Chapter Twenty:
Water and Fire

Kailin seemed to have better luck. Her Relendiac opposites, Djibon and Ranti, were younger and not present at Anegon, and had no knowledge of how to deal with Adepts. They also lost ground fighting in the defensive style of Balecroft. Kailin looked behind them and saw Central Plaza, the park in the middle of Relenda. Matt would meet her here, and they would have cut Relenda in half.

Djibon and Ranti split up suddenly, and Kailin rushed through the opening, where she saw a visibly exhausted Matt.

"It's a trap!" he breathed.

"Calm down. Look, there's six different ways ou... We are in trouble."

"I told you."

Descantes, Ashto, Djibon, Ranti and Cando blocked five exits, and another figure led a contingent up the avenue from Relenda's command district. It was Goraban who spoke.

"Greetings, Adepts," he cried. "I see you have met your welcoming committee."

Some of the Adepts looked nervously at Goraban's display of strength. Matt spoke out in anger.

"We shall not surrender. We have heard of the atrocities committed under a false peace, and would rather die than see you defile our bodies!"

Matt's blow was in the form of an earthen spear, shattering the silence in Goraban. It hit him straight on, yet he didn't flinch at all.

"So that is the fate you choose. I could easily grant you your wish instantly, but I don't believe your fate lies here. Instead I give you a choice: I will give you free passage to join you leader at Chilaquand, or I will give you the death you willingly seek. Your fate need not all be one way or the other, but choose swiftly, before my gift expires!" he said.

Kailin shot Matt a look before he could say something to infuriate Goraban, who was doing them a favor.

"We thank you for your gratitude. It is a lot more than what we expected, and we shall take your offer."

"Be warned, however," said Goraban, "if we find you here again, our courtesy shall not be extended twice."

Before anyone could answer, a large group of Adepts, including Mute materialized. Mute looked around and considered the odds. Then he turned to Goraban.

"Overkill, perhaps?" he asked. "Surely you do not need this many to fight us?"

"Tell that to the multitude you led who now lies dead in Anegon, Mute."

"You were there, I take it?"

Goraban nodded slowly, then ducked as Mute shot flames out at him.

"I'm guessing you want out?"

"Yeah," challenged Matt, "And it's over your bodi-"

Mute hit him over the head, and turned to Goraban. "A way to the plateau, if you don't mind?"

"Ashto, escort them to the plateau. Everyone else, back to your posts."

----------

"I don't trust him, Patriarch," said Descantes. "He's more powerful than he lets on."

"Ranti and Cando are on it. They're tailing him, along with Ashto's squad. Just do your job, General."

"I will, Patriarch. Captain, to the transports!"

Goraban turned to the display.

"Cando?"

"Patriarch?"

"What are they doing?"

"Going up the plateau, sir. Our tracking beacons are active."

"Allysulia, General?"

Cando laughed. "Indeed. Elephande expects above and beyond the ordinary."

"I know that well. Do your duty."

"All right, Patriarch. Cando, out."

----------

"Akula! On the left!"

Askinqua was marshalling his troops for a charge against Allysuntis.

"No time. Come on."

Akula ran down the hill towards Allysuntis and Mastredocil. Soldiers joined him as he passed through the reserve ranks.

"Get to the front!" yelled Akula to the rear guard of Elephade. "The Cladlen are on our doorstep!"

That got their attention quickly, and they led him to Allysuntis.

"You're just in time, High General!" she called. "Brace yourself!"

Akula gained a second wind through the attack. Cladlen attackers watched in awe as Akula's ferocity cut through their ranks.

"Legaso del Isteanoc!" he cried, and his strength increased even father.

Suddenly, the ranks thinned, and a single Cladlen stood before Akula. Aldiqua, second son of Askinqua, rushed at the High General.

"Akula!"

Allysuntis's cry warned him to block Aldiqua's blow in time. Again, a strike, and again Akula blocked his blade.

Aldiqua laughed. "You do have skill. All the better."

This time, Akula couldn't block quickly enough. As he fell, his blade turned up, and found Aldiqua's chest. Aldiqua released a cry of fury, and slumped over dead.

"Akula?" asked Allysuntis, coming to her cousin's side.

A groan came, and Akula tried, and failed, to rise. Allysuntis rushed to his side, followed by an Adept.

"General!"

"Not now. Get Akula, before Askinqua comes back."

As they carried Akula to his quarters, Richard spoke again.

"He won't like that..."

"I expect not. He'll use it as an excuse to attack."

"Which means we need to revive Akula quickly."

"Revive me?" Akula groaned. "Why?"

"We think Askinqua will strike soon, to avenge the death of his son," explained Allysuntis.

Akula stood up. "So I got him? I blacked out when he hit me."

"Yes. The blow was guided by Elder Higenti, I think."

"Yes, it was," agreed Akula, who stepped back. "General! When did you arrive?"

"Not too long ago. By the looks of it, just in time."

"Indeed," replied Akula. "We will need everyone we can get."