by Mike Morris
He’d not show any weakness. He would not give them that satisfaction.
The Black Dog sat on top of a large grey horse. It moved with precision at a flick of the reins or stirrup and bulged with muscle. It was an animal bred for war.
Aidan himself wore a heavy black cloak that draped across the beast's haunches and a long sword hung in a scabbard at his waist. A pistol was holstered across his chest. For the first time, Jack could see the warrior in the man.
The horse and Aidan were made for each other.
The priest was accompanied by the two men who had helped capture the boys, Mr Jones and Mr Smythe. They drove a cart pulled by a pair of horses that could not have been more different from the Black Dog's mount. They looked like the working horses that Jack was used to seeing around Arbour.
It was the cart that was different. The cart was a cage on wheels. A moving jail. Behind the bars, three boys watched Jack and Brendan. Watched the guard lead them up to the rear of the cart whilst Mr Smythe unlocked the door.
"Now, before I take these chains off you little puppies, I just want to get one thing clear," said Mr Smythe, waggling the key in front of them. "It's a lot easier riding in the back there without them but, as sure as I'm standing here, I'll have them back on you if there's any nonsense. It's a long ride to Whitehaven. Keep your mouth shut. It’ll be quicker for all of us. Any trouble and you will get the whip.
"We'll be stopping for water breaks and food but no other time. If you need to go, tough shit. Hold it. Don't hold it. It's no difference to me. You'll be the one cleaning it up and I'm sure your new friends won't like it if you piss on them. Understand?"
Jack stared at him. He wasn't threatening like the Black Dog. Smythe was bulky but not in a fighting way. He'd seen plenty of men down Jerry's that had similar builds from drinking too much. Given the chance, Jack knew he'd be able to outrun him easily. He'd be huffing and puffing but the boys would be long gone. If he kept the chains off, they'd be a chance to run.
"Yes, we understand," replied Jack.
It was Aidan on that fierce horse that they needed to watch out for. But every man must sleep some time.
"What about you?" said Smythe to Brendan. "You going to be trouble?"
"No sir," replied Brendan.
"Sir? Who you calling 'Sir'?" cackled Smythe as he unchained them. "Get inside." He slapped them hard both of them across the head as they climbed inside the cage. Their freedom from being behind bars had lasted all of ten minutes. As the lock slammed shut, Jack held on to the hope inside him — he and his brother would escape. It was just a matter of when.
4
702 PN
The door to the nursery smashed open, waking Lin. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and saw a Master standing there. He swayed in the doorway, filling it with his bulk. His white skin gleamed despite the darkness of the room.
The sudden noise startled the children in the nursery. The youngest babies cried and screamed but the older children, like Lin, remained silent. They knew the danger they were in. Their best chance of survival lay in being quiet. They knew not to draw attention to themselves.
Cerene, the nurse, ran over to the Master. She dropped to her knees before him. "May I help you, my Lord?"
The Master loomed over her, twice her size. "I'm hungry," he roared. The very walls shook with his voice. The babies' screams grew louder. Fear welled up inside Lin. She had never seen a Master so close before. Cerene had told her about them, of course, warned them, but nothing had prepared her for the reality of the moment.
"My Lord, this is the nursery," said Cerene. "There are only babies and the youngest children here. They have not had their status selected yet. They... They are too young." She pressed her face to the floor but Lin heard her words clear enough. The Master did too.
He lifted her up by the neck off the ground. Her feet twitched as he pulled her closer. Their faces were inches apart. "I said I'm hungry," he shouted in her face. Saliva flew from his mouth and Lin saw his fangs for the first time. The Master flicked his wrist and the sound of bone breaking sent a shiver through Lin. Cerene went limp and he tossed her across the room. She crashed into one of the cribs, knocking it over and spilling the baby from its bed. The baby thrashed about on the floor, wailing but Cerene lay still.
Without thinking, Lin jumped out of bed and ran to her. "Cerene. Cerene," Lin whispered as she shook her but the nurse didn't move. Lin tried to fight back the building panic. She picked up the baby and held it close. She didn’t know what else to do.
"Heh."
Lin looked up and saw the Master watching her. “No meat on you,” he growled and staggered further into the room. He headed along the babies' row.
"Hungry. Hungry. Hungry," he said, stopping at one of the cribs. He reached in and picked up a screaming baby by the ankle. His smile grew wider. The baby's screams became more desperate. The Master licked the baby's face.
Lin shook Cerene. "Please wake up. Please."
The Master dangled the baby above his face.
Lin shut her eyes and covered her ears as well but she could still hear the baby's screams.
Then the baby stopped crying. Even amongst the noise of all the other children, the sudden silence chilled Lin to the bone.
Something wet hit the floor.
"Hmm. Still hungry," said the Master. "Need something... bigger."
Lin opened one eye and it took all her strength not to scream. Blood stained the Master's white skin. The baby's body lay discarded behind him, mangled, bloodied, eaten.
He staggered on towards the older children. Past Lin's empty bed. Past Ren. Past Ean. Past Pet'r.
The Master stopped in front of Droonan's bed. He was seven years old, the same age as Lin. They had been friends all their lives.
Droonan stared wide-eyed at the Master. His legs scrambled on the bed as he tried to move away from the danger confronting him. The back of the bed clanged against the wall as Droonan pushed against it. There was nowhere else to go.
"Perfect," said the Master.
There was no hesitation. The Master's arm shot out and seized the terrified boy, dragged him from the bed. Droonan kicked out as the Master lifted him up. He pulled the boy’s head to one side, exposing the child’s neck and then he bit into the flesh. The boy screamed, silencing everyone else in the room. Blood spilled out from around the Master’s mouth. Droonan's arms and legs thrashed wildly for a heartbeat. His whole body went taut and his cries stopped.
The Master pulled his face away from Droonan. A strip of skin stretched from his mouth to the boy's neck. More blood gushed from the gaping wound.
The Master saw Lin watching, grinned and chomped down once more on Droonan's neck, eating flesh.
The screams started again in the nursery. Lin joined in the wailing. She wet herself as she watched. She didn't care as it ran down her legs. She forgot the baby in her arms. She didn't hear its screams. The walls rang with the cries and amidst it all, the Master continued to eat.
Lin had no idea how much time passed as she sat there crying. The tears continued long after the Master left. She sobbed over Cerene's body, keeping her eyes closed to avoid looking at Droonan or the dead baby.
"What's going on?"
Lin opened her eyes at the woman's voice. An elder was in the room. She ran over to Lin and Cerene. She pressed her fingertips to Cerene's neck.
"She won't wake up," said Lin. "I've tried everything but she won't wake up."
The elder had a kind face, framed by short dark hair. She reached over and stroked Lin's cheek. "I'm sure you have, my dear. I'm sure you have. My name is Mas. What's your name?"
"Lin... A Master woke us up... He..."
The elder gave Lin a kind smile. "Shush. I understand. You've been very brave. I just need you to be brave just a little while longer while I go and get help. Can you do that?"
Lin sniffed and tried to smile back. "Okay."
Mas took the baby from her arms and briskly left the room. She re
turned with several more elders who began establishing calm in the nursery. They fed the babies and put them back to sleep. They removed the dead and a man came in to mop the floor until there was no trace of anything had happened.
Mas cleaned Lin and put her back to bed. "Try to sleep. You've not got long before the night bell rings. Think of it all as just a bad dream."
"Why did the Master kill Droonan?" asked Lin.
"They do it because they can, my dear. We belong to them," replied the elder. "How old are you?"
"I'm seven."
"Are you one of the eldest children?"
Lin nodded.
"Has anyone told you about the Sorting?" said Mas.
"No," replied Lin.
Mas looked around the room. Only one other elder remained on the far side of the room, not close enough to hear. Most of the children were asleep. She turned back to Lin. She spoke in a whisper. "The Sorting is when children are told what they are going to be when they grow up. Some of the boys will be chosen to look after the Masters and protect them, to be guards and soldiers. They have to be big and strong to do that. Most will be chosen to be workers. They do all the jobs that keep the castle running like cooking and cleaning. They build and repair the castle and grow all the food. Some even get to look after lovely children like you." Mas smiled and, this time, it was genuine.
"The really pretty children get chosen by the Masters to carry out very special jobs. Once they are old enough, they live with the Masters and make them happy. Finally, the last children get chosen to make the ultimate sacrifice for the Masters. The same sort of sacrifice your friend gave tonight.”
Lin stared at Mas. “They get eaten?”
Mas nodded. “We are nothing but meat to the Masters. Our blood and flesh keep them strong."
Lin could feel the tears in her eyes again. She didn't want to end up like Droonan. She didn't want to be eaten.
The elder wiped a tear away with her thumb. "Don't worry, sweet one. It is a great honor to be chosen. And if you are, you will live in the greatest luxury until you are called for. You will always be warm. Your stomach will be full."
"Why can't I be like you?" asked Lin.
"Then try not to look pretty when they call you. Look strong and tough and you should be alright." Mas leaned in and kissed Lin on the forehead. "Now get some sleep."
Lin watched Mas leave. She listened to the door lock slide into place. Lying in the darkness, images flashed through her mind. She never wanted to be close to a Master again. She would make herself look as ugly as possible for the Sorting. No one would ever call her pretty again.
When the bell rang for nightfall, a new nurse came to open up the door. Lin asked what happened to Cerene but she was just ignored. No one else spoke. Lin could see the shock in all the children’s faces at what had happened. The silence weighed down on her, as she got dressed and ready for the night. There was no pretending the Master's visit was a bad dream.
Lin and the other seven year olds gathered the younger children together to take them to eat First Meal. As she stepped into the corridor, Lin gulped at the sight of the red walls. For the first time, she realized they were the color of blood. The whole castle of Grosnar, her home, was made of blood red rock. She lowered her head and quickened her pace but even the floor was crimson. It surrounded her, threatening to swamp her mind.
It was a relief to step outside onto the small walkway that connected the nursery to the dining hall. It took no more than two minutes to reach the hall but Lin savored every moment. Tonight was no different, despite everything that had happened.
Lin stared at the stars. In the years since she was first allowed outside, she still hadn't got used to how beautiful the sky was. It was a clear night and even the moon was full, bathing the castle in its silver light. The central tower stood in silhouette against it. Covered walkways connected the tower to the surrounding buildings. Looking up, it resembled a spider's web covering the sky.
She gazed out over the ocean as it disappeared into nothingness. What lay on the other side of the sea? Were the Masters there? Or did everyone run free? All she had ever known was Grosnar. She had to believe there was a better world somewhere out there.
A faint breeze promised the coming of summer. The waves chattered in the harbor. Standing there, nothing else mattered in the world. She forgot the horrors and just enjoyed the wind moving past her face. She imagined all the bad things blowing away with the wind.
If only it were that easy.
Someone bumped into her, breaking the spell, and Lin resumed walking to the dining room.
Children collected bowls of porridge and sat with their friends along long tables as normal but still no one talked. Lin looked at the grey sludge in her bowl. For once, she didn't feel hungry. She sat with the others from her year. Pet'r. Skra. Ean. Jaar. Win. Nineteen children where there were once twenty. Lin nearly cried again when she saw Droonan's empty seat.
The only noise in the room was the clack of spoons in bowls. Lin joined in, forcing the food down.
Lin had spent her whole life in the nursery. Each year, the older children left and new babies were brought in. She'd never really thought of where anyone went. They just disappeared. The castle was a big place after all and Lin just assumed they moved to another nursery within it. It seemed silly now to think that.
She wanted to tell the others about the Sorting but it wasn't the time. They all looked upset enough as it was. But soon there would be no hiding from it.
5
702 PN
Lin lived in fear of the Sorting for the next few months. When someone new appeared in the nursery, she thought it was time. At the end of each night, as the children settled down to sleep, she told herself it would be tomorrow. She would wake with a sick feeling in her stomach and clammy hands. Her fears would subside over the course of the night as the children went about their normal routines but, come First Bell, she'd be sweating again.
Lin knew the waiting was over when she saw the dark haired elder, Mas, look for her after Last Meal.
"Come with me," said Mas, taking her by the hand. Lin had to run to keep up with Mas as she dragged Lin to the washrooms. After making sure no one else was in there, she barred the door and bent down so she was face to face with Lin. "How are you, my sweet child?"
"What's going on?" asked Lin.
"Tomorrow is the Sorting. Do you remember I told you about that?"
Lin nodded. Her lip trembled.
Mas smiled. "I'm going to help you look not so pretty when they inspect you. Hopefully that will help assign you to a work group."
"Thank you."
"You may not thank me in a minute but it's for the best. First we need to cut that beautiful hair of yours." Mas produced a small piece of red rock from her pocket. String was wrapped around one end to make it easier to hold. "We're not allowed knives so this is the next best thing. I've sharpened the sides." She took a handful of Lin's long fair hair and hacked chunks off.
Lin tried not to cry as her head was pulled this way and that and her lovely hair fell around her feet. She could cope with anything if it meant not ending up as a meal for a Master.
By the time Mas finished cutting, Lin's feet were buried. She ran her hands through her hair and felt clumps in some places and almost bare skin in others.
"We're getting there," said Mas. "Do you think you can be brave for a little bit longer?"
"Yes," replied Lin.
"Have you ever seen anyone with a black eye before?" asked the elder.
"Krin and Ean fought once and Krin gave Ean one."
"I bet it looked horrible."
Lin nodded. Ean's eye had swollen shut. It was more purple than black though.
"Did it get better?"
Again Lin nodded.
"I'm going to give you a black eye, Lin," said Mas. "I have to hit you to do that. Hit you very hard. It will hurt but I need you to be brave. Okay?"
Tears crept down Lin's cheeks. She didn't feel br
ave. "Okay."
"Shut your eyes, Lin. And count to three."
Lin did as she was told. "One... two...thr..." The blow knocked her to the floor. Lin sprawled over the cold stone. The pain in her right eye burned and she covered it with her hands. There was no stopping the sobs, all she could think about was how much her eye hurt.
Mas helped her back to her feet. Gently, she pulled Lin's hands away so she could look at the eye. Already it was hard to see out of. "Good," said the elder. "I'm really proud of you." Mas took Lin in her arms and held her tight.
Lin sobbed into Mas's bosom. She couldn't remember the last time anyone held her. Despite the pain, she felt safe, cared for her.
Someone banged on the door, breaking the moment.
Mas let go of Lin and stood up. "Do not look directly at anyone tomorrow, Lin. Be respectful and everything will be okay."
Lin sniffed and wiped her nose with her sleeve. "Thank you."
Mas walked her to the door. "We probably won't see each other again but I will think of you often." She held out the rock knife. "Keep this. Life is... difficult no matter what happens in the Sorting. It's not just the Masters who can hurt you. Hide it and don't hesitate to use it if you have to."
Lin took the stone. She ran her finger over one edge, feeling its sharpness. It was cumbersome in her hand. She looked up at Mas. "I’m scared."
Mas bent down and kissed Lin on the forehead. "Stay strong." She unlocked the door and walked out. Lin watched her leave as other kids came rushing in. Lin's appearance stopped them in their tracks though. She pushed past their questions and returned to her bed, slipping the stone knife into her pocket. It felt heavy there, a cold warning of what was to come.
Only Pet'r dared approach later to ask about her eye. Lin hadn't found the courage to tell any of her friends about the Sorting. She felt sick watching the shock register on Pet'r's face as she explained what was about to happen.
