The Air Out Of [Wattys2018 shortlist]

21

AVINE DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT THE COVIANS ARE COINCIDENTALLY PREPARED FOR EVERY ATTACK HE SENDS, so he suspects that someone has been secretly leaking strategic pieces of information here and there. He has his eye on his trio council, the last three people he would ever blame. It's a burning suspicion.

Currently, he's on the head of the table while the three sit in seats that surround his presence. One, Aldridge Madrinay is speaking. Avine doesn't know this but Madrinay is Aspyn, his niece's intentionally placed pawn in the battle. Avine has respect for Madrinay. Well educated, well-spoken, and can maneuver the votation to his favor almost effortlessly, everyone knows this but can't help being drawn to his idea.

He is proud Madrinay chose to stand on his side of the battle.

"And so, I believe we can intercept them while distracted." Madrinay finishes. It's clearly a compelling argument, like everything else he says, it's completely well thought out. A lawyer, this one is, however, although everyone is convinced it not always works. Correction: because of Aspyn, it never works.

The plan was Aspyn's own secret doing, but Avine and the others were already sold.

"Let's put it into action." Avine claps his hands together.

"Wait." The second member of his trio speaks. "I don't think-"

The third member pipes up, "Madrinay has got all the loose ends tied up, whatever you're planning to say. It's been discussed already."

"Madrinay's plans never work. Never. But on the table, they sound perfect."

"It's not my fault that Luphoria has got everything covered, that sneaky one. This is simply the best option we can turn to. War is, and will always be unpredictable." Madrinay defends, the lies rolling off his tongue as smooth as a politician.

Avine observes the three quietly. It's one of them. He's trying to point a finger. Only these three would've gotten to see the blueprints of his plan before it had been given to the army to push through with. His mind attempts to come up with excuses to defend their actions, but his throat constricts. They have no excuse.

He has been betrayed, by one of the three people who claim to be loyal to him, and vice versa. Maybe it's a better idea to tell a different plan to each of the three just to see which version will be leaked, but the three travel a trio, it's who they are. Managing to get one of them alone was impossible, let alone all three of them separately. Nope.

The votation has been tallied, in Madrinay's favor as per usual, but Avine's usual calm complexion is no longer such. In fact, it's quite contorted. "Avine, brother. Are you alright?" Madrinay speaks.

"I'm fine, thank you. Shall we proceed with the plan, I'm quite confident this time." Avine mutters. "But, I want cameras. I want to oversee the process. We don't have the luxury of first attempts at learning. It must be done, and right."

"Absolutely. Shall I have it set up." Madrinay asks, but it's not really a question, more like a statement. It's secretly his own specially crafted method of clocking up brownie points. He's high enough, but information is earned with trust. Something that is too high a risk to lose.

Madrinay was Avine's first friend when he was adopted into court on the day he first arrived. They had each other's backs every time, and to Avine, until now. But to Madrinay, Avine was good until his mind was filled with greed. Power. He was hungry for it, and it had sent him mad.

He once believed Avine could change, but they were too deep now. It simply wasn't fate.

Madrinay wanted to save Covia. His home. Luphoria was one of his best friends, and he would not let her down. She had risked her entire life for a country Avine's idiocy planned to destroy. Before Luphoria's parents, there was no Covia. It was undivided, full of separate states. They had saved his life, and he owed them that much.

Avine has every reason to doubt each member of the court. Madrinay for always suggesting the winning idea that ended up going haywire for the utmost, most loophole-like reasons. The second member for always opposing Madrinay. He knows his idea will never win, but despite this, he still puts up a 'show' that could potentially make him appear as innocent later on. And finally, the third member, she was Madrinay's guaranteed vote. You could never blame her, she only voted, never came up with the idea, but her vote could be biased. For Covia's favor.

Maybe it was more than one of them. What if all three of them were loyal to Covia?

The camera was set up right before his desk. Although Avine was the most powerful of the bunch, only willingly destroyed by the ancient Covian katana, he knew that Aspyn had gotten her hands on it and no doubt carried it with her everywhere. His niece was beyond intelligent and had her ways of manipulation.

"Do you like the angle? This is the location where the anticipated bulk of the battle would be." Madinay spoke. It wasn't a lie.

"It's good. You are all excused." He nods at the three who begin to file out the doorway in a civilized and rehearsed manner.

Avine was quite impressed with the battle. Avinians appeared to be winning but in reality, they really weren't. Madrinay had just been smart enough to position the angle to cut off half the Covian army so the ratios looked imbalanced. The Avinians charged fearlessly, their blood burned red, eyes ablaze. Spears, guns, and whatever unconventional weapons they had whipped up, intact.

They were ready. They looked ready.

He smiled. Then took a breath. The Covians had come to a halt. Seemingly temporary. No signs of peace. At all. But then, they formed a gap, one like a gap of a red carpet for a star to step out on.

Aspyn, he thought, tasting the sugary sick sweetness of victory.

Then, another girl came up. He took a double take. Brown hair, teenage-defined average, but one characteristic stood eyes. Her eyes or more importantly, irises.

Silver.

Royal.

But unfamiliar.

She looked fearless. He was a silver eye. He was fearless. But, if he wanted to win, he needed to stop her.

Getting rid of Mason was easier than anticipated, Luphoria was sick, and a few ripples of attacks aimed at the palace was enough for Aspyn to leave him behind. But this girl, she was the entire problem itself.

She didn't look easy to get rid off. Quite the opposite, in fact. "Madrinay." He called. "We need a new plan. Fast."