Chapter 13: Another Relic

From atop the damaged tank turret of the great Alara’jal tank, Tahir sat in his warm clothing. The hint of the cold equatorial winds would press against his body, only pushing his hat and short hair around. In his lap was the pregnant Br’ina. She sat close to him, embraced in his arms while she sat around his legs.

Tr’ina sat next to Tahir. She had been busy chewing up food in her mouth. Her baby, still wrapped in the white cloth would be held close to her mouth. When she felt satisfied that the food was soft enough, she would remove a piece and place it into the baby’s mouth before the infant would consume it.

On Tahir’s right was Sr’ina. She sat splayed out and relaxed next to the paleontologist.

Atop the turret, Tahir could see the encampment of numerous vehicles, from the Lifen to a T’rintar assault carrier and a few shuttles and transports of commercial design. The military checkpoint was nothing grandiose, being little more than a waypoint in the equatorial tundras. The We’kal and a few vessels were the tallest structures of the entire scene. Darkness was slowly encroaching on the landscape. Temperatures were beginning to drop as each hour went by. However, there was still a serene beauty to the landscape. There were a few hints of distant hills but little else in the white, faint, snowy landscape.

“Still can’t believe we didn’t go into the tents,” Sr’ina remarked.

“I just felt like we’re seeing an ending to something,” Tahir said with a sigh. “I just ... hate to see this tank go.”

“They will repair it,” Tr’ina said, getting ready to put more food in her mouth.

“True, but ... I felt like I was getting through to We’kal, who he was ... his environment ... all of it.”

The paleontologist lifted his arm. He heard a light beeping sound come from it. He tapped it as a communication channel turned on.

“Doctor Tahir,” Javier’s voice echoed on the channel. “Are you there?”

“Yes,” Tahir replied. “What is it?”

“We have an update for you. You mind coming down from up there?”

“Yeah,” Tahir pushed Br’ina forward as the others were getting ready to stand up.

“Make it quick. We’re going to have company in about 8 minutes.”

“On our way...”

It took a few minutes, but Tahir stepped down from the ladderwell inside the vehicle. Tr’ina and Br’ina were already stepping out of the tank’s open ramp outside and onto the cold, snowy ground. Tahir gripped Sr’ina’s sides, held her in the air, and plopped her onto the deck.

“You’re always so light,” Tahir said to her.

“It’s always good to be light,” Sr’ina replied. “Good for mating when your mate can hold onto you...”

The man noted the busted interior of the vehicle. Railgun shells had done plenty of damage to the hull, leaving sizeable holes bigger than his leg. The lights were dim. The vehicle was set to emergency power operation, but it was unknown how much longer it would remain on. A pair of Yutilian engineers were inside the control room, overlooking the equipment and attempting early repairs.

“Sr’ina,” Tahir questioned her. “Where would you want to go for two months’ vacation?”

“You’re asking me?” she asked.

“Yep.”

“Enjoy it, sister,” Tr’ina added. “You have first choice.”

“Hmmm...,” Sr’ina seemed to think. Her scaly finger was scratching her snout. “Mud Planet Joviy ... Getrea ... yes, the Lio’preta Hills of Getrea.”

“A good place...”

“What is it?” Tahir asked.

“Lio’preta has forests...” Sr’ina said. “Pools, small villages where everyone is naked.”

“Everyone is naked?”

“Yes. Fun place ... we were prostitutes there for two months ... but it’s a good place. Everyone is nice, loves to mate ... you might end up mating with everyone, Tahir.”

“As long as you’re happy with it...” Tahir said to her, calling her bluff.

Sr’ina paused as she thought about it. The baby began to cry as Tr’ina held her close and lightly played with the baby.

“Cebravis,” Sr’ina changed her mind. “Nude beach, alone together.”

“Come on,” Tahir said, practically tapping Sr’ina’s ass to get her moving. The Itrean seemed pleased as they all stepped out of the tank.

Upon reaching the ground, Tahir could see the several tents strewn about. It was a busy scene. People and crew were moving equipment everywhere. The paleontologist noted the main command tent along with a nearby supply tent. Sounds of talking and moving machinery were everywhere.

Among one group of people was a set of military officers dressed in their red and blue jumpsuit uniforms along with winter gear to keep them warm. Stone, dressed in his military marine uniform, and his wife, Ioren, were among them. Tahir recognized Javier and Shira among the group. The XO approached the man to speak with him.

“There you are,” Javier addressed him. “That was a tough battle you were in, Doctor. It looks like you left a mark on the entire campaign. Thanks to all four of you, Lea’pre is interested in talking.”

“I was already informed,” Tahir said. “But, thank you.”

“The updates that I needed to report include our schedule. The Alaron arrived ten minutes ago. A little late than never, but at least they’re here.”

“The Alaron?”

“The only known Alara’jal battleship from Earth.”

“Oh, oh yes,” Tahir said. “I remember now. I think the Alara’jal have been fixing it.”

“The T’rintar have, yes. A small team of Alara’jal was going to check out the tank, but we instructed the shuttle’s occupants to stay up there until we concluded our meeting with Lea’pre. We don’t want to agitate Lea’pre any more than necessary.”

“I understand.”

“We ... wish that you and your mates sit tight and stay clear of the meeting that’s going to take place. We don’t really know what Lea’pre is going to do. If we could, we wouldn’t even have you here at all, but our time is short. If we can establish a peace treaty, though, it’ll be worth it.”

“I’m glad that something good is going to happen,” Tahir remarked.

“What we think so far. Assuming the talks go well, we’re going to be saying goodbye to you, probably for good. We still need to move troops and people around for a while. The Alaron and her engineers will be taking over in getting the tank moved to Earth. Once this finishes up, You have some friends coming down to see you, but I’ll let them surprise you.”

“I’ll celebrate when it’s over.”

Javier extended his arm and shook Tahir’s hand. “It was a pleasure seeing you bring that big vehicle into the fight. I know what you did wasn’t easy. Anything that I say is just an understatement, but I’m glad you’re going to be compensated. Many good civilians have been pouring their efforts into Palora to make sure it was secured. In the end, it made a difference.”

“Cebravis sounds good,” Sr’ina added.

“I know a few good beaches,” Javier added. “Knowing us, our ship is probably going to be given some extended leave time ... maybe you might see us again after all...” The officer nodded to you. “Good journey to you, Doctor, all of you...”

“Same to you and the Lifen crew,” Tahir said. “Allah, watch over you and your fine crew.”

“Thank you, Javier,” Tr’ina told him.

Javier nodded and gave a faint smile before he turned away. Tahir turned and gestured for the three women to enter inside the tank.

When Javier walked back to the main command tent, he could see something in the distance. Three large craft were approaching. It took him several seconds before he reached Shira, Thiago, and Wio’kako.

“Is that her?” Javier asked Thiago.

“Yes,” the admiral remarked.

“Looks like she brought a big force with her.”

“Equal strength to equal ours,” Shira remarked.

“One Hiko Assault Carrier lander,” Wio’kako said, looking at her data. “Two Gim ClickClick escorts...”

“Could she obliterate us here?” Javier asked.

“Yes,” Shira said. “But, she won’t. This is only a show of strength.”

“You really are placing a lot of faith in her goodwill.”

“Under the normal circumstances, no, she would never do this, but these are very unique circumstances ... Regardless, caution is always advised. Let Lea’pre do what she needs to do. Let her perform her acts. Everything is for her and the Council to see.”

“Is she going to let you greet her armed?” he asked her. He gestured to Shira’s holstered sidearm.

“It would be no different than her and her guards. Do not be alarmed in what she does...”

Javier noted that Shira stated her last sentence with simplicity, where pure experience with her former mentor played a key role in how this meeting was to take place. For Javier, the idea of seeing another Shal’rein from the enemy was disturbing but something he was bracing for.

“She isn’t like Delajar,” Shira told Javier, almost sensing the man’s uneasiness.

“I imagine she isn’t,” Javier replied.

“Unlike Delajar, Lea’pre is far more vigorous and undeviating. Respect her strength and power because she has earned that position, much like you have or any of us.”

The sounds of the scene ahead grew louder as Javier and everyone else observed. A large purple assault carrier lander, reminiscent of the Garja, flew in the center formation. Its guns remained silent. On its flanking sides were the medium assault carriers. The Gims, as the man recognized, were equipped heavy gunship transports. They were smaller than the lead Hiko, but only by so much. They almost appeared to be flat aquatic creatures, almost reminiscent of a shark with two large side fin-like wings behind two outward heavy repulsor-like engines. It carried a large bulbous belly underneath it, along with a forward-mounted chin gun of some sort. The amount of firepower these craft projected was alarming. Multiple guns lined its hull, including a set of dual railguns mounted above it.

The wind began to pick up. Everybody remained alert as they could only watch the spectacle close in. The powerful sounds of the engines reverberated throughout the cold landscape. Eventually, they closed in enough that the shadows of the vessels consumed portions of the encampment.

The sky was turning the color of purple as the ship frames were displayed in their raw glory.

Everyone remained at the ready. Thiago and Shira seemed the most composed, watching the Itrean vessels begin their slow landing. The lead central carrier was the first to descend to the ground.

Javier remembered the scenes as before. He recalled seeing the Garja land at the UHN base back on Aphadus. The Shal’rein ships could easily begin the process of firing upon the encampment. However, as each second went by, that became less and less likely of a possibility. Eventually, the escorting carriers also began to land in tandem. Snow was being tossed about as the engine’s hot flames melted the ice underneath it. It took less than 15 seconds before the vessels touched down on the ground.

All remained quiet as Stone, Ioren, Thiago, Shira, Javier, Wio’kako, and a number of soldiers walked forward. They began the long process of moving past the inner edge of the encampment, past most of the tents, and out into the open field. The side doors of the central carrier opened up in tandem. Several Shal’rein soldiers, completely dressed in their wrap armor, walked out, all armed with their respective large rifles. The shark-like women remained in place until a few unarmored Shal’rein walked out.

Lea’pre was among them, but the other two Shal’rein were unknown. One had long purple hair and yellowish skin that stood out when compared to the more classical gray-like skin of the Shal’rein. She appeared to stand close to Lea’pre and walked beside her. The other Shal’rein was bald and scrawny. Her fin-like ears seemed dull, but she had a small fin-like tail that hung from the back of her head and below her shoulders, almost giving her the appearance of having two tails on one body. All of them were respectively well-armed. Lea’pre already had a lit cigar near the left front portion of her snout.

“Do you know the other two besides Lea’pre and her soldiers?” Javier asked Shira.

“I do not know the one on the left,” Shira stated. “What I do know is that she is a Quio, part of the Nak’Ko’Ken subclan. The one next to Lea’pre is her mate. I will let Lea’pre handle the rest of the introductions...”

Thiago looked at the rest of his group before they came to a halt towards the approaching Shal’rein group. The admiral stood and looked at the others.

“Let’s get this over with,” Thiago said to everyone.

Lea’pre walked ahead of everyone. Her stride was that of power and obedience. Only her mate beside her shared any sort of radiance when it came to the Greater Adjunct’s walk. Lea’pre’s frontal half-cloak remained firm even in how she moved. Meanwhile, the rest of the soldiers remained out in the open and spread out some to ensure proper cover and defense of their leader.

A few times, Javier noticed that Lea’pre’s attention was focused on something to his back right. When the XO glanced to his right, he saw that the Shal’rein soldiers and the leadership were actually looking at the Alara’jal tank behind him. However, it wasn’t enough to completely deter the leading woman’s attention on the most important matters at hand. Her demeanor seemed aggressive but composed. Finally, everyone came to a halt as Lea’pre stood 20 feet in front of Thiago. She remained quiet, almost as if she were waiting for Thiago to speak.

“Welcome to the winter wonderland, Lea’pre,” Thiago addressed her. “Although, it seems you’ve tried to make yourself a little too comfortable for anyone’s likes ... I’ll introduce everyone here. My name is Admiral Thiago. This is Lieutenant Javier, Master Sergeant Stone, Centurion Ioren, Lesser Adjunct Wio’kako, and Captain...”

“Shira...,” Lea’pre gave a slight hiss in interrupting him. The anger was said in her piercing gaze alone. She took one big whiff of her cigar, tossed it into the snow, and blew the smoke out from her nostrils.

“The T’rintar, I understand,” Lea’pre said. “But you bring a traitor in front of me ... and you expect this... ‘talk’ to continue?”

“Yes, Lea’pre,” Thiago replied. “Shira is currently a member of my command. She’s under my jurisdiction to be here. I’d expect a Shal’rein of your wisdom to continue our negotiations. I will say that your English is better than it seems.”

“I must know the language of the enemy so we can ... talk.”

“We stand at a fragile ceasefire, Greater Adjunct. Introduce us to the others, ‘break the ice’ as we say here on Palora.”

Lea’pre gruffed and looked to her left. “This is my mate, Lesser Adjunct Fowi’trein. The others are my personal guard. However, I have a question...” She pointed to the muscular human standing not far from Thiago. “Who is that human again?”

Thiago looked to his left. “This is Master Sergeant Stone, Lea’pre.”

She continued pointing at him. “ ... You led the ... weak forces ... defeated my southern army ... Stone, is it true?”

Stone gave a grunt and a firm half-nod to her. His fierce gaze toward Lea’pre seemed to have an effect on the Greater Adjunct. She slowly turned her head to her right, glancing at the unarmored Shal’rein, who almost stood alone.

“I will let my Lesser Adjunct ... introduce herself,” Lea’pre said, continuing to look in her direction. She spoke several words in the Itrean language before the Quio Shal’rein finally spoke.

“My ... name,” the Shal’rein struggled to say in English. “Elehopre ... I ... Lesser Adjunct.”

“Elehopre. You led my southern army. Is that true?”

“ ... Yes...” She made several clicks in her voice.

“You ... retreated from that fight. Is that true?”

“ ... Yes...”

“I see...,”

Javier watched in a quick move as Lea’pre rapidly grabbed and unholstered her revolver, turning her arm hard to the right. She moved so fast that barely anyone had a chance to react as she pointed her gun straight at Elehopre.

BANG! Lea’pre’s gunshot held true. Elehopre took a direct hit into the base of her skull. Javier’s eyes went wide for a moment as Thiago and the rest did their best to remain composed. As Elehopre’s corpse fell to the ground, Lea’pre quickly turned and holstered her revolver.

“Take that ‘Hieo’kenta’len’ to the ship,” Lea’pre ordered a couple of her guards to take the dead Shal’rein back to the ship.

The rest of her guards didn’t move as two of them picked up the body and began returning to the ship. Shira remained indifferent as she watched the Greater Adjunct quietly look back at Thiago.

“You, humans, are ugly creatures,” Lea’pre said. “But, I would prefer Stone leading my army than cowards. I would punish Lesser Adjunct Yat’tata for her failure in the north, but she is already dead...”

“How did she die?” Shira asked.

“With honor ... barrel pointing at her Click Goalrein Click bridge before your Gober’hantra fired...”

Javier gave a light nod before glancing over to Shira. He noticed that Shira briefly looked down with her single eye as she considered it.

“If we are done with this,” Lea’pre remarked. “Let us ... talk now ... I want the traitors, or we stay here, kill you, every Itrean, ... and see if human tastes good...”

“I doubt you would find us that edible, Lea’pre,” Thiago said to her. “Come ... let’s head into the command tent.”

“No...,” Lea’pre denied him. “I’m done talking to you or any disgusting human...” She pointed her gray, scaly hand at Shira. “I want to talk to her ... HER! Alone, she handles the talks ... or we leave...”

Thiago looked at Shira, knowing that the negotiations were at a critical point. Lea’pre was adamant. It was her way, or it ended then and now. Dealing with the struggles of a planetary campaign finally made the admiral nod to the Shal’rein beside her.

“Very well,” Thiago said, lowering his voice to the Lifen captain. “Shira, you better make this good...”

“I agree,” Shira calmly replied. “Greater Adjunct, I have one request. My mate, Javier, will come with me to the tent...”

“ ... Agreed,” Lea’pre said. “Mates follow...”

Lea’pre violently waved her hand forward as she and her guards, including her mate, began to walk forward. Javier nodded to Shira as they both turned and walked alongside Lea’pre toward the command tent.

Upon stepping into the tent, Shira, Lea’pre, Javier, and Fowi’trein saw that a few officers were still inside. They walked in one by one.

“Leave us,” Shira told the officers. It didn’t take long before everyone inside left. Meanwhile, the Shal’rein guards stood some distance away to guard the scene. Javier watched as Shira and Lea’pre walked to the center table. He looked to his left towards Fowi’trein.

From her physique and demeanor, Fowi’trein was quiet and reserved. She was scrawny for a Shal’rein, unlike the more muscular frame of Lea’pre. She didn’t even glance at him.

“You’re an ivon, aren’t you?” he quietly asked her.

Her shark-like eyes momentarily glanced at him before she looked forward. She said nothing else as Lea’pre situated herself, looking down upon Shira almost like a disgruntled mother. Meanwhile, Shira kept her hands behind her back, being calm and collected as usual.

There was a moment when Lea’pre looked at everything with utter disgust. The hint of her razor-sharp teeth could be seen from the glowing overhead lights. Finally, she stood firm and looked at Shira.

“I want them all,” Lea’pre said with several clicks in her voice. “I want every traitor in this system. My deal is simple. I have them. You get your planet back. Prisoners will be returned ... alive.”

“You know what you ask will not happen, Lea’pre,” Shira replied. “You ask for too much.”

“How is it too much?” She waved her hand at her.

“In two prior battles, your forces were defeated or forced into a draw. You have seen firsthand what the combined UHN and T’rintar forces have managed to accomplish, not including the addition of the rebel forces you are fighting. In space, you have also taken significant losses as well, forced into a standstill by the allied defenses. You may have gained ground in the early aspects of this siege, but you are also depleting your resources as well, one that you’ve used significantly in reconquering Kun.”

“I can still try to take this planet ... I have half...”

“But, it wasn’t your primary goal either. Kun is a more significant and applicable reason to impress the other Shal’rein clan worlds. It makes more logical reasoning in the eyes of many. Retaking it would secure your legacy to the Council and the Autarch. However, you overstepped your bounds and overstretched your resources too thin to engage in multiple fronts. When the Helera’kun began to evacuate, your choice was to pursue them into enemy territory. However, you underestimated the resistance placed against your forces.”

“You know what I have in orbit...,” Lea’pre said, bracing her hands against the table. “I will break your forces ... and have the Helera’kun traitors...”

“But, you won’t. How many are left, Greater Adjunct? 79,000? I would hardly declare it worth depleting your resources to pursue these few refugees. Meanwhile, Kun consists of billions...”

“History has always shown,” Javier spoke. “That an attacker fighting on multiple fronts never works. It usually leads to defeat.”

Lea’pre sneered as she stepped away from the table and walked over to Javier. The man remained firm as the towering woman looked over him. Her nostrils flared into his face.

“ ... Javier...,” Lea’pre said, momentarily glancing at Shira. “You were the same prisoner ... Shira captured you...”

“You already know?...,” he replied.

“Of course, I know ... Delajar reported it...” she looked over at Shira. “Then, Shira betray ... you became her mate...”

“What can I say, Greater Adjunct? Shira’s perfect ... I love her...”

“Disgusting creature.” She stepped away and walked toward Shira, looking down at her small protruding stomach while Shira watched her. “You are with child?”

“Yes,” Shira replied. “And before you ask, it is his...”

There was a level of disgust seen in both Fowi’trein and Lea’pre.

“I hear the rumors...,” Lea’pre said. “Humans and T’rintar breed ... mate with each other ... so desperate for males you fuck them...”

“The rumors are true,” Javier explained. “Humans and Itreans can have children together; children who are born are immune to Zilik’s disease.”

Fowi’trein’s level of disgust melted away the moment she heard that. She briefly looked at Javier, seemingly confused, but Lea’pre wanted nothing of it.

“Lies...” The greater adjunct said. “You humans do the same thing the T’rintar like ... lies ... that’s what they always do ... they lie...”

“It’s true,” Javier told her. “The alliance happened because we can have children together. Shira’s pregnancy holds proof...”

“Even if you humans believe this ... you have half breeds ... Golarren. This is a cure? If, IF I believe ... it’s a half-truth ... it is another lie ... Zilik’s Disease is a fact ... it kills. Boys die ... You ally with the enemy who lies to win ... You know that Yutilians were the first to betray ... false treaties. You humans are pets ... They only want your hinks...”

“And those ‘pets,’” Shira countered. “Are much stronger than you anticipated, Greater Adjunct. The UWA/T’rintar alliance has managed to accomplish much in the last year, including regaining a world that the Aksren clan had formerly conquered. Whether you believe it or not, the Helera’kun believe in that hope. Lone humans from Earth overwhelmed the communication outpost in the Hesik Expanse. Correct?”

“ ... Yes,” she replied.

“And from there, those same humans broadcasted the signals for the Helera’kun to see. Kas’ora made the choice to rebel against you because she wanted change. If you continue to fight in this siege, it will ultimately weaken your position. Even if you continue to fight and win, the losses on your side would be so significant that it would be little more than a defeat for your opponents to slander you.”

“And what do you propose!?” Lea’pre threw her hand in the air. “I return home with nothing!? I leave Palora ... refugees escape ... they will still slander...”

“You will have Kas’ora, your prize. With her, you will secure the rebel’s defeat. You have retaken Kun. Kas’ora will ensure that defeat...”

Lea’pre scuffed. “Not good enough,” she said. “The refugees will fight ... they will fight with you ... they will fight for the T’rintar ... become heroes for others to see and create more wars...”

“On the contrary. They are quite broken. You managed to overtake Planet Kun rather quickly ... perhaps the rebellion wasn’t as strong as Kas’ora had hoped. Perhaps your intellect, strategy, and tactics were far superior. Take her back, and let the historians decide on your legacy. You have nothing more to gain here.”

“Jui’loa’freana,” Fowi’trein said as Lea’pre listened to her.

“ ... No...” Lea’pre finally replied, seemingly disagreeing with her mate.

“Ugh...,” Javier sighed.

“This is why talking is useless ... A waste of time...”

“But in the end, you are still here, Greater Adjunct,” Shira calmly remarked. “Everything that I stated earlier, the reason for you to stand down momentarily. There was a reason, correct? You came here to speak with me. I provide fact after fact, reason after reason, to call for an end to this siege. Yet, you are proving to be unreasonable.”

“I ... have my reasons. But I see I made a mistake ... I make the mistake talking to a traitor...”

“Gular’shel would not have been pleased by your actions ... He would find you to be wasteful, even for the sake of putting down a rebellion. Your overzealousness will lead you nowhere. In the end, you are nothing but a fool...”

Lea’pre sneered again. She momentarily huffed before she waved at both her mate and Javier.

“Get out!” she said to them. “I speak to Shira alone! ALONE!”

“ ... Leave us,” Shira asked.

Fowi’trein looked down before she stepped out of the tent. She didn’t seem happy to do so. Javier gave a look of concern to Shira, unaware of what would happen next. He wasn’t going to agitate the scene any further. He stepped out of the tent. By the time the flap closed up, it was just the two Shal’rein to speak to one another.

As soon as Lea’pre felt that they were alone, she walked around the table and slowly approached her. Her height towered over her. The look of anguish on her face and snout was like an open wound that was beginning to fester. Shira remained quiet.

“ ... You dare say that?...,” Lea’pre asked as her anger grew.

“You are far more unhinged than usual, Lea’pre,” Shira replied calmly. “Why is that?”

Lea’pre grabbed Shira’s uniform collar. The look of cold anger was boiling. Shira remained still as Lea’pre unholstered her revolver and pressed the barrel of her gun to the captain’s neck. Shira did nothing to resist, remaining at perfect ease. Lea’pre’s eyes peered into the stoic, emotionless single eye that looked back.

“I knew...,” Lea’pre said with unease. “I knew ... when my armies lose ... there was a reason ... I thought it was the Gober’hantra eating my tanks ... then, something told me ... it was you...”

“Tell me, Lea’pre,” Shira replied. “Was it your goal to kill me when you arrived here?”

“I should...,” Lea’pre commented, pulling the hammer back of her revolver. “Then again, I should ask for you ... to come back. Even trade for the prisoners...”

“And what would that accomplish, Greater Adjunct? You bring me back, and then what? You present to the Council your prize. The daughter of Gular’shel, dead or alive, torture me, make it a slow and painful death. Then, your critics will ask one simple question: ‘Isn’t Shira the one you taught and trained for almost 20 Itrean cycles?’ Before you know it, they will be reminded that who you work with tends to turn on the Shal’rein clan. It would be an empty victory for your campaign to conquer Palora. You will gain nothing but only criticism and a reminder to them of your legacy as a failed mentor.”

“And? ... What if I shoot?...”

“I don’t you believe you would do that, Lea’pre. My death would only be a reminder to you of your failures. You loved Gular’shel too much ... I knew how close you were to him.”

“My failures ... you dare say this?”

“Indeed. The moment you heard my voice, you had to see it for yourself. ‘Is it true? Is Shira alive?’ No typical Shal’rein would say that in the open unless it was deeply personal. In the end, it is only an emotional response...”

“Why would it be my failure? Answer me...”

“Let us answer that question with a question, Lea’pre. Why would your prized apprentice, the daughter of the man you love, ultimately betray you and the Shal’rein clan? There has to be a very obvious reason for that...”

“Because my apprentice wanted to become a mother ... to some human.”

“Think clearly on this, Lea’pre, because if you pull the trigger, you may ultimately regret it later as you wallow in grief when you look into a mirror to find your answer. So I will ask this again. Why did she do it?”