The Lost Kingdom by Chris Fritschi

Author:Chris Fritschi [Fritschi, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

15

TECK CITY

Kase was still picking paper out of his teeth when their elevator came to a halt at the central terminal.

As Brell led the way, Kase took in the ultra-modern surroundings.

“This is a lot different from home,” he said.

“You mean better.”

Gleaming gray floors stretched off to multiple platforms. Light emanated from seemingly everywhere: the ceiling, walls, and floors. Kase tried to make a shadow, but it was impossible.

“Yes,” Kase said. “If you like bleak.”

An automated voice gave non-stop information about train times and directions to the platforms.

Brell had taken off her Edger overalls but told Kase to keep his on.

“Now,” she said with satisfaction, “you’re the one that sticks out. I’ll get you some real clothes when we get home.”

“You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?”

“A little bit.” She grinned. “Yeah.”

Kase studied the people rushing by without giving him a second look.

They turned the corner and came to the train that would take them to Brell’s city.

He had trains and elevators on Creet, some powered by fuel, others by magic. The concepts weren’t new, but the designs were more polished. He was impressed but wasn’t about to give Brell the satisfaction of telling her.

The train was sleek with a long tapered nose. Its polished skin reflected the overhead lights down the length of its body like a giant opal serpent.

“It looks fast,” Kase said, unable to hold it in.

“It’s a little over four hundred miles to Suhun city,” she said. “We’ll be there in an hour.”

“That’s amazing,” he said.

Brell smiled, enjoying the chance to show Kase the superiority of technology.

“Not as fast as teleporting,” he said. “But for a machine, very respectable.”

“Tele…? You’re making that up,” she scoffed. “Stop being a child and admit technology is better than…” She looked around, confirming nobody was close enough to hear her. “Magic.”

“Teleporting is real,” Kase said. “But rare.”

“I knew it,” she said. “Anyone can use this train.”

“Are all of your trains this fast?” he asked.

The doors slid open on silent rails, and she stepped in without answering.

“I didn’t get that,” Kase said, cupping his hand to his ear. “How many?”

“Just this,” Brell snarled. “They’re expensive to make. The track has to be certified twice a year to make sure it stays aligned.”

“Hmmmm,” Kase said, nodding sympathetically. “That’s a lot for just one train.”

“Are you going to be this annoying the entire trip?” Because I’m already regretting my decision to let you come.”

“I have an idea,” Kase said. It wasn’t solely her idea that he come and she knew it, but he felt that pointing it out would only make her more irritable. “I won’t keep poking holes in your technology if you stop using it to criticize magic.”

She frowned at him for a moment before sitting down.

“All right,” she said. “But no cracks about my world.”

“That’s fair,” Kase said, holding out his hand. “Deal.”

“What’s that for?” she asked.

“Shaking hands,” he said hesitantly. “It’s how people show they agree –”

“Put it down,” she said, glancing around. “We don’t do that here.”

Kase sat down next to her, shifting in his seat as he settled in.

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