Chapter 9
Silver walked through the bustling Zaria settlement, taking note of the progress on constructing more permanent structures. He paused as he approached a fenced-off area where tribal workers were building rows of barrack-like housing.
Overseeing the construction was Elder Ironwood, who had brought a group of artifacts from Sliez territory to aid the building efforts. Silver felt a pang as he observed the artifacts, reminded of his own heritage.
As a child, he had grown up in the Matha region's artifact dormitories, known as the silos. Though dependent on the tribe for resources and protection, Silver's family and friends in the silos had been happy and tight-knit.
He remembered long days playing imaginary games, huddled around the cookfire at night listening to elders tell stories, and falling asleep against his mother's comforting warmth. There had been struggles and lean times, but also community, love, and small joys.
Seeing this new silo take shape, Silver hoped it could give the next generation of artifacts a chance at similar memories. Under Elder Ironwood's stern but fair guidance, perhaps Zaria could become a refuge, a new home.
One of the artifacts, a young girl, noticed Silver watching and gave him a small, shy wave. Silver smiled and waved back warmly. However, she had arrived here, and he knew she was another soul seeking shelter from the darkness.
Silver said a silent prayer - for his family back home, for this girl and all the artifacts whose fates now rested here. They could build a new life from the rubble of the old world with compassion and care for each other.
Silver was lost in thought as he observed the construction when Elder Ironwood's voice suddenly rang out - "You there, Silver! If you have time to gawk, you have time to make yourself useful."
Before he could protest, Silver found himself drafted into the work crew, hauling lumber and fetching tools for the builders. To his surprise, he did not actually mind the labor. It felt good to lend the strength of his hands to shelter these refugees.
As they took a water break, some of the younger artifacts gathered around Silver, curious about the tournament champion in their midst. Silver regaled them with exaggerated tales of his and Jade's adventures, making the children laugh.
One wide-eyed boy asked Silver breathlessly, "Is it true you met the last descendant of the Caliburs on your expedition?"
Silver nodded. "I did indeed. His name was Lux, and he had an ancient power passed down through his bloodline."
Some of the older artifacts scoffed in disbelief. "The Caliburs died out ages ago," one insisted. "You're spinning tales."
But Elder Ironwood had overheard the conversation. Her expression turned stormy. "The boy speaks the truth. That the Caliburs still endure as Prince Santiago's slaves is cause for great concern."
She swept off without another word, shoulders rigid with tension. Silver watched Ironwood depart, wondering at her strange reaction. What significance did Lux's lineage hold to spark such anger in the normally stoic elder?
Silver stood beside Jade in the newly built War College courtyard, watching a ceremonial procession unfold before them. At the head walked Dean Syril, leading Prince Santiago toward an altar where incense burned.
Silver realized this must be Santiago's conversion ritual into the Faith of Himar, the predominant religion of the Jzeda Republic. Himar's teachings centered on the sanctity of the resonant bond between artificer and artifact.
Syril began solemnly reciting the ritual prayers and creeds as Santiago knelt before the altar. Silver glanced at Jade, who looked equally confused by the display.
"Any idea what this is about?" Silver whispered. Jade shook his head, brow furrowed.
Just then, Syril proclaimed loudly, "With this sacred rite, we welcome Crown Prince Santiago into the true faith. His commitment shall be a shining example of unity to all Zaria."
The small audience broke into polite applause. Santiago rose, an odd smile on his face.
Silver leaned close to Ming. "Do you know what's happening here?"
Ming shook her head, looking puzzled. "I'm as surprised as you. But I suspect political motivations are behind this."
As the crowd dispersed, Silver watched Santiago accepting congratulations, the picture of humble piety. But his eyes remained calculating, at odds with the beatific mask he now wore.
Silver looked around cautiously as he entered Dean Syril's office with Jade and Ming. To his surprise, Prince Santiago was seated casually in a chair. Beside him was the slight figure of Lux, looking smaller than ever without the cruel control collar around his neck.
Silver tensed reflexively. He did not trust Santiago's supposedly newfound faith or motives. Behind his polite smile, the prince's ice-blue eyes were as calculating as ever. Silver wondered if this was some elaborate trap.
Dean Syril greeted them warmly. "Thank you for coming. As you saw, Prince Santiago has committed himself to the Faith of Himar. However, he still needs much to learn about resonant bonds."
The Dean gestured to Lux. "Without his collar, the boy is weak. Santiago asked if you would assist in unlocking their true potential together."
Silver stared at Santiago incredulously. After seeing how he had abused Lux before, he found it hard to believe the prince now wanted to form a proper bond. What was the ploy here?
Beside him, Jade replied diplomatically, "We would be glad to offer guidance, if Lux is willing." Santiago nodded in approval.
Inside, Silver boiled with mistrust. But he kept silent for now. Perhaps they could at least help the timid Lux somewhat, though he doubted Santiago had altruistic motives.
Dean Syril smiled. "Excellent. Then let us begin."
Over the next few weeks, Silver reluctantly assisted Santiago and Lux in "bonding exercises" while remaining wary of deception. To his surprise, the prince appeared patient and engaged with Lux, listening to the soft-spoken boy with interest.
Yet Silver sensed the inner fragility behind Santiago's friendly facade. The prince's mask would slip in unguarded moments, revealing flickers of ambition, arrogance, and deeply buried pain. Their bond was superficial; Santiago's heart remained closed.
Privately, Silver asked Lux if the artifact truly desired this bond with someone who had collared and controlled him before. Lux simply replied Santiago was his master and it was his duty to serve however required.
Silver pitied how deeply Lux's spirit had been cowed into submission. But the artifact refused to voice any misgivings, loyal to a fault.
Silver leaned back against the sturdy oak tree, enjoying the shade it provided from the bright afternoon sun. Beside him, Jade was whistling a cheerful tune as he wove blades of grass together into a small wreath.
Silver smiled, happy to spend this quiet moment with his friend and partner. Ever since they had returned from the harrowing expedition to Mondo de Ombroj, he and Jade had scarcely had time to relax and enjoy each other's company. There was always more training and more meetings with the generals and officials. The threat of the Hollow King still loomed over them all.
But today, they had snuck away for a brief respite. Here on the grassy hill overlooking the settlement, surrounded by wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze, it was easy to pretend the gathering darkness was far away.
Jade finished his grass wreath and plopped it on Silver's head with a grin. "A crown fit for an artifact prince," he joked.
Silver laughed. "Why thank you, my good artificer," he replied airily, striking a regal pose. It felt good to leave the weight of duty behind, if only for an afternoon.
Jade's expression became wistful. "Do you ever miss the days back in our villages? Life seemed so much simpler then."
Silver nodded, memories of his childhood floating through his mind - running carefree through flower-filled meadows, listening to his mother sing lullabies by the fire at night. Back when the future still held only possibility and promise.
"I miss the silos sometimes," Silver admitted. "We didn't have much, but all the artifacts felt like family. The elders would tell us stories about the heroic deeds of artifacts past."
He smiled ruefully. "Never thought I'd end up in one of those tales someday."
Jade chuckled. "I know what you mean. At the orphanage, I just dreamed of becoming a traveling minstrel, playing songs in taverns and wowing village crowds."
His eyes held a faraway look. "Never imagined I'd hear an artifact's song in my heart instead."
Silver bumped Jade's shoulder affectionately. However they arrived here, he was grateful they were together. Their pasts were different, but their destiny was one.
Jade grinned and leaped to his feet suddenly, pulling Silver up with him. "Come on, enough daydreaming! Let's head to the market for some sweet buns before we have to go back."
Laughing, Silver let Jade tug him along down the hillside, back towards responsibility but always side by side.
