Chapter 29 - Part 3

The red sister made her ascent above the Academy Grounds. There was plenty of commotion still coming from the Training pit as people waited in line to heal their minor wounds. Stone lights were floating around directing people to where they were supposed to go. A constant stream of men and woman came in and out of the makeshift tents.

Haiden slowed to a trot as he moved past them, trying not to catch anyone's attention. He spotted Tasgal in thew crowd, he seemed like he was looking for something. Haiden's heart jumped a skip, the image of Tasgal on his knees flashed through his mind. Tears welling up at the corner of his eyes. He quickly blended in the dark shadows as he retreated away.

What do we do now? Haiden asked Screech hoping he would have a solution.

I don't know... Screech answered truthfully.

They will come after me, you heard that man! I'm a target, and I just killed someone. They'll hang me on the canal!" Panic flared within Haiden.

You did the right thing! He was evil! He made those monsters! Screech tried to argue.

It doesn't matter! I took a life...another one. Haiden stopped in his tracks, his legs began to tremble as his stomach churned.

He killed Mara, Haiden. Screech sent with one phrase an arrow straight in Haiden's heart. All sense of doubt vanishing from his mind. It was as if he saw clearly for the first time. The stacked bodies in Master Coner's torture room, Mara, they were all slaves. Like him.

Mara's golden eyes, her dark hair, pale skin were just like Haiden's. The sickening sensation he gets when he sees someone getting beat up, bursting with the need to do anything to end to it, was the same reaction he had all those nights trapped in his own mind, watching his body getting abused time and time again. It all made sense. The only difference is that now, he had control over his own body, he had power to stop it.

I think I know what we do next, Screech. Haiden said with conviction, his legs steadied and his tears stopped. He whipped his eyes with a dirty sleeve, full of determination and rage.

As soon as he began to move a small and delicate hand stopped him by the shoulder.

"Oh, Creators! There you are!" The woman said in a familiar voice. Haiden took a step back and prepared a barrier. "Don't be alarmed dear, it's me, Aliza!"

"Lady... Aliza?" Hande was taken aback, the tone in her voice had changed. The usual aloof personality to a serious one that said every word with intention.

"Who else, dear?" She asked as if he was missing a nugget.

"No, I just- I thought you didn't like the Academy." He answered still in shock.

"No one really does, do they, dear? All a scheme to enforce loyalty to the Empire, nothing more nothing less." Haiden could barely recognize the mindlessly chattering woman he knew. "Now, listen to me very carefully, dear. If you want to live, come with me."

"What!? What do you mean?" Haiden said in shock.

She knows, she'll take us and kill us! Screech shouted and squirmed in his mind.

Relax! She can't do anything. She's not a Wielder.

"We know all about you, Haiden. If you want answers and to avoid getting killed, come with me!"

"Do you know who's after me? Who's responsible for Regor's...death?" His jaw tightened, his teeth hurting from the pressure, as he swallowed his sob.

"I don't know who this Regor fellow is, but I do know who's after you, dear. Now come along, she's waiting." She grabbed his wrist and tried to pull him after her.

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Haiden pulled back his arm. "Who's waiting? And who is after me!? I'm not moving an inch until you tell me anything! Might as well walk into a trap! I don't know if I can trust you, Lady Aliza."

The woman sighed with an irritated grunt. Her whole attitude changed in an instant. "Listen here, brat. You'll find out more when we get there. We need to hurry, now." She tried to add a sweeter note to her last words.

"No! Tell me now!" Haiden stopped his foot like a child.

Just run!

Aliza palmed her face. "I didn't come here to babysit you, kid. It's as simple as that. It's either you stay and you die, or you leave with me and you live. So, what will it be?"

"I - I don't know... why do I have to die if I stay!?" He didn't want to leave. Maree, Camila, Master Rwoy, and even Tasgal, are all here.... Recall...Tasgall will be recalled back. Wherever that back is. Haiden remembered Tasgal's conversation with the old man.

"Because the most important man in the whole Empire is after you, have you not been paying attention around you, not even one bit?" The woman burst at Haiden. She was motioning to her head to imply that Haiden was missing a few. "Are you dumb or just stupid?

"Hey! Fuck you, lady! Do you think I had it easy? PaY aTtention AroUnd yoU?" Haiden mocked her. "You pay attention around you!" He snapped.

"Stop acting like a petulant child!" The woman slapped Haiden across the face. He fell in silence, touching the burning flesh of his face. "Creators... I'm going to say this once, so listen carefully. There are people who want to bring the Empire down. We are those people. We like those people. They fight for the PE-OP-PLE." She slowed down for Haiden as if he was lacking in his mental facilities. Haiden rolled his eyes at the woman and just let her continue. "Understand? Nod if you do, kid! This is a conversation not a monologue." Haiden gave a curt nod. "Good! Powerful man is after you, wants you dead." She motioned with her hands ominously and said with a whisper. "Very dead. Powerful man is rule of Empire. We want Empire down, we take down the powerful man. No powerful man, life for Haiden." Simple as that. I don't understand what's so hard to... well, understand. One plus one is two. Math!" She screamed. "Now, say it with me."

"No powerful man, life for Haiden."They both said in almost perfect tandem.

"Good! So, you're coming or what? I have places to be."

Go with the woman. Screech said mentally. He was now more relaxed and had too listened to what she said.

Not one minute ago you told me she'll kills us.

But now Screech thinks she help. Also you more powerful than woman.

Haiden sighed, he had nowhere else to go. He was a target after all and he would risk Maree and Camila's life if he stayed. He also had killed one of the Masters of the Academy. Everyone will think he is a murderer. "Fine! But I need to get a few things."

"Make it quick, we ain't got all night and don't want to keep her waiting." Aliza sighed. "Well, lead the way, kid."

Haiden marched towards the Wielder dormitories with Lady Aliza behind. He stuck to the shadows making sure that no one would see him. The place was completely vacated.

He stopped in front of his door and with a tight heart he passed through thinking all he would leave behind. He thought he would be more gut wrenched after making the decision to leave the Academy, but deep down he knew this was the right decision. He sent a mental apology to Maree and Camila, hoping by the will of the Creators, somehow, his feelings would reach them and not hate him too much for his sudden decision.

He rushed for a battered wooden trunk at the end of the wardrobe, long forgotten the moment he had set foot in this new life. He opened it carefully, retrieving a golden melted piece of metal and a few dirty and tattered clothes. He quickly channeled Fios into the material of the clothing, the twins releasing and weaving itself back together into a long black chord. He looped it a few times around the metal piece and placed it over his head. He then threw a few spares of clothing into his bag and snatched the book he had stolen from the Headmistress' office.

"I'm ready." His voice trembled with emotions. He had to admit that the excitement of something new brewed in his stomach, but quickly snuffed by everything that he would miss dearly. But his heart ached for something else. Tasgal. He felt so betrayed, so hurt by what he had done. Haiden began to question the integrity of his feelings, and a question range in his mind. Did Tasgal really care for Haiden? Or was it all just pretense, to spy on him, to invade his privacy. Haiden felt dirty. Used. Betrayed and especially heartbroken. With one deep breath he pushed through the wooden door of his room and followed Lady Aliza.

-----

The road was not easy. Haiden's ass was sore from the shoddy dirt road and the wooden wagon didn't help one bit. He had been riding for two days with Aliza and the man he had met back in town. The brought a two mron wagon and rode continuously through the night.

They had a few steps here and there for the mron to rest, but other than that they rode in silence. The couple were not a very talkative one. Haiden tried to pry a few bits of information here and there, trying to get a clue of what he had just gotten himself into, but all he ever got was that "She will explain everything." After the tenth reply in the same manner he had given up and tried to relax and clear his head.

Ever since they had left the Elo'yn Haiden had felt lighter and refreshed. Full of energy from the moment he woke up. It was incredible that such a change happened in his body. He began to believe that this was what he needed. To get away from it. This sensation of restfulness had pushed his dark thoughts to the back of his mind, allowing himself to wallow in comfort, albeit not the physical kind.

"Almost there." Aliza gave a curt nod. The woman had since changed in a leather tunic and leggings, knives strapped along her torso and around legs. Haiden couldn't have ever believed that Lady Aliza who cared more about her dead bird than the people that died would be a revolutioner. At least that's how they described themselves.

Haiden looked around to see small buildings, modest homes made of mud and hay began to pop-up. People began to cheer as they entered the tiny village, the two waving back at them.

"Friends of yours?" Haiden asked Aliza.

"Quite. We released their village from under the tyranny of a Wielder. A small farming village responsible for the grains of his estate." She replied. "They offered their space as a base in return of the favor."

Everyone around them was in brown and gray clothing, dirty and used. It was such a contrast between the people at the Academy dressed in well fitted clothing, always clean, looking new. They all smiled as they passed by them, shouting thank yous and declarations of love. They reached the middle of the village and Haiden jumped to his feet the moment the wagon stopped. The other two followed.

"You all look like you need a good stretch." A woman came out of one of the bigger clay houses and extended her open arms to them.

"Araya!" Aliza called and rushed to hug the woman. "I have brought him."

"Well done, Aliza." She turned her gaze towards Haiden. He couldn't read her. She gave off a warm presence but he could not tell what she was thinking behind her expression.

"And you must be Haiden. Welcome. We are the Revolution."

I don't like her. Screech said in his mind.