THE LAST KEEPER

Chapter 334: 334. BROKEN PLANS II

The eye contact was getting unbearable for Kiuga. It was four hours after dawn, and as you can imagine, things had gone from bad to worse. He had never been in this corner when the central piece in his strategy was missing.

Sagiri had not come back, and N’varu and Lira were stuck on the roof of the chief’s fort, hiding as much as they could, but the roof was not meant for people to stand on. They would soon burn to death under the sun if hunger did not kill them first, or just the cold. That was not the only issue, however. Bukata, Zazarie, Maita, Zolinka, and Ulekai had been captured and were under the council’s prison.

Well, things had gone totally wrong. Yes, Zifara had voted no and voted in the city lord’s place a no. It was a risky situation, and he might have saved his head and Azir’s, but that had made everyone who meant to bring him down angry. way more angry, and they needed to vent that anger on someone else.

”Are they really in his chamber? You want me to really believe he could just sit around and watch his people get imprisoned while he lies with a woman?” Zifara asked again, and Kiuga kept that long eye contact.

”He is still a young man. What can I say? His stamina is something even I have to commend.” Kiuga said, and he knew if it were not for how tight the situation was, Kaka could have beaten him to a pulp. He said all this, holding the creepy eye contact he had been holding.

He was no such good liar, but holding the unnecessary eye contact could at least help them buy time. Even a few minutes could mean something important. He could not proceed with plan B because the inner city was in flames now. The people were now camping outside the war headquarters, demanding the death of Sagiri and demanding that Zifara bring them out.

”So ask him to come out, or I can go in and usher him out. We have a lot to discuss.” Zifara said clearly no, believing whatever Kiuga had to say

”So the council wants him dead?” Kiuga asked. Kaka was standing beside him, and for the first time, the boy did not roll his eyes or say a snarky remark. Even he understood that they were about to die. Even Zifara would not be able to defy the will of the people and the will of the council both at the same time.

”This is the third time you have asked this question. If you are hiding something, this is the right time to tell me. My head is currently on the chopping block, and I have less than two hours to bring him out.” Zifara said.

”So there will not be a second meeting?” Kiugav asked. ”Don’t you think this is hasty?” Kiuga asked with a tight, sheepish smile on his face. He looked like he was mentally ill at the moment, which he probably was.

Sagiri, where are you? He screamed silently. You’d better do your late dramatic arrivals now!!

”I told him that me voting no would be a risky situation, and it seems those foxes want him dead now more than ever because of another reason. Between using him to further their means and going against enemies in the shadows in the council, they have decided to join hands against a weaker opponent.

”And they think Sagiri is a weaker opponent?” Kiuga let a laugh escape his throat this time. ”Are they eager to die?” Kiuga asked.

”Well, whatever he planned to do after I voted no and pushed him into a corner, he’d better do it now unless he plans to wipe out everyone.” Zifara said.

”I am not going to lie, Sagiri is unpredictable, but if there is one thing I have known from being with him for these years is that he won’t forgive anyone who harms his friend. If the council dares harm those five, he will not leave one stone standing in the inner city. Even in the outer city. His anger is what you could call irrational.” Kiuga said.

”Is that a threat?” Zifara said.

”Take it however you wish. You saw him at the gate. He can not be reasoned with when people he cares about are harmed. Perhaps that is his weakness and his strength.” Kiuga said.

”So it is a threat,” Zifara said, lifting her head.

”I am only asking you to delay the council as much as possible. If he doesn’t show up by sundown, I will go out there and take his place.” Kiuga said, lifting his head, and Banga gasped beside him. Kaka breathed a shallow breath, but he still held the pride he always wore.

”So then you admit that Sagiri is not in his fortress,” Zifara asked, his voice carrying an edge.

”You are a smart man. You know he can’t sit still. He went out last night, and all I have been doing till this moment is all instruction from him. I won’t hide him from you anymore, but he was supposed to be here right now, but as you have guessed.” Kiuga said.

”So I guess this is the moment you strike a bargain with me.”

Zifara said, and Kiuga held that smile he had been holding.

”Sagiri saved the city lord from death. Now his friends are facing death. I think it is time you paid that debt. You owe him a life for a life. I know I sound cruel, but I love those men like my brothers. I have to do what I should do as a future general. If you let them be harmed before sundown today, or either of us, Sagiri will forgive you. It doesn’t matter that you didn’t take the vote because he asked, but he will not compromise if his friends are dead. So Kai of the south....” Kiuga said before he moved a step back and threw himself to his knees.

Kaka and Banga did not hesitate before they did the same.