‘A man that prioritises ambition can never be trusted. He is not here to serve the Alliance. He is here to serve himself.’
‘If that is true, he will need to be stopped.’
‘That is why I wish to speak with you. Even without attending, I can almost guarantee how the hearing will end. When he is through with General Zaccarah, we will need to be alert.’
‘What will happen?’
Liet shook his head with a raised hand and then drank deeply. He placed the glass down on a wooden bench and then took a seat in one of the black couches.
‘It is better that you do not know. But we will need to stand together from this point on.’
‘It goes without saying,’ said Xosis, taking a seat opposite Liet. ‘What else do we have to do?’
‘If I am right about the outcome of this hearing, General Zaccarah will be demoted. Either Master Guyde or I will take his place. You will then accompany us to Waikor and together we will take it, as was first planned. The High Council will not attempt to have Corsec as the testing ground for Master Guyde. That will be ours.’
Xosis nodded. ‘General Vondus will be awaiting our signal across the bridge.’
‘We will proceed with the current attack sequence; I do not think it requires change.’
‘So what are we to do about Master Guyde?’
‘Give him a unit to command in Corsec.’
Xosis raised an eyebrow. ‘What will that achieve?’
‘It will appear as a trial of his ability to command.’
‘But?’
‘We make sure he is killed in battle.’
‘Ah,’ said Xosis, leaning back with his fingertips pressed to one another. ‘You wish to have him executed.’
‘It will appear as a casualty,’ said Liet.
‘And if we fail?’
‘He cannot defend against a stray missile, only bullets.’
‘Yes, tell me of this power he has. Is he Daijuarn?’
‘Not to my knowledge. I do believe he might have had some contact with them. It is a similar but weaker variation of their power. He is able to shield himself well enough, but his ability grows slowly.’
‘How does he do it?’
‘That is one of the many mysteries on which he will not enlighten me,’ said Liet.
Their conversation ceased when there was a knock on the door and two soldiers entered the living quarters.
‘The High Council requests your presence.’
With a quick glance at one another, Liet and Xosis both stood and followed the two soldiers out and then into the elevator. They were lifted to the fifth storey and exited into a completely open area, the glass windows of the top level visible on all sides. But the surrounding buildings were now vague in the darkness, with only the occupied rooms lit enough to be seen. Unlike the residential third storey, there were no walls or doors here, only decorated gray circular columns supporting the ceiling. The carpet was red and there was little furniture other than some seating that had been set up in front of three men. These three wore dark red silk robes that were patterned with gold, and they sat high behind a large black desk in their own chairs, which resembled thrones rather than the benches of the other seating. There were guards posted all around the area, and before the three men two others stood, Kobin Guyde and General Alkon Zaccarah.
Alkon now wore a fresh uniform and had taken time to bathe so that he would look presentable. His beard was neatly trimmed and his hair tied back. Liet thought this wise, as he was now standing before the three most powerful men in the Alliance, the High Council. Kobin was standing at his usual ease to Alkon’s left, glancing behind him only momentarily as he heard Liet and Xosis enter. When both were seated, all attention was focused on the three leaders ahead.
On the left sat Icek Colonma. He had once been ruler of the great nation Xosuh, the homeland of Liet and Xosis, before it had been destroyed. Next to him was Elor Cordak, emperor of Entagor and instigator of the first war. And lastly on the right was Rihk Tikrun, appointed spokesman of Surrunla, a nation that had previously not allowed a single man to have power over their nation. All were nearing the end of their days and had held their positions on the council since the beginning of the wars.
Icek sat calmly with lowered eyes, his chin leaning against his right hand as he studied the two before him with keen interest. Elor sat much more boldly, both arms resting on either side of his chair, his back straight and chin slightly lifted. Rihk was sitting back in contemplation, his fingers placed together at eye level, almost completely covering his face. All three sat with such ease that it betrayed the tension of the room.
The emperor, Elor, was first to speak, his voice sharp and crackling as he fought to give it strength. ‘General Alkon Zaccarah of the nation Ordear,’ he said, lifting an open palm to him. ‘The Council has learned of your defeat at Waikor. Under Alliance law, your ability will be reviewed. Do you understand?’