'I hope your recovery is swift.'

Alkon stood up and left the medical unit. Outside, the night air chilled his lungs as he took in a deep breath. He almost decided to go to find Kobin and release some of his frustrations, but knew there had been enough confrontation among his men of late. A display of such behaviour in the higher ranks could prove costly, and there had been doubt of his abilities expressed by the High Council already. He knew it to be of Kobin's doing. That was the only reason Kobin was still alive. If Alkon were to regain his absolute authority, he would need to find a method of discrediting Kobin, so that the High Council would recognise him for the traitor that he was.

Alkon made his way back to his quarters. He needed time to plot against Kobin, and for this, he would call for the help of his second-in-command. In his usual fashion, Lieutenant-General Liet Revarn entered the small room, which was furnished with little more than a desk and chair, a few minutes later.

'I have just spoken with Ethan,' said Alkon. 'His injuries are severe, but he's recovering.'

'I have heard,' said Liet.

'I do not believe it was an accident.'

Liet raised an eyebrow. 'You believe it really was sabotage?' he asked.

'I see no other explanation. Do you remember the last time Ethan made a mistake during a demonstration?'

'I cannot say I do, General. It would be a very long time ago.'

'No,' said Alkon, 'you cannot remember because there has never been a mistake.'

'We are dealing with unfamiliar technologies now, General. They are much more complex than anything we have used before. A mistake was bound to occur.'

Alkon shook his head. 'I saw a flash, a light of some kind before it happened. I have seen that light only once before. It had come from the hands of the Callibrian.'

'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.

After a moment, Adonis asked, 'How does one alter another's desire?'

'They must believe it is what they want.'

'There must be a choice.'

'Or no other way,' added Blair.

'His power must come forth.'

'He must reach Corsec.'

'We must separate them,' concluded Adonis.

'What of his training?' asked Blair.

'He may come to us, still.'

'They act as if they have been in love for many years,' said Blair.

'He will not risk it.'

'He must be encouraged.'

'She needs to be in danger.'

'How strong is his love?'

'Let us find out. Woman!' called Adonis, and Tarsha turned slowly to them. After being signalled forward, Tarsha stood up reluctantly and dawdled over to them.

'Again, my name is Tarsha, Sentinel.'

'Who is the girl?' asked Adonis, as if he did not care for what she had to say.

'Her name is Alyssa. I hope you show enough respect to call her by it rather than "girl" or "woman",' said Tarsha bitterly.

'How do they know one another?' asked Blair.

'They are both from the same village.'

'Another survivor,' said Adonis.

Tarsha nodded. 'From what she has told me, she was riding through the mountains with her father before the attack. They both fled and had been travelling as far as they could when we caught up with them. That was her father that we saw lying lifeless near the scout.'

'The boy saved her life,' said Blair.

'They are in love?' asked Adonis.

'I do not know,' said Tarsha. 'I think he loves her, but they are only now getting to know each other. In time, I think so.'

Adonis and Blair exchanged glances.

'It will soon be time for you to eat, Tarsha,' said Blair. 'You should find food before we move on.'

Tarsha eyed them both suspiciously. 'What are you planning on doing?'

The Daijuar let their shoulders drop a little to show that they did not know what she was talking about.

'Come on, I've heard you talking. What are you going to do to Jaden?'

'We are here to train him,' said Adonis.

'We must teach in whatever way that we can,' added Blair, bowing his head a little.

'You are not to bring harm to either,' said Tarsha strictly.

'The Daijuar are here to protect,' Adonis assured her with a comforting tone.

Tarsha flicked her vision between the two of them, and then knowing she could say or do nothing more, she left with a "humph!" and wandered away, but not so far that she could no longer hear what the Daijuar were saying.

'Jaden,' called out Adonis, rousing the youth's attention.

Jaden swam quickly over to Alyssa and said something to her, then kissed her gently on the cheek before getting out of the water and picking up the Daijuarn vest. As Alyssa lay on her back, floating gently in the current, he walked slowly toward the Daijuar as he put on the vest. Once before them, he knelt and waited for them to speak.

'We thought you should know of our plans,' started Blair.

'We must move from here soon,' continued Adonis. 'Once we arrive in Ceahlin, we must seek out the others.'

Jaden nodded, but allowed them to go on.

'Noviahn has asked us to take you with us. He wishes to meet you again in Corsec city.'

'I understand,' said Jaden.

Adonis smiled. 'She is a beautiful girl,' he said, inclining his head toward Alyssa.

Jaden returned the smile. 'The most beautiful,' he agreed.

Blair stood up and excused himself. 'I will find food,' he said, leaving Adonis to speak with Jaden alone.

Adonis nodded and then turned back to Jaden. 'You are in love,' he said, still smiling.

'She makes the pain go away a little,' he said, looking over his shoulder.

'Ah,' said Adonis in sympathy. 'You still suffer from the loss of your home.'

Jaden nodded. 'I don't know what else to do. She is the only one that can make it go away.'

'The Daijuar can help you.'

Jaden lifted his arms so that he could see both endobraces. 'Releasing the energy doesn't help,' he said.