The Outerlands - Sedition

by Aleigh Schuster

  Well, that was ominous. I glanced sideways to Dera who caught my baffled expression.

  “It’s okay. She’s a seer. Everyone says she has the sight,” Dera explained, holding up her hands and making quotation marks in the air. “Anyway, I’m sure you’re anxious to have a look around. Let’s finish up and get out of here.”

  Nessa, who hadn’t said a word since Miss Sophia’s appearance, smirked. “She’s great, isn’t she?”

  “Yeah, she seems nice.” Aside from the random scary insight she’d forced on me, but I kept that observation to myself.

  “I am soooo done,” Dera said and scooted her chair back to stand up.

  Nessa jumped up as well. “Can I come with you guys?”

  “Sure thing, kiddo,” Dera said, flinging her arm around Nessa who, even at fourteen, already stood two inches taller than her.

  As I stood and followed them outside, I had the strangest feeling that my world was about to change forever.

  * * *

  After a tour of most of the facilities—including the remaining barracks I hadn’t seen yesterday and the scout’s training field—we walked Nessa back to her home. Passing a construction site on the way, we were the recipients of loud whistles and catcalls from the guys working by its fence line. I turned away and ignored it, but Dera grinned and waved.

  “Wow, you guys are so popular with the boys,” Nessa squealed. “I can’t wait till Graff and Rafe get back. Things are really going to pick up around here.”

  At the sound of Graff’s name, my heart beat a little faster. I could feel my cheeks flush but if Dera noticed, she chose not to comment.

  “Did you say…when they get back?” I ask, confused.

  “Yeah, I saw them packing up to leave after I left your cabin yesterday. Which is funny, because they just got back, but that’s how they are…always coming and going.”

  “Oh,” I replied, not exactly sure why I was upset.

  “You know, your cabin is the closest one to both our house and Graff’s. And my cousin is like the king around here. Everybody looks up to him because he’s the best at everything.” Dera rolled her eyes, to which Nessa’s expression turned serious. “No, it’s true, Henley. He’s never, ever been beaten in a competition or fight or anything. Not since he was younger than me.”

  Smiling at her obvious admiration for Graff, I asked, “The king, huh?”

  Before she could reply, a truck pulled through the yard behind the unfinished cabins, carrying a group of young men in the bed that whooped and hollered. They were about thirty yards out but it looked like the driver was heading straight for us.

  Dera and I started to move to the side of the road but Nessa took a step forward with her hands on her hips. “Stand your ground, girls. That’s Ford at the wheel, the one grinning like a fool. It’s a game we’ve been playing since he moved here last year. His job is picking up and dropping off the recruits, so it’s pretty much a daily thing for us. He’s crazy fun.”

  Not to be outdone by a fourteen year old, Dera and I took a stand on either side of Nessa.

  Ford acknowledged the additional challenge by revving the engine, a gleam in his eyes I could see from here. Picking up speed, he came at us hard and fast. Just as I felt my heart in my throat, wondering if this was such a smart thing to do, he made a sharp right turn and slammed on the brakes, sliding to a stop between us and the construction site while all the guys in the back were thrown into each other.

  Clapping her hands with glee, Nessa took off for the truck. The driver—Ford—opened the door and practically fell on his face he was laughing so hard. Righting himself, he jogged over to pick Nessa up and twirled her around.

  “That was the best one yet,” Nessa yelled, clearly thrilled.

  “Guess you won that round, sport. You didn’t even flinch,” Ford replied, still grinning as he set Nessa down. “You going to introduce me to your new friend?” he asked when he caught me staring with my mouth still open.

  “Of course. This is Henley, Dera’s new cabin-mate,” Nessa said while she dragged Ford by the hand over to where I stood.

  “Hey,” I said, reaching my hand out toward him.

  “Nice to meet you, beautiful,” Ford said just above a whisper before he leaned over and kissed the back of my hand. A small shiver ran through me and I pulled it back. When I looked up at him, he actually had the gall to wink.

  “That’s some game you play there. I think you may even have survivors,” Dera said sardonically. She gave him a wave of her hand and nodded toward the guys, who were moaning and limping as they got out of the bed of the truck.

  “If they can’t handle being tossed around in a bed of a truck, they don’t stand a chance at passing training here,” Ford replied with a smile.

  “Well, we need to get going, Ford,” Nessa informed him.

  “Yeah. Me too, Henley,” Ford turned and gave me a lingering look before saying, “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again soon.” With that, he took off back toward the recruits.

  “What a flirt,” I said to no one in particular.

  “Oh, that’s just Ford’s way. He flirts with everyone and he’s so much fun,” Nessa practically squealed.

  “Right. We’d better get going,” I told her, thinking Nessa might have herself a little crush.

  * * *

  We arrived at the cabin to find Marta sitting on the front porch shelling peas. She set her bowl aside and stood as we approached. “Did you enjoy your breakfast?”

  “It was amazing,” I told her.

  “Mama, I wanted to show them how to make the tea you always give me before bed,” responded Nessa.

  “That’s a wonderful idea. Nessa, why don’t you go ahead and take Dera back to the garden. You girls can pick as many herbs as you’d like. Your father needs a moment of Henley’s time. Go on now; she’ll join you shortly,” Marta told a reluctant Nessa. She and Dera waved and disappeared around the corner.

  Marta guided me to the front door, cracked it open, and then rested one hand on my shoulder, halting my progress. “Everything will be fine, Henley. My Jonas is a very good man. He simply wants to piece together a little more of what happened and also make sure all your needs have been taken care of.”

  Her voice was so soothing, so calm. So I gave her a hesitant smile and stepped inside to what I was expecting to be another uncomfortable conversation with Graff’s uncle.

  Chapter Nine

  The house was dark with the exception of a soft glow coming from the kitchen. Jonas walked out carrying a tray of drinks and some sort of biscuits. He set the tray down on a long pine wood table, not unlike the one we had at home. It had been my mom’s favorite piece in the house; a family heirloom.

  My eyes were so intently focused on the table and the memories it brought up that when Jonas laid a hand on my shoulder, I startled, jumping back.

  “Are you all right, dear?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.

  Shaking my head in an effort to clear the cobwebs, I replied, “I was just thinking…well,” I laughed nervously, “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m fine. Just have a lot on my mind right now.”

  “Of course you do. Come. Let’s have some of Marta’s famous scones.”

  Sitting down, Jonas poured us both some water and set a scone on a small plate for me. Then he sat down himself and started eating.

  “Maybe I’ll try one later,” I said. “I just ate a huge breakfast.”

  “Ah, yes. Our Miss Sofia is hard to beat in the cooking department.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ve never had breakfast quite like that before.” Seeing his odd expression, I hurried to tell him, “Keegan and I never really cooked in the kitchen and when we did, it wasn’t anything even close to that good or that much. Scrambled eggs and sandwiches were pretty much the best we could manage.”

  Jonas sat back in his chair and smiled sadly.

  Lowering my eyes to the floor, I whispered, “Mr. Montgomery, please. I really need to know what the g
overnment wants with Keegan.” I clenched my hands together, fighting to push the next words out. “My mom died at the hands of one of their assassins before the war even started. My father might be gone too, if he didn’t get away during the attack on our sector. My brother was captured trying to protect me.” Holding back tears, I raised my head. “I’m pretty sure one of the soldiers knew who he was. There was recognition on his face before he ran up to my brother and punched him right in the jaw. Then he ordered him to be hauled all the way back to a transport when it would’ve been easier to just shoot him and leave him where he was,” I choked out. “So please. Please tell me, what could they possibly want with him…and do you think he and my father are even still alive?”

  Jonas pulled his chair closer to me and took my hand in his. “Henley. Take a drink of water, dear, and I’ll do my best to explain a few things about your family and mine.”

  Reluctantly, I took a sip from the cup with my free hand and tried my best to settle in my seat.

  He stood, releasing my hand and leaning with his forearms stretched across the back of his chair. His position was intimidating, though I didn’t think he meant it to be. “Before I start, will you answer a few questions for me first?”

  “Sure…if I can.”

  “Have you been experiencing anything unusual regarding your Gunari abilities?”

  “No, sir. They haven’t come in yet,” I said warily, not sure if that was completely true. There was no way I was going to bring up the incident at the lake.

  “My dear,” he eyed me knowingly, “I can’t help you if you aren’t forthright with me.”

  Standing and walking over to the window, I debated whether to tell him anything but finally gave in and said what I’d suspected since the tavern. “When I was on my way here, I got this sort of tingling feeling all over. I couldn’t really control it. I’m not even sure I knew what was happening until it was already over.” I stopped and turned to look at him, hoping that was enough of an explanation. He only motioned with his hand for me to continue.

  I sighed. “I was walking on the main road after the ATV ran out of fuel, trying to take the shortest way here. When I reached a divide, I knew staying on the main road was what I needed to do to get here quickly. But there was a tree there with what I think were old Gunari markings scratched into it. It sort of called to me—or at least that’s how it felt. When I touched it, all these colors and emotions flooded through me. It was the strangest thing. But then as soon as I stepped back and lost contact with the tree it disappeared and something else was left in its place. I just knew deep down and without a doubt that I needed to take the smaller of the two roads…the one that eventually led me to Macon’s tavern… to Graff.” I turned to look out the window and whispered, “Is that the sort of thing you wanted to know?”

  “Yes. That is exactly what I need to know,” Jonas replied almost eagerly. “So have there been any other incidents like this?”

  “Isn’t that enough?”

  “Normally, it would be, but if I am to help you then I have to know everything.” I stared at him for the longest time but his face remained stoic.

  I let out a breath in resignation. “There was one other time but I was really young so I’m not sure it had anything to do with my abilities.” It was embarrassing to be talking about this, especially with him, but I continued. “My brother had gone off to play with some kids visiting from another sector. My father had instructed me to stay inside with his personal assistant, Abraham, but for some reason all I wanted to do was run through the woods behind the house. Like there was something hidden out there that I needed to find. Throughout all my chores that morning, I couldn’t get it out of my head. So when Abraham wasn’t looking, I snuck out and followed the weird pull that kept getting stronger and stronger the farther I went. It took me through the woods, passed town, and dumped me at the lake right where my brother and another boy were sparring. Long before he could even see me, it was like the boy felt me there, too. Suddenly it was just us and all these crazy sensations rushing through me that I couldn’t even begin to control. It became so strong it almost hurt, like my veins were made of fire and ice all at once.”

  “I see,” Jonas said, pulling me from the memory. “And what did you do then?”

  “I ran. All the way home.”

  “And has anything like that ever happened again, aside from what guided you to the tavern?” he asked.

  “No,” I said. “Nothing has ever come remotely close to that. Not until the tree.”

  “And was there anything these two incidents had in common besides the pull you described?”

  Hesitating only for a second, I said, “Graff. Both times it led me to Graff.”

  * * *

  I collapsed back on the couch, exhausted. “Councilman Montgomery…” at his raised eyebrow I corrected myself, “I mean, Jonas. What’s going on with me?” This didn’t have anything to do with my Gunari abilities coming in. This was something else. It had to be.

  Jonas ignored my question and walked into another room, returning shortly to place a cold cloth on my forehead. “It’s going to be fine, dear,” he said. “You need to trust that I know what I’m talking about and I am telling you everything that is happening to you is to be expected.”

  He sat down on the low table across from me.

  “A select few Gunari families remaining today still have royal descendants in there lineage. Royals always had additional powers and abilities beyond what regular Gunari possess, which is why they were so feared. Your family is one of them. Mine happens to be another. Not everyone within these families carries the gene with the extra ability, and even those who carry it are usually never able to access it. They must find their counterpart—someone else born within their lifetime that not only has the gene passed down to them, but also has either the perfect parallel ability to match them. It is the only way to unlock the powers within either of them. Unfortunately, not everyone finds there counterpart. In fact, it is extremely rare to have your counterpart born within your lifetime; we count ourselves lucky if one or two pairs come together within a generation.”

  “So are you saying that Graff is my counterpart?”

  “I cannot be absolute, but if I had to make an assumption based on the evidence presented, I would say that it’s highly probable.” My heart lodged itself in my throat at what this would mean even before his next words. “It would make sense, and not just from what you explained about your abilities coming forward when he is near. The evidence has been staring us in the face for years. Your parents and I were simply so wrapped up in politics we neglected to see it for what it was.”

  “The evidence?” I asked, twisting my hands, not sure I wanted to hear more.

  “Your eyes. Unlike the solid green marking you as Gunari, you were both born with dark blue rings outlining your irises. And then of course, there’s the mark on the small of your back.”

  Shocked, I asked, “You know about my birthmark?”

  “Marta and I were present at your birth.”

  “I had no idea. My father spoke as if you were friends but you only ever visited a few times when I was really young.”

  “Yes, that is true,” he said, sounding regretful. “Unfortunately, with Devlyn practically running the New government in Drytanus, Council obligations have kept us busy. I’m sorry about that.”

  I sat up straight, more alert with this new knowledge. “So you were saying…about my birthmark?”

  “The mark at birth was a tiny sliver and I’m guessing now that you’re older it has grown some?”

  “Uh, yeah. It’s about the size of my palm now,” I told him. “So the mark getting bigger and the rings around my eyes are why this is happening to me?”

  “Partly. First, they are a sign that you are Graff’s potential counterpart. I would have to take a look at how your mark has grown but at birth it looked to be very similar to his. We kept you away from each other in the off chance you actually were one ano
ther’s counterparts. We could not afford your powers to come in too early. And secondly, if this is all true it would mean that after your Gunari abilities come in and you spend more time around Graff, you will unlock additional powers. As will he. But Henley, this is very important: no one else in the sector must know about it. You need to understand. There is a war coming and everyone here is preparing for it. Beyond that, if it comes to fruition, you are going to need extensive training to hone this new ability, whatever it may be. I don’t trust anyone else to train you—or to even know about it—other than myself and my nephew, your potential counterpart.”

  Well that wasn’t good news, especially since he and most of his crew didn’t seem to care for me too much.

  “Graff is away at the moment, but he should be back in a couple of days.”

  “So are there any others that have matching birthmarks or extra abilities?”

  He looked startled by my question and I could practically see the indecision of what he wanted to tell me… or keep to himself… running through his head.

  “We know of two others,” he answered hesitantly, “but right now they are not your concern.”

  End of discussion.

  “Take whatever time you need to grieve,” he said after a moment. “After that, you need to start training. We train here every day, six hours in the morning directly after breakfast or six hours after lunch. We’re getting so crowded that we had to split the time into two groups. When you’re ready, I’ll send Quinn over to get you started. He’s one of Graff’s men and you can trust him fully, but like I said earlier, we won’t mention the possibility of your new ability with anyone else just yet.”