” Aylenne responded. “There’s one more thing, Ficus. Something important, and I don’t know what to think about it.”

  “Yeah?” Ficus looked at his axe.

  “Sometime over a thousand years ago, a talented psychic whose predictions have never been disproven, made a prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled. She said ‘The Tiris whose eye of metal and fur of white will correct the wrongs of future generations, and Aurelia will be collateral.’ It’s horrifying, Rebar—”

  “Eye of metal and fur of white; Rebar the Tiris,” Ficus intriguingly responded. “It could refer to Felix, he caused corruption in Aurelia for some time, and he was stopped by Rebar.”

  “No, I killed Felix. Rebar was there, but…” Aylenne stuttered. “I- I don’t know, it’s probably nothing.”

  “Yes, don’t trust some thousand-year-old prophecy from some old woman, trust your gut. Where do I meet you?” Ficus moved the door so there was only a crack open.

  Aylenne sighed. “Outside the city, at the south end. See you there.”

  The door shut. If the festival was the last time he would ever see Aylenne, then that would be the time to act.

  Should the humanoid shark from the prologue return?