Rise of the Mare (Fall of Man Book 2)

by Jacqueline Druga

  SEVEN – VALA

  Things had changed. I had changed. Something new within me emerged. The first time I was in the Bait Shop, the Savage Sybaris attacked the building. Banging, squealing, thrashing. The night was silent. Not one Savage came. I even stepped out to test it.

  Nothing.

  My body was fully rested when my senses kicked in and I awakened. Peeking out through the shutters, the sun blasted in. I had slept longer than I wanted, as much as my body needed. I was uncertain what lay ahead.

  By my calculations it was two hours after sunrise. I wondered if Iry would wait for me or even be there when I crossed the sea.

  After I ate some breakfast, I looked at my time capsule box. As much as I hated to do so, I made the decision to leave it behind and hide it in the shack. More than likely, I would not have time to hide in once I arrived in Akana. That box was precious to me and I wanted nothing to happen to it. I certainly did not want to the Sybaris to destroy it.

  After tucking it in the back of a cupboard, I gathered my things and left Fred’s Bait Shop.

  I took Sandstorm the horse, riding with him to the sea. After thanking him for his help, I released him. There was no guilt in that; he would either find his way back to Angeles City or roam about freely, safe from Sybaris attack, because they were terrified of horses.

  The floatation device was attached to the pier and it rocked from the gentle waves. I would call it a boat; I knew what that and even a raft was. Gilligan’s Island taught me all the names. The device in the water was a mixture of both. Having the shape of a raft and makeup of a boat.

  I was frightened of the device, and unlike the first time I floated on one, I had time to think.

  Before, I was being chased and had no choice. Now I stared at it, fearful that it would tip over and I would fall into the massive deep waters of the sea.

  I placed my bag inside and carefully stepped down. For as brave as I usually was, at that second I was scared. It tipped and moved and my heart raced. Finally I settled inside, holding the edge for dear life as it rocked a little more than I was comfortable with.

  Sandstorm stood by the sea watching me. I untied the floating device and allowed the water to take me. I had no clue how to move the craft.

  It was only after I used my hands to push the water in order to move the craft that I noticed the long, thin boards inside. From my time in the transmission bunker, learning human culture, I knew their purpose, though how exactly I was supposed to apply them to moving the floater, I wasn’t sure. I lifted one, using it to move in the water. Problem was, I kept moving in circles. After some attempts I realized I had to use both or switch sides.

  For the most part, like I did with my life, I left my floating and movement mainly to fate.

  EIGHT – TANNER

  The community of Angeles City went far beyond the confines of the beaten down concrete jungle. The old buildings covered in vines and moss were symbols of the lax and entitled society of the past. Those who took for granted what they had.

  Those of us who remained, survived, and grew up in the era of Angeles City took nothing for granted. We had a focus, and that was to live and eventually defeat our captors.

  While they may not have kept us prisoner by physical chains and fences, we were bound by their power and limited to what we could have, love, and experience.

  Despite the fact that I put on my carefree young man persona, I’m far from that. I’m more serious about defeating the Sybaris than anyone I know.

  Well, maybe not anyone… Davis is pretty determined. But it’s been decades, and those who lived in the world before it went to pot seem to have lost their fervor for the fight.

  My fire and desire to fight grew as I held Marie’s thin scarf, the one she always wore to cover her neck. Along with the sadness, I felt a sense of betrayal over Vala. I couldn’t shake it.

  Marie was good to her, taught her, believed in her. Marie was a good judge of character, so why was I doubting her?

  Sitting there just before dawn, I had finished my night watch and was swimming in a pool of disorganized thoughts. The slap of a shoe against something caught my attention and I lifted my head to see Davis walking my way.

  Somehow he always looked so much bigger when I was sitting. Davis was already a big man, when looking up at him he was really intimidating.

  “How was the watch?” he asked.

  “Eerily quiet,” I replied.

  “How so?”

  “We always have something. Tonight we had nothing. Not a single Savage.”

  “We had nothing on nights Vala took watch.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Still lost on that one, I see.” With a grunt and groan, David lowered himself and sat next to me.

  “I’m confused,” I said, lifting Marie’s scarf. “Marie saw something in her. I did, too. I am so confused on why she would leave so easily.”

  “I don’t think it was easy for her. I think she left when she had the nerve, before she could change her mind.”

  “Do you honestly think it’s the best thing?”

  “You mean having her be the inside person?”

  “Yes.”

  “I do,” Davis answered with certainty. “Do you know what else I think?”

  “What’s that?”

  “I think you’re confusing your trust of Vala with anger that she left and you couldn’t stop her.”

  “Maybe. A part of me thinks she played us all along.”

  “Nah, she wanted to be here too bad. She wanted to go instead of Mindy. Vala wants the Sybaris defeated as much as we do.”

  “Even this teacher?”

  “I don’t know about that,” Davis said with one eye closed. “He could be a problem. No matter what she says, she does trust him. Maybe he isn’t all that bad.”

  “He’s a Sybaris.”

  “There can always be one. Back in the days of the Pharaohs, Rameses’ mother was a good one. She helped the Israelites. Maybe this teacher slash would be boyfriend—” I quickly looked at him and Davis smirked. “Maybe he is like Rameses’ mother.”

  “Her teacher guy is Queen Tuya?”

  Davis laughed. “Something like that. He may be Tuya, but Vala is no Benedict Arnold.”

  “Who?”

  “You gotta be kidding me?” Davis said. “You know the name Tuya and you don’t know Benedict Arnold?”

  I shook my head. “Benedict Arnold was a traitor,” Davis explained. “He betrayed the country. Hence why the phrase being a ‘Benedict Arnold’ was coined. Vala is not a traitor against us. She is for them.”

  I groaned.

  “You need to stop dwelling on this.”

  “Maybe I just need resolution. Maybe if I had one more chance to try to convince her and hear her reasoning, I could deal with this better.”

  “You’re being a drama queen.”

  I gasped.

  “Yeah, you are. I don’t see anyone else running about, saying, ‘Oh, Vala led them to us, she went back to tell them how to wipe us out’. Only you. Everyone else is calling her brave because Lord knows what she has to face back there.”

  “You’re right.”

  “I am.” Davis produced a cocky smile. “And I’m tired. Get some sleep. We’ll hear from her soon.”

  “You think?”

  “Oh, yeah. She has them traveling powers. She’ll pop by soon.” Davis winked, leaned over, and planted his lips to my forehead. “Get some rest. Good night.” I laughed as he struggled to get up with a good balance. “Damn you making me get on the ground. You know I’ve got bad knees.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I’ll let it go.” He smiled. “Good night. Get some sleep.”

  I stared into the small fire that had started to dwindle. The sky was getting lighter. Light meant safety.

  I would get some sleep, there was still something I had to do first. Knowing Davis would not allow it, I waited for him to slip into the building. I gathered some things and headed out of the inn
er city . I needed transportation. Even though I’d probably never catch up, I had to try one more time to talk to Vala.

  NINE – VALA

  Iry stood on the pier. I could see him as my floater drifted closer. He was dressed in typical Ancient clothing, like something I had seen in the books of America Colonial times. We all dressed that way, only the people of Akana were more peasant. Girls who were not married wore the same pants and same white blouse that the males did.

  I stopped guiding the floater and allowed it to make its own way there with the help of the waves. While he wasn’t alone, he did wait solo at the edge for me, arms to his sides, his shoulder length hair catching the breeze. Behind him were two Sybaris Elders in their black cloaks, their hideous faces hidden.

  As the wind whipped I caught the stench of Sybaris. Iry included. I had forgotten about his musky odor. My only visits to him were ethereal, and there were no smells. He had told me to focus and I would smell him. I didn’t see how that was possible.

  I wondered why the Elders were present. That worried me some.

  My floatation device made it to the wooden pier and knocked into it.

  “It’s good to see you, Vala,” Iry said. “Toss me that rope so I can secure this.”

  After tossing up my bag, I threw the rope his way and he secured it, then reached down his hand. After some hesitancy, I took it. Before he pulled me to the pier, he squeezed my hand, closed his eyes, and smiled.

  I knew at the moment, he was drawing that ‘feel good’ that a Mare was capable of delivering. A part of me felt violated by him taking my energy without asking. As soon as I gained my footing, I pulled my hand from him. It was then I looked up and saw her.

  Nito.

  She walked forward in all her tribal robe glory. I shifted a dagger filled stare to Iry. “You betrayed me?” I asked.

  He squinted in confusion and murmured, “What?” then looked behind him.

  It was apparent to me that he was just as shocked as I was to see her standing there.

  “Vala,” he said, “I did no such thing.”

  I wanted to tell him that I believed him, then Nito rushed over.

  “You should be placed under arrest,” she said, “and not allowed into the village or any village for that matter.”

  “She has the right to return,” Iry said.

  “She has lost that right.”

  “Why?” Iry asked. “Because she defended herself against when you sought her out unjustifiably?”

  “Sharp is your tongue, little man. I shall have it. Do you know to whom you speak?”

  “I know our laws. I teach our laws.”

  “There are no laws when it pertains to humans,” she snapped. “They are not protected.”

  She spun and looked behind her. “Elders, have him hand this human to me for apprehension.”

  “No,” Iry insisted. “Elders, she has returned to be chosen in ceremony tomorrow.”

  “She is no more than a criminal and a threat to the community,” Nito argued.

  “She…” Iry stated, “she is a Mare, and in all fairness should be allowed to be chosen. It is a mark of greed that Her Highness wants her apprehended. Surely you can see she wants the Mare for herself?”

  Nito hissed. She actually hissed at Iry.

  Even though I was fearful of sinking, I was prepared to jump into the water.

  Nito wasn’t just any Sybaris, she was a high priestess, a princess. She was third in line to the throne of the Ancients. Making eye contact with them was strictly forbidden, as I made sure to do as she stood behind Iry.

  “Elder!” she cried out. “Command this educator to step aside.”

  My insides shuddered as the dark robed Elder made his way toward us. He sickened me, his stench worse than any other Sybaris. Knowing how they fed on my brother made my bowels churn.

  His voice was raspy and he spoke a language I did not understand. He said a single sentence, turned, and walked away.

  The corner of Iry’s mouth raised in gloating smile, and Nito’s anger told me the Elder had refused.

  She sneered at me. “You will be mine at the ceremony. The educator is low level. He led you here.”

  “You baited me and threatened me,” I argued.

  “It proves the control I have and you will be under my control soon enough, Mare.” With that, she rushed away, almost gliding down the pier.

  When the passage across the pier was clear, I turned to Iry. “Can they take away my choice?”

  “No. Not that I know of,” he said. “However, we’re talking about Nito, and she will do everything in her power to change the rules.”

  “Can she?”Iry took a deep breath. “Let’s hope not.”

  TEN – TANNER

  Perhaps it wasn’t the brightest of ideas. I was pretty positive when I returned I was going to get my rear end handed to me by Davis. After he was asleep and in that timeframe when it was safe for everyone to be at ease, I snatched up one of the cars and headed out toward the Salton Sea.

  I knew Vala was on horseback. I also knew she’d stop for the night and wouldn’t get going until the morning.

  I hoped I wouldn’t miss her.

  When I arrived at the holding camp, she had been at and left the bait shop. There was still the aroma of food and I was hopeful I could catch her. By the time I reached the Salton Sea, Vala was a third of the way out, floating on what we called the ‘Braft’.

  She was too far out to call and she never looked back. Though I hoped against all hope that she would, she didn’t.

  The horse, Sandstorm was still there. He hadn’t run off. It was as if he were waiting for her to return.

  “She’s not coming back, boy.” I stroked his mane. “You might as well leave.”

  I thought of giving him a swat to get going, but I didn’t. Maybe he’d follow me back.

  I stayed there until Vala was no longer in my sight. My heart sunk a little. At least I knew I tried. Inadvertently, that failed trip succeeded in something else; making me realize I was wrong about her.

  Davis had explained her reasoning, and before I left the sea, I resolved to accept it and wait for her return or for Vala to contact us.

  It was the beginning of the war. One I had waited my lifetime to see, and the first shot would be fired by a lone girl who wandered into our city and into our lives.

  Having been up all night, I didn’t realize how tired I was and the feeling of ‘burn’ against my face was what woke me. The sun was beating down on me. I jumped up, looked at my watch, and saw it was two PM. I had been gone eight hours at least. Now, Davis wasn’t going to be mad, he was going to worried.

  I rushed back to the car, hoping I had enough fuel, started it, and took off.

  The first part of my route was frantic with thoughts on how I would talk my way out of it, maybe even lie. I could tell him I got a vision from Vala and she was in trouble.

  Nah. He’d ask why I didn’t wake him and instead just stole the car.

  I went through every excuse in the book except for the truth. I didn’t want to tell him that I was being sappy and needed to try one more time to stop her.

  I had made it to the cabin and back on the old highway. A single lane had been formed in the growth; the rest of the highway was just as much a part of the forest as the trees.

  Just over the slight grade, I saw someone in the middle of the road.

  At first I thought it was a Minnie. Maybe he had arrived the day before and was walking in the daytime. Had he run into Vala? More than likely she had told him the way.

  I slowed down as I approached him, halting the car maybe fifteen feet from him..

  Was I not thinking? Maybe I was tired. How did I not know?

  I placed the car in gear, opened the door, stepped out, and called, “Hey, guy.”

  He stopped and turned.

  A Day Stalker.

  Never had there been a Day Stalker in those parts, it was never even a worry. He snarled at me and lunged my way. I quick
ly jumped back in the car, pulled the door shut, and his hand slammed on the window as I threw the car in gear and sped off.

  My heart raced and I struggled to get a breath. I couldn’t believe he was there. I hit my hand against the steering wheel in frustration. Why didn’t I kill him? Why did I run? Lifting my head, I glanced to the rearview mirror to see if he was still there, and not only did my foot instinctively hit the brake, I nearly jumped from my skin when in the reflection of the rearview mirror I saw Nito.

  She laughed arrogantly. “Soon, hero boy, soon.” Another laugh.

  Even though a part of me know she was an apparition, I grabbed for my crossbow on the passenger seat and spun around.

  She was gone.

  I heaved out a few breaths, eyed the Day Stalker still on the road and somewhat disoriented, and then I turned back around.

  When I did, I knew I was in trouble.

  The entire road was lined and packed with Day Stalkers.

  ELEVEN – VALA

  We traveled to Akana by way of motorized vehicle. However, Iry stopped a short distance from the village because he felt it best not to draw attention to my homecoming by driving in.

  I had to think about what he was saying, then I recalled my last day at the village, when I had caused such a disturbance. Perhaps I wouldn’t be welcome, and maybe even shunned.

  We left his ‘car’ at the edge of the fields, walking in from the back past the stables. I felt a sense of heavy sadness as I walked by where I used to house my horse Casey. He helped me flee Akana and was struck with poisoned arrows as I made my escape. A part of me wished that I would see his head poke out of the stall, that somehow, he had miraculously lived. Sadly, the stall was empty. Casey’s sacrifice was my ticket to life, but also my loss.

  No one was in the fields or around at all. The time of day was working time and I found this odd. No horsemen, tailors, wheat grinders, no one.

  Then the sound of voices cheering carried to us as we neared the main community circle of Akana.