Night of the Bells
January 19th, 2020
The last bell rang out, signifying Avalus’ escape from her prison, and then the city erupted into celebration. Amelia sipped at a glass of cognac, enjoying herself and the evening. The week would end and she’d be returning to Ceretis for her studies. In the meantime she’d enjoy being home. Dancers whirled about the room, enjoying the music and company.
Taewin passed by her arms locked with two other young men, giving her a loving smile and she winked back at him. She narrowly dodged being dragged out onto the floor and stepped out onto the balcony. Lights lit up the garden, casting shadows from trees and bushes. The younger children, watched over by mother’s and nannies, played seek and find among the shadows. She caught sight of her little sister chasing down a boy and tagging him out. She then turned around looking for another target.
Someone came out on the balcony next to her. It was Taewin, flushed and exhausted from the dance. She passed him what was left of her drink.
He took the glass and set it aside on the railing. Instead he leaned in and gave her a quick passionate kiss. She let him for a few seconds and then pushed him back, feigning shock.
“You are drunk,” she teased.
“I’ve not had a single drink,” he reassured her.
She peered down below to make sure no one was looking up at them and then she went back in for a kiss again, this one lasting much longer. After they just held onto each other, the sounds of children playing below and the party inside fading away as they just looked at each other.
“I’ve gotta take Silvia back to the palace,” she bemoaned.
He pulled her tight, taking another kiss. “I’ll miss you,” he whispered.
“You’d better,” she said, pulling away. “I’ll see you tomorrow though.”
He held her hand for a moment as she pulled away and then he let her go. She smiled the whole way down through the house, thinking about him.
Silvia wasn’t too happy about being pulled away from her play, but she still said her goodbyes and followed Amelia to the waiting car. “Can I see Sigurda tomorrow?” she asked as the car pulled away from the house, heading back towards Blaegfyurd.
“You miss her that much?”
“I’m gonna be her favorite aunt.” It was said with such enthusiasm that Amelia reached out and ruffled her sister’s hair.
The city was so awake as the celebrations continued through the night. She watched dancers carrying on in the streets. Drinks and singing in celebration of the Hastfradic heritage. Amelia thoughts were solely on Taewin, the strength of his embrace and the warmth of his kisses. She found herself daydreaming, wishing she was back on that balcony.
Klaus Haestersen checked his watch, making sure his timing was right. He was actually ahead of schedule. Two minutes ahead. He bent back to his work, concentrating on finishing his task. He pushed the last piece of electronics together and was satisfied when the device came on with a cheerful beep. He made sure it was set properly, taking into account the two extra minutes, and then he was done.
He closed the panel he’d pried open, and then walked casually away. He walked a few blocks to a little pub in a basement, ordered a beer, and waited along with the rest of the revelers.
It had been a busy night for Frederik. Most holidays were. But the Night of the Bells always kept him open until nearly three in the morning as revelers came in and out for alcohol, smokes, and snacks. He was happy it was closing time. He was already dreaming of his pillow.
He pulled the gate down in front of his store and latched the lock. As he pocketed his keys he noticed a man messing with one of those electrical boxes up the street a ways. The man pushed it shut, and then disappeared around the corner.
Frederik shrugged and decided to mind his own business. He headed off a different direction towards home. But the more he thought about it the more suspicious he became. He turned and headed back. He figured he’d just check the box, make sure nothing suspicious was going on, and then head home. If he found something amiss he could call the Civic Order Patrol.
No one could say he wasn’t a man to do his civic duty. He found the electrical box and pulled on the door, expecting it to remain shut. But it came open easily. He saw that the lock had been broken. He opened it up and peared in, the light from a street lamp enough to see by. He knew right away that it was bad.
A device had been attached to it. It looked complicated, with numerous wires and two cylinders taped together. A little green light blinked on and off. His heart beat as he realized it was probably a bomb. He looked around. The street was deserted, except for a single car and two motorcycles coming down the roadway.
He pulled out his phone to make a call. As he dialed, and the car with its motorcycle escort passed, the green light turned off and a solid red one came on.
Sherwin was finishing up in his office, sipping at a cold beer and relaxing after his speech addressing the Federation on the importance of the holiday, when the explosion rattled his window. At first he thought it was wind and thunder, and took no notice of it. But a minute later a second followed, this time lighting up the city outside his window. He looked up and could see a pillar of flames rising into the night sky.
He hopped to his feet and rushed to the window. What was going on?
Another explosion went off, and this time it was close. The Gisard Theatre, a two hundred year old landmark facing the palace, disappeared in a bright flash of flame and smoke. Sherwin covered his eyes against the blast.
His office door burst open and his personal Huskavrals came in, lead by Colonel Konraed Fedderhaem, the commander of the palace guard.
Fedderhaem didn’t bother saluting, as he was in full on crisis mode. “There’s an ongoing attack on the city, your majesty,” he said matter of factly, but with an urgency.
“I can see that,” Sherwin said. “What’s going on out there?”
Fedderhaem let his military demeanor down for a second. “I don’t know,” he said shakily. “But we have to get you to safety. Helicopters are en route.” He motioned for the emperor to hurry.
Sherwin complied, and he was escorted from his office and down the hall. “What about my family?” he asked.
“Your wife and baby are safe in Rathberg, but we are moving them to the Halkonspaer now. A squad has been sent to secure the Prince in Eborum as we speak.”
“And my daughters?”
Fedderhaem was silent. He met his emperor’s gaze. “No reports yet, sir, but I’ve sent people out for them.”
Sherwin asked no more questions, a sickening pit building in his stomach as he remembered his dream from the night before.
Please Aela,he prayed.
Not my girls. Let them be alright.
The helicopters had landed on the palace lawn and Sherwin was hurried into one. The helicopters took off, weaving among each other to hide which one he was in. As the city disappeared below him he saw what appeared to be a dozen different fires burning across the city.
They’d just gotten the baby down for the night and climbed into bed. He’d just closed his eyes and then there was a heavy pounding at the door. It was an urgent rapping, echoing through the apartment.
Irwin got up, tossing a robe on. He rushed out of the bedroom, barely registering Elaena cursing and saying they better not wake the baby.
Irwin opened the door. A half dozen Huskavrals, in their grey uniforms, stood armed outside the door.
“We are here to take you to safety,” one of them said. “There has been an attack in Karthied.”
Irwin didn’t even ask questions, his own naval training kicking in. “Elaena,” he called. “Get dressed!”
He rushed to the bedroom, quickly explaining what was going on. She rushed to get dressed, as he got his own clothing on.
“What about the baby?” she asked.
“I’ll get her,” Irwin answered, putting on his shoes. He picked up the baby out of the crib, still sleeping despite the commotion.
Elaena had grabbed some clothes for the baby and tossed them into an overnight bag.
The Huskavrals were waiting inside the living room, two guarding the front door.
“Helicopter inbound,” they were informed. As they rushed outside, down the front steps, a helicopter landed in the street. The noise of the rotors were enough to wake the baby and Sigurda began to wail. She was nearly drowned out by the helicopter.
Within seconds they’d been hustled aboard and the helicopter lifted off into the night.
Taewin rushed to the window, the explosion rattling the glass. He could see a plume of fire rising into the air a dozen or so blocks away. People were already panicking.
He made his way into a balcony and could here the sounds of sirens wailing in the distance. Then another explosion drew his attention, this time towards Agnavalus Boulevard.
His first thought was for Amelia as the palace was up that way. He pulled out his phone to call her. “The number you have dialed is not in its service area, please dial…” he hung up.
He dialed another number. This time his brother picked up. “Are you alright?” he heated Arron ask.
“Yes I am. Do you know what’s going on?”
“I don’t. I can’t reach father. Is the Princess with you?”
“No, and I can’t reach her.”
Another explosion lit up the sky, this time to the north. It was far off for him, but the sound was louder over the phone.
“Aela watch us,” his brother exclaimed. “Northgate is gone…”
Taewin looked towards the direction Amelia’s car would have gone. He hung up on his brother and dashed through the house, dodging through panicked party goers. He needed to make sure she was safe. He had to find her.
Outside he commandeered a moped, not giving a damn who it belonged to. He hotwired it, a skill his father had taught him.
He followed the path her car would have taken her. He heard or noticed a few more explosions, but paid them no find. Instead he prayed that she was alright, that she’d made it to the palace.
He found her car, blown on its side. One of the explosions had gone off out front of the Karthied Bank, and the vehicle had been caught in the explosion. Tossed through the air the car had come down halfway into a store on the far side.
Emergency responders were already about. He flashed his Ministey ID to get through when the police attempted to stop him. Amelia was lying on the sidewalk, her face bloody, her hair partially burned on one side. There was also a lot of blood on her side and her arm looked mangled.
But she was awake. She stared blankly up into the sky, but her chest rose as she breathed.
“Amelia,” he called, coming to her side. The paramedics pushed him back out of the way.
She must have heard him because she looked around, though never focused on anything. “Silvia?” She asked, her voice faint.
Taewin stopped one of the police who was rushing past. “The other Princess?” he asked, yelling out the words. “Did she make it? Where is she?”
The officer shook his head, the only answer Taewin needed. He stumbled back as the city burned around him.
Unterkreg Kastegburn
Beneath the Halkonkreg Mountains
Alwur checked his appearance in the reflection of the elevator doors, taking a moment to comb through his hair with his fingers. He’d let his hair grow out too long, and his beard needed a trim, which had seemed harmless enough since he was supposed to be on extended leave from the ministry. Now he had to see the emperor looking like a mountain man.
He tapped his thigh impatiently as the elevator descended twenty stories below ground. He realized he was humming an old Aelostian hymn. He coughed, pretending to clear his throat. The guard operating the elevator didn’t even glance his way. Many of the government's senior officers and ministers had already been brought in for protection to the castle, which was an underground bunker from which the government could be run in an emergency.
No one yet knew how extensive the attacks were. He had delayed being flown out to the mountains until he had enough info to be able to give a comprehensive report. But there was a lot of bad news, and he would need to be the bearer of it. He was expecting Sherwin to be distraught.
The elevator finally arrived at the bottom of the shaft, but the highest floor of the complex. He had to take another one down an additional six floors, accompanied by another guard, to the command center. He found Sherwin there, along with a whole lot of ministers and their staff. The room was loud and noisy. The guard reported to the chief of security who verified Alwur’s credentials and then led him to the Emperor.
Sherwin seemed to sigh in relief when he saw him. “Tell me it isn’t as bad as I fear it is,” he said.
“The attack is limited to Karthied only. No reports of attacks on other cities, though the reports we do have are muddled. There was either seven or nine bombs detonated across the city. I’m still waiting on confirmation.”
“Casualties?”
“No exact numbers yet, but initial reports…” Alwur took a deep breath, steadying himself. “They’re high. Whoever was behind this mostly targeted crowded locations. They destroyed the Gisard.”
“Yeah, I saw it go up,” Sherwin said. “Thankfully Abby and Edwin were at Rathberg, and Irwin and the baby are on the way. I still haven’t heard anything about the girls yet.”
Alwur’s heart sank hearing those words. “You didn’t receive the report? Your daughters were passing by the central metro station when one of the explosions occurred. Their car was caught in the blast. Amelia is in critical condition...and Silvia...didn’t make it.”
A dark look crossed Sherwin’s face. He silently stood up, staring blankly around the command center.
“Everyone out!” he roared. People stopped, startled at the tone in his voice and the look in his eyes. “Now!”
They cleared the room, looking apprehensively at the emperor and Alwur as they left. Then the two men were alone. Sherwin clenched and unclenched his fists, his breathing quick and shallow.
“I am removing you as Minister of Foreign Affairs,” Sherwin spoke, his voice coming calm and low, too calm for a man who’d just learned one of his children was dead. “I’m reinstating you as head of intelligence. I want you to use your network, find out who was behind this.”
He looked Alwur dead in the eye. For his part, Alwur understood the significance of what Sherwin was saying. To make him Intelligence Director meant he was now channeling his mother.
Aela, help us all, Alwur thought.
“There will not be a trial. We will not bring them to justice. Find out who was responsible. Who provided support. Who backed these bastards. Kill them all. Not a single one of them are allowed to live.”
Alwur straightened his shoulders. The question he was about to ask would shake the very Federation should anyone know of it. “Am I to have free hand in order to do what is necessary?”
Sherwin had no hesitation in his reply. “Yes. You will bring fire and vengeance down upon them. Give them no mercy. They killed my child."
Blackbird Song —Lee DeWyze
