When War Calls(69)

For a moment, he had forgotten what had happened. Now he remembered Raquel had sent him here.

What had she done to him?

He got up and turned to make his way into the single door behind him, hoping to explore this strange place. The door led him into a corridor and the sound of the wind died away as he ventured deeper within it. He continued forward along the hallway that seemed to have no end, and it felt as if he had walked further than the building was wide. A light appeared then in the distance. He walked toward it, the sound of falling water meeting his ears as he neared. Familiar fragrances wafted around him then and he exited the building to a beautiful golden dusk at his beloved waterfall in Callibra. He looked around to see the dark rocks, green grasses, the many sandstone houses and the Gates at the entrance to the village. This was his home as he remembered it from his childhood.

This had been his favourite place to be at this time, a calming wind crossing over him and birds flying freely overhead, making their way to wherever it was that they went. For the first time since the attack, he truly felt at peace.

Jaden knelt to the ground, touching the smooth, soft stems of grass with his fingertips before reaching further down and running them along the dirt below. He could feel every grain, every sharp and dull edge that there was. It was perfect. It was exactly as it had been. He then looked down over the houses, hoping to see his friends coming toward him or the people moving about during their daily routines, but his heart soon sank. The houses were empty. He knew that, somehow. This was what Raquel had meant. Somehow the crystal was allowing him to see this, as if it was perfectly real and he was really back where he belonged.

But it was not real. It was an illusion, nothing more.

Jaden closed his eyes, trying to escape the crystal’s realm, and was soon rewarded as he felt Raquel taking his hands and pulling them toward her. He left the crystal’s world the same way he had entered it, seemingly falling from nowhere into the same, and he looked at her, a tear welling in each eye.

‘I want to go home,’ he said, closing his eyes.

Raquel let the crystal fall around his neck and held his hands in hers.

‘I know,’ she said, somehow easing his pain with two words, and both became silent for the remainder of the night.





Chapter Thirteen





Seek out that which is hidden beyond, the truth lies somewhere in between.





January 19, 997 R.E.





‘Target moving north, sir.’

The voice came from the small black communicator Kobin Guyde held in his hand.

‘He is going to Corsec,’ said Kobin. ‘Have you sighted him?’

‘Negative,’ came the reply. ‘Target remains ahead.’

‘Find him,’ said Kobin. ‘Report back to me in six hours.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Kobin threw the communicator to a guard standing by a stationary vehicle. ‘If word comes from the scout, bring it to me immediately.’

‘Your command, sir,’ said the guard, saluting.

Kobin walked on without returning the gesture, pulling his hood up so that his eyes were blackened by its shadow.

It was early morning at the fort, daylight yet to make its appearance through the thick clouds still lingering above. The men of the Alliance had worked tirelessly since the attack, repairing the damage, while their commanders attempted to locate where the jets had come from. Kobin had been excused of all duties. He was not a soldier or commander of any rank, so was free to roam the fort as he wished. He had dedicated most of his time to the pursuit of the young Callibrian boy, Jaden Daiyus, the son of his travelling companion, Tyral. He had spared Jaden’s life, for both their sakes. It was not likely that the Daijuar would help Jaden; there was no gain from leaving him alive, but he could not bring himself to destroy the final piece of his friend’s existence. Part of him had to live on, somehow.

In time, Kobin knew he would need to explain the lack of results to Alkon, why they still had failed to uncover the Daijuarn hideouts. He could stall for time for now. Alkon did not know whether or not the Daijuar were nearby, or how long it would take for them to find and help the young stray. Kobin had time to think, to prepare for the questions that would come. And then he would have Alkon executed or cast out by the High Council. After Alkon was gone, Jaden could live on, and none would follow him anymore.

‘You have lost the boy.’

Kobin slowed at the remark, turning slightly toward his left shoulder as he stopped. Alkon had stepped out from the darkness behind the building Kobin had passed.

‘A proud moment has come for you and your men,’ said Kobin. ‘Your scout has stumbled upon the boy’s path.’