Bones of the Earth

by Jason A. Gilbert

  Family

  The next morning came under the cover of clouds. The Argon had made its way across Lake Artus through the night, keeping to the deeper waters and guided by brief glimpses of the stars and Captain Drachus' own familiarity with the passage. Laila had tried to sleep, but she had not been able to get much rest. Between the rolling of the ship and the pain in her head, it had been nearly impossible.

  She now sat near the bow of the boat, on the flat deck between the two hulls, as the Argon drifted into the Terus harbor. She glanced up at the tall sails as the crew skillfully rolled the canvas up. One man stood near the peak of the mast, pulling tightly against a rope, making sure the sail was secure as the oarsmen took control of the ship’s propulsion. Her heart pounded with excitement. She was returning home. She had only been gone for a little over a month, but it had felt like a lifetime. So much was different, not least of the all the fact that she was no longer welcome in the city of her birth. She gripped the staff across her legs. Especially not now.

  The Argon slid through the harbor, and the only sounds were the shouts of Captain Drachus to his crew. With practiced skill, the ship made its way up to one of the smaller docks, and several crew members jumped off and quickly attached lines between the dock and the ship. Laila stood and made her way back toward the cabin in the aft of the ship. Connor met her halfway, his pack slung over his shoulders and holding her pack out.

  "Thanks," she said, unable to contain the excitement in her voice.

  "Feel good to be home?" Connor asked.

  "It does. Feels like I've been gone so long..."

  Icarus approached from the other side of the ship. "Best to keep your origins quiet, child."

  Laila nodded, a sullen look on her face. She knew he was right, but that did not stop her from feeling dejected at the idea. Captain Drachus sauntered over to the small group.

  "Welcome to Terus, Shi Icarus. I hope the trip was not too uncomfortable." Laila had found she liked the Captain. His demeanor was disarming, and he had made no assumptions about his passengers, taking them at face value and not asking any questions.

  "It was, Captain. You have my thanks, again," Icarus answered.

  "Any time, Shi. I trust you'll remember the Argon in the future."

  "I will, friend Captain."

  Icarus reached his hand out to shake the Captain's hand. Laila caught the slight glint of metal in their hands. An extra payment? Perhaps meant to keep the Captain quiet should anyone come asking. Laila once again felt downtrodden at the idea of hiding in her own city.

  Their business concluded, the three companions took their leave of Captain Drachus and climbed off the boat. Connor looked the most thankful to be back on solid ground. Laila had heard him retching during the night, his body unused to the movement of the boat. His face still had a pale sheen to it, but just standing on the solid stone of the Terus harbor seemed to steady him, bring him back to himself.

  The trio walked to the entrance to the harbor and weaved their way through the city. Laila felt at ease for the first time since she had left, despite the danger that might be hanging over her. This was her home. She knew all the streets, the little landmarks, and she felt at ease in the press of people, which was heavy as many of them tried to finish their business before the clouds above began to rain. However, the city did look different. Laila felt the stone of the road through her staff, she could see the earth that made up the buildings. She felt more connected to her city, but also more distant. The simple fact that she could sense all these elements around her was the reason why she’d had to leave. Why she was no longer an accepted member of Terun society. As those negative thoughts tore through her mind, she found herself instinctively pulling the hood of her cloak further up over her head, hiding her features from the once-familiar city.

  Icarus led them toward the city center. Laila felt her anxiety increase. Hopefully she would just blend into the crowd. The merchant stalls were up, the various wares of the Artisans on display. People moved in and out of the stalls. It was early still, so the press of people was still slight. Few were actually looking for anything: those who had nowhere to go for the day wandered through the stalls, looking at the wares with indifference, others made their way to the small cafés at the outer edge of the center, getting an early meal before starting their own work for the day. Consuls, Artisans, the Citizens of Terus.

  As they turned down the southern road that led to Laila’s family estate, Laila caught a glimpse of someone in the corner of her eye. It was Selene. She was walking into the city center from the same road. She wore the robes of a Consul and walked with a prideful gait, her shoulders back and her head up, making sure that any who looked at her knew she was a Consul. Laila studied her friend a moment longer, and then Selene turned in her direction.

  Laila immediately ducked her head away and pulled her hood up higher. Her heart pounded up into her throat. Please don’t recognize me, she begged silently. Icarus had not seen the exchange, and Laila focused her eyes onto his dust-covered back, praying that she had not been recognized. Once they were a few hundred yards down the road, out of the city center, Laila breathed again as nothing had happened. Selene had not called out to her friend…nor had she called for the Guardians. Laila finally risked a glance behind her. She saw Selene, who had stopped for a moment at the entrance to the city center. She was looking toward Laila, but now the distance was too great for her friend to recognize her. At least, Laila hoped. She turned back and followed Icarus.

  Their plan was to speak to Clara and hopefully find sanctuary in her old home before anyone, especially Torin, found out that she had returned. She still did not know what she was going to do, but she knew that a confrontation with Torin was inevitable. She just hoped it could be on her terms and not his; he already had too many advantages.

  They reached the small gate that led into her old house. The one she had seen Icarus in front of the first day they met. That day seemed so far away now. And now it was Laila who stood before the gate, looking in; she was the outsider.

  "Go on, child," Icarus encouraged her.

  "But... What if they..." Laila could not finish the thought.

  "They won't, Laila. You know that."

  "My presence puts them in so much danger..."

  "It does. But without you here, the danger would be much greater." Icarus's voice was soothing, as it often was in these moments.

  Laila pulled her staff closer, calling on its strength, trying to ease her raging nerves. With a deep breath and fear still hanging over her, she rapped lightly on the metal of the gate with her staff. The sound echoed through the grounds, uncomfortably loud. Within moments, Clara's familiar face appeared at the gate, looking out hesitantly.

  "Master Alain is not here..." she began, trying to shoo the visitors away.

  Seeing Clara's face brought a surge of emotion to Laila's eyes. She felt a burning heat in her eyes, but she pushed it down. Reaching up slowly, she pulled the hood of her cloak back, revealing her face. Slowly she looked up into Clara's eyes, which at first did not recognize her. Then, with a shout of joy, Clara flung open the gate.

  "Laila-sa! Is it...?" She could not finish. She burst out of the gate, her arms wrapping around Laila, who immediately felt like the child she had been not long ago. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she returned the embrace feverishly.

  "Rara..."

  Icarus and Connor stood uncomfortably behind the two of them as they reveled in each other's presence. Reluctantly, Laila released her former housemaid.

  "Rara, we need to see father." Laila was finally able to speak, getting her emotions under control with assistance from her staff.

  "Oh child, of course, of course. Come in. Please. Let's get off the street," Clara answered, beaming.

  The housemaid ushered the three of them in through the gate before closing and locking it behind them.

  "Come," Clara said, directing them into the main house.

  The group walked into the main ha
ll of the house, off the garden. Laila longed to walk through the grounds, back to her own room, sleep on her bed’s comfortable sheets, but there were more important things to accomplish right now. Once they were in the main hall, Clara turned and took the time to really study Laila. Self-consciously, Laila pulled her robes about her; they were dirty and travel-worn, and Clara had always been so meticulous with Laila's appearance.

  With a gasp, Clara reached her hand out toward Laila's temple, where the wrap and bandage was peeking out from underneath her brown hair. Laila flinched away, but when Clara persisted, she let her examine the wound.

  "What has happened, child?" she asked.

  "It..." Laila glanced at Icarus, who only shook his head slightly. "It was an accident. Dangers of the road, you know."

  Clara glanced at Laila with a knowing look in her eyes and then returned to the bandage.

  "It looks like you'll live." Clara pulled her hands away, allowing Laila to readjust the bandage on her head. "Not the way I'd have you live, child, but I think we're beyond that now."

  Laila could only nod. Clara then glanced at her two companions. "And who might these gentlemen be?"

  "This is Connor," Laila began. "He's the one I left with...after everything happened. And this is Icarus. He's been...a guide, I guess you could say."

  Clara nodded slowly, uncertainty still reflected in her eyes.

  "Clara-sa, I do need to see Father. Is he at the Consulate?" she finally pressed, returning to her purpose.

  "Goodness, of course! I'll go get him at once!" Clara began making her way to the entrance, Laila stopped her with a hand on her arm.

  "Clara, no one can know I am here. You'll have to come up with some other reason for father to leave. It needs to be convincing. Don't even tell him the real reason. It's too dangerous."

  Clara looked at Laila, and a look of remembrance passed over her face, as though she were recalling when Laila was just a child, happy to meet the world. The young woman in front of her was different. An acceptance crossed her visage. "Of course, Laila-sa. I will bring him here as quickly as possible."

  Laila realized that Clara had said nothing of her mother yet. That seemed odd. She stopped her former housemaid one more time before she left. "What about Mother?"

  Clara's eyes dropped to the floor, as though she had been fearing that question. "I... You should probably speak to your father about that."

  Laila's mind immediately jumped to conclusions, terrible ones. "She's not...is she...?!" She could not help the tremor in her voice.

  Clara put her hands on Laila's shoulders. "No, no, child. Nothing quite so severe. She just... She took your departure hard. I... Let me go get your father. I'll be back as soon as I can."

  With that, the older woman spun and disappeared out the front gate. Laila collapsed onto one of the chairs in the main hall, her mind reeling with possibilities. Her mother was not dead, at least there was that. But what could have made Clara so flustered? Her mother had always been so strong, so determined. She did not think anything could have broken her.

  "Are you alright?" Connor asked, sitting down across from her.

  Laila reached up and rubbed her eyes clear of her emotions. She needed to be in control for what was to come. "I am. Sorry. I'm just trying to figure out what could've happened to my mother."

  "I'm sure everything is fine, child," Icarus said as he settled himself into a cross-legged position on the floor.

  "Are you? Really? Thank you, Magus!" Laila could not contain the retort. Icarus raised an eyebrow at the outburst, glancing between her and Connor briefly. "I'm sorry," Laila said, calming herself.

  Icarus nodded and then closed his eyes, relaxing on the stone floor.

  Laila sat for a while and then stood and made her way into the kitchen, rummaging for food. She found a bowl of fruit and a fresh loaf of bread. Bringing these to her companions, she handed some to Connor and left the rest on the table for Icarus. Biting into a large apple, Laila began pacing the width of the main hall. As much as she tried to control her emotions, she was too high-strung; she needed movement. What she really needed was action, but that would come later. She continued to contemplate her plan; it all hinged on her ability to convince her father. Hopefully she could.

  After nearly an hour, they heard the sound of the gate opening. Laila rushed out to meet her father expectantly. She stopped when she saw who was coming through the gate. A woman. Her robes hung loosely on her shoulders and looked like they had not been changed in days. Once-proud shoulders slumped forward, defeated. Her hair hung disheveled across her face, plastered in place by sweat and dirt. As she stumbled into the garden, she turned to see Laila standing in the doorway to the main hall. Lunete looked up, through the mess of her hair, and stared blankly at Laila with glassy eyes.

  Laila's heart sunk at the sight of her mother. She almost did not recognize this broken mess before her. What had Torin done? How had he beaten her mother so completely?

  Lunete's glassy eyes stared for a long time with no sign of comprehension. Then recognition burst onto her face, and tears welled up in her eyes. She pulled herself up straighter and brushed at her robes.

  "Laila...?" her voice was dull, distant.

  Laila could only nod, her own emotions overtaking her. It had been almost too much seeing Clara at the gate earlier. But to see her mother again, and to see her in this state—it struck at the very core of her being. She had no words. They both stood dumbly, staring at one another across the garden.

  With a cry, Lunete collapsed onto the ground. "My daughter! I... Laila!" she crumpled into a ball, sobs racking her body.

  Laila broke her own statuesque pose, dropping her staff on the ground, and rushed to her mother, gathering the broken woman up into her arms, her own sobs melding with her mother's. They sat on the ground of the gardens for long moments, pent up emotions finally released. Lunete pulled herself free from Laila's arms and then returned the embrace fiercely. Slowly, the font of emotions ebbed, and the two women sat back, still holding each other's shoulders.

  Laila could still see a dullness in her mother's eyes that had never been there before. She also caught a scent of something unfamiliar, though it did remind her of the potent drink she and her mother had shared the day of her Testing.

  "What happened, Mother?" Laila was finally able to whisper, still unsure of her voice.

  Lunete stared into Laila's eyes, reaching up and brushing a tear off her cheek. "Oh, so much, Laila. So much..."

  "What?" Laila persisted.

  "I never thought I'd see you again," her mother said.

  Laila squeezed her mother's shoulders gently, but insistently. "Mother, I need to know what happened."

  Lunete nodded, returning her eyes to the ground. She took a shuddering breath, trying to bring herself back under control. When she looked back up at Laila, the dullness had receded, but it had been replaced by a deep sadness.

  "After you left, I tried to stand up against Torin, use my influence with Guardians to undermine his position within the Consulate. Your father did not support the idea, but he did not try and stop me." Her voice was weak, but as she spoke, Laila could hear the strength returning to her speech, as though just the admission and declaration of what had happened vindicated her. "If only I had known. Even your father did not know. He warned you once, about Torin's power within the Consulate." Laila nodded. "It was much greater than even your father knew. Within a few days of your exile, Torin had positioned himself to take the Consulari's position. Without exposing what you were, I could not openly confront him.

  "But, I still had friends amongst the Guardians, or at least I had thought. I gathered support and readied myself to bring a grievance against him directly. But before I could, he had maneuvered himself into the Consulari's seat. Once that was done, there was nothing I could do. And he had learned of my...attempt. The next day, I was cast out from the Guardians. Stripped of rank and privilege, even Citizenship. On that day, I became one of the Togati. I w
as allowed to stay in the city, only under the custody of your father. Torin's power was great, but he could still not openly confront a member of the Consulate as popular as Alain.

  "I had lost my daughter, my position, my Citizenship. The only thing I had left was your father. And he had become obsessed with Torin's downfall. Still is. I didn't know what to do. One night I wandered down near the docks, weaving my way in and out of the taverns that the non-Citizens frequented late at night. I..." Her voice trailed off. Laila could put the rest of the story together herself.

  "It's alright, Mother. I'm home."

  Her mother began sobbing again and Laila pulled her into her arms.

  Laila could not tell how long they sat there, letting their emotions run their course. Eventually, her mother pushed away from her again and took a long look at Laila, taking in the travel stains on her clothes, the bandage on her forehead.

  "It would seem that you've had your own struggles, child." Lunete tried to smile through her tear-marked face.

  "I have," Laila said, finally standing. Helping her mother to her feet as well, they made their way back into the main hall, holding each other's shoulders.

  As they entered, Lunete caught sight of Icarus sitting on the floor and Connor, a few steps from him. Emotions boiled up inside her once again, and Laila could not stop her as she pushed away from her daughter and charged toward Icarus.

  "You!" Lunete stood over Icarus, her finger poised like a dagger.

  Icarus opened his eyes and glanced up at the former Guardian.

  "You are the reason my daughter left! What have you done to her?!"

  "Mother..." Laila said, softly.

  “No! I would know why all of this has happened.” She turned to Laila, and Laila could see the pain in her eyes. “I know you chose to forsake your Citizenship. But I would know why!” She spun back to Icarus. “I must know the reason, Magus! Why did you take my daughter from me?”

  "I did not take her away, Shi Wardein." Icarus said, his voice smooth.

  "You were the reason for all of this!" She swung her arms wide. "Without you, none of this would have happened."