by Tenaya Jayne
Forest nodded to Baal, who nodded back and resumed his seat as they left the room. She followed past a basic meeting room, and then into the science lab. She looked at the odd jars lining the walls before approaching the table in the center of the room, diagrams and charts covered the surface. Forest looked down at the papers, understanding less than half of what she saw. The word unsuccessful was written harshly across the top of the paper. It stuck a chord and she turned to face her father. "I want to see the files from the experiment that spawned me."
Rahaxeris crossed his arms. "Just because you are here doesn't mean I can show you anything you want to see. You don't have clearance for that."
"You could give me clearance," Forest fired back.
"Perhaps I could, but I won't."
Forest hissed out an angry breath. "Why? Because it's so ugly?"
"Yes."
The tears rising in Forest's eyes surprised her. She wrapped her arms around her middle, thinking of the ones who had been created then deemed unsuccessful and destroyed. She turned her back to him, letting the tears fall down her cheeks, mourning them as siblings.
Rahaxeris came up behind her and put his sharp hand on her arm. "Come with me. I need to show you something else."
Forest let him lead her by the arm out of the room and into another. She dug in her heels as she crossed the threshold. It was an operating theater, empty, sanitized, and completely haunted by the tortured dead.
"Yes, you see. And you know the rumors. But what we do is for the greater good."
Forest looked at him helplessly.
"You believe in the greater good, don't you?" he asked gently.
She nodded. "Yes."
"You understand the usefulness of fear?"
"Yes."
"Fear of punishment keeps people safe, safe from others, and from the evil within themselves. So, just as we cultivate fear, and contrive pain for punishment, we create balance and peace. It's not a job just anyone can do."
Forest stared at the operating table and shivered. "That's for damn sure."
"And with science; experimentation must be detached. But through probing for answers we have learned, many ways to heal, improve life, and prolong it. Death happens in the process."
Forest looked back into his eyes shaking her head. "I've seen enough."
"No, I don't think you have. Come on."
Rahaxeris led her back to a plain room, the stone opening and sealing again behind her. The room was empty. "These are my personal quarters. I want to show you my memories."
"Your memories?"
"Unless you don't want to."
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued."
"All right."
Rahaxeris placed his palm flat on the wall, closing his eyes and muttering a few words under his breath. A grey fog rose off the stone around his hand, quickly filling the room, drifting over the floor like a haze in a swamp. The ghostly image of a woman gathered from the mist and stood in front of Forest. She jumped back, her mouth falling open as she recognized her mother. Liasia never was one to shift her appearance too much. She stuck to five different looks. What Forest saw was a face she knew well. Her mother looked at her silently as other transparent people formed around her, joining her in a line.
Liasia looked down at a parchment in her hands as the line moved. She looked up again, her eyes fixing across the room, her mouth falling open slightly. Forest followed her gaze and saw a ghostly version of her father standing next to her real father. Ghostly Rahaxeris looked as trapped and transfixed as Liasia. Forest realized she'd just witnessed the first time her parents laid eyes on each other.
The images melted back into the haze, replaced by new ones. Forest blushed at seeing her parents lying in each other's arms in a room she recognized as her mother's. Liasia nestled her head onto Rahaxeris' bare shoulder. I love you, she whispered.
I'll take care of you, Lia.
The haze again shifted. Liasia was crying uncontrollably against Rahaxeris' chest. He took her, Ra! That bastard, Menjel, took our baby!
I'll get her back, I promise.
Forest's heart clenched at the sound of her mother's anguished sobs, grateful when the haze changed again. Rahaxeris was in a shouting match with another priest, whom she assumed was Menjel.
She's shown us everything we need to know. Her life has fulfilled its purpose.
You don't know that she's shown us everything! Rahaxeris yelled. Many elves cannot master invisibility until puberty. Let's see what she can do as she gets older. No other splice came out as good as she did.
Ah, yes, well she's not really even a splice is she? She's just a Halfling bastard.
I won't let you kill her! Her mother loves her.
What is that to me? Or the project? Menjel argued.
I promised Liasia she could raise her child.
You weren't given that kind of authority.
It's MY project. And she's my daughter. I want to see what she can do as she grows up.
The haze shifted again. Rahaxeris looked down at Forest as a baby, sleeping in his arms. He was in the room she grew up in, sitting in a rocking chair. He stroked the side of her baby face and played with the wispy strands of hair on her head. Forest was nonplused at the simple show of affection.
The haze shifted back to her parents.
I can't keep coming back. If they found out, it would put her life in danger.
What do I tell her about you? As she gets older?
Nothing. She's safer that way. She won't lack for anything, Lia. I promise.
Her mother turned away, her face in her hands. Don't make me anymore promises, Ra. Just keep the only one that matters and let me raise her to adulthood.
The images then shifted so quickly it was as if he was fast-forwarding. And indeed, when it slowed down, time had jumped from her being a baby to around the time Leith first targeted her. Rahaxeris was arguing again with Menjel. Other priests gathered around them.
I can't let her suffer like that! It's unjust. He's broken Regia's slave laws.
You argued before that we should leave her alone and see what she does. I think now is the perfect time to do just that, Menjel reasoned coldly.
We did all agree not to interfere, Rahaxeris, another added.
The haze shifted for the last time. Rahaxeris sat next to her mother's deathbed, holding her hand.
She's not coping well, Ra, Lia rasped.
I've been working hard to become the next High Priest. It won't be much longer. I'll fix it for her, Lia. I'll fix the whole damn world.
Then let that be the last promise you make me. Promise me, now as I'm dying. Promise you won't fail her.
Rahaxeris brought Liasia's hand to his lips. I promise.
All the haze in the room evaporated, leaving Forest gaping at her father.
"I love you, Forest… I'm trying to fulfill my promise."
A grievous crack snaked up from the foundation through the walls of Forest's defenses, and she found herself running into her father's arms. Strange, frightening being that he was, he held her as any loving father would and absorbed the rocking waves of her tears.
I am wanted. I know who I am and where I came from. I matter. And I am loved.
The knowledge brought nourishment to her bruised and battered heart. All the scars vanished away. All the scars but one…Leith's.
Forest's slave mark now prickled and strung. It had to go, right now. Pride radiated through her. She was Forest, daughter of Rahaxeris, and no man's slave.
She wiped her eyes and lifted her chin. "I have to get back to the Onyx Castle, now. I have unfinished business that cannot wait another day."
"About time. I'll send you back there directly."
"You can create portals, too?"
"Forest, you have no idea the amount of things I can do." He smiled at her and struck the air. The portal swirled before her.
"Will you teach me to do some of the things you can?"
He shook his head ruef
ully. "My knowledge has come from dozens of decades of experimenting and dabbling. Trust me, the cost is high. Your soul is too important."
"I would have to forfeit my soul to gain what you have?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Then I think I'm content the way I am."
"A wise choice. I'll send Baal to Fortress. He'll be there to help you after you've handled your unfinished business in the Onyx Castle. Don't be afraid to boss Baal around a bit. He'll be there to help you. Just boss him respectfully."
"Sure, no problem." She stepped toward the portal and turned back to him. "Thank you, Father."
He nodded a little stiffly, and then he and his room disappeared in the rushing blackness as she sped back to the castle.
The portal didn't drop her in the throne room, but back in the privacy of the room she'd shared with Syrus. Forest was grateful for her father's discretion. She went into the bathroom and splashed some cold water on her face. Her hands began to ache as the hilt of her sword beckoned them. She took one deep breath and looked herself in the eyes. Her life was changing rapidly. A smile pulled into the side of her mouth. It was time for Leith's reckoning.
Forest started down the stairs, the key gripped tightly in her hand. She passed a few different people in the halls, all of them gasped and gave her little bows. She moved on without acknowledging them. Her eyes landed on Merhl standing next to the door of her target.
He stepped forward and sank down onto his knees grabbing her hands. "I'm so sorry, Milady. I failed."
"What are you talking about?"
"He's gone. His father came, threatened to kill a hostage. He knocked me unconscious."
Forest looked alarmingly at the door. "No." she shook her head. "No!" Charging past him, she thrust the key into the lock that wasn't locked at all and pushed the door open.
Empty.
She closed her eyes and hung her head. Damn it. Well, he'd gotten loose from her before, slippery bastard. She sighed and left the room.
"Please forgive me, Milady. I should have rather died than opened the door, but I feared for the life Vladien threatened. And now my life is forfeit anyway."
"It is not!" Forest said forcefully.
"But surely once Rahaxeris learns of my inefficiency, he'll…"
"He won't harm you, Merhl. I'll talk to him. You needn't fear for your life."
Redge came around the corner. "Forest, you're back. I see you've learned of our little mishap."
She gave Merhl a reassuring squeeze on the arm before turning to Redge. "I want this investigated quietly. Take down Vladien if you find him, and arrest any of his accomplices. But do not pursue Leith."
Redge raised one eyebrow. "Might I ask why?"
"There's no need. He's a coward. He needs to feel safe. He'll come to me. He always does."
"And if we apprehend Vladien and Leith is with him? What then?"
"Arrest him and bring him to my office."
Redge took a closer stock of her, noticing the stone around her neck, feeling its subtle effects around her. "Your office?"
Forest smiled. "In Fortress castle. As of today, everyone in Fortress will know the location of the office of Hailemarris. I'll be easy to find."
Redge returned her smile. "Hailemarris, eh? Congratulations. Does Syrus know?"
"Of course."
He gave her a little bow. "I'll keep you informed of our progress in the investigation, Milady."
"Thanks."
Chapter Twenty-three
Forest walked through the front entrance of Fortress, as she had countless times in the past, yet now, it was different, dreamlike. She didn't have to pass through security check points and have her name and race blazed across her chest for all to see. She strode into the main lobby, her head erect, eager to prove herself. She let her anxiety and anger about Leith fade into the background of her mind, comforted in the knowledge that when he showed his face again she'd cut it clean off without hesitation.
The people milling around and waiting in line to speak to the receptionist parted like the red sea as Baal strode through the room toward Forest.
"Nice to see you again, Baal," she said easily.
"And you as well. There's a lot stewing around here. I think it best I show you to your office before I say more."
"Lead on."
Forest assumed the stewing he referred to centered around her showing up in her new professional capacity. She smiled to herself, unconcerned by the postulating and posturing she was sure the high council was doing at that very moment.
Baal led her down a hallway lined with the doors to the offices of the highest ranking. A little thrill shivered up her spine at the thought that she would be counted among them.
The highly polished door loomed before her at the very end of the hall. A carved sign hung at eyelevel. It read: The Office of Hailemarris. Supreme Judge of the New Republic of Regia. By appointment only.
Baal opened the door for her. It was a beautiful room, furnished exquisitely, but she felt a little let down, thinking it would be bigger.
Baal laughed, drawing her attention. "Disappointed?"
"Oh, no." Forest checked herself. "It's lovely."
Baal laughed again. "This is just the front room, for your secretary. Your actual office space is behind that door."
The door blended seamlessly with the wall, but his finger directed her to see the doorknob. She opened the door, and that dreamlike quality flowed over her again. Everything was in shades of green. The desk reminded her of the locker that used to be downstairs, beautifully carved; the four legs each looked like trees, the surface supported by the branches. The space eased and brought clarity to her thoughts. She sat down at her desk, overwhelmed. "So, who is my secretary?"
"That's for you to decide. Actually, you will probably want a secretary and a personal assistant. I might recommend that you choose the assistant with some careful consideration, someone you trust."
Forest smiled. "I know who I want…You were going to tell me about some trouble before?"
"Yes. The members of the high council are assembled and squabbling about you right now."
"Well, seeing as I'm their new boss, I guess I better get in there and break it up."
Baal cocked his brow and smirked. "May I come along?"
"Sure. You're my wingman."
"Your what?"
Forest stood up and strode past him. "Never mind."
She marched directly into the room and the middle of a garble of arguing voices. All eyes turned to her, and the fighting died comically. She looked at each of them in turn before taking a seat in the circle. "Well, sit down. I don't have all day."
Kindel, standing the back of the room, had to cover his laugh with a coughing fit.
Baal walked to stand beside Kindel, drawing nervous glances as the council took their seats.
Everyone seemed highly agitated except Nahcaan, whose chair groaned under his five hundred pounds as he leaned back nonchalantly.
Before anyone could say anything, Forest launched in. "You all know who I am, even if you never spoke to me before. And you all know what I am now. Change can be jarring and upsetting. I don't care what you think of me, or how you think the world should be run. I didn't start the war that was the catalyst to all of this. All of us must adapt, and we must now answer for our actions of the past."
Both Lush and Zefyre shifted uncomfortably and glanced at each other.
"Over the next few days, I will be meeting one on one with each of you…It is time for us all to set aside out own agendas. Fortress will support and enforce the laws of the New Republic. You will evolve, or else find your job terminated. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Madam Hailemarris," Zefyre said.
The others followed suit and parroted her.
"You are dismissed."
No one moved.
Forest cleared her throat. "As of now, the council shall not meet in here unless it is a meeting I have called. If you chose to socialize with each other out
side of work, that is your business. Now go back to your offices and get to work."
"Yes, Madam," they grumbled.
Forest sat still as they all began to file out.
"Hold on, Kindel."
Kindel sat down next to her and waited quietly until the room was empty except for Baal. He let his laughter come out, and he slapped her on the shoulder. "Where did that come from?"
