Catherine began with them looking for Michael's sister and ended with Michael looking for his sister. No more was said and the two teens volunteered no further information.
They had decided not to speak with anyone else about their origins until Max arrived in a few days. While this quest was their own, Max was undoubtedly still their leader. He made the final decision.
Father seemed far from impressed with her explanation. "How was it hta5t you came to know about Vincent? He could be in danger! Who was your source?"
Vincent winced at the loudness in his tone. "Father, it is alright. No harm will come to this community or I. These children did not bring trouble with them."
"How can you be so sure of that? Michael, who told you of Vincent?" Father latched a body hand to Michael's sturdy arm.
Maria felt the self-doubt roll off Michael in waves and her control snapped. "He heard you the first time! You don't have to yell! Look, has it occurred to you how much work it took us to get here? We're not interested in your "community" or whatever; we just want to talk to Taja! Stop acting like we're these undesired threats to your stable little life. We won't hurt you! We might even protect you! God, give us a freaking chance before jumping down our throats."
"'Ria, it's okay." Michael smoothed a hand down her cheek then turned to face Jacob. "I get, I don't know, visions. I can't make them happen, they just do. I saw Catherine and Vincent talking about a girl named Taja. We have reason to believe this girl may be my sister. I just need the opportunity to talk to her, and when my friends arrive in a few days, the opportunity for them to talk to her, too."
"Well. Hmm. I never really believed in psychic phenomenon, but I can't deny what is between my son and Catherine. There is more in this word that what we understand. Vincent says that you are special, that you can be trust. I believe him and so I believe you. If you need a place to stay Mary can arrange something." Father held out a hand to Michael for the first time.
He took the old man's hand in his. "Thank you, Jacob. We would appreciate that. Now, is there any way that I can see Taja?" His eyes were pleading.
Father's eyes were firm in his refusal. "No, I'm afraid it's too late. Everyone should already be asleep. We will arrange something after you rise tomorrow. Vincent, will you please inform Mary on what is happening? Ask her to prepare two rooms for our guests."
Vincent left the room and silence ensued. Father rushed to fill the void.
"Catherine, will you stay Below tonight?"
There had been a time in her life in which those words would have been spoken with disapproval. The honest questioning in his tone reminded her of just how far she had come in her life with these people. "Yes, I'll stay with Vincent. We were enjoying a very pleasant evening and to spend the remainder here would bring me great joy. Father, I would like to speak with the council tomorrow on a very important matter. Is it possible for you to arrange that?"
"Of course. Would you like to give me a hint as to what you will say?" A twinkle entered Father's eyes as he envisioned glorious dreams of possibilities. He could tell this news would bring his son great joy. He couldn't wait.
"It's a surprise and I would like to tell Vincent first."
"Tell Vincent what?"
Catherine held out a hand to reach for her silent lover who had once again walked up without her sensing it. "A secret. You'll know soon. Now be a good little public servant and go fetch Michael and Maria to their rooms."
Hearing their names they snapped out of their private reverie. When Catherine had started to speak, Maria realized it was personal and pulled Michael to one of the chairs in front of the most beautiful chessboard she had ever seen.
"Michael, can you play chess?"
"Yeah."
"Really? When did you learn?"
"I don't know. I don't think I ever really did. One day when I was little, I had gone to Max's house and his dad pulled out this chessboard his father had given to him. Mr. Evans told us to do something intelligent instead of thumping on video gamed all day so we just started to play. We both just knew how to play it. Must have been an alien thing."
"Maybe it was a memory of your planet. Like, I don't know, they had a similar game or something. Being royal and all, you guys would have known how to play just about everything. Chess could have been one of them."
"God, I never thought of that!"
"That would be mad wicked!"
"Yeah, wouldn't it though."
"Totally bitchin'."
Just then Vincent appeared over Michael's shoulder and Maria looked down sheepishly.
"Sorry! It's just an expression that got totally stuck in my head."
It all came out in a rush causing Vincent to smile down at her.
"You may speak any way you like in the private rooms. We are just concerned about stray children playing in the Tunnels. They could be there and you wouldn't even know it then they would hear you and mimic the language."
"'Tay. So what's up? We got a place to sleep?" Maria craned her neck to look into the shining sapphire eyes.
"Yes, come with me and I'll take you. There should be proper sleeping attire for you both. Mary will come in the morning to bring you a change of clothing. Would you like for her to wake you up?"
"That would be nice. It doesn't matter what time just as long as breakfast is still around. I know I'm gonna be pretty damned hungry."
Michael hauled himself out of the chair and lifted Maria into his arms. "Come on, Maria. Let's go. I'm tired out and the sooner we go to sleep the sooner we meet her."
"Gotcha. Come on, Vincent. Lead the way."
"Catherine, I'm leaving now. Good night, Father. We will speak in the morning."
He looked up from the book of Yeats he had unfolded on his desk. "Sleep well, Vincent. You too, Michael, Maria."
*****
Departing left the two teens with a feeling of weak relief. They had made it. Taking a left outside the library door, they continued down the passage that they had started earlier that night. Walking for about seven minutes, they took another left at the large community dining room.
The new corridor had curtain doors at periodic intervals, suggesting domestic compartments. Every so often a light snore would escape or the sound of a child's wail would pierce the silence.
The first door to be seen since coming below was evident directly ahead amidst a three way stop. Ignoring the heavy wooden frame, Vincent guided them towards the right wing. His footsteps echoed audibly down the deserted hall. The candles had been recently lit, for only a few wax drippings could be seen splattered on the floor. As they got further down, the clanging of the pipes was more distinct and had an increased volume. Maria noticed and commented to Vincent.
"The pipe chamber is down the way. All of the main pipes in the city run through this room. If any specific message needs to be sent from or to a sentry location at a distant point from the community it is done through the Pipe Chamber. It is Pascal's life. He lives back there and is very rarely torn away."
It's kinda far away from everyone else. I mean, people don't even come down here. You can tell from the lack of lit candles along the walls. Is he, like, creepy or something, like he doesn't like humanity?"
"He has a great passion for his work. While he is solitary, he participates in all of our celebrations and activities and is quite friendly."
By that time, they had traveled past three curtains, the first of which seemed extremely warm. Coming up to the last two curtains before a dead end, Vincent stopped and pulled them open.
"These will be your rooms. Michael, yours is the last door. You will find the necessary sleeping attire along with a bar of soap and some shampoo. Mary has already lit the candles in the main chamber, but if you wish to bathe, these rooms have adjoining entrances to private warm springs to share between the two and the candles have yet to be lit. I advise you to take along a candle to light the rest. Do you have a want for anything?"
"No we're good. Thank you for being so nice to us. You guys like just welcomed us. That was real cool."
"Yeah. Good night."
With that, Vincent turned around and left them with each other and the clanging of the pipes.