The Silence Within (The Young Ancients: Tiera) Read online

  "Can we make a quick stop on the way back in? I need to do something real quick, and then we can head back to the school. I think I can take us in directly."

  "What?" Orange asked, as the craft settled, very slowly in the atmosphere. Well, if by slow they meant several thousand miles per hour. Since they were starting around two hundred up, that meant that in less than half a minute they'd be there.

  Tiera could have lied, and it might have even been the sane thing to do, but instead she just kept going, answering as she reduced the speed even more.

  "I want to test the hull strength. By crashing into Count Morris's guest house. The Fast Craft can hold against things like that. Unfortunately we don't have any real weapons on this thing. That's Tor for you, isn't it? Never thinking of things like that." It was late enough that the man should be home, and unless he'd suddenly taken to going to see his troops for patriotic reasons, it would kill him.

  Honestly she really expected Orange to stop her, or even Gerent to try and grab the controls to do it himself, if he just didn't order her to stop, but that didn't happen. Not at all.

  In fact it was him that spoke first.

  "I think you should. The man started a war with you, it's kind of fitting that you end it yourself."

  Orange just went suddenly gleeful and clapped her hands once, powerfully.

  "Move then. Let's see what we can do."

  It didn't take long, the tiny house growing large, with her actually settling down very near it, so that she could look in through the windows. It was already dark out, which meant that the family inside was at dinner.

  "Crud. I wasn't going to kill his daughter or wife. Well, not that little one at least." She seriously considered leaving then, but her Aunt was designed to be a warrior, which meant she didn't get that idea at all, so she just jumped in and pushed Tiera's arm forward suddenly. The house was hit at over a thousand miles per hour, by a thing that didn't bend or shift at all, which meant the place was literally gone by the time she came back around to look at it.

  Her Aunt shook her head and waved for them to go, but Tiera sighed.

  "No. If I'm taking the whole family, I need to do the complete job. Sorry, this will take longer than I thought. We have treats left." She felt pretty bad about the other two, but the Count being dead didn't bother her at all. That only left Sandra, who was in the direct line of succession, and there was no way she was letting the woman have her own County to bring into the mess. Not after killing the rest of her family like she just had.

  The little cabin was kind of hard to find, and Tiera decided to simply cheat, not wanting some kind of vast, prolonged battle. It was a shame to let Sandra die fast, but she knew that doing anything else would be about the same as ordering the woman to kill her friends and family in retaliation. She started toward the place, ready to simply squash it, when a Fast Craft took off at full speed, colored black, to match the night sky.

  "Well. The nerve of some people." She knew it sounded far too grim, considering this was a decently happy day, but she went after her, ready to kill the woman, even if it took the rest of both their lives.

  The only thing was that something was very wrong. The Fast Craft moved upward and away, but didn't stop, climbing to high in a few seconds. It could have just been an attempt to make them stop following, but that would have been foolish, even if they didn't have the same limitations, as to breathable air. It was Gerent who stated the obvious first, as she wrenched the controls around, to head in the other direction.

  "Misdirection..."

  "Aye. Let's see what the payoff is then?" Orange didn't explain what she meant by that, but Gerent seemed to get it anyway. That was odd, since Tiera wouldn't have thought they had anything in common at all, the Ancient and the midget, but there it was, right in front of her, with her being the one left out.

  The trick was simple enough, as they flew away, Sandra had come out from behind the tiny shack and was pointing something at them. Whatever it was made the whole craft shake and the front wall of it, where the window was, start to buckle inward. It was something that Tiera had seen before, at the hands of the giant Scott Ross, while he tried to kill her. That was a combat rage thing, an ability that could bend magic. This was different, if similar. A weapon meant to strip the field away, at least enough for the air itself to kill them?

  Without waiting , Tiera headed straight for the woman, her black fuzzy hair wild, in front of her, getting ever closer. Then, without understanding why, she added a second layer of window in front of her. That worked to keep the craft together as they ran into her well enough.

  The moment was too fast for her to track properly, but there was a rewarding splash of red mist in the air for a moment, Tiera thought. It was so brief it really could have just been imagination. She set the craft down and ran to the wall, making an exit, which she had to leap down from, to head back to where the other girl that been. Amazingly, bit of mist or not, she was still right there, alive and everything. Not well, since the ground had pushed up under her, ripping free, being carried by the shield that the girl wore. She also seemed to have a broken arm and was having problems breathing for some reason. Tiera took her shield down and held it that way, moving toward her, remembering not to be distracted.

  She did speak first, making sure she was shielded herself, which was good, since the woman had an explosive weapon and activated it, even if it was too hard for her to move it into position quickly. It threw up a great cloud of dirt, and made the world roar in protest. That didn't do anything at all to Tiera.

  Smiling she leaned in and took it from the bent and broken fingers.

  "Countess Morris, how good to see you. I just came to finish our business. It won't take but a moment." She was being petty, talking and taunting when she should be killing, but the sob that broke through was nearly worth it. After all, how many times had Tiera sobbed like that for Reggie? She'd lost count, which meant it was more than Sandra would have time for.

  "You killed my father?"

  "About ten minutes ago. I regret to inform you that your little sister and mother perished at the same time. I'd been planning to let them live, even if they tried to kill me later, but it didn't work out that way. You understand why you're going to die now, don't you?" Not that she cared. It was just a chance for the woman to curse at her, or claim it was all Tiera's fault. That or say something witty.

  "Because my father was an ass. I guess I was too. Do it." She spoke like a person that was trying to taunt death into happening, to avoid torture.

  If so, she was smart, but Tiera didn't think she'd last that long anyway. She certainly wasn't lending her a healing amulet.

  "All right."

  It still took time and was very personal in the end. She finished the beating that the woman had gotten in the tavern from her, and didn't stop until there was no more life left in her at all. It was long enough that the others caught up to her and stood watching. Activating the cutter in the back of her right hand, she drew a line over the corps's throat, taking the head totally off. She didn't want to find that the woman had found a way to fake her way out of things. Not at this late date.

  "I think the war is over." It didn't leave her feeling any better, and she had to doubt that Regina would have loved her for it, but she picked the head up anyway and held it by the hair for a while, waiting for the worst of the blood to drip away. That took a lot longer than she'd figured it would and meant, looking at the dead girls open eyes, that she had yet another thing to do.

  At this rate the others would never want to work with her again. Either for clogging up the schedule with personal business, or for bringing home gross trophies. Who could blame them? She'd forgotten to bring a sack with her, but Gerent pulled out an amulet that made a box. The floating kind that Tor made. It looked like plain wood, though that could have been changed, but no one bothered.

  "Almost done for the day, I promise." She walked to the giant craft, which they needed to make much smaller for the
next part, and got into the pilot's chair, the box floating behind her the whole time. She didn't mention where she was going and wasn't certain that the place could be found in the night. Not by her. It took hours, mainly just to find the right city, which was in Thompson, her brother in-laws County. Then she had to actually walk up and down the street for a while to find the right gate. The place was nice enough, but not as vast as many that she'd seen. Reggie's father was a Baron, but didn't have large holdings. He'd kept them fed and clothed by building a large business, working, like a real person.

  She knocked on the door, looking at her plain students clothing, contemplating shifting it to something nicer when the doorman came. He didn't know them at all, it was clear, though Tiera remembered him from the funeral. It hadn't been long before and she had a memory for faces.

  "Is Baron Helmsley in, please? I'm Conserina Lairdgren, Tiera Baker. This woman is the Orange Ancient, and next to me is Gerent Lairdgren. This concerns the death of Regina." She didn't want to say too much, because, strictly speaking, taking heads was a bit over the top, as far as war went.

  "The master hasn't been taking visitors. I'm not certain that he'll see you." The man seemed to be very sad about it, which she understood, totally.

  "He wants to see us. Please tell him that." She didn't say more, but the man left and a few minutes later, came back, to take them into a well lit drawing room. It was nice, but a bit small as such things went, which reminded her of Regina, all over again. She was lovely, but not pretentious, like so many others of her station. They were brought drinks, but it took nearly an hour for the man, who looked older and more worn down, to find them, the box just floating in the air as she sat, sipping at some unsweetened tea. No one spoke, until he did, his voice coming as a surprise, being no more than a bitter and dead sounding croak.

  "I didn't think that I'd see you again."

  If a person could sound more defeated by the world, Tiera didn't know how. She stood then and bowed low, holding it for a long time.

  "I'm responsible for her death. If Sandra Morris hadn't been fighting with me, if I would have acted better originally, when her father goaded me, Regina would still be with us." The weight of it drove her to both knees, and then to lay flat on the floor. "I forfeit my life for that. My work in the matter is done, as I promised you." It was hard to get the words out and they sounded stilted and uncomfortable in her mouth. It was her turn to sob again, even as the rather frail seeming man picked her up from the floor, tears in his own eyes.

  "No, you loved her. I know that. What... did you promise me again?" He seemed to have forgotten, which seemed a bit odd, but she thought she understood. A little girl, grieving, had stood in front of him and swore revenge on powerful people. He'd probably never taken it seriously.

  "That I would kill Count Morris, then Sandra Morris. I bring partial proof." She moved to the box, but hesitated before opening it. "This is a bit gruesome. It's Sandra Morris's head. Her family is dead as well, but we couldn't find enough of them to prove it."

  Then she opened the lid and stood back, so the man could see, if he wanted. He brought a lamp, not wanting to touch it at all. Not even the clean and sterile container that held the slightly gray colored dark head.

  "Oh... my." There was a long pause as he looked at it, his face hardening. "I... wouldn't have thought, not at all. How did you do this?"

  She told the whole story, not sparing anything at all, and the man let his eyes go much wider than they were. He didn't smile, or seem glad, but he bowed to her in return, finally.

  "Thank you. I'd thought them all beyond the reach of justice. Today you brought it to me. Thank you." There were tears, and she held him for a long time, but finally he rallied, and sent them away. It wasn't done roughly, but Tiera had to wonder how much longer the man might live.

  Then she got them back to the school, diverting first to the training center.

  "Oh, right, take the trays from the back. I guess I should check with people and let everyone know what's going on. Not that I have a clue myself. I guess I should go and get in trouble now, shouldn't I?"

  Gerent hugged her and held her closer than she thought he would have. Not inappropriately so, but close enough that she could tell he was taller than he had been, before.

  "Do you need me to do anything? I can stay with you, or..."

  "That's the part that's got me too, that 'or'. Don't worry. I'll be fine. It isn't like everyone couldn't see this one coming, was it?"

  Orange didn't seem impressed, just grabbing the trays and taking the Space Craft back, collecting the amulet after the whole thing was taken down.

  "Remember your work on the space suit project. We don't have forever. Try to have those within the month." Then she took everything and walked away. Gerent looked at her and sighed, but didn't follow instantly.

  "I guess being that old must make things hard, in a way? Everything seems bland in her world, I bet."

  "I know. Well, I'll see you in a day or two?" Unless she was dead. Executed by the King and his forces, or just gone after dragging a cutter across her own neck. Either way. It really wasn't that late, she realized. She even had time for a full shower and long soak before calling the Palace. She took her time and really didn't know who to contact at first.

  The King, by some mistake, didn't have one of the new communication devices. Neither did the Queen. Smythe of Westend did however, so she hit the name with a firm tap and waited, not knowing if he'd pick up at all.

  "Smythe." That's all he said, sounding remarkably fatherly, for the head of the military.

  "Tiera Baker here." She was about to just tell him what was going on, but he spoke first, his words rather friendly, considering they didn't really know each other.

  "Oh! How wonderful to hear from you. Is everything well there? I should have thought to call and check with you for an update. You are involved in the new program there, correct? The space one?"

  "Loosely. I was just in orbit a few hours ago... Then, when I came back... I sort of killed Count Morris and his family and have his daughters head in a box. Not Heidi, Sandra. They were traitors, so I'm sure the new leadership there will be better." She waited, figuring that the man would gasp or growl at her, but the chuckling he did was a bit off-putting, to tell the truth.

  "Excellent. Being done by a third party who had cause, no one will be able to blame the Crown for it, but it clearly speaks of why one shouldn't attack the Capital." He cleared his throat and sighed. "Or, clearly, harm your friends. Do you claim the matter settled then, or do you wish to destroy all of his people as well?" He clearly meant it, as dumb as the words were.

  Like she had enough energy left to go around killing that many? Besides, even in her rage, which was mainly gone now, she wouldn't have done that.

  "Um... It's done. Do you think anyone wants the head? Otherwise, I'll just drop it in the ocean or something. Maybe even bury it, as if I wasn't a complete heathen."

  "Do the latter. It costs you less to find a headstone, than have a bad reputation that way. Let me... I need to go in to the back room here... This is rather important, thank you, Kevin." He was speaking to someone else who was muttering at him, his both voices going low, but not arguing.

  A minute later she heard the King, asking what was going on and the Queen gasping, when the situation was explained.

  "Are you well, dear?" This was pitched in a fashion that made Tiera feel almost loved. She was actually concerned with her wellbeing? That or she could fake it on a level that was close to magical.

  "I'm... at loose ends. I've planned this for a while, since... well, you all know. Now, I don't know what to do. I guess I figured that I'd die, one way or the other. I should probably see to that now."

  That got the King to yell at her. Loudly. She nearly disconnected on the man, he sounded so angry with her.

  "You will do no such thing young lady! You destroyed the leadership of a County, by yourself, and have already defeated their military forces. Again
without the aid of others. You have a responsibility to these people to see they aren't abused or harmed now, that they do not go hungry, suffer no neglect, and to make certain that no one uses this vacuum to become too powerful. Especially since it's on the eastern border of my own holdings."

  She nearly pointed out that she didn't care and really, all things considered, didn't like him all that much anyway. Instead she sighed.

  "Fine, you can work up a list of people suitable for the job and I'll interview them, over the coming days. I need to get to class however. I doubt I'll do well, since it's meditation, but..." She was so downcast sounding that no one bothered to talk for a long while. "Or, I don't know, should I go and take control of the place myself first? Before some general or shopkeeper does it?"

  From a bit further away, Smythe spoke, sounding thoughtful.

  "That might be for the best. Even if you don't wish the job long term, taking control will be good experience for you. As long as you don't die while doing it. Do try to leave people alive, if possible. Otherwise it will be a mess."

  She couldn't like it, herself, but nodded at the little focus stone device in her hand. "I'm getting a nap first. I'll be in touch tomorrow then, to let you know what's going on that way. Mid-afternoon?"

  That seemed to be fine with them. It meant missing classes, so after meditation and sleep, she wrote out a note for Kolb, and passed it to Karen, who was back in their shared space. The woman didn't ask about it, seeming a little preoccupied, but finally she put out the light, so they could both sleep.

  The next day she decided to use a show of force, if she could, rather than the real thing. It took a bit to arrange, since she'd gotten up early, but she managed to borrow three of the very large Space Craft and Judith Kerry, as well as Orange, her grandfather, Bonita and Carol Coltress, since she had some groveling to do. Apparently she'd done some already, but no beating had been applied so it didn't count. She clearly thought that she was going to get out of that, but it wasn't happening. Not with Tiera on the watch.