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“Train the Sidus in secret if you must. They should know how to defend themselves, if anything. It is the best way you can help any of us.”
Someone who can wield a sword has far better chances of defending themselves than one who waits on another to protect them.
“Many will not fight,” Nikos says with a somber look as he shakes his head. But I see a spark of an idea in his eyes too. I latch on to it, hoping I can make it grow.
“But some will,” I tell him. “Some will want to protect their families and friends. Andsomeis better than none. Maybe that, too, will grow over time.” And maybe one day we will have our own army who can protect the Sidus or anyone who is weaker or in need.
“You should join us,” someone shouts out from behind me, but before I get the chance to answer, another replies with a chuckle.
“The captain would never allow it, and I, for one, do not want to end up on Aloisia’s bad side.”
I don’t turn around to see who answered, but I smile to myself at his reply. It would seem my mother’s reputation is still firmly intact.
“I will continue to protect the Sidus like you all,” I tell them before looking to Nikos. “It looks like we are all on the same side after all.”
Nikos dips his head to me in respect as I turn to leave with Jarek by my side. Once we clear the mountain, he reaches out to stop me.
“I should have told you. I know.” His face is dejected and full of despair, revealing how much he hates that he hid this from me. And although I also dislike him keeping this secret, I know I have no right to. I have been keeping more weighty and dangerous secrets from him and for much longer too. Something that makes me feel exactly how he looks.
“Yes, you should have,” I tell him, and he glances at me with a wince. “But… you are not the only one that has been keeping secrets.”
“Ren?” Jarek frowns, giving me a questioning look. But one filled with worry.
“You have no idea how much I want to tell you everything. But I…” I swallow hard, hoping he won’t hate me. Hoping I will not lose my truest friend.
Jarek gives me a soft smile and pulls me into him, wrapping his arms around me. “You’re my friend, Ren, mybestfriend and family. We may not always tell each other everything at once. But I hope you know that I willalwaysbe here for you, if or when you choose to tell me whatever you need. And even if you don’t, know that I will still always be here for you. No matter what.”
The complete understanding and easy acceptance unravel the tight knot in my chest.
I pull back from his soothing warmth and glance over at the mountain where I now know the rebels reside. “I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like you couldn’t tell me. The rebels are not what I expected, and I feel foolish for judging them so harshly. Forgive me?” I ask.
A wide smile full of relief spreads across his face as he pulls me back in for another hug.
“There isnothingto forgive.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, grateful to have such a friend like him.
“Always,” he whispers, his arms tightening around me before he lets go and takes a step back, a look of mischief lighting his eyes.
“So… do I get a hint to any of these secrets?” he asks.
I look at him, trying to find any resentment or anger but finding only warmth and happiness in his eyes, bringing me nothing but relief.
A small smile dances on my lips. “Come to the town center tomorrow and you might find out one of them.”
CHAPTER 7
“Seren Solais.”
Ryuu snaps to attention, his entire body turning to stone as my name is called out for the chosen participants in this year’s guard’s competition. Moving toward the center of the market square, where the Caligo guards set up their announcement, I attempt to act indifferent, knowing I will have to deal with him soon enough.
Ryuu isn’t the only one shocked at a Sidus being chosen. The Caligo people that made their way down to the Sidus town to hear if their name has been picked also look at me with disbelief.
This is all just a game to the Caligo guards. Another way to degrade the Sidus and prove to every other Caligo how weak and incapable we are when we are not chosen. They could choose to have this up in the Caligo city, where nearly every last competitor has been chosen from these last few years. But instead, they go out of their way to come down here and do it.
And although none of this was my purpose when I slipped past the guards last night to swap my name with one of the already chosen participants, I secretly revel in the fact that they will not have any smug looks for the Sidus once they finish calling out the participants.
The Sidus murmur amongst themselves, all wearing shocked but happy expressions at finding one of their own is in the competition. The last one to be accepted was Ryuu, and it was over a decade ago.
