Aberdeen

⭑ · · ᯓ 𐃈 ᯓ · · ⭑

By midday, Felix and Kite stood before Aberdeen’s Eastern Gate. Towering white granite walls rose beyond the Carron River, connected to the eastern frontier by a bridge so long it seemed to float above the crystal blue water.

For centuries, invading armies had called the capital of the Human Magic Kingdom unconquerable. Partly because of the overwhelming population of capable mages—including generations of Archmage Kings—but mostly because of the walls themselves, protected by powerful enchantments.

“It’s certainly… shinier than I remember.” Felix strained his neck to look up at the polished white stone. “And they hadn’t finished repairs on the bridge the last time I was here, not after that dragon attack.”

“Does anything else strike you as different?”

“Like what?”

“Like those guards way over there?” Kite crossed her arms. Wagons rolled past them toward the checkpoint beneath the open gate. “You know… the ones who are obviously going to arrest us when we try to walk in?”

“Just act natural,” Felix assured her with unusual confidence. “As far as they know, we’re just a couple of travelers, and the city has always maintained a pretty lax immigration policy.”

“They did, you mean.” Kite corrected him. “Things have changed a bit since your brother took over; that’s why I asked in the first place.”

“Maybe they have…” Felix thought for a moment. “In that case, I’ll just be honest and tell them who I am. Dante’s still my brother, so it’ll be fine. I promise.”

That’s assuming the boneheaded guards recognize you and let us in… and we’d better hope they don’t recognize me, Kite thought.

“Do you seriously believe that they’d just—ugggh, whatever…” Kite groaned, running a hand through her hair. She didn’t have the heart to argue. “But if we get locked up in prison together again, I’m getting the window cell this time. I really hate the dark, you know.”

“See?” Felix smiled. “Now you’re thinking positively.”

“That is literally the opposite of what I said.”

“Natural,” Felix reminded her. “I can do the talking, if you’d prefer.”

“And get us executed as a bonus?” Kite scoffed, crossing her hands into an ‘x’. “No way, no sir. I’ll come up with the lie, at the very least. Just focus on being your ‘natural’ self, pal, and stay as quiet as possible. And try to keep those cuffs behind your back.”

Felix nodded once at her continued warnings, stifling a small chuckle.

With that, the two of them joined the line of travelers crossing the Carron. Most arrived on horseback or in covered wagons to escape the afternoon sun, though a handful, like Felix and Kite, made the journey on foot.

“Next.”

After what felt like hours, they finally reached the front of the queue. The heavily-armored guard didn’t even bother looking at them at first. He wore a circlet instead of a helmet like the other guards, the mark of a commanding officer.

“What is the purpose of your visit?” He asked curtly.

“We’re here to see my brother.”

Kite opened her mouth a split second too late, Felix beating her to the punch—again.

“The King.”

Idiot!!! What happened to letting me do the talking?!

“Your brother’s the king?”

“Adopted brother,” Felix nodded. “But that’s right.”

You really said “the King”?! We’re dead.

The guard let out a tired sigh before finally looking up from his report.

“So, you’re seeing family in the city, I take it. Length of stay?”

“Just for the rest of today, sir.”

“Is that right?”

And he’s looking right at the cuffs… We’re actually dead.

Kite braced herself for the worst.

“…Very well then.” He gestured toward the open gate. “You may proceed.”

“Thank you, my good man.”

Wait a minute. Huh?

Kite couldn’t believe her ears, or any of her other senses for that matter.

“Kite?” Felix noticed she hadn’t moved as he pressed forward. He waved his arm. “Come on, they’re letting us in.”

“Oh. Okay…”

They walked through the massive entryway unobstructed while Kite’s mouth continued to hang open, eyes devoid of focus.

“…Another damned comedian.” The guard muttered to himself out of earshot, calling the next traveler forward. “Next.”

. . .

Eh?

. . .

Once they had made it fully inside and out of the way of the incoming traffic, Felix looked at Kite with a cheeky grin while her mind still tried to make sense of what she’d just seen.

“I told you it would work.”

“…” Kite stared at him incredulously, the color only just returning to her face. “Don’t even talk to me.”

“Yes, yes, as you wish,” Felix muttered quietly, still a bit pleased with himself.

Now that he was looking around the eastern plaza, the differences started to become clear immediately. In fact, the spotless and subdued streets and their inhabitants were nothing at all like he remembered them.

“That’s weird, there used to be flower stalls all over this area...” Felix muttered. “And the children climbed all over that big fountain in the center of the square.”

Where once he’d have expected boisterous and energetic crowds, he saw only passersby who didn’t spare a second look for anyone else. His eyes drifted to the sign next to the old fixture.

“NO LOITERING!”

A guard politely—but firmly—ushered away an elderly couple who had stopped to take in the view of the water. Felix watched them go with a puzzled look.

“…Huh.”

Felix and Kite had started to wander around the edge of town. The musicians’ corner was gone as well. Where lutes and fiddles once competed with the voices of street peddlers, only the quiet chatter of passing conversation remained.

It wasn’t just the Eastern Plaza, either. Every street they crossed featured the same polished look. Fresh white stone, trimmed hedges, uniform storefronts. It was as though the city itself had been carved into a work of art fit for heaven itself.

Felix finally frowned.

“I’m conflicted.”

Granted, it was much cleaner and more well-maintained than it used to be, perhaps even safer on the surface.

“About what?” Kite said. “Is the King's redecorating not to your liking? Or is it just a lot to take in?”

Felix remembered sitting beside dwarves, beastfolk, merchants, beggars, and nobles alike. The plaza had never been neat and tidy, but it had never felt empty either.

The best way Felix could describe it was that it had felt… alive. Even despite its flaws.

Now, conversations stayed hushed, and footfalls echoed where music used to be. Everyone waited patiently in line, nobody haggling or lingering. He also couldn’t help but notice the distinct lack of non-humans in the general vicinity as well, though that could just be a coincidence.

“It’s cleaner.” He answered honestly. “Though… a little lonelier than before.”

“Oh?”

The tastes of father and son couldn’t be more different, Felix thought, unsurprised. Even as a teenager, Dante cared a great deal for appearances.

“The guards and knights used to smile more, too, at least when I was trying to join the force as a knight.”

“I’m glad it seemed that way to you, but I’m usually running away from the guards.” Kite shrugged. “I hadn’t had a chance to see if they’re smiling or not with my back turned, and all...”

“I suppose I never had to worry about that much.” Felix rubbed the back of his neck, remembering his own brief experiences in prison. “But, shall we start towards the center of the city? I might have a stop or two to make on the way.”

“Sounds good to me, as long as we don’t take too long.”

At that, they began to press inward instead of wandering around the outer edge of the city. The castle in the center was visible from pretty much anywhere, so it wasn’t hard to tell where they were going.

What was harder was avoiding all the distractions along the way. A loud grumble interrupted their silence.

“…We could eat.” They said in unison.

. . .

Five minutes later, whatever resolve they had vanished. Skewers and different street foods filled each of their hands in comical fashion as they made up for lost time eating whatever was in sight.

So much for heading straight to the castle.

“I couldn’t eat another bite.” Felix rubbed his stomach. He felt a little bad running up a tab at Kite’s expense, but what he said about paying her back was genuine.

“I could!” Kite took a big bite of some grilled chicken, savoring the taste. “Mm, delicious!”

“Hey, isn’t that sort of like—“ Felix pointed towards the skewer.

“Hmm?” Kite tilted her head, stuffed cheeks and all. “Something wrong?”

“Ah, never mind.”

“Why do I feel like you were about to say something dumb…?”

Felix turned and whistled nonchalantly, his hands in his pockets. Just as they were ready to continue on their way, something solid barreled into Felix’s knee. It wasn’t enough to hurt, but it stopped him in his tracks.

“Sorry, are you alright…” Felix looked around for what he bumped into until his gaze cast downward. “…Little one?”

“Owowow…” A small girl with brown pigtails rubbed her forehead. “Sorry, mister.”

She looked up at the colossal man in front of her, or at least he seemed that way from her point of view. Felix was around 185 centimeters tall, and Kite around 157. Both towered over the child who suddenly sported a big grin, one tooth missing.

“Wait, I know you!”

“Uhh, are you sure?” Felix asked. “You could be getting me confused with someone else.”

“No, I’m super duper sure! I’ve seen your face.” The girl insisted. “You’re that guy, mister… umm…”

“Let me guess, you’ve also got him confused with the—“ Kite began.

“No, lady, don’t, I’ve almost got it, I, uhhh…” The little girl tapped the side of her head with her fist, tongue out. “I… I forgot. Tehe.”

Felix and Kite exchanged incredulous looks, the latter nodding her head for them to head out already.

“Listen, kiddo, you’re very cute, but we’ve got to get going before it gets dark…”

Two small hands reached out and tugged on the back of Felix’s shirt to keep him from leaving, the soles of her shoes skidding against the white stone.

“No, don’t go, mister!” The little girl pleaded. “Please, it’s on the tip of my tongue, I swear. But how can I—OH—oh, I know!”

She ran out in front of Kite and Felix with her hands on her hips, a determined look in her eyes. Felix couldn’t help but think it was adorable, reminding him of his younger sister. Kite was an only child, however.

“If we walk around the places I’ve been today, we’ll find out how I remember you.” The little girl nodded. “So? Not a bad idea, huh?”

“Felix, I don’t really know if we have time for this.” Kite leaned in and whispered. “Have you forgotten the target on our backs? We need to meet with this brother of yours and get pardoned before we get thrown back in jail.”

“I know,” Felix whispered. “I can’t just leave her, though.”

When they looked back at the little girl, she was batting her eyelashes, trying to play as innocent as humanly possible.

“You know what, fine.” Kite gave in. “You can do that, but I have another matter to attend to. I wasn’t gonna go after them, but the rat bastard who sold me out is hanging around in the slums.”

“Here in the city?” Felix looked surprised. “Wait, you’re not thinking of doing something violent, are you…?”

“Don’t you worry, I’m not gonna kill anybody.” Kite crossed her arms, wearing an intense expression. “I just want to talk.”

Felix gulped, not entirely convinced.

“Anyway, I’ll catch you later, buddy.” Kite nodded. “Try to stay out of trouble until I find you.”

Felix watched her hurry away before he finally replied.

“Staying out of trouble happens to be something I’m very good at.”

At least, until recently…

Felix returned his attention to the little girl who stood around expectantly. He smiled a bit to himself, despite the circumstances. There was something deeply nostalgic about being back in Aberdeen that had him in a good mood.

“So, where to first, uhh…?” Felix realized he didn’t know the kid’s name.

“Isabel, but my friends call me Issa.” She flashed a big, toothy grin. “Let’s go, mister, I’ve got just the place to start!”

Not bothering to ask his name, she grabbed Felix’s hand and pulled him along. It seemed that, for all his unusual strength, he was still weak to the whims of a strong-willed little girl. 

And so began their memory-refreshing tour.