Chapter 8: Uncertainty

The town square was the centre of attention in Ashorus. Cut almost in a perfect square, rows or houses dotted around the south, north and east of the cobblestone area to form a sharp white and maroon edge. The sheer curtain of rock that acted as Ashen Cliff's eastern edge acted as the final boarder closing in the square. Although one could scale the side of the cliff on it's northern side where it was less steep, and wooden scaffolding and stairs carved from stone allowed one to reach the top. A large well sat squat off to the other side of the square.

Usually small shops were constructed throughout the town squares to sell meats, cheeses, eggs, clothes and baked goods. Merchants who had sailed in from other lands were allowed to rent out pre-made stalls to sell their various wears.

Gossip ran as rampant as disease in the centre square, with the townsfolk flocking to discuss the latest rumblings from the kingdom, or who was sleeping with who. However, today was not like other days. Instead of gossip, instead words flew like weapons as verbal fights broke out regarding the new taxes King Shadow had pushed upon his citizens, particularly those of the mercantile town.

"Can you believe he expects more from us than we were already giving old King Mephiles?" one townsfolk bellowed.

"If he can keep up the peace in a similar fashion to Mephiles than it's a small price to pay," another fought back.

"My relatives out east said Frelia's armies were building," a third shot out rumours like spit. Worry was flowing faster than water, and the building rumours of famine and war cause great anxiety among the people of Ashorus – among the people Silver would call friends. He needed to quell the nerves of the people and help them understand.

"Friends, friends, calm yourself," Silver rose his voice above the bickering townsfolk. "The changing of the monarchy will of course bring with it a turbidity throughout the land, and one that if not well managed could lead to chaos. That does not mean we should begin to panic."

"What do you propose we do, Silver?" Arnold, the father of Amy and Ray, looked to his wisest friend.

"While it's true that trade is drying up like the banks of Horus river in summer, that doesn't mean pockets will remain empty and bellies malnourished," Silver explained. "A kingdom is at its weakest when one ruler changes to another, and other nations would be fools not to study how Deyfros holds itself during this time. If it sees its people panic, and its people mistrusting their new king, that sends the signal to invade.

"King Shadow would need to bolster his forces and display a strong defence in the face of these threats. A greater army means more coin to pay them. However, my friends, much like Horus river, when winter brings its chill and rain-filled clouds, the deluge begins and the river fills up and overflows. Our pouches will fill up with bronze and silver again soon once we weather this drought, for our kingdom, and for our safety!"

"Here, here," Arnold shouted, raising his hand. "We're Deyfrosians, and we can weather any drought."

"Any storm, strong as individuals, but stronger together," Silver nodded. As his speech took its course, the nerves of the people dissipated for now and they focused back on perusing the stalls lining the streets and collecting water from the well. Satisfied with his words, Silver strolled over to two familiar figures occupying a blue-fabric wooden stall hastily constructed that morning.

"Great speech as always," Blaze nodded as she turned her attention from another satisfied customer to Silver. "I think you might have actually gotten through to them this time."

"If only you believed what you preached," Sonic rolled his eyes, not taking his eyes off of Tails' hands that were clasped together, mirroring the position of his own. Sonic feigned moving his hands, and Tails pulled his back. "Ha! Tricked you. That makes three."

"No fair," Tails whined.

"Yes fair," Sonic countered. "I didn't remove my palms and you moved, therefore that's a point."

"You tricked me!"

"Of course. That's the name of the game. Now I get a free slap," Sonic licked his lips with anticipation, a mischievous grin plastered across his face. With regretful acceptance, Tails resigned his reddening hands to another bout of pain as Sonic reeled back and delivered a mighty slap.

"Ouch!" Tails wailed in pain as his raw hands throbbed from the impact. He blew on his red skin to sooth them. Sonic's slaps had always been hard, but never that hard. He'd clearly gotten stronger, and Tails had taken note.

"Stop playing such nonsense, childish games," Silver chastised his son.

"Leave them be, Silver," Blaze waved away his concerns. "They're just children having fun."

"They're not children. Tails is almost eighteen. When we were his age–"

"Yeah, yeah, when you were our age you were already having kids of your own. Well newsflash, father, we're not you. I'm not as good at lying through my teeth to all the sheep that gawk around the marketplace," Sonic grunted.

"Those sheep are our friends and family, Sonic, and it'd be wise for you to treat them as such. And secondly, not a word I said was a lie."

"That's completely untrue and you know it. Even if you don't think it, I do listen to your ramblings at the dinner table about the monarchy and the way Shadow is running Deyfros. You're written essays about it yourself. How about instead of writing, you actually do something about it."

"If you must know, I have done something about it. I've finally managed to arrange an audience with King Shadow himself. In no more than a month's time I'll ride north to Castletown and have a personalised meeting with the king to discuss the contents of the countless essays I've sent him and his late father," Silver beamed proudly.

"Why Silver that's fabulous news. I'm sure with your brilliant suggestions and insight into village life Sonic can begin to turn the worrying tides and his reign will be remembered fondly through history," Blaze smiled, but Silver's pride was cut short by Sonic's hearty, mocking laugh.

"You think you can get through to that brat?"

"Bite your tongue, Sonic. That's our king your speaking of."

"You said it yourself that he – ouch, ouch, ouch!" Sonic's words were cut off by his shrieks of pain as Silver pinched his ear and dragged him away.

"Go easy on him!" Blaze called as Silver marched away, calling out his sincerest of apologies.

"Bye Sonic. See you later," Tails giggled.

"Does Sonic seem a little different to you these past couple days?" Blaze asked.

"D-Different? Sonic? No. Not at all. Why would you think that? Nothing has happened recently," Tails quickly blurted out. Blaze cocked a brow and shot him an incredulous look, but didn't push her point any further.

Silver tugged Sonic down a small alley jotting out from one of the main streets that ploughed beside the river to the town square. Eyes darting all around, Silver made sure they were all alone before he hissed beneath his breath.

"The king could have spies anywhere studying the behaviour."

"Spies?" Sonic was confused.

"It the past, during turbid times, especially right after a new ascension, the king would send spies into Ashorus and the other larger towns across Deyfros to ensure that revolution wasn't brewing. If they get wind of your anti-monarchist ramblings you could get us all in trouble," Silver explained.

"You're pulling my leg," Sonic laughed.

"I wish I was. This is serious, Sonic. Shadow is the youngest king Deyfros has ever seen, and as such he'd known that could bring the perception of weakness to outsiders. I'm sure he's doing as much as he can to maintain a tight grip on his kingdom. These increased taxes are proof of that."

"Do you really think these increased taxes are only a short-term response?" Silver didn't respond, and Sonic knew Silver's words were indeed those of lies. Finally, with a sigh of defeat, Silver shook his head.

"Truth is I'm unsure. I've heard Shadow can be a stubborn, short-tempered boy, not unlike yourself." Sonic huffed at Silver's comparison. "Especially if what you told me happened at your encounter in the forest with him those weeks ago, I don't think Ashorus has seen the worst of this 'drought'."

"And you actually think Shadow has read any of your essays?"

"Honestly I couldn't say. I have hope, just as I had hope Mephiles was reading them, but I can't even be sure my writings reached Deyfros. That is why it's important I get to my audience and talk to him face-to-face, and offer some suggestions based on the history I've researched and of my observations," Silver said. Sonic was still uncertain.

"Look, son, I'm not telling you to blindly love our new king, but I do need you to keep your true feelings to yourself for now. It's better to be safe than sorry. Can you do that for me?" Sonic bit his bottom lip, and tongued his cheek as his eyes scanned every surface of the dirty alley until finally they found Silver's.

"Alright, father. I promise."

"That's my boy!" a smile crept across his face. "Now, let's head back home. I'm sure Knuckles has managed to forage us up a bird for dinner from his day of hunting in the forest."

"I really doubt that."

Sweat coated Mighty's face, dripping from his brow and sliding down his bulging arms to pool in his already slippery palms. Grunting continued as he gripped the wooden handles of the cart and pushed against the dirt to power up the hill. Bricks and stone piled in the cart Mighty was dragging up the hill.

Bystanders watched and gawked as Mighty continually resisted the helping hands of the townsfolk as he pushed forward in his stubborn ambition to finish this wall with only the help of himself and his hand-picked crew. He'd given them a few days off to rest as the work grew hard with the previous week's rainfall, but his steadfast determination to continue building what many thought an unnecessary great wall refused to let him rest even a day.

A thick snapping sound echoed through the street as one of the spokes of the wagon's wheel cracked. The wood splintered and gave way beneath the weight of the wagon and it came crashing down to the ground. With a groan, Mighty rolled his eyes and left to fetch a replacement wheel. By the time he returned, a small group of villagers were crowding around the wagon, two notable additions to the group were Sonic and Silver.

"Mighty, I hardly think it's appropriate behaviour to leave a wagon full of stone lying unattended in the middle of the street," Silver chastised didactically.

"And a fine hello to you too, Silver," Mighty replied sardonically. "It isn't like I had purposefully left it there. A wheel snapped and I needed to go fetch another one. Now, please stand back everybody," Mighty announced as he bent down and hooked his fingers beneath the wood. With a heave, he pushed through his legs and tried with all his might to lift up the enormously heavy wagon in an attempt to raise it enough to attach the new wheel, but he could hardly get it a mere centimetre off the ground.

With a loud thud he dropped the wagon back to the ground, puffing he wretched for breath as he leant on his haunches.

"Come now, let us help you out," Silver offered as he ushered a few of the other men around to help, organising them at strategic points around the wood to get the best leverage. With a reluctant smile, Mighty nodded his thanks and prepared to attach the wheel. "Alright everybody. On my count: One, Two, Three!"

Silver and the five other men heaved with all their might, and the wagon slowly lifted off the ground. They raised it as high as they could, but Mighty noted that they just needed to get it a little bit higher so that he could attach the wheel. The men moaned and grunted and puffed as they dipped into the recesses of their strength to lift this wagon, but they hadn't the strength. It begun to get too heavy, and a couple, especially Silver, looked very shaky.

"I'm going to drop it!" One called out in worry. Without warning, Sonic jumped to the scene. He dipped a finger into the pocket of his shorts, stroking the top of the emerald and tapped into its energy. In a flash his muscles bulged and he gripped the wagon, helping lift it that little bit extra so that Mighty could swiftly slip the new wheel in place and attach it.

Sonic and the others finally felt the weight alleviate as the wheel took the burden and they fell back sweaty and exhausted.

"Wow, thanks Sonic, looks like we needed that little bit extra muscle," one of the villagers thanked.

"Silver, that's quite the strong kid you've got there. You must be very proud," another offered.

"Sonic," Mighty strode up to him, clapping him on the shoulder and laughing heartily. "Who knew a string bean like you had the strength needed to help us lift that. You're quite the surprise. If you have some free time, I'd love to have some extra muscle helping the team and I build the wall."

"He's still a teenager, Mighty. I'm not sure he's quite ready for the laboriousness nature of stone masonry," Silver said.

"He's strong for his age, Silver. Besides, I was his age when I took over the blacksmith from my father. Don't underestimate the child," Mighty gave Sonic a wink.

"I appreciate the advice, but as my son I'll decide what is best for him."

"Always a stickler, Silver. If only you used your muscles as much as your brain, we'd have had this wall completed months ago. Alas. I must be off to get this stone to the wall before nightfall. Farewell," Mighty waved as he seized the handles and powered away carrying his wheeling wagon.

Sonic watched him go with intrigue. He hadn't considered helping Mighty finish the wall, but the more he thought about it the more he decided he wanted to help out. Even if Deyfros found itself in peacetime, he knew construction of the wall would anger the new king and anything to anger that brat brought a smile to Sonic's face.

"Sonic," Silver's words stole Sonic from his daydream.

"Father?"

"What happened back there? Since when did you become so strong? Has it been through all the training you, Tails and Amy have been doing since your encounter with King Shadow?" Silver questioned.

"I guess it could be that," Sonic shrugged. He thought for a moment whether to reveal the truth of his untapped strength, but quickly swept the idea away. Silver wouldn't understand, and his fear of the unknown might cause him to confiscated the cube. Sonic wouldn't let anybody do that.

"You've been different recently. Are you sure you're all right? You know you can talk to me, son."

"I know, but I promise it's nothing." Silver looked at him incredulously, scepticism dancing in his pupils, but decided it best not to push the matter further. Instead, he continued along with Sonic in tow as they made their way to their home, and to the pheasant that Knuckles had managed to forage for them.

The stars were brighter that night, as if they shimmered more now that the clouds had finally parted and allowed them to gaze upon the land again. Amy played around with the food on her plate, pushing her meat around as her mind wondered, as it so often did this past week.

It has the ability to read the purity of the wielder's heart.

Why couldn't she hear it? Had the green emerald truly read her heart and deemed her as unworthy? Did it sense something within her she didn't know existed? Something that lay dormant? Sure, she could be a bit abrasive at times and enjoyed pushing Sonic and Tails' buttons, but it was always in jest. Both of the boys had a special place in her heart, or at least she thought they did. Aldar's words confused her and tormented her.

Only somebody with a gentle soul can hear the melody. Furthermore, only somebody with a pure heart and good intentions can force the cube to elicit a melody in the first place.

Tails could hear it and make it play – sure, that made sense. But Sonic as well? She didn't think he didn't have a gentle soul, but he was more like her. Determined, brash, stubborn. It was why they clashed so much, but it was also why they got along like a house on fire. If he could hear the music, surely she should have been able to as well. It wasn't fair.

You look distressed.

But I've stopped playing it…

He stomach fell in her chest. Tails was always the quiet observant one. He was beginning to piece it all together, she could tell. Amy knew he was beginning to suspect she was lying about being able to hear the emerald. What would happen if they learnt of her lies? What if they knew she didn't have a gentle soul? Would they think differently of her? Would they stop wanting to spend time with her? Would they be scared of her?

Amy rarely let anxiety rule her life. She felt it, as did everybody, but she buried it deep down, or fought it by facing her fears and always wearing a smile. This was different. She didn't mind whether people liked her or not. She was herself – Amy – and that was all that mattered to her. But if Sonic and Tails began not liking her. If they abandoned her like so many others had often did…

"Amy?" a concerned voice pulled her from her tormenting thoughts, and she rose her head to notice her mother's worried expression. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just not hungry. Ray can have my remains, I'm going to have an early night," Amy excused herself from the table and retired upstairs to her room. A few moments passed before Ray stood and followed her upstairs.

"Ray, honey, where are you going?" Mary asked.

"I'm checking on Amy," the young boy replied, earning himself a smile from his mother and father. Ray arrived outside Amy's door and rattled his knuckles against it.

"Go away," a voice boomed from within, but Ray ignored his sister's calls and entered anyway. "I said go away. I don't want to talk to you Ray!"

"I don't care," Ray shrugged again. "You're clearly not okay, and I don't like it when you're not okay." That surprised Amy.

"Since when does my little brother, who loves to make my life miserable, care about me?" Amy queried.

"I'm allowed to make you miserable, but nobody else is allowed to. And just because I'm young doesn't mean I don't see things too," Ray huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Ray…"

"And I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong. Is it Sonic?"

"Wh-what? N-no, no… it's not Sonic. It's…" Amy thought for a moment whether to tell Ray of her encounter with Aldar the nymph and the magic chaos emeralds that the boys and her promised to keep a secret. With a sigh, she knew she couldn't tell him. They were dangerous, and they still held many secrets that hadn't been unlocked yet. She would never be able to forgive herself if she was responsible for getting him hurt.

"Ames?"

"Oh," Ray's words pulled her from her thoughts, and she put on a brave face, faking a smile. "It's nothing, really. I've got a lot on my mind at the moment, but I promise I'm alright. Just growing up I guess," Amy shrugged. "But I appreciate you checking up on me." Before Ray could push further, Amy jumped at him, wrapping him up tightly in her arms and squeezing tightly.

"No, no, no stop, stop I yield. I yield," Ray called out through a fit of laughter as he battered harmlessly at her back. Amy released her little brother in victory and smiled as he wheezed and brushed himself off, clambering back to his feet.

"Night, Amy," Ray called as he retreated out of her room.

"Love you Ray," Amy called back.

"Shut up!" Ray called back, and again Amy smiled, but as soon as she was sure he had gone it dissipated into a thin-lipped scowl as her mind began to wander back to Aldar. His words wouldn't stop tormenting her, and she knew she wouldn't feel okay until she found out more about those cubes, and herself.