Heroes of Darkness

XXXI

SOLOMON

The meeting took place in broad daylight, on the top of a hill outside the slums of Lillycove. He stood stoically as he watched the small glinting of metal helmets in the distant sunlight of the palace on the bay that the Tiddalls called home. Today was the day when Elli's father would ransom his daughter back, and Solomon Forrest would free the men.

"They sure do take their time," said Teryn, restlessly. She stood on top of a Doduo, her face covered and her head hooded. "Every second wasted is a second we could be marching."

Solomon didn't respond. He knew the forces Jason was leading had joined with old man Randall Sand. Their destination: Mt. Pyre, to fight to establish the high ground when the storm that Solomon kept dreaming about would come. He tried not to think about the fact he had approved the measure in part because it would bring him into conflict with Lord Specter. Solomon focused on the task at hand. Hopeful that the waiting for Elli's father would put the acts of revenge and darkness far from being realized. He told himself that it wasn't his motive, but he turned back to the edge of the woods on the hill's edge, and the red eyes of Sceptile reflected the self-lie.

Elli was not calm, though she didn't seem scared. Solomon noted that she seemed more anxious than afraid, and if she was afraid, it was to protect her captors from her father's wrath. He smiled. She had nothing to be afraid of. Chief Tiddall could bring an army of people and Pokémon with him- it was still no match for the Hero of Nature.

"Elli!" cried a voice as the muffled feet of marching on soft grass began to be heard among the clanking of metal armor. "Elli can you hear me?"

"I'm here father!" Elli called back. "I'm safe."

Chief Tiddall had tired and complacent eyes that matched those of his Spirit Pokémon, a Ludicolo. Though it was the flash of pink in Tiddall's Pokémon's arms that let out the meeting's first excitement.

Elli ran when she saw her Luvdisc and embraced it in a hug. Solomon's heart filled with warmth. It was a feeling that would be forever lost to him, and he treasured viewing it: to reunite with one's family.

"Sir!" Teryn's voice pleaded concern, to stop the girl from escaping their control until the meeting was over. Solomon raised his hand to silence her. He stood calmly as the file of men lumbered up the hill and took their place. She saw the looks of hatred the soldiers fielded him, and then he saw the prisoners with bagged heads and ropes on their wrists.

When the procession finished, it was near fifty men, most of them armored, nearly surrounding him and Teryn. He smiled as he realized they were trying to intimidate him due to the way they spread to the right and left, inflating their numbers as a Masquerain spreads its wings. He could feel Teryn's rage behind him as the soldiers threw their own prisoners to the ground, near a dozen of them in all with such force as to ensure them that they were in charge. It makes no difference, Solomon thought, they will see soon enough that we don't play their game.

Elli's father looked Solomon up and down, studying him, as if he was trying to elucidate some long lost memory. The last time they had met was long ago, and Solomon knew the Chief of Lillycove had no memory of him.

"You must be one of the Draconids. I should have you executed right now," he called across the hilltop. Elli's eyes leaped to her father in panic. Just as she was about to speak, her father spoke again, as if pleading. "Tell me why I shouldn't."

Solomon felt his mouth turn into a grin. These men didn't frighten him, not for the simple fact that they had no idea of the power emanating from the jewel on the breastplate underneath his dark robes, but because Solomon knew that Chief Tiddall lacked the courage to do anything. His eyes met Elli's, telling her not to worry. "I think you know the answer to that."