In the ruins of Skaipei Virelda could see, but mostly feel, the pain caused by her Mayor's tyranny. The trickles of light that penetrated the black cloud looming overheard were masked by the shadows of the towers sparsed here and there, rooted to the ground between the rubble of abandoned buildings. With each step she took on the rugged land, Virelda could see the soil weep. It leaked a green-tinted substance unlike any she had ever seen, tears of what once was a fertile land now turned to mud and noxious chemicals.
In the distance, a pack of hyenas chuckled and their laughs echoed in the blackened mist. Virelda stopped for a second but Kripp carried on and so she followed. She looked at her companion with wonder. His face was brown and rugged and he appeared as old as her father, even though he was only a boy. His skin was also brown but darker and it was tattooed in all sorts of symbols alien to her. Kripp noticed that she was looking at them.
"They were given to me", he said, "by tribes of the land. Good things I have done, good things they gave me."
Virelda veered her eyes towards his, "they look very strange to me. We are not allowed to have tattoos up in Skyscapes. The mayor says they are dirty and that the Highborne are pure of soul. Therefore we cannot dirty ourselves with such things as tattoos on our bodies."
Kripp tried to conceal his laughter and he turned away from Virelda but she immediately noticed.
"What's so funny about what I've said?", she snapped angrily.
"Nothing I think", replied Kripp still laughing. He now turned back to Virelda.
With effort he continued, "I think that is very stupid of your Mayor, to tell you to do what to do".
Virelda thought for a second then answered, "Well, our Mayor is kind and we obey and love him. Without him we would be living in the dirt like the Moles."
Kripp took a quick step backwards, obviously hurt by what Virelda had just said. He turned away from her and continued his walk to where he had promised to take Virelda.
Stunned by her own words, Virelda hurried behind him and followed.
They did not utter another word until they arrived at the tunnel.
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