Preserving Hope (17 page)

Will could sense the man’s thoughts. Arthur knew he couldn’t simply dismiss the idea outright, so he had to listen. But he knew that adding any adults to the mix meant he’d lose income. Why would anyone pay him to “hire” Elizabeth — Will cringed inwardly at the word — if others truly
had
volunteered, and there was no way to convince the rest that Arthur needed compensation for their time? “Will, all of our residents are essential to the success of this community, and we cannot afford any losses. Every single person is necessary every single day—”

“I disagree, Arthur.”

Careful
, Elizabeth’s voice sounded in his head.
He doesn’t like people disagreeing with him.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Really? Who around here doesn’t work every day? Who around here do
you
— a new resident, I might add — think is not essential every day?” The threat was there; Arthur feared Will would name
him
as the nonessential person, as did Elizabeth. That was a challenge that would undoubtedly get him banished for good.

But Will had other ideas. “The Traders.”

Arthur cocked his head. “You’re saying that the group you’re part of, the group that just returned with ample profits and the supplies we need… you’re saying that group is not essential to our success?”

“I’m saying the community functions fine each time the Traders leave to go on Trading missions. Between missions, yes, Traders can do work as farmers or foragers or carpenters; but the community functions fine while we’re gone. Right? If that weren’t true, we would have returned after our week’s journey to find the rest of you incapacitated, or worse. No, Arthur, the community has adapted each time the Traders have left in the past — including the only Mission I’ve participated in. It could survive just as well if a Trader fell ill for a few days.”

Will could sense the rising panic in Arthur Lowell. Will terrified the man, for Will wasn’t mesmerized by his words, or fooled by his empty rhetoric. And Arthur knew he’d have to deal with Will, and likely as not a more senior Trader who’d put such ideas in his head. “That’s a very interesting theory, Will. I’d like some time to think over your proposal.”

Will nodded. “Take all the time you’d like, Arthur. I’ll talk to the Traders. It will be several weeks before we need to Trade again, so we should be able to get quite a bit of testing done before we leave.”

Arthur’s eyes widened, and Will enjoyed the riotous laughter from Elizabeth in his mind as the man spluttered out his response. “But I haven’t told you my opinion on the matter yet! How would you go about such a thing?”

Will frowned, a puzzled expression on his face. “I’m not sure I follow. Elizabeth volunteers each day and has full access to this building and the potential unlocking substances. Would other volunteers not be able to do the same?”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed. “I have the key.”

One mystery. Arthur had the only key to the building. “You’re denying me the ability to test myself, then? Even if that’s what I choose to do? And others as well?”

“I own the key, Stark. And I’ll use it as I see fit.”

“I’d also note that you previously asked me to serve as the village doctor,” Will said.

Arthur blinked at the change in the conversation. “I did. Have you cured anyone yet?” There was a sneer in his tone.

“No, thankfully, there have been no injuries, and no one has gotten sick. But I suspect that the Schola stores many plants and herbs useful in healing. I’d like the opportunity to take inventory.” Will arched an eyebrow, knowing the Arthur was cornered. Word of Will serving as the village doctor had spread throughout the community when he’d arrived; to hear he’d been denied access to the Schola, where many mysterious plants and herbs were stored, would undermine Arthur.

“I… shall see about getting you access to perform an inventory. And I shall ensure that you have further access at such time as you need to retrieve something… to help someone who is sick or injured.”

Will smiled. “I thought that’s what you’d say.” He walked over to Elizabeth, bent down, and picked her up. She feigned sleep, but contentment flooded his Empathy senses; he’d done well by her account. There was still a tinge of sadness, however, for Arthur clearly wasn’t turning against his past freely, despite her suffering.

“What are you doing?” Arthur snapped.

“Carrying her home. It appears that today’s session has made her ill, and she’s unable to return home without assistance. As the village doctor, it’s my responsibility to make sure she’s adequately cared for. She needs to sleep and build up her energy. And possibly…” Will glanced back at Arthur. “Something in here to help her fully recover. You might want to leave the door unlocked. It will save you time.” Will could feel Arthur’s open-mouthed stare burning into him as he left the Schola.

Elizabeth shook with silent laughter all the way back to her room, curled contentedly in Will’s arms.

XIII

Innovator

“This is insane,” Eleanor said.

Will had explained his idea to the Traders. They’d spend their downtime between missions — or at least parts of it — working in the Schola and learning what they could. They’d essentially fulfill the same role that Elizabeth had been performing on her own for a decade, but they would truly be volunteers. No one would rent their services from another and demand research from them; it would truly be a free choice they’d make.

“It’s not intended to be a daily activity,” Will said. “You spend most days between missions helping out in areas that function fine during your absence, as you’ve always done. If we each did one or two days between missions, that’s another dozen rounds of research… and whichever one of us actually finds the combination becomes the first one living here to develop those abilities. And… we’re setting an example for the rest of the community. We can simply explain that we want to speed up the results, and we’re willing to spend a few days a month doing our part.” He smiled. “It probably wouldn’t hurt to mention that one needn’t pay a fee to Arthur to make progress in this fashion.”

“I don’t like it,” Eleanor said. “What if we all get so sick that we can’t go Trading? What if… what if one of us actually
dies
from this? It’s not right.”

“You aren’t concerned that an innocent girl has suffered those exact maladies? Or that
she
might die from it?” Will’s eyes narrowed.

Eleanor looked at the ground, swaying in obvious discomfort, her toe tracing the dirt. She looked up, her face hard. “Better her than one of us. She adds no value to this community. After more than a decade of experimentation we have no results.”

Will had never hit a woman in his life, and it took all of his strength to maintain that streak. “It could be argued the same for us. We do nothing that couldn’t already be done by others, a point proven each time we leave to go Trade, and our best work happens infrequently. Yet there’s a payoff for everyone for that supposed lack of contribution. By having us available to make those Trading runs, everyone gains wealth. If we were to adjust to having us hold full-time spots with the farmers or smiths or weavers, then our departure would mean less food to eat and less metalwork to sell. Yet that financial payoff is nothing compared to what will happen when the people in this community finally unlock the secrets to those abilities. Don’t you want to be part of that?”

Eleanor shook her head. “The risk is too great. I will not risk my health and my life, especially when it seems obvious that there will never be a payoff like Arthur promises. There are only so many foods and plants in the world, Will. Surely by now our Travelers have found all of them? Surely after ten years, Elizabeth has tested out every one of them in the Schola, in all possible combinations? If she’s found nothing … then there’s nothing to find. This is all a foolish dream spearheaded by Arthur as a means of controlling us and enriching himself.”

Will sighed, in part because he agreed with her regarding Arthur’s motivations. “The world is large, Eleanor; the Travelers have not reached every part of it. Perhaps even now one returns with the confirmed answers we seek. Perhaps even now, the substances we need are in the Schola, needing only to be consumed in sufficient quantities over a period of time, or prepared in a specific way. Why quit now? It can be done, Eleanor; the Travelers, I’m told, have seen people with these abilities, seen it
themselves
, and thus I believe others can do the same. Isn’t that a worthy goal? If you never take risks, you’ll never reach your full potential.”

Eleanor shook her head. “I’m a widow, Will, and spent many years after as a virtual slave. Now I’m free. I’m a woman, and yet I hold a position of prominence in this community. I was never permitted to own anything; now I have my own money and can buy whatever I choose. I was married to a man by the choice of my parents and bore children for him though I did not love him; here I am free to be own person and choose the relationships I wish to have. My family was murdered by an invading army; our location here is secret and the walls are secure, and I am safe. My wealth continues to grow, my health continues to improve. I have no desire to throw it all away on some foolish fantasy of developing magical abilities.”

Eva shook her head. “You have essentially called my brother a liar, Eleanor. He saw it himself, has spoken to those who can do these things. I, for one, think it’s foolish
not
to do what I can to help. Will is right. I will volunteer as well.”

Eleanor’s face was one of pity, rather than anger. “I hope you don’t come to regret that choice.”

“And I hope the same for you, Eleanor,” Eva replied, her eyes flashing. “I will tell you this now: should I discover the secret combinations, I will ensure that
no one
shares it with you. You are content with your current self and turned down the opportunity to learn this on your own. If, when given this chance, you refuse… well, I will make certain that you will not grow beyond where you are, the state you truly love, on the shoulders of those braver than you.” She scowled. “And frankly, that goes for
everyone
not willing to do this themselves.”

Eleanor stormed away.

“That went well,” Will said, arching an eyebrow.

Eva glared at him. Then she faced Aldus, Gerald, and Matilda. “I don’t know where each of you stands on this plan, and I don’t care to know. If you wish to volunteer, then do so. I have made my choice. I will test once per week each week and will stop one week before we leave on each Trading mission. Will, I believe it is best if you and I stagger our tests. I will take Monday, if you will take Thursdays.”

Will nodded.

“Might I suggest Wednesdays for Will?” Gerald asked. “That would leave a gap between us if I take Fridays.”

“I’ll take Tuesdays,” Matilda said.

“If it’s okay with you, Will,” Aldus said, smiling, “I’ll take Wednesdays if you’d like to take Thursdays?”

Will smiled and nodded. “Thursdays it is.”

Eva smiled, a rare sight, and her face erased any remaining gloom from Eleanor’s earlier departure. “Thank you. This will be of great benefit to Elizabeth, and she’s had precious little help in this regard from anyone, including me. Especially not since Genevieve’s death. My request is that you keep anything you learn from those not willing to participate, and should Elizabeth be there with you… make sure you try to convince those she’s with to participate in the research as well.” With nods of deep resolve, the Traders dispersed.

Eva looked at Will. “Have you given thought to what you might be doing the other six days of each week? I sense you’re not one to simply stand back and watch others do all of the work.”

Will smiled. “I guess I’m pretty easy to read.”

Eva laughed. “What skills do you have that you can perform around here? You’re obviously skilled at Trading. Do you think your…
other
skills… might be useful in any specific area?”

Will sighed. “I don’t know. But I’d like to move from group to group and see what I can do to help each of them. Perhaps my
other skills
will help me to think of ways to improve how we handle each of the major craft areas.”

Eva’s gaze narrowed. “Be careful, Will. People don’t like being told how to do their jobs, especially by one as inexperienced as you.”

Will nodded. “I’ll be careful.”

He left Eva’s room. It had been quite crowded with all of them in there. They needed to find a place to meet as a group. He wondered if he could use the cave, and decided against it. That space was reserved just for him and Elizabeth; should any others develop Energy abilities, he’d use the cave to train them there as well.

Will walked among the shops and the Stores, simply watching what people were doing. He chatted with those plying their trade, explaining that his previous trade was, simply, Trading, and he was trying to determine where he could best help the community. Perhaps aided by the financial gain they’d experienced in no small part due to Will’s skills, everyone was eager to talk to him and convince him of the superiority of their craft, and the always-urgent need for more hands. None seemed terribly concerned by Will’s lack of skill in their area, and his senses detected that he’d become something of a valuable piece in the social hierarchy. The group that landed the mysterious newcomer Will Stark would be the envy of the community.