Missing Elements (The Lament Book 3)

by P. S. Power

  Even at that, she could sort of get behind what she'd been told about, at least. They wanted to come back and help the world, improving the living conditions of people, without harming the planet like they'd done before. They needed bodies though, not having them in the special place they existed in. It was supposed to be a grand paradise too. Filled with splendid music, and shows, as well as all the good food a person wanted to eat.

  No one had to work either, she was willing to bet, and all you had to do in order to get inside was give up your life.

  If it wasn't a con, then those downloads were some of the worst salesmen in history. Anyone with half a thought in their head would see that giving up their life without seeing the goods first was crazy, though. Not that she thought Doctor Millis had lied to her about that. The fact was however, she just couldn't prove he wasn't. Not without dying and going to see his magic world for herself.

  It was nearly like what some of the religions promised, wasn't it? If you were good and wholesome, and did what they said without asking too many questions, you'd get to die and go to their wonderful secret world, that was only for them. Only they'd never show you this place first, would they? All the effort had to be yours, up front, with the payoff being hidden away behind a curtain.

  Pran doubted that there was a god, and if there turned out to be, then he or she was a monster. Every boy and girl in their right mind that lived in the Grange knew that, didn't they? All six of them. The insane and delusional ones might think they had a special friend at times, but even they didn't claim it was god. Not openly. It would probably have gotten them tortured, or stabbed to death. That was because of the Keepers though. Those evil creatures that claimed god had cursed them all, and put them there for being the worst kind of humanity. The ungodly.

  Blinking, her thoughts having led her away from the discussion, she nodded, catching back up.

  "Yes, let's get to things then." She didn't run out, since there was dignity needed for things, but did manage to find Twyla at her desk, even if Jacques wasn't around yet.

  "Bard Pran! Guardians. Is everything all right?"

  Giving the woman a nod, she lifted her right hand, which had her lute case in it.

  "I wanted to go over the program with you. Plus to tell High Councilor Jacques that I have a shipment arranged for the Gladstone to O'Brien leg of the trip too. Only at ninety percent of standard rate, but we should have a Guardian or two on board. That means a small tax break, doesn't it?" It did for Judges, but everyone nodded about it, which was reassuring. Too much of what she was doing had been based on guess work so far. "That's for High Councilor Climes. I have three other deals from him for the same rate fee, if it comes up. He only has to make them available, so if nothing is needed, that's fine too."

  Twyla clapped, once. Hard.

  "Ha!" It was an explosive sound that made the others in the room look over at them all. "That's not bad! Marty Climes will barely budge off of eighty percent, most of the time. How did you manage it?"

  She shrugged, since it hadn't been magic, really.

  "I asked. It seems like the last bit of overland shipping was clipped off due to snow in a lot of places. Winter is hitting early this year. So he has a lot of things that need to be moved. Do you want me to see if he'd like to do more at those rates? He probably thinks he's getting a deal, or he would have fought harder. Of course if he did, I'd have walked away. As it is, I don't know if The Sorrow will take the deal."

  That got a snort, from one of the other desks, as a middle age man held up one hand toward her.

  "Bring me five more shipments for that price and I'll give you three percent of the resale value. That's all inside the next two weeks, mind. I have slots open past that too, if it can be managed."

  That started a bidding war, since it seemed that a lot of people like the idea of assured cargoes. She shook her head, and looked back at Twyla, who'd offered to take her assured three loads, for four percent of the sale value.

  "I'll let you have it for three percent, if I can get two extra invitations to your wedding? Riley and Donal. Um... Riley is the one that works down stairs?"

  The words got a blank expression for a moment, but also a shrug.

  "Riley Zenig? I didn't know that he'd want to come. You say his partner's name is Donal? I can write that up now. I have some extras with me, just in case anyway. Shows me, not asking in the first place, doesn't it? Maybe I should send something off to all the High Councilors? It can't hurt to make friends."

  Mara smiled and nodded, but Clark just looked around, his eyes glassy, still being in a trance state. It didn't fit his act, but no one noticed either. Twyla didn't wait, just writing it out instantly then setting it alongside a sturdy ledger that she opened up.

  "So, three percent for three full loads of goods? Nothing specific as to what they'll be, I get that, but from Shipping that could be anything, from lumber to canned food. I have places for all of them, from... Almost everywhere on the continent right now. This is normally a down time for us. A bit slow, going into winter. Not as bad as summer of course, when everything just goes by land. It's cheaper that way."

  The envelope was slid over then, and Pran didn't have to sign anything. She'd either be paid for it or not. She hadn't really thought that she'd get anything from it in the first place, so it was a nice little bonus that way. The invitation in its crisp tan envelope was the real bargain however.

  Then the woman looked at her expectantly, which got her lute brought out. She mainly wanted instrumental pieces, and it was only for the after party, not the ceremony itself, which was good, since she'd have to learn something new for that, she realized. So it was a simple list of songs to play, that she needed to run over, if she got a chance, but already knew. That would make it easier by far.

  Now all she needed was a costume to wear. The wedding colors were sky blue and a lemon yellow. That she had to use acting skill to not cringe about. Either was fine, but together they made her eyes water. It wasn't her wedding however and if those were what the bride wanted, then she, apparently, was going to have them. Fair enough.

  Pran didn't know how that worked, having never been to a wedding before, herself. For that matter she'd only met a handful of married people in her entire life, and other than some of the school instructors, most of those had been in the last few months. It would be interesting to see how it was done, if she were allowed. She had seen fake weddings a few times, in plays that had been put on at school, but they were usually comedic in nature, so had exaggerated components to them. Like giant cakes being served at the end.

  Why would anyone do that, right?

  After packing her things up she managed to get out of the room with only three people suggesting that they might be able to sweeten the pot a bit, if she could come up with other cargoes in the next weeks.

  "At eighty-five percent?" She called it out as a question, and while no one was thrilled with that, two of them nodded at her.

  Then she left, with her Guardian friends behind her. They just didn't get to do a lot, on a duty like that, did they? Well, her job was to get them in places, wasn't it? Clark had the responsibility to take it from there. To that end she went to the stairs and then headed down, not knowing what she'd find. Probably a dungeon, if one well sound proofed. Instead it was a single unmarked door, and when she opened it, all there was in a tiny room was a single small desk, about like the ones the floor boys had, and a rather stern looking man in a clean white tunic, who had a drab coat hanging on a wall hook. There was a door behind him however.

  He looked at her, seeming confused, rather than angry.

  "May I help you?"

  Pran nodded, since it was always better to be agreeable if you could manage it.

  "That would work. I have this for High Councilor Zenig?"

  The man smirked a little, but there was a dry feeling to it. He also included the two guardians in it as well, as if not trusting the situation.

  "Oh? I can take that here.
Or do you need to see the man himself?" It was skeptical, and for all the world, accusing.

  She didn't get it, so shrugged.

  "Not really. It's a wedding invitation. The daughter of the High Airshipping Councilor and the First Mate of The Lament. Donal suggested that he'd like to go, and Twyla, the bride, thinks it's a wonderful idea, and looks forward to both of them coming." She was laying it on a little thick, but the man took it and looked at her like there was some trick to the whole thing.

  Then he glanced at Mara and smiled.

  "Donal? Well, that should go over well enough. Who should I say did the delivery?"

  Clark cleared his throat then, interrupting her again.

  "The High Bard's Assistant, Bard Pran. Please let him know that High Councilor Saran looks forward to seeing him there, as well." That had the tone of an order to it, which was weird.

  The desk man just nodded, happier seeming suddenly, as if his world made sense once again, and this wasn't really about something silly, like a party invitation.

  As far as she knew it was, but what did she know? It could all be part of some secret plan that no one had told her about. Other than her own, which was just about meeting people and building contacts. Making herself useful enough that they wouldn't get rid of her too easily.

  He stood, but didn't move to enter through the other door, or explain why he didn't. Instead he simply made a soft sound with his throat.

  "Ahem. Thank you, then, Bard Pran. I trust that if we need you, we can send a runner to your office? Third floor, near the back on the right, isn't it?"

  "Yes. That should be fine. You could come and visit, sometime, perhaps? I can play for you and show off a bit. It might be fun." The man didn't seem like the kind to enjoy things like that, but he managed to nod agreeably enough.

  "That could be interesting. Perhaps I could bring a few of the others. It does get a bit stuffy down here at times. Say tomorrow, in the afternoon?"

  Pran shook her head, but softened the rejection with a smile.

  "The day after. I have to practice for the wedding which is tomorrow at about four, I think. The party after that, at least. Call it about two in the afternoon, so that high Bard Clarice can meet you all too? I'm certain she'd love that."

  For some reason the man actually looked happy then, even if he didn't move in the slightest.

  "I look forward to seeing you then, and hearing you perform. Thank you."

  "See you then!" She took that as a not so subtle hint to be gone. Clark left first, being that they were kind of trapped there if he didn't move, being so large, and Mara waited for her to leave, taking up guard positions. It wasn't until then that she thought she understood what had just happened.

  She didn't mention it until they were all the way back in the High Bard's office, however. It was still empty, being before ten even. Just about time for them to go to the little trial and make certain the surly and no doubt dangerous High Councilors were well guarded.

  "That man...He thinks that I'm not really a Bard, doesn't he? I mean, not just an Apprentice putting on airs either, but something else. Probably one of you." The clothing might have indicated that, she thought.

  Clark looked at her thoughtfully and tilted his head, slowly.

  "That... could be. My guess is that they'll expect a show of some sort when they come, at any rate. Best be ready for them. Now, we should go and see to that trial. As the record of arrest, you have to be there, after all."

  Which made sense.

  All of the witnesses should be.

  Chapter nine

  In a fashion that didn't amaze Pran at all, about half of the people that had come to see two grown men fight like little kids over a crust of bread didn't show at all. It was telling, as to who had secrets, wasn't it? Judges didn't really read minds, of course. Judge Clair had assured her of that several times. They just got so close that most people couldn't really tell the difference. That was all. They were all trained, from the earliest childhood selection time of nine years old, to hold to mental states that allowed for extreme empathy and understanding of others positions. They also learned a hundred other things like face reading and body language, that allowed them to know what people were thinking a good chunk of the time. If the people were familiar enough to them, they really could guess what they would be pondering in the moment too. Which was eerie.

  A great trick, as well, but other than learning what different stances meant from her friend Clair, she hadn't had time to try and master the whole thing. If it was physically possible for someone her age to manage it. The fact was that few adults even bothered to try, or ever had. It was a useful skill, but in a very narrow area of life.

  If you had secrets however, like, say you were stealing money from people, or sleeping with your neighbor's cow, you might well not want to be in the same room with any Judge. The High Judge was even worse, at a guess.

  Cutely enough the tiny woman had an even smaller girl with her, dressed in full official Judge robes, when Pran got there. She wasn't the only one either. In fact, there were six Judges in the room, if they counted the children that way. She didn't ask who they were, or why they were there, since it wasn't her responsibility. Plus, they all looked like they were in a trance already, and watched everyone, carefully.

  Looking around, she noticed that there were others there too, just not in the robes of office. She saw Judge Brown, and waved, which he saw enough of to return. Then she moved over to him, since Clair was right beside him. She was in a nice yellow gown that looked almost warm enough for the weather.

  When the woman saw her, she smiled peacefully.

  "Pran! How are you doing? Are you fitting in well? Do they feed you enough?" This came with a hug from the woman, who was only about ten or so years older than she was. Maybe a bit more, but the topic had never come up exactly.

  "The food is good, actually. I'm keeping busy and making my way, well enough so far. It's only the second day, so no one has suggested I be stripped naked and run out of town yet. I imagine that will happen in about... When does the trial start?" She meant it, and Clair gave her a hard look, but Mara laughed.

  "Our little Bard friend here was the one that brought in the two warrior High Councilors. A citizens arrest. All legal, and probably the best possible thing that could have happened to them both. If one of them had gotten a lucky punch in or thumbed an eye, this would require more than a fine and a week of hard labor. I notice that you brought in the trainees? Is that a good idea?" She glanced at the little girl up front, who looked pretty competent.

  Pran though so at least. Young, but they all were at one point or another. She didn't give her assessment of them, because Judge Brown spoke, his clothing matching his name, she realized, which worked better than she would have figured. It was a shirt and trousers, but she didn't really need him to pose that day, since it would all be about building a human form to the right size and adding the first base layer. She had to prep the clay too, she realized, which would slow her down if there wasn't enough ready. That could take up to a day.

  The man spoke gently, so that his words wouldn't spook any of the kids. Or, possibly just because there was no need to yell at the moment.

  "They came on a tour of our offices. It happens about once a month. Since this came up it was decided to allow one of them the chance to get some experience. It was a minor enough offense that there won't be serious consequences. If Judge Tansy misses something, Judge Sims will make a correction, so there's no risk, or incorrect application of the technique or law."

  Mara looked at the little girl and then shook her head.

  "I actually meant that it might be wrong to risk her having to go up against two angry High Councilors at such a young age. I don't doubt her ability. She wouldn't be up there if she wasn't able to do the job." There was certainty in her words then.

  Brown, even if he were in a light trance himself, frowned.

  "I... hadn't actually thought about that. Should we suggest th
at to the High Judge? I wouldn't want the girl to be targeted unfairly, but an angry person might do anything, at times."

  Pran shook her head.

  "Nope. Don't worry, I'll handle this. If I don't have to do my own time in a camp for stopping them in the first place. There was a couple of slaps to distract them from each other and at least one good kick to the ribs on one of them. I don't know if that was legal or not, now that I think of it. Well, I'm sure Tansy will let me know. Do you think she'll let me serve my sentence during the holidays? I could work here in the city, cleaning streets or whatever."

  Clair nodded, and patted her back gently.

  "If it comes to it, I'll make sure to suggest that to her. It would be a bit of favoritism, so you'd have to show that it was needed for your work, and that no one else can do that for you."

  That was interesting. Pran had thought that once you were sentenced there was no way out of it. She'd seen a half dozen trials so far and if a person had to go to a work camp, they went. None of them had been High Councilors however, but why would a Bard get special treatment that way?

  Maybe so they didn't make songs about the places?

  It was Tuvin that stepped forward, his eyes raking the small crowd of onlookers in the office space. It was more open than a lot of places were, and he was clearly expecting a fight of some kind. To that end she got ready herself, regretting the lack of a good weapon. She didn't even have a cudgel on her. That would have to change, she suspected.

  Someone moved toward her, which she noticed due to a change in air pressure, her mind focusing already. Alert, but calm. She didn't do it perfectly, but she had been practicing. A small Judge boy looked at her closely, reading her.

  She mouthed a few words to him, silently.

  "In case there's a problem and I need to fight." That got her a solemn and slow nod in return, as if it were a real thing. She just liked to be ready when she could.