‘Trust me,’ said Jaden, and he sent waves of white energy outward, pushing the beasts away and clearing the path for them as they went.
They could hear bullets being fired, most likely to make Jaden and the man think they had been seen, but the soldiers did not know that the beasts were near, and the random gunfire soon became aimed. There were screams then of man and beast alike, the Alliance soldiers walking straight into the centre of where the beasts had congregated. Orders to retreat were then shouted, and the battle continued as the gunfire moved slowly into the distance.
When he was satisfied they were safely away from the beasts and the soldiers, Jaden halted the man, refusing to go any further.
‘I know you,’ he said. ‘You were in Callibra.’
The man looked confused.
‘I saw you. You are their leader. You killed Don,’ Jaden continued.
‘I have killed no one by that name,’ said the man.
‘Who are you?’
‘Who am I, or who do you think I am?’ asked the man.
Jaden stared at him with hatred rising. ‘You gave the order. You destroyed my village. You had him killed with that weapon of light.’
‘The plasma cannon?’ asked the man, now seeming to remember something. ‘Ah, yes. You were inside the fort then.’
Jaden ignited the endobraces at the admission, causing the entire area to turn blue as white flares began to circle around them.
‘Give me one reason why I should let you live,’ said Jaden.
The man shrugged. ‘I saved your life.’
‘Give me another!’
Calmly, although puffing from running, the man walked to the side and sat down on a rock. ‘You would kill us both by doing that,’ he said.
‘This power cannot harm me,’ said Jaden. ‘Only you.’
‘Then I will tell you what you wish to know. Listen, child.’
‘Don’t call me child!’
The man put both his hands up. ‘My apologies. But, will you listen, or will you continue to threaten one who has saved your life? There is no need for this.’
‘You killed my family!’ shouted Jaden.
‘You’re giving away our position. We need to be quiet and ... without this energy. Please, take a seat. If you wish to kill me after I have had a chance to explain my actions, then so be it, but first, listen.’
Jaden was cautious, unsure of what to do. Everything now seemed a contradiction. This was the man that had been behind the attack on his village, that had given the order to kill a helpless old man. And yet the man had saved his life, spoke to him at ease and knew his language. Was it a trap? How could he not be an enemy?
‘I am unarmed, Sentinel. There is nothing I can do to you.’
The blue light began to fade as Jaden breathed, visibly relaxing and allowing the energy to subside as the forest returned to its normal colour. The man motioned for him to take a seat nearby on another rock, but Jaden did not move.
‘Or you may stand,’ said the man.
‘Who are you?’ asked Jaden.
‘My name is Alkon Zaccarah, once General of the Alliance.’
‘You gave the command,’ concluded Jaden.
‘I did what I had to do. This is war, your hands will not remain so clean for too much longer. Your home and family were doomed even without me. I’m not sure you know this, but your people were betrayed by one of your own. I was little more than the one who took the mission.’
‘You lie to me.’
‘No,’ said Alkon. ‘I have no reason to lie. If you listen, I will prove my innocence. You might even class me as a hero.’
Jaden furrowed his brows. ‘You?’
‘Yes. And even though you almost cost me my life, I still saved yours.’
‘I’ve done nothing to you.’
‘You have. Let me tell you my story. Then you can decide.’ Alkon waited a moment for Jaden’s response, and when none came, he continued. ‘It is true, I was once a general for the Alliance. I have led them to more victories than I care to count, and I was decorated for each of them. I was respected even by the High Council, and none dared challenge my authority.’
‘Then why are you here?’ asked Jaden.
‘Because, my young friend,’ said Alkon, picking up a stick next to him to start drawing in the dirt, ‘you prevented my escape. I have been trying to return home for years, that is why I accepted the mission here. It was my chance to flee unnoticed and the only safe opportunity to do so. When you entered the fort, you risked more than your own life. You risked mine and the lives of those who were helping me.’
‘I don’t understand,’ said Jaden.
‘Although I am born in Ordear, my allegiance is with the nations in the east. We planned an attack on the fort in Callibra to confuse our enemy. While they repaired the damage, I was to make a quick exit. But you were being watched, and you used the same route out that I was planning to use. Do you have any idea how long it took me to make sure that tree hung over the fort? I had to pretend I was in love with trees. They thought I was mad.’