‘You have accused him already,’ said Liet, ‘you think to re-evaluate the accusation?’
‘I do what I must. But I know what you are thinking. It cannot be proven. I had caught him outside the area with wounds from the explosion, but still you defended him.’
‘I, too, do what I must, General.’
‘Yes, I know you stay on the side of truth. It is an admirable quality, but what if to uphold it and catch one who is deceptive, you must become as them?’
‘I would find other means.’
‘And if there were none?’ asked Alkon.
‘There are always others,’ said Liet simply.
Alkon leaned back in his chair. He had not received the answers for which he had been hoping. After a moment’s thought, he continued. ‘Then I will assign you the duty of finding evidence to support what I already know as fact. Kobin Guyde is a dangerous and manipulative man. He is a threat to the entire Alliance. He seems more open to you than anyone else. Do what you can.’
‘I will do my best, General.’
‘Good,’ said Alkon, standing up and walking from behind his desk. ‘We are to reach Waikor in three weeks. Be sure we are ready to leave in five days. I have decided to leave a small force behind. I do not wish to move Ethan, so he will remain here with some of his team and as many men as he needs to continue work here. Is that understood?’
‘Yes, General.’
‘Then there is nothing more to be said. I will expect a report on the Callibrian as soon as possible. You may leave.’
Bowing his head slightly, Liet left the room, leaving Alkon to pace back and forth in thought for the remainder of the night.
Chapter Nineteen
You and I move as one, so I call you friend.
February 1, 997 R.E.
Sunlight glistened off the stream as the two teenagers played and splashed around, swimming into the many rock pools and diving deep before coming up in the shade of the surrounding trees. The aromas of wilderness were plentiful, delighting the small company’s senses as they rested in the afternoon heat. They had travelled far since crossing the great river over a week before and were now approaching the first city in many miles, Ceahlin.
Tarsha sat idly against a tree, not wishing to move in the heat. She had already swum for a little while, but decided it was better to rest her exhausted muscles, where she didn’t need to concern herself with floating in gentle currents. She was content to simply watch the two youngsters enjoy themselves while she contemplated the journey ahead and what she might do when they arrived at their destination. Unlike her homeland, civilisation was rare on this continent. For all their travelling, they had not yet come across a single village or city. She had thought she might have missed them on her way to Callibra, but now she was certain that Aurialis was the nature preserve many had said it to be, and that the cities scattered over it held such strong forces that they were able to protect and keep it this way.
After spending some time in Ceahlin, allowing the Daijuar to do whatever it was they had to do there, they would move onto the next great city, Waikor, and from there they would move on to Corsec, the city that stood between the Alliance and victory over this beautiful and majestic continent.
But the Alliance was already here, and now they threatened to take Corsec from all sides. That was why the company had travelled this way, and why the Daijuar were continually discussing the war’s direction with one another. Even now they were sitting in meditative positions some distance from her, never taking their eyes off Jaden as they spoke of his destiny and what they would do once they reached each city. They believed Tarsha was out of their hearing, and she had no trouble in letting them believe that. The Daijuar kept many secrets, and this was her chance to find out something more about them.
‘We may call for transport at Ceahlin,’ said Adonis.
‘They will take us to Waikor if we have something to offer them,’ Blair agreed.
‘The message must be sent.’
‘Word will spread. We need only show ourselves in Ceahlin.’
‘There are others in Waikor,’ said Adonis. ‘They will need to see one of us before they move.’
‘We must separate.’
‘I will offer protection to those in Ceahlin.’
‘I will continue to Waikor.’
‘What of the others?’ asked Adonis.
‘They will remain with me in Ceahlin.’
‘He still needs to be trained.’
‘He does not wish for training,’ said Blair.
Tarsha turned her head slightly as if stretching it, and saw that Adonis was looking toward the rock pools. He then glanced over at her and she slowly turned back, doing her best to hide that she was listening to them.