Chapter 8

Clementine walked at a brisk pace. Two White Watchers followed her as she made her way to the thrown room. She stopped when she reached the large double doors. With a deep breath, she entered.

"Welcome, Clementine," said King Rutherford, perched atop his thrown as usual. Gathered around the room were other high-ranking officials of Avonlee. There was Agatha, the chief memory cleanser; Bartholomew, the head of the Custodians: Isabell, lead instructor of the learning hall: and Kinapus, the tactical adviser.

"Thank you for inviting me, my king," Clementine said as she gave a low curtesy.

"Well, seeing as how you were assigned to Mr. Spencer, I see no reason as to why you would not be privy to this particular gathering," said the king.

"Your highness, I must remind you that calling him by his true name, even here, could assist in breaking the illusion on his mind," Agatha warned.

"Yes, of course, Agatha," King Rutherford apologised.

"So why have I been summoned here, my king?" Clementine asked as she took a seat next to Kinapus.

"To help give an assessment of Daniel," the king answered. "I have already received confirmation from Isabell that he is indeed a Transcendent." There were a few surprised faces in the room after this was mentioned. "We are very low on powerful Everseers at this point in time. We need someone like him out in the field."

"My king, with all due respect, he has barely been here a month!" cried Kinapus. "It would be unwise to allow him access to the very world we are trying ever so hard to make him forget."

"I agree," Agatha chimed in. "It is too soon."

"What have you to say, Clementine?" The King asked as he turned toward her.

This was the first official meeting that she had ever attended. She wasn't quite sure what to say at first. "Well, Shaw—Daniel seems to be assimilating well. He has progressed rapidly in his studies and practises. I've been out in the field for almost a year now, and we've barely been able to complete missions as it is, with everyone spread so thin. I believe that Daniel would be an invaluable asset out there, but also I heed the cautious words of my superiors. I say we wait one more week."

The king was silent for a long moment. "Well said, Clementine. I shall take your advise. In approximately eight days, we will divert a terrorist attack on Santa Barbara, and Daniel shall be with you."

"So our intelligence was correct about the bombs?" asked Kinapus.

"Indeed it was," said the king with a frown. "Now, one last thing before we take our leave: Bartholomew, have you been keeping Mr. Guster far from Daniel?"

"Yes, my king," said Bartholomew as he rose to his feet. "I've made sure that his cleaning schedule keeps him as far from him as possible."

"Good," Agatha said sourly. "Keep a close eyes on the both of them, too. If they meet it could very well set off a chain reaction that will unravel all of our hard work. Thankfully, we should only have to wait another month or so before Daniel's memories are permanently gone."

"Very good. You have my leave to go," King Rutherford announced.

The other four elders stood and left without question, but Clementine hesitated. "My king?" she said cautiously.

"Speak your mind, child," said the king as he approached her.

"Is it really wise for Daniel's first mission to take place in his hometown?" she asked.

"It is a gamble, I will admit," Rutherford said solemnly. "Unfortunately, fate is not kind to us in this manner. This potential terrorist attack just happened to fall on an unfortunate location. But we cannot deprive ourselves of such a resource in this time of need."

"Thank you, your highness," Clementine replied.

The king gave a joyful chuckle. "Always so formal, young one!" Clementine turned pink, but smiled. "Ever since I found you, you've been so eager to please. Sometimes it still seems like you're the small child we found on our doorstep, all those years ago."

"I was only thirteen," Clementine clarified. "It wasn't that long ago."

"And what a fine woman you've grown into," he went on.

"Oh, please!" said Clementine, playfully, a smile growing on her pink lips. "I'm only nineteen, that's barely a woman."

"Still, you have no need to fear in my court. Your council is wise and you speak from the heart. Now go, and enjoy yourself. You have earned a little relaxation."

King Rutherford smiled as he watched Clementine glide away through the thrown room doors, but in his mind he was worried. They were playing a risky hand, and Shawn Spencer could be the deciding factor.