Kilavi, Klysevia"M-Major Klessekin?? I... I..."
Mikhail Tadafirov was left speechless. How much had the major heard? Was he going to rat him out for revealing Kyslyev's plans?
"Look... I don't know
who it was you were talking to... but I understand your worry about the invasion. I know how you feel right now."
"Wait... you do?"
"Of course I do! Ever since the first day I signed up for the Army, I was always worried about what we might have to do, what the president's plans might entail... and now, those plans entail something that isn't so pretty. I get that. It's never easy to go into another nation and strip them of their peace and their freedom..."
"So why go into the Army?" Mikhail asked, slightly confused by the Major's perceived hypocrisy. "I was forced to conscript, but why did you join? What made you want to do all of this, knowing what it meant? Why not just set out on an expedition to settle a new island, or a quiet life owning a bookstore?"
"For me, it was a matter of family pride. Klessekins have always been right there to defend the island, right back to Maria Klessekina, the legendary vanquisher of the elven race..."
"Elves?"
"Ha ha ha, it's all just a story of course, there were never elves on Klysevia... after all, we've been here over a thousand years, our early history is bound to be full of tall tales. What is true, however, is her legacy. Klessekins have always been there to serve in the Klysevian Army since before there even was a Klysevia. It's just our little family tradition... does your family have any traditions?"
"No, not really... apart from out annual family reunions, which draw all of our family from across the ocean..."
"Well, then you understand how important it is for family to stay connected... we stay connected through our service. No matter what my objections are, I serve for them."
"Wait wait wait, let's back it up. You
aren't mad at me for saying I'm against the war?"
"Of course not Mikhail, I'm agreeing with you... but General Mehevets can never,
ever know."
"Thank goodness Major Klessekin... I thought I was toast there. You're a real life-saver."
"No need to thank me, kid. Let's just hope that, after this is all said and done, we can go home safe and sound... or better yet, not have to go in the first place."
Lahaira, Aleirave"What the heck??"
Governor Adari'ena was shocked at what Igor Tadafirov was telling him, arguably even more shocked than Igor was when he first heard.
"Yes, Governor, an invasion. Kyslyev is sending troops in soon, to try and 'rein us back in'..."
"How long do we have, Mr. Tadafirov?"
"From what I've heard, there were some issues in Bestairitza, so they won't be able to get any troops over here for a couple of months or so... but it's hard to tell when exactly they'll get here. We need to be ready."
Governor Adari'ena was floored. He knew that the Klysevian invasion would, even if it failed, destroy the entire island's infrastructure should they so much as land. All of his and King William's work, gone in a heartbeat.
"Well, there's only one thing we can really do in this situation, is there... well, I suppose I should get it over with."
He picks up the phone and starts dialling a number, one that certainly wasn't from the island, judging by the tones Igor was hearing. "Who are you--" Igor tried to ask, before being interrupted by the Governor saying "William?"
"Refilene! How has it been?" the king replied in his usual happy-go-lucky tone.
"There's a man here to speak to you... all I can really say is, it isn't good... at all." Refilene then turned to Igor to hand him the phone. "This is the king on the other end of the line..." he said. "Don't be shy, he's a nice fellow. Tell him everything.
Everything. This is our only chance to save our home."
"Y-Y-Your Highness?" Igor said as he shakily picked up the receiver.
"Please, just call me William, I've never liked the whole titles thing." the king replied, just as he had for seemingly everyone he had talked to in the last seven years.
"Okay, William... Aleirave is in grave danger."