Veil of Shadows

Chapter 12. Learn To Fly

"Salia!"

Salia turned to find Shadow walking towards her. She inclined her head to him and said "Lord Shadow. How can I help you?" Shadow paused, then said "I need a consultant."

"I'm happy to help in any way I can." Salia said, and Shadow nodded. "Thank you for that. Can you meet me in my quarters in ten minutes?" Surprised, she replied "Of course."

Salia couldn't help but recognize that he looked like he was seriously stressed out. "Are you alright, sir?" She asked. Shadow sighed and replied "Yes, I'm quite fine. Return to what you were doing, but meet in my quarters."

Confused, Salia continued on training with the wooden sword she had been given.

~Ten Minutes Later~

"Welcome to my quarters, Salia. Please, sit down." Shadow said, waving her to a chair. Salia did so, scanning the room. "Salia. As you know, war is imminent, and I am leading the rebellion against Notch."

Salia nodded, and Shadow continued "And as you know, the Hero Squad is coming after us. But I know their weaknesses. I know what they fear. I know what will break them. I know what will tear them apart."

Salia's eyes widened. How had he come to know that? Even she didn't know the weaknesses of the Hero Squad. She was snapped out of her thoughts as Shadow kept speaking "I need an advisor."

For a few moments, Salia didn't realize he was referring to her. "Wait, me? You want me to be your advisor?" She asked incredulously. Shadow nodded and said "I need your help in making the decision."

Stunned, she didn't know how to reply. "If I use my knowledge to its fullest extent, I may be able to snap the Hero Squad. But I think using their worst fears against them may be too cruel."

"Cruel? This is war, Shadow. You cannot worry about being too cruel to your enemy. If it will win the war, you must use it to your advantage, no matter the cost." Salia exclaimed.

Shadow lowered his head. "Have you ever been torn between loyalty and friendship?" Salia thought a moment, then replied "No, sir, I'm afraid I have not." Shadow smiled sadly. "Then you don't know what I'm going through."

"Do you have a friend in the Hero Squad?" She asked, and to her shock, Shadow answered quietly "A former best friend." Salia's eyes hardened. "That is all in the past. You must do what is right for your people."

Some light returned to Shadow's violet eyes, and he said "You're right. My people...my rebellion...they need me to win this battle at any cost. For the sake of freedom, for the sake of everything they hold sacred. No matter for friendship or cruelty, we must win. Thank you, Salia."

She made a slightly over-dramatic salute and said "May the rebellion prosper." Shadow smiled and replied "You are dismissed." And Salia left. Shadow was left alone in his quarters.

He began to sing softly.

"So keep on climbing, though the ground might shake,
Just keep on reaching, though the limb might break,
We've come this far, don't you be scared now,
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down..."

"Searching for a sign in the night even like a lonely string of lights,
That'll burn just long enough for you to see it...
The road's been long and lonely and you feel like giving up,
There's more to this than just the breath you're breathing."

"You won't forget the heavy steps it took to let it go,
Close your eyes, count to ten, hold your breath and fly!"

"Keep on climbing, though the ground might shake,
Just keep on reaching, though the limb might break,
We've come this far, don't you be scared now,
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down..."

He grinned. "Let the battle begin."