Elements (Tear of God Book 1) (17 page)

“Do the other Advocates support the objection?”

Brop stood and supported the objection. Mink remembered that Brop was related to Pulti somehow and had met him once many years ago at a picnic. He never really liked him and figured he wasn’t going to start now.

“The motion has been quashed. Are there any other motions for action in securing the Tear of God?”

The ensuing silence became crushing. Then the elderly stateswoman from Briph stood again.

“If there are no new actions, I would like to state my case for preparing for war.”

Thurbst inquired of the assembly, “Are there any new actions to move?” Silence was the reply.

“Advocate Plisthb, please state your case,” Mink detected a tone of animosity in Thurbst’s voice.

“As we all know from the report,” Plisthb began. “Machinists have been collecting data on sites where ore can be found on our land. They are running out of their own resources and plan to expand their borders, with force if necessary. How long do you think the ore in the wilderness will satisfy them? The largest lode in Octernal extends into my Prefecture of Briph. I have the safety and lives of my constituents to consider. I do not propose that we initiate war. I say that war is already upon us!” Plisthb remained standing, seeming to expect approval.

“The lode you refer to is mostly located in my Prefecture of Millshur, Advocate Plisthb,” Thurbst countered. “Millshur has more to risk than Briph and yet I do not advocate war.”

“Whether or not you care for your constituents, I must leave for them to—”

Thurbst cut Plisthb off in Smranksth. “Nyskth Arphk Phobst!” Mink didn’t recognize the words, but they couldn’t have been kind. Plisthb sat down in a huff. Exhaling a long breath, Thurbst addressed the assembly. “War is not upon us. And if we bring war to our borders by sending an army, then we only have ourselves to blame.

“With the Tear of God secured inside our borders, we can ensure all of our constituents’ safety for thousands of years. Within a matter of days the Machinists may take the Tear of God for themselves. I think Durren’s action of sending a smaller team is the wisest option. A smaller group can move faster.”

Thurbst continued his speech. “We know more now about the Machinists’ surveillance capabilities from Juré’s report. We must not send a message of aggression. Before we act, we should have as much information as possible. Juré’s son, my friend Mink, has agreed to be available for your questions. Let us all have a clearer picture before we discuss further actions. Mink, please help us with your answers.” Thurbst stepped aside and indicated where Mink should stand.

M
INK’S LEGS
felt heavy as he approached the podium. Thurbst left the dais and took his seat in the Millshur column. In front of the assembly, Mink found it difficult to concentrate. He felt unsure of anything he knew. The sixty-four people that ran his country all turned their attention to him.

Then something happened that caught Mink completely off-guard. Every member of the High Council stood and applauded him. He felt both reassured and embarrassed. As they took their seats, he persuaded himself that they greeted all guest speakers this way.

“Thank you.” Mink bowed his head in gratitude.

The senior Advocate from the top row in the far right column stood and introduced herself. “Mink, I am Dyarna of the Eternsa Prefecture.” Mink had passed through Eternsa a few times, but his mother had pulled them so fast he never got a feel for it. “May I assume that your being here means that your mother succeeded in placing the Quick Legs effect on you?”

“Yes. She did.”

Another round of applause filled the room.

“You were able to use it well, it seems. This is extraordinary. Were your parents all right when you left them?”

“Yes, ma’am. They were.”

“Did you see any Machinists while you were with them?”

“Just an ore scout and his vehicle.”

“You saw the scout?” Dyarna asked, surprised.

“Yes.”

“Did you watch him die?”

“No. My father and I returned to camp before that.” Mink felt anxious about this line of questioning. On one hand, his mother’s success in turning a self effect into a target effect could earn her praise and recognition. On the other hand, Mink worried that killing the scout might get her in trouble. For the life of him, Mink couldn’t remember why the scout had to die.

“I have no more questions and will pass the witness,” Dyarna sat.

The senior Advocate beside her stood. “Mink, I am Shmecu, Advocate from the Hewl Prefecture.” Mink noticed she had a light Pashmeetan accent, like Gyov. The zee sound over the ‘th’ was a dead giveaway. He relaxed a bit at the thought of her. “Did your mother tell you how she disposed of the scout’s Body or vehicle?”

Mink racked his brain. If Nyam had told him or his father, Mink couldn’t remember. Not the kind of thing that someone just forgets, so Mink opted to respond, “She never said. I’m sorry.” Having a Spirit user for a dad, he learned to be evasive.

“Do you have any information about the scout that you can share with us, other than his appearance?” Shmecu’s tone was so coddling that Mink got the feeling she was laying a trap. He remembered Juré, Durren, and Thurbst cautioning him to only answer with information that was personally verifiable. Even though his dad did share some details, Mink wouldn’t know if they were the truth, or even if he remembered them correctly. Did he actually know anything at all about the scout?

“I only saw him briefly as he came out of the mine entrance and got into his vehicle. After my dad made him sleep and my mom and I went into the caverns, I never saw him or his vehicle again.”

“Did either your mom or dad tell you anything about the scout?” Shmecu pressed.

Mink had to risk the lie. “No. They didn’t talk about him.”

“Your dad reported that he used Silent Signal Fire on you while you were in the caverns, and thusly communicated information to you and your mother. Is that true?”

“Oh. True.” Sweat beaded on Mink’s forehead and he resisted the urge to wipe it.

“And what information did he communicate?”

“Directions. He was telling us where to go so we wouldn’t get lost.”

Shmecu became quiet and pursed her lips. “I have no further questions and pass the witness.”

Mink got dizzy and realized he was holding his breath. As the next Advocate stood, he consciously breathed deep and slow.

“Mink, I am Senior Advocate Hashem, from the Gynsgade Prefecture, and I only have one question.” Mink tended to find the Pashmeetan accent to sound haughty coming from males, but something about Hashem made Mink like him instantly. “Are you certain that what you saw is, in fact, a Tear of God?”

Suddenly, Mink remembered that Hashem was one of the ten Advocates who had remained sitting during the vote to claim the geode. He worried that Hashem’s stance would leave his parents alone and without rescue. Mink wanted to say that he did indeed identify the enormous crystal as the Tear of God, but how would he know? It was really his mother who was convinced, having touched it.

“Yes, sir. My mom and I verified it.”

“How did you verify it?”

“We went up to where the ore scout had broken off a section of the geode. My mom touched the crystal.” Mink did not like the sound of the gasps that followed.

“How many Tears of God have you seen before?” Hashem challenged Mink rhetorically.

“None.”

“I have no further questions and pass the witness.”

Mink couldn’t let it rest. “It’s larger than this building. It gave my mother enough power to—”

Hashem stood quickly and yelled back at Mink. “No one has asked you a question! If you cannot keep quiet, you will be arrested for contempt!” Whatever respect Mink had held for Hashem hardened to resentment.

Mink’s nervousness and embarrasment were replaced by anger. His Uncle Durren would be next to question him, and Mink hoped to God that he would help get the story back on track. Durren stood with a calm that led Mink to doubt whether his uncle had been paying attention at all.

M
INK, I
am Durren, Advocate from Floth. You are my nephew and we are well acquainted, correct?”

“Yes.” Mink was glad that only a few from the assembly seemed surprised by this information.

“My sister was the one who took you through the caverns, identified the Tear of God, and killed the scout by herself. She effected you with Quick Legs, Tunnel Vision, and Regenerative Cells, and then sent you back to Advocate Thurbst with the confidential message from your father, Juré, who is an intelligence operative. Is this information also correct?”

“Yes,” Mink replied, and then added with aplomb, “All of it.”

“What were the three of you doing out at Rift Ridge?”

Mink trusted that his uncle wouldn’t ask a question that would endanger himself or his parents. “I still haven’t discovered my Elemental affinity, so they were testing me with some advanced methods they developed.”

The murmur that circulated around the chamber satisfied Mink. The looks he had been getting were increasingly dubious and hostile, but now there was a palpable atmosphere of awe and respect.

His uncle continued. “As we also know from the report, your father first saw the scout while using the Mental Vacation effect in search of you.” The leading look Durren sent Mink telegraphed don’t-screw-this-up. “Then he brought you and your mother to the spot above where he found the vehicle was parked. Do I have that right?”