As I stare, I do my best to stay absolutely neutral. What she wants from me goes against all my morals. I expected her to ask me of this but I still couldn't believe that she did.
Then again...she is Autumn.
Autumn is wicked.
She is the calm before the storm. But to many, she is the storm.
She is everything Summer hates.
And now that she has shown her interest in this knowledge, Autumn has proven to be the most viscous of all.
“I need you to reveal people's bonds to me.”
"Bonds are unseen by all mortal creatures," I say. "No one can tell you about them."
She pauses for a moment as though thinking over what I just told her. She finally says, "I know that you can see the relationships binding people to one another."
I will hunt down and slowly torture the one who told her so.
In the mean time, I continue to play the uncooperative captive that I am. "I'll admit it then: I see the bonds that you say I do. And I will tell you about every bond you request."
Autumn eyes me with suspicion. "I don't believe you."
I didn't expect her to. "Then don't."
"Your smile tells me that you are happy with this situation."
Why wouldn't I be? I am the last of my brothers and sisters - I am all that is left of Summer; there's nothing left for me to lose if I lie to her about people's relationships.
I never, ever, told Summer about people's bonds. If I never told Summer, the one I deeply respected, why should I tell Autumn?
"Do you know that Summer's alliance with Spring is still active?"
The sudden change of topic makes me pause. Of course I know of the alliance. Spring and Summer have been close for as long as anyone could remember. With half of their strength gone because of an internal conflict, they were the first to be defeated by Autumn's advanced battalion. Even so, they bought Summer enough time to hide the Seed in an agreed upon location.
"Spring is building up their forces again," Autumn says. "In a few months, they will be back to full power."
My mask slipped and my eyes widened for a second as I take in the news. If Spring's troops were all of one mind and heart, they would definitely be a force to be reckoned with.
"They may be able to defeat Winter."
My mind races to understand the words she just uttered. "What happened to your alliance with Winter?"
"It is broken. Winter has gone insane and does not heed my words. I have no control over the Snow anymore."
With their alliance, Winter had placed part of Snow into Autumn's control. With the whole of Snow returned to Winter's command, their full potential will be unleashed.
"The Cold is all I have left. Spring can, as I said, defeat Winter."
If Spring kills Winter, Autumn will be able to defeat Spring's weakened forces. I tell her so, just to see her reaction.
"If we defeat Winter, I am ready to speak to Spring about a peace treaty."
"You," I say, "want a peace treaty with Spring?"
Autumn unlocks my cell and steps inside. She approaches me and, making sure that my attention is on her, says, "Winter will kill us all, leaving nothing of our existence behind. All life will suffer if Spring doesn't join with me in the fight against Winter."
"Then why did you kill Summer?" I ask.
"Summer didn't recognize the greater danger. They were unwilling to cooperate and attacked me at any opportunity."
"Anyone would attack you, given the chance."
Autumn nods in agreement. "Yes. I would agree with you on that point. But that must change, as Winter is rising to be stronger than anyone has known them to be."
I hold back my shiver at the thought of what Winter might do. It has been told that when Winter strikes, nothing but a few pockets of life survive. And when Winter rules, which has never happened before - nothing will remain.
"Will you be killed," Autumn demands. "Or will you help me save the rest of us, even those not involved in our conflict?"
Leaf warriors never turn their backs on those who can't help themselves. I wonder if she knows that. 686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk1kjrpdfZ
I can't decide if honouring Summer's beliefs is more important than whatever Autumn may do with my power.
I stare into her eyes, trying to read her mind even though I don't have that ability. I nod my head. "Curse your ancestors and descendants..." I say, meaning each word. I hate her for making me do this. "I'll help you." I'm still unsure of her intentions for me.
Bonds of soul mates, friendship, mentor-ship, loyalties - none are invisible to my eyes. Summer knows - knew - that I would never tell him of people's bonds. But he also knew that I use them to figure out their alliances toward me and to others, so I can plan my next move.
I follow Autumn out of the cell with two Cold guards flanking me on both sides. She has placed a great deal of trust in me - in not attacking her at this very moment and in not lying to her later on. That kind of trust resonates with followers.
But not me.
At least, not until I figure out why.686Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehV6wUKgzo
It won't happen, until I figure out why she doesn't have any bonds.
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