Seeker's Revolution

by Boyson, Cassandra

  “After years of numbing the anointing of those whose gifts were considered unfit―even some of the gifts that had formerly been embraced―we find ourselves here, giftless, living from the pitiful rations supplied by our ever generous council.”

  Era could not believe her ears. How had all this been permitted to endure? Why had her people not risen up? Yet... she understood. The council and their Enforcers had oppressed the people until they were what she saw before her: hopeless, dreamless and dead inside. Whatever had happened over the years had been devastating. It had broken them—even these two who had had so much promise in their youth.

  “What of Flynn, the Realm Leader? What did they do with him?” she asked.

  “Nothing,” Aedis replied. “He is the current Realm Leader. Though, I’m not certain he is quite deserving of that title anymore. They say the agelessness a Realm Leader is anointed with has begun to fade from him, that he is beginning to age, and rather more rapidly than I suppose is pleasant.”

  “Oh, who cares?” Merrick broke in bitterly. “He’s been the council’s pawn since day one, so they say. Maybe with him gone, we can finally get the people to rally around raising up a leader of our own, one who will stand against the council and free us from their unendurable rule once and for all.”

  There were a few moments of silence before Aedis asked, “But who?”

  Merrick lowered his head, rubbing the back of his neck as if it ached. “Who? You are right there, dear one. Who in all this world has the strength of will and heart? Who has not been overcome by the oppression that hangs over us? Even the sea and skies...” He looked up to Era with such intensity it nearly hurled her backward. “Did you know that even the sea has begun to swallow us up, that some of the islands have begun to flood until their people have had to be evacuated?” He dropped his gaze, rubbing at his neck again. “It’s as if we’re―”

  “Cursed,” Aedis supplied. “We all know it.” She looked to Era. “I believe it is because of what you saw that night, Era. Those people were imprisoned and we allowed our council the freedom to perform such an act; our people trusted in them far too much. I wonder… if we had done something back then, might everything be different now.”

  Era felt as if she might cry. If only she had been able to convince them. Could they have done something? But she had not been the only one who was aware. There was yet another who had been far more involved than she.

  “What about the Glory-bringer?” she asked quietly, almost fearfully.

  Merrick did not lift his gaze, but Aedis replied, “She hasn’t returned.”

  Era’s head pounded. Had something happened to Iviana or had she truly chosen to remain safe and secure in that other world?

  “I remember you saying something about it that day you disappeared,” Aedis went on. “You were right. You knew better than anyone.”

  “But that can’t be,” Era contended. “The Great One chose her. It was prophesied for over a hundred years she would come and―”

  “But she didn’t,” Merrick said angrily. “Either we heard wrong or...”

  “The Great One has not forgotten us,” Aedis assured him. “I know it. I feel him when I do the washing, prepare food, as I go about my day. He fills me with such peace, if only for small moments. He still cares. We made our choice and we have brought a curse upon ourselves we never dreamed.”

  Merrick breathed heavily. “We can’t let them do it to her, Aedis. How can we get her out?”

  “Why not the door?” Era asked. “Why has no one escaped through the door into Jaela’s Cavern?”

  “They reprogrammed it,” Aedis explained.” It doesn’t let anyone in or out without Flynn’s input into the system.”

  “Next you’ll be asking about the dragons and their portal in the sky,” said Merrick. “But they were forced to leave years ago. Only a handful escaped with them. Sure, they were powerful and all, but they had only stayed by the approval of our people. So, when they were commanded to leave, they humbly submitted as only the most powerful of creatures will. Obviously, they did not want a fight―knew they’d win. For whatever reason, they did love us.”

  “Then you’re truly trapped,” Era said hopelessly.

  Merrick smirked. “So are you, young one, and with such a gift as yours, I pity you.” He froze suddenly before, “Then again... can you not use it to escape from here?”

  That thought had not occurred to Era. She had no idea if she even had such a gift or if she had arrived in this future by some other means. Still, if there was a chance she could traverse time, she knew precisely where she would go.

  “How would you suggest I go about doing that?” she asked them, knowing even if they were oppressed, they were still two of the greatest minds on the planet.

  “Hm...” Merrick began. “Transporters were able to move from place to place by the mere thought of where they wanted to be. Might you not try it that way?”

  Era supposed it was worth a try. With a glance at the two old friends before her, she said, “Great One, please take me back.”

  With that, her world began to spin. When at last it slowed once again, a pair of arms were thrown about her. “Era, what happened to you?!” Aedis cried. “You disappeared and I was so frightened. I was just about to fetch your parents.” Suddenly she pulled away and asked, “What are you wearing? You weren’t in these rags before.” At last, she peered into Era’s face and saw something of the depth of what Era had learned. “Are you all right?”

  “How long have I been gone?” asked Era.

  “I don’t know, a minute? Maybe less. But you disappeared before my very eyes. I’ve never seen anything like it. What happened?”

  Era looked into the youthful face of the older girl. “Oh, Aedis. I’ve got to see the Island Leaders.”

  13

  Iviana

  Each day, Marquen attempted to teach Iviana how to call forth water as he and the Swimmers had when they’d faced the dark dragon. For whatever reason, that hour always ended fruitlessly and it was beginning to wear on Iviana’s nerves.

  “Why can’t I get this?” cried Iviana. “Brenna and Necoli had it in a matter of moments!”

  “Well, they were faced with a terrible beast. I imagine desperation had something to do with their results.”

  “Then attack me and we’ll see what happens.”

  Marquen grinned widely. “One, I do not attack people. Two, I find it hard to believe you would view me as enough of a threat.”

  Iviana looked him over. “Well, you were pretty intimidating when we faced the dark dragon. Still... you may be right.”

  Marquen grinned. “Lets give it another go. Repeat the steps aloud.”

  Iviana stole a deep breath and released it slowly, taking a determined stance. Holding out her hands, she said, “Connect with the Great One.” She looked toward the sky with a smile and said, “Hi.” She continued with, “Call the water from His presence...” She drew herself from her stance and turned to Marquen. “Maybe the problem is I can’t picture Him. I’ve never seen Him.”

  “You’ve seen His son. Picture him.”

  “Ah,” Iviana said with raised brows. “That could work.” She repeated the steps and pictured the Anointed One. She imagined the water flowing into her person until it rushed through her arms. Finally, she thought, release...

  “Nothing...” she said to Marquen.

  “Hm.” He rubbed his brown-bearded chin. She was again struck by the fact that, beneath those whiskers and despite what his character displayed, he was not much older than she was. Yet, he seemed ages wiser. It really wasn’t fair.

  Without warning, a large blast of water shot

  over her with such force she thought her skin would bruise. As it ceased, she looked to Marquen, from whom it had come, and sent him a severe scowl.

  Spitting out the liquid that had sprayed into her mouth, she took her stance and, without another thought, succeeded in blasting Marquen, drenching him from head to foot as well as th
e trees and foliage surrounding him. She then stood back, blinking as she realized she had accomplished her goal.

  Instead of responding in turn, Marquen only smiled. “I wondered if that would work.”

  “Well, it was my idea. I thought you doubted it!”

  Marquen laughed heartily. “But, you see, it was the element of surprise that brought results.”

  Iviana turned from him and raced back to the cottage to meet Darist and Nimua where they worked in the garden. In her absence, it had overgrown and sprouted many unwelcome weeds. Since most of the plants were foreign to all but Necoli, Iviana had taken the opportunity to teach them about Kierelian plant-life and it had intrigued them.

  “You did it?” Nimua asked with bright eyes.

  Iviana embraced her and nodded. “Marquen fooled me and it worked.”

  Nimua giggled, but Darist was surprised. “Really?” he asked a little laughingly. “I wouldn’t have expected it of him.”

  “Neither would I,” Iviana replied laughingly, “But I don’t care so long as it was successful.”

  “As Marquen would say,” began Nimua, “‘Whatever achieves results.’”

  Marquen nodded as he approached. “If I’m not careful, you’ll know all my secrets, Nimua, and then I’ll be useless.”

  Nimua made a doubtful noise. “Except you’re the keenest Seer since Latos. If only you’d been made Realm Leader―” Nimua cut her words short and looked sorrily to Iviana.

  Not wanting to raise questions, Iviana changed the subject, “Oh, I see someone is coming. I believe it is that young man for his mother’s medicine―the one we prepared this morning. I’ll see to him myself.”

  Over the past few days, Iviana had been training Marquen and Darist in the ways of healing. Though they did not have the Healer’s eye or touch, it had never occurred to anyone that some of the things Healer’s knew could be learned by anyone. As Marquen and Darist showed so much interest―Marquen in the actual process and Darist in simply being a help―Iviana had taught them several things they could manage themselves. Once they were finished, she would bless the person with her healing touch.

  During this time, it interested her how differently the FairGlenn villagers responded to the purple glow that came with her Healer’s gift. Iviana recalled how Naphtali had often asked her patients to close their eyes while she touched them, so as not to raise suspicion or fear. But there had been times when someone had caught her at the wrong moment or when parents had been there to see their child healed. This had been the chief reason the villagers had feared them. Of course, they had always been intimidated by their medicinal procedures, but the purple light was simply too peculiar for comfort... back then.

  Now, word had spread of that purple touch and the peace and warmth that came with it. Many looked forward to it, eager to see it for themselves. In those moments, Iviana began to take the time to explain from Whom it was supplied. Though many accepted her tale about the Great One and the sacrifice of His son, they saw it as just that, beautiful tales. Even so, there were others who took it to heart and it delighted her she could introduce more friends to the Ones she loved so much.

  Meanwhile, as Marquen and Darist bandaged wounded arms and legs and prepared treatments, they also began to tell stories and it wasn’t long before many came simply to hear them. Sometimes, they would even speak about a world apart from Kaern, the Greater Archipelagos, where people with special powers dwelt. These stories, Darist told himself, shocking Iviana with his candor. Especially when some began to look at her questioningly, wondering if she, with her Healer’s gift, could be from that miraculous world of islands and ocean. They began to see her as a hero of a grand fairytale—the creature of a beautiful, foreign world.

  Much as she hated to admit it, the stories Darist told were slowly mending her heart toward that world that currently held only painful memories. He reminded her of the things that were great about the Greater Archipelagos, the things that were worth saving, if possible. But then she would recall the way Flynn had refused to aid her. She attempted to think of a plan that would save those people without getting any of them killed by cannibals or other means―means she did not wish to explore―and her feelings toward that world would sour again.

  Then, of course, there was the distraction of everyone in town thinking her and Marquen were a couple, for they were often seen walking and talking together, never-mind how often Iviana attempted to put them straight. Marquen was not at all affected by it, saying they could believe what they chose, but he did not plan to marry. Even Iviana wasn’t certain she would ever do so, but the rumors still bothered her.

  Late into the evening on the day Iviana mastered calling forth the water, she sat idly with Nimua in the window seat and confronted her with this.

  “Can you imagine me and Marquen? I mean, I have a great deal of love in my heart for that man, but I can’t say my feelings would ever go that far.”

  “For some time, I’ve thought you and Darist would make a match,” Nimua admitted as she gazed out the window.

  Shocked by this, Iviana looked up at her friend. “Darist and I? Of course not. That’s almost worse. They’re my brothers.”

  “Well, it was just a hunch. You should be proud of me for not having played matchmaker.”

  “Oh, I’m more than grateful. How embarrassing would that have been?”

  Nimua chuckled. “Well, if you decide to remain single for the rest of your life, utterly devoted to our friendship, I’d be perfectly happy.”

  Iviana chuckled. “Nimua, I may remain single, but I cannot promise I will not completely move into your married home. In the least, you may find me there six days out of seven and your husband will certainly despise me for eating you out of house and home, not to mention stealing all of his angelic wife’s time.”

  Nimua grinned. “Sounds lovely to me. Now, what do you say we put talk of men behind us and sleep. Tending your garden has been more tiring than I expected.”

  Iviana agreed and lay in her bed, thinking of the events of the day and attempting to sort out just what was in her heart only to find it all hopeless. Finally, she fell into a deep sleep. And within that sleep, she began to dream.

  She dreamed she stood over a young girl in a bed unlike she had ever seen and the room was comprised of walls and tubes that reminded her of a place she had thought of often in the last months. Iviana stood still, attempting to ascertain whether or not she was dreaming of the lost Isle of Atlantyss, when the girl in the bed suddenly turned, widened her eyes and squealed at the sight of her.

  Sitting up, she demanded, “Who are you? What do you want with me?”

  Iviana was contemplating the latter query herself, but she simply responded with, “Er-I’m Iviana.”

  Era blinked. “Oh, you’re―you’re the Chosen One, aren’t you?”

  Iviana paused a moment before nodding.

  “How did you get here?” the girl asked, standing excitedly to her feet. “You came back! Oh, I just knew you would.”

  “Well, I...” Iviana rubbed her arms, attempting to determine if she was only dreaming or had transported in her sleep. She had, after all, had other gifts appear from nowhere, making her a Healer-Seeker-Seer-Swimmer, but it seemed she was not a Transporter, for she felt nothing beneath her fingertips. “I think I’m only dreaming.”

  The girl weighed this, reaching out for Iviana’s arm, but her hands went right through them. “I see...” She tried this on herself and achieved the same result. “It appears I’m dreaming, too, then.”

  It was Iviana’s turn to study her. “But this feels real, doesn’t it? I have had something like this happen before... I connected with another in my dreams.”

  The girl nodded. “Now you say it, so have I. I went with you, but you did not see me.”

  Iviana was taken aback. This was all a bit uncanny. “What is your name?”

  “Era.”

  Iviana nodded. “Well, where did we go in your dream?”

  Era�
��s face grew solemn. “I saw the prison in the mountain.”

  “You did?” Iviana asked numbly.

  “I’ve also seen the future. You have to come back.”

  Iviana looked her over. Who was this girl? “What happens in the future?”

  “It’s terrible. The council takes over everything and I mean everything. The Great Gifts are extinguished, our freedom and independence are ripped away, Atlantyss is discovered and evacuated and Aedis and Merrick get married.”

  “Aedis and Merrick?” Iviana asked, surprised. “That’s terrible?”

  “Well... no, not that part.”

  Iviana nearly smiled, but the remainder of what Era had revealed was working its way into her consciousness. “How do they do this? Why don’t the people do something―in the very least, escape the realm?”

  “I’m not altogether certain. The council breaks their spirit with something called Kurnin’s Elixir, designed by an Inventor and a Healer to remove the giftings. Then there are the Enforcers, a team I believe Kurnin and the council have been assembling. It’s made up of men and women who are willing to enforce the elixir on the unwilling. Then they’re going to banish the dragons and lock the door to Jaela’s Cavern, so there’s not much chance of escape once that has been done. I don’t know any more than that. I was there a very short time and spoke only with Aedis and Merrick when they get old... Oh, you just have to return and keep it all from happening.”

  Iviana grew ill, her ears pounding with indignation for what was to come. Her mind raced as she considered all she’d heard― particularly Era’s last comment. “But... but if you’ve seen the future; isn’t that it. That’s what the council does. It ruins everything. That is the future of the Greater Archipelagos.” Suddenly, a thought that made her heart beat wildly struck her. “What about Flynn?”

  “He’s...” Era began.

  Iviana could tell Era understood the effect her answer would have on her, for she was almost frightened to reply, her eyes lining with tears. It grew difficult for Iviana to breathe until at last Era admitted, “He’s still the Realm Leader. But it’s not as if he was the mastermind; they called him a pawn. Still, he locked the door.”