She would formulate a plan but she must, at least on the surface, pretend to give them her ear. Then Clara would escape this place, reunite with Charles. Despair welled inside her, filling her with stagnation.
What if there was no more Charles?
She shoved that thought out of her mind and concentrated on the present.
Forcing herself to still in the strong arms of Bracus, who had held her gently while they rode upon his horse, and now imprisoned her with his embrace, she said, “I will listen.”
Bracus set her down, warily watching for another escape, with Clara thinking all the while that the guard lay in wait outside, she would not test any boundary with him. She needed to tell Bracus and Bowen that he had visited the sphere before. She felt strongly that they were unaware of his dalliance. She had sensed much from him, all of it unknown.
She righted the chair as she sat upon it, folding her arms beneath her breasts.
Bracus noticed her posture and was not fooled. Her eyes flashed fire while she stared at them like enemies.
She would try to escape again.
Unfortunately, she was not understanding their true intent. If only she would listen. Bracus was beginning to see that beneath all the fragility, lay a woman of fortitude.
President Bowen began again, “It is not as it seems. For many decades our clan,” he stretched his hand to include the immediate area, “and many of our sister clans did not have females enough to grow in number. For every fifteen males born, only one female comes,” he said in a helpless voice.
“We think that the Evil Ones, may have made our ancestral pool too limited. And now, as our grandfather's grandfathers lay in this earth, we are in a desperate state to mingle with different peoples.”
Clara thought about it. She was not sure they were even the same species. When she looked at the Band, they were clearly other.
She mentioned that. And what of the Evil Ones? Who were they to these people?
Bracus answered, “The Evil Ones created us, the Band.” He gestured to his throat slits and his extreme size.
“You are genetically engineered?” Clara guessed.
The president raised an eyebrow in surprise and she nodded. “We have a Healer in the sphere that knows a great deal of Science and she has developed many speculations...” she trailed off.
“It is our supposition that the Evil Ones postulated about our life and what the challenges would be and gave us a select few,” he gestured to Bracus, “for each clan that could be protectors of a sort. But as you can see with the female population dwindling there may be, in less than a generation little to protect.”
“That is what happens when you play God.”
Clara looked at Bracus. “I will ask again: who are the Evil Ones?”
Bracus' eyes widened in surprise. “They are responsible for everything here.” he gestured vaguely around himself. “Even insomuch as before the days when the Earth was Covered by Ash.”
Clara's breath stopped in her throat. “Do you mean, the Guardians?”
They stared blankly at her and she continued quickly in their silence. “They are who saved us. They and only they are solely responsible for our spheres.”
She looked from one to the other, the uncomprehending expressions on their faces told all.
They did not know what the history was.
She thought suddenly of the book that had been carefully maintained for over a hundred years that told of the inception of the spheres. And more importantly, why.
“My grandfather's grand-sire devised a book, a history if you will, that tells of what our people were before. That there was a time when we all were one people across this great land, in huge cities. Then,” she paused for a moment, “the rocks fell from the sky and damaged our planet. But the Guardians were able to save us in nineteen different spheres. And there we have lived since that time, one hundred and forty years past,” she finished, folding her hands in her lap.
President Bowen's shock was evident. “They are your saviors,” he said slowly, “but they are our nemesis.” He stroked the stubble which rode at the bottom of his chin.
“I have questions of a technological nature as well.”
Clara nodded for him to continue, let them ask, she thought. “We think that somehow you use steam in the sphere to manufacture and live day by day?”
“Everything is powered by steam. Our lights, time pieces, cooking apparatus, everything,” she answered.
“What of the climate?” Bracus asked, thinking of a home without the sun on one's back and no rain for the streams.
Clara shook her head. “I am not privy to all details but when it rains on the Outside, our sphere allows a fine mist to permeate its surface and plants and other organic,” she hesitated, “matter is fed such. Also, the suns rays do gather and permeate, but not powerfully enough to darken the skin.”
She held out her slender arm, the color of polished ivory and Bracus' heavy gaze lingered upon it as she let it drop back on her lap.
“What of insurgence and weapons,” Bracus asked and President Bowen nodded.
“We have had battles amongst the spheres and guards which train with sword and dagger for protection.” Clara hesitated, did she say too much? Was she giving away information which would showcase the sphere's vulnerabilities?
“Who is that man who attacked you?” Bracus demanded and his tone gave Clara pause. The president gave Bracus a look of inquiry.
She said, “He is Prince Frederic,” she looked down at her hands tightly clasped in her lap. “We are to be wed.”
The silence had a pregnant feel to it.
It went on at length.
Finally, Bracus clarified, “You cannot mean to be mated with the man that attacked you?” He stood as he said it, towering over her so she stood as well.
There was a physical potential to him that frightened Clara, but not in the same way that she felt from the Prince. Rather, she felt it directed at others so she expounded, “I have no choice... I am royal. My mother, the Queen, has betrothed me to him to align our kingdoms as one and to facilitate trade.”
Bracus glared down at Clara, aching to touch her. He was not like this around the few women of his clan. He thought back to the genetic predisposition of certain females that held a potential for members of the Band and thought she was such a female. Clara made him feel fiercely protective (more than was usual) and he longed to be near her. It made him edgy and angry. He realized he was not angry at her; he was a prisoner of her to a degree he was uncomfortable with.
He allowed his gaze to soften. “He has hurt you.” Bracus reached out putting the lightest of touches against her cheekbone. No longer a horrible grape color, but fading to yellow.
Those hands that had maimed and killed so many of the fragment and others pressed tenderly against her face.
The President cleared his throat and Bracus took his hand away. “Princess... Clara, we have acquired you but briefly. It was my utmost desire that we may begin negotiations for an acquaintance with our peoples. After the Band surveyed the sphere for some time, you were chosen as the most likely person to assist in this...” he trailed off in a hopeful way.
Clara had misunderstood their intent. They hoped that they could intermingle with eventual cohabitation their goal. But they did not understand the Queen, she would never allow it.
“I am not supreme ruler of our sphere. It is Queen Ada that would have the final say,” she paused, trying to formulate words that would make sense, give nothing away, and dissuade them from approaching the sphere. “The people of my sphere think that you are a... primitive people and decidedly violent.”
She looked from one to the other, seeing mild offense in both faces, and she rushed to assuage their tempers. “Not all, but most. As humans we are most afraid of that which we do not know. And,” she looked at Bracus, “your rescue of me will be looked at as confirmation of these speculations.”
“What of your companion?” Bracus asked.<
br />
“Charles?”
He shrugged. “The one who dispatched two guards before we came upon you.”
Tears stung Clara's eyes and she thought of her childhood friend, confidant, protector.
Bracus saw her struggle with her emotions and wished to know what place this Charles held for her.
“He is my very best friend and has helped me with...” the beatings the Queen has rendered, “difficult situations.”
Bracus' eyes narrowed, he knew there was much she was not saying and he was determined to find out what it was. But not now with the President's hawk-like eyes as audience.
Jack came in at that moment. “Where is Lillian?” he asked, a trifle anxious, which made Clara on guard. Was something afoot?
Bracus saw the tightening of her eyes and posture. “Lillian is with child and sometimes does not feel well.” That was an understatement, Bracus thought.
Clara relaxed, she knew that was typical for women during the first part of their time with child. Though earlier she had seemed so energetic.
Jack said, “It comes on quickly. She may be lying down now. I will check on her,” he nodded to Bracus, then Bowen. “President.”
Bracus saw Clara's exhaustion and composure fraying around the edges and said quietly to the President, “Clara may need some time to acclimate to her new circumstances.”
The President nodded. It would be a tremendous change, coupled with the attacks she suffered. His gaze fell upon her and he looked at her, really looked at her. She looked like she was sleeping while standing, her frail figure held together by force of will alone.
“Yes, I will be here one fore-night more and then take my leave to the central clan,” he looked at Bracus. “We will speak more on this one day hence.”
Turning his attention to Clara he said, “I felt it imperative that we discuss our intentions so you would not feel unsafe here or misconstrue our intent.”
The guard floated up in her mind. He, she did not feel safe around. She opened her mouth to say something when he entered the cottage. “Captain, they are ready to depart.”
Bracus nodded. “Very well.” he looked at Clara. “We will be gone a fore-night, no more.” As he gazed at her he hoped she may be able to discern how little he wished to leave her, even in the competent care of his Band mates. “We have three of the Band here and you will not want for protection.”
Clara nodded. She would say nothing with the guard standing there looking upon her with those steady eyes, intense eyes.
The guard thought the Princess might be understanding more than he liked and did not desire to give her unnecessary time alone with Bracus and President Bowen. He would take her tonight, it was the perfect opportunity for him. He was assigned duty to she and Lillian at the bathing springs. He would take her and she would be his to return to the sphere. He smiled as he thought on his plan.
Clara saw the smile slowly reveal itself upon the guard and thought that it would behoove her to never be alone with him. She maintained an uneasy silence.
Bracus felt her disquiet and could not ascertain its origin. He looked at his Band members and saw nothing amiss, but her eyes remained troubled. He did not wish to leave her yet, he must get to Evelyn.
He turned away, giving a curt nod to Clara. With the President ahead of them he walked outside and spoke quietly with Matthew, Stephen and Jack. “She may try to escape. President Bowen has told her enough that she feels confident that our intentions are for the good of both our peoples,” Bracus said, rolling his shoulders into a shrug.
Jack said, “Joseph will remain behind and either Stephen or Matthew will accompany the women to the bathing springs.”
Matthew looked at Jack.
“If Lillian is well enough to go,” Jack said.
“It matters not. The women like to primp and preen,” Stephen said disdainfully.
Jack replied, “Watch your tongue before I cut it out. Lillian does none of that. I think it is but an excuse to wheedle information out of the Princess.” He glowered at Stephen.
“There is much to be learned of the sphere-dwellers, that is true,” Bracus said.
“Another female may coax information,” Matthew agreed.
President Bowen reminded them all, “She is to be kept under close supervision. I wish to make haste with a treaty of sorts and that cannot be done if harm befalls her or she escapes and is picked up by the fragment.”
Bracus would never let that happen.
Out loud he said, “Let us make haste to rescue Evelyn.”
“See that you do,” and with that, Bowen walked off with a member from the central clan's Band.
Bracus turned around and looked at the cottage, his gaze lingering. He desperately wished to see her one more time before his departure. No matter, there would be plenty of time upon his return to sort out his feelings and deepen their acquaintance. He knew he did not wish for Clara to return to the sphere.
Ever.
And as he stood there she appeared in the window, her form warped from the glass' imperfections. She gave a small wave and Bracus' heart became lighter. After all that she had been through, she bid him farewell.
The guard watched Bracus stare at Jack and Lillian's dwelling, his thought process clear to all that bothered looking for it. Oh how surprised he would be when his return marked the precious Princess as absent.
Perfect.
CHAPTER 26
Charles, Clarence and Sarah spoke quietly in her foyer, yet again. The Queen had been caught unawares by their story. She had known that something was not quite right but when they placed the blame on the savages' kidnap of Clara, they were able to ascribe blame also to the drugging of Clarence. What they could not do was explain the Prince’s proximity or physical injuries very well. However, the Prince was in no great hurry to bring to light his assault against Clara. Beating her had been one thing but rape? Even the Queen may be given pause over that.
Charles was arguing with Sarah, who thought it too risky to leave the sphere immediately after their first escape attempt. But Charles felt there was no choice, and besides, his mind was quite made up.
“She is with them, the savages. Each moment that I do not go after her. Guardian knows what could be happening to her... as we speak, Sarah! Surely you must know that?” Charles' hands were planted on his hips and his legs spread wide, glowering down at Sarah.
Clarence said, “Charles, your voice.”
Charles glared at him then began to pace the small room, frustrated beyond measure. He must find her. Already he was a day behind.
He and Clarence looked at each other and Sarah asked, “What are your thoughts?” Her eyes searched his face. “You know that if you go now, you may never return while Queen Ada reigns.”
He knew and cared not. Clara was most assuredly in grave danger.
“I will go with you,” Clarence said decisively.
Charles turned. “You know what this means. Mayhap you would be trapped Outside forever with no clear future.”
Clarence lowered his voice and said quietly, “I do not care for our monarch. Without the efforts of Clara, what does it matter?”
“She will wish to return if she can. She cares nothing for her own safety. She cares only for her kingdom, her father's kingdom.”
“King Raymond,” Clarence said, laying a fist over his heart as Charles did the same. The three silently remembering a kingdom governed with a fair and true monarch.
“Aye, she will but a dead ruler cannot rule,” Clarence said.
“My sentiments exactly,” Charles said.
“She will argue to come back...” Sarah said.
They were all quiet for a moment and Clarence voiced what they had all been thinking, “If she can. Perhaps she is...”
“Do not speak such,” Sarah said.
Charles looked at Clarence. “I am sorry, but the odds are not in her favor, Charles...” he looked at Sarah. “Sarah.”
“I take comfort that they appeared to
be expecting the situation. They were prepared. The manner in which they dispatched the Prince's guards speaks of planning. If that be the case, they may be holding her for reasons unknown. We may be able to reason with them,” Charles explained.
Sarah rolled her eyes. “They are savages, Charles. Their primitive brains do not comprehend negotiation.”
Charles shook his head. “I do not think so. They seemed sophisticated in their manner. Supreme fighters, they employed a degree of stealth that we could never have managed even with the finest of our guards,” he said, looking at each of them in turn. “I will take my chances.”
“And I will take them with you,” Clarence said.
Sarah huffed and turned her back on them both. Insufferable men! Could they not see the tiniest bit of patience may result in the element of surprise and an escape which would not be anticipated?
Charles swung her around to face him and she gave him a hard stare. “You were not there, you did not see them. I have seen nothing like it. They are very much what the Record Keeper said they would be.”
“Tales, she bears tales,” Sarah responded, her arms crossed over her chest.
“Not in this. They are as she said: fierce, large, great warriors, and tenacious. They will not easily be dissuaded of their goal. And I think their goal may have been to capture Clara.”
Sarah leaned back, taking herself away from Charles' angry grip. “To what end?”
Charles shook his head. “I will find out. It cannot be good.”
“And the Record Keeper told stories which made people of the spheres fear the Outside. Look now,” Sarah swung her arm around her, “clearly we need not have worried, the sphere wall repaired itself and no one who was exposed to the Outside air died a miserable death.”
Clarence clarified, “It may have been very true at one time years ago. If the sphere had been breached, the toxicity of the Outside would have sickened and killed many. It is possible there has been enough years since the Days of Ash that we may be able to exist Outside.”
Destiny's Dark Fantasy Boxed Set (Eight Book Bundle) Page 82
