Halfblood Heritage

by Rheaume, Laura

  Scythe said, “Governor Talto said that Poinsea doesn’t want the Humans to draw attention to themselves.”

  “The ruling family can’t be bothered with the Human condition right now. It is very busy managing the Kin, and doesn’t consider the Humans a matter for any concern. This is, naturally, by our design; if they were to take an interest, we would have at the least three parties vying for decision making power. You can see how we would do just about anything to avoid that. As it is, the Scere enjoys nearly undisputed rule over your mother’s people.”

  “The Scere L’Eler were responsible for the abduction of Humans...”

  Hearing a quiet tap on the door, Soshia, delicately raised her hand to interrupt him. “I’m afraid I must expedite things here for us. I do apologize for that. Let me give you some basic information, and then I have something that I need to ask of you.” She smiled approvingly at his quiet patience, and then continued.

  “In recent years, the Scere has been divided in its opinions about how the Humans should be dealt with. The L’Eler are a group within the Scere that began as just a small handful of what I would call intolerant radicals, please excuse my abrupt tone, but have been winning over the minds of an increasing number of council members over the past fifty years. Their intentions are to bring the Human population under direct control. This would involve completely stripping them of all self government, redistributing the people into smaller, geographically separated settlements, and placing them under, well, as I said, direct control. You could say that they would lose nearly all personal rights.

  “The L’Hedeler, currently a larger group, disagree vehemently with this position. It is a historical fact that Humans do not react well to being so forcibly treated. Neither do they flourish in containment; birthrates in such conditions drop drastically after the second generation. Their natural tendencies toward self assertion, investigation, and change only permit subjugation for three hundred years at the outside. After that, it would become difficult to contain them; and if they can’t be contained, then the chances of their continued survival would plummet.

  “The position of the L’Hedeler is one of study and light supervision, one supported by two hundred and fifty years of successful government over the Humans. The Humans are a resource, one that needs to be carefully nourished and protected by those who utilize it. However, recent developments within the Human race have given impetus to the L’Eler movement. Ironically, Humans may have brought about their own destruction, unless we can avert it.”

  “What did they do?”

  “They did not intentionally do anything, we think. At least, we can’t identify any causal factor, and we’ve been looking very hard for one. What has fired up the L’Eler is an emerging trait within the Human race.” She folded her hands gently on the table and paused expectantly, a pleasant smile playing on her lips.

  “Their powers,” Scythe said, his mind connecting the scattered clues that he had come across in the years since his abduction. “A friend told me that when she was young, she hardly ever heard of anyone with powers...”

  “That’s right. Powers within both races, Kin and Human have been documented over the last seven hundred years, and their rate of occurrence was nearly equal for most of that time, less than one in five thousand. This is still the rate for Kin. However, and for no discernible reason, within the last hundred years, the Human rate has jumped to one in one hundred, and it appears to be growing. Our scientists have no explanation for it, and no there is no evidence that it has been manipulated in any way.”

  “Keyrin seems to think the Kin can steal that power. Is that possible?”

  “We were very interested in that project, and yes, I know that you have serious reservations about it. We have invested in a few similar projects ourselves, as the cause for this development is at the top of our list of priorities.”

  “What types of projects? Like the one in Poinsea?”

  “No, the method of obtaining subjects was rash there...it is easy to spot the hasty decisions of the Eler...made for a bit of a cleanup, unfortunately, but you know all about that. Ours are Human led, for the most part, and are Human-Kin cooperative projects. Both groups want to find answers, so there is no reason we shouldn’t pool our resources. However, the recent trends in Kin-Human relations are threatening our research.”

  “Do you mean the anti-Human movements? How would that affect your research?”

  “Many of the movements you are probably referring to are highly manipulated by the Eler, if not directly run by them, although a few are truly independent; as general antipathy grows, more will spring up on their own, doing the Eler’s job for them. However, I wasn’t referring to that at all. It is the fear of Human further development of power that is causing so much disruption.

  “There was only a trace of animosity toward Humans a hundred years ago, the typical prejudice that occurs when one race is vastly dominant over another. However, when Humans started developing these unnatural powers, a certain fear began to blossom in the minds and hearts of some of the Kin assigned to oversee Humans; it only worsened as the incidences increased dramatically.”

  “Fear of Humans? Fear that they will do what? How could they possibly harm the Kin? The Kin rule the whole earth!”

  “It does seem impossible, but logic is not a requisite for such fears, only belief. In all fairness, if the rates do continue as they have, it is not inconceivable that there will be a point when most Humans will develop some power; what was once an extremely rare trait has become merely uncommon. Some of our researchers believe it may even have become a dominant gene, ensuring that each new generation will have a greater percentage of incidence.”

  “Even so, they are still outnumbered...”

  “Yes, that is a certainty. Even considering that poignant fact, the talents we are seeing are impressive, and would make anyone stop and think a minute before disregarding Human capacity for disruption. Think about only these few: mind reading, matter manipulation, precognition...these would be mighty weapons indeed for anyone to hold. The Eler fear that continued Human independence will result in the eventual misuse of these powers against us, or, at the least, the usurp of these powers by other Kin.”

  “Humans working for the Kin, using their powers?”

  “More than likely, the kidnap and subsequent manipulation of those Humans, although, willing servitude is always a possibility.”

  Scythe sat quietly for a moment, thinking. The woman waited, equally still, content to let him mull over their conversation. “Is it hopeless, then? There must be a way...”

  “It is not hopeless, but, to be very honest with you, I’m not sure it can be avoided at this point. Twenty-five years ago, when the rates were still low, I would have said, ‘Yes, we have safeguarded the Humans for a short while longer.’ Now, with more Humans developing these astounding abilities each year, I find it hard to believe that they can escape notice, and subsequent exploitation.” She spread her hands, “Perhaps for another ten to twenty years, that is all.”

  “So, what? There is nothing you can do?” Scythe asked desperately.

  “Of course. There is much we can do, and we’ve been doing it for quite a while...before you were born in this hovel of a village. We will continue to try to thwart those who intend to eradicate or endanger Humans, as well to try to work out acceptable compromises with the Eler. The need to protect the race has become imperative, because they have become the vessels of such great potential. The world would be diminished were they to disappear from its face.”

  “But, you are really working with the Scere Eler, right?” Scythe asked sharply. “I mean, they know that you are here, talking to me?”

  She nodded, “We are one, the Eler and the Hedeler. We are the Scere. However, the rift between us grows, for the reasons I mentioned; neither side wants to break away fully, and yet it is becoming steadily more difficult to find common ground, or acceptable compromises.” She shrugged, “It is uncertain if we will b
e able to maintain the delicate balance for much longer.”

  “What will happen if you break apart?”

  “Well, the side with the most powerful backers will endure, and the other will fall into disfavor; the winner will decide the future of the Human race, and the loser will fight it from the shadows.”

  In the heavy quiet, her voice continued, “You must decide what side you are on.”

  “Me?” Startled, Scythe protested, “I do not want to be involved in any of this.”

  “Yes, well, you are already in, chin deep, Scythe, not the least because you have inherited significant power yourself. A Kin with power is still extremely rare.”

  “A halfblood Kin.”

  “That is another mess of troubles, as well as the impetus for another long line of study. I dare say your carelessness will lead to many, many more halfblood births, most of which will be for scientific purposes only.”

  “My carelessness?” Scythe’s stomach turned over.

  “Well, if you had never shown signs of having inherited power from your Human mother, then who knows how long it would have taken the research teams to invest the resources and extensive time needed to study half-Kin, half-Human subjects. There have been so few, after all, and it takes over thirteen years to even see any results.”

  Scythe squeezed his eyes closed, willing himself to calm down. “I don’t...I didn’t want that...” He opened his eyes, pleading, “I didn’t know that I would cause anything like that to happen.”

  She barked a quick laugh, “Of course not, how could you? It is clear that you have a Kin’s sense of responsibility for your actions, so you would naturally feel the need to rectify the situation. None of that changes the harsh truth that it is all already done. There is no way to undo what has happened. All you can do is decide what you will do about it now.”

  “I can’t do anything...”

  “Ridiculous. You can work with the Hedeler to protect the Human race from enslavement and eventual extinction. You can give them time, and maybe a hope. Work with us to stem the tide of the anti-Human movements, to protect the Humans from Kin encroachment...”

  “Look, I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, but I’m only...”

  “You have skills we can use immediately, if you have the determination to join us.”

  “Well, I’ll definitely need to hear more details, and I’ll need to think about it.”

  “Unfortunately, we don’t have time for that. We have a situation in Ursula that needs your special talent immediately, today or tomorrow.”

  Scythe looked incredulously at her, “What? I just arrived here...”

  “Our council received information just this morning of a captured slave runner. We believe that he has information about two shipments of Humans that are thought to be scheduled for delivery or in route right now. If we are to catch them...”

  “Wait a minute, slaves...Human slaves?”

  “Yes, it is a growing business, despicably, and one so beneath the Kin that it is painful to contemplate. However, it is what it is, and the Eler is united in its abolition of Human slavery to private parties. If you were to interrogate this prisoner, we could quickly find not only the location of the Humans, but the Kin involved; this is not unlike what you did recently in Menelaus.”

  “So, you want me to travel over half the continent just to interrogate this guy?”

  “Interrogate and follow through, possibly using your power on other members in an attempt to find the operation’s upper level members. Yes, we could use older methods, but your record, greatly enhanced by your recent exploits, has shown that the information you retrieve is accurate and timely; it would undoubtably save lives.” She paused and waited for him to respond.

  “Did...did you...was the whole hunt in Menelaus just for you to...study me?”

  “That was not the intention. That was an Eler project initially directed at the Youngs and only later at you. But, once you had started your hunt, the council voted to permit you to continue, so that we could gauge your abilities. It was extremely impressive. With some hard work, you could make for yourself a very good living in the intelligence sector.”

  They permitted him to continue...just to see what he could do. They waited and watched...and let him kill their Human members. Scythe shook his head, “Were your Human operatives that disposable? How can you call that preserving the Human race?”

  “It was the nature of the situation. To be honest, we had very little on your abilities before that and many had voted in favor of preserving those lives, our contacts, by eliminating you and your party at the outset.” She paused to make sure he understood the ramifications of that statement and then continued, “But, when you went directly to one, and then another and then another key agent, without once straying down a false or insignificant path, your value became blatant. An agent like that saves time, money and lives and provides reliable information. Now, we will do much for your services, Scythe, son of Scythe, even unto giving you near autonomy and more than fair compensation.”

  “I need a minute, to think.” Scythe thought about his responsibilities in Poinsea. “I am...I mean, I have been in training...”

  “You will receive a leave. You will be trained by our people; I assure you, they are very good.” She looked smug, an implication that her people were even more skilled than the Blades.

  “They weren’t that good in the city,” Scythe murmured offhandedly, a little peevish about having the reputation of the Blades attacked. He was really stalling, though, thinking things through.

  “Ha!” she exclaimed, caught by surprise. “Humans, mostly, and the strongest two didn’t even fight. The only reason you are here, after killing the Eler’s representative, is because you refrained from attacking Wright, the Hedeler’s Watcher.”

  “What is a Watcher?”

  “There are a growing number of cases where either the Eler or the Hedeler opposes a given operation and refuses to give its approval, but there are still sufficient votes for the operation to get passed. When this happens, the opposing side is given the right to a Watcher, who ensures that all agreed upon provisions are met. He was there to make sure that the Eler did not take liberties with the implementation of the mission.”

  “Which was?” Scythe prompted.

  “The Eler wanted a Kin with power in their ranks, and went about it the best way they knew how,” she explained plainly, a smirk escaping her lips.

  “But it didn’t work out the way they planned, so am I a traitor, or what?”

  “Based wholly on Wright’s testimony as a Watcher, it has been accepted that you acted honorably, in defense of your family, and within your rights as Kin. Since your membership as Kin is not currently in question, you are accounted blameless for those lost lives.”

  “That was lucky,” Scythe said, remembering how he had aimed his gun at Wright, who hadn’t moved from his position at the table, and passed him by. The man had bet his life on his judgement of Scythe’s character.

  “Maybe,” she mused thoughtfully. “The Scere L’Hedeler would like you to work for the Scere, of your own free will, and on operations of your choice. You have an extremely useful gift that can help us in the defense of Humanity.”

  “The management of Humanity,” Scythe corrected wryly.

  “Yes, that is more accurate.”

  Scythe mulled over the things he had planned to do within the next week: he had still to address Mercy’s condition and the governor had agreed to let him be a member of the first team to stand guard over her family, which was to start within a few days. He felt a strong pull to see them soon and thought abruptly, I have people I am responsible for. He opened his mouth to make his refusal, but then he caught himself, shocked. Wait. Is that really me talking?

  An amused chuckle bubbled up in his consciousness. What do we care about some Humans all the way across the continent? The whole thing smells like rotten meat. Leave this place now.

  He had been hearing the voic
e more often lately, even when he wasn’t experiencing the other symptoms, or affected with the triggers, like stress or violence. This wasn’t the first time he had caught himself listening to it as if it were his normal voice. He would have made an appointment to see his doctor about it, but he wasn’t feeling comfortable around her anymore.

  He took a deep breath and tried to organize his thoughts. On the one hand, he could stay in Poinsea, find a new path, and be close to his friends, or he could take this mission, travel thousands of miles away to hunt down slavers and possibly retrieve their captives. His mind hovered over those unknown Humans, stolen for who knew what purpose; his gut tightened at the reminder of the powerlessness and the despair he had felt in the hospital.

  You think that’s a coincidence? Are you that stupid? That’s why they chose this mission, to draw you in.

  Scythe looked up at the woman before him. She had not lied to him yet, that he could detect, and, given the Kin’s general disgust for such behavior, he didn’t think that she would. He trusted her words, just not her intentions.

  “I don’t trust you,” he tested.

  She would not deny lying...it was beneath her to even think of it...but neither would she deny manipulation. She nodded, “That is very wise. I assure you, however, that in this case, we only want your help regaining the Humans and identifying their captors.”

  That made up his mind for him, and he ignored the mumbling: They are nothing to us. Leave them. Look out for yourself.

  He shook his head. I don’t have to be that way. I still value life, and...I don’t have to sit by and watch this time.

  He was being offered the chance to do something about the threats to the Humans, to make a difference. Here, in Poinsea, he was powerless to stop the abuses he knew about. However, using his gift against people like slave traders...that was something that just had to be right.