The Crystal Rose: Chapter 1
By Gary Shum
Staff Writer
The haze of sleeplessness was just beginning to creep into his vision when Vim noticed the painting hanging on the wall—or the tattered wreck that was left of the wall, anyways. Lush green hills and bright happy families were drawn across the canvas in the striking image of paradise. It was soothing, almost beautiful in a way.
In other words, it had no business being in the Sailor's Respite, the run-down counters and similarly run-down customers of the diner as far from utopia as you could possibly get.
Vim took a swig of the mug, barely tasting the sludge. His eyes were focused on the couple at the side of the painting, watching with eager faces as their daughter twirled in a sea of tulips and roses and every other color of the rainbow. It was exactly what he and Laura had been doing with their own child only two years past.
Now his daughter lay in a hospital bed, surrounded by doctors whose only jobs were to shake their heads and tell them how hopeless it was, yet accept their money all the same. Where had he gone wrong? What had he done to deserve this?
He was halfway through downing the coffee when a voice stopped him sharp. “Vim? Vim Alderman, is that really you?”
Standing behind him was a well-shaven man with sharp features. He peered at Vim through his trademark glasses. “It really is you! How long has it been, three years?”
“Closer to four, I would reckon.” Vim pushed the mug away. No need to torture his organs so much. “Why are you here, Lannel?”
“I was just dropping by”— Lannel pulled out a chair, but hesitated when he saw it was missing two legs. “—when by chance I find my old friend drinking away in front of my eyes!”
“Yeah.” Vim looked at the rotting walls, then back to Lannel's slick dress coat. It practically sparkled. “And I'm the Queen of Volenshire. What do you want from me?”
The man let out a sigh. “Blunt as ever, I see. Can't I just come out to visit an old friend?”
“You could,” he said, tapping the rotting wood table, “but you aren't, so get to the point.”
Lannel nodded and drew in a breath. “You've heard of the three expeditions I went on after you quit, haven't you?”
Vim looked at him.
“The Sky Tombs, the Labyrinth Depths, the Half-Coral Fortress? Those names ring any bells?” Lannel stared at him. “By the gods, it's our lives’—”
“It's your life's work,” Vim cut in. “They ring a bell. The greatest failures in archeology of the century, according to the papers.”
The man stiffened. “Yes. Yes they were. All three of them, falling before my very eyes...” Lannel blinked away the memory. “If you've heard, then you should know that the only remaining Elder Ruins are the Ice Gardens of Eihon.”
“Five minus three and one is one. I get it. What does this have to do with me?”
“When I was asking around, I...” The man exhaled. “I heard about your daughter—about Ashe.”
Vim felt his grip tighten. “What are you getting at?”
“What I'm trying to say is that—you remember the myths we used to research? The Coral Ambrosia, the Phoenix Tear, the...” Lannel looked straight at him. “The Crystal Rose?”
Vim found himself on his feet. The chair clattered onto the floor behind him. “I have a wife and child, Lannel. A child who is currently dying. Do you really think I would drop everything to go chase some fairy tale?”
“They are not fairy tales!” Lannel clenched his fist. ”I've seen them, and so have you. Can you really tell me that after everything we've gone through, after Olsheim, you can just call them fairy tales?”
Olsheim. The name of the Elder Ruin brought shivers to Vim's back. Never again.
“Look, I know this is hard, I know this is a long shot,” Lannel said, “but it's the only chance she has. The doctors know it. I know it.” He looked away. “And I know you know it, too.”
“I...” Vim looked back at the painting. He didn't want to be away. He didn't want to not be by Ashe's side when she went. He didn't want to have to hear the news, miles away in some distant country. He didn't want any of that.
But he also didn't want to see Ashe die at all, and there was only one way that was going to happen.
“When's the earliest we can leave?” Vim asked, setting the chair back in its place at the counter.
“Tomorrow morning. I have everything all set up.”
Vim didn't know how long she had. Maybe a week, maybe a month, or maybe even a year. It would take weeks at best to make a round trip for the Crystal Gardens. Months, or never at all, at worst.
“It's risky, I know, but I've never known that to dissuade you.” Lannel reached out a hand. “Expedition?”
Expedition. The word brought back memories of dusty ruins and cryptic walls at Olsheim. Of things beyond human understanding. It brought back the months of sleepless nights spent praying to every god he knew of to save his daughter. Gods that never responded. Gods that never helped.
Gods that were nothing but paper against the things that lurked beyond.
Vim looked at the hand for a moment, then reached out and shook it. “Expedition.”