by D. D. Chant
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The Una
He sat alone watching the water intently, but without actually seeming to see. It was a beautiful spot; the stream that ran through the trees formed a pool, quite deep in places and incredibly still and clear. Large moss covered boulders hemmed in the water, and it was on one of these that the young lad sat.
Kai watched him for a few minutes, leaning against a tree, and studied the determined slant of his youthful shoulders.
“I know you’re there, Kai; the sun keeps reflecting off the gold in your tunic. Even if I wanted to ignore you I couldn’t.”
His voice held no irritation, or anger, but was pitched low as in conversation.
“Had I wanted you to be unaware of my presence you would not have known I was here,” returned Kai, extracting the grass stalk from his mouth, and casting it aside before moving to sit down next to the boy. For a second there was silence, and then Kai spoke.
“You were shocked.”
“I was surprised,” corrected Rem.
Kai raised an eyebrow.
“That’s the same thing.”
Rem shook his head.
“No, it isn’t. The first time I saw her I was shocked.” Rem looked across the pool of water so that he wouldn’t have to meet Kai’s scrutiny. “I remember exactly how it felt, and it wasn’t like that today. Today I was just surprised.”
Kai heard the bleakness in his voice, and understood. Rem didn’t need to explain it to him after all.
“It’s not your shame, Rem.”
“No?” Rem turned meeting his eyes frankly. “Then whose shame is it?”
Kai shifted on the rock, slowly breaking a twig into little pieces between his fingers.
“That matters not, only know that it is not yours. Elderman Di Ye bid me tell you so.”
“He thinks it is not my shame?” Rem tilted his head to one side. “And what do you say?”
Kai felt the comforting words rise up in his throat, but knew he could not speak them. He couldn’t lie to Rem; to anyone else, but never to Rem.
“That’s right; we both know the truth,” finished Rem. “She will always be a shame to us, so why is it that I don’t hate her?”
Kai glanced down at Rem, and then looked out over the calm water.
He would never understand Rem’s lack of hate either.
“Perhaps you cannot hate her; maybe it goes against nature for you to do so.”
Rem said nothing in response, and for a while they were silent. He gazed down in to the clear waters, a slight smile playing about his mouth as he watched the fish swim by.
“How easy things are in their world: so calm, so peaceful. Why can it not be that way for us also, Kai?”
A large splash disturbed the water. Kai thrust in his hand beneath the cool surface to retrieve his knife, holding it up for Rem's inspection.
Impaled on the blade was one of the fish that Rem had been watching just a few moments before.
Rem’s slightly shocked eyes met Kai’s steady brown ones.
“Know this, Rem, that whether it is in their world or ours, no one is ever truly safe, never entirely free from danger. It is best that you learn this now, or you will die learning it in the future, understand?”
Rem nodded and Kai’s face relaxed in to a smile.
“Then shall we return? I didn’t even stop for something to eat before I came out to find my wayward little brother.”
Rem nodded solemnly again, and Kai reached out pushing at his head gently.
“She isn’t worth it you know; don’t let her bother you like this.”
“As you remain unbothered I suppose?”
The words were there on the tip of his tongue, to deny that she had any effect on the state of his mind, but he couldn’t speak the lie to Rem. Even if he could, Rem would know it was untrue.
Kai remained quiet, and his temper began to boil.
He had been silenced by her again. Always silenced, and always shamed.
He had once thought her return would end the shame he carried, and had longed for it. Now he knew the truth; that her return would only make matters worse. Who would have believed that the little girl he had once delighted in carrying around on his shoulders, would one day serve as his life’s greatest disgrace? Now he hated her more than any Tula soldier; he hated what she had done to him, and to Rem.
Unfortunatly for Aya, forgiveness was not an asset that he possessed.
Chapter Seven
The Tula
Ben stifled another yawn and tried to keep his eyes open. The day was not proceeding how he had imagined it would, although the fault for that probably lay at his door. He was beginning to think that Astra Uel Ne Toban was not as defenceless as she appeared.
It had gone wrong almost from the first moment when Councillor Ladron had asked what they had planned for the day. Ben had flippantly responded that he had a great interest in peace and quiet with the best company.
He had paid for the joke dearly.
He’d spent the whole morning in a library.
Which had effectively put paid to any conversation between him and the skeleton. He looked up from his viewer to find her apparently engrossed in whatever it was she was reading. He had thought perhaps time might not prove so much of a waste if he pulled up some newspaper articles to get a feel for the political climate.
That was when he saw it.
There was only one newspaper: ‘The Daily Times’.
It was state run.
After reading a few of the sickeningly propaganda filled issues he accepted defeat. It hadn’t been a total washout though; he had discovered some interesting facts.
It seemed that the Tula Councillors were voted into office every four years by the Tula people. There was no limit to the number of terms any one person could serve. Councillor Zorrenson had served two, Councillor Sendel three, and Councillor Ladron five terms.
It was Councillor Ladron who had amalgamated the police force and the army into one ‘security force’ during his first term. Before that they had been two separate foundations presided over by two different councillors. Now there was one security force and one councillor who presided over it: Councillor Ladron.
Alarm bells had gone off so loudly in Ben’s head it was a wonder he wasn't deaf.
Interestingly, Corbani Va Dic Ladron had been uncontested in the elections for the last three terms.
Ben stirred restlessly, there was something deeply chilling about Corbani Va Dic Ladron’s way of doing things. Ben wanted to get out of the library and into the fresh air.
“Astra?”
She looked up immediately, leaving Ben to wonder if she had been quite as engrossed in her choice of reading matter as she had seemed.
“I’m kinda hungry; do you think we could grab a bite?”
Astra looked blank, but stood obediently and picked up her bag. They left the room quietly, and it wasn’t until they were walking down the front steps that Astra turned to him.
“To ‘grab a bite’ is to eat, yes?”
“Yep, I’m starving; aren’t you?”
Astra nodded her agreement.
“What would you like to eat?”
Ben looked thoughtful before shrugging.
“I don’t mind; suggest something.”
He thrust both hands into his pockets, and smiled down at her. She didn’t seem to be impressed by his friendliness.
“Very well, if you’ll follow me?”
She set off across the courtyard towards the park. They walked through the leafy walkways in silence, and emerged out the other side where there was a row of restaurants. Astra led the way to one tucked into the corner as Ben studied the black stone and clear glass of the buildings they passed. Even the Tula structures had a uniform, he reflected.
The owner of the little restaurant came out to greet them with a friendly smile. She was in her early forties with blunt cut shoulder length hair. Her smile faded as she saw that Astra wasn’t alone, and she turn
ed to her almost as though seeking reassurance. Astra smiled slightly, and the woman asked if they would like a drink. Astra declined, but turned to Ben with the assurance that the best coffee in the whole of the Tula nation could be found within Jayn’s establishment. The woman laughed, and moved off to bring a pot.
Ben’s eyes took in the empty restaurant.
“Where is everyone?”
“We are a little late; everyone has returned to work.” She looked away from him across over the park and heaved a sigh. “The timing is good.”
Ben wondered at the heartfelt sincerity in her voice, maybe she was one of those people who hated crowds.
The owner returned bearing a tray with the requested coffee pot, and set it down on the table before placing a glass of water before Astra. The water must have been chilled because the outside of the glass was frosted with condensation.
Ben watched as Astra looked up surprised, but the woman only smiled and nudged the glass a little closer.
“Go on, Astra. It’s a warm day; you must be thirsty.”
Astra smiled gratefully, and Ben was shocked. For a moment she appeared much younger than he had taken her for, warmer too, and it pushed her over the indefinable line that separated pretty from beautiful.
“What would you like to eat?” asked the woman, taking a small pane of glass from her pocket, and a long thin glass pencil.
Ben shrugged.
“Jayn is best known for her sandwich trays,” instructed Astra quietly as she poured his coffee for him.
“Then we’ll have two,” smiled Ben.
“They are rather large Mr. Burton; I do not think you would manage two.”
Ben smiled and lounged back in his chair.
“I meant one each.” He put his head to one side. “Unless you’d like to share?”
“You assume too much, Mr. Burton,” returned Astra coldly, turning back to Jayn. “Just the one tray, Jayn. Could you make sure that there are no fillings containing nuts or shellfish; Mr. Burton is allergic.”
Jayn nodded, but her eyes were fixed on Ben.
“You’re that Senator's son from off the telly, aren’t you?”
Ben smiled and admitted that he was.
“And you’re here!” Jayn elbowed Astra. “I’ve a good mind to call Annis and tell her! But that piece of trouble would probably try to break out of school to come and see him for herself.” She turned back to Ben and chuckled causing Ben some concern for the already straining buttons on her jacket. “She thought you were rip!”
Ben watched her leave them and disappear into the kitchens.
“Rip?” he asked, turning to Astra.
Astra placed a long fingernail in the ring of water around the bottom of her glass, and drew it into patterns on the table top.
“It means a pleasing physical aspect.”
Ben grinned.
“Well it’s nice to know you think I have a pleasing physical aspect.”
Astra took a sip of water. It occurred to Ben that it was the first time he’d seen her eat or drink anything, and it made her seem more human.
“Not me, Mr. Burton; Jayn’s sixteen year old daughter.”
“Ah yes, my mistake. I do, however, clearly recall you agreeing with me when I said I was hungry, yet now you won’t eat anything.”
“I never agreed with you, Mr. Burton.”
“You nodded,” corrected Ben. “What’s wrong? I'm not good enough for you to eat with?”
It was a joke, but Ben noticed her stiffen just a little like he’d seen her do before when she was uncomfortable. He wondered what he’d said that had rattled her cage. It had something to do with her not eating. Now he thought of it, hadn’t this happened yesterday as well at the greeting meal? He opened his mouth to ask her what was going on, but she was staring straight past him with an expression that was probably the closest she would ever get to panic.
He turned to see the object of her consternation. A young woman had emerged from the park, and paused smiling in their direction, her hand half lifted as though she was about to wave. Suddenly she seemed to change her mind. For a second longer she hesitated then with an angry shrug she turned on her heel, and walked away.
Ben turned back just in time to see the stiffness ease from Astra’s frame to be replaced with an almost flaccid relaxation.
She was relieved.
“Someone you know?”
“Yes.”
“I wouldn’t mind an introduction.”
“That would be unwise,” responded Astra.
“Shame, she had really nice stems.”
“I bow to your no doubt superior knowledge of such things, Mr. Burton.”
Ben looked surprised.
“You understood what I said?”
Astra’s eyes were concentrated on the patterns she was making on the table top.
“Although the euphemism you used is unknown to me I would imagine that you are no different to any other man, and found Leda’s legs to be aesthetically pleasing.”
“Aesthetically pleasing? Yes, very!” laughed Ben. “Almost as aesthetically pleasing as your...”
“Your sandwich is here, Mr. Burton,” interrupted Astra coldly.
Ben smiled and turned his attention to the tray before him. Every conceivable topping was lined up in individual bowls, along with several small buttered rolls.
“Wow, I can see why these are so popular.”
“Jayn, you remembered about the nuts and shellfish didn’t you?”
Jayn nodded, and Ben turned to Astra a thoughtful look on his face.
“What’s wrong, Mr. Burton?”
“I’m surprised you remembered about my allergies.”
“It’s my job to remember, Mr. Burton.”
“Call me Ben.”
Astra gave him a repressive look he could clearly remember his grandmother using.
“That would not be appropriate, Mr. Burton.”
“I thought it was customary in Tula culture?”
“But not in yours, Mr. Burton.”
Ben shrugged. While he found Astra’s disapproval amusing it wasn’t helping him squeeze information out of her. She was proving to be something of a tough nut, but even she had her lapses.
Leda.
He wondered who she was, and why Astra was so determined that he couldn’t meet her.
“Are you enjoying your food, Mr. Burton?” asked Jayn appearing from nowhere, and replacing the cooling coffee pot with a fresh one.
“Very tasty; what is the egg flavoured with?”
Jayn looked surprised.
“Nothing; it’s just egg.”
Ben took another bite and chewed thoughtfully.
“It definitely tastes different.”
“That’s because it’s a hybrid,” responded Astra.
“Hybrid?”
“It comes from a chicken called the Calvin’s Wonder. Dr. Calvin was a geneticist who managed to combine the genetics of a chicken with the gene in a turtle that causes it to produce so many eggs. A Calvin’s Wonder produces between ten and fifteen eggs a day. The eggs have a subtly different flavour.”
Ben found it very difficult to swallow suddenly. Maybe he was old fashioned, but he wasn’t sure he liked the idea that he was eating the eggs of a genetic freak.
“They – ah – must look a bit… weird.”
Astra thought about it for a moment.
“I suppose it depends on what you’re used to. They look like a feather-covered turtle with flippers at the front, and chicken legs at the back.”
Ben attempted to picture this description, and effectively put paid to any appetite he had left.
“Like I said then: weird.”
“Normal can only be determined in relation to what you’re used to, Mr. Burton. It is, therefore, an unpredictable measure.”
Ben shrugged and pushed his tray away.
“How long have you been Councillor Ladron’s subsidiary?”
“I was eighteen when I first entered his
service,” responded Astra.
“That’s very young; you couldn't have been long out of school.”
“Our general schooling lasts until we are sixteen, then we spend two years training for the positions that we will fill during our adult life.”
“What happens if you can’t find a job?” asked Ben.
Astra gazed at him blankly.
“I don’t understand the question.”
“What if, after all your training, there isn’t a job available?”
“You don’t understand. We are trained for the jobs that are available. Our career is decided when we are ten years old after a series of placement tests.”
Ben nodded but he was frowning.
“That’s a pretty big decision for a kid of ten to make.”
Astra looked surprised.
“It isn’t our decision. The tests we undergo discover our aptitudes, and place us in the career that will suit us best.”
“You must have been a top student then.”
“Why would you say so?” asked Astra.
Ben moved his coffee cup restlessly on the top of the table.
“Well...” began Ben slowly, “of all the jobs for subsidiaries, surely the most prestigious is subsidiary to the Councillor for Security? Therefore only the best would be selected to serve in that position,” he reasoned.
Astra looked vaguely uncomfortable.
“The Councillors share the power that governs these lands Mr. Burton; to be selected to serve any of them is a great honour.”
Ben had been looking for this answer from her, but the caution of her reply aroused his curiosity yet further.
“But are they equal?” Ben continued to play with his coffee cup. “Why do you call Councillor Ladron ‘Reverend Councillor’? You don’t use the term for any of the other councillors.”
Astra’s eyes had been fixed on the table throughout this exchange, but now the restless movement of her finger in the puddle of water around the bottom of her glass was suddenly arrested.
“As my direct superior it is only natural that he receives my full submission.”
“Submission?”
Ben almost choked on the word. He had a clear memory of the greeting meal the day before. How Astra had sat to one side of Councillor Ladron, and seen to his every need. None of the other councillors had their subsidiaries present to do the same.
