The buildings here were vastly different from those in Ceahlin and Waikor, towering high above the land with some reaching up to seventy storeys and more. Raiulun, excluding Corsec and its congregation of Resistance military, was the most heavily populated city in Aurialis with a million residents. There was little green among the buildings, much of the sidewalks paved in gray and the roads made of concrete. The colour of the city came from windows of the buildings tinted red, which were enhanced greatly by the now setting sun.
Though he had just arrived, Liet had quickly learned of the military might the Raiul people possessed. Their technology was similar with only minor alterations and different levels of advancement, but they would prove a great ally in terms of strength and ability. The city would act as an Alliance stronghold from now on, and one day give them access to the eastern nations that had not yet been affected by war. Liet wondered at the possibilities of fighting those nations, as the Alliance had not yet had the chance to explore or investigate anything of their culture or military prowess. It was uncharted terrain on the final continent after Aurialis, Equadon, but first, they would need to take Corsec, so that their forces could gain easy access into these lands.
A large circular structure, one of the smallest buildings in height of the city at a mere five storeys, was now in sight, and Liet approached a man standing outside who was not too unlike Alkon. He was the same height and had hair the colour of his uniform, except he wore his short and had a cleanly shaven lip and jaw. Despite his commanding stature, there was softness in his hard exterior, and as Liet stood in range to see the familiar blue eyes staring back, the man extended his arm.
‘Welcome to Raiulun, cousin,’ he said, his voice strained as if he dared not use its full power.
Liet regarded the man for a moment, and then extended his own arm in greeting. ‘General Tigon,’ he said, ‘it is an honour.’
Xosis laughed. ‘You flatter me. I was not aware a title could change who I truly am.’
‘Everything changes with age.’
‘Yes,’ said Xosis, ‘but you will always be that ten year old I used to throw into the lake, no matter your rank, and I will always be the goofy seventeen year old, laughing at you as you tried to swim.’
‘I almost drowned,’ said Liet.
‘You were a better swimmer than I was.’
‘With you on the hunt, I had to learn quickly.’
They both laughed and Xosis put his hand on Liet’s right shoulder as he led him into the circular building.
‘Come,’ he said, ‘we are to attend Alkon’s hearing soon. The High Council themselves have graced us with their presence.’
Inside, the building was luxurious by Alliance standard, with dark gray carpets, black desks and couches and glass walls. Ten soldiers guarded the first level, and Xosis led Liet past them into an elevator at the centre of the building before saying anything more.
‘I fear I do not have any good news for them,’ said Liet once the elevator doors had closed.
Xosis nodded and pressed the button to go to the third floor. He then stood with his hands behind his back.
‘I have heard General Zaccarah has failed. It is sad that he has suffered so much. He was an apt commander to say the least.’
‘Though not to your standard,’ said Liet. ‘How did you manage this conquest?’
‘Call it luck,’ said Xosis with a shrug. ‘The southern nations did not seem to know we were coming. We were never met with much resistance, and Raiulun was easily romanced with promises of power. They accepted our terms as soon as I mentioned that they would become a strong part of the Alliance. Despite what the Callibrian man has told us, I think we needed no more than half of what we had to get where we are now.’
The elevator had reached the third floor and both walked out into a circular area that had many rooms behind doors branching from it.
‘He has a forked tongue,’ Liet agreed as they walked. ‘His popularity is growing. I fear he is becoming a threat to us all.’
Xosis let them into a room with a key and then closed the door behind him. ‘He is a man without rank.’
While Xosis prepared two drinks, Liet walked into what appeared to be living quarters and stood inside the lounge room, which was decorated in the same manner as the first level.
‘For now, yes. But he has the High Council’s favour, and they have come here by his request. You will see what he has accomplished during General Zaccarah’s hearing. I believe it will not be long before the High Council trials him in order to determine his skill with command.’
‘Why do you fear him?’ asked Xosis, handing Liet one of the brown drinks in a crystal glass.