Powerless: Aeos Book One

by Sarah Anne Fields

  “That’s enough, Risley!” Victoria shouted. She was standing up and grasping the railing, her temper clearly on the rise. “If you speak out of turn one more time, I won’t hesitate to take your life myself right here in this courtroom.”

  Ben shrank back at these words.

  This was a side of the Grand Magistrate that Detrick had never seen. He perhaps thought her capable of such outbursts, but now she wasn’t only intimidating to Ben Risley, but to him as well. Victoria’s wrath was vicious, so he made a mental note to never find himself in Ben’s position.

  Ben, in his frenzy of activity, had somehow managed to twist his restrained hands to an odd angle and was now trying to untangle himself. The sight drew more laughs from the stands and the paladins, and one of them eventually had to intervene.

  “All right then, if we’re through with the comedy act, I’d like to call the paladin who apprehended Mr. Risley to the stand to give his statement,” Victoria said, motioning toward a tall, bearded man who’d been sitting in the stands near Detrick and Kellis.

  “Grand Magistrate Victoria Amos, it’s a pleasure,” the paladin said as he removed his helmet. “My apprehension of the heretic began with a routine patrol through Pine Ridge. I was passing by Mr. Risley’s house when I glanced inside and could distinctly see him holding the idol. As soon as he saw me, he turned around as if to leave the room in a hurry, and that’s when I knew I had a troublemaker on my hands. I entered his house and detained him immediately, as is protocol. The idol was destroyed on site by a fellow paladin who’d arrived to assist me.”

  “That proves it!” Ben shouted suddenly. “No one ever saw the idol! I turned around because I was heading back into my kitchen. I wasn’t holding an idol, I was holding a ladle. I was in the middle of making dinner! And they didn’t destroy any idol, they just tore up my house. Everything in my living room was smashed and broken!”

  “Shut up!” Victoria bellowed, her voice stinging Detrick’s ears.

  The paladin who’d been speaking clubbed Benjamin in the stomach with a baton, and he dropped to the ground, desperately trying to catch his breath.

  The second paladin gave his statement, and then Victoria announced that after a short recess, the court would reconvene and the sentence would be given.

  “Kellis,” Detrick began as they were leaving, “Benjamin said he didn’t have an idol of Silas in his house. Was he telling the truth?”

  “Absolutely not, Detrick. Of course someone’s going to lie to you when their life is on the line.”

  In the recess room, Detrick settled into a deep armchair as Victoria and the paladin who’d testified were discussing something near the fireplace. He replayed the events in his head and, though he did acknowledge that Benjamin Risley was clearly upset, he concluded there was no way he could’ve been brought all the way to the Citadel for court without actually having that idol. It was preposterous to assume the Union would conjure up criminals for no reason. Certainly, they had better ways to spend their time. And just because Victoria had a temper, that didn’t mean she was a conspirator.

  Snapping his attention from his thoughts, he saw Kellis heading toward him, followed by Andros.

  “Detrick, this is Andros Heidel. Andros, Detrick.”

  Detrick rose from his chair to shake the man’s hand.

  “Andros is fairly new to our ranks, and I was thinking you two could talk since you’ve got an interest in joining up when you’re older.”

  “New, huh? How do you like it?” Detrick asked.

  “It’s been quite the journey, but it’s definitely for me. Nothing gets my blood pumping like sentencing a Gloomer!”

  Detrick raised an eyebrow. “‘Gloomer’?”

  “Yeah, you know. A person of the dark. Of Silas’ realm. You’ve never heard that before?”

  “Can’t say that I have.” Detrick didn’t care much for name-calling. That kind of juvenile behavior was something he’d always hated about the other students back at school… Apparently he hadn’t left that kind of thing behind, after all. Detrick decided to switch topics. “How old are you?”

  “I’m twenty-three. Still young, got a lot to learn, but I’ll get there. And you will too, if you keep at it. Kellis tells me you’re quite the scholar already.”

  “I suppose so.”

  The two talked for a bit, and Detrick was relieved for their conversation to be over when Victoria announced it was time to head back to the courtroom to “finish dealing with that blasted nutcase.”

  Soon everyone was there, and Victoria announced her decision.

  Death by fire.

  Benjamin let out a cry of despair at this revelation, then collapsed onto to the floor in a pathetic heap of self-mourning.

  “Someone please pick up this imbecile and return him to his cell before I have a stroke,” Victoria commanded as she rose from her seat. She was clearly unimpressed with his performance and was having none of it.

  Detrick watched with narrowed eyes as the paladins forcefully dragged a sobbing Benjamin Risley through the back doors of the courtroom. Kellis was right; he had to be. Anyone would lie if it meant their life was at stake. Even so, he felt pity for the man. How could he not, witnessing such a thing?

  * * *

  That afternoon in Victoria’s chambers, Detrick was thumbing through a book that discussed the history of Silas, with Kellis sitting at his desk completing the trial paperwork, when Victoria suddenly emerged through the doors.

  “So, what did you think of that one?” she asked Detrick, a devilish smile painted on her face. She’d changed from her elaborate courtroom robes and was now in simple burgundy robes. “It’s rather typical of them to throw a tantrum at the end. You’ll see that plenty as time goes on. You learn to tune it out.”

  Detrick snorted as he replaced the book on the shelf. The time for impressing Victoria was ripe, so he spoke against his conscience. “In all honesty, I don’t see why those people need a trial to begin with. I say we execute them on the spot. Sure would save a lot of paperwork, wouldn’t it, Kellis?”

  CHAPTER 4

  MUTINY

  September approached and, much to Conner’s disappointment, another Catharsis was on the horizon. Even though he’d been dealing with it for six years now, it never seemed to get any easier.

  The first day and night of the event was the only one Conner could stand, because there would be music and food, and everyone would be in high spirits. Even if it was for a grisly cause, he could at least pretend all was well. He helped his mom and brother attend to their booth in the sea of vendors, selling their wood-carved creations. Edgewood was always packed around this time—the inns were filled, the shops were packed, the streets bustling and uncharacteristically noisy. People from all over the province of Briar were here. It was great for business though, and Conner was grateful for that.

  But, to ever dampen Conner’s spirits, the Temple’s towering obsidian walls cast their oppressive shade over everything, the spires sending knife-like shadows cutting through the town. Conner would have much preferred the sunlight. Maybe the Temple should be torn down and replaced with a garden. That would be nice…

  On the second night, all were gathered in the square to sing praises and hear a special sermon from the High Cleric, the head of the Clerical Order. We’re gathered here for a most holy occasion, blah blah blah. Lilith is pleased that you all recognize heresy when you see it, blah blah blah. Conner had heard it all before and was not interested.

  On the third night, as dusk overtook the town, people slowly began to file into the square, anxious to see the criminals the Union had captured. This was what Conner had been dreading. And the worst part was, attendance was mandatory. Not that that seemed to bother anyone else. They must either be numbed to it or just innately cruel people. He liked to hope that Gavin and his mother were the former.

  Four pyres had been constructed upon the stage during the day, and a massive Aeosian banner was draped on the buildings behind. It was v
ividly purple and orange, with the black silhouette of an eagle in the middle. Clutched in the eagle’s claws were pine branches.

  Once it was dark, torches were lit around the perimeter of the square and at the base of the stage. The Union sure seemed to enjoy its fire. The convicted were marched onto the stage, hands bound, to a cacophony of boos, hisses, and insults. Conner felt as though a dagger was piercing his stomach every time shouts of “gloomer” or “bastard of Silas” filled the air.

  The prisoners were each lain upon a pyre and tied down. Paladins took up posts on all four corners of the stage, and on the ground in front.

  Someone tapped Conner on his shoulder. He spun around to see his four partners in crime for the night: Leo, Cora, Sam, and Oliver.

  “You guys ready?” Conner asked. They nodded. For the last several months, he’d had this insane idea: to free the victims of Catharsis. It had involved a lot of planning, but most importantly, as this plan required multiple people, it took a lot of vetting. Conner had taken advantage of the teenage rebellion of some of his peers and had drafted a few of them for his scheme. Leo was older, but he had a truck, and a vehicle was a rare commodity among Aeosians these days—not to mention necessary for their escape plan. Cora seemed a bit of a loner, but Conner trusted her intentions completely; at last year’s Catharsis, he’d caught her near the back of the crowd crying silently—her older brother had been one of the victims. And then there was Sam and Oliver, the sister-and-brother duo. Their parents were both paladins, so they’d seen enough in their time to despise the Union’s unjust practices.

  “You still feeling good about everything we’re doing?” Sam whispered sideways at Conner through her blond hair. Conner couldn’t tell if she was nervous or just checking to see if he was.

  “Of course I am,” he whispered back. “We have to do this. We can’t let these people die. Did you two bring your knives for the ropes?” Sam and Oliver showed him the small pocket knives hiding in their sleeves. “Perfect. I’ve got one as well.”

  The crowd cheered as Victoria appeared on stage. She raised a hand to quiet everyone. “My fellow Aeosians,” she began, her voice booming into the crowd. “Today we’re gathered together in Edgewood to put an end to four individuals who’ve been tried and convicted of crimes against Lilith the Begetter, and against the Union. All of these people have been given a fair trial and found guilty by me, Grand Magistrate Victoria Amos, and must therefore suffer the consequences of their actions. Behind me, ready to face Lilith, are Anthony Stiller, Robert Day, Amber Montgomery, and Benjamin Risley.

  “Death by fire is outlined in Lilith’s Doctrines as the only way to purify our people and protect us from false gods who seek to eradicate our way of life. The Astral Priests also advocate death by fire, Lilith bless them and keep them. And may she show no mercy to her enemies,” she finished, gesturing to the pyres. “As is custom, I will light the pyres myself. But first I’d like to say a few words.” She launched into a speech on loyalty.

  Conner’s heart fluttered against his chest as he and the group slowly moved sideways toward the edge of the crowd. Only when they were hidden within the shadows of a nearby alley did he feel any relief. If they were caught tonight, they’d surely face harsh punishment, even though as teenagers, they were all still considered children. But Conner hoped that since they were now donning masks, they’d be able to escape before being caught.

  He hoped.

  As the five of them emerged out the back of town, Conner turned to the group. “Remember, nobody gets hurt. The point of tonight is to save lives, not take them.”

  “Right,” they said in unison.

  They split up. Leo and Cora turned left to enact their separate parts of the plan, and Conner, Sam, and Oliver hid in wait for the signal from Leo. After a while, the nearby rumble of an engine told Conner that the getaway truck for themselves and the prisoners had arrived at the bottom of a hill behind the Temple. It was time for the next step.

  They arrived at a well, retrieved a stack of buckets they’d hidden in a nearby shrub earlier in the day, and began filling the buckets with water. After they all had one in each hand, they snuck around the outer perimeter of the town square, staying behind the buildings. Conner peered around the corner, taking care to stay in the shadows, and could see everything. Victoria had her back to him, and so did all the paladins.

  They crept closer, sticking to the walls. He could faintly hear whimpering coming from one of the victims. It made his heart ache. “We’re coming, friend. Just hang tight,” Conner whispered.

  Cora poked her head out from behind a stack of boxes on the far side of the square and gave Conner a thumbs up. Good, she was ready.

  By and by, Victoria wrapped up her speech. She grabbed one of the torches. But just as she leaned down to light the first pyre, the air deafened with explosions. Bottle bombs were crashing and detonating against the cobblestone all around them. The crowd panicked. The paladins scattered, searching for culprits. And Conner, Sam, and Oliver sprinted to the stage, dumping the buckets of water upon the pyres, rendering them useless. Victoria leaped for Conner, but he dodged at the last moment, sending her stumbling off the stage. They then hastily began extinguishing the torches. A few paladins ascended the stairs at the stage, and a scuffle ensued with Sam and Oliver. In the commotion, Conner began slicing at the ropes as fast as his hands would allow. He’d just freed Amber Montgomery, who was attempting to untie her hands, when he was tackled.

  “Let me go, bastard!” He managed to squeeze out of the paladin’s grasp. “Down the hill! Go!” he yelled to the prisoners being freed by Cora, who’d just joined them.

  The paladins were now having a hard enough time keeping the crowd from storming the stage to pay much attention to the stage itself.

  But the pandemonium was becoming too much for Conner, and he was starting to lose his edge. As he gazed at the chaos around him, taking in the ear-splitting shouts and flashes of color of people racing past, he knew he was out of his league. What had he done? He’d let his angry feelings about the Union overtake him, lead him down a path of destruction, and now here it was—a catastrophe of his own making.

  But he didn’t have time to reflect on this for too long, because a much louder noise pierced Conner’s ears. A paladin had finally cracked and pulled out his revolver, firing shots into the air. Taking advantage of the stunned silence, the paladins finally gained the upper hand and began throwing the prisoners and insurgents to the ground and cuffing their hands behind their backs. Conner was no exception.

  Not a single person had made it past the edge of the stage and, as Conner was forced to the ground, he could just see the truck pulling away and disappearing into the night. Leo had abandoned their cause.

  Victoria reemerged on stage and began barking orders. “Get these people under control, or I’ll have you burned with the heretics! And get these four ‘heroes’ behind a building. I want to have a word with them after we finish this.”

  Conner, Cora, Sam, and Oliver were forcefully led behind a building, and a pair of paladins kept watch, keeping them at gunpoint, while the pyres on stage were rebuilt. An hour passed.

  Conner could hear people shouting. “Burn those hoodlums!” they cried. “Death to the traitors!” Was he hearing them correctly? They wanted Conner and his friends dead? Was there no end to the bloodthirst of the crowd?

  It was sickening how different people were acting tonight compared to any other night. It was as though Catharsis was an excuse to let loose their inner beast…some kind of primitive part of their brains that still desired the rush of a fresh kill.

  After more time passed, he heard cheering and saw the roar of fire and melting heat that permeated the night. He banged his head back against the wall in frustration, and his eyes filled with tears. Four innocent people killed. He should have known the Union would win. They always got their way.

  “I can’t wait to see what the Grand Magistrate has planned for you stupid kids,” the paladin sa
id, laughing mockingly as he removed their masks.

  “Oh, please. You can’t be happy doing this,” Conner said to him. “I can see it in your eyes. You don’t want to wear that uniform. That bitch just killed four innocent people.”

  Just then, Victoria rounded the corner. “I might be a bitch, but those people were far from innocent,” she barked, her finger inches from Conner’s face.

  New anger surged within him. “Get your finger away from me,” Conner said through gritted teeth. “You’re a monster. Putting people to death for these petty reasons that you’ve no doubt fabricated to get the town all riled up.”

  Victoria laughed. “Son, we don’t ‘rile’ anyone up. We simply embrace their desire for justice, and we fulfill it.”

  “That isn’t justice!”

  “Oh, but it is. Think of the first thing out of someone’s mouth after, say, a murderer is caught. Something along the lines of ‘they deserve the same fate,’ or ‘make them suffer the way they’ve made others suffer.’ Aeosians know very well what criminals deserve, and we’re more than willing to deliver that to them. Everybody wins.”

  “You’re taking full advantage of the mob mentality to abuse your position.” Conner growled. “You’re disgusting.”

  A sharp smack to the face released the tears that had been welling up in his eyes.

  None of the others had thus far said a word, but at this, Sam spoke up. “Leave him alone!”

  Victoria snapped her head around. Once her eyes landed on Sam, she started laughing, a deep, wicked laugh. “Samantha Hale. Oh, I can’t wait until your parents get ahold of you. And Oliver, too! I think I’ll have to march you over to them myself. I’m sure they’ll be happy to learn that they’re relieved from their posts for the remainder of the night so they can deal with you.” Victoria grabbed them by their shoulders and began leading them back toward town. “Get the other two kids into a holding cell,” she called over her shoulder.