The Dragonriders

Chapter 28

To Lead Or Not To Lead

Tara'li

After the battle and after letting the Lamia of my squad fix me up I'm surprised by the leader of the council walking over, in full armor. 'Council member Tara'li. I heard about your battle and I'm here to commend you. Congratulations.'

I hold moms sword up. 'I indeed did it. Mom has been avenged. Though now... I feel empty. This is what I wished for but I don't know what to do now. I cannot send the armies away but I don't have the heart to push on now...'

The leader uses his tail to raise my chin. 'Do not despair. You did what many failed to do. You reached the point where you can finish the war. If you wish, I will step down so you can lead the charge yourself.'

I turn away from him. 'Let me think about it. Right now I'm not in a state of mind to make decisions. I don't even know if I want to push on and have more people lose their lives.'

We are interrupted by Celeste who runs over. 'Tara'li, leader... something is going on. Please follow me...'

She runs away and I don't even have the energy to keep up with her. The leader walks with me until we reach the outskirts of the camp where people are mourning the dead. One body is surrounded not by mourners, but spectators. As I walk over I see it is Tresh'ta. Why are people surrounding her? As I walk over I see her breath. My mouth drops open and though I do draw moms sword once more I cannot get myself to strike down again. 'How... she was dead! I saw it myself...'

Celeste nods. 'We all did. She only now started breathing again. She died yet she is alive...'

I see her eyes open now. However something is not right. Her eyes used to be dark purple, but now they are greenish grey. My mouth drops open. Then she sits up and looks around. When she sees the leader she lowers her head. 'I guess it is time for me to pay for my actions.'

Her voice... this isn't the Tresh'ta I know. Not the harsh voice of the Demon Commander. I close my eyes and put my hand on her shoulder, at which she puts her hand on me. I probe her body with my mind, seeing so much that feels wrong. All across her body black lines have spread out. But the lines, spread like blood vessels, are disintegrating. They seem to fall apart like ash. I follow the black vessels to their origin and discover to my horror where they lead. A second heart, in her stomach, where I stabbed her. Like the black vessels it is falling apart into dust, her body fighting the infectious darkness. I draw my mind out and breath deeply. Now I notice everyone is staring at me, and I doubt it is because I have my wings propped open partially. The leader taps my shoulder. 'Please let go of her.'

I speak softly. 'The evil inside her is dying. Her second heart is turning to dust. The poison and moms blade killed it.'

The shock hits all the people standing around like a boulder. Celeste closes her eyes and checks Tresh'ta as well and then nods. 'She is speaking the truth. Tresh'ta is... healing. The darkness is dying inside of her. The fallen can be healed through death.'

I get up and walk away from Tresh'ta to everyones surprise. I go to the command tent and start working on the table, moving around figures, removing figures where we lost entire units and placing a few dragons down where the Riders joined. I know I only do it because I don't want to face Tresh'ta. Deep inside I can't forgive her for killing mom, even though in essence I did kill her in return for it. However... I cannot kill her again. Especially not now that she has been cured.

I then hear Sha'iva come in. 'I heard what happened. You did it, sister. And she even came back...'

I slam my fist on the table. 'Everyone thinks this is a good thing. Oh great, the mother I never knew has come back to life after I stabbed her through a heart. Now what? Do I have to give her a hug? Tell her I love her? No, Sha'iva. It has just made things even more complicated for me. She is still nothing to me. She still hasn't been there in my life. She killed the one who was like a mother to me. Yes I returned the favor, but I can't forgive her for it. At least I don't think I can.'