Utopia falling, p.4
Utopia Falling, page 4
The safety of the other leaders was not Derr’s concern; Tomelai was. While the basic tenant of the Covenant guided all of Tartica toward the repopulation of humanity and forbade taking a life, any life, Druin Derr knew its protections did not prevent an adventurous assassin from disregarding everything the Covenant stood for and attempt to remove Chancellor Tomelai from the political arena. Derr had taken similar actions many times himself, eliminating threats to Adelle’s Chancellor in defiance of the Covenant’s dictates concerning the sanctity of life.
This wasn’t the KCG’s first trip to Teth. Plans upon plans made in the past or the present were reviewed again, tweaked, and revisions made where needed.
What-if scenarios bounced back and forth between the men and women of the KCG in rapid fire, one after another. But even if the scenarios were highly unlikely, yet possible, Derr wanted a plan to deal with them if one wasn’t already in place. The KCG had done the same exercise several times while planning for the trip back in Tandure, Adelle’s capital.
Captain Derr prepared for just about anything, though he wondered if his preparations would be enough. The facts on the ground presented Derr with a considerable challenge. He had sent scouts to walk every inch of the planned route, back and forth, several times evaluating blind spots, threats, or covering locations for a possible attack. By the time the KCG finished, they’d been well prepared and knew every inch of the Chancellor’s course. Yet, as they planned, Derr wondered if it would be enough. Something wasn’t right. It still felt wrong.
A young lieutenant, Jerith, yelled out, “Okay. What if those monkey men, the Anatase, scampering about the treetops along The Stand drop down on us without warning?”
Lieutenant Jerith stopped and looked around, as if waiting for approval. When Derr gave a thoughtful look in reply, he witnessed pride written across Jerith’s face. He was watching the young man just as he’d been watching every one of the KCG closely that night. He was always watching.
Derr didn’t expect the Anatase to attack. A defensive role and nothing more had always been their function. War never raised its ugly head in all the years of the Third Age, but in spite of the Covenant, assassinations, though rare, stained it.
The Anatase always appeared above it all, both politically and as tree-top dwellers, loyal to the defense of Teth, the city itself, never to its stewards, only to the First Lord. The Anatese had never been pawns in any assassination in Teth’s storied history. But, Derr considered, best to be prepared. Anything is possible.
Derr watched his lieutenants closely. Unknown to anyone in the KCG, Derr had them followed throughout their tenure in the unit—families too. As far as Derr could tell through secret reports on his KCG personnel, none of them gave cause for concern.
Throughout the meeting, he watched them all, looking for the slightest sign, a twitch, a raised eye, a hidden swallow. But he didn’t see any of those signs or any other giving him cause to dig deeper. Least of which, he saw nothing in this young Lieutenant Jerith, who now seemed so proud to have received the slightest bit of affirmation from Derr.
Derr recognized the look on the man’s face. It was clear he was proud. His chin rose ever so slightly. Most of the other men wouldn’t have recognized, but Derr did. He always did. He was waiting for that or any other reaction that might give him answers.
Planning continued into the night until Derr and the KCG planned for every contingency. But still, he worried. If he got it wrong, his Chancellor would die.
A Thin Veil of Pretense
Hensdale: 27th day of the Salmon Moon
Reyne | Daedyn
Foot traffic at Hensdale’s market square rebounded within minutes of Reyne’s recovery as the crowd, brought together over the excitement of an accident, returned to their typical day. Looking about the departing host, Reyne once again noticed the familiar vagabond’s intense stare aimed at him. It pissed him off. He returned his own offensive scowl at the man.
The old beggar whirled around then darted away.
Reyne shifted his attention when he thought he heard his brother say “… alright,” answering to a question he imagined Daedyn asked. “A little tired, but I think I’ll be fine,” Reyne replied. He rubbed the back of his neck. Constant throbbing, although weaker, still demanded his attention. Reyne pulled his hand back and gave it a quick inspection. “At least there isn’t any blood,” he said with a hint of satisfaction.
The last few stragglers in the crowd drifted away, leaving Daedyn and Reyne there alone. Then, as they walked along the gravel-covered roadway to the unmarked and unofficial entrance to the market square, the brothers came to a stop. Still a few miles from the farm and business they ran, Reyne said, “Turn here. Let’s head home.”
Unaware of the spiderworm threat, Reyne’s thoughts drifted. The sun’s position let him know morning had slipped by with little notice. A typical warm, sunny day for the waning Salmon Moon of summer’s end. Reyne looked up and imagined the beautiful deep orange and brilliant reds would be on the leaves soon. He hoped for another warm autumn. Experience told him it wasn’t likely, given how unseasonably cold the nights had been these past few weeks. The last warm fall occurred almost five years ago, when his mother was still alive. The last one she lived to see. He was almost seventeen then. The warmer weather extended the growing season, and he remembered how happy it made his mother, with the additional money the family made with the double harvest that year.
Reyne gazed at the view of the trees lining the square. Their small market space wasn’t much, yet this view held a special meaning for Reyne. It represented the beauty he saw in the quiet life he desired. He paused at that spot every time to admire the view and to appreciate the effect it had on him.
Daedyn said, “Hey, what say you? We head for the Maiden instead of heading home. You know, for a quick one.” Daedyn made a course correction, and Reyne continued alongside his brother. Reyne wondered if Daedyn had an ulterior motive of searching out Doc Brenal at the Maiden but didn’t care either way. A lack of energy tugged at his body and his mind as he let slide all extraneous efforts of thought.
The marketplace of Hensdale, if it could even be called a marketplace, was small. Hensdale’s market square totaled only sixteen separate buildings, half facing the others from opposite sides. The wide gravel road passed along the main street before breaking off into two perpendicular branches before turning back again to flow along the storefronts on each side of the square. The Communal Temple of Life structure stood apart at the far end, facing it all. In the middle of the square, a park-like grass median outlined by tall, thin trees provided a canopy of shade. Although small, the shared place of commerce served the community of Hensdale well.
While Reyne enjoyed the serenity of the picturesque village square, he considered Daedyn’s favorite spot, in the small collection of storefronts, the Forest Maiden Inn. The largish tavern had a good-sized room. It filled the role as the village’s unofficial meeting place.
The two brothers continued talking as they walked along the gravel road. Daedyn scrolled what-if scenarios in his mind. He hoped to find the doctor at the Forest Maiden or somewhere else in or around the marketplace. He still had some time before the venom would spread if it was a spiderworm. From what he thought he remembered about the thick, gooey venom, it usually pooled at the injection point for several hours before gradually leaching out into the bloodstream. Still, he couldn’t be sure how much time he had, given the presumed bite location was so close to an artery or vein. Yet, he played along with Reyne’s idle chatter, thinking he didn’t need to worry him with what might be at stake.
Reyne questioned Daedyn. “I thought I saw the beggar staring at me back there. Did you notice?”
“Yeah. He didn’t take his eyes off you while you were out of it. He got close once, but I shooed him away. You figure he remembers the time we left a pile of dog shit near his face when he was sleeping? Remember, he was under that bench over there?”
Reyne laughed. “Yeah, I remember it was your idea. You did that. We were just kids. Didn’t know any better.”
“The old bastard probably hates us. But everyone there couldn’t take their eyes off you lying there on the ground. Don’t give it any worry. Besides, look at him. Look at you. Even after being knocked out for five or ten minutes, you’d be able to kick his ass. If not, I’d be seriously disappointed in you, my brother.”
“Shit. I was out that long?!” Reyne rubbed the back of his neck again. “Feelin’ a little nauseous. I gotta sit down, feelin’ weak.”
“Alright, just a few minutes. You’re gonna be okay. Nothing to worry about,” Daedyn lied in a calming, deceitful sort of way. He offered Reyne a wide grin.
“That’s not a good look for you.”
With his hands on knees, Reyne doubled over and dry heaved yet again. He lifted his head to face Daedyn. “I feel like shit.”
“You look like shit, too. Is it the stomach again?” Daedyn asked, knowing damn well it wasn’t. It’s possibly the spiderworm’s venom making its first efforts to spread past the bite. Shit!
Daedyn hadn’t shared his thoughts with Reyne. What’s the point of bringing it up now? Just get ’em worried and anxious. Not worth it. He still has time.
Daedyn looked around the small village square. It wasn’t too hard to find a place to sit. He’d been through the marketplace almost every day since he was a child. He was looking for a place in the shade given the time of day and looking for a bench not occupied. Trees lined the small marketplace, providing shade here and there amongst the rustic styled wooden benches liberally placed along the grass median.
“Look at ’em all,” Reyne said. “These people find time every day to sit here, discussing rumors about anyone and everyone who walks by. The favorite pastime of just about everyone who lives here.”
“I know. Not much escapes the spying eyes of friends or neighbors. Everyone in Hensdale has an opinion about everyone else,” Daedyn added, playing along to distract Reyne’s mind from his recurring nausea. “Can only imagine what they say about us.”
“I probably fare a wee bit better than you.”
Even as Daedyn looked around, eyes from lingering onlookers fell across them both. He helped Reyne to the bench nearest the Cobbler’s Shoppe. With his shoulder under Reyne’s arm, Daedyn made his way over to the bench under the shopkeeper’s sign, which read, “Cobbler’s Knob.” He lowered Reyne to the bench.
“Here, sit here for a while. I’m goin’ for Doc. You need anything before I go?”
“Nah, I’m just gonna sit here. You go.”
“It’ll be five, ten minutes there and back. I’m gonna look around the square. See if anyone knows where the Doc is. I’ll be quick.”
Reyne put his head back, resting it on the top rail of the bench, and closed his eyes.
“In no time, you’ll appreciate the cool shade I found. You’ll feel better.”
Daedyn watched Reyne drift off, his head resting against the top rail of the bench, and then left to search for Doc Brenal. He’ll be fine there for a few moments.
He had a few hours before the venom, if it was venom, would put Reyne in any real danger. Yet he didn’t like the body shakes or all the retching. No time to waste. Now where the hell would the Doc be at this time of day? Might be on a patient visit. If that’s the case, he could be anywhere. He could be home as well. What to do? Daedyn contemplated his next move, looking around the square.
At the far end of the market square was the Communal Temple of Life building—a structure symbolizing the celebration of Nature, and the core of Temple doctrine. A tight grouping of trees with unbroken space between their trunks made up its walls while a rich, thick canopy of large green leaves enveloped the ceiling like a roof protecting the visitors within. The leaves, while they would change with the seasons, never fell at the end of fall, as did all the other trees. Inside was like a gentle glade with sunlight streaming down on the green grasses covering the Temple’s floor. The canopied ceiling of tree branches reaching across the top of the structure in a delicate dance of interlocking leaves would take it upon themselves to part, letting the sunlight stream in on clear days.
It was a wonder to behold, and the good people of Hensdale had lost the story of how it came to be. Although the local Temple of Life’s Communal Leader, Jadle Kapcate, continued to recite to anyone who would listen to her how the Hensdale Communal Temple was gifted to their community by Teth herself. Anyone who bothered to do the math would conclude the story, while comforting, not possible.
Daedyn cared little at the moment about the Communal Temple or whether the leaves fell off. But he did care about Reyne and finding Doc Brenal. He stood contemplating whether to check at the Communal Temple only a moment before concluding, Nah, the Doc’s not a religious guy. Turning his attention away from the Temple, his thoughts settled on the Forest Maiden Inn. That’s my best bet.
Entering the Forest Maiden Inn, Daedyn noted it was sparsely populated and, as usual, poorly lit. Day or night, the Forest Maiden was always poorly lit. Several tables dotted the main gathering space. The room seemed larger with so few people inside. But then again, whenever he visited the Maiden, it was always after a hard day’s work in the orchard when more people were there.
The carved reliefs on the walls of the town’s only watering hole always garnered attention. An unnamed artisan from long ago carved hunting scenes into the smoke-stained treestone walls. One large scene, taking up most of the open northern wall from floor to ceiling, depicted the fabled killing of a Great Yetgnal.
The story, if it was to be believed, recalled how eight men died in the effort. The Great Yetgnal stood twice as tall as any man alive. With nothing but spears, the remaining six men depicted in the carving took down the beast. It was a myth amongst the villagers from a time lost to history, but it held powerful emotions for the people of Hensdale.
Every now and then, someone would claim to run across a Great Yetgnal in the nearby forest. Not that such tales were accepted as truthful, yet each telling of a Great Yetgnal encounter fueled the fires of the Hensdale rumor mill. The excitement of each new reported sighting, real or not, provided the townsfolk something to mull about for weeks.
When the large hearth held fire, the flames flickered from its gaping mouth, and both warmed and lifted the room. The flickering fire shifted the angle of light coming from the flames and made the men of the frieze appear to move within the carving. To any first-time visitor, the unique effect made the relief appear to come alive. To the people of Hensdale who frequented the Forest Maiden, the impressive scene no longer brought awe as when first viewed, but it still held everyone’s attention. Daedyn enjoyed every time he witnessed the hunters of the carved relief dancing in the firelight. But this wasn’t the time to admire anything. He had to find Doc Brenal, and soon.
Daedyn spotted a group sitting in the far corner of the room. He heard one of them telling the end of what must’ve been a bad joke. It was Spetzer. It has to be Spetzer Bilseck. I hate that fucker. But it’s for Rey. Suck it up.
“Rabbit ate mashed potatoes. Squirrel ate mashed potatoes. Bear ate mashed potatoes. Get it! Hah hah hah,” Spetzer roared in laughter.
Nobody else sitting at the table appeared to get the joke, but it didn’t stop the storyteller from laughing himself into a stupor. But within a few seconds, everyone joined in the laughter, except Daedyn.
Uh, I gotta deal with this bunch of douchebags today, Daedyn thought. “Hey everyone.” He paused. “Spetzer.” Daedyn nodded toward the leader and self-appreciated joker of this rabble. “How you guys doin’ today?” Not really giving two shits what the answer might be, and before anyone answered, Daedyn continued. “Has anyone seen Doc Brenal today?”
“Not in here,” one of the four replied. It was Trell. Daedyn knew Trell and cared for him about as much as he cared for Spetzer. Both Trell and Spetzer were first-class assholes, if they were first-class anything.
“Well then, Reiger, how’ve you been? And what about the rest of you mopes? How are you all doin’?” What a bunch of fuckups these guys are. He and Reyne grew up with them all. Life had turned out much different for this crowd than it had for the brothers.
Daedyn ignored the tension in the room. His presence caused it, but whether any of this crowd liked him held no sway. Life and poor decisions put this bunch on a path much different from his own. Aware each of them resented his success, it still bugged the hell out of Daedyn that they didn’t consider the years of hard work and all it cost him. No, all they ever cared about were the things he had without a thought of what it had taken to earn it. Daedyn looked hard at Spetzer, knowing Mithany had always been the head fuckup’s object of desire.
Reiger broke Daedyn’s chain of thought. “Heard your brother got run over.”
Daedyn saw the intensity in the way Reiger looked at him. Resentment dripped from every word he spat.
Putting down the half-full mug of beer he was nursing, Reiger said, “News travels fast. Speaking only for myself, I hope Reyne’s okay, but I haven’t seen hide nor hair of the old coot Brenal.”
The face Reiger offered as he spoke the words, Daedyn interpreted as: “And fuck you and your asshole brother besides.”
Another one at the table spoke up, “Hey, I hope everything is okay. And, no, I haven’t any idea where the Doc is either.”
Obvious to Daedyn, the underlying, unspoken meaning included the phrase, “And why would I tell you if I did, you dickhead?”
“Anybody?” Daedyn said as he looked around the room. They had nothing to offer, and even if they knew, they weren’t talking.
Turning to walk out, Daedyn heard Crip gurgle out a noise coming from his nose via a snot bubble taking shape. Crip, also sitting at the table, obviously drunk, blurted out sounds resembling something akin to slurred speech before his face fell hard into his plate of half-eaten lunch.
