The Complete Season 1 by Michael Underwood

Author:Michael Underwood [Michael R. Underwood, Malka Older, Cassandra Khaw, Marie Brennan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Serial Box
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 2

Kris

“Adechike.” Kris rapped their knuckles against his door. Guiltily, at first. But the awkwardness receded as the silence lengthened, the noise of the knocking cushioned by the inch-deep carpeting.

They struck the door again, this time with a fist. “Adechike.”

Still no answer.

Kris swore under their breath in every language they could remember, the bridge of their nose pinched between two fingers. It hadn’t been a good day. This week had been a catastrophe, a nightmare of unexpected circumstances. First, it was Anton and his endless questions, his insistence that Kris accompany him on ill-advised quests for low-cost physicians. So much wasted time. Then it was the trade deal.

Kris had expected, even hoped, that the trade deal would propel Rumika into a seat of authority, that the alacrity with which Kris had facilitated the arrangement would be seen as representative of his nation’s resourcefulness. This would have been their moment.

“Adechike!”

The quiet held.

“You know what? Forget it. I hope you’ve got clothes on, Adechike, because I am coming in!” Not for the first time, Kris found themself grateful for Alyx’s boundless paranoia. They’d insisted, among other things, that Kris learn how to properly kick down doors: aim at the side of the lock with the heel of your foot, be exacting with the pressure applied. No theatrics. Nothing fancy. It had to be precise.

The door swung open after the first blow, only minimally damaged. Alyx, as always, had provided excellent advice. Through the gap, Kris caught their first glimpse of Adechike’s room. Canvases hung from the ceiling by silver strings, spinning lazily in place. The images contained within were otherworldly. The skies in palettes that could never exist in nature. Faceless bodies suspended mid-combat, their muscles described by minimal brushstrokes. And more nebulous splendors, vivid abstractions rendered in gilt and colored wax, batik corporealization of ideas half formed.

Were those Adechike’s creations? Kris wondered as they slunk into the room, marveling at its neatness. The furnishings were sumptuous, more lavish than Kris would have expected of Adechike. The bed, in particular, was a study in excess. Kris couldn’t conceive a reason to have so many pillows, so many extraneous layers of glimmering fabric. Something he’d inherited from Ojo, maybe? Or another warder.

Who knew? It occurred to Kris then that they had no inkling as to who Adechike really was, no idea as to what he enjoyed outside of hibiscus wines and long evenings in the teahouse, asking question after question, as though answers powered the engine of his heart. When was the first time Adechike had argued with his parents? Where did his religious beliefs lean? Did he dream of becoming a warder because he was dazzled by the romance of it, or was he looking to martyr himself in the name of Quloo?

Everything Kris knew about Adechike felt like it’d been curated, picked through by a careful hand, all the parts coming together to craft a public persona that was universally likeable. Even Adechike’s flaws were endearing. They made him human. Gave the world a reason to bond with him, to develop rapport.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.