Before the Battle

Family Name 16/17

The Resistance soldiers entered the village and a large group, led by Captain Marat, advanced on our house from the north-west.

The noose tightened around us.

We couldn't see much from the porch through the high stone wall, but we could hear sounds unusual for an otherwise peaceful and quiet village; voices and shouts from a large number of people, footsteps and car engines.

It was time to welcome our guests.

"Think it over again, Taira," Shira urged me as we walked to the gate. "This is your last chance to get away. Once you show yourself to them, there'll be no turning back."

"I know, but there's no other way."

My stomach was tight with nerves, my mouth was dry and my heart was beating faster with every step. But knowing that Shira was walking by my side gave me the strength and courage to keep going and face whatever was out there.

But at the same time, I needed to know that he wouldn't do anything unpredictable. He had a mind of his own, acting on instinct rather than orders, but the stakes were high. It was important that he trusted me and let me make the decision.

"Shira," I grabbed his forearm and looked into his focused face. "I need to know that you trust me, that you'll listen to me and do what I say."

"I'll do whatever it takes to get us out of it alive."

I wasn't going to accept this vague answer. "No, you'll do as I say."

His eyes flashed with displeasure. I suspected that getting him to obey my orders was going to be a problem.

"Come on, Shira, do you trust me so little that you're afraid to leave the decision to me?"

"I don't want anything to happen to you."

"It won't, just trust me," I insisted.

I rarely forced him to do anything, but this was essential. I always trusted his judgement when it came to combat or strategy, and I needed him to trust mine when it came to dealing with these soldiers.

"Please, will you do this for me?"

He pierced me with a look that made it clear he saw through me, but in the end he nodded in resignation and sighed: "As if you didn't know I'd do anything for you."

We didn't have time to say anything more because we'd just walked through the gate and out onto the street.

There it was clear how much trouble we were in. Hundreds of Resistance soldiers were all around us, even in the adjacent alleys and snow-covered hills.

Those who recognised me stopped and stared, their faces showing surprise. They had not expected to see me here. The same could not be said for their commander, who had pushed his way through the crowd of soldiers to meet us.

"General Imara, what are you doing here?" asked Captain Marat loudly, with such exaggerated astonishment that everyone around him must have realised it was an act.

Men in black uniforms watched us with curiosity, some of them moving closer so as not to miss our conversation.

"I could ask you the same question," I replied.

Shira stood at my side like a silent shadow. His sharp eyes scanned the area, assessing the position of the soldiers and possible escape routes. In his hand, he clutched his katana, which he hadn't put down all day.

"We have reports that the residents of this house are collaborating with the Imperials and hiding their weapons," the blond youth next to Marat, a lieutenant according to his insignia, spoke up.