THE LAST KEEPER

Chapter 372: 372. SANDSHADE DECOY

Sagiri remained silent for several moments, his fingers lightly tapping the wooden table as he pieced together everything he had been told.

Nothing about the situation felt natural.

’Why could the supreme madra give into this ploy? Had th beast art he was parcticing finally turnd on him?’ Sagiri thought.

The situation was moving far too quickly, almost as though someone had been waiting for the slightest excuse to ignite the continent. Finally, he looked up.

”Why?” he asked quietly. ”Why would the Supreme Mandra move so recklessly?” His crimson eyes settled on Salka.

’Surely Tsaka did not go back on him turning a blnd eye? Did the mandra turn a deaf ear to him?’ Sagiri thought.

”Tsaka should have stopped this before it reached this point.” He said out loud.

No one answered immediately.

Sagiri leaned back slightly, thinking aloud more than questioning them.

”Either Tsaka betrayed me...” He paused before shaking his head. ”No. That old fox is many things, but foolish is not one of them.” His gaze drifted toward the window overlooking the academy grounds.

”Then he failed.” The words came out heavier than he intended. ”Or perhaps even he can no longer keep the Supreme Mandra in check.” The realization settled over the room like a shadow.

Sagiri had anticipated retaliation for destroying the southern garrison, but not on this scale and certainly not this quickly. Someone had accelerated events while he lay unconscious beneath the Endless Pool.

”Things have moved far faster than I expected,” he murmured. ”Much faster.”

Matasi nodded grimly.

”Every northern fortress is preparing for conflict. Every southern city is doing the same. There is no one left trying to slow things down.” Matasi folded his arms.

”Even Galka war academy and all academies aren’t untouched.” Sagiri looked toward him.

”The academy has begun preparing its cadets by order of the ten schoold,” Matasi explained. ”Not for the front lines. Not yet. They’re being organized into relief divisions, village protection units, supply escorts... anything that frees experienced warriors to march to the border. If war begins, every hand will be needed.” Through the open doorway, Sagiri could hear it in the distance in the four pentagons now that his mind had quieted.

Boots striking stone in perfect rhythm. Commands echoing across the training grounds. The clash of wooden practice weapons. It was louder than he remembered. More urgent. Less like training and more like preparation.

He closed his eyes briefly. Even the ten schools, an organization that had always stood above petty politics, had begun bracing itself for what was coming. That alone told him how serious the situation had become. He rose slowly from his chair, fastening his cloak around his shoulders.

”Then I cannot stay here.” Every eye in the room turned toward him. ”The moment word spreads that I have awakened inside Galka War Academy, this place becomes a target.” His voice remained calm, almost detached, but the conviction behind it was unmistakable. ”

I owe this academy too much to drag it into my war.” He looked toward N’varu, then Salka. ”If the North discovers I am here, they’ll believe Galka academy has chosen the South and harbours and enemy. If the South learns I’m here, they’ll come seeking me in numbers.” His jaw tightened ever so slightly.

”Either way, this mountain becomes a battlefield.” He shook his head once.

”I won’t allow that.” A heavy silence settled over the room before Sagiri spoke again, quieter this time.

Sagiri stood in silence for a moment, his eyes moving across everyone gathered in the chamber before settling on N’varu.

”You leave first,” he said. ”Take Zaira and the other Sandshades. Head west.” N’varu frowned slightly but remained silent, allowing Sagiri to continue.

”I can’t keep ruuning. I am your sandshade this can’t continue hiding!” Nvaru snapped.

”You wan’t us to hide your beast when it should protect you?” Agia one of teh sandshades said.

”Don’t hide her.” Sagiri glanced toward the enormous beast resting quietly behind him. ”Quite the opposite. Make her impossible to ignore.” Several brows furrowed around the room. ”I want every scout, every spy, and every messenger between the North and South to believe I am riding openly toward the western tribes. The Tsanka Kun hates me enough to dare go after the beast even with no chance of winning.” A faint smile touched his lips.

”Let them panic. Let them chase shadows.”

N’varu finally nodded in understanding.

”You want the attention on us.”

”Exactly,” Sagiri replied. ”If they’re watching Zaira, they won’t be watching me.” His gaze shifted to Salka.

”I’ll leave separately after nightfall. We rendezvous at the western convergence point once the pursuit has shifted.” Salka crossed his arms.

”And if they don’t take the bait?”

”They will,” Sagiri answered with quiet certainty. ”No one who has seen Zaira mistakes her for another beast. They’ll assume I’m on her back whether I am or not.” His attention returned to Salka.

”As for you... you stay.” Salka raised an eyebrow. ”Senraki isn’t here,” Sagiri continued. ”Until he returns, Galka needs someone capable of protecting it.” He looked toward the academy walls beyond the window. ”The academy cannot afford to appear leaderless now.” Salka clicked his tongue.

”So you get to run around while I guard children? I should leave them to Lotaga.”

”And there will be no academy to come back to after the unrest.” Yavaga snapped back

”Fine. I was planning to do that anyway” He sighed. ”I’ll remain until the man child returns. You will not wait for him any longer?”

”No,” Sagiri said, shaking his head. ”I wait until nightfall. If Senraki has not returned by then, I leave regardless.”

Salka frowned.

”You’re expecting trouble.”

”I’m expecting delays,” Sagiri replied. ”Senraki never misses appointments without reason.” His expression hardened slightly. ”If he doesn’t return by tonight, something has prevented him from doing so.” The room fell quiet. Everyone present understood what that implied. Sagiri stepped toward the doorway before pausing once more.

”Protect the academy if you must,” he said without turning around. ”This fortressed can hold back a full blown battle for a month or two. ”

”I know that. Worry about yourself.” Salka said playing with a dagger like it was some paly thing. He was not even looking at the weapon...

The door however suddely sprang open and a frustered warrior walked in...

”You better have a good reson for acting like that or you will be on pet tending duty....” Salka did not even lift his face to say that as the warrior came to a hault in the middle of the room.

”We have a situation captain...” He said his eyes wide.