He then noticed that a lot of the children had come to stand near him. Some were petting Alyssa’s horse and asking her questions, while others just stood patiently waiting to hear what he had to say. They were all dressed in similar garments to those Lendon wore, while the younger children dressed in similar clothing to what was worn in Callibra. Jaden realised then that much of the clothing from his village must have come from this city.
‘Are you going to protect us?’ asked the boy.
‘I don’t know,’ said Jaden earnestly.
‘Afraid you’re not good enough?’
Jaden looked up in surprise. The tone of voice had been resentful, even menacing, and it had come from a girl no older than thirteen. She was tall and slender, with black hair and eyes that seemed almost just as dark. She was a pretty girl, but there was something more about her that made Jaden feel uneasy.
‘I am still training,’ he said.
‘What about them?’ The girl inclined her head toward Adonis and Blair. ‘If they’re so powerful, why do they wear those funny looking things on their arms?’
Jaden fought the idea to glance at the endobraces on his own arms. What did this girl have against the Daijuar? He couldn’t understand why she had barely said a word and then began instantly challenging them. Jaden had hated the Daijuar only briefly when he had passed the blame for the attack on Callibra from the Alliance to them. But now he knew they were not at fault. What reason could this girl have? Her home was still intact, her family most likely still alive.
‘They allow the Daijuar to be as powerful as they are,’ he answered unsurely.
The girl laughed a little as she looked at Adonis and Blair another time.
‘What is your name?’ asked Jaden, wanting her to stop her sniggering.
The girl turned back to him. ‘Skye,’ she said, ‘what’s yours?’
Before Jaden could answer, Adonis called for him to come forward and speak with Lendon.
‘Lendon has agreed to help us,’ said Adonis. ‘But now the Daijuar must call upon you to aid them.’
Jaden nodded. ‘What do I have to do?’
‘The terms agreed upon with Lendon are that in exchange for his service, we must ensure that his people are protected from the Alliance.’
‘I’m not yet powerful enough,’ said Jaden.
‘That is why you have been chosen to spread our message while we remain here. There are two more cities that we must warn from here—Waikor and Corsec. They will fly you there, so you need not walk any further.’
‘I understand,’ said Jaden.
‘You will leave at once.’
Jaden nodded and turned, ‘Alyssa,’ he said, and motioned for her to come forward.
‘She will remain here with us,’ said Blair.
Jaden spun around quickly to face him. ‘What?’ he asked.
‘There is no need for her to go.’
‘I’m not leaving her,’ said Jaden sharply.
‘It will only be for a matter of days,’ assured Adonis. ‘She will be safe with us.’
‘She needs rest, food and water, and new clothes,’ added Blair. ‘It is better that you go alone to Corsec and then return to us once the message has been spread.’
‘What about the signals to the others? I thought one of you needed to do that.’ said Jaden desperately.
‘No,’ said Blair.
Adonis explained, ‘All that remain are in Waikor. You will be taken directly to a man named Multias in the city’s centre. Then you will be taken to Corsec city. Inform the leaders of the Resistance of Alliance movements and then return.’
Jaden was silent. There was nothing more he could say, and he knew he had given up his right to freedom when he had accepted the Daijuarn training.
‘I’ll be all right,’ comforted Alyssa. ‘Go. I should stay with Elijenda anyway.’
Jaden nodded. ‘When do I leave?’
‘The sooner you go, the sooner you may return,’ said Blair.
‘Then I will go now.’
‘Come with me,’ said Lendon. ‘I will take you where you need to go.’
Jaden hugged Alyssa. ‘I’ll be back soon,’ he said.
‘I know,’ she whispered, holding his hand until he had walked too far from her when they both had to let go, their farewell said with a touch.
Jaden followed Lendon with a sense of urgency. For every second he was away from Alyssa, he felt she was in danger. He tried to ease his thoughts knowing that she was being taken care of by the Daijuar, but he still felt restless. He passed buildings with people staring at him from each, but he didn’t notice. All he wanted was to get to Waikor and then to Corsec so he could get back to Alyssa again.