Chương 6: Sowing Seeds
The morning sun painted golden stripes across the fancy floors of King Henry's palace. Atenzi stood by a big window, his sharp golden eyes taking in the city below.
From up here, the last human stronghold looked pretty impressive. Tall towers and shiny domes showed that humans were tough. But Atenzi knew better. In just a week, he'd seen the rot under all that gold.
A soft cough made him turn around. King Henry slouched on his fancy throne, already drinking wine even though it was early. His eyes were red, and his crown sat crooked on his thinning hair.
"Well, my mystery advisor," Henry slurred, "what smart stuff you got for us today?"
Atenzi smiled carefully. "Your Majesty, I think it's time I got to know your kingdom better. To serve you best, I need to understand how your city works, what people are whispering about."
Henry waved his hand, jewels flashing. "Yeah, yeah, go ahead. But remember, you're here to fix our problems, not hang out with the common folk."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Atenzi bowed low, hiding his disgust. "Everything I learn will be to help your rule."
As he stood up straight, Atenzi let a bit of Lashon Kesef into his words. "You can trust that I'm totally loyal to you."
The king's eyes went a bit fuzzy, and he nodded firmly. "Yes... yes, I do trust you, Atenzi. Go, learn what you need to. I can't wait to hear what you find out."
Atenzi bowed again and walked out, his mind already buzzing with plans.
As he walked through the twisty palace halls, he nodded politely to nobles and servants. Each chat was a piece of info, another thread in the big web he was weaving.
Lady Elara, the king's cousin, her eyes sharp with hidden ambition. Sir Darius, the tough old guard captain, always ready to fight. Magister Thorne, the royal bookkeeper, always looking like he was lost in thought.
Atenzi remembered every detail, every look and tone of voice.
As he got near the palace gates, a servant girl rushed by, arms full of sheets. Atenzi caught her as she stumbled.
"Careful there," he said softly, using a touch of Lashon Kesef. "What's your name?"
"L-Lira, my lord," she stammered, eyes wide.
"Lira," Atenzi repeated, smiling warmly. "Pretty name. Tell me, Lira, what do people say about their king?"
Fear flashed across her face. Then, like she couldn't help it, words spilled out. "They... they say he eats fancy food while we starve, my lord. That he hides in here while the Harbingers keep taking our land."
Atenzi nodded, looking sympathetic. "That's tough. What about hope? Do people still think things might get better?"
Lira frowned. "There are whispers, my lord. Old stories about a hero who'll make humans strong again. But..." she shook her head.
"But hope's hard to find these days," Atenzi finished for her. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Thanks, Lira. You've been really helpful."
As the girl hurried away, Atenzi felt his throat start to hurt. A reminder that his power came with a price. He ignored it and walked out into the busy city streets.
The difference between the fancy palace and the dirty city was huge. Narrow, winding streets were packed with people. Merchants yelled about their goods, mixing with a hundred conversations. The air smelled of unwashed bodies, cooking food, and the sea.
Atenzi moved through the crowds like a shadow, seeing and hearing everything.
He stopped at a fruit stand and bought a pear. "Busy today," he said casually, taking a bite.
The vendor, an old guy with rough hands, grunted. "Festival of the Twin Moons coming up. Fools think stuffing their faces for one night will make them forget their troubles."
Atenzi raised an eyebrow. "Troubles? Surely life in humanity's last safe place can't be all bad?"
The vendor laughed bitterly. "Last safe place? More like last prison. We're packed in here like fish, just waiting for the Harbingers to finish us off."
Atenzi leaned in, lowering his voice. "What if there was another way? A way to take back what we lost?"
The vendor's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about, stranger?"
Atenzi smiled mysteriously. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud. But you know, I've heard whispers. About old prophecies, about big changes coming. Who knows? Maybe things are already starting to shift."
He walked away before the vendor could answer, leaving his words to take root.
As the day went on, Atenzi wove through the city. He stopped in markets, hung out in busy squares, and finally, as the twin moons rose, he walked into The Broken Chalice—one of the city's favorite bars.
It was dark and smoky inside, packed with workers and low-level officials all trying to drink away their problems.
Atenzi went to the bar and ordered a beer. He sipped it slowly, grimacing at the bitter taste, as he looked around.
In one corner, dock workers argued loudly about taxes. Near the fireplace, a group of clerks whispered complaints about palace politics.
And at a table in the middle sat a guy who looked like a soldier, though he wasn't in uniform.
Atenzi walked over, pretending to be a bit drunk. "Mind if I join you, friend? It's been a long day, and I could use some company."
The man grunted and pointed to an empty chair. Up close, Atenzi could see scars that showed this guy had been in lots of fights.
"First time in The Chalice?" the man asked gruffly.
Atenzi nodded, sipping his beer. "Just got to the city recently. Still figuring things out."
"Hmph. Bad time to come to the Sovereign Lands, if you ask me. This place is going down the drain."
"Oh?" Atenzi leaned forward, looking interested. "How so?"
The veteran's eyes darkened. "King's lost his guts, if he ever had any. We should be getting ready for the Harbingers' next attack. Instead, he throws parties and builds statues of himself."
Atenzi nodded sympathetically, then paused like he'd just had an idea. He looked around sneakily before leaning in close.
"You know," he said, almost whispering, "I've heard... things. Whispers about change coming. About old prophecies coming true."
The veteran's eyebrows shot up. "Prophecies? What kind of prophecies?"
Atenzi let a bit of Lashon Kesef into his words, making them sound extra convincing. "They say a hero will come out of nowhere. Someone who'll bring humans together, take back our lands. A leader who can stand up to the Harbingers."
The veteran's eyes widened, a tiny spark of hope lighting up. "And... you believe this?"
Atenzi shrugged, trying to look casual. "Who knows? But in times like these, sometimes hope is all we've got. Wouldn't it be something, though? To see humans rise up again, to push back the darkness?"
He stood up, patting the veteran on the shoulder. "Just something to think about, friend. Spread the word, if you feel like it. Who knows? Maybe if enough of us believe, we can make it happen."
As Atenzi walked away, he could already hear the veteran turning to his neighbors, eager to share this new hope.
The rest of the night was a blur of similar chats. In every bar, every gathering place, Atenzi planted seeds of his made-up prophecy. Never too obvious, never claiming to know for sure. Just hints and suggestions, each one carefully crafted to make people curious and hopeful.
It was way past midnight when Atenzi finally got back to the palace, sneaking in through a servant's door he'd found earlier.
As he walked to his room, he felt bone-tired. His throat hurt like he'd been swallowing glass. Using Lashon Kesef came at a high price, but it was worth it.
Just as he reached his door, a wave of dizziness hit him. Atenzi stumbled, catching himself on the wall. He tasted blood in his mouth, and when he touched his face, his fingers came away red.
Cursing softly, Atenzi fumbled with the door and practically fell into his room. He barely made it to a water basin before he felt sick again.
As he threw up, flecks of blood splattered on the white marble floor.
When it passed, Atenzi slumped to the floor, leaning against the cool wall. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing.
Lashon Kesef was powerful, but he couldn't use it all the time. He'd need to be smart, to save his strength.
But even as he thought this, a smile tugged at his bloody lips. Because the seeds had been planted. Now, he just had to wait for them to grow.
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