Darkness Falling: Soldiers and Slaves (19 page)

“I'm going to activate the city’s utility functions. Stay here with the others, I’ll be perfectly safe,” she assured him. 

Leaving her charges, she made her way deeper into the Consular. Her footsteps echoed on the marble floors as she walked through the empty corridors. Dim, frigid light filtered in through the windows. Even within the shelter of Rau'Tesche-Akar the storm could not be avoided. Raising her hand, Wini conjured a small light in the palm of her hand. She allowed it to float free, tethering it to the top of her head.

Memories threatened at every turn. Voices from the past whispered in her ears while visions of faces long dead floated behind her eyes. She pushed them away. Her grief was old and rusted; firmly welded upon her soul from years of meditation. It was time to live in the moment while facing the future.

Deep within the building she found herself atop a dark stairway leading into the lower levels beneath the earth. The Consular was more than a political building; it also housed much of the infrastructure that operated the city.

Wini did not fear the ghosts which may dwell within the darkness and began to descend the stairs. Her aura awakened long dormant processes. Enchanted crystals inlaid along the walls flickered to life with a soft blue light. Soon her conjured illumination was no longer necessary. Magical devices were not very different than machines. They merely needed an active energy source to maintain their functionality. The Akar themselves had once served that purpose. When the city was abandoned the devices merely turned off.

At the end of the corridor was the primary control room. She pushed the door open, standing quietly in the doorway. The panels closest to her began to hum and glow. Being alone, she knew she could not power every building. Instead she would choose the most important; one residential building as well as the Consular itself.

She chose a small block of apartments that once housed the Ekar. She was not ready to return to the house where she'd grown up. Approaching the appropriate panel, she ran her hand over it gently, making it fully functional and linking it to her mind. Around her the building buzzed, fully operational.

There was one final thing that must be done before she returned to the foyer. On the far wall there was a small lighted screen. Wini placed her hand against it, her skin tingling as it scanned her for approval. The energy in the room changed, shifting upward. Without seeing it she knew a beam of light was lifting into the sky. 
The beacon of hope, long dark, announcing the return of the Akar.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Gleyth paced the interior of the elevator restlessly, her mind awash with strong emotion. Her tryst with Kevie had been unexpected, freeing her from inaction. Tasting freedom taught her that standing silently against her fate would do nothing to bring the change she desired.

The elevator doors opened to reveal her father's office. She did not hesitate as she stepped through. Excited and terrified of what she was about to do; she knew she must act before she allowed her anxiety to stop her. Ka Harn looked up from his desk, surprised by his daughter’s unexpected visit.

“Father, I must speak with you and it is urgent.”

“Of course, come in,” he said, bewildered but kind. “Be aware we do not have much time. Your mother was going to be calling you soon to announce the date of your wedding.”

“That is precisely why I am here,” her knees were weak as she spoke. Taking a shaky breath, she clasped her hands tightly to steady herself. “I do not wish to marry Fei Arentey.”

“What?”

“Or any man, for that matter, at least not any man chosen among the pool of the nobility. I want to assist you instead in improving the quality of life for the citizens of the Empire.”

Ka Harn knitted his brow in frustration. “What is this nonsense?” he grumbled. “Are you now going to pretend you understand what it means to be Emperor?”

“No, father, it isn't nonsense. I'm quite serious. I do not wish to marry. There is so much more I could be doing with my life. I'm smart and compassionate. I could be a great asset to the dynasty.” She walked toward the window, pointing at the world below. “What about the people in the streets of Rau'Tesche-Awn? I could be out there helping them. We have so much to offer.”

“I would not risk your life in the streets with the common filth, you know this.”

“It wouldn't be risking my life and they are not filth. They are our people. I would be saving lives. You have done nothing to aid the people during this blizzard. How many are starving and freezing to death right outside our walls?

“Father, I could be a champion to the Empire, showing that we still care about those who were not born into wealth.”

“Gleyth,” he began, but she cut him off.

“I may not be your son but I am capable. You could put me to work. We could solve the economic crises. People could return to productive jobs. I could travel to the outlying territories and see what aid is needed for the outlying lords.”

“Xander is my heir, that is his work,” Harn said sharply.

“Xander doesn't care about anything except the throne. He is failing as heir.” The words came out before she could stop them. Her heart was racing and her palms began to sweat. She might as well keep going. “I could be your heir. I wouldn't let you down. But first I must not be married to Fei Arentey.”

“Enough of this,” Harn nearly shouted, rising to his feet. He had never raised his voice to her before. “I will not pass over Xander for a girl, no matter how smart you think you are. You are a daughter, not a son. Already there is dissension in the ranks. You're a fool if you think I would further upset the aristocracy by breaking the alliance between Ka and Fa!”

Gleyth stood unwavering. She wondered if Impyra felt a similar rush as she jumped through the window. “If you will not support me I will do it on my own.”

“No, you will not!” He slammed his hand on his desk. “You are here making these demands of me knowing our current situation. I cannot allow you to weaken this dynasty any further, do you understand me?”

“You don't need me to show how weak you are. You do a fine job on your own.”

Ka Harn rushed toward her. She stepped backward into the elevator, pressing wildly on the button to close the door, shutting him out before he could reach her. Gleyth panted, leaning against the back wall. Her face burned hot with anger and fear. When the doors opened on the sixty-seventh floor she half ran and half fell into the corridor.

“Your highness?” one of her maids said, startled.

“Silia, call the others.” Gleyth rushed into her chamber and began pulling clothes from her closet. “Gather up all of the blankets and warm clothes you can find. Raid the linen closets if you have to, just find as many blankets as you can.”

Silia did not move, watching her mistress nervously. “I don't understand, your highness.”

Gleyth stopped, breathless. She was shaking. “Why are you looking at me like that? We're going out into the city. I'm going to bring blankets and clothes to the poor.”

Silia was unsure what to do; Gleyth was kind to her, a good mistress. She also knew Gleyth was not allowed to leave the Tower unattended.

“You have permission, your highness?”

Irritated, Gleyth rubbed her forehead. “It doesn't matter, Silia. I am the High Princess. The time for action is now.”

Backing away, Silia shook her head slowly. “I'm sorry,” she whispered, frightened.

In the corridor the elevator doors opened. The maid's eyes widened. She jumped out of the way as a small unit of Enforcers marched up the corridor. They lined up shoulder to shoulder in the doorway to prevent the princess from running out.

“No.” Gleyth said firmly. “Leave me alone! Get out of my way!”

“Your highness,” the lead Enforcer said coldly. “His Majesty has requested we observe you until your fit of hysterics have ended, for your own safety.”

Gleyth blinked back tears, not wanting the men to believe she was being over emotional. “Hysterics? Wanting to help the poor is hysteria?” She began to laugh in disbelief.

“If you do not desist in your current actions we will be forced to detain you in a cell until further investigation is completed.”

Opening her mouth to speak she noticed a pleading light in the Enforcer's eyes. She was pushing the limits of her office. The realization that her father would threaten to lock her into the prison floor was not what she expected. Dropping the clothes, she held onto the floor, she walked to her bed. Her body numb, she sat down hard and stared at the floor.

Was a cell really any different than her apartments? Empire Tower was already her prison of glass. There was no hope.

Once more the elevator opened. This time Ky Thella rushed through, her face etched in terror.

 “Gleyth,” she called out. “Let me pass, please,” she begged the Enforcer nearest to the door.

He stepped aside to let her through.

“Mother,” Gleyth whispered as Thella fell to her knees at her daughter's feet.

“What is going on? What are you doing?” Thella grasped her hands, squeezing them tightly.

“I just wanted to do something productive in this world. I don't want to see the Ka destroy everything the Empire has built merely by doing nothing for the people.” Her voice was a harsh whisper. A tear escaped her eye and fell into her lap.

Thella's eyes were sorrowful and sympathetic. “But you can't,” she said, caressing Gleyth's cheek. “Do you understand? You can't. We are not part of this world, child. We are only here for them, and they make the rules.”

“It doesn't have to be this way,” Gleyth insisted.

“But it is,” Thella closed her eyes, attempting to steady herself in the horrible truth. “Your father will be forced to destroy you if you act against him. There is already too much talk to rebellion. Now is not the time.”

Gleyth remembered Kevie standing in the darkness of the Gallery. 
“This is not the way.”

When was the right time? What was the correct path?

“You must marry Fei Arentey. I was afraid, too, when I married your father. In the end my life has not been that bad. I have you and your brothers and sisters. We have a home and food to eat. Living in the Tower is not such a terrible thing, is it?”

She was unable to answer, having never known anything different.

“I must inform you that your little outburst has caused your father to push the wedding up. We were going to wait a week and give you time to get to know Arentey a little better. Now it will be tomorrow morning to ensure the union.”

“Tomorrow?” Gleyth closed her eyes. Her mother squeezed her hands tighter.

“The Enforcers will be keeping you confined to your apartments at your father's command. I beg you to no defy him again, Gleyth. Please. Don't do anything stupid.”

She could not deny the Queen's request. To lose a child would be devastating to a woman who had nothing but her children for comfort. She couldn't bring such pain into her mother's life.

“I promise,” Gleyth whispered, wiping the tears from her face.

Thella smiled weakly. Slowly she stood from the floor, pulling the princess up into a strong embrace.

“Everything will be all right,” Thella whispered into her daughter's ear.

In the safety of her mother’s arms, Gleyth wept.

* * *

Impyra shivered inside the well-worn coat which was far too big for her small frame. She pulled the strings of the hood as tightly as they could go to hold in the heat generated by her body. Hiding her hands inside the sleeves she looked like a child wearing her father's clothes. Despite the poor fit, she was grateful for the protection the coat offered.

Brosen's coat fit much better. The hood framed his face and made his blue eyes glow brighter. They stood beside the lifeboat, which was more of an inflatable raft with a small outboard engine attached to the back. There wouldn't be any shelter once they left the ship.

“When yer in th'water,” the captain said, “press this red button 'ere on the top o'the engine.” He pointed at the only red button on an otherwise black surface. “Use this handle t'steer.”

“Yeah,” Brosen said, trying not to sound annoyed by the instructions.

“There's a survival kit under th'seat. It has bandages, water, and a flare gun if ya need it. Th'shore is due west from 'ere.” Captain Dei'Brenen pointed in the direction they would be going. “There's a beach. Ya can't miss it.”

Impyra hoped that was true. Being sent blindly into unknown waters in the dark during a blizzard to find a man they'd never met was challenge enough. To be killed by running aground on rocks hidden beneath the waves was not how she wanted to end her journey.

“We'll lower ya down.”

The water was a long drop from deck. Impyra’s knees weakened and she felt foolish for her fear. It was a much shorter distance than the seventy stories she had fallen from Empire Tower; she shouldn't have any reason to be afraid. Without the urgency of conflict pushing her to make rash decisions, the idea of falling was unpleasant.

She kept her anxiety to herself.

Brosen climbed into the boat first. Before she followed him Gilly surprised her by pulling her into an awkward hug.

“Be careful, girly,” he said gruffly. “Virikoor'll find ya.”

“Thank you,” she said uneasily.

Brosen offered his hand and helped her up into the boat. She sat across form him on a small bench before wrapping herself in the blanket. The small crane whirred loudly as the boom swung them out over the water. Impyra gripped the seat tightly. Brosen didn't look any happier with the situation. He closed his eyes tightly in anticipation.

Dropping faster than expected, the raft hit the water hard, splashing them with ice cold spray. The lifeboat bobbed violently against the choppy waves. Impyra reached out instinctively with her energy. She envisioned the flat reflective surface of a calm lake on a summer's day. The boat settled, holding steady.

Realizing she'd been holding her breath, Impyra gulped in air.

Brosen pushed the button on the engine. Sputtering, it began to buzz. He steered away from the ship. Impyra waved one last time, not sure if they would see the crew of 
The Water Skipper
 ever again.

“What do you think their plan is to escape the Empire?”

“I don't know,” Brosen shook his head. “Go to prison probably.”

She glared at him. It wasn't funny. Brosen wasn't one to joke, however; and she knew he was serious.

“Do you think they'll die because of us?”

He glanced at her before turning his attention back toward the horizon. His silence was answer enough. She wanted to scream. If it weren't for the snow they wouldn't need help from Virikoor or anyone else. They could walk to the free territories, disappearing forever.

To distract herself, Impyra twisted toward the shore. A cluster of lights glittered to the southwest. That must be Port Kooriellel. The deeper shadows in front of them must be the beach where Gilly's brother waited.

“It's not your fault.” Brosen said.

“What?” Impyra turned back.

“I know it's hard not to think that way. The truth is it isn't your fault. None of this is.”

“People's lives are ruined because of me,” she reminded him. “You, Sheyra, the crew, everyone.”

“No,” Brosen shook his head slowly. “None of this would have happened if Xander had been kind to you. None of this would have happened if the Emperor took care of his people. We've all helped you because we wanted to; because we know what's right.”

She smiled weakly. It was easy for him to say, but completely different from her perspective. None of this would have happened if she had stayed in the Tower.