by Zy J. Rykoa
* * *
All eyes at the head of the Waikorian band focused on Alkon as he approached. Hayden, a man equal to Alkon in stature but with short brown hair, once caretaker of the northern district of Waikor, greeted Alkon with a hearty handshake. Both wore wide grins as they acknowledged one another.
‘My friend,’ said Alkon, ‘it is good to see you.’ He then nodded to the man next to Hayden, who resembled Hayden a little save that he was shorter. ‘I trust negotiations went well?’ he asked the man.
‘As well as a bottle of Lassahn wine!’ replied the man gleefully, picking up a bottle next to him and taking a long drink.
‘Isn’t that the truth!’ agreed Hayden as he picked up his own bottle, took a drink and then offered it to Alkon.
‘Who is this man?’ asked Yahtai, once caretaker of the eastern district and the thinnest of the group. He had pointed features and short blonde hair and always seemed concerned about something.
‘I am General Alkon Zaccarah. Who are you?’ asked Alkon mockingly, as if the question were ridiculous.
‘I am Yahtai. What are you the general of?’
‘Wine!’ said Hayden, handing Alkon another bottle.
‘You wear the uniform of the Alliance,’ said Yahtai.
‘He is the perceptive one,’ explained Hayden to Alkon in an overly audible whisper, his drunkenness becoming overwhelmingly obvious.
‘And this man,’ said Yahtai, pointing to the man next to Hayden. ‘He joined us just before the Alliance attacked. He is a friend of yours?’
‘They are like brothers to me,’ said Hayden, putting an arm around each.
‘They are from the Alliance, then.’
‘Yes,’ said Hayden, waving a bottle in front of Yahtai. ‘They are. How else do you think we were able to send them packing with their tails between their legs! He got them to stand in front of us like stunned rabbits!’ Hayden laughed loudly. ‘It was brilliant!’
‘I knew you were up to something,’ said Yahtai.
‘You knew nothing!’ Hayden retorted, trying to point his finger at Yahtai’s nose unsuccessfully and prodding his cheek instead.
‘We still have a decision to make,’ interrupted Anthon, once caretaker of the western district and a man with short black hair and dark features.
‘Yes,’ said Hayden, finally putting down the wine. ‘We do. General Alkon Zaccarah, if you would be so kind, please inform us of the Alliance movements once more, so that all present may know.’
‘They seek to take Corsec, you would have heard. And they will. They have forces massing on either side of the Quartun Bridge. When the time comes, they will unleash an attack like no other seen. They are weakening in their other strongholds around the world, so this is the most important battle for them. It is an act of desperation. Once the Resistance has fallen at Corsec, they will take absolute control of Phaiross, Cejian and Tiquan, and in time, Aurialis.
‘The ocean between Equadon and Phaiross has allowed the eastern nations to be immune to the Alliance threat, but once they have control of Aurialis, that is where they will head. My people and I will be making a stand there, before we make our own attacks to take back the world and rid it of the Alliance for good.’
‘Who are your people?’ asked Yahtai.
‘The Arintians,’ said Alkon.
‘And that is where we are going!’ said Hayden.
‘I’m not going there. Why would it be any different?’ Yahtai turned to Alkon. ‘Do your people possess a greater army stationed with the Resistance at Corsec?’
‘Not as yet,’ Alkon explained. ‘That is why we bide our time. Within the next five years, we hope to be ready. That is why I am requesting your service now. You will be welcomed allies to us, and we hope to reinstate you at Waikor when the Alliance is driven back.’
‘I am with you!’ said Hayden.
‘As am I,’ said Anthon.
‘That’s four votes,’ said Hayden.
‘I only counted two,’ protested Yahtai.
‘There was mine, Anthon’s and then there was the general’s, which counts as two. That’s four.’
‘He is not part of this council,’ said Yahtai.
‘What difference does it make?’ asked Hayden. ‘We’re going east. That’s the end of it!’
‘If there is confusion,’ added Alkon, ‘it might be wise to allow your people to decide for themselves. I have said all I need to for now. Once I have refuelled, I’m leaving. I will see those of you who choose to come east when you arrive.’ He turned to Hayden and the man next to him. ‘My friends, I must get there as soon as possible. I am months late already.’
‘It was a pleasure,’ said Hayden with a final shake of Alkon’s hand and quick embrace.
Alkon then shook the other man’s hand and bowed to the others before leaving.
‘Well, Yahtai,’ said Hayden. ‘If you are going to be difficult, perhaps we should let the people decide.’
Yahtai considered the offer. ‘If it means you will not attempt to persuade us any further, then I accept.’
‘Very well,’ said Hayden, and he picked up the radio device within his vehicle. ‘People of Waikor, we have a decision to make.’
‘Hold the button in, you clown!’ said Yahtai.
‘What? Oh, yes, said Hayden, realising he had not activated the microphone. ‘People of Waikor, there are two directions we can now take. There is one you should not, and one you should.’
Yahtai tried to interject at the bias, but was pushed away by Hayden.
‘There are those that are going to make a stand with the Resistance at Corsec. This is throwing away your life. Do not choose this one,’ continued Hayden, waving away Yahtai, who insisted as loud as he could that it was not true. ‘Your other option is to come east to the greatest nations on the planet. This is the good one. Choose it. From there, we will join with our brothers and sisters, and we show the Alliance who the most powerful people are!’
Yahtai’s voice soon came over the radio, as he had jumped back to his vehicle and used his own transmitter.
‘There is equal risk in either option. I, with others, will make a stand at Corsec with the Resistance. I do not believe for a second that we should allow the Alliance to take control of Aurialis while we run to Equadon. Those of you who wish to come north, please move to the front. Those who wish to go east, remain behind.’
‘Yes, all three of you going north come forward now so that I may slap some sense into you,’ said Hayden.
‘Enough, Hayden,’ said Yahtai. ‘You know, I almost didn’t believe you could become any more of a child. And now I’ve seen you drink.’
Hayden made a face as he opened and shut his left hand rapidly, as if to mimic Yahtai talking.
‘What of the Daijuar?’ asked Lendon suddenly.
Both Daijuar had remained quiet, sitting in the outer band of the Waikorian council.
‘We are needed in Corsec,’ answered Blair.
‘We will go east after the battle is lost or won,’ said Adonis.
‘I will go with you,’ said Lendon.
‘As will I,’ said Yahtai.
‘I still choose to follow Hayden,’ said Anthon.
‘I will go with Hayden and Anthon,’ said Owen, head of scientific research at Waikor.
‘I will go with the Daijuar,’ said Tony, caretaker of the southern district.
‘Then that is all there is to it,’ said Lendon. ‘Good fortune to us all. Our fate will soon be revealed.’
All in the council agreed, and when all who wished to go on to Corsec had moved to the front, they said their final words to one another before they left. Hayden approached Yahtai last.
‘You are making a mistake,’ he said, ‘but I would be lying if I said I have not enjoyed our bouts. Again, sometime?’
‘I should hope so,’ said Yahtai.
‘The Alliance is not to be underestimated. The Resistance has position and numbers, but they do not have the cunning. At Corsec, you are about to fi
ght in the biggest battle of World War IV to date. The Alliance is on its way. Be careful, old friend.’
Yahtai bowed. ‘You as well,’ he said.
And with a final nod to one another, they went their separate ways.
