Tarry Bennett

The news had been a relentless stream of chaotic imagery. It had switched between Donnol, Bilson, Aspir, and Ghaburm in an attempt to keep the public appraised of the most up-to-date situation.

Everyone in the world had surely seen the news by now but there was one person in particular whose reaction Tarry was most worried about. He hadn’t made successful contact yet; Eli wasn’t responding to any phone calls on any line so Tarry publicly called an emergency meeting to try and bring him out to the open. The rational reason for this approach was that it gave Tarry, his counsel, and staffers a chance to formulate potential responses to predicted outcomes. However, his actual reason was that he could better keep an eye on his friend.

At first, he didn’t think it had worked because Eli hadn’t responded to his call out. Everyone else on his payroll was accounted for; either having made it into his conference room or having sent a backup if they were away attending other business. Unfortunately, Tarry couldn’t go down to the sixteenth himself and drag Eli up to the first borough at this point. He had to be present and prepared as updates became available. However, he was growing increasingly concerned as time dragged on. He instructed his assistant to keep trying to reach him and he knew to warn Tarry if Eli was going to make an appearance.

Finally, when the separate hostage situations appeared to be reaching a pinnacle, his assistant beckoned him into the hallway.

“He’s on his way up now, sir,” he advised.

Tarry’s long legs carried him to the elevator and when the doors opened he saw the fire behind Eli's eyes. Eli was about to charge up to him but Tarry held up a hand to Eli’s chest and gently pushed him back in all the while pressing the 'close door' button.

“How can you even think of dragging me up here at a time like this?” Eli demanded, looking stricken, “Your assistant has been calling me nonstop. I only came here to tell you to knock it off. Every time the phone rang my heart skipped a beat because I thought I was getting news about my nephew, only to find out it was just your royal summons. Do you know what that feels like? No, of course you don't. So what could you possibly want from me right now that the rest of your staff can’t handle?”

Tarry felt a pang of guilt. “I don’t want you to handle anything. What I want is for you to remain within my sight so that I can make sure you’re okay,” Tarry said in a low voice.

“Oh so I’m here for your benefit, not mine,” Eli snapped. The usual carefully placed cool veneer was long forgotten.

“Perhaps. If you wish to blame it on my selfishness that’s your prerogative but I intend to set you up in a private boardroom so that you can hear any news, good or bad, directly from me. Holing up in your office and gluing yourself to the media isn’t going to give you any more control over the situation. I know this is difficult to hear right now but there’s nothing you can do except wait and let the experts take care of it,” Tarry insisted forcefully but not unkindly.

For a moment Eli looked like he was going to punch him, but then his face crumbled and he turned away, sheltering his forehead with one hand.

Tarry pulled him into a fierce hug and let him sob into his chest. Eli stood about a half foot shorter than him, something that Tarry was more aware of now that he was in his arms.

“He’s just a child,” Eli gasped through his tears.

“I know. And for what it's worth I don’t think students are being targeted. This is a coordinated attack to be sure but our internal reports have indicated that the attackers have been calling for the Grandmasters directly to turn themselves in,” he explained calmly.

Eli took several shuddering breaths. “Why did they pick the day that all the new students would be visiting the headquarters then?” he asked weakly.

Tarry’s mouth twitched. It was a good question and while he didn't have the answer he had to admit that he was concerned about the timing.

“We don’t know yet. But we do know that no one has been reported as having been killed.”

Eli rubbed at his reddened eyes. “He’s in this mess because of me. This is my fault.”

“You couldn’t have predicted this,” Tarry insisted, “And I know you never would have put him intentionally in harm's way. The world going crazy is not something that’s within your control.”

Eli said nothing but tried to make himself more presentable by wiping away his tears and squaring his shoulders. “Do you need me in there?”

Tarry shook his head gently. “No. But if you wish to join me, you can. And if not you can have a quiet spot to yourself. You can even have our guest room tonight but I just think the last thing you need right now is to be alone.”

“I’ll take that boardroom for now,” he responded quietly, “Thanks.”

Tarry released his hold on the button and the doors smoothly slid open. He showed Eli to the boardroom. It was a small room that only fit about six people comfortably but its floor to ceiling windows made it look more spacious than it was.

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"Do you need anything?" Tarry asked gently.

Eli walked over to the window and looked out at the city. "Just to know that he's safe."

Tarry hoped with all his might that he was. "I'll do everything in my power to make sure he is," he promised and turned to leave.

He had just reached the doorway when he heard Eli call out to him once more.

"Tarry?"

Tarry placed a hand on the door frame as he looked back. "Yes?"

"Thank you," he said simply.

Tarry smiled weakly before exiting and making his way back to the main boardroom.

“Any status updates?” he asked his lead counsel calmly.

“The Cartographers managed to retreat to a safe room and the attackers have fled. The Labourers were able to defend themselves and hold off the attack. Both Headquarters are now secure. We’re awaiting reports from the Conductors and Controllers. The Mayor of Donnol is also being held within the Conductors’ Guild so it’s fairly high profile.”

That wasn’t good. A hostage of that level could be a big bargaining chip.

“Have any of the attackers been detained?” Tarry asked, frowning.

“Only one, sir. The Labourers apprehended one person and they’ve been taken into custody. They'll be subjected to questioning soon enough. All of the other attackers escaped, as did everyone who was sieging the Cartographers’ Guild.”

Tarry frowned. “How could they escape? Weren’t they surrounded?" he asked incredulously, "They weren’t exactly discreet in their operations.”

“We’re unsure. We expect those details to become better known as the investigation is carried out.”

Tarry bit his lip. Half of the Guilds were safe and the other half were still under siege. There were no clear motives; there was only a group of organized vigilantes calling themselves the Shadow Fellowship.

He shook his head. Ever since the first collapse life seemed to become more outrageous by the day.

He didn’t have to wait much longer for further updates.

“Sir, there’s been a report from the Controllers’ Guild,” his counsel, James, said carefully.

“Have the attackers been stopped?” Tarry asked, heart sinking.

“Well, yes. They’ve ceased their attacks and fled, but there’s bad news. Several individuals lost their lives in the struggle. The deceased include Grandmaster Alzira.”

Tarry felt like the air was forced from his lungs. “Shit,” he hissed, “And the Conductors’?” he asked weakly.

James looked grim. “Nothing yet, but the task forces have been able to gain entry. We should have answers soon.”

Tarry sank heavily into his chair. Fuck… Alzira. He may not have agreed with her position on the inquest report but despite their recent conflict she had been one of the few people who made an effort to speak with him. She had risked her own reputation to warn him about the attack and the report and yet he had been unable to help her in kind. He closed his eyes and rubbed his face in his hands.

“Sir, we have good news! The Conductors’ Headquarters is under control,” his senior counsel exclaimed.

“Any casualties?” Tarry asked delicately, dread creeping into his heart.

“None. As with the others, unfortunately, the attackers have fled. However, the Grandmaster and all staff and guests are accounted for. There was one curious detail. We’re hearing reports of a student who punched a, well, I struggle to call it a tunnel in the usual sense but he punched through solid walls to reach the Grandmaster. I’ll have more details shortly.”

Tarry looked down, pursing his lips. He knew exactly to whom the counsel was referring. It was a small consolation that he didn’t have to present bad news at least. But there was nothing to celebrate in the aftermath of this tragedy.

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I’ll be right back,” he excused himself. He had committed to delivering news directly and felt only marginally heartened by the outcome.

He found Eli still staring out the window of the boardroom, hands clasped behind his back. His head swivelled as Tarry walked in. His eyes bore a desperate plea for good news and they seemed to scan Tarry's face for a hint of a sign.

“He’s okay,” Tarry said quickly and he watched as Eli released a breath. His shoulders sagged in relief and he gripped the back of a chair to remain upright.

“But there is other news. He seems to have used his powers again. It sounds like it saved the day but I suspect that’s not going to be good news for you.”

Eli sucked in a deep breath and looked up, tension lining his features. “Everyone is going to know about him, aren’t they?”

Tarry nodded grimly. “I presume it’s something you wanted to keep under wraps?”

“In these times? Yes. He doesn’t need media attention,” Eli sighed and stood up straight.

“I can see what I can do to keep them quiet. Call it unethical, but I feel like there’s national security matters at stake and we don’t need anyone standing out unnecessarily right now,” Tarry offered.

Eli tipped his head. “I appreciate it.”

“There’s one more thing,” Tarry sighed.

“Which is?”

“Alzira was killed in the attack on her Guild.”

Saying it out loud made it feel real and Tarry felt a pang of guilt over his last interaction with her.

Something akin to horror flashed over Eli's face. “You’re certain?” He looked shaken by the news.

“I believe my reports to be factual. I’ll go confirm it myself.” A shiver went up his spine at the thought.

Eli clamped his jaw shut. “I’m sorry, I know you were friendly with her.”

“I was. Though I have considerable concerns for what comes next,” Tarry confessed.

Eli wore an unreadable expression and turned to look out the window once more.“Yes,” he said in a low voice, “So do I.”