THE RETURN OF GENERAL KAI

Chapter 12

Despite the urge to ask why, Maverick knew better than to question his general. Kai’s word was law, always.

“Yes, my lord.” He said in response and Kai sighed, “I do not expect you to understand.” He said without divulging further information. Maverick was his closest friend but they did not have a vulnerable relationship. It was strange for him to suddenly confide in him about his marriage and life for the past three years.

“I do.” Maverick said and Kai gave a light smile, “thank you, Captain.” He paused, “I will ask though, why are you in the capital? I don’t remember Morticia ever being able to successfully give you an order or send you on a mission.” Kai said to Maverick in a taunting tone. He remembered that he loved watching them bicker. Those were the fun moments.

Maverick was always accepting of his life as a lowborn but he never made things easy for Morticia. He trained tirelessly in the forest, fighting bears and all sorts of wild animals while she was trained by the most elite soldiers of her house, sparing the strongest of men. They were the same yet different.

“I’m not here on the Lieutenant’s orders. She is occupied with more pressing matters.” He paused, “some villagers complain of their loved ones disappearing.” He said in a chill tone.

“Disappearing?” Kai asked, a brow raised. 

“Yes, my lord. With your absence, a lot of the smaller villages who traded with Nexarath stopped due to the volatile environment and so our traders have been traveling to further villages.” He drew a breath, “however, for the past three months, seven people have gone missing in the forest.”

“The same one that surrounds the bayou?” Kai asked and Maverick nodded, “The Ravenwoods and the Vaughns could not be bothered and for the first time, I don’t oppose. The strength of the border is paramount.”

“But people are getting lost and if Morticia is swamped, I’m next in line. They’re my people.” He whispered the last bit. Kai looked at his captain and placed a hand on his shoulder, “I’m sorry, Maverick.”

Kai felt helpless, selfish. His people were dying, in turmoil and yet his thoughts were filled with Sarah. It was all the more reason why returning was a difficult decision to make. A part of him wished he had not ran into Maverick. It made him feel weak.

Did it mean he was running away from his duties? For all he knew, the perpetrator who killed his family was still at large. The Vaughns would rack up a number of accusations against him for losing control three years ago. He could easily dismiss them, of course, but that would tip the balance within the nobles of Nexarath. No matter the choice he made, there were losses and sacrifices that needed to be made and as much as he hated the thought, the heiress of the Vaughn house, Adoni Vaughn was in Nexarath.

Hundreds of years ago, a pact was made between both families and the heads of that time promised to always wed their first borns. It was never an issue except that Kai despised Adoni. He found her unbearable and insufferable. He hated the sound of her voice and refused to marry her. It was the last conversation he had with his parents three years ago before he headed to the battlefield. 

“How is Adoni?” Kai asked Maverick and he replied, “still sticking her nose where it does not belong.” He replied and that was enough for Kai.

“They believe you’re dead. Well, some of them.” Maverick started, “Morticia is doing a good job keeping them at bay and answering their probing questions. A number of them even proposed an expedition to the fictional facility you’re at.”

“A conspiracy huh?” Kai asked, “none of this matters at this moment. We'll continue to allow Morticia handle things.” Maverick bit his tongue, he thought differently. Everyone did. It would be better if he returned, shut all the snout nosed old grungy men and women.

"I'm sure you're eager to continue your investigation" Kai said, making it a point to not ask how much he had discovered, it would taunt him more.

“You may leave but remain close. Continue to carry out your investigation.” Kai said to him, “it was good to see you, friend.” 

“Likewise, general. Seeing you gives me hope.” Maverick said in return before approaching the door, “I hope I get to meet Sarah. She seems like a wonderful woman.”

Kai nodded, “she is.” And Maverick left. 

Now alone with his thoughts, Kai wrestled the deep and strong emotions within. He was riddled with guilt. Before he was sure of his memories, he could feign ignorance but now he was blatantly refusing to return to his seat, to his life. 

He knew more than anything that his life in the capital was fake, fleeting. Shadows were lurking in the corners. He saw them but ignored them. Acknowledging would mean it was real. It was unfair to Sarah, she believed she married a regular man. 

When he closed his eyes, he saw the bodies and body parts of fallen soldiers, it was no place to raise a child and this Thane Jackson, there was no way he posed that much of a threat. He was only alive because Kai spared his life. His absence was not the presence of Thane’s strength unless he had acquired more power.

Like the Zhilak that resided within him but that was impossible, right? Kai thought as he drifted off to sleep.