B33 thumped the box of chalk down at her side. “I could bring you a book, Miss.”
“There’s a book?”
“Sir Jax has many books. He is quite obsessive about knowing all he can of the Relic line.”
The knowledge did not surprise Alel. She was curious herself, however. Being Relic had always been more about her appearance than who she was, so she wanted to know more. Her past was a blank spot, with only a scattering of vague memories and the weaving of her mother’s tales to use to piece what she had together.
The separation of the world was just as difficult to believe as the stories her mother had told. How did one acclimate your mind around such a concept? The land one lived within was limited, and for her the expanse of the sky were the walls she had to wrap around her view of the world. “I would like to read one of those books, thank you, B33.”
“I shall fetch one for you immediately in case you wish to read before you retire for the night. I shall set it at your bedside, Miss.” B33 spun on his round base and rolled from the room.
Facing the children, Alel picked up her list and stood. “While my life on the Black Streets was relatively uneventful, I am discovering it was also far more complicated than I ever imagined, and now I am filled with doubt over things I believed were nothing more than fabrication.”
Alum quirked her head. “Truth is often what we are told. But often, it is also not. Sometimes, time is what one needs to determine truth.”
Alel touched Alum’s cheek, smiling softly. “Those are very wise words for one so young, Alum.”
“They are not mine. They are Sir Javons.”
“Alum likes to listen outside walls,” Euro piped up. “It helps her to learn how to survive.”
“Hush, Euro!” Alum scolded.
“So your space shall be closest to the door,” Alel said, laughing at the two. She would not fault Alum her tendencies. If Sir Jax was not to be trusted, the girl’s habits could prove valuable in keeping them all safe.
Euro clapped. “Where shall I go? May I please, please have a window? I like to look outside and see the trees and think about climbing them.” He scrunched a hand in the air. “I don’t think they feel like metal, all smooth and cold.”
Wrapping her arm around Euro’s thin shoulders, Alel guided the boy to the one wall containing windows. “On the Black Streets, the trees do not have leaves. Their bark is black with soot from the mines and the branches are brittle as they stand and rot.”
Euro climbed atop a stool Alel imagined he had placed there, and peered over the windowsill. “No leaves at all?” His voice was full of the horror only a little boy could feel at such a thing.
“None.”
“Have you ever climbed one?” He turned his marble multi-colored eyes to her.
“I have not.” Alel joined him at the window, looking out at the full, brilliantly colorful display over the terrain. “To be honest, Euro, I’ve never touched one either. On the Streets I came from, everything is exactly as the name suggests; black... with soot.”
“Did you like it there?” asked Bery.
Turning, Alel smiled at the others who had come up to stand behind them. “It was home, but I cannot honestly say I did like it there. I survived there. That is all.”
“We are curious about the White Streets. The walls of this house are all we have ever known.” Alum perched on the very edge of a chair, her blue eye intent. “I want to see the Streets. I want to know what else there is. I don’t remember what came before, but when Sir Javon comes, and even those other men, I see them in their clothing of colors, talking of things I do not understand, and I want to know.”
“I cannot take you from the grounds. It is one of Sir Jax’s conditions. But, as has been said, he means for you to be on the White Streets. So you shall have your wish.”
“I think it is like magic,” Copper said, excitement coating her words.
Alel could not disagree. Her one glimpse had led to two. Her second had been her demise, but it had put her within reach of the majestic streets of wonder.
A bright purple bird glided by her. She watched it land on a tiny balcony set just below the roof line, and disappear into an arched opening into the house. What news had it come back bearing, she wondered?
Were the secrets on the White Streets as deep as those buried in the black cobblestones beyond the rising hills hiding them from her sight? Did she want to know? Or would the things hidden destroy her view of this part of the world too and leave her dreaming for one more glimpse of something else that could steal the life she had been given a second chance at?
Chapter 10
Boundaries of Humanity
Sir Jax read through her list, his fingers tapping on the back of the paper. Finally, he looked up, the eyebrow over his blue eye lifted, and a corner of his lip quirked down. “Whatever do you need five beds for, and clothing? Is all this for A through E?”
With a sigh, he set the paper down on the counter. His lips pressed tightly together and he shook his head. “My dear, you must not look at them as actual children. They are not, any longer. They were failed attempts at humanity, and now they are simply... machines with some human capabilities. They have no need of beds, clothing or toys!”
“You said I could have whatever I wished, as long as I do not leave the grounds.”
“Hmm. I did say that.”
He was going to deny her. Anger flared and Alel pushed to her feet, prepared to fight. She would not be told one thing and have another done. If it was to be that way, she would rather take her chances on her own than be the prisoner of someone who would speak on a whim, leaving the results unpredictable. If he would lie about one thing, he would lie about others, and she would have to guard her every move and word, essentially hiding just as she had in her black robes on the Black Streets.
“All right, my dear. If it pleases you, then I shall provide you with the things you have asked. However, many of these things can be crafted from what I already have here. I shall garner you help, and then if there are items unable to be produced, we can speak again.”
Sir Jax took a slim metal case from a pocket and opened it, revealing a control board of some sort. He touched a button and closed the case up again, tucking it away. “Now, A76 is quite good at assembling things. You need only give as specific of instructions as you can and you shall have what your heart desires. He will modify as told and I think you will be quite happy with the results. I will leave it at your disposal.”
“What does the A stand for?”
“Assistant.”
“And he is your 76th attempt, is that correct?”
Frowning, Sir Jax busied himself over a half assembled bird. Small boxes of parts were scattered over the counter. He had been working when she had come into the room and his appearance had suggested he had been at it for some time. “How astute of you. It was not an attempt, however. It is simply my 76th creation of assistant-types. I have others who do varying degrees of things still operational. 76 is passable. Those above it are more successful and so I shall retain them for my own use.”
He peered up at her from over the small tools in his hands. “I see no reason you should need anything special for simple household furniture creation. I, after all, work with the human mind. You see why I would need the more advanced models.”
Holding back what she really wanted to say, Alel nodded. “You do not have one who creates clothing?”
Tapping the flat end of his screwdriver against his lips, Sir Jax pondered her words, his eyes staring off as he thought about it. “Quite an idea, my dear,” he said after a few moments. “However, I do quite like the Clothing Masters I have employed.” He dropped the screwdriver and pulled a metal tin toward him, tossing the lid open to dig through it. Alel wanted to look herself once she saw it was filled with all manner of pretty wings meant for the birds he created.
“I reserve only the best, of course. You find your own clothing sufficient?”
“They
are beautiful,” Alel agreed. “I do think you should consider changing your view of the children. They are not simply machines. They sleep, they eat, and they seem to have a myriad of human emotions and needs. Euro is very excited about the possibility of having toys to play with and going outside to do things like climb a tree.”
The box of wings was forgotten as Sir Jax stared at her, openly confused. “Who is Euro?”
“Well, he’s your E. I thought they needed names.”
“No, no, my dear.” Sir Jax had closed his eyes and was shaking his head, frustration apparent. He got to his feet, rounding the counter to stand before her, taking her shoulders. “Alel, they are not having human emotions. You may think so, but they are very well programmed. They sleep to shut down, they do not eat, and any childish inclinations they may have are simply part of their programming.”
His explanation was muddling her conclusions of each of the small beings. Alel did not care for what he was telling her, but nor did she think it mattered. Programming or not, they looked and acted like children and she thought it would be impossible for her to alter how she saw them.
As he had referred to his assistant creation as an it, Sir Jax obviously held the same view of his others. “Euro is the most human of them all, wouldn’t you agree? They told me he was your most recent endeavor before me.”
Going back to his bird, Sir Jax used a small pair of long tweezers to remove a teal wing and hold it up to the light. “E is not human. Chips tell him what to do, attached to wires in his brain... and without the steam injected into his spinal cord every day, he would not function.”
His eyes shifted from the wing to her. “You do not require steam at all. That is why you were successful and they were not. You function as a human does with parts...” He waved at her generically. “That have replaced what stopped working. Do you understand?”
She was done arguing. “It will be easier for me to simply regard them as like me. If it is my happiness you care about, would you deny me that?”
With a tolerant sigh, he gave his attention back to the product before him. “I like this one. Do you?”
“The scrollwork is beautiful, as is the color.” Leaning over the counter, Alel peeked into the box. There were wings in shades she had never seen before, some with jewels glittering, others with the delicate scrollwork, and many of different textures. Those were only what she could see. Somehow she guessed Sir Jax would not care for her digging her fingers into the box to see more.
“Sir Javon creates these for me. He knows the birds are my favorite and I pay him well to make them dazzling. The human eye is so easily drawn in by beauty.” A smile touched his lips that made her draw back away from him. A possessive glee she imagined he would wear the first time he followed through with his intent to show her off.
“What other kinds of things does Sir Javon create?” Sir Jax had suggested the man would be useful for her. It would help to know the scope of how.
“Why, whatever you wish, my dear! If you’d like a special touch on your bed frames, or along the lines of the birdcage, or even pretty dangles in your ears! The man is exceptionally talented. I have often thought he has traits more implication of Relic than Water. Eyes do tell one the truth, though. Nothing there to suggest otherwise.”
“How do I contact your Clothing Master, or Sir Javon for that matter?”
“You may not, my dear. I cannot chance my lack of knowledge of a meeting leading to your disappearance.” His eyes were sharp in the glance he gave her. “I trust no one. If you seek their presence, I shall arrange it for you.”
He finished attaching the first teal wing and lifted the second from the box. “I have given C the ability to draw. Perhaps she could create some designs you may like before I send for the Clothing Masters? It will be easy enough for them to bring fabrics for you to choose from, take the designs, and bring you back a finished product.”
“Copper may like to have such an assignment. I shall ask her.”
Sir Jax did not look up from his attachment of the second wing. “I am guessing Copper is C?”
“Yes.” She told him the rest of the names, but he only gave a disinterested hum as an answer. “How do I know the boundaries of your land?”
“If you get too close, I have machines in place to stop you.”
A disturbing thought. Alel decided not to ask how she would be stopped.
A robot entered the room. It looked quite advanced, sleek metal creating a very human-like figure. It stood just inside the doorway, awaiting instructions.
“A76, I am reassigning you to help Alel. You shall do as she says, but her safety and protection is your priority and I am still your Master. Acknowledge.”
“Affirmative, Sir Jax,” A76 replied in a surprisingly deep male voice. The robot turned to her. “How may I be of assistance, Miss?”
Sir Jax waved a hand at her. “Show him your plans. Perhaps C can draw some of your other ideas up as well. A76 works much better with a blueprint.”
“I hope you don’t mind helping,” Alel said to the robot as she led it from the room.
“I am at your disposal, Miss.”
“Call me Alel, please. Do you enjoy building things?”
“I was created to build things, and I do not have human emotions, Alel, so I cannot answer the question as you have phrased it.”
“Well, no matter. I have a great many projects I would like to complete, so I am grateful for your help.
“I am at your disposal, Alel.”
His programmed way of answering was annoying. B33 was more personable in his manner. She wondered why there was a difference between the two. The children were drawing on the floor with the chalk when they entered, but scrambled up and came to her, smiles and excitement scattered over their faces. How could such a reaction be automated? Could it be possible Sir Jax only saw what he wanted, or had his inventions gone beyond what he had imagined capable?
“This is A76,” Alel introduced. “He is going to help us build your rooms. B33, could you fetch paper and pencils? Copper, Sir Jax told me you like to sketch? Would you like to draw the designs up for A76 to use as reference?”
“I’d love to!” Copper grasped Alel’s hand and led her to a section of the floor, pointing. “I was using my imagination already. Do you like it?”
The girl had used white to create a frame, and many colors inside to depict a landscape filled with trees and flowers. It was detailed and brilliant. Alel knelt before it to take in more. “It’s stunning, Copper. I do believe you will need your own stash of paper and pens to have on hand so we can keep your drawings. It would be lovely to make a book out of them.”
Copper was beaming at the praise. Again, Alel questioned Sir Jax’s determinations about them. Could you fabricate happiness?
She gave attention to everything the children had drawn, praising each of them, watching them soak up her words with pleasure. She gathered them close when B33 returned with her requested items and allowed them to offer suggestions as Copper drew the plans for each of their rooms.
A76 stood by quietly, accepting the sheaf of designs when they were finished. “I shall begin immediately, Alel.”
Her thanks seemed to be unheard as the robot left the room. B33 rolled forward. “Is there anything I can do to help, Miss?”
“Why are the two of you so different?” she asked. B33 was far less advanced in appearance, but she thought she detected an eagerness in the tone of voice and in the slight lean toward her of his upper body and clasped hands.
“They have different levels of humanity, Alel,” Alum told her. “Sir Jax finds those he uses to help him with his experiments respond better with no humanity at all.”
Alel tried to comprehend what the girl was saying. “Do you mean B33 has a level of humanity?”
“Yes. He has a human brain, but I am unsure of how much of it works.”
It was difficult to measure with B33 standing before her. The undersides of his arms were human visually, b
ut that was all. Was that what Sir Jax did? Removed human parts and used them at will? Alel shivered. How many bodies had the man confiscated for his own causes?
“I’m perfectly capable of hearing and thinking,” B33 retorted. “And, I wish to help. Please, I would like to be a part of something.”
“You could be the spy,” Euro suggested, putting his hands over his eyes and opening his fingers to look out between them. “So we all know what’s going on. ‘Cause Sir Jax don’t know you see and hear more than the birds.”
“I don’t think...” Alel started.
“I’d be honored,” B33 announced. “I shall start immediately.”
Alel blinked and closed her mouth. Who knew what such as assignment would reap? Euro was giggling. She questioned him with a raised brow.
“I just like to see him roll around,” Euro told her and danced away.
Chapter 11
The Ticking of a Heart
A76 was efficient and skilled. Before the light had faded from the sky, the corner of the room delegated for Dys had been fashioned, complete with walls, a bed frame and the outer workings of a dresser.
Within days, each of the children had a space to call their own. Copper had been excited to create wardrobes for each of them and had presented Alel with stacks of paper littered with options, not only for clothing, but for sheets and coverlets for the beds, as well as curtains to hang over posts and over the frames of fake windows Alel had asked A76 to fashion, despite the lack of an actual view to look out upon for all of them. The illusion of one was enough to make the areas more appealing.
She was ready for Sir Javon to offer his artistic flair. She had been nervous in her request for his presence. A76 had begun construction on the bird cage, but had informed her the iron work would need to be completed by someone other than himself as his capabilities were for basic structures.
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