To Escape From Gravity

Chapter Sixteen

Counselor Ford Dricklin would have preferred to be deep into a good book, ideally in a quiet space where no one would pull him out of the story. When he had chosen a life of politics, he hadn't envisioned the all-consuming nature of the career. In his mind, there would be at least a few minutes of solitude throughout his day.

But there he was, quickly rushing to yet another meeting. His primary aide, a twitchy thirty-something man named Glasner, was rambling off comments in quick succession, trying to provide a verbal agenda for the next meeting.

"Glasner," the counselor interjected. "Sixty seconds of peace, I beg you."

The pale-haired man nodded profusely, his voice falling silent. Walking in lockstep, the pair quietly made their way to another conference room located in one of the many looming buildings in Gosch.

Bracing himself for an hour of the droning voice of Governor Maddock, Counselor Dricklen was stopped from entering the room by a middle-aged woman outfitted in a courier's uniform.

"I have a message for you from your daughter, Counselor," she said. It wasn't unusual to receive such correspondence throughout his day, but anytime Kiado was involved, his heart would skip a beat. A silent nod prompted the courier to continue.

"She said that they are safe, but there had been an ambush while on their way to Wardor. They were not injured at all, but the briefcase was taken. They are returning home, and should arrive by nightfall."

"Sun and stars," the older man muttered. It had been against his preference that Kiado and her family be the ones to deliver the information to the council in the capital city. Even the most secretive of plans had a way of getting out.

"Thank you, relay to them that I am beyond relieved they are safe, and we will convene upon their arrival."

As the courier stoically walked away, Counselor Dricklin was left with an ever-twitchy Glasner and a mind churning with unresolved questions and unsettling theories.

***

The kettle again was playing its anthem in Brisnick's dim kitchen as the pair of grounders sat around the table, ready to hear from the Miasten resident. After refilling his tea that had been both cooled and slightly spilled in all the commotion, Brisnick settled back onto a stool across from Normar. And Reed was back to her restless pacing. The briefcase was opened before him as he gently thumbed through its unusually bland contents.

"Why was Kiado Drickling concerned about protecting this information?" he wasted no time in getting to the heart of things.

"Who are you?" Normar quickly shot back.

"It's unimportant who I am."

"Your hotheaded friend and her werewolf dog attacked my vehicle and held myself and a counselor's family at gunpoint. I think it's clear I shouldn't be too trusting of you, especially if you can't even tell me your name." Normar's gaze never wavered from Brisnick, challenging him to take the upper hand away from her.

His deep brown eyes squinted, then shifted slightly to follow Reed's sporadic movements.

"My name is Bris, and I am a long-time friend of Amareed. Tell me what happened after she stopped your transport."

"I don't know how any of this is relevant," Reed interjected.

Normar smiled at this. It was clear these two had some differing temperaments, and that might be key to getting the answers that she cared about.

"After I was attacked," she pointedly looked at Reed, "We had a ... heated exchange, which led to us agreeing to discover what intel was so important to both our hiring parties. I managed to talk Kiado into relinquishing the briefcase, which I then gave to Amareed."