The Heretic's Song (The Song's Of Aarda Book 1)

by K Schultz

  “Enough! Eideron did not invite you. It would be rude to appear without an invitation, and that’s settled! I don’t understand why you are showing any interest. What has you so interested in this meeting? Why do you want to come anyway?”

  Aibhera scowled at her sister, who pouted back at her. In spite of her words, she could understand Ky’s desire to join them. It was not every day someone from her family got an invitation, to the house of a notable person, like Master Eideron. In fact, it was not every day that someone from the Liara family got invited anywhere.

  “I don’t know Aibby,” she lied, softening her stance on the issue. “I want to come with you. It will involve politics.”

  “You never wanted involvement in politics before. Why now?”

  “Because politics has never involved a member of my family.” Kyonna had almost declared her true intentions for wanting to go with Aibhera.

  “That’s not true.” Aibhera let the statement stand on its own, because Kyonna understood the politics that affected their family, every day of their lives.

  Riessa, their mother, worked as a planter in the communal farms in the valley. It was drudgework and the only work the Synod allowed Riessa to perform. Aibhera was the eldest of four children. She and Ky were the offspring of her mother’s first, bonded husband. When he died, under mysterious circumstances, Riessa, took Leoned as her husband. Conservative members of Sokai society and the Synod frowned on remarriage.

  If a couple was childless, Sokai custom decreed when the husband died his wife followed him into the flames of his funeral pyre. If the couple had children, the woman remained celibate. Neither of those options suited their spirited mother’s style. Instead, she found herself another man. Riessa and Leoned produced two more children together. The little ones were much younger than either Kyonna or Aibhera.

  Before their father’s death, they held a much higher place in Sokai society. Riessa was head librarian in the archives. The girls’ biological father had been a mid-level engineer, but their status changed once Riessa courted their stepfather. Because of their relationship, Riessa was no longer considered fit to catalog and sort records. The Synod decreed that she could only labor in the fields. Politics forced them out of their higher status home into the slum-like conditions near the base of the caldera, where the field hands lived.

  Leoned, their stepfather was an engineer. He built and maintained the great wind turbines that provided power for the devices and pumps that kept the valley running. Abalon required his abilities with the complex engineering, so in spite of his relationship with Riessa, he kept his position. Leoned moved down-slope to live with them, because the Council had forbidden Riessa and the girls to move higher. His sacrifice proved his devotion to Riessa and the girls.

  The result of their union affected entire family. Most of Abalon’s residents shunned Aibhera’s mother and her children. Many people considered Riessa a loose woman, and tarred Ky and Aibby, her daughters, with the same brush. It did not matter that they were innocent of immoral behavior. Sokai society had tried them, judged them guilty and passed sentence on them. Aibhera’s reaction to this treatment was poles apart from Kyonna’s response.

  Kyonna acted out. In her outrageous speech and behavior, she played the role of the temptress, whereas Aibhera compensated by becoming a model of propriety and purity in everything she did. Kyonna shocked everyone in authority, to prove she didn’t care about people’s opinions, while Aibhera’s speech and actions were worthy of a priggish matron. Despite those differences, both girls had their mother’s strong will and determination to succeed in spite of adversity.

  Riessa never complained. She took it in stride, and made the most of her life, in spite of her lack of status. Riessa often told her daughters, that her life was better without the weight of expectations that burdened other upper class women. She could do as she pleased, while those women had to keep up appearances. Aibhera felt the burden keenly, since she bore that load, for the whole family.

  Young men circled Kyonna, like bees around flowers whereas Aibhera had few close friends and none of them were male. The lone exception to this rule was Simea, Master Eideron’s apprentice.

  The Synod governed the valley. It drew its members from the ranks of the most learned men and women of the Sokai. Synod Councilors were the elite of Sokai society and had the power of life and death over their people. Any decision by the Synod carried serious implications for individuals, either for good or for ill. No one wanted conflict with a synod member. Many Councilors acted petty and vindictive, so the common folk feared them. They held others like Master Eideron, in high esteem, because of his firm, impartial judgments and Master Eideron was one of the most senior men in the Synod.

  An invitation to a Master’s residence for someone like Aibhera was rare. Since her invitation to Eideron’s home, Aibhera’s mood oscillated between flattered and flustered. As the time approached for the dinner hour, her emotions skewed toward the latter. Her parents would arrive soon, bringing the younger sibs back from the communal crèche, where unmarried young women tended the field hand’s children, while the planters worked the fields.

  The Council forbid Aibhera and Kyonna from serving at the crèche like other young women. The mothers of the children attending the crèche believed that Aibhera and Kyonna might be a negative influence on their youngsters. Aibhera’s younger siblings went there each morning. Counselors hoped the little ones’ attendance in the crèche mitigated the damage from Riessa’s immoral influence.

  Simea should arrive any moment, to escort her to Eideron’s dwelling, high up the east wall of the valley. Aibhera hoped that he arrived before her parents, so she would not have to explain herself to her mother. She could leave that to Kyonna, who continued to sulk in their room. At seventeen, Aibhera had ample freedom from her parent’s control.

  A visit to the upper levels was special. Aibhera knew that she should soar like a Windrider. Ky had once flown her across the valley on one of the freight gliders in the course of her duties. Aibhera could never fly like her sister, but that single experience was exhilarating and she never forgot the freedom she felt soaring through the air.

  Her thoughts today centered on what to tell Eideron and the impression she might make on him.

  The Sokai lived in the gigantic caldera of an ancient volcano called Abalon. A spring fed lake, containing a small island lay in the center of the crater. The Synod preserved the island as a park while drawing their water from the lake.

  This valley had been their home for centuries. Great hydraulic elevators lifted the crops from the valley floor to the storage caverns, carved into the faces of the cliffs. When the Sokai had first arrived in Abalon they converted caves that pockmarked the cliff faces for homes and storehouses. Since they needed the fertile valley floor for growing food, they built their dwellings in areas that were not arable. Over the centuries the Sokai excavated more dwellings in the basalt walls of the caldera to accommodate their growing population.

  In recent years, Council converted some of the lower dwellings into terraced areas, creating more land for crops. The most visible sign of status for anyone was the height of their home above the valley floor.

  Aibhera’s family lived among the terraces at the base of the escarpment. They were the lowest of the low. Simea’s family lived one level above, yet the Synod chose him to train as Master Eideron’s apprentice. People felt Simea’s selection was a concession to the lower classes. Something to keep the common folk pacified, by making them believe, that they too could gain a higher level of status someday. Aibhera knew it was because her friend was brilliant, sensitive and spiritual. He scored the year’s highest marks in the qualifying exams for prospective apprentices. His abilities alone, won him his position.

  Council required examinations for all Sokai children when they reached puberty, regardless of sex or status, but the Synod refused to allow Aibhera to take the test. It was another slap in her mother’s face by the Synod. Simea smuggl
ed a copy of the written text of the test to her, although it was confidential. Aibhera took the test herself, in secret, without the knowledge or consent of the Synod. She scored even higher than Simea did, but she didn’t begrudge Sim his good fortune.

  Aibhera and Simea were friends since birth. Simea’s mother and father remained friends with Riessa, and stood by her when she remarried. In spite of social pressure to disown Riessa, Simea’s parents remained loyal friends and it cost them their social status. No barriers stood between her and Simea and Aibhera was certain they were friends for life.

  Simea called out to her from their front door interrupting her contemplation.

  “Aibby! Hurry. We must get going. It’s a long climb to Master Eideron’s dwelling. We don’t want to keep him waiting.”

  Aibby rearranged her dark ringlets one last time, while looking in the small mirror by the door of their living quarters. She straightened herself up, threw back her shoulders, and took one last look before answering.

  “I’m coming!” She hurried to the door where Simea waited. “Sim, I hope we’re not making a mistake. Maybe you shouldn’t have mentioned our dreams to him.”

  “I had to, you know I did.”

  “I suppose so” she said. “Do you think we’ll get a good night’s sleep once we turn this problem over to the Master?”

  “I hope so. Let’s go. We don’t want to keep him waiting and I still must prepare the meal.”

  “I can help you with that, and I’ll break less of his crockery,” Aibhera said, and smiled at Simea.

  “I’m never telling you anything again!” Simea protested. His voice squeaked the way it always did whenever he felt stressed. “I’m just nervous around him.”

  “I am afraid that I won’t know how to act around him either. You are with him every day. You must have gotten used to him by now.”

  “I sometimes think he does it on purpose Aibby, making me uncomfortable, that is. It’s like he’s either testing me or trying to get rid of me.”

  “Now why would anyone want to get rid of the smartest, handsomest young man in the entire valley?” She batted her eyelashes at him and tilted her head in a parody of her younger sister’s mannerisms.

  “You do that well.” Simea said. “But you’ll never be able to match Ky.”

  “I wouldn’t want to, I love her to death, but sometimes she is just so —”

  “So Kyonna,” Simea finished her sentence. “There are no words, and I love her too. I wish she didn’t flounce about the way she does. It makes her look tawdry.”

  “I believe that’s the look she’s aiming for Sim.”

  “But why? Is she determined to prove herself every bit the hoyden that people think she is? That’s not her true nature.”

  “I know that silly, I’m her sister. Ky has a big tender heart. She’s so strong, and she sees deeper into people’s hearts than anyone I know. I think it’s her way of fighting back. Ky doesn’t want them to see how much their disapproval of our family hurts her.”

  Conversation fell away as the exertion of the climb to the upper levels claimed their breath. They climbed onward, up the sloping roadway, without further comments. They could have taken the elevators, but they both preferred walking. It gave them time to experience the bustle of life on the streets and the ramps. Aibby and Sim would have had an exquisite view of Abalon from the lifts, but the Synod frowned on lower-class people using them.

  As they climbed higher, the traffic on the ramps and stairs decreased, and the aroma of meals cooking mingled with the perfume of flowers that grew outside the homes. They had borne the burden of their dreams for months now. Tonight they carried their dreams to Eideron’s house, to unload the weight of them on Simea’s Master. Once they told Master Eideron, he could take it to the Synod, and then the Synod could take the proper action. They believed that once they shared their story, they could lead a normal life.

  They were wrong.

  Chapter 33

  Aibhera and Simea prepared the evening meal, as Eideron arrived earlier than usual. Simea transformed into an awkward buffoon in the old man’s presence. The moment that the old man appeared, Simea’s coordination disappeared. He became ham-fisted and clumsy, but he introduced Aibhera to his mentor before he became tongue-tied.

  In complete contrast to her friend, Aibhera remained calm. Eideron brooked no foolishness from anyone. She respected him and his temperament suited her own sincere disposition. Aibhera perceived that he was fair minded and gentle underneath his crusty façade.

  Eideron was someone, who built a hard shell around himself, to protect his tender heart. In that way, he was much like her sister Kyonna; perhaps that was why she relaxed around him. She imagined that he had lost many friends through his long life, and that those losses had caused him to appear irascible. Eideron loved and cared passionately, for his friends, his people, and his causes so he had built stout walls around his heart, to keep it from being broken.

  With that in mind, she understood why Simea became so flustered in his presence. Aibhera suspected he was right to believe that Eideron was testing him. Eideron played the bad-tempered old codger, testing Simea’s strength and courage. He never let people into his heart, until they had proved their trustworthiness, beyond doubt. In spite of the chinks she detected in his armor, he was still an imposing presence, a force that commanded respect and obedience. Aibhera understood now why people called him the ‘Old Lion of the Synod’. Woe to those unfortunates, who fell prey to his fangs and claws.

  Eideron explained that he had returned early, to tell Simea that they were having a guest this evening. He lingered in the kitchen for a few moments. Aibhera could feel his eyes on her and Simea as they worked. After a short while, he excused himself and went to his room to prepare for his guest. Aibhera was glad Eideron left, before Simea chopped off his fingers. He was so nervous around the old man, that disaster hovered over Simea, waiting to ambush him.

  As the two friends completed the extra preparations, they limited their conversation to whispers about cooking. Before long, they heard Eideron’s friend Himish arrive. The old men talked in the next room, but neither of the youngsters could overhear the conversation. When Simea finished fussing over the meal, they brought it into the dining room.

  “Ssssupper is ready Mmmaster,” Simea stammered, doubly intimidated by Eideron’s guest.”

  “Well, let’s eat it then,” Eideron harrumphed, gesturing for them to sit on the cushions around the low table.

  As they took their places, Eideron introduced them.

  “Himish, I am pleased to introduce Simea, my apprentice and Aibhera, Simea’s young lady-friend.”

  Simea changed color like a chameleon, but instead of blending into the surroundings, the head to toe blush made him more conspicuous.

  Aibhera bowed her head in a gesture of respect to Himish and responded, in an even voice “Pleased to meet you, Councilor Himish.”

  “Not as pleased as I am to meet a beautiful young woman such as you,” he teased. “I am looking forward to hearing what you youngsters can tell two old fossils.”

  She smiled to herself, as she thought, “What a shameless old flirt. I think I like him almost as much as Eideron.”

  The meal proceeded with pleasant conversation about the weather and other innocuous topics, until Simea spilled his water because of his nervousness. Simea bolted from the room to get something to soak it up, almost turning the low table over as he shot up from his seat.

  Once he was out of the room Himish said, “I have always said you should try to be less intimidating to your apprentices Eideron. That boy is nervous as a mouse in a snake filled room.”

  “And I told you it builds character. Simea will need a backbone to stand up to the fools we have on the Council,” Eideron retorted, forgetting that Aibhera, Simea’s friend, and confidant was present.

  The grousing of the two old compatriots amused Aibhera. She tried to hide her smile behind her hand. She giggled and choked on her
mouthful of food. Aibhera tried to dislodge it but her gag reflex got the better of her.

  The resulting explosion sprayed the contents of her mouth across the table hitting both Eideron and Himish and everything between them. Simea chose that exact moment to re-enter the room. If someone could die of embarrassment, Simea had one foot in the grave and another on a banana peel.

  For a moment, silence sat like a boulder, teetering on the edge of a precipice.

  It began with Himish, as a quiver, expanded to Eideron as a snicker, and then exploded into a full-blown belly laugh from both the older men. In moments, they were all roaring with laughter.

  “That was the best —” Himish gasped, “The best way to end and argument,” another gasp, “I have ever seen.”

  “Yes. You win Aibhera.” Eideron struggled to regain his own composure. “I am overcome, by the explosive force, of your persuasive power.” Eideron guffawed again.

  This set them laughing again and it took some time before anyone could draw breath to speak.

  The atmosphere of the room had changed. It was more congenial than Simea had ever experienced. He realized he had never heard his Master laugh and the realization transformed Eideron in Simea’s eyes. Eideron was human, not just an august figure, inspiring fear and reverence, not just the Lion of the Synod, waiting to devour him for his mistakes. Eideron had a sense of humor and real feelings. Aibhera had demolished the invisible wall between him and his mentor. Simea hesitated to step through the rubble, fearful that it might re-erect and trap him.

  Himish was the first to speak. “That, my new young friend is the best way I have seen, to bring my pompous old crony back to earth. Simea join us at the table, if you please.”

  Himish invited him into fellowship and Simea stepped through onto new ground. His world had changed in an instant, and Aibhera had caused the transformation.