by Khalid Uddin
Savaiyon looked taken aback. He never relished the misery of others, but Baltaszar knew that Savaiyon thought he’d had the upper hand in this conversation. Baltaszar continued to look him in the eyes and Savaiyon finally nodded. He left the room and returned in a few moments with a small, dark sack hefted over his shoulder. Savaiyon emptied the sack as the contents clanged against the floor, then placed it over Baltaszar’s head and tied it loosely around his neck. “Very well,” he said gravely.
Baltaszar heard the door open and shut and there was a terrible silence for several minutes. The door opened and closed once more, and Savaiyon said, “They are ready for you now.” He untied Baltaszar’s arms from the bed, only to secure them in manacles behind Baltaszar’s back. Finally, he untied Baltaszar’s legs and clamped chains to each ankle. “You are no longer trusted to navigate this House. You are not allowed to know the location of the Room of Judgment. You are not trusted to walk freely.”
Savaiyon pulled Baltaszar from the bed and led him out of the room. They walked for a few minutes, making a few turns here and there, and then down a long set of stairs. For the first time, Baltaszar felt nervous. Do they want me to prove myself again or are they kicking me out? He was finally stopped and the sack removed. Baltaszar stood at a podium and faced Marlowe, who sat on a platform with nearly two dozen Mavens, save Savaiyon, sitting behind him. All of them stared directly at Baltaszar. He didn’t have to look twice to see the contempt in their eyes.
Baltaszar saw his friends off to the side, though there was no anger in any of their countenances, they looked remorseful, especially Vasher. Dammit. This was his mission to lead and I let him down. Because of me, Marlowe will likely not trust him anymore. Baltaszar looked down at his feet as he waited for someone to speak. He could handle being reprimanded or yelled at, but having everyone stare at him in disapproval was torture.
Finally, Marlowe said, “Baltaszar Kontez, do you understand why you are here?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “You are charged with abandoning a mission ordered by me.” Charged? “You are charged with abandoning your brothers in time of need. You are charged with using your manifestation to commit violence. You are charged with endangering the lives of innocent people. And you are charged with attempting to end your own life.” Am I a criminal now? Baltaszar hoped his confusion was not so apparent. “Your friends have all claimed that they knew nothing of your plan to leave them. They have also expressed no vitriol toward you. Those are the only reasons why you stand in this room now. I have given you your charges. You now have the opportunity to speak on your behalf if you believe that these charges are unreasonable. Choose your words wisely.”
Baltaszar looked down at the ground for a moment. He then glanced at the chains around his ankles. Anger filled him. Nothing I say will change his mind. That’s pretty clear. He looked back up at Marlowe with resentment. “You charge me with these crimes, but what have you done to prepare me for anything? I came to this place because I was different. I was lost and I needed guidance. All you have given me is a handful of history lessons and minimal instruction about my manifestation. You are a hypocrite! A coward! From the very moment I arrived you promised I could visit my home once I finished the Book of Orijin. For the past two months you have stalled so I wouldn’t return! You bloody liar! You never planned on letting me go back!
“And your bloody stance against violence? Of all the people on this island, I have seen the least of the world. And even I can see that it is a violent world! How blind can you be? Will we gain the respect of the King or of Ashur by sitting here, cut off from the world, only caring for ourselves? We do nothing for the people of Ashur! Yet many of them love us! For what? Because I can make a blasted fireball? What is the point of having us here if you are turn us into farm animals? My father was a coward just like you are! He hid me away just like you do with the Descendants! Too afraid to let us see the world for what it is and function properly in it!” He noticed the Mavens slightly shifting in their seats. “How much of our lives are you wasting here? Look at them! Look at my friends! When Jahmash comes they will be dead and so will I. And it will be your bloody fault! We are the greatest weapon the world has to stop him and you hide in your quarters every day, then you have the nerve to tell other people to teach us about things we will never need.
“I am charged? Light of Orijin, charge me, dammit! What difference does it make whether you kill me or put me in a dungeon like the Prince? You’re wasting my bloody life away, just like you’ve been doing for the past eight months! My father lived as a coward but died a martyr! But you, you will hide away behind your door for your whole bloody existence! And I refuse to follow any man who would make decisions for my life while spending his whole life hidden in a room! So tell me, Headmaster, what you plan to do with your blasted charges and stop wasting my damn time!”
Marlowe’s countenance had not changed. He sat there and took Baltaszar’s entire tirade. “Are you finished, Baltaszar?”
“Oh trust me, I could go on and on, but I don’t want to waste my voice on you any longer.”
“Very well. Baltaszar Kontez, you are hereby banished from the House of Darian. Indefinitely. You are not allowed on these premises. If any Descendant should feel even the slightest concern for his or her safety in your presence elsewhere in Ashur, you will be captured and imprisoned in our dungeons. Indefinitely. Maven Savaiyon shall transport you to your new…home.” Marlowe looked past Baltaszar to Savaiyon, “Remember Maven, only high enough to hurt him. Do not kill him.” Baltaszar turned to Savaiyon, who nodded with understanding.
Baltaszar took a deep breath and glanced at Vasher. He shouted, “I’m sorry Vash, I know I messed everything up for you. I didn’t mean for things to get so crazy.”
Vasher smiled, “Don’t worry about it, Tasz. I’m not angry. I probably would have done the same thing if I was you!” Vasher gave Baltaszar a nod and he understood immediately. All of his friends sitting there forgave him unconditionally. He suspected he’d changed the minds of some of the Mavens as well.
Baltaszar took another deep breath as Savaiyon pulled on his chain for him to follow. He led Baltaszar out of the room and into the corridor, where one of Savaiyon’s yellow-framed gateways stood. Through it, Baltaszar could see endless treetops and mountains faintly peeking up at the horizon.
“Hey,” Savaiyon uttered from behind him. Baltaszar turned to look at him with disdain. “Try to figure out how to use the chains to ease your fall. It’s a long way down, so you will have plenty of time.”
Baltaszar tilted his head in confusion, “Wh…”
Savaiyon shoved Baltaszar violently with both arms. Baltaszar fell backwards and saw the gateway blink out. As he fell, branches whacked him in the arms, legs, back, and head. The pain was accumulating until finally his head slammed into a huge branch and everything went black.
***
Vasher barely understood what happened to Baltaszar before Zin Marlowe called him to the same podium where Baltaszar had stood only moments before. He looked up at Marlowe, unable to wipe the bewildered expression from his face. “Am I to be banished as well, Master Marlowe?”
Marlowe simply stared at Vasher as if he hadn’t said anything at all. After a moment, Marlowe spoke. “Vasher Jai, you are charged with assembling a team of Descendants unfit for the mission at hand. You are charged with using biased judgment to carry out an initiative directed by me. I have given you your charges. You now have the opportunity to speak on your behalf if you believe that these charges are unreasonable. Choose your words wisely.” Marlowe hung onto the last word and Vasher understood that if he revealed anything of the Anonymi plot, his fate would likely be as bad as Baltaszar’s.
“Headmaster, I chose people I believed I could trust the most for such a sensitive mission. The nature of our mission was secretive and I brought these individuals specifically because I knew they would do things exactly as I asked. I had no idea that Baltaszar had an additional agenda. But at the same time,
I am not angry at him. His reasons for being angry were genuine. I agree that he did not handle the situation in the best manner. But, truthfully, I could not tell you how I would act if put into his situation. I would like to think that I would maintain a cool head and stay calm. I believe all of us in this room would like to think that. But I firmly believe all of us would also regret our actions if put in Baltaszar’s situation, just as he does now. I am not questioning your decision about his fate, but I am standing by my decision and if given the same responsibility again, I would choose Baltaszar every time.” Vasher took a deep breath and clutched his hands behind his back. He continued to look directly at Marlowe.
“It is an admirable thing to stand by your friends unconditionally. It is also a foolish thing. Maven Savaiyon informed me that he saw potential in you as a leader. However, I do not share this sentiment. It is clear that you are not suited to lead.” Vasher clenched his teeth. Funny, that’s what everyone says about you, he thought as Marlowe continued. “Looking at the grand scheme, your mission failed because of one person. I cannot say with any accuracy that it would have failed had Baltaszar not been with you. Therefore, as punishment, you are hereby confined to the House of Darian and its grounds. Indefinitely. You are no longer eligible for missions or leisure trips to other cities. You are restricted from leisure time within the House of Darian or on its grounds. At all times you will either be learning or working. When you are not doing either, you will be eating, sleeping, or confined to your room. Your new room. In solitude. Indefinitely.”
Vasher looked at the floor to avoid glaring at Marlowe. He could handle confinement and being barred from missions. That made sense. But the rest was nonsense to him. All he could do was mutter, “I understand.”
“Good. You may leave now. Maven Blastevahn awaits you outside this chamber. He will bring you to your new quarters.” Marlowe turned to the rest of Vasher’s company sitting off to the side. “The rest of you may leave now as well. Return to your quarters for the remainder of the day. Leave only for your meals.
***
The three men led Garrison on, though he had no idea where he was going. The only thing he knew for sure was that he was no longer in the dungeon. It was the first day since he’d come to the House that there was no chill in his bones. Through the sack on his head he heard a group of people walk by, bickering about something. Some of their comments might have been directed at him, but he couldn’t be sure. Garrison wasn’t even sure he cared anymore. The only saving grace of his situation was that Donovan and Vanna had no way of knowing his fate on arriving here. It wasn’t that they would gloat at being right; Garrison hated being wrong. Embarrassment would be an understatemend if either of them knew his situation. There was to much wrong in his past to continue allowing more.
This is ridiculous. Chains? On my hands and feet? Since Garrison first arrived at the House, he hadn’t had the energy to use his manifestation. His captors made sure that he’d stayed that way. Despite having no mirror to see, Garrison knew he wouldn’t recognize his own reflection. He felt confident that if he returned home in his current state, no one else would recognize him either.
Thinking about home quickly reminded Garrison of why he was in his current situation. Would I even trust myself? Would I have treated someone like me any better than they have? How would I respond if Descendants came to Cerysia and attacked my people? How would I react if some of those very Descendants were Cerysian? Garrison was suddenly grateful for the talks he’d had with his Uncle Roland. He’d finally begun to rid himself of the sense of entitlement that his uncle constantly berated him about.
The blindfold was ripped from his face, disturbing his train of thought. Garrison found himself in a room walking toward a platform. On it sat several men and women, though one man sat in front of the others. That must be the ‘Marlowe’ they all talk about. Complain about. And they call me the hypocrite. Garrison was led to a podium. His three escorts, all much bigger than he, stood behind him and faced the platform. Garrison looked straight ahead. He found solace in focusing on the fact that he was finally warm.
The man in front spoke first. “Prince Garrison Brighton…”
Garrison cut him off, “I am NOT a prince. I renounced my title in order to come here and live among you.”
The man stared at him, as if telling him to shut up. “Garrison Brighton, you are charged with the murder of scores of Descendants throughout Ashur. You are charged with the capture and torture of scores of Descendants throughout Ashur. You are charged with attempting to trespass upon the property of the House of Darian in order to commit more murder. I have given you your charges. You have the opportunity to speak on your behalf if you believe that these charges unreasonable. Choose your words wisely.” The man sat down, his expression dismissive. Nothing Garrison could say would put him in a better situation. He would have to make sure he wasn’t put into something worse.
“Headmaster Marlowe?” The man nodded in affirmation. Garrison hesitated for a moment. Cite the Book of Orijin. Connect with him. “Sir, if the actions of my past would define my whole character, then I should be dead. However, in The Book of Orijin, it clearly states that we will each have an opportunity to repent before mankind and correct our mistakes before being judged by the Orijin. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I am trying to correct them. You say that I came here to kill more Descendants. Ask your sentry at the mountain if that was true. He saw Cerysian soldiers chase me down as I ran toward him. I say Cerysian soldiers because they are no longer mine. I command them no longer.
“You say that I hunted and killed Descendants and that is true. I did that until I saw truth. What you did not see was that I killed my own soldier for defying me when I ordered my men to stop killing Descendants. What you did not see was that I defied my brother’s advice in coming here. What you did not see was that my father threatened to kill me when I told him I was coming here. What you did not see was that I fought my father’s Royal Guard in front of his throne, then threw my friend’s helmet at him in front of his subjects. What you did not see was that the Blind Men granted me asylum as I fled my father’s kingdom. What you did not see was that Taurani sacrificed their lives to get me here—the very people who oppose the existence of this place. And what you did not see is that I have prayed every day since I have been here that you people might grant me mercy. Starve me for as long as you like. Do what you believe is necessary to make yourselves feel safe, but please allow me to function in this place.
“My manifestation is powerful. One that my father fears. If you want revenge for the crimes against you, let me help you against him. I was barely an adult when he sent me to hunt down Descendants. That is how he raised me. I agree, I am guilty and responsible for my actions. But so is he. Jahmash is coming. And I can guarantee to you that if my father sits on the throne when that happens, then Ashur will be lost. My father only cares for himself. I am an asset that you can use. I have come to terms that you do not want to treat me well. I can live with that. Whatever you decide, please just do not kill me. I do not believe that the Orijin is done with me yet.”
Marlowe responded immediately. “You have wisdom, Garrison Brighton, I give you that. If you could be trusted, you would be a great ally. And a strong member of this household. You have read The Book of Orijin and you can quote it. You understand its lessons. However, you have also committed great sin. No man is ever completely rid of sin. I do not believe in violence. We will not kill you. But you will go back to the dungeon and live as you have since you arrived here. Indefinitely. However, if you somehow prove to us that you have been rehabilitated while in confinement, I shall consider freeing you.”
Garrison looked at Marlowe. Defeat weighed heavy on his eyes and cheeks. He turned and walked away from the podium, clenching his chained fists behind his back. His three escorts quickly stepped in line with him and blindfolded him again. As he walked away from Marlowe, Garrison turned his head back to the man. “Go ahead. Imprison me indef
initely. My will is stronger than your spite. I will wait for my revenge indefinitely. My father is a small man. I am ashamed to have come here only to find that you are exactly the same.” Garrison turned and walked to the door.
Chapter 23
Abraday
From The Book of Orijin, Verse Four Hundred Seventy-Nine
When all other methods have been exhausted, it may be necessary to destroy everything you know, and begin anew.
“You seek Maven Savaiyon. He is the only one I know who would be capable of something like this.” The words left Adria’s mouth before she had even made the decision to answer. She found she wanted desperately to answer Maqdhuum’s question.
“What does he look like? Would he be at the house? If not, where else can I find him? What is his full name?”
“He is very tall. Shivaani. Brown-skinned and short, short black hair. I do not know his full name. I have called him Maven Savaiyon ever since I met him. It is the same thing with his whereabouts. I do not have the privilege of knowing his comings and goings. Someone with his manifestation can come and go as he pleases.”
“If he is in The House of Darian where would I find his quarters?”
Once again, Adria felt almost excited to answer. “The Mavens reside on the upper levels of the right side of the House. He is on the top floor. I believe there are four floors on that side.”
“Good. Good. You may release her now, if you wish, Lord Jahmash. I have no further questions. I know exactly what must be done.” Maqdhuum walked away and traversed the plank that led back to his ship.
Adria still felt the grip on her mind, though it loosened somewhat. It was warm, comfortable, especially in the chill of the late winter. Her galley was hundreds of yards away from the gateway. Luckily, Drahkunov had insisted days ago that they move near the front of the formation, along with Maqdhuum’s. Aric had spotted the gateway in the night by its yellow fringes and Drahkunov had sent the signal for all galleys to stop immediately. Aric said that the gateways clearly curved as if forming a ring around something. Adria could not be sure if they had always been there or not. She had never seen the House from the sea.