‘betrayal’
No history was taught to the beings who inhabited Tomoeda, Lothar was not interested in allowing them to retain the memories of their ancestors. Few structures still stood that represented bygone eras, but this one had held up well against the progress of time. Despite scorching wind and the threat of avalanche from the high canyon walls around it, the ancient temple stood proudly. Tory examined the carvings above the stone archway and wondered what they meant. It was no language he knew of.
Like all upper-level officers of the army, he was allowed to read, but unlike the others, no one had ever had to teach him. He never remembered learning; he’d always been able to.
"Teach me," she pleaded.
"You’re too young. You can’t do it yet."
"Tory!" She pouted, her green eyes growing bigger and misty.
Trembling slightly, the captain reached out and brushed his fingertips over an arcane symbol.
"You’re such a…"
"- little pest sometimes. Fine, I’ll show you. Watch carefully now, I won’t do it again. This how you write my name. Tor-y Av - "
"Captain!"
A sharp blow on his head knocked him against the stone wall, bringing him back to the present in a burst of pain. Dismayed and disappointed, he blinked to clear his vision and turned to face Blade.
"Yes," he said in a half-squeak, then cleared his throat and tried again. "Yes, Commander." His throat was still sore, but at least his voice had returned. It would be necessary to use it sparingly for the next day or so, until he had completely healed.
"Pay attention!" Blade snapped. "You are resssponsssible for the plasscement of your men inssside. Take care of it, and don’t wassste any time. The ambusssh isss already in progresss."
"Yes sir." Tory bowed his head, and waited for the Reptil to stalk away.
So close…I was so close. It was her, I’m sure of it. She must be younger than I am; I wonder how old we are?
Hopefully he pressed his palm against the carved stone again, but there was nothing. The memory had been swept away with Blade’s interruption, and Tory wondered idly if his master had done so on purpose. It really wouldn’t surprise him if it was so, he realized, as he turned to go through the large doorway.
Wood was scarce on the badlands, and it must have taken several of the stunted trees to construct these massive doors. That they still stood was amazing in and of itself, and Tory was fairly sure that he could see an ethereal presence permeating the material. In fact, now that he looked, the whole temple was shimmering with it. The building was humming with ancient magic, and he was the only one that could see it. Well, perhaps not the only one. Whoever had met Blade that morning had obviously given the orders to come to this location. He might have his reasons for using this mysterious magic.
For what, though? Tory turned in a slow circle, examining the great pillars and flying buttresses. The architecture of this place was amazingly complicated, and stunningly beautiful. The men had been ordered to leave their camp that morning and convene here, to prepare for an ambush. They were on strict instructions not to shoot whomever walked through the doors. But who was coming, and how did they know anyone would find this lonely old temple at all?
Tory knew better than to try and ask any questions, and he was not altogether sure that Blade would have known the answers anyway. But he didn’t like this arrangement. That knot of dread in his stomach only worsened every time he wondered what was going to happen in the temple that day.
*****
The venerable old magic in the temple was perfectly suited to his needs. Nietzsche chuckled as he began to cast his spell. It didn’t matter now that it was midday, it didn’t matter how far away she was. The temple would amplify his power, make it potent, irresistible. She didn’t have a chance, alone again and without her protector hovering nearby. She would be drawn to it, mindlessly, and then it would be easy to ensnare her.
Already he could picture the look of delight on his master’s face, and he smiled again.
Soon, he would have her.
*****
Sakura had just hopped on her glider in preparation for the flight back home when she paused.
What was that? Did I hear something?
Nervously she gripped the knife a little tighter, but the badlands were absolutely silent. It wasn’t something she heard, she realized as it sounded again. It was something she felt. She could feel it like vibrations running through her body, a steady beat that filled her ears and consumed her mind.
Unconsciously, she began to hum along with it, drowning herself in the simple rhythm.
*****
Kero spotted a weedy shrub by the bank of the river and decided that it was high time for a nap. There was no sense in flying about during the hottest part of the day.
He took a gulp of water and lay down on the ground, then frowned.
What’s that annoying noise? There’s nothing around here.
He sat up and looked around, his pink nose twitching with apprehension. He’d been vaguely on edge all day, ever since crawling out of his shelter and continuing on after that strange storm the night before. He kept telling himself that he was doing the right thing, leaving the base, continuing his search for the One.
But now with this strange noise vibrating in his body, his misgiving seized him again. He couldn’t quite define it exactly, but he had a strong urge to return to the Honeycomb. Like he had unfinished business there, after all.
Keroberos wavered. It was silly to return there, after all, he’d tested everyone except the Li boy. Perhaps he really should have tried harder with him, he obviously possessed a lot of magic. But Kero had been lazy, knowing that the odds were so tremendously against the chance. What harm could there be in not testing one boy, out of so many?
Ever since he could remember, his creator had taught him to listen to his instincts. The pulse of his body and mind were attuned to the realms of magic. Clow had lectured him and Yue on this subject many times. Kero did not want to disappoint his maker.
I have to get back there, he finally decided, and rose into the air. I can’t explain why. I just need to go back.
*****
Li felt it too, as he stirred and yawned. He could feel the magic thumping in his body, signaling something powerful, something dangerous. His uneasiness finally developed into worry, and he opened his eyes and sat up. Neither Tomoyo nor Julian were to be seen, and he wondered how long he’d slept.
Sakura. She’s sure to be up by now. Is she wandering around the cavern? I have to find her before she hurts someone.
He shook his head, trying to clear himself of that odd sensation, but it wouldn’t go.
Never mind that. Concentrate on finding Sakura.
His boots had been left on the floor by the pad, and he crawled out of bed to pull them on. He would need to get another shirt, and tried to hold his arm so that his family crest wasn’t so visible.
Upstairs, Julian was keeping one eye on the entrance to Sakura’s cave and flipping through the holo records. He’d been looking all morning, with no success, hardly surprising considering he didn’t really know where to look. It was just a random symbol after all, there was no telling where he’d seen it or heard of it before.
His muscles were getting stiff, and finally he paused to stand up and stretch. How long was Sakura going to sleep? He was sure she must be exhausted, but perhaps she really had gotten sick from all that rain last night. He should check on her.
His hand was on the opening panel when someone called out his name.
"Star! Hey, Julian!"
Benedin was taking the stairs up three at a time, and when he saw his commander he waved him over.
"What is it?"
"I don’t know, and that’s the trouble. The scout just reported that the army’s camp in the oasis has been totally deserted. They just picked up and left, leaving behind tents and supplies and everything. Like they were suddenly in some big hurry."
"Really?"
"Strange, huh? They got some hail damage, of course, but nothing so bad as to chase them off. Where could they have gone, and why?"
"Hmm." Julian’s instincts were tickling his mind again, warning him. Something was odd about the army’s movements. There was no indication that they were moving in on the base, but such a sudden and irrational departure worried him. It bothered him that he couldn’t predict Blade’s actions.
"I think this needs to be checked out."
"I think you’re right. Come on, let’s go." Julian started to nod, then hesitated as he remembered his earlier worries. Sakura’s cave was right behind him, and she was no doubt sleeping in it, safe and secure. There wouldn’t be any harm if he left the base for a little while, it was just a recon mission.
Benedin took a step and looked back impatiently.
"Come on, what are you waiting for? Let’s move, just the two of us. It’ll be quick and simple."
"You’re right. I’m coming." Julian brushed away his unease and followed his friend down one flight of stairs. On a lower level, they were passing another dorm cave when Li emerged, pulling on a fresh black shirt.
"I’m going to be out for a little while," Julian informed him coldly. "Don’t go anywhere. I want to talk with you when I get back."
Li didn’t reply, even to nod, as his commander continued on his way. He had a bad feeling about this magic that he could sense, and he wondered if he ought to warn the scouts as they reached the ground level and went to their gliders. They might run into some trouble out there.
No. They’re capable of taking care of themselves, and Julian doesn’t trust me anyway. The sooner he’s gone, the sooner I can check on Sakura.
*****
Tory gripped his head in his hands and gave up trying to stand, sliding down against the walls until he was on the floor. He was positioned in the far back corner, fortunately, out of sight of the rest of his hidden men. They were waiting, though for what they didn’t know. Everyone else was standing or crouching quietly. Nobody else was bothered by the magic, nobody else could feel it.
But he could. The whole temple was glowing and fading in time to this all-consuming beat. It filled his head, made his blood hum, eliminated conscious thought. Helplessly, he bit his arm in an effort to keep from moaning out loud.
No – no – stop – stop – please – please – can’t – take – it –
Images flashed like detonators in his mind. Her face, then darkness. Holding hands, then darkness. Explosions, darkness. Fires, darkness. Crying, darkness. Shouts, darkness. A child’s scream, darkness. "Quiet," darkness. An impatient hiss, darkness. "Keep," darkness. "away," darkness. "from," darkness. "my," darkness. "s - "
The rhythm stopped, and everything went black. Feeling wrenched, Tory took a shuddering breath of relief and opened his eyes. The spell had stopped, everything was quiet again. The temple was glowing faintly but steadily as it had before. Why had it stopped?
Outside, Sakura brushed her hair out of her face.
"Wow…" she breathed. She’d never seen anything like the structure she stood in front of, though she really wasn’t all that far from home. This must be that ancient temple that she’d heard others speak of. It was far more massive and beautiful than she’d imagined.
She couldn’t even remember flying here, though she supposed she must have. All she could think about was that hypnotic, tantalizing sense that had drawn her here. Was it inside the temple?
The noise was gone, but it thudded in her ears still, coursing through her body. She felt incomplete. She needed to find the source, she had to be with it. She couldn’t think of anything else, not even to worry about danger. Instead she stepped further away from her glider, obsessed with the giant doors. They were not fully closed, but open a crack, inviting her in. The darkness beyond beckoned. What was in there?
Trembling with anticipation, she slipped through the opening and took a few steps forward into the shadows.
*****
"No, no, no," Li frantically repeated as he raced down the stairs. She’d done it again, she’d run out on him, and this time who knew how much of a head start she had.
How could she? How could she run away again when I told her to stay close? Doesn’t that girl ever listen?
He whisked past a surprised Tomoyo and leapt on a glider, zooming toward the exit.
Startled, the sentry in the tunnel drew his blaster.
"Hey, wait! Commander says you’re to stay in the base - "
"No time," Li cut him off curtly, and sped past him. The sentry’s glider and blaster sizzled and smoked at his little muttered spell, rendering the man incapable of following him. The dye was cast now, he’d never be able to explain this. But that didn’t matter. All that mattered was finding Sakura before anything happened like last night’s storm.
Hang on, Sakura, I’m coming. And be careful.
*****
Sakura, run!
It was like a shout in her mind, an abrupt warning of danger that yanked her out of her dreamy state and brought her into full alertness. The heavy doors slammed shut behind her, and all around men were emerging from the shadows.
"Stop right there!" one of them shouted, and she screamed.
Get out, get out, get out!
She didn’t know whether it was her own panic, or someone else in her mind, but she listened to the voice and threw her weight against one of the doors. It didn’t even budge, and the painful impact jarred her. The soldiers were closing in, and she snapped.
She would not be taken prisoner again, she would not allow it. She bolted to the side, and heard a shout of surprise go up from the crowd. It was a huge old temple, and she could see daylight streaming in from above, where there were open windows near the ceiling. Like Julian had escaped with her so many cycles ago, she would find a way out.
A helmeted soldier stood in her path to tackle her, but she launched into a flying side kick and knocked him over before he could even close his arms around her.
Another two moved to intercept, and she bounced off of one to kick another in the head. Adrenaline surged through her as she soared into the air and gripped a thin horizontal arch between pillars.
Yes! I can do this!
She watched her knees fly up in front of her face as she kicked up. She was flying up through the air, climbing up through the structure. She didn’t know why they were all here, waiting for her, but she was determined to escape this trap.
*****
"Did you see that?"
"Hmm?" Julian wasn’t totally focused on his surroundings, his mind still back at the base with Li. "See what?"
"I thought I saw a weird flash or something that way." Benedin fished out his holomap and activated it. "I think it must be further down the river, near where that old ruin is."
Julian shrugged. He hadn’t seen anything, but that was hardly surprising. He shouldn’t let his attention wander like that out here, it was dangerous.
"If you say so. Let’s go check it out. Maybe that’s where they went."
*****
Not very far from the two of them, but lower down, Li coasted through the canyons. His eyes were firmly shut as he poured all of his magical concentration into sensing her trail. It was taking a lot of energy out of his still-recovering body, but it couldn’t be helped. He had to find her. If he could just focus harder…if he could just find her and bring her back to the base, then everything would be all right.
Hang on, Sakura, I’m coming for you. Just don’t get into any trouble.
*****
Sakura let out an involuntary scream as one of them managed to grab her ankle and pulled her roughly back down to the ground level. A strength borne of terror lent force to her kick, and she smashed his face in. There was no time to scramble up the pillar, and she dashed away before the men could close in again. There were just so many.
She was confused as well as terrified. Why were they all here? Why weren’t they shooting? Not one of them had pointed a blaster in her direction.
She broke to the side as another tried to intercept her, slicing from side to side with Li’s knife to prevent anyone from tackling her from the side. She’d never known she could move so fast. This time, she knew just how quickly she was reacting, she could appreciate the edge it gave her. But it meant nothing if she couldn’t escape.
Explode! she thought frantically. Or die! Or something!
But it was no use, no matter how she tried to concentrate, she could not recreate that sensation she’d felt back in the village. It was there, surely it was there, but she could not control it. She couldn’t even open the doors, she could do nothing but run. And she couldn’t see any way out.
Finally one of the outmaneuvered soldiers managed to lasso the fleeing rebel with his chain whip. It wrapped around her ankle, tripping her, and she tumbled with a shriek onto the bare earth.
A shout of triumph went up from the men, and they moved in for the capture. Not really expecting anything, she slashed instinctively at the chain. Much to her surprise, Li’s knife sliced right through the metal, and she was able to pull free. But she’d lost too much time, they were penning her in now with a solid fence of soldiers. One tried to charge her from behind, but she reacted instantly, throwing him over her shoulder and slicing him open from navel to neck as she did so. He screamed in agony as he hit the ground, and the others held back. But she was still trapped, even if no one was ready to attack her individually. Warily she crouched in the shrinking circle as they started to close in.
*****
"No," Li choked in frustration. Helplessly he circled the mesa once, then landed on it. There was no mistake, the sense of her ended here. But there was no sign of her.
Where…
"Where?" he cried out to the blazing heat. "Where did she go? Where is she?"
*****
They’d left their gliders behind, and crawled on their bellies until they reached a good vantage point. Benedin had been right, they were on one of the tall cliffs that surrounded the old temple. A large escarpment created a ridge splitting the surface, lifting one half somewhat above the other. Julian and Benedin peeked over the edge to examine the transports parked below them.
"Just the small one, probably Blade’s," Benedin observed, "and the troop transport. But where is everybody?"
They could only see a couple of soldiers standing guard by Blade’s transport.
Benedin was startled by Julian’s overly loud gasp.
"Shh! What is it?"
"Sorry," his friend apologized softly. "I just remembered something."
Rush raised his eyebrows and shook his head, returning his attention to the men below them.
Julian had indeed remembered something. He wasn’t sure how it came to him, but he’d just made the connection. That strange symbol…with the three marks above it. It was so unusual and distinctive, it had been buried in his mind for cycles. Ever since that time when the leader before him had been talking about the struggle for freedom in other parts of the land. And he had showed him the crest of Lothar’s allies in the eastern lands. The Li family.
And he’s there. Right now, he’s in the base and nobody else knows.
The commander was suddenly consumed with anxiety for his fighters, and he began to wriggle backwards.
"Hey, where are you going?"
"I’ve got to get back, I’ve got to find him."
"Julian, are you mad?" Benedin grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. "We’re watching the enemy here, you can’t just take off."
"But Li - "
"Whatever it is, it can wait. Something funny is going on here, Julian. I’d feel a lot better if you stick around for just a little while. I need your instincts."
Julian gritted his teeth with impatience and nodded. He needed to stay with his partner. Hopefully everything would be all right.
*****
Sakura was almost shivering with fear as she eyed her would-be captors, but she clutched at Li’s knife and warned them away with a glare. She refused to go quietly. They remained at a stand-off for a few clicks as the men shuffled indecisively, then the crowd parted in front of her. Someone was coming through.
"Delightful, delightful," he cooed. "Simply magnificent. That was a stunning display."
He was a withered old being, of some species she’d never heard of. His pale blue skin hung in wrinkles and folds around his face, with sharp yellow teeth showing in his smile. A shock of white hair fell down to his shoulders, resting on a thick black cape.
"But the time for struggle is over. Time is precious."
He waved his hand negligently, and Li’s knife turned to dust in her hands. Dismayed, she watched it run through her fingers and spill onto the ground.
No…he took it away. Li’s knife; it was all I had. It showed me my magic.
She swallowed a sob and channeled her desperation into aggression, covering the distance between them in two long strides. She was raising her fist to strike the frail-looking creature when someone snatched her wrist and twisted her arm behind her back. A laugh went up from the men as she struggled fruitlessly.
"For gods sake," Tory hissed in her ear, "don’t do that! And don’t struggle." Maybe he could get her out of this.
"This is an insignificant young rebel," he said loudly. "She doesn’t even understand your greatness, Elder Mage, she has no appreciation or respect. I have dealt with this one before. Let me take her to my quarters and I will teach her proper behavior."
Sakura flinched as he leaned down and licked the side of her face, drawing another jeer from the soldiers, but she stopped fighting him. He was trying to help her, trying to get her out.
But the blue creature just chuckled.
"Hardly, hardly. She is hardly insignificant." He focused his pale yellow eyes on her and she squirmed uncomfortably. He was drifting closer, fascinated, as though he could hardly believe he stood before her. "Let me see now, let me see. We must be sure, we must be sure."
He raised a hand and she tried to pull out of his reach, but Tory was holding her firmly in place. It was so very like her dream, she realized. He wasn’t going to let her escape, no matter how much he loved her.
Tory ground his teeth as Nietzsche laid a gnarled fingertip on Sakura’s forehead, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. He had no choice but to hold her still. But he was so scared for her. He could feel her rapid heartbeat under his arm, feel her shallow breathing. Nietzsche was tracing his finger down the bridge of her petite nose, holding her face steady as he gripped her chin in the other hand. With an odd sense of detachment, she noticed he only had four fingers on each hand.
"Yes," he murmured, so close to her that his foul breath made her cough. "Yes, I’m sure. It is you. Silly little rebel girl. Do you even know what you are?"
She was silent, trembling, as he released her and produced a tiny pouch from his cloak. Both of them watched as he poured a small amount of sparkling powder into his palm.
"Well. You will soon enough."
Without warning and before she could react, he leaned forward and blew the powder right into her face.
Tory heard her cough and gasp, and then, quite suddenly, she slumped in his arms.
Nietzsche clapped his hands together in delight.
"It is done, all is well. She is ready for the castle." He turned to retrace his steps to the giant front doors, raising a hand to beckon. "Bring her, captain."
Sakura, no!
Tory felt something catch in his not-quite-healed throat as he shifted his position and gathered the sleeping girl in his arms. She was completely knocked out, her face relaxed and calm. Totally unaware of her danger. He’d tried, he’d tried so hard to warn her when she first entered the temple and he had seen her. It was a ridiculous notion, but he could swear she heard his mental shouts. In any case, it hadn’t been enough. She hadn’t been able to escape, and he had watched, helplessly, as his men closed in on her. He could do nothing.
Tory hesitated and gripped her a little tighter. He was suddenly seized with the impulse to run, carry her off in his arms. Looking up, he realized that Blade was watching him over the heads of the crowd, his yellow eyes gleaming in the dusky interior. Hastily he looked back down again, afraid his master might know what he was thinking.
There was no way, no way he could run fast enough to carry her to safety. He had no choice but to follow Nietzsche.
*****
"Hang on." Julian shifted slightly and gripped his blaster tighter. "Something’s going on, they’re starting to move." The two that had been standing guard were suddenly running – running up the slope. In their direction. "Rush, I think they saw us! We’ve got to move."
He started to roll to his feet, but froze at the feel of a blaster barrel against his head.
"I wouldn’t," the older man said coldly. "I wouldn’t try to move at all. They’ve been expecting us, you see."
Casually he plucked Julian’s blaster from his hand, and the young commander heard scuffling sounds as men moved to surround them. At least half a dozen, they must have been watching them the whole time.
"I do see," he said in a carefully controlled voice. "May I ask why?"
Benedin shrugged.
"Getting old, tired of the hassle. Tired of living in a cave and existing on a knife-edge life of violence. Tired of being led by some kid not even twenty-three cycles. The whole stupid rebellion, it doesn’t mean anything. It never did; Lothar’s never going to lose. I want out of the whole mess, and I want out with benefits. That Reptil can be surprisingly persuasive, you know."
Someone pulled Julian to his feet and pulled his hands behind his back, clapping on some binders. He didn’t fight, it would have been futile, and besides, he was too stunned to do anything. Benedin had been his second-in-command, he had always been there, a rock to support them. There was maybe just the tiniest flicker of regret in the older man’s blue eyes as he watched Julian be taken prisoner.
"It’s too bad, Julian. You’re a good kid. But you picked the wrong side of the war. I’m sorry."
"Move," one of the men ordered, and pushed Julian in the direction of the slope. He resisted, giving his friend one last hard look.
"So am I."
*****
Nietzsche’s small transport only had one pilot and one gunner, and was parked behind the temple, out of sight. Though Sakura probably wouldn’t have noticed if it had been out in plain sight, she’d been so immersed in the summons spell.
Now she was helpless again, and Tory quailed at the sight of the opening doorway. There was a small cage in there. They were going to put Sakura in that cage and take her away and do who knows what with her.
Why? he mentally pleaded. Why her? What do you need her for, please don’t take her away from me again!
She felt heavy with responsibility in his arms, and he had to force himself closer.
"In there, captain. She’ll be just fine in there."
No, he shouted, but silently. He knew it was no use. Nietzsche was one of the most powerful sorcerers living, Tory wouldn’t even have a chance if he went for him. He could do nothing but deposit her on the floor and start to back away. Her hand brushed over his as he disengaged, and to his imagination it seemed as though she was trying to hold on, begging him to not leave her like this.
I’m sorry, Sakura. But I can’t. I’m not strong enough, not this time. I can’t save you.
Somehow he managed to turn away and stumble back down the ramp. He’d barely returned to the earth when the ramp lifted up behind him and the transport’s engines were fired.
The rest of the men had already left to glide back up to the tops of the cliffs, but he remained, watching dully as the transport lifted up into the air, then zoomed upward and out of sight.
Just like that, she’s gone again. They took her away, and I have nothing. I couldn’t even save her, I don’t deserve her. But I love her…
"You ssseem disssturbed, captain." He did not look up at the sound of Blade’s voice, not minding how close the Reptil was. He clenched his fists and stared at the ground. "Do you worry for the fate of thisss rebel?"
"She’s just a girl," Tory muttered. "She means nothing to me."
His posture indicated otherwise. Blade leaned close again and let his tongue flicker over the boy’s neck. Tory didn’t flinch, didn’t do anything. Just clenched his fists and tried to control his battling emotions within him. How could he have failed her? How could he not save her?
"Come, boy." Blade gave him a light push toward the two remaining gliders, and Tory managed to alight and follow his master up to the top of the cliffs, where they had left the main transport. He was still sunk into his inner misery, and didn’t notice anything unusual until he’d landed with a thump and taken a few steps forward.
Then he jerked to a halt. Blade was snarling quietly and pacing around another prisoner, one all too familiar to the tortured captain. Tall, thin, with hair almost silver in the dazzling sunlight, he saw Tory staring at him and raised his eyebrows slightly in recognition.
"Thisss isss the rebel I am far more interesssted in," Blade observed, looking his prisoner up and down. Julian twisted his hands behind his back and nerved himself to not look down, but match the Reptil glare for glare. "Thisss one isss their leader."
A rustle of surprise went through the men gathered around. Nobody could believe that the infamous rebel leader was so young looking.
"How?" Tory whispered. Blade snorted and turned to another stranger, an older man that Tory had never seen before.
"Betrayal. A mossst effective weapon against one’sss enemiesss." He drew closer to Benedin, who gulped and took a step back. "A rebel isss never to be trusssted, captain. Remember that. And a rebel who hasss turned, doubly ssso." The hapless turncoat barely had time to register the meaning of the words before Blade struck, tearing open his throat with one swipe of his claws.
Julian flinched as his old compatriot fell to the ground, eyes open and staring, blood spilling out onto the earth.
"And now the other." Blade turned his attention back to Julian, who stiffened and straightened his back. No matter how terrifying the Reptil might be, he would not beg or plead. But Blade did not approach him. Instead he held out a scaly hand and requested a blaster. No one was wearing one, they had been forbidden to during the capture in the temple. Someone scrambled into the transport and emerged with one, placing it delicately in Blade’s outstretched hand.
He did not point it at Julian.
"Captain." Tory barely had time to look up before he caught the blaster neatly in one hand. "Yoursss to kill."
Oh no. First Sakura, now this?
Tory raised his eyes to look the prisoner in the face. That silver halo was still there, clinging to the man’s head. What was it about this one? Why was it so hard to see him as the enemy? He was staring at Tory now, he obviously remembered him from the battle, but was frozen with anticipation.
Avalon, Julian thought, as the captain raised his blaster to point at his head. Who are you? Why did you spare me that night?
He wasn’t going to be so lucky again, he was sure. The captain was aiming right between his eyes, preparing to squeeze the trigger. He could hardly fail to do his duty in front of his commander and an entire troop of men. And yet he was taking an awfully long time about it.
"I am waiting, captain," Blade snapped.
Tory swallowed and realized that his hand was shaking slightly, it was becoming more difficult to aim.
I failed her. I couldn’t save her, and now I’m going to have to kill her leader. There’s no other way out, there’s nothing to be done about it. He has to die. I have to kill him. I have to squeeze.
And still he did not. Julian waited tensely, not even breathing, for the shot that would end his life. He could see the conflict raging in the other man’s dark eyes. What was going on?
I can’t do it, Tory suddenly realized. There is no way I can kill him. Somehow, it has something to do with her. He protects her, and I cannot kill someone that protects her. She needs him. I will not let her down again.
Tory shifted his blaster to the right and fired. He was aiming for Blade, but the Reptil was too quick, and yanked one of the men forward in time to take the hit. The soldier screamed as a burning wound spread across his thigh, and crumpled to the ground.
"Traitor!" Blade cried and drew his sword in preparation for attack. Tory shot one of the men holding the prisoner’s arms before their stunned disbelief subsided and they pushed forward to overtake him. Some scurried inside, where he knew they’d be getting weapons. He shot one more of his men and then dashed back to the gliders on the ground. Leaping on it, he soared upwards and shot twice more before men opened up fire from the doorway of the transport.
There were too many of them, there was no way he could rescue the prisoner. He would have to leave him behind. Tory took on evasive maneuvers, trying to avoid the blaster fire that was blazing out. It couldn’t be helped. But he could help something else. He’d betrayed his master and declared his intentions; he was officially an enemy of Lothar. There was nothing to do now but to find Sakura.
Even with his hands chained behind his back, Julian could fight, and jammed his foot behind the knee of the other man trying to hold him steady. The soldier grunted in pain, and Julian darted away, kicking the blaster out of the hand of someone aiming for the fleeing captain. He was determined to help the man get away, though why it was so important he wasn’t sure. He had the feeling that Avalon was more than just some deserter. He was special.
Tory disappeared over the edge, and men hurried to man their gliders for pursuit. The man Julian had attacked retrieved his blaster and pointed it right at Julian’s head. He cringed, but the blaster shot rang out with no pain. Opening his eyes, he saw that Blade had pushed the blaster to point up at the sky just in time.
"No," he ordered the soldier. "Lothar wantsss thisss one alive."
"But…" Clearly the man was confused, and he looked back at where the captain had disappeared down the cliffs.
"I knew he wouldn’t ssshoot," Blade sneered, gripping Julian’s collar tightly. "I could sssmell his dessception. Idiot boy. When I find him, I will kill him. And I will find him. But firssst," he stared hungrily at Julian and smiled, revealing his sharp teeth. "Firssst I mussst deliver sssomething to my lord."
Chapter10