The Lost Enclave
Atlantic Island: Divided Book II
Fredric Shernoff
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
The Atlantic Island Universe
About Fredric
1
“Weber the Prophet lives!” Gustavus exclaimed. “I have spoken to him. And when he learns what you’ve done, there will be nowhere in any world for you to hide from his wrath. You are all doomed!”
Nobody responded. Nathaniel felt a creeping sensation of uncertainty that he had barely ever experienced in his long life. He looked at Opellius, the formerly blind old man who shared Nathaniel’s gifts. Opellius looked stunned. Befuddled.
Unsurprisingly, it was Ben Goldman who broke the silence. “Bullshit,” he said. “You almost had us for a second there, Goofus.”
Gustavus sneered. “Always with the mockery,” he said. “But behind your false bravado, you know I speak the truth. In all of your hearts you know it.”
“I know nothing of the sort,” Nathaniel said. “You claim to speak to the Prophet, yet he never told you that your whole existence was a lie?”
Gustavus frowned as he considered the question. Then his smile returned. “I can’t speak for the Prophet. I am but his humble servant, and he told me what I needed to know. It is the proud duty of the leader of the Authority to answer directly to the Prophet, and I simply did as I was taught. Just like all those who came before me.”
Goldman laughed. “Creative way of saying you weren’t the top of the food chain, and the big boss didn’t tell you everything. All the people in your territory think you’re something special, but you’re just middle management.”
“I don’t know your fancy words,” Gustavus said, “nor can I cleanly interpret your pronunciation. You sound as if you speak with the mud of the forest in your mouth.”
“If I may,” Opellius interjected, “while the banter and insults are the most entertainment I’ve had in my entire existence, there are important issues being raised.”
Nathaniel waved his hand dismissively. “I care not for the threats about the Prophet. What difference does it make if he exists?”
Opellius sighed. “Nathaniel, can you and Goldman follow me to the other room? The hive mind will watch Gustavus.”
Nathaniel expected Gustavus to respond with another jab, but the man remained silent, smirking at them.
“Let’s go, Nate,” Goldman said.
They walked into the back room of Opellius’s house, where Nathaniel had recuperated from his injuries after falling from the territory wall. So much had happened since then, it seemed like a dream.
“What do you want to say?” Nathaniel asked.
“Consider the points that Gustavus brings to the conversation,” Opellius said. “Consider what they mean for us and for the world…perhaps more than one world.”
“I don’t follow,” Nathaniel said.
“Presume that we are being told the truth here,” Opellius said. Nathaniel opened his mouth and Opellius raised a hand. “I understand that takes some doing, Nathaniel. But for the sake of our discussion, can you try?”
“Aye.”
“Good. Now, what are the implications of the Prophet existing? He’s somewhere outside your home enclave, that much is almost certain. I am equally convinced he is beyond the scope of your territory—what you used to believe was the extent of the world. It is likely he’s set up the Authority to oversee the people within that land.”
“Might be more than one Authority,” Goldman said. “One for each territory, or something like that, right?”
“Indeed,” Opellius said. “We know not how Weber is communicating with Gustavus or any other Authority leader. That’s a large blank in our knowledge that we would be wise to fill in. But there are more questions. We already suspected a possible link between the Prophet and the President Weber of Goldman’s world.”
“Aye,” Nathaniel said. “It seems like far more than coincidence.”
“I keep thinking about that,” Goldman said. “And the more I think about it, the more it seems like this crazy ass place you guys live in isn’t another world at all. It’s the future.”
“Can you explain?” Opellius asked. “The word ‘future’ describes things yet to come, correct?”
“Yes. The Confederate States of America that I lived in, the whole thing was on the brink of collapse. You know my story. How likely did it seem that the Civil War was really over?”
“Hmm,” Opellius considered. “Not very likely. There was ample resentment among the others of your ilk, and you were working for an alternate president.”
“Fucking right on,” Goldman said. “So things were almost guaranteed to get worse for everyone. Weber, Rowan, and all of their followers. And the rest of the world, which had only slightly been involved up to that point, was waiting nervously on the sidelines. Chewing their fingernails and hoping that the stupid American conflict wouldn’t expand to bring them down too.”
Nathaniel scratched his chin. “Goldman, where are you going with this? You suspect there would be more war. How does that connect our worlds?”
“I don’t really know,” Goldman said. “But there’s something there. If Weber is both the president and the Prophet, then he put some kind of control in place to keep the people locked up in those territories. Like we talked about, Nate. Simple set of rules, and then let them develop in their own way within their own walls over millennia.”
“It seems to make sense,” Opellius mused.
“Aye, on some level,” Nathaniel said. “But there are flaws in the logic, Goldman. I mean you no disrespect, but I have existed for those millennia you speak of. And I’ve known others long ago who predated me by millennia more.”
“So?” Goldman asked.
“So…what I knew inside the walls of the enclave is all there was, dating back as long as anyone could possibly remember.”
“Maybe this world is much further in my world’s future than you think,” Goldman said.
“But that raises the next flaw. What does all of this say about Weber?”
Goldman nodded. “I know. That he’s like the two of you.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “Nay. There are similarities, of course.” He turned to Opellius. “If I am to follow the logic and presume that Gustavus is telling us what he at least believes to be true, Weber cannot be like us.”
“Why not?” Goldman asked.
“Think of what you just said about the age of this world,” Nathaniel explained. “Weber would have to be far older than me or Opellius. Older than maybe Duncan Mycroft himself, who claimed to have been born with the world. And yet, where is Duncan Mycroft? Where are the others? Where is my family?”
Goldman winced. “Gone. Yeah. I understand. How could Weber survive when the rest of the Great Ones couldn’t?”
Nathaniel nodded. “Aye. There are pieces here of something. Of that we all agree. But there is more to this tale than we have yet unearthed. It all ties in. Weber, the ‘zombies,’ the woman who attacked me in your world. All of it, small segments of one tapestry.”
“But that’s the key to all of it,” Goldman said.
“What is?�
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“That it’s all connected. We looked at this like two different challenges. Take down the Authority, then go do something about the Loyalty Guard. But if it’s all connected, if this really is the future…”
“You could prevent all of this by fixing your home world,” Opellius said. “If I’m following you correctly.”
“That’s what I’m thinking, anyway,” Goldman said. “Fuck if I know how any of this works.”
Nathaniel sighed. There was so much that should come to mind from a discussion like the one they were having, but it was Achmis whose angry, bearded face came into his thoughts.
“You think if we fix the damage to your world, all of this pain and suffering could be avoided?”
“Maybe,” Goldman said. “I’m so far out of my depth here, Nate. We all are. Who knows what the fuck could happen? I’m not saying that my idea is the best idea. Or even a good idea. Just maybe it’s something we should think about.”
“I want more answers from Gustavus,” Nathaniel said.
They walked back into the main room. The hive mind chattered in their raspy patter, and Gustavus stared at the far wall, expressionless.
“It’s time for answers,” Nathaniel said.
“Oh, hello, Nathaniel,” Gustavus said. “Are you done deliberating?”
“How does the Prophet communicate with you?”
“Why, exactly, would I tell you anything?”
“Because your continued existence depends on your value to us,” Nathaniel said. “And that value is decreasing with every minute you don’t help us.”
“I see,” Gustavus said. “Well, that is very scary. But I’m not quite ready to talk yet. And I think it’s likely the Prophet already knows I’ve been abducted. Chaos has surely erupted within the world. That doesn’t bode well for anyone.”
“There are more ‘worlds’ than yours,” Goldman said. “I think you get that now. And we don’t give a damn how angry the Authority gets. Out here in no man’s land, your people can’t reach us.”
Gustavus just smiled.
“I’m not opposed to torturing the answers out of him,” Opellius whispered to Nathaniel.
“Not yet. We don’t stoop to his level unless we are certain there is no other way.”
Nathaniel walked over to the table where the magic book rested, its cover closed.
“Nate,” Goldman said, “whatcha doing there?”
“We need answers and we won’t get them from this…what did you say…middle manager?”
Goldman laughed. “Yeah. That. But the book…it’s not good for you.”
“What does it do?” Gustavus asked.
“Oh, look who finally got his interest piqued,” Goldman said. He turned back to Nathaniel. “After what happened in the enclave, are you really sure you could handle going through the portal?”
“I’ll be fine, Goldman.”
“Yeah. That’s what you always say. Do you know how many times I’ve had to save your super-powered ass in the short time we’ve known each other?”
“I recall saving you as well.”
“True. But I’m not looking for you to reach the end of your road before you absolutely have to. And those trips through the portal are really fucking rough on you.”
“Goldman, the answers are on the other side. And maybe the solution to all of this. We don’t have to worry about these lands here or the Prophet. We can fix everything.”
“What are you planning, Nathaniel?” Gustavus asked with what seemed to be genuine curiosity. Nobody gave him an answer.
“The hive mind and I can attend to Gustavus,” Opellius said. “But Nathaniel, I have to agree with Goldman in this matter. You have not fared well in your previous journeys. The Loyalty Guard of that world will be looking for you and Goldman, and you recently had your powers removed.”
“My powers are returned to me,” Nathaniel said. “I am willing to risk everything to make this right.”
Goldman sighed. “You’re impossible to deal with sometimes, Nate. Fine. Screw it. Let’s do this. But if you collapse, I’m dragging your ass back through the portal immediately. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Nathaniel placed the book on the floor. He could feel Gustavus watching him. Let the man watch. If he could make this right, Gustavus would never have been born. Perhaps nobody he’d ever known would exist if they succeeded. That made him think of Amara, and he shuddered.
“Having second thoughts?” Goldman asked.
“Nay, Goldman. I’m ready. Did you bring the energy weapon?”
“Yeah.” Goldman patted his hip. “It’s concealed for now, but the end of it is tickling me and I’m really hoping I can remember to reposition it before I sit down and drive it through my leg…or shoot an energy beam up my ass.”
Nathaniel sighed and turned to Opellius. “Don’t let Gustavus out of your sight,” he said.
Opellius nodded. “Of course. Be well, Nathaniel.”
“And you as well.”
Nathaniel and Goldman knelt and placed hands on each other’s shoulders. Goldman reached out with his free hand and opened the book. The words that were somehow his flipped into view. Goldman turned to the empty pages at the back. Almost instantly, the paper turned liquid and the book’s tendrils wrapped around Goldman’s arm. Nathaniel closed his eyes and breathed deeply as he felt the portal pull him in.
2
Nathaniel felt his insides heave upward as he spilled out into the street. He stumbled, nearly fell, then regained his footing. The world swam around him.
“Nate,” Goldman called from what seemed an endless distance. “You okay? You with me?”
Nathaniel took a steadying breath. Another. A third. The world seemed to stabilize. “I am fine.”
Goldman appeared in front of him and looked at him appraisingly. “You don’t look fine.”
“I’m standing, Goldman. I did not collapse. I did not pass out. As per our ‘deal,’ you ought to leave me be.”
“Forgive me for caring, Nate. Okay. Fine. You’re able to walk around. That’s good. But I’m keeping my eye on you. And we need to lay low. I’m not convinced you’ll be much help in a fight.”
“We should find more weapons,” Nathaniel said. “The energy weapon will serve for some defense, but if things deteriorate we must be prepared.
“Here’s an alternative suggestion: We should stay the fuck out of trouble. We’re here to learn, Nate. Whatever we do later, that’s for later.”
“I take your point. What now?”
“Let’s get the hell out of the street, for starters.”
They walked to a nearby alley and leaned against the wall.
“We are in Ethos again,” Nathaniel said.
“Yeah. The book dumps us out in the same spot no matter what.”
“But time has moved on. Nothing seems quite familiar.”
“Yeah. Look, there’s a clock right over there across the way. It’s a little bit later than my last visit. I wonder what the hell that’s all about.”
“What do you mean?”
“The time slippage. Every time we use the book, it’s later. We never get to go back and change anything.”
“Would you change anything?” Nathaniel asked.
“Nah, I mean, nothing that happened since you arrived. For all I know, I was gonna end up dead. Maybe I did end up dead in the original version of all of this. Your arrival changed things. You saved me. And now here we are. Back in my world, or my time, or whatever, having taken down the leader of the Authority. But we’re as confused as before. Maybe more.”
“Because we don’t understand the book?”
“We don’t understand much of any of it, Nate. But yeah, the book is a big one. My fucking journal. Somehow transplanted into a magic ancient book that just happens to be a portal to where I was when I wrote the journal. And let's not forget the magical version of me who lives inside.”
“I doubt it’s a version of you,” Nathaniel said. “That being sa
id, it was wearing your likeness. It is maybe the book itself. Or the magic the book links to.”
“The power of the universe took my form. Honestly, I’m amazed I’m not more freaked out about all of this.”
Nathaniel heard a buzzing. Above them, one of the Loyalty Guard drones was swooping past, making a scan of the area.
“Stay in the shadows,” he whispered, and pointed overhead.
“Fuck. Those drones are everywhere,” Goldman said.
They remained motionless and silent until the flying machine had passed.
“We need to get out of here, Nate.”
“Where should we go?”
“I don’t know. Way out of Ethos, if possible. The Guard is all up in our business here.”
“The Guard…they work for Weber.”
“Yeah…so?”
“If our worlds are the same, and mine is just further down the path, where is the Loyalty Guard in my time?”
“Maybe they aren’t needed. There were no threats to the order the Authority imposed on all of you until your teacher found that first book. God, I wish we knew where that thing ended up.”
“You believe it’s different than the book that brought us here?” Nathaniel asked.
“Maybe. The territories were different. And I just can’t accept that I’m so fucking special that somebody would go around planting my journal all over the world.”
“Have you considered who that might be?” Nathaniel asked.
“How would I even begin to think about that?” Goldman replied. “It’s too crazy.”
“And yet, the book and its portal exist. Someone made it possible. And it’s likely someone in this time and place.”
“Maybe. I know Weber is conducting all these crazy-ass experiments. He harnessed something beyond what anybody in this world knew was even possible. And maybe that’s because he’s super-powered himself…I don’t know.”
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