The Son of Thunder

Chapter Thirty

 Yadrow was screaming. Guards surrounded him, spears trained on him. Shawna was in the conference room when the guards delivered him to her. She shot out of her chair and grabbed the man by the neck. She was completely vulnerable to an injury.

"What are you doing in Thundonia?"

Yadrow kept his hands up. "I heard that Lightening was ill. I was concerned."

Shawna threw him at the wall. "You've invaded our territory. Under the declaration of war, you have committed an offense punishable by death."

The man shook his head, the few strands of atrous hair swinging back and forth. "The war is over. King Abel is dead. Shela is dead. If their followers aren't dead, they've fled. I have taken charge of the kingdom. Let me right what I can. Please."

"I should behead you now and forget the trial."

"I'm a friend," Yadrow implored.

Rhysya scurried into the conference room, her hand supporting her belly. Eternity was behind her. Two guards were accompanying them.

Rhysya panted, "Yadrow, what are you doing here?"

"We have rumors among the remains of Acidonia that Shela killed your beloved," he replied, coming to his feet. His brow at first appeared to be covered in sweat, but a closer examination showed blood.

"He's not dead, but he's not well."

"Will he recover?" he asked gravely.

"We think so."

He touched his hand to his forehead. "Thank god. The state of the world would be disastrous if he died."

"I don't know about the world," Rhysya said, "but Thundonia and Valley of the Star would have everlasting lesions."

"So would Acidonia and Thundonia. The People of Thunder would never forgive the people who killed their beloved Son."

Rhysya put her hands to Yadrow and examined his injuries. The guards had saved him from death. His bones were so delicate, he was lucky that a rock hadn't taken his life.

"We need to see Yadrow safely home."

Shawna's brow rippled. "We do not let prisoners go." 

Warrior grabbed her arm. 

"Don't tell me you support her?"

Warrior whispered to her, reminded her how sick people were of this war. The Star Children and Thundonians were both restless.

"My people do not hunger for death. They hunger to be treated as equals," Yadrow said, bowing decorously. "They could be persuaded by a kind treaty."

Shawna's cheeks colored. "What do you want?" she muttered through clenched teeth, glaring at the prisoner.

"We want to walk in Thundonia."

"You had that before," she said, folding her arms over her chest.

"No," he said. "We want to walk among your people freely without fear. Your people treat us as if we're diseased."

Eternity said, "You're are diseased."

The Acidonian pursed his lips, and for a split second, his eyes narrowed and showed his fury. Then his smile returned and he opened his arms. "We'll arrange for immunizations. We would only pose a minimal threat then. We know the practice well," he added.

"You nearly killed the Son of Thunder. I'm not eager to forgive."

"I won't sign a treaty with your people," Eternity said.