“That’s right,” Aubri broke in. “The Europeans knew they weren’t alone in the world, and yet they still didn’t seek out contact.”
“Hmm.” Khan lowered his hands from his armpits. “You’re right to be suspicious of them. They might be the smallest group, but from what I’ve heard, they are cunning people.”
“Do they even speak English?” Thor asked. “I thought they spoke French and nothing else.”
“I don’t know, but you’ll find out in eight months,” Khan said and returned to his desk. “Thor, I want you to prepare any way you can. When you go to that summer camp, you’ll be the strongest, sharpest, and fiercest leader the world has ever seen. And the rest of you will make sure to back him up and gather as much intel as you can.”
I gave a solemn nod to my cousin, letting Thor know that he could count on me.
“I can’t wait! It’s bound to be epic.” Aubri’s face was lit with excitement. “Maybe we can visit Finn and Athena while we’re in the Motherlands.”
“Or Shelly and Marco,” Freya added.
“Yeah, yeah… I’m sure that can all be arranged.” Khan gave a wave of his hand. “But there’s one thing I need to make absolutely clear.”
We all went quiet, waiting for him to continue.
“There will be no fraternizing with the other nations. And before you point out that I married a Motlander myself, let me stop you. Those were different times. Our nation has grown and prospered, but there’s an unrest among the traditionalists that we need to take seriously. Pearl’s role by my side has always been a sore issue for Nmen from the older generations. They feel that the influx of Motlander women has caused us to lose part of our identity as a nation.”
“And they’re right,” Magni exclaimed. “Look, we know that growing up in this family with all the media attention hasn’t been easy for you. The endless articles and speculations about who you’ll marry are driving all of us insane.”
Indiana pushed his chair back a little. “You’re talking about them and not me, right?” As the oldest son of our parents’ friend Alexander Boulder, Indiana wasn’t blood related to any of us.
Magni frowned. “Yes. You could get away with marrying an outsider, but Thor, Freya, Aubri, and Mason can’t.”
“We’re not marrying anyone for a long time,” Aubri pointed out, twirling a lock of her red hair.
Khan sighed. “That’s the point. With four of you being fifteen and Thor twelve, you all have time. What we’re saying is that when you go in August, don’t fucking think about getting close to anyone from the other delegations. We’re not stupid. We see that the Motlanders are hoping to soften you up to their way of thinking.” He stopped behind Freya and placed both hands on her shoulders while looking down at all of us. “If Magni and I didn’t trust that your loyalty and patriotism were solid, we wouldn’t let you go to that summit.”
“You can trust us!” Thor declared and I gave a solemn nod.
Magni leaned down, pushing on Indiana’s neck and mine. “You two are responsible for making sure no one touches Freya and Aubri.”
Thor straightened in his chair. “What about me? Freya is my sister.”
“You too, Thor,” Khan assured his son. “Now listen carefully. We need a promise that you won’t do anything stupid. The Motlanders will try to indoctrinate you to believe that inclusion is the way to go. Don’t fall for it. The Northlands need to remain a proud and independent nation by carrying on our traditions. That’s why it matters who you end up marrying.”
“I’m marrying a Northlander,” I declared. “That’s not even a question.”
“Me too,” Indiana said quickly.
Aubri scoffed, “As if I could ever fall for a soft Motlander man anyway.”
“Yeah. I’m going to carry on our traditions too,” Thor promised with a stern nod.
We all looked to Freya, who hadn’t spoken.
“Freya, are you willing to do what it takes to hold our nation together?” Magni asked her.
“Of course, but I don’t understand why this is necessary. Mila married Jonah and he’s a Motlander. That didn’t devastate the nation. She was free to marry who she wanted, so why aren’t the rest of us?”
My father took a strong stance and gave Freya one of his stubborn glances. “Trust me, Laura and I weren’t happy about Mila choosing Jonah. We wanted her to have a traditional bridal tournament. But even though Mila is our adopted daughter, people understand that she was born as a Motlander. That makes her different from you five. Freya, you are smart enough to know that what our people need is to see our country stabilized after all the extreme changes we’ve faced these past years. Bringing in more outsiders to our family will do the opposite.”
Freya chewed on her lower lip. “Yes, I’m aware.” With five pairs of Nmen eyes on her, she hesitated before declaring. “Fine. If I ever marry, it’ll be an Nman.”
Khan stepped to stand next to her. “If, what do you mean if?”
Freya gave him a sweet smile. “It depends on whether or not I can find anyone as handsome and clever as my father.”
I had watched my cousin play her dad like this since we were young kids, and sure enough, Khan’s shoulders eased their tension. He was a hard man who didn’t show his emotions in public, but affection flashed over his face. Freya was his oldest child and the two of them had always been close.
“That was all. Magni and I have important things to discuss, so you can all run along now.”
As the five of us moved out of his office, Freya took time to give Khan a kiss on his cheek. “I know this is stressing you out, Dad, but I think Mom is right. It’s actually a good thing.”
“Let’s hope that you and Mom are right, kiddo. Still, I need you to use that sharp genius you inherited from me and pay close attention. Trust me, this summer summit is nothing but the Motherlands’ attempt to influence you youngsters to want to become part of the Motherlands. They want no borders, but one big happy country under their control.” His tone was mocking.
“We can’t let that happen,” Magni said as I waited in the door opening to leave.
“You have my word,” Freya said solemnly.
“And mine,” I added at the same time as Indiana confirmed his loyalty as well.
“Mine too,” Thor stated and touched my twin sister’s elbow. “Aubri?”
She squared her shoulders, looking like the fierce warrior she was, “Let them try to soften us and we’ll show them that we Northlanders aren’t born to follow or adapt. We’re born to rule.”
CHAPTER 2
Summer Summit
8 Months Later
The Motherlands – August 2454
Mason
The sun shone through the rounded windows, lighting up the wooden floorboards of the room. Around me sat fourteen other chosen teenagers with serious faces. Our attention was fixed on Councilwoman Sheana Rene Summers, who stood flanked by Jonah Cervici, my brother-in-law.
“As chairwoman for the council here in the Motherlands, I’m honored to officially welcome you to this historic event – the first summit for future leaders of the world.” Sheana paused with a soft smile on her lips. “It’s no coincidence that we’ve chosen Nostalgia Park as the setting for this gathering. This park was created for entertainment. But as you walk through the imitation of different eras in time, you’ll see the constant changes that humanity has faced and will continue to face. Natural disasters, viruses, famine, and other crises will test us and when they do, competent and compassionate leadership will get us through.