Talent Storm (20 page)

“Did you see where she went,” asked one guard.

“No,” said another. “But the archduke will be furious if we don’t find her.” The four guards ran off.

Under the pier, Thomas and Sara gazed into each other’s eyes. Finally she was alone with him. She’d waited for this moment for weeks. Now that it was here, she felt her heart pound.
Will he kiss me?
She turned away, her nervousness getting the better of her.

“Sara,” Thomas said in his deep voice.

Hesitantly, she turned back. He leaned in, and her eyes went wide. His lips caressed hers, sending a shiver through her body. Her first kiss was even greater than she imagined it would be.

☼☼☼

A year later, the Liberty Palace guards swung open the steel doors of the palace as Duke Thomas Goldwater approached. He strode into the throne room without pausing. The walls were draped with elegant silk tapestries of all colors. Plush rugs covered the marble floor, and vases filled with flowers sat on ledges around the room. Goldwater despised the femininity of the room, but tolerated it. After all, the archduke was Sara’s mother.

He stepped off to the side, waiting to be called on. Another duke kneeled before Archduke Selina Tamar. “Rise Duke Bowman,” said Selina. “What can we help you with today?”

The man stood with his head still lowered. “Archduke, our harvest in Ward Five has been badly damaged by insects.”

A man, wearing gold chains and standing next to the throne, frowned. “Are you going to meet your tax quota?” he asked.

Duke Bowman’s head dropped even lower. “No, Sir. Far from it. We won’t even have enough for the Ward.”

How pathetic
, thought Goldwater.
I’d never beg to
compensate for my failure. But then again, I’d never fail.

The chain wearing man scowled. “How could you let—”

Selina’s hand shot up, and the man clipped his sentence. “Enough. Councilor Garza, see that Ward Five’s food stores are filled from the royal reserve.”

Duke Bowman bowed low, his hair dangling in front of him. “Thank you Archduke Tamar. I’m grateful.”

Goldwater squinted at the man.
He looks like a woman with that long hair. Truly pathetic
.

Councilor Garza pursed his lips and shook his head, his gold chains glinting in the light. “That puts you at unnecessary risk your highness.”

Archduke Tamar eyed her advisor, her face hard. “If my people need food, it’s necessary. I rule for them. Not for me.”

Councilor Garza frowned, but nodded. “Yes Archduke, I’ll see that it’s done.”

Duke Bowman exited the Palace while Councilor Garza stepped aside to speak to some men.

The archduke raised her hand and said, “Thomas, approach.”

In his freshly pressed military uniform and perfectly parted hair, Goldwater strode to the throne, his black and gold cape fluttering behind him. He stopped a few feet before Archduke Selina Tamar, ruler of Liberty and bowed at the waist. He waited for her acknowledgement.

“At ease, Thomas. You don’t need to be so formal with me. You’re practically my son. Now rise.” The gray haired ruler motioned him upward.

Thomas rose, smiling on the way up. His next few words would determine the rest of his life, but he didn’t sweat or shake. He was hard as steel, just as always. He was a Goldwater.

“Thomas, what can I help you with?”

“Archduke Tamar, please—”

“Seriously Thomas, call me Selina,” the archduke said. “How many times do I have to tell you that? You’ve been courting my daughter for over a year now.”

“Apologies, Selina. It’s actually your daughter that I’d like to speak about.”

Selina Tamar’s eyes lit up as she smiled. She leaned forward in her throne.

“Your daughter means the world to me. She’s the only one I want to be with. I’ve come seeking permission for her hand in marriage. Not only is she the love of my life, she has a pretty great family too,” Goldwater said with a wink and a warm smile.

Selina giggled, lowering her eyes like a young girl. When she recovered, she said, “Consider me flattered. Permission granted. My daughter couldn’t find a nicer man. It will be a grand union between the Goldwaters and Tamars, and Liberty will be the benefactor.”

She stood and hugged him, startling Goldwater. It was the most affection the archduke had ever shown him. He hugged her back and smiled. Everything was turning out just like he knew it would.

CHAPTER 9

Present Day

After months of hard training as saboteurs, I stood with my fellow cadets in one of the combat fields outside of the advanced training facilities. Lilly, the other cadets, and I had drilled relentlessly with various melee weapons and in hand-to-hand combat. We honed our skills of infiltration, observation, and destruction to serve the Coalition better. I hoped it was enough when the time came.

Commander Deo strode amongst us, and we all saluted him. He returned the gesture, his face brightened by the sun. “After today you will be fully trained Saboteurs. Your importance to war is unparalleled.”

My stomach twisted and burned. Was he hinting that we were going to war? I hoped not but remembered my uncle’s words, ‘That’s why you’re a fool.’

“Today we’re all here to enjoy our traditional commencement celebration before graduation. It typically begins with a contest between two students. Instead, today I will be competing against a student in a tug-of-war contest. The choice is obvious,” he said, pointing at me.

My eyebrows climbed, and I stepped back, my hands raised in protest. “I don’t know.”

“Yeah, Jaden do it,” said one trainee.

The others joined in and called my name.

Lilly clasped my arm, meeting my eyes. “You can beat him. You’re ready.”

I nodded, my confidence returning. She was right; I was ready. I walked up to the rope and shook his rough, but wrinkled hand. “Ready for this old man.”

He laughed. “I’m ready. Are you?” He dropped a pair of cleats in front of me. “You’ll need these.”

I’d show him how powerful I’d become. I sat and changed into the cleats before standing again. I lifted the rope, my body shimmering green with talent. Deo’s purple glow matched mine in intensity. Standing ready, our eyes met. He nodded.

I could do this. I nodded back, and we pulled. The rope snapped taut, then groaned. My cleats dug into the ground, my muscles straining against his pull. Growling, I tugged, muscles blazing. The rope didn’t budge.

Breathing slowly, he shook his head. His body flared brighter, his strength doubling. My feet skidded forward, perspiration streaming down my body. Grunting, I dug in, and the rope halted. His brow furrowed. I had to prove myself worthy. My hands clamped on the rope. Planting my foot, I pulled, my aura blazing. He gasped as he took a step forward and then another. I poured forth talent, emptying my mind and yanked. When Deo didn’t release the rope, he was ripped into the air. He sailed past me, then rolled into a somersault before popping up.

He shook his head, grinning. “You’re ready.”

☼☼☼

A few days later, I sat alone in my room, thinking of Lilly. Hearing a knock at the door, I leapt up, thinking it might be her. I walked over and opened it. Instead, I was greeted by Commander Deo, who held Peacemaker, his huge, iron mace. I squinted. What did he want? The Instructor’s aged arms glowed as he carried the mace with ease.

I pointed at the mace. “Have you come to get revenge?”

He laughed. “I know when I’m bested.”

Was I really better than him? “Peacemaker must have been devastating in battle if the stories are true,” I said.

“The stories are true. I’ve turned the tides of many battles with this weapon. Now, it’s your turn.” He held out the mace, his arm steady.

I shook my head and help up my hands. “I couldn’t.” Its legend was too much to own up to.

“Just take it. You’ll need it a lot more than I will now.”

I frowned, but he was right. He was retired from active duty and mine was just beginning. I reached out and clasped the rough, checkered handle, feeling like I was stepping into folklore. My talent swirled around the weapon, allowing me to carry its full massive weight. I swung the mace in a few practice arcs and smiled. Although it looked ridiculous because of its size, it felt natural in my hand, like I was born to wield it.

“I'm telling you a bit early, but we’re preparing for an offensive against Liberty Kingdom.”

My stomach sank, immediately erasing any positivity I felt from his gift. “An offensive?” The truce was over. My uncle was right after all, but it wasn’t Goldwater initiating the war... it was us.

“We have reason to believe that they are also planning an assault. We are sending in three teams of saboteurs. The high general is working on the selections now.”

They wouldn’t dare send new graduates... would they? No, I was sure they wouldn’t. I relaxed a little. Most newly graduated saboteurs didn’t see the front lines for years. We’d most likely be held in reserve. When I decided to take my training seriously, it was to protect my loved ones not to lead a frontal assault.

“If you do get selected you’ll do fine. Just remember your training.”

I laughed uncomfortably, until I met his humorless eyes. He was serious. I could be selected. With the renewed possibility, I felt sick. My thoughts flashed to Ben’s death and then to Lilly. All at once, I began to loathe my lack of freedom from military service all over again. I paused a moment to regain my composure. “I look forward to aiding the Coalition anyway that I can,” I lied.

“You and Lilly are to report to the high general’s palace in two days for another briefing.”

“Yes Sir.” He stood and turned before I called out. “Have you heard anything about how the commissioner is going to protect the Coalition? People are really fired up about the attacks.”

He glanced back. “It’s all closed doors, but rumor has it there will be some major changes coming down the line in the next day or so.”

“Thanks Sir,” I said. He nodded and left.

☼☼☼

Rapid City Chronicle:

The recent explosion at the advanced training facilities has rocked the confidence of the populous. It was confirmed that a Liberty spy was responsible for the attack. Since the discovery, angry protestors have marched the streets, shouting for improved security. Sandra Carr, one of the protestors, said, “If we can’t protect our own military, how can we protect the people?”

In response to people’s concerns, Commissioner James has issued a new bold constitutional amendment. The amendment grants the acting high general heightened powers during times of war or during Coalition emergencies. It will allow the high general the power to employ previously banned interrogation methods, try suspects in military rather than civilian courts, and give him greater surveillance rights without the need for warrants.

In a statement, the commissioner said, “The amendment will cut through red tape to keep people safe and locate terrorists.” In a recent poll, eighty percent of people support the new amendment, believing that it will help protect them.

A few extremists oppose the amendment over concerns of government overreach. In response to those allegations, the commissioner said, “Democracy is the will of the majority not the delusions of a few radicals. The majority would gladly temporarily suspend a right, to save their child from a terrorist.” Vice Commissioners Enzo Torres, Julie Bell, and Ava Cook as well as High General Maeron Austin have come out in support for the new amendment.

☼☼☼

The next morning, Lilly and I met at her room before making our way to the high general’s palace. “Can you believe the new amendment?” Lilly asked.

“It seems pretty crazy, but I’m sure the commissioner knows what she’s doing.”

Lilly shook her head, biting her lip. “I don’t know. It seems like a bad idea to give up freedom for security. Where do you draw the line?”

I’d never thought about that. The Coalition would never do anything that wasn’t good for us though. We were a democracy just like America was. “I don’t know.”

She shrugged. “It’s not like there’s much we can do about it anyway.”

When we arrived, I marveled at the huge palace. It was easily ten times the size of my uncle’s house. The only structure larger in all of the Coalition was Tema Hall. Hung on the front was a green banner with a growling bobcat on it, the symbol of Locke’s Coalition. The yard surrounding the palace was beautifully landscaped with an assortment of exotic flowers, and shrubs that were trimmed into animals. No other citizens could afford such a frivolous luxury.

In the well-manicured courtyard stood a fifteen-foot bronze statue of the High General, Maeron Austin. A large plaque under his name read,
Locke’s Coalition: Where Freedom Reigns
. He sure was arrogant. I looked at Lilly with raised eyebrows, hesitant to approach. It was an honor to be invited to the high general’s palace. Few had ever seen the inside. Breathing deeply, I took Lilly’s hand and strode to the front door.

We walked through a row of palace security before reaching the main entrance. Two more uniformed guards, with grim expressions and rifles, stood at the door.

“Identification,” said one of the guards.

After Lilly and I showed him our I.D.s, the guards swung the two doors open to usher us in. We walked down a wide hall, lined with paintings, sculptures, and pottery. I’d never seen so much art. One painting portrayed a bald man holding the sides of his head, with his mouth wide open as if screaming. He stood before an ominous red sky that overlooked water. I walked closer to the painting, Lilly trailing behind me. A plaque underneath it read,
The Scream
by Edvard Munch, 1893
. I shook my head, amazed that something so old still existed after the world’s devastation.

“This isn’t a tour,” a guard said behind me. “Let’s get moving.”

I shook my head, huffing before whispering to Lilly, “Man, you’d think we had a meeting with the high general or something.”