A week had passed since Solomon was informed of his performance at Katharos. After a week of constant practice, it was finally the day of the parade. Although there were no major inconveniences during the week of preparation, Solomon had been trading in some sleep to ensure that his performance would be more than enough for the people of Katharos, who had been seeing magic since they were young.
Inside a small shack in the middle of Astaris, Solomon kneeled in front of a stone altar that had a blue book and a black ring placed on top. Prepared to go out at any moment, he brandished his classic suit and top hat. To help him in his journey, he was also brought a black backpack that contained most of the props he needed for the show.
" Ma, Pa... I'll be heading out to Katharos today for the big gig that I have been telling you guys about. Simon told me the pay should be in gold coins. " Solomon prayed quietly, letting out a small smile the moment he talked about the pay.
"Although it's not enough to buy a house in Solaris, it's a massive step that will send me a few years forward. Maybe two years from now, I'll finally be free. But for now, I'm here to thank you once more. " He stood up from his kneeling position, carefully lifting the blue book from the altar.
" Magic for Blockheads. By J. " He read the words etched on the front of the book, fondly caressing the worn-down cover.
Despite not ever meeting his mother, it was the book that she passed down that resulted in him being able to work and fight life fairly despite his situation. Even though he didn't know her well, he felt like it was her way of looking after him despite the gap that is the living and the dead.
After paying his respects, he placed the book inside his bag and turned his focus to the ring. Holding the black ring firmly, Solomon started to remember his dad before he died a few years back. Just like him, his hair was wavy and on the longer side. He had a strong face, yet a frail body. He was the one who took care of Solomon, working in the mines until he died of respiratory issues.
Before it was given to him, his dad used to say that it was a ring that boosted one's health. At first he believed everything his father told him. However, ever since he passed away from health issues, Solomon lost all his trust in the ring, treating it more as a keepsake to remember his father than an artifact that boosted one's health.
Nonetheless, he decided to wear it that day.
He closed the zipper of his bag and made his way toward the small, round mirror hanging from a rusted nail embedded in the eastern wall made out of rusted steel roofing.
Standing directly in front of the mirror, Solomon analyzed his appearance.
His hair was a pristine black that resembled a wolf cut. Although a little messy, his overall appearance made the hair look good on him. He has lazy almond eyes, making him look calm and unaffected. His iris, glowing softly, was a metallic amber, almost looking like it was gold in color. Although he looked listless and somewhat exhausted, his good face makes him look mysterious instead.
" I should probably wear a mask. " He whispers, while staring at the dark spots under his eyes.
With that thought in mind, Solomon started walking towards Crusty Tavern, the meeting place he and Simon set before they parted ways a week back.
Not long after, Solomon opened the door to the tavern. Simon was waiting on the other side with a newspaper in his hand. The moment he saw Solomon, Simon greeted him with a smile. "You're well prepared. "
With a smile of his own, Solomon greeted him back. " Of course, it's the big day. What are you reading? " He pointed at the newspaper.
" Oh, it was a small article about the guy who lost his leg during a duel in Ars. Some crazy stuff, these students end up in. " Simon explained.
" Well, they're hot-blooded; it's bound to happen. " Solomon replied with a shrug.
" Right... the carriage is outside; I paid them already, so don't worry about that. Just focus on getting paid yourself." Not wanting to waste any more time, Simon tapped Solomon's shoulder and walked out of the tavern.
Solomon followed suit, firmly grabbing the straps of his backpack as he did so.
Outside, a wooden carriage pulled by two horses was parked to the side of the tavern. Seeing Simon greet the driver, Solomon headed straight to him. With everything set, they went inside, and the carriage started to go.
"Since this carriage is the cheapest I could find, the transmission on it isn't the best. So we'll stop by Solaris and take a small break before we head to the Everbridge. I don't want us to have our butts swollen from riding this thing continuously," Simon explained.
Making himself comfortable, he closed his eyes and placed a piece of handkerchief on top of his face.
Solomon, on the other hand, leaned by the window and started to look outside. At first, it was the view he was already used to. Garbage bins filled to the brim with nothing but trash, rodents and dogs scavenging the bits and pieces they could find, and children with nothing but rags playing hopscotch and other street games.
It was times like these that he was reminded of his lack of sleep. Seeing such horrible conditions only made him sleepy.
But alas, he was too nervous to sleep.
About an hour later, the view outside started to shift. Although small, there was a noticeable change with how everything was. The garbage bins weren't filled to the brim, overflowing with trash. Instead, there was a proper cover, and only minimal litter was on the floor. The children were also playing, but they didn't seem as dirty as they were back in Astaris. Furthermore, their carriage became less bumpy as the roads were somewhat paved.
Seeing these signs, Solomon knew that they were reaching Solaris soon.
" Where are we? " Waking up from his nap, Simon asked Solomon, whom he saw looking outside the carriage.
"We're at the transition. We'll arrive at Solaris in about ten minutes. " Solomon replied.
And sure enough, they found themselves in the middle of Solaris just a few minutes later. Unlike the broken roads and makeshift houses, Solaris had proper architecture throughout. The roads were built out of paving stone bricks and had a proper network that made traveling easier and faster.
The buildings were made out of timber supported by stone foundations. Some were made out of bricks, yet nothing was out of place. The people wore casual clothing that was comfortable and free. Dogs were leashed, walking together with their owners through the entire district. Children were playing around, yet everyone was clean. Solaris felt like a proper town. And to Solomon, Solaris was the place he wanted to live and die in.
" Go up and get your butt rested. We only have a 10-minute time frame since we were a lot slower than expected. That's what a cheap carriage gets you. " Simon pried the door open and stepped out of the carriage. He grabbed a cigarette out of his back pocket and a lighter from his suit.
Since they were at the town square, where people are everywhere, he couldn't simply light a cigarette. Unlike Astaris, Solaris had a strict and respectful culture.
Left with no other choice, Simon peeked back inside the carriage, intending to go a little farther away from their carriage. "Meet back here exactly ten minutes later." He uttered.
As for Solomon, although he didn't have much time, he still had enough to do what he wanted to do most. Visit the houses he intends on buying.
With an increased pace, he walked through the markets, ignoring those who were calling for him, trying to sell him their products. He had no spare time or money to look at other luxuries. He was saving for a house.
After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at a street not particularly populated nor as grand as the two-story buildings around the town square. It was a bungalow that had timber frames and white walls. The roof was made out of gray bricks, with some vines growing out at the edge. Although the land itself wasn't considered spacious, there was enough front lawn to park a carriage and build a shed for a horse.
Seeing the sign plastered on the front lawn, Solomon couldn't help but smile.
Without any time remaining, he channeled his newly earned motivation and started walking back to the carriage. It wasn't long before he arrived with everyone there already waiting for him.
With the roads paved, they arrived a lot faster than they originally expected.
" The Ever Bridge. " Muttering as he dropped from the carriage, Solomon let out a wide smile as he stared at the open ocean to the horizon.
To the left of him was a pair of arch bridges that were made out of marble with auric patterns on their sides. Their supports were standing directly atop the open ocean, almost as if the water was actually supporting the bridge. Golden streetlights were spread equally all throughout the bridge, while marbled shingles with golden highlights made up the roof. What was interesting for Solomon, on the other hand, was how the roof was floating. It was genuinely magical.
Although he's heard all about the bridge that connected the main island and the island that held Katharos, seeing it firsthand was still a culture shock to him, someone who's lived in poverty since he was brought upon this world.
Though, as much as he wanted to stare at the luxurious bridge and the magnificent ocean, he still had an agenda to complete.
Solomon let Simon do all the talking since there was a whole lot of process before you were allowed entry on the bridge. Since no private carriages were allowed unless you were a resident of the island, the carriage they were just riding wasn't allowed inside. However, since they were guests for the royal parade, they were given their own escorts. Carriages carried by two horses with bulging muscles, specifically trained for running straight sprints.
Thanks to this, they arrived quickly despite the bridge being twice as long as two cities.
" Katharos! I'm here! " Arriving at the docks where massive ships are docked and where the Ever Bridge ends, Solomon shouted freely, catching the eyes of the people around.