Shadows Bear No Names (The Blackened Prophecy Book 1)

by Oganalp Canatan

  “You are a tool for him to resolve this mess. And one to settle an old debt.”

  “Debt?”

  “All in due time, boy. Now, I do not know how that man, Caius is involved”—Ray could tell he detested the man—“But the mysterious figure you described is a forty-meter high statue, holding an egg-shape with glass borders that is merged with the statue’s hands. Inside that egg, there lay this Arinar. That statue was here long before we colonized this world. By all accounts, it was the only thing standing within those ruins when our grandfathers first arrived here. The whole temple structure was built around it.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “And I never saw that statue fly.” Brother Cavil looked as if he was really trying to remember whether he saw the thing in air. “Your ship crashed on top of the Temple of Light, where this statue stood inside the Hall of Ancients. Set aside being huge in size, that guardian statue and this artifact are supposed to be buried under tons of burning rock. You saw that volcano sitting in the center of Bunari.”

  “Is it a replica?”

  “No one on Bunari dares to replicate a sacred symbol Raymond. No one. I have never seen a stone like this on this planet. The resemblance is perfect.” Brother Cavil looked disturbed. “This stone changes everything.”

  “I’m dead and this is my punishment,” Ray put his head on the bars and closed his eyes.

  “You seem very much alive, son.”

  “So, what now? Am I a prophet or something?”

  “It means your ship’s crash was not an accident. It was meant to destroy the Arinar.”

  “Why?”

  “I do not know,” Brother Cavil shook his head. “But, one thing is certain. They have failed, and someone who murdered a hundred thousand people just to destroy a statue will surely try again.”

  “You think this Agent Caius’s here to do that?”

  “I am not willing to put it to the test.”

  “But why would the Consortium do this? What do they have to gain? And why now?”

  “I do not know!” Brother Cavil’s eyes flared. “And I prefer learning more about it somewhere safer and away from that dark man, Caius.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  THE GRAND ESC… NEVERMIND

  Brother Cavil left Ray alone in his cell after their discovery of the Arinar and came back a few minutes later with a small bag.

  “Take these!” the old priest handed Ray a robe similar to his own; a simple piece of wool, its only accessory a dark brown belt, and a pair of sandals. “No one will look twice at a brother wandering around in the night,” the old man said. “The hood will cover your face as well.” He winked.

  “Brother, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’m a guest. Why would they let me leave?” Ray couldn’t help the sarcasm. This was more like a badly written script than a jail break; an old—and probably mad—priest trying to get him out of a secure hall, under constant surveillance by guards, with a robe and shoes. Ray wondered if those imaginary guards were watching and laughing at them behind the walls. At least the ones standing at the doorway will when they see us.

  “Just do as I say!” Brother Cavil hissed back.

  Ray put on the robe as told and tied his belt. “OK, how do I look?” he asked, turning around, arms open like a model presenting the newest Bunari fashion.

  “Like a ladies’ man.” The old man’s pleasure was etched on his face.

  “Ah, so you do have a sense of humor.”

  “What? You do not like my jokes?” Brother Cavil seemed offended. He turned and walked toward the opposite wall, murmuring something about today’s kids not having the proper respect for their elders. Before Ray could apologize, the old man reached a particular section of the wall and stood before it. A moment later, the worn-out stones flickered like ripples on a tranquil lake and a strongly built bald man dressed in guard’s whites emerged from the wall. He held a spear-like weapon in his right hand and his stance hinted a profound knowledge of how to use it.

  Brother Cavil and the guard exchanged a few inaudible words and the priest came back to Ray’s cell with a mischievous expression. The guard followed Brother Cavil, stood beside the metal bars and watched the exchange in silence. Ray stared at the bald guard, forgetting Brother Cavil.

  The old priest coughed, breaking Ray’s entrance. “This way, Raymond.” He gently pulled him by the arm out of the guest quarters. “Close your mouth, you look stupid.”

  “Why? Did he…” Ray looked over his shoulder to see more of the bald figure, but Brother Cavil pushed him to keep up. Ray stumbled twice, unaware.

  Brother Cavil saved him the struggle of trying to understand. “I told him I am bringing you to the Grandmaster’s meeting, and it would be safer to move you in disguise.” His laugh was that of a child pulling a prank on a neighbor. “Since I will be your defendant, I am allowed to take you anywhere within the compound.”

  Ray shook off his surprise as the two left the cellblock. “All the time, it was this easy to get me out, and I stayed in that dingy prison!”

  “Guest quarters.”

  “Whatever!”

  “You are charged with crimes punishable by death, Raymond.” Brother Cavil shot glances over his shoulder. “Do you think they would allow me to put you in a comfortable room with soft beds and a fireplace?”

  “I know, the running naked part.”

  “Exile. Today they saw me come here with Grandmaster Ellok,” the old man explained. “The Grandmaster has let it be known, I will be your defendant to the council. He would not miss the chance even if it is the end of the world. Told you, old debts and all.” Brother Cavil waved his hand dismissively. “They also know about the meeting in the Archives.”

  “So, the guy passing through walls has trusted you to take me there?” Ray still couldn’t believe how effortless it had been. “Also, you guys have holographic projections and all, and still using torches?”

  “They look good. Authentic,” Brother Cavil gave a wide smile. “The households have illumination. The temples are holy grounds and the Council is the upholder of that holiness. Also, many people prefer to use simpler methods here wherever they can.”

  “Ah, look ancient and wise. A masquerade.”

  “A preference.”

  “Some light would’ve been nice. And this is probably the easiest jailbreak of known history.” Ray had expected the guards to at least ask for permission from the Grandmaster, or the jail master, or the court jester, whatever. Someone.

  “Raymond, my boy, this is Bunari,” Brother Cavil said in a fatherly tone. “You are probably the only occupant of that cell in the last two decades.”

  Ray couldn’t hide his skepticism, “That explains the bars with no locks. No crimes?”

  “Not really, no,” the priest said in honesty as they passed through the dark hallways of the building. “Rarely, a jealous man creates a scene, or an exchange of words happens in the marketplace.”

  “Why do you need the guards then? Just live happily ever after.”

  “They are an icon. A sign of power to yield.”

  “A god with a stick.”

  Brother Cavil raised his finger. “A god with a powerful, thick stick.”

  Ray had no idea where they were going. The wide corridors were lit with torches hanging on the walls, their flickering images creating a shadow play over the cold stones. Paintings of past council members and Bunari scenery hung on both sides of the long hallway. Ray had to admit; Bunarians had a way of preserving the feeling of old times. Well, now it is truly historical, Ray couldn’t help thinking.

  “No crime on Bunari sounds too good to be true.”

  “Of course it is,” Brother Cavil snapped. “People are afraid of getting mixed up with the Elder Council, Raymond. Religion and authority together are the best police force a government could wish for.”

  “So what happens when someone steals something?”

  “The parties involved usually handle it in sil
ence, without bringing the matter to the attention of a judge.”

  “And if they do?”

  “The thief loses a hand.”

  Ray looked at the old man in distaste. “What of more serious crimes?”

  “Well, the human body has several extensions that can be removed at will,” the old man said. “Though I have always found it somewhat vulgar.” He shook his head disapprovingly.

  “Unbelievable.” Ray murmured.

  “Yes. Well, at least no one gets maimed, staying out of the system.”

  “You don’t sound too fond of it.”

  “I am not. It is auto control. Our beliefs became a way to dictate. In a sense, I don’t think it is much different from your Consortium”—he snorted—“and that is something I cannot accept.”

  “Not much different? Brother, this place is nothing like Earth.”

  “Walls and buildings do not matter, Raymond. Your people are ruled by money and military power, dictating their every second. They are asked, ordered even, to be afraid of their future. Here, it is beliefs and religious laws, dictating the very same thing.”

  “Then why do you stand for it?”

  “What, you want me to incite an uprising?” Brother Cavil looked genuinely surprised.

  “No,” Ray shook his head. “I mean, why don’t you leave?”

  “And go where? Son, when you are at my age, you know there is no such perfect place. In all its oppression, this planet is peaceful.”

  Ray saw the sparks in his eyes. Brother Cavil spoke different, acted different. The rest of Bunarian autocracy was exactly as the general info suggested.

  “You are nothing like the other Bunarians.”

  “What? Why?” Brother Cavil checked his robe to see if something was wrong with it. “I look Bunarian.”

  Ray smiled and shook his head. “I meant your way of seeing things, old man.”

  Brother Cavil’s eyes shone. “Thank you!” Then his face saddened. “I believe the religious dogma is not much different here than it was back on Earth before the war. Beliefs are still restricting and demanding rather than giving a spiritual freedom.”

  “It’s not the beliefs; it’s the mind that’s broken. Different packaging doesn’t change the truth.”

  They neared the end of the long hallway by the time their discussion ended, but it took several minutes to make it to the exit, passing through numerous archways and shut doors left and right. “Meeting halls and departments,” the old man explained, “lots of tomes and dust hidden behind those doors.” They bumped into a few other brothers on the way but as the priest had suggested, none of them paid any attention to two monks passing by.

  “So is that the reason you’re not an Elder?” Ray asked as they moved out of the compound and into the garden. “I mean, things not changing about beliefs.”

  Brother Cavil raised his hand and put it on Ray’s chest, halting him.

  “I-I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.”

  Brother Cavil’s stare turned vacant and he gave a sigh. “It is all right, son. Maybe some other time. Now, we need to get out of here.”

  “Not that I’m an expert, but so far this is the easiest prison break ever. Ridiculous even.”

  “You do not understand, do you?”

  “What?”

  “Buildings are not your prison, Bunari is.”

  ***

  Revan made his way back to the cellblock. All the others, even the members of the Elder Council had answered his summons to attend the interviews with haste. They needed a resolution and they still had a disaster to manage. They wanted the Consortium off their backyard as fast as possible. It rendered his assignment easy.

  Not Cavil.

  Revan had hoped to avoid casualties, but at least he gave them a quick, painless end.

  Except for Brother Cavil.

  The agent growled with acrimony. Somehow the priest had caught wind of things and was avoiding Revan, unlike the rest who thought this was all a Consortium political maneuver. Revan didn’t think he knew what was going on, but was spooked enough to interfere with his plans. He was an obstacle to be dealt with. Revan needed to be certain the Arinar was gone before people started asking questions. So far, he couldn’t confirm the artifact’s fate.

  He entered the cellblock and cursed under his breath. Captain Harris’ cell was empty. The two guards at the entrance—and the hidden ones—looked unhurt.

  “Guard Captain,” he commanded the guard, his eyes fixed on the empty bed in Harris’ cell.

  The wall rippled and the bald figure emerged without a word.

  “Where is the prisoner?” Revan said between gritted teeth.

  “The guest has been taken to the Archives,” the Guard Captain replied flatly, meeting Revan’s stare with unconcerned eyes. He seemed unsurprised his camouflage had been blown.

  The guard’s indifferent attitude boiled Revan’s blood. Too much was at stake. Marianna was at stake. He is innocent, Revan repeated to himself to control his call for blood. “By whom?” He already knew the answer.

  “Brother Cavil,” the bald man replied.

  Brother Cavil…

  ***

  They were near the Council’s landing pad. The area was laid out like a courtyard inside the campus, with hangar bays, workshops and depots surrounding an inner square, a pinkish glass-like force field covering the opening like a giant cap. The pad wasn’t large enough to land anything bigger than a luxury shuttle. Maybe a utility tug, Ray looked around with professional interest. Piled-up crates painted with green crosses awaited transport to the disaster zone.

  “We need a ship,” Brother Cavil declared in a decisive tone.

  “I don’t see any ships, Brother,” Ray whispered back as the two made their way to crouch behind some crates.

  “We will get a shuttle and make for another port,” Brother Cavil explained, bending his hand like a plane and quietly making engine sounds. “I think you put the main one out of commission,” he giggled.

  “Very funny,” Ray frowned.

  “There are a few small ones on the other side of the planet.”

  “What?”

  “Ports.”

  “I—”

  “Hush! Someone is coming!”

  They raised the hoods of their robes and shrank further into the shadow of the large crate they crouched behind. Ray heard the priest cursing colorfully under his breath and had to nudge the old man twice to silence him. The patrolling guard stopped in front of the crate and charged his staff weapon. Ray could hear the thing’s low humming right on top of him. He was sure they were busted. It was too easy.

  “He’s charging his stick,” Ray whispered.

  “It is a ji’ta and it may blow your head off. Now, hush!” Brother Cavil replied, trying to cover his mouth with his hand. The evening bell rang in the compound.

  A fuzzy voice made Ray jump. “Des, the Captain wants to see you.”

  “Great,” the man in whites replied, powering down his ji’ta. “Did he say why?”

  “No, he said you should be here before the bell stops,” the other man’s voice sounded concerned. “Just be quick, he’s in a foul mood.”

  “All right, I’m coming.”

  Well, not so irritating when it saves you. “That was way too close for comfort.” Ray let his muscles relax, watching the guard disappear through a door at the far end of the garden, trying to ignore the pain. “I thought these guards never talked.”

  Brother Cavil shrugged “The ones in the cellblock have the graveyard shift.”

  “Ah, now it’s a cellblock.”

  Brother Cavil shrugged.

  “Graveyard shift?”

  “It is prohibited for them to talk except for the Guard Captain. Something about finding their inner peace, watching the guilty cleanse themselves of their sins.”

  “I thought I was the only resident in that cellblock for some time.”

  “Old rules, ancient habits. No need to concern yourself.”


  “Probably did something wrong and got punished,” Ray reasoned, remembering his own military service back on Earth.

  “Or something right.” Brother Cavil patted his shoulder, smiling. “Now, the fun part,” he announced. “We will steal a shuttle.”

  “We’ll do what!” Ray almost choked.

  “Well, we will borrow sounds better.” The old man nodded to himself. “Yes, it does.”

  “Really?” The old man always seemed able to surprise Ray one way or another.

  “What did you expect, Raymond? The guards to carry you on their shoulders?”

  Ray sighed and nodded in acceptance. The priest was right. No matter how silly it looked, they were breaking out of prison. “Then what?”

  “We will make our way out of Bunari.”

  “Can’t we resolve this with the Council?”

  Brother Cavil shook his head. “The Council will exile you, name you as a fallen soul. No one will help you, no one will feed you. No one will shelter you. If they do, they will be executed.”

  Ray winced.

  “I told you, Bunari is your prison.”

  “You’re risking an awful a lot for me, Brother. I can’t ask you to do it.”

  “My fate is tied to you, son. This thing is too big to ignore. They would probably cast me off as well. I harbored you after all.”

  Ray didn’t have any alternatives to offer and it was too late to return to his cell now. They’d need a spaceship. The shuttle could only travel within the solar system and even then, they’d need to fuel the thing sooner or later.

  “A shuttle is not built for space travel old man.”

  “Well, we can wait for them to re-open the port. I am guessing a three month time here.”

  “All right, I hear you. How are we going to handle this?”

  “I will steal the access codes, you will fly the shuttle.” Brother Cavil pointed to the hangar bay where several shuttles lined up in front of a workshop service area, and then to the control room positioned a level above the landing pad, opposite the shuttles. “We need the access codes to turn off the force field,” the old man said, his face turning serious. “Or we will be toast.”

  “Well, it’d be like hitting a glass wall,” Ray corrected. “A very thick glass wall.”