The Gathering (44 page)

"She is not the only one to dream, President Roberts.
 
Many from my village have also had this dream."

Several other leaders stood up and admitted that many of their people had been having nightmares about a black army and falcons.
 
Mona Gantry threw up her hands.

"Well, I understand there is something afoot, but I hardly believe in precognitive dreams.
 
The Lord has not told me of an army and I only listen to the Lord and his holy Son."

Voices were lifting as the differences in faith started to boil over.
 
Edward Nyland slammed his hands on the table and stood up.
 
The silence was deafening.

"ENOUGH!
 
Have none of you heard what I told you?
 
They tortured them and murdered them.
 
A young girl…a child was decapitated and her head hung on a wall!
 
They broke them and laid them in pyres and they were still alive!
 
They raped the women and slaughtered the children!"

Edward looked at Justin.

"I too follow the word of the Heavenly Father, Justin, but you must understand that He can only do so much.
 
We must be aware and tell our people to trust no one they do not know…and even then, be careful!"

 
He collapsed back into his chair as silent tears rolled down his face.
 
Alia looked at Edward, sad and angry that this gentle man was so traumatized and most likely changed forever.
 
She stood and looked around the table.

"I'm not asking you to believe in the ways of my gods, but you had better start thinking about your people.
 
I knew some of you would find reason to doubt anything said here, but like it or not, for some reason there is an evil among us and we need to work together to stop it."

The dignitaries nodded and most lowered their heads.
 
Stephan was now staring at Sean.

"I think it's your sin that's brought this evil here."

Alia frowned and stared at Stephan, as Sean crossed his arms and stepped forward, returning Stephan's ugly stare.

"Sin?
 
What sin?
 
What do you think you know about me, Merganser?"
 
Sean asked.

Stephan looked at Alia with angry jealousy, then back at Sean.

"Many believe that you have put Alia in a horrible position, using her to feed your carnal lust and she is none the wiser.
 
Perhaps you have been infected by this evil and are the catalyst from which it spreads?"

Justin Roberts put his head in his hands.
 
Alia stood up and placed her hands down on the table in front of her.

"Are you suggesting, Stephan, that Captain Lantry has been slipping me roofies and having his way with me?"

Stephan's head was pounding and all he could see was the image of Sean Lantry forcing himself on Alia.
 

"Yes, that is what I am saying!"

Sean charged Stephan for his accusations, but was held back as Myron grabbed his arms.

"You son of a bitch!
 
Let me go!
 
You aren't gonna get away with that accusation, Merganser!!
 
I swear it!"

Sean struggled against Myron as Alia walked over to Sean and placed her hand on his heart.
 
She looked into his eyes.

"Stop.
 
Captain, stop!"

He looked into her eyes and stopped struggling.
 
She was furious with Stephan Merganser for causing Sean any pain.
 
She knew his accusations had cut Sean deeply.
 
The tension in the air was thick.
 
Stephan continued.

"I also have it on good authority that Lantry didn't act alone. That the old gypsy woman was the one who gave him the drugs to lull you into a trance, allowing him to take advantage of you."

Stephan stood and walked to Alia.
 
She stared at him and used every ounce of strength she had not to strike him.
 
Then his tone changed.

"You are so fragile since the death of your husband.
 
You need protection.
 
Let me protect you.
 
Let me help you."

Justin threw his arms in the air and several of the other leader's mouths dropped open as Stephan professed his undying love for Alia.
 
Larry Hearst was now out of his seat and starting for Stephan when Elena stood before him.

"You take that back, you crazy thumper!
 
My mother-in -law is the kindest and most gentle woman to live on this planet."

Elena stopped Larry by the power of her presence.
 
She touched his hand.

"It is alright, Larry.
 
It means nothing what he says."

Beverly now stood up, her tall, lean frame like a wise soothsayer of old.

"Nonsense, I believe that what he has told us is of great importance.
 
On what authority have you been given this information, President Merganser?"

Bev's eyes were wide and calm.
 
Stephan looked at Beverly and then Alia, slightly reaching for her hand, but she pulled back from him with a look of disgust.
 
His eyes narrowed and he looked back at Beverly.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss my sources."

"I thought not, but no matter."

Beverly sat back down and smoothed out her clothes.

"I'm sure everything will be revealed in good time."

Alia turned back to Sean and motioned for him to stand by her chair, away from Stephan.
 
She also indicated that Myron follow lest Sean be taken by a sudden urge to kill Stephan again.
 
The room sat in nervous silence waiting to see what would unfold next.
 
Alia leaned on the table and looked at the people before her.

"Beverly is correct.
 
Time reveals all, but for the record, Sean Lantry has not plied me with narcotics, nor has Mrs. Petrulengo spiked my coffee and forced me to do anyone's bidding, although I am addicted to those éclairs."

Several nods and smiles appeared as Alia continued and Elena lifted a hand to dismiss the compliment, still smiling.

"In addition, I'm not under the influence of any demonic spirit.
 
The captain is not my lover, not that it's really anyone's business but mine and the captain's, but you all seem to want to know.
 
So, let's lay it all out there, Stephan, I do not need you to save my soul.
 
I do not love you.
 
I will never marry you.
 
I do not need your protection and I am not nearly as fragile as many of you might think.
 
Do I make myself clear?"

"You're a witch, Alia Stark!"

"Now you're getting it, Stephan."

Justin Roberts had gotten up and walked to where Stephan was standing and laid his hand on his friend’s shoulder.
 
The look on Justin's face made Stephan go back to his chair and sit down.
 
Grant Turner, who was now standing, took hold of Larry Hearst's shoulder and gently pulled him back to his seat, nodding at Elena, who tapped Larry gently on the
hand
she had been holding.
 
Grant then looked at everyone.

"Alright, alright, let's all calm down.
 
I've known these two for thirteen years and I know that Sean has the utmost respect for the queen of Lia Fail."

The dignitaries breathed deeply as the last of the tension began to fade.
 
Elisabeth Garrison, the lead pastor of Dove Hill, the non-denominational Christian camp, stood up.

"So let's say your dreams are accurate… you believe this army is still out there, Alia?"

Alia looked at her and nodded.

"Yes.
 
We have no reason to think that they would have left.
 
I think they want something, possibly something here, and there must have been a fair number of them to do the damage that they did."

Edward was white and his eyes were red.
 
He looked about the room and then stood up.

"Those who chose to stay at St. Viviana's should arrive by tomorrow.
 
If they don't, then I believe they may have been attacked.
 
We'll know then for certain."

Aaron Levine now stood up with an uncommonly serious look on his face.

"I agree with Alia.
 
The last thing we need now is a panic on our hands.
 
We should call our villages and alert them of this army, but I think we should all stay here."

Stephan's fury was again rising in his chest.
 
He looked at Lantry who was staring back at him.
 
There was no mistaking the fury in Sean's eyes.
 
For what seemed an eternity, they stared at one another, neither looking away until Stephan felt a hand on his arm.
 
He looked up at Justin's face, then over at Alia.
 
She looked at Stephan, her eyes angry and tense.
 
Larry Hearst stood up.

"Well, then we're in agreement.
 
We'll all stay here in the Fail for the duration of the Gathering.
 
I think we should be careful about how we tell our people about St. Viviana's."

Alia nodded.

"Then let this meeting be adjourned.
 
As soon as we hear from the remaining members of Salt Lake II, we'll alert you.
 
Good afternoon everyone."

All of the leaders nodded in agreement, rose from their seats and began to move outside, saying their good-byes.
 
Stephan, still looking at Alia, shoved his chair back and stormed out of the room.
 
Sean didn't take his eyes off him until he had left the building and then shrugged off Myron's grip and walked over to the window, his hands on his waist as he stared in the direction Stephan had gone.
 
Justin Roberts watched this and then quietly stood up and walked over to Alia.
 
She turned to look at him.

"My apologies, Alia.
 
I'm afraid that Brother Stephan has been under tremendous strain as of late and perhaps he needs a rest."

Alia could see the embarrassment in Justin's eyes.
 
She sighed.

"Your apology is much appreciated, Justin."

Justin sheepishly nodded his head.
 
He nodded to Beverly, Elena, Larry, Grant, Aaron and even Myron, then turned to leave.
 
The room cleared quickly, leaving the friends standing in silence.
 
Sean continued to stare out the window.
 
Alia got up and walked over to a hutch against the wall.
 
She opened it and pulled out a decanter filled with whiskey, along with eight glasses.
 
She turned and walked silently back to the table, opened the stopper and began to pour.

"Anyone else?"

"Yes, please, Darlin', I was feeling a bit parched."

Beverly was already reaching for a glass when Grant smiled and handed one to her.
 
Elena was again holding Larry's hand.

"Can you believe that asshole?
 
Accusing you of any kind of…I just don't get it."