Children of the Prime Box Set

by T. C. Edge

  "And the alternative, Judith?" asks Edgar.

  "To do as we always intended," she says. "To find our own lands and build our own home. We may have tens of thousands of people joining us now. That could be enough to create a life, a society, that we can be proud of."

  "And how far have you been from the Fringe, Judith?" I ask. "How far have any of you been?" I look across from one face to the next. "The world is dangerous out there. You have to know what you'll be up against."

  "We have weapons. We have armour. We have trained hunters, trackers, men and women who can fight," Judith informs me, with a passion I admire and respect. "We understand that we will suffer losses, and teething problems along the way, but this is our only chance of true liberty and independence."

  "I agree," comes the voice of Penelope. "If we go to New Haven, we will merely be assimilated into their world. We may be safer, but think of what we'll lose? We have our own identity, our own values. By finding somewhere to ourselves, we can maintain our sovereignty. Isn't that what we all want?"

  The group murmur, some nodding along. One, still, hasn't spoken, sitting quietly as he listens.

  Burton now looks to him, seeking his thoughts. "Keith," he says. "You're our weapons expert. Do we have enough to provide a good defence against the threats we may face out there."

  Keith, quite softly spoken for a fairly large figure, nods along. "I believe so," he says. "Though it's hard to know what we'll face. What we do know is what we have. Hundreds of rifles and other firearms. Other weapons, armour, good stocks and provisions..."

  "Wait," I say. "As in, stocks of food the Olympians don't know about?"

  "Yes," says Keith. "We have been stockpiling our own sources. Not enough to cater to tens of thousands for long, but enough to give us a start. We hadn't planned on taking so many."

  "And the rest who wished to leave, but couldn't?" asks Jude. "Or those who didn't know of your plans or that you even existed? You were just going to leave them behind?"

  "We had little choice," says Burton. "Most across the Fringe remain faithful and loyal to their rulers in Olympus. It would have been too risky to merely announce who we are, and what we were planning, to the entire Fringe. It would have been the ending of us. Many people, unfortunately, do not know of our existence, even if they would like to hear what we have to say. It has been necessary to keep our actions secret."

  Jude nods. "I understand," he says. "I know you have to make difficult choices."

  "But not now," says Penelope. "At least, not to the same extent. More people - many more, in fact - will be able to join us when we march."

  "Then we have a decision to make," Burton says. "To head for New Haven, or to find our own lands on which to settle. If the latter, we need to consider where."

  "There is a third option we need to consider." The voice comes from my grandmother, suspiciously quiet until this point. All eyes fall upon her, the apparent leader of this group. The former Chosen who was banished. The goddess who became nothing but a servant, just like the rest of us.

  She stands up straight, stepping forward until she's clearly visible to us all. Her eyes fall to each and every one of us, myself, Jude, and even Grace included. All of us, now, are in on this. We are all part of the League.

  "Everything we have planned," she starts, "everything we have done, was predicated on the idea that the Olympian army would one day invade a foreign land. We planned to take advantage of that, to create an uprising, and use it to help us slip away. All of that has now transpired, but there is something more that we did not expect." She stops a moment before continuing. "A foreign army has invaded these lands. A foreign army of great power that plans to destroy the Prime, once and for all."

  I look upon the group, interested by this news. None, of course, know about this yet. They will know bits and pieces, perhaps, though will have had nothing confirmed. The raiding of the Fringe for supplies, and the stockpiling of those provisions in Olympus, will have suggested to them that the city was preparing for a siege. But this...this is confirmation from the inside. These are the facts that change the landscape of the discussion.

  "We heard," my grandmother goes on, "that the Olympian army was defeated to the south. We heard that they were returning. But, in truth, it is so much more than that. A combined force of over five hundred soldiers from New Haven and Neorome have already arrived. They have settled into a fort ten miles to the north of Hunter's Station." She looks to me. "We have it on good authority that a majority army from Neorome is following, and will arrive within the next week or so. This, my friends, changes everything. We may not need to run at all."

  She allows the group to come to terms with the new information for a moment. Some, I suspect, will take it differently to others. The first to speak, to provide her voice, is Judith, who has already proven herself quite keen on achieving independence.

  "Does it change everything, Alberta?" she asks. "As far as I see it, it makes it easier for us to put our plan into action, and nothing more. Olympus is more distracted than we can possible have hoped. An incoming army presents the perfect opportunity for us to escape, and far enough to be out of the Prime's reach forever. We can head far to the south, perhaps even settle within a territory nearby to New Haven, if not the city itself. We could even strike up an alliance with them, even if we don't actively become refugees within their city. We may only have this one chance. I suggest we take it."

  "I respect your opinion on this, Judith," says grandma quickly. "You know I do. As I would respect all of your thoughts on the matter. However, I have my own, which deserve their due consideration. Leaving now, as we planned, is an attractive proposition, but remains a dangerous one however you look at it. Yet from my perspective, I don't believe we need to now. These are our lands, my friends. Why should we abandon them, when there might be a better way."

  "And you're suggesting this coalition between New Haven and Neorome may actually defeat the Prime?" asks Edgar. "That they may siege and overcome Olympus?"

  "I am suggesting that, yes."

  "And if that happens?" asks Judith. "And we choose to stay? We'll merely be under the rule or another people, that's all. We won't have our independence, whoever happens to prevail."

  "You don't know them, Judith," grandma says. She turns to me. "Amber has spent much time among them and their leadership. She knows exactly what sort of people they are. Tell us, Amber, of their intentions."

  I clear my throat and take centre stage. "Their goal is to defeat the Prime, and liberate the Fringe," I say. "I've lived within Olympus, and among the Children of the Prime. Many of them are good, honest people, who fight for our rights. The coalition wishes to do the same. To strip away the Prime and the corrupted leadership, and give these lands back to us. To bridge the gap, ultimately, between us and the people of Olympus."

  "Bridge the gap?" asks Penelope. "Not an easy task."

  "No, not easy at all," I say. "But something that will help us all prosper, in time."

  "I don't see it," Judith says. "I don't think we can trust the Olympians, even if we can trust this coalition and their intentions. I still believe we'd be better off alone."

  "But why should we?" asks grandma, her tone passionate. "We have been forced to serve for years, for generations. Why shouldn't we seek to fight for our own rights here? Why should we be forced to abandon our brothers and sisters of the Fringe when there's a better alternative?"

  "But is it better?" Judith asks. "How can we know that, Alberta?"

  "We can't know it," grandma says. "We can only trust it."

  "Trust," says Judith. "When speaking about the Children of the Prime, that is never easy."

  "No," says Burton, "trusting them is, and never will be, easy. But, we have to remember that our experience of them is limited. Here on the Fringe, who do we ever actually interact with? The Collectors. The soldiers, sometimes. Perhaps the people of Olympus, the normal residents, are different. Perhaps many of them have some compassion for our
cause."

  "They do," I say. "I know people just like that."

  "But we are talking about a quantum shift in mentality here," says Edgar. "The people of the Fringe have been taught, conditioned even, to worship and serve the Children of the Prime. In turn, those from Olympus have learned to see us as lesser people. They have been convinced of their own divinity, just as the many faithful Devotees across our lands have been convinced that the Olympians are gods and goddesses to be worshiped. How, exactly, are we to cross that divide?"

  "With time, education, and effort," my grandmother says immediately, as though she expected such a question and has already rehearsed her answer. "I know from my many years in Olympus that they do not truly believe themselves to be gods and goddesses. And I know from my many years living here, and travelling across the Fringe, that many who are forced to serve, do so only because they have to, and don't actually think the Children of the Prime are divine. I am looking at a room full of such people now. The tip of the iceberg of a legion of others beneath. It isn't so clear cut as it may seem, Edgar," she finishes. "We have a solid base on both sides from which to work and build."

  The room falls temporarily silent. I scan the expressions of those present to try to determine just what they're thinking. Judith, it appears, remains steadfastly against the idea of staying. The others look like they can be convinced, if they haven't already. Keith and Burton both appear to be siding with my grandmother, nodding as she speaks. They are fighters, perhaps, who would prefer to stand their ground, rather than flee, now that the odds are turning in their favour.

  Eventually, it is Burton himself who speaks once more.

  "If," he begins, "we were to stay, then what form would that take?" He turns his eyes around, addressing the room for their collective opinion. "Merely wait things out and hope for the best? Or actively see ourselves involved in this struggle?"

  "That is a question we must all ask ourselves," my grandmother says. "As far as I see it, we can support the coalition, and fight for the lands, and the rights, that should be ours."

  "That's easy for you to say, Alberta," Judith says. "You were once the Chosen Fire-Blood. You are very experienced in these matters and have powers we can hardly fathom. The rest of us are no more than normal men and women. What exactly could we possibly hope to add?"

  "A fair question and concern, Judith," grandma says. "However, I think you're selling the people of the Fringe short. We could potentially muster thousands of people willing to fight for their homeland, in one form or another. We could prove very valuable at helping to secure the Fringe itself, and giving support to the main siege army."

  "And how many would die if the Prime turned their eyes upon us?" asks Edgar.

  "No more than would die anyway," grandma says. "The lands south of here are dangerous, as we're heard. Forging our own settlement will be fraught with risk. Whatever course we choose to take, we will suffer losses. This way, however, only those willing to fight will be at risk. The thousands, possibly tens of thousands who remain, will be under the protection of the coalition forces, and our own able bodied and brave Fringer fighters."

  "We have hundreds already willing to fight," Keith says, nodding along. "There's no reason to think there won't be many times that number willing to join us when we expand our reach. The people are braver than we give them credit for. They have been driven to the edge, and will be given great confidence by the presence of this incoming army." Keith looks to my grandmother. "I am in, Alberta. I will follow you as I always have."

  "I will too," comes the voice of Penelope, keen and defiant in delivery. "I like the idea of forging our own lands, but I'd prefer to stay if we can. It is the circumstances under which we live that we've always wanted to change, not the lands themselves. Change the circumstances, and there's no need to find fresh pastures." She looks to my grandmother. "I am with you."

  I feel a great swelling of hope in my chest, as I turn my eyes to Edgar, and Judith, the two most vocally against the option.

  "I have made my thoughts on the issue clear," Judith says. She takes a breath and looks around the group, a smile working on her lips. "But," she continues, looking to my grandmother, "you have never led us astray, Alberta, and I have no reason to believe you'll start doing so now. If you truly think that this coalition army can overcome the Prime, and that things will change here, then I will follow you. But if we fail, know that every one of us, and many, many of those who follow us already, will die."

  "They're dying already, Judith," my grandmother says softly. "All across the Fringe, our people are being killed, sometimes whether they resist or not. We owe it to them to seek some vengeance of our own. We owe it to them, and the friends and family they leave behind, to try to forge a better life here for us all."

  Judith nods gently, her smile returning briefly. "You have always had a way of convincing people to see the world as you do, Alberta. It is what brought us together in the first place. And you have convinced me. I will give this plan a chance. However, if it becomes clear that the invading army is going to fail, I believe we should be flexible enough to turn to our previous plan."

  "Of course," my grandmother says. "If such a thing were to happen, we can still flee these lands, as we originally intended. But let us try, before we do, to make a difference right here. And right now."

  All eyes then turn towards Burton. He smiles when they do, his grim facade lightening into something more inviting. "Why bother looking at me?" he asks. "You know my thoughts full well. I am up for the fight. It's about time we stood our ground, and showed the Olympians what we really are."

  My grandmother smiles at the man, and then looks to Bryan. The younger man - though still in his early to mid thirties - has been mostly silent thus far. He seems the sort who'll go along with the majority, whatever the decision. "I'm in," he says quietly, but with a steely determination. "My people will join."

  "And you, Edgar?" asks grandma, looking to the final man. "Anything further to add?"

  "Nothing which hasn't been said already," he sighs. "If it were solely down to me, I'd still suggest we take all we can, and make for the south. But..." he says, raising his eyes, "I can see that's not going to go down well." He nods. "I will not be a pebble in the shoe here. We need to be united, whatever the choice."

  "Then, it is agreed," my grandmother says, sucking in a breath and turning her eyes around the gathering. "You will need to return to your own lands, and speak to your own people. Inform them of what we are planning. Find out who might be willing to fight when the time comes. We will provide support to the Havenites and Neoromans in this venture, and do what we can to help. We cannot expect them to fight this war for us. It is ours more than it is theirs."

  Then she turns to me, and Jude, and Grace, standing to one side. I see a determined look in Jude's eye, as if he's finally seeing the light that he always wished would bloom, finally seeing dawn rise after a lifetime in the darkness.

  "I want to help," he says, staring right at her. "I want to help wherever I can."

  "I knew you would, Jude," grandma says. "I'm sorry I never included any of you in this before. I just...I wanted to protect you, just in case. But now, there is no need for such things. Your help will be most welcome."

  She looks to me next. "Amber. I suppose I don't have to ask you where your thoughts lie."

  "Not really, grandma," I say. "Though, I don't know how I'm going to help quite yet. I suppose, in the end, we might not be needed. We have some powerful agents trying to defeat the Prime. We may end up being nothing but bystanders."

  "Well, let's hope that is the case," she says. "However, we must show solidarity with the coalition forces." She turns to the others again. "We all know where Hunter's Station is. We can use that as our own personal base of operations, with the coalition army based to the north. Return to your lands, muster your people, and we shall meet at Hunter's Station in the days to come."

  They all nod. Those who are sitting stand to their feet. A
n energy begins to permeate the room, an excitement that great change is afoot. I look to my grandmother again, a question in my eyes. She knows what I'm asking, and waves Burton over.

  "Burton, about that thing you can help us with," she says.

  "Yes? What is it?" he asks.

  "Come outside," she says. "Let's speak in private."

  I follow them as they move outside, leaving Jude to get better acquainted with his new brothers and sisters in arms. I must say, I feel a little bit sorry for Grace. She is one of the sorts we're trying to save, not one who will actively participate. All of this must be quite overwhelming for her.

  We step into the late afternoon air, the sun gliding across the sky and beginning to settle a little lower. It won't be too long before night falls again.

  "What is this about?" Burton asks, as we march across the wooden boards of the porch and onto the softer earth beyond. We move towards a weapons cache, my grandmother taking a seat on top.

  "It's about Amber's parents," she says, settling briefly onto her ageing legs. "My son and his wife. They were branded Defiant only hours ago and transferred, we think, to a facility for faith-realignment towards the north east of here. Young Jude was taken there some time ago, but was blindfolded for the duration of the trip. Several hours, he said it took. That is territory you know well, isn't it, Burt?" my grandmother asks. "I understand you know many who have been branded Defiant themselves. Do you know the place I'm talking about?"

  He begins to nod. There's no frown on his face, no need to think. "I know where you're talking about," he says. "It's an old mining facility that's been used for faith-realignment for years." Now he does frown. "I'm surprised people are still being taken there, times as they are."

  "Some semblance of life has to continue," grandma says. "The people need to know that they cannot get away with heresy, even now. It would only diminish the Prime's influence and power, even were they to win the war."