They trailed him without question. Only seventeen took up arms this time around. The others had all these excuses about watching over the sleepers. How the duty was too important to forsake. Funny. Never stopped them last year, or the one before. No. Thoughts of peace had infected their minds. Compromise was rot. They were forgetting why they'd gone to battle in the first place. It wasn't for peace with the invaders – it was to expel them. ALL OF THEM. Every foreign boot and word, thought and prayer. Trade was just an excuse.
Nechon would be free. Truly free. Not just bound to some ramshackle peace. And only when it was is it had been before outsiders started getting ideas would the victory be real. Complete.
Scouts had confirmed it. Another barge hung dangerously far from Swaji. There was no legitimate reason for any vessel to try and dock in the area. So this one would sink.
The sun was just threatening to dance across Boil's surface. It was better this way. Because the light was coming, and the shore was in sight. They'd think they made it. Shallows darkened as the ship took position between them and the dawn.
„Nice and quiet.“ He didn't turn around. „We breach, then wait here.“
Felt at the blue atop his head. It all seemed distant now. Looked at the seventeen who still knew what home meant.
„Nechon“ Quiet and raspy. They all used to say it like prayer before every operation. Less and less these days.
He didn't wait long enough to hear if anyone echoed it this time. Wasn't a question that needed answering.
His small form dipped beneath the surface, each stroke closer. Wood and splinter.
Nechon would be free. Truly free. Not just bound to some ramshackle peace. And only when it was is it had been before outsiders started getting ideas would the victory be real. Complete.
Scouts had confirmed it. Another barge hung dangerously far from Swaji. There was no legitimate reason for any vessel to try and dock in the area. So this one would sink.
The sun was just threatening to dance across Boil's surface. It was better this way. Because the light was coming, and the shore was in sight. They'd think they made it. Shallows darkened as the ship took position between them and the dawn.
„Nice and quiet.“ He didn't turn around. „We breach, then wait here.“
Felt at the blue atop his head. It all seemed distant now. Looked at the seventeen who still knew what home meant.
„Nechon“ Quiet and raspy. They all used to say it like prayer before every operation. Less and less these days.
He didn't wait long enough to hear if anyone echoed it this time. Wasn't a question that needed answering.
His small form dipped beneath the surface, each stroke closer. Wood and splinter.