Arrival of the Traveler (Waldgrave Book 1)

by A. L. Tyler

  Everything was so perfect before…

  “It’s not that bad.” Lena twisted around. She was surprised to see Howard. “I mean, it could really be a lot worse. Trust me.”

  Lena stared at him as he sat down by her.

  “What?” Howard looked concerned.

  “It’s just…I think this is the first time I’ve ever really seen you outside.”

  Howard laughed a little, and Lena smiled.

  “I guess I need to get out more.”

  They sat silently. Lena tried to get a grip on what she had just learned; she had a brother. Part of her wanted to know what she could about him, because they’d never had the chance to get to know one another. Maybe she would be able to find a picture in one of her albums now that she knew; she wondered if they looked anything alike. Her lungs were still burning, and her eyes still stung. Lena was happy that Howard was looking out toward the mountains and not at her; she wondered if he’d read her mind to figure out she didn’t like when people watched her being upset.

  “How did he die?” Lena looked over at Howard, who picked a tall piece of grass from the ground and started to fidget with it. He stayed focused on it while he spoke.

  “He went out to walk his dog, and we don’t know what happened.” Howard’s voice cracked; Lena had always found this to be a little disturbing. She’d never seen her father cry, and seeing adults cry in general made her worry. “He liked to walk his dog, and he went out every night an hour before dinner. That time he just never came back. He was five.”

  “He never came home? Isn’t it possible he’s still…out there, somewhere?” Lena asked hopefully.

  “No…We found a body. Bodies. Both him and the dog. We started looking when he didn’t turn up that night, and we found them early the next morning. He was always so happy to go out with that dog, it’s hard to believe that someone could…at least they were together. It’s good that he wasn’t alone.”

  “You let a five-year-old go wandering off by himself?”

  Howard allowed himself a pause. “I wasn’t living here then. He’s one of the reasons why I’m here now. But I did know him—I was his uncle, after all. Rosaleen and I were visiting when it happened, though. But Waldgrave wasn’t always the way it is now. It used to be a much safer place, before it happened.”

  “How did he die?”

  “I’m not going to tell you that, because frankly I don’t like to think about it. It’s not something I want you to think about. He was murdered.”

  That certainly got her attention. In the back of her mind, a sleeping memory stirred; a sort of déja vu feeling crept under her skin. Lena almost felt bad for having such a morbid curiosity, but she had never actually known her brother. If he had been anything like her, she was sure he would understand.

  “Who killed him?”

  Howard took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled it. “We don’t know.” He looked out at the setting sun. It was halfway behind the mountains. Lena let it go. It was clearly upsetting to Howard. Her brother’s killer was still loose somewhere. But then Howard continued.

  “Lena, I know you know I’ve lied to you. I’ve had to, and you deserve to know why. I’m here because your brother’s death was…political in nature. We’re not a united front, people like us…”

  “The Silenti?”

  “Yes. Not everyone thinks like your grandfather, thank God, but our situation is so…extremely divided…that you’re in danger. Just for being born. No one deserves the life you have in front of you. No one.” Howard looked over at Lena for the first time since he’d sat down. Seeing that he had a captive and attentive audience, he thought it would be best to get it all out at once. “In the past, the Silenti were led by a monarchy, but not too far back they started to lose power as the world advanced. To make a long and bloody story short, those who followed the Darays wanted complete segregation from humans to keep the Silenti abilities and blood ‘pure,’ while the opposing party wanted more integration.

  “Well, one night someone from the opposing party set fire to the Daray house while they slept, hoping to end the issue by killing all members of the royal family. Your grandfather and your mother, who was only a little girl, were the only ones who got out alive. The Daray supporters retaliated with a series of murders aimed at integrated Silenti families, and it’s escalated from there ever since. The monarchy has always been led by a male figurehead, and when Thomas was brought to Waldgrave, fears ran high that the monarchy would reestablish itself. And, well…” Howard settled his head into his hands. Lena could see he was trying not to cry. How could someone kill a little kid? “Lena, you need to understand that to some people in our little world, you present such a threat yourself. Please forgive me, I’ve only been allowed to tell you what the Council—part of our governing system—has told me I’m allowed to. If I’d have broken that rule, they would have removed me and stuck you with someone else. I honestly don’t know who I can trust anymore, and since your grandmother’s death, you’re the only family I have left.” He buried his eyes into his palms. For several long minutes they sat there, two people being alone together.

  “You know, you really shouldn’t be so hard on your father.” Howard kept his head in his hands.

  “He lied to me. You hardly know me, but you know I don’t like liars.” Her voice was barely a whisper, but she was surprised at the anger and sadness it held. She felt bad for Howard because she knew what it was like to feel alone, but at the same time it wasn’t fair that this had been dumped on her all at once—and her father had to know it was going to happen eventually.

  “He had his reasons.”

  “Yeah? Like what?”

  “Have you been paying attention to anything over the last few months? Can you really blame him for trying to keep you out of all of this?” Howard wiped his eyes and stood up. “We need to get back before it’s dark.”

  Howard reached out to her. Lena took his hand and he pulled her up. “I guess.”

  “He was a good man, Lena. He loved you more than you can ever know.”

  “I guess.”

  “You’re as stubborn as he was.”

  Lena looked over at Howard. He hadn’t meant it as a compliment, but she took it as one.

  “He was stubborn as a mule when he was your age.” Howard said with a reminiscent smile. “Willful, and adventurous, and selfless. He did it all for you, and you shouldn’t remember him badly for it.”

  “Yeah?”

  They walked slowly back towards Waldgrave, neither speaking, as if allowing for a moment of silence after everything that had just been said. Lena would never be able to think about her life, or her future, the same way again.

  “I remember one time he ran off to Australia because one of his friends needed help—his wife had recently passed on, and he had a small child. Aaron was always a giver. He never thought of himself…gave his life savings to that little boy’s college fund.” Howard laughed a little. “Our mom almost killed him. Dad just thought it was really funny.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, he was just under sixteen at the time.” They both laughed.

  “How did a fifteen-year-old get all the way to Australia?”

  Howard related the whole ridiculous tale, which involved a series of fake identities and a lot of bribery, as they walked back to the house, and it was only later that night that Lena wondered if it was all really true. Knowing her father, it could have been.

  The next morning, breakfast was a breath of fresh air. Howard made an announcement that brightened Lena’s outlook more than anything up to this point had.

  “Lena, I’m sorry I haven’t told you before, it wasn’t supposed to be until September.” He glanced over at Ava, whose eyes were still somewhat puffy from the day before. “There’s going to be a sort of get together here next week.”

  “A get together?” Lena took a bite of toast.

  “It’s a tradition. A sort of planning holiday; I guess we’ll probably have the on
e in September too, but the important thing is that starting next Monday, a lot of people are going to be visiting.”

  “Okay. One—will I have to give up my room, and two—how long are they staying?”

  “No, and one or two months, maybe. Some longer than others.”

  “Months?!” Lena exclaimed; it wasn’t that she was opposed to the idea, but the length of the stay seemed unusually long.

  “Calm down.” Howard smiled at her enthusiasm. “You’ve been out of the world for a while now, and I think you’ll enjoy the company. It’s a sort of party, really. We get together, discuss issues, and try to enjoy ourselves. It’s a time when we don’t have to censor ourselves for fear of humans overhearing.”

  “So… Everyone there is going to be a Silenti?”

  Ava smiled at her daughter. “See? I told you you’d figure that word out for yourself…”

  “Oh…” Lena smiled cautiously at her mother, “Of course. Mom, you were so right! Thanks.”

  Ava smiled.

  “In answer to your question, mostly. They’re all Silenti, except for some of the integrated families. Your dad always came to them, even though he was human. But mostly they’ll be Silenti…the family Representatives need to figure out what to do about your…situation.”

  Lena smiled. She wasn’t too sure how great partying with Howard’s business buddies would be, but the event did mean she’d have more people to talk to. More people who would be able to tell her about who she was.

  “Oh—and on a side note, Mrs. Ralston is going to start tutoring you.”

  “What?” Lena shot a look at her mother, who was giving Howard a look as distasteful as her own.

  “Your dad home schooled you?” Howard asked.

  “Yes…” Lena wasn’t sure if the term ‘home schooled’ exactly fit, as they’d never really had a location known as ‘home.’ And there had never actually been any ‘schooling.’ Lena had an amazing aptitude for reading and writing, and she’d seen a fair bit of world history in person, but she had only acquired basic math skills because her father had never liked the subject.

  “And you’ve had quite a break. It’s time to start back up again. Aside from the usual subjects, you’re going to need to learn some things that normal schools don’t teach.” Howard nodded at her. It was funny how he had a way of putting a positive spin on things lately.

  “I’ll teach her. I don’t want her going near my daughter.” Ava was still giving Howard a look that somewhat resembled a glare. She was attempting to smile.

  “Ava, you know you won’t.”

  To Lena’s surprise, she actually heard a mocking tone in his voice. Howard was smiling like Ava’s suggestion was a joke. Ava looked indignant.

  “Mom…” Lena gave her a look that agreed with Howard’s statement.

  Ava stood and stalked out of the dining room. Howard sighed, shaking his head as he looked after her.

  Lena raised an eyebrow in agreement. “Why does she hate Mrs. Ralston so much?”

  Howard looked Lena in the eye; both of them were grateful to be beyond keeping secrets. “It’s…ugly. Rosaleen was born to human parents, and your grandfather invested a lot of time when she was little teaching your mother not to trust people identified as ‘integrated.’”

  They fell silent for a moment. It was ugly—it was bigotry. The morning had been going so well before that little piece of information. For the first time in a long time, though, Lena felt like being an optimist.

  “So. A party, huh?”

  Howard and Lena continued to eat, as if Ava’s outburst had never happened.

  “Yeah. I’m not trying to say you need it, but people generally try to make a big deal out of these meetings.” Howard smiled. “You’re mother’s clothes are fancy enough, and they certainly suit you well. You can have money for makeup, if you like.”

  Lena nervously smiled back, trying not to give anything away. “Yeah—makeup. I think I might already have some.”

  After breakfast, and Howard’s promise that he would find Ava and be sure she was okay, Lena sought out David. He seemed to be taking the day off, and was sitting in the shade on the opposite side of the barn from the house. When she turned the corner and found him, she was unpleasantly surprised by a visitor.

  “What is that doing here?!”

  The cat, who had been sitting on the ground in front of David, darted off around the other side of the barn. The headache and introductions the cat had provided her not too long before were fresh in her mind.

  “He doesn’t mean any harm.” David stood up and dusted himself off.

  “That cat—“

  “He had orders. He brings me messages.” He grinned at her confused look. “What’s on your mind?”

  “So, this party-gathering thing that’s about to happen.” Lena crossed her arms. “How did you know?”

  David continued to smirk as he walked around to the barn entrance and motioned for her to follow. Once inside, Lena noticed things had changed a little since last time.

  “Hey! I can see your table now!” Lena said excitedly.

  “No, actually that’s new. It used to be on the fifth floor, but Howard needed a place to store it.”

  Lena looked disappointed. However, it did give them a better place to sit when they talked. Lena pulled out one of the chairs and sat down.

  “He said he’d be meeting you soon.” David winked at her. “I knew if you two met, there would have to be an emergency meeting to figure things out. Those idiots in the integration party thought he’d infect you with his ideals if you were allowed in the same room. So, I figured you’d want makeup for the gathering when we went shopping.”

  “I’m not going to wear it.” She crossed her arms.

  “Not the first day. But I bet you will once you see the competition.”

  “The what?” Lena smiled.

  “Okay.” David seemed exuberant that she didn’t know. He leaned onto the table, as though he were going to tell here a secret. “Howard told you what these meetings are for, right?”

  “Business.”

  “Officially, yes—but a lot of people like to use them for other things.” He watched her carefully, and was disappointed that she hadn’t picked up on his allusion. “It’s for the families. Families send their representatives. Usually, it’s the male head of the family who votes for the family, the wife, some household servants, and the children.”

  “Children?”

  “Young adults.” David clarified.

  “I’m not following you…”

  “Unmarried young adults.”

  Lena laughed. “You’re kidding!”

  David smiled broadly. “Look. Rich people like to keep the blood rich. It’s a way to get Silenti children to continue marrying with others of their kind, and keep the humans out of the family. Inter-human marriage is greatly discouraged, because…” He gave her a look. Because inter-human marriages produced situations like hers.

  “That’s crazy. I’m still not wearing it.” She leaned back. No one was going to put her in any manner of arranged marriage. Her father had taught her to respect many world cultures, but the one thing he could not tolerate was the subjugation of women through arranged marriage, however indirect the process was. She was beginning to think that maybe his outright disgust at the practice had really been meant for her to see, in case of the situation she was now facing.

  David smiled at her. “We’ll see.”

  They stared at each other.

  “Shouldn’t you be scrubbing bird poop off the windows, or something?” Lena mocked.

  “Howard gave me the day off. Apparently he thinks we all need a few extra breaks since your middle of the night episode.”

  “Very funny. I’m going back up to my room, where I’m going to read a book, and then fall asleep in my silk sheets on my king size bed.” She raised her eyebrows defiantly as she walked toward the door. Just as she reached it, David grabbed her arm.

  “Yes?”

&
nbsp; “About the meeting…” He looked briefly down at the floor. “You’ll save me a few dances, right?”

  Lena just stared at him. She hadn’t known there would be dancing. She didn’t know how to dance—not the way teenagers do.

  “Sure you will.” David pushed her out the door and then closed it. Puzzled, Lena walked back up to the house.

  *****

  CHAPTER 7

  On Monday, the guests started arriving. Just after breakfast, when the doorbell rang, Howard hurried to answer it himself. Lena, unsure if she was really in a mood to meet new people, stood in the doorframe between the dining room and entrance hall as a short man in a black waist coat strode through the door. His face was a gleeful bright red, and his hair was the messiest Lena had ever seen on a man in his forties. His boots, a shiny leather brown, made clicking noises on the stone floor. He was followed by another, younger looking version of himself, and two girls. All of them were toting large suitcases.

  “Greg! No Serena this time? Eric…girls…” The smile on Howard’s face was contagious.

  “No, I’m afraid she couldn’t make it this time. She’s in Malaysia visiting her sister. She sends her best.” There was an oddly recognizable ring to the man's voice…as though he were almost on the verge of chuckling. The two men shared a brief hug and a warm handshake. The young man—Eric—looked tentatively at the expanse around him, and smiled when he saw Lena. He waved. His gaze was quickly followed by that of the older man, who also offered an encouraging smile.

  “My niece…” Howard walked over to usher Lena into the entryway. “Lena, this is Mr. Mason, and his children Eric, Daisy, and Rose.”

  “Hi.” Lena smiled timidly.

  The two men nodded in her direction, while the girls murmured quiet hellos.