CHAPTER LIV
NEW ACQUAINTANCES
Once sated, Adriaas needed to understand more about their circumstances. "How did Silver Camp become this large? You guys live in better conditions than most of those inside Imperial City."
Most of Imperia's population lived within the capital's boundaries, marked by a symbolic adobe wall a meter tall. Inside, two social classes coexisted: the poor worked and paid taxes to the rich, led by Empress Sabina of the authoritarian Elkrachet family, who wielded absolute power over the county. It was a feudal system twisted in a macabre way.
"We’ve learned to make it work with what we have," Gidit responded. "Our experiences with the empire have also been traumatic. Capahuento was founded by the first group of campers that opposed the Elkrachets fifty years ago."
"Sabina and her followers deserve Eslavia for a thousand years," Raxae added angrily, curled up on their couch.
"Cheers to that, my friend. Furk the Gevurah!" Elchome toasted, downing a beer.
"Their duty isn’t to save those in Sectum, but to protect Malkuthians, from whom we were exiled," Miveria chimed in, her tone suggesting this was a frequent topic of discussion.
"The truth is, it’s a cold war. Imperia was a mess before we got here and will remain so after we leave," Gidit said, capturing Adriaas's attention. "Things have been slow regarding the Elkrachets for months. The last time we fought, near The Valley of Tears, the empress lost exceptional women and men serving her. Victory came at a heavy price for our side. It was them or us in an ambush. Thanks to our brothers and sister efforts and with the blood of those maniacs in our hands, we’ve reached a better life."
A shadow of guilt loomed in her eyes as the mood darkened.
"To what extent are the factions divided in Capahuento?" Adriaas asked, hoping to lighten the mood.
"We’remore than twenty clans. Silver is one of the largest," Miveria replied, taking up the thread. "It’s a small fraction of the population in Imperia, but that’s enough to cause trouble for Sabina and her forces. You’ve lived that misery. The presence of violence and crime in the capital city highlights the arduousness of earning onis in a densely populated and unequal society. Fear and conformity are the reasons some choose to stay."
For a significant period, the population of Imperial City had exceeded its intended capacity, creating several issues for its inhabitants, which no one in the empire seemed to care about. "We act as separate entities because it helps deceive the empire’s forces. Yet, our goal is the same: To endure until Sabina dies and overthrow the Elkrachets when she does," Remian declared, proud of his insight.
"Do you accustom to spoiling your master plan with every soul you meet?" the young Extarri asked, trying not to offend.
"It’s not a secret," Elchome defended, backing his friend. "Such a goal has been set since the beginning of Capahuento. Even Empress Sabina must know about it, and it changes nothing. She's aging, and her family members may compete for the throne once the gargoyle is dead."
"Are we safe here?" Despite her efforts, Adriaas couldn’t shake off a feeling of paranoia.
"The safest we’ve been in years," Remian continued. "Time has passed and the security systems in Imperia have gotten repetitive, comfortable in their own routine. It’s easier for the Elkrachets to pretend that we no longer exist. We’ve had reports from other clans about similar lack of attention. Rumors keep coming from the city. The moment we've been waiting for draws near. Our patience will be rewarded."
"It could also be a total furka like the last seven times, guys. Be cold-headed," Miveria cautioned, annoyed by their hopes.
"You’re always picturing the worst scenario," Remian retorted, affected by her comment.
"I’m rational. They could be studying and manipulating our strategies while we remain confident," Miveria argued, a point that resonated with Adriaas.
"They don’t have the workforce to do it! Not after the last time. They had too many casualties to recover so quickly. We won’t be here when they recover. It’ll take years," Remian countered, his voice raised.
"What do you mean?" Raxae, the one with blue hair, had lost track of the conversation.
"Well, we’re all getting out, right?" Elchome said nonchalantly. "I have three years remaining in Imperia. They won’t come back in that long, I can guarantee you."
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"Stop being so naïve. That’s why you haven’t entered the Silver Council," Gidit scoffed, her expression exasperated.
His demeanor shifted dramatically, a clear low blow. "I got my invite three nights ago," he declared, challenging her with a serious tone.
"What?" Raxae was shocked by the news. "That’s great news, El.”
"Yeah, better watch what you say, instead of spreading fake rumors and calling him names. Elchome can get you sanctioned with toilet duties now.” Remian joked with Gidit.
Gidit held back her excitement for a couple of seconds. "I take it back, furk yeah! Finally, my friend, many early calls await for you." She let go of her serious face, smiling with fraternal pride.
They gathered drinks to celebrate the news, a long-awaited moment.
Adriaas was amused at the situation, unsure of how to react.
"Tomorrow you’ll meet Indictur later in the afternoon. He’s the one that got us together, our fuel," Elchome whispered, trying to keep the attention away from them.
"Where is he? I hoped to see him tonight!" Gidit’s intervention was anything but discreet.
"Away, doing double agent sort of stuff, such a badass," Raxae interjected, not caring if she was overheard.
"I want to join Capahuento and help the cause. No one should experience the level of humiliation I did," Adriaas stated, feeling certain. Being part of a community made sense.
"I knew you’d fit right in," Gidit hugged her with excitement, proud of her decision.
"We’re not in Malkuth, which means everything you see here is handmade, no automatization, not as we know it. At first, you must begin with mundane tasks. There’s no way around it," Elchome explained, his words definitive as he waited to see her reaction, testing her resolve.
"I don’t mind cleaning bathrooms if that’s what you mean, I’ve seen organs grow," Adriaas reminisced about her previous life in a lab with nostalgia.
"We keep Capahuento alive by taking care of it, and, in return, it gives back to us," Gidit explained. "By investing and dealing in El Mercado, the dark market to level our hand, our camp is full of antique technology that improves our lives. Our farmers grow seasonal fruits and vegetables in our fields to sell and use ourselves. It’s cheaper than what’s produced under the Elkrachet's territory and, frankly, better. That’s why we can afford to be paid in Onis for our time. The Council of Factions have thought about everything!"
"How does it work here? Do you pay a fee?" Adriaas asked, having only a vague idea of how economics worked.
"You’re the best at explaining, Rax," Miveria directed at them.
The blue-haired persona smiled, agreeing. "We make it feel as malkuthian as possible. As long as you are a member of Capahuento, everything is free. It is your responsibility to measure yourself and respect the rest of the campers, unless you want to get into trouble, they are not shy of showing their unconformities. Common areas offer food and necessities like clothing, hygiene, and medicine. Accommodations are available for overnight and extended stays."
A single tear fell from Adriaas's left eye. "So, no Onis here?" she asked, tired of that word.
"Furk, no!" Some of them exclaimed, sharing her sentiment.
"I tried asking for a job and no one cared about me. My lack of age and time in the country labeled me as useless," Adriaas recalled the rejections she had endured for weeks. "If you have a medical tent, I can be of help. Before getting here, I was trying to become a Chesedin."
The overall response was one of surprise, which she had not expected.
"Prioritize asking that first, not her readiness for war! Adriaas, did you know Chesed has the fewest representatives in Sectum among all nine branches of Malkuth?" Gidit wore a massive smile, proud of her choices.
"That’s a question I didn’t think to ask my kabbalah before we got separated," she spoke of Ion, a technorganic entity created with metacrys, currently in stasis in some undisclosed location until her return from Sectum. The companion tool provides support on an intellectual and emotional level to every member of the Sephirot, from infancy until their deaths.
"If it’s your nature to become a healer, it’s our duty to contact the right people to exploit it," Miveria said, lying on a carpet on the floor, staring at the tent’s ceiling, contemplative.
"You’ll make it. Trust yourself," Elchome said with a confident voice, reflective of his experience. "Take it as a crash course. Be thankful Gidit took pity on you so early on; most Imperials take longer to find a direction in their sapiens life."
Returning to the streets wasn't an option for Adriaas after being introduced to Silver Camp and those extarri, who felt authentic and reliable. The place, imperfect as it was, had its own charm and showers, it’s true incentive.
Gidit continued smiling as her plan came together, piece by piece. "It’s late, people," Elchome announced after a while. "Some of us have an early shift tomorrow, so I’m out."
The group of Imperials cleaned up the living room, acknowledging the end of their gathering. "Thank you for having me," was the least Adriaas could say. "I’ll make it up to you." She couldn't recall the last time she felt so carefree. Letting her barriers down didn't feel bad that evening.
"Get a good night's sleep," Elchome, towering two heads taller than Adriaas, said as he got up to say his goodbyes. "Tomorrow will be chaotic. I've got to schedule a meeting for you to meet The Committee of Outsiders and give you the paperwork to apply for membership. It’s common procedure to filter out murderers, rapists, and sociopaths, most of the undesired ones. Never forget, we’re all criminals here. Be careful with whom you place your trust."
The man walked across the space and greeted everyone. "Benediximus, Zaraz. Make sure your pillow is clean and your sheets are dry."
*****
That's it for Chapter LIV!
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