Chapter 6
Heruna
Things went by quickly after the fire. Day by day, repairing Surubi, organizing the people. One day, I reminded myself that my family was not the only family impacted by the violence.
“A memorial,” I suggest to Eralia, “a dedication to lost loved ones, in the center of town.”
She smiles and in response says, “Good Heruna, coming up with your own ideas, being a leader in your own right. However, I must inform you that the upcoming months will be stressful and busy, so I suggest you assign this memorial project to someone you trust. Of course, you have final say and contribution but I don’t think we can handle everything right now.”
She nods and walks off. I ponder who I can have work on this. Zakyas? He would be dedicated and kind, but he wasn’t quite as affected by the violence. Then it comes to me. Ira and Viann. Ira and Viann Beitles, their parents were both killed because of this. They knows what it’s like.
I tell Eralia, and her response is surprising. Lacking her natural confidence and serenity, she almost seems jumpy when I tell her I chose Ira and Viann.
“Heruna, why don’t you consider that for another day?” she asks hesitantly. I decide to put my foot down—they chose me as leader, so I intend to lead.
“It’s my final decision. Ira and Viann Beitles will be the heads of the memorial project,” I demand.
“Very well,” Eralia concedes, “We will contact them immediately.”
I continue on a usual day; meetings to discuss reform, advisors in and out, some free time, and then my favorite part of the job: listening to citizens and helping them. Each day about 20-30 citizens come in with suggestions, complaints, or needs. I try my best to help them all.
Today, first an elderly man comes in asking for help with living conditions. Later a young girl begs for us to help find her father. As we are about to go to dinner, a middle-aged man comes in. I nod and smile at him.
“Your Majesty,” he says courteously, “ I have some… information that I think you will find valuable. I am Rosplin Mergar, from the county Markuvia. The city of Jikelm, in fact. I’m sure you remember the rebellion a few days ago.”
I can feel my smile fading when he mentions the rebellion. I look him in the eye, and curtly say,
“Of course I recall. What about it?”
He smiles and answers with a question of his own, “Do you know who started it?”
I pause. I don’t want to give away a weakness of the government, a failure to find the cause of the rebellion. However, this information would be helpful. I wish Eralia was here, but she had to go organize something.
“Well, no,” I respond, “I don’t.”
“Ira. Ira Beitles. She started the rebellion, got hundreds from Jikelm to join her.”
I’m shocked. Ira? Of course, she was a little rude when I handed out food, but I suppose I would be too if after ten years of violence someone showed up at my door promising peace. I dismiss the possibility of Ira starting the rebellion.
“Well, Your Majesty, Markuvia is still rather riotous. Many are considering seceding, and I’m afraid I must say some people even here in Akairna are a bit rebellious. I’ve heard threats upon your life, miss. I would advise you to reassess who to trust.”
With a smile, I thank Rosplin and send him off. I’m still questioning if I should tell someone about this piece of information. It’s false, I tell myself, but I’m not sure. This one event causes many thoughts to arise.
I’m not sure… and am I really sure of anything that’s happened? A group showing up at my door declaring me queen, a rebellion, the note that said “BE GONE”. Can I trust Eralia? She’s guided me so far, but what if I’m just being led to betrayal and ruin?
I decide to confide in Zakyas. We sit under a tree, watching as the sun sets. I explain to him what Rosplin said, and how I’m beginning to question what’s happened. He smiles and listens, and makes me feel better.
“I don’t think Ira would do that, right?” I ask him. His expression changes immediately. The look of concern turns into a look of guilt and confusion.
“Uh… I don’t know.”
I frown. He was there, after all he did come help me. He must have saw someone he recognized. I needed more information.
“You were there, did you see anything?” I ask.
“I… I can’t lie to you Heruna, I think I saw Ira there. I’m not sure why she would be there though, she’s always been kind. Maybe you can try to talk to her? Don’t ask her outright, but maybe hint at it? I don’t know, it’s your decision.” He offers.
Stunned, all I can manage to say is, “So… she might have been the one who tried to burn the building down.” Zakyas nods. I say goodbye and head back to the building.
When I finally go to bed, I come up with an idea. There’s only one way I could check if it was Ira, that I can think of. There are millions of ways it could go wrong, but it’s worth trying. The note was handwritten, and if I can get a sample of Ira’s handwriting I can know for sure. Until then, I’ll go by the phrase “innocent until proven guilty”. Ira and Viann can be the heads, and I’ll try to watch them closely. I decide not to tell Eralia, considering I’m beginning to doubt her as well. A thought comes to mind: Can I even trust Zakyas? Doubts looming in my mind, I go to sleep with the knowledge that those closest to me could betray me at any moment, and worst, it’s possible I may not wake up to see tomorrow.
Just so you know, tentative sched (yes, sched) for ANTIDYSTOPIA is up on my blog, Random Thoughts. Check it out to see when the next awesome chapter is comin' out.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
Mucho Gracias,
Arabesque(Hey guess what! This is the 50th post on Write Away! Yay! ♥Skittlez)
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