Stepping out of the rail car, the skyscrapers towered above Emery like giants, ignorant of the tiny beings scattered beneath them. Despite having been in New York before, Emery felt lost in the mirror world of Kroy Wen.
Around an open market, a goblin and dwarf seemed to be arguing over brightly colored coins. At roughly the same height, other taller creatures found it easy to ignore them. A dwarf woman interrupted and put the two in their place with a dose of shame.
Emery’s eyes settled on a group of children her age playing in an empty lot with ghostly animals. “That’s Harnette, right?” She said.
“Only sport that mages like.” Harris shrugged.
“We should get the card version for Jun.” Emery said. "If he ever talks to me."
Harris led Emery towards the docks, keeping a reassuring hand on her back. “Your brother and sister will come around. Imagine one of them having magic.”
"Or their step dad.” Emery reminded him.
“Exactly.” Harris stated.
Emery turned her thoughts away from her siblings and towards the various streets. The Radiance ferry should've been waiting by the river. Despite being helmed by a friend of her father’s, Emery couldn’t imagine her summer art teacher as a ship captain, much less the captain of something called the Albatross.
Emery fell to the ground as another girl her age barreled past her. “Damn rant stole from me!” A human shop keep screamed from her store.
As her father bent down to help her, Emery got a decent look at the thief. Contrary to her own, Emery noticed the runaway’s tattoos were much thinner. Rather than straight lines, the markings were wavy and snake-like, disconnected from one another. Then, suddenly, the girl vanished before eyes.
“Are you okay?” The shop keep said.
Emery dusted off her knees, “I’m okay, thanks.”
Taking in her tattooed face, the shop keep looked agitated. “Another one?”
“What?” Emery said in confusion.
“One Amaranth robs me blind and another distracts me from chasing her, is that it?” The woman accused. “I should call the knights!”
Harris stepped in, "Just because she’s an Amaranth?”
“Like she’s not looking out for her own kind?” The woman went on. “I want my money back!”
“We’re not putting up with this.” Harris stated as he led Emery away.
As the woman’s arm went to snatch Emery’s elbow, another firmer hand went to stop her. “Touch her and I’ll floor you like I did your cousin, Klara.”
The group turned to see the dwarf woman from the merchant stalls stopping the upset blonde woman in her tracks. The small woman had fiery red hair and a chiseled face with soft features.
“Get off me, Sarah!” Klara yelled as she swung free.
The dwarf woman frowned. “I told you; it’s Sereda!"
“Mom?” A teenage, human boy came up behind the dwarf with a curious look about him. He was wearing the Radiance school uniform that Emery herself recently purchased. “Is everything okay?”
Sereda shot a comforting smile back at her son. “Everything’s fine, Ed. You go get to school.” Sereda turned back to Klara. “Some people have to stay home with their kids despite all the money they threw around.”
“How dare you!” Klara replied. “I know exactly why Ed got into Radiance instead of Clarice!”
Sereda rolled up her sleeves and adjusted her hair. “Oh, I can't wait to hear this."
Emery spotted another teenage boy behind a light post motioning some spell with his hands as he looked on the scene. He wore the Radiance uniform like Ed, but with a school hoodie over the top. Before she could piece together the situation, a new voice interrupted the group.
“What’s all this?” Said the uniformed man, sword secured away in its sheath.
Harris stepped forward first as the two women locked eyes. He took a quick glance at the man’s rank adorned on his chest. “Knight Paladin. This woman accused my daughter of stealing.” Harris gestured to Klara.
“Is that so?” The knight said before turning to the blonde shop keep.
“She was standing right in my way to distract me while the other ra—other Amaranth got away!”
“Everyone here can vouch that Klara’s story is trash... and that she’s a racist nut.” Sereda said.
“She assaulted me!” Klara said, pointing at Sereda.
“I’ve heard enough.” The knight proclaimed. As he spoke, Emery turned her head again to see the boy still moving his hands from cover. Upon glancing back and forth, Emery noticed the boy’s lips moving in sync with the knight. The knight gestured at Klara. “Next time you waste a knight’s time, at least have proof.”
“What?!”
“Be thankful that's all I'm doing.” The paladin warned. Emery caught sight of the dwarf’s son, Ed, as he struggled to contain his laughter. “The rest of you, on your way.”
“You heard him, Ed.” Sereda agreed with a soft smirk. “Don’t forget to call me, okay?”
Ed replied as he delivered a quick hug. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
They continued towards the docks as Klara fumed back to her store. As Ed approached the boy hiding behind the light post, Emery noticed the knight had vanished into thin air.
"Nice one, Tom." Ed said.
The boy smiled nervously. “Please don’t tell anyone I impersonated a Covenant officer. I have enough anxiety.”
“That was you?” Emery asked.
“My name’s Thomas.” He said. “Sorry if I worried you. People like Klara are the worst.”
“No argument there. I’m Emery Lamb.” Emery turned back to the Serena’s son. “Ed, right?”
“Edmund Kirk, actually. But Ed is good.”
“That was impressive magic, Thomas.” Harris commented. “Kids your age don’t usually know enough Artifice magic to produce a fake like that.”
“Actually it—”
“Thomas!” An older teen with similar features to Thomas approached. “We’re going to miss the ship.”
The bellowing of a foghorn roared throughout the streets.
“That means both of you too!” Harris told Ed and Emery.
As the group sprinted towards the sound of their vessel, a young girl suddenly appeared by the brick wall where she had first disappeared. She wore the Radiance school uniform, although the clothes seemed second hand. In her palm she held several shiny, differently colored coins. Closing her fist over them, her sight turned towards the docks of Kroy Wen. Pocketing her loose change, she moved quickly so as to not fall behind the other students.
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