Chapter 20 Aftermath (1/2)
”Brother Amar!”
Arran knelt by his friend's one, he immediately worried about Ae's attack
To his relief, as he knelt he could hear Aroan He was in pain, but at least he had survived Others, Arran knew, had not been as lucky
Aet hi the words took him some effort
”You did,” Arran said No point in telling hi down the Academy adept
”bastard broke ht ar as he moved his injured body ”So did in?” He looked toward the rest of the rounds, and a look of astonishment appeared in his eyes
Arran nodded ”Master Fireheart defeated the Arounds The sight nearlystill stood standing Wherever he looked, the grounds were filled reckage and debris His heart sank when he saw thatthe ruins
At that moment, Adept Kadir approached them Despite his own injuries, theup on the injured initiates after Master Zhao had defeated the last of the Acadeht?” he asked Arran, voice thick orry
”He's well enough to speak for hi on his face He was clearly still in great pain
”It's all because of me…” Arran said ”All of this… it's ht tre He's the one who invited them He's the one who caused this” Arran noticed he did not use his master's title
”But they came here for me,” Arran said
Adept Kadir did not have a reply It was true, Arran knew Had he not come to the monastery, none of this would have happened The Academy had come for him, and him alone
”They would have” The voice was Master Zhao's, who had appeared unseen ”You think they would send an arle initiate?”
Adept Kadir cut in ”You're saying they planned this?”
”They planned a slaughter,” Master Zhao said ”They just failed to anticipate whose it would be”
”But why?” Arran asked Ithad offered to help the Academy Why would they attack him and the monastery?
”The Academy does not abide rivals,” Master Zhao said ”In the past, Windsong's estured toward the rounds ”This could never last”
”Then why didn't they act earlier?” Adept Kadir asked He did not sound convinced
”Until now, Windsong wasn't worthy of their attention,” Master Zhao said ”Yet as the 's invitation, it could have been a few more decades before they came, but they would have co now?” Arran asked, re that Master Zhao had said he had not killed the one, I assuine he haswith either us or the Academy”
”Then what of the rest of us?” Adept Kadir asked
”You must flee,” Master Zhao said ”Gather up your wounded, warn the townsfolk to leave, then head deep into the mountains Once the students are ready to strike out on their own, send them away”
”Abandon the monastery? Just like that?” Sorrow filled Adept Kadir's voice
”You have no choice,” Master Zhao answered ”Once the Acadees Anyone left here when they arrive will die”
”But how can we escape them?” Adept Kadir asked ”Even if we leave the monastery and head into the mountains, they can easily track us”