Era of Ezri

Things between friends

Blaze

The position I'd found myself in felt undeniably alien, primarily because Samson had been the one to interrupt me at the table and suggest we work with Rio.

However, this deal was heavily dependent on Jordan's cooperation. The man, currently seven feet tall, covered in fur with fangs longer than ice picks who couldn't even recognise his own sister.

According to Rio, there was a cure that could reduce him to his human form and she had it locked away and she knew its whereabouts. Of course, I didn't trust a word that came dancing out of her mouth but, Samson seemed to have a soft spot for damsels in distress.

'What choice do we have,' The Gatekeeper told me when I'd pulled him aside.

'Anything but this,' I replied but Samson shook his head in disappointment.

'This is the only way to draw The Plague out, without more casualties. Imagine, if we get rid of The Plague for good across every Faction.'

I forgot for a moment that Samson was representing Pinkett Town and he also wanted the same as I for his people. However, we as Factions had never worked together, especially after my father's demise. It had been every man for themselves for a while now and that would only change if a faction leader stuck his neck out for another and I was determined not to be the first.

Until the stolen Mirrors were returned, I couldn't trust any of my peers.

'If we work together, we can do this.' Samson insisted with this intense look in his eyes, almost one of pleading from one man to another.

I hadn't known Samson very long and at first, I saw him as a threat, but, over time I'd come to resent him less, he had a good heart.

'If we do this and my people get hurt,' I'd threatened.

'They're already dying, you have nothing to lose, Blaze.' Samson said, placing a hand on my shoulder and squeezing softly.

I almost regret listening to him now, I could've rallied up my hybrids and chased Rio's monstrosity of a brother out of Gloria Bridge. If he truly was acting alone, twenty versus one would be enough to dispose of him.

But Rio's promise to expose all of The Plague's plans and blueprints was the cherry on the cake. That is if she wasn't lying.

When I'd folded and agreed to follow Samson this one time, gratitude oozed off him in waves, he knew I wasn't doing this solely to appease him yet his eyes held something I'd picked up on before but had chosen not to address.

*********

It felt like I was losing everything, my faction was crumbling before my very eyes and there was nothing I could do about it.

Many Glorians were critically wounded and others were dead, the carnage was horrific and all I could do was watch.

I stared at the empty courtyard outside and broken barren trees and ran my fingers through my hair in annoyance, not knowing what to do with myself.

I heard my office door open and close behind me. I already knew the Gatekeeper would try to console me, he was forever an optimist but regardless of what he said, this time things were different.

And now I was going along with a plan concocted by one of the Truman sisters.

"You're thinking too hard," Samson stated in that low tone as he paused a couple of feet behind me, beside my desk.

"And you're disturbing me,"

"I know, but I figured I'd check on you,"

I hummed an 'okay'.