After walking deep into the mountain, the big guy pushed me toward an opening where rock stairs led upward. I stopped. I was still dizzy from the medication, squirmy from the bee stings, and weak from having slept for five days. The last thing I wanted to do was climb stairs. Too bad for me. The guy gave me a shove. I willed my feet to keep moving, and the two of us climbed for what felt like forever. When we finally got to the top, we were faced with two guards who blocked our way. When they saw the big guy who’d arrested me, they backed off to let us pass.
We had arrived on another level built into the mountain, and a huge cavern. On the far side was the opening I had seen from the ground. Light from outside filled the immense room, making it nearly bright as day. The space was big, but empty. The only sign of life was on the far side, in front of the opening. Three people were there, talking.
The big guy removed the cord from around my wrists and handed it to me. “Don’t do anything foolish,” he warned. “There are guards everywhere.”
I nodded and rubbed my wrists, grateful that the tight cord was no longer scraping my healing bug wounds. “Is that the tribunal?” I asked.
His answer was to shove me toward them. The guy was starting to annoy me. In the next few moments my future on Ibara was going to be decided. What was I going to say to this tribunal? If my only crime was being an outsider, I was guilty Was that enough to have me executed? My mind raced, trying to come up with some kind of plausible story as to why I wasn’t an outsider, but I didn’t know anything about Ibara. Or this village called Rayne. I looked beyond the group and out past the cave opening. I first saw nothing but sky, then the beach, and finally the huts of the village below. It was an awesome sight. It reminded me of being on that lofty platform for the Tato match on Quillan. That was an incredible view too. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I hadn’t been up there to fight for my life. I hoped I wouldn’t have the same problem here on Ibara.
An idea hit me. Remembering the Tato match did it. I wasn’t exactly sure how to use it, but it could very well have been my only hope.
There was a long, low desk with three large chairs behind it. The desk was full of papers and one of those small telephones. This is where the tribunal worked. I wondered why they were set up in such a huge place. I’m guessing it had something to do with security. Nobody could get close to them without being seen from far off. If they were paranoid about outsiders, what better place to protect their leaders than in the middle of a space where nobody could get close to them without being seen?
There were two women and a man. The man had gray in his hair, and the two women looked like your basic moms. One had very dark skin, the other was white and freckled, but with almond-shaped eyes. Weird. The guy was white, but really tan. He had a scratchy saltand-pepper beard that made him look like a grizzled sea captain. They each wore light green clothes, but with long sleeves and long pants. I’m guessing this was their idea of being formal. The three of them were locked in debate, until the dark woman spotted us. She nodded to the others. They straightened up and sat in their chairs. The guy sat in the middle, a woman on either side of him. I was led to a red line in the floor and roughly pulled to a stop.
“Don’t cross the line,” the big guy commanded.
“Don’t worry,” I replied.
The tribunal looked me over with no expression. I tried to look innocent, though I wasn’t really sure how to do that. I mainly wanted to be respectful and nonthreatening. We stood that way for several seconds. I wasn’t sure if they were trying to psyche me out or if I was supposed to say something. I chose to keep quiet. I kept going over in my head what I was going to say when the questions began. I had come up with a plan. It was something I hadn’t tried before on any of the territories. This seemed like as good a time as any to give it a shot.
“My name is Genj,” the man in the middle finally announced. “I am the chief minister of the Rayne tribunal.” He spoke calmly, with authority. He gestured to the women and said, “This is Moman and Drea.”
The dark woman was Moman, the freckled woman was Drea.
“And who are you?” he finally asked. This was it. Do or die. Literally. “I was hoping you could tell me,” I answered. I saw the surprise on their faces.
“I don’t understand,” Genj said. “I asked you who you are.”
“And I’m saying I don’t know. I remember my name, but that’s pretty much it.”
“What is your name?” Drea asked.
“Pendragon. At least I think it is. My mind is kind of… blank. I remember being swarmed by bees, but it’s a blur. The next thing I knew I woke up in your village. I have no idea how I got here or who I am.”
The three tribunal members looked to one another, not sure how to respond. It was a totally bold move on my part to fake amnesia, but I figured there was no way I was going to convince them I wasn’t an outsider. And if being an outsider meant death, I had to hope that putting a little doubt in their minds would spare me.
Moman asked, “You are saying you have no memory of anything before you were attacked by the bees?”
I had one more card to play. If I was lucky, it would confuse them a little more.
“I do have one other memory,” I answered. “It’s a name, I think.”
“What is it?” Genj asked.
I knew exactly one thing about Ibara. I knew the name of the Traveler. He was lured to Quillan by Nevva Winter and killed playing Tato, one of the deadly Quillan games.
I hoped he would be able to reach back from the grave to help save my life.
“Remudi,” I answered.
The effect on the tribunal was instant. All three sat bolt upright. Even the big guy who arrested me stiffened. I didn’t know why it was such a shock, but it definitely had an effect. I continued to pour it on by saying, “I can’t get that name out of my head. Remudi. Who knows? Maybe that’s my name and I’m not Pendragon. Do you know who I am? Do you know someone named Remudi?”
They looked off balance. That was good. I needed them to be confused and curious enough to want to keep me around to find out more.
Genj looked to the big guy who arrested me and asked, “Is the report we just received correct?”
“I’m afraid so,” the big guy answered.
“Bring him to us right away,” Genj commanded.
The big guy backed away respectfully and jogged off. I was left standing there with my toes on the red line. What report was he talking about? Who was being brought in? The three members of the tribunal stared at me. I felt like I was standing in my underwear. I’d done what I set out to do: I confused them. I didn’t want to say anything else that might mess that up.
“You nearly died,” Genj said. “It’s possible that amount of venom effected your memory.”
Awesome. If they thought a thousand bug bites caused my amnesia, cool.
“Do you have other injuries?” Drea asked.
“I don’t think so,” I said, keeping the possibility open. Though I knew I was fine. “Telleo told me I was saved by some fishermen. She really helped me, by the way.”
“Telleo has a gift,” Moman said kindly. “Her calling is to help people. She would even give aid to a Flighter in need.”
“I don’t know what a Flighter is,” I said honestly.
The three of them exchanged looks. Did they believe me? Probably not. I wasn’t so sure
I believed me either. I had no idea what a Flighter was, so how could I be sure I wasn’t one?
“You are not from Rayne,” Genj stated. “That much we are sure of. But you may be from another part of Ibara. The fact that you know the name of Remudi makes us believe that is possible. A Flighter would not know that name.”
Remudi’s name may have saved my life. But Genj said he thought I may be from some other part of Ibara. What did that mean? If I didn’t come from another part of Ibara, where did he think I came from? Did they know about other territories?
“There is someone you should meet,” Gen
j said. “Perhaps it will bring light to a confusing situation.”
I sensed someone walking up behind me. I didn’t dare turn around to look. To be honest,
I was afraid to. I heard the voice of the big guy who had arrested me. “Don’t cross the line,” he ordered. I thought he was talking to me, but realized it was intended for the person he was bringing in.
“He stole some clothing and some tools,” the big guy announced. “There were two of them. The other thief escaped.”
Stepping up beside me was the big security guy. With him was the dark-haired thief, the one I’d seen being tackled earlier. The young guy pulled away from the thug’s grip and angrily snarled, “Relax. I’m not going anywhere.” He looked at me and said, “What did they get you for?”
The young thief wasn’t intimidated by the tribunal. Or me.
“This is becoming a habit, Siry,” Genj said to the young guy. “A bad habit.”
“I didn’t do anything,” the kid named Siry boldly shot back at the man. “Those clothes were ours. We worked for them. That lady was crazy.”
The big thug poked Siry in the back. “Show some respect,” he ordered.
“Hey!” Siry protested. “I’m not the guilty one. Talk to that lady. She was supposed to pay us.”
The kid was cocky. From the scowls on the faces of the tribunal, they didn’t believe a word he said. I had the feeling they’d been to this dance before.
“Look at this young man/’ Genj ordered Siry while pointing to me.
Siry gave me a quick once-over. His eyes were blank. I meant nothing to him.
“Yeah, so?” he asked, annoyed.
Drea asked, “Have you seen him before?”
“Why?” he asked without looking at me again. “Is he blaming me for something too?”
“Answer a simple question for once, Siry,” Genj said, growing impatient.
“Don’t know him,” Siry said dismissively.
Moman added, “He says his name is Pendragon. Have you ever heard that name?”
“I told you,” Siry said, still annoyed. “I don’t know the guy”
“Yet he knows the name of your father,” Genj said. I snapped a look to Genj. Did I hear right? “This is Remudi’s son?” I blurted out. “Does that stir memories?” Drea asked. Oh man, did it ever. Not the kind I wanted to share. “Maybe there’s more than one Remudi,” I offered, my mind racing.
“There was only one Remudi from Rayne,” Genj answered. “Jen Remudi. This is his son. Look at him. Does he look at all familiar?”
I focused on the guy. He looked bored. He had the attitude of a street-tough kind of guy. I had only seen Remudi on the big screen on Quillan when he fought in the Tato match. The match that killed him. I tried to see a resemblance in Siry, but there was nothing about him that reminded me of Remudi. Then I remembered. Remudi was the Traveler from Ibara. As far as I knew, none of the Travelers knew their biological parents. Did it follow that the Travelers wouldn’t have biological children of their own? Siry might have been adopted, which meant there would be no resemblance.
It also meant something else. Something I needed to know. Badly. Siry’s arms were folded across his chest in a show of boredom and defiance. I couldn’t see his hands. I grasped the handcuff cord I had been holding and tossed it at the thief.
“Catch,” I barked.
Surprised, Siry caught the cord, revealing his hands. On his right ring finger was a familiar gray band. I had found the new Traveler from Ibara.
(CONTINUED)
IBARA
Siry didn’t fit the profile. Each and every Traveler was special in some way. Even before they discovered the whole Traveler thing, they each had proved themselves to be smart and competent, and above all else, honorable. I can’t really speak about myself that way, seeing as I was pretty young when I left home, but I think I was a pretty good kid. I’m not sure I could say the same about Siry. At least, that’s what I thought after knowing him for a total of two minutes.
He looked at the handcuff cord I tossed him as if it were infected. “What was that for?” he barked angrily, and threw it back at me. He took a step toward me, ready to throw a punch. I didn’t move. The big security goon grabbed him. Good thing. I’m not so sure I had the strength to defend myself.
“That’s enough!” scolded Genj.
“What?” bellowed Siry, complaining. “He threw it at me! You saw it! Are you going to say that was my fault too?”
Genj sighed. I got the feeling that he was tired of dealing with Siry. He stood up and paced, thinking. He had two problems: an obnoxious thief and a semiobnoxious, mystery guy with amnesia and scabs. The two women joined him and they stepped away to discuss the situation. At least, I assumed they were discussing the situation. I didn’t think they were deciding on what to have for dinner. The big guy stayed between Siry and me, making sure we behaved.
Siry shifted back and forth, bored. He was smaller than I was and looked around fifteen, though he carried himself with confidence, as if he were older. His hair was kinky curly, but long. It fell to his shoulders in long corkscrews. When he moved, they bounced like springs. His clothes were like everyone else’s, but old and worn. His shirt was darker blue, with cutoff sleeves revealing thin, strong arms. His pants were probably long at one time, but were cut off to just below the knees, with raggy ends. I couldn’t be sure, but it looked as if his clothes hadn’t been washed in a while. I’m not saying he smelled, but where everyone else in the village wore clothes that were bright and new, Siry looked kind of, well, grungy. I guess he was a street kid, tropical style.
He was full of nervous energy. I wondered if he was always like that, or if it was because three people were debating his future. His skin was dark, like Remudi’s. I guess on Second Earth we’d call him black. He was thin, but strong looking. “Wiry” is a good word. My guess was he was athletic. His eyes were dark brown, almost black. They were intense. Or angry. Back at home if I saw him walking toward me, I’d get out of his way. Not because he was big and intimidating, but because he seemed like someone who would snap with no warning. He was not the kind of guy you’d want to mess with.
Unfortunately, I was going to have to mess with him.
After a few minutes of concerned debate, the tribunal came back. The women sat in their chairs. Genj stood facing us.
“There may be an opportunity here,” the older man said. “Jen Remudi was my friend. He was a friend to all three of us and a trusted member of this tribunal.”
Whoa. Remudi was on the Tribunal of Rayne. He was a leader. He was respected. There again was a guy who was special in his own way, on top of being a Traveler. I wondered why his son turned out to be such a slug.
“His disappearance remains a mystery,” Genj continued. “Pendragon, if you are telling us the truth, and I’d like to believe you are, we’re hoping you might help us learn of what happened to our friend.”
Uh-oh. I could tell them exactly what happened to him. But I wasn’t going to. No way.
Moman said, “We’d like you to remain here in Rayne until you are fully healed. Hopefully, that will include recovering your memory. You can stay in the same common house where Telleo cared for you. You’re free to explore our village. Make no mistake, you will be watched. If there is trouble, you will find yourself right back here, where there will be a very different outcome.”
“Thank you,” I said. “If I can help you, I will.” I meant it too. Though not exactly in the way they were hoping. Still, if there was a way I could give them closure on Remudi, short of telling them the whole truth, I’d do it. They seemed like good people. Their village looked like a peaceful and decent place to live. It was the perfect target for Saint Dane. My goal was to figure out what it was about this village that could create a turning point that would affect all of Ibara. Things were looking up.
Genj stepped in front of Siry. The kid smirked, as if daring him to say something he’d actually care about.
“Siry,” Genj began
, “you are a disappointment to the tribunal, to your village, and to your father. You are a thief and a liar,”
If this bothered Siry, he didn’t show it. He’d probably been called worse.
“This is the fifth time you’ve been brought before us on charges of thievery, mischief, vandalism, and brawling. Out of deference to your father, we’ve never given you a fitting punishment. That changes today.” He stepped back and took his place between the two women.
Drea declared, “Siry, you are assigned to work with our fishing fleet for a year of hard labor. Our hope is that by spending a concentrated time on a constructive, important task, you will learn the value of the individual’s place in our society, and return to it a more respectful, useful citizen.”
Siry’s eyes went wide. “Wha-? No!” he shouted. His cool finally cracked. “I’ve never done work like that. I don’t know how.”
“You’ll learn,” Moman assured him. “Hopefully, you’ll learn a lot of things, including respect for yourself.”
“I won’t go,” he shouted defiantly, stabbing his finger at me. “You let an outsider free in the village, but sentence the son of a tribunal member to a year of hard labor? That’s not fair!”
The three leaders exchanged knowing looks. I wasn’t sure if it was because they were satisfied that they had finally gotten to Siry, or had other plans.
Genj said, “You make a good point. There might be another way.”
“Anything!” Siry shouted.
The older man stood back up and walked to us. “Perhaps we shouldn’t let Pendragon roam our city so freely.”
Uh-oh. Now it was my turn though. Genj wasn’t finished. He put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Siry, you can serve your sentence in another constructive manner. You can supervise Pendragon.” “What!” Siry exclaimed.
“He would be your responsibility,” Genj said. “If there are problems, all you need do is contact security. We hope that won’t be necessary. We want Pendragon to recover. If there’s a chance to learn what happened to your father, don’t you think we should take it?”
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