Born Of Fire

Born Of Fire Chapter 60

No time to talk guys, but here it is! 120 votes for the next hapter, or one week, whichever happens first. Enjoy!!!!!

The four turned, Elle’s body in the lead, Ember next, Phoenix, then Spedro and Lindani bringing up the rear. They made their way to the street, and walked between the crowds of people who split apart before them. Many cheered, but were quickly quieted by Phoenix’s glare. Into Ahna’s home, down the hallway, through her bedroom door, the dead woman’s body led. Ahna was sitting up, with her back to the head board. She froze with a spoonful of soup halfway to her mouth when she saw them, and Ember laid Elle’s body on the end of the bed. Elle’s blood began to soak into the blankets, and Ahna’s eyes went wide.

“This…was the assassin?” she asked, confusion apparent on her face.

Phoenix nodded. “She was. She told us her story, a story that paints you, Ahna, in a very bad light.”

Ahna sighed, attempting to shift her position between her now blood soaked sheets. A grimace sped onto her face, and her hand flew to her wound. She grunted, and closed her eyes for a moment until the pain subsided. “She was the daughter of our foremost general, Pursof. Had he been tried, he would have been convicted. Had he been convicted, he would have been executed. Had he been executed, Lanaro would have fallen without his leadership.”

Phoenix stepped forward. “Let me make sure I understand you. Her father killed her lover, a man under his command, a man he had sworn to protect. Then, he raped his own daughter, which is a trespass not only against the laws of Lanaro and every other city, but against the gods themselves. And you let him live because he was a good commander?”

Ahna’s gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing. “He saved Lanaro before she killed him. And now my city lives in peace because of his strategies. The life of a soldier does not outweigh the life of a general!”

“In war time, I would be inclined to agree with you. But he killed Batik in cold blood!” Ember cried. “How can you challenge us in this matter?”

The fierceness fled from Ahna’s face. “I made the choice that was best for my people.”

Phoenix stood, shocked at her words. A tense moment passed, and he looked to Spedro. Anger burned in his normally stoic eyes, and Phoenix had his answer. He turned back to Ahna. “And I must make the right choice. We will not defend you when Demetrius’ forces come to attack you again.”

Ahna looked between the four of them, her eyes pleading. “Please, do not hold my decisions against my people. Our scouts report that a large contingent of Demetrius armies is less than a day’s ride away. We will need your help in routing them.”

Phoenix nodded to the three, and Ember lifted Elle’s body from the bed with a gentle gust of wind. They turned and left the bedroom, leaving only Phoenix and Ahna. “You shouldn’t have made concessions for a trespass such as her fathers. We will bury her, and then we will leave.”

Phoenix turned, but Ahna’s cry made him stop by the door. “If you leave, Lanaro will fall! What can I do?”