The Fourth Ceremony: The Sacrifice Trilogy (35 page)

“
Alessa
,”
he whispered softly
,“
i
t’
s time to get up
.”
Alessa gasped and sat up straight, terror filling her eyes.

“
Hey, hey
,”
Camden said as he grabbed her shoulders and turned her to look at him
,“
Alessa, wha
t’
s wrong? Are you okay? I
t’
s me, yo
u’
re fine. What is it
?
”

Alessa looked around frantically for a moment and then leaned her head against his chest.

“
It was just a dream
,”
she said finally. Camden felt himself deflate. Of course she had nightmares, how could she not with everything that had happened the past two days. He wrapped her in his arms and tried to sooth her.

“
Yo
u’
re okay, Alessa, yo
u’
re safe
,”
he tried for a soft, soothing tone. After a moment of coddling, she pulled back from him.

“I’
m fine, really, le
t’
s get going. The faster we move, the sooner we can get there
.”
Camden stared at her for a long minute. Then, he stood and began gathering their things. He handed her one of the packs from the search party.

“
Ther
e’
s a new gun in there, fully loaded. Ther
e’
s also some food, a blanket, and your change of clothes
.
”

Together, they set off to finish their trek through the woods. Camden tried to distract her from the serious look on her face by telling stories about his childhood both inside the SDL headquarters and after he had moved closer to the Capitol with his Aunt Sable. He told her how his Uncle Mars had explained that he was a very accomplished orphan from the SDL that they were trying to raise right to the Government and they had let him enter training to be a guard. He told her how everything about her escape was carefully planned and how Jayna was key to the whole thing.

“
She was like Mar
s’
second set of eyes. She caught things he did
n’
t. Plus, she had been inside longer than any of us. No one notices a servant, she knew more than all of us put together
.
”

“
I hope she gets away
,”
Alessa replied
,“
I hope they all do
.
”

“
W
e’
ll figure out a way. We do
n’
t leave people behind, everyone matters in the SDL
,”
Camden replied.

It was true. In the SDL, things were vastly different than the rest of the Empire. They could trust one another and were valued by each other. Tha
t’
s why he was sure that the SDL could set up a governmental system that would make the Empire better and stronger.

The next two days passed with little event. Camden told Alessa as much as he could about life in the SDL, but he was sure that she was in for some surprises. It was just so different than she was used to. He was sure she could adapt, though. She had proven to be so brave and strong this far, he did
n’
t think there was much that she could
n’
t do.

Finally, after both of them had faded into exhausted silence, Camden spotted the tops of the barriers.

“
Alessa, look, tha
t’
s the barrier, w
e’
re almost there
,”
Camden pointed excitedly over the trees. He could
n’
t wait to be home again. And he could
n’
t wait to show Alessa all of the things he loved. He also knew that she deserved a few good day
s’
of rest and relaxation. He was determined to do everything in his power to make that happen.

“
I
t’
s so tall
,”
Alessa said back.

“
The gates are nearly impenetrable. The SDL has been prepared for war from its inception. The barrier is fully staffed with guards twenty-four hours a day. And we have watch towers that can spot airborne and land attacks
,”
he stopped and turned towards her
,“
Alessa, this is the safest place in the Empire you could possibly be. You are going to be safe and protected and as comfortable as we can make you, I promise
.
”

Alessa beamed a smile at him that struck his heart. He pulled her into a quick kiss, wrapped her hand in his, and they started off towards the gate. They had to walk along the barrier for several hundred feet before they came to the first gate. At the entrance, they were met with several armed guards.

“
Camden Levitt and Alessa Stone here to see Lennox
,”
Camden said to the guards in his most official voice. They certainly knew who he was, but everyone here must be announced. The gates began to open. Camden saw Lennox, the current president of the SDL, slip out and walk towards them.

“
Camden, we are glad you made it. Hello Alessa
,”
Lennox said in his typical business fashion
,“
ther
e’
s no time for pleasantries right now, I need you to come with me. Ther
e’
s something you both must see
.
”

Camden looked at Alessa, she looked slightly worried. He squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her. However, he felt fairly unsettled himself. Lennox was all business, but he did
n’
t get serious without a good reason. Something must be wrong.

Camden knew for sure something was wrong when Lennox took them into the meeting hall with the television that showed the Government announcements.

“
Lennox, is this necessary right now
?”
Camden was sure they were going to watch the inauguration of the new Sacrifice. He was
n’
t sure Alessa could handle it.

“
It is, Camden, yo
u’
ll both see why
.”
Lennox stepped over to the control panel and pressed some buttons. The SDL always recorded and archived the announcements.

Camden felt Alessa stiffen as the Minister filled up the screen. He pulled her closer to him and put an arm around her shoulders.

“
Hello to all
,”
the Minister began
,“
I would like to extend my sincerest comfort to the Empire during this horrifying time. I know we have all been devastated to lose our dear Sacrifice in such a deceptive and shameful way
.
”

Camden glanced at Alessa. Her face was as white as snow. He squeezed her shoulders, trying to comfort her.

“
I
t’
s all for show
,”
he whispered
,“
he has to make you look bad, you made him look bad
.
”

“
However
,”
the Minister continued
,“
I must assure you all that we are at a time for celebration. We are close to catching our errant Sacrifice and will certainly make clear to her the error of her ways. Furthermore, we have arrested several accomplices and will ensure that they pay publically for their crimes
.
”

Alessa sucked in a breath. Camden felt his own chest tighten. He wondered if they had gotten the right people. He wondered if they could, or would even try to, save them. The Ministe
r’
s voice droned on.

“
As our final announcement, we would like to introduce our newest Sacrifice
.”
A picture of a tiny baby wrapped in a soft pink blanket shown on the screen
.“
This is Mariah. She was born on the Sacred Day of the Sacrifice and will be our next Sacrificial Savior
.”
The Minister paused, presumably so that the people could cheer. After a moment, he continued
,“
Our religious experts have been consulted about the unfortunate situation that we have found ourselves in. It has been decided, in order to sustain our favor in the eyes of the Gods, we must continue our tradition in a slightly different fashion. Dear Mariah, our lovely new Sacrifice, will give herself to the Sacred Ocean on her First Ceremony. We revere her and thank her for her Sacrifice
.
”

The screen went blank. Camden was stunned. They were going to kill a four-year-old girl. They were going to drop a baby into the Ocean and let her drown. It was impossible. Certainly they would
n’
t stoop so low. But the minister had said it in front of the entire Empire, it had to be true.

“
We have to stop this
,”
Camden said quietly. He held close to Alessa, he felt her begin to tremble
.“
We will stop this Alessa, we will do what we have to, we can stop this
.”
He turned to Lennox.

“
Yes, plans have begun. We knew we would be fighting, we did
n’
t know that we would have a time limit. But this has been in the works for several years. We are almost ready. We only need to prepare Alessa for her role in the war
.”
Lennox turned an inquisitive eye on Alessa.

Camden squirmed. He was hoping to save Alessa from this for a few days, perhaps even a few weeks. He was
n’
t sure she was ready to hear that she was to play a key role in the SD
L’
s war on the Government, but circumstances would not allow her to rest. Camden and Lennox looked at Alessa.

“
So, what is it we need to do
,”
Alessa said defiantly with her chin raised high
,”
what do I need to do to save whoever they have arrested? What do I need to do to save that poor little girl? What do I need to do to stop this ridiculousness?
I’
m tired of being a bystander,
I’
m ready to get involved.
I’
m ready to do my part, to make a stand for something.
I’
m ready to fight
.
”

Epilogue

Alessa

              Alessa stood in the center of the SDL headquarters on the raised platform. He hand was firmly tucked into Camde
n’
s, but her mind was miles away. Lennox stood at the edge of the platform, making a rousing speech to the crowd. Alessa heard little of it. She knew what he was saying, they had gone over it several times before calling the meeting.

              Alessa was surprised at how quickly everyone came to the center of this little town when called. Within an hour of calling for a meeting, the platform was erected and the people were gathered. Lennox was a motivating speaker, Alessa could understand why he was a leader. He seemed to exude confidence and calm.

              Lennox was telling the group about the fight to come. He was telling them how things were going to change and change forever, but were going to change for the better. The crowd cheered and applauded at the proper places. When Lennox introduced her to the crowd, they cheers were near deafening. Alessa smiled as brightly as she could manage. She was exhausted, hungry, and sore. But she knew that these people needed her to be a symbol of strength and if she knew nothing else, she knew how to straighten her spine, settle her face in politeness, and convey strength. She supposed this would
n’
t be terribly different from her previous role in that aspect.

              Thankfully, the speech was over soon and the crowd dispersed. Lennox approached her on the platform before she and Camden could leave.

            
 “
This is going to be difficult, Alessa, both physically and mentally. You are going to have to be stronger and fight harder than you ever have before. We ca
n’
t afford for you to waiver. Are you ready to do this
?
”

            
 “
Lennox
,”
Alessa started
,“
I have spent my entire life following blindly in a law that now realize that I do
n’
t believe in. I do
n’
t know how much I have done to perpetuate this belief in others, but I am happy to do what I can to stop people from following down the same blind path I was on. And I will certainly do anything I can to stop that precious little girl from being lowered into that Ocean. You can rely on me,
I’
m ready to do this.
I’
m ready to do what needs to be done to make people realize that this practice is barbaric and wrong.
I’
m ready to help make things change
.
”