Part 22 – The Tower
Trudy left Brady sleeping in her cot, and walked out into the Mall. It was market day and the level below her was teeming with people. She stood at the balcony and looked down at the market. Her eyes searched through the crowd until she found who she was looking for. Lex. Once she had spotted him, she quickly went down the stairs and made a bee-line for him. Just as she was about to go over to him, Lex walked in the opposite direction.
Trudy frowned and watched him. A boy had walked past a fruit trader's stall and snatched some apples while the owner wasn't looking. Lex went up behind the kid and grabbed his collar, yanking him backwards.
"That wasn't nice. Put them back," he growled at the boy in a dangerous tone.
The boy slowly placed the fruit back on the cart. Lex let go of the boy's collar and pushed him away. "Next time you do that I'll have the Militia deal with you!"
As Lex walked away from the fruit trader's stall, Trudy approached him.
"Lex can I talk to you?"
"I'm busy. Time is money… or in this case, chips," Lex said, flipping a red trading chip.
"Please Lex, just for a minute!" Trudy exclaimed.
Lex sighed. "Fine!" He stalked off, weaving through the stalls and Trudy followed him. He stopped by the doors down to the basement and looked at her expectantly. "What is it now?"
"I just, I wanted to say— I just wanted to thank you for covering for me with Bray when I fainted," Trudy said softly.
Lex grunted and leaned back against the wall. "You're welcome. But it didn't do me any favours to lie to our dear leader. He's been accusing me of 'taking advantage of you' every chance he gets."
"I'm sorry, really. I just— I haven't been having a very easy time of it. Soon I'll have two children, and neither of their fathers are around," Trudy said, smoothing a hand over her stomach self-consciously— her stomach which looked decidedly more rounded Lex noticed.
Lex crossed his arms, and looked at her plainly. "So that means you can just give up caring about everything? You passed out Trudy, that doesn't bode very well for someone who's pregnant."
"I know Lex! You don't need to tell me that!"
"All I'm saying is it isn't healthy. How would the father feel if he knew about this?"
"He'd be worried, really worried," Trudy admitted, thinking wistfully of Luke.
"Take better care of yourself then. If Zandra had done anything to hurt my boy I would've been livid. I don't want to have to find you unconscious again any time soon, especially if it means Bray puts my head on a block just because I tried to help you."
Trudy saw sense in Lex's words, hating that he was right. She'd been so distracted with keeping her baby a secret, and pining for Luke that she'd forgotten to take proper care of herself. "I know. You're right. And look, it won't happen again. I feel much better now. But Lex… it would help to know my secret was safe. All I keep doing is worrying that you're going to tell someone. It isn't helping me or the baby."
Lex rolled his eyes. "Fine. Quit worrying, I won't tell. Your secret's safe. But soon it won't be me you have to worry about— your own body's going to betray you. You can't hide this for much longer. I mean, even I can notice it pretty easily now," he said, gesturing to her stomach.
Trudy smiled fondly, and placed a hand low on her rounded abdomen. "But that's because you know Lex. Of course you're going to notice."
Lex shrugged. "All I'm saying is, with the way your beloved Bray keeps watching you, he's going to pick up on it pretty soon," he said firmly. "And speak of the Devil… he's watching us right now."
Trudy felt the back of her neck prickle, and she knew Lex was right. Bray's eyes were on them. She resisted the urge to look around. "I guess I'd better go then."
"I guess you'd better," Lex nodded, stealing a quick glance at Bray, who was still watching them like a hawk from the balcony above them. Lex thought of something then, and grabbed Trudy's arm. "Oh and tell Red I won't be doing her the same favour I'm doing you."
Trudy pulled her arm away, and frowned. "Salene?"
"She's keeping her pregnancy from my best friend. He's backed me up and helped me more times than I can count. A baby is the one thing he's ever really wanted. He needs to be told."
"Lex , it isn't fair— to keep my secret and not Salene's. That's cruel!" Trudy exclaimed.
"No, that's life babe. Salene's keeping her pregnancy a secret out of selfishness. She doesn't love Ryan and never will. What's cruel is for her to do this to him."
"Lex, don't tell him, please. It would devastate her. She's just confused, as confused as any teenager who finds out she's pregnant," Trudy said reasonably.
"I'm not buying it. Look, just calm down. Your secret won't get out," he reassured her.
"But she's my friend. I can't let you do this!" Trudy looked distraught.
"You can't stop me sweetheart. I've got a responsibility to my friend," Lex shook his head stubbornly.
Trudy knew she wouldn't win this one, so decided to compromise. "Okay, how about I talk to Salene and try to convince her to tell Ryan herself? Surely you know it would be better coming from her Lex. It would only hurt Ryan more if you just blurted it out and he found out she'd been keeping it a secret."
Lex considered this for a moment. "You're a tough chick to bargain with… I guess I'll have to let you try then, huh? Fine, do what you can, but if that girl hasn't told him about the baby by tomorrow, I'm doing it. Got it?"
"Got it." Trudy smiled with relief.
For once, she actually could see some kind of good intentions mingled in with Lex's obvious glee about the prospect of telling Salene's secret. He really did seem to have some kind of invested interest in wanting Ryan to find out about his baby.
She left Lex and slipped through the crowd, heading up to her room. She found herself feeling almost nervous when she left the confines of her bedroom. She didn't feel safe anywhere else.
"Trudy!"
She cringed at the sounds of Bray's voice. She slowed her pace, but didn't turn around. "I've got to get back to Brady."
"Trudy, please. Just hold on a second!" Bray jogged over and stood in front of her, blocking her way.
Trudy looked at him, forcing a patient smile onto her face. She felt anything but patient though. "What is it Bray?"
"I saw you with Lex. Has he been hassling you? Trudy, you can tell me."
"No he hasn't! I was just asking him a question Bray. Can't I even talk to him without you accusing him of doing something to me?"
Bray tilted his head. "I'm sorry… it's just, well, you've never exactly been friends with Lex, and now all of a sudden…"
"Now all of a sudden what, Bray? You're the one giving speeches about the importance of extending the hand of friendship to others. If we can't even do that within our own tribe, then we've got a problem!"
Bray looked slightly ashamed at that. "I guess so. I was just worried is all. I mean, he's the reason you were taken by the Chosen."
Trudy's eyes flared. "And I've been trying to forget that! I have forgiven Lex for all that happened before I was kidnapped. He was trying to help me. I know that. It doesn't matter now anyway, because I'm back, safe and sound. I just wish you would give me a moment's peace!"
"I'm sor—"
"I know Bray, you're sorry. But I swear if you don't leave me alone I'll walk right out of this Mall and never come back!" Trudy exclaimed.
"Trudy!" Bray admonished, looking concerned. "There was once a time when you couldn't do without me, when you told me everything!"
"But that's past now. I can take care of myself. I thought you'd be happy for me. Happy that I'm stronger and feeling so much more independent."
Bray sighed. "I am… I just…"
"Just what?" Trudy felt her impatience and annoyance flow away at the worry apparent on his handsome face. She reached out and cupped his cheek. "Bray you've been there for me during the worst times of my life, but please, give me my own space."
Bray nodded with a small smile. "I will."
"Thank you." Trudy gave him a grin before walking off. She breathed a sigh of relief, and just hoped that he would leave her be for now.
She pushed Bray from her mind, and focused on the next hurdle she had to get over— trying to convince Salene to come clean about her pregnancy before Lex revealed her secret to everyone.
"Hey."
Solaris looked up in surprise at who was at the door of her room. "Hello Lex."
"Are you busy?" Lex looked a little apprehensive, and she guessed he had something to say.
"No, no I'm not. I thought you'd be sleeping in late this morning after working security last night."
"No… no I have to supervise down in the market today."
"Well isn't the market on now?"
"Yeah it is. I left Ryan in charge. I just wanted to ask you if… if you'd do that reading thing."
Solaris smiled. "Of course I will. Sit down."
Lex followed her and they sat down at a little coffee table in the corner.
"You know… I don't think a palm reading is quite right for you. I think something more specific, more personal is needed," Solaris said thoughtfully.
"Like what?"
Solaris bent and pulled something out of a box. A pack of cards, but they were bigger than playing cards. "Tarot."
"Tarot? Oh come on…" Lex snorted cynically.
"What? You were ready to let me read little lines on your hand!"
Lex rolled his eyes and relented. "Fine."
"Good. Now shuffle the pack for me."
Lex shuffled the cards over and over again, and handed them back to Solaris.
She laid out the first card. It was upside down. "Ah… a reverse card," she said with a knowing laugh. On it was a colourful picture of a boy, holding a wand and a scroll. "The Page of Wands."
"And… what does it mean?"
"If it had been the right way up, it would have been a very positive card… but since it's not, it means that you are a temperamental person and you like to get your own way. You may also often bring pain to other people, and be an unfaithful lover. It also shows problems with reading and writing."
The expression on Lex's face was mistrustful and a little irritated. "How can one card tell you all of that? You must have known all of it already."
"Lex, I've only been here for a short time. How could I have known anything about you?"
"People talk. Someone must have told you things about me— only a few people know I have problems with reading and writing. Who told you?" Lex demanded.
Solaris shook her head, and looked at him calmly. "Lex, I assure you, no one has told me anything about you, nothing personal anyway. All this means is that we're off to a good start, the cards are pinning down your personality right away."
"I don't want to do this," Lex stated.
Solaris' hand shot forward and she grabbed his arm. "Don't go Lex. Please, just finish the reading."
Lex relented, but yanked his hand from her grasp. "Fine."
Solaris grinned, and placed the second card on top of the first. "The Fool." The card was upside down again and it showed a man on a cliff holding a bag.
Lex snorted. "Fool? What's that supposed to mean?"
Solaris looked at him. "The Fool is the card of possibility, it represents starting anew, making choices for the future. When presented upside down though, it also suggests a focus on sexual desire, irresponsibility, and selfishness."
Lex smirked at her. "Well, you've got the sexual desire part right."
"I'm sure," Solaris said wryly.
She placed the third below the first two. It showed a king figure sitting on a throne, a sword by his side. It was upside down like the first one was. "The Emperor."
Lex sat back in his chair proudly. "Emperor? I like the sound of that…"
"Don't get too excited," Solaris laughed. "This card is reversed as well."
"Meaning?"
"Immaturity, aggression, impatience, a need to control and to demand…"
Lex rolled his eyes. "Maybe this was a mistake. Listening to you point out all of my flaws isn't exactly the most fun thing in the world."
"Lex, I'm not pointing out your flaws. The cards are," Solaris told him. "But once all sixteen cards have been arranged, you'll see some meaning in what they say, I promise. And don't despair, The Emperor card means all of those things that I've said, but the person who possesses all of those bad traits, can also be benevolent and compassionate. The Emperor is traditionally a very temperamental figure, someone who changes constantly, and cannot decide on who they are."
"I know exactly who I am," Lex stated plainly.
"I'm sure you do Lex."
Solaris placed the fourth card to the left of the first and second. The card showed a soldier figure on a horse, holding up a sword. "The Knight of Swords. Reversed again. This suggests a quarrelsome person, maybe even violent. Someone who has secrets. He can appear honest, but is actually a liar. Accurate description of you, Lex?"
Though Solaris had mirth dancing in her eyes, Lex didn't appreciate it. The cards were forming a startlingly truthful description of him, and he didn't like it one bit.
"Just move on to the next card."
Solaris did so. She placed the fifth card above the first and second. The card showed an old man in robes travelling with a lantern. "The Hermit. Upright this time. This suggests again someone who's immature and unreasonable."
"Thanks. This just keeps getting better and better."
"But— it also shows someone who's wandering, searching for something, searching for an escape, someone who can never settle whether it be in mind or body. The people who surround you don't understand you. They may see you as being grumpy, or anti-social because of this lack of understanding."
Lex looked slightly appeased at this.
Solaris placed the sixth card to the right of the first and second. This card showed a woman dressed in fine robes, draped across a throne in beautiful surroundings. "The Empress."
Lex perked up, and sat forward, placing his elbows on the table. He took a good look at the card. "Empress? What does that mean?"
Solaris smiled. "It's the creator card. The creation of life, or romance, or both. But be careful, in doing this, the creator can show her true colours, and withhold what's rightfully yours."
Lex frowned, wondering what that could mean. Was he going to meet a new girl? Had he already met her? And what was that 'true colours' remark about? How could someone withhold what's 'rightfully his'?
Solaris put the seventh card under the third. This card showed a man and woman standing against a sky. An angel stood over them with a powerful sun shining from behind. "The Lovers."
"Really?" Now Lex had no doubt what the meaning was. The Empress card followed directly by The Lovers card? It had to mean he was going to have another relationship with someone soon.
Solaris nodded. "Yes, really. This can be taken literally, but is can also mean that you need to go with your instincts. You'll have this deep knowledge that you were meant to do something, or be with someone, or going somewhere, and that if you don't you'll never be complete. It's a card which tells you to trust your instincts, and make your own choices, to have faith and be honest."
Lex raised his eyebrows. No one had ever told him to trust his instincts before, he'd always been told his instincts were wrong and bad. That they only ever told him to scheme and steal, and to be untrustworthy.
Solaris placed the eighth card beside the fourth. This card showed the sea, and above it was a hand holding a chalice which had a heart on it. "The Ace of Cups. It seems the cards have been leading to this—The Empress, The Lovers… this card shows the beginning of a love affair that could lead to marriage, the nurturing of a new life… anything's possible."
Lex didn't know how to feel on being told this. He was caught between believing in these cards, in what they said, and feeling that they were just cards, and it was all just a coincidence.
Solaris placed the ninth card above the fifth. This card showed a figure like an angel with two chalices. He stood by a river and was pouring water from one chalice into the other. "Temperance."
Lex's brows drew together. "Temper-what?"
"Temperance. This is the blending of opposites. It's when dark and light, the optimist and the pessimist, the good and the bad, the believer and the cynic learn to become one. It's a good card Lex. It should help you to learn how to look past the black and white, and blend them… to see the shades of grey."
"The shades of grey? But in what context… what situation? How am I supposed to know when to apply this to my life?"
"You'll just know," Solaris smiled enigmatically.
She placed the tenth card beside the sixth. It showed an angel in the sky trumpeting a horn while below on earth the dead rose from their graves. "Judgment."
"Creepy."
Solaris shook her head. "Not quite. It means a change of position, a renewal. It talks of a time to forgive and forget, to let past wounds heel. And— to have the courage to lose bad habits."
"I'm not so good at that forgiving and forgetting thing."
"Then the card is telling you to work as being good at it!" Solaris laughed.
She picked up the eleventh card and placed it away from the cross shape formed by the first ten. She put it down almost diagonal to the tenth.
It showed a woman pouring water from two jugs. She was pouring one into a lake and the other onto land beside her. Behind her in the sky was a bright yellow star surrounded by smaller stars. "The Star. This is a great card to get Lex. Everyone wants this to come up during a reading. The Star suggests peace and harmony— but, there's a catch."
"Isn't there always?"
"This peace may come quickly, or it may not. I may come gradually over the course of your life. It may only come moments before death."
"That's reassuring," Lex snorted.
"It should be," Solaris said simply.
She placed the ninth card above the eighth one. "The Hanged Man."
"Excuse me?" Lex exclaimed. "The Hanged Man!"
"It's not as bad as it sounds Lex."
The card was upside down again, and it showed a man hanging by one foot from a tree. "This card once again suggests most of the things that have already come up about you in this reading, your irresponsibility, selfishness, your lack of faith. It also betrays something else though, something very clear— your escape through false means: drugs or liquor."
"How can a card tell you something that specifically about me?"
"Because the card has many meanings—only a certain few will relate to you though. And this does relate to you, doesn't it?"
"It could," Lex admitted.
"Lex, it's okay to acknowledge that. You can only improve yourself."
"Why do so many of my cards keep appearing upside down?" Lex said, a worried expression on his face.
"Because they're showing me how to read them in relation to you. If they were upright, they wouldn't show the true you— they'd show the mask you wear. Now let's go on Lex."
Solaris put the twelfth card above the eleventh. This card showed one sword in the middle with two crossed over it. "The Three of Swords," she said in a strange voice.
"What? What's up?"
"This… this is the end of a relationship. It suggests heartache. Heartache for all involved."
Lex shook his head, confused. "But I thought you said it all worked out well… The Lovers, The Ace of Cups…"
"Yes, I know… but I suppose all things must end Lex," Solaris said compassionately.
"They always do for me anyway."
Solaris paused for a moment, then put down the thirteenth card above the twelfth. It showed ten wands sticking up out of the ground. It was another reverse card. "The Ten of Wands. Upside down again. This shows… hidden enemies. An enemy in someone you think you know, an enemy who has not yet shown themselves. An attempt by these enemies or others to disrupt plans you've made, or are involved in."
"That sounds weird. Why has it jumped from my love life to this?"
"Maybe they're both connected," Solaris said softly.
She put the fourteenth card above that one. It showed ten swords all crossed over each other. "The Ten of Swords… This is—well this isn't the best card to get Lex. It suggests ruin. Complete ruin. An extremely difficult time: betrayal, loneliness…"
Lex felt a coldness wash over him. It wasn't real, he told himself. They were just cards…
Solaris was staring at the cards, seemingly trying to work something out. "The cards are trying to say something, they're leading up to… this."
She had placed the final card on the table. For the first time during the reading, Solaris had a truly shocked look on her face.
"What?" Lex looked at the card. It showed a tower against a night sky with lightning striking it and fire blazing out of the windows. A man and a woman were both falling from the tower as well.
"The Tower," Solaris said in a soft voice.
"What does this mean? This is another one of those cards that isn't as bad as it looks, right?" Lex laughed.
"No, it's not. It's worse than it looks."
"What? Stop being so mysterious and just say what it means."
"I'm sorry. It—it shows that on a personal level you'll experience deception, distress. But as regards to the wider world, your surroundings, where you live— there's adversity ahead. Unforeseen catastrophe."
"Catastrophe," Lex said disbelievingly.
"A war. A war between truth and lies. It's a war that will see the truth awakened."
"Are you sure about this?
"I'm sure. The Tower doesn't have multiple meanings like the other cards Lex."
"This war… it is a literal war, or is that just a metaphor for something? This is serious, if the tribe's in danger—"
"I didn't do this reading for the tribe, it's for you Lex. This reading relates only to you. This war, this terror, yes, it could be metaphorical. It may only be about you, some kind of war you must wage, against yourself, against your demons… I don't know. You have to interpret it yourself Lex."
Lex looked at The Tower card for a long time. Then he shook his head and turned it over. They were just cards.
Trudy tentatively knocked on Salene's door. "Salene? Can I come in?"
"I suppose so," came the glum reply.
Trudy walked in to find Salene lying on her bed with her back to her. "I've been talking to Lex."
"Why would talk to him?"
"You know he covered for me with Bray when I fainted the other day."
Salene laughed harshly. "I suppose that makes him a complete gentleman then."
Trudy smiled easily. "I never said that. Look Salene, he doesn't want to keep your pregnancy a secret anymore."
Salene turned around suddenly. "What?"
"He's going to tell Ryan about the baby if you don't tell him yourself by tomorrow," Trudy explained carefully.
"What the hell gives him the right to do this? This isn't his secret to tell!" Salene raged.
"But he's giving you the chance to tell it yourself Salene," Trudy said comfortingly, trying to calm her down.
Salene looked at her accusingly all of a sudden. "And what about you? Why isn't he threatening to tell everyone about your baby?"
"I don't know… maybe he wants to tell because he's Ryan's friend and he feels bad that he's keeping this from him."
Salene scoffed. "He doesn't give a damn about Ryan— look at all he's done to him!"
Salene started to pace across the room manically. Trudy stepped up to try and stop her, but she just struggled away.
"Salene, please don't get upset. Just take this chance to tell Ryan— before Lex does."
Salene looked at her like she was mad. "No! No I won't! I don't want to tell Ryan yet and I am not going to be threatened by that creep."
"Salene, please don't do anything rash!"
Salene looked at Trudy for one moment, a blank look on her face. For a second Trudy thought she was going to listen to her, and calm down… but she didn't. She burst out in a volley of shouts and screams, her eyes flaring angrily. "Shut up! Just shut up! It's just wonderful for you, isn't it? Lex is keeping your little secret all wrapped up safe, and you've got Bray following you around asking if you're okay every five minutes! Who do I have to care about me? No one!"
Trudy frowned. "I care Salene! I care about you! I just think—"
"What? That Lex is right?" Salene demanded.
"I think that Ryan has a right to know, yes!" Trudy admitted.
"And what if Lex were threatening to tell Bray your secret?"
"But that's different. Bray isn't the father of my baby."
Salene looked at her maliciously. "And who is Trudy? Do you even know? How many Chosen guards did you sleep with to get them to help you escape?"
Trudy looked horrified. "Salene! Why are you saying all of this?"
"You just wander back in here and expect everything to go back to the way it was before you left— well it can't! You're not one of us anymore Trudy, and you're not my friend! Just go back to the Chosen— at least they want you, because we don't!"
Salene just stalked out of the room then, leaving Trudy staring emptily after her. What had come over her? Why had she said such horrible things? Trudy fought the urge to break down. Salene was supposed to be her best friend, and yet that had been a completely unjustified attack upon her. What was Salene going to do next?
Coming soon in Part 23 – All The King's Men
- Bray tries to reconcile with Danni
- Salene does something drastic
- Bray and Lex unravel Spike's lies about the identity of the City murderer
- And, Spike discovers the real City murderer… and his new victim
And more…
