A/N Thanks for the love jamy. As you guessed I am not going to answer your questions in a straightforward manner. An author can't let the cat out of the bag. It would ruin the suspense. Although I can tell you that within the next three chapters, I will drop several rather intense bombshells. So keep reading and all your questions will be answered in due time...SpiritChild

Chapter Seven

Industrialist Faction

Ghost led them through the now darkened corridor. The smells of cooked meat and fruit wafted in, making everyone's stomach rumble, even Darryl's, who had stuffed himself several times already. "Once a week the entire village gets together to have a meal. It helps us be close to each other, more like a family than a community." She pushed open the great doors easily. Once outside, they could see a large array of torches in the marketplace. The shops had all been closed up and replaced with large tables laden with food. "I insist all of you join my table." She then turned to Amber and Trudy. "If you would like, your children can join the others. There are special minders who can care for them. You will also be able to keep an eye on them yourself from where we will be sitting."

Trudy glanced to Amber, who nodded slowly. "I think that would be fine. Brady would have fun being with others of her own age, I'm sure."

"Yeah, that does sound good." Amber agreed.

Just then, they caught sight of Elyan and Mercedes. Mercedes grinned and waved, running up the path to them. "Hey everyone, you're just in time for the fun!" Catching sight of Ghost, she stopped. "Greetings, my Lady."

Ghost smiled and shook her head. "You really don't need to be so formal, Mercedes. I'm a person too."

Elyan caught up with her sister and smiled warmly. "Your visit went well I hope."

Ghost nodded. "Quite well indeed. Is everything ready in the plaza?" Elyan nodded. They all made their way into the brightly lit plaza. At Ghost's appearance a soft cheer went up and several children rushed up to her. She seemed almost embarassed at the attention, but paid close mind to everything each child had to say. In the meantime, Elyan had escorted the companions to a large table nearby. A seat at the head was saved for Ghost, Mercedes and Elyan sat on either side. Amber and Trudy took their children over to where a large group played. They were met by a minder who assured them that their children would be fine. Amber seated herself next to Elyan, folowed by Jay, Trudy, Ellie, Jack, May, Salene, Ruby, and Lottie, who soon excused herself to go play with a group of kids her age. Gel, Sammy, Darryl, Slade, Ebony, Ram, Lex and the Trader sat on the other side of the table.

"I could get used to this treatment." Ruby chuckled.

"Yeah, me too." Jack said. "Ghost seems really great. Don't you think so Ellie?"

"Um. I guess so. She's been really kind to us."

Ebony laughed. "Right. There's got to be more to it than what we've seen so far. Didn't you see how the people reacted to her? It's almost like they worship her. Doesn't that worry you at all?'

"Honestly, that does concern me a bit, now that you mention it." Salene said slowly.

Overhearing the conversation, Elyan frowned. Although she did understand partly where they were coming from, Ghost didn't deserve to be spoken of that way. Unable to stand it she raises her voice. "She doesn't ask for that kind of attention. If you remembered any bit of history, you'd understand. All great leaders are revered in a way that may seem unsettling. Just deal with it."

Mercedes gaped at her sister, shocked at her vehement defense of Ghost. The line of conversation didn't last any longer, for Ghost finally joined them. "I really love children. Their outlook on life is so very refreshing." She looked over the empty plates. "Did you wait for me? That was unecessary, but by all means dig in. Don't be shy about eating your fill." Darryl and Sammy didn't need another word. Chatting amongst themselves, plates were filled, and bowls of steaming food was passed around, along with jugs of a mixed fruit wine. Lottie came back occasionally to pilfer food from the table, too busy playing to stop and eat.

A sudden commotion at the entrance to the plaza, caught everyone's atttention. People near rhe entrance darted to the side just in time as a huge black horse, wearing a metal faceplate barreled into the open. It stopped and stood pawing and snorting as it's rider, a man wearing a long black duster slid down from the saddle. Huge buckles on his boots, glinted in the firelight, as well as rivets extending up the sides of his khaki pants. Ghost stood up slowly, the tension in the air building. A scowl appeared on her face as the man turned and dropped his hood revealing long brown hair, a pair of mirrored sunglasses covered his eyes, and his mouth was curled in a smirk. "Hey Ghost. Hadn't heard from you in awhile, thought I'd drop by."

Ghost stepped away from the table and approached him. "Gee Victor, you should really call first. That way I can have my guards ready with my sword!" She took one look around her and turned away. "Come on, let's talk elsewhere. I assume you have a reason for coming here." She walked away swiftly, Victor following closely.

"What was that all about?" Slade asked aloud as the two exited. Several of the other Mall Rats shook their heads.

"An ex-lover's quarrel perhaps..?" May ventured, but both Mercedes and Elyan were shaking their heads.

"Oh no it's nothing like that..." Mercedes began. She looked to Elyan. "Well, actually you know more about it than I do really."

With a resigned sigh, she nodded to her sister, placing the roll in her hand back down on her plate. "It might be easiest to explain everything, rather than just him. You see, there are four main settlements on this island. Ghost oversees South. We live well off the land and strive to protect it. You know, take what you need to live, but give back as well. The next settlement would be East, which is ruled by Lady Delilah. They are die-hard enviromentalists. Living in the very trees and making use of all that nature offers, but also not destroying anything. Won't even swat a pesky bug." She took a drink of her wine and though for a bit. "Victor, the man you just saw, is the Overlord of West, and head of the Industrialist Faction."

"What's the Industrialist Faction?" Jay asked.

"A vile organization intent on returning things to the way they were before the virus, or even worse. They hope to rebuild factories and use vehicles, even restore the state of technology. All the things that lead to the virus in the first place. Not a one of them care for the environment or the well-being of mankind. All they want is to strip the earth to make what they want, and only give pollution back." She stopped and shook her head. "Some things just need to stay buried."

Amber reached out and squeezed her hand. "I understand. Some technology is alright, but you have a point some things truly are best left alone." Ram snorted and she turned and glared at him.

"Wait. You said there were four settlements. You only spoke of three. What's the other one?" Ebony asked, turning to Elyan.

Elyan grimaced and so did Mercedes. "Right, I did didn't I?" Ebony nodded at her. "The other is the stronghold of the Red Sisterhood. We have very few dealings with them indeed. Last I knew their Matron was Sylhira. They're deeply involved in the slave trade." She barely supressed a shudder. Ram turned away, a strange look on his face.

Shouting was soon heard approaching the plaza, one of the voices was Ghost's, but the language was unrecognizable. Moments later the pair entered into sight. Victor swung up onto his horse and turned it to face her. After snarling a few obviously uncouth comments, he kicked his mount hard and they galloped away, leaving a fuming Ghost standing alone. She shook her head and headed over to the table. "You'll have to excuse all that. I'm afraid that i must adjourn for the evening. You'll all be staying at the Hall tonight. The entire second floor is guest quarters, although you may have to double up some. Just talk to Wysteria whenever you are ready to retire. Elyan?"

She turned to the woman. "I know it's late but could you summon my council and meet me in the recieving hall?"

"Yes, my Lady." With a curt nod Elyan rose and hurried off. Ghost offered a weak smile to her guests and headed up the path to the Hall.

"Why doesn't she just ban that man from coming here if it upsets her so much?" Ellie said with a sad sigh.

"You don't understand." Mercedes interrupted the ensuing talk. "Victor is Ghost's brother."

A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long. I had a bit of a writer's block, guess that happens to even the best of writers. Hopefully I'll have another one up in the next couple days.