The Fall of the Keepers

Chapter 13 When we Compromise

"Mother why must Astrid and I return to the surface with you? There is so much explore down here."
Glass complained as we made the trek back up the cement corridor.

At least this time it was dimly lit by a few working fluorescent light fixtures above our heads.

"Astrid is lucky I allowed her to see this place at all."
Quetta replied crisply.

"You mentioned Angelica Coften, did you know her well?"
I questioned, curious why "for the sake of my mother" she had decided to put aside our earlier spat.

I did not miss the slight hesitation in Quetta's step.

"She was a leader of the Coalition, as was I. Though she was a good deal more important at the time than I was."

I waited to see if she would willingly tell me more. Our footsteps and echoed in the hall, leaving imprints in the layers of dust.

"I didn't particularly like your mother Astrid, but I did respect her. She knew how to get a job done, and she didn't hesitate to do her duty."

Jumbled images flashed through my mind, and I struggled to guess which ones were real, and which ones were memory serum-induced.

"You're a bit like her."
Quetta added after a moment.

"Really?"
I questioned in surprise.

"She was a very driven woman, loyal to her ideals. You perhaps a more bit more pious than she ever was, or maybe not, but I know you're just as dedicated to your beliefs."

I wasn't certain by her tone if she meant that as a positive trait or a negative one.

"Your emotional side, you get from your father."

I bristled.

"I have nothing in common with Isen Coften."

"You'd be surprised I think."
Quetta murmured.

"Your mother and I never saw eye to eye. You and I clearly could fall into the same old ritual. I don't wish to be your enemy Astrid, I think working together, you and I could do a great deal of good for Itova. You hold a certain measure of power, wield it against me and you will fail, join it with me and you could change the world."

I was pretty positive this was just another angle for Quetta, and I wasn't about to trust her that easily.

"Just what is it you want me for? My Keeper ties? My wielding ability?"

"You're a natural leader, if I don't put your skills to use, you'll become a natural trouble maker."

I thought that might have been the most honest thing she had ever said to me.

"So what is it you want me to do?"

"I want you to do what you're good at. I want you to fight, and to train others to do the same."

"Fight who exactly? I do believe you've won the war."

Quetta laughed humorlessly.

"I seized power, but the war is far from won. Ranen Amir still lives. Loyalists to the old Itova will rally to his side if he calls upon them. There are Keepers and Sentinels scattered throughout Itova that pose a threat to us. I have received reports of Guards, who openly are shooting down my men and women, refusing to bend the knee to a new power. Itova is still far from a peaceful nation. You could help eliminate these threats, establish peace in this country once and for all."