Chapter 4: The Kareese Siblings

~Winrol Citadel, Kingdom of Vasilosse~

On the highest of the three levels of the citadel, inside the tower housing the royal family, Windfrey walked the corridor circling the throne room, a troubled expression on his face. Farther in the hallway, footsteps muffled by the carpeted floor came into earshot. Windfrey brought his eyes up from the floor to meet the highfalutin gaze of his older brother, William.

His senior by two years, William was Vasilosse’s second prince. He was a bit shorter and chubbier than his younger brother, but shared the same green eyes and brown hair, though his curled slightly at the tip. He was dressed far more extravagantly, befitting of a prince bathing in riches.

“Welcome back home, little brother,” said William with a weaselly smile.

“William,” Windfrey bluntly greeted him.

“I hear your trip to that insignificant island proved fruitful.”

“What do you want?”

“What do I want? Nothing. Just wishing my dear little brother a happy return home. Though, father has requested an audience with you.”

“I figured as much. I was heading to the throne room myself.”

“Always the audacious type. I should warn you, father has been in a rather foul mood ever since Brock came back injured. You should be careful how you address him.”

Windfrey resumed his walk, bumping William to get past him. He arrived in front of the massive, gold-plated mahogany doors leading to the throne room, and pushed them open theatrically.

The room, built in the center of the tower, was circular in shape, and simple in design. It was built like a dome, with a dozen marble arches crawling up the wall, all connecting on the ceiling, where a chandelier richer in gold than most towns in the kingdom hung in the center of the room. A luxurious red carpet embroidered with decorative gold on the sides ran from the doors to a ridiculously grandiose throne sitting atop a small marble set of stairs.

On the throne lazily sat a man lost in thought. He was a rapidly aging, balding, fat man with warts all over his face and hands. His dilapidated body was hiding under layers of gaudy clothing to maintain the front of a king. He was all the opposite of his young, handsome, charismatic son, and looked nothing like him, but was his father nonetheless.

“You wanted to see me, father,” said Windfrey to get his attention.

As if he had been awoken from a deep slumber, King Bartholomew straightened himself in his throne and raised his chin, almost as if to look down on his son. “Windfrey, my son. I was almost excited to congratulate you on finding Silvers Reas all on your own. I thought maybe you had stopped pursuing your foolish dreams and saw reason, that you had finally aligned yourself with your family. Capturing Travis Reas’ brother was the best way to lure him out of hiding. But you, you had no intention of bringing him to us at all, did you?”

“Father, I-”

“It’s no use trying to make excuses now, Windfrey. Vice Admiral Floke told me everything. It was not you who called the citadel to inform us of your findings, it was a soldier. When Brock was in the process of apprehending Silvers, you questioned him, stood against him, your own ally.”

“Brock is a madman, someone who cares only about inflicting pain on those around him.”

“Silence!” shouted the king. “Vice Admiral Floke is one of our most loyal, trusted subordinates. Have you any idea of the state in which he returned? His arm was broken cleanly at the elbow. He will recover, but for the next few weeks, he will be unable to fully conduct his duties. Had you only taken Silvers Reas when you had the chance, none of this would have happened.”

“I wasn’t about to reenact the events of twelve years ago. Once was already too much.”

“You should be ready to kill everyone on that island if it means getting a chance at finding Travis Reas! What happened twelve years ago was meaningless, because our endeavour proved fruitless!”

“What happened was a tragedy. An innocent woman died, a child lost everything, and an entire population was scarred for life. How can you speak so nonchalantly when you’re the reason this all happened?”

“Do not speak to me like I am the child, here! My whole life, I have only ever done what is in the best interest for my family, and nothing else! I am ashamed that you, my very own flesh and blood, fail to ascertain that.”

“How was the senseless death of that poor woman in our best interest?”

“Windfrey, do you not see? With the treasure of the stars, we can rule the Five Kingdoms. We will never have to look up to anyone, never have to serve anyone, never have to worry about living in anyone’s shadow. Only Travis Reas can lead us to that treasure.”

“W-what? You are king of the Vasilosse Kingdom… How are you, or I, or William or Wren, living in anything but lavishness and abundance? Of whom are you so afraid that you feel the need to sit atop the world when you already have a seat near the summit?”

“If you spent less time galivanting about with the common folks and sullying our family name by dragging yourself in their disease-infested streets, perhaps you would be in the know. There are far bigger men out there than you and I. Bigger things. To be above them is going to be a necessity for our family’s survival. I would trade every man, woman and child in the kingdom if I needed to, to ensure we can stand at the top. One woman over a decade ago is merely a spec of sand on a beach where the tides take and bring sand with each wave.”

“How could you say such inconsiderate things? The people whose lives you would so eagerly trade for selfish gains are yours to protect and serve.”

“Mine to protect and serve? You still speak like an ignorant child. The people are mine to do as I please. If I wish to sacrifice them, I have every right to do so. The only lives that matter are ours, Windfrey. I would ask you to remember that, but I strongly doubt you will heed anything I have told you today, as always.”

“Don’t speak like you care about me, or anyone else. Everything you do is for yourself.”

“I have heard enough insolence from you! You are the most ingrateful person I have ever met in my life! If I truly did not care for you, I would have had you thrown out of the citadel to live with the filth you so desperately want to help for your repeated insults to your own family.”

“No matter what you say, father, it won’t change the facts. You treat human lives worse than the dirt under your boots. Any man who sees so little value in his people has no right to call himself king.”

“Watch your tongue, Windfrey. I have been tolerant of your antics until now, but even my patience has its limits.”

“You pretend to want the treasure of the stars to put us even higher than we already are, but you, like everybody else, know not what the treasure even is. For all we know, it could be worthless to you.”

“What a foolish boy you are. What it is matters not in the end. What matters is obtaining it. Whoever claims the world’s most fabled treasure as their own will become the most powerful person in the Five Kingdoms.”

“So, power, then. Power is what you seek. Thank you for confirming whatever doubts about you I still held, father.”

Windfrey turned around, having heard enough from his father. Their meeting was everything he thought it was going to be. He needed to leave before his choler got the better of him.

The king slammed his fist on his throne’s arm and forced his weary body to its feet. “I will tolerate no more of your antagonism, Windfrey! Stand against your family one more time and the consequences will come accordingly! Be warned!”

Ignoring his father’s threat, the young prince slammed the heavy door behind him and stormed off. In the stairs leading to his room, he encountered Wren, his eldest brother.

Wren was three years older than Windfrey and bore much more resemblance to him than their father or William. The only notable difference was in his stature, which was much smaller and slimmer. His body was thin, his bones showing from multiple parts on his body through what little fat covered them. His eyes were shy and wandering, seeking to avoid any confrontation.

“H-hello, brother. I didn’t know you were back. How was your trip?” asked Wren politely.

“A disaster.”

“Oh… I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”

“You should go ask father. I’m sure he’ll be more than pleased to explain why I’m such a failure for having the people’s best interest at heart.”

“Does it have to do with the treasure of the stars? I heard the other Reas brother is in our custody. I know you and father have very differing views regarding that whole situation, but I think it would be for the best if you found a middle ground.”

“Tsk… That’s impossible, Wren. Father and I are fundamentally different. I’ve tried time and again to change his mind, just like he’s tried to change mine. It never worked, and it never will.”

“Oh... Well, if you need anything, you can let me know.”

“I will. Thank you, brother.”

***

~Winrol, Kingdom of Vasilosse~

Hunter, Luck and Taina had followed the road from Coalot to Winrol all day without stopping, hoping to put as much distance as possible between them and the jail cell they should still be in. To avoid being seen by anyone who might have been travelling from Coalot, they also opted to walk off the road, where no eyes could easily spot them.

As the capital of the kingdom appeared in the distance, the sun was about to fade over the horizon to welcome the night. It was a large, grandiose city, infinitely bigger than what any of them were accustomed to. Just the sight of it felt like it had been pulled out of a fantasy novel.

The city was built around a hill, which gave it its signature multi-leveled look. Around the base of the hill, for miles, was the low town, where commoners lived. Wooden and stone houses stretched as far as the eye could see, some built precariously over others as the city got closer to the hill, and albeit drab and lacking in colour, the low town exhumed liveliness.

On the hill, separated by three fortified stone walls, were three levels of the city’s high town, where wealthier folks resided. Each level was far better designed than the low town, from the streets to the architecture to the overall urban planning. Houses there were mostly built with bricks and stone, all topped with vibrant, colourful roofs.

Atop the hill, only a few buildings stood, housing only the richest businessfolks and highest-ranking officers of the Royal Army. In the middle of the third level, among the manors, was a lake, flowing down the hill in multiple directions, connecting to other lakes and rivers, and eventually to the ocean.

In the center of that lake, on a man-made island, stood the tower from which King Bartholomew ruled the kingdom. The tower, built to overlook the entire city, had mechanical waterfalls built into its side, perpetually feeding the lake from which it drew its source.

All of this, the trio could see from a distance. As they arrived at the city’s edge, only the low town was visible, as well as the tower off in the distance.

Luck let out a sigh of relief. “Well, here we are. My feet could use a rest, let’s go find somewhere to sleep.”

“How?” defeatedly asked Hunter. “We don’t have any money.”

“I’m sure some nice soul is gonna be willing to house us for the night. If not, we’ll just have to wander the streets until sunrise…”

“I’m starting to think we could have left home with a more thought-out plan.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it, I’ll find us something.”

With a burst of energy and optimism, Luck eagerly marched inside the city, followed by his two much more tired companions.

The city streets were still busy, despite the advancing hours of night. Every main artery had shops and stalls lined along residential buildings, selling everything from food to trinkets and souvenirs, to weapons and armor. Tall metal lampposts stood at every corner, illuminating intersections with burning coal encased in a metal frame. Every household also used coal lamps to light their rooms, their balconies and their shops.

“This place is a serious fire hazard,” commented Luck.

“Yes, but beyond that, have you any idea where we might sleep, now?” asked Hunter through a yawn.

“Working on it.”

As Luck perused the streets to find anywhere they could sleep, he caught something in the corner of his eyes. A young man around his age held a sheathed sword toward another person in front of him. With the tip of his sword, the young man swiped a silver pocket watch from his victim’s back pocket.

His sense of justice rising, Luck approached the thief and put a hand on his arm as he was making his getaway through an alley. “Hey, where do you think you’re going?”

The thief turned his head, a bothered, yet bored look on his face. “You’re not a soldier, man, let go of me.”

“That pocket watch. I saw you steal it. It’s not yours.”

“It is now.”

“Come on, do the right thing and give it back.”

“You’re clearly not from around here. That’s just how things go in the city. If you tried to stop every petty crime you saw, you’d have nothing else to do.”

Before Luck could forge a reply, Hunter came running in the alley. “Hey there, good evening, see ya.” He grabbed his cousin’s arm and dragged him out of the alley, back to the well-lit road.

“Hunter, what gives?”

“You have the memory of a husk of corn. I told you I wouldn’t let you put yourself in danger like an idiot.”

“What danger was I in?”

“Are you blind? That dude is a thief with a sword. Luck, please, you can’t fight every little crime you see. It would take you forever and would stop nothing.”

“Funny, he said basically the same thing.”

“Looks like he’s smarter than you.”

While the cousins were arguing on their way back to the main street, they bumped into a boy, who fell over on the ground from the impact. His glasses fell from his small, pointy nose, and in a comical manner, he tried in vain to find them by rummaging about on the ground.

Taina crouched and gave the boy his glasses back. “Here you go.”

“Thank you very much,” cordially thanked her the boy.

He was a teenager, younger than any of them, and also much smaller in stature. His blonde hair was messy and covered his ears and most of his forehead. His nose was dotted with freckles, and his eyes were a pale blue. He had a curious, gentle air about him.

“Are you okay?” asked Luck, helping the boy back to his feet.

“Yes, don’t worry. I fall quite often, it isn’t your fault.”

“Well, we can’t have helped.”

“Speaking of helping, I saw you try to stop that thief. Though I can’t say it’s a very good idea, it is a noble one. You’re a good person.”

“Oh… thanks!” laughed Luck, taken aback by the sudden compliment from a stranger.

“By the way, my name is Jim Kareese. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. I’m Luck, and these are Taina and my cousin Hunter.”

Jim smiled. “It’s very nice to meet you all.”

Taina was tapping her foot on the ground, thinking aloud. “Kareese… Why does that name sound familiar?”

“I think I know,” said Hunter, discouraged. “Do you have a sister, by any chance?”

“I have three, actually,” answered Jim. “And a brother.”

“Is one of your sister… in the Royal Army?”

“Well, two of them are, yes.”

“I knew it…”

“What? Is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing. We should get moving, guys.”

“Where to? Do you all have a place to stay the night? It’s getting quite late.”

“We don’t,” ashamedly admitted Luck. “We just got here, so we haven’t really had the time to find somewhere to sleep.”

“Well, you could always come back with me to my place. There’s plenty of empty rooms.”

“That would be great!” exclaimed Luck excitedly.

“It’s settled then. Follow me,” said Jim as he led the way.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” murmured Hunter.

But it was already too late. Both Luck and Taina were already eagerly following their newfound friend to his abode for the promise of a good night’s sleep. Hunter wallowed in his frustration and begrudgingly followed the group.

As they made their way through the dimly lit streets of the low town, Jim told stories of his and his siblings’ adventures together, a glowing, nostalgic smile on his cheeks. Hunter could tell he was a well-intentioned kid, but nevertheless felt like heading to his house would lead only to trouble.

Eventually, the group reached an arched gate in the wall separating the low town from the high town’s first level. Standing next to it, the wall looked considerably bigger than it did from outside the city’s perimeter. A soldier stood guard at the gate, and while he did nothing to prevent three commoners from entering the high town, his mere presence was enough to imply the different worlds separated only by a large amalgamation of bricks and stones.

“Oh, your last name…” said Taina disappointedly. “Kareese. It finishes with the letter e. You’re a noble.”

Jim stopped and turned around, a frown on his face. “Please don’t be so upset. I thought you knew.”

“We don’t exactly have the best track record with nobility and royalty,” said Hunter.

“Why must we put labels on each other in such a way? Can’t we just be who we are? Why does it always have to be noble this, commoner that? Deep down, we’re all the same, aren’t we?”

“I wish we were.”

Jim sulked and lowered his head defeatedly.

It was Luck, cheerfulness and understanding exhuming from his body, who raised the boy’s spirit. “Come on, everybody, there’s no need to be like that. Jim here offered us good company, a bed to sleep in and a roof to hide under. His hospitality should be more than enough to convince you of his character. It’s like he said, there’s no need to put labels on each other.”

“You think so?” asked Taina, seeking confirmation.

“Of course! Jim is a nice guy, and I know you both agree. We shouldn’t let our feelings of people who have nothing to do with him alter how we view him.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Sorry, I was just being wary,” she apologized to Jim.

“O-oh, it’s alright, really,” stuttered Jim.

“What about you Hunter?” asked his cousin.

“Whatever,” responded Hunter carelessly.

“Well, that’s as good as we’re gonna get from you,” laughed Luck. “Come on, Jim, lead the way.”

The high town, despite this being its lower level, oozed wealth and comfort. Houses here were much larger and sturdier than their low town counterpart, with luscious gardens and decorative pieces ornamenting front yards. The streets were wider and straighter, cleaner and equipped with a more advanced water drainage system. Even the lampposts had more intricate designs.

“So, this is what it’s like to be rich,” pondered Luck aloud.

As the trio basked in the plentifulness of their surroundings, they suddenly found themselves in front of a house bigger than the biggest building in New Wind Town. It was only a house, but might as well have been a castle, with its multiple storeys, its crystal-clear bay windows, its many branching walkways touring the gardens and its very own coal-powered lampposts all around the property.

“Welcome,” shyly said Jim.

“This is where you live?” asked Luck, his eyes twinkling.

“Y-yes, come on in.”

Jim pushed open the front door to reveal a surprisingly simple interior. Very few decorations adorned the walls, and the furniture, albeit expensive and high quality, was sparce. It was a house filled with only the necessities, its panache kept to a bare minimum.

“Jim, is that you?” called out a woman from deeper in the house.

“Yes, sorry I’m late. I got lost in thought and failed to see the time pass.”

“I told you to come back before sunset. You know how dangerous the city is at night.”

The voice got closer, until, appearing in the doorframe of the room facing the entrance, stood a familiar figure. Silence ensued, as the woman stared at the friends Jim had brought back, and as they stared right back.

“Is everything okay?” asked another girl’s voice, this one higher pitched.

The other girl joined the others in the vestibule and immediately adopted the same expression.

“I knew it,” whispered Hunter upsettably.

In a reflexive motion, the woman raised the broom she was holding as if it were a sword and aimed it at their visitors. “What are you doing in my home?” she asked with power and authority.

“D-do you know these people, sis?” asked Jim, growing afraid of his sister’s reaction.

“I don’t know what trickery you used to deceive my brother into bringing you here, but I will put you back in the cell from which you escaped. Better yet, I’ll bring you all to the citadel’s dungeon, where you won’t be able to escape.”

The woman standing menacingly before them was in fact, Captain Kareese, the very same woman they had an encounter with in Coalot earlier today. Her eyes were just as cold and focused, only she did not appear as intimidating in her pajamas as she did in her armour.

The girl standing next to her, also in her pajamas, was Elesia, the young soldier who had freed them from their unfortunate situation.

Luck raised his hands above his head and stepped in front of Hunter and Taina. “I can explain.”

“I don’t want to hear it,” retorted the woman.

“But like, you should.”

“I said, no.”

“Then it appears communication might be difficult.”

The captain leapt forward and swung the broom at Luck’s head. Unexpecting the sudden assault, Luck barely had time to duck out of harm’s way. However, the woman quickly chained a side kick, which Luck luckily managed to block in time with his sturdy arms.

“Big sis, stop!” yelled Elesia, her entire body shaking.

“Stay out of this, Elesia!” shouted her older sister.

“No, you don’t understand! I let them go, it was me!”

As abruptly as she had begun her assault, the woman stopped and turned to face her younger sister. “You what?”

“I-I’m sorry, I-I thought they didn’t deserve to be in jail, s-so I let them go…”

“Who gave you the authority to decide the fate of prisoners, little sister?”

“N-no one, but-”

“I will hear no buts from you! Have you any idea of the trouble you’re in?”

“Is this a bad time? We can go if we’re too much,” said Luck, reconsidering staying for the night.

“You will stay right where you are, all three of you. I will bring you to the citadel myself, where you will be put behind bars for good.”

“Honestly, I forgot what we even did to warrant being prisoners.”

“You shut your mouth. You stood against and disturbed official military proceedings, putting at risk the safety of my subordinates.”

“Putting at risk the- Are we sure we’re thinking of the same thing? Because I recall being the unarmed party having my life threatened.”

“I will hear not a single more word out of you.”

“I’m not sure you heard a single one!”

“Silence!”

“Big sis, please stop!” pleaded Elesia. “I let them go because they need to help family. Someone dear to them was taken from them, and they want to save him.”

“You’re too gullible and kind, Elesia.”

“B-but it’s true! I overheard them talking, they had no reason to lie.”

Luck shook off the pain from the young woman’s last kick and got closer to her, carrying an uncharacteristically solemn expression. “My name is Luck Reas, son of the treasure hunter Silvers Reas.”

The woman’s eyes sharpened as she listened to Luck.

“My father was taken hostage by the Royal Army last night. He was taken while protecting us and everyone else on the island where we reside. He’s the only reason no lives were lost. As his son, I can’t just stand by and watch as the king does as he pleases with my family, which he’s already destroyed in the past. I know you’re a soldier, that you work for the king, that you have duties to perform, but please, let us go. We don’t wish for any trouble, not with you, nor with the king. All we want is my dad. I know you may not understand, but-”

“That’s enough,” said the young woman far more calmly. “I want you out of my house by tomorrow morning, no later.”

“R-really? That worked? You’re just gonna change your mind?”

“There’s leftover food in the kitchen if you’re hungry, and a bath you can use on the second floor. Elesia will show you to the room you’ll be staying in. Don’t be noisy and don’t make a mess.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Did your brain get rewired in the last five seconds or something?”

“Shut up before I change my mind.” She finally lowered her broom and walked back to where she had come from.

Jim gulped loudly. “So, uh, that was our big sister, Alexis.”

“And she’s not even the scariest one,” added Elesia.

Hunter shook his head. “Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.”

As Alexis had instructed her, Elesia walked their visitors to their room. It was on the second floor, next to the shower room they had been allowed to use. The room was spacious, the feeling only reinforced by its emptiness. Only two large antique beds separated by a massive rug on the hardwood floor filled the space, along with two modest bedside tables and a single lamp on the wall between the beds.

“This is where you’ll sleep,” said Elesia. “There’s only two beds but try to make yourselves comfortable.”

“Trust me, this is way more than we thought we’d get tonight,” laughed Luck.

“I should probably go to bed, see ya in the morning!” Elesia ran off, waving her hand in the air.

“I should go, too,” said Jim.

Luck and Taina wished him a good night, while Hunter ruminated farther in the room. Before leaving, Jim’s eye caught a glimpse of the book Taina carried everywhere with her, nearly hypnotizing him.

“Is everything alright?” asked Taina.

“That book. Can I borrow it for the night? I promise I’ll give it back before you leave.”

Taina hesitated. “I don’t know… This book means a lot to me. I never let go of it.”

“Oh, please! Just for tonight! It’s about mythology, isn’t it? I love mythology!”

“Well, it’s about a mythos, that of the Asakiwara people, a people said to have lived before any current civilization.”

“Oh!” longingly exclaimed Jim. “I just have to read it!”

Feeling pressured by the boy’s enthusiastic tenacity and by his hospitality, Taina gave in as a way of thanking him. She extended her arms and carefully placed the book in his hands. “Be very careful with it. It was a gift.”

“I swear I will! Thank you so much!” He gamboled away gayly, humming to himself.

“He and Elesia are a lot friendlier than Alexis,” said Luck, laying down on a bed.

“Yes, but I don’t think she’s a bad person,” commented Taina as she sat next to him.

Hunter took the other bed. “Is there even anyone you think is a bad person?” he sighed exasperatedly.

“Come on, Hunter, cheer up,” said his cousin. “We’ve got a sweet place to stay the night, and free food. What more could you ask for?”

“We’re in the beast’s den, Luck. We aren’t safe. These people are soldiers, not our friends.”

“Why not both?”

“Are you dumb? This isn’t a feelgood story. This is real life. And in real life, soldiers are the king’s lapdogs, and the king doesn’t care much for people like you and I.”

“Bah, there’s no use arguing with you. You’re set on thinking everyone is out to kill you.”

“I think you’re being stupid.”

“I know. I know. Good night, Hunter.”

With a bit of a cold ending to their day’s misadventures, the trio went to bed, hoping to profit from at least a few hours of decent sleep. In the early hours of morning however, they were woken up by the sound of glass shattering, followed by indecent screaming in what sounded like a violent altercation.