Republic of Omisha

Chapter 32: Ekon

 Ekon woke up with the sun. He was up before anyone else. He snuck out of his tent so that he wouldn't wake anyone.

He hears a low rumbling noise and decides to investigate. He walks past Clay and Eliza, who are sleeping soundly.

He walks to the edge of the corey. He gasps when he sees the wolf sleeping.

He hears Clay and Eliza's whispering voices and he hurries to sit by the fire. They get up and in a few minutes join him by the smoldering fire.

"I know about the wolf." Ekon didn't shift his gaze from the fire as he spoke. He was worried on what they planned to use the wolf for. What were they expecting to face that they intend on using such brute force. Ekon knew that they wouldn't answer any question that he asked them. Why should they? They don't trust him and he isn't entitled to know.

When they didn't reply he turned his gaze to them. Clay has an arm wrapped around Eliza's bare arms. She's shivering and looking intently at Ekon, trying to read him.

"Are you trying to figure out a way to use information as leverage?" Eliza snapped.

"No, I just think that you shouldn't refrain information from your allies." Ekon was trying to sound sincere, but Eliza kept pushing.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He could hear her temper rising.

Ekon hesitated. "It's just kinda hypocritical."

"This coming from you?" Her words were like venom.

Ekon sat up straight as he sensed the tension rising.

What did he hope to accomplish by this? He was trying to be practical and earn their trust, but everything seems to come out conniving and manipulative, even when, on the surface, they're not. I guess old habits die hard. He thinks to himself.

Clay has been silent. He has been listening and now, Ekon notices, that his jaw is clenched. Not a good sign. If Ekon wanted to avoid a fight he would have to defuse this conversation.

"Look, I know we have had our differences, but I'm on your side." Ekon watched Eliza's eyes flicker with rage. She is not someone that you want to cross.

Eliza rose and she spat out words angrily. "My side. You say that like it is a family feud, but it's not. This is bigger than just me and my uncle."

"I know that and that's why it's important that you don't become like him." He knew that that was the wrong choice of words as soon as he said it.

"Are you comparing me to him?" Her words sounded hostile.

"Yes-no, that's not what I meant." Too late, Eliza was already striding toward him. He stood his ground. He clenched his jaw and matched her angry stare. He didn't want to fight her, but he wasn't going to back down like a coward.

He saw her eyes and her fists clench. "Don't compare me to him!"

Ekon now carried an edge in his voice. "I meant that you aren't like him and I'm warning you to not be like him and continue to be better." Ekon knows that he's being a clear suck up, but if that's what he needed to do to earn her favor, so be it.

When Eliza's gaze didn't soften he couldn't help himself from adding, "but if you'd like to twist my words in order to feel superior to me, than you can go ahead, princess."

He heard a short enraged yell as Eliza's fist collides with his jaw. He smirks as he's knocked to the ground. He looks up through his teary vision to see Clay restraining Eliza by her arms. She's is trying to attack him, but Clay won't let her.

Clay backs her up and sits her next to the fire like before. He shushes her anytime she speaks angry words. He slowly releases his grip on her as she relaxes.

Ekon rises from the ground and sits across from them. He wipes his hand over his throbbing jaw. It's already swelling and his hand is wet with blood. Eliza hit so hard it broke skin. The sting of the embrasion bites.

He can't wipe the smug look off when he says, "You know, if you want the rebellion to take you seriously, you're gonna have to control your temper."

Eliza's eyes flickered. "Gee thanks."

He shrugs. "No problem."

He switches his gaze to Clay, who is giving him a warning look.

After a few minutes have gone by, a scurrying noise averts their attention. "What was that?" Ekon asks.

Eliza calmly stands and walks toward the noise. Ekon can only see Eliza's back and can't see what she sees.

She laughs quietly. Ekon is on edge. "What?"

"Come here, Sky." Eliza's voice has changed. She sounds as if talking to a toddler. She bends over and picks something up. She returns with it in her arms. She's smiling. "This is my cat Sky. They must have left her here. My father never liked cats."

Sky is a grey short-haired cat. She's purring as Eliza scratches her head. She sits with next to Clay with Sky in her lap.

Ekon goes out to scout the woods on Eliza's orders. He stumbles into town and sees Eliza talking to Sebastian. He heads back into the woods before Eliza spots him. He watches them as he goes. They are talking and he sees them hug. This hug is more than a friendly greeting. Eliza holds him in the embrace.

Ekon has just stumbled upon some gussy information. He will keep quiet until it suits him. He stays on patrol in the woods until the sun begins to set. When he returns to the camp Clay and Eliza are in a tent.

"What are they doing?" Ekon asks Brindle.

"They're just going over the plan. Tomorrow we are meeting with the rebels." Brindle answered in her naturally perky, upbeat way.

He nods and approaches the tent to listen in.