Chapter 25
Winston, Jonathan, Alex, Tabitha, Abner, and the four Divinites were gathered together in Sanctuary to take counsel, the outer doors closed tight, a double guard posted to keep anyone from entering. They stared down at the pile of copper weapons, standing over it as if it were a treasure trove of incomparable value. For Domus and its warriors, it was.
The group’s arrival back in the city had caused quite a stir and, although each and every one of the group was weary to the bone, they had gone straight to Winston as they knew they must, sharing what they had learned and delivering the precious cargo they carried back with them. It simply could not wait. Citizens had called out to them as they passed, some even cheered. The fact that they had returned with their entire group intact led everyone to believe they’d been victorious, but all they could manage in response were a few weak waves and nods of their heads. Even the ever-upbeat Abner trudged along with barely a spoken word. Soon the cheers turned to silence and soon after that the silence turned to fearful whispers. The warriors’ grim, soot-blackened faces, especially Tabitha’s tear-streaked and anguished look, did nothing to assuage the trepidation that now hung heavy in the air.
After relating the details of the mission to Winston, they answered the Marshall’s questions as best they could.
“I have heard of this element,” Winston told Alex, studying the pile of copper heaped on the dais. “Our forbearers spoke often of the possibility that one day we might find its source. Never, though, had they considered that any Nocuous might find it first.”
Alex didn’t reply, knowing that Winston wasn’t necessarily looking for an answer, but was mentally working through the implications the weapons represented.
“And you say it was only Thrain and his thralls?” Winston continued, lifting a sword from the pile and testing its weight. “Why would he make so many?” he mused.
“We have asked ourselves that same question many times over,” Jonathan replied.
Winston fixed his gaze on the warrior. “Tell me again. Tell me everything from the beginning. Only you.”
Jonathan, who’d been standing at attention ever since dropping his load of copper swords to the floor, stood even straighter.
“We came upon the den, as planned,” Jonathan answered without hesitation. He’d already told the story once, with embellishments and additions from the rest of the group. Everyone except Tabitha, that is. She had not spoken a word since the battle and remained reticent, a fact that had not been lost on Winston. The Marshall repeatedly glanced at her, curious and perhaps worried.
“As our mission dictated,” Jonathan said, “we sought only to further our knowledge of the den itself. Our plan was never to engage in combat with Thrain or any of his thralls.”
After a pause, Winston nodded. “Continue,” he said.
“The air was thick with black dust,” Jonathan told him. “We could hear the sound of hammering and feel the heat long before we gazed upon the den.”
“The heat?” Winston asked.
“Fire,” Jonathan replied hesitantly, looking to Alex for help.
“Ah,” Winston answered. “Yes. I have also heard of this ‘fire.’” He glanced at Alex. “We will discuss ‘fire’ at another time.”
Alex nodded dutifully.
Winston turned his narrowed gaze to Tabitha. “And when you did gaze upon them, this was when you first saw your father?”
Tabitha didn’t move, not even to meet Winston’s eyes. For all it appeared, she hadn’t listened to a single word they’d spoken. Alex wanted to go to her, to take her in his arms and promise her that everything would be alright, but he knew it was the wrong time. Even if it wasn’t, his bigger concern was that she would rebuff him, and he wasn’t sure if he could handle that, as fatigued and emotionally drained as he was.
Certainly, she was in shock. He had killed her father. She must realize that she could have been killed if he hadn’t. Still, what if it had been his father they’d found in Thrain’s den and their roles reversed? He couldn’t say that he would ever be able to forgive such an act. And so he couldn’t expect her to.
Jonathan cleared his throat. “Indeed, that is when Tabitha’s father was first seen.”
“Working as a thrall.” Winston didn’t ask it as a question.
“Yes sir,” Jonathan replied. “He was carrying loads of a black substance from one bunker to the next.”
“Coal,” Alex supplied. “It was coal. Used to make fire.”
Winston glanced at Alex for a moment, but didn’t acknowledge him.
“Continue,” Winston told Jonathan again.
“We were seen,” Jonathan said simply. “They attacked. We prevailed.”
“Yes,” Winston replied, eyeing Tabitha again. “So you said. All but Thrain perished under your blade.” He ran a thumb along the edge of the sword in his hand, gazing without expression at the bead of blood that welled from a fresh, clean slice.
Alex shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the next.
“Thrain did manage to escape,” Jonathan conceded, “though how, we do not know. He did not come past us, and to our knowledge there was only one way in or out of his den.”
“All these weapons,” Winston said thoughtfully, still staring at the blood on his thumb.
Alex and Abner shared uncomfortable glances. They both knew what Winston must be thinking, and it was possible he was right: that Thrain wasn’t just making the weapons for himself and his thralls, but others too.
“Sir,” Alex began.
“And so!” Winston interrupted, ignoring Alex. “We have gained valuable information, but at what price?” He looked from face to face, but none of them answered.
“We didn’t lose anyone,” Alex objected, and Winston fixed him with a steely glare. “Sir,” he added uncertainly.
“Yet. For the battle is certainly only just begun,” Winston replied evenly.
“But Thrain lost all his thralls,” Alex said. “And there is only one way for him to get more. We warned the Core guard on our way back. They’ll be ready if he attacks. I saw him. He’s nothing like the Nocuous that attacked us in the Antechamber. Thrain is weak. I can’t imagine him ever attacking on his own.”
“If that is so,” Winston retorted, “then how do you suppose he ever got any thralls?”
Alex pressed his lips together, knowing Winston was right.
Winston hefted the sword in his hand and pointed it outward, seemingly impressed with its balance. “I do not believe for a moment that Thrain was forging so many weapons for himself. He has always been cunning, but he has never been fierce. He would not start a war on his own.”
Winston lowered the blade, deep in thought.
“But that would mean Nocuous working together,” Jed said tremulously. “They do not do that.” When no one answered, he asked, “Do they?”
“They never have before, but with these,” Winston spun the blade in his hand and took in a lungful of air. “We will be ready,” he said with conviction. “We are now armed with foreknowledge, and if they should choose to attack they will not have the element of surprise. But first…” he turned to look at Tabitha again. “I would like to know how your group was discovered at all.”
No one answered. Each man in turn looked anywhere but in Winston’s eyes or at Tabitha.
Winston raised an eyebrow expectantly, surveying the group.
“She saw her father and cried out,” Jed blurted. “And when she did, she was heard.”
Winston nodded, frowning. He looked one last time at Tabitha, waiting for her to say something in her defense, possibly even hoping she would, but she remained mute.
Finally, Winston asked heavily, “Could it have been avoided? Might you have returned unseen if not for Tabitha’s actions?”
Again, no one answered. And that was all the truth Winston needed.
“We must call for an Exile vote,” Winston said quietly.
“No!” The word burst from Alex before he c
ould stop it. Everyone turned to look at him. Alex bristled, ready to defend Tabitha if need be, but a firm hand was placed on his shoulder. Jonathan gently pulled Alex back a step.
One of Winston’s eyes twitched. “The rules of Domus are clear. Anyone who has or would place our people in danger, anyone who would place their own needs above the greater good, must stand trial.”
Alex couldn’t believe Winston could be serious. Yes, Tabitha had put them in danger. And yes, by extension she had endangered everyone in Domus, especially if Thrain chose to retaliate. But she would never have been there at all if not for him. If anyone was ultimately to blame, it was Alex and his refusal to take “no” for an answer.
And what about the weapons they’d carried back with them? Not only were the weapons a priceless treasure, but the knowledge itself that Thrain had access to those resources was invaluable. Now, with the weapons in hand, Domus had a much greater chance of defending itself if there were ever an attack.
“You’re scared!” Alex blurted, pulling his shoulder free of Jonathan’s warning hand. “You’re scared that Thrain is going to attack.” Winston looked anything but scared. “And you are justified in your fear,” Alex reasoned, swallowing nervously, “but haven’t you always lived with that fear?”
“She has given Thrain a reason to attack,” Winston responded.
“Winston,” Alex retorted, immediately regretting it. “I mean… sir… you recently cited a lack of warriors as your greatest concern. Now you want to send one away? When the city could be on the brink of attack?” Winston did not reply. “You can’t blame Tabitha for what happened!” Alex cried out.
Winston rounded on him. “Do you believe I wish to carry out this act?” he demanded. “But I cannot ignore—”
“It was her father!” Alex shot back, unwilling to give any ground. “She saw her dad, in thrall to Thrain. What would you have done?”
“Tabitha’s actions have put the safety of the community in jeopardy,” Winston responded. “That, I cannot ignore. It is my duty to uphold our laws. In doing what she has, the safety of the entire world is in jeopardy.”
“Oh come on!” Alex shouted, exasperated. “You don’t really believe that, do you?” He saw Jonathan trying to get his attention out of the corner of his eye, but he ignored it. “You have been here hundreds of years! Hundreds! No one knows you’re here. In all that time, no one has ever come to Under, and no one has ever left!”
“Indeed,” Winston replied, scowling now. “Until now.” He focused on Alex, moving aggressively closer. “And yes, Alexander Croatoan, I do believe we protect the world above. It is the foundation of our existence, and your disdain for our purpose is an affront to every citizen of Domus, past and present.”
Alex blanched, knowing he’d gone too far. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out,” he apologized, feeling foolish and stupid. Even Abner was frowning. “I just meant to say that I don’t think what she did will have such a huge effect.” He looked down at the ground. “It was her dad,” he objected weakly.
Stone-faced, Winston replied, “That is not for you to decide.”
“I would speak,” Jonathan stepped forward suddenly, his strong voice surprising them all.
“You have certainly earned the right,” Winston replied. He appeared on the verge of saying more, but Jonathan began without hesitation.
“This young woman,” Jonathan indicated Tabitha, “has been living with the belief that her parents succumbed to the Core—that they committed the ultimate act of betrayal to this community and especially to her and her sister. And we condemned her for it,” he reminded Winston. “For years, she has lived among us as a pariah, believed to be the descendant of cowards, murderers, and traitors.”
Winston looked at Tabitha again, nodding thoughtfully.
“But that is not the case,” Jonathan continued. “The fact that her father was in thrall to Thrain means her parents were taken against their will, made to suffer and serve a cruel master. And although we knew this to be a possibility, we allowed ourselves to assume the worst instead.”
Tabitha finally lifted her head.
“Imagine yourself,” Jonathan said to Winston, “as she must have been when she first recognized a father she believed to be one step away from the devil. I was there! And I can tell you that I might have reacted in much the same manner!” He paused, letting his words sink in. “Have we not already punished her enough? We should not condemn her further—we should beg her forgiveness for our terrible lack of compassion and faith!”
Even the Divinites were hanging their heads in shame now.
“You are our Marshall,” Jonathan told Winston. “And your word is as law. I would follow you anywhere. But I urge you to reconsider Tabitha’s circumstances. I urge you to only inform the populace that her father was found as a thrall, and allow her, and her sister, to regain their family’s dignity.”
Jonathan raised his blade to his chest in a salute and then stepped back with the others.
Winston and Tabitha faced one another, neither speaking. Finally, Winston straightened and placed the copper sword back in the pile with the rest of the weapons.
“Warriors will be posted at the entrance to the tunnels and at the boundary of the city,” Winston finally said, “effective immediately. Until further notice, these postings are an indefinite addition to the guard rotation.” Winston briefly placed one of his giant hands gently on Tabitha’s shoulder. “No matter the blame, our community is now in greater danger than at any other time in its history.”
Shimmer Page 28
