by T. C. Edge
“Dad, I can see through you. You don't think we have anything to contribute do you?”
“Not me, Cyra. I always value your opinion. But, honestly, the Master has his own way of doing things. With Aeneas here, we have enough cooks already, we don't need any more input.”
“Yeah, well, I don't care anyway. Just tell me, are we going to be attacking the Eden army?”
He goes silent for a few moments.
“Dad, we all know it's going to happen. There's no other option.”
“Fine,” he says, crumbling. “It's likely, yes. Rations, as you probably know, are wearing thin. We're sending off helicopters to get more each day but we're having to go further and further each time, and there are just too many people here to feed. We have weeks only, before our stocks run out. We have to act soon.”
“Thought so...”
“We don't want a panic, though, Cyra. This is strictly confidential.”
“Dad, everyone knows already. These people aren't blind and they're not stupid. I mean, come on, you're distributing more rations to the soldiers and those who choose to fight. Everyone knows what's going on.”
“Well, still, keep it quiet. Anything else you want to know while I'm being so candid?”
I think for a moment.
“Yes, actually. What the hell's going on with Link? Why is he still in isolation?”
He shakes his head.
“That's not my decision. You know what the Master's like. He doesn't trust anyone. He fears that Link's just here as a spy. And a truly dangerous one at that. If he turned against us, he could do some serious damage. There's only you, me, and Athena left who can see into the Void. Link is a potential threat.”
I laugh, incredulous.
“Link is no threat. I trained with him on Eden. He's a good man. And he loves Ellie. He isn't a spy, dad.”
“And I believe you. But I'm not the master of this city.”
“Well, maybe it's time I paid a visit to the real Master,” I say.
“Cyra, it's good to have you back, but don't go making trouble. I know that look. Link is best behind bars right now.”
“No, he's not. He's best helping us. As you say, he's a powerful asset. It's a complete waste having him locked away.”
“Cyra...”
“Dad, I'm going to see the Master, whether you like it or not.”
He looks at me with a strange smile and begins shaking his head.
“Still so pigheaded,” he muses. “I've missed my daughter.”
He hugs me again and kisses my forehead.
“Go see the Master,” he says quietly. “If anyone can challenge him, I'd put my money on it being you.”
With that, he releases me and begins marching off once more, ready to fulfil more of his daily duties. I watch him go and smile, take a deep breath, and then start walking in the opposite direction back towards the main chamber.
4 - Battle Looms
Familiar passages lie ahead of me. Rock passages that gradually morph into regular corridors, walls perfectly carved and ending with a double wooden door at the end, flanked by two guards.
They stiffen a little as they see me coming.
“Miss Drayton,” says one. “You're not expected...”
I cut him off. “Is the Master inside?”
The man doesn't answer. He looks to the other guard.
“He's inside,” I say. “Otherwise you two wouldn't be here. Let me in, I need to speak with him.”
“I'm afraid he's busy right now.”
“Busy doing what?”
“He's with Mr Stein.”
“Perfect. Aeneas is a friend.”
Once more, the guard looks to his ally, as if for reassurance. This time, however, he doesn't need to continue the conversation.
The door behind opens suddenly, and the face of Aeneas Stein appears.
“What seems to be the prob...” he starts, before his eyes find me, standing in the middle of the corridor. “Cyra! What a welcome surprise. What are you doing here?”
“I'm here to speak with the Master.”
“Well, come in, come in.”
He waves me in as the guards step to the side, before wrapping his thin, wiry arms around me.
“You look well, Cyra. So much better than when I last saw you. How are you feeling? I hear you've been getting back to work?”
“Yes, Aeneas,” I say. “That room of mine was becoming a prison. It feels good to break out.”
He leads me into the room and the guards shut the door. I quickly scan the interior to find the Master sitting in a corner in a comfortable leather chair, a glass of what looks like whisky or some other liquor in his hand. I didn't realise such luxuries were available here.
“Look who's come to visit, Julius,” says Stein.
Julius...so that's his name.
The Master stays sitting in his chair.
“Ah, Cyra.” He sounds weary. “What are you doing here?”
Both old men look at me. The Master with narrow eyes. Stein with his usual brightness.
“I wanted to talk to you about Link,” I say.
The Master begins nodding.
“I suspected you'd come about him eventually. Do come forward and take a seat.”
I move in, Stein alongside me, and sit down at the corner table in a leather chair of deepest maroon. The Master, legs crossed and glass of whiskey in hand, inspects me as I sit. Stein scoops up his own glass and takes a sip.
“Would you like some?” he asks.
“Aeneas, the girl is only 16,” says the Master.
“Come on Julius, we started earlier than that all those years ago. Unless you've forgotten.”
“I don't forget,” says the Master curtly, bringing a short chuckle from Stein's lips.
“So, Cyra, how about it?” asks Stein.
I shake my head.
“No thank you, Aeneas. I've never drank anything like it before.”
“Yes, well, all the better for it,” says the Master. “Now, Link...”
He sits back, opening the floor for me to speak. He must know I'm here to plead my friend's case.
Once more, both men silently look at me, four deep eyes that have seen so much. But there's a difference in them. Stein's, deep but bright, like the black canvas of night sprinkled with stars. The Master's, more hollow, more cold, covered in a blanket of dark cloud.
“Well, girl, speak...” urges the Master. “I presume you're here to ask me to release the boy?”
“Yes, sir,” I say. “I trained with Link on Eden. I know him better than anyone here, except for Ellie. We both vouch for him. He doesn't deserve to be held in prison like a criminal.”
“Oh, but he is a criminal. He was an agent of Augustus Knight. He saw to the capture of your friends. How am I to trust a boy like that?”
“Because he was deceived by a lie,” I say. “Link only ever wanted to help people. He was happy to devote himself to being a Watcher. But not for Knight, not for Eden. He hated it there. He just wants to do good. What you're doing – keeping in in prison – is only making us seem like the bad guys to him.”
“Then he's a danger to all of us, if he can be so naïve,” says the Master calmly. “How can we know he's not here to strike from the inside. I know what happened on Eden, Cyra. He was urged by Commander Ajax to escape with you. Now, why would Ajax do that if not to get someone onto the inside? Answer me that.”
“Love,” I say quickly.
“Love?” repeats the Master, doubtfully.
“He's devoted to Ellie. He came here for her. It's why he left Eden before, and why he did it again.”
“And why would Ajax allow his finest young recruit to just run away and join the enemy like that? Take away your bias, Cyra, and think carefully.”
I take his advice, and spend a moment alone in my mind.
“He's conflicted,” I say after a period of silence. “Ajax is nothing like Knight. I don't think he believes in what the High Chancellor is do
ing.”
Both men's heads shake. I look at Stein, who speaks for the first time.
“Perhaps that's what he wanted you to think, Cyra. Ajax is very powerful, and very wise. He has trained Watchers for years, been as loyal to Knight as anyone. He might just be manipulating you, all of us, just like his master.”
“No.... how do you know about Ajax anyway, either of you. You've been locked away in prison and stuck over here for decades. I know Ajax personally. You don't.”
“Don't presume, Cyra, that being on this side of the wall has made me blind and deaf,” says the Master. “I know all about Commander Ajax. And I know his type. He's been indoctrinated into Knight's ideology, his vision. He won't ever change.”
“You're wrong,” I say. “He's not completely lost. That's why he gave up Link. Not as a spy, but because he knew it was the right thing to do. Link is no threat, but he could be a great asset,” I say, turning the conversation back to the reason for my presence. “Please, let him go.”
The two men share looks and both take sips of their drinks. Stein leaves it for the Master to speak.
“I'm afraid, Cyra, that is something I cannot do. It is an unnecessary risk for us all to take. We have few who could stop him if he decided to attack.”
“He won't attack! I know you're planning on going to battle with the Eden army. Are you really going to leave someone like him back here?”
“And if we do go to battle, and he decides to turn against us, he will slaughter us from the inside. The risks far outweigh the rewards. I'm sorry, but my decision is final.”
I waste no more time in his belligerent presence. With a heavy shake of the head I stand, nod at the Master with my own brand of feigned respect, and storm out of the room. The guards sway backwards as I march through the door, my footsteps clattering loudly down the corridor as I go.
By the time the polished hallway has morphed back into a craggy, rocky passageway, the sound of my footsteps are joined by another.
I turn to see the welcoming countenance of Aeneas Stein appear behind me, panting slightly.
“Cyra, wait.”
I consider rumbling on, but draw to a stop.
“What is it, Aeneas,” I say, disappointed to see him appear the more deferential of the two old Councillors. Here, in this city, the Master truly does rule the roost.
“You mustn't take every small failure so personally, Cyra. Can you not understand where Julius is coming from?”
“I...I guess. But it's so frustrating, Aeneas. I know that Link is a good man. The Master is only speculating. I take it as an offence that my opinion isn't trusted.”
“Take no offence. Julius was always a very careful and considered man. The passing years have only made those particular traits more acute. I'm sure, in time, Link will be released. The Master, as you call him, has a limit to his stubbornness. We'll reach it eventually.”
“But you seem to agree. You saw Link during our escape. He was shooting Eden soldiers just like everyone else.”
“Yes, I saw it all. And I am more trusting than Julius. But I also understand his point of view. It may be a ruse to get a spy among us.” I make a sound to disagree but he cuts me off. “I know it must sound ludicrous to you, but it is a possibility, albeit an unlikely one. At this point, with the tension high, any possible risk cannot be tolerated.”
I shake my head and close my eyes, exasperated.
“So, the Master's called Julius is he?” I ask, changing the subject. It's a losing cause I'm fighting, no point in continuing a pointless debate.
“Yes, although I'm not surprised he took on such a lofty title as the 'Master' when he came here. He always did enjoy power.”
“And you? Why exactly were you both banished from Eden anyway. Was it just because Knight saw you as threats?”
“More or less. We were very much his main advisers. Perhaps we were too close to him. His council, now, offer little input when it comes to making decisions. They are more like his managers, making sure his will is carried out. He was never quite so despotic back when we were with him. Perhaps that's why we were discarded.”
“You seem surprisingly at ease about it all now. The Master appears to harbour a deeper grudge.”
Stein looks away into the middle distance for a moment as he speaks.
“I suppose, Cyra, I never expected to get out of that place alive. I am treating every day as a gift now. Oh, I want Augustus to pay, and I will do anything to make sure that happens. But I don't stew, and I don't fester. I try to remain positive.”
“It's a good attitude,” I say. “I wish I was a strong as you.”
“You're stronger than you know, Cyra. And you're still only young. I'm a grizzled old man. There's no space left in me for bitterness. After what happened with Theo, anyone would have lost some faith.”
He steps forward and lays those long fingers of his over my shoulders.
“But now, I can see in your eyes...you're back. And if we're going to have any chance here, we need you back.”
I begin to nod, an energy feeding in from him.
“Yes, Aeneas,” I say. “I think I am.”
He smiles warmly.
“Good, my dear, very good. Now, don't worry about your friend Link. I'll speak with Julius and see what I can do. After what you've done for me, I owe you everything. But...” he cautions, “don't get your hopes up. You are passionate, Cyra, and impatient. They serve you well at times, but can also betray you. Just please, don't do anything rash.”
I frown at him.
“What do you mean? I'm not going to try to break him out, if that's what you think.”
He lifts his eyebrows knowingly, then quickly lowers them once again.
“Of course not. That would be foolish now, wouldn't it. Just, focus now on your own recovery, on training more recruits. We will need them...”
“For the battle,” I say, finishing his sentence. “So, we are going to attack?”
“Unfortunately, at this juncture, we have no choice.”
“Then remember this, Aeneas...Link is worth a hundred soldiers, probably many more. The Master might just regret keeping him captive when we run into some Eden Watchers down there.”
He nods in agreement, but doesn't respond to my remark. All he does is smile once more, with those yellow teeth of his, and stand watching as I take the opportunity to turn and continue off down the passageway.
And as I go, in my head, I begin to hear the echoing sound of a ticking clock, clicking away in my ears.
The countdown has certainly begun.
5 - A Caged Animal
Over the next few days, the tension in the training cave, and throughout the entire city, goes up a notch. Though still nothing beyond a rumour, no more than speculation, word begins to spread that a head on battle is imminent.
The people know, as I do, that we have no other choice.
In the training cave, fresh recruits continue to be delivered on a twice daily basis now, their training abbreviated. I see people who I'd never expect to see down there marching in; older women who've seen too many winters, younger boys hardly into their teens, people with ailments or injuries that would otherwise see them laid up in bed.
Not here. Not now.
Now, the entire city is being trawled for anyone who can bear arms. Anyone capable of holding and firing a weapon is being called up to do their bit. In such desperate times, everyone is on the knife edge between life and death. Those that are unable to fight, who stay here in the mountain as the rest march to battle, will still have their lives in the hands of those with weapons in theirs.
If the battle is lost, all will die nonetheless. The city will be taken, and every last one of its occupants will be slaughtered. There is no longer any place to hide.
So they come in their dozens every few hours. The most unlikely of warriors with timid and unsure eyes, weak and frail bodies, fear imbuing their every step. And each time, when they leave, the most basic of training administered, I w
atch as their heads rise a touch, their posture stretches higher, and their eyes gain a hint of that steely glare that is constantly fixed to our own.
For that, it is Ellie and Jackson who we thank. They show no sign of anything but total confidence in their facade, in their body language, in the words they use to inspire the recruits. They do everything they can to make each new entrant as impenetrable as they can in the short time they have. For hour upon hour each day, they spread at atmosphere of defiance and fearlessness throughout the training cave.
And each time a fresh recruit leaves, they do so having soaked in that atmosphere. Having had it fill their veins and their hearts. Having been shown that, against the odds, we can still win this fight.
I watch Ellie and Jackson and thank God that it's not me in their shoes. Could I truly appear so dauntless and confident hour after hour down here? Could I really make these people believe that we can be victorious?
At night, when I speak with them both, I see in their eyes that they believe what they're saying. Even Jackson, knowing the might of Eden better than anyone, refuses to face the simple facts; that we are a rag tag group of ill equipped and ill trained soldiers, facing an army that has been designed for the simple purpose of wiping us out.
I don't share my thoughts, though. I know that those negative pathways in my mind will only serve to dampen the enthusiasm that both Ellie and Jackson share. They both know that I harbour my own doubts. There is no need to give voice to them again.
Now, belief and courage are the best weapons we have.
My place in the training cave is with the Watchers. Helping them seek clues as to what might occur. Some have seen flashes of a battle, but little more. Blurred and hard to decipher is what they tell me. Really, they have little to contribute; their training too limited here to enable them to face their fears as we did on Eden, to uncover the full extent of their abilities.
Mainly, I spend time with Athena. Fearless, bold, unyielding, she continues to improve day by day. Unlike the others, I don't waste time trying to unlock her ability to see visions. No, not with Athena.
