“I have a suspicion Reinick’s hand was in this.” Graken glanced out the curtains again.
“They had this planned for a while,” I confirmed. “Hawk and I overheard him and Noran talking about when the Governor failed.”
“When did you hear that?” Graken demanded.
“One night during Talium, after the Disciples Feast.”
Graken folded his arms across his chest. “They just discussed this openly in the presence of two prisoners?”
“No, not exactly.” I paused. “I hid in the robe closet.”
“You spied on them?”
“She’s not a spy!” Marsh groaned.
“They already killed Hawk’s wife during the Atchem Festival, but they weren’t convinced he’d be up to the task when the Governor failed. They talked about Hawk being unpredictable, and Noran suggested reinstating my father’s birthright to take Reinick’s place when the time came. They knew something devastating was going to happen and were already making plans to take advantage of it.”
“You didn’t mention any of this yesterday!” he growled.
“I didn’t know it was important.”
“It was obviously important to the Governor!”
“Stop!” Calish barked.
“I didn’t know what they meant when they said failed. I figured he was old and just let something important slip! You know, the way normal people fail at something?”
“I knew it! I knew you were hiding something!” He shoved his finger in my face.
I smacked his hand away and stood. “Are you accusing me of being part of this?”
“Una!” Calish warned.
Graken scoffed. “Well, let’s see. Who here bears the Woodsmen’s mark, huh? The same girl who now sits at the top of the Authority!”
“That’s enough!” Calish bellowed and slammed his hands on the desk. “Both of you! Now is not the time!”
“Why don’t you tell us how your former employer knew about all the children in my house?” I badgered the angry guard.
“Are you suggesting…do you…you think I told him?”
“Graken,” Calish raised his voice again.
“Well, let’s see, who here bears the Authority mark, huh?” I poked the big guard’s badge.
“Watch yourself, little girl,” Graken’s chest puffed up, and he cracked his neck.
“Protect your jugular, big man.” I chomped my teeth together twice. “Wanna see what I did to your stubby little friend?”
Calish stepped in between us and pushed us apart. “Una, you sit at my desk, now! And Graken, I swear that if you ever, ever threaten her again, I’ll have your head!”
I didn’t move, so Calish grabbed my good arm and dragged me to his desk chair. “Sit!”
I swear, if you make a dog reference, you’re dead.
“My apologies, sir. Lady Una.” Graken bowed as was customary.
Submission.
“My threats are the ones you should bow down to,” I mumbled.
Graken shot me a look to shut me up, and my lips pulled into a sinister grin. My tongue checked the point of my canine tooth as my nails dug into the palms of my hands.
Calish sat across from me and broke the spell. “Una, you told me about Hawk’s wife. Why didn’t you tell me about the rest of it?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe because it didn’t make any sense. I mean, it does now, but it didn’t back then. I guess you somehow became his backup plan. With me being pregnant, it all fell into place,” I sulked.
“This is not your fault, Una,” Marsh said.
“I may be his backup plan, but he didn’t count on us knowing what we know. He orchestrated all of this for a reason. He’s using all of this turmoil for something.”
“Power isn’t enough?” Marsh asked.
Calish tapped his foot, deep in thought. “Hawk is with the Resistance, and now Reinick’s the Governor of the Authority,” he paused, “but the Authority is slowly losing ground to the Woodsmen.”
“And the Woodsmen killed the Governor, not Reinick,” Marsh added.
Graken fell onto the couch with a blank stare. “Reinick must be in bed with the Woodsmen. If anyone knew where the Governor hid, it would have been Reinick.”
“Is that why they marked you? Because they realized you were his granddaughter?” Marsh asked.
“It’s probably why they didn’t kill you,” Calish guessed, “but there’s a personal connection between Una and Kash that caused him to mark her. That’s the missing piece.”
We talked a bit more, eventually deciding to take a break after hearing the children chattering outside. Jeorge would need help with breakfast, and we would all need time to think about what to do next. As we left the study, Graken touched my arm to get my attention. I turned, not too inclined for another argument.
“I’m sorry, my Lady. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“No, you’re not, and yes, you did,” I said. “It’s all right, though. If you haven’t noticed, the Authority is full of corruption. I don’t blame you for not recognizing honesty when it presents itself.”
Graken lost his words.
“Now you know the truth, or at least part of it. Now you have to pick a side. You either continue to follow directions from men like Reinick, or you choose to do what’s right.”
“So, following Calish is the right thing?”
“No,” I admitted. “Doing the right thing is the right thing.”
“Since the whole Authority including myself is corrupt…” He cleared his throat. “Do tell, how am I supposed to know what the right thing is?”
“If you can’t figure it out, then follow someone who does.”
Graken said under his breath, “I thought I was.”
“Find the group whose efforts benefit Ashlund without exploiting its people. You’re not a stupid man. It shouldn’t be that hard to figure it out.”
* * *
While rummaging through the pantry for ingredients to prepare breakfast, I was consumed with Graken’s sudden internal conflict. He wrestled with the same choices every Citizen would eventually face. Those who put their security in the illusion of the Authority would be enslaved to the new order of things, whatever that may be. Those who fought against it may pay for their convictions with their lives. Who would be strong enough to stand for justice? Like Graken, how would they know what to look for?
Of the three groups poised for control, I hoped the Resistance would win over the other two. The Council, as a joined unit, seemed to be a better balance of power than the goals of one man. I wondered what progress they made since I left. The last time we met, we decided together that we would help to meet the needs of the people, but so far, we had accomplished nothing.
Why am I standing here, searching for salt?
Had anything transpired to negate our directive? I tried to justify a reason not to continue with our plans, but I couldn’t. The only reason not to was my fear of the unknown. I’d lived most of my life fearing something, and to be honest, that feeling bored me.
The baby moved as I mixed the batter for flat cakes. The whisk slowed as new questions presented themselves.
Did my mother see this future for me?
What would she say if she were with me?
I didn’t know, but I knew what I would hope to say to my own child in a scary situation. “Fear has no power on its own. It cannot steal courage. It cannot rob joy. It cannot negotiate for riches or prolong life. Fear consumes only what it is given, yet in every transaction, it rewards the giver with a single parting gift. Regret.”
I plopped the first spoonful of batter onto the hot pan on the stove. It spread, smooth and round, until the edges cooked enough to dam the flow.
This is the last meal I’m eating in this house. We are leaving today.
Chapter 26
If I had to do it over again, I would have waited until after breakfast to tell Calish I wanted to leave. As it was, we argued the entire time the children at
e their flat cakes. Things got evermore heated between us, and I will admit what transpired was not my finest moment as a wife nor did I set a good example for a bunch of displaced children whose future was unknown.
Finally, at Marsh’s strong suggestion that we “take it upstairs,” we went up to our room where we felt free to raise our voices to the necessary volume. I wasn’t sure if our new location kept everyone else in the house from listening, but it was easier to pretend it did.
We volleyed arguments back and forth, defending our positions while tearing apart our opponent. Calish was always a skilled verbal warrior, able to keep his wits about him while I searched for words and cried in frustration when I couldn’t find them. My eyes stayed dry, and if he expected me to show any vulnerability, he left that room sorely disappointed. Arguing like this actually felt good.
We used everything in our arsenal; nothing in our history together was exempt, and ours was lifelong. Ergh. We started by bickering over recent events but ended up going clear back to childhood to prove our individual cases. It was absolutely ridiculous, yet I was not about to give in, and neither would he. Tensions were high as I cited the wrongs he’d done, while he reminded me of his successes. Both of us pulled supporting evidence from our memories, and I was appalled at how warped his perspective about various issues were.
Before we knew it, we argued over who forgot to close the chicken coop door one night at Talium years ago. The stupid chickens scurried all over the yard, and our parents made us stay out in the dark until we collected every one of them. Whenever Calish and I fought, we always came to this particular event. We had gone over it so many times I could have recited both sides if I performed it at the Village Theater. That, of course, would be entertaining for the audience; however, reliving it over and over like this was downright irritating.
“I’m done with this!” I shouted. “Fine! I left the coop open, are you satisfied?”
“You admit you’ve been lying all these years?”
“Only if it makes you shut up!” I screamed, clenching my fists and stomping my foot.
For once, he didn’t respond.
I huffed and swept away the few hairs clinging to my cheeks. Finally, I could catch my breath. I settled myself down and regained my composure.
How did I let myself get so out of control?
“Can we please bury that stupid chicken argument? It doesn’t matter, and it certainly doesn’t apply to our current situation,” I said properly, pulling at my robe to straighten it.
Calish pressed his lips together, grabbed his cufflinks, and tried to finish dressing himself. Since he didn’t answer me, I snatched my clothes off the end of the bed and entered the washroom to change. Every piece of me wanted to slam the door shut, but I’d been cruel enough for one day so I left it ajar instead. I didn’t hear him leave, which meant he remained in the bedroom. I changed and sat at the vanity, waiting for him to come apologize, but he didn’t. I stayed for an ample amount of time, but the door hadn’t moved an inch.
What is taking him so long? I left the door open, for god’s sake, now come in and say you’re sorry.
Anu smiled calmly from the other side of the glass. Like a loving sister, she nodded toward the door. I shook my head defiantly; I was not going to give in. She pointed at the door with a stern look. I rolled my eyes, and she put her hands on her hips with an attitude that seemed all too familiar.
“Oh, please,” I whispered. “I don’t look like that,” I tried to fool myself. “Fine.”
Swallowing my pride, I opened the door slowly and stepped into the bedroom. Calish had the curtain pulled back to watch the river run behind the house. I waited for him to acknowledge me. When he didn’t, I took a seat on the edge of the bed nearest him.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” he said, still gazing out the window. “I’ve walked right into a storm without realizing it. Reinick’s working with the Woodsmen, Noran is a sadistic Charmer, and everything we’ve ever known has been destroyed. The truth is, I know what’s coming, Una, and I don’t know how to stop it.”
“What do you think is coming?”
“I’m Reinick’s scapegoat.”
I stood and rested my hand on his shoulder.
“He doesn’t care about me, and he’s made it clear he doesn’t care about the people either. When it all comes crashing down, he’ll point to the Scab he tried to convert out of loyalty to family. I’m in so deep, I can’t run from it.” He shook his head. “I should have listened to you, Una. We should have gone to the Resistance Camp when we had the chance. Now, I have a house full of children, a pregnant wife branded by a maniac, and a title I don’t deserve.” He turned to me and sat on the window’s edge. “I don’t want to make another mistake. I’m afraid we don’t have many more chances ahead of us.”
I returned to my place on the bed. “Calish, we know who wins.”
He looked down and shook his head.
“Look at me,” I told him. “I’m scared, too. Do you think I’m not?”
“What do you think is going to happen if we go up to the property? And be honest, don’t be overly optimistic.”
“Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is I’ll be away from Noran and Reinick. We get the children away from this place. Maybe we’ll be able to hide my mark.”
“The drawback?”
“We’re out in the open, like you said. I could be exposed.” I racked my mind for other possibilities but couldn’t think of anything. “But all that is true if we stay here, too.”
“Do you think you would make it back to the camp?”
“Not with fourteen kids accompanying me,” I reminded him. “We need to protect the Resistance now more than ever. I cannot risk their location before they’re ready to defend it.”
He left the window seat and sat next to me. He took my hand and kissed it. “We’re in this together, right?”
“Together, I promise.” I touched his face. “I’m sorry, Calish.”
“No, I’m sorry.”
I kissed him and knew our argument was over.
We came downstairs more civilized than when we stormed up them. Unsure how to act, everyone in the house quieted down as soon as they saw us round the corner. Calish kissed me on the cheek and headed out the door to find Graken. I asked the children to gather their bedding because we were going to our new home that afternoon.
“It’s nothing like this place, but it’s ours.”
I turned down the hallway to find Jeorge. I needed him to pack every piece of dried fruit and meat we had since we wouldn’t be back for a while. If there was anything hidden in this house, he’d know where to find it.
“Hey.” Marsh chased after me, and I stopped. “Are you and Cal good?”
“We’ll be fine,” I reassured him. “Things are stressful, and it’s just a huge leap, you know?”
“You could say that about everything we’ve ever done, Una. Damn, just leaving the property as a Scab was a risky move. Maybe it is a good idea to stay a couple more days.”
“What’s the benefit in that?”
He scratched the back of his head. “Trisk won’t see me like this.”
I laughed; he did look bad. Nearly half his face was purple and black. “But think of all the sympathy she’ll give you.” I cleared my scratchy throat.
“Wow, that was quite an argument if your voice is wrecked. At least you won.”
“There are no winners in a fight like that, Marsh.”
In an instant, he regretted what he said. “Sorry.” He pushed his hands deep into his pockets. “What can I do to help us get ready to go?”
“I’m pretty sure Calish is getting the wagon with Graken, as soon as he finds him. Why don’t you get all the towels and hygiene products you can find? When they get back, you can start loading.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He nodded. “For what it’s worth, I do think this is the right thing to do.”
“Thanks, but we better get started. I’ve got work to
do, and so do you.”
When I found Jeorge, he told me where to find baskets in the basement to carry our supplies. “I sent a lot of stuff with Qarla, although there’s a bit more in the pantry. Do you want to take the tea, too?”
“I’ll take half of it, just in case Calish comes back here. He’s not very good in the morning if he doesn’t get his morning cup.”
“Yes, my Lady.” He bowed as he held the basement door open for me.
I descended the stairs and found the baskets I came for. In the corner, something caught my eye. An odd stack of things, unlike the other well-sorted items in the space. I might have considered it a pile of rubbish if someone had not taken the care to balance it so delicately. Curious, I set the baskets down to investigate.
There was no good reason why my interest had piqued. I knew the crates down in the basement contained personal items, but I never felt right about rummaging through any of them. The house had more than I would ever have use for. Since I’d been here, I realized two things about Citizens: they bought more than they needed and wasted more than they were aware of.
I didn’t consider it snooping. The items weren’t boxed; they weren’t even covered by a sheet. Using their grooming tools and wearing their robes was invasive, but picking through that pile proved to be far more intimate. Children’s drawings, certificates of accomplishments, and a wedding certificate lay between to-do lists, invoices, and lengthy contracts stamped with the Authority’s crest. In a silver frame, a painting of a happy family smiled back at me. A mother and father with their two children, both boys, so close in age I assumed they were twins.
The perfect family.
Dressed in fine clothing, their eyes still sparkled the way only people with hope can. I wondered what became of them or what forced them to evacuate. The documents suggested he worked at, maybe owned, a textile company contracted by the Authority. If his work kept him in the valley, there was a good chance the woman in the portrait became a widow with two boys to feed, if they survived at all.
After tidying up, I mourned the painting once more. I let my fingers trace the long, dark hair of the former lady of the house with the sudden understanding of temporary comforts. Her smile haunted me as I returned her family to the top of the pile.
Scavenger Girl: Season of Toridia Page 29