Page 67 of Red

Maddi frowned. “You are oversimplifying it too much, thief-master. When the Order was created, we had no knowledge of the Ragoru. They had not yet been brought to our world. Lady Anwar created the Order with the mandate to protect humanity from the threats of our hostile world. They were to kill carnivorous plants that would spring up around settlements and slay predators that threatened our people.”

“Really? I don’t believe I have ever read this,” Cyrus challenged with a blatant sneer.

“That is because I doubt you have ever stepped inside the doors of the temple library, much less bothered to read through the material of the sacred archives. I have read the original documents regarding the founding of the Order that she penned. Never once did she make mention of the Order having the purpose of destroying the Ragoru. In fact, the Ragoru are only mentioned once, and that is in the journals of the third oracle toward the end of her life. She marveled at them and suspected that they were the key to the prophecy.”

Rager’s brow lifted. “Are you saying that the Order was never meant to be our enemy?”

“That is correct. The huntsmen were supposed to be the protective arm of the gods in defense of the people of the Mother, and nothing more.”

“How does the First Elite fit into all this?” Kyx asked.

“No doubt because everyone likes an established aristocracy,” Cyrus retorted. “In any case, I’ll have you know that I have been in the library—though I admit not the archives. All the noble families of the Citadel are connected to descendants from the very first family selected as First Elite.”

Maddi sighed and shrugged helplessly. “The family of the First Elite was to lead the Order and were trusted with our protection. I doubt that even the Lady Anwar would have imagined it would have quickly grown into a network of ‘first families.’”

“If the Order was not meant to be the enemy of the Ragoru, and even your Lady Anwar saw us as linked to her prophecy, then how is it that they have come to hunt us?” Warol asked, his lip curled with distaste. “Many Ragoru have lost much to your Order.”

“I suspect that the First Elite in control of the Order at the time of her passing had something to do with it. No doubt he knew of Felicity’s fascination with the prophecy that I believe pertains to the Ragoru, since even in her old age she worked closely with the Order as a prophet. I have no proof, but I suspect she wanted an official of the Order to establish contact with the Ragoru when they arrived.”

“Based on what?” Lara pushed to the fore, her arms folding over her chest. “So far, all we are hearing is that the Order was supposed to be filled with golden boys to protect us rather than assholes tearing us down, and the Lady Anwar was this benevolent mother figure. Seems a little too good to be true.”

“The Lady Anwar wasn’t perfect; she was human, after all. But she did genuinely care about the people of the Citadel. All the writings in her journal stressed maintaining the welfare of the people and continuing the path the Mother set before her. Her last entry spoke of bringing new strength to our people and to the Order. She died days later; I suspect before she was able to implement any changes officially.”

“Ah, and so upon her passing things ran amuck,” Cyrus said.

“Unfortunately, yes. Without another seer, the Order established one of their own. Soon the First Elite spread word that their seer saw nothing but calamity. Things only got worse when generation after generation of the Anwar line failed to deliver a blood-descended girl. There is no one to dispute the claims of the Order and their seer. As it stands right now, it is only by force that the Order rules. Many people resist and speak against them and their zealous crusades.”

“I still don’t understand how Arie fits into this. If she is a blood descendant, wouldn’t they be afraid of her having authority that is contrary to their will and that of their seer? Wouldn’t it be easier to kill her?” Kyx asked despite the fury that filled him at the idea of a huntsman slaying their mate.

“If the First Elite can join with Arie, he will be able to secure the standing of the Order with the general populace. With this power, he can forcibly recruit the few young men we have and our women into serving terms in service of the Order in varying ways. He will do everything in his power to wipe out what he considers monstrosities.”

“That wouldn’t be just Ragoru, but also other humans such as the feral ones, the ehurmu, who are as ignorant of your kind as most humans are of theirs,” Warol said.

Maddi’s lips parted with surprise. “I never imagined that the rumors of mutated feral humans were true. You have seen them?”

“We have. And we have seen the cruelty of your hunters against them. A female broken, defiled, her genitals torn, and her breasts severed. This is not the work of a people in service of the Mother. The Ragoru know her too as our own, even if we see her differently, and we know the Blessed One and the Fathers would never condone such horrors.”

Maddi sighed. “This is why we must destroy the Order. They have strayed too far from their purpose. Their presence is affront to the kindness of the Mother, and the intentions of the Lady Anwar. I truly believe the prophecy foretold a joining of the Ragoru with humanity. Few children are born, and even among them fewer are males. Humanity is still dying, and the Order will see to it that we will never see the blessings foretold us.”

“If we take our mate, then they achieve nothing,” Warol growled.

Maddi turned a cool gaze on the silver male. “And it also wins us nothing. The people will still be under the yoke of the Order, and they will continue to persecute as they see fit with their false seers. We need to make use of the opportunity given to us and move against them now.”

All at once, everyone began to speak. Neither Rager nor Warol looked pleased at the suggestion that they not just abscond with their mate, but for the first time Kyx was aware of just how many people in the Guild were female. Even the many dressed as males stepped forward to raise their voices with the multitude. Yet even the very few males were in agreement. Everyone was speaking over each other, shouting out their opinions of what should be done. He couldn’t help but want to aid the humans.

“What are you suggesting?” Rager asked, his voice a deep rumble that silenced the mill of voices.

“I am suggesting, with Arie’s agreement, that we kill the poisonous head of the Order. Tomorrow evening, the First Elite is joining with Arie. The most affluential families that support the Order will be attending, as will the highest ranking among the huntsmen. We use the ceremony as our opportunity to strike.”

“If we do this, if we aid you, do you guarantee we will be able to depart with our mate?”

“I will not only guarantee it, but I fully support it. Arie deserves to be happy. I only ask that she stand just once before the people of the Citadel to affirm her place with you, and sign documents which will usher in a new dawn for our species. Although Arie claims to have none of the sight, I believe the fact that she found you was destined by the hand of the Mother.”

“Very well,” Rager said with an inclination of his head.

Cyrus slapped his hands together happily. “Well now, since that has been taken care of, tell me, Mistress Maddi, when do we strike?”

The Ragoru pushed closer among the humans to listen attentively as Maddi sketched out her plan in the dirt. The mansion was hidden amid mass gardens and other smaller mansions ringing it, but it would be no feat for the Ragoru to access. Even the Guild seemed unperturbed by the obstacles, their faces alight with interest.

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