As time passed though, Detrick’s parents had begun questioning him about his dedication to his work. They kept saying things like, “You’re too young to work so hard,” and it made him angry. Since when did someone need to be a certain age before they could work hard? As long as he enjoyed it, what was the problem? Would they prefer he be out causing trouble, or sitting around doing nothing? Besides, it wasn’t like they’d even notice if he was home more often. Their own work kept them so busy, they constantly looked like they’d been awake for three days straight. Detrick, on the other hand, was smart enough to know his own limits.
At least, he thought he did. After an average day of helping the Grand Magistrate and her elderly assistant, Kellis Ender, prepare for an upcoming trial, he began the short walk home.
Detrick rounded the corner and saw his townhome ahead. He much preferred this home to their shoddy old farmhouse back in Edgewood. At night, the white marble walls seemed to project their own light, and the starlight bounced off the golden terrace that hung outside his parents’ bedroom. Much of the façade of the building was covered in mature ivy, the spade-shaped leaves quivering faintly in the summer breeze.
Detrick entered his house quietly but was shocked to find his dad sitting at the kitchen table. “Hi, Dad. I’m just gonna grab a snack and head upstairs.”
“Actually, I’d like it if we could talk for a few minutes.”
Detrick shook his head. “Sorry, but it’s late. I have to be back before seven tomorrow morning. There’s another trial coming up, and I’m supposed to be—”
“Detrick, sit down. We need to talk,” he said more sternly this time.
Detrick sighed heavily but obeyed. He pulled his hair behind his ears as he sat down. It was growing out, but he never found an excuse to cut it. He guessed his dad would mention its length at some point during tonight’s conversation.
“I’m growing a little concerned with how much time you’re putting in at Victoria’s office,” his dad began. “She seems to be working you pretty hard. Are you okay with that?”
Detrick narrowed his eyes. “Yes, I’m alright with it—it’s my choice to be there; I can leave whenever I want. She says if I keep at it, I could be a magistrate by the time I’m twenty-five. There’s never been a magistrate that young before.” He relished in his own pride after revealing this information to his father, but the response wasn’t the one he’d hoped for.
“It’s great that you spend your time so constructively, son, but your mother and I would like to start seeing a little more of you. Maybe we could start with a few nights a week?”
Detrick fidgeted in his seat. “I don’t know if that would work…”
“Well, just try. We miss you around here.”
He groaned in protest. “You’re never here anyway! You and Mom seem to stay pretty busy managing the Citadel’s orchards. I’m willing to bet you’re gone even more than I am.”
“You’re absolutely right,” his dad said, nodding. “We’ve been talking about it among ourselves, and we’re going to try to work in more family time. But the road travels both ways, Detrick. We need some effort on your side, too. It’s just an internship, you know.”
“Just an internship? I’m helping a Grand Magistrate prepare for criminal trials. Criminal trials involving heretics. It’s not ‘just’ anything,” Detrick rebutted. He was fuming. Clearly his dad couldn’t see the importance of what he was doing. Nonetheless, he assured his father that there was no cause for concern, that he wasn’t being overworked. And it wasn’t as though his parents could stand up to Victoria and tell her to give Detrick less work. She was their boss, too.
After a few more minutes of chatting, Detrick threw together a sandwich and headed up to his room.
* * *
Ever since eight-year-old Conner had had that conversation with his mother, he’d been a sceptic about the entire Lilith story. And he couldn’t understand why others were so ready to accept it as an absolute truth. As he entered teenagerhood, he became a nonbeliever in all of it. But, as not accepting Lilith was an offense punishable by death, he kept it to himself. As such, it became a habit for him to curse Lilith’s name if he was upset or angry.
And then, Gavin overheard Conner’s heresy one night after church when Conner was fourteen. He brought it up with Conner and his mom once they returned home.
“You aren’t going to tell anyone, are you?” Conner asked. “I’d be as good as dead. You can’t possibly think that turning in your own—”
“No, Conner. This will be our secret. All of ours,” his mom assured him, casting a sideways glance at Gavin. Gavin nodded in agreement but had a stony glare on his face.
Conner glanced between his brother and mother. They looked at him like they didn’t even know him. He felt like a stranger in his own family. “You guys know it’s just me, right? I’m still Conner…” It wasn’t like he’d done something to personally insult them. He’d never even think of doing that. Why were they chastising him for how he felt about this?
“Of course, sweetheart. But this puts all three of our lives at risk. If the Union ever found out—”
“Fuck the Union! I’m causing harm to exactly zero people. My personal beliefs affect no one. Is this how it’s going to be? Why are you okay living in fear?”
“I’m not okay with it, Conner,” his mom said. “I can’t change the laws of the land. But it hurts me that you think Lilith is just fiction. She created all of us, and Her heart is breaking right now that you don’t believe in Her.”
Conner knew that arguing religion and politics with his family was pointless, so he had to keep his beliefs to himself. But as the months rolled by, he began to feel the guilt pile up. Right or not, he knew he was putting his family at risk. He almost wished he did believe everything, just so life would be easier. It would be so much simpler to accept what he’d always been taught, and to believe that the Union’s actions were divinely justified. That kind of blissful ignorance that he knew everyone else happily embraced.
Conner distracted himself from life by honing his woodworking craft. It was so calming to his nerves to inhale the fragrant oils and rich scents of cedar and pine. He found that his work was callousing his hands, but it seemed to make things easier. Less splinters, firstly. And when he did have to go to night church, which was once a week, he’d turn his mind to his current projects. It helped dull some of the irritation from being forced to participate in a ritual he despised.
How could he ever survive in this world, surrounded by people but ultimately alone?
CHAPTER 3
THE TRIAL
Detrick had finally decided to take a day off, at his parents’ behest. He thought it sounded nice to read in the courtyard just outside the Temple. Oftentimes the choir’s voices would drift outside, creating a soothing environment for relaxing. He took a seat at the foot of the Lilith statue and leaned against Her foot, in Her shadow. Since the sun’s only purpose was to shield all of Aeos from the heavens that they weren’t worthy enough to gaze upon, Detrick didn’t care much for it. He hoped that because of this, he was in Lilith’s favor.
The voices from the choir wafted outside, and Detrick took a break to close his eyes and take it in. He’d grown to love listening to them. It was the only thing that could detach his mind from his increasingly busy world. He was about to fall asleep when he felt something crawling on his face. He jumped to his feet, wiping at his face, and could just see a caterpillar fall to the ground. He kneeled down to observe it. It was bright green and smooth. A tiny herald of the approaching summer. Detrick picked up the caterpillar and let it crawl all around his hands with its sticky feet. He laughed quietly, wondering if Lilith required the same amount of dedication from this little insect as She did from human beings. After a few minutes, he set the caterpillar on one of the lilac trees that dotted the courtyard, picked up his book, and headed into the Temple.
Detrick took a seat in a pew in a high corner of the Temple, crossed his arms on the
balcony, and watched the choir. He must have drifted off, because he was suddenly shaken awake by the Cleric.
“It’s nearly eight o’clock, and we’re closing the doors I’m afraid.”
Detrick leaped to his feet, apologized, and snatched up his book. He couldn’t believe he’d fallen asleep. Perhaps his workload was finally catching up to him.
“Is there something you were searching for, son?” the old Cleric asked.
Detrick stopped and turned on his heel. “Nothing, sir. I already serve Lilith to the best of my ability. I think I’m set.”
“I see. What brought you in here today?”
“I enjoy the choir. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’ve been working a lot.”
Nodding, the Cleric motioned for Detrick to take a seat back on the pew. He withdrew a small, red leather book from his robes. “Work is, of course, a very important part of our lives. Lilith says here in Her Doctrines that life is made all the richer by it. But as with all things, too much can dilute the other pieces of our lives. We must seek to strike a balance in all things. Do you feel your work interferes with family, or perhaps with Lilith Herself?”
Detrick shrugged. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it. My family is all pretty busy. And I do serve Lilith. Every day. I work for a Grand Magistrate, and she enforces Lilith’s gospel.”
The Cleric frowned. “Have you never read Lilith’s Doctrines, Detrick?”
“The laws on the pillar?”
“No, her Doctrines. What she reveals to the Astral Priests.”
“Oh. Not much lately. I guess I’ve been focusing more on the…the legal aspects.”
“How can you call yourself a servant of Lilith if you’ve never read the Doctrines?” he asked intently.
“I have read them. It’s just… It’s been a while.” And then, thinking about it further, Detrick realized that neither Victoria nor any of the others Detrick had been working with had even mentioned the Doctrines. He told the Cleric this, thinking he’d be surprised, but instead the man nodded.
“The true nature of Lilith has been absent from our government for some time. She’s unhappy with the current state of things, and it won’t be long before She decides we’ve strayed too far.”
This sent a sudden pang of unease to Detrick’s stomach. “What do you mean?”
But instead of explaining further, the Cleric stammered and rose from his seat. “I’m—I’m afraid I’ve probably said too much. You just listen to your superiors, son. They know best. Now, get going. It’s late.”
Detrick frowned but did as he instructed. As he walked home, he couldn’t get over the fact that the Cleric’s temperament had changed so hastily. He’d thought they were having a productive conversation, but then all the sudden it was like the guy had had a change of heart. He wondered what to make of it.
* * *
The previous night’s conversation had given Detrick a lot to think about, and it must have shown, because Kellis noted that he seemed preoccupied. “Something on your mind?” he asked. The two had been silently working in Victoria’s chambers.
“No,” Detrick said. “Well, sort of. I had a chat with the Cleric last night. I guess I’ve been thinking a lot about Lilith’s Doctrines. I don’t recall seeing a copy anywhere around here.”
“The Grand Magistrate keeps a copy on her bookshelf. It’s, uh, it’s right here,” he said, pulling it off of a top corner shelf. He handed it to Detrick. It was in perfect condition, though a little dusty—an obvious testament to its lack of use.
Instead of mentioning this out loud, Detrick simply thanked Kellis and decided to look it over once he took a break.
Detrick passed Victoria on his way out for the day, and she stopped him. Her black-and-gray hair seemed to be pulled into a tighter bun than usual. That and her heavy physique made her quite intimidating to Detrick. “What’s that you’ve got there?” she asked.
“Kellis said I could borrow your copy of the Doctrines,” he said, holding up the crisp black book.
Victoria frowned. “You’ve got too much else to worry about right now. I’ll just keep this for you for another time.” She plucked the book from his hands and stuffed it into her robe pocket.
Detrick decided instead to look for a copy back at home, but he couldn’t shake the strangeness of the situation.
* * *
The next time Detrick was in Victoria’s chambers, he saw that the book was nowhere to be found. Maybe she’d decided to keep it at home and read it herself?
A week passed, and Detrick had forgotten about the book completely, as he was helping Victoria and Kellis prepare for a trial. The day before it was scheduled to take place, Victoria made a point to tell him that it involved a heretic and that he should pay extra close attention.
The trial was for a man named Benjamin Risley, who had been accused of being in possession of an idol of Silas. Aeosian history stated that Lilith and Silas were once joined in marriage until Silas began creating darkness with the intention of balancing out the harsh light of Lilith’s creations. Upon discovering this, Lilith cast Silas out to forever dwell within the darkness he’d created.
Worship of Silas was strictly forbidden; however, small pockets of people still recognized him as a deity, due to their belief that the stars and planets couldn’t exist without the darkness of the sky to hold them.
As Detrick and others were ushered into the courtroom, he marveled at the size of it. He’d only seen photos, but they didn’t do justice to this place. It seemed overbearingly large. Its walls and ceilings were covered in colorful frescos with scenes from Aeosian history. Above was a scene from the creation—humankind being delivered to Aeos from the skies, Lilith’s arms outstretched. On the far wall was a scene from the foundation of the Union—dozens of smaller settlements of humans coming together to form the Union. And on the back wall, the Union as it stood today—the Citadel dominating the setting, of course. On the front wall, a balcony near the ceiling was set above a massive stone inlaid with the eighteen Codes. Among them were punishments for crimes against Lilith, the Union, family, the economy, and people.
In the middle of the room was a Union paladin, bearing the typical stitched black leather ensemble and a metal helm that covered all but his face. In front of him was a man in chains, who Detrick could only assume was Benjamin Risley. Benjamin was somber, not bringing his gaze up from his bound hands. He looked exhausted and disheveled, perhaps from the stress of the impending trial, or as a result of his captivity…or maybe both? Come to think of it, Detrick didn’t know what the Citadel prisons were like.
Detrick was seated in the benches to the far side of the courtroom, along with Kellis and several other Union officials who’d serve as witnesses to the trial. Next, a few paladins entered and took up various posts around the room. It seemed that every criminal, regardless of the nature of their crime, was treated as a threat to public safety.
A few minutes crept by until finally Victoria appeared up on her balcony. “Good morning everyone,” she said wearily as she took her seat, her voice echoing off the far walls. A murmur of “good mornings” returned her greeting, and Victoria then turned her gaze toward Ben, glaring coldly. His eyes were fixed down at his bound hands. “Let’s not drag this out longer than necessary. I’ve got more important things to worry about this morning.”
A lanky young man in the stands near Detrick, who introduced himself as Andros Heidel, the court assistant for this courtroom, rose and began introducing everyone in attendance. Last, he introduced Benjamin Risley, who was ordered by Victoria to stand and acknowledge them all. He complied. Andros then gave details on the trial before them, casting occasional glances around the room as he read from a piece of paper. After he finished, he sat down, and Detrick watched him hurriedly fold the paper and place it into a coat pocket. Detrick wondered if this man was new at his job, or just afraid of Victoria.
“Mr. Risley,” Victoria began, “You’ve been accused of being in possession of a forbidden idol,
an idol of a god whose worship is banned throughout the Union. If you are found guilty you will be sentenced to death by fire. Quite frankly, I don’t know who or what possessed you to want to own such a profane and awful thing. I also don’t know how you came to find such an item. But what we can all be certain of is that you’re an utter disgrace to this country, and we all feel ill just looking at you. What do you have to say in your own defense, Risley?”
“I deny the charges, of course! I—I never even saw this idol you speak of. And if it was there, it certainly wasn’t mine! I swear it wasn’t!”
Laughter rang out all around Detrick, but he remained silent. What was so funny about this?
“It’s not yours?” Victoria asked. “Our mistake. You are free to leave, Mr. Risley. Sorry for wasting your time.” She motioned toward the back door, which a paladin had opened in spite, still laughing.
“You people are nothing but savages,” Ben cried out. “You’re trifling with people’s lives! I never had a statue in my house at all!” He then turned to the stands where Detrick was sitting and pleaded for mercy. “Please, this is all a setup. I attend night church every week. I have a family. Please don’t let them do this to me!”
Detrick didn’t know if he believed Ben, but he wasn’t sure he even wanted to. He didn’t want to think that the Union would intentionally frame people…and as Ben’s pleading eyes met his, he felt singled out. He averted his gaze, not wanting to look the man in the face. Kellis nudged him and nodded toward the back corner of the room. One of the paladins was preparing to draw his handgun in anticipation of Ben getting out of hand.
Powerless: Aeos Book One Page 2
