Galileo's Resurrection

Galileo’s Resurrection

by

Amanda McCarter

Published by Smashwords

Copyright 2011 Amanda McCarter

Cover art by Keith Draws

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Electronic copy 2012

Galileo’s Resurrection

Chapter 1

The city of Brea was tense and quiet, as if the city held a collective breath. Praying, no doubt, that if they remained still and silent, they would go unnoticed. Kieva knew better. News traveled fast along the Brean coast. Just days after Kieva's family caravan left Jorta, the town was overrun with church soldiers. The same was true for Nuwalla. Though Nuwalla was already pretty well taken over when they got there, it was worse now.

He handed his coin to the stall keeper. The woman passed him his supplies with a thin smile. Have a lovely day, sir. Even her voice was strained.

Kieva didn't blame her or anyone else for that matter. It wasn't him they were angry with, if he could really even call them angry. They were scared, certainly. They had every right to be. Kieva just served as a daily reminder of why the church was coming here. The Church's forces had already dug into the surrounding area: Nuwalla, Jorta, and the adjoining port towns of Brisnek and Ismel. The problem was right in their backyard. He even heard that Church had become so paranoid, they had troops stationed in the loyalist village of Genesa, though he was sure that part of that was due to Ellia's mother creating a fuss about her dead or missing daughter.

He slowed as a pang of misery gripped his heart. Ellia survived the journey to Brea, but she lost a lot of blood and her condition was very shaky when they arrived. The Brean doctors were amazing though. They replaced her blood with a technique called transfusion and she seemed to be getting better. Even though she hadn't woken up since they arrived nearly a week ago.

The doctors said it was normal, but that didn't make Kieva feel any better. He gave his father his word that he would continue their family's oath to protect Ellia, and he failed her, failed his father. Worse than that, he failed his friend, someone he trusted, someone he...

He shook the thought away. Now was not the time to be morose or dwell on what could have been. He needed to focus. The Church's forces would be here any day. The only way to protect Ellia for sure, given her state, was to help protect Brea. The doctors wouldn't let him move her and he didn't want to risk it. Besides, Ellia would never forgive him if he let her beloved city fall. He wondered how she would find it now that she was grown. Would she still stare at it in wide-eyed wonder as she once had? Or would she be disappointed that it didn't live up to her remembrance?

He frowned. He was dwelling again. He shifted his supplies to his left side and pushed through the hidden door to the apartments he and Ellia used. The door led to a set of stairs that went below ground and expanded for miles underneath the city. Brea's true secret. Whatever it might look like on the surface, its true treasure was beneath. Before just a few days ago, he didn't even know what lay beneath the ancient city of Brea. The Church would have loved to get their hands on all this knowledge and technology, and destroy it.

Kieva waited for the door to shut behind him and tapped a switch on his right side. Pale yellow light exploded through the thin hallway, emitting from glowing tubes of canvas and glass that hung from the ceiling. He had to smile. Ellia would be amazed at this part of the city, along with the hundreds of other discoveries. He only hoped that she and the city survived the days to come.

~~~~~

Ellia ran through the fields just outside her mother's house in Genesa. Her father just returned from a trip to the south. It was the first time she could remember him going on a trip without her. He always took her along. Was she getting too big? Mother often said that once Ellia started into womanhood, she would have to stay at home when father went on trips so that she could learn how to be a proper head of household. Ellia didn't like the sound of it at all.

She slowed as she got closer to the house. What if that was it? Father said he wanted to talk to her when he got back. What if he was going to tell her that she had to stay home more often? She ran her small hands over the welt on her shoulder. It was a mark from her mother for not minding her lessons. Wasn't that the point of the trips? To save her from the marks?

Stepping carefully through the high grass, she moved to the back door of the house. Insects buzzed around her face and sweat dripped down her skin from the heat. Running, she hadn't noticed, but now it was bothersome. Mother would scold her for soiling her dress. Father would keep her from doing anything worse, she knew, but if she had the chance, Ellia's mother would beat her soundly for behaving improperly. She chewed her bottom lip and moved closer.

Voices filtered down from an open window in the kitchen. She froze on the spot when she realized one of the voices wasn't anyone from the village and had an accent she couldn't place.

Dammit, Sean, the stranger said, his voice rising, you have got to be careful. The Church won't put up with your games much longer. Get the girl and get out of here.

Kellis, her father said, I can't do that. Norene would track us both down. I'd be dead and she'd shove Ellia in a convent so fast the girl wouldn't know what hit her. I need to keep her here until she's old enough.

Keep her until she's too old, and that witch of a wife of yours will snatch her out from under you, the man named Kellis said. We can protect the two of you, keep you from the Church's long arm. The child is brilliant, so are you. We can't afford to lose you, either of you.

I appreciate your concern, Kellis, really, said her father, but I can't. If we go and you protect us, we'll risk your family and the Order.

Kellis sighed. I was afraid you'd say that. What do you think will happen when the girl enters womanhood? Don't you think that bitch would do whatever she can to keep your influence away from her?

We'll deal with that as it comes, said her father. Thank you for coming, Kellis. Before you go, can you promise me something?

Anything, old friend.

If something happens to me, if she really does something, her father paused. His voice shook. Look after Ellia, protect her. Ellia won't be her little mindless doll to do with as she pleases and that will only make her angrier. Norene will hurt my daughter. If something happens, please, if I'm not here...

Say no more, Sean, said Kellis. We'll sacrifice our own lives if we have to.

I hope it doesn't come to that, said her father.

Ellia's heart pounded in her chest and her body went cold despite the sweat and the heat. Did her father think he would die? Why? Who would hurt him? Was he sick? Without thinking, she bolted from her hiding place in the wheat fields and shoved through the kitchen door.

She ran at her father and wrapped her thin arms around his waist. Nothing's gonna happen to you papa, she yelled. No one's gonna have to look after me because you'll be here. She looked up at his clear blue eyes. They looked damp and he gave her a sad little smile.

I'm happy to see you too, Ellia. He ran a gentle hand through her hair. But you weren't supposed to hear that. You shouldn't even know about Kellis. How long have you been out there?

Long enough to know that you think you're gonna die, she said and slammed a fist against his thigh. Who will take me on trips? Who will make sure mother doesn't beat me? Who will teach me about the times before the Great Burn? You can't die. I won't let you! She was breathing heavily now and she felt light headed.

He laughed. See what I mean, Kellis? Even at eleven she's clever and willful. Norene won't stand for it.

All the more reason...

Her father held up a hand. It's not up for discussion, Kellis, not in front of the girl. It was good seeing you. I wish we had more time. All my best to your family.

Kellis frowned and gave Ellia a long, hard look. He looked back to her father and patted him on the shoulder. If that's what you want, I'll keep my word. Good day to you both. He gave Ellia another look and left the house.

Ellia looked back to her father. You can't die, papa.

He laughed again. I won't little Ellia, but all the same, you shouldn't have heard that. Come with me, I'll give you something to calm your nerves.

No, she said, not if you're going to die.

He led her to one of the table chairs and sat her down. He knelt in front of her and put his hands on her shoulders. I'm sorry if I've upset you. You shouldn't have ever heard any of that, or even have met Kellis. He's an old friend and your mother would not approve.

Who is he? she said. Why do you want him to protect me if you can't?

I can't tell you that, he said. He thinned his lips. I wish I could. Now be a good girl, and I'll give you something cool to drink and we'll talk about this more later, alright?

Okay, she said.

He stood and moved to the cooling closet where they kept their meats and cheeses and some of the family herbs. Ellia's father was very good with healing herbs. He placed a cool drink on the table in front of her and crouched back down.

Drink that up and go change your dress before your mother gets back from council, alright?

The terror of her mother replaced any long term fears she had of losing her father and she gulped down the drink. It was icy cold and sickly sweet, but she barely noticed in her haste. She finished and scrambled up the stairs, pulling her dress off as she climbed. She managed to get in the door and slip on a new dress before she blacked out into a restful sleep, forgetting her father's conversation with the strange man completely.

~~~~~

Ellia bolted upright in bed and cried out in agony at the same time. She fell straight back onto the pillows as her hand flew up to the aching wound in her left shoulder. She stroked the bandage with her fingers and tried to turn to look at it, but it sent another shiver of pain through her body. She took deep, shuddering breaths, inhaling the astringent smell of medicines and antiseptics. A hospital? The room was cool and a sterile gray, at least from what she could see. She was flat on her back with only the ceiling to look at.

A noise at the other end of the room made her turn her head the other way. The movement still hurt, but not as badly. Is someone there? she said. Her voice cracked and hissed as if she hadn't used it in a while.

So you are awake, a cool, gentle woman's voice said. Her face appeared above Ellia. It was thin and a little pinched at the nose, but she looked friendly enough. The woman smiled. We've been worried about you.

What happened? she croaked, slightly confused.

The woman frowned. You don't remember?

Ellia took a breath and licked her lips. They were dry and papery and her tongue felt like a slab of wood against them. She ran her fingers across the bandage again. Joseph Morgan. Oafish, stinking, Joseph Morgan shot her because she wouldn't fulfill his little fantasy of heroism. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

I was shot, she said at last. I don't remember a lot else. There was fighting and soldiers. It's a bit of a blur.

That's to be expected, the woman said. I'm Lara, she said with a smile. I've been looking after you since your friend brought you here.

My friend? said Ellia, creasing her brows. Surely she didn't mean Joseph? Kieva? she said hopefully.

Lara nodded. That's him. He's been beside himself with guilt. Blames himself. Poor dear. You've got a good man in that one.

Yes, she said slowly. Parts of her dream were starting to surface. A man named Kellis and her father...what else was there? She could still taste the sickly sweet of the sleeping herbs in the back of her mouth. Was Kellis Kieva's father? Had she really met him before or was it just a dream? But if it was just a dream, where did she get Kellis from?

Are you alright? said Lara.

Ellia snapped her attention back to the other woman. I'm sorry?

Your friend, she said, I was asking if you felt like seeing him. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see that you're awake.

Yes, of course, said Ellia. She found that she was anxious to see him again. She genuinely enjoyed his company. He made her think. And, he was the only one who could confirm if her dream really was just a dream or if it was real. Ellia found it greatly upsetting to think that her father would have drugged her the same way her mother once had after he died. Her father's concoctions would have been much more effective than her mother's for sure, guaranteed to make her sleep and forget. He was an accomplished apothecary and thinker. She chewed her lip.

There's one more thing before I go find him, said Lara.

Hmm, said Ellia, looking up from her thoughts.

Your friend only gave us a first name for you, no surname, said Lara. Could you give us the name for our records?

Ellia's heart raced by she gave Lara a weak smile. Without a second thought she said, Galilee.

Lara frowned. That's an odd name. I don't think I've heard anything like it before.

It's a Rover name, Ellia lied.

You don't look like a Rover, said Lara, still frowning.

The woman was so sweet, Ellia hated lying to her, but now she was getting on Ellia's nerves. We married in, she said. After my mother died, my father didn't want to marry another arrogant church puppet. We took my step-mother's name. Her heart still raced and it surprised her how easily the lies came out of her mouth, but she needed to make sure no one knew who her mother really was. She didn't want to be found again.

Fair enough, said Lara. She fidgeted with Ellia's bandages for what seemed forever. Ellia found that the woman made her uncomfortable. Finally, satisfied that the wraps were clean and tight, Lara left.

Ellia let out a sigh of relief. Where the hell was she? And how long had she been here? It was obviously some place Kieva knew and trusted, otherwise he wouldn't have brought her here, but it was most likely a city, Brea if her intuition was good. Only a big city would have the medicines