Chapter 4- The Blade

We mounted our horses and galloped towards the Capitol. Before we departed the hospital, the Chancellor promised that our gear would be ready by morning. Including the sword he’d kept from me for the past year. The Chancellor gifted me the blade for my success in training at sixteen. A gift which he'd later used against me. A contingency of my decision to leave the Facet Corps. His leverage to keep me under his thumb. If I left, the blade would stay behind.

So I left without it.

I’d trained with that sword since Casian gave it to me. My comrades wondered how I gained the Chancellor’s favor to earn such a weapon. Some said that being the first female to make it to the ranks must’ve caught his eye. I thought it was more likely a bribe than a gift. A way to earn my favor should he require more of me. Grisham assured me it was nothing more than a gift and reminded me I was ever the skeptic. He wanted to keep me rational, even then.

I would've been a fool to refuse the favor he bestowed on me. A finer sword I'd never seen. As though someone made it just for me. The hilt covered in red and green metal work. The shining blade was strong, but slender enough to offset its weight.

My skill with the sword had earned me the name Silver Blade. A name that evoked denial from those who hadn’t witnessed me fight. I had never picked up a sword until the Chancellor gifted me the blade. But as soon as I held it in my hand, I felt it was an extension of myself. The sword spoke through me when I swung it. Sword fighting felt more like a dance than a fight. It was learning to move like water. The sword slid through the air like water coursed through the veins of the earth. We became one, the blade and I.

But I left it anyway.

When we entered central Divern, we slowed our horses while people crossed in and out of the streets. Folks smiled and waved at us as we passed through. Particularly at Burke and Shelby, who wore their unfettered greens. Some eyed me with confusion. No doubt assuming I’d stolen my jacket from a fallen Facet. Burke and Shelby waved and nodded at the townsfolk in return for their appreciation. Next to them, the remaining three of us looked like prisoners headed to trial.

Just outside of the Capitol building, we dismounted our horses.

“Are you really her?” A delicate voice spoke from behind me.

“What was that?” I turned to the young girl, who stood timidly a few feet from me, waiting for my reply.

“You’re the one who saved us that day, aren’t you?” The girl’s voice was light and hopeful.

I chuckled, “Now who told you that?”

“Stories my mama tells me. We were there that day. They almost killed us. But you showed up. My mama said you were like an angel fighting back the demons from hell. Keeping us safe here. An angel with long red hair and green eyes.” The girl's smile was so bright it drew me in. I noticed she had braided her long brown hair over her shoulder, just as I always had.

“I helped the others keep them out. It wasn’t me alone, but I do appreciate your mom’s story.”

“Why did you quit?” Her eyebrows drew together.

“Well,” I paused for a moment. “I was sick. I had to quit so that I could get better.”

“You look better now. So you’re coming back then? Is that why you've come? You’ll protect us again?”

“What’s your name, sweetheart?” I asked the young girl.

“Josie.”

“Josie. Such a nice name. My name is Rue. Can I tell you something really important, Josie?”

Josie nodded, her eyes wide.

“Even if I’m not a Facet, you're still safe here. I know that the other Facets will do everything they can to keep us safe here.” I smiled.

“But none of them are as strong as you are.” Josie’s smile dropped. “I told my mama, I want to be like you. I want to join the Facets when I’m old enough and protect the colony. I’ll be the second Facet to be a girl.”

“It’s dangerous, Josie.” I said, unable to hide my trepidation.

“I know. But that didn’t stop you. Everyone was dying, and you just ran right to the front and fought for them. I’m brave like that, too. I can help them.”

“I don’t know, Josie. Doesn’t your mom want to keep you from getting hurt?”

“Yeah, but that’s not what I want. I want to fight with you. When I’m a Facet, I want you to come back so you can teach me… Deal?” Josie stuck out her hand.

“Okay, kid.” I stuck out my hand to meet hers and gave it a firm shake. “But in the meantime, think about being a doctor or an engineer. Okay?”

“Okay, Rue.” She replied. We exchanged one more glance before she skipped away.

“Let's go.” Shelby called from the Capitol steps.

“What was that about?” Grisham asked as we entered the main hall.

“Looks like you're not the only one in the ‘Runel Tormult’ fan club.” I laughed.

“Shocking.” Grisham smiled.

The main hall was as immaculate as ever. White marble accented with red carpet down a long corridor. Gaudy chandeliers adorned the ceiling. All of it was a stark contrast to the rest of Divern. They treated the Chancellor like a king. He lived amidst this opulent display while the rest of us watched from our squalor.

Facets walked the hall and adjoining corridors in freshly pressed greens. They looked at me with disgust and sneered in my direction. My rugged old jacket didn't bring me shame, though. In basic training, they treated us like dogs. Robots who existed only within the confines of the commands they were given. Greens expected to be cleaned and pressed each night after training only to be ruined again the next day.

After a while, the dirtiness brought me such a satisfaction that I stopped cleaning it. The lieutenant's voice of warning wasn't enough to make me comply. Being a female in the Facet corps drew unwanted attention. Being dirty kept grabby hands away when Grisham couldn't. But when my superiors saw my skill with the sword, the punishments for my lack of decorum stopped. I often wondered if the Chancellor played a part in it, but I never asked. I wouldn't question the gift of choice I'd garnered.

“So many new faces.” Grisham muttered as we walked.

I didn't recognize any of the Facets who walked down the hall now. As they stared and whispered to one another, I felt like an outcast in the schoolyard of my youth. Fighting my shame, I stood a little taller.

“Our comrades are probably dead by now.” I replied.

After turning a few corners, we reached the staircase to the Chancellor's office. We ascended it and arrived at his lavish space. The Chancellor handpicked everything about this space. From the uniquely carved fireplace mantle to the commissioned self-portrait above it. This place was him.

It felt familiar. Grisham and I were no strangers here. We had frequented this room when receiving orders, and when I received my sword. This was the space where the Chancellor did business. I blinked my eyes and saw the moment he handed me my silver blade. Just him and I at the center of the room.

“Rue.” He called, standing from his desk. “Please come in.”

I nodded and entered. The rest of them followed behind me. “Hello, sir.” I spoke as we approached him.

“Sir?” His face grew puzzled. “Such formality. You're not in my command anymore as I recall.”

He pushed the frames of his glasses up the bridge of his nose. They hid the true color of his eyes, yet I knew they were dark brown. I'd seen them enough times to know. He spoke aloud to us all, but I knew he spoke to me.

“How were your travels?” He kept his eyes fixed on me.

“Fine, sir. Thank you for asking, sir,” Burke replied with the fire of his youth.

“Good.” The Chancellor replied, pulling his eyes from me. “I have your weapons ready, as promised.”

He walked to a long wooden table on the other side of the room. Likely used for council meetings, it now held our arsenal. I walked to the table to search for only one thing. I wasn't interested in the variety of swords and smaller throwing knives. The bow and arrows that always reminded me of Doc and the ax that Grisham would undoubtedly grab first. Beyond the collection of ropes and other leather straps, I saw a long object wrapped in an off-white cloth.

Even through the cloth, I felt it pull me in. Static cracked in the air around me as I got closer. My fingertips burned with eagerness, my heart leapt with an irrational desire. The surrounding chatter faded away and the ringing in my ears punctuated the silence that followed. I reached for it.

“Wait.” A hand brushed my shoulder. A warm voice whispered in my ear, “I need to speak with you first.”

My body grew tense. I didn't bother to turn towards the intrusion. I knew the Chancellor's voice well enough. I nodded my head and followed him towards a door at the back of the room.

“Runel!” a voice called. “Where are you going?”

“It's okay, Grish. I'll be right back.”

The Chancellor shut the door behind us, and the smell knocked me from my daze. The Chancellor’s bedchamber smelled of redwoods and the spices that Mom once used.

“Casian, have I been here before?” I asked.

“Don't be silly, Rue.” He replied with a smile.

“It's strange, but familiar.”

“Well, I'm not sure why.” He placed a finger under my chin. “Does it bring back some memories for you?”

“I don't-” I looked around the room. Nothing felt familiar, just that smell. “No. No memories.”

“Well then,” he took my hand in his. “I need something from you before I give you that sword.”

“We already made a deal, Casian.” I swallowed hard. My heart began to pound incessantly behind my ribs. I hadn't had a smoke since we left, “I have nothing to give you.”

He smiled and took off his glasses. Walking to a table near his large bed, he set them down and rubbed his hands over his eyes. He gestured towards his bed, “Have a seat, Rue.”

“I'll stand.” I took a small step backwards, wringing my hands as my breathing accelerated.

“Rue,” he spoke my name so softly, “You're starting to panic, I can see it.”

“I'm fine.” I lied. Fighting the urge to run from the room, “Just tell me what you want.”

“I've got just the thing.” He reached for a small polished wooden box near his glasses and opened it. Immediately, the color of Indigo radiated from it. I bit my lower lip in an attempt to subdue the urge. He lifted a pipe and the shard from the box.

He walked to me and placed the shard into his pipe. He delicately placed the pipe against my lips. I held it there without question as he lit it for me. I inhaled sweet relaxation. I felt my shoulders drop from my ears. My eyes rolled back and my heart slowed. I exhaled, nearly moaning from the relief.

“There you go.” He said. He brushed a finger across my jawline. The sickening feeling I felt was snuffed out by delight and I inhaled again.

“Now, I need something, remember?” He leaned closer. His warm breath on my cheek.

I nodded my head.

“I need your help with something very important. It's something only you can do.”

My eyelids were heavy, but I tried to listen. This seemed like something I should be awake for.

“When you get back, I need you to move into the Capitol with me. Once you find this latest settlement of Watchers, you'll return here. I'll send the Corps to handle it. But you, there's a very important project I'm working on and you're the only one who can help me.”

“I'm helping you with this project. That was the deal. When I get back, I'm going home.” I groaned.

“My special girl.” he sighed, “You need to help me with so many things.”

“I'm too tired for so many things, Casian. You can't have me cleaning up your messes all the time.”

“This will be the last one, I promise.” He twisted the end of my long braid in his fingers.

“I'm doing this for the Indigo. Not for you.”

“After everything I've done for you?” He pleaded.

“I paid my debts to you, Casian.”

“But your brother. You didn't pay his.”

My eyes narrowed and I pulled the pipe from my lips. I shook my head.

“He threatened an active officer. My Facet was terrified. Such a crime is punishable by death.”

I smirked and shook my head. Casian always got what he wanted. One way or another.

“How long do I have to stay here?” I asked.

“Just until the job is done.”

“And you promise Grisham will be safe? You'll let no harm come to him?”

“You have my word.” He replied.

I should've known Grisham's outburst wouldn't go unpunished. When it came to Facets, civilians have been killed for less.

“Okay.” I said between smokes.

“Give me your word.” He grabbed my wrist as he spoke. The force of his grip startled me. We stood face to face. He stepped closer in our silence, “Your word.” He repeated.

“You- you have it. I give you my word.” I stuttered at the intrusion.

He took another small step closer to me. His nose nearly brushing against my own.

“You smell like her.” His eyes closed and his lips brushed against my cheek. I stood, frozen.

“L-like who?”

The door flew open and relief washed over me. The Chancellor took a step back. My brother stood in the doorway with fury on his face.

“We're leaving.” He said.

I jerked my wrist from the Chancellor and walked past Grisham. I walked directly to my sword and picked it up, leaving the pipe in its place. Energy ran down my arm and my body quivered with excitement. Images of the ways I'd love to kill Casian flashed through my mind. A silent acknowledgement that I'd never leave my blade behind again. We had work to do.