Balance (The Neumarian Chronicles)

by Ciara Knight

  McCormick nodded and grasped my father’s forearm, swearing his agreement and allegiance as one Neumarian warrior to another.

  As I stood to take each council members list of Neumarians, Camilia scooted her chair backed from the table. “We will leave you to your planning.” She handed me her list, but didn’t leave. Instead, she touched two fingers to her heart and waited while I did the same, then we pressed them together in a Neumarian greeting. “Though not in body, we go with you in spirit. May the gods protect you.”

  “You honor us,” I replied. I took each member’s parchment list as they passed me then waited for the bottleneck at the door to clear. When it did, Penton nodded and also left.

  As he shut the door behind him, Father created a mental bridge between us.

  I thought Penton was staying, and from the vote, so did the council, I said.

  He’s already been briefed. For now, it’s just the four of us.

  Raeth eyed the door. I don’t th-think Councilman Ridgecroft’s t-trustworthy.

  Ryder leaned on the table. If his reaction was an act, he’s in the wrong profession.

  Leaning back in his chair, Father clasped his hands behind his head. I’ve known Ridgecroft for years. His face shows everything. Plus, while he wasn’t aware of it, I was in his mind.

  I shuffled through the parchment lists, stacking and restacking them. Someone on the inside had to orchestrate the abductions of the families.

  He’ll be found. I suspect every council member’s instituted a covert investigation of their staff and families as we speak. For now, it isn’t our problem. We’ve done as much as we can.

  Ryder grimaced. What about Uncle? How is he?

  Father rubbed his bristled chin. He left the Mining territory last week and he and his troops arrived unnoticed in Acadia East a few days ago. They’ve joined the inhabitants of the refugee camp.

  Ryder’s eyes widened. How did they cross the wasteland? Spiderats and semechtepdes eat anything that moves. And the queen—I mean, Mandesa has the increased surveillance of the area.

  Scavengers provided transport.

  Go Dred, I said, a grin spreading across my face.

  Ryder straightened, his body shifting to fit in the small chairs. Why was the underground city abandoned?

  The venaworm—a small insect produced during the last war—destroyed their horticulture, Father explained. They believe one of Mandesa’s spies somehow slipped pass the guards and dumped thousands of them among the plants. They’re tiny and detection’s so difficult they usually aren’t found until crops are lost.

  They lost all of their crops? I asked, my voice trembling in fury.

  Yes. They couldn’t risk the untouched vegetation. Venaworms secrete a venomous slime. Fallon’s helping evacuate the last remaining inhabitants. Father looked at Raeth then Ryder. Before we go further, you need to understand that I’m blocking all memory of this conversation. That way Mandesa’s best scientists and Neumarian toadies won’t be able to break into your thoughts.

  Fists clenched, Ryder growled, Then how can we carry out our part?

  I’ll touch your minds and say a trigger word. Once you remember, get out fast. Someone known to you will help.

  They both nodded as their answers echoed in my head. Understood.

  Frowning, I asked, With what weapons?

  Penton. That’s the reason he left. Father kept his gaze on Raeth and Ryder. He’ll arrive before you two. By the time you roll down the streets of Acadia, weapons and people will be in position.

  Ryder scratched his brow. Are any of them able to fight? Or will they be nothing more than cannon fodder?

  Sighing, Father leaned forward. It’s true they haven’t been trained to fight as soldiers. However, they’ve survived the queen’s rule through force of will and they want freedom. They’ll man the streets, welcoming you. They work in the city, yet go unnoticed. The young ones will wander around in groups of three. One of them will be a telepathic Neumarian, reporting everything they see or hear.

  My father’s words brought memories of the dream I had to the forefront of my thoughts. As though it had already happened, I remembered the crowds welcoming my husband and his sister, Mandesa’s military, her hidden ships, and the hundreds of assassins lying in wait. Through gritted teeth, I shared all my seemingly prophetic dreams with the others. While they may show the future, it isn’t fixed. Only Mandesa’s plans are. It’s up to us to turn that knowledge to our advantage. We need both defensive and offensive plans.

  Father nodded and unrolled the first scroll of Neumarian names and their abilities.

  I cleared my throat, as if I were preparing to actually say the words. I have an idea, but it’s going to sound crazy.

  Ryder chuckled aloud. Crazy may be our only shot.

  Father nodded, a small smile cracking his face. Even with these added Neumarian powers, it may not be enough. To be effective, most of them have to see their target, unlike you, Raeth, and Ryder. That means if they have to get close, and Mandesa has her own version of Dred, they’ll be neutralized. If we go in guns blazing, relying only on our weaponry, she’ll outgun us. And Penton’s gas doesn’t work on assassins, as we learned a few days ago. So, start talking crazy. Father dropped the parchment onto the table and, leaning back in his chair, folded his arms across his chest.

  I stood and began pacing around the perimeter of the room. None of these ideas will work in isolation. We’d have to ensure they worked together, like a well-oiled machine. And, we’ll need the unexpected. I turned back to face the others at the table. Creatures.

  Three sets of eyes locked on me. Then unable to help himself, Ryder spit out, “What?”

  Knowing that in his shock he hadn’t noticed his error, I ignored it. In one of my dreams, I opened a door to the Wasteland and creatures swarmed around me. I pointed at the back of my neck. I spoke with them, through my implant. Remember, the communicator was implanted in the back of my neck to aide us in crossing the Wastleand after the Mining Territory was blown up. Those creatures were created and cloned with a certain level of intelligence to take direction during the Great War. Let’s turn Mandesa’s creatures against her. With the implant I can do that.

  Raeth cocked an eyebrow at me. Th-that didn’t work so well last time? You were s-speared with a spiderat claw and almost died.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  It took four hours, but we finally worked out the details of our ground and air assault. I wanted to believe we’d left nothing to chance, but I knew different. Battles weren’t static, and no matter how well you thought you knew the enemy, people were inevitably unpredictable. Certain actions produced specific reactions. Mandesa believed she’d anticipated all our moves. She was wrong because no one in their right mind would do what we had planned. I guess desperation made us insane fools, because we were willing to risk everything to rid the world of her.

  Father rubbed his forehead and blood trickled down his upper lip.

  I grabbed a cloth from my belt, knelt by his side, and pressed it to his bleeding nose. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, dear. I’m fine.” I’d forgotten how much energy it takes to bridge more than two minds for hours, and I didn’t want to draw too much energy from anyone.

  Raeth and Ryder joined me, concern etched on their faces.

  Father canted his head toward the wall. Ryder, heal me if you would, please. Quickly. I sense Ridgecroft nearing and I don’t want him to see me weakened.

  As Ryder moved to my father’s side, I rose to go block the door, but Father clamped a hand around my wrist. One of our trusted contacts.

  I arched any eyebrow. McCormick?

  He mimicked my action. Yes. Seems Ridgecroft has observation devices hidden throughout the room, along with the suspected audio recording devices. His love of power is all-consuming.

  Still connected with Father, I almost collapsed at the piercing pain I could feel in his head. Hurry, Ryder. Father’s in agony. No sooner had Ryder cupped the back of
Father’s head, then the oozing ceased, and he and I sighed in relief.

  Ryder and I linked arms with Father. “I know you don’t want to stop, but we’re hungry and it’s past time to eat. Let’s get some grub.”

  “Good idea.” He pulled free and held out his hand in invitation. “Come along, Raeth.” Semara, after we eat, spend time with Ryder as expected. McCormick will meet you at four in the morning and get you out of the city and to our base. Use my plane to get to Acadia. You’ll arrive hours before Raeth and Ryder. Land where we planned. It’ll be well hidden. You’ll need to have this insane plan completed prior to their parade through the city.

  And their memory of our plans and this conversation?

  Inaccessible. Should Ridgecroft or Mandesa attempt to read them, they’ll find nothing.

  The blocks will drop with the first attack, right?

  Guaranteed. I’ll trigger the release with a code word.

  Opening the door, we saw Penton outside, leaning against the wall.

  “Goodnight. I’ll see you soon.” Father smiled before retreating to the room and our strategic plans.

  I wanted to chastise him for working too hard, but we all had our part to do, and if I was going to head into battle tomorrow there was one thing I wanted to do first. I leaned into our small circle and whispered, “Before we head to the mess hall, there’s something I’ve gotta do. You guys in?” I looked between Penton and Raeth.

  “Wh-what are we in for?”

  “I’m Neumarian, I want to fight as a Neumarian.” I smiled. “I want my mark.”

  Raeth smiled and Penton nodded. With Ryder at my side, we headed down the back hall. “There’s a Neumarian near the infirmary that does skin markings.”

  We scooted through the halls until we reached a dark room with colored lights. I stuck my head in. “You the guy for skin markings?”

  A young man with tons of skin art nodded.

  “I wanted to know if I could get—”

  “You misunderstand. You don’t choose the mark, it chooses you.”

  I looked between them. “But it’ll be a Neumarian mark, right?”

  Penton stood in front of Raeth as if to protect her from the marked man. “Can we choose where?”

  The man laughed, causing a marking of a woman to dance on his neck. I wanted to ask what significance she had on his life, but decided better of it. “Don’t worry. Your girl won’t look like me when I’m done. One marking, in place of choice.”

  Penton sighed. Ryder squeezed my shoulder. “You don’t need a mark to prove you’re Neumarian.”

  I nodded. “But I want one.”

  The man directed me to a chair. “Sit.”

  I leaned forward and pointed to my shoulder. “Here.”

  He placed one palm against my skin and heat tingled for a moment before a blast seared my mark. I gasped and Ryder took my hand. “I’m fine.”

  It only took a few moments before he lifted his hand and stumbled back, his eyes wide. After a second, he bowed to one knee. “It was my honor.”

  Raeth picked up a mirror and held it so I could see the mark better. It matched Ryder’s, except amber glowed where his was silver. Also, I had a symbol above, a Triune mark of three intertwined circles.

  I stood, and Raeth jumped in the chair. A spark lit the room. Odor of burnt skin exploded for a second, but was then replaced with the fresh smell of a beach. Her mark matched my own, but with a sand-colored glint.

  Raeth turned to show Penton, but he only nodded and took his own seat. He grunted when the man seared his skin, but when the marked man’s palm lifted Penton smiled.

  “Wow, I guess you know for sure now.” I mumbled in awe.

  Raeth kissed his shoulder near his mark then traced the three circles with a vine keeping them all together. “You were always p-part of us.”

  Ryder clapped Penton on his sore shoulder before hopping in the chair himself. “Need to add something to my mark.” He winked before the man burned the Triune center onto his chest above his Neumarian mark.

  In only a matter of ten minutes, we all had matching marks.

  The man knelt after each one, pleading his honor of marking us.

  Penton smiled as we left the dark room and headed to the mess hall. “I guess I am a member of the Triune after all.” Penton halted halfway down the hall. “Raeth, can I speak with you?”

  Raeth didn’t say a word, but followed him anyway.

  Ryder took my hand. “What’s going on with them?”

  “Penton doesn’t want to marry Raeth before they go to war because he believes he won’t make it back and he doesn’t want her to be a widow.”

  “Sounds like someone else I know.” Ryder tapped the end of my nose with his finger. “Poor sister, I feel for her. That being said. He didn’t ask for permission, so it’s not happening.”

  “Would you give it?” I asked.

  Ryder’s head shot back and his nose crunched. “No, she’s too young.”

  I punched him in the arm. “Hey, we’re the same age.”

  He shook his head. “That’s different.”

  “How?” I asked.

  He quirked a playful smile. “It just is.”

  At my scowl, he grinned. “Because I’m older than Penton.”

  Ryder and I stopped abruptly at the entrance to the mess hall as energy rippled over our skin. Life—animated conversations, children running about playing war games—filled the enormous room. Some children pretended to be assassins, others rebellion soldiers able to kill them. A few adults told them to quiet down while others insisted to let them be. I agreed with the latter. War wasn’t quiet or polite.

  Leading me to the buffet line, Ryder whispered, “The children will be fine. They’re being evacuated within the hour, sent to their tribal areas in the Highlands.”

  I breathed a small sigh of relief. “I’m glad they’ll be safely away from here. I don’t trust Mandesa not to attack once you’re in the air.”

  “Me, too.” Ryder lifted a tray and handed it to me, before taking one for himself.

  The man behind the counter scooped fluffy white potatoes and dumped them on my tray with a grotesque thwarp and I grimaced.

  “Don’t look at it that way. Eat. Or else,” Ryder said, wiggling his eyebrows.

  If this was normalcy, it felt good. “I guess I better learn how to cook. Because once this war’s over, I’m never eating mystery food again.” We grabbed some utensils from a bin at the end of the line.

  “You in the kitchen?” Ryder scoffed. “That’s something I’ll have to see to believe.”

  I sat on a bench, scooting in far enough for Ryder to join me. “I’ve got a better idea. You can be the cook.”

  Ryder stabbed a piece of meat with his fork and swirled it in his potatoes. “Since I already know how to cook, it’ll at least be edible.”

  “No, you don’t.” I shifted the meat around my plate for a moment then dropped my fork in disgust and took a sip of water instead.

  “Yes, he does.” Raeth slid onto the bench across the table from us. “Momma t-taught him. Been cooking since he could w-walk.”

  I eyed both of them in disbelief. “You’re joking.”

  Ryder laid his fork on the tray then place one hand over his heart in mock offense. “I knew it. She loves me only for my guns.”

  I winked. “And you handle your weapon so well, too.”

  His hand slid up the inside of my thigh. “Don’t worry. I have lots to teach you.”

  My face heated and I shifted uncomfortably, sloshing water out of my cup. Sopping the spill up with my napkin, I croaked, “What happened with Penton?”

  Raeth speared a small piece of mystery meat, the fork tines scraping her tray. “Still w-won’t m-marry me.”

  “Good. ‘Cuz he hasn’t even asked me yet,” Ryder shot.

  I kicked his shin under the table.

  Raeth smiled. “You’re m-my big brother. T-talk t-to him for me, please” she said, motioning to the doorway with
her fork.

  Grinning, I waved Penton over as Raeth bolted from the table and out the door.

  I took a few bites of vegetables and forced down a mouthful of mashed potatoes as Penton joined us. “Raeth’s ticked at me.”

  “I can’t imagine why. The love of her life rejected her,” I said in a sugary sweet voice.

  He stared at the table for a moment then muttered, “I didn’t reject her. I’d never reject her. I love her. But I’ve known since birth that I was destined to help the Triune.” Resting his elbows on the table, he buried his head in his hands. “I know my time here is limited. When I die saving the Triune, Raeth—” He dropped his hands to the table and met my gaze. “You of all people should understand.”

  I reached over and curled my fingers around his. “No, I don’t. Every moment we have is precious. To spend that with your soul mate is something to be treasured, even if it’s only days.”

  Penton tugged his hand free. “It’s not out of fear. It’s out of obligation. I’m meant to die for the cause. That’s why—” Abruptly, he snatched his tray and stood.

  I watched Penton disappear out of the mess hall then tossed my tray in the wash bin.

  Ryder clasped my waist and pulled me to him, guiding me down the corridor. “Let’s get some rest.”

  “Rest?”

  He chuckled. “Perhaps more,” he said, closing the door to the guest room given us. He marched across the room and slid his halo pad into a drew.

  “What are you hiding from me?” I nudged him out of the way and opened the drawer. Swiping the combination to open it, I scanned the information. “You’re writing letters to Laos and Annie?”

  Ryder sighed. “I wanted them to know how much we love them. Stupid, I guess.”

  “I wish I’d thought of it.” I pulled his head down to me, stopping when our breaths mingled. “We’re about to go to war. I get it, we won’t all make it out alive. It makes perfect sense. I can’t imagine a moment without any of you.”