#perdita merra

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

Filibuster to End All

Ch 17

August 28th, 196

Bellva

Luna took a seat facing the window. She adjourned the meeting simply with a “So here’s the deal.” The circle of Directorate members collectively inched forwards. This wasn’t likely to be good news. “Lissa, come out.”

Lissa Merra, Perdita’s granddaughter, stepped out from the shadows. The usually bubbly little girl was quiet today; no flounce in her step shook her floral dress. A crown of half-wilted purple Asters was woven through her brown hair. She took a seat in the chair on Luna’s right.

“Would you like to tell them, or should I?” Luna asked her gently.

“We must welcome the Empire’s isles.”

Cantella was the first to speak. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lissa, however, was in Lissaland. Lissaland was the imaginary place where the future became the past, and reality was muddied. In other words, Lissaland was the depths of her thoughts. Luna answered for her. “We don’t know. That’s why we’re here.”

“Where is this coming from?” Arel asked.

Luna closed her eyes and dropped her voice. “They were Allya Ratava’s last words.”

Bellva’s mind reeled, the memories coursing through her veins. Suddenly the room was dark, lit only by starlight. She was poised above the bay once again, back at her position at the top of the hill. The water glittered below her as it hit the shore and brushed the marble statues that populated the riverbank. She notched an arrow and pulled the string tight. Shaking, she let it fly, hitting her target. And there was blood. Far too much of it. How could so much come from one wound? And there was Lissa. She was running, screaming, Bellva hurrying after… Then the flashback was gone, like mist.

Pen reached out to steady her. “Are you alright?” he asked, just loud enough for her to hear. His all-knowing gray eyes bore into hers, seeking out the truth of her confliction.

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m alright. Everything’s alright.” He smiled, grasping her hand firmly. He really was beautiful when he smiled.

“Well,” Ara was saying, “We know that Allya was an advocate for the marginalized at our country’s rim.”

“Yeah, but aren’t they already welcome?” her brother asked. “They need serious government reform, sure, but so does everyone else.”

Cetti spoke up next. “What else do we know about Allya Ratava?”

“Well,” Pen replied, “she was a sailor. She ran the Naia fleet. We don’t much of her past, though.”

“Wasn’t she on the Empirica for a while?” It was Perdita. This was news to Bellva. It seemed as if the same was true for the rest of the Directorate. Perdita seemed to absorb the collective surprize. “My daughter Kimora is part of the crew, remember? I recall seeing Allya a couple of times when I went to see them when they landed.” She paused. “Also, I overheard Allya and Elliana talking about it.”

“How long ago? You should have said something,” Luna outburst.

“I am now, aren’t I?”

“You should have said something sooner,” Luna corrected herself.

“In any case,” Perdita continued, “the Empire could be in reference to the Empirica. Maybe the Empire is wherever it is that they go.”

“You make a very good point,” Arel said. “Regardless, the Empirica could prove very valuable indeed.”

“What are you saying, Arel?” Cetti asked.

“I’m saying that someone needs to go and find out what’s there. Any information is as good as gold at this point.”

“Here’s a proposition,” Luna said. “What if we split. Half of us deal with internal relations here, with Elliana and rebuilding. The other half goes on the Empirica to welcome whatever there is to welcome. That way, everything is covered. Theoretically.”

Arel clapped his hands together, exclaiming, “That’s brilliant!”

“Calm down,” Cetti said. Maybe it’s best if we don’t all leave for some new land. Maybe we should all stay and work this out first.”

“But the Empirica only comes around every two years,” Ara said. “It might be too late by then.”

“You do make a good point.”

“Now the question is who goes and who stays?” Ara said.

“A debate for another day. Meeting adjourned.” Luna stood, helping Lissa from her seat. They spoke in hushed tone for a few minutes, coming to a resolution no one else could accknowledge.

Bellva didn’t want to go. She didn’t want anyone to go. It was too much, after everything… Tiesa... Allya… And they still had Elliana to deal with…

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

Filibuster to End All

Ch 16

June 27th, 196

Tiesa

Tiesa had always thought that the palace was beautiful in the summer. It was even more beautiful when you were away from it for weeks at a time. It wasn’t as if Tiesa was cooped up in that granite prison for seventeen years; she got out often enough. She had been on countless tours of the country, many lasting for months on end. She had been around the world and back, but nothing compared to the gardens in Citale.

A wide maze was cut into the hillside by criss-crossing paths lined with rose bushes. Every once in a while, the path would open up to reveal a small enclosure filled with aubrieta and hydrangeas.

Tiesa knew the grounds by heart. She led Luna effortlessly through the twists and turns until she saw something. Someone, rather.

The figure was bent over a patch of gardenias, pruning the elegant bush into something that more clearly resembled a sphere. With a start, she realised that it was Arlan Arcana.

Arlan had been on the Directorate for a long time, long before either of her parents had been born. He was a family friend, and frequently spouted political nonsense. Tiesa didn’t like him very much. In fact, he was the corruption that she was trying to rid the palace of.

She had spotted him first. “Arlan!” she called, as she would call to an old friend.

He looked up. He frowned. Creases cut into his forehead. “Who,” he said slowly, “might you be? And why are you here? And how do you know my name?”

She had forgotten that she must look significantly different. Her hair was cut short, her dress and face were muddy and still soaked through from the boat ride to Citale, her arm was still bandaged, and she was accompanied by a stranger. No wonder he didn’t recognise her. “It’s me, Tiesa Alethea Reale. I’ve come back.”

He blinked, the sighed. “Either I’m hallucinating, or you are. Either way, Perdita will want to hear about it. Come with me. And your friend too,” he added as an afterthought.

Arlan disposited Tiesa and Luna in a grand entry hall while he went in search of Perdita. The door at the end of the hall shut with a soft click that bounced off the walls.

“Is he always like this?” Luna asked with one eyebrow raised.

“Mostly. If you provoke him, he’ll start spewing nonsense, but he means well.”

“I can see why you left.”

The door opened a crack, and Tiesa could hear a whispered, “No, Arlan, give us a second,” before it opened further. From the opening, a woman emerged. She was wearing a simple green velvet dress that disguised her stout frame. Her graying hair was pulled up into a loose bun, contrasting her olive skin. Dark pencil lined deep green eyes that crinkled at the edges when she smiled. Perdita Merra.

Tiesa ran to embrace her tutor; she could hardly help herself. “Gracious, child!” Perdita said. “I suppose Arlan wasn’t hallucinating?” Tiesa shook her head. “It really is you?”

“Yes, it really is.”

Perdita frowned sternly. “What’s something that only my Ti would know?”

“The cabin, under the 9th step of the main staircase.” It was the location of three clay keys, a last line of defence if things ever went awry. It was something that only Tiesa had known for many years after the death of her parents, until she realized that the burden must be shared. Now Perdita and Pen knew as well.

Perdita, clearly satisfied, wrapped Tiesa into a bear hug. “We were wondering when you’d get back! There’s so much to fill you in on, but first… Who might this be?”

“Oh, this is Luna Nellara.”

Perdita gave Luna a blank, questioning stare. Luna looked rather uncomfortable, as if this was the last place she wanted to be. You’re not helping me out here, Tiesa thought a little bitterly. You could at least act like you have a purpose in life!

“We met her in Meridonia, she’s half the reason we made it back alive.”

“I see,” Perdita said, and Tiesa was not at all convinced. “Well, then, you’re welcome here. On that note, would you care to join us at a meeting concerning the matters at hand?”

Tiesa showed Luna to a grand guest room, made sure she knew how to find her way back, then found her own room. She collapsed on the bed, glad to be back home at last, then decided that she should probably get ready. She took a quick shower and changed into an elegant navy blue dress with silver trim. She combed her hair, clipping it back with a collection of delicate silver pins. She carefully brushed her bangs to the side.

She found Luna en route to the entry hall. She was wearing all black, having apparently ignored the choices provided for her, and boots that clacked unforgivingly against the marble tile. Her dark brown hair was down and draped over one shoulder. She stood out against her silver and quartz surroundings like a crisp leaf over the top of a blanket of snow.

They walked together to the throne room, Tiesa leading the way. Almost all meetings were held there, as it was conveniently placed in the center of the chaos. Eventually, they came to a large circular hall with three enormous oak doors. Tiesa pushed the one to the left open with a faint creak. It revealed a bright room with marble pillars and blue and rose colored stained glass. In the front of the room were two elegant marble and glass thrones, glittering with gold leaf. Around them were simple glass chairs set up for meetings. Sunlight bounced around and through the room, the glass refracting every color of the rainbow. It was breathtaking.

Perdita was alone, watching the view of a massive stone courtyard. Lilies of every color smiled back. She turned when she heard Luna’s boots. “Ah, there you are.”

“No one else?” Tiesa asked. She was used to large meetings with the entire Directorate and Council present.

“No. I need to get you both caught up, as quickly and as unbiased as possible.”

Luna stepped forward, daring to ask a question. “Ok. So… What is going on?”

“Miss Berone and Miss Ratava, I trust you know them?”

“Yes,” Luna replied hesitantly.

“They claim to have brought you here, but that seems to match up well enough. They have taken Pencari captive. They used him as leverage to gain refuge inside the palace early yesterday. They are keeping him in the Northern Wing, guarded and protected by Miss Ratava.”

Tiesa was outraged. “A prisoner in his own home?”

“What’s worse, Arlan and Teva seem perfectly willing to negotiate. Not only that, but give them just about anything they want.”

“And what might that be?”

“Positions on the Directorate for both of them. Somewhere to work up from, presumably.”

Luna shook her head slowly. “I knew this was a bad idea!” she nearly shouted.

“Calm, child,” Perdita said. “Regardless, we have bigger matters on hand than whether or not you were right.”

“And you’re sure of all of this?” Tiesa asked.

“Absolutely.”

“Then we have a whole lot more to deal with than I thought.”

[tiesa-reale]

Children of Another Cause

Filibuster to End All

Ch 15

August 25th, 196

Bellva

Bellva Viren knew that she probably shouldn’t be hiding in a corner. Luna was expecting her at a meeting in five minutes.

But did that stop her from hiding in a corner? No.

“Bellva, child, what are you doing there?” Bellva turned. It was Perdita Merra, her tutor. She was headed to the same meeting.

“Nothing, ma’am,” she said as convincingly as she could.

Perdita sighed. She was often exasperated by Bellva. “Come along then. We’ll be late.”

They reached the throne room just in time. It was no longer decorated by pink and blue hydrangeas as it had been just three days earlier, but the blue drapes remained.

Then she saw Arel.

He was seated nearest to the edge of the room, next to his sister, Ara. His dark eyes scanned the room, eventually meeting hers. He smiled. She smiled back. She tried no to, but it wasn’t like she could help it. She took a seat at the other end of the room, next to Pencari. “Hey,” she said.

“Hi.”

“Does anyone know what they’re doing here?” She gestured to her mother, Teva, and Arlan Arcana.

“Nope. Luna didn’t invite them, but they showed up and Luna doesn’t feel like arguing today.” Teva saw her daughter and threw her a weak smile. Bellva didn’t return it. Arlan turned towards her and scowled. His bald head glinted in the morning sunlight. She wanted to scowl back, but doubted that it would fix anything.

“Good morning,” Luna said. She was exhausted, Bellva could tell. “You already know that I invited you - well, most of you - to discuss the formation of a new Directorate. Though I think I speak for all of us when I ask what you’re doing here.” The question was aimed at Arlan.

“I’ve been on this Directorate for thirty-eight years,” he began with the air of someone about to start a ‘Back In My Day’ story. “I see no reason why I shouldn’t continue.”

Luna sighed heavily. “I do. You’re much of the reason I need a new Directorate in the first place.”

“It didn’t used to be like this,” he grumbled. “People used to choose advisors they disagreed with.”

“Like you were chosen. How was that again? That’s right! Your family was rich and you were friends with the royals.” Perdita smiled sweetly. She must have told Luna the story; she’d been at the palace even longer than Arlan. “And second of all, I do choose a diverse council. I often disagree with Perdita and Bellva, and quite frankly, I don’t like Arel very much.” Arel looked mildly offended. The rest of them were all used to it by now; Luna could be brutally honest sometimes. “However, I know that they’re more experienced than I am and probably know what’s best. Do you have anything else to say, or could you please leave?”

He grumbled once again at seeing his last vain endeavour come to a screeching halt. He stood and left.

“Teva, I assume you came to present similar grievances?”

“Not at all, my queen.” Her voice was bittersweet, and Luna winced. “I came only to say that I wish to have no further sway in the government of Aluntura.”

Bellva held back a gasp. Vidia Verit, her mother’s lifelong friend, said, “Surely you don’t intend on leaving us?”

“Of course not,” Teva replied, more to Luna than Vidia. “I intend to stay in Citale with my daughter, but I refuse any position on the Directorate.”

“Thank you, Teva. Your decision is noted. If that is all, you are dismissed,” Luna said, a little perplexed. Was she under the impression that she was going to get a position? Bellva thought. If she did, she was dead wrong.

“My queen,” she said again bowing. Luna’s gaze hardened into something nearly murderous. Bellva made a mental note to never call Luna ‘My Queen.’ Teva left peacefully, her pale gown brushing the floor.

“Well then,” Luna said, readjusting the black jacket at her shoulders. “Anyone else? Great. You’re all here because I want you on my new Directorate.”

“Luna,” Pen interrupted, “Bellva and I aren’t yet eighteen. We can’t.”

“I know, not officially, anyway. Would you accept an unofficial position until then?” They both nodded and let her continue. “What about the rest of you?”

“I accept,” Vidia said.

“As do I,” chimed her husband, Cetti.

“Of course, darling,” Perdita added.

Ara looked to her wife, Cantella, taking her hand. “We’re in.”

“As if I have a choice, then,” Arel said.

After the meeting, Bellva went back to her corner. Not the same corner, exactly. This time she favored one closer to her room. She needed to get away from everything and everyone else. She needed to deal with what she had done.

She heard footsteps. She willed herself to disappear into the pillar. She wasn’t an idiot; she knew that it wouldn’t work. That couldn’t stop her from trying.

It was Arel. Oh no.

“Hey,” he said. It was as if he didn’t think anything of it, of her sitting in a corner, all on her own. He helped her to her feet. “What are you doing here?”

“Just… thinking.” She wasn’t lying. She had been thinking.

“I see. What about?”

“Everything that’s happened since Tiesa got back. It seems like only yesterday… It’s all happened so fast…”

“Are you alright?” he asked gently.

“Of course I am,” she snapped back. She didn’t mean to snap, really.

“You don’t look it.” He took one of her gloved hands. “I’ll get you a glass of water and some biscuits.”

“Really, Arel. I’m fine.”

“After everything you’ve been through, I don’t know how anyone could be.”