"Sir, are you okay?" the first agent to reach him asks.
"I'm fine, but see to the crew." Jabieko hops down and looks toward the sound of gunfire and what appears to be artillery. "Who's attacking us?"
"We're not sure, sir. We're getting hit from three different locations, but we're holding our ground and we have backup coming. They're two minutes away."
"What about those Euperian kids?"
"No information on them yet, sir."
"Get me the hell out of here and find those kids!"
❖❖❖
Blake carries Isabella out of the water, and tells the other to follow him. Eva crawls toward them as Olivia looks around and weeps. Soon, they enter the forest on the other side of the bridge.
"We've lost Wally and Jim, but Zack is still alive," Blake consoles them as they cluster together. With a flick of a hand, he uses carefully directed heat to dry their clothing and hair, and warms their bodies enough to offset hypothermia. "We'll find him once we get to safety." His words ring hollow; for the first time since he became Zack's guardian, he cannot discern his king's presence. At their nods of acknowledgment, they continue their march through the forest — until minutes later, when two unknown individuals, a man and a woman, come into view. Both are armed with what appear to be submachine guns and wear full tactical gear. Blake signals the group to stop; he sets down Isabella on the leaf litter and settles into a wide stance, both his hands bursting into white flame.
"We mean you no harm!" the woman shouts. "We've been sent by Dr. Buchanan to get you to safety."
The tall, muscular man starts walking toward Olivia. Eva steps in front of her and begins gathering energy. Frost forms on the tree limbs and leaves within 20 feet of her.
"I mean no harm," the big man says, his breath visible in the sudden cold. "I just want to give this to Olivia; it's from the doctor." The man takes a small wooden box from his jacket pocket and holds it out. Stepping forward suspiciously, Eva grabs it and passes it to Olivia. Olivia opens the box and sees an engraved pen.
"They're telling the truth," she says instantly. "I gave this pen to the Cannon for his 50th birthday."
"Where's Zack?" the woman asks.
"We don't know. We lost him after he destroyed the bridge," Blake responds.
The man glances at the woman. "I'll go find him. Take them to safety."
"Let's go," the woman commands, and knowing it's their best chance, they obey. Blake picks up Isabella in a princess carry, like before, and they follow, alert for betrayal or further UNSTF attack.
❖❖❖
"I see him."
Aaron jumps into the river and swims to Zack's floating body. He grabs him and pulls himself and Zack back to shore. Janice helps Aaron drag Zack to dry ground.
"He's still breathing," Aaron says, relieved.
"Good. We need to move now. UNSTF reinforcements have arrived, and our people won't be able to hold their positions much longer."
Aaron arranges Zack's body on his shoulders and stands. Preparing to move out, he tells Janice something he'd never let himself dare hope he might get to say: "Let Matt know we have the king."
THE END
