Elicerent

XI.

The settlement was in a different location to what those at the Facility had assumed. In fact, what they believed to be the fortified settlement was merely a ghost town made from the ruins of a very large, lost building. The entire village hosted only a few, who, according to Owen, took watch on a rotating system, maintaining the town, lighting torches at night, purely for the sake of being a decoy. The Minister had made it clear that they were a threat to the Facility and the teachings of The One. They had to be destroyed. Their way of life lacked the order required for survival.

The real city utilised a series of large caverns that has been carved out to accommodate buildings and farms. It smelled of damp. I was cool, and according to Owen, it did not fluctuate, remaining a constant temperature all year round. The walls sparkled in places, like rivers of tiny stars, illuminating the walls and roof of the cavern. There were pools scattered everywhere that glowed with the clearest of blue water, a liquid sky. Wooden buckets lay about each of the more substantial pools and people carried water to residences, as we weaved through. The sun filtered through cracks in the cavern, and what it could not reach, was illuminated by some sort of reflective glass and cave dwelling luminescent moss. People of all ages worked many jobs. There was no one sole purpose. Farming crops and animal husbandry kept them in food supply, as well as those, like Owen who stole food from the Agora. Small children were strapped to backs or cared for in groups. They played no role and seemed to be more of a destructive burden. Owen was greeted by all, as he led me through the settlement. He explained that each of the five families who first started the settlement were responsible for its government and made all important decisions together. He had a jovial manner that was not befitting a leader of any sort.

I took note of the entries and exits as best I could, but knew all too well that I would need to map the settlement properly. It was an overwhelming web. Destroying the settlement would prove to be much easier within the cavern, with a higher fatality rate if done correctly. It was much further north than those at the Facility believed.

I stayed in a boarding house, where unbonded men and women lived. My bed was filled with straw – nothing like my living quarters at the Facility. The boarding keeper was a spindly old man, who walked slightly hunched over. His hair was thick and grey, pulled back with a leather strap. Owen left me in his charge. His brand was faded across his collar bone, but still readable, Y572; he must be older than he appeared. From the original stocks perhaps. He handed me a bowl of liquid, thick with roots, herbs and some sort of meat. "Stick it outside when you are done. But don't expect this everyday," he grunted. "Breaking fast is an hour before sun up and served in the main kitchen downstairs, like all meals and the Elders address is every full moon in the main cavern." He shuffled out the door, closing it softly behind.

I had no idea how hungry I was until I had that first spoonful. I ate quickly, exhaustion setting in not too long after consuming the last mouthful. The bed was unexpectedly comfortable after I worked it a little. I lay fully clothed, and it wasn't long until sleep took me.

I woke suddenly to the sound of a bell. Sitting upright, I remembered where I was and why. There was a strange smell lingering in the room and it wasn't long before I realised, it was me. I scanned the room to find a small cabinet holding a ceramic bowl of water and some clothes. I got up, stripping to wash. The water was cold, and I welcomed it, as it beaded over my body.

Dressed and clean, I followed others, who were leaving their rooms, down a flight of stairs and down a hallway, until I entered a large room filled with chairs and tables. Already, there were a few people seated with plates of food. I sat alone and focused on the food, so I didn't have to make eye contact with anyone. As I finished my plate, there was an uproar in the room. He was back, people crowding him in greetings. I could see him scanning the faces in the room, until he saw me. Excusing himself, he ate and sat beside me, "Time to go. Council wants to see you."

He led me to an isolated cavern, set deeper within the mountains. Here, there was no natural light filtering through, only the light provided by torches mounted on the walls and clusters of the same luminescent growth that lined the darker cracks of the cavern entrances. It smelt of mould and I could hear running water. It was not until I placed a hand on the wall to manoeuvre through a narrow space, that I realised the water was running down the walls. I could no longer see Owen. As I rounded a section of cave, I could see faint light reflecting off wet stone and the cavern widened, opening up. He was standing in front of a large, well-lit stone temple of some kind. Despite the crumbling of some animal statues, and a few stairs, it was reasonably well in-tack. Somehow, Owen seemed perfectly dry and I had patches of wet all over me.

"Lots of practice," he smiled at me, noticing my confusion. He turned, gesturing for me to follow. We walked up the stairs, my boots echoing inside the cavern with every step. The inside did not match the outside. It was filled with luscious mats of all colours and patterns. In the centre sat three men and two women. They all appeared of varying ages. The oldest, a woman with long white hair, in a simple loose dress, stood, "Thank you for bringing her Owen." She gestured for me to sit on a large woven pillow. She then returned to her own seat, introducing each member of the council, who, in turn, nodded in greeting. Owen sat against one of the pillars in the room, silent. It made me nervous.

"What is your name child?"

"Etta Nora," I stumbled over the words like a clumsy foal standing for the first time.

"Before we welcome you to our family, we ask that you answer some questions."

I nodded in reply. I waited for one of the others to speak, but the woman continued, "Where were you born and how did you come to be in Langulum?"

I drew in a breath, "I never knew my elders, but I was born on the outskirts of Illudus, in the Inore Forest. I came to Langulum only a moon ago, after my carer told me of your existence." It was partly true. The group looked at each other.

"And where is your carer now?"

Breathing deeply, I hoped that they would assume that I found the topic difficult to discuss.

"Her name was Enna. She is gone..." I held my breath, waiting for them to respond.

"Thank you, we will consider what you have said. During this time, we ask that you do not leave the settlement without an escort."

I nodded in response. Did they know or was this just a standard procedure? The woman raised a hand to Owen, motioning him forward. "She will accompany you until we have reached our decision."