Sky Tiers--Test no. 1

A fantasy setting of floating islands being slowly settled. It's just the beginning.

This was her oasis. A quiet villa of secret, tantalizing aesthetics and welcoming peace. The sky bubbled with meandering clouds, glittering the sky with reflective sunlight. Around her, this town was just waking up, as it so normally did at such a warm hour. She brought the freshly boiled water to her lips, sipping it and pondering it’s flowery taste. A single flower blossom pecked her shoulder as it snapped away from the plum trees behind her.

She had no real reason to hide away within the confines of her wrought-iron garden. The village it rested in still offered many untouched habitats, all sprinkled with spring buds and lush greens. The air smelled of warm sugar, as did nearly everything else around the area. Every square inch of the elevated island was inviting.

Yet she spent her mornings in her oasis, clutching her engraved tea mug, and listening to the chorus of wind chimes and birds harmonize with one another every now and then. She sipped her water again, breathing in the steam. Maybe I should visit town more often, she thought to herself. Another sip. The idea rang in her mind long enough to encourage her to stand and, with a heavy sigh, retreat from the garden.

The village was new. A settlement, more accurately. Each day brought with it a new number of people, exponentially growing the humble abode into a thriving town. The island had just been found, and this town was theoretically being built to support explorers as they surged ahead further into the unknown, perhaps to find more islands. Simply put, it was the next leg in the seemingly never-ending discovery trek. It stood upon columns of rock that were jutting out of the maze of lakes below, balancing precariously to the point of apparent floatation. It was the most similar available land mass they could find that partially replicated the mystery of the floating islands far above. Said islands dotted the sky, unreachable in height and teasingly beautiful. No one had stepped foot on a floating island, so this claim was quite the talk of the cities back home.

Today, the island was bustling with government officials wandering the towns, journals in hand, to evaluate the progress of the settlement. “Niri!” Quickly approaching footsteps cut her off as she turned down the main market drag.

She scrunched her nose, peering down at the panting form in front of her. “Is there a problem?”

The form stood up straight, exhaling sharply. He lifted a pair of striking green eyes to meet hers, looking quite bedraggled with his golden hair poking up around his tan face and his shirt already dirtied.

He smiled. “Nope, I just wanted to see what you’re up to today.” He ushered her forward towards town, grabbing her hand happily.

She wiggled free of his grasp. “Cole, you know the rules,” she chastised, but joined him in walking forward nonetheless. Someone with her standing in the community wasn’t to be seen with someone like Cole. It wasn’t about shame; it was about strategy.

They walked together down the road, the gravelly clay crunching beneath their shoes. Markets were open by now, selling the fruits and vegetables of the first harvest on overflowing carts. The village was still very young, and this week brought the first homegrown reaping of saleable goods. The government officials, decked in gold linens and emerald embroidery, looked relatively pleased with the progress the village had made. The king would be glad to know the exploration and settlements were on schedule.

The village, still being weaned, still boasted the royal flag by the ports and around town. Resource imports were still regular, but Niri had a feeling those would be the next to go, judging by the rate of growth the village was experiencing.

Cole picked up a plum, testing it’s firm shell before tossing it to Niri and handing the vendor a silver coin with a smile.

Niri caught the fruit and examined it, stopping next to Cole at the stand. She frowned. “You do realize I have several of my own plum trees, right?” She raised an eyebrow at him.

Cole just laughed. “That you may, but I know for a fact you don’t grow cherry plums back there!” He pointed to the specimen he just gave her and winked.

Niri rolled her eyes and took a caving bite out of the fruit. “You should go into advertising,” she mumbled as she chewed.

They moved along, stopping along the way now and then to appreciate textiles and taste seedbread. The first structures to be built on the island had been mills, and the first settlers had planted orchards and small fields. Now, the island was laced with agricultural business, but different types of business had taken the forefront. Taverns, residential areas, stores, textiles, even guilds had set up shop.

Niri’s favorite had to be the blacksmith’s shop. Though there were about three now, she had managed to bond quite well with the first owner.

“Good morning, my little marigold.” The blacksmith leaned out of the store window as the pair approached. He reached to kiss her hand playfully. A burly man, the blacksmith was more of a father figure to her than anything.

“Good morning,” she replied, letting him do so.

“Cole.” The blacksmith nodded respectfully to her escort.

“Paul.” He nodded back.

Paul turned his attention back to Niri, crow’s feet signaling a lifetime of joy. “You killed me a dragon yet, sweetheart? Or do you need another knife for the job?”

Niri shook her head, leaning on the wooden tabletop. She tucked a stray mousy hair behind her ear. “I don’t poach, you know. But I’ll take the knife.” She grinned.

She had come to the island on business. Her past was a mess, as she used to be an assassin guild member by trade, but took a contract as an adventurer to get out of it. She joined the Red Tier guild, rising ranks immediately by notoriety and was sent here. The object of her mission was to study and tame the legendary dragons around the island. When the island was first discovered, no one actually believed they existed. Now, they were seen everywhere. By law, killing one was poaching, so Niri steered clear of that. She liked it here. It was nice to be somewhere where the evils of the world were mostly cast aside for the sake of discovery. She loved the journeys she went on, staying two or three nights out with the dragons every now and then. They were surprisingly the sweetest creatures she’d ever met. Naive, yes; touchy, yes; but sweet. Just like the island itself.

And she loved the people here. The village was becoming a hub of travel, and she met the most interesting warriors, adventurers--even pirates. This fresh start had proven to be exactly what she needed.

Cole joined her sometimes. Though she wore a ruby gem on her finger, and he a sapphire one on his, they still found time to do their missions together. Cole was part of the SkyFall guild, and by nature he was seen as an adventurer under the order of a different king. Though the kings of the mainland were all working together to expand territory, there was still a rule that did not allow members of different kingdoms to share work-related information. That’s why Niri could not be seen with Cole in the way she he knew desired. Arousing suspicion of treason was the last thing either of them needed.

Author's Note

Is it worth it to continue this idea?

Reviews

[Richard]

Yes, are you kidding?
I strongly urge you to finish it expand on it ... it's exactly the kind of thing I like I know that :)
it's great it's very funny and imaginative

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked the story. The characters and the situation was very interesting. I like the main characters. Filled with mystery and wonder. The storyline had great possibilities. I wanted to read and know more. Thank you for sharing the excellent story.
Coyote