Revenant Slaves Chapter 25: Chapter 24: Ash

Read chapter 25 of Revenant Slaves by Zee on NovelPedia.

Chapter 24: Ash “I will be the champion of my people,” Ash announced to everyone, but mostly to Rain. Ash had no prior knowledge of today’s events. His mother had told him to be prepared for a fight, but he never expected it to be like this. He had assumed the soldiers would interfere, and he would need to protect Rain and the children. He had been quite surprised at Rain’s willingness to go along with everything the rebels said. And, he… didn’t want to disappoint Rain. Also, he had just come off an emotional high of watching the Silver Princess’s agony, and as much as he was loath to admit it. Zain’s speech had worked, even on him. Ash felt nauseous as he looked at Warden Kaeler. His vision became unfocused, and his ears began ringing until he couldn’t hear what Zain was announcing on the broadcast. He looked back towards Rain; she was looking at him with concern. He smiled for her, and for the children behind her. He knew perfectly well how strong the Wardens were. There was always contention between the Knights of the Temple and the Sovereign's soldiers over whose commanding officers were the better combatants. Ash knew he couldn’t beat either one in a fight. The ringing in his ears didn’t stop as a hand grabbed him from the side and guided him away. His walk wasn’t straight. ‘Why had I volunteered? I must have gone mad. Mad like that flamedamned Zain.’ “You know, that’s not something you say to someone’s face,” the person guiding him away said. Ash jerked to a stop and looked at the owner of the hand that had been holding him up as they walked. It was Zain. He smiled at him again, making Ash want to punch him in the face. ‘Wait, did I just say all of that out loud, or can he… read my mind?’ Ash wondered, then he looked at Zain again, to see if he had heard this. Zain didn’t give any indication he did, and after a few seconds of Ash staring at him, Zain finally broke the silence. “It’s ok to be scared, you would be a fool not to be.” “Did you know I would volunteer. What would you have done if I hadn’t?” “Rain was confident you would.” Ash paused at that. Did his own mother want him to be sent for the slaughter? Zain must have guessed where his chain of thought was, because he tried to console him: “She believes in you, they all do, and she only agreed to it after we made sure that you had the highest chance for survival.” “And how did you ensure I have the highest chance of surviving this fight?” Zain thought for a moment before replying, “You’re wearing Maya’s exosuit, aren’t you?” “Yes” “And you didn’t wonder why I let you wear a suit that is perfectly hidden behind your clothes? To give you an element of surprise. You will also have the choice of weapons. The fight will be quick and decisive, before Kaeler figures out that you have the speed and strength advantage, and…” Zain raised his arms and pointed towards another person who had separated from the main crowd and was approaching them. Orson. Ash looked at Orson apprehensively. Was he supposed to trust this man to get him through, a man who had defected to their side, only when he had been caught and beaten? Orson’s hands were still bound even now. “Why am I even supposed to hide the suit? I think the bulkier suit I had been wearing when we escaped the city would have been better,” he asked. It was Orson who replied. “For symbolism, it is better for people to believe that you beat the warden fair and square.” “I didn’t ask for your opinion, Warden. Up until yesterday, you were still having my people abused. Do you think one apology fixes all that?” Ash practically spat out the last part. “Enough!” Maya had also joined their little gathering. “Orson is an agent of ours; he is our companion in this fight.” “What do you mean, he is your companion? How could you work with them? You're all hypocrites, and you’re just using my people for your ends. Who’s to say you won’t abandon us after we have no more use for you? Just how many of my people will die for your little rebel