“Where is Laird?” Jory shifted nervously in his chair as he looked around the room mumbling to himself.
He tried to regain his composure as he stood and smiled at those seated around the large wooden table.
“Thank you for coming today. We were cut short last time, and I know many of you are wondering about the progress of my project,” He said as he reached down and removed something from a bag next to his chair. After placing the object on the table and waiting for the others to pay attention again, he sat down.
“Does it work now?” someone called from the group gathered.
“Today we will see how successful it is.” Jory reached into his bag again and held up an envelope. He showed the others that it was empty and then sealed it. “In here will appear proof that it works.” He tossed it onto the table as everyone watched.
“Show us now,” they demanded.
Jory shook his head slowly. “Not yet. First, each of you will find something attached to the bottom of your chair. Please remove it and place it on the table.”
“This is nonsense,” one grumbled.
“I promise you, there is not much more to do.”
When all the council had completed the task, Jory stood again.
“Inside each one of those packets you will find a piece of paper and a pencil,” Jory said.
The group grew very quiet.
“Please write or draw anything you want on your paper,” Jory continued.
“What will this childishness prove?”
“It will prove that I have successfully completed the task you all told me to pursue.” Jory carefully looked at each one before continuing. “That we can move in and out of time.”
The door to the room opened slowly, and Laird stepped in silently. “Sorry,” she said softly as she took the last remaining seat.
“As I was saying,” Jory stared intently at Laird, “This is my proof. Please open your packets and write or draw whatever you wish on the paper. Fold it carefully and put it in the middle of the table.”
The others looked around and began reluctantly opening the packets and completing the task. Laird sat back and watched the others. One by one each council member tossed their folded paper into the center.
“Thank you for indulging me. I will now give you the proof you demand.” Jory picked up the object he placed on the table earlier and held it up. He pressed a button on it. His face went flush, and he pressed another button.
“Is there something in the envelope now?” someone asked.
Laird pushed it to the council member with gray-striped fur and then looked at Jory.
Notomo ripped opened the envelope, removed a single piece of paper, and passed it around the table. “This is an outrage!” One of the robed figures stood and pounded on the table. “Put that away now.”
The others looked puzzled.
“Do it now,” Notomo continued.
“What is the problem?” Jory looked concerned.
“Are you trying to embarrass me?”
“I don’t understand.” Jory tried to regain control by tapping on the table.
The one standing held up the paper toward Jory. “Where did you get this?”
“Show me.” Jory walked over and took a look at something that was written on the paper. “I assure you, that was not in there when I put it on the table. You all saw it was empty before I sealed it.” He moved quickly to his own chair and sat roughly in it. “Who did that?”
“You are wasting our time with this foolish nonsense,” a councilman said.
“We should bring this to a vote and move on,” called another.
Jory looked at Laird and knew she had something to do with this sabotage. “What do you have to say, Laird?”
Everyone turned to Laird and watched as she stood. “I have worked on this project since its earliest stages. With the disappearance of Lyssa, I had to redo much of the work, and some research was lost.” She pointed to Jory. “Jory has tried for many years to accomplish the goal of being able to step in and out of time like we can move around space using Ways. If he says he can do it, I believe him.” She sat down and looked at the others around the table.
“Thank you.” Jory breathed a sigh of relief but could tell the others were still not pleased. “Someone must have tried to ruin today’s demonstration, but we can try it again now.”
“It’s all too dangerous. I say we move past this idea and spend our resources elsewhere.” A few were nodding.
The others agreed, and it looked like no one was left that wanted to continue with Jory’s project.
“What then?” Jory was obviously annoyed and did not care that he was losing control of his anger. “My life’s work is to be put on a shelf? Lyssa’s life was dedicated to this, as was mine and Laird’s. We can experience its power.”
“Maybe, but you have presented no solid proof after so much time. Even if you do, who is to control it? You?”
Many around the table laughed.
“Then why did you allow this work to be done?” Jory stood up, grabbed the device, and started to leave.
The others stood and moved to stop Jory from leaving. Laird approached Jory carefully.
“I’ll keep it safe, I promise,” she said holding out her hands
“I don’t know how you turned them against me, but I know this is all your doing.” Jory handed the object to Laird.
“What now?” Jory said to the others.
“Take a break from all this,” Notomo spoke up while Laird pocketed the device. “Come back when you are rested. You will still have a place when you return.”
Jory locked eyes with Laird. Theterm and the others are as good as dead now.
Laird guided Jory gently to the door.
“See you soon,” she said as she closed the door after him.
Jory ran down the hall and entered the room where Theterm was being kept. An empty room let him know that he was running out of time to stop Laird’s plan.
Dack stood up slowly when the pain from pushing himself to the Southern Territory faded. He opened the bedroom door and peered out slowly.
“Hello?” he called when he heard someone crying.
“Who’s there?” a voice answered. “Is that you, Dad?”
Footsteps rushed toward Dack as he opened the door and stood still. A woman stopped abruptly when she saw him.
Dack smiled awkwardly as she realized it was not her father.
“I hope you don’t mind.” Dack shrugged. “I needed somewhere safe. Is your father all right?”
The woman approached and hugged Dack. “They took him to the castle.” She wiped her tears and looked angrily at him. “Who are these people?”
“They are called the Alkaskre, but none of that matters right now. We are at war, and I will need everyone’s help. Do you think your people are finally ready?” Dack frowned. “We have a bigger problem now.”
She nodded and sighed deeply. “I am so sorry we didn’t trust you before.”