by Elin Peer
“Well, you know, more like shaking their heads that he would think he would stand a chance in the tournament. Everybody is talking about how the competition is crazy this year. At least three men from the Doom Squad and several Huntsmen have signed up. Even skilled fighters won’t stand a chance against them. They’re giants.”
Sheriff flexed his biceps. “In my day I could have given them a good run for their money, that’s for sure.”
“Ha!” Jimmy shook his head. “You’re dreaming. Those warriors were trained by Magni. They aren’t regular men.”
My eyes fell on the screen again, where a large crowd was being filmed from a drone above. “What’s going on there?”
“Didn’t I tell you people are protesting?” Jimmy gave an order for the interactive wall to turn up the sound.
“You made it sound like it was a handful of guys down at your local pub. That right there is a massive protest.”
Both Jimmy and Sheriff stopped working and turned to the screen with me to listen.
“All morning we’ve been seeing pop-up protests around the Northlands, but here on North News, we’ve kept an eye on the media in the Motherlands to see how the people are reacting to their Council’s vote last night. What we’re showing you right now is actual footage from Old York in the Motherlands, where Jonah resides. What began as a small group of protesters is currently growing exponentially by the hour. Here is an interview with the organizer from about an hour ago.”
The camera changed to a female reporter interviewing a vain-looking man.
“I’m here with Hans, a mediator who says he couldn’t stay home but had to come out and show his disappointment over what is happening to Jonah Cervici.” The reporter swung to the man, who was wearing heavy make-up and had his blond hair in a braided bun. “Can you tell us what you’re protesting about?”
“I’m protesting the fact that men are being held back and stifled in this country. We want equal opportunities and we’re with Jonah when he says that enough is enough.”
“Do you feel Jonah is being treated unfairly on the Council?”
“I know he is. We all feel it in our daily lives. It’s impossible to get ahead as a man without being called opportunistic and deceitful. We grow up hearing about legendary women and as boys we’re made to feel that greatness is a female trait. That needs to stop. Being legendary isn’t gender specific.”
“Are you surprised that so many are joining your protest and that so many are women?”
Hans looked behind him where people were walking with banners saying:
Enough!
Hands off Jonah
Nannies not needed
Less Control – More Freedom
Let’s get drunk and dance together
Hans looked back at the reporter. “Yes, I’m a little surprised but mostly excited and relieved. This feels like the beginning to a more balanced society. Jonah has given a voice to what all of us men have been thinking for years.”
“Can you understand how many Motlanders feel shocked and scared from waking up to see thousands of protesters in all major cities? We really haven’t seen anything like this for decades.”
Hans nodded. “I can see why some would feel that way. I’m just hoping that the Council members take note that the people want Jonah to represent them on the Council.”
The reporter nodded. “It will be hard for them not to. Thank you.”
“See, I told you.” Sheriff snatched three cookies and handed them to me. “Give these to Jonah from us. He’ll need something after your dad is done with him.”
“If he has a black eye, we have ice too,” Jimmy added.
With a grateful smile, I took the cookies and headed straight to my father’s office. Placing my ear against the door, I listened. I could hear talking but not the exact words.
At least there’s no shouting.
“Are you waiting for Jonah too?”
Anne came walking toward me and immediate guilt filled me. Taking her hand, I led her away from the door before I answered. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’ve been an awful hostess. Have you been waiting for us all morning?”
Anne smiled. “It’s fine. Your mom was kind enough to give me a tour of the Manor and I had breakfast with your cousin, who surprised me.”
“You mean Freya?”
“Yes. She is so young but when she speaks, she makes me feel like I’m the child and she’s the adult.”
“I know, it can be a little freaky.”
“She was telling me about her plans to raise money for the poor, and had some great questions.”
“About what?”
“About how we care for our elders in the Motherlands.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
“I know, and unexpected.” Anne looked to the door. “Is Jonah in there?”
“Yes, he’s with my dad.”
“Oh, then I hope he tells him about the hugging booth?”
“What hugging booth?”
“Jonah didn’t tell you?” Anne lit up in a bright smile showing her perfect teeth. “It’s to help Khan get elected. Hunter and Emanuela are helping out too. You should come.”
A sound from inside my dad’s office made us look at the door.
“I’m curious to know what they’re saying?”
“Me too,” I said. “I really wish I knew what is going on.”
CHAPTER 23
Tribal Nature
Jonah
As I followed Magni into his office, he pointed to a chair. “Sit!”
I took a stance behind the chair and waited, just to show that I wasn’t someone he could boss around.
“Tell me, what is going on with you and my daughter?”
“I love her.”
“Yeah, you said that in your speech last night, but does Mila love you?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm… you know I want her to marry a big, strong protector.”
“I’m aware.”
“You’re fucking up my plan, Jonah.”
“If I’m allowed to continue my work on the council, I’m hoping Mila will stay with me in the Motherlands. She won’t need a protector there.”
“The Motherlands.” He scoffed. “I don’t want my girl in the Motherlands. People are psychopaths there. Look at what they’ve done to you.” With a loud snort, he muttered. “Denying people basic freedom.”
“Please don’t call us psychopaths.”
Deep frown lines showed on Magni’s face. “I’m not talking about you. You’re the only decent one, but the others are fucking lunatics. I’ve heard the way they talk about us Nmen and I’ve seen how they break down men. It’s disgusting.”
I sat down and crossed my feet at my ankles. “If I could change anything, it would be this destructive them-and-us culture that exists on both sides of the border.”
“We didn’t start it, they did.” Magni was pointing to the door as if a delegation from the Motherlands were waiting outside. “Listening to them judge you for doing normal things is enough to make me furious. And you want to bring my daughter to that awful place.”
I kept my tone calm and civil. “As with all extremism it’s really just a matter of good people convinced by bad ideas. The Council members who want me gone aren’t all man-haters. They have just been conditioned to feel unsafe with men in power. When they lash out, it’s because of fear.”
“Why are you defending those mean-spirited hags?”
“Because the only way to get us all back on track is to break down those barriers of fear and misconception. Magni, I’ve told you this before. There are a lot of great things to be said about the Motherlands. It’s not a homogenous country. It’s people of all colors, spread out around the world. They have different cultural backgrounds but no one is richer or poorer. Now, we just need to work on the equality.”
“Screw them. At this pace, it’s going to be at least a hundred years before there’s equality on the Council. Those ladies are no better than the men before them that clung to po
wer like it was an oxygen mask.”
“Which is why we need to keep pushing the integration process and the question of equality.”
“Fuck yeah we do. The more women we get to come up here and the more men we can send down to infiltrate their ways, the better.”
“Magni, you’ve got to let go of this combative them-and-us mentality. It’s not like they are wrong and you are right. No country is perfect and there’s no wrong way here. It’s just different ways.”
I was impressed with how real Magni’s new hand looked when he picked up an apple and began peeling it with a knife. “If there’s no wrong way, then why not just do it our way?”
With a sigh, I let my shoulders fall. “One day I hope to hear you say that the people in the Motherlands are great people.”
“Not fucking likely.”
“How can you demonize one point six billion people as psychopaths and monsters?”
Placing his elbow on the desk, Magni leaned forward, pointing at me with the little knife. “You should say the same to them. They’ve villainized us for centuries, and you know it!”
I threw up my hands. “You’re right, but they’ve also come far in terms of admitting they were wrong in some ways. Magni, you’re smart enough to understand that tribal nature is inherently ingrained in us. You’re just as tribal-minded as they are.”
“You’d better not be sitting there calling me primitive.”
I shook my head. “We’re all primitive when it comes to how our nervous system is programmed. Exclusion from a group used to mean certain death. Who was going to help you when you got sick? I’m not calling you primitive, Magni. I’m just trying to make you understand that it’s human nature to group together. It’s the old story of me against my brother, my brother and me against our cousin, my family against your family, our village against the neighbor village.”
“The Motherlands against the Northlands,” Magni added. “Don’t forget they call me the biggest enemy of their state.”
“That was years ago.”
Magni raised his voice. “I’m still banned from crossing the border.”
“Because you kidnapped Athena.”
“So? That was twelve years ago and Athena is back home. It’s not like I would do it again.”
“My point is that we need to stop dividing people into mental boxes of them and us.”
“You keep saying that, but it sounds like idealistic bullshit to me.” Magni popped another piece of apple in his mouth. “I can’t believe you would defend them when they’re screwing you over.”
I sighed and crossed my arms. “I represent change and some people prefer the status quo because it offers safety. I get that.”
“Sounds like you’ve given up.” Magni narrowed his eyes and used my own words from our last conversation. “And here I thought you weren’t a quitter.”
“I’m not! If I’m removed from the Council, I’ll continue working for equality and fairness for all.”
“Huh!”
“In the end all that matters to me is that I do it with Mila by my side.”
Magni moved in his seat and frowned. “I don’t care what you want, Councilman. What the hell would Mila even be doing in the Motherlands?”
“She wants to become a veterinarian. There are great schools where I live.”
"I don’t care. We have schools here too. As I said, you’re fucking up my plans."
I stiffened and listened as he continued.
“But Mila makes up her own mind and for some reason she likes you. I can’t imagine why, because you’re the most argumentative and annoying man on the planet.”
“Hmmm. Maybe it’s because I remind her of you in that way.”
The corners of his lips pursed upward. “Except, I’m right and you’re wrong!” Pushing his chair back, he stood up. “I’m sure Mila already told you about her decision to back out of her bridal tournament, but I want you to know that I appreciate your being willing to fight for her.”
I stayed quiet, remembering Mila’s words about letting them assume.
“Laura and I both thought you were crazy, but we liked that you would risk your life to marry our daughter.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way, what did you think about our video?”
I opened my mouth and then closed it again. “What video?”
“The one Pearl shared with the Council.”
“You know about that?” I was confused.
“Of course I fucking know about it.”
“But Pearl said that it was a surveillance video. Wait, are you telling me that Pearl lied to the entire Council?”
Magni swung a dismissive hand. “Aghr, don’t look so shocked. She didn’t want to do it, but even a righteous Motlander will get corrupted after living with Khan for twelve years. It was a matter of saving your seat on the Council.”
“It was all a set-up then?”
“Pretty much, but I meant every word I said.”
Remembering how he had praised me, I bowed my head. “Thank you.”
“Do you think it helped? Khan had this idea that we should show them how you’re brave enough to befriend a bear.”
“Excuse me?”
“No, not a real bear. The bear is just a metaphor for me; you know, because I’m scary and shit.”
“I’m confused.”
Magni sighed. “Khan thought the Nanny Club would be impressed that you have befriended us and that we spoke about you with respect.”
“Oh. I see.” I rubbed my forehead. “I think that message might have been drowned in all the profanities and insults you spewed at the Council.”
“Huh. It wasn’t that bad.”
My brow lifted. “It was bad!”
Giving a small shrug, Magni brushed some crumbs off his desk. “Okay, so maybe we got a little carried away, but they’ll still be impressed that you’ve made friends with me and Khan, won’t they?”
I hesitated before speaking. “A few of them might be, but to be honest, I think most of them liked me less because of it. They are disturbed that I would associate with people who act and speak like you do.”
“Well, fuck them.” Magni changed the subject. “Now, about the tournament; it will still take place and after discussing it with Khan most of last night, we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not a bad idea to develop the tournaments into something more modern that doesn’t rely on one bride.”
“Good. I have a few ideas on how to maximize Khan’s exposure to his voters.”
“I’m sure he’d like to hear about it, but you should go eat some food first. The noise from your growling stomach is distracting!”
I stood up too and for a moment Magni and I just looked at each other.
“You’ve changed,” I said in a compliment.
With a shake of his head, Magni walked to the door.
Just before he opened it, I repeated, “You’ve grown a lot, Magni.”
I’m sure he knew what I meant, but in typical Magni style, he squared his shoulders, “Nope, I was always tall enough. Didn’t need them to give me extra height with the new legs.”
CHAPTER 24
Treasures
Mila
“I can’t believe you talked Hunter into giving out hugs at the tournament. He doesn’t seem like the type to do such a thing.” Christina had listened to Jonah explain about his plan to help Khan gain goodwill from the voters and pondered out loud, “I suppose living in the Motherlands for a few years had a greater effect on him than I would have anticipated.”
“Hunter isn’t giving out hugs,” Jonah said and looked to Anne but she had her head in a box. The three of us had joined Christina and Freya in the basement to sort through sixty years of unwanted items.
“He called it a meet and greet with his soccer fans.”
“It’s a great idea.” Christina turned a candlestick over and studied it closer before noting something on a pad and taking a picture of it.
“Do we have
to take photos of everything?” I asked.
“Yes, it’s part of cataloging the treasures.”
“When you say treasures, you don’t mean this one, do you?” Anne had pulled her head out of the box and was holding a broken toy car in her hands. “One of the wheels is missing.”
“Place it in that corner over there. Toys go next to sports equipment. I’ll look at it later.”
“Wow, check out these old skis.” I picked them up and took them to the area Christina had pointed to.
“I found another painting.” Freya held it up and wrinkled her nose. “It’s not very pretty, but do you think it could be worth three hundred thousand?”
Christina smiled. “You ask that every time you find a painting. Just place it with the others and I’ll catalogue it and share it with my colleagues. They’ll help me estimate the worth of all these items.”
“But have you found anything that is worth a lot of dollars?” Freya’s arms were spread out wide as she carried the large painting. “I made big plans for how I’m going to use the money, so we’d better find some down here.”
“Well, the coins you found should be valuable and so is the trunk with private thoughts from Augustus that we uncovered. To have a sixty-year-old notebook from a historical figure like that is remarkable. It makes me think he was fascinated with the past like me. Why else would he write in a notebook and not use an electronic pad?”
“Maybe he was scared of being hacked. Pen and paper can’t be accessed unless you know where to search.”
“That’s a good point, Jonah.” I gave him a sweet smile and lost my train of thought for a second when my body remembered what had happened between us last night.
Jonah smiled back and for a long moment we just stood there with locked gazes and sparkling eyes.
“What do you plan to do with the money, Freya?” asked Anne.
Freya was about to crawl up on a book ladder, but she paused with one foot up on the first step. “I’m going to help my dad win the election of course.”
“And how do you plan to do that?”
“By giving the people what they need. I already talked to Mila about how my research shows that the people want comfort, love, wealth, and adventure. We came up with a plan to show them how my dad can help them find love, but I’ve been thinking a lot about how to give them wealth and comfort.”
