A Manskliga teacher from Refuge asked her students, "How do you control a ram? It's bigger, faster, stronger than the average Manskliga yet we use it to ride and cart our belongings all over Varlid." When her students offered no answer, she said, "You never let it know it's a ram. Once a ram knows what it is, it can no longer be controlled."
A green meadow opened up before Furstinna. Grazing animals wandered in large herds back and forth. The crash of waves could be heard in the distance. On the other side of the meadow was a large rope and wooden bridge swaying over a rocky chasm.
Befrielse was already at the bridge. "It looks sturdy but don't start until I'm halfway across." One by one everyone made their way to the other side. The grassy and rocky terrain continued until it ended at the entrance of a cavern.
"I don't know the welcome we can expect from whoever rules here. Just be calm and on your best behavior."
They stayed close together and entered. There was no gate or welcome or warning. Torches lit the way down a wide corridor. It opened up into three new routes: left, right and straight ahead. Befrielse hesitated and then continued forward. At the end two guards stood before another well lit entrance.
The guards didn't look startled to see complete strangers approaching them. They did simultaneously lower their spears until they crossed blocking any further advancement by the group.
"With what items did you enter the portal?" the guard on the left asked.
Befrielse spoke for the group and answered the guard's question and added, "I have passed your test and proven my worthiness and intent to learn your ways."
The guards studied the group. "You weren't squeamish about killing a Jakel worshiper?"
"Not after seeing their rituals first hand."
The guard on the right nodded. "Here are some guidelines before you enter. If you have any weapons they will be turned in here and we will check them into the armory. They are yours, you just cannot carry them inside Refuge. Violence in any form is not tolerated."
"Except by you?" Kvinna smirked.
The guard grinned. "We only guard the entrance to Refuge. Beyond this point is a commitment to non-violence. You'll feel the difference and hopefully learn to appreciate it. Please withdraw all your weapons and place them here." He pointed to his side.
Befrielse looked at the group then withdrew his sword and stepped over to the guard to lay it down. One by one the rest of the group deposited their weapons.
"Who is the ruler here?" Befrielse asked.
"There is no ruler. The structure of government here is very different from the rule of Stark Harskare. Everyone is encouraged to take part. Right now the council for newcomers consists of Maja, Albin, Nova and Nils, "Whenever there are newcomers a meeting is called immediately. I'm going to take you to a waiting area. It may take a day or two because members have to come in from the fields."
"Everyone in Refuge is called to this meeting?"
"Yes."
"But you said there was a council. Aren't they elected to decide?"
The guard on the left stuck out his hand, "My name is Caj. All will be explained over time. No need to try and learn it all in one day. Please, follow me." He stepped toward the entrance. While Caj had been talking to them the guard on the right had communicated with a Skal. Another guard appeared to take Caj's place as the group entered Refuge.
The tunnel opened up into a huge three level cylinder. The area was well lit because the ceiling opened up to the sky. They were on the top level. Ramps to the left and right led down. Straight ahead another rope and wooden bridge connected the cylinder across the middle. Caj gave them a moment to take in the grandeur of the structure carved from the inside of a mountain. "The entrance to this cavern and this level was natural. We opened the top to the sky to let in light and carved down two more levels. On all three levels there are areas for storage, sleeping, and a cafeteria. The majority live in Refuge but like I said earlier there are those out in the fields."
"Farmers?" asked Befrielse.
"Yes and herders. We have several flocks of animals."
On the other side of the bridge there was an open area with a large plaque hanging on the wall. Candles flickered on a cabinet underneath and several stone benches were placed in a semi-circle facing the plaque. On either side there was another set of stone ramps.
"What is that?"
"A monument to the founders of Refuge. Copies of their diaries are kept in that cabinet. You can read them any time you like."
Caj made a right and descended the ramp. The group followed. Caj continued along the corridor on the second level to the other side and then followed another ramp down to the first level. Along the way they saw mostly Manskliga. Only a scattering of Elyun, Mikachiari, and Asistan Ti appeared to live in Refuge. They had not seen a Kertenkele yet.
In the center of the bottom level stood a tree. Members of Refuge sat reading, talking, or playing instruments. At the bottom of the ramp Caj turned right into a large area filled with tables and benches.
"I'm sure you're hungry after your trip. Have a seat." Caj motioned to an empty row. After they were seated he walked further back to a large counter and asked for food to be brought.
Furstinna had watched everything with wide eyes. "They're dressed plainly here. I wonder if we'll be asked to do the same."
Ganska poked a finger through a hole in her trousers. "I for one could do with a new pair. I can't believe they carved this out of a mountain. Must have taken years."
Kvinna faced Befrielse. "I don't like that we had to turn over our weapons."
"You are seeking asylum here Kvinna," Befrielse answered. "Besides I don't see anything we need to defend ourselves against."
Caj brought a tray of food and returned a moment later with a tray of drinks. The group descended on the food and drink. It was good, prepared simply. When Furstinna asked for some spice Caj apologized saying he'd never seen it in Refuge.
When they were finished. "Lets go to your rooms where you can rest for a bit."
"When can we speak with the council?" Befrielse asked.
"As soon as I hear something I'll let you know. You're the most exciting thing that's happened in Refuge in about five years so you won't have to wait long."
"You haven't had anyone new visit since then?"
"As you know the information and items to enter aren't easy to get," Caj said. "That's on purpose. So no, we don't get many visitors."
After exiting the cafeteria they turned right again and continued around the corridor to an entrance in the middle. They followed another corridor, passing several entrances with wooden doors. At the end he stopped at two. "Befrielse and Hem can rest in here. Furstinna, Ganska, and Kvinna in here. Is this alright or did any of you come as couples?"
"No couples," Furstinna answered as she opened the door to a room.
"There will be guards posted outside your doors," Caj said.
Kvinna backed out of the room in alarm. Befrielse held up a hand to stop her.
"Don't be alarmed. Just rest until our community is ready to talk to you. We can't have you wandering around until we know you better, that's all. If you need anything, just ask the guard." As Caj finished speaking, two unarmed guards approached behind him.
"It'll be fine," Befrielse said looking at Kvinna.
"Would you rather stay together in one room? That can be arranged," Caj said.
"No," Kvinna answered.
The guards closed and locked the doors behind them.
***
Two days later the center of the bottom room was packed shoulder to shoulder. The upper levels held more people looking over the sides to watch the proceedings below. All in all there were some five hundred souls living in and around Refuge, seventy-five percent of them Manskliga.
Four council members, two male and two female Manskliga, introduced themselves: Maja, Albin, Nova, and Nils. Befrielse's group stood in front of them.
The acoustics were excellent and Befrielse's voice rang throughout the three levels as he introduced the group.
After he finished Maja asked, "Can I get a brief answer as to why you've sought us out?"
Befrielse stepped forward. "I'll speak for the group. We've come to Refuge because we learned from Kunskap Forskare about certain things going on in Rike and Varlid. He's the one who set me on the path to gather the necessary items to enter here."
"How is Kunskap?" Albin asked with a smile.
"I'm afraid he's missing," Befrielse answered. "When he disappeared another member, Kvinna, felt in danger from the authorities in Fond so we decided to make the trip ourselves."
Albin's smile faded. There were several Manskliga close to the group who frowned and looked concerned. "Kunskap was a valued member of Refuge in the past. There was always hope he would be able to return."
"What exactly do you know about Varlid?" Maja asked.
"We know about the Grampas. We think there is a secret group running Fond called the Dold. Kunskap believed this group was developing a new weapon called, Vapen. His latest project was working with an Elyun in Dohla on possible reforms in the monetary system."
The silence in the room was deafening for a moment after he finished speaking. Then different groups started talking at once. Maja rang a gong hanging from a branch in the tree behind her. After a moment everyone quieted down.
"Did Kunskap share any of the information he was working on with the Elyun?" Maja asked with an undeniable note of hope in her voice.
"No."
"Kunskap trusted you with valuable information," Nova said.
"May I ask, are you planning a revolution? Kunskap hinted that your group would move out into Varlid." Kvinna challenged the council. Befrielse gave her a sharp frown.
Maja smiled and several giggles echoed through the chamber. "You'll have to live with us for a time to understand that our idea of a revolution is probably different from yours."
Nils was the last one of the council to speak. "You've brought us much to think about and we will split up our members to work on separate parts for discussion." He then rattled off four meeting places, one each for the Grampas, Dold, Vapen, and monetary system. "I move that people meet tonight and tomorrow morning and report back in the afternoon. All in favor say 'Ay.'" A thunderous response of 'Ay!' answered.
"Is anyone opposed to granting provisional membership to this group from Fond?"
"Will the council provide an introduction to our system first?" someone in the crowd asked.
"Of course," Nils answered. "Who has the help wanted assignments?"
Another voice in the crowd answered in the affirmative.
"All in favor of bring this meeting to a close say, 'Ay.'"
"Ay!"
"Meeting adjourned."
Maja, Albin, Nova, and Nils led Belfriese's group to the cafeteria after the meeting.
Maja brought refreshments then was the first to start. "What Kunskap has told you is correct. The Grampas are Manskliga. The Asistan Ti shared some of their technology with the Manskliga. That's when the Grampas started appearing in Varlid. They are the byproducts of producing what is now considered 'true' Manskliga. The Grampas were not supposed to live. Their deformities were considered too severe. But whenever you try to cage something there are always a few that slip through. They are their own species now. We still don't know how to communicate with them mainly because we can't find a way to approach them peaceably. They try to kill anyone not Grampas on sight. This led to two revolts. The Black hat revolt of the Asistan Ti because Prezidan Jules was using Mikachiari to further his own experiments and for sharing the information with the Manskliga. Mastare was the first Manskliga who left to form Refuge. Does this sum it up for you?"
Everyone nodded in agreement except Furstinna. "I still don't believe my family would have anything to do with this. My mother is a devout follower of Goddess Gudina."
"I'm not implying your mother was a willing participant. Our colony was founded on our attempt to intercede in the killing of Grampas and the manipulation of our race that produces Grampas. What we have every reason to believe is that high-ranking families in Rike take part," Maja explained.
"I can agree with you that we shouldn't be killing Grampas." Furstinna relented. "They are a race with their own culture."
"Then we will rest this discussion on that positive note."
Albin continued, "The Dold is an organization outside the Stark Harskare ruling family of Rike. Other than that we don't know much more about them. They seem to be violent and not above assignations, infiltrations of groups, and overall disruption but to what end is a mystery to us. They haven't sought to overthrow the ruling family and may have some symbiotic relationship with the higher class in Rike. If you have any more information, please share."
Everyone shook their head, no, including Kvinna.
Nova spoke next, "The Vapen is also a weapon most likely developed with help from the Asistan Ti."
"I thought the Asistan Ti's magic couldn't be weaponized," Hem said.
"We thought so too. I'm not sure if the they just expanded on the magic the Prezidan Jules originally shared. The Black hats who live here in Refuge are also unsure. We do know Stark Harskare handed over any Mikachiari they found to the Asistan Ti. The Mikachiari who live in Refuge escaped Rike during that time."
Nils cleared his throat. "The monetary system was something new. As you know each nation has it's ruling family as king, emperor, or Prezidan in the case of the Asistan Ti with a provisional government of mostly wealthy families. Lurazat Esarotarahis was studying the history of money since the end of the Varlid War. The War changed the landscape of Varlid substantially and there were promises of reform made to the general populace who fought in that war. Those changes never materialized. Lurazat started following Kunskap and was gathering data to show how the wealthy through inheritance stayed in power. Through marriage it was easier to rise in class and status than any amount of work, investment, ingenuity, or risk-taking. There have been popular uprisings based on these assumptions but without data to back it up. These uprisings have been summarily put down over the years by their governments. Some of those dissidents made their way to Refuge."
"Which is why I've been advocating building skills and apprenticeship training," Furstinna added excitedly.
"Those were a course of action promoted after the war and in some part they were implemented. We're not saying they should be abandoned since we value education in general, but the data showed those types of programs by themselves were not capable of bringing about real or lasting change for the general population."
"But we have lost that data," Befrielse said solemnly. "Kvinna worked with Lurazat in Rasima."
"Really?" Nils remarked. "Do you have anything to add?"
"I'm sorry, Lurazat showed me the data and it confirms what you've just said but I don't have any of his papers. He was planning a trip to meet Kunskap but died suddenly. I was being framed for his murder which is how we ended up here."
"That data was the last piece to our plan," Maja remarked.
"What plan?" Furstinna asked.
Maja continued ignoring Furstinna. "This is a lot of information to take in and the community will be talking about these topics today and tomorrow. You're free to move about Refuge and take part in any of the discussions. If you wish to leave Refuge, you may but you will not be able to return for any reason. If you stay and become a member in full standing you will be able to come and go within limits. For the communities safety of course."
"How long will that take?" Hem asked.
"That depends on you and the community. I'll explain how we operate. You'll choose the work you would like to do. The cafeteria, the baths and the common area are always open. You have your rooms and we have fresh clothes for you."
"What kind of work do you do here?" Ganska asked.
"Everything that needs done. There is a help wanted board in the common area with a council that oversees each area."
"Who does the work no one wants to do?" Furstinna asked.
The council members laughed. "That always adds a bit of excitement every month or so. The work no one wants to do piles up and causes a mess or interferes with other work or falls on the same people too often so they quit... . There are some interesting, often heated, discussions following one of these episodes but it always works out in the end," Maja said.
"Why doesn't someone just assign the work?" Befrielse asked.
"That isn't how we decided Refuge would run. Varlid looks like a giant upside down funnel. Everything that is produced, manufactured, and labored for is funneled upwards into the hands of the few. We purposefully set up Refuge to be the exact opposite of the rest of Varlid. That's not to say that we stay the same. We are open and willing to experiment with how we live along some basic guidelines which we'll share with you in the coming days. You've already learned one, we're committed to non-violence and part of that is no weapons are allowed in Refuge at any time other than work implements."
"What if you're attacked?" Hem asked.
"We are committed to meeting that attack without the use of violence. But we are realists. That's why the portal was created. That's why you will be worked into life in Refuge in stages," Maja said then pushed back from the table. "I'm about all talked out. Someone else want to take over?"
Albin nodded. "I think that's the most I've heard you speak in a week. Please ask questions if you have any but maybe you'll learn more by doing."
"I have a question," Befrielse added. "So who owns Refuge, how is it divided up?"
"No one owns Refuge," Albin said. "It is a small community. It's another aspect of Varlid we are trying to turn on it's head. There is no personal ownership of property or most items."
"But you can't produce everything you need here on this small area."
"No, we can't. Full members come and go into Varlid and trade or buy the things we need. We operate on mainly necessities: food, shelter, clothes, pursuit of knowledge and interests. The basics does take up most of your time but the load is shared."
"We don't claim to have all the answers," Nova said. "As you talk to other members you'll probably hear a different view on what we've been talking about and that's fine, encouraged even."
"One more question," Furstinna ventured.
"Of course."
"What about the Goddess?"
"Our first rule is to non-violence in any form. You are free to express your beliefs however you like but they cannot include sacrifice or violence. That's all we ask. Again, we don't have all the answers and we are not implying we're experts on everything about Refuge. Once you join daily life here and talk to others you'll have a better idea of what we're trying to build," Nova said. With that the council bid them farewell and they were free to get started in Refuge.
***
Caj walked up a grassy path to a pasture overlooking the Bred Hav. The council members who had spoken to the newcomers were there plus fifty other members of Refuge. Nils opened the discussion. "We're gathered to talk about the loss of Kunskap and Lurazat."
"Is there a problem?" Caj asked.
"That's why we're here. Kunskap recommended Kvinna to be appointed to the dignitary specifically so she could facilitate a meeting with Lurazat. The fact that she is with the newcomers, was trusted by Kunskap and also had access to Lurazat warrants some discussion. The fact that two of these three people known to Refuge is either missing or dead concerns me," Nils explained.
"You're not the only one concerned," Albin said.
"It could be a coincidence," Caj said.
"Refuge is still alive because we don't believe in coincidences," Maja said. "We've dealt with infiltrators before."
"The rest of the group seems to trust Kvinna, they brought her here to save her."
"True," Maja said. "Kunskap never had any reservations about Befrielse and trusted him to add people who were trustworthy."
"Kvinna's explanation is reasonable given the history of Stark Harskare's government. They could have found out about Lurazat's research and his correspondence with Kunskap and tried to frame Kvinna to undermine their group," Caj said.
"I think Befrielse may have more information to share than he thinks. He wasn't supposed to gain access to Refuge yet. There was a broader plan with Kunskap to bring a larger group to Refuge in a couple of years. We need to ask him about that."
"Could Befrielse be a part of some plot?"
"If we really want to get paranoid they all could be."
"Caj, I'm putting you in charge. Use anyone from this group to search everything they brought with them, their clothes, their rooms, the baths, wherever they stay or work in Refuge. Maybe one of them will be eager establish contact outside of Refuge," Maja said.
"What about the Grampas?" a member asked.
"We haven't had one breakthrough in communication with them in all these years. Unless something drastically changes we'll have to put that aside for now," Nova said.
"And the Vapen?" another member asked.
"They might intend to threaten all of Varlid with a weapon like that," someone else answered.
Caj moaned. "Start another Varlid War? If the Asistan Ti withdraws their magic support it makes many more smaller machines, like the Skal, useless. The Elyun would stop shipping raw materials and could seriously disrupt the flow of money plus having the Kertenkele on their side in a fight is a huge advantage. I don't think one weapon will cripple any of the other nations enough to make them surrender."
There was a minute of silence then Maja spoke slowly and clearly so everyone gathered could hear. "There is one place they could cripple with that kind of weapon. Us. Refuge."
"The three items not only guard the portal but also our location," Nova said. "It makes a weapon like Vapen useless against us."
"We're so close to finishing what the founders of Refuge started," Caj said. "We need to take the next steps. Our secret location has kept us safe for many years, but we can't take that for granted."
Maja paused to let the murmuring among the group die down then issued a decision. "Step up the memorization of the Phases and the Ninety-nine Ways. Once we do a final check that everyone in Refuge knows those two books by heart, burn all physical copies. They can't kill an idea, they can't stop a leaderless movement and they can't purge what they can't find."