Page 7 of Daughter of the Dark Sun
“I,” Apattar started, pausing for another breath. “I’ve already broken at least four rules, and we haven’t even left sight of the estate! I never knew it possible to feel so… so…” Apattar searched for the right word, but nothing came.
“Free?” Saiya offered, a warm, gap-toothed smile spreading across her kind and wide face. Apattar loved that face as much as she did her sister’s. Maybe even more so over the last few years as duty and life spiraled the twins away from each other.
“Free, yes,” Apattar breathed, trying out the word, seeing if it could fit.
Yes, true freedom! Even if temporary, it proved better than stalking the empty city during the dark hours. Then, loneliness still found Apattar, only with a different backdrop. “You offer me more than you know, Saiya. Thank you.”
“You need not thank me,” Saiya murmured, dipping her head before resuming their walk.
After a short time, they arrived at a tall tower with a large red orb floating above the top parapet. A large walkway cut between the center of the smooth red stone wall, a shimmering barrier at the nearest end blocking the path forward.
Next to the opening stood two guards, and another four sat at a table under a large palm tree not far from the others. Several dressed in layered crimson robes cascading down to the ground, carefully pleated over the chest and held in place with a shiny gold pauldron over each shoulder. The belts of gold and orange ropes at their waists seemed to glow. The others dressed in similar colored tunics down to their mid-thigh, stark white pants and golden sandals underneath. All wore a veil of white wrappedover their faces. Only their eyes and the occasional loose strand of hair betrayed their appearance.
The sight of the white-veiled guards made Apattar hesitate, stuck in between steps as her brain told her to flee but her heart urged her forward. Apattar took a deep breath.
This is just like any other night. The city is asleep, and I can do as I please.
Apattar walked up to the guards, though she had no plan beyond that. Before the closest guard—a man, she thought, judging by the thick hands—could speak, Saiya rushed over and pulled Apattar to the side.
“No, this way,” Saiya whispered. “That is only for the Named Houses.”
Apattar looked over and saw a small booth leaning up against the bridge entrance. They walked over hand-in-hand, Saiya’s touch calming Apattar’s addled mind.
“House and reason?” said the nearest guard with a high but commanding voice, looking up from the drink she cradled with both hands.
“House Isht’iri,” Saiya replied without hesitation. “We have a day off.” It sounded rehearsed. Had she done this before? Did she sneak out often?
The guard let out a grunt and motioned for Saiya to stand in front of the booth. She walked to a small black square, another above her on the tunnel roof. As she stood, a thin glimmer of red passed over her body. The guard stood deathly still, eyes locked on Saiya. A moment later, life surged back into the woman. She waved at Saiya, who passed through the shimmering barrier between the bridge and gatehouse.
Without a word, the guard pointed at Apattar, who scurried over to the stone, trying to mimic everything Saiya did. She had no idea what to expect, but she knew something would spoil their fun.
Blessings never found the young woman before—why should they now?
The buzz of a mosquito filled her ears. Apattar squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for pain. Nothing came. A gentle, rhythmic pulse vibrated throughout her whole body. Her heart—which had been on the verge of panic—settled down to a slow and steady beat. A wave of serenity washed over Apattar. Opening her eyes, she saw the red lights fading around her.
Apattar expected more. Was this not some test meant to weed out the escapees from the lowly laborers? The guard shoved a piece of paper in Apattar’s hands and waved her away. Confused, but not wanting to make a scene, Apattar walked through the barrier, relieved when it, too, did not object to her presence.
“What just ha—”
“Not here, too many ears.”
Saiya grabbed Apattar by the wrist and led her down the wide bridge until they were a safe distance from the gatehouse. Once they came upon a set of benches, the two sat for a moment while Saiya talked.
“I’m sorry, I’m so used to the Gate I forgot to tell you. They make it seem so scary, but it’s not. The guard is a Heartweaver, and the red lights are Suncraft. She acts like she’s scanning you or doing something to mark you, but they’re filling out paperwork while she listens to your heartbeat. Sometimes, she’ll mess with you, make your heart race until you collapse. I’ve seen it before. The guards are all pricks if you don’t have blue tattoos. But she was nice today, she relaxed us. Come on, I’ll keep track of our ticket back in.”
Already confused—yet still deliriously happy—Apattar relinquished the piece of paper without a fuss. Saiya tucked it in an inner pocket of the knapsack with a smile. Before they stood,Apattar looked at the lake she studied for hours each day from her balcony, marveling at its massive size.
Beyond the ring of trees around the glittering blue lake, she could make out the tiny, crammed huts and half-decaying buildings of the Slums, where the lowest castes lived. The red clay huts of the Weavers District clustered together against the right side of the lake, while smoke rose from the mines far behind them. Apattar wished they could explore the Weavers District more. Every morning, as she snuck back to her prison, music and song rose from the clay homes.
The Weavers District seemed like a wholesome place—perhaps the only good place in Eás. The people leaving there always smiled and laughed. Though shackled to their masters like all in Av Madhira, Apattar heard stories about how many still used their powers in secret to help the millions who lived in the city instead of sitting behind walls and gatehouses. She sometimes wished she had been born to one of them—if they spared anevranenith, no doubt the child would be loved.
“My lady? My lady,did you hear me?” Saiya touched Apattar’s shoulder, bringing her out of the trance.
“Sorry, the lake is so mesmerizing! I had no idea how beautiful it could be when the sun illuminates the ring of trees.” Apattar tore her gaze from the shore edges teeming with life and looked back at Saiya, a smile painted on her face.
“I forget how much of this is new to you. We can stay a while if you’d like.” Saiya spoke with a kind understanding. Apattarshook her head, not wanting to miss anything the city had to offer.
“Then listen to me carefully. This is important,” Saiya continued. “Here, you are Sera and I am Aesiri. You must not wander off alone, tempting as it might be. This is a wild place; the same rules and order of your high towers do not apply beyond the Wall. It is safest in the Market, and the Weavers District.” Saiya’s voice held a sternness Apattar had not heard before, but regardless of delivery, she had no intention of breaking the rules.
