Impatience
He could feel it, the agitation of knowing Chardon was coming for him soon. Halfar paced his bed chamber slowly, making sure to plant one foot in front of the other with every step. This had to be done since the last time he paced around thinking of Chardon he nearly injured himself running into the edge of the bed and he was far from clumsy. Chewing on his lower lip became an annoying habit he could not seem to break over the past few years but he never let anyone else see him do.
There was movement outside his chamber in the hall forcing him to instantly cease his inner deliberations. He stood at the doors and waited for what he assumed was a troop of Kur’s enforcers escorting their commander to him, and he was right. The doors flung open and Kur nearly knocked Halfar down, except he came face to face with him and halted, a look of despair washing over his face. It was obviously meant to be an ambush.
As they both stood in that moment eye to eye, Halfar tilted his head to one side, not disengaging the stare. He saw the enforcers in the hall ready to strike and from Kur’s back, his talons protruded out. Kur had a look of disbelief as he looked down at his chest and saw Halfar had indeed run him through.
“You seem to have come unannounced, yet again, despite my orders to not do so ever again.”
“My lord,” Kur managed to get out.
“Now, I am willing to forget this matter if you are ready to obey me.”
Kur was having trouble breathing but replied, “Of course, my lord.” The enforcers were confused.
Halfar withdrew his claw and Kur collapsed in a heap unconscious in the doorway.
“Take him away.” He barked at the enforcers.
Four of them hurriedly grabbed their commander and dragged him down the hall as they headed towards the healers. A thick trail of dark purple blood streaked the white floors. The rest turned in unison and marched back down the hall from whence they came.
“Rass!” Halfar summoned in his booming voice.
“My lord?” Rass was at the end of the hall watching the retreat and carrying of Kur. “That was entertaining.” He came forth.
“Make sure he is well guarded and well maintained.”
“You wish to keep him on as a General?”
“For now, yes.” Glancing at him, “Why did you not stop him?”
“I was certain you would handle the situation quickly.”
“Why would he do something so detrimental to his wellbeing?”
Rass stepped past Halfar and sat on the edge of his bed. “When you shut down the barrier, Kur was in position to take control of a nearby city in one of his regions. The barrier revealed them almost instantly so he probably assumed you had done it on purpose to dispatch him.”
“Paranoia.”
“Understandable when you are trying to overthrow your ruler without anyone suspecting.”
“But that was how long ago?”
“Kur does like to hold a grudge.”
“I thought that was against his aesthetics?”
“Hardly.” Rass removed himself from the bed and headed down the hallway. “I will go attend to him and make sure he lives.”
“Do not antagonize him.” Rass made a face. “I mean it, Rass.” A wave of his general's hand was his reply.
**~**
Kelin was not one to sit around and wait for the inevitable so he went straight into Chardon’s battle room and demanded an answer. He didn’t care if it was premature, a battle was nearing and he needed to know what exactly he was fighting for.
“Tell me, Chardon, what kind of tragedy did Sestis bring upon us? I now know for a fact that she was not the sweet natured regent everyone thinks!” Chardon’s shocked expression was enough for him to continue. “Don’t you think we deserve to know?”
Chardon cut him off right there. “To know what? That she was a monster? That our world became a target because of her actions? Are you going to tell our people, who loved her more than they loved or trusted me, their leader?”
Slacked jawed, Kelin moved away from the table he had slammed his fists on to get Chardon’s attention. It never occurred to him the ramifications of that information and Talas had warned him time was a sensitive matter. The people may not believe anything he or Chardon said but the other side of the coin was they would hate her. Hate was a strong emotion needing no fuel since their world was destroyed and what was left of their race now resides on a planet with a weak sun.
“But, I…” Kelin was now lost for words.
“It has come up to grant her a memorial. I tried to avoid it by averting everyone from her memory but with a new harvest the workers wanted an offering since she loved the field workers.”
“No she didn’t!” Kelin spat out, remembering the story Talas told him.
“No, but that doesn’t change the fact they think so.”
“How did her actions end up having our world targeted? And for what?”
Taking a seat closer to Kelin he explained. “When we went on diplomatic visits to other worlds, Sestis would use her charm to manipulate, blackmail and connive her way into getting whatever she wanted. Sometimes it was to get resources that should have gone to a needy planet rerouted to ours so we would have a monopoly on certain ones. She did all of this in my name and our race, boasting of our unique powers. Over time, animosity brewed and when they threatened our world she did not back down. In fact she welcomed their wrath.”
“That’s insane! Wait,” Kelin shook his head. “How does Halfar come into this?”
“Halfar saw what she was doing and didn’t like it. If our world was going to be conquered, better he do it to ensure our race than a hostile one hell bent on vengeance to wipe us out.”
“But he was the one who ended up nearly wiping our race out of existence.”
“Negotiations did not go well.”
“Because of Sestis?” Incredible, Kelin thought to himself.
“Yes,” Chardon sighed heavily.
Kelin saw that was all he was going to tell him. There was no reason to say any more. He was exhausted all of a sudden. Kelin saw it on Chardon’s face as well.
“I’m sorry you feel this way, Chardon, but the people have to know eventually.”
He walked out of the battle room in turmoil over what he had discovered. It never came across as this bad when he ran the scenarios of what the secret could be. Knowing this, he hoped Chardon could postpone the memorial as long as he could.
Back with Talas in their chamber, he relayed everything that was told to him and watched Talas start to pace. At first he was angry at his mate for pushing the subject, then listened more intently.
“Such insanity!” Talas was flabbergasted among other things. “Who else knows this, again?”
“Chardon, Modas and now us.”
“You mean, Jaron and Ganna have no clue?”
“I’m not sure but I think they are the last two who need to know.”
“No, our people are the last who need to know because it would be chaos.”
“The workers want a memorial offering ceremony for Sestis.”
Talas’ eyes became saucers. “Over my scorched corpse!”
“Chardon is trying to postpone it for as long as he can but they will not accept rejection without an explanation.”
“Then he has to do that.”
“What?”
“Explain!”
“Talas, there has never been a rebellion in the history of our race. This could damage us all.”
“It doesn’t matter. Either way, our race has to face the truth and reestablish ourselves without a false benevolent regent to hold on to.”
“You told him?” Modas leaned against the wall of Chardon’s chamber.
“Not everything, but yes, I told him about Sestis’ interplanetary frolics.”
“A memorial would be a disaster.”
“We will have one and tell them much of the truth before the offerings.”
“That’s madness.”
“Your warriors w
ill be there to handle any outbreaks.”
“I will not harm my own people.”
Chardon sighed. It was getting harder to talk to anyone let alone command them. “Please. It will be sorrowful enough as it is.”
**~**
It was finally time to implement their battle plans and Ganna was all over the place making sure everything was set to open five vortices simultaneously. She would open the one for the main gate but the others were going to be created by revived workers a bit rusty on the uptake. They had been practicing on a smaller scale for nearly three years but not all the kinks were ironed out. It would have to do for now. As long as their warriors ended up in the correct sectors, it should be okay.
Talas was in full battle gear wearing a tan brown sleeveless robe over a skin tight tunic. There were two long swords crisscrossed on his back held by leather straps. His dirty blond hair was still damp and hung stringy across his shoulders, down his back. Kelin was in similar gear except his attire was all black minus weapons because he was an energy user. They stared at each other in silence as their assignments required them to be apart for the duration of the battle.
Modas kept an audience of twenty warriors as he relayed their tasks. Mota and Jakar listened diligently while sharpening their claws on pieces of stone. Those were the only deadly items a manbeast needed. On the other side of the field, Jaron and Mara led a group of energy users in a last minute practice run. Everyone seemed ready.
Chardon was alone in the council room head in his hands as he sat on a bench near the window. His body was shaking and he didn’t know why. It was like being confused but resolved at the same time. Tears stung his eyes but he fought them back. With everything that had happened over the course of a year, he should not be surprised.
It took a lot of coaxing to stop people from desecrating Sestis’ memorial when it became known what she was really like and he was glad the rest of what she had done remained secret. He took a sharp intake of air that forced him to look up and he saw the muted sunlight trying to illuminate the room. He stared at it for a long time.
**~**
“Multiple vortex openings have been identified.” Rass reported.
The throne room was eerily quiet without Kur’s enforcers running around and Halfar liked it that way. It gave him time to think. He glanced over at Rass, still bowed low on one knee.
“How many?”
“They have not been pinpointed yet.”
Halfar tapped his index finger to his lips. “Focus on any signature close to the palace.”
“Then what?”
“Nothing. It would be the one Chardon appears from.”
“With a troop of warriors, one possibly being that manbeast.”
“No, when you intercept the signatures, you are going to do a bit of rearranging.”
“You mean, as soon as all parties are outside of the vortex, we transport them. Random?”
“No.” Halfar half turned to him. “Make sure the four of them are back together, without Modas.”
“Ahh.” Rass had an inkling of what Halfar had in mind. “They should be given an explanation after all that has transpired.”
“I only need ten enforcers and you in the throne room to ensure no one does anything,” he paused for the right word, “foolish.”
“What about the other vortex signatures?”
“I’m sure the enforcers along with Kur will keep them busy.”
As Rass left to do his bidding, he thought of how Kur would fare with the manbeast. He had no doubt of Kur’s capabilities but a manbeast was something else entirely. Kur might actually enjoy this battle and forget about the incident where he tried to kill his ruler.
**~**
The vortex on the east side of the palace ripped open to produce Talas and his army. They were ten strong and ready for a fight. Just as Talas set foot in front of the east wall, he was attacked with his men not getting any better treatment. He drew one of his long swords and headed straight into the middle to gain leverage. After taking out three enforcers, a burst of light engulfed him and he vanished. His army, surprised, was caught off guard and vulnerable to attack as enforcers clambered down the walls towards them.
On the north Kelin suffered the same fate while going head to head with some of Halfar’s more formidable human servants. A few enforcers were mixed in and he was able to take down two of them before being taken and replaced by Mota. Their well-structured plans turned into chaos.
Kur sent his enforcers to intercept the intruders from all sides. All along the palaces’ perimeter a battle ensued causing destruction to its walls and the area surrounding it. Kur made his way down to the West side, and had to bend backwards to avoid a wide angled swipe of talons. Stepping back he caught a glimpse of Jakar before the manbeast came at him relentlessly. Kur was pleased to finally let off some steam and fight the way he wanted. He was having fun.
At the main entrance to Halfar’s palace, the vortex opened with Chardon, Jaron and Modas along with seven warriors that included Mara. In an instant, they were ambushed by Rass and his enforcers. Modas took a group of four on his side while Mara used her energy to create a shield for Chardon. Midair about to strike a fatal blow to an enforcer, the manbeast and Mara were swept up, vanishing in thin air to be replaced by Talas and Kelin. Once again, all four were together under the Earth sky.
“What’s going on?” Kelin hollered in fear.
He was still in an attack stance, enforcer blood spotting his robes. This was not supposed to happen.
Modas was transported to Talas’ regiment and right in the middle of an attack. He had no time to regroup so used his might to drive the enforcers back. In the recesses of his mind he cursed whoever did this to leave Chardon vulnerable. They may have their differences but he was sworn to protect his leader with his life, if necessary. Slicing an enforcer in half, black blood splattering over him, he advanced into the horde to find a way out and back to the main doors.
Mota fared no different as he appeared where Kelin had been only to find himself surrounded by a large number of enforcers and human servants. Some had sharp thin long swords which made them part of the Asian crime syndicates Talas and Kelin had referenced. He extended his claws and dropped down into attack position. These men did not look like the type who scared easily.
Chardon turned abruptly to all sides looking for the culprit but found no one. Seeing who was now in his party, it made sense. This was Halfar’s will. All of the enforcers present backed off, which meant he wanted them to get inside without incident. He motioned to Kelin and Talas.
“Lead the way. You know where the throne room is, correct?”
Regaining their composure, both men assumed defense stances, Kelin covering the front, Talas the rear. No way were they taking any chances on Halfar just letting them waltz in. All around them there was silence and it disturbed Chardon. As they moved into the palace itself, soft sounds of awe echoed through the halls. It was a magnificent building. At the entrance to the hallway leading to the throne room everyone stopped.
Rass stood blocking their path with ten enforcers. His smile was somewhat wicked as he bowed and moved to the side motioning them in. The enforcers closed rank after Chardon, Jaron, Talas and Kelin passed Rass. Footsteps clacked against white marble floors making the silence more prominent. The throne room doors were flung open to reveal Halfar lazily sprawled on the throne, his battle gear gone. Even Rass raised an eyebrow at that.
“You’re probably wondering how this has happened.” He swung his legs forward and sat with his legs spread wide apart. “You see, I didn’t want that manbeast to come in here and tear things up.” He leaned further towards them. “And I think I should explain. I wanted the four of you here to understand how you ended up on this planet without your cores.”
“This was your doing?” Jaron seethed. “How?”
“I wanted to extract you before the bomb hit, but did not know how. Rass came up with a way in short time but I didn’t know it
would grab just your body and leave the core.”
“Why would you extract us?”
“He didn’t do it on purpose.” Kelin replied.
“He only wanted Chardon.” Talas completed the thought.
“That is correct. But, I am glad more of you were captured in the transport. I can’t imagine the devastation Chardon would endure if your race had become extinct.”
Jaron was confused. “Why? Why just Chardon?”
Halfar caught Chardon’s gaze and understood the whole truth had not been told. He wasn’t sure if it was a benefit or hindrance but he did know that look in Chardon’s eyes said ‘don’t’. “Let’s finish our negotiations, shall we?” Halfar stepped down and the sound of weapons being drawn filled the room. He looked around and Chardon saw his warriors ready to defend against the enforcers who reacted to the hostile act.
Rass extended a transformed limb protruding deadly spikes and held it at Jaron, Talas and Kelin’s throats.
“Now, now. We should be more cooperative. I’m sure my lord means yours no harm.”
“So true.” Halfar extended his hand to Chardon. “Come.”
Chardon slowly walked to him, looking back once at his entourage held hostage by Rass and the enforcers. For the first time he felt a slight twinge of fear for his friends.
“No need to worry. No one is leaving this room until the two of you return.” Rass promised.
The double doors to the hallway leading to Halfar’s chamber were opened by two enforcers and they entered, the doors booming shut behind them. As they walked, they talked.
“Why are you doing this?” Chardon hissed softly.
Halfar leaned towards him and whispered into his ear. “I wanted to see you.”
“What exactly are we negotiating? You destroyed our world.”
Halfar opened his chamber room and secured the doors once they were inside. “I never wanted that to happen. I regret it more than you know.” Chardon turned his back to him. “When I realized what I had set in motion, all I could think of was saving you over anyone else.” Chardon swung around and backhanded him. The force tilted his head sideways. “I deserve more than that.” Chardon’s made sure his eyes conveyed his fury and Halfar understood. “I played right into her hands but she still didn’t win.”
Core of Confliction Page 12