There were hundreds of people going about their business. Jularra stood and watched as warmly-wrapped residents hurried about in the open walking areas, laughing and talking about the Yubik issues of the day. Infrequently-placed braziers provided a source of public heat; the resulting smoke escaped through naturally occurring crevasses and artificial vents carved into the ceiling.
Jularra made no effort to disguise her surprise and admiration. She turned to the Yubik captain and was met with a proud smile.
“This way,” their guide said.
Jularra saw Wona and Vischuno looking equally astounded as the group resumed their journey. Walking further into the city, more of the indigenous Yubik caught sight of the outsiders and slowed to glare or point. Whispers and hints of vulgarities followed their progress.
Soon, Jularra's company found themselves in wide, meandering corridors. Children bundled in furs raced through these underground streets. Artisans carved wooden and ivory figurines, while leatherworkers fashioned clothing and armor.
Engineering and architectural ingenuity dotted the city at every turn. Lifts of massive blocks of ice, rope and pulleys helped people move between levels, while an elaborate transport system of sinew and buckets helped move goods between buildings. The city didn’t appear to be lacking. What Jularra initially thought would be a humble series of rooms, crudely carved with little use, was in fact a massive complex hidden to the outside world, with significant possibility which the Acorilinians had only seen preliminary hints of. And though Jularra had no ill intentions towards the Yubik, she couldn’t help but consider just how challenging a siege against the glacier would be.
The city sprawled on forever. Just when Jularra thought the trek would never end, they made a turn at one of the massive ice pillars. A short distance ahead was a great entrance, secluded, and different from the rest of the city in that the path to it was walled off, with only a single approach.
The floor of the approach was lined with hexagonal etchings, carved deep into the ground. Within the hexagons were flowing patterns—each one unique—which complemented the symmetrical shapes beautifully. The entrance to the grand chamber itself was an imposing wall, sheared inward so that it loomed impressively over any who approached.
The Acorilinians marched down the approach with their escorts and passed over the threshold. The group crossed a small foyer before entering the most ornate room they had seen since entering the glacier.
The new chamber sprawled up and out. Countless carvings decorated the walls, a wealth of wood in furniture and decorative embellishments.
A man sat at a wooden table, his back to the entrance. He was preparing to turn the page of a book when the Yubik captain stepped over to him and leaned in to whisper.
The man sitting at the table dogeared his book and stood up. He held a finger up at a group of Yubik standing along a wall, who scurried away. Then he approached Jularra.
“It’s been almost twenty years since you last set foot in Yubik territory.”
“Yes,” Jularra said, stoic. “The signing of the Treaty of Itirriok.”
“Mmm,” the man said, nodding. The group of Yubik he had signaled to returned with earthenware pots and cups. He poured himself some tea before the servants approached Jularra.
“I’m what, a year younger than you?” he wondered, straining slightly to confirm his recollection. “I believe you were around seven? So, I was six.”
Jularra smiled. “Annutsik,” she began. He held up his cup in acknowledgment.
“I heard rumors,” Jularra continued, carefully selecting her language, “that you had risen to power.”
“My father passed on. About eight years ago now.”
“It saddens me to hear that.” She bowed her head sincerely.
Annutsik returned the gesture, then sipped his tea. “Of course, you would have known that if you had made any effort to communicate with us before now.”
You could have reached out, too, Jularra refrained from saying.
“So, before we continue…” His voice changed; he spoke faster, and with bite. “What gave you the impression that an incursion into our lands, without so much as a request or announcement, would be allowed, or excused after the fact?”
Despite his reprimand echoing through the cavernous room, he stood calmly, holding his tea.
The heightened tension spiked Jularra’s adrenaline, but she kept it in check. She forced a sharp sigh to dull any potential hostility.
“I apologize unconditionally for the intrusion. My goal was indeed to speak with you, and not simply pass through in the hopes of going unnoticed. I couldn’t risk any courier or messenger being intercepted. I have no ulterior motives, I assure you.”
“Do not begin our first interaction in decades with a lie!” Annutsik slapped his cup down.
“I am not lying!” Jularra stepped forward and allowed her own volume to rival Annutsik’s. Their escort’s captain placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, poised to strike. Jularra fell back to her original position.
“I need to travel through Yubik," she said, more calmly, "and thought it would be a perfect excuse to establish an active dialogue with the Yubik people.”
Annutsik erupted into laughter. “I am not an idiot! You do need something!”
Jularra sighed and looked away. “I truly do apologize for intruding without your consent. And I hope that the Treaty speaks to my regard for you and your people. But there is precious little time for what I need to accomplish, so I would implore you to either let us pass, or get on with denying our request so we can find another path.”
Annutsik sniffed and returned to his tea, motioning for a refill.
“What is so urgent that you need to travel so quickly?”
His question startled Jularra, who'd been expecting a flat refusal and nothing more. She considered how much detail to go into, then overcame her own hesitance and said, “You’re aware of the circumstances surrounding my country’s rule, and how queens succeed one another?”
He nodded.
“It pertains to that.”
Annutsik’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “We have always understood it to be just a matter of a queen’s child going through some kind of ceremony to ascend to your throne.”
“That’s essentially how
