Episode 39 (Part 4) Tidings of Discomfort and a Ploy
Yule Eve
The Grand Dining Hall at Highveld, Sahajia
All thirty of our dinner guests cheered as the footmen uncorked the traditional Yule spirits--bottles of blissberry wine saved for the occasion. Highveld's retinue of sophisticated custodian units plodded around the dining room, serving many delicacies. The orbyx Father and I had killed was a highlight. Our chef had braised and marinated the meat in savory spices, and added a tasty berry compote to smear over it. Fine china and silver glistened in the candlelight. The sumptuous feast before us complemented the crisp smell of the blossoming garland centerpieces.
Once all plates were cleared for the dessert course, Mother stood and tinked a fork against her wine glass. "May I have everyone's attention?" Her plum-painted smile was a beacon which all eyes locked upon. "This is a celebration of much more than the obvious. If I may present my dear husband, Richard, who has a momentous revelation for us." She swept a hand toward Father, swathes of violet chiffon and thin silver chains trailing from her sleeve.
Father rose from his chair at the head of the table and stood by her side. He smoothed his black silk tie, slipping his arm around Mother's slender waist. "Some of you are already privy to the news. Before I announce it, I must welcome Mr. Yuji Shahiro, who now leads the polls for Chairman of the trade commission. Also, a huge welcome to General Everton, our esteemed Amerixcan guest. Gentlemen, I'm pleased and honored to share this event with you at our humble estate."
Mr. Shahiro grinned, sly brows arching. "Thank you, Mr. Blane. The Earth Alliance Party and I are forever grateful for your support these past several months."
"I'd like to propose a toast," General Everton said. He shuffled to his feet and raised his glass. His formal military overcoat boasted countless stripes and medallions. "To Mr. Richard Blane. May you live long, and may you bring our message to the colonies with all due expedience."
Laughter skipped across the table like pebbles over a pond. The revelers were amused, but tension lurked beneath the surface. The division of opinion among colonials ran deep. Nevertheless, all stood to participate.
"Here, here." Voices lauded Father's name in unison.
Father cleared his throat. "That is my dream, sir, though I have far to climb before I'll have such clout. Ladies and gentlemen, as it stands today, I proclaim my bid as a candidate for Executive Director of the Belenus Chamber of Commerce."
The sounds of approval crashed across the room, drowning out the elegant swell of the orchestral trio Father had hired for the evening. A standing ovation. Father raised his glass, and everyone toasted his aspiration. Mother pressed against him with her hand on his chest. Her skull ring gleamed alongside their smiles.
I wasn't surprised. Father had been interested in politics for a good while. He and Mother shared a proud kiss. They stood together, straight and determined, two souls merging into a lofty pillar. Ambition radiated from them, and I knew they'd stop at nothing to achieve Father's intent.
I wondered what Mother wanted out of it. There was always an ulterior motive to her interests. There had been no chance to discuss important things with her, since she'd arrived home during the bustle of party preparations.
Gerald leaned toward me and whispered. "There's a bright future ahead for your father. After the dinner with the candidates at Fairside Manor, I knew this moment would come."
"His views are radical and liberal," I said. "Many in society still support the old system of wealth and bloodlines. You remember the speech he gave about the common man, and the importance of our foundation. I wonder how his views will settle with the colonial snob families on Celestine."
"Not well, likely." Gerald sipped his modest glass of blissberry wine as we all returned to our seats. "But it's a change which needs to happen."
Dessert arrived, flaming plum pudding and fruitcake smothered in crystallized sugar. Castor ate three pieces of cake, then slumped in his chair with his hands on his stomach. Still a pipsqueak and a glutton. He hadn't change a bit since last year's party.
After dinner, the entertainment began. The first bottle of blissberry wine was dry, and the fortune game followed. Mother dropped dozens of tiny metal spheres inside the empty bottle, each one hollow and inserted with a message for the year ahead. The party moved outside, onto the terrace in the savanna garden. The gum acacia, bushwillow, and baobal trees towered above, stars peering through gaps in the branches. Gentle breezes stirred the canopy into leafy applause.
Everyone gathered around Mother. She closed her eyes, her smile playful, and held the bottle aloft. "May the coming year bring good cheer, and guidance for all who gather here." With a wild laugh, she hurled the bottle upward. It crashed onto the radial sunburst tiles at her feet.
Fortune spheres rolled across the ground, and everyone bent to pick up the nearest one. It was a rather silly tradition, but every proper Yule party kept it. I took the sphere next to my foot, pried it open, and unrolled the small scroll of paper inside.
"Watch every footstep along the sheer face of fate." Ominous, more of a warning. Legend stated one had to keep the fortune a secret for it to come true. Thank goodness it was just a game, as I didn't want the dire message to become reality.
The adults grew more intoxicated as time passed, laughing and slurring and hanging on each other's shoulders for support. Hot cocoa, tea, and mulled juice were on the refreshment table as alternatives for the youngest guests. There were only four of us--Gerald, Imogen, Castor, and myself. We gathered together near the outer edge of the terrace, away from the inebriated antics of our elders. Leaning over the porch rail, we watched the servants light the path torches, illuminating the walks below for nighttime strolls.
"It's nice to be here with all of you," Castor said. "I love working with the mission project, but it makes me miss home."
Imogen smiled at him. "A noble cause. The poor Unfortunates have much more than a home to miss this time of year, don't they?"
"Yeah." Castor's blue eyes sank to the ground. "We need to appreciate how much we have, and help the people who don't have anything at all. Mama and I try our best. But unless the Kaezer stops being a bully, there'll be even more people to feed and shelter. It's getting really bad. I didn't realize how bad, until I went to the front and saw it myself."
Gerald sipped his tea and regarded Castor with a curious expression. "Does the mission only help the Unfortunates?"
"Oh, no," Castor said. "We help the soldiers, too. Sometimes I work in the infirmary with the medics and doctors. I don't want to tell you some of the things I've seen there. War is a nasty, ugly thing. I wish I could end it all, and make the worlds peaceful again. If only the colonies who still trade with the Pruessians would change, and help the homeworld fight. Maybe Father can make a difference, now that he's going into politics and stuff."
"If he ever rises to a high enough station, there's a chance," I said, resting my arms over the railing. "The Belenus Chamber Of Commerce is just a starting point. He won't be able to do much at first."
Castor frowned. "That's true."
The orchestra had moved outside, and played the introductory notes of a sultry foxtrot number.
"Let's not be so glum on Yule," Imogen said. Her cloud-gray eyes flicked once in my direction, then returned to my brother. "Will you dance with me, Castor?"
Castor straightened, blinking, mouth hanging open. "What...you want me to dance? With you?"
She giggled. "That's what I said. I adore dancing, and the others here will refuse me."
It was meant to spite Gerald and I. We exchanged a sour glance.
"Wow, I...sure." Castor ran a hand over his slick-combed brown hair, color rising in his cheeks. "I'm not a good dancer, so don't get mad if I step on your toes."
Imogen grinned. "Of course not. I'll teach you."
"Alright. Shall we?" He extended an arm to Imogen, not caring that she was older and far taller than he was.
They sauntered to the middle of the terrace, and joined the other couples in the lively swirl and prance.
"A spurn to us if ever I saw one," Gerald said. "At least she's taken the hint. Castor looks like the sun just rose on his entire life, though."
"It's probably the first female he's ever danced with aside from my mother," I said.
Gerald snickered. "We all have to start somewhere. Too bad Castor's stuck with Imogen for his first dance with a pretty girl. She's a looker, but we both know how shallow she is."
"Truly." I had up to this point found Imogen dull, and was repulsed by her closeness to Lady Selketh. However, there was a different side tonight. Imogen was lovely in a knee-length frock of dark wine velvet, tall and graceful in every step, her smile genuine as she and Castor counted time together among the rolling sounds of violins and cello. Was she really as vacant as Gerald proclaimed, or did she harbor a wild beauty deep inside? I remembered again the tomb, the kiss, and longing crept into my heart unbidden.
The song ended, and Castor escorted Imogen to the refreshment table for some punch. He poured for her, and presented the glass with a bow. She kissed him on the cheek, causing him to blush even more. My brother was over the moon with having a lady to practice being a gentleman with, and our parents watched him with proud expressions.
Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth approached arm in arm. Gerald snapped to attention, always a dutiful son.
"There you are, dear boy," Mr. Forsyth said. "Come with me a moment. I'd like to introduce you to someone."
"Certainly, Father." Gerald and Mr. Forsyth strolled away, toward the clique of distinguished society guests which included Mr. Shahiro and General Everton.
Mrs. Forsyth paced toward me, stately and hypnotic in her high slit evening gown, brunette hair piled atop her head and secured with an elaborate beaded fascinator. "Such a dramatic evening, full of so many promises and hopes. Your family is a star on the rise."
I gave a polite nod, though an unsettling urge to flee pressed upon me. "It would seem so, my Lady."
She presented her skull ring, and I kissed it in a show of duty. Her fingers were cold, yet beautiful, the long and slender bones beneath her pale skin lending elegance. "Seer Senever, I've wished to speak with you privately for some time. May we have a moment aside from the festivities?"
"Of course." I gestured toward the curved stairwell. "A stroll through the lower savanna garden, perhaps?"
A grin sharpened her features. "That sounds delightful."
We descended to the polished stone pathway, and walked side by side toward the monumental fountain. Water skipped and laughed along the marble ornaments and carvings of feral beasts. At the pinnacle, a lion crushed the throat of its terrified prey in powerful jaws, claws raking at the dying orbyx's body.
A woman's voice slithered through my mind. "Be watchful, my son."
Instinct compelled me to look back. Mother stood at the rail on the upper terrace, her eyes black in the cool shade of evening. A breeze stirred the wispy pinions on her headpiece.
I projected the reply in my thoughts. "I observe for both of us."
If Lady Selketh noticed Mother, she wasn't bothered. We strolled behind a trellis of flowering vines, and sat upon a carved stone bench near the fountain.
"What do you wish to speak with me about?" I asked, curious as I was wary.
She set her hands in her lap, and crossed one leg over the other. The torchlight painted regal precision on her face. "I've learned of your recent encounter with Levay," she said. Her voice dropped, resonating deep in the shadowed niche. "His attempt to seduce you with a link of influence was trite. You countered him well. It's good to know my teachings haven't been in vain."
I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came. I gaped like a dumbfounded fool. She was correct. I'd learned much from Lady Selketh, and it had been useful in my banishing of Levay.
She laughed, small lines crinkling around her shrewd brown eyes. "Senever--do you know what your sacred name means?"
"No, my Lady." My voice was hoarse, and I swallowed. "How do you know about what happened to me in the Nether Sanctum?"
She tipped my chin up with a slim hand. "I know much more than The Order thinks. More than anyone suspects. Everyone believes me no more than a performer, a charlatan with little power, but my network runs deep and hears all. As I've told you before, at Fairside Manor, I'm not your enemy. I wish to protect you, and help you and your family triumph over our shared foes. Within The Order, and without. Senever was a hero of the old Pruessian sagas--the trickster god who descended to the lands of the dead, and returned with the sacred skulls which speak all truth. These are the very sacred skulls guarded by the Kreistegn. Their ancient voices have been corrupted, and now drive the elders as well as Hir Kaezer in an insane pursuit of world conquest. The Kaezer's vile War is just the tip of their agenda. If you knew how far they've tangled themselves into the bastions of government and society, you might never sleep soundly again."
My jaw clenched. "Initiate Maeve says you have great plans for me. What do you want?"
"You're the shamanic heir of Kraelis Jaster. Like him, your power flows true and strong, the strongest I've seen since he first graced my life with his knowledge. You look surprised. Yes, your great-grandfather taught me as well. I loved him, as if he were my own kin. But when a wayward child slaughters its own parent out of greed and madness, all goodness is forsaken. The Order lost its father and founder, and I was there when they poisoned him with Asulma."
I nearly leaped to my feet, fists balled at my sides. "You dare to mention this so casually?"
"So, Verthandis has already revealed his murder to you, though she considers me one of the guilty ones. I assure you I'm as innocent as you are, and I support any effort to punish the killers."
"Why haven't you told my mother this?" I trembled, barely able to contain myself.
She lifted her haughty profile. "I've tried to reveal the truth to Verthandis several times over the years, and she always refuses to listen. When your mother gets an idea, she clings to it and excludes all but her own perceptions, even if they're misguided."
I relaxed somewhat. "You're right on that point. But why should I believe you?"
"Because," she said, gazing skyward, "the War approaches, and it lurks closer than any of us dare to realize. Enemies wait, surrounding all of us, and they'll strike at the very heart of our society. The Kaezer's forces are not limited to Earth alone, as so many in the colonies believe, safe in our perfect little sheltered worlds. We are not separate from the struggle of our brothers and sisters on the homeworld. Some such as myself know the truth. I come to you now, in hopes that you'll convince Verthandis to trust me, before it's too late."
A calculated laugh pealed from behind the trellis, shadows and chiffon fluttering in stride. Mother emerged, the dark painted lines of her features an amused mask. "Isn't this a peculiar twist? I'd like to know why you've cornered my son in your petty game, Selketh, when all this time you've flaunted yourself as a queen of pomp and nonsense before the murderers of my Olfar."
Lady Selketh tensed, still as a statue. A shudder of power rippled around her in the Otherworld. Mother and I both stared, speechless, as her well of unexpected fury and resolve encompassed us.
The Lady drew a sharp breath and smiled. "Yes. You see, I'm an ally of power which you never expected. One who shouldn't be trifled with. I heard you hiding there, Verthandis, as I sensed your presence on the day Kraelis Jaster was murdered. Hiding in your little cellar hole, your fearful bones shaking so loudly they rattled my skull. I'm a mediocre seer. as you've guessed. But I'm a clairaudient without equal. I hear all, and thus I know much. All these years, I've been forced to hide my secret, lest Levay and his Kreistegn bitch Hella usurp me further into their web of perversion. I've played the fool, and they've assumed me to be of little value. As they have you, Octavia. We have much in common."
Mother stood beside me, and wrapped her arm around me. "This is a sudden confession, my Lady. Far too sudden, and a little too late. The forces of change are already in motion, and you cannot stop nor alter them."
Selketh stood to face us. "I know of your scheme to overthrow me, and you're right. You are the rightful Lady of the colonial Circles, as your grandfather wished. Consider this plea my final effort to solidify our purpose. Your husband stated it well, the last time he came to dinner at my house. We must stand together in the face of the enemy if we wish to prevail."
Mother tilted her head, surveying Selketh from head to toe. "I can't trust you on word alone, though your claim intrigues me. If you're sincere, there's one way to prove it. And I have the perfect place for it, right here in my gardens."
Selketh's eyes widened to deep brown pools. "Are you suggesting we perform the Rite of Talons, here and now?"
"I am. Are you willing to show me the hidden corners of your heart?"
Selketh curtsied, the hem of her dark blue gown cascading around her ankles. "Yes, my Lady."
Mother blinked. "You address me so with no enmity?"
"I have much to reveal," Selketh said. "In this most desperate hour, we have no more time for secrets or games. I'll tell you everything I know, my sister in spirit, and I hope you'll tell me what you know as well."
Tapping a finger against her chin, Mother considered. "Very well. I accept."
"One more thing." Selketh looked over her shoulder. "Both Senever and Maeve must be present. The battle will be theirs as much as ours, and they need to know everything we're up against."
After a brief deliberation, Mother agreed. Selketh called her niece via wristcom, and Initiate Maeve soon scurried down the steps to join us.
"I keep a personal Circle here at Highveld, just down the path," Mother said. "And I have another surprise to show you there, if I find you worthy of it. Please, follow me."
***
*Author's Note* As Selketh and Verthandis prepare to open their closets full of skeletons, Silas again confronts his doubts. When bones speak, and blood sings unhindered, there's no more time for fear. I'll be taking a short break before posting the last part, as I have an important deadline to meet before month's end. But I promise to update as soon as I can ;) Stay tuned, brave seekers, we'll return next time--same bone time, same bone channel. Until then, keep the faith.
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