The Innocence of Teacups

Sapphire Knights patrolled up and down the boarders of Spirit Land. Their blue cloaks dazzling in the sunshine, swirling round their marching feet. So serious. Coco was reluctant to step on ashen ground. Animals sensed unrest better than humans. Perhaps they were akin to vampyres with some sort of sixth sense.

Unrest.

The world was ready to shake. Best to be in Zoticas when this happened seen as Kazara’s defences were almost non-existent. Lots of people took a different view. Right that moment some Zoticans were making a dash across Spirit Land, burdened with packs, towards Violet Mountains, fleeing their country.

“You knights have doomed Zoticas,” one of the fleeing people shouted at a knight on reaching the edge of Spirit Land. “Houses will burn and spirits will reign.”

“You are taking threats from spirits out of proportion. We can protect this country and all those within, by our honour,” said the knight in an attempt at reassurance.

The man paid no attention to the knight’s words and carried on towards Violet Mountains.

He got down from his cart and took a firm hold of Coco’s reins, all set to guide him through Spirit Land.

“Go along carefully with your cart. There are holes in the ground,” the knight warned him. “You shouldn’t come across any spirits in daylight but if you do run hard. There are more knights posted in the centre of Spirit Land if you become in need of assistance.”

The knight marched past him as he gave a tug at Coco’s reins. Snorting, his horse took a feeble step then walked on.

Hopefully those spirits who’d been chasing after him all winter would be snooping around for him in some town away from here. After all he’d not seen or heard rumours of sightings of them for several days. Would look outrageous for a squadron of spirits to pour down the mountain pass, and chase him across their own land. He wanted to speed up but was too wary of holes. It would be disastrous if Coco fell down one.

He came across two pairs of Sapphire Knights patrolling together. One of which had flaming red hair. Gosh he could do with putting on his magical mask seen as there was no knowing how Kalama would react to him. Plus Pavel was there and he had a fair idea of his reaction: choice words and sword points came to mind.

“You should move faster. The sun will be setting soon and this land will be swarming with spirits,” said Pavel.

With a smile and nod he kept on walking. Smiles and nods did not let him off from holding a conversation. Kalama jogged over to him.

“My fellow knights deem it appropriate if one of us escorted you to the toll booth.”

“There’s no need. I’m quite capable of getting there myself.” Definitely capable as he was only able to hold his mask in place for twenty minutes then the magic tired him, causing the illusion to flicker.

“It will be dark by the time you arrive and we’ve experienced unease with spirits close to the boarder. Best to have an escort.”

“Please don’t go out of your way on my account.”

“I volunteered. You’re doing me a favour; the man I’m paired with is pretentious beyond belief. Your accent is strange. Are you from Zoticas or Kazara?”

“I want to live in Zoticas.”

“A Kazaran then. Fingers crossed the toll booth people let you in. They have been rather strict recently.”

“How come?”

Kalama kicked at some white dust. “Fear of letting a demon in.”

He took a glance behind him. The three remaining Sapphire Knights were well out of earshot. “Eagle right?”

“Exac- how do you know about him?”

“I am him.” He dropped his fake Zotican accent which obviously didn’t sound right, and let his illusion fade away.

“Blazing heck,” gasped Kalama, rubbed at her eyes, then smacked him round the head. “Did Freyr teach you that trick?”

“No I was – ”

Kalama never let him finish his sentences. “You’ve got a nerve coming here. Lev hasn’t forgotten about you.”

“Why? Lanzo was in just as much wrong as me.”

“Not in her eyes. Besides she’s convinced you’re a demon.”

“Don’t you agree anymore?”

“No. I happen to believe you’re a little sneak who meddles in dark magic. You ought to turn round and hurry back over those mountains.”

“Sasha’s expecting me.”

“Exactly why you turn round. Haven’t you caused him to lose enough?”

“Perhaps however I don’t feel safe in Kazara.” Best to keep quiet about spirits chasing him. “An explosion is about to happen. Your country is safest.”

“There isn’t going to be an explosion. Spirits war mongering is the brunt of everyone’s unrest. Spirit Land hasn’t nearly enough spirits to raid the whole of Zoticas.”

His stomach churned. Spirit Land may not be large enough to take Zoticas however Queen Kella’s spirits pursuing him from Nocta Umbra would probably have the means. Once Skulbon caught and made an example of him the explosion would happen. Best for him to stay hidden in Azure.

“Besides we’ll never let spirits into Zoticas ever again. We’re posted and ready for any attacks.”

“Like you’ll never let me through,” he sighed.

“I said no such thing. I advise you to turn back but won’t force you seen as I am a firm believer in free will. Freedom is the word Sapphire Knights are supposed to live by. It’s the job of the people at the toll booth to decide if you’re in or out.”

Freedom how could these knights believe in such a thing when they went round patrolling on someone else’s land and killing its occupants when threat arose? “You don’t allow spirits to have free will.”

“Free will within reason. It wouldn’t be right to let murderers wander where they pleased.”

“So you’ve set constraints on freedom. That’s not freedom at all.”

“Not if you’re going to look at it from an assassin’s angle.”

“Ex-assassin.”

“You still think like one.”

“Might not be such a bad thing.”

They came to the edge of Spirit Land and Kalama carried on escorting him. When they reached the border two crescent moons were climbing the sky. A barricade of Sapphire Knights guarded the Welcome to Zoticas archway. In case some of these knights should recognise him from his dual with Pavel he put on his mask, using a shadow cast from a knight holding a flaming torch. The knights parted without question to let him through. Kalama joined them and paid him no more interest. It was the toll booth lady who had full attention on him.

“Name.”

“Alexander Pelevin.”

“Are you a returning Zotican citizen?”

He shook his head.

“Have you visited Zoticas in the past three years?”

“No.”

“Do you have any relations residing in Zoticas?”

“None that I know of. My mother tells me my father was a Zotican.”

“What is your business in Zoticas?”

“I wish to live here.”

“Why?”

What was this a thousand and one monotonous questions? It was a fab job he’d come up with a back story. “I really want to work here and think I could help the economy.”

“What is your job title Mister Pelevin?”

“Merchant.”

The toll booth lady leant out of her booth to have a nosey at his cart. “What do you specialise in trading?”

“Ornate furniture and jewellery mostly. I also have herbs, spices and champagne from Vulcan.”

After saying this a Sapphire Knight came over to inspect the insides of his cart. Fine by him, there was nothing un-natural in there. He was clean of vampyres and pixies. When the knight gave a thumb up the toll booth lady thumped a hefty ledger onto her counter.

“Merchants are most welcome.” She registered his name into the ledger. “The fee to enter as a citizen is five gold pieces.”

Five gold could just about be spared. A dent in his coin pouch but a necessary one. He placed five gold coins on the counter. These were traded for a rectangular piece of parchment with the Zotican emblem stamped across, with his name and a number written neatly on it.

“Welcome to Zoticas. Keep your entry form safe as proof of your payment. We didn’t used to bother handing them out but need to keep count of people as a safety precaution. All routine. Move forward please.”

Not too difficult to get into the country if you had a job title and enough money. He took several steps into Zoticas and dropped his illusion. He would not need to use his mask much when in Zoticas because only Lev and her knights were aware of his appearance.

He gave Coco’s neck a pat. “I believe we are home and won’t have to return to boring old Kazara until the start of autumn.”

Eager to see if Sasha had left him any letters at The Juggler he got onto his cart and rode on, remembering the way to Azure this time.

Despite some Zoticans being frightened by the threat of spirits a lot more backed their Sapphire Knights. The street where The Juggler was situated was strewn with flags showing off the knights’ crest. It was getting late but the streets were still fairly crowded as people flocked to theatres, story halls, and taverns.

When he arrived at The Juggler he waited a short moment for someone to take care of his horse and cart before going inside to the bar where the bar tender presented him with three letters all from Sasha. He opened the most recent one first to see where Sasha was at. His friend had appalling handwriting. His letters were all squiggly and didn’t even join up.

To Alexander

Hope you have been looking after yourself. At the moment I am working for a troupe of actors. Their director wants a chest guarding. A rival has been trying to steal his expensive costumes. I think there is more to it than costumes. They perform at The Oval nightly at midnight if you want to look me up. You best do.

From Sasha

The Oval at midnight. Tonight he was kind of tired after a long day of travelling. He would have a glass of wine or two and find Sasha tomorrow night when he was perkier.