Fake Wings Prologue

Fake Wings
By Deborah Svancara

Prologue

An almost unnatural quiet seeped through the streets of Âkher-bast. A stranger to the town might have thought it normal for such an early hour, since not even the false dawn had shown itself yet. Any native knew better, however. Âkher-bast was a city that was never truly asleep, and there was always some soft whisper of noise, some clamor, some fight, some babe waking at an odd hour. But the only noise that could be heard in the entire city was the soft rustling of silk and finely woven cotton as a hooded figure made their way through the streets. The figure held a young child in their arms with an almost careless grace, as if the sleeping little one was nothing more than a bag of couscous.

The figure finally came to a building in the worst part of town, and rapped on a part of the dust-colored wall, breaking the seeming spell of silence. There were several curses heard behind the wall, accompanied by the sound of someone getting up from a bedroll and pulling pants on. Part of the wall opened so whoever was behind the wall could look out. The silver eyes of the hooded figure met the cinnamon-colored eyes of the person behind the wall...and the person behind the wall cursed again. The piece of wall closed...and a secret door not far from where the wall-hole had been opened, a tanned man with hair whiter than a cloud slipping out of the building and into the streets. His clothes were tatterred and mended, and he moved with a deadly grace, a frown marring his wolfish features.

"What are you doing here. Decided taking Urisi'ka from us wasn't enough?" The hooded figure shook their head...and then spoke in a very male voice.

"I bring you her daughter. Urisi'ka is dead...the child needs a parent. You are the best choice." The hooded figure held the child out, the movement enough to wake the child. Silver eyes opened, and met those of the unhooded man. He cursed again, and moved to take the child.

"Shit...she looks almost exactly like Urisi'ka...save the eyes." The little girl regarded the man curiously, then smiled and curled into him, almost like a chick into a parent, falling asleep once again.

"Her name is Bennu. Watch over her carefully. Teach her your path, if you choose." The white-haired man looked to the hooded man, a snarl on his lips.

"I'll raise her better than you ever could. Bet it's your fault Urisi'ka is dead. Now get out of here, before I decide to break my promise to her." The hooded figure bowed mockingly, and turned, making his way down the streets once more. The white-haired man looked down to the sleeping girl in his arms and sighed. "Your mother gave you one hell of a name, mira. I'll look after you...for your sake and Urisi'ka's sake." He moved back inside, the secret door closing behind him. He made his way through the dark building without need of light, coming to stop beside a small bedroll and nudging it with a foot. A grumble came from it, and a young boy with skin the color of rich black soil poked his head out of the ragged blankets.

"I was sleepin', Teacher." The voice was obviously annoyed and aggravated.

"I know. However, we have a new addition, and I need you to look after her very carefully, Ankh. I have to go pray." The boy looked at the girl warily as the man knelt to his level.

"She's kinda pale...like the rich nobs. Why's that?" The man laughed softly.

"She's been sheltered until now. That's why you need to look after her. But she's very special...I'm going to be her father, from now on." The boy seemed to relent at that, sighing.

"Fine." He scoot over and moved his blankets so the man could tuck the girl in with him.

"Good boy. Her name is Bennu. Now...there's praying for me to do. Sleep well, my student." Ankh yawned and nodded, settling again.

"Mmkay, Teacher." Before the man had taken three steps, Ankh was already asleep again, curled up to the little girl.