Outside Ascension

by Amy Proebstel

  “Good to know,” Bryon replied then continued, “I’d planned on heading south to visit some friends, but given this new information, I guess I’ll have to visit some other time. No problem. We’ll head straight out of here tonight and not stop until we are well west of here.”

  “Good, good,” Captain Ahn spoke. “Well then…”

  Amanda realized she was now officially eavesdropping, so she shook her head and quickly opened the office door and shut it behind her. Her entrance had startled Barla, so Amanda said, “Sorry. I just heard them talking in the front office about us heading west tonight. How long do you think it’ll take us to get wherever we’re going?”

  “It shouldn’t take you more than two days’ travel time,” Barla assured her.

  “Are we going to walk the whole way?” Amanda realized she did not know anything about the travel arrangements other than leaving with Bryon.

  Barla chuckled and then reassured Amanda by saying, “Certainly not. You’ll walk until you get to the edge of town; then other arrangements have been made. Don’t worry. Now, are you all set to go?”

  Amanda quickly stowed her bathroom items into the duffel bag and hoisted the strap over her shoulder. She looked around the room and noticed the stack of books Barla had brought for her to study were stacked beside the desk on the floor. “What about the books you brought me?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll have Ahn carry them home with us after you leave. I’m glad you were able to use them and learn from them, especially the atlas. So, if the books are your last concern, are you ready?”

  “Yep, set and ready.”

  Unable to maintain a cheerful expression, Barla started to cry, and she hugged Amanda tightly and said, “Be safe. Be quick. Get home. I love you, Amanda.” She hugged her tighter yet and then released her quickly as she brushed the tears away from her own cheeks. “Ahn always tells me I’m too sentimental!”

  Amanda pulled the hood up over her hair, opened the office door, and led the way to the front office. The men’s conversation ceased when they saw the two women appear from the hallway.

  Captain Ahn came forward and held out a bulging pouch toward Amanda.

  “What’s this?” Amanda asked curiously.

  “It’s a bonus for finishing early,” the Captain replied with a wink.

  “Thank you, Captain Ahn. Good luck on your audit; I’m really glad I was able to help you out,” Amanda replied formally. Amanda was trying to decide if she should hug the Captain or shake his hand when he pulled her into a rough embrace. She added the bulging pouch to her pack alongside the matching one from her previous days of pay. She knew Captain Ahn had been way too generous for the amount of work she had actually performed, but she was grateful all the same.

  “You have a safe journey, you hear?” spoke the Captain, a little too gruffly.

  Amanda looked up and was surprised to see tears sparkling in his eyes. She felt her own emotions matching his and smiled up at him and said, “You can’t give Barla a hard time about getting too emotional if you’re going to be sad to see me go, too!”

  “I’m just sad thinking I’m going to have to start entering in those bills of lading since you’ll be gone!” he replied tersely.

  Everyone burst out laughing, glad for the excuse. Bryon spoke up, “I hate to break up the party, but I think we should get going so we can make our rendezvous.”

  Hugs were again distributed all around before leaving the office. Once outside on the street, the two parties went their separate ways; one to go home, the other to go to parts unknown.

  Chapter Six

  ELDER DEBBON sighed at the amount of information he had just assimilated. Feeling certain he knew the rest of Amanda’s story consisted of traveling for a couple of days with Bryon, he did not think he required further delving into her memories. He only had a few inquiries for her while she was awake before he would be through with his questioning.

  He was saddened to hear about the people being afraid of the Elders. It was not the impression he wished to make on the citizens of Tuala. Some thought would have to be put into rectifying the problem. Fear was not a good motivator, and he wanted to show the people how love always overcame everything.

  He was concerned to discover another person living in Tuala from Earth who had apparently been living here for quite some time. He had been very surprised to see she was the mother of Rasa who was currently one of Jehoban’s favored students. Thinking he should probably tell Jehoban what he had learned about Rasa he had to laugh out loud to even imagine Jehoban Himself did not know already. He had to admit, Rasa’s skills were quite impressive, he would have kept her close as well.

  With a sigh of resignation and of wanting to be rid of Petre’s presence, he left Amanda’s room again and walked the few feet to the room Petre was occupying. The compulsion to remain seated in the chair had kept Petre from investigating the room, but Elder Debbon’s anger had allowed Petre’s mind to be free even if his voice were not. He quickly strode behind Petre and gripped his skull harder than necessary as he said, “Let’s get to the bottom of this mystery. Tell me everything you know about this girl.”

  Petre’s hopes were soaring as he neared the Elder’s islet. He took the extra precaution of giving Jesisca a larger dose of epeny to keep her asleep and quiet. Grunting with the effort, Petre picked her up and moved her limp body below the main deck into the hidden storage area where he usually kept his illegal cargo. His hands traveled over her nakedness while he arranged her body into a more comfortable position. He left the storage area, shut the door behind him, locked it with his brass padlock, and then muttered a confusion illusion over the entire area to discourage anyone from looking at the cargo hold.

  Within an hour, Petre was docking his water craft at the main harbor of the Elder’s islet. People were rushing toward the dock to get a better look at the yellow vessel tied to the back of his water craft. Petre could not help but feel cocky as he jumped onto the dock. How many others can say they have found something as grand as this? he thought.

  Petre puffed out his chest and announced to the growing crowd, “I have important business with the Elder. Who can direct me to him?”

  The crowd started to murmur and stir. A woman in the crowd announced, “Gatson has left the Residence to see what’s going on!” At the same time, a man yelled, “Make way for Gatson! Make way!”

  A well-built, nicely dressed, and equally cocky man, who could only be the man named Gatson, parted the crowd in front of him. He crossed his arms as he looked down on Petre and noted his silver and onyx ring. Raising one eyebrow at Petre’s disheveled appearance; he asked in a quiet voice, “State your name and your business.”

  “My name is Petre MacVeen and as you can see behind me,” Petre spoke loudly for the crowd and gestured with a grand sweep of his arm, “I have discovered an artifact which I believe the Elder Debbon would have an interest in acquiring. Please be so good as to escort me to the Honorable Elder.”

  “I will speak with Elder Debbon,” replied Gatson, “and see if he has time to meet with someone like you. He is a very busy man, in case you didn’t know. He usually demands an appointment.” He turned on his heel and quickly walked away.

  Petre’s confidence started to wane as minutes slowly ticked by without any indication of Gatson’s return. The crowd at the dock continued to grow, and people pointed to The Golden Jesisca. Petre again puffed up his chest knowing he was going to get a huge bonus for this find. He returned to his water craft to wait for Gatson. Petre did not want to look too desperate, so he worked on straightening out some items on the deck while keeping one eye on the dock.

  After what seemed an eternity, Gatson returned to Petre’s water craft and yelled from the dock, “You’re in luck! Elder Debbon has decided to allow you to grace his presence. He has allotted you fifteen minutes of his time, beginning now! Feel free to dally at your own discretion.”

  Grace aside, Petre jumped to the dock and rushed to Gatson’s side. Th
ey walked quickly up the narrow flagstone path lined with tall hedges to the Elder’s Residence. Another guard stopped them at the gate for Petre to sign his name in the visitor’s ledger. Gatson then led Petre through a side entrance, which was two times taller than any man and made from a single plank of wood at least eight inches thick. Petre let his hand trail over the intricate flowers carved into the entire face of the door as he hurried after the broad back of Elder Debbon’s head bodyguard. By the time they had reached the interior double doors of the Elder’s reception room, a full five minutes of Petre’s fifteen minutes were gone. Gatson reached up and double-tapped the rose-shaped brass knocker on one of the doors.

  “Enter,” Elder Debbon called.

  Gatson pulled one door open and gestured Petre to enter the room without him.

  Facing forward with squared shoulders, Petre stepped through the doorway and winced as the door shut on his heel.

  Elder Debbon sat at the far end of a long, elegant, dark wood table and gestured for Petre to take the seat at the opposite end from him. Elder Debbon steepled his fingers below his chin as he waited for Petre to settle himself in the uncomfortably-carved wooden chair. Petre looked at Elder Debbon and then quickly glanced around the room. The walls were darkly paneled but polished to a fine sheen. To his right, there were two tall, narrow stained-glass windows which allowed colored designs to enter the room and sparkle on the opposite wall.

  “So,” Elder Debbon said suddenly, startling Petre, “I have been told you have brought something which may interest me,” he spoke each word clearly as though he were speaking to a slow child.

  This insult was lost on Petre. He decided to state his claim quickly, “I have found an old soul water craft intact and filled with artifacts. As an honorable and revered Elder, I would like to give you the first opportunity to purchase this rare and valuable artifact from me.”

  “Quite to the point, I see,” mused Elder Debbon.

  “I find it to be the best way to conduct business.”

  “Hmm,” replied Elder Debbon noncommittally. He let the silence draw out while he stared intently at Petre. He hid a smile as Petre started to fidget in his seat as he timed his next statement for the best effect. “How much were you looking to receive for your rare and valuable artifact?”

  “Well,” Petre drawled as he quickly calculated the sum he would need to lead a comfortable life, “I believe it’s worth at least fifty thousand taj.”

  Elder Debbon’s eyebrows rose in amazement. “That much, you think?”

  Petre shifted uncomfortably and replied, “That much and more, Honorable Elder Debbon. The old soul’s water craft is the finest I’ve ever seen.”

  “How many have you seen, Petre MacVeen?” Elder Debbon asked quietly.

  Petre blushed mightily and cleared his throat softly. “Well,” he gulped, “to be completely honest…”

  “I have often found honesty to be the best policy,” Elder Debbon interjected.

  “This is the first I have seen.” Encouraged by Elder Debbon’s nod, Petre continued quickly, “I wasn’t even sure there was such a thing as an old soul before this appeared in front of my water craft out of nowhere! You can imagine my surprise when the ocean was empty and dead calm, then bam, a burst of light so bright I couldn’t see for a full minute; and then my water craft is on a collision course with another vessel which wasn’t there a moment before.” Petre’s jaw clicked shut. He had not intended to say so much and was silently cursing himself for admitting to doubting the old soul stories told by the Elders from his childhood.

  “Childhood fantasies come to life,” Elder Debbon spoke as though reading Petre’s mind. He tapped a stack of paperwork, which reported every offense Petren MacVeen had ever made, on the table in front of him. “Petre, I must say I am saddened because your name had to be shortened. Although, I can’t say it surprised me overmuch to see it has come to this.”

  Petre bristled with insult, “I can’t see how those matters factor into this proceeding!”

  “Petre, Petre! Don’t you see? It has everything to do with it. Just like the onyx ring on your finger. You expect me to pay a lifetime’s sum for an artifact even you didn’t believe in. Your life’s work has been about making people believe in your deceptions!”

  “I’ve paid my dues for those things! I was introduced with my new name, wasn’t I? How much more should I be punished for my past?” He silently cursed himself for not turning his ring around. Everyone knew onyx was the stone for deceptors. Although, he probably would have been called out for trying to hide his talent from this most observant Elder. Petre cursed himself anew for not approaching a younger—and less perceptive—Elder with his find.

  “Unfortunately, Petre, I don’t believe your past is as far behind you as you would lead me to believe. Am I correct in this statement?” Elder Debbon cocked his head to the side and waited for Petre to reply.

  Petre decided to play ignorant and hope the Elder was only fishing for additional reasons to lower the sum for the prize. “I don’t know to what you could be referring.” He shrugged to add innocence to his statement.

  Elder Debbon was not fooled in the slightest as he sighed and opened the folder beneath his hands. “Let’s see,” he began, “what about the illegal shipment seized on the coast of Ishal? It looks like there is still an unresolved warrant for your arrest and sentencing in the matter.” Elder Debbon cocked an eyebrow at Petre and continued with, “Hmm, then there’s the matter of the sexual assault complaint issued by Hashma at the Lookout Tavern thirteen mesans ago. The complaint is quite detailed. Not too subtle on your part, if I do say so myself. Hashma claims she lost income for more than twelve mesans due to the bodily damage you inflicted during your thirty-minute stay with her.” He shuffled through a few pieces of paper and pursed his lips.

  “How ridiculous!” Petre shouted. “She can hardly claim twelve mesans disability for a bloody lip and a broken arm!”

  “I quite agree with your assessment of the matter,” granted Elder Debbon, “however, the resulting pregnancy did end her career prospects until she gave birth.”

  “Pregnancy!” Petre sputtered, “I was never informed! If the child is mine, I demand to see it. It belongs to me anyway, not with some stinking whore!”

  “My report indicates multiple notices were posted for you to reply to the charges.” Elder Debbon reviewed his paperwork then continued, “Since you did not respond the child was placed with an adoptive family according to the law on unwanted pregnancies. Permanently. You do not have any recourse to the child. Since you have been informed of Hashma’s assault complaint, you must make restitution for her losses.”

  Petre was not expecting any of this. He had forgotten how extensive and current the Elders’ information database could be. Nothing was working out as he had planned. He asked the first thing which came to mind, “Does your report say whether the child was a boy or a girl? Or a name? Anything?”

  Elder Debbon slowly shook his head. “Petre, even if it did, I wouldn’t tell you. You have lost all your rights to the child. Forget about it and let the child live the peaceful life you wouldn’t be able to give it.”

  “You’re cold and heartless! What if this were your child? Would you be so cavalier about it? I think not!” Petre was losing control rapidly.

  “On the contrary, Petre,” replied Elder Debbon, “I would never have been with a whore to get her pregnant in the first place. I know where my seed goes. My wife and son are quite content with their lives. Your child with Hashma is better off without either one of you to taint its life with your suffering, miserable lifestyles.”

  He paused for emphasis, and then continued, “Now, back to the matter of the artifact. You have requested fifty thousand taj for delivering it safely to my harbor. Here is my counter-offer: I will have the arrest warrant, the resulting ten anons jail time, and the fifteen thousand taj restitution removed from your record for the sum of thirty thousand taj. Next, I will arrange to have Hashma paid se
ven thousand taj for restitution for her losses and her agreement to revoke her complaint against you. You, however, must agree you will not have any further contact with Hashma or her place of business. This is my offer. Will you agree?”

  “Does it mean you’ll pay me the remaining thirteen thousand taj?” Petre inquired hopefully.

  Elder Debbon lifted another piece of paper and reviewed it for a moment before replying, “You drive a hard bargain, Petre; however, I believe I will use the remainder to pay the creditors who have issued the “death or dismemberment” order for you in Cerid.”

  Petre gulped. He had no idea things had gone so bad while he had been on his last trade route these past fifteen mesans. He was out of options so he nodded as he replied sullenly, “You are most kind to help me. I am in your debt.”

  “Yes, you are, Petre. Since we are agreed on your payment terms, you are dismissed,” Elder Debbon closed the folder in front of him and rose from his chair.

  Petre scrambled to his feet and blurted out, “What would you like me to do with the water craft?”

  “Do not worry, Petre, it’s already been taken to the Old Soul Engineering Facility. Do try to stay out of trouble; I may not be inclined to help you as much in the future. Please shut the door on your way out.” Elder Debbon picked up the paperwork in front of him, turned, and left the room through the back door while Petre stood gaping after him.

  Petre left the room, disgusted with himself. He had made the find of the century, but instead of being wealthy for life, he got to pay for all his past problems. Well, not all, he thought, but at least the death or dismemberment order would be revoked. As he stomped along the path back down to the harbor, he cursed himself for not trying to sell the vessel on the black market instead.

  With no reason to stay in the harbor and no money to purchase supplies, Petre released his water craft from the dock and maneuvered his way back into the open sea away from the harbor. His black mood lifted as soon as he passed the door leading below deck. He had a treasure in Jesisca. He smiled as he realized how much excitement he was going to receive from his newfound wife. He descended the stairs, anticipating the pleasure of his first payment…