War of the Innocents

by Michelle Breon

  “That he has a room of his own, away from the student and her family. That he has free roam over the planet and is not restricted. And that he has complete control of the lesson plans.”

  “Done. Those are odd conditions.”

  “He comes from a low income family where there are many people sharing a small two bedroom apartment. He was one of my better students, but he does not have enough money to continue for another semester. He has rarely been outside his restricted area of the city, except to attend class.”

  “I understand now. What are his qualifications?”

  “He had completed his basic degree requirements in all other subjects before he ran out of money and scholarships.”

  “I take it he was your first choice.”

  “One of my top three. I just happened to see him first. I trust him.”

  “That’s good enough for me. When can I meet him?”

  “The semester ends next week. He agreed to meet you and Angel tomorrow, at this same time. He wants to talk to Angel alone to be sure that she is willing to learn and is not being forced into this.”

  “Alright. Call me when you and he are ready.”

  Jason nodded. “I think you’ll like Ian. What does Angel think of all of this?”

  “Same as any teenager, she’s not happy about the extra school work. I’m debating about pulling her out of the school here to allow her to dedicate her whole day to the tutor.”

  “For now, I’d leave her in, at least until everything is settled and whoever is her tutor is living on Llanelyn.”

  “That’s basically what I thought. Thanks again. This means so much to me.”

  “My pleasure. Morgan wanted to talk to you when we were done. She’s curious as to what is going on.”

  “Thanks for the warning. I may as well tell her everything now. I hope she doesn’t worry too much about Angel though.”

  Jason left and Morgan soon appeared on screen. Morgan asked several questions in rapid fire. When she finally paused, Gillian started explaining the recent happenings. Morgan listened without interrupting. After several promises to keep Angel safe, offers to help, and well wishes, they finally said good night.

  The following evening, Gillian and Angel waited for the vidphone. Angel jumped when it started beeping. Gillian answered the screen and greeted Jason. After a few pleasantries, Jason stepped to the side to allow a young man to step forward.

  “May I introduce Ian Becket.” The young man nodded by way of greeting. Dishwater brown hair topped his tall, lanky frame. His clothes indicated his low societal status, while the glasses he wore made him look like a scholar.

  “Mr. Becket, you may call me Gillian. I am delighted that you have considered tutoring my granddaughter.”

  “And you may call me Ian. Why does your granddaughter require a tutor? Is she behind in her studies?”

  “No, Angel is an excellent student. However, she has learned everything that is taught here and needs knowledge from Earth. She needs to understand other worlds and cultures. Tis all you need to know for now.”

  “And what subjects would you like for me to teach her?”

  “Mathematics, English, Science, History, Government, and politics. I wish for her to learn the latest technologies and theories, but she also needs to understand the culture and history of Earth.”

  “That is a considerable list. How long would you like for me to tutor her?”

  “I believe she will have time for the next one to three months, maybe longer. Can you handle this?”

  “I believe so, but I would like to speak with her as well.”

  “Aiy.” Gillian stepped aside and Angel stepped into view. “Ian, this is my granddaughter, Angel. I will leave the two of you alone now.”

  Ian forced himself not to stare at the girl. Her fiery red ringlets captivated him, her green eyes sparkled and despite her obvious displeasure at the moment, he could tell she smiled often. “So, your grandmother wishes for you to learn more beyond what your local education system teaches. The question is why.”

  Angel hesitated. Gillian had told her not to speak of this openly. “I will have need for it.”

  Ian sighed inwardly. Neither the grandmother nor the student would explain their reason for such unusual education. “And do you want to learn?”

  “Some things, aiy. But I am sick of history. Tis my grandmother’s favorite subject.”

  Ian smiled, understanding her dislike. “I can sympathize. But your grandmother included history in her list.”

  “Aiy.”

  Ian figured that odd word meant yes. “You don’t object to heavy books and several hours of homework every day, do you? In order for me to teach you even the basics of your grandmother’s list in the time given, you will have much homework.”

  Angel’s hopes fell. The school year ended in six weeks. How could she possibly hope to complete that schoolwork and do everything he asked her to do? “I don’t have much choice in this. I will do what I need to do.”

  Ian grinned, liking her determined spirit. “Since this is not regular school, I don’t plan on tests or quizzes.” Angel nodded, so he continued. “Alright. Please tell your grandmother that I accept the position. For your first assignment,” he paused as Angel groaned. “In order for me to know where to start in math and science, would you please write out the most complex problems and topics that you know. I must finish the next two weeks of classes here before I can transport to your planet. We can start slowly using the vidphones about this time every day, if that is ok with you.”

  “Twill work, though tis late here. I should have my regular homework finished by then.”

  Ian made a mental note to ask Jason about time differences. “Fine. I shall call you tomorrow at this same time.”

  “Aiy. Good night.”

  “Good night.”

  Angel turned the vidphone off. Working with him would be interesting, provided he kept to new topics.

  Ian clicked the vidphone off and left to find Jason. “Sir, may I ask why this girl needs to know such topics?”

  “Are you accepting the position?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Handle this well and I will ensure that the rest of your education is paid for. However, if I hear anything negative about this, I will strip your grades from you. Do you understand?”

  Ian swallowed hard. He would have to start all over if his grades were stripped and he did not have the money. “Yes sir. But I would like to know the full story. Obviously the grandmother believes she needs this knowledge, but since she lives so far away, how will knowledge of Earth benefit her?”

  “Her grandmother is the Cerato of Llanelyn, the leader of the planet and equivalent to our president. Angel has been chosen to succeed her grandmother. In a few months, that girl will be the leader of her people.”

  Ian sat down, stunned. “How old did you say she was?”

  “Angel is seventeen. You must not tell anyone about your position or who you will be working with. All anyone here needs to know is that you will be going on a sabbatical this summer. I expect you to treat them with the respect their position deserves.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Jason relaxed and sat down beside Ian. He trusted the young man to adhere to his word. “Now, tell me what books you want to take and I will get them.”

  “I’m not sure yet. Angel is writing me a list of how much she knows. After I get that, I will assess where to start and let you know.”

  “Alright. Tell me what you need as you find out and I’ll handle it.”

  Over the next several days, Ian worked with Angel on higher mathematics, since that was her professed favorite subject. Angel quickly understood the new topics, surprising him. After a brief discussion with Jason, he decided to stop after Quantum Theory since he had problems with the theoretical mathematics after that point.

  Almost two weeks later, Angel arrived at school late. Her assignments from Ian had kept her up late and she had overslept. She made her a
pologies to the teacher, then took her seat at the back of the room. The teacher continued with the lesson, giving Angel little time to catch her breath.

  Nik watched from his seat, noticing the bags under Angel’s eyes. After her third yawn in the last several minutes, he grinned. She started to nod off once, until a friend next to her prodded her. Angel jumped and blushed, aware that everyone nearby knew.

  Angel fought sleep hard the rest of the day. Finally able to escape school, she hurried out of the building after the last class. Nik increased his stride to catch up with her. “Angel, are you alright?” he asked, his voice full of concern.

  “I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

  “Would you like to borrow my notes for the time you missed?”

  Angel smiled up at him. “Danku.” Nik was much taller than Angel. She barely reached his shoulder. Lean and tanned from working in the fields, Nik had always been the quietest one of her friends.

  They stopped at the lunch area under the pergola structure and she copied his notes at one of the lunch tables while he located some fruit to snack on. Once Angel had copied Nik’s notes, she excused herself quickly, knowing that she had to get her schoolwork done before Ian vidphoned that night.

  Nik watched her go, distinctly aware that something was wrong.

  Ian arrived a few days later. Gillian and Angel met the young tutor at the transporter.

  “Welcome, Ian. I hope your trip was uneventful,” Gillian greeted him warmly.

  “Yes. Thank you.” Ian set his bags down to extend a hand for a handshake.

  “No one may touch the Cerato,” Angel said softly as she shook his hand instead of Gillian.

  Taken aback, Ian looked flustered. “Sorry. Dr. DeWitt did not mention that part.”

  “No harm done,” Gillian said. “If you are ready to go, we can get you settled in.”

  Ian nodded and hefted his bags, glad that he had split the heavy books and several datapads between the two bags. He followed the two women out of the glass transporter chamber, then he faltered a step. A wide sandstone sidewalk led the way to the sandstone village. He noticed only a few people scattered about the sidewalks. Most of the buildings were only a single story, though a large two-story structure was nearby and he could see another in the middle of the village. Well-tended gardens surrounded almost every building. Curtains fluttered in open windows. Ian turned full circle, noting the rolling grass fields over the hills that ended in mountains in the far distance. A bird chirped nearby.

  Gillian noticed Ian looking around and slowed her steps to let him take in the vast differences between Earth and Llanelyn. She still marveled at the natural world every time they came home from visiting Earth.

  “Is something wrong?” she finally asked, struggling to keep her laughter in check.

  “Um, no, I don’t think so.” Forcing himself back to business, Ian asked. “Where is the hotel?”

  “Actually, the hotel is the large building that we just passed. It is full at the moment. It has six rooms and generally most are empty, but we had a sudden influx of visitors yesterday. I’m sorry about this. But there is a spare room at our house. I would like to take you there and see if that is acceptable. If not, I will make other arrangements.”

  Ian sighed. Perhaps the room would be private at least.

  Angel refused to stay silent any longer. “So what do you think of our village? It’s nothing like Earth.”

  Ian smiled wanly. “No, it’s not. It’s,” he paused struggling to find the right words, “unique. Have you been to Earth?”

  “Several times to visit Uncle Jason and Aunt Morgan.”

  “She means Dr. DeWitt and his wife,” Gillian explained.

  Stunned, Ian simply stared at the two.

  Gillian laughed. “His wife is my sister. I grew up on Earth. And the rest is a long story best saved for another day. It is near lunchtime. Are you hungry?”

  Ian nodded as Angel volunteered, “Mama has sopa de pollo cooking at home. She loves to cook. I suppose after lunch we will need to study.”

  Angel’s dramatic flair on her last statement sound much like his teenage siblings and Ian chuckled. “Yes, unfortunately. Time is short.”

  Angel changed the subject back to the village and kept up a running monologue the remaining distance to their sandstone home.

  Gillian led the way into the house, briefly introducing Mary to Ian before she showed Ian to his bedroom. Shelves and light sconces were molded into the sandstone walls of the main room and the hallway, while a light hung down in the cooking area and another over the dining room table. Brightly colored tapestries decorated the walls and floors. Gillian opened a door and indicated for Ian to step inside.

  The room was as large as the living room in his family’s apartment on Earth. A triangular bed rested in one corner. A bench molded of sandstone sat below the round window in the far wall. A vidphone was set into the wall in the far corner away from the bed, with a large armoire next to it. Smaller tapestries adorned some of the walls, while a large tapestry covered the center of the floor. A small table with a lamp and chair completed the room.

  Ian set his heavy bags on the table, assuming it was meant to be a desk. “It will be fine.”

  Gillian indicated the door across the hallway. “The bathroom is just there. Please settle in. When you are ready, we will be in the dining area. Lunch will be served when you are ready.” Gillian left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

  Ian explored the room for a few minutes, until his stomach growled for the wonderful smelling food. He stepped into the bathroom long enough to wash his face and hands, then quickly joined the trio of women in the dining area.

  Over lunch they discussed Ian’s lesson plan for the next few days. Gillian felt that Angel’s time would be better spent with Ian, but Angel resisted leaving school. Finally Gillian agreed to try Angel’s plan first.

  Over the next several days, Angel found her schoolwork uninteresting and easy. She hurried from school to home to complete her homework quickly, then joined Ian for their discussion.

  Gillian watched as Angel grew more bored with the local school’s topics and slower pace. She quickly absorbed the knowledge that Ian provided through the thick books and multiple datapads he had brought from Earth. As the days passed, Gillian talked to the Teachers Guild about withdrawing Angel from school but still allowing her to graduate.

  The following week, after several discussions with the Teachers Guild, Gillian finally pulled Angel out of school, three weeks before the end of the term. The Teachers Guild had strenuously objected until Gillian took the local Elder aside and explained the dreams. He paled. “But she is a minor. The people may not follow her.”

  Gillian nodded in agreement. “I understand, but we cannot go against the wishes of the Gods.” The Elder finally nodded resolutely. “You cannot tell anyone of this. Only her mother, grandfather and I know the truth. If anyone else finds out, I will know who to talk to.”

  “Aiy. You have my word.”

  “Danku.” Gillian swept from the Elder’s office and escorted the waiting Angel home.

  Later that evening, after Angel had went to her room, Ian stacked up the books and datapads from their evening session on history. Mischka had left with Andrei after supper and Mary had spent the evening in her room, leaving the tutoring session under Gillian’s supervision. Once everything was stacked, Ian removed his glasses to rub his tired pale blue eyes.

  “Ian, may we talk for a few minutes?” Gillian asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m very pleased with the progress that Angel has made with you. I was failing miserably at teaching her.”

  “Thank you.” Ian replaced his glasses and wondered where she was headed with this conversation.

  “What are your plans for the next several days?”

  Ian picked up a datapad and started to hand it to her. “Here is my lesson plan.”

  Gillian waved the pad away. “That is not
what I meant. Part of your conditions for accepting this position was to have free roam. I was merely inquiring as to when you thought you wanted to take a break from teaching and visit the village.”

  “Oh. I figured in a few days.”

  Gillian smiled at him. “As you will be here for some time, please don’t burn yourself, and Angel, out too quickly.” He nodded in agreement as she continued. “May I ask a favor though when you do go out?”

  Wary, Ian said, “Ask and I will let you know.”

  “Some of the locals do not trust outsiders as much as I would like. They won’t be cruel or aloof, just not as friendly as they are to each other. Jason explained your situation back home and I would like to make your reception, shall we say, more friendly than the average off-worlder would get. If you were to dress like a local, everyone will treat you as a local.”

  “And hide the fact that you have an off-worlder teaching Angel?”

  “That is a side benefit, yes, but I can explain that away easily by saying you are a friend of the family. The locals are used to tourists, but the tourists stand out very much. I’d rather not have you go through the usual realm of polite questions whenever you go somewhere.”

  Ian considered what she was saying and what she was not saying. On Earth, his clothes marked him easily as someone of the lower class and he had experienced enough sneers and derogatory comments to understand that being different was not always the best course. By blending in, he would be able to move about more easily. But he knew this was also to protect Angel. “And I can still go anywhere that I want?”

  “Either way you may go anywhere that you want. Twas part of the agreement and I will not restrict you in any way. I just thought that you might find your visit more enjoyable with fewer questions. Personally, I don’t care what you wear and believe that clothing should not be used to define someone.”

  Ian’s respect for her increased. He had never seen her in anything but the white robe she now wore, though Angel had many different outfits. Her concern for his well-being seemed sincere. “I cannot afford any clothes.”

  Gillian chuckled. “I see that Dr. DeWitt did not tell you much about us. Everything is free here, all food, clothes, everything. The only thing that tourists pay for are the hotels and transporters. I will arrange for clothes to be delivered for you, if tis acceptable?”