Hugh Howey: Molly Fyde and the Land of Light

“A cycle ago, a human couple came to this planet, first as prisoners under suspicion, then as guests. When one of these became a Drenard, a new interpretation of the Prophecy was seized upon. Soon, this new method of reading grew and became known as ‘The One’ reading. And yet—like all other readings before—the proclamation failed. The difference was, this time…”

Anlyn scanned the crowd through the glare of the cone of light. She took another deep breath and licked her dry lips. “The difference was that this time so many of you believed. And your faith devastated you as it was pulled away. It had become attached, and it took something with it as it was discarded. I watched it happen as a youth, not affected as I had not yet learned to believe. I watched what transpired, and I promised myself it would never happen to me. I would never believe in anything.”

Anlyn looked to Edison, then turned slowly, taking in the whole of the darkness beyond the circle.

“We are a people that thrive on the edge, balanced between the passion of our burning hearts and the rationality of our cold thoughts. When I ran from here, from my home…” she turned to Bodi. “When I ran from you , it was with a heart that had never been lit. It was with cold thought alone.

“Mortimor and Parsona Fyde came to Drenard a full cycle ago, and they were, neither of them, the One. But I believe… I believe they gave birth to the One. It’s insane to hear it, I know. But it’s not insane to know it. I have feared this burning in my heart, but not now. Now, I balance it with my cold, objective thoughts.

“Molly Fyde, the daughter of Mortimor and Parsona, rescued me from bondage. What are the chances of that? Born on Lok, and therefore more from that planet than either of her parents, she is Human and Drenard alike. And the Wadi, I know the rumors don’t agree, but take it from me—I’ve seen it! I’ve touched it! The Living Queen is real.”

Anlyn met Edison’s gaze, felt the tears streaking down her face. “The Prophecy is real. I don’t know how, but I know that it is. You have been burned before by false hope and the passion of faith, and I watched from a distance. I will not ask anyone to go with me, but go I must.

“While the rest of the great Drenard Empire prepares for war with our neighbors, I will go to the great Bern Rift as the Prophecy decrees. I will await whatever comes through to harm us, alone if need be.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Bodi shouted. “The vote is over . You’re reciting superstition , not a Minority Position. I demand that—”

Anlyn whirled on him. “My going will have nothing to do with your insane war or your false vote. I’ll be going as an ambassador to the Bern people, as is my right as next in line to the throne.” She nodded to Edison. “And if the Counselor on Alien Relations will accompany me, we’ll take the full regiment of volunteers decreed for that purpose.”

“Alien Relations? Ambassador?” Bodi scoffed. “For the Bern?! ”

“Ambassador, yes.” She paused, turning in the Light of Speak to address Bodi once more. “For the Bern? No.” She lowered her voice as the wave of panic and confusion returned to the Pinnacle, spectators pushing their way to the exit to trump the other news-bearers.

“Two can bend the rules, Bodi. For right as well as wrong. The Prophecy will not disappoint another generation, I know it.”

“You’re a fool,” he spat at her.

Anlyn turned, walking back to the wooden bridge dotted with tiny burns.

“Aye, a fool,” she murmured. “A happy, hopeful fool.”

When Molly came to, Walter stood over her, prying Byrne’s fingers off her neck. She could feel the other severed hand still tangled in her hair; she reached back and touched it, a solid clutch of steel wrapped around a handful of her locks. It seemed the two arms were all that remained of Byrne in the galaxy.

Fighting for a breath, her throat burning, she croaked, “What happened?” as Walter pried the hand away.

“I ssaved you,” he said through his helmet’s open visor. He held Byrne’s arm up with one hand and waved it in the air like a sword. The fallen work light illuminated the scene with a dramatic glow, the batteries flickering for added effect.

Molly fumbled with the hand knotted in her hair, wondering if she’d have to cut it out to free the thing. “How?” She turned to look back toward the commons.

“Your friend called on the radio,” Walter said. He jabbed a finger against his helmet. “She taught me how to usse the SSADAR and fire the misssiless.” He stopped swinging the sword and took his helmet off, dropping it into the dirt and leaning in close to Molly.

“Doess thiss make me your navigator ?” he asked. He bent down, his metallic face flickering in the light of the burning ship. “Sshould we kisss?” He pursed his thin lips, his eyes wide and begging.

“Ew, no!” Molly turned her head and brought her hands up to his chest.

It came out harsher than she’d intended.

“Fine,” Walter said, pouting. “The cargo door iss bussted, sso good luck getting back insside on your own.” He marched off toward the wreckage of Byrne’s ship, slicing the air with the severed arm and mumbling to himself.

Molly groaned and sat up, Byrne’s arm tugging at her scalp. She yanked a clump of her hair through its grip, and it finally came loose, taking some hair with it. Grimacing, she scooted back to the low wall, dragging Walter’s discarded helmet with her. Her entire body felt sore and on fire; she could still feel at least twenty fingers digging into various sensitive places.

She took a deep breath, rubbed her bruised neck, then worked the helmet in place before keying the mic on its side.

“Mom?”

“Mollie? Thank the stars! Where are you? Are you outside? The door’s stuck—”

“Mom, slow down.” She swallowed painfully and flipped up the visor. Walter’s silhouette stood out against the burning ship beyond the other wall, three arms waving.

Molly took a deep, painful breath, the putrid smell of death filling her lungs. “Byrne was here.”

“Was? Where is he? I thought with the blast that you’d—”

“I’m fine,” she whispered, her voice still hoarse. “And he’s gone wherever his hyperdrive took him. It… it zapped him and left his arms.”

“Oh, dear. He’ll be very upset without them.” Her mom paused. “I saw the device running, nothing’s happening there? Is there anything—”

“No—”

Molly coughed, her throat scratched and irritable. Tears welled up in her eyes from the pain, then real tears followed as the rest came back to her.

“Dad,” she sobbed. “He said Dad was here, but he locked him away—”

“Oh, Mollie…”

She looked toward the burning ship, forced herself up and collapsed on the wall. She scanned the horizon.

“Cole…” More tears. “Mom, where’s Cole? Something bad happened to him, I can feel it. It’s just like when dad left—” She brought her hands up to the helmet, supporting her weary mind. “He’s… Cole’s dead, isn’t he?”

“Mollie. Come back to the ship. You’ll have to climb up through the pod bay—”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to.” Lying back along the length of the wall, she looked up at the bright stars in the moonless sky. “I’d be better off joining him,” she said to herself.

Her mother was silent for a while.

“I might be able to help you,” she said.

“Help me what ?”

Parsona hesitated.

“ Join him, ” she said.