Seeds of Conviction, page 9
part #2 of Core of Confliction Series
“Very well. Just remember,” Halfar caressed Chardon’s cheek with a taloned finger, “he is the enemy and will do anything for his race, even if it means death.”
I can see it.
Strong wind whipped the ends of Modas’ cloak around his legs as he stood atop the spiked pillar of a building adjacent to the palace. From high above he had a clear view of a chamber located on the opposite side where no one except royalty and their guards were allowed to venture. Larger than any other personal chamber he had seen and for good rea- son.
Four guards stood two on each side of the entrance. Two men of the royal family strode towards them and all parties gave a nod of acknowledgement. Inside the chamber, the two royals went separate ways. Multicolored sheer fabrics were draped all over the place and beneath them sat beds and large cushions. Naked bodies lay on them and some were being violated in ways that made Modas ill.
So, this is what Azromians are really like.
Modas fell backwards and descended to the lower level. As he landed kneeling with one hand on the ground for leverage, he caught a glimpse of a figure nearby. He swung around and extended a leg. His foot was caught in midair with one hand.
“That’s no way to treat your own race,” Talas tsked.
Modas wrenched his foot out of his hand and stood up to his full height. The Lassian warrior, never intimidated, infuriated him. He felt Talas mocked his pride as a Manbeast.
“Why are you hiding in the shadows?” Modas demanded.
“You saw it,” Talas said.
“Yes.” Modas stepped back from him. That Talas knew about this before he did left a bad taste in his mouth. “What are your thoughts?”
“It’s a distraction tactic.”
“How so?”
“It’s designed to keep the royals and soldiers satiated to quell rebellion.”
“It’s disgusting, and barbaric,” Modas spat.
“Indeed,” Talas replied, pushing himself off the wall. “This is how Halfar rules.”
“Anyone who treats their race with such disregard is no ally of mine.”
“Careful. Our races are already intertwined.” Talas walked past him and headed back into the palace.
Modas stood in silence trying to get his head around what he had just seen. After a few minutes of deliberation, he came back to his initial conclusion. Halfar was an enemy who needed to atone for his actions. Chardon may have forgiven the ruler, but not him. This new revelation solidified his feelings towards Azrom.
The dungeon was in direct contrast compared to the rest of the palace and Chardon felt a bit disturbed by it. As a prison it should hold no comfort. Here it bordered on uncivilized. He walked the black stone corridor with care, keeping his cream-colored robe from brushing against anything. In his hand he clutched a small container with a lid by its handle. The contents swished around softly.
At the cell which held Sars and his small group, Chardon turned to stand facing into it. He saw the muscles in the prisoners’ arms shaking from distress and fatigue. Nodding to the guards, the barrier was disabled, and Chardon stepped in. The first thing he did was lower the restraints to let their arms rest. Sars looked up at him warily.
“You know why I am here,” Chardon began. Sars managed a tiny smile. “I am not going to hurt you if you cooperate. Now, why am I here?”
“Information.” Sars laughed.
“Correct. It must have occurred to you that my previous mate did not have your race’s welfare in mind when she brokered the deal.”
“That being so, we would have strong miners and less burden on our own species.”
Chardon sighed. Not only were they lacking in battle skills against Azrom, they were lazy as well? He shook his head in amazement. Looking up he saw the other reptiles eyeing the container he had carried in.
“I take it you’re hungry?”
“And what is the price?” Sars asked.
Chardon smiled.
“No price.”
He set the container between them and stood back. With their restraints lowered, they were able to easily reach it.
The lid came flying off into the air and the bucket was passed around to each prisoner, their hands digging in to pull out a serving. Bloody entrails and miscellaneous parts slid through their fingers as they shoved it into their greedy mouths. Some fell onto the dirty cell floor. That didn’t faze them. They picked them up and continued eating, the sounds wet and crunchy.
Chardon stood looking down on them, lips pursed into a thin line and his eyes wide, fascination mixed with disgust. He forced his fingers not to clench into fists as he watched them. Their diet included other species and Chardon got a glimpse of a horrible death being eaten by a Razznian. At least the creatures butchered for them in the container were killed first.
**~**
Razzna
Reptilian tails swished and collided against each other as the Razznian royal advisors bustled around the throne room in a panic after hearing the news about their fallen battle ship at the hands of the Lassians. The report came quickly and now needed to be carefully relayed to their ruler. Military heads roamed throughout the area waiting to give their best strategies for a counterattack.
The doors were opened, allowing the first set of royal guards to march in followed by Lord Kraznan and the rear guards. He saw his throne room full of agitated creatures and knew something was amiss. When they all stopped what they were doing and froze with dreaded stares aimed at him, he got a better idea of what was wrong. Seeing his high commanders also present sent alarms in his head.
“What is this?” He demanded in an almost chipper tone with a hard edge.
One of his chief advisors managed to regain movement and straightened his hunched over form. Clearing his throat, he slithered towards him, hands clutched tight together. Everyone else watched in silence, waiting for the outcome before moving themselves.
“Yes,” he began. “About the strike against the Lassians.”
“We were able to find them?” Lord Kraznan was impressed.
“Of course, my Lord.” The advisor wrung his hands. “The coordinates were relayed straight from Azrom as Commander Sars had planned.”
“Excellent!” Lord Kraznan waved his guards out of the way and stood in the middle of his throne room, scanning all the faces. “So why is there tension in my hall?”
“Well, the vortex opened to the Lassian’s new planet and our fleet advanced.” The advisor looked around for support and found none so continued. “The first ship was on the threshold of the vortex when it was,” he paused and sought help again, “destroyed.”
Lord Kraznan frowned.
Surely, I didn’t hear that?
He looked around the room as well and saw stunned expressions along with fear. He would not have any of that. Turning to the clearly frightened advisor his gaze bore into him.
“What do you mean, destroyed? By what?”
“Some kind of long range firing weapon. It tore the ship apart in one shot.” The advisor lowered his stare. “We lost many, but half of the crew was salvaged.” The silence deepened.
“Why are you all shivering in your skins?” Lord Kraznan yelled in a booming voice they had not heard in decades. His anger was palpable. Not so much at having lost soldiers in what was to be a sneak attack, but the actions of his royal council in the face of uncertainty. “This is not our first battle and it will not be our last!”
“My apologies.” The advisor bowed, shivering from the shock of his voice.
All the other members snapped out of their stupor, regaining some form of dignity. Lord Kraznan hissed, his forked tongue vibrating from the act as it slipped out of his mouth. He did not expect this kind of news after a long relaxing mud bath. Sitting down on his throne he arranged his robes to flow on the sides then waved a hand at his military advisors. The six lead commanders stepped up to form a straight line in front of him.
“I believe we have underestimated the Lassians, My Lord,” his first commander stated.
“So it seems.”
“This was a surprise attack but after reading the report and analyzing the data, it is clear that the Lassians were not warned of our presence from anyone on Azrom.”
“Then how did they know to shoot at the first sign of our ships?”
“I can answer that, My Lord,” the third commander replied. “We were waiting for a Lassian on Azrom to contact their planet after finding out about our infiltration. That did not occur. Instead, the signal was initiated ‘from’ the Lassian’s planet.”
“In short,” the first followed, “we were lured by the Lassians.”
Lord Kraznan’s lidless eyes opened as wide as possible and he was disturbed yet intrigued simultaneously. That the Lassians were so devious by nature never occurred to him. He leaned his large head on the hand he raised as his elbow rested on the throne.
“From the short relay the communications team sent it appears the Azromians along with the Lassian leader were just as surprised when the gate was activated,” the sixth commander added.
“How curious,” Lord Kraznan said lifting his head up.
“My conclusion is that there is a separate faction within the Lassian race that does not abide by Chardon’s rules,” his first stated.
“That weapon is a problem,” the fourth interjected. Lord Kraznan tilted his head. “It can travel through a vortex and accurately pinpoint a target.”
“I know of only one race with that kind of technology and a scientist callous enough to lure us in that manner.” Lord Kraznan smiled with his knowledge. “That Lassian whore’s companion, Ganna.”
He could never forget how Sestis had sent a message to him apologizing for the slain soldier he had accompany her to a meeting in the nearest system. It was soon found out that the soldier had been sent to Lassa for Ganna to dissect as research. The sole purpose was to seek some weakness in the Razznian race. Unfulfilled rage boiled within him for a moment until he came back to the current issue at hand.
“So, we must wait for a better opportunity to strike,” he concluded.
“Maybe we can lure them by going with the secondary plan involving Earth?” Number two asked. The fifth commander looked over and nodded in agreement at the suggestion.
“How is the fare?” The second inquired. “If we must go into battle it would be nice to have a supply for replenishment.
“According to Sars, humans are quite tasty and full of nutrients. He put a few of the ones dying on the battlefield out of their misery.”
“There is no way Chardon will let us get to Earth and start a feast,” number four shook his head. “That plan is flawed.”
“But,” his first commander starts, “that is what we want him and Halfar to think. All we have to do is send small teams of twenty or so soldiers through the pathway we created and let them track it.”
“From there, we can get to the Lassian planet directly when their reinforcements arrive,” the sixth commander hissed.
Lord Kraznan liked the idea but was still a bit skeptical. Something about Earth made his stomach hurt. Good eating or not, it was a planet far behind their technology and really not worth the effort. He couldn’t figure out why the Lassian leader was so compelled to protect such a species.
“What about our fleets lying in wait on the outer rim of Azrom’s solar system?” Number three asked number six. “Should we move in?”
Before number six answered, Lord Kraznan raised a thick taloned finger to speak. He had also been thinking about this and decided on a new strategy.
“Leave them there on standby. It’s too obvious that we would attack so close to this gate incident. Let’s play with them a bit and see how Sars’ team does wreaking havoc on Azrom.”
His councilmen exchanged glances and finally number five spoke up.
“But there has been no communication since then. They all may have been captured by now.”
“Of course, they have,” Lord Kraznan replied sweetly. “That was also built into the plan.”
**~**
Azrom
“The Razznian fleet has not moved, General,” a lower officer reported.
General Kur was leaning over the digital display that mapped their solar system. He stood uncloaked in a full body tunic, his forest green hair cascading down one shoulder. A look of disdain covered his face and it intensified as he heard the update. Spreading his arms wide on the ledge, he pushed himself up straight. A swirled glint of white light flashed in his eyes and the lower soldier physically flinched from his stare.
The entry doors slid open and Talas entered the room to see the interaction between the two Azromians. He almost smiled but stopped midway and advanced towards Kur. Standing side by side, there was very little contrast. They were similar in stature, Kur the taller, with equal length of hair. Their bodies were made purely of lean muscle and both carried longswords at their hip.
Talas set one hand on the console’s ledge and leaned on it a bit. “I see from your expression that you have come up with the same conclusion I have.”
Kur snapped his head towards him, visibly angry. “They’re toying with us,” he hissed.
“Yes. Something unprecedented must have happened after the gate opened from New Lassa’s side.”
“Otherwise, that would have been the signal to advance.” Kur finished for him.
He stepped away from the console and let it blink off while he stared into nothing deep in thought. Talas waited patiently for the General to say something. Instead, Kur just turned to him and locked eyes. There was an unspoken decision flowing between them.
After what seemed like an eternity, the two averted their gaze and Talas went to the door to leave the battle chamber. At the entrance, he turned and asked, “By the way, why the battle suit and no royal cloak and what not?”
Kur’s lips curved upward. “I wouldn’t want your kind to think I’m not serious during the training battles.”
“Oh?” Talas raised an eyebrow. “We never thought that at all.” With that, Talas left.
Strolling down the corridor leading to Chardon’s quarters, Talas caught a glimpse of the Azrom sky. At midday the sun’s brightness was at full force. He shaded his eyes with one hand and squinted. Before long, he arrived at the doorless entry of Chardon’s temporary chamber. His eyes had to adjust to the artificial light inside.
“What brings you here unannounced?” Chardon asked without looking up from the vanity next to the bed.
“It’s midday, surely Halfar can contain his urges and wait for sunset.”
Chardon finally turned a disapproving face his way, which made him laugh. Even in female form, the Lassian leader did not intimidate him much. Talas strode in and flopped down on the foot of the bed.
“What do you want Talas?” Chardon sounded irritated.
“I need you to allow a team to investigate the gate incident.”
“You want me to open the gate to New Lassa?”
“Correct.”
“That’s very irresponsible of you. I’m disappointed.”
“They already have the coordinates, Chardon. Let’s not be naïve,” Talas said mustering the strength to not snap at his leader. This was one of the reasons many were willing to betray Chardon in the first place.
“What did you say to me?” Chardon’s anger flared along with blue light from her hands.
Talas’ narrowed his eyes and he propped up on his hands. He hated when Chardon became indignant and unwilling to listen. His body flattened further into the bed ready to spring off and dodged whatever Chardon threw at him.
“The Razznians are not attacking, Chardon!” That startled her. “Do you want to know why?” He yelled at her. Chardon stared wild eyed at him. “Because something happened on New Lassa that was not part of their plans!”
Chardon’s hands dimmed, and the blue light disappeared. She backed away at his outburst and hit the vanity with the side of her hip, making her wince in pain on impact. Talas repositioned his body back upwards and glared at her.
“You can’t treat me like some Lassian dog! I am the leader of our race!” Chardon yelled back.
“Then act like it!”
Chardon stood there for a while in a state of confusion and indecision. Talas was annoyed but waited for his leader’s reply. She eventually let out a heavy sigh.
“Fine. Take a team and go. But come back and report to me,” she warned.
“Of course,” Talas replied as he slid off the bed and walked to the entryway. “I’ll take Kelin and two manbeasts with me.”
Chardon waved him away, traces of anger still present on her face.
He smirked and made his way down the outer corridor.
His fists clenched and unclenched while he walked. Memories of the council meeting on Lassa where Chardon decided to humiliate him in front of other planet dignitaries flooded through his mind. He shook his head to clear away the creeping rage he had felt then trying to return. In his state, he did not realize he had reached the chamber he shared with Kelin.
With two hands, Kelin grabbed hold of him, forcing him to stop walking. They were standing at the foot of the bed and looking up, Talas saw a worried look on his lover’s face. Embarrassed, he leaned his head forward and rested it on Kelin’s shoulder.
“What is going on?” Kelin asked stroking Talas’ lower back.
“Our leader brings out the worst in me sometimes.”
“Chardon has always been a spoiled brat,” Kelin chuckled. “What more do you want from him?”
“Leadership,” Talas snapped and raised his head.
“Oh,” Kelin stepped back a bit. “That’s a tall order, don’t you think?”
“We have to go.” Talas turned away from him and sat in the only chair in the room.
“Where?”
“Home.”
Kelin was silent for a moment then nodded. “Your theory.”
“General Kur agrees.”
“Just us?”
“We’re going to take two manbeasts.”
