1 - Preamble - Underneath a Desk
Your Gracious Excellency,
Thank you for your effusive praise regarding my first manuscript, To End Every War! It means a lot to hear that from my favorite former classmate. Looking forward, how does one build a story bridge with neither a beginning nor an end? And how can it feel satisfactory when removed from a greater epic?
There may be a secret formula that can succeed despite its storytelling awkwardness, but it is a challenge nonetheless! My character-driven account of the first book has turned into a plot-driven story centered around the later 1901 and 1902 events that even you were a part of. It was a thrilling time, even for a boring woman like me!
By November, we were all running out of time. Too bad we didn’t know it. Only Esmeralda sensed it, yet even she was unprepared to reap the whirlwind. Let me add some much-needed perspective at the end of the journey.
Typed by my hand,
Bernie
P.S. I’ve included more clippings at your request. This time, the headlines dominate all!
The Late Morning of Thursday, May 1, 1902 (May Day)
Bernie took two steps up the tower’s spiraling stairs at a time. Each flight of stairs ran parallel to the outside red-bricked wall, turning at every corner. Pausing at a narrow mid-level landing, she caught her breath in her auburn ankle-length skirt. I wish I were in better shape!
Narrow glass-paned windows provided a view of the large driveway far below, revealing a panicked staff charging in and out of the castle doors. Most passersby in the driveway were personnel in black and red uniforms brandishing long rifles with bayonets affixed. Are the Carabinieri leaving or arriving? The castle’s walls surrounding the hilltop made it hard to tell.
“Don't panic!” mused Bernie to herself. “It's not the end of the world, just the beginning of a new one…” She found herself shaking nonetheless. Will this be the new normal for everyone?
Continuing up the next flight of stairs, Bernie finally heard voices at the top. So they are up here! Huffing, she clutched the metal outside handrail as if her life depended upon it. Bernie looked down to the small atrium far below and realized she had scaled six stories. Not bad for a bookworm!
Looking up, all that remained above her was the tower’s loft and roof. She moved slower, finally dragging herself to the sparsely decorated, wooden-floored loft. A short iron ladder in the center went to the roof and ended at an open hatch. Bernie paused to regain her composure, aware of what she was about to witness outside. It will be chaos and panic.
“...part of the port is on fire!” exclaimed a familiar male voice above. “I think one of the warehouses went up. It's difficult to tell what's going on west past the Turbella River.”
Bernie marched up to the ladder and started to scale it rung by rung. I need to face the facts. The sea breeze ticked her wavy, strawberry-blonde locks, as did the salty air it brought. Finally, her head exited the high tower, catching sight of the two people above.
A short-sleeved young man and woman leaned against the tall, red-white brick crenelations, each scanning the black smoke-filled horizon that dominated. The observing taller man had wavy brown locks and a confident look in his proud stature. Enzo looks like he's ready to save the city!
Enzo pulled up a small brass spyglass telescope that gleamed in the high sun. “It looks like the Academy is still fine.” He slowly pivoted eastward and eyed the towering hills behind the city. “I believe they're taking refugees now from the funicular railway. They shut down the gondola lift system.”
About a mile eastward stood a massive white and canary-colored hilltop monastery that overlooked the entire coastline. The complex made their opposing high castle look small.
With a grunt, Bernie grabbed the ladder’s final looped exterior side rungs and pulled herself onto the slightly slanted stone roof. The woman with loose black hair before Bernie turned around, squinting her brilliant blue eyes at Bernie. Is Esmeralda surprised to see me? While certainly attractive, there was nothing overly remarkable about Esmeralda.
Nonetheless, Bernie thought she always radiated a regal strength. Esmeralda softened her concerned and pale face, bringing forth a warmth that overpowered the black smoke beyond. Why is she hanging out up here? Bernie pictured the Duchessa hunched over a massive conference table surrounded by murmuring advisors. Maybe she needs perspective?
“Bernie!?” asked Esmeralda in a calm voice. “What are you doing up here? You said you would hide underneath a desk until the day ended. This is a far cry from that!”
Bernie shook her head. “It turns out that hiding underneath a thick desk is boring unless the room explodes.” She joined the duo at the crenellations. “Speaking of explosions, how many have we had so far?” The massive city surrounding them had at least five billowing fires, some commingled in the Zena cityscape below. How many have died already?
Enzo lowered his spyglass. “I think nine bombs have detonated. Fortunately, the frequency of them rattling us has slowed down.” He looked at Esmeralda with a deep frown on his handsome face. “Cousin, either the worst is over or–”
“--Or the other shoe has yet to drop,” replied Esmeralda. “If I were a betting woman, I would guess everything has been a distraction. The city’s Carabinieri has either been deployed or is guarding the unattacked critical institutions.” She took the tiny spyglass from her taller cousin and started scanning. “This is no last-minute attack. It's a well-planned and multi-stage operation with a crescendo at the finale. But where will it be held?”
Bernie bit her lip in deep thought. “This mysterious group has enough people to launch a full strike.” Could any of my friends be in danger around the city? She felt her stomach churn while her mind cycled through friendly faces. “What about the Academy? Could it be next?!” Bernie looked back at the stoic monastery across from them and gasped. No! No! No!
“I have considered that,” replied Esmeralda as if she were discussing a sizable lunch menu. “We are mobilizing the reinforcements who just arrived from the capital, but it will take time to get them there. Every road throughout the Zena is now a warzone or packed with civilians fleeing to the fringes.” She dropped the spyglass and looked back at Bernie with a nod.
Enzo shook his dark brown locks. “You're not worried, Esmeralda? Is it because of our odd little team up there?” He put a hand on his perfectly pointed chin. “No offense, but I'm still not convinced they're a solid squad. You would be better off rushing Calli and Major to reinforce the Academy with the local royal guard. They all have decades of combined experience and could teach any weapons course in one day!”
“There's more to strength than just firepower," countered Esmeralda while returning the telescope to her cousin with a smirk. “Remember what my team did at the hunting palace! I've hammered them into a single alloyed and still-molten sword for eight months. All that remains is to plunge them into the cooling waters and pull them out as something more.”
