I Am The Truth II

Chapter XXXI: Rescue Plan

"What is this?" Borgen demanded, feeling downright horrified.

He watched as heavy-duty trucks passed by, carrying loads of... propane bombs. The cylinders were all stacked together as they passed, rattling with the truck's shake on the bumpy road.

"Looks great, doesn't it?" Maxwell asked.

"But... but you cannot do this!" Borgen exclaimed. "How on Ardonia did you smuggle it in-?"

"All I need is for you to not ask questions, okay?" Maxwell interrupted. "Focus on your own responsibilities and let me handle mine."

"I find it hard to fathom why someone the likes of you joined my side," Borgen muttered.

"And I find it hard to fathom why someone like yourself can't just keep his mouth shut," Maxwell replied. "Now please. Just accept that perhaps I'm a stroke of good fortune and focus."

Borgen watched the man leave. Maxwell's motives were eccentric, to say the least, but the runt wasn't inclined to question him about it. Instead, he continued to monitor the situation at hand.

The Magnorites had begun arming themselves over the past week. And once ballots opened, the process amplified. Maxwell had warned of developments on the border with Cydonia. Scores of soldiers were already posted there, with thousands more set to be deployed in the near future. Luckily for them, the tunnel provided a safe way out for the Magnorites.

The problem was that soldiers from Crown Peak were assembling near Benghorn where the tunnel passed through underneath. If it was discovered, then all of their efforts would fail. Borgen had, by this time, made acquaintances of Sapphire's lot, just enough to know that they would handle its security. But even one slip-up, from anyone and both West K' Arthen and Ataraxia would be in danger.

"The envoys have returned," A fellow runt said suddenly. "Sergeant Hubris Nestoris has agreed to our close cooperation."

"Hubris Nestoris," Borgen repeated to himself, pondering over the name. "I think I have heard this name somewhere before."

"He was a soldier once," The runt said. "Fought alongside Ria Sendaris herself."

"Oh!" Borgen exclaimed. "Well that is quite an assurance."

"Aye," The runt agreed. "Also, Malakai has taken to remaining back in the mountain city."

Borgen's eyes narrowed.

"What exactly is he doing there?"

Hubris arrived just in time to see Malakai and Ross talking in the cell. Upon noticing the Nestoris, the giant promptly stood up and barged out of the cell.

"Why were you here?" Hubris demanded, mildly annoyed.

"Achillean Nestoris wished it so," Came Malakai's grumbling response.

"Do not come back here anymore please."

Hubris waited till he left before entering the cell and sitting down across from Ross.

"You just won't give up, huh?" Ross asked.

Hubris wordlessly tossed a newspaper in front of Ross. The headlines had something to do with a failed raid near the borders of Felden and the demise of a captain from what Ross could immediately make out.

"Well?" Hubris demanded.

"... well what? You keep expecting me to answer your questions each time you come back here, but I never understand what you want."

"You know exactly what I want!" Hubris roared, slamming his fists against the small table between them.

The Nestoris' repeated failures to gain any progress with Ross had increased his frustrations, so much so that he was becoming increasingly irritable. Galleous had returned to Ataraxia by this point, and the Sendaris immediately understood that Hubris was anything but his own self.