Copyright Pending
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Chapter 1
Mattei tapped his fingers against the chair impatiently and looked around at the other 30 or so men waiting with him. While most of them appeared to be around his age, 25, a few were graying and likely middle-aged. A few talked among themselves, but overall there was a quietness reflecting everyone's trepidation. He could only surmise that they'd ended up here the same way he had, with strangers showing up on his doorstep. "At least they seem just as confused as I am," he thought. "Somewhat comforting, I suppose."
Two weeks earlier, he'd been prepping his breakfast when there was a knock at his door. He glanced at the clock on the wall and frowned. He'd already taken care of the cows and the other animals on the farm. It wasn't like her to visit him so early. Was something wrong? "Guess I'll find out soon enough," he muttered to himself. Mattei walked quickly over to the door, but when he opened it, he found two women standing outside his door. Dressed in tailored maroon robes, he knew exactly who they worked for. It was obvious that they were government officials. Only those under the jurisdiction of the relatively new ruling Council of Ministers wore such robes, and he'd only seen women in such garments on the news, or in the newspaper. Never in person. What were they doing in the countryside? He was on a farm for God's sake! Little happened around here that garnered excitement. Had they gotten lost?
"May I help you?" he asked, finally speaking.
"Are you Mattei Loran Ilsam?" the shorter of the two women asked.
"Yes," he answered hesitantly. "Okay, maybe they aren't lost," he thought, before asking, "How may I help you?"
"We're from the Family Health Department, and we'd like you to come to a meeting we're having in two weeks. We need to discuss the future of the consulate and the impact you could have both here and abroad."
Mattei chuckled. "Are you sure you have the right person? I'm a farmer and a carpenter. How could I possibly be of assistance to your department? Last I checked, I don't have a family either. I'm not married, and I don't have children, so I'm not sure why your department would be interested in me."
The women exchanged glances and then smiled at him. "Trust me," the taller woman said, "we're pretty sure you're qualified to assist us. Please come to the meeting in two weeks. We'll have a job proposition for you. You'll be given more information then."
He shook his head. "I have a job here, working for the mistress of this farm. Her husband passed away in the Plague and she counts on me to maintain things. Who will help her if I accept whatever position you're wanting to offer me? I don't want to leave her hanging. She has two daughters and several granddaughters living with her now, and they need my help to keep things running here. They're counting on the food that's being planted and raised to pay the bills and fill their bellies. And frankly, so do I."
The taller woman handed him a document, which he briefly looked over. It was signed by Mrs. Foster, the woman he worked for, permitting him to take leave of his duties on the farm. "Mrs. Foster has been informed of the critical role you'll hopefully be playing and gave us her blessing to speak with you. She feels you're a good candidate and asked us to assure you that she'll find assistance from those in the community. The government will also give her any additional support she needs."
Mattei let out a sigh. He didn't like the idea of leaving anyone high and dry, especially since he didn't know why he would be leaving. He also didn't put much stock in governments. The last one had gotten them into World War IV when he was a child, and he remembered how hard things were back then. But then again, there had been some slight improvements here and there under the new ruling council. Maybe the new government would be better than the old one. The plague had seen to the purging of more than half in the old one, and while he knew that it was a shame that the people died, a lot of corruption seemed to have died then as well. It was probably the only good thing that came out of the tragedy. "Very well. I'll come to the meeting in two weeks. Is there any other way I can assist you?"
"Yes. We would ask that you avoid any dangerous activities since we'll need you in the peak of health. When you arrive for the meeting, lodgings will be waiting and ready for you in Arvan City. The specific address is listed in the packet. Please arrive on time. There's much to discuss and we need to get started immediately. Instructions regarding what you can bring with you are listed in the packet as well." She handed him a manila envelope, shook his hand, and bid him goodbye.
Mattei watched them leave, almost as perplexed as to when he found them on his doorstep. "Well, this is officially a weird day." He stared at the packet for a moment and then shrugged. "I guess I'll see what information is inside," he thought. "Not like they gave me much information themselves." Mattei closed the door, tossed the packet onto his dining table, and then grabbed a cup of coffee. Then he sat down and stared at the packet for a moment. Sure, he was curious, but he wasn't much for surprises. But after several minutes passed, his curiosity overrode his other feelings, and he tore into it. Inside he found a map and address for lodging at a building not far from Arvan Palace, which was marked on the map as well. "Arvan Palace," he mused. "Hmmm." He'd heard of some palaces being built, including that one, on the news, but the reasons behind them were being kept hush-hush. Based on the map, the place was huge. Maybe the rumors of a state-of-the-art hospital inside had some truth to them. "The palace grounds look large enough to host a freaking city though," he muttered. He shrugged and then looked at the rest of the contents. They included an identification badge for the residence he'd be staying at while there and the list of things he could bring with him.
As he looked it over, he was amazed at how short it was. He was only required to bring three sets of clothing, though he was welcome to bring more if he wanted. He could also bring any personal knick-knacks or photos he wanted, and a list of any prescriptions he was taking. The list of things not to bring was longer -- he wouldn't need any hygiene products or food, and electronics were allowed, but security procedures would be implemented. Additionally, pets weren't permitted in the building, though there was a side note stating the government would help with boarding arrangements if needed. "Guess it's a good thing I don't have pets," he muttered out loud. He'd been thinking about getting a dog but was glad at that moment that he hadn't. Then something dawned on him. "Personal knick-knacks? What am I doing? Moving in? I don't even know why they want me at this meeting!"
The next week and a half passed extremely slowly, especially after Mrs. Foster refused to give him more details. When he went to speak with her about the document she'd signed and the visit from the officials, she simply smiled at him sweetly and made him a bunch of his favorite baked goods. It wasn't the first time she spoiled him with brownies and the like, but she acted even more like a mother hen. So did her daughters. To make things even odder, they'd giggle a little when he'd look at them or thank them for the baked goods. Their reaction was baffling, but who was he to turn down good food?
Others slowly started turning up to help on the farm, and they seemed to know what they were doing, so as each day passed, it seemed like he was needed less and less. Eventually, he decided to pack up what little he had with him, and head to the city a few days early. Arvan City was rather new, having only been established in the last ten years. Since he'd never been there, he figured he'd do some sightseeing if he arrived early. He could always stay at a hotel if they weren't ready for him at the boarding house, or whatever it was, that he'd be staying at while attending the meeting.
His last day at the farm arrived, and Mrs. Foster invited him over for one last dinner with her and the family. She made his favorite foods, her daughters flirted with him a little more, and her granddaughters begged him for one last tractor ride, piggie back rides, etc. He made the most of it. If he didn't come back, which seemed to be more and more likely, he was going to miss this quiet life. Not to mention the children. He did so love the sounds of their laughter, especially after all the tragedy they'd had already in their young lives.
"Mrs. Foster," he said as he was about to leave for the night. "You know, I'd like to continue to work for you. I know you don't want to tell me what all this is about, but..."
The older woman simply smiled at him and then hugged him. "Mattei, my dear sweet boy, I'd love to have you stay. But you're needed for something so very important. We'd love to have you for visits, but I don't think you'll be back for a permanent stay. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself and find yourself a good woman to care for you. You're too skinny as is."
