Rose, Talon, and their father continued their business as usual. They often talked of Lupier, and the children suggested responses to the man’s glowing arsenal. Some ideas were decent while others were simply outlandish. Their father offered little input except for reminding them of their inviolable principle: no violence toward another person. He also encouraged them to seek long-term solutions to the problem. Too often, the youth’s “solution” simply shifted the problems to another place or person. All the while, they readied their final order for Lupier.
The night before Lupier’s arrival, the soft-spoken father talked candidly. “Rose, Talon, you realize we need to correct this matter with this Commander Lupier.” He spoke ‘Commander’ with palpable disdain. He continued, “We cannot allow this relationship to continue. I regret my foolish decision to ever associate with that man. All those weapons are a great shame upon me, but I cannot let the mistakes of the past hamper my judgment for the future. This business relationship with Lupier must end tomorrow. That is certain. My concern is how he will respond to the ending our relationship. We provide a service he cannot easily receive elsewhere, and my guess is that he will not take kindly to suddenly losing his supplier of light weapons. After hearing your ideas and giving it much thought, I have decided a course of action. Once I have explained everything, if you think my plan unwise or I have neglected to account for something important, please let me know.
“To begin, I revealed the Book of Epiphany to you. We must be cautious in deciding whether to unbind the bounded pages, and more importantly, you may need to make this decision in my absence.”
The last statement surprised both Rose and Talon. They realized the importance of this matter, but until now, they disregarded the mounting danger. Upon thinking about the possible absence of their father, the siblings finally began to re-shape their perception around the finality of life and death. Individuals like Lupier, they now realized, did not tolerate ‘no’ for an answer. Lupier might find some way to coerce the Sunsculptors into fashioning more glowing weapons. Their father’s reference to his possible ‘absence’ especially troubled the adolescents because of their mother’s death. They both knew the reality of a missing one parent; the thought of missing a second seemed unbearable.
The father continued, “When Lupier arrives tomorrow, I will deliver the order and inform him we will no longer supply glowing weapons. Lupier will then encourage me to “reconsider” this decision, most likely via money or threats. Whichever he chooses, my decision stands. His ploy will not work again. I will not alter this decision – no longer will I play the fool. No matter what he offers or threatens, I will never make another instrument of war – not for him or for anyone. He could take my very life, and my mind will not be changed. I have great concern, however, for both of you. Were he to somehow threaten you, I …” He paused for a long moment. A tear ran dripped down his left cheek and then another tear slowly dribbled down the other side of his face. The father looked away from his children; if they remained in his line of vision, he might reveal his burgeoning feelings. At this moment, he needed control over his emotions. The very life of his two precious children might depend upon it. He took a few deep breathes and continued, “If that man threatens you, I might respond angrily and that frightens me. Because of my love for you, they could manipulate me into helping them. Consequently, you must hide from Lupier tomorrow. If he cannot get to you than he cannot force me to do anything.
“Early tomorrow morning, I want you to leave and hide in the vale. It is just outside the confines of the village so you should be safe. When Lupier arrives, he will question me concerning you, but I will say you are visiting friends. Perhaps he will believe me. Tomorrow evening, long after they leave, return to the workshop. If I am not here, then you must leave the village and go into hiding. Do you understand me? If I am not here, for any reason whatsoever, you must leave this village and go into hiding.”
Talon interrupted, “But where should we go. The village is all we know.”
“Go to my sister’s house. We were never very close, but we are family. She is a decent enough person. She will understand.”
Talon, “Go to our aunt’s house? I have not seen her in ten years, maybe more. I doubt she even recognizes us.”
“Yes, your aunt’s house, I can think of no other place. Do you remember how to get there?”
Talon struggled to remember the directions but Rose easily remembered. She answered her father, “I remember. She lives in the vale that lies between our village and the Grey Hills. It is toward the setting yellow sun. Her farm lies atop the highest hill in the valley.”
Her father responded, “Are you sure you remember the way?”
“Not a doubt in my mind.”
“Good, if you encounter any problems, then that is where you go. Remember, if I am gone for any reason, it likely means we are in grave trouble. Stay together and trust one another. And trust others, whatever future awaits us, we will need the help of many others.” Their father paused for a moment to emphasize his last point: they must trust others. He then spoke, “Is there anything I have left out?”
Talon looked to him intently and asked, “What should we do about the many glowing weapons we made for Lupier? We never intended to supply an army, and we cannot allow those weapons to bring harm upon others.” Talon asked with an intensity that showed he was willing to take the needed actions to undo their actions.
His father gleamed with pride. He respected Talon’s sincerity and agreed with the sentiment. The father, however, knew he was responsible for the decision to arm Lupier, and he needed to take some action to rectify his mistake. He refused to consider the help of Talon and Rose; they were too young and not sagacious to the vices of the world.
Their father looked to them and responded to Talon’s question, “True, son, I cannot allow that to happen, but it is not for Rose and you to undo what I have done, at least not now. It might take many lifetimes to correct my mistake, and in time, your assistance may be needed. Right now, however, I think it is an impossible task, and losing one’s life to achieve a task that could never be achieved only means you may have forfeited the possibility to achieve that task. Remember, only fools pursue a fool’s errand.”
The conversation ended. The father, trying to lighten the heavy mood, remarked, “Maybe Lupier will not mind ending our business relationship and perhaps he spoke truthfully when he said the Light weapons were just theatrical props. If that is the case, then all of our concerns are for naught.” He smiled, not believing his own words; Rose and Talon returned the smile, not believing his words either.
Early the next morning, Rose and Talon readied for their departure. The sun began to creep over the mountains in the horizon. The crisp air warmed as the sun journeyed from the horizon. The desolate village pathways remained calm in the early dawn hours. Most villagers were enjoying their last hour or two of rest. A handful of people scurried here and there, beginning early on their day’s task. A few delivery workers transported goods from one place to another. Just as the father approached the front door to open it, Rose glanced out the tiny window of their small home. She noticed three uniformed men wearing the same scarlet outfits worn on the day of Lupier’s last visit. They were standing across the street and appeared to be watching the residence. Their eyes stared blatantly the door of the Sunsculptor home. Just as her father began to unlatch the door and pull it open, Rose bellowed, “Stop!” She screamed too late. The door creaked partially open. Her father, upon hearing her bellow, pushed the door shut, but the uniformed men noticed the small disturbance. One of the men motioned for the others to follow, and then all three quickstepped toward the previously open door. Talon and his father looked hastily toward Rose to see the reason for her command, but Rose gazed out the window one last time and surmised the situation: three scarlet-clad men making haste toward their door. She then answered the blank stare of the room’s two other occupants, “Lupier’s men are co
ming this way! They are coming now!”
Her father instinctually looked out the small window to see for himself. Only when he saw the three men, now half way across the dirt path, did he comprehend Rose’s statement. Both Rose and Talon felt stunned by the realization: the uniformed men foiled their plans before they even walked out the front door. Their father, however, thought quickly. They had only seconds before the uniformed men reach their door. He thought of trying to exit through the workshop, which attached to the house, but he guessed both exits were being watched. It would not make sense to guard one door with three people and leave the other one unguarded. Whatever disliking he held for Lupier and these men, he knew enough to know they were savvy. Quickly his mind raced through ideas that would somehow keep his children safe. Just before the men reached the door, he jolted toward the workshop and his children instinctively followed. Without saying a word, he pushed the three knobs on the wall that unlatched the hidden door being used to hide the Book of Epiphany. Rose and Talon slid into the small compartment; their father gave each a nudge to ensure there would be sufficient space to re-latch the door. Just then, the door to the home burst open. It had been kicked; the thin, wood-planked door now had a small hole where the boot of the intruder had driven his heel into it. The father, distracted by the sound, briefly fumbled with the door to the secret compartment. Just as the leader of the uniformed men stormed into to the workshop, the father secured the hidden door. Its entrance was, once again, undetectable. Still standing peculiarly by the wall, the intruder look intently at the wall wondering what compelled the sun-sculptor to open the outer door and then flee into this room. Continuing to stare at the wall, and noticing nothing unusual, he returned his attention to the sun-sculptor who was now guarded by his two subordinates.
The leader of the uniformed men spoke, “Commander Lupier believed you might attempt to make an early exit this morning in anticipation of your scheduled meeting. We were watching to ensure your presence when the Commander arrives later this morning.” The leader then opened the outer door of the workshop and motioned for two other uniformed men to join them inside. Their father was right; both doors were being watched.
Nothing was said as the six men waited in the cramped workshop. The silence made it added to the difficulty of hiding inside the wall. Talon and Rose could not get comfortable in the tiny room. With no room to sit, they stood motionless. The two Sunsculptors wanted to lean against the wall for support, but both silently scuttled such plans when examining the flimsy partition. If they leaned on the wall, they were likely to puncture the rickety wood and tumble into the room. Thus, both stood as still as possible. They leaned on one another to reduce to pressure on their legs. For Rose and Talon, the few hours waiting for Lupier’s arrival felt a few seconds short of eternity.
Finally, the physical pain of Talon and Rose subsided at the arrival of Commander Lupier. He entered the workshop and strode directly toward the father, who politely sat as the uniformed men circled intimidatingly around him. Lupier slammed the door shut, which tilted the hand-made sign above the door that read “Courage – Love - Wisdom.” Everyone seemed pleased with the commander’s arrival; the waiting bored the guards, worried the father, and pained the siblings. Lupier ended the muted hours, “So, Sunsculptor, you are now acquainted with some other members of the Crimson Guard. Enough of the small talk: where is my order?” The father looked to the corner of the room and pointed. Everything, as usual, was ready to go. Lupier motioned and one of the guards collected the weapons. He carried them to a horse-drive cart waiting at the door. Lupier then continued speaking, “Your work is indispensable to the Protectorate. We are pleased with the quality of weapons you provide for us …”
The father, speaking sternly, interrupted the Lupier, “There will be no more orders. Our business has reached its end. Good day to all.” He stood and walked between the men guarding him and moved toward the door. The father continued, “Let me hold the door for you as you leave.” Lupier laughed at the man’s response. The commander remained in front of the outer door, and as a result, it would not open. Then, in the cramped space, he agilely drew his glowing blade from its sheath and casually swatted the man head with the blunt, side portion of the blade. A slight thud from the swat was followed by the loud thud of the sun-sculptor falling to the floor. A small trickle of blood ran from the crown of his head, through his dark air, and down his cheek. The wounded man struggled to his feet.
Commander Lupier spoke, “You are mistaken, Sunsculptor. Your work for the Protectorate is not ending. The relationship is just beginning. What good news for you. I think your skill will make your family very wealthy and prominent members of Centage.”
“I do not want nor do I need your money. I have made my last weapon for you and your Protectorate.”
Commander Lupier interjected, “I do not have time for this. I am a busy man; the Sovereign of the Centage Empire keeps me moving. After our last visit, I began to doubt your future commitment, but you provide a truly invaluable asset to us. I must tell you, the glowing weapons are truly fabulous. On the rare occasion when force is required, your weapons ensure our invincibility.” His men snickered at the remarks. They seemed particularly bemused when Lupier referenced the ‘rare occasion.’ Lupier continued, “So, Sunsculptor, you will continue to forge more weapons for us. And if you refuse, I will find a way to encourage you.” Lupier then changed his mood. He changed his tone from adversary to friend, “But why would anyone refuse? You are destined to become a man of great wealth and esteem. Someday, I will boast of knowing you when you were an ordinary gent who worked in a small, damp workshop.”
Talon’s father once again firmly declared, “I have made my last weapon.” He crossed his arms as if to emphasize the point.
“Very well, have it your way,” said Lupier. “I don’t have time for this foolishness. Why did you shun the easy path, the one of luxurious ease? Now, I must find other ways to motivate you. Your hesitation, by the way, does not surprise me. Why do you think five guards watched you this morning? I reckoned you might run and hide from me, as if that were possible. But do tell me, where are your lovely children? I have yet the honor of seeing them today. Has anyone seen them?” Lupier checked his clueless minions to see if they knew anything. Lupier then looked to their father and questioned him intently, “Where are your children?”
The father refused to answer. He stood resolute in his silence; Lupier immediately knew the man would never voluntarily reveal the location of Rose and Talon. This realization greatly frustrated the commander. Over the last ten years, he assimilated many tradesmen, and he used his well-developed method with the sun-sculptors. While most balked, at least initially, to give full allegiance to the Protectorate, the lure of wealth quickly ensnared most people. Lupier learned that most people, when enticed with enough money, could justify anything. For the few individuals not swayed by money, the commander tantalized them with the lure of an esteemed position in the Centage Empire. He guessed these individuals craved a vice only accessible through prestige, honor, and power. Via wealth or power, almost everyone voluntarily agreed to assist the Centage Empire. Once lured into helping, these people lapped up the propaganda spewed for their behalf. Lupier saw this pattern hundreds of times. Initially, the tradesmen resisted sacrificing their convictions but they would eventually become devout believers of Centage Empire’s propaganda: “the empire wants to help others,” “force is sometimes necessary for real change,” “these are necessary steps for the greater good,” and “those who oppose us are simple, stupid miscreants.” The list could continue, but Lupier knew convincing others to believe this dribble proved surprisingly easy. For the rare few, exemplified by Talon and Rose’s father, neither wealth nor power enticed him to act against conscience. Such people frustrated Lupier; they made his job unpleasant. For these people of conscience, they required other means for persuasion: threaten the ones they love. He asked the sun-sculptor again, “Where are your children on this f
ine morning?”
Silence ensued. Finally, the surrounded father blurted, “I, like you, did some anticipating. I sent my children far away from here.” The vigor of his claim made its content seem true. In addition, the absence of the Rose and Talon, who silently eavesdropped on the conversation, provided veracity. The sun-sculptor knew Lupier outflanked him in the battle of anticipation, so he turned to guile. The commander looked straight into his eyes, trying to discern whether his counterpart bluffed.
Finally, Lupier looked away to give instruction to his chief subordinate. “Obviously his children are not here. First, send guards to their Aunt’s farm, but I seriously doubt they left the village. Tell the other guards to begin a quiet, but entirely thorough, search of the village. Two adolescents cannot hide for long. Children lack the cunning to stay hidden. They will soon make a mistake, and when they do, we will seize them. Once we capture them, this sun-sculptor will regret his defiance.”
Lupier then looked to the sun-sculptor, “You are coming with us. Your new home is Centopolis, the thriving capital of the Centage Empire. Guards, collect his sun-sculpting supplies. Perhaps our guest will choose a place of honor in his new home rather than the shackles.” The uniformed members of the Protectorate left the workshop; they took the sun-sculptor and all of his supplies – including the tools used by his two apprentices.
The group departed down the streets of the village. As the guards escorted Talon’s father down the street, the sun-sculptor readily complied since it meant separating his children from the guards.
4 THE MAPMAKER