Page 84 of Uprooted
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Aro
My father and I wait near the gates for his council to arrive. We have spent the last two days strategizing, down to the last detail. If we do this right, Custos will implicate anyone else that worked with him.
We don’t have to wait long. The porters file in one after the other in rapid succession. The overdressed Tilaks look out of place at the base and stand out like a sore thumb. I remind myself to check with Elowen to see if that's the right way to use that term. Their long robes are likely touching dust for the first time. Rialto and Petrok join us, ready to take a tour of the damage caused by the Atorum.
After a brisk welcome, we lead them all to the battlements so they can see the sheer scale of destruction. From up here, there is no denying how grave the situation had become.
I take note of who stands near Custos, who whispers under their breath into his ear, and who avoids looking directly at the scene below. Custos is the only one who keeps their gaze fixed on the distance rather than looking down.
Next, Rialto leads to the war room. I can tell Custos is uncomfortable. He shifts in his seat and drums his fingers against the hard table. His eyes are darting around like he’s looking for a quick exit. A holographic image of an Atorum comes up in the center of the room.
“Now that we are all familiar with the devastation these creatures are capable of—a human scientist was able to determine who is responsible for all of this.” My father hesitates to continue and looks over the room. Everyone looks around anxiously except Custos, who sits with a deadly calm, watching me with black eyes that betray nothing.
“Reynauld, this is your one chance to explain your actions. After this you will be held accountable for what you have done, and I will no longer entertain anything you have to say,” my father says ominously. The room is deathly silent and everyone turns to him.
Custos clears his throat and with narrowed eyes says, “Have you seen what they did to their own planet? They would have destroyed ours as well! I did this in service of j'Tilak.” His calm cracks as he bangs his fist on the table.
He looks around at all the other advisors, trying to determine if anyone agrees with him. Everyone looks back with disgust.
“They are not trustworthy! They have already broken their commitment to come to our aid! I just wanted to get them off the planet. No one needed to get hurt,” he pleads. His argument gets no foothold with the others.
“Aid that we requested because of you!” I snap. I get a sharp look from my father. This is the part where we are supposed to stay quiet and let him dig his own grave.
“You have to know I did this for our people,” he says, trying again to get someone—anyone—on his side. “Fine. When the humans destroy us, you’ll have no one to blame but yourselves.” His tone turns sharp when he realizes no one is going to take his side.
I look at my father in a silent request to speak. I have a few things that need to be said. He nods, silently granting me permission.
“We are faced with an opportunity to join our world with the rest of the universe. Yes, this opportunity will come with challenges, challenges that will make us stronger and better. The balance of our world is always shifting, and there will be repercussions. We will find a new balance in our world. And when that equilibrium shifts, we can give into the fear of that change, or we can face it—head on. I trust in our world, and our people, that we can face that fear. We have so much to offer the rest of the universe. We can open our world in a way that aligns with who we are and be a source of inspiration and strength.”
I think I forgot to breathe during my monologue. I pause and drag in a breath. The suspicion that this threat came from our own people has been sitting heavy on my shoulders for a long time.
“I had to take a hard look at who we are, and who we want to be. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. My vision for ourfuture is not isolating from everyone else—hoarding our way of life and resources. It’s not just coexistence, but learning from each other and creating something new.”
“Now that the immediate threat to the humans has been resolved, I want to discuss allowing them back.” My father sets the trap. He wants to know who will use the opportunity to keep j'Tilak free of humans.
“They’re already gone. We can go back to how things were before,” Custos cuts in.
“As far as I’m concerned, our allies are always welcome back,” Besnik says, choosing her words carefully.
“Only our allies?” My father asks for clarification.
“Um… What I meant to say… You know, the humans,” she trips over her words trying to align with what she thinks my father wants to hear.
“I will personally welcome them back,” another says from across the table.
All, except Custos, nod in agreement. I’m satisfied he’s alone in this. Petrok drags Custos to his feet. He doesn’t put up a fight. He knows he gambled and lost.
With Custos gone, the Council falls easily into their habit of long-winded discussions. My father gives them all a chance to speak their minds about Custos and the future of our world.
I’d like to take some of the credit for setting the tone because they are speaking more passionately about the future than I have ever heard before. It’s still boring as fuck, but I stay focused on what everyone has to say. It’s going to take more than one impassioned speech to get this done, but I’m committed to making it happen.
My father stops me on our way out. “Aro, I’ve never been more proud—as a father and leader of this house. You’ve made us all proud today.”
For the first time in my life, my father thumps his chest, honoring me.
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