Unspeakable Secrets The Alchemist Series (A Dark Medieval Progression Fantasy)

Chapter 52 Re-Education

Erik smirked. "I'd tell you everything if I could," he said, "but, until you've been re-educated... I can't trust you."

A chill ran down Connor's spine. Gods... they really are going to use mental magic to turn me, he thought.

"And this... re-education. That will happen at the... secure facility?" Connor asked.

Erik nodded, almost absently. As though still mulling Connor's magic over.

"Were you re-educated?" Connor asked.

Erik looked at him like he was insane.

"No. Of course not," he said. Then as though he felt the need to explain further he added, "You were raised away from us. We'll have to be sure you're free of any lies you might've been told. That we can trust you."

"Lies?" Connor asked, "What lies and what do you mean raised away from you?"

"I can't tell you that just yet," Erik said, "but, you'll know soon. This ship is faster than most. It won't be that much longer before we can get you squared away. We can have someone look at what's wrong with you at the same time."

"How soon?" Connor asked.

"I'm not much of a sailor," Erik said with a shrug, "a few weeks, perhaps? I'm not sure. I'd have to ask the captain."

I have to escape before then, Connor thought, I cannot let myself become their puppet.

He would've been tempted to go along with them. To use this as an opportunity to learn everything he could about them. And, naturally, this talk of magic had him extremely curious. The way they seemed to know something about him that he did not.

But such temptations were shattered by hearing of this... re-education. Nobody, no matter their training could hope to hold out against mental magic forever. Especially the kind of mental magic the Syndicate might use.

No... if they got him in that facility, they could twist him around until he didn't even recognize Victor.

And the way Erik referred to the place as a secure location... escaping from this ship seemed borderline impossible, but somehow the way Erik had said those words made Connor think that where they were taking him would only be far worse.

If he did not escape, the Syndicate would surely rob him of the one and only thing that remained to him.

His mind.

But, until then... Connor still had many more questions.

"And are the others being... re-educated?" Connor asked.

"Most of them will simply be collared, I expect," Erik said.

"Like my uncle?" Connor asked.

Erik nodded, suddenly not looking as happy or excited.

"Why?" Connor asked.

Erik shook his head. "It's necessary," he said.

"How can enslaving people like this be necessary?" Connor asked.

"I wish I could tell you. But, I promise it's for a greater purpose. It has to be done," Erik said.

He sounded like he truly believed it. Believed it was needed. Even believed that it was in some way good and justified.

"For the greater good?" Connor asked.

"Yes," Erik said, "they'll thank us in the end."

Erik seemed to have complete faith in his words. Connor kept his face impassive with an effort of will. A mixture of anger and pity surged through him. Of all the evils he'd faced at Victor's side, it was always the ones that were certain they were doing the right thing that proved the most difficult to stop.