TBC: Chapter Twenty-One

The cool night air spread through the Nardan military camp at the northwestern edge of the Lundar Mountains. Laughter and light chatter carried throughout the camp where small groups were gathered around scattered campfires lit in front of numerous black tents.

A dark-skinned Nardan soldier with light blue eyes strolled through the camp. He tugged at the bottom of his maroon and gold military jacket and slowed his pace at one of the smaller campfires. Listening keenly, he tuned into the conversation of the two soldiers gathered around the fire.

"Where did you get that?" One soldier asked the other who had just grabbed a bottle of whiskey from a nearby tent.

He shrugged. "Well, we aren't to travel into Uthar until Mordán arrives with Commander Vorkahl. That won't be for another two to three days, so might as well make the time pass in good spirits." He raised the bottle. "You with me?"

The soldier smiled and nodded.

"That's what I thought." The man scanned the area. "Hey, you there," he called out to the soldier passing by. "You want some of this, too?" He held out the bottle of whiskey and shook it.

"Absolutely," the soldier grinned. He took his seat by the others around the fire. "I'm Jal Whisté, by the way."

The soldier nodded a greeting. "I'm Pason Mard. Our bartender here is Yultin Fost."

Yultin gave Jal a nod. "Good to meet you."

"You as well," replied Jal.

The group made small talk about the plans of Mordán's military for the next several hours as campfires turned to embers and hushed voices turned to snores.

"I don' eve' know why Mo'dán doin' wha' he's doin'?" Pason slurred well into the night. "Kinda stupi' if yeh as' me."

"Hey!" Yultin said defensively. "Don' insult the Sire."

"Yeah, sorry," said Pason.

"I think Pason is right," said Jal in a much clearer tone than the other two. "Mordán should be more careful before he launches attacks on other kingdoms."

Yultin stood. "How are yeh suppose ta figh' proud if yeh are no' fightin' for wha' yeh believe in? Yeh shou' believe in yo kin'dom!"

"Maybe I stand for something else," replied Jal quietly.

Yultin squinted at Jal. "Are yeh a traitor?"

Jal smiled. "Not at all—more like a spy."

Yultin squinted at Jal. "Yeh tellin' the truth?"

"Of course."

Yultin and Pason shared a nod and stood at once. Pason stumbled back several steps as Jal slowly stood. Yultin pulled a long dagger from the side belt of his uniform. Both soldiers lunged drunkenly for Jal at the same time. Their eyes widened in surprise as a blue-white light surrounded Jal, and he suddenly disappeared from sight. Both soldiers stared at the empty space before them for several moments in silence.

Yultin blinked lazily. "Don' tell tha commander," he slurred as he stumbled backward.

Pason rubbed his eyes and opened them wide again as if he was still processing what just happened. He looked at Yultin and nodded.

I'm on my way,Jabari informed Zareb just before he teleported.

Zareb looked up sharply. He stopped pacing in front of the Xita-8 where it lay well hidden in shadow at the western edge of the Lundar Mountains and hurried to the lowered ramp of the ship. Moments later a blue-white light appeared next to the door and disappeared as Jabari stood in its place. He followed Zareb into the ship, and the door lifted shut behind them.

Jabari transformed from the soldier, Jal, into his original appearance as Zareb fired up the ship and guided it into the air.

"I did not sense Akila, Mordán, or the Commander anywhere around," Zareb said. "Did you learn anything of importance?"

"We have two days before he gives orders for them to invade," Jabari replied. "However, the soldiers seem confused about what they are to do, which means that there have been no definite plans relayed to them yet. As our other spies have stated, they were originally supposed to attack Velian directly, but the rumor through the base is that those plans have changed."

"Regardless, we will have to be ready for every possible strategy and employ all the masters to help gather as much information as we can up until that time," Zareb speculated.

"Indeed. With Master Jalena in charge of their training, it won't be long before the new masters are ready."

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