The Spark (20 page)

The party quietly left the chamber, leaving the body of Gionni to the dim glow of the everflame lantern. Dalar brought up the rear of the group. He paused for a moment, steadying himself. The building swoon finally penetrated his mental defenses, sending his mind reeling. In his effort to contain the disorientating sensation, Dalar focused his attention on the limp body strung up by chains.

To ward off the mental attack, Dalar pictured anything to keep his mind from reeling. His anger, and despair, at the loss of his son sent pictures of Gionni’s body being torn from its chain tethers and being flung against the surrounding walls. The thought felt real as he imagined the fluidness of the limp body bouncing from surface to surface. The scene was terrible to behold. For that, Dalar was glad it was merely an imaginary circumstance, conjured to fend off the wild swooning in his mind.

Dalar turned away from his imagined scene as the sensation began to recede. He took the steps to the main floor slow, one at a time. His knees felt weak. Adrenalin fueled through his body, giving him the strength and speed of a man three times younger than he. The anguish in his heart, however, weighed him down like a stone three times his weight.

He reached the top of the stair behind the party. The orekinetic door swung shut behind him, locking itself in the process.

K
atherine woke to the familiar pounding in the back of her head. Each morn it reminded her everything she was living through was indeed very real. Typically, Katherine would rise and douse her face in a basin of cool water to wash away the night’s filth; however, on this morning, she chose to remain in the large bed. With great effort, Katherine rolled to her side, letting her gaze fall over her compartment.

It was a large space complete with a parchment-strewn writing desk, a thick bookshelf of wondrous design, a trestle table with varying drink and scented lotions. In the far corner sat the luxurious armoire that Garius Syrah ordered to be filled with dresses and skirts worthy of Katherine’s station. Facing the far side of centric bed was a marvelously large window that exited out to a balcony, which overlooked a deep valley that had once been littered with the hulks of antique steam powered airships.

At first, it did in fact seem Garius saw Katherine as a guest rather than a prisoner. He was kind to her and waited on all her wants, but when her woman’s hair began to sprout, the crones would arrive to shear it off once more.

“I do not mean to shame you.” He insisted. Despite her questions, Garius never explained the purpose of the trimmings. Katherine knew she should be thankful, at least in part. She no longer had to live in perpetual darkness in the bowels of the earth, nor did she have to suffer in the nude and the indignity of the bathing chamber.

Katherine finally found the desire to rise from the bed as a slight breeze rustled the drapery that surrounded the balcony door. With slow, almost mindless determination, Katherine crossed the hard, cold floor to the imposing armoire. She drew open the lightly stained oak doors and examined the articles within. None of the garments were as exquisite as she was accustomed, yet they were not as drab and poor as she expected.

Katherine sighed as she ran her fingers down the length of a simple black skirt with matching jacket. It was a dull, depressing colour, one Katherine often avoided in her daily attire. Today, however, the shade seemed just right.

She had to admit despite the bleak palette Katherine was rather fond of the straight skirt. The bottom of the garment was trimmed with cloth of gold, while the skirts loosely defined her shapely legs. Katherine tucked the ends of a white loose blouse into the waistline of the skirt before donning a simple, black bodice. Upon the breast of the garment was the shape of a rose, created by varying sized embroidered cogs and gears.

As Katherine tightened the last lace of the bodice, a bent crone entered the room with a small platter of scrambled goose egg and several strips of crisp bacon. The old woman worked in silence as she placed the tray upon the desk. Katherine made note to thank the elderly servant as the crone poured a small glass of a sweet honeydew wine. The old woman never spoke, nor did she ever lay her eyes on Katherine. The elderly woman entered the room, did her duty, and departed.

Katherine sighed. She should have known better. It was the same routine every morn. Resigning herself to her fate, Katherine took her tray of food and wine in hand. The light of the morning sun seemed warm and inviting, so she took her meal out onto the small balcony to enjoy the sights. The view was astounding.

Off to the east, Katherine noted the new shipyard Garius had told her about. Early on his men ventured deep into the interior of the isle, where the bulks of the antique steam ships sat in disrepair. Garius had likened it as a graveyard for the majestic vessels. Months of refurbishments finally brought the vessels to working order. Garius had been most proud about the integration of the kinetic cortex creation – giving his new fleet a proper chance against the airfleets of his foes.

To the south, and over the varying highland crags, Katherine could see the faintest hints of that old resting place of the ships. Now, however, instead of bulky vessels falling apart, dozens upon dozens of black clad soldiers marched to and fro like little ants. She could not quite make out what they did out there, for the uneven landscape obscured much of the details, but Garius informed her the old shipyard had been transformed into a proper training ground for his men. A firing range, obstacle course, and even a cross-country track had been built to provide the troops of the Imperial Order top-notch training.

At the base of the tower, which at one point served as the isle’s air dock, had seen a complete overhaul. Where once an emaciated guest hall sat, a broad, noble barracks and educational center rose in replacement. Red brick walls, new glass for the windows with fresh cast iron for the panes, and a solid cement foundation all drove home the ideology of growth and betterment Garius so preached.

Katherine finished her meal and wine in quick passing. It had been dull, lacking salt and ground pepper, but she knew it would suffice. Returning to her room, she returned the tray to the desk, carefully placing the wine glass on top. Not really sure what to do with her time, Katherine sat upon the down mattress of the bed.

Garius came calling soon after, ensuring all was well.

“Of course ser,” she replied. “You are a wonderful host Garius.”

“Thank-you, I do try.” His smile was charming, sincere almost. “I hoped we could walk today?”

“A walk would be a wonderful, and welcome change.” Katherine admitted, trying to hide her excitement. It pained her thinking how pitiful she must seem to Garius, so eager for such a mundane thing as a walk.

“Excellent,” His excitement was not so well contained as Katherine’s. He reached a welcoming hand towards her, offering it in way of companionship. “Come, let me show you my world.”

Katherine’s heart raced excitedly as the rough calluses of his hand rubbed against the softness her palm. Katherine rose, ever looking deep into the bright eyes bidden behind the ornate pyrokinetic lenses. Her cheeks burned fiercely as the man she once loved helped her to her feet. She felt foolish, quite like a schoolgirl once more.

Garius lead the way from the chamber, out into the waiting corridor.

Soft cream wallpaper, emblazoned with flowing floral design and filigrees, worked to hide the masonry of the hallway. Tight, notched windows followed the contour of the tower; each being nothing more than a slight crevice in the wall, despite bringing in an array of bright light. A deep, ruby carpet followed the length and girth of the floor in either direction.

“Such a lovely guise to the cold grey of the stone,” Katherine remarked as the pair continued down the long, circling corridor.

“The bare stone reminds me of dungeons and cellars.” Garius said as sunlight from a nearby window caught the crystal of his lenses. “Both of which I am not overly fond of.”

“Whatever the reason,” Katherine said, admiring the way the sunlight played with his slick, white hair. “It is a lovely change from the sterility of my room. Do not get me wrong, it is a lovely space, but the plain, pine walls are quite dull. Though, I suppose I should not complain overly much, for I could still be down in the dark.”

The thought of her cell sent a shiver down Katherine’s spine, and a pang of guilt in her heart. Belle was down there still, being raped, molested and perhaps worse.

“But you are not,” Garius said, clearly ignoring the sadness the memory brought Katherine. “So we need not think about it. Let us relish in the beauty of the day.”

“I will tell you this Garius Syrah,” Katherine halted in front of a window, stamping her foot on the carpeted floor beneath. “We do not have to talk of it now, or ever, but do not presume to expect me to forget what happens in your dungeons at night.”

“Katherine, my love,” he placed a hand on either of her shoulders as he turned to face her. “I do not presume to have even a smile from you. What happens down in the deep dark of this facility will be made clear by the setting of the sun.”

“You intend to tell me?” Katherine’s brow furrowed, more out of disbelieve than anything.

“No, I do not mean to tell you.” Garius said matter-of-factly. “I wish to do more than simply convey the Order’s purpose; I will do more than tell…I will show you.”

Shocked into silence, Katherine followed her former love as he led her through the winding halls of his tower home.

The cream wallpaper followed the pair, never ending its task of brightening the stone corridors. The carpet underfoot raced ahead of the one-time lovers, leading to a destination only known to Garius.

The corridor came to an abrupt end as the pair entered into a wide gallery with steep stairs. The stair followed a straight path to an upper landing, as well as deep into the earth. High vaulted windows allowed the morning sun to illuminate the only spacious room Katherine had seen within the tower. Garius said nothing, nor did he ignore her, he simply continued to lead Katherine on his private tour.

Directing her to the stair, he indicated they were to ascend to the upper landing. Katherine took the steps one at a time, feeling like a nervous child. Katherine did her best to maintain her composure, despite her mind running rampant over what secrets lay in wait. The activity brought upon a searing pain in her skull, which had all but grown too familiar. Gritting her teeth, Katherine forced the return of the sharp throbbing away as she followed Garius upwards.

Upon reaching the upper landing the pair were greeted by a heavy iron door. Large studs lined the perimeter of the metal and a heavy bronze ring served as a handle. Garius reached for the ringlet, pulling the weighty door open with practiced ease.

On the opposing side of the threshold a large, looming construction of copper and steel, pipes and cogs, glass and coils filled Katherine’s vision. The device sped high towards the rafters of the tower, while descending deep into the bowels of the earth. Intense blue light glowed from glass tubing, which followed a spiraling path as the varying metal pipes.

Following Garius through the portal, Katherine’s feet fell on a grated steel gangway that followed the contour of the space within.

Her eyes followed a copper pipe down to the bowels of the space, where large turbines, oscillating fans, rotaries and various other mechanical accoutrements whirred in a soothing precision. At the base of the room, and where all the glass tubing and piping converged, sat an oversized, obtuse invention that reminded Katherine of a very advanced cortex. Along the far wall a group of electrokinetics stood monitoring various dials and meters, adjusting their machine by pulling or pushing on a handful of levers.

“You see, dear Katherine,” Garius said, resting his hands on a steel cross bar. “I am not the sole kinetic who holds similar desires in my designs.”

Katherine joined Garius’ side as he admired his grand machine.

“I would not have been able to create this wonderful device without the aid of an electrokinetic or two,” he smiled, proud of his achievement, “Some are former classmates that followed me after I left the thrice damned college.”

“And the others?” Katherine asked, watching the men and women below as they went about their routines.

“Lost sheep looking for a shepherd.” He smiled a sweet smile, not so dissimilar to that given from father to child. “I am not a vile man Katherine.” Garius insisted. “The work we do is for the people of Wynne. We strive to better their lives in ways only dreamt of.”

Garius turned, resting his elbow on the railing. “Those kinetics?” he looked down over his workers, offering a wave to a man who noticed Garius’ stare. “They questioned the teachings of the Council and its college, and, in turn, found me. You see dearest, the Council’s preaching only inhibits our gifts. Here a kinetic is free to the one thing we have long been denied – choice.”

Katherine looked to her former love, a strange feeling of pride building in her heart as Garius laid the first foundations of the truth to her. Smiling, Katherine placed her hand atop his. The passion of his words was endearing, and understandable. How these lost kinetics served to help Wynne Katherine could not quite fathom, nor could she understand the need for such secrecy.

An immediate burst of azure light filled the room as a burst of electrokinetically induced charges sped through the tubings. Katherine jumped in fright.

“Easy Katherine,” Garius laughed, pulling her in close. “It is not but the device.”

Katherine looked at the now pulsating blue light within the glass tubing. “What is it?” her voice trembled.

“It is but one of the many ways we will better Wynne.” He said, giving Katherine a soft, embracing squeeze. “From the base of this machine we are able to send pulses of energy into the sky, changing the existing energies to…well…whatever we so choose. From this one spot, I can control the very weather of the world.”

Katherine looked back at the glowing construction. She followed its length first to the ceiling, then down to the roiling machinery below.

“The salt-kin of Wynne will no longer have to dig in mines,” Garius continued. “Nor will they have to suffer frozen nights maintaining the roadways for the corrupted, pompous nobility. Soon the land of Syntar will turn from barren ice and snow to soft and fertile farmland. The poor families will finally serve a greater purpose to the province of Syntar, and Wynne, as the need for farmers will increase.”

“You truly mean well, don’t you Garius?” Katherine asked as another pulsar raced to the heavens.

“Aye.” He paused for a moment, as if lost in thought. “Truthfully? I desire more than simple weather manipulation. My heart yearns for a world of equality – a world where poverty is a nightmare of the past and where a kinetic is accepted and not shunned.” He pulled her in tight, resting his chin upon the top of her head. “There are many wrongs in this world m’lady. You know this as much as I. The Order is destined to set those wrongs right.”