Chapter 8: Suspicion
Cole woke up the next morning back in his tent, Zane curled into his arms. He let out a sigh, gently running a hand through the Ice warrior's hair. 'How did it come to this?' he asked himself when he felt Zane stir against him. The omega turned and gently kissed Cole's nose, making Cole blush. "How'd we get back here?" Cole asked once his blushing went down. "We walked back last night, after we recovered our clothing, of course." Zane replied. 'Thank god for that. I really didn't want to walk through camp without a shirt.' Cole thought, sitting up. "We must get up, correct?" Zane asked, Cole nodding. The two quickly dressed and headed out for breakfast, finding the others waiting for them. "Sleeping in lately?" Kai asked once the two sat down with their food. "Perhaps. Our week has been uneventful." Zane replied, hiding their secret perfectly. "Did you guys hear about the three bodies found out in the forest this morning?" Nya asked, Cole choking on his coffee. "No, what about them?" Zane asked. "They were all working together. All three were said to be soldiers who were going around killing people and raping women." Nya said. "Karma is a bitch." Kai replied, shoving a muffin into his mouth. "Perhaps they did get what they did deserve." Zane said, looking to Jay. "One thing, though. The oldest guy was killed in his dragon form….his dragon form." Jay said. "And?" Kai asked, not interested in the whole ordeal. "Killing an elemental in their dragon form is pretty damn hard. The higher-ups think we've got some corrupted stalking around camp." Jay explained. "That would not be pleasant." Zane said. "Whatever. Anyway, we've got new assignments today. You guys want to pick and choose?" Kai asked, holding up the box. Cole reached into the box, pulling out his assignment. The others picked their out too, leaving Zane mission-less. "What did you obtain?" Zane asked. "I have to go back out to the field, today. I'm leaving at noon." Cole said, crushing the paper in his fist. "We all have to go. We all got the same assignment." Nya said, the others holding up their papers. "I will look forward to your safe return." Zane said, smiling softly at each of them. A soldier walked up to their table, a patch across his chest. "Is Mercy present?" he asked, Zane nodding. "Commander Misako requests your presence in the Planning Tent." the soldier said, Zane standing up to follow him. Cole caught his wrist as he walked past, Zane jerking to look at him. "I'll see you soon." he whispered, Zane smiling back at him. Cole let Zane go, turning back to his food. He looked up to see the others staring at him with wide eyes. "What?" he asked, Nya making a big smile. "You like him." she grinned. "I-" Jay cut him off. "You can't lie to us, Cole. We see someone in love, and that looks like you." Jay said. "I am not-" Kai cut him off again. "We'll make sure you come back alive, promise." he said, Cole closing his mouth. A soft blush crept across his cheeks as he finished his coffee, heading back to his tent to pack up for the mission.
MEANWHILE:
Zane followed the soldier to a larger tent, the soldier halting to pull the flap aside for him to continue alone. Zane stepped inside, finding the dark shelter lit by numerous candles. A large table sat in the center of the tent, a large map spread across it, marked by pins of multiple colors. Misako herself sat at her desk, looking up to gesture to a seat across from her. Zane quickly sat, waiting for her to finish writing. "Your skills are strange, for a member of the Ice Tribe. You can do things no one else can do. Explain to me why." she stated, her face unmoving. "I am not an ordinary member of the Ice tribe. I am the Final Frostbloom. The last of my kind, and the most powerful to have and will ever exist." Zane replied. "I have heard of the Frostbloom before, in legend. I was not a commanding officer until this war began its second year, so forgive me if my research is rusty. You were living in a village with people who were told to control you, correct?" she asked, Zane nodding politely. "What kind of power are we talking about?" she asked, Zane freezing. 'She wants to know what kinds of things I can do, so she knows whether or not to fear or accept me.' Zane thought while he took the moment to think of a good example. "You experienced a small shred of the power I hold over souls, with your son, as you should recall." Zane replied casually. "I do remember. What else are you capable of?" she asked. "Why is it your business to know my abilities?" Zane asked back. "The Council is asking that I record what you can do, for the record. If they see that you are fit to wander the battlefields continuing to cast spells of your own accord, then I am to let you do so. If not…." she trailed off, looking down at a paper on her desk. "You are ordered to kill me." Zane finished for her, Misako looking back up at him with a shocked expression. "How did you….?" she asked, Zane cutting her off. "That paper on your desk is an execution order. And I happen to have experienced this same situation before. If, however, anyone tries to make an attempt on my life, I will not hesitate to defend myself. Is that clear?" Zane asked, his voice dark. His head had dipped slightly, his face hidden by the shadows of the tent. "Is that a threat, Frostbloom?" Misako asked, slight sass in her own voice. "Perhaps. Are you willing to test that probability?" Zane asked back, lifting his head to reveal a pair of black eyes harboring glowing purple irises. Misako jerked back slightly before composing herself again. "Fine. You are free to leave camp at any time, as well as return any time. Any missions that are open to your friends are open for your assistance." she said. "Thank you." Zane said, standing and walking out of the tent. He walked back to his shared tent, finding Cole already gone. As he left, Misako contacted several other commanders, as well as higher generals. "The Frostbloom is infected. No, don't kill him. Wait until he loses it, first." Misako said, hanging up the phone.
