The Convoy

by Drew Bell

  Chapter 24

  Braes managed to pry the temple doors open, using her shoulder and a chair as a battering ram, however. After she was certain that the drunk was dead, she approached the altar where he had fell; his head was cracked open and his limbs were twisted grotesquely. Rather than drag him from the temple, she pulled a curtain and covered him. Miles lay across the floor on the opposite side, she propped him on a cushion she found, it looked dirty, but he wouldn’t notice in his unconsciousness. For the rest of the night she sat next to him, letting him sleep, but she ensured that he continued to breath. Miles eventually stirred and yawned, he cracked his eyes open to check his surroundings, Braes comforted him. He began to cry, she cradled him.

  At about midnight the Convoy broke the atmosphere; the Aurrus began to launch their firework displays and danced wildly in the streets. Braes sealed the doors of the temple closed; no one would likely bother them until morning. She led a weak Miles to the far end of the chamber, offering them plenty of cover should someone search the temple. She watched out the window as droves of shuttles carrying Callos were lowered to the Ailios outskirts, a single shuttle flew towards Ailios Plaza; the Admiral. Aurrus and Callos native to Aurrus rushed through the streets to the edge of town to greet their visitors and guests. The Convoy’s vessels blocked out the view of the purple moon, in the far off distance, CLERGY 5 and CLERGY 6 remained in orbit. Joyful screaming and yelps of adulation echoed down the empty streets around the temple; they would be safe for the night. It was the party of the century, but Braes didn’t miss it; she was happier fulfilling her purpose.

  The festivities continued throughout the night, Miles felt stronger, and Braes felt comfortable to sleep as well. The two locked themselves in the back room of the temple, and the relatively soundproof room allowed them to sleep through the celebration.

  The next morning Miles was the first to wake, but he waited until Braes woke to unlock the office doors; the Callos had arrived. No doubt that the Admiral had let loose some of his soldiers in search of them, if they hadn’t been looking for them already. Once Braes was awake, they opened the door, prepared to fight, fortunately the temple was empty.

  “We need to be especially careful. Let me show you where to go.” Braes directed.

  She and Miles approached the altar behind the door; behind a tapestry was a metal door.

  “Kind of a pretty obvious secret passage.” Miles remarked.

  Braes reached behind the panel and pulled a crank, a creak came from the rafters above them. Dust fell and several slumbering birds fluttered from their perches.

  “Actually, the room is above this chamber.” Braes lashed.

  “Oh.” Miles said, biting his lip.

  Braes directed Miles to the ladder propped against the wall, he climbed halfway until he was sure that Braes was following. He stood on the rafters, he helped Braes up, they both shuffled towards where the dust has been unsettled. Miles wrapped his body around a wooden beam, and gingerly stepped around it, Braes followed suit. Miles looked down; he was at a dizzying height, easily three-dozen feet above the ground.

  “Are these beams just for the birds?” Miles asked.

  “Other than access to the hidden room, yes, only the birds use these beams.” Braes thought out loud.

  Miles neared the center of the chamber, some of the beams were slightly green while others were deep red, he hadn’t realized it from the floor, but the top of the beams were decorated. He began to see a pattern in the cushions, rugs, and tapestries below him.

  “Don’t look now; it will be easier to see once we are higher up.” Braes promised.

  Miles shuffled to the side, still hunched over, so Braes could stand on the center beam. She pressed up with her palms and slid the piece of the roof to the side, revealing an attic of some sort. She motioned for Miles to help give her a boost up into the chamber; he cupped his hands and raised them for her to step on.

  Once she was in, Miles could hear furniture or heavy objects being slid across the floor above, Braes grunted as she slammed herself into a stubborn object.

  “Sorry. It was just dust. It didn’t want to budge, all better now.” She explained.

  She lowered her hand to help lift Miles into the room with her. She had lit a few candles and illuminated the dark room; after Miles’ eyes adjusted he could see that the room was circular with several seats, a dozen or so were pushed to the side leaving just two chairs. Miles peeked down through the hole from where they had come; the chamber below resembled several stripes of red converging on a center point beneath him. Miles hadn’t realized that the seats and beams together comprised the stripes, he recognized the pattern immediately.

  “This room is designed to resemble Ailios Plaza! The stripes and everything!” Miles exclaimed.

  “Yes. But the pattern is only visible to those with the proper vantage point.” Braes responded, her voice more serious than it had been.

  “Miles,” she began, Miles straightened in his seat, “I brought you here to transfer unto you the gift of the combined wisdom of the Aurrus and Callos. I believe that you will be capable of receiving such typically irreconcilable memories. Our species were once conjoined, but have since split apart. You are capable of understanding both of our cultures, thus I am certain you are fit to receive.”

  “How can you give me memory?” Miles asked.

  “I assume you have a brain?” Braes asked.

  With a look of hurt, and as a recipient of an insult Miles defended himself:

  “Yes. I have a brain!” He pointed to his head.

  “Exactly, your brain is located there.” She leaned over and tapped his head.

  “Right.” Miles said cautiously, relaxing in his chair.

  “Callos have the unique ability to pass on their memories to their descendants. Each Callos can draw upon this ancestral memory, allowing them vast quantities of information. Similarly, Aurrus are capable of sharing dreams and memories with one another to access thoughts and memories.” Braes explained.

  “Why then is it such a shock that you would share dreams with me and Lalia?” Miles asked.

  “Lalia and I…” Braes corrected, before she caught herself.

  “Well, because such memories don’t travel between species. But the night I spoke to Lalia, and we determined we both dream shared with you.” Braes stopped.

  “What?” Miles asked.

  “Usually, dream sharing can only occur through direct contact. That was the second confusing part…” Braes stopped, again trapped in thought.

  “Continue.” Miles requested.

  “Right. Because we were both able to share with you; we attempted a memory transfer but were unable to do so. I believe it is because you were the link between our species, between us. Without you in our dreams, we wouldn’t have shared in the first place. I am prepared to offer you my memories, if you are willing.” Braes asked.

  “Why wouldn’t I be willing?” Miles asked, afraid.

  “Lalia refused to attempt the transfer with me, ‘the risks were too high’ she said.” Braes admitted.

  “What risks?” Miles asked, cautious.

  “Because, you will be unable to distinguish your memories from mine.” Braes warned, biting her lip and looking away as she said so. Miles didn’t notice the movement.

  “That is a small price to pay.” Miles chuckled, but Braes remained stern-faced.

  She warned; “To perform this transfer will be very difficult on my end, perhaps more so on yours. This room seems to aid the process in the past; we need all of the help we can get. I am certain we will be provided answers, once the transfer is complete.”

  “I apologize. I am ready.” Miles answered.

  “Let us begin. Hold my wrists.” Braes directed, Miles did so. Braes held her fingers around Mile’s ears and eyes. She breathed heavily; Mile’s breath became shallower.

  “Soon, you will feel a slight…” Braes whispered, her wrists began to shake violently. She fell to the floor, as
did Miles. Both lay still and silent, neither one breathing at all.