384- Diamonds and a Red Dress
POV Viktor Averwyn:
Lucian’s and Konrad’s families lived in the same snow-filled valley where I saw my parents and brothers, along with the Elders. From what I understood, the old ones remained as wise rule-makers. So why hadn’t they told us any of this? That we came from a place called Astraluna and all knew each other?
Why encourage our memory loss and make us believe we had always been from the Tharnak? They were hiding far more than I had imagined.
But what didn’t add up were Lucian’s and Konrad’s ages. As far as we knew, Lucian was 401 years old and Konrad 418. But in that memory, Aldren spoke of them as babies, at most two years old. Even younger than the youngest, Edric, who was 338.
So what the hell was that?
Had I been confused this whole time, mixing reality with illusion?
I ran back to the village, which warmed my blood and drove away the cold. The anger helped too.
I thought about the details—Lioara and Aslan, the little boy always with the young man, the house, the snow, the landscape. Above all, how I felt with them. Loved and loving. They were my family, and that wasn’t madness. If someone was lying, it wasn’t my rational mind or my instinct.
It was the Elders and the other alphas. Which made me certain of one thing: since the time of Astraluna, they had been together and had created a plan. The essential part was that we would never remember.
The worst part was that, in my situation, how would I investigate and discover the truth?
Without reaching any conclusion, I stopped running as I entered the village and saw Lonut hurrying toward me. My heart pounded.
“News from Katarina?”
“Yes. They just delivered it to the office, and I came looking for you.”
I tore the envelope open, reading it at once:
“I couldn’t leave the village. Things have been busy here—wolves from distant packs arrived and attended several meetings with Alpha Lucian. During that time, the gates remained closed.
During this period, I didn’t see Adelina. Perhaps he’s protecting her, avoiding letting her circulate with so many strangers around. I also don’t have access to the house and can’t ask many questions without raising suspicion.
Only today were the gates opened, and I quickly slipped out to leave this note. I didn’t want to worry you. I think she’s fine—no one has said otherwise. As soon as I have news or meet her, I’ll contact you again. Things are very tense here. My regards to everyone. I’m sorry I can’t say more.”
I was immediately thrown into a spiral of worry and despair. I tore the paper, and Lonut sighed, already expecting bad news.
“Georgeta and Anica are anxious, asking about Katarina.”
“She’s fine. But she hasn’t seen Adelina.”
“For two weeks? What the hell! Viktor…”
“Stay alert in case another note arrives.”
I left him and marched toward the office, tense, all my fears unleashed. If that son of a bitch was hurting her…
I rushed to check the war situation, thinking of a way to blow everyone up and get out of there.
My daughter was in danger.
I had to find a way to get her out.
(...)
POV Seraphine Valerian:
"Some are rocket launchers, portable, like bazookas. Just more powerful." Viktor pointed the weapons out to me in a huge shed near the mines. "They have high firepower and explosive power, enough to destroy even a building."
"But have you already used them in this war?"
"Yes, days ago. A group of my men fired on the camp that advanced the most. They're almost halfway there to the west, slower to the east because of the traps on the ascent."
"There are many here. Why not attack all at once?"
"They're spread out, and I don't have enough soldiers to wipe them all out. I need to wait for them to gather or get closer. That's what keeps them away from the main gate; the guards in the watchtowers use these weapons, and they can't get through."
I nodded, knowing that if it were possible to end the war quickly, he would have done so already. He was giving his blood to fight them more violently, too worried about Adelina, feeling trapped there.
The enemies were bombed to the south on the cliffs, caught before they could try to climb up, blown to pieces. In the forests, hit with silver shots. The problem was that the more invaders died, the more others appeared. Like cockroaches, multiplying and advancing.
"These are lighter." Viktor picked up one that looked like a shotgun. "Together with the explosive ammunition, it weighs at most seven kilos. And the lethal power is great."
He pointed out others, which instead of bombs contained silver, made right there. One of them rested the stock on the shoulder and had a cartridge with twenty rounds, and could be reloaded. Lodged inside a wolf, it led to a very painful death.
I learned a lot from him. Since he was directly focused on the attacks and strategies, he always came home late, when he couldn't take the exhaustion anymore. So I started being present, even if only to bring food, talk, keep him company during the exhausting meetings.
That week I learned more about cameras, weaponry, and traps than I ever imagined in my entire life. Whenever he could, he would point out the protected and weak spots in the forest, explain something to me. Until he took me to the shed.
"Can I learn to use these lighter ones?" He immediately stared at me, tense.
"I will protect you. You're not at risk here. If by chance we lose, I'll find a way to get you out safely, Seraphine."
"I know that. But if they come up, if they happen to take us by surprise, I'll know how to defend myself. I'm not as weak as you think. I know some fighting moves, even if they're not much against wolves."
I thought he wouldn't consider it, but he surprised me by picking up some weapons and ammunition. He grabbed some fixed targets.
"Let's go into the forest."
I couldn't believe it! I ran after him, euphoric.
For the next two hours, we went deep into the vegetation, and Viktor taught me how to aim, calculate the weight and recoil, know which eye should stay open or closed. I was surprised by the power, until I understood how to keep my body firm and my hands steady. I missed the first few, but improved a lot, even hitting some.
"It's a matter of training and practice. You have good aim and steadiness."