‘I did not ask for your entire story, touching as it is,’ interrupted Kobin with a tone of anger, as if Liet’s words had been little more than common dribble, unworthy of his attention. ‘How does this justify revenge on the general, is your quarrel not with his father?’
‘They were of the same purpose. It is as much the general’s fault as it is his father’s, and for that, he will pay. Xosuh was the greatest nation of the world, centuries of the leading minds working together to build the perfect society, wasted, all because of those traitors and their allies. Do you know what it is to see such beauty destroyed, to lose your homeland, to see your people die?’
Kobin rolled his eyes slowly, shaking his head. ‘Fool!’ he shot in a mutter as he turned back to the trees ahead.
As if by the power of the word alone, Liet cringed as if a knife had just pierced his chest and his mind had begun to collapse. Suddenly he was feeling as if he were unable to breathe, as if he had fallen into the darkest of pools where all light became blurred, feelings became numbed, and sounds became muffled and slowed.
There were sounds, deep sounds. Someone was talking to him. He thought he could hear words of a sort, but none were distinguishable. He looked up at Kobin as he fell to one knee, through the swirling blends of colour that blocked his peripheral sight. Kobin was standing, unaffected by whatever had taken hold of Liet. But just as suddenly as it had come, the distortion stopped and Liet was able to stand up, using the railing as support as his body gathered its strength, almost as if nothing had happened.
Kobin had continued speaking, despite Liet’s fall.
‘Do you forget we are standing within a fort built over what was once my home?’ Kobin laughed. ‘But no, your words rephrased ask if I have had everything that I truly desired taken from me. And to this, I would answer yes, and no, for Callibra was a disease that plagued my heart and tortured my very soul, but I have suffered much in my time, so I must answer yes.’
‘You are right,’ said Liet, struggling to regain vision as he leaned on the railing with all his weight. ‘I do not possess the brilliance you do. My apologies, I had forgotten this was once your home.’
Liet stopped struggling, questions now flooding his mind. He had just complimented Kobin, conceded defeat and shown weakness to a man of no rank. He had spoken as if he were a servant. How could this be? What had come over him?
There was something wrong here. Something he had not encountered before. Or were the days spent travelling finally taking their toll? Wallowing in disorientation but having wit enough about him to think somewhat clearly, Liet turned to look at Kobin, searching for answers. Was he the cause? There was something about this man that did not seem natural. It was as if he possessed a power within, suppressed and hidden, but there and in his control. Liet had never felt anything like it in all his life. He had become completely helpless both physically and mentally at once, as if he had entered a cataclysm and total shock of the senses.
He had always strived to be the strongest of men, despite his wiry, thin body frame. He had been forced to use intelligence in place of muscle and could match intellects with the best, yet all failed under this man.
Building up what courage he could, Liet spoke, ‘Your words ring of superior intellect, but your meaning seems that of a madman. I ask; who in their right mind would desire the destruction of their home with such vengeance for something as simple as dislike?’
‘A madman—do you accuse me of this?’ asked Kobin, his brows pointed and eyes seemingly on fire. ‘Tread carefully as you walk,’ he threatened, and Liet’s sudden burst of courage fled him. ‘A fall is inevitable if the wrong step is taken. For this your question shall go unanswered, and you will not query of it again!’
Liet felt the knife pass through him a second time as each word was sent flying at him, as if they were actual blades rather than composed sounds of thought. The power of the man who spoke down to him was too much to bear, leaving him feeling like a weak child rather than the high-ranking lieutenant-general that he was. Only by his sudden decision to turn and look away into Alkon’s quarters was his mind relieved of the pressure.
‘Look!’ he said. ‘Our general is informing the High Council of our success in establishment, but he does not tell them of the new weapon.’
‘New weapon?’
‘Yes, to kill the Daijuar.’
Kobin was thoughtful. ‘That is against Alliance law, is it not?’
‘It is, a fatal error in trust, I believe,’ said Liet, breathlessly. ‘The general’s desire to show his achievement overwhelmed his better judgement to keep it secret.’