Ukaro stared at Goral as the giant struggled to keep the Monitors out of the room. He saw the exertion causing Goral’s arms to quiver.
“He doesn’t have much left in him,” warned Ukaro. “Count to five and erect the physical shield.”
The Chula shaman immediately threw a ball of light towards the door. He shouted for Goral to leap clear, but he aimed his magical projectile towards the very top of the door. The ball of light flattened as it soared across the garden. Blades of light flew outward as it skimmed over the top of Goral’s head and slammed into the top of the door. The blades sliced through the door and over the heads of the Monitors on the other side. They dropped the ram that they had been using on the door and dropped to the floor.
Goral leaped away from the door just as Temiker’s physical shield started to form. He rolled away from the door and remained on his back for several moments letting the muscles in his arms recover. Ukaro walked across the room and knelt by his side. He placed his hands on the giant and mumbled something under his breath. Goral smiled up at the Chula shaman.
“Thank you,” Goral said. “I have never felt so drained before.”
“Your stamina is remarkable,” smiled Ukaro. “Return to your hiding place. There is no need for the Monitors to discover you.”
Goral rose and walked through the illusion in the corner of the room. Seconds later Ukaro disappeared. Temiker smiled broadly as he watched the cat slip under a bench near the door.
* * *
SkyDancer made the Councilors turn around and face the wall. HawkShadow moved towards the door and dragged the bodies of the slain Monitors into a corner. He examined the two Monitors for a moment and then began undressing one of them. He stripped off his Imperial Guard uniform and put on the clothes of the dead Monitor. When he was done he rotated slowly as he sought SkyDancer’s approval. She nodded enthusiastically.
HawkShadow arranged the bodies in the corner so that the undressed guard was covered by the one still in his Monitor uniform. He tore the Imperial Guard outfit into strips and passed them to SkyDancer. She used the strips to first blindfold the Councilors and then gag them.
* * *
Colonel Zanta walked through the corridors of the Imperial Palace, his mind still back at the Council Chamber as he tried to figure a way to save the Councilors while capturing the Sakovan. He reached his office and opened the door. His eyes opened wide as he saw the woman sprawled out on his floor, her long golden hair splayed over the long red dress. His senses went to full alert as his eyes began to scan the room. Suddenly, the woman moaned and moved. Colonel Zanta moved swiftly to kneel at her side and cautiously turned her over so he could see her face. As cold steel brushed his neck, the colonel realized his fatal mistake.
“You should not move,” warned StarWind as she placed her sword against the neck of the kneeling colonel. “I would prefer not to kill you.”
“What is going on here?” Colonel Zanta asked softly.
“I wanted to talk to you alone,” StarWind replied, “but this tramp recognized me. She will live. I only hit her on the head.”
Cherri groaned and opened her eyes. She gazed up at Colonel Zanta.
“Colonel,” gasped Cherri, “Did she get away?”
The colonel looked down at Cherri. He wanted to shake his head, but the touch of the sword at his neck prohibited it.
“No,” he said in a whisper.
“She is a Sakovan spy,” Cherri trembled. “I saw her enter your office and knew that she was intent on stealing information. I tried to stop her. I guess my decision was a poor one.”
“Enough with the reunion,” snapped StarWind. “I came here to talk, not to listen to you two babble. I am well skilled with Sakovan stars, Colonel. I mention this so that you understand that any wrong moves and you will both be dead. I am going to back away so that you can tie this social butterfly up. I do not wish her running out of the office while we talk. Do not try anything foolish.”
StarWind backed away and threw a small coil of rope to the floor near Cherri. Colonel Zanta heard the door close as he gently placed Cherri’s arms across her waist. He tied them loosely and winked at Cherri. She smiled and winked back.
“May I stand and at least see my enemy?” asked Colonel Zanta.
“Better than that,” replied StarWind. “You may sit behind your desk. I have already removed your fine assortment of hidden weapons. Make yourself comfortable. Put the wench in a chair facing your desk first. I do not want anyone to stop in and get the right impression.”
The colonel rose and gently lifted Cherri. He placed her in a chair and positioned it so it faced his desk. Then he walked around the desk and sat in his chair and gazed appraisingly at the Sakovan spy. StarWind stared back at him.
“What do you want with me?” asked Colonel Zanta. “I do not keep information on Omungan troop movements. That is the province of the Imperial Guards.”
“I know more about Omungan troop movements than you do,” chuckled StarWind. “No, Colonel, I did not come here for information. I came for your cooperation.”
“My cooperation?” echoed the colonel. “Cooperation with what?”
“With the surrender of Omunga,” smiled StarWind.
“Forget it,” snapped the colonel as things began to become clear. “You might as well kill me now. I will not betray my country for you. If you think I will trade my life for the Sakovan assassin in the Council Chamber, you are sadly mistaken. She will never leave that room alive. Neither of you will leave this building alive. Throw your star and get it over with.”
“Such bravery from a man serving a false government,” chided StarWind. “Look, Colonel, I don’t have time for a long debate on this. The Star of Sakova is outside in the plaza explaining the situation to the citizens of Okata. Okata will fall today. The question is how much blood must flow before that happens. You have within you the capability to minimize that bloodshed. Are you willing to spare the people of Okata from such horrendous consequences?”
“Taking the Katana’s Council hostage will not cause the surrender of Omunga,” retorted the colonel. “Your plan is foolish.”
“You are rather ill-informed,” frowned StarWind. “The Council was not taken hostage to end this war. They were taken to ensure that they observe the unveiling of your false Katana.”
“You will never get near the Katana,” vowed Colonel Zanta. “All Monitors would have to die before you could even get close to him.”
StarWind sighed and shook her head in a show of exasperation. “You really don’t understand the situation, do you? We already have the Katana. We already have the Council. I am looking for your help in getting them out to the plaza without having to destroy all of your Monitors.”
“Inconceivable,” scowled the colonel. “Do not expect me to believe your words when you would not even be able to find the Katana, much less destroy his escort and capture him.”
“Actually,” smiled StarWind, “His escort is still probably whole and standing outside the door to the garden. The Katana, however, I assure you is in our hands.”
The colonel’s eyes widened in surprise at the mention of the garden, but he was still defiant.
“Nevertheless,” he countered, “you cannot harm him. He is well protected by magical shields.”
“Omungan magic is feeble,” snipped StarWind. “Sakovans will not even be slowed down by such efforts. The Katana’s life is in our hands, as are the lives of the members of the Katana’s Council. As is yours for that matter, but we are wasting time here. Will you help end this situation in a painless way for all?”
“I cannot,” refused the colonel. “Even if all you say is true, I will not help you destroy this government. You may hold the reins of power at this time, but the Sakovans cannot stand up to the Omunga armies that will come and destroy you. A new Council will be chosen, and they will select a new Katana. Life will continue after you are defeated.”
“The Omungan armies will not defeat us,” retorted StarWind. “General Didyk is on a long march to starvation. Do you expect him to turn around and save the city? Forget it. His army will reach Alamar and surrender just as quickly as General Romero did. And what is left of Valdey’s army is fleeing for their lives. It will be over a week before the remnants of that army emerge from the Sakova.”