D. MacHale - The Soldiers of Halla

Nevva was trembling. She looked to be on the verge of tears.

Saint Dane gave her a twisted smile. “Don’t you agree?”

Nevva started to answer, but stopped herself. She dropped her eyes to the floor. In a small voice she said, “Of course.”

That was it. Everything we feared was true. Saint Dane had found the exiles and was planning to wipe them out. There was only one piece of the puzzle still missing.

“Where are they?” I asked casually.

Saint Dane gave me a sly smile. “Oh? You don’t know?”

Oops. I was kind of hoping that since we were going to “drop the charade,” everything was out in the open. Guess not. Now Saint Dane knew that we still hadn’t found the exiles. I had made a huge tactical blunder.

Saint Dane strolled toward Mark. “I do realize that in large part the situation we now face is of my own doing. I should have seen to it personally that the dissenters from Second Earth were properly handled. But mistakes happen, don’t they, Pendragon?”

“You mean you should have personally killed them. Nice. Really glad to hear that you’re planning on running your own universe. Should be a real fun place.”

Saint Dane shrugged. My sarcasm was lost on him. “No matter. My lack of diligence has only prolonged the inevitable.”

“You are just ghastly,” Elli gasped.

Nevva kept her eyes on the floor.

Saint Dane continued, “And now I must decide what to do about our situation right here. I don’t believe there is anything you can do to stop me, Pendragon. Yet there have been so many times in the past where you have surprised me.” He raised a finger and wagged it at me playfully. “You are quite the resourceful young spirit.”

I wanted to grab his bony finger and break it off.

“Of course you know that you and Elli can leave here at any time, if you’re willing to use what little spirit is left of Solara. I feel confident that you won’t.”

“Really?” I asked defiantly. “Why’s that?”

Saint Dane kicked aside the green blanket that had been covering an unconscious Mark.

“My good friend Mark Dimond. Strangely enough, Eve spent more time with him than anyone else in Halla. Even more than you, Pendragon. I’ve grown quite fond of Mark. Such a pity that I’ll have to execute him.”

“What!” I screamed.

I went for Saint Dane, but only got two steps closer before I felt strong hands holding me back. Two Ravinian guards had slipped into the room without my realizing it.

“He is part of an annoying group of guerrillas here on Third Earth,” Saint Dane explained. “They’ve stolen weapons, food, even helicopters. Any one of those offenses is punishable by death.”

“You can’t kill him!” I shouted. I stopped worrying about appearing cool and in control.

Saint Dane looked at me with wide, innocent eyes. “And why not?”

“Because it’s murder,” I shot back. “And… and he was your friend! You may have been using him, but that didn’t mean you didn’t like each other. I know he liked you. Or Andy Mitchell.”

I was out of my mind. I was willing to pretend that Mark’s friendship with Andy Mitchell had positive sides to it, that’s how desperate I was to save Mark.

I looked to Nevva. “Nevva? Tell me you don’t have feelings for Mark. He’s a good guy. Hell, he even fits the

Ravinian profile. He’s exceptional, isn’t he? Geez, he’s the father of the dados! He doesn’t deserve to die.”

Nevva looked at the unconscious Mark on the floor. I saw her soften. She did like Mark. I knew it. Who didn’t?

“It isn’t right,” she said softly to Saint Dane. “Hasn’t he suffered enough?”

Saint Dane walked to Nevva. He towered over her. She couldn’t look him in the eye. Suddenly Saint Dane snapped out with his right hand and grabbed Nevva roughly by the neck.

Elli gasped. “Stop that!”

He didn’t. She had pushed his buttons one too many times. Saint Dane held her tight, lifting her chin so that their eyes met. He spoke in a low growl. “You either believe in the vision or you are no better than the dirt we’ve worked so hard to wash away. The choice is yours.”

“Let her go!” Elli commanded, her voice cracking.

I saw the intensity of the look between Saint Dane and Nevva. They held it for a good long time. I was actually afraid he’d choke the life out of her, that’s how long they stayed in that position. Finally Nevva blinked, and nodded in acceptance. Saint Dane let her go. Nevva tried hard not to gasp for breath. She was too proud to show that he had hurt her.

“I believe in the vision,” she gasped. “I always have and always will. But I do have opinions and would appreciate the right to voice them.”

“As do I,” Saint Dane said, back in command. “And my opinion is that Mark Dimond is a rebel enemy of Ravinia and will be put to death.”

Nevva shot him a look, but said nothing.

“Do you have a problem with that?” Saint Dane asked. Nevva shook her head.

“Good. Then you will be pleased to know that the honor of carrying out the execution will be yours, Nevva.” Elli gasped.

Nevva barely reacted, but I saw her eyes go steely. “Tell me your opinion of that,” Saint Dane demanded, taunting.

Nevva answered through clenched teeth. “It is my duty. I only ask that it happen as soon as possible so that he will not suffer.”

Saint Dane scoffed, “And before you lose your nerve.”

Nevva shot him a steely look. She was definitely back on her game. “Say what you will about me, but I have never lost my nerve.”

They held eye contact a moment more. I could tell that Saint Dane was debating about how to respond.

“As you wish,” he finally said, dismissing her remark.

He looked down at Mark and gave him a nudge with his foot. Mark stirred and grumbled.

Saint Dane smirked. “Good. I was beginning to think he was already dead.” He turned to me and added, “Now, Pendragon. Will you be leaving us?”

I wanted to tear the guy’s heart out, and I might have. If he had one.

Saint Dane laughed. “Of course you won’t! You will remain here, hoping to find some way to save your friend.” He motioned to the door.

Two more Ravinian guards entered.

“Take the rebel,” he ordered, gesturing to Mark.

The guards lifted a barely conscious Mark to his feet and dragged him out of the room. Saint Dane glanced around as if looking to see if he’d forgotten anything.

“And so it will be,” he said. “Make yourselves comfortable. We will reconvene at the execution.”

“Which one?” I asked.

Saint Dane didn’t know what I meant at first. He then smiled and wagged his finger at me. “Very good. I’m going to miss you, Pendragon.”

He strode for the door, then stopped and turned to Nevva. “Come,” he commanded, as if speaking to a dog.

Nevva straightened. The hard look was back. There was no hint of sympathy. Whatever second thoughts we had given her were gone. Nevva Winter was back to her old, cold self.

“I regret this,” she said. “But I will not allow my personal feelings to prevent the creation of a new Halla. It is for the greater good. You of all people must understand that concept, Pendragon. Sacrifices must always be made.”

“I do understand,” I replied. “I just don’t believe that Saint Dane’s Halla will be good for anybody but himself.”

“So you’ve told me,” Nevva replied, sounding tired. She looked to Elli and offered her a quick, curt, “Good-bye, Mother.”

She didn’t wait for a response and strode for the door where Saint Dane waited.

“I love you, Nevva,” Elli called after her.

Nevva hesitated for the shortest of moments, but didn’t stop or turn back. She strode past Saint Dane and out the door.