Bright One | Empire of Blood and Swords Series

36. Products of War

-36-
-Products of War-

"I need help."

Herman's once coal-black eyes—now lost that brightness—were full of wary, face drained of colour, his voice weak with fatigue.

"What happened?" Seth asked, his voice husky.

Herman swallowed, looked around to see if anyone's there. He didn't want anyone else to know we're here, so Seth brought him to the Meeting Room. And there we waited for the others to come in. Many of them went back to their homes, leaving only Kong, Paul and Sun. Saoirse, Sapphire and Sylas joined as well, still in tunics and pants. Not formal, but this was a sudden meeting, so it could slide.

We took our seats quickly, not wasting any time because Herman was on the verge of exploding.

"What happened?" Paul asked, already preparing the map and figures.

"No one knows that I'm here. The attacks increased drastically. My father put the cities under lockdown like yours. But the creatures turned the tables, having the cities under siege," he briefly explained. His grip on the table tightened. "Their camp is big, the cloak figures are many. And of the dahmatis, they keep in cages to be released. My father refuse to ask for help, even when my mother insisted. Please, Kells, assist us once more."

The three older princes exchanged glances. A long silence stretched across room, but was soon answered.

Sun spoke first. "Jimenez kicked us out. He doesn't want us putting our noses at where it doesn't belong."

"I am not my father," Herman replied lowly, his eyes two dark slits. "A few troops, a few thousand healers and it would be enough."

"We've lost many protecting our people," Kong said. "The healers have not been sleeping for days, even weeks."

"What did the Eldars do to make them go away?" Herman asked.

"We don't know. They wouldn't tell us, and wouldn't teach us as well," Sapphire said while looking through her books.

"Sometimes I wonder if the things we learn at school are even beneficial. Wasted twenty years of my life," Saoirse grumbled. I didn't miss the glare Sun shot her.

Herman opened his mouth to argue, but Paul cut him off. "We are sorry, we cannot help you. You can take a few troops, but that is all we can help with."

Light disappeared from Herman's eyes, a cloud of devastation took over. I felt guilt fill in the pit of my stomach, he looks so defeated. So the situation must be severe, what with the smell coming off from him. He seems thinner, more pale, dark bags under his eyes. As if he hadn't slept and eaten in days.

The thought of the people in the town, now held under siege, with no where to run. Because everywhere they go, there will be dead bodies of brave soldiers, children and dahmatis.

"I thought the people knew how to fight," I said.

"When they come of age, we send them to the army-camp for further training. And if they want to serve the royals they can apply for the army base," Paul answered.

"The people in the towns and cities are young and untrained. Some may know how to fight, but the others are vulnerable," Seth added.