Rebellion: Prince of Dawn

Chapter 24.6: In a Silent Way

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CLINT KINO

Fifteen days until the rings dissolve.

The meeting was held an hour after dawn. It consisted of the remaining Desperados, save for a few who were still severely injured, and Riko whom Joji wanted to let rest; several Hoppers—villagers whose jobs were to make trips through the desert to trade with nearby towns; and the chief along with a few of the elders.

All in all, it took three and a half hours to agree on a solid plan. It was a long and tedious process. At times, I found my mind wandering off. Jaime couldn't take the boredom and burst out yawning. Somehow, Ilias was able to keep up with the adults' conversation as if he had done this a thousand times before.

Based on the Hoppers' experiences, they drew us a map of the safest and fastest way to Roa. This would take a week. The longest Terra Kha'Sim could last was three days. We added three days to that travel time just in case anything unforeseen happened.

So if we were going by our worst situation, we'd arrive at Roa two days before Jaime's deadline. That was more than enough time for her and Ilias to recuperate before their fight.

"Jaime and I have already been discussing strategies," Ilias mentioned. "But Oyecomova is a slippery opponent and he knows what we're capable of. Bluffing isn't an option."

Joji promised to take Riko to Honalhi but would wait in Roa until Ilias and Jaime's fates were told. The destination those four have share the same road, with Honalhi being two settlements away from Headrig's Pass. They decided to travel together until then.

Something about Coleman Trebor changed overnight. He was obsessed with finding King Benjamin's lost treasure in honour of his wife. That was all he talked about.

"The Tomb of the Boom is close," Trebor said. "If King Benjamin's treasure is anywhere, it'd be hidden somewhere inside. I'll give myself a week to find it. If by the end of those seven days I'm still empty-handed, then so be it. I can't be consumed by a goal that leads to nowhere. When Sherrie and I reunite, how am I supposed to face her knowing I wasted my life away? She won't like that."

He would be staying behind and travelling to the Tomb of the Boom for a sense of closure. It was so he could close that door and open a new one.

"Either I actually find it or I start living my life. No matter the outcome, I know Sherrie will be happy."

In regards to Uncle Salty, there was no doubt he was going to jail. He would be coming with us and be given to Roa's colonel.

I may be home, but I still had unfinished business with Essio. He ordered me to steal enough coins to make up for my poor performance and those coins ended up in his hands. Ilias and Jaime would be facing off against Oyecomova, and wherever that elf was, Essio will be nearby. For that reason, I was going to Roa with them.

What do I tell Mother and Father? They just got me back and I'm leaving again.

Jaime suddenly burst into the room, throwing the doors with an announcing thud. The swords she had left at the house were now on her hip. She was out of breath and her eyes reflected worry.

"We were at the pond," she panted. "Riko's gone."

Before a metaphorical pin could drop, Joji had thrown his chair back and leapt through the door. We reconvened with the old State Jynxist questioning the guards who were in the middle of covering the pond with a large tarp.

In the horizon, a cloud of sand rolled in our direction. Anything beyond that was unrecognizable from the coming storm.

"Who took her?" Joji asked the green-haired girl.