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Chapter Eight -- Interlude
Vraeluth stalked into the command center, located deep within the plateau. The rotating group of Tarazayi who manned the line of telesons looked up and each inclined there heads in respect. There was a look of determination in the Scout Master's face, something they'd never seen before.
"Recall all scouts and reconnaissance immediate," Vraeluth told them bluntly. "Phoenixia goes to war." Abruptly as he entered, he turned and left, long tail swinging.
There was a hiss and a pop and a scroll materialized in front of a female Tarazayi. She jumped up, clutching the scroll in one wingclaw. "Scout Master --"
But he was already gone. Sighing, she stuck the scroll into a wide bin at the end of the table to show Vraeluth later on.
* * *
Larath looked up from his papers. "What do you mean?"
Vraeluth inclined his head again."I am as puzzled as you are, Lord. I cannot see a reason for Sular to ignore the summons. We have tried several times, but with no success."
Larath frowned. He had no time to consider the possibility of desertion, not this close to their first campaign strike. But ... he needed every available soldier, even one who was a confirmed and known pacifist. "Send out two Falcon-Heads to seek him out," the red-gold Phoenix Lord told his Second-in-Command, Blue Comettail. "I want him back here immediately."
The yellow-blue General shifted. "All available Falcon-Head couriers are in extensive training right now, Larath."
Larath waved an impatient wing. "Then whomever you can spare, Comet."
The General nodded. "And if he does not come, my Lord?"
"I have not the time nor the desire to deal with a trial, Comet. Exile him and be done with it."
Vraeluth exchanged a startled look with the Hawk-Head. Blue Comettail shrugged and wandered off do his Lord's bidding.
"Lord --"
Larath did not look up, his friendly demeanor vanished due to impending war. When he spoke, it was final. "Sular Ventrishika has made a choice, Vraeluth; he ignored my summons, thus he has ignored Phoenixia in her time of need. I will deal with his grandfather at a later date. Dismissed."
"Am'nelii Berinshah, Lord."
"Am'nelii Berinshah, Vraeluth."
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