Redemption

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Tour of Tueri

Tueri was such a large place, it took Micah over an hour just to show me the essentials. He pointed out the gym and explained that I will be using this, along with tools in the outdoors facilities, to assist me with my physical trainings. There was also a garden for meditation that was positioned on the opposite side of the square from the cafeteria and gym.

"You'll have one hour a day set aside where you can go to that area and meditate," he explained. "Tueri is a crowded place, and it's rare that you find quiet time, so the gardens are a nice getaway. You'll also be learning so much that you'll need time for a mental respite. The meditation gardens are a place where everyone in Tueri comes to do that."

We were walking back to the square when an abrupt chiming noise resonated throughout Tueri via a PA system. I jumped, caught off guard by the thunderous sound, but no one else so much as flinched.

The deep voice of Commander Nero came on over the speaker system. Everyone stopped what they were doing, and turned toward the Commander's tower that towered above us in very center of town.

"I regret to information the people of Tueri that we have lost three of our own during the retrieval mission tonight. Anton, sixteen years old, inflicted a firebomb wound to the chest. Helleah, also sixteen, suffered a knife wound to the neck, and Naricke, eighteen, died from internal bleeding. Let's have a moment of remembrance for our three fallen comrades," he said.

The square was so quiet you could hear a pin drop as, not one, not two, but every single member of Tueri, Micah included, placed the thumbnail of their right hands against their foreheads, and then lift their hands straight overhead in a fist.

"What's happening?" I asked.

"In the Protector community, this is a gesture of respect. It's the highest honor our society can give someone. It means that you are our brethren, a true part of Tueri, and although you'll be missed, you will live on in our hearts. It shows respect for their sacrifice," Micah explained.

It warmed my heart to see thousands of fists raised in the air in commemoration of the soldiers. Although I was not a member of Tueri, I also pressed my right thumb against her forehead and raised it high into the air.

I didn't do it because everyone else was, but because it was my own personal tribute to the three protectors who courageously died to help keep me safe. It was my way of saying thank you, of apologizing that there wasn't more I could do to save them, and as a final goodbye.

Protectors around me gave me dirty looks, a combination of resentment for the lives lost on my behalf, and audacity that I would dare join in on their cultural symbol, but I didn't care. I wasn't doing this for them; I was doing this for the soldiers who sacrificed themselves for me.

"Thank you. There will be a memorial service for the lost warriors tomorrow evening in the square, if you would like to attend," Commander Nero said over the loud speaker, as the crowd dispersed and went about their lives as though nothing had happened.

I stood quietly for a minute, my heart heavy with the news I'd just heard. I felt as if the deaths of these protectors was on my hands. They were only on this mission to help bring me to Tueri, after all. If it hadn't been for me, they would still be alive.

"We have some time before lights out if there's anything you want to see or do? Once 10:00 pm comes everyone has to be in bed, no exceptions," Micah said softly, sensing my remorse.

"I could really use a shower," I admitted.

It had been weeks since I had been able to wash my hair, and it felt disgusting. Besides, it would be nice to be alone right now without Micah's watchful gaze measuring my reaction.