Calm before the Storm

The generators that powered Mubrisia hummed faintly as the “sun” rose, casting an artificial pink glow across the polished stone homes. Amante stirred in her bed and slowly opened her eyes. Groaning, she sat up and glanced around her room. It was large, with elegantly woven wool tapestries and rugs, crystal chandeliers, and mahogany furniture. All materials in Underland had been taken from the Overland during nightfall by the scout ships—occasionally seen by Overlanders and labeled “UFOs.” Amante had seen depictions of what the Overlanders imagined piloted those ships; she snorted at the hideous green figures with bulging dark eyes.

A servant knocked lightly. Amante stood abruptly, and shapes swam across her vision as her head swam.

“Your Highness, I’ve brought breakfast,” the servant said, his voice muffled through the door.

“Thank you. Come in. Password is Akaman,” Amante called.

She heard the servant mutter the word and the ornate door slid open. An older Underlander entered with a tray of smoked salmon, fried eggs, and dragon fruit. The fruit and fish were rare imports from the Overland; the eggs had likely come from one of Mubrisia’s small farms. Those farms—scattered among the city’s carved rock—kept chickens and pigs, animals easy enough to care for in tight spaces.

“You may go now,” Amante dismissed him once he’d set the tray down. He bowed and shuffled out. Amante picked up her adingdu, a two-pronged dished utensil, and absently stabbed a piece of dragon fruit. Her gaze drifted to the mirror.

It had been in the room for generations. When she first became queen the servants warned her it could not be removed—every attempt had awakened an angry energy. Curiosity had pushed her to test it. The energy turned out to be the spirit of a past queen who had been assassinated before she could lead the Underlanders to war with the Overlanders.

Amante worried she might meet the same fate. Still, she wondered if Denara knew a way to present warfare without making half her court her enemy. She was probably foolish, though, assuming all her staff would stay loyal after such an announcement, Amante thought as she took a bite of the eggs. She had to refrain from spitting them back out. Lost in thought, she’d let them grow cold. 

Sighing, Amante pushed the eggs aside and finished the salmon and fruit with ease. She tapped a copper-colored button on the panel by the door. A few minutes later two young servant girls entered and bowed.

“You requested us, your majesty?” one of them asked. She had straight black hair, pale gray skin, and amber eyes.

“Yes, I’d like you to help me with my outfit today— and would you please tidy up this room for me?” Amante motioned around the room.

“Of course, your highness,” both servants bowed their heads at once.

Amante smiled faintly, and crossed the room to the large wardrobe. She yanked it open, revealing a large variety of fine clothes, from dark silk shawls to long flowing dresses. She ran her hands along the fabric of a dark green velvet dress with silver trimmings. 

“Perhaps this one?” the smaller girl suggested, pulling out a crimson dress lined with black feathers. She had bright cyan hair and dark brown skin; the horns atop her head curled like a ram’s. All Underlanders had horns—each unique.

“Ugh, no. That was a gift from the Minister of Foreign Objects. I’d rather not look like a bloody bird today,” Amante said with distaste.

“Might I ask what the occasion is, your highness?” the black-haired servant asked.

“An important announcement,” Amante replied in a tone that signaled that the topic was closed for discussion.

“Do you want to look regal? Powerful? Gentle? What theme do you think would best fit this announcement?”

The young queen rubbed her temple. “I— I don’t know. Perhaps a combination of powerful, regal, and gentle? I really don’t have the patience to choose, which is why I called you both in here.”

The cyan-haired girl seemed to be thinking, staring hard at several dresses.

“I know!” she suddenly said, removing a dress from the wardrobe. She held it up. It was an old dress, meant to mimic a Monarch butterfly from the Overland. Amante had never worn it before, it had been a gift from her mother who was an elderly and eccentric seamstress in the city. “This, paired with a set of amber jewelry— and a white cloak to keep away the cavern chill.”

Amante examined the dress. It looked as if it would be heavy, but when she took it from the servant it felt surprisingly light.

“Yes… this might do. The Overlanders believe these butterflies are a symbol of royalty, if I am not mistaken,” she muttered.

The girls both nodded.

“A symbol of royalty, of rebirth! Whatever you say today, I’m positive that it will change our city. A metamorphosis of sorts!” the cyan-haired servant smiled.

Amante felt a chill run down her spine. What she had to say would make a change. A big change, for better or worse. Was she sure she wanted to go through with it?

“Thank you,” she finally said in a clipped tone, “if you'll excuse me– oh, and please avoid the mirror, I can handle it myself,” she added when she saw the taller girl had already begun to dust a corner of the room.

Amante strode to the luxurious bathroom adjacent to her room, sliding the door shut. She looked over the dress again. There were some buttons on the back in the shape of butterflies that she’d need help with, but other than that it appeared easy to get in and out of.

Taking off her night robes, she quickly slipped into the orange and black dress. The fabric was cool against her skin, and smelled faintly of candied ginger and lemon drops— the smell of her mother’s home.

When she emerged from the bathroom the servant girls oohed over the dress, and immediately rushed to help her button it.

“It looks stunning on you, my queen,” the black-haired girl said.

“Absolutely gorgeous!” the other nodded.

“Thank you,” Amante said, trying to keep her cold demeanor, but the compliments made her cheeks warm.

The dark-skinned Underlander held up the amber necklace to the light and grinned. “This will finish the look, if you want to wear it, your majesty.”

Amante looked it over, then nodded once and took it gently. She  clasped it around her neck, then stepped towards the mirror to examine her reflection.

“I think it will do,” she muttered, straightening.

“Wonderful! Is there anything else you wish us to assist you with, your highness?” 

“No, just tidy this place up. I’m going to a place where I can think better,” Amante turned abruptly and walked out of her quarters before either servant could say another word.

The young queen found herself in the gardens, where every flower had been carefully grown under artificial lights. The only tree in Mubrisia grew here, its thin branches curving up towards the cavern ceiling high above. The ‘sunlight’ filled the space with its warm glow, but it provided very little warmth. The only thing that kept the cavern from being a freezer was the powerful generators and heaters around the distant cavern edges.

Mubrisia stretched miles long across a narrow cavern. From the palace at one end she could see the opposite walls. For the past year—since the Tournament—she had wandered the halls as queen. She had explored the palace without question, the freedom briefly making her feel like a child again. But she was young, and she had to grow up.

What I’m about to announce, it’s… it’s warfare. Battles are never a fine affair. I could be leading my people to their deaths, to our extinction. But, if we don’t ever make a stand, we’ll run out of space in this cavern. There are consequences either way. I’d rather feel the real sun for once in my life then die down here in this cold prison.

Amante’s pale hands curled into fists. She would go through with it—but she would be careful. If she simply framed the issue of space and the need for expansion as a necessary survival measure, could she avoid open revolt? Surely they would see reason. 

Surely they’d see it was the only way.