Origin of the Body (13 page)

‘Okay,’ said Anita, ‘let’s have a go then,’ and without hesitating, she reached towards the cylinder, the brass shimmering unnaturally in the dim light of the candles around them.  As her fingers landed on the strangely warm metal, she directed all her energy towards the cylinder, waiting for she wasn’t quite sure what.  After a few moments of nothing, she looked up at Alexander to find he was nowhere to be seen.  Nothing appeared to have happened and yet she was now on her own, not having witnessed any discernable message.  Had she missed it?  Was it a fake?  What was going on?

She removed her hand from the cylinder and felt a weight lift from her shoulders she hadn’t even noticed settling.  She closed the box, set it back on the little wooden table and forced herself out of the meditation.  She snapped awake to find Alexander leaning into her, distraught, hands on her face, shaking her frantically, trying to compel her to wake.  His eyes were wide with a terror she saw being chased ecstatically away by relief when he realized she was awake.  He pulled her to him and held her there with such ferocity Anita wasn’t sure he would ever let her go.

He eventually pulled away.  ‘What happened?’ he demanded.  ‘As soon as you put your hand on the cylinder, I was ejected from the meditation.  I thought it was killing you.’

‘Nothing happened.  I put my hand on the cylinder, focused all my energy towards it, and absolutely nothing happened.  I looked up to see if you’d seen something I missed, but you were gone.  As far as I can tell nothing else happened, there didn’t seem to be a message of any kind.’

‘That’s it?  Nothing else at all?’

‘Well the metal felt warm when I touched it, and when I took my hand off the cylinder it felt like a weight had been lifted off me.  It was weird because I didn’t feel the weight descend.  Apart from that, there was nothing at all.’

‘Well congratulations,’ he said, unexpectedly, ‘you’ve just completed your first solo meditation.  It’s much harder than meditating with another person and there aren’t many who can do it.’

Anita smiled, glad to see Alexander had fully recovered from the scare.  ‘Why’s it harder?’

‘You only have the energy of one person at your disposal, so it requires a great deal more individual effort to transport yourself anywhere.’

‘Well in that case I cheated.  You were there when we arrived at the throne room, all I did was pull myself out.’

‘It’s a first step anyway,’ said Alexander, exasperated.  ‘Will you ever just be able to take a compliment?’

‘How did the cylinder kick you out?’ she asked, consciously changing the subject.

‘I don’t know.  It must have expelled some kind of energy, directed specifically at me, which pushed me out of your mind.  I’ve never heard of a cylinder that can do that, so I’ve no idea how it did.’

‘How did it know to boot you out and not me?’

‘I don’t know.  Maybe because you were the one touching the cylinder, or maybe it has a way to recognize your energy.  As I said, I’ve never come across anything that can do it, so I just don’t know.’

‘Can a person expel another person from a meditation in the same way?’ asked Anita, interested in this new aspect of meditation.

‘Yes.  You need to send a torrent of energy towards the other person, willing them out, and so long as the other person isn’t defending themselves, you should be able to eject them.  It requires a great deal of energy though, you couldn’t do it too many times without needing to recuperate,’ replied Alexander.

‘Let’s see what happens if you’re the one touching the cylinder then, see if it tries to boot me out.’

‘Even if it did, I’d be kicked out too.  A shock like that whilst we were in your mind would most probably destroy the whole meditation.’

‘You don’t know that for certain,’ said Anita.  ‘We should try everything we can, even if it seems unlikely, and we should also see what happens if I touch it and you defend yourself.  If you’re ready for the energy blast, you can repel it and hopefully stay inside my head.’

‘Okay,’ said Alexander, realizing either resisting or suggesting anything else was futile.

‘Good, let’s go,’ said Anita, eager to see what they could do.

They tried Alexander touching the cylinder first, but absolutely nothing happened.  It wasn’t even warm when he touched it, nothing happened to Anita, and he didn’t have the feeling of a weight being lifted when he removed his hand.

‘Well we know it can recognize you then,’ said Alexander, ever more wary of the seemingly intelligent cylinder.

‘Apparently so,’ said Anita.  ‘Are you ready to try repelling the energy?’ she asked, her hand hovering over the cylinder.  Alexander nodded and Anita lowered her hand.  Once again it felt warm to the touch, but this time she was aware of a slight haze that seemed to surround her as soon as her fingers made contact with the metal.  She looked up again to see if Alexander was still with her, but to her disappointment found only empty space where he had stood moments before.  Anita put the cylinder back and pulled herself out of the meditation, however she woke up this time to find Alexander, not nervously hovering around her to see if she was alright, but rather slumped over on his side, eyes closed, not moving.

Anita crawled forward from her cross-legged position and shook him gently by the shoulder.  ‘Alexander?’ she said urgently, shaking a little harder when he didn’t respond.  ‘Alexander,’ she said more loudly, a hint of panic creeping into her voice, ‘wake up.’

Alexander sluggishly opened his eyes, looking groggily around him, straining to remember where he was.  Anita stopped shaking and pulled his head into her lap, stroking his hair.  ‘Thank the Gods,’ she said as he slowly sat up, Anita helping him.

‘What happened?’ he asked, pushing his hair out of his eyes.  ‘All I remember was you touching the cylinder, after that, everything just went black.’

‘Exactly the same as last time,’ she said, frustrated.  ‘I touched the cylinder, it felt warm, and when I looked up you were gone.  The only difference this time is that I noticed a slight haze descend from the moment I touched the cylinder.  It went as soon as I removed my hand and it felt like a weight lifted again, although strangely, when the haze arrived, I didn’t feel a weight descend.  What do you think happened to you?’

‘The cylinder must have recognized I was defending myself and sent a stronger wave of energy at me.  It would have been pretty powerful to knock me unconscious.’

‘How can a cylinder store that much energy?  And how did it know to use a stronger burst this time?’

‘I don’t know.  Maybe the bursts just get more intense every time someone tries to stay with you, or maybe it knew I was trying to overpower the force it would send at me.  I also don’t know if the cylinder has that much energy stored within it, or whether it has some way of using you as an energy supply.’

‘How could it possibly do that?’ asked Anita, feeling a little queasy at the thought of something leaching off her energy.

‘I don’t know.  As I said, I don’t know if that’s what it’s doing, or even if it’s possible, but I’ve never heard of a cylinder that’s able to hold so much energy before either.’

‘Hmmm,’ said Anita, annoyed they had both failed to open the cylinder and uncovered a further mystery.  ‘I think we need more tea and cake,’ she said, climbing to her feet and helping Alexander to his.  She led him to a deep, comfortable looking sofa in the kitchen and deposited Alexander before she went about making more tea.

‘There are cardamom and orange biscuits in the other tin in that cupboard,’ said Alexander, pointing to the same cupboard that had housed the cake, ‘in case you want something different.’

Anita pulled out another floral container and put it on the table beside the sofa.  She handed Alexander a cup of tea, complete with two teaspoons of sugar, given he had recently been knocked out, and sat down beside him.  ‘So what do we do now?’ she asked, munching on a crisp, sweet, delicious biscuit.  ‘Think it’s time we talk to Helena?’

Alexander remained silent for a few moments, thoughtfully sipping his tea.  It was only now beginning to sink in that Helena was responsible for the death of his father, and consequently his mother, not to mention that she had nearly caused Anita’s death too.  ‘I just don’t know that we can trust her,’ he said, carefully.  ‘But having said that, I’m not sure we have many other options.  We could try to do some independent research in the archive?  Or find some other academics to ask?’

‘We could,’ replied a sceptical Anita, trying to find the right words to persuade him that Helena really was their only option, ‘but it could take us months to find anything in the archive, especially as we don’t really know what we’re looking for.  And any academics who have an interest in anything like this will almost certainly have links to either Austin and Amber, or the Institution.’  She sat racking her brains for anything else.  ‘I suppose we could go to Alistair and ask him what he thinks,’ she said uncertainly, ‘but I’m not convinced he would help us, even if he could.  Other than that, the only person who might know something about this is Peter, and he seems to be firmly in Austin’s pocket.’

Alexander nodded slowly, carefully selecting a biscuit before replying.  ‘Then we have to go to Helena; there’s no one else we know we can trust, and she already knows the cylinder exists, so she’s not going to learn anything new when we tell her we can’t open it.  I still don’t trust her though,’ he said, bitterly.

‘I know,’ Anita replied, leaning across to kiss the top of Alexander’s muscular shoulder, ‘neither do I.’

Chapter 7

Austin sat in his dressing room, towel around his neck, Terrance, the barber he’d used for the last thirty years closely shaving his face.  He looked at his reflection in the mirror, lines visible around his eyes that seemed new, grey hairs around his temples, turning him into someone who looked unnervingly like his father.

‘I hear there are organized demonstrations in Kingdom,’ said Terrance, conversationally, ‘think they’ll amount to much?’ he asked.

Austin sneered.  He and Terrance had discussed many a political issue over the years, so he didn’t mind him bringing it up, but the reminder of the sorry situation in which he was currently embroiled was entirely unwelcome when he was trying to relax.  ‘Shouldn’t have thought so,’ said Austin.  ‘Next summer we’ll be back to normal, there will be plenty of food, and everyone will forget all about it.’  He said the words in a way meant to shut down the conversation, however Terrance wasn’t so easily deterred.

‘But next summer is a long way off, and we’ve got to get through the winter before then.’

‘Enough,’ exploded Austin, ‘just do your job.’

Terrance took the hint this time, changing the subject to something more light-hearted as he finished off.  This wasn’t the first time Austin had blown up at him and he knew it wouldn’t be the last.  As with all his difficult customers, the trick was just to let it wash over you and act like it hadn’t happened.  ‘There you go sir,’ he said with a flourish, as he finished with a pat of aftershave, ‘spick and span and ready to take on the world.’

‘Thank you Terrance,’ said Austin, as Terrance left the room, ‘look in on Marcus and see if he wants a shave on your way out would you?’

Terrance passed Amber as he left the room, her face like thunder.  ‘Peter’s here to see you,’ she said, darkly, ‘he’s waiting in your office, muttering something about people refusing to pay taxes.  He’s on the verge of caving, seems to think now is the time to do something, in his words, “before this goes too far”.  I tried to fob him off, but he won’t go, says he won’t leave until he’s spoken to you.’

‘Stupid little spineless worm,’ spat Austin, standing up quickly, whipping his towel furiously against the door frame as he stormed out.

Austin marched down the stairs and into his office, not bothering to close the door behind him; this would be a short conversation.  ‘It seems we have a problem,’ he said, dryly, as he came face to face with an ashen Peter.  ‘Do we really have to go through this again?’ he demanded.

‘Well,’ started Peter, mustering all his courage, ‘it’s just that things have moved on since last time we spoke.  They’re revolting in Kingdom, they’ve stopped paying taxes, and they say people are literally starving.  If that’s truly the case, we’ve got to do something.’

‘And where did you hear all this?’

‘Everywhere.  No matter where I go, people ask me what’s going on and what we’re going to do about it, and I think the Institution are gaining momentum again.  They don’t need much more ammunition and we’ll have a full scale rebellion on our hands.’

‘No we won’t,’ said Austin, pompously.

‘How can you be so sure?’

‘Because the Institution can be easily divided if we need to play that card.’

‘How?’

‘That’s none of your concern.’

‘So what am I supposed to do?  Nothing?’

‘Precisely.  I know you’re not the sharpest tool, but I thought even you would remember we’ve had this conversation before.  And the same terms apply now as they did then; if you try anything, I’ll expose Gwyn as the fraud she is.  If you think there are problems out there now, just wait and see what would happen to you and your family if they find out Gwyn isn’t the true Body Descendant.’

‘You have no proof of that, it’s just your word against mine.’

‘You think that matters?  All I’d have to do is place a seed of doubt in the minds of a couple of key rebels and you’d be lynched so quickly you wouldn’t even realise it was happening, let alone have a chance to protest your innocence.’

‘You’d cause a total meltdown just so you don’t have to face up to the fact we’re on the brink of a crisis?  You think it’ll be as simple as watching from the side lines before emerging king of the bloody castle?’

‘And you’d risk it all to try and stop me?’

Peter looked Austin in the eye, possibly for the first time in his life sorely tempted to defy him, but the risk was too great.  ‘No,’ he said, eventually, ‘I suppose I wouldn’t.’

*****

The Council Chamber erupted, Councillors, who up until now had remained silent, adding their voices to those opposing Austin’s idle stance.  Austin had reiterated his position, insisting nothing was needed other than patience and time, but all the Spirits and virtually all the Bodies were opposing him.  The Mind Councillors were still backing Austin, along with Peter, but the tide had truly turned.

Alexander took the floor and waited for the room to settle.  ‘Councillors,’ he said loudly, projecting his voice so he could be heard over the remaining descent, ‘the majority are clearly in favour of action, however, two ruling Descendants disagree, meaning under normal circumstances, we are unable to proceed.  I propose, given the severity of the situation in which we find ourselves, that we take matters into our own hands.  I propose we put in place a food rationing plan, that we instigate price controls to curb the soaring prices, and we put increased resources behind trying to figure out what’s causing this prolonged dip in the energy.’

A roar of support went up for Alexander’s plan, Austin realising he would have to concede something if he were not to totally lose control.  ‘Well said,’ he said, patronizingly, as he stood up and slowly made his way to Alexander’s side.  ‘I couldn’t agree more that we need to start food rationing.  It’s essential that all suffer in equal amounts during this unfortunate period, indeed all in this room must be included in any food rationing, so we show the people we’re all in the same boat.  However, I cannot condone diverting precious resources towards the futile task of trying to work out what is going on.  It’s simple; as I’ve said a hundred times before, all that’s happening here is that we’re having a bad year.  Next summer this will all be behind us and we’ll be back to normal.’

Alexander paused before responding.  He obviously didn’t agree with Austin’s view, however official agreement to rationing was better than doing it without Descendant support, especially as Austin’s private army was far larger than anyone else’s.  He could push for them to look into the cause of the crisis later, once rationing was in place.  ‘Well then,’ he said loudly, ‘I’ll put rationing in place as soon as possible.  I’ll report back on progress at the next meeting.  I think that’s all for today,’ he said, making for the exit before anyone could jeopardize what had just been agreed.

He could still feel Austin’s furious energy as he turned out of the Council Chamber and walked through the Spirit Temple into the daylight beyond, however found himself more preoccupied with Peter’s strange energy.  He had been angry, scared, frustrated, and brooding, and Alexander still couldn’t work out what Austin had on Peter.  Alexander was so preoccupied in fact that he almost walked straight into Helena, not realising she was there.

‘Hi,’ she said tentatively.

‘Hi,’ he said back.

‘What happened?’ she asked, trying to sound casual.

‘We’re putting in place food rationing, but Austin vetoed us being able to overtly research the cause of the crisis, and Peter was his usual, spineless self; he didn’t utter a single word.

‘Well that’s not surprising, considering.’

‘Considering what?’ asked Alexander, failing as miserably as Helena had at trying to sound indifferent to the answer.

‘It’s obvious isn’t it?’

‘What’s obvious?’

‘Austin is controlling Peter.’

‘Well of course that’s obvious, but why?’

‘I don’t know, but if I were to have to guess, I’d say Austin is using Gwyn as a bargaining chip.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Really?  After everything you and Anita found out the other day?  If Anita is the Body Descendant, then Gwyn isn’t.  If Austin were to expose that, Gwyn and Peter would be cast out, not to mention they’d probably be mobbed.’

‘But Austin doesn’t know Gwyn isn’t the Body Descendant.’

‘He might not have any concrete proof, but he knows why Christiana came to Empire, and he knows Anita got away that night in the Temple.  Anyway, I’m not convinced, given the public’s mood, that anyone would ask for proof if they were told something so sensational, especially if Austin was the one who told them.’

‘No, probably not,’ said Alexander.  It all fit perfectly into place; Peter was protecting Gwyn.  Maybe he wasn’t quite so spineless after all.  ‘Anyway, Anita and I have something we need to talk to you about.’

‘Really?’ she replied, eagerly, ‘what?’

‘I’d rather not discuss it without her present.  When can we meet?’  Alexander had turned cold and transactional, remembering with an icy jolt that Helena was responsible for his parents’ deaths.

‘Why don’t you come to the farm for dinner this evening?’ she suggested.  ‘Anderson and Bas are coming to tell us about something they’ve found.  You might be interested in whatever they say, and afterwards we can talk about whatever it is you have on your mind.’

‘Fine.  What time?’

‘Eight?’

‘Fine.  See you then,’ he said, turning his back and walking away.

*****

Austin and Marcus walked side by side up an unkempt farm track.  They were on the outskirts of Empire and everywhere around them were signs of stress; gates with broken hinges, farm machinery lying unmaintained, and empty fields where cows and sheep would usually be grazing.  They reached the top of the track and walked toward the farm buildings, Amber following a couple of paces behind, flanked by two of her cronies.  There was activity all around them; men dressed in black moving this way and that, unloading sacks of who knew what from trucks and storing them in one of the barns up ahead.

This was the third trip where Marcus had accompanied Austin and Amber, so he knew the format, looking around expectantly for the farmer.  They reached the farmhouse having uncovered no sign of its owner thus far, so Austin sauntered up to the front door and knocked loudly, only having to wait moments for a response.  A thin faced, harassed looking woman opened the door, eyeing Austin knowingly as she said curtly, ‘can I help you with something?’

‘Come now,’ said Austin cruelly, ‘it would be easier for all of us if we don’t have to play games.  Where is he?’

‘My husband?’ she asked, acting as though she had no idea why Austin was at her door, ‘I have no idea.  He went out this morning as normal and I’m sure he’ll be back for lunch at one o’clock, as he usually is.  You’re more than welcome to wait in the yard until he returns.’

Austin was fuming.  He was used to a wholly different reception, where the farmer would come out and meet him as he was walking up the drive.  He, or in some cases, she, would then plead with him to let them keep their farm for just a little longer, coming up with some hare-brained reason as to how, with just a little more time, they would be able to pay Austin what they owed him.  In the beginning, Austin had often agreed, taking livestock or other produce as immediate payment and agreeing more stringent terms for when they would inevitably default again later.  However they had now reached the point where there was no benefit to be gained from a delay in payment, so Austin rarely granted one, instead opting to take control of the farms.  In his view, he was more than reasonable during these takeovers, usually allowing the farmer and their family to stay on, often even living in the main farmhouse, so long as they agreed to work for whoever Austin chose to put in charge from then on.  Typically Austin ensconced a Mind Councillor to manage proceedings, leaving a number of his soldiers behind to both work the farm and ensure there was no delayed resistance from the farmer.

Today however it was plain he would not be on the receiving end of gifts, promises and pleas, indeed, it would seem as though this particular farmer was keen on causing as much offense as possible, presumably as a last, meagre rebellion before accepting the inevitable.

Austin, Marcus and Amber waited in the yard, Austin and Amber’s tempers rising as the minutes ticked by, snapping at soldiers whenever they saw a chance, ordering them to bring more tea, or telling them off for doing some small thing wrong.  Marcus found the situation rather amusing.  He’d never seen anyone defy his father, and they all knew an act of defiance was exactly what this was.  The soldiers had after all arrived before sunrise, before the farmer had left for the day, so it wasn’t like an imminent visit from Austin would have been a surprise.

Eventually one o’clock rolled around and exactly on time a beaten up old four by four pulled into the yard, a medium height, medium built, middle aged man, with a kind, lined face and greying hair stepping out of one side, whilst a tall, gangly man who couldn’t have been older than about seventeen climbed out of the other.  They looked at Austin, then at each other, before walking towards where Marcus, Amber and Austin were sitting, just outside one of the larger barns.  Austin shooed away the soldiers near them and stood up.