Reflection: The Stranger in the Mirror by Rachel R. Smith

Author:Rachel R. Smith [Smith, Rachel R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780996389204
Published: 2015-05-09T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The Records of the Ohanzee

The solstice was still weeks away, but summer was clearly running ahead of schedule. It was midmorning, yet the air was already oppressively hot and laden with humidity. It was the sort of day where, by noontime, even the most industrious person would have dedicated their efforts wholly to seeking a cool place to languish until sundown. Nerissa, for one, was uncharacteristically looking forward to helping Ildiko with the wash this afternoon. Not because she particularly liked doing the laundry, but because splashing in the cool, sudsy wash water would be a welcome, if only partial, reprieve from the heat. For the time being, she simply did her best to ignore the locks of hair clinging to the nape of her damp neck while Ildiko and Einar chatted over breakfast.

Their voices were but a distant drone to Nerissa, who stared out the window, eyes unfocused, longing for home where the river fans were no doubt keeping a constant breeze moving through the city. Were it not for Hania’s weekly updates, she would have worried whether or not the fans were even still standing. Casimer seemed to be quite fond of destroying things—and quite good at it too. Hania's updates, at least, kept her from fearing for the immediate well-being of Niamh and its inhabitants. It distressed her to know that Casimer had imposed strict curfews and had groups of guardsmen patrolling the streets at all times. Gatherings of more than three adults had been forbidden. Such an edict was unheard of before now. The people of Niamh had always been free to go about their lives and follow their own pursuits. Their freedom was unlimited as long as they did not violate the Common Laws, which forbid theft, assault, murder, and the like. They were encouraged to speak out against perceived injustices and even to petition the Blood and Bond directly on matters. Such freedom was the cornerstone of Chiyo’s governance. Casimer’s heavy-handed laws were in direct opposition to the ideals ingrained in their society. Does he treat the citizens of Marise the same way? Nerissa wondered.

Despite those measures, or perhaps because of them, there were rumors of a movement growing behind the scenes to carry out an uprising. Hania had told her there were also rumbles that a second group was quietly attempting to subdue the unrest. It was unclear who was leading either group. The Ohanzee were not involved, and Hania insisted that there were no indications that the second group was under Casimer's influence. Nerissa certainly agreed with that assessment. Open displays of force seemed more his style. Nerissa couldn't help grumbling under her breath at that thought. Ildiko glanced at her over the rim of her coffee cup, eyebrows raised questioningly. Nerissa just shook her head in response. She reached out to dip her knife into a jar of strawberry jam before scraping it vigorously over a slice of sourdough bread. The heat was definitely not helping her mood this morning.

It didn't matter to Nerissa who was behind the unknown force.

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