Kenosia: Drowned City

True to their word the Kyrithon had made no move upon the city. It had been nearly a week and they were content to sing their prayers at dawn and again at sunset. This time of year, always found Kenosia a quiet city. Work stalled as torrential showers inundated the land leaving fields fallow, washing away roads and bridges. Both the work to prepare for and the effort to rebuild after were extraordinary and so during the weeks of rain most took the time to rest and recover. It was no different this year. In fact, without the daily prayers, it was nearly impossible to tell that Kenosia was under siege at all.

“The rain is light this morning. I am going to walk the wall. Arios, would you join me?”

Although there were no repairs to be done Father continued to spend his time in search of weaknesses in the wall. “Not today, Father, I promised Ilaria we would go to market after breakfast. She says we are running low on grain.” It was early and they sat around the table drinking wine, raindrops whispering against the lattice.

Father frowned. “Very well Arios but I wish you to join me soon. You have been neglecting your duties as a builder.”

“Breakfast is ready!” sang Ilaria as she swept into the room. She brought bread and oil, cheese and dates. Placing them on the table she joined them below.

“Father, I have patched your cloak. The seal should keep the rain out now.”

“That is excellent Ilaria! Whatever would I do without you.” Father beamed tussling her hair as she laughed along with him. “Arios tells me you will be heading to market this morning.”

“Our stores are running low and it would be best to restock before things get too tight.”

“Indeed, it would. Do you have the coin for it?”

“Of course, Father, I took it from your purse myself!”

They burst out laughing at this and Father took a rather large swig of his wine before turning to Arios. “I need you to return by midday. There is a council meeting that I wish you to join me for. Do not let this one” — he gestured towards Ilaria as she rolled her eyes— “keep you for too long.”

“Yes Father. Well then, we best be on our way.”

He and Ilaria grabbed their clocks, pulling the hoods up as they stepped out in to the rain.

“Be safe! The both of you.”

The market was not far but the rain was cold. They walked in silence wrapping their coats tightly around themselves. It was still quite early when they stepped through the columns and into the market hall there were very few others at this time.

The market hall was vast structure. There were many throughout the city but this was one of the larger ones. Rows of vendors selling all manners of goods on tables and in baskets went so far back that that the end of the hall was masked from sight. A constant hum of chattering negations and the clinking of coins echoed through the hall.

“Don’t get lost!” called Ilaria as she disappeared between the stalls.

Arios contented himself with wandering. He had no coin. Ilaria was in charge of such things but the market was always full of bright colors and tempting aromas. He drifted through rows of fabrics and pottery. Past jewelry and perfumes. The shops were lined with anything one could imagine. His nose caught the scent of salted goat. Ilaria would be over there perhaps she would get him some.

As he came upon the stall, he heard a man shouting. It was a short balding man. He was rather round in the middle and red in the face. He wore lavender robes that might have been quite costly at one time but now were frayed and faded.

“This is highway robbery! As if I would pay five coppers for this. It was only one just last week!”

“Last week the city was not under siege!” shouted the shopkeeper. “Surely you cannot expect me to keep the same prices now?”

“Everyone knows the city is overflowing with food! We just spent months harvesting it all!”

“Then I welcome you to find your wares in one of the shops that is overflowing. It would be most easy if what you say is true.”

“All you merchants are the same. Colluding with one another to strip the wealth from our city in its time of need!” He swung his fist at the shopkeeper sending him crashing to the floor. In an instant he was surround by bronze and blue. Soldiers here to keep the peace.

“What is all this?” Ilaria ran up beside him excitedly. Her satchel was bulging and she carried a basket of fresh fruits.

They watched as the soldiers escorted the man from the market hall. He shouted the entire way. A slender woman in dark robes followed just behind him.

“He was upset with the cost.”

“As was I. It seems a siege is good business for the merchant guild.” Her eyes darkened and she gestured to their food. “We are fortunate in our circumstances but there are many in this city who’s lives will be forever altered by this. We all worked tirelessly in preparation to defend Kenosia but the greed of a few men will leave our most vulnerable exposed.”

Arios paused. Was this what Archiereus Hesperion had meant? No. The merchants were not the stewards of Kenosia. They had simply escaped notice, until now. “Lord Argyros is the Master of Commerce. He will be at the council today. If he is informed of this corruption there is no doubt, he will stamp it out.”

“Oh Ari, perhaps he would. But who will tell him?” her voice wavered and she fell silent.

“Father! Father will. There is not a more respected man in the city than the Master Architect. Now so more than ever.”

“I hope you are right Ari.” She smiled at him “Regardless, Father will know what to do about this. We should hurry home.”

They exited down the steps quickly. The rain was still a gentle mist and in the late morning heat its cooling drops were now a welcome respite.

Ahead of them Arios spotted a woman. She was walking towards them quickly. As she passed, she covered her face in her hands but Arios recognized the onyx robe and golden belt. She had been in the Market Hall. Had her husband dropped something in all the commotion? It was no wonder she hid her face. It must have been most embarrassing.

They were almost home. Ilaria ran ahead dancing and splashing in the water. She disappeared around a bend in the road laughing. It was good to see her like that. She had grown up so quickly but she was still so young. And then he heard her scream.

“Ilaria!” He sprinted around the corner to see her kneeling in the road. A man lay beside her in a pool of blood. A man in lavender robes.

“Arios! He needs our help! Help me turn him over!”

He was soaked in blood and rain, and his body slipped from their hands as they tried to turn him upright. He must be dead. No one could lose that much blood. But Ilaria would not give up and eventually they managed to get him on his back. Ilaria screamed again and Arios pulled her away from the body. The man had no eyes.