The shields remained at maximum, just in case the Agonotti returned. It had been quite difficult to fit one hundred children and adolescents into the Equinox. Every corner seemed to be packed to the max. They had decided to leave the stench of death in Sector City for a more remote area. Aija meant to speak to everyone at once and considering the situation, they needed sufficient room and some place where a surprise attack was less likely.
The Equinox had been cruising through the atmosphere at approximately thirty thousand feet to try and avoid being spotted by gazing eyes. A remote area had been spotted-a grassy area with a lot of open space. They had decided to set the ship down and assemble for Aija's address. Anything the prophet had to say was worth hearing, but especially under these circumstances when direction from the Almighty was anxiously awaited.
The ship settled on the grassy plain, pressing down great swathes of greenery under its landing skids. The ramp lowered and people poured out into the fresh air and sunshine. It smelled of recent rain. Everyone was glad to escape the cramped confines of the ship. They moved out into the field wading through the tall grass, stretching their legs-some of the children chased one another.
Tiet and Mirah walked outside and mingled among the children. It had been Merab and Jael who had protected the ship while he was under sedation. That would be the last time he allowed his wife to give him something for pain. He was the king and he had a responsibility to protect his family and his people, no matter how few.
These children, they were his responsibility now. He had to protect them somehow from the fate of their parents. Tiet looked out across them to see his own son standing not far away. Kale watched the ship, waiting for the prophet to emerge and speak. Emil stood with him.
Kale and Emil remained good friends and excellent warriors. Tiet was proud of them both. Kale seemed especially taken with Aija. He had always longed to know more of Elithias, but Tiet hadn't known more to tell him. Having grown up without his own father and training under Orin all those years had been more mechanical than spiritual and Tiet simply didn't have as much knowledge of the scripture as he would have liked. The Logostus had been lost to his people during the war and according to Aija's preaching, the Gunirans had been the ones preserving it.
Tiet had felt relief after committing himself to Elithias through the pajet, but Kale seemed invigorated. The young man was stoked for the fight ahead. It made Tiet proud, but worried him more. What was in store for his son in this war? What would Elithias make of him-a martyr or a conqueror? Either way, he knew Kale would fly full force into it and not look back. That scared him.