Balance (The Neumarian Chronicles)

by Ciara Knight

  “By the way, congrats on the wedding,” she yelled. “Thanks for the invite!” How she could run full out and make it look like a swagger defeated me.

  Ryder jerked Annie onto the ship as I yelled back, “Thanks for the assist.”

  I caught her wave as she hopped into her fighter.

  Seeing Annie buckled in beside Bendar, I slid into the pilot chair, Ryder seated at my side as co-pilot.

  Engines roared to life. Our ship and its fighter escorts roared out of the Arc as heavy gunfire filled the air. There was nothing I hated more than flak. It was bad enough when flying over anti-aircraft fire, but when it was ours turned against us that really frosted me.

  I kept the flaps down a little longer than normal for additional lift, then I banked left twice, increased thrust, and climbed out of range.

  Raeth signaled we had company and peeled away to get him off our tail.

  Clear? Father asked.

  Yes. Heavy flak, though. How many did we lose?

  None. Everyone got out.

  I breathed a sigh of relief. See you soon.

  Brace yourselves, Father warned then the blue sky turned a blinding white.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  A concussive wave hit us. The shuttle bucked. It lost altitude. Tightening my fingers around the command control, I fought to keep the shuttle in the sky.

  I didn’t have to look back to know the Arc no longer existed. Losing what had been my home for almost two years saddened me, but we were safe.

  I stabilized the craft and continued our descent until we were below radar then headed southeast. Our destination, a country surrounded by the mountain range once known as the Alps. It seemed throughout history wars had bypassed this country, and the Great War of 2185 had been no exception. Even today, communities lived there in peace. To ensure their security, at the beginning of the war, they had blown up all tunnels and highways leading into their country. Their high, treacherous mountains provided protection and made attempting to overtake it too costly. Determined to remain free, their military blew everything out of the air that didn’t have a beacon tuned to a specific frequency—one that changed daily.

  We had that frequency.

  There isn’t much time before you’re out of range, Father said, his voice faint and hollow.

  Did Raeth and Mart make it out?

  Yes. She’s following Mart. They’ll shadow me to the RP. Get those kids to safety.

  Worried about repercussions?

  Absolutely.

  Will I have enough fuel to drop the children and make the RP?

  As a favor to your mother, they hid an experimental plane I worked on before the war. It’ll carry all of you.

  Experimental?

  It’s nuclear-powered and silent, truly stealth. Its configuration is unusual, making it almost invisible. But first, ensure our peoples safety then get to the RP, ASAP. Be safe, my little princess.

  My mouth went dry at the word princess. Yet, when he said it, I loved it. Because he meant I was only his princess.

  I love you, Daddy.

  Love you, too, his voice chocking as it faded to nothing.

  My hands tightened on the controls as my eyes misted.

  Ryder continued to check the surrounding area for activity. “Why hasn’t Raeth rejoined us?”

  “No need. She’s following Mart. They’ll provide cover for the SB-06 to the rally point. We’ll join them as soon as we secure our precious cargo.”

  “Thank God, the general evacuated the elderly, wounded, and most of the children last night. If he hadn’t, I doubt most of them would’ve made it. Did he tell you how many we lost?”

  “Yeah, none.”

  Ryder whistled. “Mighty close call.” He unstrapped his harness and eased out of his seat. “Going to check on our young friends.”

  I glanced back. All it took was one look at Annie’s rigid back and her bravest face painted in place, for an early childhood memory to surface—I was on the queen’s ship, being flown to the capital to face the council. Eyeing the snowcapped mountains in the distance, I prayed the tribal members were more inviting then the Kantian monarchy had been.

  Somewhere in those peaks was our destination, a hidden enclave. Would that be where the last of the humans and Neumarians lived in splendid isolation? Or would Mandesa learn of their existence and attack?

  The proximity sensor blinked and beeped. Ryder scooted back into his seat and scanned the grid. A blip on screen blinked. He raised his head and scanned the mountains in the front of us then pointed. “There. Magnify.”

  “I did.” Damn obsolete viewfinder. If I were in the SB-06, we could’ve identified the approaching craft in seconds.

  Spotting a gap in the peaks up ahead, I pulled on the controls aiming for it. “Buckle up!” I yelled.

  “It’s too narrow,” Ryder hissed.

  “We die either way.” I rolled the shuttle onto its side, preparing for entry into the gorge.

  “Don’t,” Ryder called out. “It’s one of ours.”

  Sighing, I pulled the yoke to the side and continued on our original course, hoping they knew about the order for radio silence.

  “Little jumpy?”

  My lip curled, stopping just short of a sneer. “And you aren’t?”

  “Maybe a little. Hate those Assassins. I’ll take the zombies over them any day. At least, we can run from ’em.”

  The plane pulled up alongside us and wagged its wings, then banked and disappeared into the clouds.

  “Wonder what it’s doing out here?” he murmured.

  I swallowed hard. “Think it’s one of Mandesa’s?” In that moment, fear trailed its icy fingers up my spine. “Time for evasive action. Make sure nothing’s in the area.”

  “We’re clear.”

  Our destination was a secluded village tucked in between two cliffs. The valley was easily overlooked if one didn’t know where it was. Determined it would remain hidden, I decided against taking the direct route and, once again, aimed the defile. Nearing it, I rolled the shuttle onto its side and flew through the crevasse. One twitch on the yoke and we’d scrape the shuttle’s bottom against the rocky protrusions, sending us to the valley below.

  I weaved through mountain passes and over glaciers for the next few hours, continually scanning for the other craft. Finally, I spotted our destination. Sandwiched between two peaks, the valley below was hidden from view until you were right on top of it. Toward its entrance, a waterfall, formed by the melting glacier, fed into a small river.

  “I’m to be no higher than fifty meters when entering the valley.” Circling, I started my descent.

  Ryder scanned the valley floor. “No sign of life.”

  Was that good or bad? “Father sent us here because our people will be safe.” While I professed trust in these strangers, I was uneasy with leaving Annie and the others behind. Father guaranteed they’d be welcomed, but I still feared they’d experience the same loneliness I had.

  Even at forty meters high, mountain crosscurrents buffed the shuttle. With the wind shear threatening to slam us into solid rock, I dropped my altitude to fifteen meters and leveled out. As I skimmed over the valley floor, I spotted a few cottages tucked amongst the trees. Near the end of the valley, a large, wooden building abutted the side of a sheer mountain wall.

  Biting my lower lip, I eased the shuttle down, landing in a grassy meadow. Slowly rolling forward, I turned and steered the shuttle through giant, open doors. Seeing the seven shuttles that had left last night, I pulled to a stop beside one, cut the engine and rested my head on the shuttle’s yoke.

  Grinning, Ryder tipped my head up and covered my lips in a gentle kiss. Then he peeled my aching fingers from the control. “You did great.”

  “Are we there, Ms. Semara?” a little boy asked.

  I eased from my seat and moved to him. Kneeling, I took his hands in mine. Except for his lighter skin tone, he could have passed for the emperor’s son, but I knew he wasn’t. His parents
were killed in the infirmary blast. “Yes, we’re here. But we want all of you to stay in the shuttle while we make sure it’s safe.”

  Rising, I turned to Ryder and jerked my head toward the rear. We moved to the hatch, opened it, and, inhaling frigid air, gasped.

  Ryder wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Buck up, Mrs. Arteres.” At my snort, he chuckled. “Let’s check it out.”

  Joining him on the ground, we shuffled outside then stopped, unsure where to go. The few houses we’d seen from the air couldn’t be the extent of the village, they couldn’t even house the people from the other shuttles.

  Hearing footsteps behind us, I glanced back and saw everyone had disembarked. “Thought I said to stay put.”

  “Better we together,” Bendar said with a twinkle in his eyes.

  A second later, the side of the mountain vibrated. Snow tumbled down in large chunks, splattering around our chilled feet.

  “The mountain’s opening!” a teenager shouted in a thick Eastern European accent.

  “So it is,” I murmured, eyes wide as a section of the grey mountainside moved inward and to the side.

  Dressed in thermal suits, four men and a woman stood in the opening. The tall woman moved through the snow with grace and dignity. Like a train, her luxurious fur cape glided behind her, without leaving a mark. Reaching us, any laugh lines had flattened, leaving a stern expression behind. “What brings you here?”

  If Father was correct, she knew who we were and was expecting us, so why this reception, this gamesmanship? Drawing on my royal training, I lowered my head, paying deference to her. “I am Semara Bellator Arteres, daughter of Lanena Bellator. This is my husband Ryder Arteres. My father, General Bellator, said you offered sanctuary for our children.”

  She bowed her head in return. “Welcome daughter of Lanena. I am called Helvetia.” Her gaze never leaving us, she raised a finger. Two men dressed in ice-blue thermal suits ran to us.

  Ryder slid his hand down his thigh toward his weapon. I reached over and touched his hand, stopping him, never moving my gaze from the woman in front of us.

  “This is a place of peace.” Helvetia said. “It is a secret lodging for those who seek this. Your weapons are not allowed. Leave them with your ship.” Seeing our hesitation, she added, “As with your other compatriots, you and your children may enter. But I must warn you, only the pure of heart may enter our domain. It is a place of pure peace, a refuge for all. Those who willing harm others will suffer the consequences.”

  One of the men held out a container. Ryder and I exchanged a look then removed all our weapons. When we’d placed them in the container, he sealed it then placed it beneath our shuttle, explaining the presence of similar containers I’d seen beneath the other shuttles.

  When I felt a small hand clutch my leg, I looked down into Annie’s big eyes. “She scares me, Semara.”

  “Do not fret, child. No harm will come to you.” Helvetia looked at me. “Understand, for centuries, our tribes have lived undetected by man—human, Kantian or Neumarian.”

  “Yet you know my father.”

  She smiled. “No, your mother, but only through the visions of our seer. They connected. He shares his foresight and she her prophecies. In one, she told of your arrival. In another, we were to safeguard something your father had delivered and hold it for you.”

  “He told me. I’m to use it to return home with Ryder and the other pilots.”

  Helvetia tilted her head in a nod. “They are well and are awaiting your arrival inside.”

  “We’ve waited a long time for your arrival.” Smiling, she looked down at Annie. “Mistress Annie, would you like to accompany me and see our garden?” She held out an elegant, long-fingered hand. On her index finger, she wore a large ring made of what appeared to be wood.

  Annie released my leg and grabbed my hand in a white-knuckled grip. “Thank you. I want to stay with my mommy. I mean Ms. Semara.”

  For once, my heart didn’t spiral into an abyss of loneliness at the word mother. And a small part of me, liked her mistake. Another, warned that I might not survive facing Mandesa and further attachment would only harm Annie. Unable to stop myself, I stroked her back. “How about I go with you? You can see all the other kids, too.”

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  “Please,” Helvetia said, motioning us toward the mountain entrance.

  In minutes, we neared the opening. Seeing Laos edge around the two men standing guard, I elbowed Ryder and nodded. A second later, the boy blew past the men, screaming, “Ryder, you’re here!”

  Laughing, my husband bent and caught Laos as he jumped into his arms. “How’s it going?”

  “Great, but I should go with you and Ms. Semara. You need me. Let’s make sure the little kids are okay.”

  Chuckling, Ryder said, “Sure thing, little man, but later.”

  Laos squirmed free, grabbed Annie’s hand, and tugged her forward. “Come on. I got lots to show you.”

  Helvetia paused at the entry, watching our passengers. The children plowed through the snow, laughing and occasionally stopping to make snowballs to toss at the volunteers. Before they could respond in kind, Bendar flopped down on his back, spread his legs and arms, moving them out from his body then back to his side. Enthralled, the children followed suit.

  “Snow angels.” Helvetia faced us and, with an outstretched arm, invited us into her home.

  Stepping inside, a majestic cave sparkled before us. As we waited for the rest of our group, I struggled to keep my mouth from dropping open in amazement. The walls glittered as if lit from within. The ceiling looked like a clear star-filled night.

  As the children entered, wet and laughing, the Eastern European teenager stopped. “We weren’t safe at the Arc. How will we be safe here? They don’t have any weapons.”

  Helvetia stepped forward and laid her hands on his shoulders. “Because child, even if we invited them in, unless they were pure of heart, they could not enter.” Helvetia gestured to the cave entrance. “See.”

  Everyone turned to see the new arrival. The woman had arrived beaten and bedraggled to the Arc late last night. If not for Father’s warning, I wouldn’t have noticed her, not in the rush to evacuate. When I’d asked him why he hadn’t isolated her, he said Helvetia’s people would discover the truth.

  And apparently they had.

  The woman stood frozen at the entrance. Rage burned in her bulging eyes, her mouth open in a silent scream.

  Helvetia raised her chin. “This woman is a traitor to your people. She obeys the self-proclaimed Kantian Queen. Her mission: to take the lives of every Neumarian child and all those who shelter them. Our home is on holy ground. Our ancestors guard these walls. No threats can enter. No threats leave alive. Watch.”

  The woman’s eyes turned black. Veins pulsing on her neck. A black tar-like substance dribbled from her nose, bubbled from her mouth, oozed from her eyes, and leaked from her ears.

  Sobbing, Annie buried her face in my neck.

  My lips thinned.“Helvetia,children shouldn’t be exposed to this.”

  “They must. Now, they, and you, understand. They are safe and can never betray us.” She held out her arm. Curling her fingers into a fist, her ring pointed at the woman.

  In less than a nanosecond, the traitor’s body exploded into black dust as a warm wind blew past us, carrying the ashes out of this holy place.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  I stared at the entrance. Not even a speck of black ash remained. The man who had taken our weapons placed his hand flat against what looked like a panel, but I knew it was stone, polished to a mirror shine.

  The massive rock doorway moved to the left then slid forward and locked in place. My gaze narrowed, searching for the edges, but I saw only an unblemished wall. Part of me wanted to inspect it and ask non-stop questions. But I didn’t have that kind of time. Father expected me early tomorrow morning. I had to leave tonight, once it was dark as I couldn’t afford to be spotted, not by
that pilot earlier today or anyone else. And tonight there’d be a low ceiling of clouds and new moon. So, we’d be flying under cover of absolute darkness.

  Helvetia glided forward, tilted her head to me, and held her arm out, palm up, toward the interior of her home.

  Joining her, I set Annie down. “Find Laos, sweetheart.” Once she’d run out of earshot, I asked, “Did we lose any others last night?”

  “One. A co-pilot.”

  Shoulders slumped, I groaned. “Did you discover him the same way?”

  “No. As he deplaned, we immediately sensed the electronic signature of a transmitter.”

  “You can sense things like that?

  “That is how we’ve remained hidden. Our seer and Lanena warned of this. Upon that woman’s arrival,” Helvetia tilted her head toward the entrance, “the co-pilot was to signal an attack force. Together, he and the woman would kill the children, you, and your husband. Then the soldiers were to destroy our home and enslave us.”

  Acid inched up my throat. “That explains the plane.”

  “Plane? Did it follow you here?”

  “No. Mandesa, the queen, is a puppet master. We’ve caught a number of her spies at the Arc, and also suffered extensive damage and loss of life because of them. As for the plane, he approached, wagged his wings in greeting as if we were comrades and then flew off. I took evasive measures over a four hour period before coming here.”

  “It appears your mother’s and our seer’s faith in you was well placed. Shall we,” Helvetia said, looping her arm through mine.

  We traveled a narrow path surrounded by lush blooming plants and trees with wide canopies, the sound of buzzing insects, birds, and rushing water filling the air. “How?” I asked in amazement. “This is magnificent. It reminds me of the Resort Territory.”

  “Resort Territory?”

  “Oh, it’s a fictional place implanted in my memories.”

  Helvetia nodded. “Ah, yes. The false memories needed for you to survive.”

  How much did Helvetia know about me?

  I glanced at her. Her pale skin, almost blue, glowed with a pink undertone beneath the golden, sun-like illumination, yet there were no visible light fixtures. Perhaps living under ground for so many generations caused genetic mutations, or perhaps she wasn’t of this world. It didn’t matter. They were our hope of protecting our children. No other questions needed to be asked.