by Vicky Savage
“This is young Chief Ryder Blackthorn of Unicoi,” Father says.
The slightest ripple of Prince Gilbert’s brow is the only indication that Ryder’s presence comes as a surprise to him. “Chief Blackthorn, I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” he says.
“My daughter and Chief Blackthorn have recently become engaged,” Father tells him.
Prince Gilbert smiles warmly. “Well, that is good news. I congratulate you both.” He looks at Mother. “But I thought…”
“I shall explain later,” Mother says.
Father introduces Ralston and Captain Hornsby. After shaking hands with the two men, Gilbert turns again to Mother. “Your Highness, I must speak with you regarding a very important matter. May we have some privacy?”
“I would like my family to be present for our discussion, Prince Gilbert,” Mother says.
“As you wish, Madame.”
Ralston makes a small cough. “Why don’t Captain Hornsby and I wait in the library?” He and Hornsby push in their chairs and walk to the door. Ryder follows after them.
“Ryder, please stay,” Mother says. “You are part of the family now.”
He nods. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
Father offers Gilbert a chair, which he accepts, perching on the edge of the seat. He looks seriously stressed. “Queen Eleanor, I’ve come on behalf of my father. He wishes you to know that we are aware of the theft of the Xtron energy cell from its place of security.”
Mother makes no reply and registers no emotion on her face.
“He also wishes me to tell you that we know who is responsible for this theft. Unfortunately, it is my own brother, Damien.”
“And how do you know this?” Mother asks.
“Damien has been in contact with my father. It appears that on his recent visit to Warrington Palace, he bribed a member of your staff with ties to Dome Noir to steal directions to the Sacred Caverns. He feigned a reason to leave the palace early, while actually remaining inside Domerica. He and his men found their way to the Caverns and took the Xtron. We have heard that two men were killed in the commission of the theft. For this we are terribly sorry.”
“Yes, they were murdered by the thieves,” Mother says. “We had already suspected some of what you have told us. What we do not understand, however, is why Damien would resort to this.”
For the first time, Gilbert breaks eye contact with Mother. He stares at the rug and speaks softly. “Damien has always been troubled, from the time he was very young. As an adult he has developed many destructive habits: drinking, gambling, and associating with the criminal element in Dome Noir. Now he has gotten himself into serious trouble with organized criminals and black marketers in Dome Noir. Until recently, we were unaware of how serious it actually is.”
Gilbert returns his gaze to Mother. “We do not know exactly when Damien devised his plan to steal the Xtron. We assume it was sometime prior to visiting Domerica. When Princess Jaden proved unreceptive to a marriage contract, he made the decision to follow through.”
“What does Damien want with the Xtron?” Mother asks.
“He has demanded that my father abdicate his throne and name Damien his rightful and legal heir. In other words, he wishes to be king of Dome Noir.”
“Is he mad?” Mother says.
“It would appear so,” Gilbert replies grimly. “As you can imagine, Father is beside himself with grief, anger, and worry. That is why he did not come to you himself. He sends his deepest apologies for all of the sorrow and disquiet Damien has caused, and he offers the full resources of Dome Noir to assist in the capture of Damien and his men and in the recovery of the Xtron.”
“What does Damien plan to do if his demands are not met?” Father asks.
“He has threatened to destroy the domes one at a time, beginning with Domerica. We do not know precisely how he plans to do this, or whether he is even capable of turning the Xtron into a weapon, but in light of his recent unstable behavior, we feel his threats must be taken seriously. My brother Jean Louis is meeting with King Rafael as I meet with you, to make him aware of the situation and of Damien’s threats.”
Mother grips the arms of her chair. “This is disastrous,” she says quietly.
“We have reason to believe Damien is still hiding out in Domerica,” Gilbert says.
“What makes you believe so?” Father asks.
“His messenger disclosed as much under rather strenuous interrogation, and it stands to reason that if Damien plans to destroy Domerica first, he is likely still nearby.”
“Clearly we must find Damien as swiftly as possible, before he has time to convert the energy cell into weapons,” Father says.
“We are in agreement then,” Gilbert says. “Tell me what we can do. What resources can we provide to assist in the search?”
“I’d like Captain Hornsby and Professor Ralston to be a part of these discussions,” Father tells him. “We will need their input in devising a strategy.”
“Of course,” Gilbert replies.
Father looks to Mother, and she nods her agreement.
“John,” Ryder speaks up. “I would like to send for trackers from Unicoi. My men are the best trained in the world. I believe they would be a great asset in the search for Damien.”
“By all means, Ryder. Thank you,” Father says. “The sooner they can get here the better.”
* * *
We sit at the conference table in Father’s office while he fills in Ralston and Hornsby on the information Prince Gilbert has given us. Mother appears to be in shock. She sits silently, staring ahead while Father stresses the urgent need for a wide-ranging plan to quickly locate Damien.
“John, if I may?” Captain Hornsby says. “While finding Damien is undoubtedly of the utmost importance, it may be wise also to shore up security at some of our most vulnerable sites in the meantime. We don’t know what he may be planning, and Queen Eleanor has reported that he left Warrington Palace with a decent-sized contingent of armed men.”
“That’s a good point,” Father says. “Ellie, we should identify all areas in Domerica that are most susceptible to attack and immediately assign additional security to those sites.”
“Oh, I wish LeGare were here,” Mother says, clutching at her throat.
“If you wish to send for General LeGare, Ellie, feel free to do so,” Father says impatiently, “but this cannot wait. We must put together a strategy now. The Enclave is at stake here also, and I will not have it destroyed because we failed to act decisively.”
Mother stares fiercely at Father and rises to face him. “I have never failed to act decisively where my people are concerned. Any implication otherwise borders on treason.”
“I did not mean to be insulting, Ellie. But, I do not feel we have your full attention.”
“Well you have it now!” she barks. “Ralston!”
He jumps about five feet out of his chair. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Find some paper. We are going to need a record of our plan. You shall act as scribe.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He scurries off to get something to write on.
A strategy begins to take shape among the seven of us at the table. Everyone offers contributions to the overall plan. Prince Gilbert promises two regiments of soldiers to assist in the search for Damien and more aid if needed. Father agrees to assign some of Hornsby’s men to guard the Sacred Caverns and work with LeGare’s men to reinforce the security at the main entrance of the dome. Ryder volunteers a contingent of Unicoi Warriors to guard the Dome Operations Center in Wall’s Edge, in addition to the trackers who are to be assigned to each search party.
“We need to block all tunnels leading in and out of Domerica,” Father says. “Ryder, do you have up-to-date maps for these?”
“Yes, I can get them for you.”
“Good. We may ask to borrow your explosive experts to ensure that the job is done correctly.”
“Of course. We’ll send you our best,” Ryder says. “We�
��ve developed a new type of explosive, KXT. It is very precise, and a small amount goes a long way. I shall send a box of that also. Would you like us to provide firearms?”
“No!” Mother says firmly before Father can answer. “We’ll have no need of firearms. I do not want them in the country.”
“Ellie—” Father begins.
“It’s not open for discussion, John.”
Father shrugs at Ryder. “No firearms, but perhaps some cross-bows and archers if you can spare them. We’ll need them if Damien has guns.”
“Consider it done,” Ryder says.
“Can I say something about the tunnels?” I ask. “We need to leave at least a couple of them open to bring the Unicoi people to Domerica.”
“The Unicoi are being brought to Domerica?” Prince Gilbert asks, seemingly stunned by this news.
“It has been taken under advisement,” Mother says, casting a stern glance my way. “We have determined that the disease is not communicable, as once thought, and we feel a moral obligation to aid these suffering people, if at all possible. They are Jaden’s kinsmen now.”
I smile at how she has been converted to the Unicoi cause. This is more like the Eleanor Beckett I’ve always known.
“In any event, we should leave two tunnels open between here and Unicoi,” Father says. “We need an open conduit between our two countries, for the help and supplies Ryder is sending us. We must make certain they are more than adequately secured, however.”
“Let me handle that,” Ryder offers.
“Excellent!” Father says.
“Ellie, you and Andrew may wish to return to Warrington Palace today to ensure that security there is tightened up. That is probably the first location Damien will strike. If I were you, I would do the same for your food storage facilities. We will add additional security to our vulnerable sites here at the Enclave as well.”
“Yes, I think I shall return to Warrington later today,” Mother says. “I wish to brief General LeGare on our discussions. Our search efforts must begin immediately.”
* * *
It is well after lunchtime before everyone is satisfied that all potential issues have been discussed and effectively dealt with.
Mother stands and addresses the group. “I am confident that we have covered everything, based upon what we know today. Thank you all for your insights and offers of assistance. Prince Gilbert, I know this must be terribly difficult for you and your family. Thank you for being here and for helping us to coordinate our efforts. Will you be staying on at Warrington Palace?”
“If that meets with your approval,” he says. “I would like to stay until Damien is found and the Xtron recovered.”
“Very well. You and your men may accompany us back to the palace. I think it is time that Andrew and I depart.”
“Mother,” I say nervously, “I realize we’re in crisis mode here, but I don’t want to let any more time pass before the Unicoi can be brought to Domerica. They’re in crisis too, and we need to get things rolling right away.”
She sighs heavily. “Daughter, I know you will vex me about this until a relocation is underway, and I have other pressing concerns to which I must give my undivided attention at the moment. Accordingly, I am assigning the entire project to you and Professor Ralston. You may have access to my city engineers, surveyors, builders, social workers, whatever you need. When you have adequately established that such a relocation of the Unicoi population is feasible, and when a workable plan is in place, we will begin the transfer process. Does that satisfy you?”
“Yes, it does,” I say, smiling.
“Fine. Now kiss me goodbye, dear. And promise me you will not go outside of the Enclave walls without several armed guards.” She looks to Father for his agreement.
“I’ll make certain she is safe,” he says.
Ryder comes to my side and takes my hand. “Jade, I’m afraid I too must leave at once. Much has transpired since yesterday. My father must be informed of Queen Eleanor’s willingness to consider our relocation to Domerica. Also, Father must be made aware of Damien’s threats against the domes. I’m certain he will join me in offering whatever assistance your mother requires. We both have a great deal to do.” He smiles and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You must discover a means and method for shifting an entire population from one location to another through two small tunnels. I think you have the more difficult task.”
He’s right! What was I thinking? Suddenly I’m feeling in way over my head. How could I sign up for something I’m so pathetically unqualified to do? I’m just grateful I have good old Rals to help me. What would I ever do without him?
FORTY-FIVE
Ryder has been gone for three days now, and the longing to see him is like a raw wound throbbing in my heart. Occasionally I’m clutched with fear that I won’t set eyes on him again before IUGA whisks me back to Connecticut. I wonder if he remembers his promise to see me within the week. My insides churn each time the thought of leaving him crosses my mind, so I push those thoughts away spending my days in a kind of blissful denial. Maybe if I don’t think about it, it won’t happen.
Drew returns to the Enclave and updates us on developments at Warrington. He tells us the Unicoi trackers arrived, and search parties have been hastily organized throughout Domerica. The two regiments of soldiers from Dome Noir are scheduled to reach Warrington Palace within a day, and will be dispatched in search of Damien also.
A grid of the entire land mass under the dome has been drawn up by government engineers. The master plan calls for a search of every square inch of land, including the hundreds of caves located in the hills. Wanted posters with Damien’s face and his distinctive snake tattoo have been distributed throughout the countryside. All shopkeepers, farmers, and ranchers are being interviewed for any information that might shed some light on the whereabouts of the Noirs.
“It will be impossible for a group of men that size to hide from us in Domerica,” Drew says. “Eventually they will have to acquire food and water. When they do, we’ll have them.”
“Let us hope they’re not encamped somewhere in the Outlands,” Ralston says.
“If they are, we’ll trap them when they attempt to reenter,” Father replies. “Ryder is due back this afternoon with his explosives experts. He’s also bringing some new KXT explosive to assist us in closing up the tunnels.”
“That’s fantastic!” I say, dashing for the stairs. “I need to clean up.”
I can’t remember the last time I ran a brush through my hair or paid any attention to my personal grooming. I spent the last three days and two nights working on the plan for the exodus of the Unicoi nation into Domerica.
Two days ago, a quietly beautiful and brilliant woman named Chimalis from the Unicoi Council of Elders arrived to act as liaison and assist us in coordinating the plan. I think Ralston has developed a little crush on her. Not only does she have luminous ebony eyes, golden skin, and an elegant manner, but she also appreciates Ralston’s wry sense of humor. It makes me wonder if IUGA agents ever date.
In the short time she has been here, the two of them have sorted out many of the sticky issues relating to the transportation of humans, young and old, healthy and infirm, to a stretch of land that is currently used mostly as a buffet for fargen. They developed a strategy for clearing the land and preserving the lumber. Construction plans for a new Unicoi Village are being drawn up by government architects, and provisions for temporary housing are in the works. True to her word, Mother has made her experts available to us, and things are coming together nicely.
I wash my face, change into fresh clothes, and start to work on my hair when sounds of a great commotion downstairs make me stop my primping and open my door to see what’s going on. Frantic voices rise from the landing below. Someone calls urgently for my father. I run to the top of the stairs and meet Ralston on his way up to get me. His face is white as a ghost.
“What is it, Rals? What’s wrong?” I ask.
&
nbsp; “Jade, it’s Ryder. He’s been hurt. Come quickly!”
I take the stairs two at a time and catch sight of Alexander and two Unicoi warriors standing in the front hall speaking with Drew. Both warriors are wounded and bleeding.
“What’s happened? Where’s Ryder?” I ask.
“He’s been captured by Damien,” Alexander says. “We were ambushed as we emerged from the tunnel. Damien’s men overwhelmed us and took our weapons. The KXT was on my horse, and they took that too. Ryder was shot attempting to rescue me.”
“Shot?” Father says, striding into the hall. “They had firearms?”
“Only one handgun that we could see,” Alexander replies. “They may have more. Once they captured Ryder and the KXT, they rode off. Makoda is tracking them, but Ryder is badly injured. We must find him quickly.”
