KadEN explained the findings. “StrykER gets images from those he questions. Sometimes a name, but that didn’t happen this time. He did get images of an island, one that is uncharted.”
“How is it not charted?” CristOF asked.
“We can’t find it on the database, so it may have never been populated,” TylOR said.
“Or…someone could have erased it from our database,” KadEN added reluctantly. The thought that someone with access to the database had betrayed them made all three males angry.
“Any idea where it could be?” CristOF asked.
“We think it’s on the eastern part of Kiljor, where the waters are choppier and harder to maneuver, and the low-lying clouds and fog give it coverage. We have people checking the west side, but we need someone who can easily inspect these unpopulated islands. They’re overgrown, almost like jungles. We need the best tracker on this.”
He sat up straighter. If it were a jungle terrain, he would be able to maneuver through it with ease. “I accept the mission. I’ll leave immediately.”
“Actually, we have a team being picked for you to leave with tomorrow evening. We don’t want anyone to see you depart so soon after arriving.”
CristOF grimaced at the thought of having to work with others. It wasn’t that he disliked people; he just had a hard time opening up with them. It made him uncomfortable. “I can move much more quickly without a team.”
TylOR glanced over at KadEN. “I don’t like sending you out without backup. Every Kiljorn is vital to our survival, and you, as our best tracker, are important to our people.”
He felt pride at his commander’s words. A warrior lived to protect his people, and to have his efforts acknowledged was a gift. He also understood the need to have backup. He couldn’t take on the rebels all on his own.
“I want to help pick my team. They need to answer to me and follow my instructions. If I tell them to hold back while I go ahead to scout, they will need to follow my orders.”
KadEN nodded his head. “That sounds reasonable. Commander, escort Warrior CristOF to where the potential teammates are being screened.”
CristOF stood, taking the digital tablet with him. He was about to leave when KadEN stopped him.
“I would like to invite you to my quarters to dine with my family and Commander TylOR’s family. That will give you time to review all the information we’ve gathered, and you can ask any questions you have this evening.”
He fought another grimace at the thought of attending a social event, even if it was a small one. CristOF was almost considered a hermit by most of his fellow warriors because he preferred his own company to others. Maybe it was because, once his grandmother passed on, he and his grandfather had spent most of their time alone in the jungle. However, if he was to succeed with this mission, he needed to have all the facts and more time to question the two males after he thoroughly reviewed the report—it would be invaluable.
“What time did you say dinner would be?” CristOF asked.
He agreed to come for dinner before following Commander TylOR down to the training field to take a look at possible team members. He wasn’t going to have anyone on his team who cared more about making a name for himself than about working as a true team member. His father’s death in battle was largely due to a grandstanding commander, who wanted to make a name for himself and have a glorious battle behind him. Unfortunately the commander, his father, and their whole team lost their lives. That story was often told when young warriors began their training, to teach them the cost of seeking glory. It was a lesson he wished he could have learned a different way.
CristOF stood outside on the training field as the suns were setting. Commander TylOR was next to him. He knew that TylOR wanted to say something else to him, but seemed to be working up to it.
“What troubles you, Commander?”
“I debated whether I should send for you.”
That surprised him. “Do you feel that I’m not capable of completing this mission successfully?”
“CristOF, you’re our best tracker. I have no doubt you are capable. I just worried that it would be too much for any warrior who has done as much as you have. You’ve just come back from a four-month tracking mission looking for more Morins. You need the rest.”
“I’ll rest when I die,” CristOF joked. The commander didn’t laugh.
“No one is impervious to exhaustion. After this mission, I’m putting you on leave for a few months.”
“What if I don’t want to take that leave?”
“It’s not up to you, warrior.” Sighing, TylOR faced him. “I’m your friend, and I don’t want to see you live only for the hunt. There’s more to living than that.”
All CristOF did was grunt and look away. He didn’t know anything else but hunting. It was his life. He turned his back on the field, not realizing that he was being watched.
*****
Two males, one older and one younger, hid in the partial shade of the trees across from the training field. They watched the Kiljorn commander conferring with a tracker. The distance was too great for them to pick up the conversation
