Cartlidge: Rise of the Imperfect Flame
Page 18
The last part of her words echoed in my mind, with dozens of questions in its wake. She started to leave as I sat up. The only thing I managed to say was: “Wait!... What is your name?”
She smiled as she turned the corner, leaving me to return to unconsciousness.
[Chapter 21: Rekindling the Embers]
Once again, I rose from my sleep. This time I was greeted by a king who I recognized as one of the council members. With him, stood Brin and the commander who trained me. I stood myself up and looked around. I had been moved from a single room to a common one. The ward was filled with injured survivors, who had all fled in lifeboats during the attack.
“Good morning, sir.” I started.
“It’s… afternoon, and don’t call me ‘sir.’ I hate that title.”
“Sorry. Are you here for my debriefing?”
The commander spoke up. “No. We’ve pieced together the incident from the other survivors, and we’ve heard your side from your doctor.”
“Then why are you here?”
Brin interjected. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m missing a leg and I keep seeing the faces of the dead when I sleep. Now why are you here?”
“We need you to make an official report to the council. You’ll come with us to answer their questions. It’s more about protocol at this point, so that the non-military officials don’t feel left out. Also, we need to know what happened to the life gem.” I had not thought about the gem for some time. Only now did I notice the necklace I wore. It was the golden chain that my angel gave me. On it, hung a small, red, diamond shaped gem. The life gem itself seemed to be missing. Unless, perhaps it was still here.
“It was destroyed in the attack. There’s nothing left of it.” I lied. Silently the King turned away.
“We’re also going to give petitions to the council for your advancement.” The commander continued.
“You mean like to commander?”
“No. You’re getting the special treatment. We’re going to see if they’ll award you with angel’s wings.”
Receiving the rare award of angel’s wings was similar to the historical “Medal of Honor” from the pre-war United States military. It was the highest award I could receive at my rank. Most normally receive it for acts such as overcoming impossible odds, or sacrificing one’s self for their squad’s survival. Often the award follows with a large advancement in rank for those who survive. If I were to receive it, I would be equal to soldiers like Brin in rank.
“Why?”
“Well some of us take pride in seeing our students climb to the top.” The commander joked.
“Also some of us believe you were the one to find the life gem because the angels favor you.” The King interrupted. I thought of the angel who visited me before. “Regardless, if a life gem has appeared, that means something big is happening, and if you’re this era’s champion. I’d like to see you ready as soon as possible. Access to better training will get you there.”
I was confused. How could I possibly advance this quickly? “I don’t think I have the experience, and I can’t control my power at will.”
“Anyone who survives an encounter with Arivictus is more than capable of holding their own. Besides, the extra training will make up for whatever doubts you have.”
“How? I don’t know how to lead. I’m not really a good fighter, and the only mission I’ve ever been on failed!” I sat up, causing the undone chain to slide off my neck onto my lap. I looked at the small gem. Was it really the life gem? How could that be possible? I sighed. The life gem was all I had left of Sapphire. I wondered if she would want me to go through with this.
“Just leave it to us to convince the council.”
It took some time getting used to my new leg but once I did we returned to the council room. The king did not accompany us, but rather rejoined his fellow council members. Brin stood to my left, the commander to my right. The memory of the last time I was here returned. This was the place that everything started.
“Everyone has read the basic report, correct?” The Emperor asked. The old Rovanekren sat down, covered head to toe in treasures and exotic furs. He was the head of the council, but was rarely called to participate. This however, was a special occasion. They all nodded in confirmation. “Then let us begin. We would like you to give your side of the story, and answer any questions we may have.”
I nodded, then told my story. All of it. From the time the Strategy launched to now. I told them about the rogue quartermaster, and how fast the Clawtrodons were able to destroy the ship. I told them about the strange uncharted planet, and how they never found us. I told them what happened just after communications were cut on the Shadow. I told them how Arivictus systematically killed all of us with his ghastly axe, including an angel. I lied about how the life gem was split in two, and disintegrated. I told them of the rescue, and finally the visitation by my angel. They were particularly interested in the last topic.
“You saw … an angel? Directly?”
“Yeah…” The woman looked skeptical. Another council member pulled up something on his screen. “What did she look like?”
“Well, her skin was clear white, like the snow. She almost seemed to glow like a star. Her wings were small and transparent, like glass. A thin ring floated over her head. Her pupils were colorless, and her eyes seemed to glow more than she did. She stood and walked with grace, as if gravity did not burden her.”
They all looked at each other. Whispers flew through the room.
“What did the angel tell you to do?”
“To continue on.” I replied. The whispers continued.
“I would like to nominate Jacob for angel’s wings!” Brin interrupted. Again there was talk amongst them. “We believe recent events have proven Jacob a capable warrior, and with the incident with Arivictus-”
“Luck does not make one a leader.”
“It doesn’t seem likely that anyone can survive this man’s ordeal on simple luck.” Another councilmember countered. “He used his intuition and survival skills to survive a year on an uncharted planet and remained with the objective until the end. And when Arivictus confronted them. He sought to sacrifice himself for the fleeing squads.”
“And yet many were still killed, and he survives. How do we know his account is even true?”
“The man lost his leg for them. Not only that, but the surviving member of Ezekiel’s squad gave an account that matches Jacob’s.”
There was discussion amongst all but the Emperor, who was silent during the whole session. “All in favor of bestowing this honor upon Jacob Cartlidge?” He finally asked. They all pulled up the question on their screens. Some pressed a green button. Others remained still.
“Against?” The second group pressed the other button.
“And the score...” The Emperor pressed a few keys on his screen. Instantly two numbers appeared on everyone’s screen. It was a count of votes for or against me. The numbers were close, with only five votes more in my favor than against me. I sighed in relief.
“The council has voted in favor of Jacob’s award.” He pressed a button, signaling someone to come in with the award. The Emperor himself came down, took the award, then stood before me. I stood at attention.
“Rifleman Jacob Cartlidge: for demonstrating the attributes of a leader in the face of insurmountable odds, it is my honor to award you the angel’s wings.” He handed me a small golden medal with two dove wings extending from its center. “May you wear them proudly.”
“Thank you, sir.” He turned away and climbed back into his seat. “You are now also entitled to advanced training and Kingship. Your training starts next week. You are dismissed.” We all three bowed and left the room.
It was late. I sat quietly on the roof of the apartment complex, my temporary home. Next week I would start a month of rigorous training to master my powers. After that, I would go through the King’s test. I sighed. The stars of the night sky were hidden by the lig
ht of the city. The sounds of nature were drowned out. I missed that hidden planet. I looked down and picked up the gem in my necklace. Those words echoed through my mind.
“You will see her again.”
I held the gem tightly and rested my head against the pillow I had stolen from my room so that I could sleep here, in the open air. I felt something that night that I had never felt before.
I felt alone.
{End of Book 1}
A note from the Author Devon Loos
Thank You for reading Cartlidge - Rise of the Imperfect Flame. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed creating it for you. This universe has been a part of my life for the many years I spent building it, and now you are part of that universe too. So ready yourself for the second book, because Jacob Cartlidge still has plenty of adventures ahead of him!
The flame is only beginning to burn.
Reviews are very important to authors. If you enjoyed Rise of the Imperfect Flame, please consider submitting a review. http://www.amazon.com/Cartlidge-Imperfect-Flame
A Free Gift Chapter
As a special bonus, please provide an email address and be among the first to receive a beta chapter of the second book in the Cartlidge series, The Warlord’s Tomb, scheduled to be released in the spring of 2016. Send an email to CartlidgeTheSeries@gmail.com You will receive a link to Cartlidge – The Warlord’s Tomb, Chapter 1.
View the author’s website http://www.jacobcartlidge.com/
Follow Devon on Facebook facebook.com/jacob.cartlidge
Follow Devon on Twitter @DevonLoos
#JCartlidge