Band of the Broken Brotherhood

Band of the Broken Brotherhood

By Ceri Beynon

Published by Ceri Beynon at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Ceri Beynon

Chapter One.

Band of the Broken Brotherhood.

In a secret lodge, the Brotherhood is meeting.

This isn’t what I signed up for .I feel cheated. We’ve got to do something about this. The great King’s work is wasted, says Timothy irritated.

"I agree. This is not the City of the Broken anymore. People are happy ,in love, smiling. And you know the cause of all this-"

Don’t even say the name. How can one person bring about such drastic change, such positivity? says Raymond in disgust.

"Two people. She’s nothing on her own. Its the two of them together, their love. That’s what caused all this," says Anthony bitterly.

Oh, you are on to something there Anthony. The two of them. If we just dispose of her…

But that’ll still leave King Calix- interrupts Timothy.

Heartbroken. Without that Seren, the King will be heartbroken. And if the King is heartbroken, then…

So will the city. Yes, a brilliant idea Cornelius. I’ll be unashamed of my citizenship again and our oath to the great King will-

Be fulfilled Thomas. The Band of the Broken Brotherhood will have succeeded in its mission.

To be forever Broken, and break whoever tries to fix us, they chant in unison, in their candlelit ceremony room. Hands piled one on top of the other in Brotherhood togetherness.

Seren the sacrifice. Yes the citizens will be more Broken than ever, says Raymond, the dark leader anticipating the glory of her anguish.

The palace of the Broken has been transformed for the first time in the history of its existence. It now has windows in every room. Sunlight awakens the dark walls from their slumber, revealing hidden cobwebs and dust.

I wonder what your father would have made of all this filth Calix! I say to my gorgeous husband.

I don’t think he’d have minded too much Seren, as long as the spiders were unhappy with their lives, he smiles.

True .I am so looking forward to decorating this whole place to my taste. It’s far too dark and depressing as it is ,though the addition of windows has certainly cheered the place up.

Yes, but we still want to retain some of the palace’s originality. Its gruesome and gothic, but to a degree, I like it like that, he says, tucking a stand of stray hair behind my ear.

Yes. I still want it to be a dungeon of despair, only with a little more colour, I giggle, reflecting on my bizarre yet wondrous life.

Calix and I were husband and wife, that’s something that I never thought would be. If death hadn’t changed everything ,it never would be.

Being married to a king didn’t feel as formal or as stuffy as it should feel but maybe that was just because the King in question was Calix, and Calix could never be stuffy.

The City of the Broken was as blissfully peaceful as any good graveyard, thanks to the unification of the Smiley’s with the rest of the population. Pro-Despair and Happiness groups were Broken history, simply because there was no need for extremity in a city that now encouraged freedom and the choice to live your life however you wanted, of course this was all down to a certain newly crowned King.

I walk downstairs in my dressing gown to get breakfast. Calix is already sitting at the palace table when I get there. Gosh, he’s so beautiful, even when he’s munching on a slice of toast.

Hey Seren. Sleep well? he asks.

Sweetly and softly as ever, in your arms.

Your snoring kept me awake.

I do not snore.

Joke, joke, he says, holding up his hands in surrender.

So what’s planned for today? I ask, running my fingers through his ebony hair.

Lots of official duties. A school opening ,a conference, a meeting with a new political group.

This last snippet jarred me instantly from what at first sounded like a typical days list of royal activities.

A new political group? Who?

They’ve been contacting the palace for months, eager to get me to listen to their policies. They’re becoming increasingly popular among the citizens, so it’s kind of my responsibility to stay current and in touch with the public trends. Although I have absolutely no idea what they are about, he says, looking both smouldering and serious.

Do you know the name? I wonder if I’ve ever heard of them, I ask.

Politics were not my forte but I read the newspapers and so if they were popular, it’s likely I would know of them.

The Broken Workers Party-they’ve gained many seats at the Broken Assembly, quite unexpectedly. They literally came from nowhere at meteoric speed, he says.

Nope. Never heard of them. They really must have come out of nowhere.

In a dark and secret meeting at a lodge in the city, a select group are having an official meeting.

We’ve achieved wondrous progress in the past month Tobin.

Wondrous indeed Tristan. I thought it was down to hard work and perseverance, not wonder and miracles.

Yes, well it’s a big step in the right direction.

You are right. But it’s not enough. By the King’s authority the party was founded and yet it still remains only the third largest party.

I thought King Calix knew nothing of the party? Aren’t you meeting him this afternoon?

It is not King Calix I speak of Tristan-you know the allegiance of the brotherhood.

You mean-

Yes, the true Broken King, may he rest in peace.

How, if you forgive my lack of knowledge, I am a relatively new brother at the lodge, how by the King’s authority did you found the party?

Now there’s a question…

Thomas Snr-the veil…

Are you sure he’s ready?

As he’ll ever be!

Now you have been sworn into the Brotherhood and are entrusted with our secrets, I think we ought to show you the book, and explain our eternal dilemma.

The book? asks Tristan nervously.

Don’t be so frightened Tristan!

Thomas and Tobin lead Tristan to a stone alter, where a stand is mounted. A black veil hides whatever it is that is mounted on the stand.

Lift the veil Thomas! commands Tobin.

Thomas obeys and the veil is lifted.

A simple black book. What secrets does it hold? asks a bemused Tristan upon the lifting of the veil.

Nothing-and everything, replies Tobin seriously.

Oh Tristan, do not look so confused, says Thomas.

Yes, I’d better explain. The book was given to me by the King himself. On the day of his death he came to me in great urgency. He handed me the book, explaining that it holds his future plans for the City, which must not be altered, not even by his son Calix, not even when he’s King. But there’s a problem-

The last page…, interrupts Thomas.

Yes, thank you Thomas, I was getting to that. The last page of the book is missing-

And it is the most vital page, interrupts Thomas again.

Indeed. ‘The content of that page could end the City as we know it’-those were the words the King gave me.

But where is the last page? asks Tristan.

Oh, if only we knew, says Thomas.

But we do…that’s the thing. We know King Calix has in his ownership the final page, where though we do not know. The key to the room of the final page was passed immediately to Calix on the death of his father.

Why is the page so important? Surely it’s in safe hands with Calix, asks Tristan.

Oh, you foolish boy! You don’t know what you are saying, says Thomas angrily.

"Oh no. It just may be in the most deadly hands with King Calix. It holds the secrets of the city, and so rumour has it…the secrets to the citizens happiness."

"And of course King Calix sees absolutely nothing wrong with that. That is the great tragedy of all this. This is why that last page is so dangerous," cries Thomas.

Yes, with that page, Calix has the power to destroy the City of the Broken and turn it into an unrecognisable city-the same as everywhere else, says Tobin solemnly.

I see. But if the King didn’t want Calix to have the page, why did he leave it to him?

Now you are thinking boy! The King was about to change his will, but he died before he ever got the chance, and so Calix got the key. Calix had changed so much in the past year. The King used to trust him, but not anymore. And it’s all because of that…, Tobin trails off.

"Seren," cries Thomas with disgust.

Don’t say her name Thomas, thank you!

Calix looks so hot ,all decked out in his black suit and tie .He’s the King, but he’s also so much more than that and his wardrobe reflects that, so it’s not always robes, crowns and sceptre’s. Today, he has a political meeting, so he’s dressed like a politician, only he could never be a real politician ,he’s too just and honest.

You look amazing Calix, I say ,as he adjusts his bow-tie in the palace mirror.

Why thank you Seren. You don’t half look bad yourself, he winks at me.

I’ve become a lot more involved in city affairs myself, now that I am both a citizen and the wife of the King. Today I was going to a consultation meeting about the regeneration of the Broken museum, which was looking to extend its collection of artwork. The death masks were always my favourite.

Now Calix, you better be back at a reasonable time .I want your opinion on the new décor, I tell him, gazing at his porcelain face with wonder. How can he be my husband?

Sure thing Seren. I’m sure this new party’s not nearly as monumentally different as they make themselves out to be. It will probably be just a quick meeting, he says and I kiss his golden ratio lips with an eagerness that belies my status of wife.

Whoa! Calm down Seren. I’m only going to be gone for a couple of hours, he says, taken aback by my lustfulness.

I know, but you are like the sun Calix .I get depressed when you aren’t around, I say as he walks through the palace door.

I turn around to occupy myself with palace decorating. I’m focusing on increasing the purple in the purple to black ratio, in keeping with the theme of a brighter but still broken city. Just as my logic is replacing my longing, Calix doubles back and kisses me passionately.

Go! Seriously Calix how am I ever going to get any work done with you around as a distraction? I ask, in mock anger but secretly thrilled he didn’t just walk off without saying a passionate goodbye.

That’s what I’m here for baby .If you work hard, you must play hard too, he says impishly.

Seriously…he is way too hot to be a King.

As leader of the Broken Workers Party, Raymond Raven has been chosen as the representative in the party’s meeting with the King. A very special meeting. King Calix is driven by his usual and most trusted driver, Alfred, to the Broken Assembly where the meeting is to take place.

Do you know anything of this party Alfred? asks Calix.

Not a great deal, Your Majesty. But I hear they are currently making great waves in the assembly and that they are somewhat rather radical, answers Alfred.

Radical ,huh? In a good way or a bad way? asks Calix, taken aback by this information.

In a Broken way, of course Your Majesty, answers Alfred.

So they want the old way back…, says Calix quietly to himself and now already dreading this meeting before its even begun.

I think its going to be a long day Alfred, he says.

Indeed Your Majesty, says Alfred as he pulls up outside the Broken Assembly building.

King Calix is greeted by officials and a black carpet lines the steps of the Broken Assembly. The King is escorted inside and Raymond Raven waits for him. Raven stands tall, towering over the King. His shifty eyes weigh him up and he strokes his black beard with a calculating pondering.

Your Majesty. A great honour it is to finally meet you, says Raymond Raven, bowing respectfully. Playing the role of a dignified party leader to perfection.

An honour and a surprise to meet you, says King Calix in a greeting of grace.

A surprise, Your Majesty? asks Raven taken aback.

Your party is a relatively new one but yet here you are, risen to such importance in the City so suddenly that it has become necessary for you to meet the Head of State, smiles Calix sincerely.

"Oh I assure you Your Majesty our party is a lot older than the media claim us to be. But yes, I suppose you are right that in recent times we have gained a great deal of support rather much overnight," says Raymond Raven.

I’ll be sure to look into your background, says Calix.

Feel free Your Majesty although I don’t think you will find much. Our party can trace its lineage back through history but we did begin as a secret order and therefore very little is documented on our early years, smiles Raven with a masked spite.

Oh I promise you Mr. Raven, our palace archivists can find anything no matter how obscure it may be, says Calix with a hint of challenge.

Shall we go through to the meeting room then Your Highness? asks Raven.

Yes. I’m eager to here all about your policies and growth, says Calix as Raymond Raven leads the way through the Broken Assembly with its white walls and tall black columns.

The dimly lit meeting room with its air of apprehension instantly makes Calix feel threatened and Raymond Raven feel powerful. Just as Raven had intended it to. It was always his intention that King Calix could see as little of his facial expressions as possible. Only the gleam of his eyes remained visible.

King Calix I have a proposal for you, says Raymond as soon as the King is seated.

A proposal? Hold on ,aren’t you going to tell me more of your party first? I don’t accept proposals from just anyone. I do have the reputation of the city to uphold after all, says Calix.

Of course Your Majesty. How foolish of me. Of course you would need to know a great deal about our movement first. Perhaps I assumed you had done a great deal of research prior to the meeting, says Raymond.

My advisors attempted to do just that Mr. Raven. But your party is so shrouded in secrecy and rumour that this proved quite impossible, says King Calix.

I see. Well I’d be pleased to be the one to separate fact from fiction for you Your Highness. We want our policies to be known to the whole of the City of the Broken and if as you claim you cannot find enough information about us, I shall see that our PR team get on that straight away following this meeting, says Raven.

"I think that would be a very good idea Mr. Raven. So what exactly are your policies?" asks Calix.

Well the first thing I must stress is that we are a Movement, not a party. This perhaps is what distinguishes us from the rest.

A movement? That makes it sound like you want extreme change brought about in the City of the Broken. I’m not sure I am keen on that philosophy, says Calix apprehensively.

In effect we do Your Majesty .The City is in crisis. We feel drastic changes are needed, says Raymond.

The city has obtained peace and order for the first time in many years Mr .Raven. I hope you aren’t going to be the one who disrupts this order, says Calix.

To disrupt order is not our intention I assure you Your Majesty. We aim to regain The City of the Broken’s character and self respect, says Raven.

Are you insinuating that the City has lost these things Raven? asks Calix aggressively.

Our votes speak for themselves Your Majesty. We are a people’s party. For the people and by the people. I don’t think you’d have a problem with that, says Raymond cockily.

"Certainly not. But as your party is so engulfed in mystery….I have to wonder if the people are aware of who they are really voting for," says Calix arching an eyebrow.

Well I think its probably best if we wrap the meeting up there. As I said a great and enlightening honour to meet you Your Majesty.

And your proposal? asks Calix surprised Raven hasn’t brought it up again.

Oh I don’t think you’d be interested in hearing that Your Majesty. You’ve made your views on our ‘mysterious’ movement quite clear, says Raymond in disdain.

Oh but I’d still love to hear what you had in mind Mr. Raven, says Calix.

No .I think my party would appreciate it if I held that in confidence if you aren’t too offended by this Your Majesty, smirks Raymond.

"Not at all. Enlightening to meet you too Mr. Raven," says Calix shacking Raymond Raven hands with certainty and without fear.

I’ll give you our card. If you ever change your mind and would like to join us Your Majesty, I assure you you’d hold a very prominent position and be involved in all our decisions, says Mr. Raven.

Thank you Mr. Raven, that’s very considerate of you. But the card won’t be necessary, smiles Calix who can see that Raymond Raven is up to dastardly tricks.

Very well .Farewell then Your Majesty, says Raymond with a hint of a threat behind the farewell.

King Calix left the Broken Assembly looking a lot more concerned than when he first entered. Alfred was waiting to escort His Majesty back to the Palace.

As soon as Calix enters his royal Rolls-Royce he made his feelings clear to his trusted driver and assistant.

Alfred I think there is going to be a lot of trouble and soon. This Party wants power and I think they’ll play dirty to get it. Can you find out as much as possible about their past and their present as you can? I think the future of the city may depend on it, says Calix.

Certainly Your Majesty. Did they threaten you Your Majesty? I can get security onto that as soon as possible…, says Alfred professionally.

No I wasn’t threatened. I just have a hunch. Maybe I’m overreacting but it’s better to be safe than sorry. That man’s eyes…just had a certain…serpentine knowing, some treachery .Just up the security at the palace and make sure that party is not in breach of any regulations, says Calix authoritatively.

Yes Your Majesty, says Alfred with certainty.

In the Lodge, the Leader has returned with bad news.

"So. We do not have the King’s support. We stand alone now. Not that it makes a great deal of difference. We’d have had to overthrow him at some point whether he backed us or not," says Raymond Raven to the Brotherhood which cheers and jeers at the word ‘overthrow’.

Did he not even consider our proposal? asks Timothy dismayed.

He didn’t even hear it Timothy. He seemed to think our party rather mysterious and dare I say it, corrupt. He might be right, says Raymond smirking in a way that speaks of mischief.

The Brotherhood laugh hysterically.

At least this way we do not have to fake allegiance to the King. It does go against our policies after all, says Anthony.

Yes. In some way this has worked out quite the way I wanted it to. We can now embark on the anti-Calix campaign full scale. Showing the King to be what he really is. A phoney. Not the true Broken King at all. The throne must be reclaimed boys. We’ll claim it for ourselves! We’ll make the City Broken again! shouts Raymond impassioned and the Brotherhood cheers violently.

When Calix returns to the palace, he finds me busy with the accounts.

How was the meeting Calix? Is this party really as groundbreaking as everyone says they are? I ask ,abandoning boring figures to throw my arms around my husband.

The meeting was a complete waste of time Seren. The party was just an extreme movement looking for another reason to get into the papers. I just hope the press hasn’t latched onto our meeting. I wouldn’t want to give them what they wanted, says Calix sullenly.

"Are they really that bad? But isn’t everyone voting for them at the moment? They are the number one party in the City," I say.

I’m sure it’s just a fad. They are new so everyone’s excited about them at the moment. But this wave will pass. I don’t think their policies are inclusive enough to gain support from every sector of the City, says Calix.

And what are their policies? I ask ,interested in the exciting new party, that from what I’ve seen in the press appear young and fresh.

You know, that’s the thing. We got through the whole meeting but still I don’t think I really understood the essence of what they are trying to achieve .It’s like they were trying to keep it hidden from me. An illusion of something positive, hiding something very extreme and I think potentially dangerous, says Calix frowning with stress.

Oh Calix. If only you weren’t a King. You wouldn’t have to worry about all these politics and we could just kick back and enjoy married life, I smile.

That’s true Seren. But I am a King and unfortunately as much as I long to spend every waking second with you, kicking back isn’t an option, he says gently.

Well I don’t care what you think. I think this party sounds really interesting. They even held a Broken Fashion show last week at Fashion Week. That’s when I first heard about them. I think they could liven up the city, I say, retuning to my decorating budget.

Hmm…I’m not sure I agree with that Seren, says Calix sceptically.

The Head of the Brotherhood and the Leader of the Broken Workers Party is discussing his aims with Thomas, a master of media manipulation and a true advocate of Despair.

"We’ll need to be sure the press are aware of my meeting with the King. And not just aware, I mean front page news in every broadsheet. In addition to this I don’t want them to think he did not approve of us. While we cannot claim we have his backing, being seen associating with royalty shows the city we are a party to be taken seriously and at the top of our game. It can only increase