Salt of The Earth: The Fall of Barcelona

by Vlada Asta

  “You view it through the standards of fantasy movies you created – which is ridiculous. How do you think it works? You kill the Mother and that makes all her children disappear? Like she’s some freakin’ head vampire or master computer?”

  “I wish,” Sebastian mumbled, but it was easy to tell he didn’t believe it himself.

  “Dream on! Things will never be that simple. In an average Clan separate creatures have no meaning, they’re just parts of a single mind. But that connection has two sides. If the Mother realizes her physical body will be destroyed, she moves her mind into one of the bodies of her children. She saves herself through this, and then she changes her new body to the desired form. I can’t tell you achieved nothing through your operations. When a Mother loses her main body, it takes her years to rebuild a new one before she can start creating warriors again. That leads to relative peace on the territory of her Clan. But then she returns her body, and things continue the way they were.”

  “Are you saying that in order to kill a clan we need to kill the Mother and all of her children in a short period of time?”

  He was inspired, and Aeterni noticed that instantly. He was glad to discover a way to kill all Hente. But she had to disappoint him:

  “Yes, but there’s a catch.”

  “There always is… What it is?”

  “Each failed attempt has its price,” Aeterni explained. “Your actions must be strictly calculated, because if you fail, not only will the original Mother return, but a new one might appear.”

  “What?” Sebastian was stunned.

  “That’s how it goes. You’ve already done it before with those reckless attacks of yours. When you destroy the original body, the Mother loses the control over her children for a short while. If there’s an extremely powerful warrior in that Clan, she may use that moment to gain her own will and break her ties with the Clan. It takes unique conditions and talent, but that already happened before. That’s why I told you there were three mothers to begin with. Now there are seven of them.”

  “How can that be? There are only six subspecies known!”

  “You’re forgetting my Clan, genius!” Aeterni rolled her eyes at him. “We’re the seventh Clan, the youngest of them all. After receiving her freedom, my Mother suddenly realized she was in a dying world. She inherited the memory of her Mother, so she knew how different the planet was before. But now she could see there were no birds singing on the trees, no fish left in the water, and even the bugs were gone. The ecosystem is all but ruined. That discovery shocked her so much that when her Mother tried to control her again, she fought that easily. She decided to create a new Clan – the one that will diminish the amount of Hente and return the balance to the world.”

  She was ready for humans calling her a liar. They had lived as prey for centuries, they grew up with the idea of Hente being their natural enemies. That was why Aeterni considered the option of being executed in the city.

  Sebastian didn’t blame her for anything. She couldn’t tell if he believed her or not, but he didn’t laugh at her words. That inspired Aeterni to continue:

  “My Mother knew that in order for her Clan to become the new top of the food chain, each warrior had to be special. That’s why she tried to make us more human-like. That took her a lot of time, but she was ready for that. It paid off: each of us, her children, is as strong as a hundred warriors from any other Clan. It’s not only about our strength, but also about our intelligence and the right to make our own decisions. Mother made us from the remains of human warriors, and through that she gave us their knowledge too, she knew we were to share her beliefs, and that we’d follow her deliberately.”

  “So your Mother can’t control you?”

  “Theoretically, she can,” Aeterni admitted. “I’m connected to her, and she’s connected to me. If she’s in danger, she may take my body, killing my personality. But I believe her, I know she won’t do it unless she absolutely has to. She cares for each of her children. We’re in danger now… Others Clans have already figured out what we’re capable of, and they want us dead. We are slow to add to our ranks, so we need help. That’s why we decided to try working with humans.”

  “And what will this cooperation be about?” Sebastian asked.

  “You’d better rest now.”

  “You don’t want to tell me?”

  “I’ll tell that to your leader. I mean it, get some sleep. You’ll need your strength tomorrow, even if your friends arrive to pick us up.”

  “What about you? You haven’t slept for two nights in a row already!”

  “I don’t sleep at all!” Aeterni laughed. “It’s pretty convenient, especially when you live in the wild lands, where there’s always someone who wants to make you their dinner.”

  He wanted to continue their talk, but his body was playing against him. He couldn’t stay up any longer, so he folded his jacket, put it under his head and was sound asleep a few moments later. His rest was deep and troubled, a sign of his weak health…

  It was strange for Aeterni to watch him. A powerful creature, which that warrior undoubtedly was, turned into a weak and defenseless one. She suspected that in full health he might be able to kill her. But right now one movement of her claws would be enough to end his life…

  The paradox was that she couldn’t make that movement. It was important for Aeterni to keep that line between herself and other Clans – she didn’t kill humans without a reason. If she did, what was the use of starting this war? She had to make this world a better place, not just become another monster!

  The sound of heavy footsteps distracted her, making her rise to her feet. When she turned around, a massive silhouette was already blocking the door.

  The Hente from Tsiara’s Clan were large on average, but that one was a giant even among them. It stood on its legs to appear taller. Its pale skin was wet with rain, and its mouth was half-open. It was watching her; unlike humans, she could track the movement of its black eyes. Because her own eyes were just the same.

  “Tired of running around the vines?” Aeterni asked. “Let’s make it quick and quiet, I don’t want to wake him. He’s tired.”

  The predator most likely sensed her true nature. If it was up to it, the creature would gladly escape instead of accepting inevitable death. But its Mother forced it to stay, she wanted to test the opponent’s abilities.

  Aeterni was happy about it. Tomorrow she would be taken to the city, she didn’t know when she’d get the next chance to sate her hunger. And now food came to her… She just had to make sure that little fight wouldn’t disturb Sebastian.

  The Hente was preparing for a long battle, it opened its mouth to growl at her. Aeterni didn’t give it a chance to make a sound. She could already feel where its life core was, so she dashed forward, finishing it off in one blow. Less than a second passed between the moment she stood beside Sebastian and the moment when the core was in her hand, covered in black blood.

  It was a faster death than taking a direct hit with salt. Aeterni caught the creature’s jaws before they could fall to the floor noisily, while its flesh was already in ashes.

  “Tell Tsiara I said hi,” she whispered, looking into the fading eyes. “And tell her to stay away from these lands. I hunt here now.”

  ***

  Jeremiah was sure nothing could bring back the anxiety of his youth. There were many emotions in his soul back then: his blood was boiling during the first missions in the wild lands, his heart ached when his hands were covered with the blood of his brothers, he hated the monsters around him. But then the passions died down, he grew tired of the world. He continued living only to maintain the existing order, nothing else mattered. The fire in his soul faded away, as it should have in his age.

  He believed that too early. There still were things that could wake his soul up and turn him into an amazed child facing the unknown.

  There was a creature that knew the truth about Hente.

  That creature could talk.
/>   That creature could fight.

  That creature was on their side.

  Of course, so far it seemed too good to be true. Jeremiah knew that many other cardinals would deny even the chance of it in his place, believing it to be another diversion by Hente. But he wanted to believe, he couldn’t just pass by a miracle like this!

  Wasn’t this what they had prayed for? A ray of light in the darkness that had surrounded them all these years! There were many dangers connected to it, they had to be careful – and they would be. But Jeremiah wasn’t going to miss out on that chance. Who would’ve thought that a punishment chosen for a young warrior would turn into something like this!

  However, Jeremiah knew that not everyone in the city would support him. The police would be against it, as well as the warriors who had lost their comrades to Hente mere days ago. They had already faced the insecurity of it all, and they couldn’t trust Hente. They could be very hostile towards the creature that Sebastian had found.

  But Jeremiah would lose all self-respect if he couldn’t show his subordinates their place. He was the head of the Church in this city, they had to accept his will.

  Making a deal with the Mayor was surprisingly easy. That man was afraid of the Church, and there was no serious power behind him. He was just the representative of local authority, dealing mostly with economic issues. He accepted the Cardinal’s opinion without objections.

  Jeremiah wasn’t going to inform the Head of the police about anything at all. He knew that man was treacherous enough to accept their conditions officially, only to set a trap and kill the creature when it reached the city. It was better for him to remain unaware of anything.

  He just had to reach an agreement with the Laas family now. He couldn’t ignore the ones who controlled the hydro protection in the whole country! Besides, Robert Laas, who represented the company’s interests in Barcelona, was a calm and wise man. Jeremiah knew he could prove his point to Laas in a private talk.

  But there was a problem: Robert was stuck in his lab again. Unlike most of his family, he was a scientist, not a businessman. If he felt like he was close to some important discovery, he wouldn’t leave his laboratory for days or even weeks, avoiding any contact with the world around him.

  On such occasions his wife was the official representative of his will and authority. She could sign all documents and make decisions on his behalf. The Cardinal had no idea how Robert could trust that woman.

  Unlike Robert, she wasn’t too intelligent or open-minded. Jeremiah would gladly avoid talking to her, but he needed the official permission from the Laas family. So he prepared all the necessary documents and headed for their residence.

  They didn’t simply live by the sea, their house was built past the surf line. It stood on a specially designed platform that could be reached only by a boat, while large cargo was brought there by a barge. It was a place of absolute safety – a typical Laas tradition.

  Many citizens believed that to be the demonstration of wealth, but Jeremiah knew that in Robert’s case such choice of residence was justified. Few people knew about it, but the scientist was holding experiments on the living Hente. He couldn’t let those creatures escape his house and invade the city.

  When Jeremiah reached the coast, a boat was already waiting for him. At the platform he was met by the butler, who walked him to the office.

  This room belonged to Robert, and it was designed in his preferred style: strict minimalism with white walls and black metallic furniture, some computer monitors and nothing else. But right now the leather chair was occupied by a person who clearly didn’t belong here.

  Alberta Laas was a bit over thirty, younger than her husband. She was tall and very slender, her perfect body was that of a former actress, and her gentle face was still beautiful enough to inspire artists and cause the interest of paparazzi. Her golden locks fell on her shoulders in shining waves, and her crystal blue eyes were filled with boredom. She wasn’t really interested in that position, she was just doing what her husband wanted her to do.

  Even now she wasn’t prepared for any serious negotiations. She wasn’t wearing a business suit – she probably didn’t own one. She came to meet her high guest in a light beige dress decorated with pink flowers, meant to hide her growing baby bump.

  “Lady Laas,” Jeremiah nodded to her. “I’m sorry for disturbing you at such a late hour, but it’s an urgent matter.”

  “It’s okay!” she waved him off. “It’s good that you came today, you won’t catch me here tomorrow.”

  “Are you leaving?”

  “To Madrid,” she confirmed.

  “To Madrid?...”

  The Cardinal was genuinely surprised. Sure, the whole peninsula was considered safe, especially its large cities. But Madrid was too far from the sea to be considered a suitable place for a respected pregnant woman.

  Alberta didn’t share his point of view.

  “I have business there,” she announced. “But that’s not why you came here.”

  Jeremiah didn’t want to think what business could a young woman traveling without her husband possibly have. Especially since she hadn’t worked for years.

  “I came to inform you and your husband that the Church is going to deliver an object of high importance into the city…”

  It would’ve been hard to find the right way to tell Robert about it, but dealing with his wife was even harder. Luckily, Alberta didn’t like long talks. In her thoughts she was already in Madrid, and she wanted to get rid of Jeremiah as fast as she could.

  “You need my signature?” Alberta asked impatiently. “Give me that paper… where should I put it?”

  “The document doesn’t say what we are bringing, let me explain…”

  “I don’t care what you’re bringing here. You’re going to do it your way even if I don’t sign anything. So what’s the use of pretending?”

  “Are you sure your husband wouldn’t mind it?”

  “My husband doesn’t care about anything save for his chemicals and lab rats. And I’m pregnant, can’t you see? I need to rest and prepare for the trip, not listen about what church is going to do! You won’t tell me the truth, and I won’t know you’re lying. Let’s just skip the ceremonial part and get straight to the point.”

  That was even better. Naturally, he was annoyed by that woman’s reckless approach to the city’s safety, but he could use it now. Robert would probably never know about that meeting.

  Alberta took his computer and the papers from him, signed everything and verified it with her fingerprints. Then she nodded in content:

  “The Mayor has already signed it! I told you – you’ll always get what you want.”

  “You are very sagacious, Lady Laas.”

  “It’s not my first year in this city, I’m used to that! Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s getting really late…”

  “Have a nice trip. I may provide you with an escort team if you wish.”

  “I don’t,” she replied. “I still think that priests with swords are just wrong! Our guards are strong and experienced, and it’s not my first trip there. Goodnight, Cardinal.”

  “You too.”

  Her behavior was too fidgety, and Jeremiah couldn’t help feeling suspicious. But he didn’t have time for this. Let Robert take care of his wife, and Lord Cardinal had to prepare for a meeting with the creature that could become a better weapon in this war than the Laas Hydrosystem.

  Chapter 4

  Sebastian touched his newly healed palm carefully. The skin there was perfectly smooth, without even scar left in the place of a bloody mess his hands were turned into. The doctors had warned him that he should avoid serious physical strain within the next day, because the tissues restored by laser were still too fragile, but it was easy to handle. Natural healing would take much longer – and wouldn’t be half as successful.

  Aeterni didn’t put any stiches on his palms, she probably didn’t know how to do that. But she had done a lot for him: the doctors w
ere surprised by how carefully his wounds were cleaned and bandaged. That kept him from suffering more dire consequence.

  He was healthy, but weak, and they refused to let him out of the hospital. Sebastian suspected that it had nothing to do with his condition. They were simply afraid he would go after her in order to free her.

  They were partly right in their suspicions. Sebastian knew his mission was complete, now he had to act as if this meeting never happened. He didn’t have the authority to interact with a prisoner of such a level!

  But deep inside his soul he was angry about her becoming a prisoner in the first place. If what she was saying was true, she was their friend… Their salvation! Her words were to be checked, but so far she hadn’t done anything to harm humans.

  He didn’t know for sure if she was mistreated, but that was the most likely option.

  He saw the faces of the warriors who arrived to escort them from the farm. Their eyes were filled with fear and hatred. It was easy to tell they would gladly kill her if they had a reason to. Aeterni also sensed that, so she behaved perfectly calm. She smiled at him when they were parted, and following the protocol was so hard…

  He felt much better now and wasn’t sleepy at all. His desire to escape was growing, and he could do that, the security system in the hospital left much to be desired. But Sebastian knew it was better not to anger his leaders. If he was considered a loyal warrior, they’d allow him to see her again.

  If she was still alive.

  For the first time in his life he felt sympathy while thinking about a Hente. That new feeling shocked him and left him cornered. He didn’t expect that from himself! But life never took his plans into consideration, it just… happened.

  He was thinking a lot about the squad he had lost there, and he couldn’t forgive himself for it. But he no longer regretted surviving this. He could see new horizons ahead, and he wanted to reach them. He was angry with himself: if he wasn’t that weak and exhausted during their journey, he could’ve asked her so many questions!