Chapter Twenty-One:

The Rising Tide

The leaders of Frontain were gathered in Akula's command tent.

"So we have millions of troops on standby, waiting for a command?" asked Akula.

"That is correct, High General," replied the General.

"Then why don't we use them?"

"Patience, Dilan," remarked Elephande. "They wait for the signal."

"And that matter has been settled?" asked Elder Afrin.

"It has."

"Very well," finished Akula. "We have our work cut out for us until they arrive."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and they filtered out of the tent.

"Akula!"

They were too late. Mute had returned to Chilaquand, and his Renegades were running rampant through Elidion's Army.

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"Billy!" called Jeremy. "Down your…" His warning was cut short by an earthen spear.

"What's this?" asked a voice. "A general of Elidion, felled so easily?"

"Not on my watch!" replied Jeremy.

Without a second thought, Matt rushed towards his brother. He struck, and Jeremy parried easily.

Reno and Rachel, along with the rest of Elidion's elite guard, tried to slow the Renegade's approach. Brandon and Chris, attempting revenge for Elidion and Hydrolonia, had already fallen to Mute's sword, and he had turned to Alex. As they fought, a cry rang out.

"Zambiandë!"

The familiar shadows rushed from Richard's sword, and Alex stepped back, trying to let them work. They didn't work fast enough, however, and Mute cut her down where she stood. The shadows knocked Mute to the ground, and Reno, hearing Alex's cry, rushed to combat him.

It was Anegon again. Reno, general of Elidion's Army, fought Mute, leader of the Renegades. Both had grown stronger since Anegon, and were considered two of the greatest Adepts of their time.

Mute struck low, feigning down. His stroke drew Reno's sword down as well, allowing him to make a quick upward thrust, catching Reno off-guard. As Reno fell, he made a surprising move, catching Mute at the knees. As Mute fell, Reno's sword found his chest, but was pushed back.

On the ground, they continued to try to strike each other, and actually managing to land a few blows. They struggled until they both passed out from blood loss. It seemed that they were fated to lie there forever, unnoticed by any. Almost an hour passed, and the battle raged around them.

It was then that Kailin found them, unconscious. Before trying to pull Mute away, she tried to finish Reno off. Her sword swung downward, but fell from her hand when a stream of fire caught her hand. Kailin looked up, and saw Rachel no more than ten feet away. Taking the hint, she dragged Mute away.

Rachel knew that her only chance was to find a skilled healer, and quickly. There was only one that she trusted. As she reached the place where the wounded were being treated, Jane, an elder healer, ran over.

Elder, of course, referred to Jane's skill, as she was younger than Rachel. However, she was a brilliant master of the healing arts, and there was little that she couldn't do.

"Elidiocan, I'm swamped. Are there any other…" Jane started, stopping when she saw Reno's unconscious form. "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you. And hurry, he'll be needed before long."

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"Patriarch Suligan!" cried an aide. "I think you should see this!"

Sensing the urgency in the voice, Suligan ran to acknowledge him. However, he didn't believe what he saw.

"By the High Elder! Cain, to you see what I'm looking at?"

"It's hard not to," replied Zancron's leader.

Thousands, maybe even millions of ships filled space as far as one could see. They all bore the same symbol, a great grey I, though its' origin was unknown.

"What is this new foe?" asked Suisane-Admiral-Pelind.

"Pelind, I don't think it's a foe. Elder Altoda, I believe?"

"Very good, Suligan, except for one thing. You address Istean-Patriarch-Altoda, who has returned to lead the Eldest home!"

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Inside the office of Relendiac-General-Cando, the tracking station was alive with activity.

"General!"

Cando turned to the Intyde officer. He took one look at the display, and angrily ran out of the room. Taking the elevator to the command level, he stormed into the Grand Chamber. Nearly shoving guards out of the way, he bellowed to Goraban.

"Patriarch! A word!"

Goraban looked up, surprised. "Yes?"

"Look at this!" he yelled, moving to a vacant panel and jamming a button down.

It was a radar screen of Saprama, Indosyne's second continent. The forests around Port Ali-en-Vasa showed that Renegade Adepts were moving through the woods.

"As I told you half a dozen times, Patriarch, they can't be trusted!"

"I never argued that point, Cando."

"Then what do we do?"

Goraban turned to his chief Intyde, Marzan. "Get me Descantes!"

A few minutes passed.

"Sir," said Marzan, "he's not replying."

"I can see that. Cando, get over there. Now!"

"With pleasure."

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"Afrin!" called Rebomo.

"I see it," he replied.

Afrin looked around his position. From the north, Askinqua. From the east, Mute, and Dalcrian was advance south of them.

As Dalcrian approached, Nimolo and Dilan rushed forward to stem the tide.

"Dilan, need some help?" It was Alquencitil, Dilan's brother and patriarch of Asindir.

Dilan's reply was cut short as an artillery blast landed inches from him. Alquencitil saw this, and rushed forward to help.

"It doesn't look good, does it, Patriarch?"

"No, Akula, it doesn't. It looks as though this may be the end of Indosyne."

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"Patriarch?"

Altoda turned to see Elder Dela move forward. Dela was a mastermind, his tactics taken from Isteanoc himself.

"Yes, Elder?"

"We are ready for battle. Shall I give the signal?"

"No. Our signal comes from below."

Dela looked confused, and Altoda didn't blame him.

"We only await our invitation."