Chapter One

I sat accross from a man I once knew, but no longer recognized.

He looked like Warren, but I knew that wasn't his name anymore. His face was hardened now, new scars I wasn't privy too. His boyish features had turned cold. It brought a knot to my stomach.

My mother reached under the banquet table for my hand, she rubbed her thumb reassuringly over my knuckles. I hadn't realized I had clenched my fingers together, I loosened them immediately.

"Thank you for joining us here today." The man who looked like Warren said.

My mother beamed under her embroidered sun hat, "Of course, Anything for our son."

Father gave a half smile. His wrinkles etched into a unreadable expression. Then we fell into silence.

Everyone looked pointedly at me

It was my turn for pleasantries, but all my words seemed to be trapped in my throat.

How can we all sit here acting like nothing has changed? As if my brother was the same boy who left four years ago? I could still remember the day when I tripped down the stairs as a young girl and skinned my knee. I cried so hard snot ran down my face, it was the worst thing that had happened in my young life. He held me, a young boy himself and told me to stiffen up, "because ladies have to be tougher then men."

I couldn't look him in the eyes, so I settled my gaze on the Rose bush just off his right shoulder.

"Yes, It's nice to see you again." I said.

"You as well Elizabeth." He gave a nod then gestured to the women sitting in the white banquet chair next to him.

"This is my wife, Tina. She's a nurse."

The women gave a small wave with a smile, her perfect white teeth flashed at me showing her status. She must have originally been born in the West division. Her thick dark ringlets were elegantly pulled into an updo. She was slender and well porportioned, with melanated skin. How lucky he was. Many men could only dream to be given a women so beautiful and educated.

Mother reached her arm across the table to shake her hand, I could feel beads of sweat raining down my neck from the hot sun, I should've just worn the hat mother had given me. I didn't know we'd be attending brunch in the Rose garden, or that I'd be visiting a ghost.

During another round of pleasantries to Tina, the waitors served eggs Benedict and light wine. I could hear the harmonizes of a harp somewhere in the garden. Leading to a beautiful song for the butterflies that flew around us to flutter to. It all had such a calming effect I had almost forgotten the anxiety of my brother's visit. I suppose that was his intention in bringing us here.

"What rebirth name have you been given?" father said sipping his wine.

"My name is Brandon."

The knot in my stomach grew heavier. What I already knew had now become real. My brother was no longer my brother. He was someone else,  a different man with a different face. We shouldn't be here talking to him, and everyone knew that. The usualness of this seemed to hang in the air between all of us.

I picked up my fork with white gloved fingers and took a bite. If I keep food in my mouth I wont have to speak.

My father raised his crystal glass, "To Brandon!"

They all clinked their glasses to one another, except for me, I was too young for wine.

Brandon opened his mouth to speak again, and I ate another bite.

"I'm sure my visit has caused some confusion. I understand that this is an abnormal occurrence after rebirth. But I have some news."  My once brother said, his arm rested over the shoulders of his wife.

My mother nearly jumped out of her seat, I knew exactly what she was thinking. Babies.

Although the forlorn look on Brandons face gave the indication that whatever this was, was not a moment to celebrate. His blue eyes that were identical to mine winsed at my mother's excitement.

He looked around at each of us, "I have been altered, as a Rozzer to the border for lookout duty."

I dropped my fork, it made a loud CLANG against the fine china. The sound cut through the air, causing other families to stop and glare at my insubordination.

My once brother is now a Rozzer? I never would have believed it if someone else had told me, the most dangerous job assignment there was, a soldier on the border to the south where the rebellions try to hide. And they had altered his life plan to do this? Why?

Father paused in his seat before giving me a nasty look, "Elizabeth, straighten up and apologize!"

Immediately I snapped to attention, straightened my back as a lady should. "Forgive me, the heat today is sweltering I think it must've dazed me. "

"All is forgi-" Tina started but was quickly cut off.

"Brandon must accept the apology." Father said sternly, resting his glass back on the table.

Brandon gave me a sheepish smile, it was the same one he'd given me so many times before. So familiar it felt like the old him had made an appearance, just for one second.

"Elizabeth you are forgiven." He turned to our father, "I have come to ask for a favor."

I smoothed my lap out as my heart felt a pang, he hadn't come home to visit us, to visit me.

Father leaned back in his seat with an eyebrow raised, it was time to talk business. Which meant the women had to leave.

Mother stood up quickly, "Elizabeth, Tina, let's go for a walk around the garden."

-

We walked in unison around the spiral fountain, occasionally stopping to point out a random blooming rose. Had my parents not been here I might've plucked one and taken it home. Finally mother sat down on a Carved marble bench, and invited us to join. We sat on either side of her. I was thankful for the Shade from the sun, I almost let out a sign of relief but caught myself, Surely I would've been reprimanded.

"So, Tina, I assume all is well in the north." mother said with a polite smile, her radiant blonde hair shining brightly in the natural light. My hair could never, although it was close it color to hers. It lacked any definition or shine. Like a penny that had been worn down.

Tina tucked a curl behind her ears and smoothed out her petticoat before repositioning herself on the bench. "Well, it is very different from here. It took some adjustments."

That piqued my interest, I have never left the West division, I had heard great stories of the North. Modern living with modern ideals, women were assigned jobs there as well as families. I knew very little of the east, but that's where our maids and drivers lived. They always had rough expressions and hands, they scared me as a little girl.  I was incredibly curious but mother would never let me ask. 

But I bit my tongue and looked out towards the garden. We had wandered closer to the harpist, a red haired woman with her hair flying wildly in a modern dress, unlike the rest of us in our pinned updos and traditional wear.

Modern clothes were only worn in the other divisions, born westians had to exhibit grace and a traditional lifestyle. I watched her effortlessly string while keeping one ear open to their conversation.

"Brandon is just worried about me staying alone while he's patrolling the border."

"Is it unsafe for you?"

The harp gave out a swift harmony of warm notes.

"Well, crime has been increasing on the border between the North and East." Tina said in a hushed tone.

"Oh, I give the North many blessings."

"Yes but something is-"

Tina fell silent as my father and Brandon approached us, the harpists notes stopped jarringly at my fathers presence. He stood, taller than most men, in one of his finest suits. His salt and paper hair a tribute to how many years he had been in command. He worked within the committee, the most important people in all the nation. Everyone knew he was very wealthy, and he exuded that. I was certainly intimidated by him. I could smell the brandy he was drinking from here, I surpressed wrinkling my nose in digust.

He clasped his hands together, "Our visit with Brandon is over. He and his lovely wife have many things to sort out. "

Brandon and Tina gave each other a knowing look, whatever Brandon had asked for, he had gotten it. Not surprising, he was the favorite.

We all gave our goodbyes, and blessings. My mother gave Brandon a lingering hug, whatever she was feeling she hid it well. She was stronger than I was, because I felt like vomiting all afternoon and I'm sure my face was very telling.

Brandon never looked at me directly, or even said my name until mother wrapped her arms around my back to lead me away.

"Come on, we need to get you ready for tomorrow. I've asked the cooks to make your favorite. " she said cheerfully.

"Happy early birthday Liz, I hope you receive great blessings." He called out, yet again giving his Warren smile.

I didn't have a chance to respond before I was whisked away. I knew that was the last time I'd ever see my brother.