When it came time to address the people, Aaron, his three new inductees, and Secretary, of course, rode to the Commons of Quill, arriving just slightly late as Justine would have done. Aaron knew it was the little, consistent details that proved to gain the trust of the people of Quill. Being late was one of them.
Flanked by guards and wearing one of Justine’s robes, Aaron stepped out of his car, followed by Secretary. The crowd in the amphitheater murmured and then was quiet. The next car pulled up, and Gondoleery, Liam, and Strang got out.
Aaron nodded to them and began walking to the amphitheater. They followed. When the high priest approached the podium, he didn’t smile or frown. He looked over the crowd. The Wanteds stood in the front as usual. Behind them were the Necessaries in their assigned spots, and beyond the Necessaries were a small group of tattered-looking Unwanteds who had come crying into Quill when Artimé disappeared. Aaron had quickly turned them into slaves. The high priest narrowed his eyes in their direction, seeing a boy who had been in his own class in school, Cole Wickett, standing there. He wondered how Cole was liking the little deal the high priest had made with the returning Unwanteds. Not that he cared.
As usual, Aaron’s eyes sought and found the spot where his parents always stood. The sun beat down on them now. The last time Aaron had seen his parents, his mother was very pregnant. Now his mother and father each held a baby girl with dark brown ringlets. One of the girls squirmed, while the other sat pacified, looking in Aaron’s direction. Aaron frowned and looked away. It was strange to know he had sisters. Identical twins once more.
When all was silent and the governors stood behind him, Aaron focused on a very different spot in the crowd and began his address.
“People of Quill, I come with news,” he began. “As your high priest, I must tell you that our neighbors in Artimé are plotting to attack us.” He let the words sink in and the murmurs die down.
“We don’t know how or when, but we do know that they have been plotting this for some time. They wish to take over Quill, get rid of us, and expand their hideous world. And”—he paused for effect—“they are using you to do it.”
Again Aaron waited in the thick silence.
“Those of you who have been visiting Artimé or accepting Unwanteds as visitors in your homes here in Quill—you are our weak link. I am asking you to cease these visits immediately without letting on to Artimé that we know about their plans. If we tip them off, they may change tactics and put us into more danger. As it stands now, there is nothing to fear in the near future. We are watching them very closely. But we can also use your help.”
Aaron flicked away a bead of sweat that dripped down his cheek. “In addition to ceasing your contact with to Artimé, I’m asking each of you to watch your neighbors to make sure they are not sneaking off to visit the Unwanteds or inviting them into Quill. If you suspect someone is making contact with the people of Artimé, please come to the palace with your information and you will be rewarded with Favored Farm food for your efforts to make Quill a safer place to live.
“In addition, I have appointed three new governors to help protect you and serve our land.” Aaron stepped aside to point them out. “Liam Healy, Gondoleery Rattrapp, and Septimus Strang.” The governors bowed when their names were called. Aaron continued. “They are your advocates, and together we are working tirelessly to eliminate the threat from outside our walls. We will not let the people of Artimé try to control us! We will not let the Unwanteds take over an inch of our world! People of Quill, we must come together for the sake of our land and our traditions. We need to act as one body in opposition to the enemy who is out to destroy us. And together we will become a stronger society, eliminating once and for all the enemy that has plagued us since they killed our beloved High Priest Justine.”
Aaron pressed his lips together and leaned forward. “People of Quill, vow with me now to work only for the best interests of our land.” He paused for effect, and then said with a flourish, “May Quill prevail with all we have in us!”
The people gathered there did not cheer, but if they looked deep within their hearts, almost everyone present could feel something strange welling up inside them—something that felt like anger and loyalty and courage. They used the courage to beat down the anger, saving it for another day and knowing instinctively that they would need a large supply when the time came.
Aaron stepped back, spent. The seeds were sown. The reaction was exactly as he had wished it to be. He sent the three new governors out into the crowd to greet the Wanteds. They would be the temporary face of the palace. For a short time, anyway. Long enough for Aaron to build and grow his secret weapons.
And then all manner of war would be released alongside the collected anger of the people of Quill, and the Unwanteds would be gone and Artimé would be his.
Just Keep Swimming
In the dark room on the lowest floor of Pirate Island, Sky, Samheed, and Crow were frantically tending to Henry, Lani, and Copper, who were covered in bruises and blood.
Sky looked up. Her breath caught. “Alex, thank goodness.” She waved her hand at the injured. “They weren’t strapped in when the island plunged,” she said. “They went flying.”
Samheed looked at Alex. “They’re all conscious now, at least. Henry was still out cold when we got here, and he’s bleeding pretty badly. We’ll have to sneak out in the middle of the night when we can go slowly.”