Chapter 5: Preparations

At six-thirty in the morning, Ivan woke up Sophia with a light knock on the door.

"I'm sorry to wake you up, miss," Ivan said as he handed Aster the clothes he had prepared for both of them. "But it's time."

The quiet hours of rest were wonderful, but short for someone who was so tired. Sophia woke up a little bewildered and still wanting to sleep more in that comfortable bed.

"But it's still dark," she said, sitting up in bed and smoothing her hair.

With a good laugh, Ivan replied:

"It's always dark here, my child, that's why we have so many clocks around the house. Take a shower to wake up, change your clothes and go down," he said, already going down the stairs. "I prepared a good hearty breakfast for your journey."

Sophia looked at the plump, tempting pillow, then at Aster holding the clothes.

"Good morning Aster. Thank you for staying with me!" she finally said getting up and picking up the clothes.

"I'll stay by your side whenever you want," Aster replied cheerfully. "I'll go down and see if Mr. Bravefeather needs some help."

Sophia nodded and went to take a shower, the good smell of what was being prepared in the kitchen made her hurry.

As she went down, Aster didn't see Crow, just Ivan finishing frying some eggs.

"Can I help with something?" she asked from the kitchen doorway.

"Oh yes, you can take that to the table," replied Ivan, handing over some plates. "Did you like the book you read?"

"It was an interesting read," she replied as she set the plates. "It helped me understand a little more about this world, but it's just a fragment of something bigger."

"It made me want to read more, other authors and other types of stories," she completed, returning to help Ivan with the glasses.

"That makes me happy!" Ivan said as he sat down. "I admit I offered that particular book to see your reaction. If you would start to have bad feelings about humans, but I see a certain wisdom in you and I like that a lot."

"At first I wondered how they could be so cruel to each other and if most people are like that." Aster spoke, also sitting down. "But something Sophia said made me think again, to see that the book was just a piece of information."

"What she said?" he questioned curiously.

"That what is written in books depends on how the respective author lived and how he sees the world because of it," replied Aster.

"I'm glad you met such a smart friend. Also take into account the possibility that the author wants to shape the readers' worldview to an end," added Ivan.

"What do you mean?" Aster wanted to know.

"In the case of the book you read, it is evident that the author wanted people to see that war as the worst thing that ever happened in the world and also tried to blame the entire war on the Slavic Empire, to generate hatred for the Slavs."

"But, why?" she asked trying to understand.

"In humanity there have been and there will always be those who take advantage of people's natural goodwill to manipulate and lead them where they want," Ivan explained. "With distortions, misinformation, they lead people to believe that if they follow a certain path, hate or fear certain things, people, thoughts, they will reach noble ends, a better world. So many good people come to hate other good people, just because they were told they should hate, fear things because they said they should fear them, because they were led to believe that by doing this they will be seen as good doers who seek a better world.

"How is this possible?" Aster asked. "I still don't understand. Why?"

"People tend to trust information coming from those who appear to be important, that know more, who have prestige, such as journalists, writers, politicians, leaders in general," he explained. "And if a group around you thinks in a way, the person will instinctively agree to feel part of the group, sometimes ceasing to be who they are."

"As for the 'why', the answer is simple, by manipulating a lot of people you can create a great enemy and put yourself against him, even if the enemy is fake, imaginary. You put yourself in the hero position and use it to your advantage. Getting more power and prestige."

"Was that what happened with the Empire and electricity?" asked Aster.

"It's quite likely," Ivan agreed. "Someone with 'noble ends' manipulated desires and fears to finally assume power by pretending to be a hero."

Upstairs, oblivious to Aster and Ivan's conversation, Sophia got out of the shower, only worrying about finishing dressing so she could eat, but even though she was hurried by hunger, she stopped for a moment to admire the silk blouse she had worn under her uniform last day. It was washed and dried, giving off a scent of flowers.

I have a lot to be thankful for, Sophia thought, smiling.

The costume was relatively simple and functional, but it had beauty in its details. Long ankle boots, tight pants, dark gray and thick fabric and leather details. Leather belt with small pouches, one on each side and one on the back, fitted so as not to get in the way of anything. Adjustable black corselette, custom made too of fabric with leather details, black bolero made of thick leather with short sleeves and with a hood. Both of fine dark blue fabric, the hood with a part, which wrapped around the neck and could be lifted to cover the face and finally gloves leather with metal plates on the back of the hand, similar to the ones Crow wore, but these were longer, reaching almost to the elbow.

I have to ask how he got those clothes while I was sleeping, she thought as she sat up to put on her boots. I hope they are not too big or worse, small.

"Hey, are those heel straps meant to fit around your foot?" She was amazed when she pulled them off and buckled them to a comfortable size. "That's great!"

Deciding to put on her gloves and bolero after eating, she left the bathroom and went downstairs to eat.

"Good morning! Thank you very much for the clothes Mr. Bravefeather, but how did you get them while I was sleeping?" Sophia asked as she helped herself to an omelet, bread and a glass of orange juice.

"Good morning!" Answered Aster and Ivan.

"No need to be formal, Ivan is enough."

"Your travel outfit was quick and easy, I just adjusted a few clothes that were in storage, Aster's were the ones that took almost three hours to finish." Ivan explained while taking a pie out of the oven.

"So you didn't even sleep?" Aster asked. "I'm sorry that I make you do that."

"Don't worry about that." Ivan replied waving his hand. "I can spend the rest of the day sleeping."

"And Crow?" Sophia wanted to know, as she had not seen him around the house. "Don't tell me he is still sleeping."

"Oh, no!" replied Ivan, taking a piece of pie. "He got up before you and has already eaten; he's doing some stuff outside."

At this Crow entered, greeted everyone and seeing Sophia commented:

"I was wondering what clothes you were going to prepare for her. So, it was one of my mother's old ones. I didn't even know we still had it."

Then, seeing Sophia's voracity when eating, he laughed.

"I didn't thought I'd see a lady eat like that." Crow commented, taking a seat next to Aster at the table.

"I'm too hungry to be a lady." Sophia replied with her mouth full of pie without taking her eyes off her plate, leading them all to laugh. "And we'll have a long walk to my house."

"Well, about that, I have good news," said Crow, pouring himself a juice. "Most likely we can hitch a ride with some itinerant merchant friends of ours to the Grand Central Market in the Central District. And from there we can even take a commercial elevator to the subway level."

"This is wonderful!" Sophia perked up. "Mr. Crow Bravefeather," she added with a smile.

"It would be a good name, but unfortunately we have different last names," lamented Crow, laughing. "Although I call Ivan grandfather, we are not related. He was a Pilgrim Knight, friend of my parents. When they died six years ago, he dropped everything to take care of me."

"So what's your real name?" Sophia wanted to know.

"One day perhaps I tell you," he answered.

"Don't get him wrong, ever since he read about magic and curses he got a superstition that he didn't want to reveal his name to an anyone," Ivan revealed.

"And boy, don't talk like I've made a big sacrifice," Ivan quickly amended. "I only retired a little early to live in a nice house, with good, but sporadic, company."

"Nice retirement indeed," Sophia commented, changing the subject, respecting Crow's discretion about the name, but a little saddened to discover that, despite already considering him a friend, she was still just a stranger to him. "You two have access to a wide variety of food here, even one of the expensive gas-burner refrigerators."

"Perks of being friends with merchants and smugglers," commented Ivan. "We get what we want for a low price. Moreover, thanks to the boy's explorations and the things he finds."

"Yeah, sometimes I find things that are rare and unusual," Crow commented, pouring himself more juice. "Like the glass in these windows, they are very resistant military glass, I found so many, abandoned and forgotten in a deep tunnel that we were able to sell to various merchants and smugglers. All willing to pay dearly."

"Speaking of merchants, when will our ride arrive?" Sophia asked.

"They should be here soon," Crow replied.

"Then I'm going to go upstairs and put on the suit that Ivan has prepared for me," Aster said then, getting up.

"I was wondering if it wouldn't be better for you to stay here with Tom, Aster," said Crow. "Although it's an easier trip, I'm worried that you've already used up a lot of energy, it might take some time to assemble the device that generates energy."

"Copper wires and magnets are a bit unusual to obtain," he explained.

Sophia froze in place, she knew she had no right to ask Aster to accompany her, but she didn't want to part with her new friend so soon.

"I have enough energy, don't worry," she replied. "I'll stay by Sophia's side until she's safe. I will not abandon those who are dear to me."

"Thanks!" Sophia replied, happy and relieved.

While the three of them went upstairs to get ready, Ivan went to a shelf and took out a book, then opened a cupboard and took out two more.

The gears of fate turn back to dark times, he thought as he looked out the window with his eyes lost in memories. I hope that what is in these books helps those two stay safer.

Upstairs, Crow came back ready from his alchemy workshop-laboratory tower where he took everything he could, he went without his big and heavy backpack, but he still had plenty of pockets, and even the big belt bag on the right side to fill with travel supplies, special potions and a first aid kit. He meet with Aster and Sophia already ready.

Aster was wearing a black mantô[1] that covered her to the ground, with a hood that only left part of her eyes visible, and a light leather backpack on her back disguising the hood on her back.

"Did he use your uniform and that old cloth to do it?" Crow asked Sophia.

"I was also surprised that, not only did the blazer and skirt of my uniform turn into such a beautiful manteaux, but it dyed everything black in three hours" she replied, still admiring how well the outfit disguised Aster. "Are you sure he was a knight and not a 'super-couturier'?"

"Won't we draw a lot of attention dressed like this at the market?" Asked Aster.

"Maybe he had a lot of uniforms to sew," Crow replied thoughtfully. "And don't worry, many merchants and smugglers dress alike, some even quite strangely and more… flashy I'd say."

"Anyway, I came to give you this." He then showed Sophia a small crossbow, the size of a gun, all-metal, without the bow arms.

"It's a model I developed a little while ago," he explained. "The tension comes from metal springs, so if you pull this lever forward and then back, it arms an arrow," he showed the lever. Which was on the underside of the weapon. It went from the front and went to the grip following the curves of the weapon making it almost imperceptible when closed.

"Keep your finger off the trigger until you decide to fire, aim aligning these parts with the target, unlock the trigger here and pull the trigger all the way to shoot, they are six-inch arrows and can be fired by repeating the process five times without reloading."

"When they run out, there are two ways to recharge," he continued explaining to a very attentive Sophia who was amazed by the mechanism. "Opening here and putting arrow by arrow or..."

Then he pulled a metal box from a pocket, identical to the top part of the weapon, fitted it in the back and pushed it forward, sliding it down a rail, replacing the empty arrow magazine, practically the entire top part of the weapon, with the full one.

"Simple, isn't it. Take it, it's yours now, but only arm an arrow if you're going to actually fire it."

"Thanks! I hope I don't need to use it, but I'm happy to have it," Sophia replied taking it and putting it in one of the side pockets of her belt, along with two more full magazines.

"It's easier if you can defend yourself," Crow commented, then turning to Aster. "And for you this dagger. It's always good to have a blade."

Aster thanked him and put it in one of her pockets. Then she remembered the tools that were where she woke up and think how if she had taken them, she might have taken a different path when fleeing.

Small details, she thought. Is there a destiny or did we just get lucky in the various accidents?

"Hmm! Err …" Sophia grabbed Crow's arm to get his attention, hesitant on how to speak. "I'm sorry if because of me... your mother's clothes..."

"Don't need to apologize," Crow cut her off, his smile full of feeling and understanding. "I got over the sadness of their deaths, I miss them, but I left the sadness behind. If I didn't, every memory of them would make me suffer."

"I would end up forcing myself to forget them to not suffer and that would leave an emptiness in me. Without the sadness of the loss, I can remember the good times with them, and be happier without ever forgetting them," he completed taking Sophia's hand. "I'm sure my mother would be happy to know that one of her old clothes is coming in handy for someone like you."

Before anything else could be said, they heard a horn, low and muffled, which seemed to come from afar.

"Oh, the ladies must be arriving!" said Crow, letting go of Sophia's hand.

"The ladies?" Asked Sophia and Aster together.

"Amelia and Ana Faustus, Mother and daughter, the merchants who will give us the ride." he replied. "I mean, I hope so, since we haven't talked to them about it yet."

Then the three went downstairs and met Ivan in the living room. He was waiting with three books and a rapier.[2]

"These two are for you Aster­," he said handing over two books. "It's the 'Pilgrim Knights Combat Handbook', the boy said you know how to fight, but I hope something in this book will be useful to you, and 'The Knights' Tales', which tells various stories of knight heroism throughout the ages."

"More information fragments," he added with a smile.

Aster thanked, as taking the books, happy that, among other things, she now had pockets to store something.

"These are for you young lady." Then he handed over the book. "It's a copy of the combat manual, and, before I hand you the sword, I want to know if you've had any training with this type of weapon."

"I practiced fencing last year," Sophia replied. "But I've never handled a sharp one before."

"I thought that might be the case, fencing is a common sport for your social circle," explained Ivan, handing over the sword. "Careful with it, it's heavier than the one you used when practicing and it's sharp on both edges, don't take it out of the scabbard unless there's no alternative, and keep in mind your lack of familiarity with the weapon and experience in actual combat. I don't think it will be necessary, but just having one around your waist should help to ward off problems in the Central District."

Sophia nodded, showing that she understood what he meant.

"The manuals will teach you the basics. I wish I could train you two myself, but for the moment that will have to be enough," he completed with a worried smile and his hands on Sophia and Aster's shoulders. "I hope that the knowledge from the manual will not be necessary, but study and practice whenever you can, it never hurts to be prepared for the worst."

The two thanked, then Sophia attached the rapier to her belt, it was an elegant weapon, but simple in its design.

"If you want peace, prepare for war," Crow said. "A motto for the Pilgrim Knights," he completed when Aster and Sophia looked at him with curiosity in their eyes. "You're lucky he doesn't train you," he continued. "He trained me for two years before letting me go back to exploring on my own after my parents died. I still have nightmares."

"Well, I'd take it easy on Sophia, probably," said Ivan, looking a little doubtful that he really would take it easy. "And as for Aster, it would depend on how she could not run out of energy."

Then the horn sounded again closer now, prompting Ivan to say:

"Well, now we just need to talk to those two, I'm sure they'll help, but let's keep who Aster really is a secret."

"What will we tell them about me?" Asked Aster.

"Only that we can't reveal your identity nor even why you're accompanying Sophia, for security reasons," replied Crow, already opening the door and going out to receive the merchants.

Sophia and Aster followed right behind Ivan, seeing then in what they were going to travel. Coming from a wide side tunnel, a great steam machine that looked like a mix of house, carriage and train, pulling a large wagon, both painted bright yellow and red.

"I was wondering what the ride would be like and I thought it would be a boat," Sophia commented, looking astonished. "Which already made me wonder how, but this... is even more..." Sophia couldn't find the words.

"How does that get from one level to the next?" Aster questioned, also perplexed by the sight of the house on wheels.

"There are paths, not many, where the stairs have been modified and there are also elevators at certain points," replied Crow, already waving to a chubby girl on the machine's second-floor balcony. "Many merchants live like this, in the Merchant Wagons; they make the route Stone Pier Market, Central Market, North High Market, spending a month in each market."

The merchant wagon swerved and crossed the canal over a wide metal bridge and stopped in front of Crow and Ivan's house. The first one down was the plump girl. Her appearance caught Sophia's attention. She wore grayish brown overalls with a long sleeve on the left arm and no sleeve on the right, this one full of tattoos, a belt full of tools, black boots and leather gloves, her black hair was shaved on the sides, short on top and tied in a long and thick braid at the back.

"Skinny you haven't changed at all." said the girl giving Crow a strong hug; she was a little taller and much broader.

"And you look bigger, Puffy."­ Crow replied, getting a not-so-light punch on the arm.

"Hello, old man," she greeted Ivan with a wave. "And who are these?" Asked looking at Sophia and Aster with a smile and curiosity.

"Ana, this is Sophia and Aster." Ivan made the introductions. "And as soon as your mother comes down, I'll explain everything."

At that moment, Amelia came down, a well-dressed lady, all in yellow, from hat to shoe, a perfect lady in Victorian style, a little taller than Ana and a little shorter in the waist, her hair was the color of polished copper.

"Good morning, Ivan my dear, my little crow, you're still handsome," she greeted the two with hugs. "And who are the young ladies?"

Ivan then introduced Sophia and Aster, explaining Sophia's situation, while Crow, helped by Ana, filled the Merchant Wagon with refined oil, coming from a pipe that descended vertically from the ceiling.

"Wow, how terrible!" Amelia exclaimed, her hands over her mouth. "You must have suffered a lot, of course we'll help; it's unfortunate that we can't take you all the way to home."

"But what about Miss Aster?" She asked after giving Sophia a very tight hug.

"She is a matter that must be kept secret for safety," Ivan replied apologetically. "Trust me, it's for the best."

"You were always trustworthy and wise," Amelia replied with a wide smile. "If that's what you think is best, I won't ask any more about it."

"Thanks!" Aster said, bowing. "I want to help Sophia as much as I can; I hope I don't be a bother."

"Not at all!" Amelia was going to hug Aster when Ana interrupted her.

"Mom! We've finished supplying, all that's left is to unload their purchases and we can leave," said Ana, approaching. "From what Crow told me, the sooner we leave better."

"See, young lady?" I've always told you they're nothing but troublemakers," Amelia said to Ana sternly.

"I'm sure they had a good reason. And it was just an..." Ana replied immediately.

"What did you said?" Sophia interrupted her indignantly. "I don't think there's a good reason to kidnap and beat someone up!"

"I meant they must have a strong motivation." Ana corrected, visibly irritated. "The world down here is not like the paradise you live in."

"Oops!" Crow stepped between the two. "No fights!"

"Don't worry so much my little crow," Amelia said calmly. "They're just getting along. I am sure that at the end of the trip they will be great friends."

"Never!" They answered together.

At that, Ana went with Crow and Ivan to unload the purchases, while Amelia stayed talking with Aster and Sophia.

"Don't take my daughter the wrong way," she said in a rather sad tone. "She always saw the Thunder Fists as heroes who fought for the good of the Interior City. As much as I warned her they were dangerous and violent."

Sophia, now calmer, replied with a bow:

"I'm sorry; I lost my temper and fought with your daughter, even though you were ready to help us. However, seen her defending whoever kidnapped me, saying it was for a good reason, really pissed me off."

"Do not be sorry my child, that was more than understandable," Amelia said with a slightly sad smile on her face. "I hope that from now on my daughter will see this group for what it is: a violent bunch."

She looked at her daughter for a moment in silence and Aster could see that she had many concerns for her daughter.

"But let's move on from that gloomy subject," Amelia said with a bright smile and renewed spirits. "Come, I'll show you my Merchant Wagon."

"It's a beautiful and impressive machine" commented Sophia, wanting to let what happened die there, after all, a trip can be much longer if those traveling together hate each other. "Is the engine a Whitney & Hudson model 1735-B?" she asked genuinely curious.

"Impressive, could you recognize it with just a quick glance?" Amelia found herself smiling.

"The shape and position of the boiler are quite different on this model," replied Sophia, approaching the engine. "They were designed for small tugboats," she said, not taking her eyes off the engine.

"Yes, that was from one that sank," Amelia replied. "I see you learned a lot from your father."

"With him and his books," Sophia commented. "I always liked complex machines; I disassembled, reassembled and assembled many different things."

"That engine is pretty good, but lately it's been losing power uphill," said Mrs. Faustus. "I'm going to have to hire a mechanic when we get to the Central Market."

"Can I look and see what it could be?" Sophia asked a little excited to perhaps return some of the help.

"Hmm. Okay but put this so you don't get your clothes dirty, I don't want dirt inside my house."

Mrs. Faustus then took something that looked like a raincoat from a side compartment of the home carriage.

"And be careful, you don't want a jet of hot water or steam in your face."

Sophia slipped it on over her clothes and began to analyze the engine, ducking under the machine and checking the valves and connections, then asking for some pieces of wire.

"Some of the valves were loose and dysregulated," Sophia said, stepping out from under the engine.

"Probably due to the trepidations of the trips, I solved for the time being, but it will still be necessary to change them," she added, upon receiving a handkerchief from Aster to wipe her face. "Thanks Aster!"

"Thank you for your help, little mechanic," said Mrs. Faustus, taking back the cape. "I should have guessed it was those valves, they haven't been replaced in decades."

Then Mrs. Faustus took the two of them to show the interior, starting with the living room on the first floor that mingled with a compact kitchen, but complete even with a refrigerator. Everything well decorated, beautiful to behold, each corner with a detailed decoration. Climbing the stairs, she showed the chair from which she piloted the great vehicle, a chair surrounded by pedals, levers and dials, with a boat's wheel as a steering wheel.

"Must be tough learning to drive that," Aster commented, with Sophia nodding.

"In the beginning is, but once you learn what each thing is for it becomes automatic and very simple," replied Amelia. "The real problem is making curves. It's too heavy! I ended up with muscular arms, not pretty on a lady," she lamented.

"You're still very pretty," Aster said.

"Yes, far more than many I have seen at Upper City parties and balls," Sophia agreed.

"The ladies are very kind," she replied, visibly happy and slightly embarrassed by the compliments.

She then showed the second floor, where there were two sofa beds, one on each side and at the back, near the engine, the bathroom, as well as the first floor, all richly decorated.

"One of the advantages of this mobile home is that we always have hot water," said Mrs. Faustus showing the bathroom.

After getting to know the interior, they left to say goodbye to Ivan, who was talking to Crow and Ana outside.

"Sophia, I'm sorry if you ended up being offended" Ana apologized, shaking her hand.

"I understand, let's forget about it," Sophia replied, shaking Ana's hand, but remaining suspicious of how sincere this apologize was.

"So this is where we part," said Ivan. "I hope that one day we will meet again under more relaxed conditions."

"Thanks for everything Mr. Ivan!" Sophia replied giving him a hug. "I'll talk to my father and maybe I'll come with him here to visit, when everything is calmer, I know he'll want to meet you."

"It will be a pleasure to receive you," he replied.

"Thanks too," Aster said, too with a hug. "Take care of Tom, depending on how Sophia's father receives me, maybe I'll stay with them for a few days, but I'll be back soon."

"Tom will be pleasant company from what I've seen," he replied. "Now go, you can't lost much time. Boy, take good care of them."

"You know me," Crow replied. "I'll be back as soon as they're safe."

"I'll make sure they get the elevator," said Mrs. Faustus, embracing Ivan. "I hope next time we'll have time for tea."

"I'll certainly bake your favorite cookies when you stop by again," he replied.

Thus, they boarded and prepared to leave and, at that moment, Tom, who had been sleeping until then, came running meowing and was caught by Ivan.

"Calm down, you stay with me buddy" he said calming Tom. "Don't worry, it might take a while, but you'll see them again."

He released the cat, who calmly sat by his side watching the Merchant Wagon leave, until he suddenly ran and grabbed the big rear wheel and when the movement of the wheel left him on top, he jumped to the roof.

Surprised by the animal's speed, agility and intelligence, all Ivan could do was say:

"It really lives up to the name it earned"

I can only wish him good luck and hope he comes back in one piece, thought Ivan, pondering how Tom looked like the cat in the fairy tale.

Not suspecting the new hitchhiker, the group continued on their way, certain that it would be a smooth journey, at least as far as to the market.

Shortly before entering the house, Ivan took one last look at the Merchant Wagon disappearing into one of the tunnels and saw a white figure heading towards them.

Another lost owl? he thought.

[1] mantô ( manteaux in French) is the classic name for the famous and nicknamed coat / overcoat . The mantô is a unisex piece. It has long sleeves and length that varies from the thigh to the knee, in this case it goes to the floor.

[2] Distinctive type of sword, long, straight and narrow, popular from the medieval period to the renaissance.