Iscladon Breaking (Book One in the Cerios Chronicles)

Chapter 8-Inside

Chapter 8

Inside

Slikver looked at the chieftain in shock, he had been expecting resistance, but he had hardly expected a potential war from his erstwhile allies.

"Why would you go to war with us?" Slikver asked, "We're trying to fix everything, bring back what we lost when the King took power."

"Not our loss." The chieftain said, his eyes cold, "The King's power is useless on us, so when he came to power, we and the rest of the Titans arranged a truce. Only the Universal Titans declined, and you know what happened to them."

Slikver tensed, his eyes blazing with anger, "So you would just give up, roll over and die while the King controls you?"

An instant later, he was against the wall, with the chieftain's claws around his throat.

"You think I don't share your frustration?" The chieftain spat, "You think I want my people to sit here, idle, while the King does what he pleases?"

"We were a proud, strong people once, our powers over the water gave us absolute strength, and none would dare attack us. But then the King came, with a wave of his hand, he demonstrated the very powers we had, as well as the rest of the Titans. He may not be able to wipe our memories, but he is powerful, and we alone cannot defeat him."

"Then work together," Slikver choked out, "you, and the rest of the Titans, the rest of the races. Together, we can beat him. He didn't attack you, and he would have if he didn't fear you."

The chieftain lowered his claws, "You may be right, but what makes you think even then you'll be powerful enough. This may come down to war, but you can be sure he won't come after all of us himself. He'll wear us down, weaken us until we are easily disposed of."

Slikver rubbed his throat slightly, "You make it sound as if you're weak."

The chieftain growled, "Careful, boy, you know nothing of our power." He held up a hand, and water formed above it in the shape of a knife, "When we battle, we do not lose, unless others have the same power."

"So someone shows you the same tricks, and you go running scared?" Slikver sneered at him, trying to rile him up.

It worked, the knife dissolved, and the chieftain bared his claws, "We are formidable even without our powers."

"Prove it," Slikver growled at him, "you're so strong, prove you can beat someone who can make use of your own powers." He gestured around him, "I see a strong group of warriors here, and if you want to prove it to the world, you need to end this."

The chieftain looked at him warily, "Fine, you may be right, but it will take a great deal more to convince me."

Slikver sighed, knowing where this would end up, "If you won't work with us to free your own people, how can I earn your respect?"

"How do you think?"

Slikver grinned fiercely, "Then a fight, I take it, between you and me?"

"First blood, then we'll see where we stand."

The foot, Ceros, finally spoke, in a rather high pitched, whiny voice, "Now, now, surely that's hardly necessary, we can solve this diplomatically."

"This is diplomatic," the chieftain said, "lack of diplomacy would mean an all-out battle between my men and his."

Slikver shrugged, "Works for me either way."

The chieftain smiled slightly, "Good man."

Ceros sighed, "Fine, feel free to hack each other to bits, I'll have nothing of it."