When War Calls(153)

‘I can’t do this anymore. I can’t live like this,’ he said, and he felt Raquel’s warm hands rest on his back, soothing and calming him as he drifted half to sleep.

‘Your power grows,’ she said, but Jaden did not seem to hear.

‘They call me lost,’ he said after a few minutes, ‘but maybe I am the one that found the way.’

There was no response given by Raquel, and they remained where they were for the rest of the night, with Raquel doing what she could to help heal his wounds.





* * *





All eyes at the head of the Waikorian band focused on Alkon as he approached. Hayden, a man equal to Alkon in stature but with short brown hair, once caretaker of the northern district of Waikor, greeted Alkon with a hearty handshake. Both wore wide grins as they acknowledged one another.

‘My friend,’ said Alkon, ‘it is good to see you.’ He then nodded to the man next to Hayden, who resembled Hayden a little save that he was shorter. ‘I trust negotiations went well?’ he asked the man.

‘As well as a bottle of Lassahn wine!’ replied the man gleefully, picking up a bottle next to him and taking a long drink.

‘Isn’t that the truth!’ agreed Hayden as he picked up his own bottle, took a drink and then offered it to Alkon.

‘Who is this man?’ asked Yahtai, once caretaker of the eastern district and the thinnest of the group. He had pointed features and short blonde hair and always seemed concerned about something.

‘I am General Alkon Zaccarah. Who are you?’ asked Alkon mockingly, as if the question were ridiculous.

‘I am Yahtai. What are you the general of?’

‘Wine!’ said Hayden, handing Alkon another bottle.

‘You wear the uniform of the Alliance,’ said Yahtai.

‘He is the perceptive one,’ explained Hayden to Alkon in an overly audible whisper, his drunkenness becoming overwhelmingly obvious.

‘And this man,’ said Yahtai, pointing to the man next to Hayden. ‘He joined us just before the Alliance attacked. He is a friend of yours?’

‘They are like brothers to me,’ said Hayden, putting an arm around each.

‘They are from the Alliance, then.’

‘Yes,’ said Hayden, waving a bottle in front of Yahtai. ‘They are. How else do you think we were able to send them packing with their tails between their legs! He got them to stand in front of us like stunned rabbits!’ Hayden laughed loudly. ‘It was brilliant!’

‘I knew you were up to something,’ said Yahtai.

‘You knew nothing!’ Hayden retorted, trying to point his finger at Yahtai’s nose unsuccessfully and prodding his cheek instead.

‘We still have a decision to make,’ interrupted Anthon, once caretaker of the western district and a man with short black hair and dark features.

‘Yes,’ said Hayden, finally putting down the wine. ‘We do. General Alkon Zaccarah, if you would be so kind, please inform us of the Alliance movements once more, so that all present may know.’

‘They seek to take Corsec, you would have heard. And they will. They have forces massing on either side of the Quartun Bridge. When the time comes, they will unleash an attack like no other seen. They are weakening in their other strongholds around the world, so this is the most important battle for them. It is an act of desperation. Once the Resistance has fallen at Corsec, they will take absolute control of Phaiross, Cejian and Tiquan, and in time, Aurialis.

‘The ocean between Equadon and Phaiross has allowed the eastern nations to be immune to the Alliance threat, but once they have control of Aurialis, that is where they will head. My people and I will be making a stand there, before we make our own attacks to take back the world and rid it of the Alliance for good.’

‘Who are your people?’ asked Yahtai.

‘The Arintians,’ said Alkon.

‘And that is where we are going!’ said Hayden.

‘I’m not going there. Why would it be any different?’ Yahtai turned to Alkon. ‘Do your people possess a greater army stationed with the Resistance at Corsec?’

‘Not as yet,’ Alkon explained. ‘That is why we bide our time. Within the next five years, we hope to be ready. That is why I am requesting your service now. You will be welcomed allies to us, and we hope to reinstate you at Waikor when the Alliance is driven back.’

‘I am with you!’ said Hayden.

‘As am I,’ said Anthon.

‘That’s four votes,’ said Hayden.

‘I only counted two,’ protested Yahtai.

‘There was mine, Anthon’s and then there was the general’s, which counts as two. That’s four.’