Exalted Walking on Broken Glass Book 6

by S.Hagen

Lightning and Courtesan have come to Chiaroscuro to lead the Faded Maiden away from their companions and to focus the attention of great powers on them instead of what their companions are attempting. However the City of Glass is not without its own dangers and threats of others beings and the Lunar and Abyssal will meet new enemies and perhaps new allies.

1. Chapter 1

Exalted

Walking on Broken Glass

The Events in this story take place during the events in Secrets and Roguery

Story 6

Long Lost Reflections

The soles of his articulated, orichalcum boots rang against the glass streets as he strode along the main thoroughfare. The crowds that lined the street paused in what they were doing to bow to him, some dropping to one knee as he passed.

Tall, with golden brown skin, dressed in a leather kilt, the muscles of exposed skin well defined. He was handsome, with curly black hair and dark blue eyes. A golden studded, leather strap that crossed his chest supported his golden daiklaive, the hilt over his left shoulder for an easy draw. Fox tattoos in golden ink ran up his arms to this chest.

He passed into the shadow of a glass tower, then beneath an arch of rose coloured glass, covered in creeping vines covered in white and gold blossoms.

Without pausing his hand went to the hilt of his weapon, but paused when a voice called out, "Calm down Arkin, the war is long over."

Arkin looked up to where a man in grey clung to the vines, suspended above him. "If the war is over Ghost, tell me why our enemies remain?"

Ghost dropped down, flipping about and landing in front of Arkin. His silk slippered feet were silent on the glass street. He straightened, standing a head shorter than the other man, and pushed back the hood of his cloak, revealing a pointed, pretty face as well as long, red hair.

"They are imprisoned by their own names," Ghost told him.

"There are holes in the wall."

"By our own design."

Arkin frowned and shook his head. "The only enemy you need not worry about is the dead enemy."

Ghost pursed his lips. "With the Primordials that may not have been true."

He turned his head and spat. "Damn mess. We should destroy the Underworld."

"Perhaps. But at the moment we should turn our attention to our new city. Chiaroscuro is ours to build and shape. Once we have done so, then we might turn our gaze to the Underworld. Let the Twilights and other savants research it for now; better that we know the facts."

"I am not a fact type of person," Arkin said, crossing his thick arms over his barrel chest, tattoos shifting and sparkling.

"You are more of a smash them in the face with your sword until they die type of person."

Arkin smiled for the first time.

Ghost smiled as well.

"As we are talking of Twilights, where is ours?"

"Ferdam is beneath the city, seeking out the secrets that the Dragon Kings and the Primordials built here."

"More facts?"

"I am afraid so."

Arkin shook his head, then put his arm across Ghost's shoulders. "Let's go and get a drink my friend. We'll drink to the war."

"We always drink to the war."

Arkin nodded. "And we always will."