AN: Alternate History with Main Canon Events in Place to ground the characters. This is the remaking of one of my first works with fanfiction. But life has changed me, experience has changed me, and people in my life have changed me but most importantly God has changed me. This is a new vision to be used to reflect on all that I have learned from all the people, experiences, and challenges especially in coming chapters. Please read and enjoy. -Lemonte.
A Charm's Obsession
Chapter One
When it began, she was not entirely sure. She knew only that it started around the time when she was six years old. She was with her father in the grand council chamber. The impression of the great room made a profound impact. Marvelous in its construction the floor of embossed bronze, the seats of the circle made of copper. The pillars majestic and towering made of white marble with gold at the base and top. She remembered the braziers of fire that burned on either side of the seats and the grand opening of the dome allowing the sun to anoint the council in radiant warmth in the day and the gentle glow of the moon at night.
She remembered those men and women of the council united fondly. Many men and women of similar mind, united in goal despite motivations differing within them. She remembered their faces and voices most. Not realizing at the time, she was afforded the precious opportunity to witness the very process by which the society of her nation pressed forward, how the groans of time, the ebb and flow in constant tug-of-war reflecting human want and struggle dictated the very pace in either progression or regression in turn. The Council would debate often lasting well into the night even into the early morning. It was not arguing points into exhaustion or counter-arguing to the same effect. Instead, it was what she came to realize very early on. The nature of people both wanting a slice of pie and learning to somewhat sacrifice their wants to the more significant cause, to the more beneficial long-term effect.
Her father, a prominent voice on this council was her world. Her father was renowned as a man of conviction and sincerity. He saw the weakness. Indeed what she later realized as the broken nature of the world in which they resided. He saw, and she knew he did his best to address these problems. He was not alone, for his friend Ethrian was a great supporter and one she considered to be family. A kind man and a bit silly at times but when needed was who her father turned to. The two had been friends since boyhood and were inseparable. Her father served as the healthy muscle and military statesman while Ethrian was, in fact, the counselor, the rationalizer, the "godly-minded" as said in either praise or disdain by other members of the Council.
At the time when she was five, she did remember a shift in the Council. She could feel the people didn't entirely respect her father at times. Even those she desired to call friends and who at one time were friends, now cast her off or ignored her entirely. Time and time again, she was told, "Hope, sweetheart, please sit next to Ethrian. She did, and she was admittedly bored. Ethrian was mostly silent, not playing with her as some would even to keep her amused. His gaze was steady on her father his hands always joined, and in his eyes, she could see either praise or disdain by turns as her father spoke to the Council. Seldom did Ethrian speak in the Council, but as many knew of him, was mostly silent. But she could see behind his hands usually in front of his mouth was a sneer at some of the other council member and the look on his face and in his eyes was what could only be best described as the visage of a waiting wolf.
One night, Hope sneaked back downstairs after one particular day of heated debate to listen to her father and Erithan speak. It had been a tumultuous evening as her father did not even touch most of the food that was his favorite set of dishes. She could see something very much weighed on his mind. To better get an idea she knew she could listen in on the late-night discussion. She knew late at night, her father and Erithhan would often discuss until midnight. Her father was at times angry with the Council stating their stagnant minds, their antiquated position as to how select systems of government should be run. Her father would go on and on in such a manner for a better part of twenty-five minutes. All the while, she observed Erithan sat on a divan and watched her father never blinking it seemed and his mouth in a semi-bemused smile. When her father had calmed down, Erithan would typically stay silent for a moment, but this night he was different.
"Dearest brother, why are you so flustered? You knew this was coming. I told you as much a while ago. Are you surprised by their hard-headedness or is it that they disappointed you in that when you pointed out their flaws you thought that because you did so, it would change how they do things?" Erithan was silent as he waited for the reply.
Her father looked at Erithan, "I thought honestly if I called them out on what is frankly shit that they would realize they cannot hide from the likes of us and because we see their actions as they are, transparent, yes. Yes, I did think it would make a few to reconsider why and how they did things."
Erithian smiled, "Well you did get what you wanted but not the way you wanted it. See sure; you can show someone what they do. Brother, it's a risky move. Because largely what happens is this, that in fact in showing someone this is what you see, you show that you are not ignorant of what they do. Okay so, in reality, the effect you desired, it isn't like it didn't happen just not how you wanted or intended it to happen. As opposed to having people stop what they are doing, the stuff you addressed today, well it didn't and won't work. You know this, a child is only sorry if they are caught at something. The same is easily said of adult people. They are no better than children in this regard. The counterargument being, as is what is happening in the Council, you do not have sorry people. Rather you have adaptive people. They see you see their shit; they see you see how they do it. So, their solution is to work on the pre-existing model and refine it and if that doesn't work, they will kill you. Tis' better to silence a voice opposed than uproot an entire system and for many what is a way of life."
Her father seemed angry, but he nodded, "But what do they do that, Erithan?"
"Because they are mortal men and women. They are mankind that are comfortable in their sinful way. They do not see the need to change because what you and I may see as the conviction of them for the evil they do; they see no evil in what they do. Because why? It is an element that plays into mankind's many "allowances or compromises" indeed into his nature at large. Mankind will take a short-cut every time. You know this. None are ever of the mindset to do things the right way; we are always looking for loopholes. If caught in the hole we are unceasing in our many justifications and reasoning because we do not wish to be found out, because we fear physical punishment or condemnation by others who usually are our peers held in regard higher than others."
Her father's gaze sharpened, "Every proposition I have put before them, they have shot down, every suggestion over the past few years. It is fucking pissing me off is what it does! Oh, but to hear the likes of Angela Teresa speak, oh they fawn over her. What you and I are doing is to perfect and even get rid of the elements of the old orders that what I felt we all once held in common accord as to be done away with. But no, no longer that! No, now suddenly we're both the rabid people because someone far prettier comes along who probably screws half the council and sways votes or drags out the debate for ages." He rose up and poured himself a large glass of scotch with ice.
Erithan watched her father and sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "You know why this is happening. I know you do, but if you wish me to, I'll tell you why to save from the harm of self-realization."
Her father looked at him and took a large gulp of whiskey, "Go on."
"You and I have focused on getting rid of the old ways. The people on the Council do not share our views so much anymore because frankly, they are cowards. They are weak-willed too much so to voice their opinion. As snakes, they slither in shadow to probe us for weakness because they refuse to acknowledge their feebleness. What's more, as we both know many people benefit from the old system. Particularly of the Council as their power and say-so and influence, and indeed everything they hold dear in their vain minds. Yes, there is no denying point blank that the system adored by these men and women is that of the "slave driver" it is oppression of the many for the pleasure of the few. And even then, they do not and will never admit they utilize oppression. "We give you employment; we give you pay, we give you your purpose utilizing your skills." Yes, this is on the surface true. However, the employment is back-breaking if not altogether destructive to the laborer. The pay is minimal for the effort put into the work and physical damages suffered from overwork at times. Utilizing your skill, yes but only after admitting there was a very in-depth selection process which they desired to attain the most skilled and most durable in one to make more use of his strength than skill.
My point is simply this, Angela only has power because she knows we are the dissenting voice against the majority, and she offers the majority the way out through popular agreement. We are the underdogs and will inevitably be defeated. Because the Council was not for us, or our vision, and never was. They humored us because we are our father's sons. We came from their view but no longer do we share it. In truth, the observer may well argue, we are not greater than they because we used our connections to get into the Council. However, we are higher than they on moral and ethical victory. We are of privilege to a point, we not grand dukes or anything on that rank. However, the power we have tried to utilize to shape a better future for the people. The Council does not wish this as it genuinely disrupts their system by which they are the primary beneficiary. That is why this is the way it is."
Hope could see the sadness and anger on her father's face. Erithan rose from the divan and with the grace of a swan and silent dutiful nature of the ant, he walked towards her father and removed the whiskey from his hand and put it on the table.
Erithan sat across from her father, "Spellbinder, you know what is coming, and you know what you need to do. I know your anger and your fear of what is to come. You see it, I see it, even if those proud fools do not see it. The writing is on the wall, and we all see it. Have you made the necessary preparations?"
Spellbinder nodded, "I could only secure one of us for transit. You know the sticklers the earthlings are regarding regulations and all that. Combined with the bribes and other legal procurements, I hated how my hands were largely tied."
Erithan, "I more than understand. With the pacing going faster than either of us anticipated we know it's coming. Mind me when I tell you, it's coming."
Hope did not precisely know what it was at the time, but it didn't take long to reveal itself. She remembered however after this late-night discussion, over weeks, she was barred from the Grand Council. Erithan stayed with her and amused her, and as she asked him what was happening, she remembered how frustrated he was with his answers. Neither evasive nor direct. But he continued to entertain her by reading plays and even taking her to mid-evening operas in the cultural center of the city. But she was very much afraid of what she had heard that night. She could even see on Erithan a form of slight unease. A man who was usually quite calm was somewhat on edge.
This atmosphere of apprehension was only further compounded as she realized that select elements of her own home seemed to disappear. It hurt her father and mother to separate with various items and heirlooms as the separation was obvious on their face that they were parting with an aspect of long-held legacy. That pain she came to know for herself when a beautiful dining set was sold. She, even though young, did indeed in her heart yearn to one day have such a set to use. The plates of fine-bone china with elegant gold trim. The cutlery made of embroidered gold and chased silver, the goblets of fine gold and jewels. It hurt not only her but her mother. The dining set was sold for a very tidy sum, and she remembered the money being handed over to her uncle, Hex.
She looked at the anguish all of this caused her mother and her father even though they did the very best to hide this from Hope herself. But as she heard Erithan tell to both later that night as she pretended to be asleep, "Sentimentality at this point will kill you and those you love, they in a sense bank on that. However, remember what I told you. This is equally a measure of your character for yourselves as it is a measure of character in the eyes of wolves circling you. Nothing you told me is too great to sacrifice in the long run for the very great chance you yearn for. You need to remember that, both of you."
The next day was different than any other. Hex came and brought Hope to one of her favorite restaurants, and he ordered her whatever she wanted to eat. She ate, but she was understandably questioning of just what all was going on. Hex did not look easy himself as he was continually looking at the great clock behind her. She half wanted to ask again what was happening but remembered how evasive many were when people asked either side-stepping or if not changing the topic. So, she decided best not to ask anything.
She ate silently but watched Hex. He did not even touch his much-loved lime and orange sorbet; instead, his eyes went in a shift from her to the clock, repeatedly every two minutes. She could tell he was nervous, but he did his best to keep up appearances. He tried to engage her on a conversation about things he felt mattered to her. The attempt was of a mixed result as Hex was not always around her nor her family and was more of what she would later come to call, "the pop-in uncle." However, she tried her best to engage him on a few things of what he tried to bring up.
Then the bells of The Great Spire began to ring. Hex's eyes went wide, and he gasped, "Something's wrong."
He took Hope's hand and led her running out of the restaurant after slamming down a few coins. Hope remembered the alarm. The people talking among each other confused at first and then the yells from down the way.
A man came from a side-street "Master Archimedes! Master Archimedes!"
Hex turned to the man, "What is it?"
"Master, the Council was in a massive uproar! Master, Erithan is gone! They stabbed him to death!"
Hope's eyes went wide open, but Hex took her and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and said, "Mobilize the Consulate Guard and have the conspirators placed under arrest! Have Terrath tell Spellbinder meet at Torsolino Cove! CLEAR OUT!" The man nodded and darted off.
Hex ran with Hope faster than she ever knew he could run. They covered some distance, and then they came to a cave where a young woman was waiting inside a boat. He put Hope down into the boat and greedily drank from the fresh spring cascading down the nearby wall.
"I heard the news when the bells pealed." The woman said, "I'm so sorry, Archimedes. I know how much you admired him."
Hex looked at the woman, his eyes both sad and enraged, "Now is not the time for tears. My brother is coming here as per the agreement, but if he does not show in ten minutes, you know what to do."
The woman nodded and took out a sand timer and started the countdown. Hope herself now was much afraid. She saw Hex was angry and nervous. Soon fast-approaching footsteps could be heard accompanied by the whir of a wheel and in entered a young man with a cart bearing bundles. He threw them to Hex who put them neatly into the boat around Hope. The man then brought out a large wood case which too was set in next to Hope. Hex looked at the man, and the young man tearfully embraced him.
"Goodbye," said the man, "I will do everything just as you've told me. And though I may never see you again, I will never forget you. And we'll pray for you, my master, my friend."
Hope could see the agony in her uncle as he silently wept. He collected himself, and he said, "Go, go, sweet Marius. Go before they find you."
Marius to leave and Hex said, "Marius!" the man turned to him, "I love you, my brother, give the chest to your sister for you both to use in this dark time to come."
Marius came and embraced Hex one last time and kissed his chest upon his heart and then darted out and disappeared. Hope looked to the timer, almost half gone now. She wondered and then said it loudly, "Where is Daddy?"
Hex looked at her and replied, "He'll hopefully be here soon." He kept his eye fixed on the cave entrance, his mouth moving silently. He then went to the spring and filled up a large jug which he kept in his cloak. He held the jug's lip to the spring for two more minutes and then corked it and waved his hand over it before tying it to his hip. The timer continued now just the smallest bit left. Hex saw this and got into the boat. There were only three minutes left. Hex looked at Hope and Hope remembered that look a reasonable time afterward. It was of sadness, anger, fear, and confusion. Two minutes remained and then came a high-pitched whistle from the mouth of the cave.
It was here Hope saw her uncle gasp and look above him and begin to silently weep as she heard him in an agonized strained voice, "My God." The woman came and handled a large oar and began to make massive strokes out of the cave to the open sea. Hope alarmed said, "Wait for Daddy! There are still two minutes! There are still two minutes!"
Hex took her by the shoulders, and he focused on her terrified eyes. His voice was loud, "Sleep!" She felt drowsy and lightheaded and fell asleep in his arms. Hex cradled the girl as he listened to the still wild clamor of the bells. What Hope did not see was perhaps the greatest blessing. For as she slept, Hex turned back and saw the flag of the Great Council rise and its color red. At that moment, upon glimpsing the flag, Hex's heart was breaking. For up to now he had never known such awful pain and loneliness.
As the ferrywoman continued, the bells continued to peal and then finally there was sudden silence. Profound silence. The only sound of the oar in the water.
Hex breathed at a moderate pace, "Brothers, Spellbinder, no…the name our mother gave you, Caius. Caius, Erithan…" he said, "I'm sorry. I have failed you both. I felt that as you did, Caius, the Council would see reason. That for the sake of balance and unity and genuine happiness of our people we could convince them to see the way we did, and indeed our God did. This was folly, this we should have known.
Erithan, you were right. I loved your words, your speeches, your honesty. It was your convictions, and reliability that drew us to you. But we also knew but sadly only too late, what you knew already. "For it is the way of man." That is what you said. For a long time, I wanted to say I understood what you meant. But it was clear even though I was too proud to admit it; I didn't.
Brothers, I will do as I promised. Caius, your child will live within my care. I know it will not be easy when it comes to explaining all that has happened. But we have prepared we have come to understand this is what was to happen. Now what is to happen, we know not. I can only make the best of educated guesses. Erithan, your literature, and your passion will be what is used to guide her to help shape her world view. You were knowledgeable knowing men for who they are, knowing people for their fickle nature. Some call you paranoid; I called you sensible. I see the task ahead with not be easy, but we have done our best to prepare. Now, it begins a new way, a new life. You both knew what this was about and I applaud you for it. I love you and thank you for it…and in time…she will as well."
