28

Tiv

Monday 2nd April, Year 825

She made one phone call last month. It was twelve seconds long. I stared at the flimsy phone bill in my hand. Her phone number was redacted at the top of the page, as was the number she called. I felt like a child again; what seventeen-year-old was not allowed to have control over a phone bill? I wondered what was so important that Alayna needed to use the phone for only twelve seconds. I wondered why she still had the phone. I hoped she was waiting for me to get in contact with her, however, there was a nagging voice in the back of my mind that told me I was wrong; that Marco was right. I instantly hushed it, knowing, if that was true, the phone would have had a lot more use.

…Unless she was testing the waters.

I shook my head to rid myself of the thought. It had been nearly two months since we left Harroworth and I was finally starting to enjoy myself, unless I thought of her. Spring had come and with it warm breezes and shorter nights. There was no curfew and no Night Guard in Lambent. I found it strange when nobody cared about the length of days like they did in Vakoso. It was a welcome change; people were generally kinder and more laid back.

As evening's amber light seeped through my window, I moved toward Father's office with heavy steps. He had summoned me for a conversation about my future job prospects after college—another cage being crafted around me under the guise of opportunity. Each step felt like wading through a swamp of expectations I had no desire to fulfil.

Approaching Father's door, words floated through the wood.

"My beautiful darling, it's like you care for neither of them," Father said. "I've asked so little of you."

I heard a small female voice, so quiet I could not make it out.

When he spoke again his voice cracked like a whip, "I'm not repeating myself, woman."

"Fine," the voice was sharper now. "However, you must stop threatening them. You scare me."

Was it Meredith?

He barked a humourless laugh, "Of course, my love."

Love? Who the hells was he talking to? It couldn't be Meredith. I pressed my ear to the door however the second voice spoke, again so quietly, that I could not hear.

"Yes and last time you failed. You won't this time," Father barked.

A crash pierced the air, followed by a small yelp that knotted my stomach and raised hairs on the back of my neck. My hand found the doorknob instinctively. It was locked.

"Father?" I called.

Nobody spoke further and he unlocked the door, letting me in. I looked around slowly but everything was in its rightful place. The large floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that sat behind Father's large mahogany desk had all of its books in place. The fireplace and hearth at the opposite end of the high-ceilinged room were clean and unused. His gold-framed, glass liquor cabinet sat neatly behind the heavy wooden door I had just walked through. The room was empty apart from the two of us.

"Where's Meredith?" I asked.

"With Beau, I presume."

"Who were you talking to?"

"I was on the phone to someone. You've come just in time actually. I have news," he gestured for me to take a seat. "Your Mother's last will and testament has paid out. You have been left her cottage in Lumley, three hours north of here. It's in your grandmother's village. You also have inherited a generous sum of money."

I put my head down sadly and wished I could trade it all to have my Mother back.

"It would be best to invest the money, keeping it-"

"I'm going back to Vakoso," I interrupted.

My Father closed his eyes slowly and gave no other acknowledgement that I had spoken, "You could sell the house in Lumley for a good profit if you so choose. Five bedrooms is too much for you anyway. If you decide to keep it, you'll have to pay the costs to upkeep it. It's too far out of the city to be used as anything other than a holiday home, mind."

"I wish to return to Harroworth. Please Father."

Like my words were a pair of scissors on an elastic band, they caused his temper to snap. He slammed his glass down on the desk and raged forward. With the force of a volcanic eruption his hands smashed down on either side of my chair, causing a violent ripple through it. I pressed myself as far back into the upholstery as I could, heart clattering against my chest. My jaw twitched as a cold trickle ran through me.

"You will not squander the money in such a way!" he screamed an inch from my face.

I did not mention it again, knowing that silence was the fastest way to end the conversation. The sooner I was out of the room, the sooner I could buy passage home with or without his blessing.

He calmed himself, standing and returning to his drink, continuing as if his outburst had been something any rational father might have done, "You need to ensure the money is safe. The usual affairs; tie it up in stocks and shares, properties… you'll need a will, any marriage prospects must sign a prenuptial agreement, the usual."

I curled my toes in my shoes and stayed silent.

"You are not to use the money for frivolities or activities that would reflect badly on the family. Do you understand?"

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"Yes."

"Good," he clapped. "Now onto business. I have created an opening in my office that would suit you well."

"Do I get a choice?" I muttered.

There was silence for a moment.

"You're an ungrateful brat sometimes, do you know that?" he growled.

I clenched my teeth and did not dare to reply.

"The job starts in July. You will work alongside me to recruit and build an army to protect Staventon."

"From what?"

"Vakoso," he said simply.

My eyebrows shot to the top of my head, "No."

"Son, that place was on fire long before we left it. Give it a year. It will be ablaze with rebellion sparked by hatred of Lambent and the freedoms the Vakosians are so jealous of. When that time comes, I intend to have a force strong enough to quash any threats."

I knew he was not wrong; rebellion was coming. I saw the way people in Vakoso were treated and how they reacted to that treatment, however briefly. It made sense that would continue, if not get worse guy as time went on.

"We could help them rather than leaving them to rot," I argued.

He barked a laugh, "You are naive. Nothing we could give them would ever be enough."

"They want rule of their own cities. They want to be free of Umbrith. It's not an unreasonable request. We could help them," I repeated.

"I've spent over thirty years trying to help them and I got my wife blown up in a car for my effort," I winced as he spoke. "I am through wasting my time on those ungrateful parasites."

I put my head down again thinking of Alayna and how difficult her life would no doubt become.

"Marco has already accepted a position in my office proudly; he knows how to properly serve this family. Think about the job. You won't get another offer," Father said, opening his office door and dismissing me.

I decided to write another letter; I needed to warn Alayna. I knew there was no way I could send it, however Meredith could. I knew she would keep the secret for me. There was nobody I trusted more than her. I spent the next two hours writing five different letters and they all ended up in the bin. I wanted Alayna to know why I hadn't contacted her without mentioning Marco and my Father. It was a very hard task to accomplish. I didn't want what my Father had said to affect what I wrote however it was hard not to feel agitated. I decided that this letter would determine whether I gave up on Alayna or not. I started again for the sixth time.

02/04/825

Alayna,

I'm sorry for the way things were left during our final meeting. I just hope you are well now. I also must apologise for not being able to contact you more promptly. What have I missed while I have been away? You have two months to tell me about in great detail so I expect a fat reply.

Staventon is different. We don't have any curfew which felt odd to begin with. It's a lovely place to live however I would trade it all for another day living the life I had just a few months ago. I miss our walks around Rowe Meadow. I miss my Mother.

I now have means to return to Harroworth, although some obstacles over here are still preventing that at the moment. I heard rumours that Vakoso could be in danger. I'm worried about you. Please let me know that you and your family are unharmed.

I cannot tell you how much I've missed you, I hope you reply to this letter and I haven't let too much time pass. This was not easy to write and I'm not sure why. I've been told to expect you may have forgotten about me by now. I have far from forgotten about you. On the back of this letter are all of my contact details.

I hope I hear from you soon.

Tiv

I reread the letter and nearly added it to the pile of discarded attempts before deciding I could have been there for days trying to write something. I put the delicate piece of paper in its envelope and sealed it. I addressed it to her hoping desperately that she hadn't moved or worse, her house burned down in a riot. I felt sick at the thought that something had happened to her. The nagging thought she was in danger had been looming at the back of my mind for a long while now.

After I talked myself into finally sending the letter, which took another half an hour, I went to find Meredith. I found her in our two-storey library sitting by the giant bay window with a book. The natural light lit up her, highlighting her face, lips pulled down in an uncharacteristic frown and eyes sad.

"Meredith?" I called with slightly more vigour than intended.

She jumped to her feet, dropping the book in the process then fumbled around trying to pick it up.

"Y-Yes sir?" she answered and spun to face me

"Sir? What's the matter with you?" I blinked.

"Sorry, I thought you were your Father. I am paid to be a housekeeper, not to sit and read. I do not think he would be as nonchalant as you are," smiled Meredith shyly.

My jaw dropped as a horrible thought popped into my mind, thinking of the female voice in Father's study.

"Has he ever hit you?" I whispered.

Her eyes widened, "Good heavens, no!"

"You seem frightened," I observed.

She smiled cheerily, "My relationship with Mother was much different to that of your father. To him, I am paid help who is slacking on the job. You can understand why I may have been startled when I thought my employer had caught me."

"You would tell me, wouldn't you?" I pressed.

"My darling boy, I worry about you. You do not worry about me," she said tapping my cheek with her hand. "Now tell me, what do you need?"

I pulled a face and stayed silent, not sure if I believed her. She eventually spoke.

"Tiv, perhaps you ought not to cause strife for our family. Just for one day?" she raised an eyebrow.

"You're not going to like my request then," I smirked bashfully.

"What do you need?" she repeated.

"I need you to mail this letter for me as soon as possible. Every time I try I'm stopped," I said, handing her the envelope.

She took the letter out of my hands and read the address. Not knowing her actual address—Outer Harroworth had no street names—I addressed it to Piker’s Bar, knowing it would easily make its way to Alayna.

"Tiv, this is not a prudent idea," she muttered.

"Please, Em! I can't do it. That psychopath constantly has people watching me to check I'm being a good little boy," I growled.

After a moment, Meredith sighed and looked at me sadly. I knew she did not want me to contact Alayna, probably believing Marco's bilge about her, however she had been the only one I'd allowed myself to show my true misery to. I hoped her knowing how homesick I'd been would be enough for her to agree to my request. She eventually hid away whatever she was feeling and replaced it with a smile.

"I'll take care of it first thing tomorrow morning," she said gently.

"Thank you," I responded slowly. "Are you sure you are alright?"

Her smile widened. "Of course I am. I shall get this done for you tomorrow, like I said," she replied, dismissing me.

Meredith did not like Lambent. As always, she never made her feelings on the matter known, yet she had changed since our arrival. She always looked sad and her smile always seemed forced. I knew she was from Vakoso but most Vakosian residents would trade a limb to move to Lambent. Meredith was different. She was an enigma…