Enlightened Empire

Chapter 268

“And under the crystalline shore

Not anger nor sorrow remain

their hearts were no more as before

The sun would rise once again”

Atop the stage, the musicians performed their final song of the night. Most of the patrons of the Amber Cup tavern had already cleared out long ago. Only a handful of stragglers were left to enjoy the last, bitter sip of night at the bottom of the glass. They had driven away the darkness outside with loud music, laughter and drinks for hours on end. By now however, business inside the tavern had almost come to a stop, and dawn was about to break. Soon, they would have to return to their normal lives, until they were drawn back here, just like boss Ekkoko wanted. In one of the more lit corners of the tavern sat its counter, with two workers besides it who observed the creatures of the night, one impassive and another critical.

“Look at them. Sitting here to drink away their sorrows from the previous day. You think they would feel better if they hadn't started drinking in the first place?” Sami asked, a frown on his face.

“Who knows.” Ulan shrugged, clearly less interested in the lives of others than Sami was. “Some problems can't be solved with a calm demeanor. And even the doctors use wine as medicine, so I'm sure it's helping some of them.”

“I sure hope it does. How should I feel if I was pouring empty hope in those glasses all this time?” he asked again. With raised brows, Ulan looked over to him and studied his miserable face.

“Where is all that coming from all of a sudden? Usually, not even you are that gloomy.”

“I just did some thinking, I guess.” With a sad smile, he thought back to all the months he had spent in this tavern, and how it would all be over soon.

“That is never a good idea,” Ulan replied. “Take it from me, thinking only gets you into trouble.”

Sami wanted to tell her the words he had prepared, but he couldn't find the breath, or the courage, not when faced with her stand-offish look. For a while, neither knew what to say and silence enveloped them.

“At least the musicians are having fun.” Sami tried to reinvigorate the conversation, but Ulan remained quiet. When he looked over to her, she stared at the performers on stage with a sour expression.

“What, did any of them talk dirty to you?” he asked, slightly annoyed. This wouldn't be the first time Ulan was harassed, and it wouldn't be the first time Sami cleaned up the problem.

“I doubt they have as much fun as you think,” she said, rather than reply to his question.

Since the girl he liked wasn't in trouble, Sami calmed down again. Instead, he looked back to the smiling musicians on stage.

“They sure look like they're having fun though.”

“They are being paid to look jolly,” she replied, her eyes still murky, still aimed at the stage. “If they don't look like they have a good time, they won't get paid for the night. And the story will spread from one fat owner to another, so they won't make any more coin from now on, anywhere. Being a musician isn't as much fun as you might think.”

With a sigh that felt like she had left something behind, Ulan stood up.

“I should start throwing out the guests and clean up,” she said in a desolate voice and turned away.

When Sami saw her like this, his heart constricted. Sometimes, the mysterious girl who had come here half a year ago had these moments, where dark clouds seemed to gather around her and make her figure hazy. Now more than ever, Sami had the feeling that she would just up and disappear if he didn't say anything.

“Ulan, wait,” he blurted out before she could leave. The elegant barmaid turned around and gave him an inquisitive look, but Sami only started to sweat, with no plan for how to continue. Tongue-tied he stood there for what seemed to be an eternity. He had prepared all those fancy speeches and went through so many scenarios in his head, why did this moment feel so mundane and unworthy right now? Still, he had to speak up, or remain a coward his entire life.

“It's my last day soon,” he said in the end. At this point, even Ulan's immovable face changed slightly.

“What do you mean by ‘last day’? When? And why do I only hear about this today?”

“Three more days and I'm out of here,” Sami said after he had braced himself on the counter. “You know I'm not a barman. I'm a carpenter.”

“But I thought you didn't find work in the manufactories?” she asked back. At this point, they had worked together for a long time, so Ulan knew most of Sami's background. Though of course, the girl had been reticent about her own history, so to him, she was still the same mysterious beauty she had been when she had first walked through that door.

“Sure I did, just that it took a while for the workshop to be finished,” Sami corrected. Back then, the Tasa manufactory had brushed them off with a 'registration' rather than give them a position straight away. He hadn't expected them to contact him again after their cold treatment, but they had. “The Tasa hall has been built and now they finally have the tools together as well. My new boss will soon start trial production, as he calls it. His early workers will get to the workshop and get used to the new environment. And of course to the tools that we'll use there. Actually, since I was first to apply for a position, I've already gotten used to a few of the new tools. Master Tawo said I have real talent. There's a good chance I can be a foreman in a few years if I work hard and put my elbows into it.”

“What!? That's great!” Ulan shouted and bounded back to the counter. However, by the time she arrived, she had already cooled down to her usual temperature again. As always, Sami felt as if the girl he had become so familiar with just wanted to be free and easy, but always restrained herself for some reason.

“So you and Chanca will be gone then,” she said. “We should throw a celebration.”

“Oh no, just me. You think Chanca would give up the easy work that comes with his courtship?”

After all, ever since his fellow apprentice and his new woman got together, he would get money without doing any actual work. Even better, his prospective father-in-law was an important man in the city. Of course, that wasn't a position his fellow disciple was willing to give up.

“Wait.” Ulan's face turned pale as realization struck her. “You won't leave me alone with those two useless people, will you? How will I do all the work by myself?” She looked around for the useless people, but as usual, both Chanca and his girlfriend were nowhere to be seen.

“Ahaha, I'm sure Boss Ekkoko will look for someone new. He knows as much as us how worthless those two lovebirds are when they are together. He's only tolerated them because he spoils his favorite daughter too much.”

“Still...” While Ulan was struggling to find her words, Sami had already found his. Somehow, seeing her this flustered had taken all the pressure off him.

“Talking about the boss,” he interrupted her. “Have you heard? He's opening a theater house.”

“A what?” she looked at him in confusion, either at the unfamiliar word or the unexpected change in topic.

“It's a place for commoners to watch stage plays behind closed doors,” Sami explained. “In fact, the boss asked me to work the opening. The best part is that once I'm done with the work, I can go inside and watch the performance too. It's sort of a going away present from the boss, I suppose. Though I still need someone to do the work with me, since it's a bit much for one person.”

“Is that right?” Ulan asked without expecting an answer. “And who will you take? Chanca?”

“Please, that guy doesn't want to work. He doesn't even know how, I'm pretty sure. Even worse, during the acts, he'll only drone on about his girl again, or about any other pretty daughters he sees. Actually,” he looked straight into her eyes, his face filled with anticipation, “I wanted to ask you.”