by HR Moore
‘She’s right,’ said Draeus, ‘we came across a meeting of the rebels in the Wild. They elected a new, more impatient leader, precisely because he voted for launching a strike against Austin soon.’
‘And the energy’s still dropping,’ added Bas, ‘if we don’t do something soon, we’ll have to start rationing transportation as well as food, and next year’s crop yields will be even worse than this year’s.’
‘So what do you suggest?’ asked Helena.
‘We send the relic back,’ he replied evenly.
Milly and Gwyn sniggered, ‘and how do you intend to do that, given generations of Descendants have failed?’ asked Milly, her tone reminiscent of Austin’s patronizing put downs at Council meetings.
‘Well, aside from the obvious, that Descendants haven’t failed for any reason other than they haven’t tried, I’m not talking about actually sending it back to the Gods, I don’t know how to do that. What I do know how to do however, is to appear to send the relic back.’
‘What good would that do?’ asked Gwyn, feeling more than a little resistant to the idea that anyone other than a Descendant should have a say in actions concerning the relic.
‘I hope it would follow the same pattern we observed after Christiana’s death,’ Gwyn looked blank, so he kept going. ‘Christiana died several days before Austin announced her death. There was no energy reaction until after the announcement was made, meaning it was people’s reaction to her death and not her actual death that made the difference to the energy. I’m hoping the same thing would hold true for the relic; all we have to do is make the people think the relic has been returned to the Gods. This should cause a surge in the energy and we can figure out how to actually return the relic later.’
‘So you don’t think the prophecy is true?’ asked Gwyn, flabbergasted.
‘Of course I believe in the prophecy and there is a very real possibility this won’t work, or that the Gods will send us some other kind of punishment for trying it. I also don’t think it would work as a long term measure; lies have a certain negativity about them, which in itself somehow gets out and spreads, but as a short term measure, I think it could help us preserve order.’
‘Last time you told us about this you still had to try out several hypotheses,’ said Rose, ‘have you figured it out now?’
‘I think so, yes,’ replied Bas, ‘although obviously we can’t have a trial run, so I’m not saying it’s without risk.’
‘How could you possibly have figured it out?’ asked Milly, her lack of enthusiasm palpable, ‘Anderson has been away for weeks.’
Bas’s normal even headedness wavered, ‘Anderson had very little to do with the idea, and I certainly didn’t need him to test my hypotheses. He’s more of, what I would call, a book based academic than a practical one.’
‘Where is Anderson anyway?’ asked Helena, realizing she had heard nothing of him since he left with Draeus, Alexander and Anita.
‘He stayed at the Cloud Mountain,’ said Draeus quietly.
‘Why?’ Helena demanded.
‘I don’t know I’m afraid. Said he wanted to stay and look into some of the research going on there and I saw no reason to object.’
‘When’s he coming back?’ Helena asked, riled given she was Anderson’s handler within the Institution and knew nothing of his intention to stay in the Wild.
‘No idea,’ Draeus said offhandedly, ‘but I’ll be returning to the Cloud Mountain shortly, so I can ask him when I get there.’
‘Fine,’ said Helena, her brow furrowed in thought. ‘Bas’ idea is the only one we have and I think it could work. What do you need us to do to help?’ she asked.
‘Well the most important thing we lack is the support of the ruling Descendants,’ he said, matter of factly. ‘I can get the technical side set up in a few weeks but if the Descendants aren’t there to put on a show, the whole plan falls apart.’
‘Alexander will help us,’ said Helena confidently, ‘and Gwyn, I think we should have you there and not Peter; the Body bloodline travels through women after all.’
Every face turned to Gwyn, who shook her head in disbelief, then got up and left the room without a word. Bas shot Helena a look that clearly conveyed his disapproval and got up to go after her. ‘It’s down to you to sway her Bas,’ said Helena, her words flowing unhelpfully after him.
‘And what do we do about Austin?’ asked Milly, the light play of a malicious smile crossing her lips.
‘What do you suggest?’ asked Rose, jumping in before Helena had a chance to let her emotions respond.
‘The only way to get to Austin is via Marcus,’ she said coolly, ‘even though I have no doubt you’ll try one of your midnight encounters with my ex-husband Helena.’
Helena looked ready to punch Milly, so Rose intervened once more, ‘do you think you can get Marcus on side?’ she asked, knowing full well the enormity of the task they were asking of her.
‘I have no idea,’ she replied, ‘but I suppose I’ll have to try.’ Milly got up and made for the door, ‘I’ll be in touch if and when I have news,’ she said, closing the door behind her.
Draeus, Helena and Rose sat back in their chairs, Helena and Rose looking more than a little ragged. ‘The trials of leadership,’ said Draeus, as he poured them all strong, black coffee from the pot in the middle of the table.
‘Don’t mock,’ Helena sniped, but they all knew the warning had little venom in it and Draeus smiled at her indulgently.
‘I suppose all we can do now is wait,’ said Rose, sipping tentatively at her coffee before adding a liberal quantity of cream.
‘I suppose so,’ said Helena. ‘Why are you going back to the Cloud Mountain so soon?’ she asked Draeus. He usually steered clear of the place, preferring those who worked for him to make the trips on his behalf.
‘Timi wants large quantities of a number of things and insisted I be the one to personally oversee the shipments.’
‘What does he want?’ asked Helena. Timi was always looking to fortify his precious mountain retreat, so the news was no particular surprise.
‘Everything and anything, from different types of metals, to rare dried flowers, to seeds and bulbs, to building supplies. You name it, he probably wants some of it.’
‘Why?’ asked Rose.
‘No idea, but he’s paying handsomely for it and wants the utmost discretion, so I take it I can trust you two not to go gossiping?’
‘It never really was our style,’ replied Rose dryly.
‘In which case, I have some buying to do, so if you’ll excuse me.’
Draeus left the two women alone. ‘Be careful of Timi,’ said Helena before he made it out of earshot, ‘he’s the most devious person I know.’
*****
Bas and Gwyn sat on the top floor of the Observatory, legs dangling over the side, Bas feeling a little odd for it not to be Anita next to him as he sat staring out over Empire. ‘I’m just not convinced this is the only way,’ said Gwyn. ‘Austin keeps saying he has a better plan, another way to tackle the situation.’
‘Refreshing to hear he’s finally acknowledging we have ‘a situation’,’ replied Bas, not trying to hide the hostility he felt.
‘He can hardly deny there’s something wrong when there are round the clock protests outside his houses and all the Temples.’
‘That’s just a symptom. Has he acknowledged the real cause of the problem?’
‘He’s just doing what he thinks is right,’ Gwyn said defensively. Austin had been the Descendant she’d listened to for such a long time, it seemed wrong not to listen to him now.
‘So he says, but he’s totally wrong and following his ‘do nothing’ approach means scores of people will die, either at the hands of his burgeoning army, or because they don’t have enough food to eat.’
‘He says he has another plan to fix this.’
‘Really? And what is that?’
‘I don’t know; obviously he’s not going to tell me.’
>
‘And let’s assume for just a moment that his plan fails? Or that he doesn’t really have a plan, seeing as he’s not keen on sharing it? Or that his plan is to in fact use his army to take over and try to lead by himself?’
‘He wouldn’t do that.’
‘Really? Give me one convincing reason why not.’
‘Because he swore an oath.’
‘Like all ruling Descendants do? To find a way to send the relic back? Fat lot of good that does anyone.’
‘How dare you. You have no idea what goes on behind the closed doors of our residences.’
‘You’re trying to tell me it’s research into how to send the relic back?’ he laughed, and regretted it instantly.
‘Gods, Bas, how can you mock me when all you do is sit here looking at declining energy readings whilst pining for Anita, who never has been and never will be interested in you.’
Bas’ face tumbled, pain contorting his features, his energy choked up inside as he struggled to clear the fuzz of shock, searching for some words to say. He realized he couldn’t, nothing seemed suitable after such an unnecessary, personal escalation. Instead, he met Gwyn’s eyes with a confused look, then got up and left her, needing more than anything else to be on his own, craving the rush of the river for company rather than that of this spiteful girl who he had thought he’d been falling in love with.
‘Bas,’ she called after him as he ducked through the window and hurtled down the stairs, almost knocking Patrick over as he whistled passed. ‘Bas, come back,’ she pleaded, but he was gone, and even if he’d heard her, his brain would have blocked out her words.
Instead, Gwyn’s words were answered with an unexpected voice, Patrick’s. ‘Are you alright?’ he asked gently, making his way out onto the roof, perching on a pipe.
‘Do I look alright?’ Gwyn snapped, wanting this little runt of a man to disappear.
‘Not really, no,’ he replied frankly. ‘You look like you’ve been caught up in Bas’ never ending affections for Anita.’
Gwyn looked round, shocked at his words. ‘What do you mean?’ she demanded.
‘Sorry, but I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with Bas. It seems to me he’s only going through with this whole sorry business for Anita; he’s been looking for a way to impress her for as long as I can remember, and if he solves this, I think it’s safe to say he’d achieve that.’ Patrick paused, the air pregnant with implication.
‘So you don’t think he believes in what he’s doing?’
‘Now I didn’t say that. Who knows what’s going on in the inner workings of his mind, or what he really thinks, but it seems a bit rash to resort to a fake return of the relic when we’ve tried so little else so far. What if Austin’s right? What if there is another way? What if the Gods punish us, and especially the Descendants, for going along with a lie of such enormous magnitude?’
‘You think they would? Punish us, I mean? Even if we were only trying to do what was best for the people?’
‘How do you know that’s what’s best for the people if you haven’t heard Austin’s plan yet? What if Bas’ plan isn’t the only way?’
‘That’s what I tried to tell Bas, but he wouldn’t listen.’
‘Because, no doubt, if Austin’s plan is the one to succeed and not his, then Anita will have no reason to reconsider her decision about Bas.’
‘You think we should try to stop him?’
‘I’m not sure we have the power to do that, even if we wanted to,’ said Patrick, pretending to ponder his options, ‘but there are those who do have the power.’
‘Austin,’ she replied immediately.
‘He certainly would.’
‘You think we should tell Austin about the plan?’
‘I just don’t know,’ he replied slowly, ‘I don’t know him at all, and you know him so well. What do you think?’
‘What would he do to Bas? I don’t want him to get hurt because of this.’
‘He’ll only get hurt if Austin thinks Bas is the instigator.’
‘Then who?’
‘The one who causes Bas more torment than any other.’
‘Anita?’
Patrick shrugged innocently, ‘Austin already hates Anita for what she did to Marcus and he hasn’t tried to exact revenge for that. I’m sure Anita would be perfectly safe, whereas if he found out Bas was involved, he’s an easy target, so I’m not so sure.’
‘And it would be for the good of us all. We don’t want to unduly anger the Gods,’ said Gwyn.
‘And it would more than likely mean Anita would lay low for a while; she’d probably go back to the Wild Lands for a bit and leave Bas in peace.’
‘Will you come with me?’ she asked, her mind made up that it was her duty to inform Austin of the plan, but not feeling quite confident enough to go through with it on her own.
Patrick hesitated; he hadn’t wanted to get so personally involved, but he supposed it wouldn’t hurt if he went along for the ride, and Austin may even reward him for his part. ‘Of course,’ came his resolute reply.
*****
Alexander and Anita had arrived back from Wild Flower earlier in the day and were now sitting in Cleo’s apartment recounting the story of their journey through the Wild, drinking fruit smoothies spiked with rum. ‘I wish my dad would tell me what he gets up to in the Wild Lands,’ said Cleo longingly, ‘he must have done some crazy things over the years and got into and out of some terrifying scrapes.’
‘Well he certainly seems to have friends everywhere,’ replied Anita, ‘no matter where we went, he knew everyone.’
‘Typical dad,’ she said, rolling her eyes. ‘I can’t go anywhere without someone recognizing me as his daughter and asking after him. One day I’m going to insist he takes me with him. Just think of all the gossip to be found out there.’
Anita laughed, ‘glad to see you want to go to broaden your horizons,’ she said, sarcastically.
‘I wouldn’t mind going to dig further into my latest archive discoveries actually,’ she said, with mock offense.
‘Oh yes?’ said Anita, playing along. ‘You’ve become a proper little academic recently,’ she taunted, ‘do tell.’
‘Well I’ve been looking into a couple of things. Firstly, how the relic was discovered and by who; there’s definitely something fishy about it…’
‘…why?’ Alexander asked lazily. ‘Why’s there something strange about it?’
‘Well there are hardly any records relating to it, and for such a momentous moment in our history, you would think there would be stacks of stuff written. But also, because from the little there is, it seems like it all happened so quickly. A group of academics were out in the Wild Lands, they stumbled across the relic, and hey presto, the prophecy was discovered.’
‘How else would it happen?’ asked Anita, not really sure what Cleo was getting at.
‘I’m not sure, but it just doesn’t feel right; there must be something the archive isn’t telling me.’
‘I’ll take your word for it,’ said Anita, thinking the rum may have gone to Cleo’s head, ‘and the second thing?’
‘Ah yes,’ said Cleo, taking her time to build the usual suspense before sharing a secret. ‘So I was in the archive, the place devoid of people as usual, when this man came in and entered one of the locked rooms at the back of the floor.’
Alexander raised an eyebrow, ‘I can count on my hands the number of people allowed in those rooms,’ he said, surprised, ‘and they very rarely go into them.’
‘Well he was in there filing a document I think, but he left the door open behind him, so naturally I took the opportunity to have a look around. At first he was panicky, telling me I had to leave the room or he might get into trouble,’ she said, not giving a second though to the white lie; she wasn’t going to tell them how it really happened, ‘but I managed to calm him down and started asking him questions about what he was doing. He wouldn’t give much away but it was to do with something calle
d The Great Hall of the Magnei.’
‘The what?’ asked Anita, intrigued.
‘According to the research I’ve done since, they’re an elusive group of individuals who live in some secret location in the Wild Lands,’ said Cleo conspiratorially. ‘No one is sure who they are or what they do, but every now and again one pops up somewhere to run an errand, usually demonstrating some kind of crazy skill in the process.’ They both looked at Alexander, questions behind their eyes.
He paused, considering his answer carefully, but knowing full well whatever he said would result in a barrage of questions, he went for the fullest answer he could. ‘I have heard stories about them,’ he started, ‘but I thought it was just rumour; you wouldn’t believe some of the stuff they make up about the Descendants, so why not about some other group of people? Anyway, the rumour I’ve heard is that there are a number of people, a large number of whom display significant Mind, Body and Spirit skills, who live out in the Wild and meddle in our affairs. I’m not sure how they’re supposed to meddle, as I’ve never seen any evidence of it, and neither have the other Descendants as far as I’m aware, so we’ve never paid much attention; we’ve never had any reason to.’
‘But they’re powerful,’ said Cleo.
‘Apparently,’ he replied.
‘What could they possibly be up to?’ wondered Cleo.
‘Nothing probably,’ said Alexander, ‘people love to make up stories about things they know nothing about. They’re probably just a group of hermits who turn up at trading posts occasionally to get supplies and because they look a bit different to everyone else, people make stuff up about them.’
‘Hmm,’ said Cleo sceptically. ‘There’s no smoke without fire.’
‘How many of those have you had to drink?’ teased Anita, motioning towards her friend’s empty glass before refilling it from the pitcher in the middle of the table.
‘Not nearly enough,’ Cleo replied, taking a large gulp from her now full glass. ‘Anyway, I think the guy in the archive might live in the Wild Lands too and he might even be one of them, but I found a document that suggested a lot of them are mad; I think it could be like some kind of asylum.’