With the attention of the entire room, Bauleel walked up to the whiteboard and studied the progression chart up close. She hoped that if she acted like her attendance was a completely normal thing that no one would dare ask how long she'd been listening. More importantly, Bauleel wanted the conversation to continue, anxious to hear more of the debate.
Girand bowed at her approach. "I wasn't aware, Esteemed Matriarch, that the Guardian's also developed medicinals to combat the plague?"
"Oh, well, they don't research cures as you do. You find treatments to forestall the progress of the disease, inhibit viral replication, and safeguard the populace. They, instead, seek out that which will kill not only the virus but also its host. They seek to eliminate their threats, not give them a nap, or keep them dormant."
"Hmm," Girand replied. "Still, perhaps you could arrange for an information exchange between our Septs? It'd be nice to have additional termination options on hand when the need arises. Besides, it's possible that they've discovered something we could use, in diluted or cut form, to treat the virus."
"I'd be happy to arrange a visit for you," Bauleel replied, pleased to have shifted the tone of the conversation. "I'll even make sure they bring plenty of samples in case you have an immediate need. Chieftess Raza will be most accommodating."
"We are most grateful for your assistance." Chief Girand inclined his head slightly. Bauleel heard uncomfortable shifting through the hush in the room.
"I'm sorry for disturbing your meeting, Chief Girand. I came to have another look at the boy and catch up on his progress."
"Your visits are never an inconvenience, Matriarch," Girard replied.
"I can escort you in to see him now, if you'd like," offered Rilte.
"Thank you, Journeyman Rilte," Bauleel replied.
Rilte gestured for her to follow, and they walked down the room toward the door leading to the holding cells. Techs moved out of their way. Rilte opened the door without unlocking it or even using the doorplate. Was this outer door ever locked? With all of the attention Terem drew, the traffic must keep them from securing it regularly.
Passing into the room, Rilte closed the door behind them.
"Would you prefer privacy, Matriarch?"
"Yes, please," Bauleel replied. He keyed in a security code, and the light on the doorlock switched from green to red. "My thanks."
Bauleel walked to Terem's cell, and noted the dimmed light. She raised her veil and tucked it back behind her ears. She'd gotten in the habit of removing her veil while she talked with Terem, as it appeared to calm him.
Terem lay on the cot, sleeping peacefully. Looking at his face, Bauleel was amazed at the calm look it held. His skin didn't look as pallid as before, and Bauleel could swear he was improving. However, the room was disorderly, with stacks of the promised books laid haphazardly around the room. His half-buttoned shirt also lent to his state of disarray.
"He looks better."
"I agree, even his mental state has improved overall, except for the episodes. Do you want me to wake him, Matriarch?"
"Oh no, don't do that. He looks so relaxed. Please, call me Bauleel."
"If you prefer, Bauleel." It was odd, yet comforting, to hear someone call her by her true name. Someone who wasn't Anemoi.
"What was all that about, anyway?"
Rilte leaned down toward her. "How much did you hear?"
"Enough, but I missed what initiated the disagreement."
"Ah, well Terem, I suppose." Rilte stared at the boy.
"Was it the psychotic episodes?" Bauleel asked. Rilte's gaze fixed on her, and by the disturbed look on his face, Bauleel suspected he had witnessed at least one of the episodes.
"Yes, the last happened early this morning and it was pronounced. They're odd because his health and mental states have improved otherwise. Everyone is worried what it means. Those like Selna don't want to wait to find out."
"Can you describe to me what happened?" Bauleel asked.
"I'd rather not."
"When can I get the recording?" Bauleel asked, not wanting to push him into recounting the tale.
"They'll want to review the data and include an official interpretation and summary before handing one over to you. I'm afraid you'll have to wait a day or two."
"Typical. Well, I can't ask a Tech to do an impartial job, can I? Wouldn't be proper, after all."
Rilte shook his head at her humor, but the disturbed look didn't leave his eyes. "Terem ranted, Bauleel. He talked about bizarre things."
Terem's sleeping form again drew her attention. "Such as?"
"He threatened us. Said he'd kill every Tech for 'bringing him pain'. He said he finally understood that we are the evil on this planet, and he wouldn't stop until he'd destroyed us all."
"Bizarre delusions, indeed. He can't be the first to blame the Techs and not the plague for his illnesses."
"No. However, you didn't see his eyes, his face. I'd swear it wasn't even him talking, he looked so disturbed. This malevolent hatred somehow just took voice within him. It didn't even sound like his voice."
"Have you asked him about the rants afterwards, when he's more lucid?"
"Yes, we have, and he doesn't remember a thing. It's not as if he's embarrassed and won't admit to it. He truly doesn't remember."
"How long do they last?"
"The first one lasted for only few minutes, and Terem spoke little. He merely paced and glared at us. The second episode rambled on for nearly twenty minutes, during which he spoke of our coming destruction. During each episode, we sedated him. The second time it took a couple of doses to bring him down."
"I want you to alert me the next time it happens. While it's happening," Bauleel said.
"You want to watch it in person?" Rilte replied. "You're going to drop what you're doing and come running?"
"Yes," Bauleel stated.
"Why?" Rilte asked. "Why would you want to subject yourself to his madness?"
"Because, Rilte, this psychotic boy is the best hope we have right now of finding a cure. My presence calms and reassures him. If I'm here when it happens again, perhaps it will make a difference."
"I hope you're right, Bauleel. If it doesn't and his state worsens, the Techs will vote to terminate."
Bauleel couldn't very well return to the Elders with news that the boy had died without yielding more hope of overcoming the plague.
"I can't allow that to happen. I will supersede Chief Girard and the other Techs on this. Terem must live, until the very end. All attempts to harvest data are worth the risks involved."
Rilte sucked in a breath. "That won't make you very popular with Selna and the others."
"I know, Rilte, but I have to do what I feel best."
Rilte met her gaze, the concern he held blatantly evident. "I understand. You're the Matriarch."
Bauleel turned back to Terem's holding cell and reached up to the glass, grasping onto the tenuous state of her own hope. "Yes, I am the Matriarch."
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ponar arrived at the Durmah Sept house in Raven's Call city full of anxiety over reuniting with his mother Kait. The last time they'd talked, Kait had made it abundantly clear there would be no more delays choosing a wife from the available candidates she'd approved. It wasn't that he didn't want to marry; just that he had no interest in any of the choices at hand. Ponar had watched Stoi and Chirey together, and he knew they loved each other deeply. They had definite chemistry going for them, in spite of the occasional argument. Conversely, Ponar had noted a complete lack of chemistry with all of the girls Kait had selected for him.
Ponar pulled into the stable yard and spotted Meik's unhitched travel wagon. Another wave of anxiety rippled through Ponar. Now he knew he'd get Kait, Stoi, and likely Meik pressuring him to marry. After observing how unhappy Meik had been with his wife, it always confused Ponar why he'd be so pro-marriage for others. Ponar mused that perhaps Meik just didn't want anyone else escaping from his consigned fate. Regardles
s, Ponar foresaw many matrimonious debates this evening around the hearth.
Stable hand Matieus emerged from the main hall. "Master Ponar! It's good to see you again!"
"Matieus, well met. Have things been busy today?" Ponar stepped down off the wagon and unhitched the horse on the left.
Matieus helped unhitch the other horse. "No Sir, it's been a slow day today. Master Meik returned yesterday, so there was the usual business getting everything unloaded, delivered, stored and then reloaded."
Despite Ponar's extended absence, the horses' whinnied welcomes to Matieus, which he rewarded with a quick pat and chunks of red fruit pulled from his pocket while they walked them to the stables. Ponar shook his head at his indulgence. The man spoilt the horses as a matter of course.
"Is Meik leaving again tomorrow?" Ponar asked.
"Oh, I'd suspect so, Master Ponar. You'll be turning things around pretty quick too, as you usually do?"
"Likely so, Matieus. You know how busy Barrow's Grove and the swamplands keep me," Ponar replied.
"Oh, I know sir. Quite busy indeed!"
As it was late in the afternoon already, Ponar figured most of the family would be preparing for dinner or already eating. "Do you mind finishing up with the horses while I unload the wagon?" Ponar asked.
"Not a problem Sir." Matieus replied and set himself fully to the task.
Ponar began unloading his wagon's contents into the storehouse, glad for the mindless pure physical labor of the task. He might have asked another steward to help him unload, but doing this alone allowed him to delay the inevitable marriage questions and demands yet another few moments. Every moment counted.
During the entire trip back to Raven's Call, his mind drifted between thoughts of his mother's expectations of him and the time he'd spent with Rai in Kiya's Grace. It was no different now. In fact, the closer he came to confronting Kait, the more his time with Rai flooded his mind. He didn't know why Rai captivated him, but against his better judgment and Jesse's advice, he'd been unable to get Rai out of his mind. He'd experienced the spark with her, powerfully and intensely. Their nightlong conversation had brought him closer to her than he'd been to any member of his Sept for years. The irony wasn't lost on him that the one woman he wanted was also untouchable. Ponar knew Jesse and the others all thought he was quite the ladies' man, easily flirting with any attractive woman he ran into. Just because he'd fall into conversations with people he'd just met didn't make that so.
Ponar remembered waking up next to Rai. The image of her short, curly hair framing the pale, milky skin of her face like a cloud had never left him. She'd been so vulnerable to him in that moment. He wished he could do something to quiet the inner demons he sensed haunted her. Perhaps it was her amnesia, but he sensed there was a deep, brooding, longing in her, and he feared she was searching for something she'd never find. He'd laid there beside her for the greater part of an hour, watching her breathe and wondering how things might have been different if she'd been marriageable.
Rai had let out a soft groan and shifted fetchingly in the bed. Ponar remembered reaching out, softly running his hand down her face to soothe her. That had triggered an unlikely response. In the moment his flesh touched hers, she'd awoken and attacked him. Her hands found easy purchase around his neck. He'd been stunned and angry at the time, wondering what sort of a person laid with a man one moment, and tried to strangle him the next. Now he regretted yelling at her, because it had quickly become clear that she'd acted defensively to some unseen threat from her dreams. The utter bewilderment on her face had convinced him of that.
After their discussion that afternoon with Jesse, Ponar had wanted to pull Rai into his arms and comfort her, but it hadn't been the time or the place, and he feared to have only upset her and Jesse. She'd been so distraught to find out they were Septmates, he hadn't known what to say or do to make it better. He'd been upset too, but he'd known by her tattoo she was barren, and therefore not someone of marriageable status anyway, so he'd already accepted the doomed nature of their encounter. He accepted he couldn't publicly admit to their attraction, but that didn't mean he would or could let go of his desire for her. Time would bring them together again, and opportunities would arise.
Ponar finished unloading the wagon and emerged from the storehouse. Meik's appearance startled him out of his reverie about Rai.
"You planning to work all night, or are you going to come in and eat something while the food's still hot?" Meik bellowed out to him across the stable yard.
"I wanted to get unloaded before dark," Ponar replied. Ponar grabbed a towel out of the wagon to mop up his sweat.
"Never a bad plan, but you could have had the stewards do it!" Meik replied. "You should know your mother's aware you've arrived, and she just can't wait to catch up with you."
"I'm sure she can't."
Meik laughed. "Don't worry; she'd got bigger things worrying her tonight than bugging you again about choosing a wife."
"I don't think Mom ever gets too busy to nag me! I'm in need of a change before dinner, however."
"Nonsense, stop worrying about how you look and get on inside before she comes out here looking for you."
"Good point," Ponar agreed. "I guess it's a bit late to delay at this point in the road."
Meik shrugged at his comment. "You got to eat too."
"Oh yeah, food would be nice," Ponar replied.
They headed inside to the dining hall and the awaiting familial pressures. The happy screeches of children greeted him, and they crowded around, hugging greedily at his legs. Their hubbub effectively drew the attention of everyone in the hall, and he greeted many in the crowd while he returned the children's affections. Just as quickly as they'd run to him, the novelty of his arrival passed and the small horde ran off toward the secondary hearth and to the post-dinner games they'd been playing.
Kait, Nele, and Laan sat at the oblong table nearest the primary hearth. Kait waved them both over. Steeling himself, he walked over to join them, Meik at his side. Were the tense looks on their faces due to his arrival or something else?
Ponar approached Kait, leaned over her and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good evening, Mother." He took the chair next to her. Meik sat across from them, next to Laan. Nele sat at the end of the table. Did Kait invite Nele into the conversation or had she just helped herself to a seat? Nodding at Nele and Laan, he said sincerely, "Good to see you all. It's been too long."
"That it has," replied Laan. "Welcome home. Help yourself to some food while it's still hot."
"My, son, at long last, welcome home." Kait replied. "Did you come here on the road from Kiya's Grace?"
"Yes, Mother," Ponar replied. "I took the high road along the Baris Spine because of travel advisories along the coastal route." He heaped sausages from a serving platter onto an available plate.
"I trust your trip here was uneventful?" Kait asked, her pinched brow indicated she expected some form of trouble. Laan, Meik, and Nele all waited expectantly for his response.
"Quite. What's going on?"
"Stoi and I had some trouble on our last trip to Kiya's Grace," Laan explained. "Iron wolves," he said, as if that explained everything.
"Yes, I'd heard about that. I'm grateful everyone made it through all right," Ponar replied.
"So you've met our newest addition?" Kait asked.
"I have," Ponar replied, keeping his voice and expression neutral. "I spent a night at Jesse's Waystation on my way here. I barely had time to drop off supplies and pick up new cargo before moving along." Ponar focused on the food in front of him, hoping he appeared nonchalant about his visit.
"Hah, I bet Jesse kicked you out!" Laan laughed.
Ponar inclined his head. "Jesse insisted I come directly home. She implied my presence was desired here." Ponar finished, his shoulders hunched, dreading his mother's reply.
Kait chuckled ruefully. "I'm glad you heeded her advice, son. As things stand right now, I need you to help out with Stoi's rout
es for the time being."
Ponar realized that the tension he'd picked up from the group wasn't due to his extended absence, but instead to his uncle Stoi.
"Is Stoi alright?" Ponar asked. He chastised himself for not noticing Stoi's absence sooner. After all, he and Laan always traveled together. Stoi missing dinner with his family should have sent up a red flag. He'd definitely been out of touch for too long.
"Stoi's fine," Meik replied, pulling himself away from his tankard to join in the conversation. "Chirey's birth brother got sick off of the Temple's most recent mistake." Meik looked away and drank a large gulp of his ale.
This pronouncement quieted the group, and Ponar was wise enough to wait it out. After a few quiet moments, Laan spoke up to clarify.
"It's some sort of nerve damage from a botched batch of medicinals. It's so bad; he can't even take care of himself. He won't recover. It's only a matter of time, they say. Chirey's a mess over it, and needless to say, Stoi hasn't left her side in days."
"Understandably," Ponar replied. This news hit Ponar hard, remembering how close Stoi and Chirey were, and how much they loved each other. It must be unbearable for him to see her so upset. "Is there anything we can do for her?"
Kait sighed. "Stoi is the only one she will even talk to right now. She's even refusing to eat." Ponar got the impression Kait wanted to give Chirey support, but guessed this was not the easiest time for her to open up to the Sept Chieftess. "But you can help out Stoi, if you're up to the task?"
"How could I not?" Ponar replied, taken aback at her questioning his loyalty.
Kait looked at him squarely. "Well, son, it's not like you've been very reliable. You've been away from the Sept halls almost four months now."
Ponar assumed a good deal of her ire stemmed from his lack of choosing a wife, and not his absence.
"I've been trying to save time by not taking unneeded trips. There's quite a bit of product to be moved between Barrow's Grove and Kiya's Grace before it ever gets here. The swamplands are vast, and they take more effort and time to cross. It's not fair to say I haven't been contributing to our family's growth and success!"
The Dream Sifter (The Depths of Memory Book 1) Page 23