True Sight by Terron James

Author:Terron James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press
Published: 2015-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

21

Ambushed

Although Tarek had claimed he was searching for the assassins, Lon knew where Tarek would be. He found Tarek three miles to the west, in the center of what would become the grand arena of Taeja. Omar had completed specific plans on the arena’s construction before he died, but Lon hadn’t found the time to build it yet. Its construction—a magnificent amphitheater designed in the shape of the King’s Cross—wouldn’t begin until after Lon finished the shelters.

As Lon approached Tarek, the general stood and turned with a drawn sword. His grim face and tense body were streaked with mud. Tarek eyed Lon for a moment, then sheathed his sword and returned to his seat in the mud.

“I realized today that most of our people won’t survive the winter,” Tarek said as Lon rode up and dismounted. “Have you seen their pitiful shelters, Lon? It was my responsibility to bring them here. Their deaths are going to be on my head.”

Lon sat in the mud next to his best friend. “Don’t worry. I have it covered.”

“How so?”

“With a mixture of sand, clay, and grass, like the daubing they use in Pree. It’s a lot stronger than fired bricks and will make perfect dome shelters to get us through the winter.”

Tarek smirked. “You have it covered? Did you say that on purpose?”

“No,” Lon said with a laugh, “but witty, wasn’t it?”

“A regular Omar,” Tarek said, then his smile disappeared. “We’re in trouble, Lon. You realize that, don’t you? Omar was the obvious choice as commander. Who are we to try and fill his shoes?”

“Everyone rules in their own way. Don’t try to replace Omar. Just take your own position and do the best you can.”

“Sometimes I wonder if you’d make a better commander than me, Lon. Experience aside, you’d keep our people safe. Are you entering the tournament?”

Lon shook his head. He had known Tarek long enough to understand what really bothered him. He was apprehensive of becoming the new Rayder commander—worried he would dishonor the position’s legacy. They both knew Tarek would fill the role exponentially better than Lon. “So would you. The Rayders respect you.”

“Perhaps,” Tarek said with a shrug, “but that doesn’t make me the best leader. I couldn’t even protect Omar. Who am I to think I can protect Taeja?”

“Stop focusing on Omar,” Lon argued. “He was a remarkable man, but neither of us can afford to sit in his shadow. Make your own name, Tarek Ascennor. We kept Taeja safe once already and against impossible odds. We’ll do it again if the need arises. You know I’ll always be at your side.” Lon paused to elbow his friend. “You’ll be the one responsible, though, so don’t foul things up.”

Tarek chuckled and tried to smack him, but Lon rolled out of the way. The two men stood and grappled in the mud. Tarek had the dual advantages of size and strength, but Lon was surer on his feet in the slippery terrain. They flung each other to the ground repeatedly until they were both covered in mud.

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