Page 75 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

“Oppressors?” Thaxvarien asked. “Those people are your friends and family.

Your neighbors. They are Aethari like you.

Yes, I believe the old laws need to be changed, and there are many who disagree with me.

But this is not the way to change their minds.

If you don't like the laws, protest them.

Gather those who agree with you and stand before the Council to demand change.

Peacefully! Don't run through the streets like lunatics, murdering your fellow Aethari!”

“Listen to him!” someone shouted from the other side.

“Oh, you are not innocent either.” Thaxvarien's voice filled with power.

The Source of Magic had allowed him a chance to reach its people in his way.

Now, it was time for Source to speak. Only one this time.

The one that had created the Aethari. And it took control in the traditional way of speakers.

Thaxvarien finally learned how it felt to be fully possessed by Source.

Everyone went quiet again, instantly recognizing the power within his voice. They watched him. They listened.

“I have guided you,” the Source of Magic spoke. “I have gently led. Inspired. Sent you signs. And yet, you have ignored me. You chose ignorance over enlightenment! Hatred over love!”

Inside himself, Thaxvarien wondered about those words. Ignored? Had his father spoken against the laws as well? All while Thaxvarien protested them. The answer came through his own mouth.

“The Speaker of Icara has made clear my wishes to you, Council.

Everything changes. That is the way of life.

Without change, you petrify. You choose death.

And that is what you've done. By ignoring my guidance and the urging of your citizens, you have stagnated. My chosen one has protested many times, as he has just urged others to do, but you have not listened. You ignored him as you ignored me. And then you stand there, pointing your fingers at those who do listen and call them rebels and murderers. You are the rebels, fighting against what you are. And you are murderers, sharing equally in the death that has come to your city this terrible day.” Source's voice echoed out and rang through the streets long after it stopped speaking.

Thaxvarien shivered as control was returned to him and his voice returned to its normal depth.

“People of Icara, I've come here not to start a war, but to urge you onto a peaceful path. Change will take time. We must proceed carefully and respectfully.” He looked from side to side.

“But if we do this right, we can become the city that leads the way into a glorious future.”

“And what future do you envision, Thaxvarien Rennux, son of our Speaker?” A man stepped out from behind a line of soldiers, his brown, speckled wings spreading wide.

“Councilman Fevenamier.” Thax inclined his head. “I don't see the future—that is my destra's gift. I can only tell you what the Source of Magic hopes for us.”

“And that is?”

“Unity.”

“We are unified.”

“I would argue that.” Thaxvarien waved toward the opposing army.

“But I did not mean unity with our race alone.

We need to find our place on the surface of Para.

We need to stop separating ourselves from Medeans.

The Source of Magic did not intend for us to stay up here forever.

We are meant to live harmoniously with those on the ground.

Turn your violence onto the lies that have been spread.

Destroy them. Reveal the truth. Medeans did not force us into the war against the Nethren.

Our leaders made an alliance with the Medeans.

But instead of offering our soldiers freely, they bargained our service in exchange for the sky cities.

And then they told us that they were forced into the bargain.

That is not true! I've seen the recordings of those meetings with my own eyes. I listened to the smug words of Aethari councilmen who knew the Medeans desperately needed our help and used that against them. Those councilmen also knew that we are just as responsible for Para. The surface is essential to our existence. We must protect it. If the world is taken over by Nethren, the Source of Magic will suffer. And then we will die. Am I wrong, Councilman?”

The councilman lifted his chin.

“Revolution!” someone shouted from the other side.

“Cease!” Thax pointed in that direction.

“Have you not heard what I've said? We need to change, not destroy. Come together, listen to each other, and plot a path forward in truth and unity. Not only with each other but also with our cousins on the ground. Only by venturing down can we gain the perspective to rise above our mistakes.”

Men and women stepped out into the plaza from both sides.

The Aethari looked at each other warily.

It was clear who had been fed lies and who had done the feeding.

They were on opposing sides, keeping a distance between themselves even as they stepped toward each other.

Thaxvarien knew he had to become the bridge that crossed their divide.

“We have been foolish, my people,” Thaxvarien said gently.

“And we have fooled each other. We came from the ground.

The Aethari race sprang from the Medean.

We are connected. Bound. I am living proof of this.

Look upon me! What do you see? Without my wings, I was given a new type of convergence—one that soars above technology and uses science.

I can converge living things. The elements.

I fly without wings. Am I a Medean? Have I returned to our original race?

Or am I something new? I don't know.” He turned to take in both sides.

“I don't declare myself to be the Blessed One.

I speak for the Source of Magic, but I don't want to be your Speaker. I cannot. Because I also speak for the Source of Technology.”

Oh, that may not have been the right thing to say. Many Aethari gasped at the revelation. But Thaxvarien couldn't speak against lies while withholding the truth.

He hurried on, “My father has served this city loyally as its Speaker for centuries, and he has done so with honor. He speaks for Source and for you. If you will just listen to him, he will guide you well.”

“What are you?” someone shouted.

“I am your future!” Thax roared back, both Sources rolling through his voice.

The entire city went silent, the word “future” echoing into silence.

“I have not come to Icara to stay.” Thaxvarien looked at Liria and tucked her in against his side.

“I am meant to be an example of what unity can do for our people. The Source of Magic led me to my destra, but it was both of the Sources that united us in strength and love. Through our destiny bond, I can converge like no other. I know our path forward must be forged beside the Medeans. But I also know that all of you are not ready to welcome our cousins here. So, I shall make a place for us upon the surface of Para. It will serve as the middle ground between our races and each other. There, we shall work toward change. We will write new laws that will be adhered to down there first. So that those up here can see the good it brings. We will unearth the truth, and we will take our race forward one step at a time. Hopefully, without bloodshed.”

“You want us to abandon the sky and ground ourselves?” Councilman Fevenamier sneered.

“No, I want to bring us back to the surface knowing that we still have the sky, even down there.” Smiling at Liri, Thax said, “Aethari are never truly grounded.” Then he looked up to face the citizens of Icara.

“I believe you will see that once you visit the surface, but I'm not here to force any of you to the ground. Only to offer you a place to learn the truth for yourselves and make your own decision. Now, I must leave you to prepare that sanctuary for us. If you wish to continue your battle, I cannot stop you. But I urge you to see past your anger. Remember that we are all one people, and we want the same thing—to rise.”

“You're just going to leave?” Councilman Fevenamier gaped at Thax.

“Yes. I have spoken for myself and spoken for Source.

You have listened, and I thank you for that.

Now, you must decide for yourselves how you wish to proceed.

But I'm not leaving you completely.” Thaxvarien looked from the councilman to the other side of the plaza.

“As I said, I go below to build a place for us to rise. All will be welcome at Middle Ground. And if you should feel so inclined, any help will be welcome in building our sanctuary.” Thaxvarien bowed to both sides.

“I hope that you will find your way back to your connection with Source. Perhaps one day, we will no longer need our speakers.” Thaxvarien let Liria go, but only to step down from his perch.

Then he reached up, helped his destra down, and took her hand to lead her away from the plaza.

“Blessed One!” A man rushed into their path and bowed, his gray wings snapping closed behind him. “I would go with you if you would accept my allegiance.”

“What's your name?” Thax asked.

“I am Rallorival. I led the opposition.”

“In my name.”

“Yes. I believed it was our only way forward. But you've shown me a better path.”

Thaxvarien felt the approval of the Sources. He held out his hand. Rallorival shook it, his chin lifting. Several Aethari cheered.

“This is ridiculous,” Councilman Fevenamier said. “We've functioned under these laws for centuries. They work.”

“Do they?” Thaxvarien lifted an eyebrow at him and then pointedly looked around.

Rallorival's wings whooshed open in aggression as he glared at Fevenamier.

The councilman glared back.

“Continue as you will,” Thaxvarien said. “But I believe it is too late to return to the old ways. A negotiation must occur. That, or there will be more blood stains upon the streets of Icara.”

The councilman winced. “They're children! They know nothing of government.”

“Yes. I am young too, Councilman. But my youth does not make my thoughts worthless.

It does not give you reason to discredit my beliefs.

You say our laws have served us well for centuries.

But that is just another lie. The laws have broken us.

Clinging to them will only destroy us completely.

But again, I'm not here to force anyone into anything. Make your choice, Councilman. I have made mine.” Thaxvarien looked at Rallorival.

“I gladly accept your help, Rallorival.”

“I am not the only one who wishes to join you, Blessed One.” Rallorival nodded behind him.

Several men and women stepped forward and bowed.

Thaxvarien looked from them to Liria.

She shrugged. “We certainly have enough room.”

“As I said, all will be welcome.” Thaxvarien inclined his head to the Aethari. “You may come with us now. But on one condition.”

“What's that?” Rallorival asked.

“Stop calling me Blessed One.” Thaxvarien shook his head and walked away with his destra. “For fuck's sake. Who came up with that shit?”