The Reader - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

As it turned out, the Elders were actually elders. Literally. 

There were fourteen Elders total, seven males and seven females. Each one was from a different part of both kingdoms, and most of them were Blessed. 

The only weird thing was the fact that each of the Elders was taking on a tree-like appearance. Each one wore dark green robes and their skin had a bark like appearance. Their eyes were all green and their hair was a dark brown. 

The entire room was filled with chairs. There was a curved table in a “u” shape that the Elders sat at. In the center of the “u” was a red circle painted on the floor, a single wooden chair placed inside. 

Around the border of the room were more wooden chairs, each one painted with a name. In front of the chairs were small mats, although none of those were labelled. 

However, Emmeline noticed on the left side of the room the wooden chairs didn’t have names, they were actually the word “inquiry” printed on every one in neat lettering. “You sit here,” Newt said, gesturing to the chair at the end of the Elder’s table. There was no label on this chair. 

Newt bowed low to the Elders before taking a seat in on one of the mats. 

The Elders nodded to him and Newt flashed a grin at Emmeline before the Elder in the center picked up a bell in front of her and rang it. 

At the sound of the small ting the doors flew open again and the people flooded inwards. Lena took a seat in one of the chairs, and Forrest, Clara, Coral, and Beckett sat beside Newt on the various mats. 

Titus and the others from the travelling circus took their seats in the chairs on the left side of the room. Emmeline noticed that there was an empty chair next to Lena, one that read Wiley on it, and it made her wonder if the Elders knew Wiley was alive. The doors slammed shut and Emmeline refocused. 

“I, Scarlet, begin this meeting today by letting our victim ask any questions she wants to us. It only seems fair,” the woman in the middle said. Emmeline saw that her skin had more of a reddish tint than the others, which was odd but matched her name perfectly. 

It took Emmeline a moment to realize that by “victim” the Elders were referring to her. Scarlet’s eyes bored into her and Emmeline gulped. Any questions? She didn’t have anything to ask really, besides one thing. She hoped the Elders wouldn’t get mad at her for asking. “Why do you look like trees?” 

She expected a reprimand but Scarlet and the others laughed, their voices husky but also soft like the wind through the branches of the forest. “It’s alright,” Scarlet smiled when Emmeline looked away, embarrassed. “Most people ask us that - though most in private, but I appreciate your bravery and honesty. I am a Blessed from Zachryose, and when I first came here and formed the Elders it became clear that eventually we would grow old. Instead of picking replacements, I have begun the process of turning us to trees. The trees live forever and forever we will live among them - never quite dying. Eventually, the process will complete but we will keep some of our human attributes. Our names also refer to the type of tree - I am Scarlet Oak. Does that answer your question?” 

Emmeline nodded, surprised at Scarlet’s openness. No one had been like that before - everything was secrets. 

“Now, I begin with the actual reason we’re here today. Emmeline - a Reader - was welcomed into our town just days ago on the terms that no harm will come to us from her or her friends. She and the others have not only kept those terms, but also exceeded them by providing us what we always wanted - a preparation for war,” Scarlet glanced around the room like she was daring someone to speak out. “Two nights ago, someone attempted to poison Emmeline. The substance was unknown but we have reason to believe it was a cake and a substance that only affects Readers. The following Inquiries are on the left side of the room.

“First thing, Emmeline, could you please describe your experience? It might help us pick which of the four substances the poison could be.” 

Emmeline became unsteady. Describe her experiences? That meant explaining what she had seen in her feverish dreams. “I, um, well I wasn’t feeling good - I was very warm. I passed out and went into a coma, I suppose.” 

Scarlet and some of the Elders whispered to each other. The lead Elder beckoned to one of the men who stood confidently, though his voice was shaky. “I, Mulberry, am a Normie from Elyviella and study medicine. So as an expert in these sorts of … concoctions I can narrow down the poison to two options. Emmeline, can you explain a little more in depth? Did you have hallucinations? Did you feel cooler as the days passed on?” 

Mulberry raised his eyebrows at her and Emmeline felt her heart picking up speed. Sweat beaded on her forehead. “I had hallucinations,” Emmeline began, but she fell silent. 

Mulberry wasn’t impressed. “That doesn’t help. What kind of hallucinations? Bad ones or good ones? Fake or real people?” He noticed Emmeline’s discomfort. “I’m just asking so we can know what to search for.” 

Emmeline didn’t know what to say. The visions rolled past her eyes, showing themselves again and again. She felt the bugs crawling on her. Her lips sewn shut. She heard the comforting voice speaking to her in hushed tones. But this time the voice brought her no comfort. 

And she felt the icy coolness of Newt’s lips on her forehead… 

“I…” Emmeline began, stuttering. “I heard a voice.” 

“Was it a good voice?” 

Emmeline nodded. “It comforted me even if I didn’t know who it belonged to. But I also had a vision of bugs and…” Emmeline felt a shudder roll through her body. She looked down. 

“So a bad vision too?” Mulberry said, taking notes. “This is very informative, thank you. But it’s also slightly indecisive. Were the visions mainly good or bad? One of the poisons gives you visions that are a mix, mainly to make you insane. It actually can’t kill you. The other one gives you visions of your nightmares and your past before you die.” 

“I’m not dead, doesn’t that help?” Emmeline pointed out, hoping she didn’t have to mention the whole Newt predicament. 

“No, mainly because Clara was there to help. We don’t know if you would have died or not. So can you please explain a little more in depth?” Mulberry was getting frustrated, and Emmeline could sense the crowd growing impatient. They wanted to leave and Emmeline gladly would have let them. Who had invited the whole town? 

Emmeline had to think for a long time. Her mind was at war. She wanted this murderer caught - likely it was the same person who had killed Wiley. But she didn’t want to share so many private thoughts out loud. 

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her skin growing warmer. She was afraid of another episode but Emmeline didn’t want everyone trying to save her. 

She brought her shoulder to her head, hoping that maybe she could turn invisible and disappear. “I…” she began again, but her voice dropped. “I …” Mulberry was waiting expectantly but Emmeline couldn’t get the words past her throat. She shivered, trying to force herself to share what she had seen.
“Stop!” someone shouted, and it took Emmeline a moment to realize it was Newt’s voice. She felt his hands on her arms and wanted to shake him off but her muscles felt limp. “Can’t you see she doesn’t want to share? It’s obviously bothering her, she doesn’t want to relive it so don’t make her.” 

If the Elders were angry about this outburst they certainly didn’t show it. 

But it was almost ironic that Newt would be the one defending her when it was him that Emmeline was scared about. He had said she wouldn’t want to relive it, but the vision was him kissing her. 

“It wasn’t my past,” Emmeline spat at last. The kiss on the forehead had never happened, at least not when Emmeline was awake. “I’m pretty sure it was the first poison you mentioned.” At least, she hoped it was. Maybe that meant her recovery would be more swift and she would be better sooner than later. 

The Elders looked at each other. They almost seemed to be communicating telepathically. Maybe they were, it could have been a trait of being a tree for all Emmeline knew. 

“Very well, we believe your explanation. Thank you, Miss Emmeline,” Scarlet said at last, her speaking slow like sap flowing from a trunk. “Until then, all of our Inquiries will be searched for ownership of the poison. They will be detained in their private rooms until the inspection passes. Meet here tomorrow for further discussion of this case.” 

The bell rang again and the doors opened letting out the flood of people that had attended the hearing. Emmeline was among the last to leave. The Elders followed the other circus performers out - probably to lock them in their rooms. 

Coral, Forrest, Beckett, Clara, Newt, and Lena were the only ones to stay back and wait for Emmeline to get up. She hoped they couldn’t notice how much she was shaking. 

“Are you okay?” Beckett asked her. He was clenching his fists and Emmeline could see his green and silver veins pulsing with light. It was best to make him think she was okay so he wouldn’t destroy anything.
“I’m fine,” Emmeline lied, plastering a smile on her face. Her skin was drenched in sweat and her head was light again. But she didn’t want anyone to worry about her. 

Newt didn’t seem to believe her but Emmeline pushed ahead. 

“I’m so glad you’re alive,” Coral told her as the younger girl and Forrest caught up. “I felt terrible that Forrest and I had gone to bed.” 

“It’s not your fault,” Emmeline reassured her. “Besides, I think it’s best Forrest was out of danger. He’s still recovering too, you know.” Coral didn’t seem to need the reminder but Emmeline said it anyways. Forrest sent her a glare, but he broke into a fake smile when Coral looked at him. 

“He had another attack,” Beckett said quietly. “Lena locked him in a closet for two hours.” 

“I didn’t lock him in a closet,” Lena sighed, rolling her eyes. It was obvious they had been through this conversation before. She turned to Emmeline, and the woman smiled softly. “I didn’t want to endanger you so I took Forrest to the nursery up near Wiley’s room. It’s been abandoned for years and it was emptied a while ago, so I shut him in and guarded the door.” 

Beckett frowned like his version of the story had been ten times more interesting. Forrest didn’t say a word and Emmeline thought he was probably embarrassed at becoming angry for her, so she dropped the issue. 

“Wiley missed you,” Beckett said, trying to spark another conversation. “He said you should see him when you’re up to it.” 

“Can I see him now?” Emmeline asked, desperate to prove she wasn’t a weak and injured person. Newt sent her a worried look but Emmeline chose to ignore him. Conversation with Newt normally meant openness and spilling secrets - one thing Emmeline didn’t want to do. 

“I suppose,” Clara said, grabbing Emmeline’s wrist. “You feel okay, but I’m sending some healing goodness your way.”
“Healing goodness?” Coral snorted. “I want that embroidered on a tunic.”

“I can make that happen,” Lena said with a shrug. “I know the seamstress and we’re good friends. If you really want that, I can help make your dream a reality.” 

“I think we should get team tunics,” Beckett announced. “Each one should have a catchphrase on the front with our nicknames and our talents on the back. Like mine could have ‘I purged you, be free’ on the front and ‘Prince Purge’ on the back.” 

“You give me your ideas and I can make it happen,” Lena suggested. 

“Don’t tell him that,” Newt groaned, but he was grinning. “Then I’ll be stuck as death boy for the rest of my life.” 

“Get used to it, death boy,” Beckett laughed playfully. “Coral should be Water Warrior and Forrest can be Sword Boy. Ooh, Emmeline could be something like … actually I have no idea. But Clara has to be Healing Heathen.” 

“Heathen?” Clara said, sounding offended. Emmeline stifled a laugh as Beckett bolted away, Clara right on his heels. “You hungry, Beck? ‘Cause I have a full platter of revenge for that one!” She chased after him, giggling all the way as they ducked behind bushes and street signs. Coral and Forrest both laughed and seemed pleased with their new names from Beckett. 

“Speaking of food, I need to run and grab dinner. Can you guys handle yourselves for about an hour?” Lena asked them, gasping and smiling as Clara ran straight into her.
“We can manage,” Coral nodded. “If Emmeline wants she can talk to Wiley while we practice our talents some more.” She smiled at Emmeline. “I’ve been really working to try to make my water a tangible thing.” 

“That’s great,” Emmeline said because she could think of no other things. “I want to talk to Wiley. See you at dinner, Lena. And thanks again!” 

The woman waved and wandered off, leaving Emmeline and her friends alone again.
“Has Wiley missed me?” Emmeline asked, grabbing Beckett by the arms as he raced by. He groaned as Clara tagged him, slapping him hard on the shoulder.
Beckett glared at Emmeline before breaking into a grin. “You’ll have to wait and see.” 

Because that didn’t seem ominous. 

Wiley was almost like a lonely dog in some ways. Emmeline stepped into his classroom and he sprung upwards from the desk, nearly bouncing as he drifted across the floor. If he had had a tail it would have been wagging. 

“My star student is back!” Wiley cried out, wrapping his frigid arms around Emmeline’s neck. She pushed him off, still surprised that phantoms were so solid. 

“I’m your only student,” Emmeline reminded him. 

“What am I, a class hamster?” Beckett said, offended. 

“You’re about as smart as one,” Wiley said with a smile. Beckett’s mouth fell open. “Just kidding, Prince Beckett. You are intelligent for a boy your age.” 

Beckett rolled his eyes. “You forget that I am older than you.” 

“You forget that I am dead,” Wiley retorted. 

“Can I have another lesson?” Emmeline interrupted loudly. Wiley and Beckett both glared at her. 

“Of course, dear, take a seat,” Wiley beckoned to the seats around the room and Emmeline sat on the desk she had chosen before. “Your highness, if you would like you may sit in on this lesson.”

It took Emmeline a moment to realize that he was referring to Beckett. She supposed Wiley was right, Beckett was a prince and technically they were all supposed to refer to him that way. But Beckett would never be a prince to Emmeline, just like he didn’t seem to be a century old. 

Beckett nodded and took a seat in a desk not far away. 

Wiley immediately jumped into his lesson, Emmeline taking notes and Beckett remaining silent for once. 

She learned that the parent’s names were written in tiny font along the right wrist. She learned that a star meant Blessed, and the symbol that the star surrounded was a representative of what kingdom and place the person was from. The same was true for Cursed, but it had an “x” over the symbol of the place. 

A caged bird meant the person was a prisoner of something. A flying bird meant they were. She was a quick learner and Beckett paid attention as well, so Emmeline didn’t feel so alone. Finally, Wiley decided she was ready to try a Reading based entirely off of the markings. 

“Go open the chest in the corner,” Wiley instructed her. 

Emmeline felt a bit nervous. How could a chest help her practice? She made her way over to it, flipping the latch. She let out a scream. 

Beckett raced over to see if she needed any help, but Emmeline wheeled on Wiley. “Do you keep a box of dismembered body parts in your room just in case of a student?” 

The entire trunk was filled with arms and the occasional “back”, which was like a sheet of skin. Emmeline was overwhelmed by all of the markings but surprisingly none of them swelled and took over her vision. She reached out and touched one tentatively, but nothing happened. 

“They’re fake,” Emmeline breathed, turning to gape at Wiley. The man had his arms crossed. 

“You think murder is one of my passtimes?” Wiley asked her in disgust. 

Emmeline shrugged. Wiley didn’t exactly seem like the person who would rip off people’s arms for fun. 

“My teacher made them for me,” Wiley explained. “I kept them after all these years to pass on my knowledge and wisdom to ungrateful children.” The last part was pointed at her, but Emmeline was distracted by the fact that Wiley had a teacher. It made sense - how else would he have learned all of this? 

“Start practicing,” Wiley instructed. “Beckett can help you.” 

Emmeline woke in the middle of the night, her stomach growling for food. Her and Beckett had correctly deciphered a fair amount of the arms and backs. Emmeline did a lot of the work due to Beckett’s insistence. But when she got stuck on something he was there to help her. They made a great team and Wiley was beaming with pride. 

Emmeline took notes on all of the symbols even when Wiley assured her she probably wouldn’t see them in the real world. But when he saw her pen scratching on the parchment Wiley smiled, and Emmeline knew it had been a test. 

Eventually, Beckett had left for sword practice with the other dead folk. Wiley told him to enjoy his playtime outside, which Beckett responded too with “I’m training so I don’t get murdered in a pathetic way.” Wiley rolled his eyes, but he grinned. Emmeline knew the older Reader and the younger prince were good friends anyways. 

Her stomach growled again and Emmeline rubbed it. Ever since the poison incident she had been hungry more often. Newt made jokes about her consuming twice her servings during meals, but he smiled in a way that let her know he was just happy she was alive. 

Clara had begun to practice with the other Healers. They fixed minor injuries that occurred during the battle training - which the whole village now participated in. Midnight, for example, had been given a concussion by an overconfident Mac.
However, it soon became clear that Clara excelled in the medical field. With her Blessing she was far beyond the other nurses in terms of speed and ability. 

Clara moved on to more battle training, but she also attended the medical clinics in case she was somehow stripped of her Blessing. “It’s not likely,” Clara had said. “But I want to be prepared for the worst.” Emmeline thought it was very responsible of her. 

But then again, a near death experience did that to a person. 

Her stomach snarled for a third time and Emmeline sighed. Obviously, she wouldn’t be going back to sleep until she ate something. 

Emmeline crept to her feet, the floor creaking under her bare toes. She made her way across the room, giggling when she saw Beckett snuggling with his new stuffed animal. Lena’s friend had sewed one for him while Emmeline was unconscious. Apparently, Beckett and Clara had struggled with nightmares after seeing her, along with all of the other trauma. So Beckett was given a dragon stuffed animal, Clara a plush in the shape of a bear. 

As she reached the top of the steps, Emmeline was surprised. She heard voices! 

Before going further she waited a minute before seeing if she should proceed. Forrest and Clara were having a rather loud discussion, Lena went to bed about an hour before. 

“I think we should wait,” Forrest was saying. “You never know.” 

“I think we should announce it soon,” Coral replied, a note of sadness in her voice. “Otherwise they’re going to find out when it happens and that’ll raise more questions.” 

“We can prepare ourselves, but I think we have a hope now,” Forrest responded. “We fit in and everyone likes us. If we don’t tell, we can continue living in privacy. Besides, your plan is a bit … messy.” 

“Yes, they like us,” Coral sighed, exasperated. “But they won’t respect our decision. We need to do it before, well, before anything happens.” 

Ah, Emmeline thought herself. So Coral and Forrest were a thing. She suppressed a giggle. Why else would they be having a nightly discussion? Emmeline realized there was no reason that she couldn’t invade their conversation.
She walked down the steps, rubbing her eyes and yawning to appear like she was still half asleep. Forrest and Coral froze and Emmeline pretended to be shocked. 

“I didn’t know you were into midnight tea parties,” Emmeline joked, trying to keep the mood light. She didn’t want Forrest and Coral to know that she had heard the entirety of their conversation. “Why didn’t you invite me?” 

“What did you hear?” Coral asked, panicked. 

“Hear?” Emmeline asked, playing dumb. “You mean that goat outside? Of course I heard it. These villagers need to get a hold of their livestock.” 

Coral laughed and Forrest stared at the table. 

“Don’t mind me, just down here for a snack. My appetite hasn’t quite been the same lately.” She grabbed a bright red fruit off the counter and bit into it, juice dribbling down her chin and onto her nightgown. 

“We should be getting to bed,” Coral said softly. She beckoned to Forrest. “We have a big day tomorrow - spear training instead of sword. I’m so ready!” She smiled brightly, but Emmeline sensed no excitement behind it. 

Both Coral and Forrest made their way up the steps, discussing something in hushed tones. Emmeline sighed, devouring the entire fruit except for the core. 

She was about to toss it out when she heard a thump downstairs. Emmeline froze. Lena’s bedroom was upstairs and she had gone to bed. Newt, Clara, and Beckett had all been in their beds when she left. 

Clutching the fruit core in one hand and a kitchen knife in the other, Emmeline went down the stairs. 

The next floor was completely dark. It was a sitting room, complete with comfy chairs and a small table. That’s when Emmeline saw the movement. It was in the far corner of the room, just a shadow shifting. 

Emmeline lifted her knife, and when she saw the movement again, she chucked the core of the fruit. 

“Ow,” someone gasped and Emmeline whipped her knife around wildly, just now remembering the threat of an assassin. She waved her knife around more but someone caught her arm and pressed a hand against Emmeline’s mouth. She tried to bite down, but the figure shuffled around until suddenly a candle lit in the room. 

Except it wasn’t a candle, it was a finger. 

Titus smiled down at Emmeline, and her knife clattered to the floor.