Chapter One - Unnamed (Suggestions?)

Sweat beaded down his face as Flynn pulled himself over the balcony of the ancient house. He had always hated this last part of the climb. Near the roof the wall turned to stone, effectively eliminating all the easy finger holds that bricks and mortar provided. A grunt of exertion passed his lips as he forced his body over the ledge. With a sigh of relief, he slid gently to the floor and tried to loosen some of the knots he had accumulated in his hasty climb.

The moon had pulled him from his sheets earlier than normal this morning. Unable to fall back asleep, he had taken to the streets and raced to his secret lookout in the hopes of catching the morning sunrise. Remembering this, he forced himself to his feet and looked out over the city.

Palmora sprawled out beneath him in a maze of white stone and dark timber. Bursts of colour followed the roof lines from the near endless strings of clothing hung to dry between the buildings. The roofs were a sea of green as the owners made do with the little space they had to grow what vegetables they could. A forest of masts and furled sails were the last line before the endless ocean rolled out to the horizon. Hundreds of tiny boats peppered the water as they headed home with their morning catch. A grin crept over his face as he picked out the purple sail of his parents boat leading the fleet as usual.

Flynn wiped a hand across his face and flicked the sweat onto the floor. The breeze tousled his hair from behind. He looked back over his shoulder to the monolith rising from the mountain behind him. Almighty Solkarus stared proudly from atop the mountain over Palmora. Sculpted from shining bronze in a time long lost to memory, Solkarus had protected the city from its many enemies for centuries.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The tiles were cool against the tips of his toes soothing the sting from the dozens of tiny cuts from his climb. The gentle breeze carried sounds of bustling life as the people of Palmora prepared their tables for the morning spectacle. It cooled his sweaty skin and puffed the scent of a thousand thousand loaves of bread being pulled from the oven. The smell tantalised his taste buds and his stomach gave a low growl in agreement.

The wind died down and a hush settled over the city. The friendly greetings shouted along the streets disappeared and the scraping of chairs ceased as everyone settled in. Even the children knew better than to cry. A quiet feeling of expectation held the city. He opened his eyes just as the sun crested the horizon.

The first rays of light for the day struck the ornate helm covering Solkarus’ head and focused into beams which reflected back down towards the docks. As soon as they touched the water thousands of sparkling birds took flight. Their blue, green and silver wings glittered as they surged into the air amid a cacophony of shrills and squawks. There was a roar from the streets below as the people praised their sun god for his momentous display.

A laugh, wild and free, burst from his lips as the noise washed over him. No matter how many times he saw it, nor how hard he found the climb, watching nature praise Solkarus was something he treasured.

Solkarus’ fiery gaze slowly raised from the docks and disappeared into the sky above. The sound from the citizens of Palmora fell to a dull buzz broken only by snippets of the Eternal Ode as the Choristers of Dawn began their daily praise.

Flynn ran a hand through his hair and chuckled again then hoisted himself over the parapet and began to make his way back down to the street. His descent was quicker than his climb and he reached the ground in a matter of minutes.

The cobblestones were cold on his bare feet and his toes curled reflexively around the mounds as he stepped away from the wall. Imposing facades bore down on his right while the ground dropped away completely on his left allowing for uninterrupted views of the city.

Flynn pulled on his boots and wriggled his toes against the worn soles then he jumped to his feet and walked quickly along the street sticking close to the houses. Since the exodus of the cities elite the roads had fallen into disrepair and scattered chunks of stone littered the roofs of abandoned buildings below. He inspected the grand houses as he passed by and marvelled that they had simply been left to rot. The extravagant arches and pillars were pock marked with salt damp from exposure to the ocean breeze and many had collapsed in on themselves. He had chosen the house to climb many years ago not because it had the best view or was easiest to access, but because it was the only one that looked sturdy enough to bear his weight.

The sun was halfway over the horizon before he made it to the main road. He heard a whinny and searched for it’s owner. Two men were fixing a cart laden with iron ingots to a pair of trenches that ran the length of the road. Eight of these trenches ran from the western gate at the top of the mountain to the docks down below. The horse began to pull and the cart rolled slowly down the hill. The trenches had been chiselled into the heavy black stone after a slew of cart accidents during a particularly bitter winter. Since their inception a decade ago not a single cart related accident had occurred.

The sounds of the city started to grow as families finished their meals, hugged each other then separated for the day. The women cleaned off the tables and whisked away any food that was left to store for lunch, the men headed into the city proper to conduct their business and the children chased each other up and down their street playing the endless games of the unburdened.

He hummed softly to himself as he strolled down the path. People called out to him and waved from the streets running adjacent to the road as he passed but he didn’t slow or stop to see them. His parents were perhaps thirty minutes or so from docking and if he wasn’t there to help them unload then he would be in for a few days of endless chores. It was this thought that prompted him to adopt a light jog. That, and he had caught sight of a light green flash of clothing further down the road which brought the smile back to his face.

Magda was back.

Magda had come into his life at an early age. He wasn’t exactly sure when or how but they had spent every day together except for those when she was out traveling the countryside with her father. Something had changed in their relationship just before she had left however. On the last night before her and her father were due to leave, they had sat upon the roof of his house as their parents talked over dinner and stared up at the moon. There had been a moment when she was very close, her breath warm on his cheek and her eyes locked on his. She had closed her eyes and leaned in. And the world stopped. But for some reason unknown to himself he had frozen and when she opened her eyes again to look at him they showed pain and confusion. She had left immediately and he hadn’t seen her for months.

Flynn was so caught up in thoughts of Magda that he failed to see the group of boys until it was too late. Someone shoved him hard mid stride and he careened off the road and into group of tables and chairs in front of a bakery. The boys roared with laughter as he tried to extricate himself from the mess.

His nose throbbed with pain and he felt wetness trickling down his chin. A sharp stabbing like a knife came from his ribs and he grunted with pain as he tried to free himself. A quick pat with his hands told him nothing had entered his body but he worried that he may have broken a few bones.

Kicking his way free from the wreckage fury burning in his stomach, he searched for the cause of his discomfort. His eyes found the piggish face of a blond haired boy clothed in an elaborate red and gold silken blouse and pants. Surrounding him was a small retinue of similarly clad boys who jeered at him as stalked towards them.

His fury powered him across the street. It burned hot in his veins and he was halfway across the road before he even had a chance to think. The boys realised his intent and their smiles quickly morphed into menacing sneers. They closed ranks and a few of them cracked their knuckles as he approached.

Just as he was about to throw himself at them he felt a familiar hand grip his arm firmly and hold him in place.

“Don’t give them a reason,” said Magda quietly.

Her voice alone could have stopped him for it had wrapped itself around his heart long ago. If only he had known that a few months ago.

“Listen to your woman Flynn” sneered Kealen as he pushed his way to the front “She may not be pretty or have any money or really any worth to this world but, it does seem she can count.”

The boys laughed at his words and Flynn felt a fresh surge of rage pulse through his body. But Magda still had his arm in her hand and he never could say no to her. Forcing himself to calm down, he took a deep breath, then with an almighty effort he turned his back on them.

“Pitiful to have someone speak for you Flynn. A woman no less,” drawled Kealen.

Flynn whirled on the spot and lunged towards him but Magda pulled him back again.

“Why don’t I do you a favor hmm?” said Kealen, pulling out a fat satin purse and drawing out a solid silver coin. He tossed it towards Flynn and it landed with a heavy thunk on the stones below.

“Take that and pay for a few weeks at the school. That way, next we meet, perhaps you could say something for yourself.”

The boys surrounding Kalen howled with laughter. Flynns eyes were locked on the coin. A solid silver (name) was more money than he had ever held in his hands. One silver (name) could easily feed a family for six months as well as replace the few shirts and pants he had.

Another coin landed next to the first.

“One for you too my dear. Go buy yourself a nice dress and a wash at the baths. I’ll give you some lessons of my own tonight,” he said rubbing two more coins together in his fingers “If you do well you may even get your hands on these.”

Magda stepped forward and picked up the coins. Shoulders back and head held high, she walked deliberately up to Kealen and pressed them into his palm.

“A real man wouldn’t have to pay me for my time” she said sweetly.

Kealens haughty face flushed red and his hand jerked as if to slap her. But this would have been too much, even for his cadre of sycophants. He glared at her as she walked back to Flynn and took his arm leading him down the road, away from Kaelen and his hounds.

Magda guided them between rolling carts and the swarms of people heading to work. She stopped at a small fountain and pulled him gently down beside her then dipped a small white handkerchief into the water. Pressing it lightly to his face, his breath caught in his throat as her pale hazel eyes met his, and he temporarily lost himself in their lively depths.

“Sorry, does it hurt?” she said, pulling back the fabric.

He crashed rapidly back into his body and he felt his cheeks flush. Not trusting himself to speak, and hoping Magda couldn’t see his burning cheeks through the blood, he gently took the cloth from her hands and pressed it to his nose.

“What happened anyway? I heard the crash then saw you trying to stand up,” she said.

Flynn dipped the handkerchief in the water and watched as the blood spread out its smoky crimson tendrils and faded into nothing. Dark ringed eyes started up at him from the water and he scowled at his battered face.

“I wasn’t paying attention,” he said.

“That doesn’t sound like you at all,” she said flashing her dazzling smile.

He smiled back then winced as his nose shot pain through his face, sending blood dripping down his chin once again.

“By the (something) I’d love to thrash that bastard,” said Flynn as he pinched his nose “You should have let me.”

She patted his leg as if consoling a child who had lost a toy.

“If I had, I would have had to scrape you off the road instead,” she said nudging him with her shoulder.

He gave her a sheepish smile. She was right, she always was.

“What about you? I thought you weren’t back for weeks,” said Flynn.

“Father completed most of the major projects last year,” she said with a shrug “What are you doing for the rest of the day?”

His stomach fluttered at the prospect of spending the day with her then dropped to his feet as he remembered their last meeting on the roof. He cursed then forced himself to his feet.

“What’s wrong?” said Magda.

“I’m late,” he replied, with a frown.

Magda stood then flashed him her wonderful smile again. “I’m sure they’ll understand, your parents have always liked me.”

The docks were a hive of activity. The dark tar covered timbers were packed with workers. Mule drawn carts married up alongside boats that were fastened to the many piers. Hundreds of men and women helped to offload the various stocks on board then trundled off towards the main square for the morning market.

Flynn and Magda stepped onto the deck and were sucked into the bustling crowd. He smiled as he felt the energy of the place whirl around him. Gripping Magdas hand tightly they pushed their way through the crowd.

They didn’t have far to go. His parents were one of the first back and had secured a prime position right near the entrance to the road. His smile disappeared the moment he caught sight of them. A huge man with a host of chins had parked his mule and cart alongside the boat and was helping Derick and Nora to lift the barrels onto the dock. Stibbs had been a longtime friend of the family, but he had a viscous tongue.

Stibbs placed the barrel his parents had been passing up to him on the ground with a heavy thud. He looked up as they approached then gave Flynn an evil grin.

“Was he being crass again?” he called out to Magda.

Flynn furrowed his brows in confusion for a second then scowled. Many years ago, he had poked fun at Magda with the crude subtleness that only a pre-adolescent boy could master and she had pushed him into the water. Stibbs had cackled for days whenever he laid eyes on Flynn and had ribbed him at every opportunity for the following year.

Magda gave him a small smile and shook her head. As they drew closer Stibbs’ smile turned to a frown.

“Get up here Derick, someone’s mauled your boy,” he growled.

Derick pulled himself up from the boat in a matter of seconds. He was a tall man with a thin frame that belied his strength. Dark eyes took in everything as he calmly looked Flynn up and down.

“Who did this to you?” he demanded.

Flynn had learned long ago not to shy away from his fathers intense stare. It felt as though he could see into his soul but he met it all the same and stood his ground.

“It’s nothing. I’m sorry for being late,” he said walking over to the barrel dragging it to the back of the cart.

Derick turned his gaze on Magda. Not having lived with his father she wilted underneath it immediately.

“It was Kaelen,” she said.

The shouts of the dock workers quietened as they finished guiding the boats into the dock and started to help the fishermen unload their cargo.

Derick walked over to Flynn then gripped the base of the barrel. Together they lifted it onto the back of the cart for Stibbs to lock into place.

There was a low groan from the first crane of the Great Mariner. It swung slowly across the docks, the overloaded cargo straining the ropes securing it in place. The men controlling the crane shouted to each other in alarm and lowered it quickly as people scattered from beneath it.

His father shook his head disapprovingly “They’re going to kill someone one day,” he said, then he turned his attention back to Flynn “These injuries look as if they were delivered by someone's fist. Did you fight with Kaelen? The Lockewoods(Name suggestions?) could make a great deal of trouble for us.”

“I never touched him,” snapped Flynn “one of his lackeys pushed me from behind.”

Nora hoisted herself up and stood near her husband. Like Derick she was tall and thin, but where his face seemed to be carved from stone into a near perpetual frown, hers was soft and full of laughter.

“How did that happen?” she asked, brushing bits of bait from her furs.

He said nothing but couldn’t stop his eyes from darting quickly to Magda and back. Comprehension flickered across Nora’s face, and she rushed forward to give Magda a hug.

“We didn’t expect you back for weeks! Derick, save one of the big ones for Corwin. How is your father?” she asked as she led Magda away from the men.

Derick raised an eyebrow at Flynn but asked no more questions. Together they jumped down into the boat and hauled the rest of the barrels up onto the dock. Nora and Magda returned as they pushed the last one onto the cart.

“Derick dear, I’m sure we could manage at the market without Flynn for today don’t you?” she said.

“Make sure you aren’t late for Asher,” said Derick to Flynn then he turned to Magda “We would be overjoyed if yourself and Corwin would join us for dinner tonight,”

“Thank you, but I think father is still unpacking, possibly tomorrow?” she said with a smile.

Derick nodded then offered his arm to Nora. She linked her arm through his and together they set off through the crowd followed closely by Stibbs and his cart.

They vanished into the crowd and suddenly Flynn realised he was alone with Magda with no obligations. His stomach filled with butterflies once again and thoughts ran wild through his head. Did she remember the moment on the roof? Was she angry at him? Had she met someone else?

“You think too much,” she whispered in his ear, causing goosebumps to ripples across his skin, she gripped his hand gently in hers “Follow me, I have something to show you.”