The Orphans of New Lur

by Blake Vanier

  Nero slows down. “Do you think we should be going this far?”

  I knew he would be a downer. “Come on, just a little bit farther. Look, the park should be just down there.”

  Iona leaves Nero by himself as she walks down the road. By the time he catches up, the buildings have come to an end and a giant park is revealed.

  Dirt paths separate thick, tall trees and foliage from open areas of green grass. Borukins lounge on picnic blankets while others disappear down paths that cut into the thicket. Little stalls are set up around the edge of the park, selling a huge variety of things. Iona and Nero stop at a booth with giant red, purple, and orange flowers.

  “Woo, neat,” Iona says. The flowers move with her hand as she waves it back and forth.

  Another vendor has colorful figurines of blown glass and souvenirs of Borukin royalty.

  Iona suddenly feels a surge of energy, right when Nero grabs her arm.

  Iona spins around. “What is it?”

  “Did you hear that?”

  “I hear a lot. There’s a lot to hear.” Does he want to go back again?

  Nero shakes his head. “Nevermind.” He looks off toward the park. “I'm going to check something out.”

  What? Is he losing his mind? It takes her a moment to realize he is already walking through the crowd.

  Nero ducks into one of the naturally wooded areas. Near the other side, he hides behind a tree, looking out. Iona crouches down beside him. A Borukin woman is arguing with a male vendor of another race, who is smaller and lighter of skin. He has a portable vendor display that looks as though he could carry everything on his back.

  The Borukin throws up her hands, accentuating the definition in her strong arms. “That's a ridiculous price.”

  “Not if others will pay it,” the smaller man says, his face cold.

  “It’s an intelligent and noble creature. They’re rare enough, yet you'll sell it to someone that’ll eat it as a delicacy.”

  “Some think they’re evil,” the man says. “I've heard the stories where they kill entire families. Maybe the world is better off without them.”

  “They’re misunderstood. They’ve suffered a near extinction because of it.”

  “Lady, in the end, I'm a businessman. I can hardly concern myself with such trivial matters. This is the price, no matter what you plan to do with it.”

  “I could just report you,” the woman says.

  “You could,” the man says calmly. “But you have no proof, and they can't search my stuff without it.” The man puts his foot on a light-colored wood box. “Even with proof, I would disappear before the police arrive. Your only options are to pay the money or leave.”

  “Or I could just take it,” she says, voice low.

  “You could try but I’m prepared to deal with thieves with or without the law.”

  Nero clenches the side of the tree. “I'm going to save it,” he says in a whisper, not facing her.

  “Save what?” Iona asks.

  “The creature in the box.” Nero turns to her. “You going to help?”

  “The guy said that it’s evil.”

  “It's not.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Just cause.”

  “You can’t,” Iona says.

  Nero flinches. “What?”

  “You can’t just take it.”

  “I can’t?” His face hardens and a strange fire glows in his eyes. “I can and I will. It’s the right thing to do. If you’re too scared, then leave.” Nero starts to sneak around behind the vendor's stand.

  What has gotten into him? It takes her a moment to regain her composure. I guess I should try to create a distraction. Iona walks toward the vendor and the woman, who are still arguing.

  Iona grabs a small, blue sphere with a swirling green light from the vendor’s collection. “Ooh, this is pretty. I'm going to go show my friend. I'll be right back.” She walks off.

  The vendor removes his foot from the crate, grabbing her by the shoulder. “Hey there. Not so fast.”

  Iona slumps her shoulders. “Oh, come on. I'll bring it right back. I won't be gone long. Just a second.”

  “Are you out of your mind?” the vendor asks. “No way, little girl. Give it back and get out of here. You’ve had your chance to look.”

  Iona holds it out of his reach. “Please, mister!”

  “No.” He snatches it away.

  Iona stamps her foot, frowning. “You’re mean.”

  “Both of you are out of your minds.” He looks at the Borukin and Iona. “I'm running a business, not a charity.”

  “Well, then, how much do you want for it?” Iona asks reaching into her pocket and holding out some money. “I’ve got ten Anterren, but I’ll only give you five.”

  “It’s worth two hundred.”

  “For a little light!? What a ripoff,” Iona says. She cocks hear head to the side. “Is that all it is?”

  The vendor puts the sphere back. “It’s an Ethnohap gem that I acquired from the Aquarians, across the Sirean Sea. They are very rare.”

  “Where’s that?” Iona asks.

  “Bah.” The vendor waves his hand at her. “I told you to get out of here. I’m not about to give world lessons to an untraveled youth as yourself.” The vendor spins Iona around, pushing her away. “Now go away.”

  Iona slowly walks away and glances back. Nero is nowhere to be seen. The small box has not moved. What am I going to do? Was that long enough? She catches a glimpse of something off in the trees moving away. Nero?

  Iona hurries, following Nero to a clump of large bushes. A small, black furry creature is clinging to him with dark, stick like arms no thicker than her pinky finger. He removes a beige hood from its head, revealing a beak-like mouth and large blue eyes.

  Iona’s chest is incredibly light. She smiles at the creature. “She’s cute. Or is it a he? How did you release it so quickly?” Iona tentatively reaches out, scratching its head. To her surprise it has four arms and stick-like legs as well.

  Nero strokes the creature's head. “It wasn't too hard. There was a little latch on the box, so I just snuck around and popped it while you were talking to the guy.”

  Suddenly a shadow blocks out Illi. Iona and Nero spin around.

  “That was an impressive little move you two just pulled. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw what you were doing.” The Borukin woman says with a smile. “Now what do you plan to do with your prize, young man?”

  “It's not my prize,” Nero says quickly.

  “Then it seems we’re on the same page. I would be very happy to see the zarta back in the wild where he belongs,” the woman says.

  “But we can't just let him go here. He'll be captured again,” Iona says.

  “Here, he would. But I can take him away. I'm from an old mining town named Jasmeer. There are plenty of secluded areas where he can live in peace.”

  “Did you know the Drebin were just near there?” Nero asks.

  The woman nods. “That’s actually why I'm in the city. I heard things have settled down, so I can head back immediately.”

  “How can we trust you?” Iona asks.

  “Well, we could let the zarta decide,” the woman says. “Have you named him?”

  “It's a boy?” Nero asks.

  “I believe so. Girls are typically lighter in color.”

  “Okay, then let's name him Jacob,” Nero says.

  Iona frowns. “That's no fun.”

  “Jacob's a fine name.” The woman scratches the top of Jacob's head.

  “So, how do we let him decide?” Nero asks.

  “Zarta's are very smart and good at reading people’s intentions. That’s why he was hooded.” She points to the hood on the ground. “If he’s willing to come to me, then that should be sufficient proof.”

  “What will you do with him?” Nero asks.

  “I'll take him back home and tend to him until he's ready to be released to the wild,” the woman says.

&n
bsp; “You swear on your life?” Iona asks.

  “I promise on my life and on the lives of everyone I love that I'll do what’s best for Jacob and help him back to the wild,” she says.

  Nero wiggles Jacob loose and holds him out to the woman. She slides her fingers into Jacob's hands. After a moment, he releases Nero's arms and clings onto her.

  The woman smiles, petting his head. “He's in good hands.”

  “Why did the guy back there say they’re evil creatures?” Nero asks.

  “Well, this little guy is going to grow much bigger than me, and he’ll be very good with Aether. He’ll start to project more robust arms as pure Aether, which will make him pretty intimidating. As long as people don’t threaten him, he’ll be quite peaceful. But if he’s pushed, he’ll push back. Hard. That gives them a bad rep. Kinda like a bee or a wasp.” The woman glances back in the direction of the vendor. “I’ve got to hurry before any trouble turns up. My name is Herith. Yours are?”

  Iona and Nero introduce themselves.

  “If you’re ever in the area, you’re welcome at my house. You’ve earned my respect, and I’ll never forget that. I hope to see you two again someday.” Herith moves away.

  Iona turns to Nero. “I can't believe you rescued that creature. No offense, but I thought you were scared of everything.”

  “His name’s Jacob.”

  “I know. I’m just surprised. That was really nice.”

  “Yeah, well. It was the right thing to do.”

  “How did you know it was there?”

  Nero hesitates for a moment. “Uh. I don't know. I just had a feeling. Thanks for your help. You did really well…”

  “That was exciting. Do you think Jacob will be okay?”

  Nero nods. “Yes. Herith seemed nice enough.”

  “Yeah she did. Well, we should head back soon; Sosimo’s training is probably almost over.” Iona smiles at him. “You know; you’re not so boring after all.”

  A small smile spreads on Nero's face. He blushes as he looks away.

  *****

  “So, what do you want to do today?” Iona asks.

  “Should we explore the cliffs?”

  “Nah, we did that yesterday. Let's go to the west side.”

  Nero shakes his head. “No way.”

  “Aw, are you chicken?” Iona asks. “It’s been weeks since we’ve been over there.”

  “Hey. Last time we went there, you got us sooo lost, I had to hold your hand because you were scared.”

  Iona blushes. “It wasn't that bad.”

  “Yeah, it was. I had nightmares about it for a week.”

  “About being lost?”

  “No, about holding hands.”

  Iona punches him in the arm. “You jerk.” She turns away from him, smiling to herself. I'll have to make up for getting lost. She waves her hand over her head. “Come on. I won't get us lost this time.”

  Nero sighs. “Fine, but I'm not holding your hand.”

  Iona marches forward, pretending not to have heard.

  After a few minutes of walking in silence, Nero suddenly grabs her arm, pulling her to the side. He squats down and peers into a cluster of bushes at the base of a rough stone building.

  “What is it?” Iona asks.

  “I hear something.” He moves around for a better position. “Look there, at the bottom.” He points into the bush.

  Iona follows his finger with her eyes and just at the bottom of the bush is a chirping baby bird. She looks up and sees a nest a few stories high in a nook by a window. “The poor thing must have fallen out of its nest. Do you think it's okay?”

  “The bushes probably broke its fall, but I don't think it'll survive down here.”

  “That's so sad. I wish there was something we could do.”

  Nero eyes the building and its rough stone face. “We could put it back.”

  “Are you crazy? How do you suppose we do that?”

  “Well, look.” He grabs a stone emerging from the building. “The stones have enough grip. We could climb up there, then work our way along that edge where there’s a little more lip, which will take us to the window.”

  “But it's so high, what if you fall?”

  Nero raises his eyebrows. “So I'm getting voted to go?”

  “I'm not doing it. That's just stupid.”

  “Aren't you always giving me a hard time for being scared?”

  “Yeah, but that's because you’re scared of little things, like the dark and exploring and strange sounds. Where do you get the nerve to climb to your certain death?”

  “Jeez. Thanks for being optimistic. If we don’t help it, then it’s dead. At least help me pick it up.”

  Iona grabs his arm before he reaches into the bush. “Wait. You're going to need both hands when you climb. Give me a second.” She empties her satchel and puts the baby bird inside, wrapped in cloth. “Here, just be careful.” She feels a surge of energy and sees his eyes are clear and focused.

  “Sure, no sweat.” He tenderly puts the satchel on and climbs. When he is a story up, his foot slips. His hands stay firm.

  Iona gasps. “Nero! Are you sure this is a good idea? I certainly don't!”

  Nero looks down at her. His face is red and glistening with sweat. “I'm already halfway up. Would you stop your nagging and help me?” He climbs a little higher.

  Me, nagging? “You’re lucky I care at all!”

  Nero turns back down again. “What did you say?”

  “I said… just don't fall.”

  Nero shakes his head, continuing to climb. “Very helpful,” he mutters to himself.

  “Hey! I heard that!” What did he say?

  Nero makes it to a ledge. Hugging the wall, he shimmies across, two stories high. At the window, he pulls the satchel around. There is hardly enough room to balance. Iona holds her breath, clenching her fists. Using only one hand, he slowly reaches into the satchel and removes the baby bird, placing it back in the nest among two other babies.

  Nero looks down at Iona. “Alright, it's back. I'm heading down.”

  “Be careful!”

  Nero works his way back across the ledge with little effort and starts his way down, which proves to be much more difficult than going up. He struggles to see good places to put his feet and hands, and it takes him several minutes to lower himself half way. Suddenly his right hand slips and he swings around like a barn door, barely gripping on with his left. Just as his left foot slips off the wall, he turns and jumps, landing hard at the edge of the bushes and the stone path.

  He rolls onto his back and curls his knees to his chest, with his eyes tightly shut. “Ooh, that hurts.”

  Iona runs over. “That's your own fault! I told you not to fall.”

  “It was a controlled descent.”

  “Oh, is that what that's called?”

  “Yeah, it is. Maybe if you would’ve been a little more helpful I wouldn't have had to.”

  “I told you this was a stupid idea. Are you okay?”

  Nero moves his ankle weakly. “I think so. I rolled it a bit when I came down. At least the baby bird's back in its nest.”

  Iona smiles. “Yeah, I'm glad you rescued the poor thing.”

  *****

  “Are you two love birds going off by yourselves again?” Korbin asks Iona and Nero. The children are at the breakfast table.

  “Shut up, Korbin,” Iona says.

  “Iona and Nero sitting in a tree,” Korbin sings. “K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in the baby carriage.”

  Iona punches him in the arm. “That’s not funny.”

  “Yeah, Korb, cut it out,” Ryder says. “They’re just hanging out together.”

  Korbin glares at Ryder. “Whatever, Ryder, you’re the one that always complains about Iona not being around.”

  Suddenly, Iona is overcome by an extreme heaviness in her chest.

  “Settle down, children,” Sosimo says in a whisper. He joins them at the ta
ble. “Can we please eat peacefully this morning?”

  The children turn their attention to breakfast and are soon scrounging for the last bit of crumbs on their plate.

  “Why are you sad, Mr. Sosimo?” Thea asks.

  “I have some bad news.” All the children turn to him. “I had someone poke around back where you’re from, and they discovered Fae’s death certificate in the Erohsian public records. It said she died of natural causes.” Sosimo looks at them with sad eyes, waiting for a response.

  “That’s a mistake.” Tears well up in Thea’s eyes. “You must have found a different Fae.”

  “I’m sorry Thea, but it is no mistake,” Sosimo says. “I double checked everything.”

  “This is crap!” Korbin hits the table. “They killed her.”

  Sosimo dips his head. “That seems likely.”

  “How can they get away with this?” Ryder asks, eyes watering.

  “We have to tell someone!” Thea says.

  “I’m sorry, children. There’s nothing we can do from here, and there’s likely nothing we can do back in Sunta… The Erohsians have been doing this to Humans for close to a hundred years. One more death won’t make a difference to them. This is why people are standing up to them. This is why Catalyst exists.”

  “Then I want to join them and fight,” Korbin says.

  “A child isn’t going to win this war, Korbin. You must train and grow strong first.”

  “Then let’s train, already. Why are we sitting around?” Korbin stands.

  “I will train you as hard as you can take,” Sosimo says, “but chores first.” Korbin looks at Sosimo with a determined stare. “This is not negotiable.”

  Korbin grabs his plate and heads to the kitchen, followed by Ryder and Sosimo. Thea hugs Nero as best she can. His head stays down on his arms. She moves off to the kitchen, wiping her tears away.

  “I’m sorry, Nero.” Iona looks at her plate with a puddle of tears collecting on it. “We all loved her.”

  Nero looks at her, eyes puffy. “I know, but I’m useless. She was the only one who cared about me.”

  “That’s not true. We care about you.”

  “Maybe Thea…” He flops his head back onto his arms.

  “I care about you, Nero…”

  Nero looks at her. “You don’t have to say that.” He grabs his plate and limps to the kitchen.