In opstand

by Marieke Veringa

  “Well, I guess we don’t have a choice,” I reply grumpily. All of a sudden, I can’t stand Walt seeming so savvy next to me. I feel like a right lemon.

  “I’d love to,” Mara chimes in. Knowledge-hungry Mara, who always wanted to know what was on the other side anyway.

  “But we have to solve the problems on our side of the Wall first,” I point out. “Force our leader out. Free Henry. Consult with the parents.”

  “The parents?” Walt asks in a tone suggesting he’s never heard of parents before.

  “Uhm, yeah. They live in Newexter. They might want to help us getting rid of Saul, even though I told my mother it wasn’t necessary.” I sigh and pause for a moment. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind if they stepped in. We sure need the help.”

  Walt blinks confusedly. “So… you don’t live with your parents?”

  I frown. “No. Of course not.”

  “How old are you girls then?”

  “Mara’s fifteen and I’m sixteen.”

  “Huh.” Walt shrugs non-committally and hands me The Book. “I had no idea it was that bad.”

  “Bad?” I glare at him.

  Walt’s eyebrow quirks up. “Yes. Don’t you think it’s bad?”

  Suddenly, my grandmother’s words pop into my mind. “So you do live with the parents?” I ask hesitantly.

  A mother’s love never fades.

  Parents and children don’t separate.

  That’s how she described it – the situation on the other side.

  “Yes. We do,” Walt answers softly. He seems to realize his remarks puzzle me, and thankfully he doesn’t pursue the subject any more.

  We sit down in the grass, the three of us. Mara and Walt are flanking me on either side, and The Book is in my lap.

  “So I’ve read the first couple pages,” I say. “There was nothing important in them. At least, nothing we can use right now.”

  I turn the pages while Mara leans on my shoulder and looks at The Book. Walt’s warm arm presses into my shoulder on the other side when he bends forward to have a peek as well. Does he have to sit this close?

  “Look, here’s something about leadership,” Mara pipes up, pointing at a drawing of Dark Father accompanied by a long text. I hold up The Book and look more closely, my eyes taking in every word.

  “Luke’s father crossed over to the Dark Side,” I read out slowly. “He no longer had access to the Force, because he only thought of himself. He abandoned his children, while trying to accrue all power for himself. He became a bad leader because he used his Force to suppress and manipulate people. They lost their Light when it was within arm’s reach. For collaboration makes us the strongest, and no leader is needed to work together.” The word ‘collaboration’ is underlined thickly.

  Have I ever. Saul sounds like the spitting image of Dark Father.

  “That’s it,” Mara whispers excitedly. “This is the page Andy was talking about. This is what he read. And now we have proof.”

  I still can’t quite believe it. All these years we’ve been living a lie, and suddenly I feel like a blind Fool for never doubting the things Saul taught us. The truth we thought we knew doesn’t make sense.

  “We’re not that different after all,” Walt speaks up. “We also believe in collaboration. But we don’t know that Dark guy, Luke’s father. Our leader is the Bookkeeper. He’s a descendant of the very first Bookkeeper on the island.”

  “Do your people have a Book, too?” Mara wants to know.

  Walt laughs a little boastfully. “Oh, we have more than just one. They’re a bit like this book, but the words look neater. Very precise. Full of information about the World across the Waters.”

  The knuckles of my hands gripping The Book turn white, and I can hear my friend inhale sharply. I wouldn’t be surprised if she decided to flee to Hope Harbor with Walt right this instant. He couldn’t have made Mara more curious.

  “There really is proof?” I say quietly. “Of the other side?”

  “The Books tell us about it,” Walt shrugs. “If that’s proof enough for you.”

  “Do they say anything about us?”

  “Our priests say the Unbelievers have turned away from us because they don’t believe in the World across the Waters. Or at least they don’t believe anyone from that world will come for us. They want to determine their own fate and be on their own.”

  “So we once were together? The Fools and the Unbelievers?”

  Walt nods curtly. “Once upon a time.” He makes it sound like a fairytale, but I’m starting to believe it’s all true.

  Undecidedly, I look at the page with the proof we were looking for. “What should we do?” I wonder aloud, searching Mara’s eyes. “Should we take the entire Book or just the one page?”

  Mara worries her lip. “I don’t know. It feels wrong to damage The Book.”

  “Seems like a bad idea to tear out the page if you want to use it as some proof in a trial,” Walt adds. “How else would your people know for sure it’s actually from your book?”

  Oh, right. I’d forgotten all about Walt being an intolerable smartass. “You’re right. We must take the Book back with us,” I conclude with a withering look aimed at the know-it-all Fool’s boy.

  “Here’s to hoping no one will subject us to a full body search,” Mara mumbles.

  “Okay. Sounds like you two have a plan. A dangerous plan, but a plan nonetheless.” Walt looks at me. “Will you be careful?” he adds a bit anxiously.

  I nod slowly, confused by his sudden worry.

  “Will you come to Hope Harbor soon?”

  I nod again. “When will you have time for us?”

  “For you, always.” He smiles broadly. “I’m the Bookkeeper’s nephew, so everyone knows me. Just ask for Walt.”

  I try not to roll my eyes. A Famous Fool – just my luck. “I will.”

  “And, Leia?”

  “Yes?”

  “Try bringing a smile next time, okay?” He grins at me teasingly, and I turn red.

  “Come on, Mara, let’s go,” I say, ignoring his comment. His strange accent still sings around in my ears when I walk down the trail with my best friend, a basket of plants in my arms and The Book tucked away in my underwear.

  11

  ONCE WE’VE crossed the manor grounds littered with tents and huts, we spot Andy standing by the oak in front of the house. He beckons us, putting a finger to his battered lips when he pulls us inside one of the huts. It belongs to Pete and Tim, but they’re over at the northern beach catching fish.

  “What have you two told Ben this morning?” he asks tensely.

  “Nothing,” Mara replies with a grin. “We kindly told him goodbye before trotting off into the woods while holding hands.”

  “We might have provoked him a little bit,” I admit.

  Andy’s eyes dart to Mara. “Well, congratulations. Ben finally pulled it off. He’s made his case with Saul – probably been nagging him for so long that our great leader couldn’t stand it anymore. So he arranged your wedding. Scheduled it for tonight.”

  The world stops spinning. Mara gapes at Andy, and I swallow painfully. We were joking about this – we didn’t think Saul would actually do it.

  “Yes, you heard me. Saul wants you to marry Ben.” Andy looks at Mara grimly.

  “But – he can’t do that,” she cries out in fear. “It’s against the rules.”

  “You do realize Saul hasn’t been a big fan of the rules for quite some time,” Andy comments.

  Mara turns pale as a sheet and plonks down on the rickety bed in the corner. “What am I supposed to do?” she wails. “I can’t marry Ben. The minute he officially becomes my husband tonight...” She doesn’t finish, but the implication is clear. A blow to the head isn’t going to stop him this time around.

  Andy takes her hand. �
�Escape to Newexter,” he urges her. “Hide there until the situation here has changed. Once we’ve confronted Saul with the things we’ve learned…”

  “But where?” Mara asks in a shaky voice. “I can’t rely on the parents. And the villagers of Newexter will send me back instantly when they discover I’m not married, because as long as I’m not, I belong here.”

  I suddenly have an idea. “Go to my mother. She won’t send you back. I’m sure of it. She doesn’t agree with what’s happening here either.”

  “But…” Mara starts to object.

  I take the necklace from my pants pocket. Grandmother’s note is tucked away in the cracked walnut once more. “Give her this and tell her to read the note. I’m telling you, she won’t hesitate to take you in after that. You can even tell her…” I stop for a second. “That we need the parents’ help over here,” I finish softly.

  “Where’s The Book?” Andy asks.

  I pull it out of my underpants and hand it to him.

  “You should go right now,” I tell Mara. “Once you’re at the gate, start running and keep running until you reach the village. If no one sees you leave, Ben will only find out you’re gone when he’s stood up at the altar tonight.”

  “Okay.” She nods and gets up. Her eyes drift to Andy, who pulls her into his arms and kisses her so passionately it makes me blush.

  Then she’s gone and I’m alone with Andy.

  “Tonight we’re going to strike,” Andy says with a stern look on his face. “I’ll focus all attention on myself and tell everyone what Saul has done.”

  “What’s your plan?”

  “Colin’s going to help me. He’ll distract Saul’s buddies. They always stand guard on opposite sides of the manor house portico where Saul does his speeches so no one can get to him. But I want to get Saul away from there and stand on that very spot myself. So I can show The Book to the youngsters. So I can read from it.”

  I shiver. “You’re one brave guy. He’s going to kill you.”

  Andy’s eyes sparkle with anticipation. “No, he won’t. If I do well, they’ll kill him when I’ve had my say on account of all the lies he’s been telling us.”

  “I sure hope you’re right.”

  Andy nods, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Leia, you’re wonderful. I haven’t had a chance to thank you yet, but you did the bravest thing of all. You stole The Book. Thanks to you, Saul will have to give up his imaginary crown.”

  I swell with pride. I may not be the best survivor of the lot, but at least they can leave it in my capable hands to start a rebellion.

  “You’re welcome,” I mumble.

  “See you later, at the assembly.” Andy takes a step back and leaves the hut to go to his own dwelling.

  My heart beats in my throat when I step out of the hut after him. I book it for the kitchen, the two baskets of food piled high in my arms. Already, I’m nervous for tonight, and it’s not even dark yet. My stomach rumbles, but I’m way too apprehensive to want to eat anything. Every now and then I scan the grounds looking for Colin, but there’s no one here. They’re all probably out hunting, fishing or harvesting. The grain on the fields was already partly ripe yesterday.

  When I enter the house, I hear voices down the hall. Saul and Ben are just stepping out of the old dining room in the manor. The long table in there accommodates up to twenty people. When Colin and I were still allowed into all rooms of the house, we’d often fantasize about our forefathers having dinner parties there, all sitting together. Nephews, nieces, children and grandchildren – all who have given life to the island. Swords are on the wall above the fireplace, and although they don’t emit light like the ones Luke and Leia are holding on the front cover of The Book, I’m sure those weapons belonged to them.

  I wonder what Ben and Saul were doing there. Nobody goes into that room anymore nowadays.

  “Hey, butch,” Ben yells at me across the hall. “Where’s your lovely girlfriend?”

  I clench my jaw. Oh, how I would love to kick that piece of shit in the shins and throw all the roots in my baskets at his miserable head, but I shouldn’t. He’ll get his just deserts tonight.

  “She went fishing with Andy,” I reply, avoiding his eyes.

  “Hmm,” Saul says. “Well, when she gets back, you tell her she should come see my brother. He’s got a surprise for her.” His smile is dripping with malicious pleasure.

  I can’t help but gloat when I think of the blow Ben’s ego will suffer once he discovers Mara’s gone. It’s going to hurt even more than that nasty punch to his hooked nose. I smile at him sweetly. “Of course, Saul. I will.”

  I dodge around him and push the kitchen door open. My hands tremble when I put the baskets on the table, and they only stop shaking after I walk over to the well to haul up some water to wash the vegetables. Soon, this whole nightmare will be over. I’ve lasted all these years – surely I can tough it out for a few more hours.

  ***

  When evening falls, I help the others as they bring out the candles to light up the portico. Saul barks orders at us to put candles on either side of the stairs, alongside the white flowers a few other girls were sent to gather.

  “What the heck is he planning?” whispers Padma next to me, decorating a big candle with some bindweed. “Is he finally tying the knot? This looks like a wedding venue.”

  I say nothing and catch Ami’s eye while she’s fussing around with some wild daisies. She knows what’s going to happen tonight. I talked to her and Colin right after I was done in the kitchen.

  “Who knows,” Ami shrugs.

  “Well, who’s the lucky lady?”

  “No idea. Not me, that’s for sure. Let’s just wait and see.”

  “Whoever she is, I’m eternally grateful,” Padma sighs. “Saul is a total grinch. It’s about time he left for Newexter.”

  If only.

  When the sun dips below the skyline, we light the candles. It’s perfectly still. There’s not a breath of wind, and even the crickets seem to have stopped chirping waiting for something. The world awaits the big shift that will take place this evening, under these stars. Everything will change.

  At the edge of the manor grounds, behind a storage tent, I know Colin is waiting. He and Pete have made torches, which they’ll use to set fire to a part of the field. Pete sprinkled oil on the already dry grass earlier today so it will light up in no time. Once the flames erupt, they’ll suddenly appear, call Saul a liar and a fraud, and insist he has to step down. Hopefully, that’ll cause enough of a commotion to distract Saul’s bodyguards, so Andy can sneak up from behind, knock Saul unconscious and read from The Book to our group without censorship. With a little luck, Saul’s chums won’t dare to silence him with everyone present.

  In the silence, we all wait for something to happen. Then, the door swings open and Saul steps onto the portico, followed by his burly friends. Ben positions himself on Saul’s right side, next to a column, a sly smile on his face. Still, he looks somewhat restless – of course he hasn’t seen his blushing bride yet. Mara hasn’t taken an interest in his ‘surprise’ whatsoever.

  “Dear attendees,” Saul breaks the silence. “Tonight is a special occasion. Two people will be joined in matrimony, witnessed by all of you. The Force be in them.”

  Of course, Saul can’t whip out his Book to read to us, so he must be glad with this distraction. No one wonders why he’s not carrying it. They’re all far too curious to find out who’s getting married.

  From the corner of my eye, I can see Colin and Pete approach. The torches flare up in the darkness.

  “But first, we have another item on the program,” Saul continues.

  The main door opens, and Max and Cal appear in the doorway, dragging a handcuffed Henry outside. Cal gives the man a big push so he stumbles forward and lands on his knees in front of Saul.

  Oh no. What
is this?

  “This Fool,” a red-faced Saul shouts, pointing an accusatory finger at Henry, “has crossed the Wall. He has invaded our community to spread lies. He claims our Book is mere fantasy. He says Luke and Leia never really existed!” He drops his voice dramatically. “He even stubbornly maintains that he comes from across the sea.”

  His words send a shock through the crowd – myself included. Fantasy? Is this man from the World across the Waters trying to tell us that our ancestors aren’t real?

  I stand there petrified, watching the scene unfold. Saul kicks Henry in the side, beckoning Cal and Max over to join him.

  They’re carrying swords. The swords from the dining room.

  “He wants to destroy our world,” Saul yells, his face heated and his eyes glittering restlessly. “Question my leadership. He wants to make doubters of us all with his Foolish talk. But I won’t let that happen.”

  Cal takes a step forward. Sweat is dripping from Henry’s forehead. My heart speeds up and my throat goes dry. All of a sudden, it hits me – this whole situation is getting way out of hand.

  Speechlessly I watch Max move over to Henry’s other side. He’s lifting the sword into the air. I’m as dumbfounded as the rest of the youngsters surrounding me. No one steps forward. No one says a word, but their fear is palpable.

  When Saul steps aside to make room for his henchmen, I finally regain the power of speech and storm forward. “No, wait!” I cry out. “You don’t understand!”

  But it’s too late. With a sickening thud, Henry’s body slumps down on the front steps when Cal and Max viciously stab him with their swords. Blood trickles down the stairs. Henry’s eyelids droop and his head hits the marble.

  I look around in a panic. Where the blazes is Colin?

  My brother finally kicks into action. He and Pete rush forward and throw their torches onto the lawn in front of the manor house. Fire blazes instantly. “Liar!” they shout at Saul. “You’ve kept things from us!”