Our rushed wedding ceremony had been conducted first thing this morning by Elder Thompson. My bride had looked stunning in a white lacy dress set off by her shining ebony skin. She really had been glowing, and to be honest, I probably had been too. Other than being Vater of the church, Tara was the only other thing in my life that actually made me happy, and I wasn’t going to let anyone ruin that for me, or for us.
After we had each recited our vows, Elder Thompson had pronounced us man and wife, and I had most certainly kissed the bride. I can still taste her lips now as I sit behind the curtain, waiting to address the congregation for the first time as their Vater.
It was anybody’s guess at how the members would take the news. I mean, it wasn’t just one thing, it was a lot of things they would be hit with this evening. Hopefully, even those who weren’t happy with the changes, would still remain orderly. I needed everyone to stay in line because my list of people to get rid of was growing longer by the day.
Each of the elders steps past me to take their seats on the stage, and I watch from the side as Elder Thompson approaches the microphone. Tara stands to my right squeezing my hand for comfort, and I lean down to place a chaste kiss on her lips.
Hearing my name, Tara and I make our way across the stage and replace Elder Thompson as he takes his seat behind us. Taking a deep breath and never letting go of Tara’s hand, I begin.
“People of The Way, it is a sad day as I stand here before you. The news I have to tell you is great, and it will no doubt be devastating.” Pausing to scan the faces throughout the room, I see mostly curiosity, so I continue. “Just a few days ago, Vater Henry attended a meeting with several gang lords in a town not too far from here. As you well know, our beautiful compound was attacked just weeks ago, so when these gang leaders offered an opportunity for peace, he jumped at it. He did that for each and every one of you.”
Murmurs circulate the room as someone yells out, “Is the Vater okay?”
Shushing the crowd, I answer the question, “The meeting was a trick. They called us there under false pretenses, and then they attacked.” The room erupts into chaos, with the majority openly talking and yelling, asking questions I would answer if they would just wait. I see my security force closing in on the loudest members, quieting them with intimidation. Once the room settles, I continue. “The Vater did not survive the attack, nor did Mutter Vera.”
The council had agreed not to tell the people about the Mutter just yet, but I made no such promise, and what could they do now. It was already out there.
The room was getting out of control. I knew they wouldn’t take it well, but this isn’t what I had imagined. I needed to get this under control. “Everyone, please!” I bellow, waiting for them to settle. “Please, listen. You have nothing to fear. We will all grieve this great loss, but your council has your best interest in mind, they have already voted and selected me as the new Vater.” That statement quiets some, but not all. “I would also like to introduce you to my wife, the new Mutter, Tara.”
Whispers grow in volume, and once again the room erupts. Well, this isn’t good.
***
DAVID
It had taken two hours to settle down the crowd and convince everyone to return to their rooms. Never in a million years had I anticipated that kind of a reaction. Sure I knew people would be upset about the death of the Vater and the Mutter in one fell swoop, but I hadn’t expected such a negative reaction to my being the Vater. The people had even been furious about Tara being the new Mutter. Several people had yelled out she wasn’t old enough to be the Mutter, while others had argued they knew Tara, and knew it hadn’t been three months since her placement ceremony.
In the end we had no choice but to arrest five people. Nothing like this had happened in the history of this sect. All five had been young, under the age of thirty. So from the looks of things, the older generations were much more pliable while the younger might definitely be a problem. It seemed my idea of a peaceful transition wasn’t going to be a reality.
I was now grateful for my foresight in increasing the security department because we were going to need them to keep the peace. While it wasn’t something I wanted, if I had to use force and intimidation to keep everyone in line, well then so be it.
A knock on my office door brings me back from my thoughts, and I yell for whoever it is to enter. When the door opens and Brian steps in, I let out a sigh of relief. This is the first time he’s been back to the compound since I sent him looking for Elder Berry. Sure he sent word back each day, but I still had my worries about him.
