Chapter 15 - Secrets Shared

Issin burst into the Emperor's chambers with a look of concern for his ruler. The look was sincere, as Issin knew that if anything were to happen to Selphrin, Cloak would take command, and Issin hated to even think of that situation. For all the respect he had for the man, he still distrusted, almost hated, him.

Cloak and a doctor were at the bedside tending to Selphrin, who was resting comfortably. "My lord," Issin said, performing a slight bow, "I came as soon as I heard that you were injured, though no one would tell me the circumstances." He made a silent curse to formal speaking. "What has happened in my absence, sire?"

Selphrin straightened himself in the bed and responded, "That is not important now, we'll speak about it later. You must tell me, has the new Omertan government been established?"

"Yes, sir. Your puppet has been placed in power. I must ask why you chose your representative from the Dalta family as they are known traitors."

"Robert Dalta sided with me near the beginning. He knew the winning side, unlike his kin. If he was a traitor, he would have had plenty of chances to act by now, don't you think?"

"I suppose, sire. Please excuse me if my trust of people comes slowly." Issin made a deliberate glance towards Cloak that was ignored by Selphrin. "If you will excuse me, my lord, I will find Damien and learn of the events that have occurred in my absence."

Issin left the room, and Cloak followed along with the doctor, leaving Selphrin to his rest. Now alone, he looked down at his injured leg and touched it. He couldn't hold back his small gasp of pain. It seems only fitting, he said to himself. He loses his arm, and then I...

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The sun filtered down through the trees, creating small patches of light that brightened Zara's face as she slept on. Allendrie admired how peaceful she looked as he kept watch over her. He didn't realize he had been staring at her until Toriban's voice shook him out of his semi-trance. "Paint a picture. It'll last longer." Toriban tossed a canteen with fresh water from a nearby stream into Allendrie's lap.

Allendrie popped it open and took a quick drink, then moved to a tree that provided more shade. Toriban followed and sat down to his left. "There's something we have to talk about, Allendrie. Before Zara wakes up." Allendrie simply nodded. "I had never looked at Issin all those years ago. With my second sight, I mean. But I was able to this time, against Damien."

"Damien is not a ki user. Whatever he uses doesn't leave a spiritual trail. From what I've been taught, that's pretty much impossible."

Allendrie looked confused. "What is it then? Magic?"

"I don't know, "Toriban said, shaking his head lightly, "but whatever it is, it scares me. Another thing that concerns me is the auras of those three. Everyone has an aura in second sight that reflects their soul and conscience." He pointed at Zara's peaceful form on the grass. "For example, Zara's is pure white, showing purity and goodness. Yours is a bit darker, kind of an off-white, with sparks of pink and crimson."

"And yours, Toriban?"

"I've never wanted to know. My hands are green, though I don't know what green means. As I was saying, Selphrin's aura is what I expected, but Damien's was strange. There were no dark colors, no violent sparks, no sign that he is a bad person. But he fought against us with all his strength, even though I'm sure he didn't want to."

"We probably shouldn't think like that, Toriban. It will be hard enough to kill him as it is."

Toriban sighed. There's something worse, though. The man in the black robe. The one that neither of us knew and who's face was hidden. He had no aura at all."

"What does that mean?" Allendrie took another drink.

"It means nothing and it means everything. It means he's a powerful ki master, or it means I was tired and unfocused after fighting all those guards. It means he's non-living, or it means he isn't a natural being. Or it could be any one of a hundred options I haven't thought of yet."

"Wait a minute. You actually killed all of those guards? That's impossible!"

Toriban smiled a faint smile. "Why do you think I was so tired?" The two of them leaned back against the tree and sat in silence for several moments. A bird flew overhead and they both watched it as it soared across the sky.

Allendrie sighed. "That's a lot to worry about."

"Yes, it is."

Letting out a small groan, Allendrie picked himself up off the ground. "The biggest thing we should worry about is where we should go. I'm sure we'll be hunted."

"Maybe Zara will have an idea when she wakes up. All we can do for now is go forward."

They set Zara piggyback style on Toriban's back and set off further into the woods, wondering how their simple assassination attempt had unlocked so much insanity and uncertainty.