The Collective (13 page)

“Dalsha, you are respected as Transt’s widow and a part of
the Kasmine family, but your insubordination will not be tolerated. Your
actions have brought you into violation of the Collective heir to a House
protocol. If you do not cease...you know the consequences.”

All eyes were focused on Dalsha. Her offenses were serious,
even if Kasmine wanted her to recant, only her pleas for leniency would bring her
mercy. Dalsha had no intention of backing down now.

“Transt was old and senile at his death. You must have
tricked him into handing over the reins of this great House. I will never honor
you as the head. My son Ralston is the true head by right.”

Ralston intervened. “I'm not ready.” He spoke with a quiet
strength, while trying to placate his mother and the situation. “Kasmine was
named. My time will come.”

Dalsha was unswayed. “No Ralston your time is now. I
denounce this ceremony and demand my son be elevated to the first of the House
of Iossec!”

“Dalsha, I have known you for many years. You've raise an
intelligent young man. Ralston will be one of my trusted aides soon.” Kasmine
spoke slowly and measured his words.  “But if you continue this treachery against
this House and against me I will institute the highest penalty.”

“I'd rather die than serve one second under your lineage!”
Dalsha’s mouth frowned with bitterness as she spoke the words disgust.

Ralston stood with his hands on his mother's shoulders
speaking quietly to her, hoping she would see the error in her actions. He was
destined to be the head of the House of Iossec, just not today. The guards had
stepped back as he tried to console her. Ralston knew the kind of man Kasmine
was, they would come to a resolution. After this ceremony, he would speak to
Kasmine in private.

Kasmine could see the hatred burning in Dalsha's eyes.
Transt never spoke of any agreements involving Dalsha or Ralston, but it was
clear she felt slighted to the highest degree.  Did Transt tell her Ralston
would rule at his death? Was this promise made during more prosperous times? No
one would ever know since dead men tell no tales. Dalsha's actions had left him
little choice. Kasmine waved his hand back and forth toward the guards as he
turned around to look out the window behind him. The Houses jutted towards him,
towering a few levels below.  He could see the insignificant people scurrying
below. They had no idea of the adversarial political battles that occurred high
above their simple lives. It was always his dream to rule a House in the
Collective. Iossec had grown at a substantial rate in the last twelve years. 
He desired to elevate the House from a lower to an upper tier in league with
Mordal, Croman and Xonox. His plans were set in motion and he expected in less
than ten years the House of Iossec would be situated as the fifth House. How
would this, his first official act as the First, affect his calculated
aspirations? Ending the life of Milred Transt’s widow, while her young son
watched her being dragged off. What would the other families say? He had every
right, he had given her every out. Heavy was the head of the man who wore the
crown.  The guards snatched her up and restrained Ralston. Dalsha swore her
vengeance as she was hauled off kicking and screaming.

“No you can't just take her!” Ralston punched one guard
across the cheek. The man fell backwards into one of the guests. Ralston
started towards his mother. He swung at another guard and missed. The guard
landed a solid blow to his sternum knocking the wind from him. As Ralston was
doubled over three more guards grabbed him and the main guard knocked him
unconscious. Ralston's body hung slack from the arms of the guards holding
him. 

“Take him to his room and watch him.” Kasmine ordered. “I
want no harm to come to the boy.”

The years passed by and gradually the incident with Dalsha
was forgotten. Ralston had retreated to his room and was rarely seen amongst
the family or throughout the house. He was allowed to skip mandatory dinners
and events. Kasmine decided to tread carefully with him after ordering his
mother's death. He reasoned that time would lighten the blow and Ralston would
be the asset to the family that he envisioned. Others in the house, including Wisen,
told Kasmine to send him to rest with his mother. Kasmine would not hear of it,
he wanted no innocent blood on his hands. Besides he had more pressing
concerns. From the moment Kasmine was crowned there were small uprisings
throughout the city. Each small skirmish was reducing the Iossec's production
and keeping him from challenging for the fifth House. 

It was the third anniversary of Dalsha's passing and
Kasmine was receiving reports of Ralston's strange behavior. He requested
combat training with the Sergeant of the guard at all hours of the day and
could be found on the gun range on the eleventh level as if obsessed. Kasmine
was so preoccupied with the small battles sprouting up around the city,
Ralston’s whereabouts were of little concern. On the fourth year, the son of
Milred Transt requested an audience with him. Was he finally coming out of his
shell and searching to be a productive member of the House? Kasmine wondered.
He was in his mid-twenties and had not taken a wife let alone shown any interest
in women. Kasmine had recently traveled to the fifth House of Deira and was
impressed by the many elegant, cultured women there. If Ralston desired,
Kasmine could find him a suitable match.

Kasmine stood on the balcony outside of his council room.
His aides were informing him of the latest attacks against the House. Every day
it seemed the rebels grew bolder and more reckless. What surprised Kasmine the
most was their coordination. The attacks were swift and targeted crucial areas
of the building they assaulted. It was all too much for him to assess. He
constantly worried about the Water Facility. He ordered double patrol around
the building and doubled the guards. He turned to look into the council room.
His aides and assistants sat gathered around the solid white table, a large
italic cursive ‘K’ etched into the center. At the head of the table ‘Kasmine’
was inscribed in the stone. Each advisor had his name etched into a stone tile,
laid into the table. Their names were not permanent, but gave each a sense of
their belonging while realizing the tile could be easily replaced. All were
trusted advisors, but he wondered to himself was this rebellion merely
coincidence or a coup against his reign? He walked towards the glass wall as
one of his guards pushed the glass door in for him. As he crossed the threshold
he could hear the murmur of conversation. There was obvious concern over the
citizens’ increasing boldness. Some of his advisors pressed for public
executions. Others thought it was time to part with some crumbs to appease the
masses. Kasmine agreed with those who wanted to root out the rebel leaders,
publicly disgrace them and then show lenience by extending a hand of compassion
to the less fortunate. Maybe through generosity Kasmine could turn the upheaval
to his favor. Cleary a protracted war would not benefit any member of the House
of Iossec. The conversation began to die down as he took his seat at the head
of the table, his white suit blending neatly with the clean marble. It was
symbolic of his pristine nature which he strove to convey. Conversely, his city
was being torn apart, essentially soiled, and that weighed heavy on him.
Kasmine clasped his hands together as he sat back in his chair. His eyes
flashed the seriousness of the situation.

“As you all know, the city has been under attack by the
dregs of society. They perform the tasks that are unbefitting to men and women
of our caliber.  We have suffered minor losses as our ground sergeants and
guards have kept these ill-equipped rebels at bay.  What we have lost is
roughly five-percent of our work force and more casualties are expected unless
we can find some way to placate these people. I’ve doubled the Water Facility
guards and issued a decree that all detractors will be dealt with swiftly.
Before I issue an order to start going home by home, shack by shack and
executing anyone suspected of these terrorist acts, I want suggestions from
this council.”

An aide spoke up. “We must deal with this problem
immediately before the other Houses see us as weak and unable to maintain our
city. I say door to door patrols are the answer. This city must fear the
Kasmine name!”

“And to what end?” Another aide asked. “Killing innocent
people will only fuel the fire. We have to isolate the leaders and assure the
conspirators they will be rewarded for their cooperation.”

“Or, we remember why we rose to power in the first place.”
Wisen said with clarity.  “This is not a democracy. We must rule over these
people with no empathy or there will be no end to satisfying their needs. Today
its extra water, better living conditions, more food. Tomorrow they will be
living amongst us. Is that to be the fate of the House of Iossec? A bastion of
incivility, littered with the morally inferior?”

A hush fell over the room. Wisen was respected for his age
and wisdom. He was a steadying force in the House aiding Kasmine, Transt and
the leaders before them. His words were never truer. Kasmine stood to his feet
with his hands firmly on the table.

“Then it is decided.  We will take back this city with the
power and strength that built it. I want all Captains of the guards to be
notified. We will start an intense sweep of the area. Anyone not proclaiming
undying loyalty to this House is to be executed immediately at the discretion of
the commanding officer. We will have this city under control in less than a
week. What is the next order of business?”

The men collected nodded in agreement. One of the aides
answered Kasmine’s last question. “Your son Ralston has requested an audience
before this council.”

“Bring him forward.” Kasmine straightened himself to
receive his adopted son.

Ralston stomped into the room in all black, escorted by a
single guard. His attire was akin to a prisoner of war more than one of the
high born. His boots echoed across the polished marble floor. His face was
stoic, with a body hardened by his training, hardly the look of the boy Kasmine
took under his wing a few years ago. The loss of his mother caused him to
withdraw and turn inward. There were whispers of Ralston being a potential
threat. Kasmine was advised often to send him to join his mother. But Kasmine
was hopeful, expecting time to heal the wound from his mother’s death. It was
this idealism that made Kasmine a good leader and simultaneously clouded his
decision making on more serious matters. Ralston stopped and stood at the end
of the table opposite Kasmine.

The first of the House of Iossec addressed him. “Good to
see you son. You have grown strong over the years. I pray for many more good
years to come. To what do I owe the honor of this audience you’ve requested?”

Ralston placed his fist over his heart to show honor.
Kasmine and his aides returned the gesture. Everyone lowered their hands as the
tension began to subside. Ralston spoke slowly, looking past Kasmine to the
city beyond.

“I’ve grown in this House and been afforded all the
luxuries that come with it. From my birth I was destined to rule the House of
Iossec. Then my father Milred Transt died. Then I..I lost my mother Dalsha. I
must express my appreciation to you Kasmine. Other men in your position...well
I know I would not be given the chance to stand before you today. With that
said, I mean no harm to the Kasmine Family.”

Kasmine was glad to hear the somber tone. Maybe there was a
chance to make amends and put the past behind them, he thought. “Thank you
Ralston, your sincere words are a mark of your maturity and how you have grown
over these last few years.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” Ralston refocused his eyes on
Kasmine. He wanted to look squarely upon him as he revealed his true
intentions. “The reason I am here. The reason I requested an audience.  I can
no longer be a part of the Kasmine Family. I am a Transt by blood and I will
always be a Transt. I denounce the name Ralston Kasmine and reclaim my true
name Ralston Transt. I denounce the death of my mother Dalsha Transt. As my
father Milred Transt was the true leader of the House of Iossec, I stake my
claim as its true heir. I will take back what is mine.”

Kasmine sat back in his seat as his aides looked on in
shock. No one ever dared to denounce the House of Iossec and threaten the head
in the same breath. Unflustered by the unexpected outburst, Wisen leapt to his
feet. “This is blasphemous you cannot speak against your leader in that manner.
The penalty is death!”

The council murmured in agreement. The guards stepped
forward two on each side of Kasmine and three behind Ralston. The scene was
surreal to Kasmine as he thought about his treatment of Ralston. From the day
of his mother’s death he was blessed with every opportunity. Though it was
Kasmine who had his mother executed for treason, he often looked to Ralston as
a son. He was starting to see how foolish he had been. Still, he tried to
appeal to Ralston in hopes that another Transt’s life would not be ended by his
hands. Kasmine gathered himself and used the chair’s arms to steady him as he
stood up. He began to walk toward Ralston with guards in tow. The guards around
Ralston were nearly shoulder to shoulder awaiting their Sovereign’s orders or a
sudden move by the antagonist. “I know you have carried a burden over these
last years that no one can understand. You must find a way to move forward
son.”