A Solemn Truth: The Kingdom, #2

The Kingdom

A Solemn Truth

Cameron Kielb

The Kingdom; A Solemn Truth

© 2019 by Cameron Kielb.

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Edits by Ginny and Judith at Book Helpline

Cover illustrated by Tyler Kielb

Second Edition: September 2019

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Chapter 1

Protec 4

Uncertainty hid within the darkness. Dimly lit lamps allowed Mox to visualize gray doors spaced every ten feet down the hallway representing an all too familiar problem—which door should he take? The booms from the adjacent building still echoed through the air. Aside from the rhythmic drumming, the air remained eerily silent. Not so much as the scuffle of footsteps.

What now? Matthew broke the silence.

They had promptly exited the courtyard, seeking shelter within. Their hard work had paid off. Mox couldn’t believe it. Thanks to Brand and his crew of young warriors, they had successfully gained access to Guillan’s toxic ‘power station.’ Not without casualty, though. Their priest, William, had taken it upon himself to lead the resistance to Mox’s cause.

In his absence, Mox hoped for his friend’s safety. The guards had been swarming everywhere. He had just barely kept them at bay with his magic before he passed out. Luckily, Matthew had carried him the remaining way into the building, and hence this new weird town.

Mox felt worried, confused, excited. This was no ordinary town. His hairs stood up on edge and his skin glowed continuously. He was closer to his father than he had been in years. Of that, he had no doubt.

I don’t know, he admitted. I think we should lay low until we know what’s going on. You stick out like a sore thumb. Next to Mox, Matthew appeared, shrouded in darkness.

A loud bell echoed outside—five ringing clacks.

Down the hall, someone walked by pushing a cart. He, too, had a darkish aura that surrounded his body. He sighed before opening a door, depositing the cart inside. Another door opened down the hall, catching the man’s attention. He scurried off.

C’mon. Mox pushed Matthew toward the door that the man had left his cart in. It would close fast. Mox reached out his hand, and the door froze in place. Additional doors opened down the hall, and Mox heard voices. They slipped inside the closet—a hard feat as the cart filled most of it. Matthew scrunched to the back where a spigot stuck out from the wall.

Ow. My butt! Matthew hissed.

Mox put his eye to the crack of the door and watched people dressed in all white stream down the hall. Like him, their skin had a light hue to it. It seems too soon, one man said groggily to a lady beside him.

Always does, the lady said, looking ahead.

Did you hear about that new lowlight that came by yesterday? the man asked.

Saw it myself, she confirmed. She never stood a chance.

Mox’s stomach clenched. What did that mean? Before he could worry further, the man continued. What do you think he does with those girls?

The lady sighed like it was something they’d discussed before. You know I don’t know. At least Hain doesn’t kill ’em, although I don’t know if that’s preferred or not.

Did Hain really burn Cecé’s hand? he asked.

I’m afraid so. She’s got too much of a soft spot for the lowlight people. Goin’ to get herself killed. She’s lucky she didn’t get worse.

Mox couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation as they drifted farther away. The hall was crowded now as everyone shuffled along.

Where do you think they’re going? Matthew whispered.

Dunno. Seems like work. No one seemed very happy either way. When everyone had gone by, they exited the closet.

That closet smelled like a dirty sock! Matthew huffed.

It had smelled foul. Mox ignored the comment. So, it sounds like Nikki was here, and some guy named Hain has her—the same guy who burned some lady’s hand for trying to help her. Mox talked to himself more than Matthew. I think finding this ‘Cecé’ might be the key to finding Nikki.

Maybe we should see where they’re going, Matthew suggested.

Mox had no better idea. We keep our distance, though.

They exited the dull hall, retracing their steps from earlier. Outside in the courtyard, they saw a few stragglers entering a building to the right. The large tree in the center courtyard towered as high as the surrounding buildings. The tree looked perfect—no dead limbs or dying leaves.

A loud bell echoed through the air again.

Before they could follow any closer, people emerged from the same door the others had just entered. Additional people exited the building to their left as well.

Back inside? Matthew asked.

Yup! They scurried back inside. They were halfway down the hall when they heard someone enter the hall behind them.

Logan? Is that you? someone shouted.

Keep walking, Mox muttered, picking up the pace. They’d be at the closet again in a few seconds.

Yo, Logan, hang on!

Mox opened the closet door and shoved Matthew inside. He heard him knock into the cart and could only imagine what obscenities escaped Matthew’s mouth. Mox turned around ready to tell the stranger that, no, he was not Logan.

Logan, we’re going down to the Cave for some drinks. You in? The guy approached and frowned. You’re not Logan. Who are you?

I’m Ray… He almost said, lin. Raylin, his father’s name, had initially come to his mind. He didn’t know why he felt the need to lie to the stranger with the harsh face and graying brown hair.

I don’t think we’ve met. You new?

Umm. Yeah, Mox said tentatively, I’m actually looking for someone named Cecé?

Cecé? Ehh? You’ve been called up to help, huh? The man swept his graying hair out of his face. That can wait—unless you’re eager to work. He chuckled lightly. No, really, follow me. I’ll take you down for a proper welcome. My name’s Vic by the way.

Hi, Vic. Mox acknowledged, walking beside him. Hopefully, he could get some intel without blowing his cover. Matthew would have to fend for himself for a while.

He followed Vic down a few halls and into an elevator that took them deep underground. Mox kept his head down and noticed Vic’s tan pants were covered in dirt. He reeked of stale sweat. It’s hard work, huh? Mox asked.

What? Yeah. You’ll see, Vic responded monotonously.

When they reached the bottom, Mox heard a musical beat on the other side. The elevator opened, depositing them directly into a large underground bar. In the back of the room, the bar was carved from stone and large metal stools rested underneath. A few patrons were already enjoying a drink. Mostly vacant tables and chairs were scattered throughout the room. Part of the room had been left free of debris where a few girls danced and giggled. One of them held a drink that had rainbow colors swirling through it.

Welcome to ‘the cave.’ It’s what we call it. Not too bad, huh? It almost makes up for having to be here. Vic looked over at Mox and raised his eyebrows. His eyes were full of energy, sharply contrasting moments before. He obviously lived for this. Looking around, Mox imagined they all did. C’mon, let’s have a drink. I’ll tell you all you have to be excited for, he said sarcastically, What are you drinking?

Mox looked around at the nearby patrons. None of them had what looked to be just a beer. I don’t know. Honestly, do you have any beer?

Vic smirked. Only if you want to drink in the back with the lowlight servers! That’s a good one, Ray. No really, what do you want?

What do you recommend? Mox asked tentatively.

You like rum?

It’s okay, Mox replied.

You’ve never had it like this. Grab a table. I’ll get you something, Vic said beaming.

Mox sat at a nearby table and looked around again. The cave was beginning to fill up fast as people wandered in from the last shift. Vic leaned forward against the stone bar, talking to one the servers behind the counter. Like Matthew, a dark aura surrounded them. None of them seemed happy. Mox bit his lip, looking at them. Perhaps, that’s what they did with the captured lowlights—put them to work.

The boy, who looked all of fourteen that Vic conversed with, handed him two large drinks. One looked a rich, chocolate brown color, and the other appeared neon yellow. You’re going to love this, Vic reiterated, sitting across from Mox. He handed Mox the chocolate colored drink.

So, what is it? Mox eyed skeptically. It smelled sweet.

It’s rum infused with chocolate vaponol. Before you drink it, make sure you heat up the glass a little. Helps release the vaponol.

Mox had never heard of vaponol but nodded his head with a grin. Hopefully, it portrayed confident approval. And what are you drinking? Mox asked eying the yellow concoction.

This is just vodka infused with lemon vaponol. Vic picked up the glass, and his hand glowed for a second as he transferred some heat into the glass. It instantly began to steam, fogging the air above the glass with a yellowish hue. He took a deep breath from the steam, and his eyes flickered before he slugged down half the glass. Setting it down, he let out a dramatic, Ahhh!

That good, huh? Mox asked. How much do I owe you for this by the way? he said picking up the glass and heating it up.

Pshh. We don’t have to pay for these drinks down here. It’s the one luxury we have for our service here.

Mox nodded and smiled. Well, all right, he said. The brown drink had released the chocolaty flavor into the air, and when he breathed it in, he felt his head spin a little. A flash of euphoria tickled his brain, and he smiled stupidly. When he drank from it, his taste buds exploded with flavor. The chocolate combined perfectly with the rum that he didn’t think he liked to make the best drink he had ever tasted. He eagerly took another few gulps.

Vic’s eyes widened a little. Slow down, champ. If you’ve never had that, you’re going to feel it really quickly!

Mox already did. A man with shaggy brown hair sat down next to them. Who’s this? he asked Vic.

Logan, this is Ray. He’s new here. I caught him before Cecélia even did. You know what that means? he said, smiling.

Logan looked to Mox, grinning. Sure do! Lucky, we found you first. Probably would’ve put you straight into the shaft.

Oh no! Mox said louder than he had intended. Logan moved his head back like he’d been blasted by airwaves. Mox looked sheepishly down at his half-full glass. Sorry, he said softer, It’s nice to meet you, Loge’s.

Don’t call me that. Logan will do.

Very well, Logan-will-do, Mox said obnoxiously. Taking a deep breath, he made his mind calm down.

Logan, however, smirked. You’re going to need another one of those soon, huh? This ought to be fun, he said to Vic.

Vic put a hand up lazily. Let’s go easy on him. Logan scowled. I said easy, Vic clarified. We will most definitely still have some fun! Grab him another, but this time, make it a number three. Get him water while you’re at it. He eyed Mox over.

When Logan returned, he had a clear fizzing drink in his hands and put it in front of Mox. Mox nodded, accepting the drink graciously. So, what? Are the lowlights the servers around here? Mox asked. The jargon felt foul even on his tipsy tongue.

Vic took a swig from his drink. Yes. Master Hain gets volunteers or recruits from nearby towns. They do all the work around here not essential to fueling the stations. Cleaning, cooking, serving, you get it.

Volunteers and recruits, he had said. Did he know they were kidnapped and just sugarcoated the truth? Or maybe he didn’t know. I see, Mox said. The girls too?

Yeah, we’ve had a few girls too, Logan said. Most of them seem to work in Hain’s loft for years. Every now and then, he’ll spit one out to us. Must get sick of them or something.

This Master Hain. Who is he? What’s he like? Mox had to speak up as the noise level grew. The girls that had been alone on the dance floor were now joined by a small crowd of drinking fools, and the music volume had increased.

He’s ruthless, Vic said. Runs a real tight ship. The best way to deal with him is by not seeing him. Stay under his radar. You know the type?

Mox nodded. He did.

Vic continued, Rumor has it he fought alongside the king at the start of the magical era against those that hated us for being different. He was a strong ally to King Raylin.

A strong guy, huh? Mox asked.

Vic huffed and waved his hand as if to bat the comment out of the air. One of the most.

Logan peeped up. And he’s not afraid to demonstrate his power. The other day he burned off someone’s hand for being defiant.

What did they do to deserve that? Mox questioned.

Cecé—the girl you seek for placement. She helped a lowlight into the city and didn’t bring the girl to him.

Why such an extreme punishment, though?

Do you want a lowlight walking around here with you? Alongside us…

The moment of truth. Vic and Logan both leaned in expectantly waiting for an answer. Mox had a feeling it was more of a loaded question than they let on. I don’t think I’d care. They’re people just like you and me.

Logan widened his eyes and looked at Vic warily. They held eye contact for a second before Vic nodded.

Vic stood up abruptly. Mox tensed up. Come with us. He beckoned. Seeing Mox’s scrunched face, he smiled slightly. Don’t worry. It’s not bad. He looked over his shoulders, quickly checking his surroundings. C’mon. And leave the drink. We’ll have more later. I promise.

Intrigue outweighed his skepticism. Whatever Vic and Logan schemed; they clearly didn’t want everyone else in the room knowing about it. Mox nodded and got up, leaving the half-full glass behind.

He followed them out of the cave and up the elevator. They ascended many floors, finally getting off at floor seven and continued to Vic’s room. Ushering him inside, Vic locked the door ominously.

Mox frowned. There were a few comfortable-looking chairs circled around a small table within the cozy room. A kitchen table with some chairs sat farther within. Mox spotted a small bedroom through an open doorway.

Where are you from? Vic questioned intently. Logan flopped on a nearby chair.

Why do you ask? What’s it to you?

Your candid attitude toward the lowlights. It’s not normal. And most definitely not shared around here by most. Worse, it’s not respected.

Why do I get the sense that you don’t agree with that? Mox questioned.

My questions first! Vic said. Then, I answer. Logan nodded his agreement in the background.

I grew up alongside people without magic. My mother, for one. It was a small town up north, off Lake Ribose. Most recently, I visited the hidden city of Guillan.

Vic’s eyed him cautiously. The town this station protects?

Indeed, Mox confirmed.

Why are you here? And tell the truth. We don’t recruit from Guillan. Too close to home, not to mention there has been no magical activity scouted there in years!

Mox looked the two over and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. They left a nice-looking moisture stain on his thighs. I’m looking for my friend Nikki. Probably the one that Cecé got her hand burned off trying to protect. She’s from Guillan.

Mmhmm. And what was she doing trying to get here?

Well, we didn’t know this power station led here, Mox explained.

But what were you two doing in the power station to begin with? I understand it’s extremely guarded.

Truthfully?

Vic gestured to continue.

To destroy it. They know that whoever is associated with that station comes to take away their kids. They hate it! Not to mention how sick people have become since being near it. Mox expected them to look shocked. To get angry and denounce his plan and their ideals of destroying the station. Instead, both Vic and Logan smiled again. What’s that look for?

It’s just ironic. That’s all.

What is? Get to the point, Mox huffed.

We, too, would like nothing more than the destruction of this place. Vic paced as he spoke. We have a small group that does not like the way things are run here. You think this place only enslaves your lowlight friends? Look at us! We’re forced to work slave labor, fueling the machines with the promise of one day achieving freedom in the heaven city, Gondoi. Some may buy that or find it worth it. We don’t.

Mox listened closely. He hadn’t considered that it was more than just the lowlights forced to stay here. He sensed more, though. Am I missing something? Why should I believe you?

Vic held out his finger as if to say, one moment, and went into his bedroom. He returned holding a photograph. He showed Mox the picture of Vic with a beautiful, curly haired brunette holding her belly.

What am I looking at, Vic?

This was…is my wife. We were only in our twenties when we married, and we knew right away that we wanted to have a kid. I lived in a town outside of Grete. It’s pretty small and isolated, so I think that’s why.

Why what? Mox listened.

Why they didn’t notice me at first. Why it took them twenty years to realize my powers. Why three weeks after I was told that I was indeed going to be a father that they snatched me away from her…from them, to work here in this forsaken place where they keep you drunk to distract you from the pain of being here. That’s the real reason they provide the drug. For our unwavering and clueless obedience. Vic had a tear in his eye.

Logan got up and patted him on the back, gently plucking the photo from his hand. You don’t want to ruin this photo, man. She’s beautiful, you know.

Vic nodded. Thanks. He turned back to Mox. Can you see why this place holds no good place in my heart? Think again if you think my story is the only one full of tragedy and heartbreak.

I’m so sorry, Mox said. He believed Vic’s story. So, why this station at all? No one seems to like it?

To protect the fat cats at the top. King Raylin…I don’t think he meant for things to get this way, but in his effort to protect everyone, he has essentially enslaved them!

Mox thought carefully. You, too, were taken from your home? he asked Logan, who nodded but offered no further story. So, you said there were a few of you that share your opinions. Any plans to do anything?

Vic smiled. Yes, but until today, we have not had the resources to carry anything out. But with you here—and pardon me for saying—you seem to have some royal air to you. You unquestionably glow brighter than almost anyone here. Do you know who your father is?

No, Mox lied. He left when I was a baby. Only ever heard stories of him.

Pshh. Typical. Probably one of the guys born at Gondoi. Well, anyway, we might be able to convince Hain that you are an ambassador from Gondoi auditing for a few days. It would give you the clearance to help.

I know nothing about this place, Mox protested. Or even more, nothing about this magical community. What if he has questions about Gondoi?

We’ll have to do our best! We can brief you with as much as we know.

And who will set me up to be an ambassador?

Well, that’s where Cecé comes in. She’s with us, Logan said.

That’s why she helped Nikki, huh?

Unfortunately, Vic scowled. She has a hard time separating her true compassion to help the lowlights from her role here.

Mox exhaled slowly before sitting in one of the squashy chairs. Count me in, but I make no promises.

Logan clapped his hand together excitedly. Yeah? All right! He looked to Vic. I can’t believe it’s happening.

Slow down. Slow down. It’s going to take careful planning and finesse. He broke a smile. But we’ve waited so long. How I would love to see my wife, my kid. Vic took his photo back from Logan and walked it into his bedroom. Let’s eat, and then, we’ll go to see Cecélia.

Chapter 2

Guillan

Only a few devoted citizens continued to clean debris left behind from the battle. High above the courtyard, Brand stared aimlessly down at the wreckage. He remained imprisoned in William’s magical cell, watching the world through the door that opened straight outside nearly one hundred feet above the ground.

Brand wanted to escape and see his father. In one day, he became an outcast to his hometown, his father had gotten shot, he had witnessed his friend Joe die, and all while still unable to locate Nikki. At least Mox and Matthew had gotten in.

Joe. The image lingered of his friend still smiling—hole in his head. Safe from the action, William had rained down shot after shot at Brand and his crew as they tried to force entry to the station. Brand realized they had been breaking the rules but still. How William had smiled those pearly death whites afterward. The thought made Brand sick.

Brand shuttered and turned his attention once again to the scene below. He watched a man exit the power station and make his way toward the church underneath the hidden room. The man neared, and Brand recognized William, hopefully coming to release him finally.

Brand stood, left the doorway, and walked to the lone bed within the room. He had already extensively searched the rest of the small room and found no hope of escape.

You ready to help? William’s voice rang through the air.

Brand looked around, trying again to locate the noise. Yes, sir.