City of Secrets

The high morning sun beat down on Lalivero's white sand streets. Sheba wiped the sweat from her brow. She took off her leather shoes. The summer sand nearly burned her feet but she hurried to the water. The water was warm. Everything's warm in a Suhallan summer. Sheba had grown up playing in the cities streets during the summer. But she wasn't as used to it as her family. Sheba's skin was fairer. She was foreign. Growing up it became easy to forget that, as all the Laliverans accepted her unconditionally. However every time she returned the place felt less like home.

It had been six years since the Golden Sun Event and Sheba had spent each of those years, the years of her youth, searching for her true home. She believed what she searched for was Anemos. The city of the sky. Faran, her adopted father, had found her after she fell from the sky after all. Sheba was a Jupiter adept, just like the legendary Anemos. Ivan and his sister Hama had agreed that Sheba was probably Anemos. Their family traced their roots back to the ancient civilization. They helped Sheba search for signs of Anemos presence in Weyard.

Now Sheba waited in the great river that flowed through Lalivero for the arrival of Ivan and Hama. They had news to bring her. Sheba had received a white raven bearing a letter from Hama. It had said they potentially spotted an Anemos airship in the west. In Hesperia. Far from home, but Sheba would go to the ends of the earth to find the truth about her origin. Looking to the east she spotted Piers' ship. The ship that Sheba had spent countless days on sailing the Eastern and the Western seas. It cruised effortlessly on the still water with its wings hugging its light-colored wooden hull. The sight of it surprised Sheba. She had expected Ivan and Hama to arrive on one of Ivan's Kalayan ships. They must have hitched a ride with Piers.

The ship docked at the bank of the river. Sheba stepped out of the river and put her shoes back on. Piers was first on the deck. He wore his typical Lemurian armour and his azure hair was longer than before. He gave a smile and bounded down to the sand ground. Behind him was Ivan and his sister Hama. They greeted and hugged Sheba enthusiastically. Ivan had a thin sword strapped to his waste in place of his usual staff. His purple eyes twinkled. A few of Piers Lemurian crew followed them and greeted Sheba amicably.

Finally the last figure appeared on the deck. A tall man in drab clothes with long dark hair tied behind his head. Felix. Sheba hadn't seen Felix in two years. His skin was smooth but he looked older, more worn. Unlike Ivan he was unarmed and walked slowly down to the bank of the river.

"Felix...", Sheba said. She hugged him tightly. "It's been so long."

Felix broke off the hug. "It has."

Ivan approached Sheba. "Where can we talk?"

"My father's house." Sheba motioned towards Faran's tall sandstone home. Ivan, Hama, Piers, and Felix followed Sheba down the road towards the house. The group exchanged small talk on the way. Piers talked of sea dragons and waterfalls in the middle of the ocean. Ivan spoke of the state of Kalay and the Silk Road. The town was richer and larger than ever.

At length they arrived at Sheba's father's house. He and the rest of the family were away for the day. Sheba offered seats around the kitchen table and brewed desert tea, the Suhallan name for a strong brew of a black-green tea leaf that only grew in the warm region near the Suhalla Gate.

Sheba couldn't wait any longer so she turned to Ivan. "You found an airship?"

"We found them Sheba. We found the Anemos," he beamed.

Sheba felt her heart jump into her throa. "You're sure?" she asked.

"Positive," Hama interjected.

Ivan placed a piece of parchment on the table. Ancient characters were written with a deep green ink. "Do you recognize these?" Ivan said.

Sheba scanned them for a moment, before saying "Yes. This is the same style as the ones we found in Anemos Sanctum. Underneath Contigo."

"It's the same language," Ivan said. "Kraden has written down many of the markings we found on our journey. He confirmed that its Anemos writing. Hama found a ship with great wings, like Piers' ship, in Hesperia. It was docked on a landing in the mountains. She wrote down the markings she saw on its hull. It was gone within the week."

Sheba could barely believe it. They're here. On Weyard. I have to find them.

The group talked a while longer and decided they would return to Hesperia to find the ship. Ivan and Hama would go with Sheba. That night she couldn't sleep. She got out of her head to take a walk. At the doorway of her father's house she put on a heavy cloak. The Suhallan nights were as cold as the days were hot. Sheba always loved the cold though. She felt that it was a welcome change from the sometimes unbearable heat.

She paced to the river. The city was empty. The Laliverans tended to stay in at night. They didn't enjoy the cold as much as Sheba did and their homes were built to retain the heat of the day throughout the night. Sheba didn't mind the solitude. However she found a man was sitting at the river with his head bowed. It was Felix. Even in the dark Sheba could feel Felix's energy.

She thought about turning back. We've ignored our problems for too long. Wordlessly she sat next to him. They sat in silence. After a while Felix said, "It's a cool night."

Sheba looked up at his eyes. She spoke without thinking and surprised herself, "Why did you leave?"

Felix's face became overcast and Sheba regretted it instantly. "I left? Sheba, the only thing you wanted was to find Anemos."

Sheba frowned. Felix remained silent. Sheba spoke, "I wasn't the only one who was preoccupied. What are you looking for?" Again Felix didn't speak. "Felix?"

He shook his head. Sheba felt a pang of anger or regret shoot through her. Sheba was supposed to be the calm one. She didn't know how to deal with this. This is Jenna's domain. Sheba stood up quickly and walked away. That was the last time she saw Felix.

Matthew gaped as he stared at Anemos. Sheba smiled. She remembered the first time she arrived at the city. A magnificent site. As they approached Sheba began to make out all the smaller islands that were connected to the main island by shimmering violet bridges. Massive vines and green moss covered the underside of the island. Caves and tunnels wound through the interior the island opening at the surface of the island, the sides, and the bottom. Airships transported people and goods from every corner of the city.

The Canary hovered towards the cities main port. Windport was defined by tens of dark wooden landing pads each with four poles at each corner. Ships docked by landing on the slab and tying sturdy ropes from the ship to each of the four poles. The Canary floated down towards the landing pad closest to the city's main street, the road that lead from Windport up the hill towards the Burgandy Sector.

Anemos airmen signaled the Canary safely down and threw up the ropes to the ships deck for the ship's crew to tie to the hull. The crew threw down a wooden stairway to the surface of the island. From behind Sheba Rego's dull voice rang, "Time to go."

Captain Ezio eyed his soldier. "Yes commander," he quipped. Rego didn't smile. Ezio turned to Sheba and Matthew. "Ready to go?" They nodded.

Ezio and Sheba lead Matthew down the steps. Rego and a group of soldiers surrounded Matthew in a tight box. "Loosen up Rego. Let him breathe," Sheba said.

Rego wasted no time to retort, "I don't take orders from you." Sheba never appreciated the bearded soldier's attitude. He doesn't have a drop of Burgandy blood and yet he's their man through and through. Sheba shuddered at his lack of spine.

Ezio curtly said, "Do it." Reluctantly Rego and the others gave Matthew a bit of space.

Sheba looked at Matthew. He was struggling to continue. Sheba realized he probably hadn't eaten anything since his crash. "Rego have you fed him?"

Rego continued marching. Ezio stopped in front of him and Rego walked into his back. "Why are we stopping?" Rego demanded.

Ezio didn't answer him. He lead the group east of the main road. "We're going to the market to get the boy fed."

"Captain, you have orders to take him to the Dome immediately," Rego said with venom.

Ezio looked down at his feet. He glanced at Sheba guiltily. "Very well. Let's go." He lead the group back on the main road. If Sheba didn't know any better she might had seen a smile on the lips of Rego. She sighed.

Sheba and the others arrived at the Dome. The building was a monolithic stone keep of bright violets and pale browns. It was perhaps the oldest building in Anemos. It was the home to the cities ruling body, the Burgandy Council. The council was made up of the heads, called Capos, of the great Burgandy families. Shebe reflected that the system of governance was more outdated than anything in Weyard save Lemuria. The two ancient cities that cut themselves off from the world. Lemuria has a lot in common with Anemos.

They climbed the staircase that lead to the Dome's main chamber. At the top was the keep's gate which had the legends and symbols of Anemos carved around it in spectacularly coloured fashion. At the top of the gates were the words of Anemos written in ancient script, From Truth Comes Freedom.

A lanky woman with long white hair, smooth wrinkles, and florid violet robes of rare silk met them at the gate. Behind her stood four fully armed Anemos soldiers with the traditional lavender uniform. They were each armed with long spears that reached well above their heads. Violet and green eyes could be seen faintly from the opening in their ornament helmets.

Ezio took a knee and said, "It is an honour Capo Callen." Rego and his soldiers followed suit. Rego forced Matthew down to his knee as well. Sheba gave Rego a cold stare and then looked back up at the Capo. Callen was the most influential member of the Burgancy Council. She had no love for Sheba, and the feeling was mutual. The Capo gave Sheba an icy smile but did not insist that Sheba kneel.

"Rise," the Capo's word was Ezio and the soldiers command. "Rego, take the prisoner to the cells immediately."

"Callen!" Sheba interjected.

The Capo's icy smile disappeared, "You overstep. Come with me to my chamber. We have much to discuss." Callen's guards tightened their hands on their spears. Rego, the soldiers, and Matthew were already gone. Sheba looked at Ezio who couldn't meet her gaze.

Reluctantly Sheba followed Callen towards her room. Each of the Capo's had a chamber within the walls of the Dome. Callen's was decorated with paintings of ancient wars. When inside the Capo commanded her guards to close the doorway. Sheba spoke first, "Callen, Matthew is not a threat. Release him."

Callen shook her head. "Impossible. He was in Sol Sanctum. Rego reported as much. We know the Tuaparang were delving into those ruins," she said.

"The Tuaparang were trying to capture him. He's not one of them," Sheba said.

"We can't be sure."

Sheba's hands were shaking. "This is ridiculous. If he hadn't crashed on the Canary we would have let him go."

Callen smiled again. "But he did crash. We can't just let a potential agent of the enemy walk free. You understand."

"No. I do not. Capo." Sheba stormed out of the room.

Ezio exited the room to follow her. "Sheba, wait!"

Sheba didn't turn back. He's not my friend after all. No one in this entire gods forsaken island can be trusted. The City of Secrets.


Sheba spent the night barely sleeping in her humble Anemos home. It had been given to her when she moved to the city. As a leader of those opposed to the Burgandies and as a major explorer Sheba quickly became an important person in Anemos. She was offered larger more expensive homes in the city's Burgandy Sector. She refused, preferring to be close to the people of Anemos she actually sympathized with. Those outside the elitist families.

The next morning she spent at the market buying food to bring to Matthew. The poor boy is probably half starved. Anemos market was a wonderful sight at its peak. Hundreds of tents sprung up in the massive city square selling everything from beets to dolls to weapons of eloquent steel. In recent years vendors sold goods acquired from Weyard on exploratory missions at premium prices.

She traded a few cold coins for a loaf of olive bread and felt a tug on her arm. A small boy with bright green eyes stood at her waist. "Come on!" he said. The boy ran off. Sheba couldn't help but follow. The boy lead her through Anemos windy streets. They descended downhill towards a region of the city Sheba seldom went, the Moon Sector.

The Moon Sector was abandoned after alchemy was sealed eons go. According to legend it was where those loyal to the ancient Moon King lived. A dark lord whose evil empire had controlled Anemos. Above Sheba stood the dark nameless tower built in those days. Despite being one of the city's most recognizable features and tallest building it was rarely talked about, and even more rarely visited. The Dark Tower. Sheba felt a cold shiver down her spine. This place is cursed. Why is he leading me here?

At the stone gate of a long abandoned graveyard, the boy met a woman with thick cloak that shrouded her face. She gave the boy a loaf of a bread and a small wooden soldier. He ran off past Sheba from the direction they came from. As Sheba approached, the woman took off her shroud. She had blonde hair in a messy bun and thin wrinkles of middle age. She smiled kindly at Sheba and spoke in a whisper, "Thank you for coming Sheba."

"You know me?"

The woman's eyes twinkled an emerald that was faded by age. "Of course. You're my niece."