Elemental Children

Negotiation

"Tell me again what exactly occurred." Limuel prompted as he reclined back in his chair. Brittani had been confined into her room to take a full rest while Martin and Kayla were moved to the hospital wing of the school so their wounds can be taken care of. I was turned over to the council's assembly room and asked to report what happened. I told him what went down at the mall, how the woman intercepted us and asked me to come with her, the fight we had with the group of Fire Keepers and Kayla and Martin being defeated. I deliberately left out the part where I agreed to come with them when both of the two escorts had fallen.

"I see. Eric reported that the Fire Keepers were sent by Cadmus himself, is that right?"

"Yes. I did remember the woman saying that a Lord Cadmus didn't want them killing anybody." I said. "Who is he?"

Limuel sighed and clamped his hands together. "Cadmus is the Head Master of the Fire Keepers. Though they preferably refer to him as a Lord or a Colonel."

"Why? Aren't you suppose to be like presidents? Like having the same title?" I wondered.

"You're right, we can be somewhat compared to presidents. And like other countries, we have our own way of ruling. Us Wind Guardians can be counted on as a form of a democratic country whereas the Fire Keepers are more like ... a military camp. They're trained to fight at a much younger age than you are. They are aggressive, they live and hunger the sound of battle, they are the most war-like beings among the four races."

I guess that explains the brutality of their fighting technique. The sound of an insistent knocking on the door reached my ear.

"Who is it?" Limuel stood up and approached the black door, leaning closer to hear the reply.

"Dad, open up! I received a report from the Pennsylvania Head Quarters that would make you go bananas!" A familiar highly-strung female voice spoke.

Limuel turned the knob and the door swung open before he could even pull it, squashing him in the face.

"Sam, be careful next time." He muttered as he stroked his reddened nose.

"I'm sorry, dad! I didn't mean to-" Samantha noticed me; her eyes went back and forth between me and her father. This was the first time I saw her after that night with the council. She was casually dressed, her brown hair was braided into a bun and she was wearing a loose green shirt with dark blue jeans.

"Arrr! Long time mate!" She said trying her best to imitate a pirate's accent. "How'd ya been with these grubby land lubbers?"

"I think that translates to how be you?" I asked. "If yes then, I'm just fine."

"Sam, what was it you're ranting about?" Limuel reminded her.

"Dad, do you remember that shelter we built at the heart of Pittsburgh?"

"I do. What's with it?" He asked and motioned Samantha to sit at Lauren's chair since I had already taken her seat. I tried to stand up so Samantha can reclaim it but she held a hand to stop me.

"I'm good." She nodded and slumped into the chair in front of me. "As I was saying-"

"Head Master, you need to take a look at this." Lauren suddenly barged inside carrying her silver laptop. I could hear the sound of a news reporter on it.

"No! I'll tell him! Turn that thing off." Samantha grumbled and stood up.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Fine," Lauren settled her laptop on the glass table and pressed something, silencing the gadget.

"Well, I got reports saying that our units have been attacked in the last few days," Samantha said. "by a group of Fire Keepers and a lone Pheonix."