Timothy cocked an eyebrow at Fillion. “The first generation is singularly mentioned once more in comments—”
“Answer the question.” Fillion relaxed into an aloof posture, an intimidating pose of nonchalant power that intensified Oaklee’s waning fortitude.
“You are an interesting figure, Corlan.” Timothy offered a friendly smile that did not reach his eyes. “Why exactly do you stand as leadership upon the stage? You are a guest in our community, not a Noble. Not even my son stands beside me this moment. Do you wish to share any reasons as to why you demonstrate public confidence as a figure of power?” An arrogant smile formed on Fillion’s face in reply as he tucked thumbs into his breeches, which Oaklee noted were trembling. Timothy added, a triumphant gleam in his razor sharp gaze, “Your father groomed you well, Fillion Nichols.” The smug expression remained on Fillion’s face, but his eyes creased as if experiencing a brief shock of pain.
Whispers began to circulate once more and Fillion’s name softly echoed throughout the stone building. Curious eyes regarded him, and Fillion shifted attention to the stage floor, a muscle flicking in his jaw. The community now knew who he was, or at least they connected the surname to Hanley. The murmurs reflected confusion, excitement; some lilted with fascination.
“Answer the question, Timothy!” shouted a man from near the center of the room, and Fillion’s shoulders sagged in relief.
Timothy smiled at the gathering and said, “Gladly. The issue is not about legal authority, it is about representation. Lawrence and many others are calling into question Joel’s willingness to—”
“What kind of moronic response is that?” Fillion asked in an even angrier tone than before. “So it’s Joel’s fault if the community disbands because you, Connor, and Norah were too inept to represent your community? Way to insult everyone, Timothy.”
Laughter floated throughout the room and Timothy scanned the crowd as his face darkened. “Once again you interrupt me and twist my words.”
“No, I’m untwisting—and keeping you on point,” Fillion said. “Do you regularly make stupid, uneducated statements as if they are fact?”
“Please share with New Eden exactly what recommends you as an expert on such topics,” Timothy said with raised eyebrows and a taunting grin, one that appeared more jovial and charming than arrogant. When Fillion refused to reply, Timothy smirked. “Fillion, leave this building. We shall deal with your insubordinate behavior later.”
Connor cleared his throat. “Timothy, he is intimate with details pertaining to our community for he is Nobility of his world and ours, as well you know. You are also aware that he holds more power than you and I, or any other within New Eden.” Shocked whispers circulated once more, heads bending toward each other, and Connor paused to allow the revelation to fully absorb. “Perhaps I should formally introduce our guest. New Eden Township, I am honored to present Fillion Nichols, Son of Eden, also affectionately known as Corlan Jayne in certain circles to honor his late great-grandfather.”
Oaklee pressed her hand onto her stomach with shock. Fillion was the Son of Eden? Leaf winced, confirming what she doubted. Most stared wide-eyed at Fillion. Wonder and reverence colored the faces of those from the second and third generation, as the man of bedtime stories stood in the flesh before them. Of course he was the Son of Eden, she internally chided herself. He possessed magic and was indeed powerful, and the mystery behind their personal, twisted tale deepened further.
She did not think Fillion capable of blushing, but his face shaded several hues as he slowly lifted his eyes and found hers. The world dissolved and narrowed until only they remained, and he blinked slowly, vulnerable, as if pleading for her to rescue him. Then, his eyes skipped over the crowd. For those who perhaps did not know his body language cues, he appeared stoic and regal. But she saw the slight elevation of his shoulders and the subtle downward angle of his head, his brows furrowed in distress.
“And, he makes valid points,” the Fire Element continued after a long pause, “which anyone in the community is given freedom to make.” Connor turned toward Fillion and bowed his head. “Please stay. You are welcome, My Lord.”
The Wind Element’s eyes turned to slits as he scrutinized Fillion, and his lips curled up in a slight smile. Fillion looked away in a blasé manner, as if the very sight of Timothy was the most uninteresting view he had ever beheld.
Appearing unaware of the silent challenge, Connor began once more. “The community cannot solely blame Joel if we, as a Nobile class, failed to represent your needs and concerns to Hanley Nichols. I am most grieved and shall endeavor to find solutions to your worries, and I am confident Leaf and Timothy embody mutual sentiments.”
“Oaklee?” Laurel squeaked. “Does the community no longer have affection for our family?”
“Oh, darling. We are still esteemed and valued.” Oaklee pulled her sister tight against her and stroked her hair. “There are many who are afraid of change, though, and feel powerless.” Ember looked at Oaklee and frowned, a rare breech in her usually calm demeanor.
“Thank you, Connor. I do indeed express the same sentiments,” Leaf said with a bow toward the Fire Element. “Timothy established a most interesting point as well.” Her brother also dipped his head toward Timothy. “New Eden Township shall endure many changes in the months and years to come. Those who are affected the most by the transition to Project Phase Two and Three are notably the second and third generations. For this reason,” Leaf paused and shared a glance with Fillion, “with the authority and ownership granted to me by Hanley Nichols, I respectfully ask for Connor and Timothy to honorably step down as Elements and I shall appoint new Elements from the second generation in their stead.”
The room hushed into a restless stillness. People stood immobilized, mouths agape and eyes rounded. It was as if a collective breath was being taken. Then, a maelstrom of shouting began and the community undulated with agitated motions.
“You have no authority for such decisions!” yelled a woman.
“New leadership! New leadership!” chanted a young man, followed by others from the second generation.
“He thinks he’s The Aether!” shouted several others at once, and cries of alarm sprung from the crowd as the implications of Leaf’s declaration settled upon the room.
Connor held his hands behind his back as his posture straightened. “Son of Earth,” the Fire Element said, voice stiff, “we need to speak privately.”
“There is nothing to discuss,” Leaf said in reply. “I have made my decision.”
“This is an outrage!” Timothy sputtered.
People continued to shout over one another, arguing and chanting their positions, and the roar of various emotions rumbled through Oaklee.
Timothy maneuvered his paunchy frame in front of her brother, narrowing his eyes. “Leaf Watson, I do believe the isolation and confinement has addled your thinking as you are displaying, once again, characteristics unfit for leadership, even proclaiming authority you do not possess. Your brash behavior is evidence that you should honorably step down. Grieve the loss of your father and care for your family and let go of the additional stress of also caring for the community.”
Leaf lowered his head and his face warmed with the condescending insult. The winds of injustice sprang to life within Oaklee. The anger swirled and consumed her until she could no longer bridle her tongue.
“How dare you,” she snapped, stomping toward Timothy. “A person from this community entered our home without permission and committed an act of violence against my personal property, a necessary tool for my trade. And you have the audacity to make this about Leaf’s mental faculties?”
Timothy turned toward her with a kind smile and bowed. “Daughter of Earth, my sincerest apologies for the pain and fright you have experienced this day.”
“Thank you, My Lord. Your apology, however, does not rebuild my spinning wheel nor ensure my safety against one who most definitely exhibits traits of insanity, for who w
ould commit such an act against their neighbor or a young woman? What shall you do to recompense for my loss, Timothy Kane? Why do you blame my father and brother instead of standing up for my home by trying discover the perpetrator? Perhaps this is why we need fresh leadership.”
“Willow Oak,” Connor said as anger simmered in his large frame. “We appreciate your words, but please return to Ember and Laurel. I shall discuss further with your brother privately.”
“I shall not! I am First Representative and my voice shall be heard!”
“And it has been made most clear. Thank you, Daughter of Earth,” Connor said with firmness, gently taking her arm and leading her toward the stairs.
“Let her stay,” Fillion said. “She’s the victim in this situation and deserves the opportunity to publicly represent herself.”
Connor studied Fillion for several heartbeats and then released her arm, his muscles flexing from the controlled anger. Normally, the Fire Element was more vocal and asserted his authority at every opportunity, but he allowed Fillion to have the upper hand.
The look of incredulity on Timothy’s face nearly made her laugh and brought further unrest upon those within the Great Hall.
The gathering rippled with energy, and Oaklee boldly met the eyes of those she had known her entire life. The hurt lanced her last resolve and she turned toward Fillion and graced him with an elegant curtsy for his defense of her needs, bowing her head in honor as she lowered to the ground.
“She supports the Outsider!”
“No, she supports the Son of Eden!” hollered another.
“My family also stands behind the Son of Eden!”
“Aye!” Voices lifted in solidarity.
“The Watsons wish to disband!”
“Silence!” Leaf shouted and, surprisingly, the command was obeyed, faces registering bewilderment as if considering whether Leaf’s earlier claims were true. Or perhaps they were shocked into silence by Leaf’s uncharacteristic anger. Satisfied with the response, Leaf faced Timothy and Connor and said, “Do you honorably step down from your positions of authority?”
“Leaf Dylan Watson, we need to speak privately now!” Connor bellowed. “If you possess any shred of decency or care for this community, you shall heed my request.”
Her brother squinted his eyes in contemplation. “I accept your request, but we shall converse here,” Leaf said, dipping his head. “Please excuse us,” her brother stated to the gathering. He walked over to the far corner of the stage and gestured for Connor to follow. Timothy began to walk toward them, but Connor turned and shook his head.
Not wishing to remain alone on the stage, or to be forced to stand beside Timothy, Oaklee lifted her head and gracefully walked across the planked platform toward Fillion.
“Nice,” he whispered. Oaklee whipped her head toward Fillion and offered a feeble smile as her heart galloped, before lowering her eyes in modesty per custom.
“I fear I shall faint at any moment,” she whispered in reply, gripping the bobbin until her fingers cramped.
“If you do, I’ll kiss you in front of everyone.”
“You jest!” She looked up, horrified.
“Wake the sleeping Maiden—you know how the story goes.”
“Only a prince can awaken the slumbering princess,” Oaklee retorted under her breath. A small, devilish grin appeared on his face and he gave her a mischievous side glance. “You are so infuriating.”
“You like it.”
“You think too highly of yourself. I most certainly do not.”
Oaklee narrowed her eyes, hoping her protests sounded sincere. Her eyes always gave everything away, though. He leaned over and she felt his lips against her ear as he whispered, “Then don’t faint,” and she could not stop the shiver his words produced.
Fillion resumed his position and lowered his head to hide an amused grin. She pursed her lips to suppress the irritated groan that wished to surface, knowing it would only encourage him further. He was such a knave. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, slowly releasing the air in an attempt to calm her nerves.
“Willow.” His warm breath breezed over her cheek, and she opened her eyes. “Who is the Son of Eden?”
“A man of magic and power.” Oaklee angled toward him. “Since my early childhood, stories were told that the Son of Eden would come and save the new generations from the evils of the Outside world.”
“Evils? God, no pressure or anything.” Fillion’s face contorted with controlled anger. “What the hell?”
“I do not believe such pressures come from the Divine or Hell, but rather are man-made.”
Fillion bit his lower lip to suppress a laugh. “You’re such a brat.” With a dry tone, he said, “The claim is vague. You believe this story?”
“You did not know...,” Oaklee said, unsure of how to answer him. “Perhaps Connor is mistaken and you are not the Son of Eden?”
“Moot point. Everyone thinks I am now. And they all know who else I am, too.” Fillion lifted his shoulder in a subtle shrug as his lower cheek twitched, as if he nibbled the inside of his mouth. Murmurs grew to loud conversations as everyone awaited Leaf and Connor’s return. But she ignored the building noise and instead regarded Fillion’s mannerisms as he silently processed. “I didn’t know the story,” he said, his confession barely audible. “My dad finds great pleasure in setting me up to fail.”
“You shall not fail, Master Fillion,” Oaklee said, drawing herself up taller with a resolute look. “You are far too pigheaded.”
A corner of his mouth lifted as he studied her face, the light blues of his eyes clouding with apprehension despite the marked amusement. “You don’t know my dad.”
Footsteps clacked across the wood as Connor approached the front of the stage and a hush fell over the crowd. Even the children quieted. The Fire Element’s face was strangely relaxed even though the lines around his eyes suggested inner tension. Leaf maintained a respectful but downcast expression as he straightened his shoulders to appear dignified without garnering center attention.
“New Eden Township,” Connor said regally. “It has been a great honor and privilege serving you as your Fire Element. I humbly relinquish the head Noble status to another who shall rise up and lead a new generation.”
The crowd remained too stunned for comment, silently watching on as if in a dream state. Oaklee’s mouth slackened involuntarily with his unexpected statement.
“No,” Timothy said, shaking his head in disbelief. “What evidence do we have that Leaf possesses legal authority for such decisions? For all we know, these are the demands of the delusional! Anyone can claim to be The Aether.”
Fillion’s expression changed from apprehension to boredom as he stepped forward, pulling from his pouch the metallic device. Eyes watched him closely, astonished sounds echoing through the room when the silver object glinted in the light. He placed it on his ear, tapped it, and a strange ghostly image with vibrant colors suddenly appeared and wavered in the air, showcasing words, lines, and shapes.
Women shrieked, startling several babies and children into wails, and the crowd stepped back. Laurel buried her face into Ember’s side, a reaction that intensified the swelling trepidation in Oaklee, and sudden dizziness made her list. But she remembered Fillion’s promise and refused to faint, planting her feet.
“Magic!” several young people cried out, eliciting a wave of fearful vociferations throughout the room.
Fillion confidently tapped an image that hovered in the air, and all of the pictures and words suddenly vanished, only to be replaced by another picture. Fillion seemed to grab the corners and pull out, and the image responded by gradually enlarging. The flying piece of paper continued to mysteriously float in the air; and villagers exclaimed over the phenomenon. Fillion turned the paper to face the crowd, many of whom threw up hands to cover their faces in horror, horror that he ignored and, instead, beckoned for Jeff to come forward. The lawyer’s eyes still reflected the grief of Norah’s
death, but he trudged toward the stage with pinched brows, staring curiously at the paper, reading.
“What does it say?” Fillion asked.
The lawyer perused the paper, placing a hand over his mouth as his face sobered into concentration. Jeff touched the paper and moved it to the right, and a new page immediately appeared, moving the page yet again as a finger tracked where he read. When he finished reading, he moved the pages to the left, and the previous pages reappeared, and then he lifted his eyes to Fillion. “It is best if you state it.”
A small, triumphant smiled formed on Fillion’s face. “Don’t want to break The Code?” he taunted. “It says that the oldest surviving child of Joel Watson is heir in a Legacy that bequeaths partial ownership of New Eden Township and New Eden Biospherics & Research. Additionally, the trust grants Leaf governing authority as The Aether.”
“You realize, Leaf,” Timothy said in a singsong voice, “that by revealing your secret identity you are hereby banished to the Outside world per The Code, where you shall face possible charges of corporate sabotage, also outlined in The Code.”
Voices began vehemently shouting once again. The words and sounds blended into a discordant noise, causing Oaklee to scrunch up her face and cover her ears.
“Leaf, did you ever sign The Code?” Fillion asked.
“No, My Lord, I have not. Nor have any others who have reached full majority in the second generation.”
“The first generation signed for the minors in their...” Timothy stopped and turned wide eyes to Jeff. “Is what he speaks true? The second generation is not under the legal authority of The Code?”
Jeff blinked nervously and raised a curious eyebrow at Fillion, a small calculating smile lifting the corners of his mouth. “It appears the Son of Eden has found a loophole in the document. You cannot break something to which you are not bound.”
Elements (The Biodome Chronicles series Book 2) Page 22
