Divided (Book Five) (Fated Saga Fantasy Series)

by Humphrey - D'aigle, Rachel

  Amelia wasted no time in getting started. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” she spoke first. “I realize that many of you are hard at work and I apologize for interrupting this.” She looked over the crowd, as if surveying each and every member of her village. The already quiet crowd now grew silent, as if the entire group was holding its breath, waiting for whatever news she had to share.

  “Things are speeding up. The last news received from our informant is that Juliska Blaskwell's hold is weakening. Her grasp, loosening. Her world, crumbling.”

  Excited murmurs whisked through the pavilion.

  “It's nearly time.”

  “It's really going to happen.”

  “We're going to change the world.”

  Numerous voices called out or whispered excitedly to their neighbors.

  Amelia raised her arm for silence. “Yes, the advancement toward the end goal is most exciting. However, there is another reason I have brought you all here today.”

  Eyebrows rose. Eyes widened. Hearts raced.

  “There is a saddening subject I must now discuss with you all, and it will require your vote once the facts have been given. This is something that cannot wait and we must decide upon this very moment.”

  Concerned mumbling rippled through the crowd. Amelia continued.

  “As we find ourselves nearing one end, and nearing a new beginning - this cause we have worked so diligently to bring about, and sacrificed so much for - to see this dream become a reality, after all this, last night, I find we are now faced with a terrible sadness.” She paused, clasping her hands in front of her. “Last night, two of our members denied their oaths, relinquishing themselves from the cause.”

  Cries of shock and disbelief shot forward like arrows.

  Amelia shook her head, agreeing with their surprise and grief over this news.

  “However saddened, confused and regretful this is, it is truth. But now, we are faced with a much larger issue. One I will need you each to think about, quickly, and decide along with me.”

  Upon her speaking this they quieted once more.

  “Amos Durmuddy is the first to leave us,” she spoke softly, as if somehow, speaking in a quiet voice would lessen this blow.

  “Amos?” voices questioned.

  “This cannot be true!” another called out from the back, where the standing room only crowd stood.

  “He was as strong a believer as any!” another spoke, frightened that his betrayal could somehow spread like an illness.

  “Yes, you are right to be shocked by this,” said Amelia. “But it is no lie. Amos Durmuddy was a key player, no doubt! He held a high government position, which we will not be able to refill. We are not yet a part of the outside world. But I fear that Amos’ time in the outside world has somehow… disillusioned him,” she added.

  “What can we do?” someone shouted.

  “In the case of Amos Durmuddy, we must find him and bring him home.”

  “I volunteer,” a young man shouted, followed by another and another. The first young man raced forward. “Let us gather together a hunting party to find him. Once home, maybe he will change his mind?”

  Amelia nodded. “I do hope so. I do hope so,” she repeated genuinely. “We will speak on this,” she told him and he took his seat once again. After, she looked up at them with a determined face. “As much as we all agree on having hope, I fear that we must be prepared for this not to be the case,” her tone lowered darkly. “For now, I must share the second part of this sad news.” Her eyes swept through her audience again. Kay grasped Milo’s hand, her fingernails nearly cutting into his skin she was holding so tightly. However, Amelia’s eyes swept over them and continued past.

  Kay’s grip loosened.

  Amelia took a deep swallow before continuing.

  “We have a second member who has also chosen to relinquish his oath. This man, however, still lives here, amongst us.”

  Kay’s grip tightened again. Although, she knew that Amelia just could not be speaking of her son, as he was not currently residing here.

  “Curtis Bevins…” Amelia let slip out with a disappointed tone.

  Again, cries of surprise erupted. Everyone looked to their neighbors, as if expecting to see Curtis sitting nearby.

  “Curtis is currently being detained,” she explained. “And this, my dear brothers and sisters, is what I need you to vote on. It cannot be helped that some will lose their way. This happens, whether their own fault or perhaps someone filling their heads with doubt. Regardless of the how and why, it is. And we must now decide what we shall do.” She let these words sit for a moment before moving forward with her speech. “What do we do with those that relinquish their oaths? For we cannot allow them, in their vast knowledge of our plans, to just simply leave. Where will they go? Whom will they go to?” she asked, as if her words were arrows pointing directly to their enemies.

  “I thought on this very hard and have come up with what I believe is a livable solution. For like you, I love these two like brothers. Like family. I do not want them to suffer because they have lost their way, but at the same time, they can no longer live amongst us. They no longer wish to work toward the goal.”

  “What is it you have thought of?” asked a woman.

  “As we were once banished for our beliefs and our thinking, I fear we must do the same. However, a more localized banishment. I do not wish to call it a prison, for they will not be treated poorly and will have access to anything they need. I suggest that we set aside the most northern corner of our village, which is currently uninhabited, and turn this into a separate living space for those that wish to relinquish their oaths.”

  Stern faces threw questioning looks. Many whispered with their friends or spouses.

  “I must be clear,” Amelia added. “If we do this, and allow them this separate space, it will be as if they are banished. They will not walk amongst us. You will have NO contact with them.”

  Hushed tones, clearing throats and heavy breathing replaced murmurs as people thought carefully about this situation.

  Barrett Nuskey, a thin, nearing middle-aged man stood nodding toward Amelia as if asking permission to speak. She returned a nod that said yes.

  “I agree with our leader,” he spoke with a tinge of nervousness. “We have come too far, gotten too close to take any chances. I, as well, do not wish to see these people as our enemies, but I think what Amelia offers is a fair plan. It ensures our movement forward.”

  More and more on the crowd began to shout their agreement.

  “Let us vote,” said Amelia, putting up her hands to ask for silence. “Who agrees with this decision?”

  Hands began shooting into their air. The more hands that were raised, more followed. A few stragglers looked to their sides and back and forth, seeming at first to struggle, but then agreeing and raising their own hands too.

  Amelia sighed. “Very well. It is done. Curtis Bevins will be taken to this new, separate living space. If we are able to track down Amos Durmuddy, he will be placed there as well. Now, if there are any others doubting what is to come, I beg of you, please come see me. Let us speak freely. I want you to be so sure of what you are doing, because even the slightest of doubt can lead us astray.”

  Milo Jendaya squirmed in his seat uncomfortably. He had to grasp his hand and force Kay’s, once again, tightening grip to loosen. She took a quick, nervous glance at him and then turned her attention back to the front, as someone was being escorted up to Amelia.

  “There is just one last thing that must be done,” she spoke evenly. Amelia turned to the woman now standing nervously at her side.

  “That is Curtis’ wife,” Kay mumbled, her face pale. Somehow, she had just assumed that she was with Curtis.

  “As you now know, Curtis Bevins has defected, but his wife still stands here, undecided. I felt it necessary to give her time to make her choice; whether to remain with us as a sister in the cause, or to voluntarily relinquish her oath
and join her husband.”

  Kay gulped hard, her eyes wide with horror. “This is terrible,” she mumbled. Milo gripped her hand and she clamped her mouth shut.

  However, she was not alone. Clearly, others thought the same. They looked petrified as the woman stood, anxiously peering back at them. Her face was sickly looking and she clasped her hands, as Amelia had done previously, to keep them from shaking uncontrollably.

  “What have you decided?” asked Amelia, her voice unwavering.

  The woman went to speak but nothing came out. She closed her eyes, now swimming in tears that threatened to fall down her face.

  “I…” she finally stammered, but then stopped. “I do not agree…” the crowd gasped, “with my husband,” she announced, adding more firmly, “my love for him will never die and I only hope that one day he will forgive me. But I stand with the cause.”

  A woman from the audience rushed the stage, embracing the woman.

  “What bravery,” she blathered admiringly. “You are not alone here.”

  Encouraging cheers rushed the stage. The woman smiled weakly.

  Amelia shook her head in eager agreement.

  “A difficult decision,” she spoke. “But one you will not regret.” She allowed the woman, now overwrought with emotion, to be pulled away.

  Kay and Milo clapped alongside their neighbors in this moment of bravery, but each clap felt hollow. She turned to Milo, picturing herself on that stage and wondering what choice she might be forced to make. Could she choose her husband over her son?

  Part Four

  Bedgewood Harbor was a buzz as Svoda gathered to welcome the next group, which was due to arrive within the hour. Precautions were being checked, and checked again.

  Meghan, along with all students, had been let out of school early to attend, and they were making their way through the village to a beach not too far away.

  A couple of young girls strode by, pointing and snickering as they did. Meghan just sighed and told herself to ignore them, but a moment later, another group of students sauntered by, reacting much the same. She overheard a young man muttering, “That’s her, the sister of the boy that fled with the Projector… that girl, over there,” he was pointing at Meghan as if somehow she wasn’t standing there, watching him.

  Meghan decided to just let them pass and faked pulling off the side of the road to tie her boots, which had laces from ankle to knee. When it seemed like most of the students had passed by she started walking again, being sure to lag behind the others. She could not help but eavesdrop on a conversation between two teachers just in front of her. One was teacher Lindy, the other was a man she did not know.

  “I hope this goes well,” Lindy was saying.

  The man replied by worriedly shaking his head.

  “I’m sure the Banon has taken every precaution possible,” Lindy added in a muted voice.

  “To that, I am sure you are correct,” the man whispered back.

  “When the doorway opens, we are vulnerable to intruders,” she reminded.

  The man shot a quick glance to the sky, which currently was overcast, with spots of sun sneaking their way through.

  As Meghan heard this, she nearly came to a stop and gulped hard. She had not known this fact. She wondered if Juliska had not told her on purpose, so as not to frighten her, or if she just forgotten to tell her. It did make sense; however, as when a doorway opened on the island, magical protections around that door had to be removed. Then she realized this, of course, had to be the reason for all of the preparations and why Juliska had mentioned both the Scratchers and the Grosvenor. She should have paid more attention.

  Meghan wondered if more Scratchers could be lying in wait, knowing that this would inevitably happen. Then, she wondered, if something could get in, could something also get out. Her thoughts strayed to Bird.

  “Hello,” a voice said, startling her.

  “Ivan!” she gasped.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I seem to be doing that a lot lately.”

  She shook her head in an annoyed fashion. Ivan then nudged her arm and pointed upward. Meghan smiled. She could not help it. Bird was flittering through the tree line, following them.

  “Ivan,” she then said quite seriously. “I just heard two teachers talking and is it true that when a doorway opens, we’re vulnerable to intruders?”

  The teachers were now far away, having sped up with the rest of the crowd now nearing the beach.

  Ivan nodded yes, and followed it with, “It’s a risk I guess everyone is willing to take, seeing as the entire island’s population appears to be in attendance.”

  “I guess I should have realized this,” said Meghan. “Juliska has been so busy all week making plans for this arrival. I guess I should know by now that nothing around here could just be simple.”

  “Simple does not exist here,” he added dryly. He glanced up at Bird as if he understood some unsaid meaning. Meghan did not bother to try prying any more information out of Ivan, as they had arrived at the beach. They followed a narrow path, which opened up to an equally sandy and rock covered beachfront. Not too far away, and just at the edge of the waterline, was an ancient looking, dilapidated ship, which had run ashore many years prior. It sat, wedged, between jagged rocks and over the years, the tide had buried the hull into the sand underneath.

  “Billie told me that kids used to use this ship as a playground,” said Ivan.

  “Pretty awesome playground,” said Meghan. “My brother would have loved…” she cut herself off forcing the subject of Colin back into the depths of her mind.

  “Well, today it’s serving as a doorway back to the island,” Ivan said, moving the conversation forward. “They’ll probably make it a historical landmark,” he added, “so no kids will be playing in it anymore.”

  Meghan leaned into Ivan. “Hey, I had a thought. If things can get in when the protection is lifted, can things get out?”

  Ivan nodded yes, but then added, “Not easily. Definitely not without being traced. Bird has decided it’s not worth trying.”

  Meghan, at first, was disappointed that her idea would not work, but after a moment of thought, shamefully admitted she was glad. She liked having Bird around. There was something reassuring about it.

  They could only get so close, as the area around the ship had been roped off in order for there to be room for those arriving. Greetings would have to wait until all had safely made it through the doorway.

  Meghan saw Juliska standing close to the ship and waved hello. Juliska smiled back and rushed over to her side.

  “Meghan, so glad you made it. And Ivan, splendid to see you as well. I was hoping to run into you actually, as I would like to have a meeting with you tomorrow.”

  “Of course,” he replied. “I’ll be over first thing.”

  She nodded, pleased. “We’re nearly there,” she muttered softly. The ship has been reinforced so that they can safely come through the doorway and right down the ramp to solid ground,” she noted, pointing to some of the reinforcements.

  Just then, a Balaton shouted for the Banon. She nodded at Meghan and Ivan and then whisked away.

  Kalila and Kalida, operators of the Jackal Lantern, were busy snapping pictures and gathering commentary for what was sure to be an extra large edition of the Lantern the next day. They saw Ivan and hopped over.

  “May I?” asked Kalila, not waiting for an answer. She snapped a photograph of Meghan and Ivan. She winked playfully at Ivan and then darted back to her sister, Kalida, who was busy scratching down notes from an interview she was doing with Garner Sadorus.

  “I think those sisters have a thing for you,” teased Meghan, displeased at having her photo taken alongside him. Ivan ignored her.

  Kalila snapped another photo, but this time, she waited for permission and allowed Garner to pose. He looked particularly menacing today; his tattoo covered neck and face looked sallow against the overcast sky, his jaw set in a serious manner as he spoke.

 
; Meghan was surprised, given the chill, that he did not don his usual oversized, boisterous coat, the one she had seen him wear on numerous occasions; including the very first time she had seen him. Instead, he wore a black suit, with an elongated jacket that draped over his waist and down to his hips, fitting his muscular form perfectly.

  Juliska’s voice boomed over the crowd, silencing them at once. Meghan and Ivan, as well as Bird from a nearby tree, turned to face her, listening.

  “What a glorious day this is,” she spoke. “Our family is beginning to return to us.”

  The crowd cheered, some already crying, overcome with emotion. Juliska kept her speech brief, adding only, “Any moment now, the door will open. Please remain behind the rope so that everyone can get safely and quickly through the doorway. As eager as I know you all are to greet your friends and family, I ask you to wait just a few minutes longer.” She smiled and then turned as the deck of the ship began to brighten. Juliska, herself, along with four Balaton, stood guarding the ramp.

  Soon, travelers stepped through, and once assisted down the ramp by the Balaton, found themselves whisked safely to the sides, allowing room for others to follow.

  Onlookers did stay where they had been instructed to do so, but as expected, shouts and cries spread across the beach as people saw their friends and families emerging from the bright light now radiating the entire deck of the ship.

  Just as the last of the travelers stepped through and the light began to fade, a sudden swirl of blackness darkened the already overcast sky. It loomed over them like a thick, ominous fog.

  The crowd went silent, as if unable to speak, scream or even close their eyes and look away from this ominous force. The blackness swirled into ribbon-like streams, becoming more centralized over their heads. The overcast sky reappeared as the streams lowered toward the sandy beach, now forming into the figure of what looked to be a man; an imposingly fierce looking man, with an aged face, but shockingly keen blue eyes.