Renegade Reborn (51 page)

Just before Rolce lost consciousness, he had time to see the once dark room, turn bright as a summer afternoon, no longer filled with terror, but with hope. It was a beautiful scene, of history, of grudges past, of tragedy, come full circle as the Flarian’s forgave the Soarian’s not with words, but with action.

If only Oak County could see what I was seeing now. If only they could witness the true heart of the Flarians. They have now shown the Soarian people, what I could only have dreamed of . . .
Rolce thought right before darkness took him.

“How long was I asleep?” Rolce asked, sitting up with a blanket wrapped around him, a mug of coffee in his hands, and covered in white bandages in Doug McCarley’s office.

“Only a few hours, which is surprising,” Doug said.

“My Sybil blood allows for fast healing. Didn’t used too, but it does now.” Rolce said. “So what happened in there?”

Douglas was about to speak, when the door was thrust open, and Phil’s head poked in.

“She’s here, Dah,” Phil said.

“Who let you escort her here?” Doug asked, Phil gave a wink and ushered in Lady Seveara on her own, without bodyguards or escort. As she walked in, she had to duck under the terrace.

“Douglas McCarley,” Lady Seveara said.

“Lady Severea,” Doug said.

“May I?” Seveara asked, motioning to a chair. Douglas nodded, as he pulled out the chair for her, and she sat down.

“Beat it,” Doug said, looking at Phil. Phil, leaning against the wall, put on a hurt look, mumbled something to himself then did as he was told.

“I . . .” Lady Seveara started. “ . . . I don’t know what to say,”

“There’s nothing to say. Your city was in peril, we went to your aide, that’s all there is to it,” Douglas said.

“But, we, back then . . .” Seveara started.

“They call it history, my dear, because that’s exactly what it is. In the past. This world is too small and too full of dangers to hold onto petty grudges. Anything else?” Doug asked, hands folded upon his desk, sitting up straight. Seveara put on a confused look.

“I’m just, so, so moved by your . . . the way you all rushed in, no questions asked.” Seveara then paused, and smiled beneath her mask. “Thank you, thank you so much,” She then extended a hand across the desk. Douglas grasped it, and with much effort on his part, he met the strength of it.

“From this day forward, my people will join you in the fight against Drakearon, and not just because of the enemy of my enemy is my friend nonsense. No, we are forever in your debt. History has not been kind to your people and we are partially to blame. That being said, I will be sure that your present, and future, will be magnificent!” Seveara said, pausing again. “I do have, one question though.”

“Yes?” Douglas asked, as they released their handshake.

“You were on the outside. When my city, fell, all power left it except for emergency battery lighting. The city, it should be smashed, beyond repair, and we should all be dead, but somehow, something, something . . .” Seveara started.

“Caught you?” Douglas asked.

“Then it’s true!” Seveara said, staring at him, her eyes wide. Douglas smiled.

“I myself, saw nothing, but a few of my guards on the walls reported seeing a blue white, flashing fire, soar up into the air, match the speed of the falling city, then, somehow, caught it, and lowered it safely to the ground before flying away toward the border of Naforia,” Douglas said. It was then, the doorway burst open, so hard, two of the hinges snapped and the door toppled to the ground.

“It was him! It was . . . oh, sorry ‘bout the door again, but, oh, by all the Deity’s whiskers, it was HIM! I knows it! It was Vadid the Valiant! The Man-Phoenix! Come rightly returned!” Phil said, barreling into the room.

“Get your ass back outside!” Douglas said, rising from his chair and pointing to the doorway. Phil, like a scolded puppy, moped back outside.

“No disrespect to your men, but, surely they were . . .” Seveara started, looking up and down at Phil walking away. “ . . . Inebriated? Or something? Vadid the Valiant? Back upon Thera? Even if this is true, does the Man-Phoenix truly have the power, the strength, to support an entire city on his shoulders? That’s, that can’t be possible!”

“And yet, here you and Rolce sit before me, alive and well, and, who else has the power, besides Drakearon, to bring the moon, and stars back?” Douglas asked.

“What did you just say?” Rolce asked. Douglas smiled.

“You’ll see for yourself soon enough, but that doesn’t matter at the moment.” Douglas said.

“Doesn’t matter?! You mean to tell me that a blue white fire appearing and the moon and stars coming back doesn’t matter?! Douglas, that’s, that’s . . .” Rolce stammered.

“Unfortunately, we have a much bigger crisis on our hands now. The attack on your city, Seveara, I don’t know if it was just a diversion from Drakearon, or a coincidence to keep you and my people from interfering with his real plans, but right now, my scouts have reported that an army wearing black, has arrived in front of the gates of Oak County, but, strangely enough, they’re just standing there,” Douglas said.

“A Black Army? Just, standing there? Why?” Rolce asked.

“Because, according to the reports, they aren’t the only ones. An army in green, has arrived as well . . .” Douglas said.

“The Strifes? But, Ranto, he’s with Drakearon . . . and yet, he’s also leading the Strifes?” Rolce asked.

“According to my scouts, The Green Army and the Black Army arrived, simultaneously . . .” Douglas said.

“Then, somehow, the Strifes have joined with Drakearon and Ranto is leading them?” Rolce asked.

“It seems that way, but we do not know for sure if this Black Army is even Drakearon’s. There were no reports of Drakelings or Drakeknights or other monstrosities. Only men. That’s not Drakearon’s style, which makes this next part, believable, but, seem crazy . . . apparently, there’s been a cease fire called, not between them and Oak County, but between the Green and Black Armies outside.” Douglas started.

“We know Ranto’s with Drakearon, and we also know Ranto has killed Lamik. Did Ranto somehow convince the Strifes to join with Drakearon? Or, did Ranto defect from Drakearon, and, claim leadership of the Strifes? I can’t see the Strife’s willingly joining with Drakearon, but, at the same time, I can’t see why Ranto would lead the Strifes against Oak County . . . this makes no sense!” Rolce said.

“It would make sense that Drakearon attacked the Soarian city as a diversion to keep us busy so he could take Oak County, but we can’t be sure it’s even his army out there. This could be something new, an isolated incident.” Douglas said. “But what is clear, is that a cease attack has been called between the Black and Green army outside. Now why would they do that? What I think, is that they are stuck in a fatal three way. Should the Green and Black armies fight each other outside the gates, then Ricard’s men would swoop in and pick off the winner.” Douglas said.

“Then it seems the Strife’s did come to attack Oak County, but, this Black army . . . like you said, Drakearon always uses Drakelings and Drakeknights. If they are just men . . . then we can assume it’s another army, and if that’s true, then all three armies, they’re at a stalemate, unless,” Rolce started, rubbing the cleft in his chin.

“What’s that brain of yours thinking, Rolce? Let’s hear it,” Seveara asked.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Rolce asked, looking up at her, and amazingly enough, Lady Seveara blushed. Rolce hid his smile, and continued.

“What I’m thinking is that there’s just too much we do not know here. We can only guess and assume at who they are, and what their motives are, and guessing and assuming is a good way to get everyone killed.” Rolce said, as he got up, and paced around the room.

“Regardless, we are with you. Any warrior I can spare is yours. Oak County cannot be allowed to fall.” Seveara said.

“Goes without saying for the Flarian’s.” Doug said.

“That’s my biggest problem right now. If we send in the Flarian and Soarian armies, it could open up a world war. One bad spark and all of this could go straight to hell. It could be a trap. If this isn’t Drakearon’s army, he will no doubt be waiting in the wings, ready to swoop in with all he’s got and we all know he hasn’t been idle these past few years.“ Rolce said, continuing his pacing, until he halted, and took in a deep breath. “Ok, I’m overcomplicating this. Right now, what we do know, is Oak County is in trouble, and what we don’t know, can get us killed, as well as them kill. Before we act, we will need answers. So, this is what I propose, and what I believe, to be our safest option . . .” Rolce started.

“Are you implying that we sit here and do nothing?” Douglas asked.

“No. You won’t be standing idly by. You will get your warriors ready for my signal, should we require it.” Rolce said.

“We?” Seveara asked.

“What I propose, is that myself, and the rest of my Renegade friends fly into Oak County from above, land inside, meet with Ricard, and find out what’s going on. We Renegades are few, and can hold a neutral ground, I hope, and once I can scout out the area personally, and get the answers we need, I will use a Mind-Link to communicate with the two of you. Are we agreed?”

“Your thoughts?” Douglas asked, turning to Seveara, who looked at Rolce, her face solemn.

“Based on what I just saw in our arena, I absolutely trust this young man,” Seveara said. Douglas smacked the table.

“As do I. We will do this your way, Rolce, but might I make a suggestion?” Douglas asked.

“Of course,” Rolce said.

“Once our armies are organized, we need to reposition them. We can’t just charge from here and hope to make it in time. I propose we go guerilla tactics, get them in hiding within the forests bordering around Oak County, in secret, close enough to rush in, but far enough away to not be noticed,” Douglas said.

“As long as no one starts a fire or lights up their Elekai weapons, I think that’s a good idea. However, remember, should someone within their ranks notice even one of you, the gig is up. Extreme caution must be implemented. Stay as far back as possible,” Rolce said.

Douglas nodded his head, and rose from his seat, as well as Seveara.

“Well, then, Douglas McCarley, I think we have armies to arrange,” Lady Seveara said, rising up, and once again, she extended out a hand that Douglas wasn’t looking forward to shaking, but did anyway, as his callused, weathered hand felt like a child’s in the giant woman’s grasp.

“What do you feed those things?” Douglas asked, looking down at Seveara’s enormous hands, as he rubbed his sore, squished hand behind his back.

“These?” Seveara asked, raising up her hands, smiling. “Mayhap men like you.” Seveara said, giving him a wink, before she turned to Rolce and placed her hand upon his cheek, a hand too soft to be so strong.

“She must be a lucky girl,” Seveara said, staring at Rolce, as if he were a distant island she could not reach.

“Excuse me?” Rolce asked.

“The girl you love. It’s in your eyes, but know this. Should she ever do you wrong, well, she may have to answer to me . . .” Seveara said, as she playfully slapped the side of Rolce’s face. “Do be careful out there.”

“Always,” Rolce said, smiling. Seveara smiled back and glided out of the room. Douglas, his arms folded, stared at Rolce, who bit at the inside of his cheek, and found the ceiling interesting.

“There something you aren’t telling me?” Douglas asked.

Rolce gave a sheepish grin, then a salute, and walked out of the room, to see Phil down the hall, on his backside, rubbing a growing, red hand print that enveloped the whole right side of his face.

“Aye, I knew it! She’s a south paw, Rolce! What a woman!” Phil said, wearing an impish smile. Rolce put his hands on his hips and shook his head, before he dropped down to one knee so they could be eye level.

“Phil, I got to ask you something, be honest with me now,” Rolce said.

“Name it, Rolcey boy,” Phil said.

“That blue white fire you saw, the one that caught the city, are you sure you saw what you saw?” Rolce asked.

“Rolcey, I didn’t just see it, I felt it, in here,” Phil said, placing a hand over his chest.

“I believe you,” Rolce said.

“Well, damn my ears, but that’n be a new one for ol’ Philly,” Phil said. “But, why? Why did ol’ Vadid fly off like dat? Don’t make much sense to me!”

“Oh, I think it makes perfect sense. Get ready, old friend, we may need you out on those front lines,” Rolce said, giving Phil’s shoulder a pat, as he walked down the long hallway.

“Oy! What aren’t you tellin’ me der, sonny Jim?” Phil asked. Rolce just gave a wave over his shoulder, and rubbed his hands together. He was a bit battered still, maybe sixty percent or so, but it would have to do. Once outside, he looked up, and found his breath leaving him at the site of the returned moon and stars. Tears, glistening tears from the moonlight, fell down his cheeks.

Ok, Renegades . . . here we go . . . IAM, be with me.
Rolce thought.
And especially, be with
HIM.

Chapter Twenty Five: Order or Chaos