AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Because I had failed.
“You, Kal of House Taw, do hereby stand accused of treachery,” S’lec-Quos said. “You planned on sacrificing the people for your own benefit. It is we, the Changelings, who discovered how deeply the rot runs at House Taw. You have been removed and shall never darken the door of House Taw again.”
The Titans’ attention snapped to me. The question was written on their faces: Is it true?
The fact they could even bring themselves to ask that question meant I had seriously damaged House Taw’s reputation. They never would have even considered it in the past.
“But even now, it is not too late,” S’lec-Quos said. “You may repent your sins and live out the rest of your days in comfort. Changelings are merciful. All you need do is kiss my staff and mercy will be granted.”
I raised my eyes and looked out over the crowd.
In their eyes, I saw the hatred burning like hot coals. It was there and it was more than I could bear…
Except, their anger wasn’t aimed at me.
It was aimed at the Changelings that shared the stage with me.
Their eyes followed the staff with the menacing blade. Those at the front of the crowd coiled their legs to spring forward at the first sign it might fall.
And then I noticed what they were wearing.
Their traditional battle armor.
They didn’t come here to be slaughtered. They came there to fight and be free.
They were ready.
They were born ready.
And if Qale was right about them, he could also be right about knowing this was the perfect moment to attack. While the Changelings were fat and nestled at the Titan empire’s teat.
This was when we would defeat our conquerors.
They had made the grievous mistake of facing us on our soil.
I glanced up at the huge frigate that perched above the town, faded and misty with distance. Its guns were trained on the gathered townsfolk. And again, I felt that trickle of fear that I might be allowing the death of countless Titans.
“They are ready,” Qale had said. “You’re never completely ready. You have to act when you’re ready enough.”
I suppose sometimes you just had to trust the feelings deep in your heart.
The Changelings were afraid. That was why they put on this spectacle, why they broadcast my confession across the entire empire.
Because they feared losing their grip on power.
Because they knew it was a very real fear, one worth having when it came to conquering the Titan empire.
The Changelings could be beaten.
They claimed they were unbeatable but they were anything but.
I got to my feet slowly, the Changeling guards stiffening on either side, blasters aimed at my chest.
S’lec-Quos raised a foot to hold them in place and not to fire. He expected me to confess.
The guards relaxed. A little.
“My fellow Titans,” I said. “I am Kal, second son of House Taw. I consider myself honored to be not only a Titan but a member of one of the most revered families in the empire. A few weeks ago, we were attacked without warning by the Changeling army. As befits their reputation, they attacked aggressively and without mercy. They killed my elder brother who was racing to the front lines with much-needed reinforcements.”
