SIXTY-FIVE: Covert Connection

Siobhan held the box out to Arous who sat at the small table in her kitchenette.

“It’s full of all the dots and finger paintings you sent her as a child.”

“Oh,” said Arous.

“It has something else. A letter. A handwritten letter.  She told me that she thought you would come and that I was to give it to you if something happened to her.”

“Nothing’s happened to her.”

“I know. But she’s not here and maybe this is what she meant, you being here and her stuck in a HaleSpa.”

Arous stared at the box where Siobhan had laid it on the table.

“Aren’t you going to open it?”

“Not right now. No.”

“I understand,” she said and paused. “I guess I should go, I just have a go-see tomorrow early with the Ephor.”

Siobhan didn’t move but just stood a moment.

“Okay, then.  You’re welcome,” she turned to leave.

“Please. Stay. A minute.”

“Okay,” said Siobhan and sat down.

“I need your help,” Arous inhaled and said, “I’m going to try to break my mom out of the HaleSpa. I need your help.”

“Whoa, break out someone convicted of treason. Not me. My career is just – I have a go-see in the morning with the Ephor. I’m not about to mess that up.”

“I just need you to do a little investigating, a little acting,” said Arous. “Some undercover work.”

Siobhan had stood and was about to leave but she sat back down.

“All I need you to do is go to the HaleSpa and take a tour. Tell me the layout.”

“Layout?”

“Yeah,” said Arous. “Like, the hall my mom is on, how close is the nearest staircase or office or lounge. Where’s the nearest sink or water fountain.”

“Why can’t you do it?”

“I’ve already been there in a shimmer.  I can’t go again.”

“What?”

“Shimmer. It’s an enchantment. Like I made myself look more . . . Amlagamese.”

“Do it again,” said Siobhan.

“They’ll recognize me,” said Arous.

“Then don’t do it.”

“I can’t go in as a Lunese!”

“Okay. I’ll do it,” said Siobhan leaning back in her chair. “I’ll do it. I have an important go-see in the morning. I’ll add it to my charity slate, I’ll take off animal cruelty and add the crazies at the HaleSpa. That should get me in for a couple of tours. Especially, if I make the cut.”

“The cut?”

“Haven’t you been listening? I’m part of a group of girls that has been slated to be one of Ephor Ricci’s Idelles.  He’s going with two or three this time and not just one, he wants a whole entourage.  I’m in the top five.  If I make the cut, it’ll be a breeze to get as many tours of the HaleSpa as your heart desires.”

Therese’s voice came wafting on the breeze. “It’ll do no good to tell you this but you should stay away from him and his whole entourage.”

“Entourage,” murmured Arous.

Siobhan could see the sun beginning to set through the windows.  She was leaning back, draped in her chair.

“How long will it take?” asked Arous.

“What?”

“Getting appointed to this thing?”

“Getting you into the HaleSpa, you mean?” Siobhan asked and smiled. “Week and one-half, sweetie.  Just in time for the Ambassador’s Ball, next weekend.”

“Ugh,” she said.

“You’ll have fun,” Siobhan said. “After all, you’re going with every girl’s dream, Captain Hodges-Baire.”

“What?”

“Didn’t he tell you? Ricci promoted him to Captain of the Grey Guard just last week.”

“No.”

“Well,” said Siobhan waving her hand in the air. “Maybe he didn’t think you’d go if you knew that he you’ll be announced with him since you‘re his date.”

“He was right.”

“Oh, you can’t not go now. Arous, he’ll be so disappointed.”

“You can go with him.”

“I am going. As an Idelle. Besides,” said Siobhan. “I’m about to be named as one of Ricci’s Idelles. They’re announcing us that night.”

“Who’s in the running?”

“The only ones who count right now are me and Jellina,” she sighed. “Mijin made it into the top five, but she’ll never make the cut.”

“Mijin?”

“Yes, Mijin,” said Siobhan as if tired. “I’m surprised you haven’t noticed her.  Everytime you’re around I notice her skulking around.  They day we were talking in the garden, I swear she walked by at least twice.  And the night we met, Simon and Jude, she was with Jude but left when we got there. I don’t know what he sees in her.”

“I don’t remember her.”

“She’s not very memorable.  She kind of disappears in the sunlight, if you ask me.”

SIXTY-FOUR: Spy vs. Spies

When Arous go home, Tennant-12 had a message for her from Simon, that he’d taken Octavius out.      There was also a V-dot from Siobhan. She asked Arous to ping her when she got home.  She had something for her.  Then another V-dot saying she’d just stop by that evening on the way back from one of her potential Causes.

            “That cat,” sighed Arous.

            Simon looked down at Octavius bouncing along beside him. Simon was tall but Octavius shoulder came almost to mid-thigh.

“I have no idea why you continue to insist on coming with me when you know I’m going to Rose House.  It has to be the third time.  Lady Rose is not going to like it as much as she didn’t like it last time.”

Octavius chirped and rubbed up against his leg.  Simon laughed.

“She charms you too, huh?”

Simon walked up to the grand doors of Rose House. Octavius in tow.

“Open.”

“Recognizing Captain Simon Hodges-Baire. Opening, sir,” the doors squeaked open. “And congratulations on becoming Captain of the Gray Guard.”

Simon growled. “Smart doors.”

He walked into the foyer, to the right through the kitchen, and into the receiving room. Lady Rose sat in an overstuffed, rose patterned wing-back chair glowering at him.

“You’re late,” said Lady Rose.

“I had something slowing me down,” said Simon.

“What is he doing here?” she said.

“He invited himself,” snapped Simon.

“You should’ve hurried.”

“You rush delicate things and they get broken and can’t be mended,” continued Simon.

“Simon,” Ricci stood at the window. He kept his back to Simon who sat at the table. Simon didn’t notice him until he spoke. All his loathing had been directed at Lady Rose.

Simon sat in silence.

 “Can you confirm or deny her identity?” asked Lady Rose. “I don’t see the need in dragging this out, Ricci. Either he knows or he doesn’t.”

Out of all the people he had ever met, Lady Rose was one of Simon’s least favorite.

“Dear Lady, I’ll handle the conversation from here,” Ricci smiled. “Bring the Ladoiselle in, please.”

“Cindra, please have Siobhan come here,” said Lady Rose.

Silence mocked Lady Rose as she stared at Ricci as if waiting for him to continue.

“Give us a few minutes alone,” said Ricci. “Please.”

She turned and walked out.

“Thank you,” said Simon. “I hate that old bag.”

“She is useful.”

“Abominable,” said Simon.

“Be careful. Not too many outlive their usefulness in this profession,” said Ricci; he smiled. “Now, what do you have to tell me?”

“She doesn’t even know you exist,” Simon said.

“You’re sure?”

“She couldn’t care less about you. She is solitarily concerned about finding her mother,” Simon said.

“No design.”

“No political ones.”

“That’s too bad. Life has become so boring without a little espionage,” said Ricci.

“She knows little about the City, the culture and even less about the politics. If I was to mention your name she wouldn’t bat an eye and would be even less likely to remember it.”

“That’s enough information.”

“Why?” said Simon.

“What do you mean, why? Why, what?”

“Why do you want to - ?” Simon started.

“I thought you liked being Captain?” asked Ricci.

“My uncle -”

“I know your uncle. When this has something to do with him I’ll let you know, until then, your loyalty is to me.”

“Are you - ?”

“I am drawing a line in the sand. Make yourself aware of it,” said Ricci.

Cindra stepped in and announced the arrival of Ladoiselle Siobhan through her teeth.

Spying on Arous was his job.  The only thing Siobhan knew about him is that he worked for Ricci. Simon didn’t need her getting in the way but Siobhan had started to put Simon’s showing up to Ricci’s doing.

“Charming. Send her in,” said Ricci while watching Simon.

“Siobhan?” said Simon. “You can’t be serious?”

“Sit down.  Here’s someone who could teach you a thing or two about lines in the sand.”

 “Ladioselle Siobhan, please join us as we were just beginning our tete-a-tete.”

“I think this is pre-mature,” said Lady Rose as she entered just moments after Siobhan.

“Lady Rose, nothing I do is pre-mature,” said Ricci. “However, Siobhan is now one of a few new girls to serve as my image. I want her in on this. She is the only one that will know.”

“I don’t think,” Lady Rose started.

“I don’t pay you to think,” said Ricci, “however, I will pay Siobhan to.” Ricci gestured to her and she took a chair beside him at the window.

“I don’t understand what all the fuss is about,” said Siobhan. “Once she finds her mother, she’ll go home.”

“Need I remind you that it’s what you gave to her that started this,” said Ricci.

“I thought it was her arrival,” said Simon. He knew he was pushing his limits.

“You were spying on us at the Rabbithole,” Siobhan turned on Simon. “I knew it the minute I saw you.”

“This one doesn’t miss much,” said Ricci laughing then stopped. “Let’s get something straight. Your friendship shall not be cooled by this encounter. There is more happening than you know and more at stake than you can imagine.”

Two men in grey, Miasmen, appeared in the room on either side of the door.

Ricci continued. “The consequences for both of you are graver than you realize.”

            “She’s already making plans to break her mother out of the HaleSpa. Why don’t you just let her have her mother?”

            “You, of all people,” said Ricci through his teeth, “Understand who Lady Grey is.”

            “Let them go back to the Bowl. They’ll do no harm there.”

            “You’re sharp as a tack and as naïve as a sheep!” said Ricci.  “That’s not the plan, Siobhan.”

            He regained his composure.  Octavius, sleeping at Siobhan’s feet raised one lid and lowered it back down.

            “She’s my daughter,” he said.  “All the myths, all the wives tales you’ve heard about devils and gods, Prince Charmings and evil Kings are all true.  She is my daughter, with her gifts and with my gifts, we will rule the world. Literally.”

            “You, my Ladoiselle, will bring her to me, when the time is right. And you,” he said looking as Simon.

            “What role does her mother play?” asked Simon.

            “Her mother doesn’t like me very much anymore I’m sad to say,” Ricci made a frowning face. “That’s why, Simon, she is you’re responsibility.  At the appropriate time I expect you to deal with her.”

            “I will, sir,” he said.

            “Do me a favor,” he said, “and make it quick. I loved her once.”

There was a ping and Tennant 12 stepped from the wall.

“You have a . . . “

            “Must be Siobhan,” Arous sat up from the virtual puzzle that was embedded in the floor. “Let her in.”

            Jude was standing in the doorway smiling his crooked smile which always made her stomach flip.  He looked so familiar standing there.

            “I love puzzles,” said Jude. “I hope you like sushi.”

            He sat across from her on the floor. They pulled virtual puzzle pieces from the side and slide them into the appropriate spaces in the puzzle.  The puzzle shifted and re-colored itself with each move. A piece of the puzzle. A piece of sushi.

            “Simon and I have a way we describe girls that we like. You know what we say?”

            “No, idea. You say they’re cute.”

            “No,” he laughed at her. “We say, ‘No that’s a girl I’d like to hold hands with.’”

            Arous had reached to the side to grab another puzzle piece. Jude reached at the same time. His fingers stroked her hand, danced around her wrist, tickled her palm and began to intertwine with her fingers.

            Arous looked up from watching his hand.  Jude was staring at her.

            “Arous,” he said.

            “Jude, if Simon . . . I don’t know . . .”

            “Simon’s a tool, literally.  I love him but he’s a tool.”

            “Jude, he’s been so good to me.”

            “You need him because you think he’ll help you get into the HaleSpa to see your mother. You don’t like him.  Don’t try to deny it, Arous.  It’s us, Arous. You and me, that are familiar.  You’re only using him”

            She jerked her hand out of his.

            “I want you to leave.”

            “Okay,” he said. “But you can’t run me off that easily.  I’m as patient as water.”

SIXTY-THREE: Heartbeat

When Arous turned MiJin was already gone.

“Who is she?” said Arous.

Therese stared at Arous. She didn’t look angry or shocked but stared in a trance.  She didn’t look disconnected but fully aware as if she was getting an unheard transmission.  A warm breeze seemed to breathe down the back of Arous’ neck.

“So, it’s you,” Therese sighed.  “I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever see you.”

“You know me?”

“There are no strangers in the Bowl.  When you are there you know them all. Away from there, away from your source, you memory is more foggy.”

Arous heard a faint whispering, a remembrance.  Therese smiled at her.

“They told me you were coming.”

“They couldn’t stop themselves the minute I ran away - ” Arous anger flared before Therese’s look interrupted her.

“Oh, I don’t know about you running away,” she smiled, almost laughing. “Last spring, I was at the Bowl for Spring Jubilee.  I saw you Skin-dancing with Mekko and Esfahva. I’m friends with Priscilla and Miguel.”

“I suppose you know Priscilla has gone back into the Mist,” Arous was angry.  She felt there was something she should have known and didn’t.

“She’s still my friend.”

Without thinking, Arous had slipped her hand into her pocket and felt the envelope that James had given her. She pulled out the envelope and was holding it in her hand.

“What do you have there?”

“I don’t know.  I don’t remember taking it out of my pocket,” Arous glared at Therese. “You Aclarids are all alike.  I can’t tell if it’s you in my head or me.”

“It wasn’t me.” Therese smile continue to disarm Arous as she joined her at the table.

Arous looked down at the pictures. They were pictures of her mom and another person.  All of them of her mom and another man.

Trust her, Edlawit said. Trust her.

“Mother,” Arous said.

Therese pulled the pictures toward her. She held her breath.

“Who’s this man?” asked Arous.  “He’s in all these pictures with her.”

“They didn’t tell me I’d be involved with this,” sighed Therese. “I guess it doesn’t matter. Knowing the Diofe is always, well, unexpected things do happen. Adventure is never safe.”

Therese held the pieces of news paper in her hand.

“No one has ever created anything to perfect the newspaper,” said Therese.

“A history lesson? I just want to know who this man is,” said Arous.

“The addition to V-dots to it was substantial. There isn’t anything more convenient to look at on a slow Hoveh-hyoc than a newspaper.  Fan. Flyswatter. Umbrella.  You can even hide under it. Pictures with a peel-and-play V-dot at the top of each page.  If you want words to go with the pictures you just pop the V-dot in your mouth and you have all the words you want. Can’t always trust words though.  Words can be manipulated, changed. No one has to read: a controlled public. A public with no easy access to readable history. That’s the way they like it, I guess. V-dots are easily manipulated. Your mother knew that.”

“Knew what? The last thing I got from her was a VIH-dot.  Do you mean it was all a lie?”

“You haven’t gotten it yet?”

“What?”

“A letter. Your mom wrote you a letter.”

Therese continued, looking at her. “A picture may be worth a 1000 words but a V-Dot can tell 1 million lies. A letter. On paper.  Written by your mother’s hand.”

Therese studied the pictures.

“Who is he?”

“The man is Ephor Ricci.” Therese stroked Arous hair and looked into her eyes; her lips smiled but her eyes didn’t. “Arous, Ephor Ricci is from Alippiana.”

Arous got up to leave but Therese had a firm grip on her forearm.

“Arous.”

Therese took the spoon from the molasses and watched it peel back into the jar.

“Mijin always forgets to take the spoon out of the Molasses.”

“Do you have the letter?”

 “No.”

“Who then, Ephor Ricci?”

“No,” said Therese. “It’ll do no good to tell you this but you should stay away from him and his whole entourage.”

“I know you have the mind-sight. Do you know who has the letter?”

“You’ll have it when you get home.”

Therese looked back at Arous. Her grip tightened.  Her eyes looked a bit far away but keen into Arous.

“Your mother was Idelle to Ephor Canadí who was also World Prime Ephor at the time.  A very powerful position,” Therese paused before continuing. “Arous, before the Ephor was assassinated there were all sorts of rumors about Ricci and your mother.  Ricci was the Minister of Security then and was creating what is now known as his Grey Guard. The Prime Ephor made his position only 2^nd in command of the City to him. After the assassination everyone insisted that he become Ephor Canadí. The MOTA’s didn’t even vote. Your mother, remained Lady Siren; Ricci changed her title to First Lady Gray. There has never been one woman in the City with so much power.”

Arous tried to pull her away, to leave but Therese had a firm grip on her wrist, holding her hand down to the table.

“I know what you think you have to do, but Arous, be careful. Remember your Source. You think you know who your friends are. You don’t.”

Edlawit opened her eyes.

“Miguel, she wants to know who Ricci is. There is something about him but she is afraid to ask Therese.”  Her tears came in an uncontrollable rush.  I walked her to the swing on the porch.

“She has forgotten,” I said and stroked her hair. “She met Ricci once. But she won’t really believe it. Not until he says it.  Then she’ll begin to doubt everything.”

            “I want Priscilla.”

            “I miss her, too. She won’t be long now.”

            “How do you know?”

            “I can feel her getting close to the edge of the Mist.  I can smell her, almost,” I said but I was cautious to venture this part.  “Much like you can feel Arous when you have the sight.  You can, can’t you?”

            “Yes,” she said and began to sob.  “How did that happen?”

            “You have a connection and she let you fully in. Even if she let me in all the way, we don’t have the bond the two of you do.  You can -”

            “I can feel her heart beat,” she said then alarmed. “I can feel her panic.”

            “Remember,” I said and pulled Edlawit close to me, breathing deep, “she can feel and hear you too.”

            “Not anymore,” sobbed Edwi.  “After today, she has promised to block me with all of her strength.”

“Don’t panic,” I said. “She’s always overestimated her own strength. It’s a good thing cats are curious to the point of fearlessness.”