The Last Humanity (The Last Survivors Book 3)

by T. W. Piperbrook

  And then he saw it.

  Jeremiah held a hand above his eyes. Certainly, he'd had too much snowberry.

  Something was moving out of the building next to which he was standing.

  A thirty-foot, crescent moon-shaped piece of metal floated out into the water. Sheets of fabric flapped off a metal bar in the center, ruffling with the wind. Sitting aboard it were Ivory and the hooded man.

  "Tech Magic," Jeremiah murmured.

  Jeremiah watched as the strange object glided away, over the ocean and away from the Ancient City. His jaw fell open in disbelief. He'd tell Beck about this. He had to.

  Chapter 66: Franklin

  Blackthorn marched out of the temple with some of his cavalrymen marching in formation behind him.

  Franklin stood on the stage watching him go. He glanced over at Father Winthrop who seemed to have lost himself in staring at nothing. Looking at the pews, Franklin noticed all eyes, the clergy's, the Novices, and the remaining cavalrymen's, were on him. He'd just been appointed acting Bishop in a fulfillment of his dreams that was too rapid to assimilate.

  Winthrop said something, a string of unintelligible syllables that rose and fell on the tune of a crazy man's music.

  One of the cavalrymen, an officer, walked to the front of the stage and stood in front of Franklin. "Minister Franklin," he said as though he were talking to Father Winthrop, "General Blackthorn expects us to follow him to the pyres."

  Nodding at the man, as he'd watched General Blackthorn do a thousand times, Franklin opened his mouth, not knowing what might come out. "Let us go together." He pointed at the large doors through which Blackthorn had disappeared moments before. He looked over at Father Winthrop with his attendants. Franklin addressed the one nearest. "Help him, as necessary."

  Avoiding eye contact with anyone else, Franklin settled his gaze on the open doors. He crossed the stage, descended the stairs, and stepped authoritatively through the jealous stares of the older clergymen on the front row of pews. Measuring his pace to keep it steady, he strode purposefully toward the doors hoping the others would follow. He dared not look back to make sure that they were.

  He'd told them once. Franklin knew enough about leadership from watching General Blackthorn that you only told them once.

  But General Blackthorn had earned that degree of authority through the respect of men who'd fought with him, through the gratitude of the townsfolk he'd saved from the bottomless appetites of the demons, and from the deep fear they all had of the pyre, the spike, and the sword.

  What would Franklin do if none of the clergy followed? Would the cavalrymen draw their blades and herd them all out into the square? Would they wait for Franklin to order it?

  Was General Blackthorn's advice truly the only choice he had? Burn one today or twelve tomorrow? If the clergy didn't follow, would Blackthorn burn all the dissenters one at a time?

  Franklin felt sick to his stomach. Through all the years he sat on the periphery, dreaming of the day he'd be called Bishop, yearning for the day when he would sit in the Minister's chair and dictate the law, he believed that he'd be just and merciful. He dreamed he'd rule a happy people who sang and danced amidst the flowers on never-ending spring days.

  Such is the nature of fantasies.

  Instead, he walked out of the temple under a gray sky, with a cold wind blowing, all the while praying a disgruntled band of clergymen would follow him to watch a priest burn, or not, solely on his order.

  Franklin realized at that moment that dreams don't come true. They only lose their pretty facades and expose themselves as the nightmares beneath.

  Franklin descended the steps outside the temple door. He heard feet shuffling on the stone behind him.

  The clergymen were following.

  Franklin looked up at the sky and thanked the clouds, the sun, and The Word.

  Now he only had one mortal decision to make. Whether or not to burn Father Nelson, a man who'd told him old stories and shared his meals.

  As Franklin crossed the square toward the line of poles, it occurred to him that each pole always had a fresh pile of wood. The next Cleansing was months away, but each pyre stood ready to burn. It had always been that way. But it was something that never seemed worthy of a question before. Sure, Franklin knew people were burned for their transgressions, but as Blackthorn's words sank in—burn one today or twelve tomorrow—he wondered what purpose the pyres served aside from burning. Were they a deterrent to bad behavior? Were they the threat of authority that would punish so swiftly that there wasn't even time to stack wood?

  Was the swiftness of brutality such an important component?

  With the wind gusting in his face, Franklin made a show of pretending to turn away for a second to rub something out of his eyes. In truth, he wanted to make sure the clergy were still coming. Indeed, they were all filing out in a single line, following Franklin, sheep-like, with heads bowed.

  At the edge of the square, Franklin spotted Fitz in the open door of General Blackthorn's house, standing like a statue of ancient marble, defying the wind as her black hair flowed out around her.

  Word had come to the temple from General Blackthorn that Fitz had taken ill and was under his care. Franklin, after worrying over the worst possibilities since her disappearance, was initially relieved, and then afraid. He feared for what condition Fitz might be in and fretted that the message might be a lie. To what end, he couldn't even guess. But there she was, alive.

  Franklin's emotion spun in a cyclone of contradictions. How was he to feel happy seeing Fitz's face, while he was being forced to burn a man? And why burn Father Nelson? Just so he'd have the respect of others in the clergy, so he might not one day have to burn more of them?

  What did Fitz think of the goings-on in the square? He wished he could talk to her and ask her advice.

  Franklin turned back in the direction his feet were moving, feeling guilt over what had happened to Oliver, equating in his mind that punishment with the one that he was being forced to decide on now.

  Forced?

  If he was the acting Bishop, the sitting Minister for Father Winthrop, could he be forced to do anything?

  No.

  But he wasn't made to do anything. General Blackthorn had simply dropped a situation at his feet, a situation Franklin never would have created on his own.

  Franklin stopped in front of the first pyre in the row, instinctively knowing how far back to stand. Every child in Brighton learned how the heat of a fire reached out to singe any fool who stood too close.

  General Blackthorn stood in front of Franklin as the clergy spread out in a line, facing the pile of wood atop of which Father Nelson was already being tied.

  "My father was a hard man," Blackthorn said. "He taught me lessons only once. I had to learn at those moments when the knowledge was free. The times I squandered those lessons, I paid dearly. Learning things the hard way often comes at the expense of a man's life." Blackthorn looked over at Winthrop, who was just arriving to take up a spot in front of the row of clergymen. "Your teacher is a doddering coward." Blackthorn put a hand on Franklin's shoulder. "It's too bad. You're a bright boy. Many of your lessons will cost more than you'll think you can bear. This one, I'll tell you a second time, as a favor, because of the fool you've been Novice to." Blackthorn caught Franklin in his stare and told him, "Burn this man, today. It is cruel, overly so, as I see from your eyes. You don't accept that a dozen deaths of your clergy will be the cost of the mistake to let him live. You don't see that, because you are young and idealistic. Those two qualities in a man only lead to bad choices and tears."

  Franklin looked over General Blackthorn's shoulder. Up on top of the pyre Father Nelson was crying, straining at the ropes that held his hands behind the pole at his back. He was begging and apologizing for his impudence.

  "That's all I'll say," said Blackthorn. "Choose to learn from the wisdom and missteps of others, or pay the higher cost of making your own mistakes." Blackthorn stepped to the
side and tilted his head toward one of the cavalrymen.

  The man with a burning torch in his hand acknowledged the General and walked solemnly up to Franklin, extending the torch.

  Feeling the heat of the torch's small fire on his face, Franklin reached out and took it. He watched the flame dance in the stiff wind as it clung desperately to the layers of oil-soaked cloth wrapped around the wood. He half hoped the flame would die and buy him some time for his decision, but the longer he stared at the flickering red and yellow, the more certain he became that it wouldn't.

  Franklin thought of Fitz's alabaster face staring at him from Blackthorn's doors. What was in those eyes? Was it judgment? Was it hate? Was it possible she had an understanding of what his choice here really was?

  No.

  She was just a woman. What could she know?

  Franklin felt a lump in his throat, tears in his eyes, and a pit in his stomach. He bit his lip until he tasted a gush of warm blood in his mouth.

  He stepped forward and cast the torch onto the pile of wood at Father Nelson's feet.

  Chapter 67: Ella

  Ella stared through the forest, watching leaves spiral down. The ground held a thin layer of green and brown foliage that mixed with the snow, as if autumn had resumed its proceedings after winter's initial, early touch. The travelers crunched debris into the ground as they walked.

  "It feels like it's getting colder," she said, clutching her arms to her chest.

  "It'll get even worse in the Ancient City," Bray said. "It's by the water."

  "The never-ending river, right?"

  "Yes. Or the Ocean. That's what others call it. No one knows how far it goes. Some say it goes forever."

  "I can't imagine that. Have you seen it?"

  "Of course. One can't set foot in the Ancient City without seeing it. You'll see soon enough."

  "Does it go forever?"

  "I've never seen anything past it." Bray shrugged. "And I tried. It's a beautiful sight, for certain."

  "I can't wait." She shivered, still clutching her chest.

  "How about some alcohol to warm you up?" Bray suggested. "I have some extra snowberry, if you'd like." He tapped the flask on his waist, but Ella wasn't listening. She'd switched focus to Melora and William, who were scouting the forest a short distance in front of them. They chatted in eager voices.

  Bray and Ella continued walking toward them.

  "They seem to be getting along," Bray said.

  "I didn't know what to expect," Ella admitted. "If it had been planned, I'm not sure it would've gone as well."

  "Sometimes the best things happen like that," Bray said. "Not all bad comes from unfortunate circumstances."

  Ella readjusted the bag on her shoulder. "Getting to know Melora has been like a gift. Hearing about her childhood in Davenport… It's brought back memories."

  "I'm sure it has."

  "In spite of what happened, it seemed like she was happy there." Ella paused. "At least nobody can take away her memories."

  "You're right about that." Bray unscrewed his flask and took a sip. He sighed as he returned it to his belt.

  Ella's attention turned to William, who was telling a story about the biggest pig he'd ever seen. His eyes were wide, and he was using his hands to describe it while Melora laughed.

  "This is the happiest I've seen William in a while," Ella said.

  "He seems to be enjoying the companionship of his sister."

  "He is," Ella agreed. "But there was an incident…while you were gone."

  "Another one?" Bray's tone mirrored her concern.

  "When we were attacked, he was speaking with the demons again. I think he believes he can communicate with them." Ella lowered her eyes. "Have you ever seen that happen?"

  "A few times." Bray watched her gravely but didn't elaborate. Ella couldn't bring herself to ask any further questions. She noticed the Warden was staring ahead of them, where Melora and William had stopped. Their heads tilted as they looked at the tops of the trees.

  "What is it?" she called out to them.

  But she'd already seen it. Poking out from the tips of the trees, barely visible, were several soaring towers, the crumbled tops covered in foliage. Birds circled the ruins as if they'd been tasked to keep guard. Deep in the distance, an inhuman wail sounded, giving either a greeting or an ominous warning.

  Ella's mouth stuck open.

  She didn't need an announcement to know where they were.

  They'd reached the Ancient City.

  Chapter 68: Evan

  Evan was impressed. At least there was that. Six hundred militiamen lined the road between the edge of town and the circle wall. It ran past The House of Barren Women, which stood out in the field alone. The men lined up at intervals on both sides of the road all the way to the western gate. Out in the fields, twenty cohorts of six hundred militiamen were putting themselves into square formations. Such a large force would not be self-sustaining. They'd need the support of regular townsfolk, doing the mundane things that townsfolk did. A disorganized mass of men and women, tradesmen, shepherds, pig herders, cooks, tailors, barren women, blacksmiths, cobblers, and laborers spread out over a vast area near the circle wall. They'd all be going along with the army, as General Blackthorn had commanded.

  In the square, sitting in crisp uniforms with stiff backs, atop six hundred horses, sat the cavalry, either at attention in rows or guiding horses to their places. All were spoiling to get moving, to get to the Ancient City, and to end the demon menace once and for all.

  Stopping at the back of the square to catch his breath, Evan saw it all. He'd been out all morning watching the men gather, watching the townsfolk say their goodbyes. There'd been plenty of tears, plenty of good luck kisses and hugs from lover to lover, from mother to son.

  Up on the dais stood General Blackthorn, Minister Beck, and Father Winthrop. Neither Captain Tenbrook, nor newly anointed Bishop Franklin was yet there. Evan would need to be there soon, along with the other two, to make the transition of power formal and visible. But Evan had other tasks to tend to.

  Of all the last minute arrangements and checks he'd had to make that morning, the most important was that of stopping by the Dunlow's house. There, nearly fifty of the soon-to-be deserters were hiding from sergeants who were searching their homes, trying to find them prior to the army's march.

  The rebels were stashed in seven locations around Brighton, all in groups that Evan hoped would help them steel their nerves for the fateful action each was taking. As soon as the army marched through the western gate, each of those men would officially be deserters. When the counts and the names were finally gathered somewhere at a campsite up the road, those men would each be condemned to the pyre. Riders would likely bring the news back from the army to Tenbrook. Evan guessed that Tenbrook would take a ruthless approach to dealing with would-be rebels.

  What Evan hoped, though, was that the list of deserters sent back would contain more names than just those of the men he'd co-opted. Evan knew others would desert, too. Once those men realized the magnitude of their crimes, they'd have to choose between fleeing Brighton or facing the pyre. Evan hoped to recruit them to add to his force of rebels. Why not join? They'd have nothing to lose in doing so. He'd only have to find them before Tenbrook did.

  He hurried off around the edge of the square, making his way to the dais to lay claim to his share of Brighton's government, such as it was.

  Chapter 69: Tenbrook

  Impatience was the least of Tenbrook's feelings at the moment. He wasn't an emotional man, by any means. He hadn't expected to be emotional today, the morning he was to accept the reins of the government, to become the most powerful man in Brighton.

  He'd dreamed of a day like this since he was a child. What boy didn't?

  However, until Blackthorn had called him in for the private meeting and the burning of the first of those desiccated tongues, Tenbrook never dared think such a childish dream would materialize.

  Now
, instead of standing on the dais with the departing ministers while the cavalry formed up in the square, Tenbrook was lurking in an alley behind General Blackthorn's residence, looking at a piece of paper that implored him to meet here at this late hour for a matter of the utmost urgency. Tenbrook told the boy who'd delivered the message to tell the sender that he'd be there. Tenbrook added the extra instruction that if the meeting made him tardy or disappointed, he'd settle his anger with a pyre pole.

  The boy ran off in a fright.

  Now Tenbrook was waiting, not used to emotions he couldn't repress under his boot. That made him hate the man for whom he waited. Few things irked Tenbrook more than being out of control of his emotions.

  Cocking his head and listening, he heard the stomping of hooves and the rustle of men in their saddles. Orders were still being shouted. The cavalry wasn't yet formed. The militia waiting past the edge of town was not yet prepared. People were still rushing through the streets to get to some favored place where they could watch their loved ones leave, or just to see the spectacle of so many armed men, marching in formation to some glorious purpose.

  If only they knew.

  "Captain Tenbrook?"

  Startled by the voice, Tenbrook looked up and silently chastised himself. He'd been lost in his thoughts and had stopped paying attention. Tenbrook looked the man up and down.

  "I am Tommy Dunlow. I sent you the message."

  "You received my return message then," said Tenbrook. "I know who you are, and I might ask already, why you aren't with the militia."

  "I am here to explain that."

  Tenbrook laughed. "This isn't a matter for explanations. Your choices are duty or flame."

  Tommy Dunlow gulped, gathered his nerve, and proceeded. "You know that my father and my family have long been in General Blackthorn's disfavor."

  "I'm already thinking of which pyre pole to put you on," said Tenbrook. "I came here to listen to an urgent message."