About Sisterland (39 page)

“The sanctity of Sisterland must be preserved, whatever the cost. Sisters, I’d hold a pillow over my own child before I’d permit her to live in a manmade world! They are natural oppressors. They can’t help themselves. We must never allow them to rise again. We should kill ourselves and every girl baby first!”

A posy of forget-me-nots flew through the air to land at Temperance’s feet. She picked it up and waved it, interpreting the flowers as support. Another posy arrived. Then another. Thick and fast, they sailed through the air, thrown with intent. One struck her on the cheek, another on the forehead. She flinched. At first, the crowd was silent, purposeful as it took aim. Soon, it began to heckle and boo. Temperance was being pelted by flowers.

Two of the Silenced dodged out and caught Temperance by the elbows, leading her away. She did not resist. Constance slipped into the wings, too. Behind her, the giant entscreens flickered into life again, and a film was projected. The audience watched a re-enactment of the story of Silence, and her climactic refusal to part with her boy-baby.

As it played, the Shaper Mother snatched her opportunity. She made her way to where Constance stood, disorientated.

“Why are you allowing yourself to be used? Don’t get sucked into this treacherous movement, Constance. It’s bound to end badly. Can’t you see they’re using you?” She took Constance’s hand, her tawny eyes limpid with affection. “They don’t care about what happens to you.”

Constance felt herself drawn into the embrace of those eyes. She shook off the hand. “And you do?”

“How can you doubt it? I’ve always tried to protect you. I spoke out against sending you to MUM. I vouched for you, and took you under my care.”

Constance remembered her sense of isolation facing the Nine, and how the mother had been an anchor to which she could cling. But she also remembered the pressure to spy on the Silenced leadership. She wrestled with the conflict and, as she did, the Mating Mother was able to mindmap her.

“I did it for Sisterland, Constance. It was horrible for you, I understand that. But it was justifiable, sweet child. For the greater good – for universal sisterhood.”

At that, Constance rebelled. “Mother, why can’t sisters speak honestly to one another? Why are we stuck on this continual loop of the greater good? The Nine was willing to delete me and my baby in the name of universal sisterhood. Whatever I did or didn’t do, sacrificing an innocent baby is barbaric. So let’s not pretend the Nine cares that much” – she snapped her fingers under the mother’s nose – “about me. Or about any of us. I’m finished with universal sisterhood. It’s poisonous! I want what Sisterland should want. But doesn’t. I want what’s best for my baby.” The mother opened her mouth to speak, but Constance held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I’m not interested in your explanations, your prevarications, your justifications. I did nothing wrong. But I was written off. And so was my unborn baby. Don’t even try to rationalise that – it’s beneath you. I know you pleaded to the Nine for me, mother. And I’m thankful. But once the decision was made, you couldn’t have stood between me and MUM. I’m on borrowed time, and you know it. And that’s the system you’re defending here. I’m ashamed of you. I’m ashamed
for
you.”

“Constance, Constance, you’re overwrought. You weren’t sent to MUM – you were given into my care. The Nine listened to me – they showed mercy. And now I’m watching over you, just as I’ve always done. I have your best interests at heart.”

“You tried to pressurise me to spy for you. You threatened me when I said no.”

Troubled, the mother pressed the heels of her palms against her eyes. Her breathing grew ragged, her body shuddered. When she took her hands away, she said, “Sometimes, mistakes are made. When they happen, it’s always a matter for profound regret. But our intentions are always for the best. Truly, Constance. You must believe me.”

“But I don’t believe you, mother. I think you’re too bound up in Sisterland to see its weaknesses. I feel sorry for you.”

“Sweet child, you’re in danger of making a grave error. You’ve become moe-ridden. For your own sake, you must control these impulses. You resent how the Nine is treating you, and your moes are making made you petty, self-centred, vengeful. I had such high hopes for you. I still do. Surely you understand. It’s better to operate from within than without. To construct, not dismantle. To consent, not reject. Constance, I’ve watched your progress for years. I’ve guided you. Be guided by me again. Leave Sister Plaza. Do it now. Get away from these women who want to use you. While you still can. Later, we’ll think of a way to deal with your concerns. On my honour as a mother, I guarantee it.”

“You know as well as I do that my days are numbered under the Nine.”

“No, Constance, I’ll have you spared.”

“I believe you want to. But I don’t believe you can.”

Patience spotted them talking. Speaking rapidly into her comtel, she sprinted to join them. “Whatever she’s saying, don’t listen to her, Constance,” she panted. “This is the Shaper Mother: she’s an expert at silkenspeak. When she sets out her stall, she’s almost irresistible. Soon, the stage will be yours. Open up to our sisters. They’re longing to hear from you. Tell them what’s in your heart.”

“It’s immoral, the way you’re using her!” hissed the Shaper Mother. “How could you tell our sisters she’s carrying the spirit of Silence? That’s hocus-pocus. Constance will be swallowed whole by your movement.”

“We can protect her,” said Patience.

“You can’t. She’ll be sucked dry by the Silenced. You’re sacrificing her for your own selfish ends.”

“And you aren’t?”

At that, a group of the Silenced arrived, and began to hustle the Shaper Mother away.

They had only gone a few steps before her innate authority exerted itself. “Stop this! Take your hands off me!”

The Silenced fell back.

The mother turned to Constance, eyes blazing. “These women are dangerous. Don’t promote their cause. They’ll make a puppet of you. And what about your baby? The spirit of Silence? What a burden for any child to carry! They’re trying to use her before she’s even born!”

“The Shaper Mother is overtired. She needs to rest.” Patience signalled to the Silenced to move her along.

But the mother hooked eyes with Constance. “Take my advice, Constance. Even if it’s for the last time. Run away from here – run as far as your legs will carry you. While there’s still time.”

Constance began backing away.

“Stay out of this, Shaper Mother,” said Patience. “We mean you no disrespect. We’re prepared to work with you. But you’ll go to Safe Space if you use your silkenspeak here.”

The Shaper Mother trained her bright gaze on Patience. Her voice trickled syrup over her. “Dear sister, I can’t deny Sisterland has lost its way. Some of our policies need to be reassessed. We need new blood. New ideas. The Nine is open to them. Let me act as a go-between. Let’s all of us sit down together and talk.”

“The Nine isn’t open. It’s threatened by questions. It shuts down opposition.”

“We can address that. I’ll speak to Gracious. She understands what needs to be done. She’s willing to bend.” Her tone became confidential. “I know we have weaknesses – I’d like to see changes just as much as you. But I believe in Sisterland. Flawed as it is. With every fibre of my being, I believe in it. Evolution, not revolution – that’s the way forward. You can be part of that evolution, sisters. All of you can be part of it. Join with us, sisters. Come back to us. Believe in us.”

A vein popped up on the side of Patience’s neck as she fought against the mother’s charisma. “We have a different vision for Sisterland. The Nine is a spent force. It must make way for a new order.”

“A new order? I think not.” Emphatic, the Shaper Mother shook her head, earrings ricocheting. “No, there won’t be any new order. Loyalty to Sisterland runs too deep with our sisters. You won’t reach them with your talk of baby boys, and the spirit of Silence. Myth-making machinery, Patience. But it doesn’t convince.”

“You dare to accuse us of myth-making?” Goodwill joined them. “You – part of a caste which has blanked out history! Erased realities! And now seeks to control memories! Your hypocrisy is limitless!”

“Hypocrisy is a stern charge, Goodwill. I call it loyalty. Staying true to Sisterland. As for recasting history – it’s always a story told by someone. Who knows what’s true, really?” In an elegant gesture, she fluttered her hands, and her mouth stretched into a rueful half-smile.

Constance was shocked by the Shaper Mother’s cynicism. “Why not trust people with the truth instead of myths, mother?” she intervened.

“Where a myth is more appealing than the truth, people will always choose the myth. Ah, I see Patience and Goodwill agree with me. We have more in common than divides us, sisters. Enough of this unpleasantness. Let me arrange a meeting between the Nine and representatives of the Silenced. Let’s see what mutual aims can be agreed.” She advanced towards Patience and Goodwill, and her voice descended into a husky murmur. “Incidentally, Patience, I won’t be Shaper Mother forever and I’d be glad to recommend you for the position. And Goodwill, so devoted to Devotion. Think what pleasure a private garden would give her. I could organise that. She deserves it, doesn’t she?”

Uncertain, Goodwill flicked a sidelong look at Patience. Both were tempted. Until a whirlwind landed among them. It was Temperance, rushing the group, shouting about universal sisterhood under siege. But it could never be routed, she screamed, because it had right on its side. In the heat of her advance, she knocked against the mother, her flailing arms accidentally unhooking the mother’s skin. It fell to the ground, and Temperance trampled it. Everyone was frozen. Even Temperance hushed and became still.

With a concern that was verging on tender, Goodwill picked up the skin and slotted it back into place. Except the catches had been damaged by Temperance’s feet. The skin sat crooked on the mother’s face.

As if a spell was lifted, Patience called out to the Silenced, “Clear the area. We have work to do.”

And the Shaper Mother and Temperance were led away.

As the Silenced removed them, Constance dismounted from the stage. Shaken, concerned to protect her babyfusion, and needing to rest, she intended to slip away home. But she had to pass Gracious leaning against a wooden support, head bowed beneath the transparent veil. She should have looked like an aged elder. But, even now, the nimbus of the Nine suffused her with a bloom. Innocence, also rosy amid the disorder, was talking to Gracious, while members of the Silenced hovered at a respectful distance.

“There isn’t time to convene a meeting of the Nine, or to vote. Emergency powers must be adopted by the first three,” said Innocence. “Gracious, you must join with me and Temperance. It’s imperative that Silence becomes a forgotten woman. We can delete her memory. Not just from Constance 500, but by a general, Statewide unmapping. It will be as if she never existed.”

“No!” cried Constance.

“You again!” said Innocence.

“Silence did exist! I won’t let you have her unmapped.”

“Silence set a bad example – she harmed her child. It’s absurd to hold her up as a role model. Sisterland is diminished by her.”

“Is that what you think?” Constance challenged Gracious.

Gracious shaded her eyes from the light. “What I think . .
. What I think . . .” Stuttering, she was unable to finish.

“Sister, we need to deal with this,” snapped Innocence. “It’s the only way to weather the storm. Silence must be erased from every mindmap.”

“You whipped up the storm with your inflexible rules,” said Constance.

Innocence’s eyes flashed. “Insolence!” She twisted her head, hunting for peers to summon, and spotted the Peer Mother with a clutch of them. “Remove this sister!” she cried.

The peers looked to their mother, who shook her head.

Innocence deflated.

Gracious held up a hand. “I didn’t know this sister named Silence. She doesn’t occupy my thoughts the way another sister does. Honour, that’s who concerns me. Honour – and her father.”

“We have no fathers in Sisterland,” said Innocence.

Gracious strained towards Constance, who became conscious of the sister tapping at her mind. She did not resist. Instead, she dipped her head to Gracious, and a charge passed between them.

Turning, Constance remounted the steps and walked out to the centre of the stage.

“Constance!” chanted the crowd.

Its clamour was an adrenaline shot. She began to speak.

“I love a man. His name is Harper.”

Those eight words of Constance’s caused an eruption. Some members of the audience rose to their feet, incredulous. Constance was almost unnerved by how quickly an audience’s admiration could transform to dislike, but stood her ground. A knocking came at her mind – Patience again.

We want you to promote change. But that’s too radical! Stay on message, or leave the stage.

A thought-shaper is permanently on message: Constance remembered her training. So everything about the old order wasn’t about to be discarded.

She raised a wall against Patience, waiting for the
turbulence to subside. Next, she cleared her throat, and readied the words to pour out in a stream. She knew she wouldn’t have much time to present her case, and had to be ready to take advantage of a lull.