The Auburn Order is the sworn enemy of the Ruling Council and though the Ruling Council believed the order to have been completely eradicated from the planet, either by death or banishment to the banned regions, the order has persisted on the planet Hafjeran. Tales of red winged warriors have swirled around the planet as urban legends in recent history.
But the order has been waiting very patiently for the ideal time to strike back at the council and their current leader, Marfgad is determined to rid the planet of the council’s control using their own power and shady practices against them.
It is an elaborate plan that will take decades to execute, but if successful, the children of the renting caste will have opportunities for their future that current renters only dream of. They will be able to fill their closets with clothing and their homes with furniture and not worry that it could be seized at the whim of the rightful owner. Not all owners on Hafjeran are bad landlords, but there are always stories of conflicts within owning class families, power struggles over property, that result in negative consequences for renters. One of the most tragic incidences of renters negatively impacted by petty squabbles of the owning class involves the Rhaldeg family that owns all of the rental property in a small village near the enormous Rhaldeg estate in a city known as Brafjar. Much of the city of Brafjar is Rhaldeg owned and when a prominent member of the family died in an accident, there was secret arbitration before the Ruling Council to determine rightful heirs. The oldest member of the Rhaldeg family was set to inherit any property not immediately claimed by the direct relatives of the deceased Rhaldeg, but claims of paternity were lodged that prevented this smooth transition of property. While the arbitration continued for almost five years, residents of the village were evacuated until such time that it was determined who would receive the proceeds from the rentals. Hundreds of families were displaced and a shanty town sprang up outside of the Rhaldeg estate. There were bloody clashes between the renters and the Rhaldeg family that came to an end when it was decided that the oldest living Rhaldeg would obtain rights to and proceeds from property in Brafjar.
Marfgad easily maintains control of the Auburn Order despite disagreements about the best way to oppose the council. Some advocate for the quiet assassination of council members, but that is not a popular idea because it would most likely send Hafjeran society into turmoil.
Marfgad is over seeing a training session of younger members of the order when she is approached by Liuar who is in charge of the order’s prisoner.
“It’s been months, Marfgad, and Whadgaf is as defiant as ever. Our tactics aren’t working. She is not susceptible to our influence.”
Marfgad sighs and seems to ignore Liuar’s words. She interrupts the training session to reprimand one of the trainees and she returns slowly to Liuar’s side.
“I’m not saying that we can’t break her, but how much time do we really have?” Liuar asks very respectfully.
“As much time as it takes.” Marfgad looks at Liuar gravely. “We have waited this long, what’s a few months more?”
“Months?” Liuar is incredulous. “That’s not realistic with our current tactics…”
“Then use the enhanced tactics.”
“Marfgad, are you sure…”
Marfgad lifts a hand to silence Liuar. “Once she’s on our side, we can release her to her family knowing that we have someone on the inside, who will be in line to inherit much of the property in Jerial. That is not an opportunity we can squander. It pains me to hurt that woman, she is as innocent as the owning class can be, just following customs, but we have to make this happen. The only alternative is war and we don’t have the numbers.”
“The renters outnumber the owners two to one…” Liuar starts. He is a proponent of all out war, but he follows orders above all else.
“Change Whadgaf’s mind by any means necessary. It is the only way that we can minimize unnecessary casualties.”
Marfgad watches Luiar depart and she wonders to herself if this conflict has turned her into a barbarian. The Auburn Order is familiar with and quite good at a method of brainwashing that can essentially rewrite the motivations and feelings of a person, but it requires painful reprogramming and is tantamount to torture. The order hasn’t used these methods in years because a personality can never be completely rewritten and it sometimes leads to complete mental breakdown. But this is why Whadgaf was chosen, her sturdy constitution, in the event that the enhanced techniques were required. Marfgad puts her doubts out of her mind. She is only looking out for the future of her people. If the Hafjeran hoped to continue into the future as a prosperous society, things had to change. And nothing matters more than Hafjeran longevity; not the prominent owning families, not the Auburn Order, and certainly not a single individual.
Coming Soon:
Agent Red
PRL Serials 