TrulyAwakened

The Right to Be Free

"Father, can I see her?" A young Harper asked. Hansel smiled as he Ruffles his son's hair.

"No, not yet. In time you two will meet." He knelt to Harper's height. "You two are going to change the world, Harper. You won't be able to understand why or how right now but-" he stopped when he noticed Harper was staring at him blankly indicating a lack of comprehension. Hansel chuckled and picked Harper up. He giggled and climbed around into his fathers back. "She's asleep right now but I guess it wouldn't hurt if you saw her just this once."

---

"What the hell happened to you?" Harper asked Margret.

The Right to Be Free

Hey sorry I didn't post yet. I'm dying to continue but I have to take care of some things I'll post later tonight if you're on or early tomorrow.

The Right to Be Free

Same here! This is coming along better than I thought. I'll have a post up soon going to get my haircut.

The Right to Be Free

Harper stared at the card with Margret's address written in cursive writing. He tossed the card on his desk and moved to the giant window spanning at least 10 feet across and 7 wide. The city was stunning from this perspective. The far inner circle district, where the lower class are housed, is dimly lit. The people below are like ants, each worker moving about doing the specific job they were born to do. All of it was about to change, and Harper knows he must make sure it's in the right way.

Harper closed the curtains for privacy and moved to the end of his bed to sit. He thought about Margret's warning. Harper of course knows that the act he has installed will undoubtedly bring discontent among the lower classes but this is the only way to protect what his father died for. The only way to form a truly free life.

Harper clicked on the intercom on his dresser and spoke clearly, "Prep a car for travel, I have somewhere I need to be."

The Right to Be Free

Harper snatched the card from the mechanical dog and quickly exited the room after Margret. His mind flooded with things he needed to get done. But his mind boiled with rage about the idiocy of Norman. After asking around he found out where the injured lord was being treated. He entered the hospital wing, his escort accompanying his as usual. A middle aged woman operated the clerk's desk. Without looking away from the documents she wrote on she ask, "How may I help you today?" Harper stood in silence. The woman looked up in a bit of frustration at his silence. She flinched, stood up and bowed. "My Lord I didn't think you were going to make your appointment today. Please forgive me I didn't know-" Harper held up a hand to cut the woman off.

"Would you be kind and inform your nurses that I am going to need to be speaking with Lord Drake in private." Harper said with a warm smile.

"Of course, my Lord. He's in the room to your left. The nurse just left so you wont be bothered." The clerk said with her head still bowed.

Harper turned to his escorts. "No one comes in." Without waiting for a response he entered Drakes room and closed the door quietly. In the hospital bed Harper could see drake turn his head. His eyes are squinted barley open, no doubt he's on some sort of sedative. Harper rolled up his sleeve revealing the bionic arm. With it he clasped the metallic fingers around Norman's throat. His eyes shot open and filled with fear and shock. Norman gasped for air. "Listen here Norman, you're not here to try to win the hearts of ladies. ESPECIALLY Margret." Norman squirmed under Harper's grip. He gasped and wheezed, kicked and clawed, but Harper only squeezed tighter until Norman's face turned blue and his eyes began to become bloodshot. "I'm keeping you alive only because you are a renowned reconnaissance agent. If you so much as think of touching her again and/or deviate from the set orders I've given I WILL have you executed. I do hope I've made myself clear because I rarely give second chances. Stay focused on the mission" Harper said through gritted teeth. Without waiting for a response he left the room, ablaze with anger. He could hear the coughing and wheezing of Norman.

The Right to Be Free

Harper clenched his bionic hand. No pain. It's almost like-"..Magic." Harper muttered quietly. He cleared his throat realizing he finished his thought aloud and stood up. "Lady Moon I mean no disrespect at all. If I could explain to you why my methods are the only way to go you still wouldn't understand. Everything that I am doing is completely necessary." Harper let his gaze drift down to Margret. "Lord Drake has been known to come on a little strong, but I never figure him for a woman beater. What has he done?" Harper stood over Margret, his eyes fixed on the hand she clutched.

The Right to Be Free

Harper let himself in nodding at the two men assigned to escort him. They closed the doors behind Harper and he stood before Margaret with his hands behind his back. He cleared his throat before speaking. "This a bold statement from you, my subordinate. Is there something you'd like to share with me. If so make it quick for I have an appointment waiting for me." Harper was once reminded of the pain in his arm and spine. He clenched his teeth not daring to show any weakness or pain translate on his face. Harper could feel his bionic arm locking he ignored it for the time being. He noticed Margret seemed to be in pain. "Is something wrong, Lady Moon?"

The Right to Be Free

"My Lord, this is a direct violation of-" Gerald's voice was cut short by the sound of a pistol being chambered. The click echoed silencing the murmurs of all the Lords and Ladies who obviously were not invited to the meeting mentioned. "Lord Gerald you forget yourself. You do remember that I am serving as High Lord in place of Dansell Fredrick. He has entrusted me with all powers of High Lord if anything my word is law and I don't have to listen to any retorts. Those who oppose the word of High Lord are considered to be treasonous. You do know what happens to those who commit treason I'm sure? The cold barrel of a pistol was placed on Lord Gerald's temple freezing him in his place. "I asked you a direct question Lord Gerald." Lord Gerald frantically nodded his head. Harper's escort retracted and holstered his pistol. "I ask again, are there any alternate solutions to this problem?" Harper was met with silence. "No? Good. All Middle and Low class citizens are required to pay 40% more in taxes effective immediately. All tax evader are pardoned but further refusal to pay taxes will be considered treason and will be met with death. Court dismissed.

The Right to Be Free

No biggie.

The Right to Be Free

While walking down the final hallway to the Court Room Harper was helped into his overcoat by a servant. "My Lord everyone is here and accounted for." she said while pulling a notepad out and scribbling out words with a pen.
"Good and make an appointment with the Royal Surgeon, my arm is scraping the nerves in my spine again."
"I will have him in your presence by the end of the meeting, my Lord."
"And how are the preparations for the banquet coming along?"
"The invitations have been sent and the venue has been confirmed, my Lord. We are waiting for your approval of the meal selections"
"I'll have that decided by the end of the day."
"Very good , my Lord."

The servant bowed then scurried off back the opposite way leaving only Harper and his two armed escorts. The ushers pushed open the doors to the room. Everyone in the court stood from their seats, bowed and waited for their ruler to take his seat as custom dictates. Harper took his seat at the head of the table and motioned his escort away. He nodded in acknowledgement to the people of the room. Silence was disturbed by the sounds of everyone taking their seats. Harper waited for silence. He took a moment to scan the faces of the court doing the best to ignore the constant pain in his spine and arm. "As we all know the Middle and Low classes of our city have been refusing to pay taxes in order to keep this city functional and in shape. We have tried to reason and show mercy in this little matter, however my patience is running very thin. I've called on you all to hear my final say and to listen to any alternate problems for the--extreme measures I am going to have to take to keep things in order. Now is the time for any propositions regarding the matter."
A small voice filled the silence. "My Lord, aren't we here to discus and vote on a solution not to hear one final proposition?"
Harper looked at Gerald and smiled warmly. "I'm sorry Gerald but the matter has been settled already. We are to raise taxes by 40% and anyone who resists will be considered traitors of the common people and are to be executed on the spot. You can understand how you weren't invited to this meeting seeing as you represent the lower classes. We didn't want any biased votes, it seems you were not properly informed."