Kaid’s eyes flashed open with a racing heartbeat, sweat dripping from his curls. His eyes flashed from normal to violet hues, back and forth, before blinking and realizing where he was. He wasn’t quite familiar with the interior decor of Shailud’s palace, but this was certainly it.
A conversation ran through his head, one he was trying to remember in the void. Red hair. Elegant stance. Jessamine’s mother. She had sought him out in the void, but what had she asked of him? He couldn’t remember, and didn’t know why. Not until realizing a hand on his shoulder had awoken him. He relaxed at the touch, before hearing a voice he didn’t expect.
“You alright? You were having a vicious nightmare,” Sabine asked.
Kaid didn’t expect Sabine to be here of all things. He remembered Cadize healing him up. He didn’t remember Jessamine by his side. His confused eyes met Sabine’s before glancing down at his healed, relatively healed, left arm. There was no growing back a hand. Cadize wasn’t that powerful.
Reality finally set in. He thought he had come to terms of losing his hand, in reality, he had been in the denial stage of his grief. There were things he could do not do anymore, things he had taken for granted or so used to. While it was not his dominant hand, this weakened him, wounded him. However, there wasn’t time to properly grieve and wallow in pity.
“I’m okay,” Kaid breathed out, slowly rising to sit up, “where’s Jessamine, is she alright?”
Kaid noticed Sabine pull her hand back at that question, the softness in her face fading. He hadn’t known he had somehow proven Jessamine right, that the first thing he’d ask for was her. Kaid just didn’t know what was going on, he half expected her to be by his side, or at the very least strategizing their next move. Kaid also realized Sabine had interrupted his ‘nightmare’, which was beginning to explain his slight brain fog.
He couldn’t blame Sabine for that, though. She always acted out of good intentions.
“She's been waiting outside the room, has been all day,” Sabine answered, “I told her I needed to speak with you alone, make sure you are alright.”
“I’m okay,” Kaid assured her, still confused but took a deep breath, “Sabine, I have to apologize.”
“I’ve been lied to before,” she shrugged, acting like it didn’t wound her.
“Not just the lie. The lie was meant to protect you, to protect everyone here. I meant using you. I didn’t want to use you, but I needed to make sure my presence here remained unseen. You saw what depths they’ll go to try and find me, to lure me out. People got hurt because of me,” Kaid insisted.
“Yeah, well, I can’t blame you. You learned from the best,” Sabine clenched her jaw, insinuating he had learned well from Jessamine, “I want to know what happened.”
“Pestilence stole Jessamine, cut off my hand-” Kaid started, before seeing Sabine raise her hand to silence him.
“The Paradox. The Time Paradox you started. I want to know why you did it,” she corrected him. Kaid knew only a few knew the real details of what had happened. All knew Kaid had been the initiator of such a cataclysmic event, one he didn’t see coming. Very few knew the truth, and it was perhaps for the best. Even if the truth revealed itself to the world, Kaid doubted many would believe it.
“Payne, Jessamine’s advisor and Royal Investigator, was using Jessamine’s generous offer of turbines as a means to poison the population, whether the water supply, or combust to kill hundreds. He meant to do so and place blame on Jessamine, who knew nothing of this plan. So, I had to stop him,” Kaid explained, but saw it didn’t satisfy her.
“So, she knew her own advisor was trouble and didn’t do anything?” Sabine scoffed.
“You still stand beside Shailud, despite knowing his true intentions at ruling,” Kaid retorted back, slowly rising from the bed, “And for that, I do not judge you for. But you cannot judge Jessamine for it either.”
That statement rubbed salt to her already sore and open wounds, but it was a well necessary comment to make. He was right. Sabine stayed near Shailud in hopes she could make a difference, as if to become a counter weight to his devious schemes and better her people. Shailud, after all, wasn’t always like this. People change, sometimes for the worst.
“Payne killed Jessamine disguised as me. He was a face changer, and had been using Jessamine’s feelings for me this entire time as an opportunity. Jessamine was straying away from his plans, and when he knew Jessamine was aware of the turbine plan, he assassinated her. I was too late to stop it. Mara, Kiev, and myself fought Payne but it was no use. He had trained his entire life for that movement and I had to go a more unconventional route. I had to reverse time, knowing Payne would not regain his strength or energy,” Kaid explained, taking a deep breath, “I didn’t know what would happen.
“I knew what reversing time would do to my body. I didn’t know what it would do to the rest of the Continent, I swear it, Sabine. Your brothers, I am sorry for what happened to them. There was no thought of consequence to the world in my decision. I had lost my world. I watched my friends die. I sat in a pool of my Empress’s blood as she laid cold in my hands. At that moment, I vowed to do anything to get them back, even at the cost of my own life.
“I know people will judge me for it. I do not blame them. I cannot say that if I had known the consequences of my actions, I wouldn’t have done it. None of us know the true weight of our decisions. I know anyone else in my position might very well do the same. All I knew is that I would get them back, that they could have a chance to live again, to make better decisions,” Kaid paused, coming to his truth, “I am the problem Sabine. Not Jessamine. Not Lungor or Pestilence. All these things, these horrible things are because of me. You have every right to hate me.”
“I don’t hate you,” she whispered immediately, her own words surprising her. She paced for a moment, taking in the weight of Kaid’s words as she gazed down at her hands. “That river floods every year during monsoon season. My brothers died from normality, from an accident. I pushed the blame onto the Paradox because I needed to justify it somehow, not that I was a horrible sister-”
“You weren’t a horrible sister. They loved you, you must know that,” Kaid insisted gently, almost as if sensing their presence in this very room, “You have a very good heart, Sabine. One deserving of someone who can treat you like the desert rose that you are, one who can numb your pain and not add to it. I am sorry for using you. I cared for you, I care for you, but it cannot be in the way that you wish.”
“It was very apparent you were in love with someone else,” Sabine bitterly nodded, taking a deep breath before disregarding her feelings, “So, you say Shailud was working with Pestilence? That is an act of treason.”
“Yes. Pestilence and his team were awaiting for him to arrive the morning after taking Jessamine. Perhaps there is some proof, correspondence in his office. Shailud wanted to ‘rescue’ Jessamine, a deal he made with Vrah, in order to appear like a hero and fully transition into power here. He made a faulty blade,” Kaid explained, pointing over to the real usurper blade, “this is the real one, it’s a blade-”
“I know what that blade means,” Sabine interrupted, gazing at him almost warily. She suspected him with concern, slight distrust. Kaid had explained his reasons for using her; they were hurtful answers but he was right to do so to protect his identity.
She took a moment to collect her emotions, having to swallow them for now, “I will go see if there’s any evidence. Shailud will most likely be here soon with all those soldiers looking for you. You have my protection, Kaid.”
Jessamine, however, did not. But it seemed like she didn’t need it.
“Thank you Sabine, truly,” Kaid insisted, seeing her only nod.
Sabine walked towards the door, unlocking it before stepping out. A weary Jessamine rose from the uncomfortable seating, doing her best not to infiltrate Sabine’s mind for a sense of emotions. She just wanted to know if Kaid was alright and recovering well. Mara and little Kai awoke from their little doze, seeing the tension between them.
“He’s all yours,” Sabine spoke bitterly, “meet me in the office when you’re ready to finish this scheme.”
Jessamine ignored her words, immediately going into the room, but little Kai beat her first.
“Uncle Kaid! I’m so glad you’re alright,” Kai ran to him, but stopped upon looking at his arm, “What happened to your hand? It looks so…ugly.”
“Kai!” Mara scowled, “We don’t talk about people like that.”
“No, you’re right, it is a little ugly,” Kaid laughed playfully, finding humor in how brutal a child’s honesty could be. The second Kai gave space, Jessamine invaded it, wrapping her arms around him with comfort.
And also, apology, one she did not need to give. The guilt weighed heavily on her mind, knowing the reason for his amputation was from her own brother. Her hand immediately went to his left arm, fingers threading through the rough black hairs, getting a sense of what would be his new normal. The delicate softness in her fingertips against his sensitively healed wound assured him that she did not think anything less of him upon such loss.
“It’s not ugly. Are you okay? How do you feel?” Jessamine asked, pulling back to let her other hand cup his face, already feeling the growth of facial hair against his jaw.
“I’m okay. Did you rest? You look like you didn’t get any,” Kaid asked, worried.
“In all honesty, no. I didn’t trust Sabine to be alone with you,” she admitted, “will she work with us?”
“Yes, and…no. Well, she will work with me,” Kaid hesitated slightly.
“Okay, well it’s better than nothing. We take down Shailud, let Sabine take over, and you come back with me and…” Jessamine trailed off upon seeing his reaction. There was hesitancy in his eyes, pain, and love intermixed together. Mara seemed to notice it too.
“Kai, why don’t you wait outside?” Mara suggested, seeing his disappointment, but he knew this was an adult conversation only.
“You’re not coming back, are you?” Jessamine asked, taking a step back, letting her hands fall from him. She had that small worried thought linger in the back of her mind, but she disregarded it as an insecurity. Now, she realized it was a very real possibility.
“Jessamine, you almost lost your Oblivion-”
“And you lost your fucking hand!”
“My point exactly. They did all of this for me. They are hunting me down. The best thing I can do is pull these enemies away from you, from the people I care about. You think if we take down Shailud that Lungor will not stop? You think they will not make me pay for my actions?!” Kaid asked.
“You’re letting your own guilt misguide you,” Jessamine scoffed, incredibly hurt by this, “Yes, people got hurt, people died of natural events, but you weren’t the one controlling that, and it’s a mere fraction compared to those that you did save. Lungor is using you as an excuse to seize power over its own people, same as Shailud. You cannot let them win by thinking you’re responsible for this.”
“But I am!” Kaid shouted slightly.
“So, that’s it then!?” Jessamine returned with equal passion, “Is all of last night just a moment of pleasure for you? You tell me you love me, you fuck me, acting like we had never parted. Two years, two fucking dreadful, lonely, sorrowful years. And here I am, thinking that one night reversed all of that. Is that what you want? You want us to part ways once more, reunite for one night every couple of years!? Do you expect me to want that!? Do you expect me to wait around for you in suffering!?”
“N-no, Jess,” Kaid shook his head, “You just don’t understand-”
“So help me understand! Talk to me, teach me, make me understand why you think running will be of any benefit for you. You’re not in fucking Caladin anymore, Kaid. You have the right to make your own decisions, ones that have blessings and consequences. You have the right to make whatever decision you want, to do what makes you happy. You’re so used to suffering that I’m afraid you will continue to make yourself in pain thinking it makes everyone else happy. You’re so used to the pain you believe you can’t feel it anymore!”
Mara stood awkwardly amongst the yelling, thinking she too should have left the room as well.
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“Jessamine, I can’t stand to see you get hurt,” Kaid clenched his jaw, and his fist.
“There is an option you can be there to protect me, then. Or are you no longer my Guardian?” Jessamine wiped a quick, hot tear away, fury and sorrow in her voice.
A knock on the door made all three glance over, seeing Kiev who walked into the heated conversation with worry.
“Empress, Shailud’s been spotted at the mountain pass. It’s only a matter of time before he’s here. We should plan with Sabine our next move as soon as possible,” he apologized for his interruption.
“Thank you, Kiev. Let’s go speak with her,” she nodded, eager to leave the room.
“Jess-” Kaid wanted to apologize, but it was no use. Jessamine was quick to leave with Kiev, leaving just Mara there to glance at Kaid. Mara could understand both sides, both perspectives, but Jessamine had been right.
There was a long silence between them. Kaid glanced down at his crippled, non-existent hand in dismay. He lost his hand, what more would he lose for her? He’d wish to lose every limb on his body if it meant keeping her safe. Why did he hate himself for wanting her? Did he fear that he still didn’t trust her?
What the hell had her mother wished of him in his dreams? Surely, it couldn’t have been this.
“She’s right about Caladin, you know? That was a place you sacrificed your comfort, your livelihood, all to make someone else happy. Whether it was other prisoners, me, or anything, your father. You rotted away while he lived a life of luxury, one you deserved. You don’t have to do that here,” Mara insisted, “By the Divines, I know you love her. So go make it right.”
“Lungor could go to war-”
“Don’t you see that’s what they’ve wanted from the very beginning? Lungor and Vitross have seemed to be at odds for centuries. They mean to make you pay for consequences of some Time Paradox. They crave war as long as they aren’t seen as the instigators. How about it’s time you make them pay? Pay for what they did to your mother, what they did to these people, what they will do if you don’t stop them?”
“I don’t want revenge,” Kaid shook his head.
“But they do. They will take everything from you and even if you run away, they will target her. Especially with her rejecting Vrah, do you think they will not stop hurting her? They want you to keep running, and they will keep luring you out with every attempt against her. They’re not expecting her to fully forgive you, in which she already has,” Mara explained, “Do you want her?”
“Of course I do,” Kaid insisted, “I want her more than fucking anything, but I-”
“There’s no need to add a ‘but’ if you love her more than anything,” Mara whispered.
Kaid nodded slowly at that. They were right, he had to make a decision. He was so used to others making the calls for him. Caladin, Jessamine as his Empress, Payne ordering him around. The first time he truly made a decision for himself, it turned into the Time Paradox. He couldn’t let his fear of messing up prevent him from what he wanted.
Small shouts were heard down the halls, servants running to announce Shailud was here. They were out of time, at least Kaid felt like it was. Whatever plan was to be created, it had to be improvised. Kaid moved to his gear, knowing he had to arm himself if this turned into a large-scale fight. Yet, he noticed something was missing.
“Shit, she took my blade,” Kaid cursed, glancing at Mara.
“Sabine?” Mara asked, knowing that would be a major concern.
“Jessamine. She intends to fight him herself…”
—-----------------------
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Sabine asked, mostly out of concern as they began to walk towards the courtyard, “If you have that blade, people will ask questions about how you came to possess it. If you kill him, overthrow him, people will blame all of this on you.”
“I came here and caused these problems, I should be the one to fix it,” Jessamine assured her, holding the emerald blade in her hand before beginning to conceal it, “They might think me a tyrant, but if it catches Shailud off guard, then so be it. We need to make sure he doesn’t win.”
“Look, I know you know that I…disagree with you, but we can’t give these people a reason to hate you. I spoke out of turn, and out of emotion when I stated all of this was your fault,” Sabine noted, “I’d fight him myself but…I’m not that good of a fighter.”
Sabine knew it should have been her. If she wanted to make change, she should have learned to properly fight and challenge Shailud. But she knew him, grew up with him. He had been fighting since he could walk, something Sabine couldn’t compete with.
“You have proof of his set up with Pestilence, do you not?” Jessamine asked, glancing at the letter in her hands.
“Yes but…I know Shailud. He will find a way to persuade them with his charismatic nature. He can very well insist it is a fake,” she sighed. She had let this fester for too long. She should have tried to stop Shailud the second she knew his true motives. While there were some here that didn’t believe in Shailud, she knew people were afraid.
Shailud would feed into their fears, make them believe he was the only one who could take them away. That was something they had to stop. Shailud would expect them to wait in the palace, recovering from these wounds. He wouldn’t expect Jessamine to meet him face to face, in front of all of Kanaf.
In fact, he was eagerly enjoying the crowd surrounding him, all of them asking what had happened. They had all seen the Empress arrive, and knew Shailud must have helped, right? He was basking in the glory of their questions, the beginning of the sunset glowing across his skin like fire. The crowd and all talking were silenced upon seeing Jessamine and Sabine there, waiting at the edge of the courtyard with intrigue.
Jessamine hid the blade under her belt, covering it with a flap of her desert fabrics. Sabine, however, held that letter firmly in her grasp. Shailud’s charismatic face faltered at the sight.
“Empress, are you alright? I went to go rescue you,” he asked, nervously smiling as he began to walk over, “It seems like you don’t need much help in that. I apologize about the train, I saw the wreckage. I’m just certainly glad you’re alright.”
“You set me up,” Jessamine crossed her arms, not wanting to hear any of his pleasantries. He seemed more surprised at her bluntness, all eyes looking at him to figure out what she had been talking about.
“I…Empress, believe me when I say this attack was not my doing,” Shailud stammered, “If I wanted to remove you-”
“Oh, you didn’t do this to remove me. Vrah wouldn’t have let you take it that far,” Jessamine sneered, walking away from Sabine and Kiev to step closer, “No, you have to come up with some elaborate plot that makes you look like a hero. We both know that’s not who you are. Look here, Uhkhtar! Look upon your brave, selfless, sacrificing hero Shailud come to rescue you from the shackles he’s placed on you himself!”
“How dare you-”
“How dare I? How dare you take advantage of my generosity and paint it as malignant. How dare you pose as some righteous religious figure, when the only thing you care about spirituality is your means of control,” Jessamine laughed. She could see the fear in all their eyes. In the early days, such a sight would give her pleasure. Like a shroud of glory, to push fear into the hearts of everyone, a cape over her black armor. She relished in their fear. Now, she had to swallow that down to not let it consume her.
Kaid and slowly nudged their ways through the distracted crowd. Jessamine was doing well in gathering their attention, allowing Kaid to slip through practically unnoticed.
“We can’t let her take the fall for this,” Mara insisted with a whisper.
“I know,” Kaid agreed. He couldn’t. He realized how ironic it was, that he couldn’t let her take the fall and blame for something that was Shailud’s actions. Not just Shailud, but Vrah as well. Damn it all. Why did Jessamine have to be right? Why would she be willing to sacrifice her reputation, one that took two years to build, all for it to come down now?
“Do you have a plan?” Mara asked. Kaid nodded slowly, not before slowing time. He slowly moved through the crowd, judging all their emotions of concern, confusion, and most of all, anger towards Jessamine. He couldn’t let them be angry at her. If they only knew the truth, one he had to reveal, he could let them make their own decisions. That’s what freedom was. True freedom was carrying the weight and burden of every decision, all for the hopes that one good one will uplift all the heaviness. It was time Kaid unburden his own. It was time to be who he was, who he wanted to be.
He slowly let his fingers brush against Jessamine’s midsection in his stoppage of time, going underneath the wrappings to that usurper emerald blade. Whether she’d notice it was missing or not, he wasn’t sure. But, he placed a soft kiss on her frozen cheek, one he knew she wouldn’t be able to feel either. Maybe, just maybe, once time went back to normal, she’d feel remnants of warm lips against her skin. Like the ghost of her mother who wanted only to hold her hand, tell her how brave she’s been.
When he returned to Mara, blade in hand, she glanced over upon realizing he had slowed time to get it.
“Now’s your opportunity, his back is turned,” Mara hummed. That’s what she would have done anyways, attacked with his guard down. Kaid wasn’t like that though. Kaid believed in honor, even in something as brutal as this. Honor one day might be his downfall, but not today.
“You dare challenge me, Empress, in front of my own people?” Shailud laughed, seeing a few around him chuckle as well.
“If you want to get to Shailud, you have to go through us first,” one man shouted, stepping in between them. As if Shailud would do the same for this random citizen. Unlikely.
“Okay, like that’ll be a problem,” Jessamine scoffed, forcing a slight smirk on her lips, “Shailud, I challenge you to a royal diaha.”
“The Empress wants a diaha,” Shailud laughed, shaking his head, “You think you know of our fancy rituals, that you can come here and claim whatever you’d like. I sure hope it won’t be at the cost of your life. Will you face me, mind witch, or choose a more worthy champion?”
“I will be her champion!” Kaid shouted over the crowd, seeing those around him slowly part a way for him. He could hear the surprised whispers, some louder than others.
It’s Musa. What happened to his hand? Will he finally take Shailud’s side? Is he fighting for this Empress? How can he fight with only one hand?!
“Musa…” Shailud glanced over at him, before noticing his injury. Right. His reports stated that a man with no left hand had assisted the Empress in escaping. Now, he realized who that man was.
Jessamine’s face fell flat with dismay and surprise, her hands going to her belt before finding that blade had disappeared. He was fighting for her. He was fighting to ensure peace was seen from both parties. This was him picking a side, him picking a choice. This was him picking goodness, picking righteousness…picking her.
“My name is not Musa,” Kaid shook his head before standing proudly, “I have lied to you, but not as much as this man lies to you tonight. My name is Kaid Al-Yami, son of Uhkhtarian Priestess Farah Al-Yami. I am Lord Protector of Vitross and Guardian of Empress Jessamine Kruzika, creator of the Time Paradox, and ultimately usurper of tyrants such as yourself, Shailud.”
Jessamine felt her heart soar at his words. Pride and love overcame any thoughts of worry that he would lose this fight. No. He would not lose, regardless of what the others might think.
Shailud laughed for a moment, not believing the poet underneath his nose the entire time was the most wanted man Lungor was searching for. Yet, Kaid had said it with so much authority and authenticity, it had to be true. How could he have not seen it? He had misjudged this simple poet, a passionate writer, and dismissed him as his greatest, most dangerous of enemies.
Kaid could see the gaze on which the attitudes of his people changed. There was mostly shock for one, betrayal, and even anger. The man responsible for flooding rivers, ruined harvests, and religious cacophony had been amongst them all along.
“Is that what you’re here for, to usurp me, Kaid?” Shailud smirked, “We gave you a home, gave you shelter. This is how you betray us? What proof do you have that you are the son of our former Priestess?”
Kaid unsheathed the emerald blade for all to see, the crowd murmuring and gasping at the surprise. They all glared at Shailud’s blade, the one that had been ‘blessed’ to him during the Mahjaran, a phony, sham of a ritual declaring him ruler. Two blades. Only one of them could be real, and what better way to test the truth in how blades should be tested: battle.
“My Empress came here, out of the goodness in her heart, to restore relations, to bring peace and prosperity. Your false sham of a plot has brought this place dishonor, one I intend to mend myself,” Kaid insisted, before turning to Jessamine, “Empress, this man challenges you to a duel. Do you accept me as your champion?”
Jessamine stood proud, the faintest of smirks on her lips, “I do.”
“In a diaha, the challenger chooses the means of the fight. Choose your weapon, armor, and rules, Shailud,” Kaid turned his eyes to him.
Worry and fear were slowly showing amidst his dilating black eyes. An Empress, he might be able to challenge, or so he thought. Jessamine knew how to fight, much better than Kaid in all honesty. But, Kaid had to fight this to ensure a smooth transition of power, to make sure Jessamine was not seen as overreaching. Then, Shailud glanced down at Kaid’s left arm, smirking.
Foolish boy, Shailud thought, making Jessamine only smirk even more.
“A true diaha has one blade, no armor, and an arena of only ten feet. That is what I call for,” Shailud decided, “This emerald blade shall do. Give me a moment to remove my armor, and you will get what you wish.”
Kaid moved to the side, taking deep and calming breaths. Shailud with the help of another was removing his armor, his only protection. Jessamine quickly moved to Kaid, her hands immediately securing everything from his belt to his shoelaces, making sure nothing out of place would bother him or distract him in this fight.
“You stole my blade,” Jessamine pretended to scowl, wanting nothing more than to place a hand on his chest.
“You stole it first,” Kaid whispered, “Jess, about what I said earlier-”
“We can talk later…after you win this,” Jessamine interrupted him, knowing that he had already apologized with these actions alone tonight.
He nodded, noticing her gaze soften as she took another glance at him. Her fingers brushed against his knuckles holding the blade, remaining as inconspicuous as she could.
“Kiss me on the lips next time if you really mean to apologize,” she added with a small smile, soon stepping away. Okay. So Kaid had been wrong that she was able to feel that kiss. Good to know, for future reference. But, he was glad she seemed to get his message. And she seemed to have belief in him, regardless of the exhausting day or injury. As if any of those things were capable of stopping him.
Jessamine moved to stand beside Mara and Sabine, seeing Alec slowly approach her with confusion in his tired eyes.
“What the hell did I miss?” he asked.
“Shailud wants to play hero, so I let him,” Jessamine shrugged, seeing Kaid and Shailud prepare for a fight.
Alec caught a strong scent in the wind, and not that foul aroma that was Kaid’s Oblivion, but something else. Foresight. He had smelled it once before when tracking down an escaped Caladin prisoner. Now, he could sense it from Shailud. The man who seemed to hate Oblivion and enforce laws in his own region possessed it as well.
And now, he was fighting Kaid, his target. His true target. There was no way in hell Alec wanted Kaid to win, but this was his fight. Alec wanted Kaid to bleed, to be gutted like the monster he was, but only by his blade, and his alone. Not Shailud, not Lungor, not Vrah or anyone else. His own sword. He’d kill him with any weapon at his disposal.
“Does Kaid know he has foresight?” Alec asked hushedly into his sister’s ear.
Jessamine looked at him with shock and worry, “You’re telling me this now!?”
“I thought you knew,” Alec shrugged, his nonchalant attitude only more abrasive to the now worried Empress, “Just invade Kaid’s mind and tell him, that’s simple enough.”
If only he knew that wasn’t possible.
Shailud could see glimpses of a near future, actions done to him before someone else even thought to do them. Kaid could control time, slow it, bend it, walk alongside it. Some might call it an even battlefield. Jessamine could only feel it to be a trap, another one she so eagerly walked into.
Her soft blue eyes glanced at Kaid who held all the confidence a man like him should carry. Shailud wanted favor from the Divines, a righteous call to be leader. He’d get it here tonight, witnessed by hundreds of Kanaf citizens under a bright moonlight. He’d get his chance to walk amongst gods in a hopeful moment of triumph.The only thing Shailud didn’t realize was that there were no gods, no Divines that could truly bestow blessings.
The only god that existed in this Uhkhtar region tonight was Kaid, Kaid Al-Yami.