Chapter 14: Decisions
Iris rubbed her temples, sighing heavily. Malik, Ethan, Althea, Joker, Crystal, and Gray watched her warily; each wondering what she was thinking. Malik leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, tossing his straight brown hair out of his eyes as he did so. "What a terrible position to be in," Ethan said quietly. Crystal stared at him. "There is no position to be in," she said wonderingly. "It is obvious Ram is using this as a ploy to remain here. He must be cast out." "But what if he is telling the truth?" Ethan asked her. "Ved told me himself that there were many Mallrats taken. What if this is their only way to find them?"
"When did he tell you this?" Malik asked casually, glaring at the man considered the main spiritual guide and counselor in the city. Ethan met Malik's eyes without fear. "He told me so yesterday," he answered. "Ved came to me with the truth of everything he has done, everything Ram has done. He was very upset and needed to cleanse his soul." "Ved told you about Ram, and you didn't say anything to me?" Iris asked incredulously. Ethan inclined his head with a sad smile. "It was in confidence, Your Majesty. Ved was so troubled that I feared he might do something stupid. I questioned him, and found that he would only talk to me if he could tell the truth without fear of reprisal."
Iris sighed. "Poor Ved. And poor Cloe to have to see that horrible man again." Crystal nodded. "So you will cast him out, my Queen?" she asked. Iris bit her lip. "I am torn between this," she admitted. "My instincts want him gone . . . or at least imprisoned. But . . ." Althea smiled at her Queen and nodded in understanding. "I know what you mean," she said. The others looked at her, confused. "Think of it," Althea continued, looking from face to face. "How many of us have lost someone from the virus, or after the virus to some stupid thing like a cold or an accident? How many of you would give anything to bring just one person back?"
Gray looked down at his hands. "That is true," he said quietly. "I would give anything to have Jade back. She was all I had left who shared my blood." Malik shook his head. "Even so," he said sharply, "we cannot consider Ram's request." "So you believe we should allow him to leave, knowing there is a chance these people can find their loved ones?" Althea asked. "I heard from Trudy that Amber's child's father was one who was taken. He has never seen his child. Should the slim chance that the man can be found and reunited with his family be thrown away because of Ram?" Before Malik could reply, Ethan spoke up quietly. "To be fair, we must take into account the chance that Ram has truly changed."
Malik snorted. "Yes, and I was Queen of England until the virus took away all my subjects." Iris shook her head warningly at her favorite counselor. "Joker, you haven't said a word about this," she said, looking over at him. "What do you think?" Joker sighed and sat up straighter. "We have all done terrible things since the virus," he said slowly. "But what Ram did . . . that was worse than anything any of us have done. He would have been killed if he did these things under our laws." "This is ridiculous!" Malik cried angrily, standing up and slamming his fist on the table. "Ram cannot remain here!"
"Malik!" Iris cried. He stiffened and bowed to her in apology. "Forgive me," he said stiffly. "What if we let him remain on the condition that each and every Mallrat he shipped off must be found within six months?" Althea asked. "That way, those who have lost someone have a chance of finding them, and there is also a chance that he won't succeed and will have to leave." "No!" Malik spat. "Don't you see this is a ploy?" "Lex agreed that Ram was not lying," Ethan said quickly. "That should be taken into account." "I agree that under no circumstances should Ram be allowed to stay, unless a proper search for the missing Mallrats is made," Iris said. "But I am more concerned with whether or not Ram will behave after the fact."
"It is too dangerous," Malik said sharply. "Much too dangerous to our city, our citizens . . . and to you, my Queen." The last words were spoken gently. Althea and Ethan exchanged knowing glances. Iris' expression softened a little. "Malik," we must do what is in the best interest of everyone," she said. "And the Mallrats are now part of our community." "Except Amber," Gray put in, "we never voted on her." "I see her becoming a problem," Joker said, "she's very vocal about not liking our laws. At the very least, Ram put on a façade of wanting to conform." "As much as I agree with you," Iris said, "she is not our concern as of now. Ram is."
"Then let's vote, with your permission," Althea said, looking up at Iris, who nodded. "Those in favor of allowing Ram to stay on condition that all lost Mallrats are found?" She, Gray, and Ethan raised their hands. "Those in favor of shipping him out?" Althea asked. Malik, Crystal, and Joker raised their hands. "A tie," said Althea. "Majesty?" Iris shook her head. "I don't know," she admitted. "I just don't know yet. I think I'll sleep on it, and give an answer tomorrow." She stood up. "Thank you all for your input. Now go home and get some sleep. It seems we'll need our rest for tomorrow."