It was the Seven who created the scanner. They were a group of scientists who had big plans and innovative ideas on how to save both the planet and the human race. The scanner was used secretly at first to trap and manipulate the members of their government into doing exactly what they wanted. You would be surprised how quickly a man will fall when his many lies are threatened to be unraveled.
Once in control, the scientists orchestrated a great war against their own people. Most were cleansed right away for failing the scans or having genetic defects. Only those who had lived a flawless life, and children under the age of six with perfect DNA were spared. As you can imagine, that wasn't very many. The adults who survived the initial cleanse were rounded up and used to build these cities, the perfect shiny examples of order and harmony according to the Seven. Once they were done, however, they were sent to live the rest of their lives in work camps. Only the children were let into the city to be raised in the image of the Seven.
In one generation, the history of this world was forever changed. The knowledge of our people was lost, replaced with what the Seven deemed worthy for us to know. The Seven knew that the power to fundamentally change the world resided in the minds of the children."
"That's terrible!" I cry. "Why didn't any of the other governments step in?"
"The other countries were disabled in the first wave of the cleanse. With our country's powerful military, it was easy to take out all the opposition. As far as we know, we are the last people on the planet."
"How long ago did all of this happen?"
"Six, maybe seven generations ago?" he says. "It's hard to tell. They weren't as concerned with tracking history in the early days."
"All of this. Everything that happened was made possible by a government afraid to have their lies brought to light? Could people have really been so bad then, to be so ashamed of what they had done?"
"It was a wicked world," he says. "And the Seven were clever, attacking each politician in private, never letting on they were doing the same to all the others. No one realized they had even taken power until it was too late.
"And we celebrate this?"
"As bad as The Cleanse was, it managed to do what it set out to do. They wanted to create a world without disease or war, a world of order and obedience. The way we live life today is almost identical to the first post-cleanse generation. Our system may have been built on blood, but it works."
"All right old man," Sadie says interrupting. "No more story telling today. We don't need to depress Kat with our sordid past."
Max grumbles about ungratefulness as he pushes her out the door. Laughing, she turns and kisses his head before pulling me out with her.
"I never knew you were such a trouble maker," I say. "Tormenting that poor old man."
"That poor old man would be bored to death if I didn't stop in and make a little trouble from time to time. He loves it, trust me."
"He said you were related. I thought you came over here from Axiom with Maggie?"
"I did," she says pointing to her mark, "My father was from Axiom but my mother was born here in Veracity. When she graduated, her and her twin sister were sent to Axiom. That old man is their father, my grandfather. I am lucky that he is such an important man or I never would have met him."
"I thought only soldiers were given wives from other cities. Didn't you say you grew up on a farm?"
"My father was a soldier first, but he was injured in an accident. When he couldn't serve anymore, they sent him home to the farms."
"I'm being rude again aren't I? I'm sorry. I can't seem to stop myself from asking questions."
"Don't be silly. I don't mind answering your questions. It's understandable that you would want to know about the world around you. Although I would suggest not asking so many questions to other people," she laughs.
"One of these days I will stop embarrassing myself."
"Probably not," she giggles. "Any other questions before we head out?"
"Why did he call me a princess?"
"Because he is a crazy old man who doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut. It is something your father used to call you, and the people here picked it up."
"Why couldn't Max tell me?"
"We have been ordered to tell you as little as possible about the past. So, if you like having me around, I would limit the questions to anything but you."
"I hate that you have been put in this position. I promise I would never do anything to put you in danger."
"I know that, now cheer up! We have another stop on our adventure before heading back to the Big House."
"What would that be?"
"Lunch at the farm," she grins.
Sadie's Uncle, Maxwell's only remaining child in Veracity, works one of the farms close to the entrance of the city. Walking down one of the alleyways we pass the row of residential apartments and like crossing some invisible line, we are immersed completely by the rural environment. The roads and sidewalks fade away and are replaced by soft grass and dirt paths. Endless rows of crops stretch out before us like a living maze. After being cooped up in the Big House for so long, the freshness of the fields is soothing. It all feels so alive. Sadie reaches down and grabs a handful of the rich, black dirt.
"I miss the farm," she says. "Every time I come here it makes me miss my family."
"It must be hard for girls to leave everything behind the way you do."
"The way we do, you mean. You were leaving your family when you were taken. Once those papers were signed and your marriage finalized, you would only have seen your family a couple of times a year at most."
"I never thought about it that way, but at this point I would give anything to see my parents even that much. It is still hard to believe they were murdered, that they were put through so much pain. Sorry, I know the last thing you want to think about is death right before a party."
"I would never begrudge you the chance to mourn Kat. Your parents were wonderful. The entire city loved them and frankly, I don't think anyone here talks about them enough. It is like they were just erased, and forgotten. People like your parents should never be forgotten, but the cities want it to just go away. They have never even properly addressed what happened."
"I had no idea you were so passionate about it. You have never mentioned it before."
"With good reason, and it's the same reason I am going to be careful not to mention it again."
"Do we really have to be that careful in what we say?"
"Always. Words are powerful Kat."
We are deep into one of the fields now, the tall green stalks creating a barrier to the outside world. Everything is still and quiet, as enormous white clouds move slowly across the dark blue sky.
"It's beautiful here," I say. "I don't know why anyone would look down on the farming class. You would think creating life would be the highest of honors."
"You will find that the higher the class, the less useful the person," she says laughing. "No offense of course."
"No offense taken. You are absolutely right. I feel so useless sitting in the Big House. I don't think I have done one worthwhile thing since I have returned except plan this festival. When I was out in the wild I was worried about surviving. Now I just worry about living."
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Kat. The life of a lady isn't easy. We all have our obstacles. Comparing your worthiness to anyone else's is a foolish waste of time. None of us have much choice in how our life plays out, but we do choose whether or not to find joy in it."
I turn and give Sadie a hug. She laughs but warns me not to let anyone at the Big House see something like that. Especially Maggie. As we approach her Uncle's house, we find Sadie's male cousins working hard in the field, pulling weeds and turning soil in a new section for planting. They are all dirty and tired, taking off their hats to wipe the sweat from their brows. They are all tan and tall, lean and strong from years of manual labor. I notice all but one of the boys have their marks.
A sh
ort, plump woman brings the boys a tray loaded with glasses of ice water, condensation dripping down the sides. With a cheer, the boys gulp down the cool drink, returning the glasses with a kiss for their mother. Sadie's Aunt spies us walking through the field and hollers for us to head up to the house.
"We don't need you girls distracting the boys from their work!" she calls out good-heartedly.
Of course her cousins see us then, grinning shyly at me. Their mother smacks the head of the closest one lightly, and they all turn back to their work. Skirting around the herd of boys, we make our way into the cabin where her uncle is waiting.
Physically, Sadie's Uncle is the opposite in appearance to his tiny, round wife. Standing at least six feet tall, with shoulders so broad he fills the doorway, he is a formidable man. Personality wise, the couple are a perfect match. Gregarious and friendly, they have filled their house with laugher and children.
In addition to their five boys, the couple also has two young daughters. They race around the cabin squealing, their twin pigtails flopping up and down as they run. Sadie's Uncle grabs them both, one in each arm, and hauls them off to wash for lunch. The wives of the four oldest boys are standing in the kitchen, all in various stages of motherhood. Two are visibly pregnant, and the other two tote squirming toddlers. Sadie tells me the entire family still lives in the farmhouse with their parents. With each addition to the family, the cabin grows, room by room, creating a maze of hallways and bedrooms.
Our lunch is a feast completely grown from the family's farm. The vegetables have an earthy taste that reminds me of fresh air and sunshine. The bread is tough and stale, but seasoned just right to be delicious. During the meal, the conversation revolves around irrigating fields and the upcoming funeral for the mother of Sadie's aunt. They invite us to attend the grand party celebrating her move to the elder camp, and we agree. It's a mostly happy occasion, I am told, but with an undertone of sadness. It's a rite of passage, and an honor, but the party marks the last time she will see her family.
We leave the farm full and happy, taking the long way back to the Big House, weaving in and out of the fields as we go. Today was such a wonderful change of pace. At best, I expected to spend some time in the garden and maybe see a shop or two, but Sadie has made today one to remember, and I make a promise to myself to repay her in some way.
17 – Fireworks
The sun sets over the white washed walls of Veracity as we make our way back to the suite. Soft music drifts from the great hall below as the musicians practice for tonight's celebration. Eager to see my planning efforts brought to life, I take the stairs two at a time, a laughing Sadie on my heels.
A few weeks ago while digging through the boxes and trunks in my dressing room, I came across an old, dusty case packed full of my mother's gowns. Enraptured with their elegant style and delicate beading, I had the dresses cleaned and mended. The style is very different than the ones popular here in Veracity, but all of the gowns are undeniably beautiful. In a small way, I feel connected to my mother when wearing them.
A little too long and tad too tight, my favorite of the gowns needed some work before I could wear it. Accepting the challenge, Maggie has been working like a mad woman for a week to have it ready for tonight's celebration. A deep emerald green, the gown features a bell shaped skirt with layers upon layers of delicate petticoats. Elegant dropped sleeves bare both shoulders, and hundreds of intricate beads and rhinestones grace the bodice. Smiling to myself, I picture Grayson's, or rather, Travis' face when I walk in to the ballroom.
Making our way into the dressing room, we see Maggie crouched on the floor, her hands flying with needle and thread.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"There was a little mishap with your dress," Maggie says.
"What kind of mishap?"
"When I came in this afternoon there was a rather substantial rip in the skirt and one of the sleeves had been torn off."
"Oh, no," I moan. "How could something like this have happened? I saw it just yesterday, and it was perfect. Who would want to destroy my mother's gown?"
"I can take a wild guess," Sadie mutters.
"You don't think she would really . . ."
"Of course she would! That girl has had it out for you since the day she got here."
"I don't want to place blame where it doesn't belong, but I can't think of anyone else who could have done this," Maggie says, shaking her head.
"We could have her scanned," Sadie says. "They might send her to the work camp, but it would serve her right for all the things she has done."
"Now, now . . ." Maggie chides. "There is no reason to ruin a girl's life over something as small as a ripped gown."
"But it was her mother's gown," Sadie says stubbornly. "She should be punished."
"Yes," I say brokenhearted, "but if she leaves, you and I will be stuck back in this suite. Travis and Laura take me out when they can, but what about you? Is one day off really enough now that we have had such freedom?"
"We can't let her get away with this! Where is she anyway?" Sadie fumes.
"Amber came and borrowed her to get ready," Maggie says. "I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't have something to do with this as well. You go ahead and get ready, Katherine, and don't fret, I may just save this dress after all."
Maggie continues working on the gown and I head to the bath to get ready. While I bathe, I am unable to stop thinking about Alana. Should I turn her in? Would it do any good to damn her to a life of labor over a dress? If I don't say anything, will she take it as a sign that I am weak? Would her behavior get worse if she didn't think there were any consequences for her actions?
"Let's do something different with your hair tonight," Sadie says after my bath, trying to draw me out of my foul mood. "Even if she can't fix the gown, you have got so many lovely things to wear. Let's show those awful girls that you won't be taken down so easily."
Instead of piling my hair on my head like she normally does, Sadie lets my hair fall loose around my shoulders, pulling back the sides near my temples with twin braids that join together at the back. It is simple, but stunning. I have gotten so used to seeing my hair tied back, I almost forgot what it looked like down. Holding a small mirror up, I look at the back through the vanity. It falls in soft waves, the color a rich brown in the firelight.
"You've out done yourself, Sadie. It's lovely."
"It will get some attention," she says. "It's not the style to wear it loose, hasn't been for a long time, but I have a feeling it is about to make a comeback."
Walking into the dressing room, I burst into tears at the sight of my gown. Some how, Maggie has managed to make it even better than it was before. With great skill, she cut away and hemmed back the damaged portion of the skirt, revealing the lacy frills of the petticoats below. Instead of repairing the torn sleeve, she removed them both, making the bodice daring and bold. I can't remember ever seeing anyone wearing a dress that bared both shoulders and arms so completely.
The effect created by the now unusual gown and the unique hairstyle is one of exotic elegance. With the help of my maids, I have been transformed into the foreign princess the people of Veracity see me as. One thing is for certain, there would be no blending in tonight.
As expected, Travis is waiting for me in the sitting room. His bright, blue eyes nearly pop out of his head at the sight of me. He opens his mouth and closes it quickly, deciding to keep whatever comment he was about to make to himself. His characteristic grin is slow to appear but when it does, I can't help but laugh.
"You are breathtaking," he says. "You might very well start a riot in that dress."
"Don't be silly. It's just a dress. I know it is a little different, but there will be so many people there, I doubt anyone will even notice me."
"Don't kid yourself, darling. You look amazing and every eye will be on you tonight. Half with longing, the other half with jealousy."
"Should I change?"
"Over my dead body! I wa
nt to show my beautiful fiancée off. Let's go make some jaws drop."
Travis was right about all the attention. I may have been able to slip by unnoticed by myself, but with golden Travis by my side? Not a chance. We walk in and the music stops. Sure it was the end of the song, but it still made for an awkward entrance. I hear a collective gasp when we are announced followed by the applause of delighted guests. They love us together because we complete the picture of romantic harmony that they have created in their minds. The little princess and the golden son, hand in hand across the dance floor. I see the men sigh and the women fawn as we make our way through the crowd.
As we near the front of the room, I see three faces that are not in sync with the masses. Grayson stands straight as a board, his eyes fire and brimstone as he stares at Travis and me. What have we done to incite this kind of reaction from him? I turn from Grayson's weighted stare only to meet Amber's. My blood runs cold at the sight of her. She is seething. Her small body is swallowed by the mounds of fabric of her maternity gown, her pretty face contorted in astonished rage. She did not expect to see me wearing this gown; that much is very clear. Her anger is formidable, but it can't hold a candle to the malice I see in the face next to hers.
Alana is standing next to Amber looking very plain in her maid's uniform, her body coiled in anxious disbelief. She had wanted to ruin my night, to make me suffer, but here I am, soft, plain Kat, looking more beautiful than if she had left well enough alone. She makes eye contact with me and I feel the full weight of her anger. Her eyes cut to Travis for an instant, and in that moment her expression tells me everything.
She had wanted Travis.
The marriage arrangement that fell through was between Alana and Travis? Of course she hates me! How far did this plan get? Surely it was just a failed scheme of Amber's. I had only been gone a short time. Would he have agreed to a new marriage that quickly? Travis has never made any indication that he even knew who Alana was, so I can't believe Amber's plan had gone very far. But did Alana know that?
Veracity (The Seven Cities Book 1) Page 14