Chapter IX. Discretion

Kevin got up early in the morning to go to work at the veterinary clinic located on his territory. Before entering the forest he observes the birds that perch on its branches and sing beautiful songs in the air. Kevin smiles going into the tide of trees in the direction of his work; When he reaches the bridge he hears noise behind him, the sound of dry leaves being stepped on reach his ears, when he turns around he does not see anyone only the dense forest. A man who wears the clothes of the veterinary clinic approaches Kevin, this without turning to see him orders him.

—Bring a few more with you, let them come prepared. An unwanted guest has arrived without permission from the ruler of Afriz and of course without my permission.

—Yes sir!— the man leaves immediately.

Kevin sees the man's back move away, once alone again he is admiring the surroundings of him, the roar of the animals; the trees scattered on the ground, the dunes of the territory and the flags snaking with the warm wind. Nothing and nobody left the forest at the time the man returned with reinforcements, so Kevin draws a pleased smile. The armed men create an offensive line in front of the forest.

—Stop playing hide and seek girl, someone from our territory wouldn't go down the path of leaves into the forest, so I know you've been following me. I thought you would retire but the reality is that it was not that way. Do you want to fight to get my power? Do you think that with that you can defeat Antirda? I suggest you be my friend, together we can beat him or I hope so.

—I want to defeat you, I will not change my mind about it— a voice is heard coming out of the forest.

—It is not for nothing, but, at this moment I should be working so I ask you to retire, go back to the institute, our affairs will be resolved later.

—I will not do it.

—Believe me, what I want the most right now is to make you pay for the incident in the bathroom with the princess, but unfortunately I can't waste my time here, I'm retiring, don't cause trouble or these people will have to act.

—Don't you dare ignore me, this is something I can't disobey— He comes out of the trees with scythe in hand.

—I know it's not important but I outnumber you, stay out of it. There is a reason that you should not disobey but don't you think the circumstance warrants it? That is why I tell you, retrace your steps to the institution or I will make them open fire, of course if that does not work I will attack.

***

Somewhere underground where secrets await and wait. Four people come together, those who issue the orders for the leaders to execute them, who have survived the murders that have occurred in recent months. The rulers are face to face because despite their differences and interests they have a common enemy.

—Well, we have gathered here to discuss the issue that concerns us all, the leader of Antirda about our lives— says the ruling man of Amira Sur.

—We know who the new Neutral Leader is but our headache is the Antirda leader and we don't know who he is. Surely both are against us— speaks the ruler of Amira Norte.

—This meeting is stupid and pointless. While we're sitting here the boy from Antirda must be preparing his next attack— the ruler of Ocania speaks.

—I heard that your leader could not resist facing him and he was very badly injured, so he has been in the hospital for a long time in your territory.

—Gossip does fly fast, I wish they were active to end the threats that haunt us— the ruler of Ocania expresses with a notorious disgust on her face.

—Gentlemen, it is evident that we do not get along, since we all want what the other has: power. That we are so close to each other and without protection is too much temptation — the rulers look at him reproaching him that he should not say anything unnecessary. —If you realize it, it is very likely that we are in this situation because of this pleasant ambition to obtain what the representatives have— says the ruler of Esia with a mocking smile on his lips.

—This happens because of being arrogant, I also include myself, we should never have done it, coveting what is not ours. We should only have carried out our duty to protect the seal, not absorb it,— analyzes the ruler of Ocania.

—Don't be paranoid. What's the difference between protecting him at the cost of our lives and the cost of our lives? None, they even sound similar. That we take care of the seal of power, which is the total intensity of the powers that govern the representatives with our lives, makes no difference. In the same way we are protecting it, I do not know why so much drama for this. Everything so that the representatives do not start a war with the maximum of their powers? Nonsense and what if so?

—I see that our changing the rules of this game was partly for the purpose you have stated. We altered the laws in our favor, those that allow our citizens to choose who they want for their government by an election at the fingertips, we gave the leaders vulnerability so that they would not rise up against us because no matter how much we provide support from this force it is not enough and in cases it is not controllable for them, leading them to a madness that could end the lives of many and of her own— the ruler of Ocania shows irritation because they are presented and do not pay attention.

—You no longer have the right to shrug your shoulders on the subject, you actively participated in the plan— says the leader of Esia with a scathing tone.

—Much to my regret.

—We gave the order to govern a neutral land whose regime is the same that you have said, only the descendants can inherit their power, but without any of that in it we built the "Institution" in order to find the enemy leaders immediately and compete for get your power. But of course we were fools not to realize something, a stone in the shoe, the insurance of the leaders, what that woman did not tell us, those damn catalysts are just a decoy of what is actually found in the foundations of our land. We cannot access them without the consent of the channel leader and the approval of our representatives, and we cannot even think of getting rid of them because if they die, their powers return to earth and then restart the selection of a new leader.

—What a cynical speech, ruler of Esia— the ruler of Ocania rises from her seat, smoothes her skirt, takes her things and prepares to leave, not before saying a few words. —Your age has not given you good wisdom at all, let me express to you that you not only have a stone in your shoe but also a mountain full of problems, since the child who wants to murder us has the power of the channels of the sea .

Everyone is surprised by opening their eyes in a way that radiates shock and anger. The ruler of Amira Norte opens his mouth to speak but before saying anything the female ruler raises her hand so that she is silent, although before she continues speaking a person interrupts her.

—Still not aware of what that has meant? They need to open their eyes to see that the leader of Antirda has been in front of everyone for a long time— a hooded figure leaning against the wall speaks attracting the attention of the rulers. —You more than anyone know that the boy is someone close to the former representative of the neutral territory. Have these years without vigilance on his part made you forget his face even though they have been so close all this time?

—It's true, that element that we have forgotten is the key to knowing his identity, his attack against us is personal. What happened years ago must have left him more marked than we both supposed, hurting the representatives by killing us is not his intention and it is likely that he only wants to redeem the memories of his predecessor— speaks the ruler of Ocania.

—Even with that said, it didn't take away his desire to fight the leader of Ocania with everything—says the ruler of South Amira.

—With everything and that I felt a great loneliness and sadness in him. When he fought against my son he gave the feeling of fighting with all his might but there was no intention of killing him but of knocking him out to prevent him from protecting me. So I made a decision after almost a week of seeing my son hospitalized, if I have to die to protect my son and my people I will do it, partly it is my duty and partly what I want to do. I hope it is yours too, because if they are still not your children, you can give those people in your charge a long life. I'm going to have a good day— The ruler of Ocania is leaving.

As the men left, they were still stunned by the sudden information. They discussed plans and strategies that would place them safe, Esia suggested that they should undertake the search for absolute power to defeat their executioner, Amira Sur said that it was better to make the leaders leave the institution by being at their side to protect them, while Amira North decided by discretion to see how the danger that was imparted on them unraveled.

When they did not reach an agreement, the hooded person leaves without saying anything.