Intermix Nation

Nazirah thinks that the questions might notbe such a good idea after all. In fact, she thinks they might be ahorrible idea. She looks at Cayu for a moment, struggling not tobreak down, completely unable to talk about Riva.

“That’s very kind, Cayu,” Nazirah sayseventually. “Mrs. Nation would be proud. It’s very brave of you tocome here and ask that today.” Nazirah smiles a little, becauseit’s the truth. And if this small intermix boy could find hiscourage, then maybe she can find hers as well. “I miss her a lottoo,” she tells him honestly. “But I don’t have her patience, so Iwouldn’t make a very good teacher like she was.” Encouraged,Nazirah speaks more confidently to the room at large. “But this isjust another reason why we need your support. Because both intermixand Eridian children need better education systems in place, sothat we can all escape our self-fulfilling prophecy of poverty. Weneed more compassionate, devoted teachers, like my mother. We needbetter schools, new books, and more funds for education. We needrights, just like everybody else!”

There is unexpected, heady power behind hervoice. The room is still, absorbing her words, and then a dozenmore hands shoot upwards. Nazirah is so startled that she forgetsto call on someone. Aldrik firmly hits her back, making her jump.Nazirah quickly points at a random guy in the corner.

“Hi, Nazirah,” a young man says. Nazirahrecognizes him from the illegal marketplace that operates under theboardwalk. “Thanks for speaking with us today. My name is Michusand I live in neighboring Mandar. I knew Kasimir for several years.We often traded together and he even helped me build a cottage formy family.”

Nazirah wrings her hands behind her at themention of her father.

“I was devastated to learn what had happenedto him,” Michus continues, glaring at Adamek, “And to your mother.Nothing would honor me more than to fight in your father’s name.But we are a very poor territory. How can intermix and humbleEridians possibly expect to win against the mighty capital? Isn’tit a suicide mission?”

“I won’t stand here and tell you that thiswill be easy,” Nazirah says. “I won’t lie to you, Michus. Yes, thecapital is powerful. But they have become lazy. They indulgethemselves in their skytowers, while we suffer in silence. Lookaround! Our passiveness kills us a little more each day! Look athow many lives have already been lost. Not just from the senselessmurders, but from the constant famine and suppression our territoryfaces. If we do nothing, we are writing our own death sentences,and the death sentences of our children. And we will have onlyourselves to blame.”

Several heads nod in approval. Nazirah seesAldrik from the corner of her eye, clearly impressed by herheartfelt words.

“I have a question for you, Nazirah,”someone says loudly.

She knows that voice. Nazirah apprehensivelyscans the crowd for a raised hand, finds none. Her eyes lock ontofamiliar brown ones and she knows she’s done for. “Cander,” shesays.

Cato’s older brother walks purposefullytowards the center of the room, so that everyone can see. Canderand Nazirah have never exactly been the best of friends. Especiallyafter Cato left home to join the rebellion. It was a huge matter ofcontention within the Caal household, although Cato never mentionsit. Adamek, Aldrik, and the rest of the crowd watch theirinteraction curiously.

“You stand before us,” Cander projects,“asking us to risk our lives. Yet you refuse to invoke justice onthe ones who have done us the greatest harm. We’ve all lost lovedones to this murderer beside you. Can you assure us that you won’tbe so lenient on the Chancellor, on the rest of the loathsomeMedis, who know all they need is daddy’s wallet and a mediocreapology in order to keep their heads? Can you tell us you’ve trulyforgiven Adamek Morgen?”

The crowd is silent, hushed, waiting. Adamektenses beside her. Cander’s words persecute Adamek, but Nazirahknows his intentions are directed elsewhere. He’s angry at Nazirahfor taking his brother away – for taking him away for most of hislife, to be honest. It’s this resentment that fuels Cander’sinterrogation.

Nazirah stares at the floor, scuffing hershoe, willing herself not to cry. She’s completely unable to answerhis question. Cander knows that Nazirah doesn’t forgive Adamek, nomatter what the campaign implies. She may hate him just a littlebit less, may understand him just a little bit more. But shedoesn’t forgive him. And she can’t lie, not about this.

Aldrik notices her hesitation and quicklysteps forward to save face. “Sometimes we must put aside personalvendettas,” he says, “in order to pursue the best interests ofothers. It’s a hard road that no one wants to travel, and thisyoung woman has unfortunately found herself on it. And I canhonestly say,” Aldrik gives Nazirah a significant look and sheknows he’s going to ream her out later, “that her actions towardsAdamek Morgen have been gracious, affectionate, and merciful.”

Nazirah is none of these things.

Cander looks entirely unconvinced andextremely angry as Aldrik wraps up the meeting with a few briefwords. To Nazirah’s complete shock, however, she sees a few peoplenodding their assent. Do these fools actually believe the completelies Aldrik’s spi

If they do, there aren’t enough of them.There aren’t nearly enough and Nazirah knows she’s failed.

#

“That went well.”

Aldrik looks pointedly at Nazirah, who sitscross-legged on her bed. He sighs, dramatically slumping onto herwindow seat. Adamek silently leans against the opposing wall. “I’lldo better,” Nazirah murmurs.

“You better,” Aldrik growls, scratching hisbeard. “I saved all our asses today, Nation. I don’t care if youhate him, if you wish he were dead. During the campaign, whensomeone asks you if you’ve forgiven Morgen … what do you say?”

“Yes,” she mumbles.

“Try again.”

“Yes,” Nazirah repeats. She tries to soundsincere, but the word is hollow on her lips.

Aldrik moans, tugging his beard. “This isn’tgoing to work.”

“Why do I even have to pretend?” she askshim. “Why can’t I be honest?” She gestures to Adamek. “We hate eachother, but we’re working together towards a common goal! Shouldn’tthat be something both intermix and territory-born can relate to?Why do I also have to be some champion of forgiveness?”

“Because honesty’s not enough,” Aldrik says,rising from his seat. “Even if a cause is worthwhile, it doesn’tmean people will rally behind it. A person is smart and empathetic.But people are ignorant and follow the will of the masses. Becausethey’re scared and they falsely believe that there’s safety i

Nazirah grits her teeth. “So what exactly doyou suggest I do?”

“Pull it together,” Aldrik snaps. “Fast.I’ve already set the wheels in motion, during the briefconversations I had after the meeting today. It’s not like I wouldleave our fate in your fumbling, inept hands.” He doesn’telaborate.

Nazirah is a

Aldrik nods. “Tomorrow morning, Morgen and Iare following up with some of the suppliers we met today. Itshouldn’t be too hard to incentivize these trout fuckers.” Aldriknods at Adamek, who pulls out a pouch of gold coins and tosses itto him.

“Why am I not going to this?” she snaps,insulted by Aldrik’s crass words.

Aldrik gives a short, barking laugh.“Nation,” he says, “maybe you’ve misunderstood your purpose here.You’re not expected to actually negotiate with the sundry civilianswe meet. Your job, as you said before, is to be a pretty face … aface of forgiveness. Tomorrow afternoon, we’re going to visit anintermix slum. That’s all on you. So get some rest, pray to whoeveryou intermix pray to for a lesson in compassion. Or deception …I’ll take that too. And don’t leave your damn room. I can’t haveyou wandering off, alerting the whole country to our location.”