CHAPTER TEN
Banners and ribbons fluttered in the breeze, bright against the hazy sky. The park grew crowded as more people continually joined the throngs that already gathered. Music played in the distance, and a group of teenagers laughed as they engaged in an impromptu game. Booths set up along one side of the park enjoyed brisk business selling refreshments to the crowd. Fine mist from the fountain kissed Gillan’s face as he surveyed the busy area with frank amazement. It seemed a place far removed from the dark day he’d seen Daryl’s body hanging from a gibbet. At his side, Allie held tightly to his hand and seemed disinclined to wander, while Joran rested his head on his father’s shoulder. Both children appeared more subdued than they used to be. The New Caledon Restoration Committee offered counseling sessions for anyone traumatized by the recent events, but Gillan couldn’t bring himself to contact them, not yet. His experiences made him reluctant to leave himself or his family vulnerable to anyone’s manipulations. He hoped that time and continued security would heal them all.
A platform stood along one side of the park, far from the one where the hangings had taken place. Gillan supposed that Kurejka intended a subliminal message with the placement, deliberately distancing her new government from those earlier events. She stood straight and resplendent above the crowds with her fair hair pulled back into an elegant twist as she faced the council spokesman. For the first time that Gillan could ever recall she wore civilian dress, a simple black skirt and jacket with a white blouse, all of some fine material. She seemed almost a different person until one met her cool, assessing eyes.
The past few weeks brought many changes to the colony. Clean-up crews remained busy and construction companies began rebuilding. The faltering economy revived with the reconstruction boom, and unemployment fell to a record low as new businesses sprang up around the city. The citizenry established a new city council and through a hasty election selected a new chancellor for the colony. Kurejka won the post with no opposition. She listened gravely now as a councilman swore her into office and raised a hand in pledge as she repeated the oath. Her concise voice carried through the park.
Gillan looked around from the sight as he felt a touch on his arm and smiled as Kona joined him. “Is it over?” she asked softly as she turned her blue eyes toward the platform.. At that moment applause broke out among the crowds, interspersed with cheers. After the long oppression and days of fear, people wanted hope again.
“Now it is,” Gillan told her as he carefully bent to set Joran on his feet. The small boy protested faintly but Gillan admonished, “You’re getting heavy.” His ribs had healed over the past weeks but still twinged whenever he exerted too much.
Kurejka turned to face the crowd as she raised her hand again, silencing them with her usual authority. Gillan knew he stood too far from the platform for her to see him but smiled encouragement anyway as she began her speech. She kept it brief, a promise to the colony to keep them safe and a quick reiteration of her plans. Still, the children fidgeted impatiently before she finished and the media closed in on her.
“Let’s go,” Kona urged at last. “I bet the kids are hungry.”
Joran agreed plaintively, and Gillan allowed himself to be lured away, glancing back one last time. Kurejka’s handpicked security cleared a path from the platform to a waiting transport. It would carry her to the newly rebuilt regent’s mansion, where the festivities would continue. Celebrations would reign throughout the city with concerts and light shows, the sort of aesthetic pleasures that Unification had discouraged.
They stopped at an outside cafe and listened to the distant music as they ate. Allie and Joran watched the passing throngs of people with growing interest, which eased Gillan’s heart, and when they cajoled for a treat on the way home he gave in readily. The evening took on a sense of normalcy that had evaded him for far too long. He held Kona’s left hand to avoid jarring her right side where her reconstructive surgery still healed, and watched the children skip ahead of them as they walked home. Kurejka had awarded them an apartment in a slightly more upscale neighborhood than the home he’d shared with Angela. She promised them a larger place as soon as one came available, but Gillan remained unconcerned. He and Kona had already formed plans of their own as they talked late into the nights. They’d both received compensation for their services, a gesture that Gillan appreciated as he began to realize how destitute he’d become.
They reached their home after dark and settled on their balcony to watch the laser show that lit the night sky. Wrapped in blankets, Allie and Joran leaned on one another and yawned as they tilted their faces up, exclaiming occasionally at the play of lights. Gillan sipped at the cup of warm tea Kona had brewed for him as he relaxed into his chair. When the security alarm buzzed to alert them that someone approached their door, they looked at one another instinctively. Allie and Joran fell silent, their eyes large with sudden fear. Gillan smiled at them reassuringly as he levered himself stiffly to his feet. As he moved to answer the door he reminded himself that the days when he had to fear a night visit had passed.
A peacekeeper stood before the door as he opened it, and Gillan’s heart jolted. The young man inclined his head politely however, with his hands folded mildly. “Mr. Beyer, the Commander- I mean the Chancellor would like to see you if it’s not too inconvenient.”
“Now?” Gillan frowned and cast a look at Kona as she joined him.
“She said to tell you that she wouldn’t keep you long.”
Kona folded her arms defensively, and Gillan turned to kiss her. “There’s nothing to worry about,” he told her softly. “You know that.”
“I know.” Her somber expression never changed. “Hurry back home.”
“I will.” Gillan grabbed up his jacket and slipped it on as he followed the soldier to a waiting transport. It appeared to be the same luxurious vehicle that had carried the Chancellor from her inauguration. He ran his hand unthinkingly over the plush upholstery as he gazed through the tinted glass at the passing streets. He noted the empty lots where the remains of buildings were leveled to prepare for rebuilding as they drew close to the neighborhood where the militia headquarters still stood. The transport slid smoothly to a stop before the former regent’s mansion and Gillan emerged as a doorman palmed open the entry and stood aside to allow him to pass. Gillan felt vaguely absurd as the soldier escorted him through an elegant foyer toward a lift. He noted the presence of heavy security everywhere and wondered what measures he couldn’t see. The lift carried them in silence to an upper story and let them out into a carpeted corridor with tasteful lighting. Guards kept watch at either end, and Gillan reflected that some habits were hard to break. His escort stopped before a door and allowed himself to be scanned before it slid open.
Kurejka sat behind a desk, dressed in the same outfit that she’d worn at her inauguration. She remained as cool and unruffled as ever, and looked up from her work as Gillan entered. The guard bowed and exited as the door slid closed behind him.
“Gillan,” she greeted him. “You look well. How’s Kona?”
“She’s healing,” he told her. “The reconstructive surgery went well, and they said there would only be a small scar.”
“I’m glad,” Selena said warmly, sounding as if she meant it. She gestured toward the cushioned chair placed before her desk. “Please, seat yourself. Make yourself comfortable. Would you like a drink?” Without waiting for him to respond she rose and poured for them both. As she crossed to hand him a glass, she went on, “I thought maybe I’d see you at the festivities.”
Gillan smiled wryly. “I guess we’re not much for fancy parties. And I don’t own a suit anymore. Why aren’t you there? I thought they were supposed to go on through the night.”
She grimaced at his words and took a sip from her glass. “They’ll have to carry on without me. I can only take so much of that sort of thing.” They grinned briefly at one another before she went on. “I got your rejection of the post I offered you today. I noticed that you requested travel visas instead, for yourself, the children and Kona.” She leaned against her desk with her glass in hand and her question plain in her pale eyes.
“That’s right,” Gillan confirmed equably, but his heart began to beat a little faster.
Selena took another drink before setting the glass aside. She sighed. “So you decided to take my previous offer to go to the far colonies after all. I’d hoped that maybe you’d help rebuild New Caledon.”
Gillan toyed with his own glass, keeping his eyes lowered as he chose his words. “New Caledon has become too haunted for us all, I think. Angela’s ghost is everywhere. The kids have a hard time getting past everything that’s happened. They have a lot of bad dreams.” Gillan refrained from bringing up his sister-in-law. Maggie had attempted repeatedly to contact him. He couldn’t bring himself to forgive her, with the memory of everything he’d endured still too raw. Still, he didn’t want to remind Selena of her presence and be responsible for any revenge she might exact. “I want a fresh start,” he continued. “We want to go someplace where we can begin again as a new family, with none of the bad memories.”
“Or the good ones, either,” Selena observed gently.
Gillan smiled faintly. “We’ll carry those with us. It’s just time for a change.”
She nodded her understanding and sighed. “I wish I could talk you into staying. I could use someone like you in my new world. You know that Unification will come there someday as well.”
Gillan met her eyes plainly. “Not as long as you’re here to stand against them,” he told her. “I’ll put my faith in you as our guardian.”
She straightened and crossed to take his hand warmly. “I’ll be that as long as I can. Take care, Gillan.”
“You as well, Chancellor.” Gillan stood for a moment with her hand in his as he met her eyes. At last he let her go and turned toward the door. Kona waited for him at home, and tomorrow would be a new day.
THE END
Thank you for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed it and will take a moment to leave a review at your favorite retailer.
Thanks so much!
Cindy Huelat
About the Author:
Cindy Huelat began writing stories at a young age. She continued her passion as she raised three sons, and now shares her works with her three grandchildren as well. A native of Pennsylvania, she resides in Colorado with her husband and two rowdy dogs.
Other Titles By Cindy Huelat:
Ramlass of Aldaldia Series:
Exiles
Usurper
Alliances
Betrayals
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Other Titles:
Within A Dream
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Coming In 2022:
High Command releasing in April 2022
Also coming late 2022:
Within A Nightmare