The Broken Ones

Chapter 16:1 -Family

The brokens all paved way for Ana as she limped in her white dress towards Jack. Her face was pale, she looked like a child about to be punished. She stopped in front of the Academy’s new chairman and curtsied obediently and all of the brokens were astonished.
-Welcome, lady Ana. I believe this is the first time you partake in the ball.
Ana nodded stiffly in response.
-All the more joy for us, Jack smiled and the brokens all smiled automatically. –And Sam, thank you for convincing Ana to come this year, I know it can’t have been easy, we all know she’s such a headstrong girl.
Soi snorted scornfully. It was all an act and not a very good one either, to fool everyone to believe Ana had come on her own accord, that Sam wasn’t a monster at all, as the rumours all had said and that everything was as it should be. Ana and Sam, Sam and Ana, together as always.
Ana limped to Jack’s right side and Sam settled beside her. Jack smiled down to her and Soi saw Ana twitch. Was this it? Soi prepared himself. Any second Jack could call his name and Soi had to go to him. Soi felt his body stiffen in anxiety. He wished it all could be over. With nervous eyes he looked at Ana and Jack, both dressed in white. The white colour looked smug on Ana, showing off the Academy’s control over her while appearing all innocent. Ana was already Jack’s prisoner. How could Soi and Nibbles ever save her? Soi really hated the colour.
Jack raised his head with a victorious grin.
-Music! He called out and the orchestra begun to play.
The brokens all formed couples and the dance begun. Nibbles tugged Soi’s arm.
-What? Soi whispered.
-I’ll be right back, Nibbles whispered back.
Soi wrinkled his eyebrows.
-Back from where?
Nibbles sighed.
-What do you think? Is this a ball or not?
-You’re going to dance? Soi asked and regretted it at once.
-Should I repeat myself, do you think? Nibbles said with a grin and winked his eye as he disappeared into the crowds of dancing couples before Soi could stop him.
Soi found a chair, in velvet, and sat down to observe the dance. It was not like in Sofara with its merry and spontaneous spirit. Perhaps it was the presence of the chairman that inhibited the festive mood because the dance felt strict and organized and not at all as Soi had expected from the brokens. Maybe Soi’s image of brokens were subjective, he had actually only met a few of them and although all of them were far from being like normal people that didn’t mean other brokens behaved the way Nibbles and Sassa did. But Soi decided it was all because of the little act the chairman just played out. Who could have imagined that Ana, the most powerful broken would bow like a dog to the Academy’s new chairman? Even if she’d always worked for the Academy.
As the dance continued the mood did improve and the brokens got more spirited. From his position Soi could overlook Ana as she remained by Jack’s side with Sam hovering beside her patiently. He tried to stir up a conversation but Ana simply ignored him and his face looked more and more rueful. Not only did Soi find that pleasing but he found it ironic that Sam wore red clothes, as to indicate that he really was a monster.
Suddenly Sam straightened his back and put on a defensive look and even Ana straightened her back. Walking towards them was Ciron and his smile was all but pleasant. He stopped and bowed before Jack and then bowed to Ana as well. Soi could see from his posture it was all mock. Ana kept a blank face but Sam’s eyes seemed to spark of fire. Ciron held out his hand and Ana shook her head. So far Ana had declined every hand that had been offered to her. But Ciron didn’t except her rejection and grabbed Ana’s wrist and Sam immediately intervened. Soi could hear his growls from across the ballroom. Some of the brokens stopped their dance and watched the scene that now played out before them. Sam showed his pointed teeth in a mean snarl and grabbed Ciron’s wrist and was about to pull out his dagger when Jack said something Soi couldn’t hear but he could hear his sharp tone of voice and he could see Jack’s annoyed expression. His hay coloured eyebrows had wrinkled together and his light eyes were unforgiving. Sam released Ciron instantly as if had burned himself but Ciron kept his grip on Ana. Jack spoke again and Ciron nodded and took Ana out on the dance floor. Soi felt uneasy for her sake. She looked so tiny and vulnerable in the white dress as Ciron pulled her roughly out on the floor. He gripped her hand and waist and smiled maliciously towards Ana. She didn’t even smirk back to him or speak up against him. She let herself be tossed around as she was a doll without a will of her own. Soi was about to walk right up to her when Nibbles reappeared from the dance floor and gripped his wrist.
-This is not our time, he whispered.
The music stopped playing and a black haired male dressed completely in black walked up to the orchestra and the brokens all fell silent. The man smiled and bowed a little. Suddenly a beautiful song filled up the ballroom. It wasn’t a human voice but rather like a bird filling the air in the early morning with floating tones. Soi’s first thought it was the black haired man who sung but when Soi looked at him he had his mouth shut, it couldn’t be him. Soi turned around to see who it could be but all the other brokens looked in the direction of the black haired man. Soi looked confused at Nibbles.
"Who’s singing?" Soi asked but Nibbles put one finger in front of his mouth and told him to be quiet.
Soi had no choice but to wait for the performance to end. He let the song seep into him and fill his mind for a moment. He let go of all of his questions quivering in his body and his shoulders relaxed from the constant pressure. Slowly he closed his eyes and remembered home with its green mountains. When the song ended Soi felt at ease with what was awaiting him. It was his fate.
Nibbles snorted and shook his head.
-His name is Blackbird, the singer.
-Blackbird?
-You heard him sing, didn’t you? Anyway, I heard he lost his tongue when he couldn’t pay off some gambling debts. But it worked out fine for him, he’s the most famous singer on this side of the mountains.
Soi was dumbstruck by the flow of information.
-How…how does he sing if doesn’t have a tongue?
Nibbles sighed and rolled his eye.
-Let me explain. Blackbird here, as you obviously don’t get, is a broken.
-I do get that.
-Good for you.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick

The Broken Ones

Chapter 15:3 -The Ball

-Are you ready?
-Not really. Can't we do this another day?
-You mean a day when the ball isn't held and all of the brokens aren't gathered at the one and same place?
-Exactly.
-Coward.
Soi sighed.
-I suppose I am.
Soi and Nibbles stood on the first footstep on the stair leading up to the hall where the broken’s ball was held. There was no turning back. Soi took a deep breath.
-Fine, let's get this done.
Step by step they climbed the stairs until they reached the top then Soi had to stop to take another deep breath. Nebelius Silver took the lead and Soi followed a few steps behind him, his hand rested on the blue scabbard not only to look the part as Nibbles’ guard but because he felt safer. Although there was no way he could kill anyone with a sword when among thousands of brokens, but he felt all the same safe. It was with these false feelings Soi took his last deep breath and followed mr Silver into the awaiting danger.
Soi's new clothes didn't really make him stand out but knowing he was wanted made him uncomfortable. But as they treaded into the ballroom Soi soon realised he was hardly visible, mainly because he was in a room full of brokens and because Nibbles was standing beside him, looking far more spectacular than Soi ever could.
Dressed in purple, crimson and gold and with his usual black top hat Nebelius Silver draw all the eyes to him. Had it been Soi he would have backed out the same way he entered but Nibbles simply smiled and twinkled cheeky with his one eye. Although relieved that it wasn’t Soi causing the attention he still felt that Nibbles had dressed a bit too provokingly.
“Nibbles, could it really be good to be in the eyes of everybody?”
They had practiced this in advance as Soi, a non-broken and a guard, weren’t supposed to talk to Nibbles, a broken. That, if anything ever could astonish a broken, would surprise the brokens. Soi had learned a lot more about the brokens than he ever thought he would when he first was told of their existence. Their pride was a great deal more obvious than of a non-broken. That they had even created the term non-broken to distinguish themselves was evidence of their pride. So to fit into the world of the brokens Nibbles and Soi had decided to keep the level of conversation between the two down to a minimum. If there were anything Soi needed to know he would address Nibbles by thoughts and directly ask what he wanted to know and Nibbles would whisper back the answer. At least that was the idea.
Nibbles smiled down to Soi and winked his eye.
-Nervous much, he said without moving his lips and Soi snorted.
They moved across the ballroom and Soi kept a careful watch over everyone they passed but no one seemed to notice him although Nibbles got more than his share of dazzled looks. Nibbles wasn’t the only one escorted by a guard. Soi could clearly distinguish the guards from the brokens. They weren’t as extravagance dressed as their masters. Every broken in the ballroom had really made an effort to stand out and Soi thought it similar to the windows of Nibbles’ sweet shop or perhaps the meadows surrounding the city. Of course, Nibbles had been right, Beroal was really the best place for the ball. No one in the ballroom was wearing white, it was like a silent protest against the Academy.
A broken followed by a guard passed Soi and Nibbles. Suddenly Soi met the guard’s eyes and Soi quickly looked the other way. He took a deep breath to calm himself. It couldn’t be, could it?
-What? Nibbles asked with a raised eyebrow.
-Did you see that? That man definitely had red eyes! He’s a monster, isn’t he? Soi didn’t really know what to think, his mind was completely blank.
-As we suspected, the place is full of monsters pretending to be guards or brokens.
-As “we” suspected? You never shared those suspicions with me! Soi felt the irritation of being withheld information win over the fear of being surrounded of monsters.
-Oh, didn’t I? Oh well, I probably thought you would run the other way if I told you there would be monsters at the ball. I actually thought the ball alone would make you run, Nibbles said while grinning wide.
-If anything, it was the velvet clothes that made me skeptic, Soi answered wryly.
Nibbles hardly got to laugh before they were surprised yet again. Walking towards them was Sassa. Neither Soi nor Nibbles had seen her since they camped together by the lake. Her black hair hung loose and she wore a long black dress showing all of her curves. As she came closer she put on a wide sassy smile and flung her hair to one side.
-Nibbles, Sassa nodded.
-Sassy, Nibbles nodded back. –Where’s your guard?
-He held me back so I left him… in a pool of blood. I see you have taken over Ana’s guard, did she agree to this?
-She got tired of him as well and gave him to me.
-I see. So, you have the flute with you? Sassa smiled and looked Soi in the eyes.
-Yes, of course, Nibbles answered and bowed his head a bit deeper this time.
-Well, I’m glad that’s done then, Sassa said with a bored voice and then smiled again. -So, what do you think of my dress?
She spun around to let them see her dress. It had an open back and Soi gasped in surprise. Her back had three ugly scars from her right shoulder crossing her back and ending at her left hip. Sassa turned back and watched Soi’s shock with a sassy smile.
-So sweet, you’re shocked, she said and put her head to the side. –I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine.
She gave Soi a peck on the cheek before she swayed away. Soi immediately turned to Nibbles.
-She knew about the flute.
-Yes, not really surprising.
-Nibbles!
-What? He said innocent and then his face turned serious. -That’s him.
Soi knew immediately who Nibbles was talking about.
At the end of the hall several brokens had gathered in a wide half circle and in the middle stood a man dressed in white and with three gaping jacks across his face, barely touching his right eye.
Jack.
For a moment Soi saw Ard’s damaged face before him and he shuddered. Had Ard already seen this in his vision? Probably. Had he seen Nibbles and Soi’s plan carried out successfully or turn into a disaster? Soi really wished Ard was with him as well as Jagger and Haz. If there would be a fight those were the people to have by your side. What could a mere guard and a twisted broken do?
-Thanks for the confidence, Nibbles breathed into Soi’s ear and Soi jumped high.
-So? Nibbles asked and nodded in Jack’s direction.
-He doesn’t seem so powerful.
Nibbles raised one eyebrow skeptically.
-I mean… his injury is similar to Ard’s but he’s not blind as far as I can see, Soi rephrased himself.
-No, you’re right, he’s not blind and his injury don’t make him powerful in comparison to…, Nibbles looked at the brokens around him to find a just comparison, …me.
Nibbles smiled and winked his eye playfully before he turned serious again.
-But look again, he’s far scarier than you first apprehend.
Soi directed his eyes to Jack again and this time he saw it. Between Jack and the rest of the brokens there was a discreet yet respectful distance and it oozed with fear. The brokens in the half circle all smiled and laughed at Jack’s jokes and replied eagerly but their eyes winked nervously among themselves.
It was something about Jack’s appearance that was terrifying. Soi observed Jack closely. From this distance Soi could not clearly see the colour of Jack’s eyes but if he had to guess they would be light. Jack had a tall body and hay coloured hair. On the whole he was fairly handsome if it weren’t for his vicious grin and the three scars covering his face. What Soi found most scary was that Jack seemed familiar. Where had he seen Jack before?
-Yes, Soi where could you possibly have met Jack before?
Soi didn’t need to answer as he was interrupted by Jack himself.
-Ah, the star of tonight, Jack reached out his arm and pointed at the ballroom entrance.
Everyone’s eyes were directed to the entrance and a mumble quickly spread across the guests.
And then Soi saw her.
Ana wore a snow white dress, around her tiny neck hung a golden necklace and holding her left arm Sam, dressed in red, walked close to her. Soi’s first thought was how old she looked even though she was the same Ana as before. He hadn’t seen her for a week at least. Although Soi wasn’t disguised Ana didn’t see him. She didn’t see anybody. She had a tired yet determined expression. Soi’s heart twitched. What difficulties had she been through? Ana walked towards Jack and her limping was worse than ever before.
-Don’t worry, she’s faking it so she won’t have to dance later on, Nibbles whispered to Soi.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick

The Broken Ones

Chapter 15:2 -The Ball

Soi and Nebelius Silver’s talk about Soi’s risk taking plan ended early in the morning. Outside Nibbles flat the sun had begun to rise discreetly over the colourful rooftops of Beroal and some birds were serenading the morning. Soi could barely stand on his feet and his dark eyes flickered tiredly. He followed in Nibbles footstep and hoped they would lead him to a bed.
-Here we are, Nibbles opened a door which led to a large bedroom.
Its walls were dark green, it’s curtain were green and it against the wall stood dark brown cupboards and closets. In the middle stood a wide bed in dark wood and with a green spread.
-Feel right at home, Nibbles said tiredly.
-Thank you, Soi answered and walked into the bedroom.
He sat down at the edge of the bed and slowly lowered his body and sunk into the soft bed. For minutes he simply breathed in and out. He was about to fall asleep when the bed bobbed. Soi immediately sat up and looked around confused. It was Nibbles. He had sat down on the other side of the bed and begun to undress.
-What are you doing? Soi asked upset.
-Undressing, he as an answer accompanied by a raised eyebrow and a tired smile.
-Why?
-Why not? I’m going to sleep, aren’t I?
-Here.
It wasn’t really a question but rather a confirmation.
-Yes, here, in my bedroom.
-Your bedroom? I thought it was the guestroom.
-I’m sorry Soi, that my flat ain’t as big as Ana’s mansion.
-You mean there aren’t any other bedrooms? Where am I going to sleep then?! Soi said desperately.
-Well, it is a very large bed, Nibbles pointed out.
-But… Soi looked through the doorway out to the living room and the velvet couch.
-Don’t think about the couch, it’s was not made for sleep!
Nibbles had changed into a night shirt and slipped into bed. Soi stayed nervously on the edge and looked longingly at the couch.
-I’m sure I can sleep well on a couch, after all I’ve slept several nights outdoors, he said.
-I’m sure you can, but what I meant was that you’re not allowed to sleep on my couch not because it’s uncomfortable but because you would ruin it.
-Ruin?! It’s a couch!
-It’s a special made couch on which I have spent a good deal of money! It’s your choice, the bed or the floor.
Unwillingly Soi undressed and crawled into the bed.

Soi woke up alone. From the other side of the bedroom door he could hear sounds of a lively conversation. Carefully Soi cracked up the door and peaked out. On a small stool Nibbles was standing with his arms stretched out to the sides like a statue and swirling beneath him was a short plump woman with curly grey hair and a stern face. In her hands she held a measure tape and as she circled she measured Nibbles legs and arms and body.
-I can’t believe you’ve destroyed yet another great outfit! She scolded at him.
-It was a tough trip this year, Nibbles apologised and gave the short lady a sorrowful look.
The woman snorted and pinched him with a needle.
-Either you stop going on these “trips” or you’ll find yourself another seamstress.
-Oh, the trip will change to next year, Nibbles said with an honest voice and looked beggingly at the lady with his one eye. –No one can do garments like you, they’re like art works.
-Why should I create art after art if you’re going to toss in the mud with monsters and sleep outdoors? What a waste, the woman said and scowled at him
-Please. Do my clothes to ball, hm, Nibbles pleaded.
-I don’t know…
-I can’t go there looking like a rag. Hmm…
The lady’s fierce expression softened.
-Yes, yes I’ll do it. Everybody already knows I’m sewing your clothes anyhow, I would be destroying my own reputation if I let you go to the ball the way you look now.
Nibbles sighed in relief and smiled gently to the grey haired woman.
-Thank you so much, he said and took her wrinkled hand and kissed it gently.
-Yes, yes, the lady brushed him off. –Tell me, have you grown?
-Matured, you mean, Nibbles teased and stretched his back.
-As if that could happen, the woman snorted.
-Why shouldn’t that be possible? Nibbles pouted. –Oh, and talking about impossible, could you make an outfit for my friend as well…
-Your friend? The lady lowered her arms and stared at Nibbles. –It’s not a lady friend, is it? Cause I don’t have time to do another fancy dress, especially not if it’s going to match yours.
-No, it’s just Soi, he don’t need anything special, just new clothes.
-So I could take something from last year’s fashion? The woman looked hopeful.
-Definetely, he wouldn’t notice the difference. Soi, come on out, there’s breakfast here for you.
Of course Nibbles would know Soi had listened to their conversation, there was no way to escape him. Slowly Soi opened the door and walked into the living room. The short lady tilted her head and watched him carefully.
-He definitely needs new clothes. I suppose I should be grateful your clothes aren’t in the same state as his.
-This is my seamstress, Ms Grey, Nibbles introduced her to Soi and Soi dutifully nodded his head.
Ms Grey snorted and turned back to Nebelius to fasten more needles on his body and Soi sat down in front of a set table. It wasn’t as much breakfast as it was a table full of different treats and sweets. Apple pie and blueberry pie, bowls with caramels and fudge and chocolates and baskets with buns and cakes and white bread. And then there were marmalades and jams in jars and in the middle of the table stood a large kettle. Soi lifted its lid and hoped it was tea and was greatly disappointed to find something brownish.
-What’s this? Soi asked displeased.
-Chocolate, for drinking.
-Don’t you have tea?
-Tea? What’s wrong with chocolate?
-It’s too sweet, Soi said sourly.
-What did you expect? I own a sweet shop, Nibbles said and shrugged his shoulders.
Soi sighed and buttered some white bread with a layer of jam and took a bite.
-How did you get a sweet shop?
-I told you before about my life before I became Nebelius. When I became a broken I decided to have fun to make up for all those years of sadness. The opposite of sadness is...-Happiness, Soi filled in.-And what can make you happier than something sweet.
Soi didn’t agree but he nodded obediently.
-When I first came to Beroal I knew this was the city for me and where I wanted to start my new life. I opened a sweet shop with the money I'd earned from sea and these days I'm a wealthy shop owner.-All done, ms Grey said. -Step down, Silver. Try to take it off without moving the needles.
Nibbles stepped down and disappeared into the bedroom. The living room grew quiet, except for Soi’s chewing. Suddenly the plump grey haired woman turned around and gave Soi a piercing look. Soi stopped chewing and watched the lady nervously, anticipating an attack.
-So, what are you waiting for? Get up! Ms Grey said sternly and Soi stood up quickly.
When Nibbles came out from the bedroom again Soi was put on the small stool while short woman twirled around him and measured his body and put in needles here and there. Soi’s eyebrows were furrowed tightly together.
-Explain to me why I’m doing this? Soi said grimly.
-If we’re going to go through with your plan, at least we could do it my way, Nibbles smiled happily. -After all, we are going to a ball.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick

The Broken Ones

Chapter 15:1 -The Ball

-Why would they want the flute back, it's just an ordinary flute, Soi asked and shrugged his shoulders and sat down in one of Nibbles' velvet chairs.-They want me to bring it to the ball, Nibbles said and sunk down into another velvet chair opposite to Soi.
Soi looked back at Nibbles with a tired expression. He didn’t understand the seriousness in Nibbles tone. So what if they wanted the flute back?
-What is this ball, anyway? Soi asked.
-Ah, of course, you don’t know about the ball since you’re not a broken, Nibbles said as if it explained everything.
-Thank you for pointing it out, Soi said gloomy. -So what is this ball?
-It’s a ball which the Academy hosts here in Beroal and all brokens are invited. I go every year, it’s a great opportunity to meet other brokens.
-Why isn’t it held in the Academy?
-Well, in general brokens don’t return to the Academy unless they work there and where would they stay if they did? There aren’t any inns or pubs like in normal cities. And it would be a bit boring if everybody had to wear white. No, Beroal is a much better location for the ball.
-If any broken is invited then there will be Academy people there as well?
-Yes, most certainly.
-Then that’s what Ciron meant about the ball.
-Ciron? What did he say?
-He said “see you at the ball” to Ana when we were on our way back to the mansion.
-Oh, as we didn’t have enough problem, Nibbles rolled his one eye. -But it does somehow confirm my suspicions.
-About what?
-About who’s the real enemy.
Nibbles didn’t elaborate and Soi couldn’t read mind so he moved on to his next question.
-Why Ana didn’t know about the ball?
-Well, she has never attended it so she has probably forgotten that it exists. Back to the flute. As the handwriting of these two letters are the same I think…
That caught Soi’s attention.
-The same?! The handwriting is the same? And they want you to bring it to the ball… So they'll be at the ball? He asked a bit anxious.
-They are holding the ball. It’s exactly as I suspected, Nibbles said and nodded for himself.-You have to explain yourself a bit more for me to understand, I don’t read minds like you do, Soi said grumpily. –What do you mean that they are holding the ball? Isn’t it the Academy who holds it? Then is it the…
-It’s that exactly. Think about it Soi, these letters with the same handwriting although the content is so different, Ciron and the flute, the Academy council, Jack. What more do you want me to explain?
Soi stared at him.
-The monsters, he said at last.
-I don’t know…, Nibbles admitted.
Soi sighed.
-But I have a theory.
-I don’t think I want to hear it.
-Probably not, Nibbles said and rose from his chair.
-It’s so complicated, so many loose ends. I mean, how many enemies do we have? Soi exclaimed. - Ana’s organisation creating brokens of infants, the Academy and Jack who wants Ana because of her power, the monsters, and then the ones who hired you and Ciron to distract Ana with a flute.
-If you say it like that it sounds ridicules, Nibbles grunted offended.
-It feels ridicules! I just don’t get all of this to go together. And now you say that these flute-people are the same as the Academy?
-I think the ball will be the answer to all of your questions. As I said, I have my suspicions but I better keep them to myself, I’m afraid you’d run the other way if I told you. But I think you are overreacting a tad.
-What do you mean?
-All of those you just listed as our enemies are in fact Ana’s with the exception of Jack, Nibbles said with a wide smile. –And I, I have no enemies at all unless I openly side with Ana and even then no one can never be sure which side I’m really on.
-Are you trying to scare me? Soi asked suspiciously.
-Not really, Nibbles said still smiling. –Anyhow, I don’t think they…
-Which they?
-The flute-people, as you so practically named them. As I was saying, I don’t think they want me to bring the actual flute.-What then?-You.-You mean...-That they, the flute-people or if my theory is correct, the Academy and Jack, already knows that you are here, yes.-And they want you to deliver me at the ball? Soi could feel his heart rate increase, he was trapped. But then he thought of it differently. -Then they still believe that you're working for them, don't they?-Seems like it.-That's it! Soi burst out. –That’s our plan.-What? Nibbles asked barely raising his eyebrow.-We'll do what they want us to.-I always thought you were a bit slow. No, Soi, we're not going to deliver you voluntarily so they can kill or whatever it is they want to do with you. -That's exactly what we'll do!

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick

Don't give up hope

For all of you who are waiting for another chapter of the Broken Ones, don't give up hope!
I'm currently working on the next chapter after a month of not writing anything at all and I find myself tangled in a lot of loose ends, just for the sake of it I would like to call the chapter Loose ends but no, it's going to be called The Ball and hopefully I can upload some parts of it this week (crossing all of my fingers).
For the meanwhile, stay hopeful!

//J.L.Frick