Recreance (The Aeternum Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  Oren’s Noni sat in a large, padded, throne-like red chair, formally decorated with elaborate, embroidered antimacassars. It was raised on a small platform, up against the wall beneath a portrait of the Patriarch. Oren secretly hated the gaudy painting, and was glad his father only brought it out when company was over.

  His Noni had never looked so majestic. Her smooth skin and straight-backed posture belied a depth of years. She was specially dressed for the celebration, and her auburn hair, which was normally tucked up in a bun, cascaded down over her shoulders in thick, opulent waves.

  She slowly swirled a glass of red wine, looking across the room at Oren and smiling with sad eyes. “My dear Oren, come and sit with your Noni for a moment,” she called to him over the din. Oren maneuvered his way through the crowded room, smiling and trying not to bump anyone. He sat in a chair beside her. She placed a hand on his. “Sweet child, I can still see the sunrise on your face. Remind me, how many years since you arrived in this world?” Her voice was gentle and soothing.

  “Seventeen, Noni,” he answered.

  “Ah, eheu fugaces labuntur anni,” she said quietly to herself. Oren was used to her quoting poets and philosophers, but he’d never heard that one before.

  “What’s that mean, Noni?”

  “It means that I will miss you very much, little sunbeam.”

  They sat in silence for a moment.

  “Are you…nervous? About the ceremony?” he asked with trepidation. It was strictly forbidden to criticize or question anything to do with Ascension.

  “I won’t lie to you child, it is not the easiest idea to adjust oneself to.” She took a sip of wine. “I will be fine, you needn’t worry yourself.” Oren felt her hand twitch.

  “I understand,” he said looking down. “I know you have to go, and that it’s supposed to be better…” Oren told himself he was going to be strong, and not cry. “I just wish it wasn’t so soon.”

  “You are not alone in that,” she said gently. “Listen, I have something important to tell you.” She leaned forward and beckoned him closer so that no one else would hear. “My time here is limited, little one, and there are some things you should know before I’m gone.” Oren looked up at her expectantly. “Your father is a good man. He controls his own destiny. Most other men believe what they want to, their lives shaped largely by their desires. They condemn what they do not understand, and destroy the reasons for living so that they may live. You must be different, Oren.”

  He looked into her blue-green eyes questioningly.

  “The coming winds bring small change, but great things come from small beginnings. Other things,” a hint of a smile crossed her lips, “collapse of their own weight.”

  Oren furrowed his brow, attempting to decipher the meaning behind her words.

  “You are still young, child, and have much to learn of the world. Do not take all you hear at face value, and do not value all you face without careful consideration.”

  Oren nodded, “Yes Noni.”

  “Good boy,” she said smiling fondly. She cupped his face in her hands. “Above all, remember that no matter how bad things get, you must not despair. We are capable of far more than you could ever imagine.” She looked for a moment at his face, then said, “Now be a good son and help your mother in the kitchen. She has many mouths to feed tonight.”

  “Yes Noni,” he repeated, standing up and making his way to the kitchen. He had a lot to think about, and spent much of the night trying to process it all. His chest ached fiercely at the thought of never seeing Noni again. He knew in his head that it was right for this to happen, but his heart was conflicted. He helped to clean up after all the guests had gone home, and when the end of the night finally came, he collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep still wearing his clothes.

  2

  Desiccation

  “…and so began the dawn of a new era for humanity. Dr. Vaccarus’ discovery was hailed as mankind’s greatest achievement, elevating him to god-like status among the scientific community, and the rest of the world.”

  Oren shifted in his seat. Being back in class reminded him of his real world responsibilities. Vocational placement exams were less than a week away, and he was still woefully unprepared. He tried to focus on the lecture.

  “His genetic research allowed for that which humanity had never seen,” Ms. Cavanaugh continued. “We are now in the year fourteen forty-seven V.A. Can anyone tell me what V.A. stands for?” she asked, looking around the room. A few students raised their hands. Oren tried to make himself invisible.

  “Yes, Ravi?”

  Oren’s classmate sat up straight and said, “It stands for Vita Aeternum.”

  “Correct. And can anyone tell me the meaning of Vita Aeternum?” No one raised their hand. After a moment, she continued. “Loosely translated, Vita Aeternum means Life Eternal.

  “Long before the construction of New Arcadia, Dr. Vaccarus discovered a process for altering the genetic code of the human body. Back then, the human body would naturally begin to deteriorate and decay after age twenty-eight. This process would continue until eventually, the body would break down and expire, usually around ninety years of age. In many cases, it would have decayed to the point of immobilization long before then. If you’ll open your textbooks to page two-thirty-eight, you’ll see an example of late-life, pre-aeternum humans.”

  The rustle of pages filled the room, followed by a few gasps and one kid pretending to heave. Oren opened up his book and found the image of two shriveled up, wrinkly individuals. One had no hair and was hunched over, leaning on a cane. The other sat in a wheelchair. Her spotted bony white hands were folded in her lap. The idea of becoming old and withered was disturbing, but the ancient couple didn’t disgust him. They almost look…happy, he thought.

  “The significance of Dr. Vaccarus’ discovery was profound. No longer would men and women age into infirmity and insignificance. Once the miracle treatment was administered, the genetic code that used to trigger at age twenty-eight was re-written to remain dormant. Anyone in whom the gene hadn’t already triggered could live beyond the years of every other human before them. Today, even people close to one-hundred-fifty years of age show only the slightest signs of aging. Because of Dr. Vaccarus, none of you will ever look like those two in your book.” Oren thought of his Noni, and his heart sank.

  Ms. Cavanaugh pulled down a rolled up screen at the front of the class and dimmed the lights. “Ravi, if you please?” He flipped the switch on a projector, and an old video began to play.

  The image of an ancient looking pre-aeternum man came onto the screen. He was looking through a microscope. A man’s voice came over the speaker, “Thelonious Vaccarus was a visionary, and a devout humanitarian. As a man of great foresight, he knew the risk of his discovery remaining solely in the hands of the wealthy and powerful.” The image on the screen changed to a group of shadowy figures, sitting on a circle of thrones. “Imagine, a class of immortal rulers, perpetually subjugating generation after generation of humanity.” The screen changed again to Dr. Vaccarus, in a lab coat with his arms crossed. “In an effort to prevent this from happening, Dr. Vaccarus refused to share his knowledge unless all citizens of the world were given the opportunity to choose for themselves whether or not they wanted the treatment.” The screen changed to show people of many different backgrounds.

  “Nearly every eligible human elected to proceed. This momentous change in the human experience led the governments of the world to unite in establishing a new beginning. Today’s Thelonian calendar began fourteen hundred and forty-seven years ago. Vita Aeternum, or Life Eternal, is known as the event that changed mankind forever. And so with this new beginning came a new age.”

  The last bell rang, and students began gathering their things. Ms. Cavanaugh turned on the lights and raised her voice to be heard over the rustling of books and pencils. “That’s all for today, remember to read chapters twelve through fourteen on the Aeternum Wars and subsequent Ministry Sal
vation for next week.”

  Oren packed up his books and walked down the crowded hall to his locker. Shortly after, Clem arrived and spun the combination lock on her own.

  “Hi Clem,” he said over the chatter. “You make it home okay last night?”

  “Yeah.”

  He looked closer. “Did something happen? You look exhausted.”

  “Nothing that hasn’t happened before. My mom…you know…” she trailed off.

  Clem had hinted at her mom’s drinking problem, but Oren didn’t know much beyond that. “Is she okay?” he asked.

  “Oh yeah she’s fine. The hall mirror on the other hand, didn’t do so well,” she forced a smile. Clem was always so good at taking things in stride. Sometimes he worried that she was taking on too much.

  “Sorry to hear it.” Oren placed a book in his locker. “At least now you won’t have to resist staring into it for hours on end,” Oren did his best to keep a straight face.

  “Oh completely,” she said sarcastically. “In fact you might want to shatter some of your own mirrors to avoid going blind from the ugly looking back at you.”

  They stopped and looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing.

  “Good afternoon, students,” the assistant principal’s voice came over the school loudspeakers, and the hallway went silent. “We will now take a moment to recognize the heroic sacrifices made by our Ancestors of Ascension.” Oren could picture her making dramatic flourishes with her hands as she spoke.

  Clem rolled her eyes, and they both bowed their heads, along with all the other students in the busy hallway. Clem whispered “I can’t believe we have to do this every day for the next month.”

  “Shhh!” Oren gently elbowed her in the arm.

  Dramatic music played, and the pre-recorded voice of the Ministry Herald filled the halls. “On this the third day of the Month of Recompense, we recognize those model citizens who have ascended, marking the culmination of a life celebrated in service to the Ministry. Let us remember their contributions and their sacrifice, for no greater honor exists than Ascension to pre-eminence. May the Maker watch over us all, in the name of our grand overseer and righteous protector, Ecumenical Patriarch, Gabrial Penumbra.”

  The music reached a final crescendo, then faded. The bustle and chatter immediately resumed as if there had been no interruption.

  “Come on let’s get out of here,” said Oren. “There’s something I want to show you.” He closed his locker and slung his backpack over one shoulder. Clem grabbed her things and followed.

  They made their way down the crowded halls of West Arcadia High, out through the double doors, and down the wide stairs that followed. Oren and Clem walked for several blocks until they reached the beginning of a hidden dirt trail branching off of the footpath. He had to duck his head down to avoid the wild blackberry bushes. Clem followed, picking a fat ripe berry on the way and popping it into her mouth. They continued along the trail, which weaved through a variety of birch, oak, and dogwood trees.

  “Where we going, anyway?” she asked as they walked.

  “Keep up! You’ll see.”

  After fifteen minutes or so, the trees suddenly gave way to a broad clearing carpeted with bright green and yellow grass. Brilliant sunlight warmed their faces and the ground beneath their feet.

  Oren stopped and took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the balsam fragrance of the trees mingled with the pungent smell of green undergrowth. The simple pleasure of this place filled him with contentment. Clem was standing beside him, looking more at peace than he could ever remember seeing her. He smiled.

  “We’re almost there,” he said, and continued walking along the trail.

  Soon after passing back into the wood, the smell of moisture and the gentle sound of running water announced a small creek up ahead. They reached the edge of the bank and looked down at the ankle deep, crystal clear water. It burbled over mossy green stones a few feet below the steep banks. An old mossy log lay across the stream, creating a natural bridge. Oren walked slowly along it with his hands out to either side. When he reached the center he crouched and sat down with his feet dangling over the water. Clem watched him, and followed casually as if walking down a footpath. She gracefully lowered herself down next to him, and watched the water below.

  Oren slipped his backpack into his lap, and rooted around inside. He pulled out a heavy lump wrapped in a thick black cloth, and handed it to Clementine.

  “What’s this?” she asked, turning it over in her hands.

  “Just something I came across that I thought you might like,” he said with a smile.

  “You—remembered my birthday?”

  “Oh, is today your birthday?” he asked with mock surprise.

  “Shut up, you are such a terrible liar.” She punched his shoulder and grinned.

  Clem unwrapped the gift, and her eyes widened. Beneath the cloth was a craggy, jet-black stone with bright blue veins streaking the surface.

  “Is this—”

  “It’s a lodestone. The kind used in levitech devices.”

  “I know what it is dummy! How in the world did you get one? These are incredibly rare.”

  “My father was visiting an excavation site last month. Apparently he helped out one of the foremen by getting approval for an upgraded extraction pump. This was the foreman’s way of saying thanks.”

  Clem turned it over in her hands, engrossed. “I can’t accept this Oren. It’s too valuable.”

  “Oh, okay no problem, I got this paperclip as a backup, in case you didn’t want the lodestone.” He grinned and tossed the paperclip to her. It was pulled from the air and stuck to the lodestone before she could snatch it.

  “I mean it,” she said, “won’t your father be angry?”

  “He gave it to me, and it’s mine to do with as I please. I think he’d be proud to know that it went to someone with your talents.”

  Clem pulled the paperclip off the stone, and dropped it a few inches away. It flew sideways and again stuck to the stone.

  She turned and looked him in the eyes. “No one has ever done anything even close to this nice for me before. Thank you, Oren.”

  “Don’t mention it.” He smiled awkwardly and looked down at the water. “So, what are you going to build with it?”

  “Hmmm,” she looked up in thought. “I found an old levi-trans in the junkyard near my apartment building, I could try get that working again. Or maybe I could use a small piece of the stone to create a bag with reversed polarity for carrying heavy objects…oh! There’s this idea I had about building a single person transport that could run free of the levi-tracks. I might actually be able to do it with this!”

  “Sounds like you’ve got some work to do.”

  “Wait, I know! I can finally test out this idea I had for a repulsion vest!”

  “You sure you’re not already wearing one?” He made a face and leaned away from her.

  Clem laughed, “Oh shut up dog breath.” She turned the stone over in her hands.

  “I guess you’re probably in a hurry to get back and start tinkering.”

  “No, I mean, yes, but let’s just stay here a while longer. This place—there’s something special about it, isn’t there?” She took the stone, wrapped it back up in the cloth, and placed it in her bag.

  “I think so,” said Oren, “It almost makes you feel like the rest of the world doesn’t even exist.”

  “I like it.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  Clem rested her head on his shoulder, and Oren felt his heart thudding in his chest. They sat watching the water make its way down the creek, with the occasional minnow wiggling its way through the rocks. Once the sun sank low on the horizon, they hiked back out of the woods and continued home in the failing light.

  Oren spent the evening studying for his upcoming vocats as if his entire future depended on it. He hated the pressure of one single test determining his career options after high school. The thought of wa
tching his classmates move on to exciting jobs while he was left in the lurch filled him with dread. Even more so he couldn’t bear the thought of facing his father to tell him that his son was going to be an unskilled laborer.

  He read and read late into the night, until his brain refused to hold any more information. Oren stood up from the simple writing desk in his room and walked over to the window. The latch was stubborn, but it eventually gave with a little effort. He pushed open the window; it squealed lightly on its hinges. A languid, late summer breeze wafted in, carrying the sweet fragrance of musky grass and floral pollen. He was transported back to his childhood, when his biggest concern was catching one of the lazily floating fireflies in the front yard. The same fireflies now twinkled beneath the small dogwood tree below. Longing for the simplicity of his youth, Oren climbed out of the window and sat on the wooden shingles covering the porch overhang. He lay back, letting the vastness of the starry sky envelop him.

  Oren was suddenly snapped out of his reverie by an unnerving sensation. He immediately flashed back to the frightening encounter in the woods the night before. It felt like the roof was tipping slightly forward, like something was trying to tug him off. His heart raced. He looked down and froze. Three pale-faced figures in black robes glided down the footpath across the street.

  Time slowed to a trickle. Oren was petrified, unable to do anything but watch. The roadway was deserted; no one would be out at this hour. Shutters slammed shut as the menacing figures passed. A tiny voice in the back of his mind shouted frantically for him to move, to run…to do anything. The figures continued inevitably across the lane, and the tugging sensation grew stronger, making him nauseous. Oren could see their overly large white eyes, rippling in the shadows of their hoods. The larger one in the middle looked up at him and grinned. Its mouth was filled with blood-red teeth.

  The voice in his head became frantic. “Get up! You have to move, NOW!” Oren’s breath came quickly. The voice wasn’t in his head. He turned, but couldn’t see anyone there. Down below, the figures reached the footpath at the edge of his lawn.