Island of Silence (Unwanteds) by Lisa McMann

contained many more for him to study. And then he ran his fingers through his hair. “So. How are things?”
    The high priest smiled, but his eyes had deep circles under them. “Marcus, all I can say is it’s tremendously good to see a friendly face.”
    Mr. Today sat in a chair as Matilda slid off the edge of the desk, hung on for a brief moment, and dropped to the floor to explore. “Tough going?”
    “Yes. The Wanteds have been streaming in every day with complaints. They’re having such a difficult time figuring out how to care for themselves. The concept of picking fruit and vegetables appears to be beyond their realm of understanding. They want their slaves back.”
    “I don’t blame them,” Mr. Today said with a laugh. “What I wouldn’t give to have a few slaves feeding me berries and carrying out my least favorite duties. Alas, they’ll learn eventually. They aren’t called intelligent for nothing. They’ll figure it all out right before they starve.”
    “And . . . while I’ve hesitated greatly to make any drastic changes to Quill, wanting instead to ease slowly into a new society, my first major improvement is that I’ve let my governors go. We’ve been in constant dissent, they don’t trust me, I don’t trust them, and they don’t share my vision for Quill.”
    “Hmm,” Mr. Today said. “You’ll pick a new team, though, won’t you?”
    “Yes, absolutely. I need to first figure out whom I can trust. I hope I haven’t made a mistake.”
    “It would be a mistake to keep the advisors that you’ve hid many things from in the past, Gunnar. You are creating a new Quill now. You need new support. I think it will work out well in the end.”
    Gunnar smiled. “I hope you’re right. Still, I’m eager to make changes’free the Ancients, open up the walls to the ocean, teach the Wanteds how to fend for themselves. But I feel I must handle the complaints and gain trust first. Each step feels like climbing a mountain.” He shifted in his chair. “How are things in Artimé?”
    “Slightly chaotic, but entirely manageable.” Mr. Today considered telling Gunnar about the recent skirmish, but then decided the high priest had enough on his mind.
    “Good.” Haluki relaxed back in his chair. “Have you anything on the peace agenda today? I think it’s a bit too soon to plan a friendly island-wide picnic and sports tournament.” His eyes shone with mirth.
    Mr. Today smiled. “I do, indeed,” he said. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and I have a question for you.”
    “I will do my very best to answer it.”
    Mr. Today leaned forward. “About how many Quillens would you say remain alive from the original founders? Or did Justine, ah, get rid of them all?”
    Gunnar closed his eyes, thinking. He tapped his finger against his chin as he counted silently. “There are six,” he said after a moment. “Four are in the Ancients Sector. The other two barely escaped that fate due to Justine’s death.”
    Mr. Today nodded. “And would you say they are with you or against you? Can you tell?”
    “Hmm,” the high priest mused. “They are across the board with their loyalties. The majority I’d say were devoted to Justine, but I imagine sometimes things change when one is ordered to die.”
    “I’ll say,” muttered Mr. Today. “Well, truth be told, Gunnar, I’ve got something eating at me and I feel a need to make it right. I’m wondering what you think.”
    “Sounds intriguing,” Haluki said. He glanced at his door to confirm that they had privacy.
    Mr. Today nodded. “You of all people know about my many mistakes over the years. And I’ve done my best to fix things. But there’s one error that remains. It’s something that, if nothing were done to the wronged party, they should never know the difference. And if they are told of my wrongdoing, it could raise some hackles, perhaps cause more serious problems for the both of us, for the short term, anyway. But I will always