Infused (Book 2 of The Pioneers Saga)

by William Stadler

  He headed to the eastern cities and gave the same speech over the following weeks. The people’s response was the same — lively uproars meshed with excited anticipation.

  The Alphas heard of Raylen’s acclaim, and they appointed him as Jon Uliah’s successor, but not in front of his people. His ceremony was less than sacred, unlike Naturalist Governor Rian Pryle’s appointment. There were no words of encouragement or hope for the future of Valenheid, but the event was an isolated momentary hiccup in the Alphas’ agenda. They were more concerned with reestablishing their own people after the Battle of Bachenlaw. Appointing someone who was, in their eyes undeserving, was not something that they considered a priority.

  Raylen took this personally. He wanted his people to know of his instatement. He wanted his people to bask in his residual glory. He rode his carriage to the council building. This was his first ever meeting as an Alpha. He felt the tension within him, but this was what he wanted. He deserved this. He fought for this. His people needed this, and he was going to make sure that they were represented, which was more than Jon Uliah ever did.

  He reconnected with Hydric and they entered Bachenlaw together — the city where the Alpha Council resided. He asked Hydric to stay back with the carriage, because the contents were much too valuable to be left unattended. Raylen entered the building, and it was shabbier than he imagined. He expected precious stones and bright lights. He expected beautiful chairs and chandeliers. He expected more. He would have to change this as soon as they learned to respect him. This was not fitting for someone in his position.

  Naturalist Rian was moderating. “Have a seat Governor Raylen Fevin,” he said. “I don’t think that tardiness is fitting for a diplomat.”

  “Rian, leave your personal feelings out of moderating,” said Materialist Newt.

  Rian nodded, but his umbrage did not disappear from his expression.

  “I was attending to matters that may be of concern to this committee,” said Raylen.

  “And what might that be?” asked Rian, being more capable of hiding his frustration.

  The Alphas became silent, fidgeting in their seats, waiting for whatever it was that he had to say.

  Raylen sighed. He knuckled his emblem and cleared his throat. “I have proof that the Spiritualists destroyed Yugan.”

  The Alphas burst out into an uproar. The Illuminaries lit up the room. Yael slapped her hand on the wooden table. “Who do you think you are! A newly appointed Alpha, whom we do not recognize might I add, dare accuse my people of these crimes?”

  “Yael’s right. What proof could you possibly have to incriminate the Spiritualists?” asked Naturalist Onri.

  “A body…” said Raylen.

  Yael couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “This is preposterous. A body says nothing.”

  “How about several bodies?” said Raylen. He called for Hydric to bring in the corpses. Hydric hauled in four bodies in iced prisms. The Illuminaries fluttered frantically in their centered cage.

  Raylen reached out his hand and melted the ice. The faces on the lifeless bodies were all the same. Their locks dripped wet from the water. The stench had been contained by the encasing.

  “What’s this, Raylen?” asked Polarist Connor.

  “These are the bodies of one member of the Triage. A band of Spiritualist dissenters who have embraced the dark ways of the Spiritualist practices.”

  “Did you know about this, Yael?” asked Materialist Newt.

  She pushed her graying hair to the side. Her demeanor eased in an embarrassed humility. “The Hellstates are the paths that some of my people have chosen. I do not encourage it. People have the freedom to make their own choices, and sometimes, this is what happens.”

  “So what does this mean?” asked Polarist Connor.

  “It doesn’t mean anything,” said Spiritualist Yael. “It only shows that you found a body.”

  “There’s more,” said Raylen.

  The Alphas were flabbergasted. Now they were more intrigued by what Raylen had to say.

  “I found a Spiritualist Vortex outside of the Polarist city of Yugan — the town that was destroyed. Those death cyclones were the very work of this dead Spiritualist.”

  “Now, those are accusations that you can’t prove,” Yael said as she pointed at him down her aging fingertip.

  “I don’t have to prove it. I leave that up to the council,” said Raylen.

  “We have enough to worry about,” said Rian. “And entertaining these claims are not something that the council is interested in — especially since I know it was you who helped destroy Yugan with Wex’s help!”

  The council erupted into another uproar. The governors and the members of the council leaned in towards one another, covering their mouths to hide their words from the Alphas of the other provinces.

  “From where do these accusations arise?” asked Materialist Newt.

  “I’ll tell you where they arise,” said Raylen. “They arise from the Naturalists’ hatred of my people. They arise from these beastmongers’ ambition to further demoralize my people.” He glared at Rian across the room. “And I suppose you want to blame me for Dena’s death also?”

  Naturalist Rian was taken off guard. He didn’t expect Raylen’s self-accusation. “I’m sure you did,” said Rian. But it was too late. The council disregarded Rian’s allegation because it did not appear to be rooted in anything except for momentary irritation.

  “Do no let your frustration blind your judgement, Naturalist Rian,” said Materialist Newt.

  “What is to be done about Raylen’s claims?” asked Naturalist Onri.

  Materialist Newt folding his arms over his chest. “We will investigate his findings, but until then, we cannot assume anything.”

  “Investigate?” Raylen asked as he flailed his arms. “I have all the evidence you need. We need to stop these Spiritualist witches from ruining my province!”

  “Raylen! That type of language will not be tolerated!” said Materialist Newt.

  “Is this how it’s going to be — my reign as an Alpha? Unheard and unheeded?” Raylen asked.

  “We are listening to you,” said Naturalist Onri. “But these allegations are extreme, and it will take time to uncover their validity.”

  Raylen stood and smacked his palms on the table. The meat underneath his arms jiggled. “I cannot tolerate this. I will return next month. Let’s hope that you all have come to your senses by then.” He stomped out, slamming the door behind him.

  THE PRESENT: TWO YEARS POST EXTRACTION

  “They didn’t listen then, and they don’t listen now,” said Raylen.

  “That will change after the invasion,” said Hydric. He crossed his feet under the table and leaned back in his chair.

  Raylen folded his arms over his heavy stomach. He was sweating slightly from the heat in the room, and he lowered his temperature. A sinister cooling mist fumed from his skin. “Right you are.”

  CHAPTER 6

  THE DOMINATION

  Caleb stepped out of his house, and the wind was blowing in from above. The morning had come and he was glad for it. His conversation with Sarai a few days before was more difficult to stomach than he thought it would be, and he still felt the sting of her rejection lingering in his chest. He wanted her to care for him like he cared for her. He wanted her to have enjoyed the kiss. But none of this was true.

  When he was a Naturalist, if he was attracted to someone, he connected with that person, and then he just moved in. This is how the Naturalists connected. Of course, she had to be attracted to him, but there wasn’t the feeling of not knowing or even the longing of wanting to know. He had been disabled in more ways that he thought. The connection with people was the Naturalist way, but this uncertainty was killing him.

  He had not seen Sarai in a few days. Though he longed to talk with her, he didn’t know what to say. What could he tell her? He just didn’t know.

  Grabbing his bow, he headed to the Training Ward. The mu
d had hardened to a thick, cracked clay, and it was much easier to walk on than the past few days. The air was still cool, but it seemed cleaner — like the rain had washed away the dryness from the atmosphere.

  “Caleb!” Sarai sprinted towards him down the road of the Housing Ward.

  A surge of emotion rose within him, and the awkwardness crushed him again. What did she want, and what would he say back to her? He wrung his hands together and waited for what she had to say, fearing that if he spoke, his voice would come out unsteadily. Even getting used to speaking audibly was challenging for him. He had connected through the psyche ever since he was a child, and speaking aloud made him feel tense and exposed.

  “The Spiritualists.” She could barely get the words out through her breaths. “They’ve been invaded by the Polarists.”

  “What?” His voice was clearer than he presumed it would be. The breeze from above was no longer as comforting. “How?”

  “Raylen sent his troops into Broughtonhaven. Hundreds of Spiritualists were slaughtered, and the rest are being round up and imprisoned. They tried to run into the caves….”

  Caleb balled up his fists and wrinkled his brow. “But Raylen barricaded them shut,” Caleb said, finishing her words. “He planned this. He knew they would retreat underground.”

  “We have to do something.”

  “What about Shauna?” he asked.

  “Nothing yet. A small scouting squadron is heading out from Juten now. They’re going to split up and investigate Broughtonhaven. If you hurry, you can go with us,” she said.

  “I’m ready now. I just have to get a few things.”

  “Grab them, and let’s go!”

  They rushed to the entrance of the city, and they arrived late in the day. The canoes waited for them as a few more Pioneers straggled in. Once everyone was settled, the small fleet set sail for Clydenholm.

  =====

  Caleb, Sarai, and Gardiv broke away from the rest of the group to investigate Broughtonhaven, but Caleb had to keep his head about him. How could the Polarists have the audacity to go to these lengths to Dominate Broughtonhaven? And how could they follow a knave like Raylen? It just didn’t make sense. Caleb remembered seeing Raylen in the destroyed Polarist city of Yugan, and Raylen even admitted to his betrayal. How could they not have known?

  The moon was hidden behind the clouds, and the spirits surfaced with guttural sounds of aggression. They were furious. Some barked while others growled, and their eerie luminesce glowed and faded back into the spiritual plane.

  Staying off the road so that they wouldn’t be noticed, Caleb, Sarai, and Gardiv sneaked through the thicket. Raylen’s people could have been anywhere. The night air was cool, and chill bumps ridged on Caleb’s skin. The region was alive, and he had to be careful. He also needed to find Shauna, if she was even alive.

  He looked down at his Lightguard, and it was pulsing with rhythmic blue flashes. “Sarai,” he whispered, showing her his wrist.

  “I see it,” she said, looking at her own bracer.

  “Someone’s close by. Split up. Stay quiet and stay low,” Gardiv said.

  Caleb covered his Lightguard and moved carefully to the left. His footsteps were mute, except for the occasional rustling of a few leaves, and even those were a nuisance to him. He eased out an arrow from his quiver and drew his bow. There was no one around. Not one emblem lit up the night. Maybe they had covered up their stones for an ambush, but was it a Polarist or Spiritualist or someone else? He didn’t know.

  The night canopy hung heavily over his head, allowing streaks of moonlight to glide in through the holes between the leaves. The road twisted away from him and disappeared into the darkness down the rolling hills that snuck away into the woods.

  “Caleb!” It was Sarai! She was in danger. He sprinted in her direction, keeping his footsteps quiet. The arrows barely rattled in his quiver. “Caleb! Help!”

  This time it was behind him. He turned and speeded in the opposite direction, but he still couldn’t find her. Where were the sounds coming from? “Caleb!” Now the voice was coming from above. Apprehension took control of him. His heart raced, and his palms sweated. What was happening to her? He had to save her.

  Panic poured over him like a wave. “Sarai!” he called. “Sarai!” Where was she? Why wasn’t Gardiv doing anything? “Sarai!”

  There was no response, and the darkness was too thick. He couldn’t see anything. He stood up to look around, hoping that he would catch the glimmer of a reflection — anything that would show him where she was.

  “Caleb. Caleb. Caleb.” The voices surrounded him. But this time, none of them were Sarai’s. He circled in all directions, but there wasn’t anyone near. Spirits slithered up his back and across his skin.

  “DIE!” A woman screamed. She slammed him onto the ground and crawled on top of him. Her breath was rancid, and her hands were rough. He couldn’t see her, but something like whiskers scraped against his cheek. Her violet emblem beamed a ray of light on his chest. He struggled to push her off, but she forced his wrists into the ground.

  “Caleb. Caleb. Caleb,” she said in three different voices. Each sound came from a different direction. The words were all in his head.

  “Sarai!” he yelled. The whiskers cut into his face like daggers.

  The woman slashed Caleb across the cheek with her claws. His head flung to the side. A dull pain throbbed in his jaw. He clenched his eyes closed to ease the pain. It didn’t help.

  “Caleb. Caleb. Caleb,” the woman said.

  He braced himself for another attack. A swift buzzing sound cut through the air. The woman wailed as her body froze. Another buzz soared, slicing through the woman’s side. Blood oozed out of her mouth onto Caleb’s face. He shoved her off of him and slid back across the ground, wiping the goo from his cheek.

  “Caleb. Is that you?” asked Sarai.

  “Yeah, it’s me,” he said, picking himself out of the dirt. He used his canteen to clean the woman’s blood from his face. “Thanks, Sarai. That woman was going to kill me.” The darkness returned, but the spirits’ aggression had settled. “Where’s Gardiv?”

  “Right here. But you’re thanking the wrong person. I’ll take the credit for saving your life again, if you don’t mind.”

  “Well thanks,” Caleb said, still brushing himself off.

  Caleb walked over to the woman’s body; she was cold from the Polarist shot, and he could barely see her because of the blackness, but she was completely deformed. Her body was furry like a beast, but her voice had been human.

  He looked at her more closely as he touched her face and felt her hands. A shocking fear ran up his spine. He could’t believe what he was seeing. How could this have happened? He stumbled back from the body.

  This was a little girl. She could have only been eight or nine years old. Her body was so petite, but she had overpowered Caleb so easily. Here she lay, dead, killed by an arrow, with the intention of killing him. Where were her parents? Where was she coming from? Why was she out here alone? So many questions flooded Caleb’s thoughts, and he couldn’t get rid of them, questions to which he was sure he might never know the answers.

  He stepped further away from her body with remorse. Grief filled his heart, and he had to say something, but he could barely get out the words out. He massaged the scar on his chest. If he had his emblem, he would have spoken through his psyche. “Who was that little girl?” Caleb asked. “She clearly wasn’t human, but she was in my head. It was like she could hear what I was thinking. She kept calling for help in your voice,” he said, pointing to Sarai. “But every time that I headed to the direction of the sound, her voice would come up somewhere else. I thought that you were being dragged around or something.”

  “She was in my head too,” Gardiv said.

  “Mine too,” said Sarai. “But when you called my name, there was something in your voice that I could tell was real. Something that she couldn’t mimic. I’m not sure why, but I just knew that it was yo
u.”

  Gardiv spat to the side, and wiped his nose with his thumb. “Enough about that. We better get out of here before something else comes by.”

  They traveled a few miles north into Broughtonhaven towards Kyhelm. The canopy was thicker and what little starlight there was, the trees above completely blocked it out. They decided to set up camp since they couldn’t follow the road anymore for fear of getting lost.

  =====

  When they woke up, the sun rose with them, peeking through the side of the canopy sparkling and lighting up the whole landscape. The trees hung overhead, waving gently from the morning winds, and a few leaves that had fallen to the ground swirled upwards from the gusts, landed on the road, and then rustled away with another burst of the breeze.

  These were the times when Caleb enjoyed being in Broughtonhaven. It was the one region where the province was brightest at sunrise. They gathered their items and headed towards Kyhelm, looking for answers.

  Gardiv kicked a few stones off road, feeling around aimlessly with the toe of his boot. “Any idea why that girl attacked us last night?” he asked.

  “Arthur warned us of the Hellstate,” said Caleb, fixing his bow over his shoulder. “She probably accepted the Darkened Temptation, and now she realizes that she can’t control it. But it’s too late. The spirits already have their hold on her. Fighting against them will be nearly impossible unless she has help. Well not for her, but for others like her.”

  Gardiv shook his head. “She’s dead now, and we didn’t come here to kill Spiritualists. Any idea on how she able to get in my head like she did?” Without giving Caleb time to respond, Gardiv’s voice became higher pitched as if annoyed. “And why was she parading around like some kinda’ beast?”

  Sarai wrestled her satchel over her shoulder, twirling her hair out from under the strap from where it had gotten caught. “Arthur said that the Hellstate chooses your most consuming desire and tweaks it so that it manifests through an evil incarnation.” She stared off into the horizon of the morning that was interrupted by the trunks of trees and a road that wound itself in knots along the trail. “My guess is that she probably used to feel insecure and unattractive. She wanted so badly to hear what people thought about her, that it turned into what you just saw.”