Page 74 of The Champion
My cousins, Solomon and Mason had concocted a plan to pull out all Explorers and retrieve Victor at the same time.
These past days, I had sat at the table when they discussed strategy in my father’s office with my father, Thor, Magni, and my aunt and mother as well. Indiana, Aubri, Belle, and Banni had been brought in on occasion to give their insights into locations in France.
We were all hoping that France would open their borders so we could retrieve Victor and the Explorers peacefully.
If not, our soldiers would use force if needed, although the council in the Motherlands had specified that they wouldn’t support violent attacks on France. Last night my mother had drilled into Mason and Solomon that no lethal weapons could be used during today’s mission. It was paramount that no one was killed.
What no one said out loud was that none of our Northlander soldiers needed weapons. They were trained to kill a man with their bare hands in seconds. The French wouldn’t stand a chance if faced with a Huntsman.
It was January and snow lay heavy on the trees and grass outside. With a blanket wrapped around me and cozy slippers on, I walked downstairs to the kitchen and found some milk and cookies to soothe my rumbling stomach.
I hadn’t eaten much these past days. Sitting on a stool with a single lamp to light up the large kitchen, I dipped the cookie in milk and took a bite. I squinted when suddenly the room was flooded in bright lights from the ceiling lamps that were turned on.
“Oh, hey Dad.”
“You couldn’t sleep either?” Since my dad was wearing the same clothes as last night, I wondered if he had been to bed at all.
“I had a few hours of sleep, but I keep thinking about what will happen.”
With a grim expression on his face my dad moved to the huge fridge. “We still haven’t heard anything from France. The drones left according to plan. They’ll arrive in thirty minutes.”
“How many soldiers did you send?”
“Fourteen transports. That’s seven hundred soldiers. Solomon is leading the mission with Mason and Thor to assist. Magni went with them.”
“Why? I thought Laura protested when he said that he would.”
“You know Magni. He doesn’t want to miss out on the action and he’s not the kind of man to let his woman dictate his whereabouts.”
“How come you stayed behind?”
“I’m waiting for the French to call me, begging for mercy.” With a plate of leftovers in his hand, he came to sit beside me. Placing a hand on my shoulder, my dad assured me, “You’ll see Victor today. I told you that once our soldiers descend on France, their government will see that they don’t hold as much control as they believe.”
“Don’t you feel bad about breaking another country’s sovereignty?”
“Not when it comes to setting their people free. Don’t forget that for centuries, we Northlanders were denied the freedom to travel. That’s why it’s such a trigger to us when people are limited. Besides, we’ve been patient and waited four months for the Council in the Motherlands to finally agree that enough is enough. Jonah and other representatives from the Council will arrive today with a number of their mediators who are trained to deal with conflicts.”
“I should have gone with them,” I said and felt nauseated.
“No, honey. Things will be chaotic and in your condition it’s better that you stay here with mom and me. We can’t risk you getting tased.” My father’s gaze fell to my stomach and as a reflex I put my hand on top of the small bulge.
“I’m nervous about telling Victor.”
Khan’s face softened a little. “Prepare yourself that he’ll be shocked before he’ll be able to feel joy. I’ve seen it happen to several men in my generation who grew up without fathers. Despite dreaming of having their own family one day, many of them still freaked out when their women got pregnant. It was doubt and fear that they couldn’t fill the role as father. Victor didn’t have parents and he probably never wanted a family to begin with. If he’s not happy at first, don’t be sad. Give him time to get used to the idea and tell him that you’ll help him be a great father.”
“I think you underestimate him. Victor will figure it out. He’s a clever man.”
My dad looked to my stomach again. “Being a genius doesn’t mean you’ll be a perfect father. I made a lot of mistakes with Thor.”
The edge of my mouth lifted in a half smile. “But not with me?”
My dad was quick to joke, “Nah, I blame your strange taste in men on the Motlander part of you. But you definitely got your ambition, drive, and intelligence from me. At first, I was upset that you’re moving away. Now I’m proud that you’re seizing an opportunity to create something for yourself. Both my children will be rulers and that makes me proud.”
“I told you we’ll have democracy in Wisdomia.”
My father straightened up on his high stool and pointed to me with a chicken drumstick in his right hand. “That may be so, but you were born for the role as prime minister. I have no doubt that the people will elect you, especially since your mother and I will help you with your campaign. We have experience from the time we had an election here in the Northlands. I can’t wait for my daughter to be a world leader like myself.”
“Dad, is that all that matters to you? Power?”
