When One Door Closes

Cub lay in his cot bonelessly. The time to begin the Dance of Dawn's Advent came and went without him rising.

Catkin was dead. Her body gone. Cub had snuck out in the night to see for himself, painstakingly avoiding being seen. She was gone, and with her any hope Cub had had.

He cursed his fantasies of rebellion, let alone victory.

Finally, the thought of being beaten for tardiness in his duties roused him, but he put no care into his appearance. He donned clothes and dismissed the now two days of stubble on his scalp.

Cub performed his duties with the children mechanically. His limbs seemed heavy and numb as he helped them dress and prepare for the day. He ignored most of their questions and comments. He couldn't even bring himself to look into Elias or Jean's eyes from shame and impotence.

Time moved in a blur, both fast and slow somehow. Before he was fully aware, his hand was pulling shut the door of the children's Geography lesson.

"The Master will see you now."

Cub glanced at the owner of the voice dispassionately. It was the secretary of the House. "Alright, then."

The secretary eyed him with what might be pity and then turned on his heel toward Silas' study.

The walk was short and silent. The secretary rapped twice on the door with his knuckles and then opened the door. "Your servant, Uncle."

"Yes. Thank you, Charles."

Charles ushered Cub into the room and closed the door behind him, leaving him alone with Silas.

"Tell me, Nephew--," he raised his eyes from his desk and fixed Cub with a neutral, but piercing stare. "Cub, is it? Tell me, Cub, do you like children?"

"Yes, Uncle."

"No, no. You'll call me Silas today. I think you've earned that." Silas corrected.

Cub was taken aback, but recovered quickly. "Yes, S-Silas"

"You've done a commendable job as caretaker for the children of my House. You have some talent for the task, I surmise. Have you greater ambition that that of a nanny, though, Cub?"

The man's eyes glinted with either humor or malice and Cub's stomach sank.

Cub chose his words then carefully. Taking care to avoid a lie. "My only ambition is to do my very best for my family."

Silas closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, hands interlaced on top of his head. He opened one eye again and fixed it on Cub.

"I was right about you. What I said the other day. A rare combination of traits. I'll be sad to see you go."

Cub's eyes widened in alarm, but he did not speak.

"Oh, don't worry!" Silas said, apparently noticing Cub's discomfort. "I should think you'll be be happier this way. You see, I've accumulated a bit of ill will with the Governor due to my standing onworld. That is why he attended dinner yesterday."

Cub was growing more confused, but he kept his mind blank and listened.

"He feels as though my presence erodes his support somewhat. I invited him to dinner as a token of my esteem. Who could have guessed it would be so well-timed as to be on the day of an assassination attempt!"

Cub's heart skipped a beat.

"A stroke of luck that, I saved the Governor from poisoning and dealt with disloyalty in a single squeeze. One unforeseen consequence, is you, however."

Cub couldn't conceal his confusion and Silas smiled.

"The Governor was moved by your loyalty and courage." he explained.

Cub hoped he would continue explaining, as he was still confused.

"He saw you stand between me and the knife meant for my back you see, he couldn't have known that I was in no danger. Your shout of warning was much appreciated, even if unnecessary."

Cub's mind slowly began to understand what was happening. Silas and the Governor believed he had acted to stop Catkin out of loyalty to Silas. Cub tasted bile in the back of his throat. What a disgrace to her memory.

Cub almost blurted out the truth, when Catkin's last words to him echoed in his mind. 'Live well', she had said. Out of respect for her sacrifice, he changed what he planned to say.

"I did what I believed was right, Un--Silas." Cub said bowing his head. He was becoming concerned how deceptive the truth could be.

"Regardless, the Governor has requested that I grant you to him. While I will find myself wanting in finding your successor, acquiescing to his request should put me in excellent standing in his account. I find politics to be laborious and frustrating, but never moreso than when the political machine is against you. So long as I maintain a positive relationship with the Governor, I may continue to remain here enjoying my sabbatical."

Cub filed that information away with some curiousity. Then boldly interjected a question. "How many children will I care for there?"

Silas chuckled. "Oh, no. You'll not be a caretaker there. Well, not of children anyway. He has a somewhat more prestigious honor in store for you there I expect. I'll leave that for the Governor to explain."

The sharp double rap of knuckles and the sound of the door opening came from behind Cub.

"Yes, Charles. We're almost done." Silas said, looking past Cub. Then to Cub, he said, "The Governor's man is waiting for you out front. You may pack your things immediately. If you hurry, you may even have time for goodbyes."

Cub turned to leave, but Silas' voice stopped him. "I expect your new position will allow you some free time. I will inform the staff that your welcome on the grounds remains intact. I have heard you enjoy a bit of martial training on the side."

Cub bowed his head in thanks and turned to leave.

Silas watched him go, the glint in his eyes shining once more.

Cub packed swiftly. He owned very little.

He caught the children in the hall after their lesson had ended. Silas' secretary stood beside them, his apparent replacement until other arrangements could be made.

Cub knelt before his charges--former charges. "I must go live with the Governor from now on. He has great need of my services and Uncle has decided it is for the best." The children cried out but Cub hushed them and continued. "Don't worry, though. I will be close and I will see you often, I'm sure." Cub hoped this was true, but did not share his uncertainty.

He hugged each of them tightly and wiped a tear from his eyes as he released Elias and Jean. Cub waved enthusiastically, but the sentiment wouldn't reach his face. Catkin, and now the children. He'd lost everything in the space of a day.

Cub shouldered his pack, the one he'd retrieved the night before when he went in search of Catkin's body to pay his respects, and exited through the front door.

A man stood there, broad shouldered and squat.

"Are you, Cub?", he asked.

Cub nodded.

"Let's go, then."