Part Nine
Another day in the cell did not do much for Ayari. She tried to think how she could get her trial postponed, but was struggling for ideas. Verace told her that she was running out of time, for her trial was due tomorrow. Ayari sat and scanned through her memories for everything she had been told and experienced. She noticed through the small window something glinting. Then it clicked. Of course! The aircraft she had seen. She leapt up and banged on the door.
"I want to speak to the High Council now," she cried, and banged on the door again. "Can you hear me? I want to speak to them now!" All she got was someone a couple of cells down telling her to be quiet. Ayari ignored them and yelled again. Eventually Crail appeared.
"You're suddenly making a lot of noise," he said.
"I want to speak to the High Council now," replied Ayari, firmly. Crail shook his head.
"Not possible. Wait until tomorrow."
"This isn't about my trial. I might have some information that could be useful to them." Crail looked at her, his eyes narrowed.
"This is rather sudden. I didn't think you were the type to be revealing secrets to the High Council."
"I've had a lot of time to think," said Ayari. "If I can speak to them today, I will reveal some information to them which they would find useful. I am willing to help them."
"What information is this?" asked Crail.
"Just some useful information," said Ayari. Crail snorted.
"You're talking rubbish. You're just trying to escape punishment." He turned to go. Ayari called after him.
"Wait…the information I have is in regards to a possible threat to Brunnis 2." Crail paused. Ayari continued. "It could be devastating to all you Olds. Of course, if the High Council don't want to know, then that is fine. But I'm sure they would be interested?"
"I shall go and speak to them," said Crail, a little subdued. "But I cannot promise they will be interested." He left, leaving Ayari satisfied. A few minutes later, Verace appeared.
"Crail said that you wanted to see the High Council regarding a threat to Brunnis 2?" he asked, puzzled.
"Well…it's not a threat as such. I've seen aircraft flying around the areas where the shield has broken. I thought I could use this to help me in some way," said Ayari.
"How?"
"I'm not sure. If I can see them, and speak to them without being on trial, I might be able to do a deal with them."
"That's not very likely, Ayari," warned Verace. Ayari smiled at him.
"I have my ways, and I have you," she said, sweetly. Verace just shook his head.
"Nothing wrong with you trying, I suppose," he said. "Of course, I'll try my best to assist."
"Thank you," replied Ayari. Verace nodded, then hearing Crail returning, he moved on. Ayari watched as he unlocked her cell door.
"You are lucky, lintia. The High Council is willing to hear you now." He slipped the shackles onto Ayari's wrists, and led her out into the corridor, past the other cells until they reached a staircase that spiralled upwards.
"We only have a back staircase I'm afraid," Crail said. "It takes us up to the second floor, so it's quite a walk."
"I need some exercise after being stuck in those cells," replied Ayari as Crail led her up the steep steps.
Breathless, Ayari and Crail reached the top of the staircase. There the paused for a few moments to catch their breath. Then Crail lead Ayari through a door that took them into a corridor. That in turn opened up into a wider corridor. As they travelled along it, Ayari was awed by the splendour of the place. Even though no work had been done on it for decades, it was still magnificent. She had occasionally seen the outside, but it was nothing compared to the inside. All this creativity seemed alien now. Suddenly, the corridor opened out into a huge staircase. On one side, the stairs swept down, above them a big window that looked out over the city. The view would have been wonderful, but a century of dirt now covered the window panes. On the other side, the stairs swept upwards onto the third floor, while the corridor continued in front of them. Crail turned and ascended the staircase up to the third floor, Ayari having no choice but to follow him. The third floor looked to be the last because the stairs ended there, but Ayari knew that there were another three floors above them. There was a big lobby area at the top of the stairs, with a wide corridor going off both to the left and right. On the other side of the big lobby, were a pair of large doors. The entrance to the High Council's chamber. Ayari began to feel apprehensive as they approached it. What Reyden would give to be here now, thought Ayari. There was a guard at the door.
"Prisoner to speak to the High Council," said Crail. The guard nodded, and swung open the doors. Crail and Ayari entered. Ayari's eyes took in the chamber. It was not as large as the main governing chamber somewhere below them, but it still impressed. The seats were arranged in a neat circle round a centre platform. As far as politics went, this was the centre of the planet. The light was dull in the High Council's chamber, and it took Ayari's eyes a little while to adjust to it. She could just make out the forms of the High Council sat in silence. She could feel their eyes on her.
"Release the prisoner," came a booming voice. Crail undid the lead from Ayari's shackles.
"You're on your own," he whispered to her, then pushed her into the centre of the room. Ayari, surprised by the action nearly stumbled, but recovered herself. She raised her eyes to look at the High Council, and wondered if she had made the right decision. Then she remembered that these were the people who were responsible for Turin's death. They were the ones who had taken Kai away from her. If she wanted to get through this, she was going to have to not be afraid of the High Council. They were probably more afraid of her, anyway. She was a horrible, germ-infested newborn, wasn't she?
"You are the one who requested to see us? You have information relevant to the safety of Brunnis 2?" asked the voice again.
"Yes, I do," replied Ayari. She looked at the man who had spoken, and continued. "My name is Ayari. For the past few years, I have been looking at the sky with a telescope my father built. I have noticed that holes have appeared in the great shield that surrounds the planet." There were murmers from the High Council members as they looked at each other, obviously surprised.
"Of course, I realise that this leaves Brunnis 2 open to intrusion from the outside world, plus the extra rays from the sun will not do yourselves much good," said Ayari.
"Indeed," said the man, who must have been the leader of the council. He turned to the others and they debated amongst themselves. Ayari looked on nervously. After what seemed forever, the leader turned back to her.
"Ayari. We have decided that your trial shall be adjourned until your information has been investigated," he said.
"That's it?" she replied, amazed.
"You may go," the leader said.
"But…" she began, as Crail put the lead back on her shackles. She allowed herself to be led back out of the dark chamber.
"Interesting information," Crail said. "But you are only delaying the inevitable lintia, I'm afraid."
"We'll see," replied Ayari defiantly. Hopefully she had given Verace enough time to get her out of this place.
Ayari's trial seemed to be on permanent adjournment. Days passed that turned into weeks. Verace told her that he had no idea what was taking the High Council so long, but said that it was good because it gave him more time to plan to get her out. But as two months passed, Ayari began to feel as if she were wasting away. The loss of Turin and Kai began to wear badly at her as her hopes of getting out started to fade. Even the friendship she had struck up with Verace couldn't fully lift her spirits. She had told Verace about the aircraft she had seen. Verace said that he thought it was something to do with the High Council investigating the breaks in the shield, possibly repairing them. Perhaps her trial was delayed for so long because they were investigating her too. Ayari agreed, but told Verace that there wasn't anything remarkable about her to investigate. One night Ayari lay asleep in her cell, dreaming of happier times when Verace came to wake her.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Good news for you," Verace said. Ayari sat up, making room for Verace to sit down, and looked at him expectantly.
"I've made contact with someone outside who is prepared to help assist in your escape."
"Really? Who?"
"They wouldn't give their name."
"Then how do you know that they can be trusted?"
"Just because you know someone's name doesn't mean you can trust them Ayari. Now, tomorrow night is when we will attempt to get you out. The slopes of the hill this building is built on is covered in thick bushes and brambles and trees as you know. There are guards all over the place. I will escort you down the hill the best I can, to where this person and I will be able to help you through the fencing and get away safely."
"If it were that simple," said Ayari, "Why didn't you get me out earlier?"
"I told you that I managed to get two people out," said Verace. "That doesn't mean that those were the only two I have tried to get out. The more planning I can have, the greater your chances. That is the lesson I have learnt." He stood up. "I will see you tomorrow," he said, and left her alone.
The following day passed extremely slowly for Ayari. But eventually her waiting came to an end. Soon after it was dark, Verace came to fetch her.
"Don't say a word until we are out of the building," he told her.
"What about Crail?" she asked.
"He should be sound asleep. I slipped something into his afternoon drink," Verace replied.
"Good," Ayari said. Verace hushed her, and escorted her along the corridor, past all the cells and various store rooms until they came to a small door which Verace unlocked.
"You know that the way down the hill to the perimeter fence is not easy to navigate, don't you?" asked Verace.
"Yes. It's very overgrown, so I've heard," said Ayari. Verace nodded.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
"Here we go then," said Verace, opening the door. The slight breeze was chilly, but felt wonderful to Ayari. Quietly, the pair slipped out and began to make their way down the overgrown path. Unfortunately, they hadn't got very far when out of nowhere a guard appeared behind them.
"Stop there," he commanded. Verace grabbed Ayari's hand and pulled her into a run through the trees. A shot whistled past them, sending a shiver down Ayari's back. For the next ten minutes they ran blindly through the overgrown scrub, pursued by several guards. Tree branches slapped at Ayari, and brambles tore at her ankles and clothing. Thinking that the terror would never end, Ayari saw the fence appearing in front of her as a welcome sight. When they reached the fence, a shadowy figure appeared on the other side, their face covered by a hood.
"This is where we part," Verace said.
"Thank you," said Ayari. "I owe you my life." Verace hushed her.
"You must hurry. The guards will be with us soon. I will try and distract them when you are out." Verace grabbed Ayari and almost threw her over the fence in an effort to get her free before the guards caught up with them. The person on the other side helped her down. Ayari turned to see Verace, but he had already gone. There was the sound of a distant weapon firing and what might have been a yelp, but Ayari didn't have time to dwell on it. The stranger took her hand, and pulled her away towards freedom.
"Wait. Who are you?" Ayari asked, the fear and adrenaline not dousing the suspicious side of her nature. She grabbed at the hood of the person to reveal their face, and had to bite her tongue to stop herself from screaming with delight.
"Reyden!" she exclaimed, in a whisper, hardly believing her eyes and the fact that she was actually glad to see him.
"Shh. We'll talk when we get to the transporter," he replied. In silence they hurried along through the streets surrounding the High Council's building. Tucked away in a side street was Reyden's transporter. They climbed into it, and were on their way. Ayari looked down at her scratched ankles, suddenly beginning to feel the pain. She looked at Reyden, who actually gave her a smile.
"Are you still at the same place?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"How is everyone?"
"They're okay," Reyden began, then paused.
"What is it?" Ayari asked. Reyden seemed to struggle for words for once.
"Leorie's gone," he eventually managed.
"What?"
"Not long after you were taken by the high council," replied Reyden. Ayari sat in silence, taking the news in.
"The baby too?" she asked.
"No, she's fine. Leorie was devastated when you and Kai were taken. She was badly affected by what was going on anyway – you know that – but when you went, it was more than she could take. Not even the baby could bring her out of her depression. She went out for a walk not long after she was born and never came back. Whether she was caught by the High Council's enforcers or…well, we just don't know," said Reyden. There was another silence.
"So you've got a little girl," said Ayari, making herself sound more upbeat. Reyden smiled again.
"Yes, she's called Jayse," he said. "I wish Leorie was able to enjoy her more," he added sadly.
"It's been a difficult time for everyone," Ayari said. Reyden nodded.
"Especially for you," he said. Ayari swallowed.
"Verace, the man who got me out, he tried to find Kai, but he couldn't," she said. "I knew that there wasn't much chance anyway but I still hope. That sounds silly, doesn't it?"
"No, not at all," Reyden said. "Sometimes I hope Leorie would come back through the door." They sat in silence again until they reached the distant but familiar surroundings of their home. Ayari looked at the building with mixed feelings. She had thought she would be pleased to see it. Maybe it was news of Leorie's disappearance that had unsettled her. Reyden opened the front door and ushered her inside.
"Ayari!" Ayari turned round to see Ezala rushing towards her to give her a hug, followed by Bejan. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I've missed you," she said, meaning it.
"We've missed you," said Ezala. "You can tell us all about it over dinner…if you wish."
"Well, there's not a lot to tell," said Ayari, with a smile. "Prison isn't exactly an exciting place." Still, it was a few hours later before Ayari and the others had finished exchanging stories. Reyden took Ayari up to see Jayse. He carefully picked her up and gave her to Ayari.
"She looks like you," Ayari said, taking in the baby's face.
"She has Leorie's eyes," Reyden replied.
"I think she's beautiful," Ayari told him, giving Jayse back. Reyden nodded.
"I'm lucky Ezala has been around. I don't think I would have coped with Jayse by myself," he admitted. "But even so, I'm glad I have Jayse even if I don't have Leorie anymore." The remark stirred something within Ayari, and tears sprung to her eyes. Reyden realised his mistake, and carefully put Jayse back in her cradle.
"I'm sorry, I should have been more careful," he apologised. Ayari shook her head.
"It's okay Reyden. You're entitled to think that, as I once did." She wiped her eyes. "I need to be alone for a bit," she said, leaving Reyden alone in the room.
As she did then, Ayari knelt in front of the area where Turin had been buried, which was marked by a simple arrangement of pebbles. It had been a fortnight since she had returned home, and although she was happy to be amongst her friends again, she couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that she no longer belonged there. Jayse, although Ayari loved her, was a constant reminder of the fact that Kai was lost. Once again, Ayari turned her thoughts to aircraft and the Archives. Her resolve to leave Brunnis 2 and seek something more had hardened since her escape from prison. There was simply not enough to keep her here. She wondered how she could get to the Archives without being detected and without incurring Reyden's wrath. She shook her head. She could not afford to be afraid of anything anymore. If she were to leave the planet, she was going to have to face the unknown by herself. Her mind flashed back to the conversation she had with Turin as they prepared to leave the old house.
"I never thought that you were scared of the unknown," he had said.
"I'm not," she had replied, meaning it despite her worry. Ayari stood up. She knew exactly what she had to do.