chapter 2

Ceradi narrowed her eyes at him and Radab gave in, wrapping his arms around Ceradi, careful to avoid the sharp spikes that ran the length of her spine. Faster than he thought possible, Radab was being pulled downstream. The forest became a blur as Ceradi sped them along. Radab swayed dizzily when the jaamid stopped suddenly before the Chugaeri Falls. Placing a hand over Radab's nose and mouth, Ceradi looked at him intently.

"You want me to hold my breath?" He received a crisp nod. "Alright." Radab complied.

Ceradi gave the boy a moment and then dropped them both down the falls. Radab squoze his eyes shut as water bombarded them, and the jaamid tucked his face into her shoulder to further shield him. When the water had carried them about fifty yards, Ceradi tugged them out toward the cliff.

Blinking water out of his eyes, Radab's vision focused enough to make out a thin fissure in the rock face. He craned his neck around, finding himself trapped between the mountain and falls.

Looking back to the fissure, his eyes brightened with comprehension. With a surge from her wings, Ceradi propelled them toward the crack. Tilting sideways, she held Radab close as she glided through the narrow passage. After a meter or so, and a sharp right turn, the tunnel was pitched into darkness. For a few minutes the only sound to be heard was the occasional beat of Ceradi's wings. When they finally emerged, the light cast from the hidden city dazzled and blinded Radab. Upon adjusting, Radab's eyes beheld the most glorious city ever seen.

Enclosed in the mountain, diamond panes placed strategically within the rock, beneath the Nimr, allowed for natural light to filter through. Vents had also been placed in the ceiling uncovered by the Nimr, so that air could circulate through the immense cavern. Tall lanterns, built into marble pillars helped illuminate the roads, which were paved with hematite and onyx. Where the diamond panes had fallen were mini-falls and pools, filled with colorful fish and plants that were not native to the Nimr.

Dwellings spread throughout the massive enclosure, growing larger as they neared the center. Each dwelling was made up of precious materials, whether built into strategically placed formations, or by bricks and other cut materials. Some of the homes were surrounded by tiny moats, others were connected by streams, while others, still, boasted small fish ponds of their own.

In the very center of the city, Radab could see walls and, beyond that, a palace. The wall itself was a rainbow of color; bricks carved from gemstones with chromium as the mortar. The palace seemed to be carved out of alabaster and moonstone. Gold inlay spiraled throughout the gargantuan edifice, most prominent in the domes, spires, and turrets of the structure. Not much of the grounds could be seen past the wall, but Radab could make out water gardens filled with lilies, lotuses, arrowheads, cattail, papyrus, hyacinth, thalia, clover, and many more plants he did not recognize. In front of the gate the guards were changing shifts.

 "What is this place?"

 "Burkâni." Ceradi answered Radab, her eyes bright with an unrecognizable emotion.

 Radab tried to stand, slipped, and would have lost some teeth if Ceradi had not caught him. He looked down at the hard, sparkling ground beneath the clear water. Ceradi grinned and tugged Radab forward, he looked like a peasant that had just been crowned and did not know what to do first. Radab's mouth continued to hang open until Ceradi managed to pull him away from the waterfall, cutting off his view of the palace as she wound through the dwellings.

The few jaamids they encountered ogled Radab, though none of them seemed outwardly hostile. When Ceradi finally stopped in front of her home Radab gaped. Slightly removed from the other dwellings, the massive aubergine pearl seemed to sprout out of a fairly deep pond. Even with the light from nearby lanterns over the water, one could barely see the titanium that set it in place.

The pond itself seemed to glow. It sported lotus flowers, clover, marsh grass, fish, snapping turtles, frogs, salamanders, and a solemn red-crowned crane who seemed to stand sentinel in Ceradi's absence. The large bird blinked at the jaamid before flying through the entryway near the top of the pearl.

Grabbing Radab around the waist, Ceradi hoisted him into the air, and up to the entrance. She waited patiently while Radab slid his legs through the opening and lowered him to the small chute. Once he slid inside, she flew up a foot or so, tucked her wings around her, and dove inside.

She laughed as she hit the cushions she had placed at the bottom, while Radab ran a finger over the punctures her spikes had made in the old material. He looked at the bottom of the slide, and the luxurious nest that sat beside it. The red-crowned crane had lain down, and stared curiously at Radab. Ceradi smiled between the boy and bird.

"Hezra," she nodded to the bird, before motioning to her guest. "Radab." A loud groan from Radab's stomach caused all three of them to jolt. Radab turned bright red in embarrassment, Hezra ducked his head beneath his wing, and Ceradi rose. Gliding over to another hole in the wall, she slipped through and out of sight.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Radab decided to take the opportunity to look around. Everything seemed to have been carved from the pearl itself. The rooms were merely hollowed out sections, with openings carved between them, and hairline slits for ventilation. Likewise, the furniture and such had all been carved into place. While examining one of the lush cushions that had been placed around a low table, Radab noticed another chute to a lower floor.

He glanced around, taking in the rest of the room. In the far corner was a bookshelf crammed with colorfully bound books and he went over to examine them. Picking up a blue bound book, Radab flipped to a page at random. It was in another language and he quickly abandoned his attempts to decipher it. Putting the book back he went back to the hole by the table. The smell of cooking food wafted from the area Ceradi had disappeared into.

 Radab glanced over his shoulder. Deciding Ceradi would not reappear for some time, he lowered himself to the floor and slid through. He found himself in magnificent living quarters. An elaborate, plush, rug covered the floor of the sitting room, a divan built into the middle. The divan was draped in plush blankets and heavy embroidered pillows.

On the left wall was a full-length mirror and beside it, a vanity covered with makeup and paints, jewelry boxes, head ornaments, a sewing kit, and a book. Opposite that was a humongous wardrobe with garnet doors attached to the pearl and, beyond that, the sleeping area. The lowered section of the room boasted a large bed covered in luxurious silver and purple sheets, overflowing with cushions and pillows.

Crossing to a wide, diamond paned, window Radab peered out into the pond and its array of creatures. A coi swam past, causing him to grin. A curtain made from dark purple material covered another gap in the wall to his right, half hidden by the wardrobe. As he reached to move the material aside, Radab contemplated his strong feeling of ease around Ceradi. The smell of food was stronger, making Radab's mouth water and he turned to go back to the main room, but stopped short.

The food's aroma was now behind him. Radab slowly turned to see Ceradi sitting on her massive bed with a large tray of food. She smiled wryly.