Riddle of Fate (21 page)

Cabinets and bookcases lined the walls and a desk with two chairs stood in the centre of the room. “This room has been used for many different things,” the Highest said. “I believe Highest Tradias before me used it as a bedroom. I, on the other hand, have used it to store records.” He turned to face Derrin. “Including registration files. If someone has destroyed Sebrian’s file, a copy will still be here.”

Derrin looked at the row upon row of cabinets with trepidation. “Do you know when he was accepted?”

The Highest strode across the room, his cloak swishing around his legs. He opened one of the cabinets along the far wall. “He’ll be in here. Each cabinet houses the paperwork for about a decade of recruits. Don’t look so deflated. It is alphabetical. What did you think? I had the organisational skills of a mouse?” He didn’t wait for an answer. He started running his fingers through the folders of the second drawer. He pulled one of them out with a triumphant smile. “Sebrian Novari. Here we are.”

So, Zera was close with the name,
Derrin thought.

The Highest’s chair scraped on the floor as he sat down at the desk. Derrin stood behind him, looking eagerly at the folder. “Sit down, Derrin. Can’t have you hovering over my shoulder.”

Derrin took a seat opposite the Highest, folding his hands on the table to stop himself from snatching the folder. Was the Highest going about this slowly for a reason?

The Highest opened the folder revealing a portrait of Seb attached to the first page. He held it up for Derrin to inspect. “This the man you were talking about?”

Derrin nodded. “I’ve not seen him, but from Khaya’s description of him, I reckon that’s him.”

The Highest seemed to flinch at her name, but started paging through the file. “He was accepted fifteen years ago. Says here he’d committed a series of murders during his life, but towards the end of it, he had tried to atone for his crimes.”

“What had he done?”

The Highest flipped through several pages, a frown knitting his eyebrows. “How odd. There are no further details. It goes on to describe his death. A victim’s father hadn’t accepted Seb’s remorse. He was shot with an arrow in the chest. Ghrei was sent to collect him. It was deemed that his behaviour in latter years qualified him for a role as a Collector. The council voted and there was a unanimous decision to permit him.”

“Wait,” Derrin said. “What do you mean, a unanimous vote?”

“Do you not understand what the word means?”

Derrin waved a hand. “Of course I do, but how many people in the history of the Collectors received a unanimous vote?”

The Highest lifted a hand, his mouth pouting. “I can’t rightly say that I know. Not many, I suppose.”

“One,” Derrin said. “One person in all the history of the Collectors.”

“Bah, how could you possibly know that?”

“Because that person was Zera. She would never tell me what she had to atone for, but she repeatedly let me know in no uncertain terms, that she was the first and only person to gain a favourable vote from all five Masters. She was proud of it. And she kept a close eye on all new recruits. She would have known if someone else got five votes.”

“And she would have told you?”

“Most certainly! She wouldn’t have been able to stop herself from explaining exactly why the person shouldn’t have got all five!”

The Highest chuckled at that. “You’re probably right.”

“May I see the file?”

The Highest slid it across the table. The emblem at the top was of a solar eclipse with the words: ‘Power in Knowledge - Authority in Wisdom’ underneath. “Is this the official emblem of the Collectors?” Derrin asked

“Of course.”

Derrin shook his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“We found correspondence at the library with this emblem. It was orders pertaining to Khaya – as far as we could figure out, at least.”

“That cannot be. How would that Company have got their hands on our letterhead?”

“That’s just it. I think some of the Collectors are directing the Company. Controlling it.”

“That breaks our first law: No interference.”

“I’m ashamed to admit to have first-hand knowledge: that law is not unbreakable. How else would that letter have got into the Company?”

The Highest fingered his gold earring. “Why didn’t you recognise the emblem?”

“I’d never seen it before,” Derrin said with a shrug. “I’ve never had to deal with official documents here.”

“If this is the case – and I am not convinced of that – then we have much greater problems than we first realised. Collectors brazenly controlling a human organisation…” he blew out a puff of air through his lips.

“If I might be so forthright as to say, even if you are not convinced, I am. I followed a messenger trail that directly connected Garelle and Meir with the head of the Company, Phalio Tarr.” The Highest still looked sceptical. “Do you realise Garelle and Meir offered Khaya acceptance to the Collectors if she handed me to them?”

“What?” the Highest roared. “How dare they? They don’t have the authority to do that.”

Derrin looked over the file again. Each Master who supposedly voted for Seb's acceptance had stamped their seal onto the bottom of the file. Each Master’s stamp was unique. One of the marks was smeared. He leaned in closer to inspect it. “Who’s stamp is this?” he asked.

The Highest peered at the paper. “It’s mine, but,” he hesitated, “it doesn’t look right. There,” he pointed to a twisting line, “that should be like this:” He pulled his neck chain over his head. A coin hung from it and the image on it matched the stamp, yet, it wasn’t quite right.

The Highest put the coin down next to the stamp. It didn’t stand up to closer scrutiny. It was a forgery. “Why would he forge my stamp, though? The other four are genuine, I’m certain. He only needed three out of five votes to be accepted. So, why forge mine?”

“Unless the other four weren’t legitimately obtained. Do all the Masters wear their seal around their neck?”

“No. This coin was from the village where I grew up. It serves to remind me of where I came from. I like to keep it close. I would imagine the others would keep theirs in their studies. Do you propose someone gained entry into their private studies?”

“That would be the least shocking of all the revelations today.”

After a moment, the Highest nodded, his mouth pulled tight as though he was sucking on a lemon. “This is a dark day indeed for the Collectors.”

“No,” Derrin said, “today is only the day you found out about the darkness that has been gathering over the Collectors. This storm has been brewing for a long time.”

His Last Chance

Brier stood on shaking legs before them. His back felt aflame. His legs trembled, threatening to buckle at any moment. He had been afraid that he would die during the punishment.

How ironic.

He’d been yearning for death for the past year and now that he was at its door, he didn’t want to cross the threshold. Of course, that was because he was unsure of what awaited him on the other side. Garelle and Meir were so displeased with him that he wasn’t certain any longer.

At least they hadn’t killed him. That had to be a good sign.

“Your actions have been disappointing to say the least,” Garelle said. Her red hair appeared alight with the sunshine pouring in through the window behind her. She sat, legs crossed, on a high sofa. Her voice was calm, but her posture was stiff, her eyes cold.

“I apologise, my Lady. I was following my orders to keep track of Khaya. When I saw her enter the library I thought –”

Meir waved a hand to cut him off. “That is where you made the mistake. You thought you knew better. You thought you would follow your own mind instead of trusting that we have a plan in place. A plan that will lead to her death and Derrin’s capture.”

“You are lucky they didn’t kill you,” Garelle said.

“And even more fortunate that we let you live,” Meir said. “You forced us to confront Khaya. Had we said nothing after the incident, they would have suspected that we were behind the attack. It could have compromised the entire arrangement!” He swallowed, composing himself, his face still red.

“We believe Khaya has no intention of handing Derrin over," Meir continued. "If, however, we are wrong and we act in haste, we spoil any chance we might still have. You must find out what she’s up to. But do not confront her. Do not allow her or Derrin to see you. Do you think you can follow those orders?” Brier nodded weakly. “If you don’t, Brier, there will be no more chances. Your life will be over and you will be sent to damnation.”

“Thank you for giving me another chance.”

“Do not disappoint us again,” Garelle said. “Remember why you were about to commit suicide when Heran was sent for you. But most of all, remember what awaits you after death should you fail to obey.”

Brier shivered. “I remember. I will obey.”

Garelle waved a hand to dismiss him.

He limped from the room, seething, one hand clutched around his middle. He had done everything that he could to bring their plans to fruition. Sacrificed everything. He didn’t attack Khaya and Derrin for his own benefit. He saw an opportunity and tried to use it.

He failed. He knew that, but he had tried. Cutting him down because he used his head, because he had an idea of his own? Did they mistakenly think they had recruited a goldfish? He burned to make them pay for his pain and humiliation.

They were the ones who were losing sight of the ultimate goal: righting Derrin’s mistake. It had seemed so simple at first. Now they were promising Khaya life? Why would they do that? It didn’t make sense. The whole point was to end the life she should never have had.

He should have known something had gone awry when Meir first gave orders to the Company to get rid of Khaya’s colleagues who knew she had a second ability. That seemed to upset the balance of things. He’d believed their tripe about how even this was Derrin’s fault. That these murders were like ripples in a pond when you drop a stone into the water. The ripple cannot be stopped without disrupting the water. And since Derrin had dropped a boulder, there were going to be far-reaching ripples.

In a way, it
was
Derrin’s fault. The consequences of your actions were as much your fault as the initial act. It still didn’t justify their reaction. No. Garelle and Meir were as guilty as Derrin. They orchestrated the death of humans. They despised Derrin for breaking their first law, yet they had now broken it themselves.

He would continue following their orders, not putting a foot wrong, but once he was a Collector he would make sure they were disciplined for their sins.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Khaya mopped the already clean floor. Derrin had been too long. Much too long. Something must have gone wrong. He must have been captured. Her thoughts kept returning to her Foretelling of him standing before the five Collectors. Of his judgement.

Why did he insist on going? Stubborn man.

She could wait no longer! But, infuriatingly, there was nothing else she could do. She should have convinced him to simply run away with her. He said they had no future together. He was wrong. They had her whole life to spend together.

Maybe he was right. It was ridiculous. She was in love with a dead man. Literally.

Her stomach twisted. Where was he?

“I think that floor is clean enough to eat off,” Derrin said behind her.

She leapt to her feet, but stopped herself from hugging him. He had said the kiss was a mistake, after all. “I was so worried! Did you see the Highest?”

“I did.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair and sank down on the sofa. “He listened to me,” he said, shaking his head.

“Does that mean they’ve forgiven your, um, mistake?”

“No. I’ll have to face up to that, but for now, I’ll be helping them root out the rebels.”

“So, he believed you?”

“He didn’t want to, but in the end, there was no denying it. We found Seb’s file in the Highest’s private study. It was a forgery.”

Khaya shivered. “There is more to Seb than meets the eye. What do you think it means?”

“The forged paperwork? I think he isn’t a Collector at all. Zera’s last words to me was something about an imposter. I think she meant him. It’s the only thing that makes sense. And if I am right, then he must be the one who killed Zera. He must have found out that she knew he was a fraud.”

“If he isn’t a Collector, then what is he?” Khaya asked, dread filling her heart. “He can Leap like a Collector, so he isn’t human.”

“I don’t know, but I intend to find out.” He paused. Keeping his eyes on the ground, he said, “The Highest didn’t know about the deal Garelle and Meir made with you. You won’t become a Collector. I’m sorry.”

Khaya swallowed. “I knew that was likely the case,” she said. That was true, but having it confirmed still felt like a blow.

“You have nothing further to gain by staying here,” he said. “You have to leave. Start a new life somewhere else. The Collectors won’t be able to find you.”

“You want me to leave?” she asked in a small voice.

“It’s what’s best for you. One way or another, I won’t be coming back. Even if we manage to stop Garelle and Meir, the Highest will carry out my sentence.”

“You’ve never told me what your sentence was.”

He pursed his lips and looked down at the floor. “It’s better if you don’t know.”

Khaya’s heart ached for him. He was willing to accept this punishment – that clearly terrified him – so that he could save the very organisation that was going to punish him. She sat down next to him and took his hand in both of hers. “I need to know.”

Derrin stared at their hands. “I will be sent to damnation.”

“Hell?” Khaya asked, shocked. “What for? For saving a life? For having empathy? That’s not fair!” She bit her lip. She didn’t want to cry. “You don’t have to go back. Come with me. I don’t want to leave without you.”

With his free hand, Derrin wiped her tears away. She hadn’t realised she’d lost the battle to stem them. “Don’t cry for me. I did what I did and now I do what I must. And I don’t regret any of it. Especially saving you. The world would have been a poorer place without you.”

Khaya leaned over and kissed him. He put a hand on her shoulder and for a moment, she thought he was going to push her away. He kissed her back and pulled her closer.

Her problems melted away. Nothing mattered apart from him, his touch and being together.

He drew back, leaning his forehead against hers. She put her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his chest.

Reality flooded back and sobs shook her body. He held her until she fell asleep.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Brier crept out, quietly closing the door behind him. He mounted his horse, gritting his teeth against the pain from his broken ribs, and raced back to the Collectors’ mansion. The cool night air whipped around him as he urged his horse on faster. He ignored the bolts of pain shooting out from his middle.

He leapt from the saddle. Storming along the corridors, he smiled to himself. Not only is he ensuring his acceptance to the Collectors, he will force them to withdraw Khaya’s deal. Everything would be back to the way it was meant to be.

He knocked twice before pushing the door open. Meir’s face darkened when he saw him. Garelle was standing in front of Meir’s desk and she crossed her arms as she turned to face Brier. “What is the meaning of bursting in here?” Garelle asked.

“I apologise. I have urgent news.”

“Out with it, then,” Meir said.

“Derrin was at Khaya’s house tonight. Khaya wants him to run away with her.”

“Did he agree?”

“No.”

Garelle and Meir looked at each other. Meir looked surprised. Garelle didn’t.

“He told her the Highest would carry out his sentence. He said he didn’t regret saving her.”

“He’s handing himself over?” Meir asked.

“To the Highest it would seem,” Brier said.

Meir cursed.

“The Highest will see to his sentence,” Garelle said.

“We cannot be certain,” Meir hissed.

“Oh, stop,” Garelle said. “You hate him. I’ve never understood it, but I’ve tolerated this obsession of yours. So, you won’t be the one who gets to dispatch him. The important thing is that justice will be served.” She turned to Brier. “Did you hear anything else?”

“No,” Brier said.

“You’ve done well today,” Garelle said.

Brier realised that was his dismissal and he took his leave. He felt relieved, lighter. Finally, something had gone right for him. Finally, they had acknowledged that he’d done his task well. They won’t be able to revoke his acceptance now.