The Last Aayu: Book 1 - Ashes

Chapter 12: Fire and Blood

Leisan leaned over the map, tracing a route with her finger. "The Humanists are unaware of our tracking," she reiterated, her voice low but confident. "We have the element of surprise. They won't expect us to predict their moves."

Zalish leaned forward, "I've managed to get myself in quite deep with the Humanists, had a fair few friendly conversations with them between classes. No intel to report, but..." His face twisted to a wry smile. "They're warming to me."

Kaiden stroking the tendrils upon his chin smirked. "Almost got you fully embedded, sneaky." 

"Until we have full knowledge of what's going on within those meetings," Utahis chimed in, "we have nothing. We need a way in."

"I mean..." Kaiden began. "I have an idea... But I don't think Zalish is going to like it." All eyes fell upon Kaiden. He glances back at the group, before pointing to the map. "Their next meeting point is here, tonight, right?" Leisan nods. Kaiden smiles. "The Humanists hate me, with all my 'Otana Ma for the Utalans'. They've already seen us ostracize Zalish."

Utahis leaned back wondering where Kaiden is going with this. Zalish looks worried. The role he has had so far has been the most mentally taxing. "So, you want to have an altercation against Zalish near their meeting point?" Leisan infers. 

"Exactly." Kaiden gleams. "We start an argument at lunch. Then have some other instances of hostility throughout the rest of the day. Zalish walks past the Humanists raising their suspicions. We then sit down, in ear shot. Laugh and joke mocking the other species. Then after dinner we go out to 'find' Zalish. We actually will, but they'll think we're planning something more sinister."

"Then what?" Zalish enquires, hesitantly. 

"We beat you up," Kaiden states flatly. "That's the part you won't like." 

Utahis leans in. "If they see this, they might intercede, that'll embed you into their ranks." Zalish backs up worried. Leisen's face is awash with concern. 

"And if they don't, I just get the hell beaten out of me, for no reason." Zalish retorted, not entirely a fan of the plan.

"It's not going to be a real beating. Just looks enough like one for them to intercede." Kaiden states nonchalantly. 

"Then what happens if they do intercede?" Leisan begins begins. "There's at least twenty of them and three of us. Zalish will have to side with them." Her concern not only for Zalish, but for themselves now evident. 

"Then we withdraw." Utahis adds. "Let them think they have the victory over us. Zalish will have a perfect way into their inner circle and their meetings." 

As the group deliberated over Kaiden's risky plan, tension hung heavy in the air. Zalish shifted uncomfortably, weighing the potential consequences. Leisan furrowed her brow, contemplating the strategic implications. Utahis remained thoughtful, considering every angle.

"I don't like it," Zalish finally admitted, his voice betraying a mix of anxiety and reluctance. "But I understand the necessity. If this is what it takes to gain their trust and find out what they're up to, then I'll do it."

Utahis nodded solemnly. "It's a dangerous game, but it might be our best shot. We have to be prepared for anything."

Leisan glanced at the map once more, tracing the paths and meeting points. "We'll need to time it perfectly. The moment of altercation should coincide with their meeting tonight."

Kaiden grinned mischievously. "Don't worry, I've got it all planned out. Zalish, you just have to trust us. We'll be right there with you."

Zalish took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "Alright then. Let's do it."