The Decoder - Chapter 7

Avery

“You’re a disgrace to the royal family! Get out of my sight this instant!”

Just a few hours before he encountered Edith, Avery paced around High Commander Ekker’s office. How many times had he stepped into this huge and luxurious office? He had lost count. Never once, did he enjoy being in the office despite the well-furnished and spacious room, which was similar to his bedroom back in Hathage. The memory of his bedroom turned his mood sour as the bitter memories from eleven years ago crept into his mind. He had tried his very best to forget it, but it was impossible. That fateful day had been forever etched into his mind no matter how hard he tried to stay away from the source of it. The atmosphere in High Commander Ekker’s office often felt stiff and uncomfortable to Avery, but he had to endured it. He had known the elder man when he was younger, when his mother was still alive, but he was never close to the High Commander as compared to his elder brother. He remembered the days the High Commander would visit Hathage’s palace for business purposes, always behind closed doors with His Majesty, Lord Sykes and Sir Alcoft. In his mind, the High Commander had always been the serious sort, cheerful and youthful weren’t the right adjectives for him.

“I have a new assignment for you, Avery.” High Commander Ekker rose from his seat behind his huge mahogany desk. His deep voice pulled Avery’s attention to him, fixing his gaze and never wavering as he waited for High Commander Ekker to continue. Being an Elite, assignments were a norm for him, especially top secret assignments.

“You will be assigned to watch the Hathagian refugees at Eder Street. Report to me on their daily activities.” The tall and burly man’s voice laced with seriousness. The High Commander was in his mid-fifties, grey streaks lined the sides of his short crop hair and his weathered face depicted exhaustion. Wrinkles framed the corner of his blue eyes and mouth.

“There are Hathagian refugees in Rayard City?” Avery asked, surprised. He hadn’t expected his own citizens to be hiding in Rayard City. Though they are his citizens, he no longer had power over them. His loyalty lies in Rayard. Not after the bitter incident eleven years ago.

“Yes, they have been in hiding. Though, we’re unsure how they managed to pass the borders at Yvyle Woods.”

“What are we to do with them?” Avery couldn’t help questioning.

“We will use them for political negotiations with Hathagian’s Royals. They are afterall, our prisoners.” High Commander Ekker said nonchalantly, as if the Hathagian refugees are no more than political objects to him. The thought of it made Avery’s blood turned to ice. That was the High Commander for you. He does not show much emotions. When he does, it was a rare occasion.

“And how did you come to know of these refugees?” Avery’s curiosity got the better of him though he knew he shouldn’t be prying in that zone. Being an Elite and a captain gave him some authority and power, but it does not give him the right to pry for top secret information.

“I have a third-party source.” Was all the High Commander replied. The deep tone of his voice was indication enough that Avery shouldn’t pry further.

“Understood. I will carry out the assignment.” Avery saluted and turned to leave the room that was beginning to suffocate him. He could hear the creaking of the wooden chair behind him as he exited the room, indicating that the High Commander has resumed to his seat and work. Once out, he breathed a sigh of relief. This new assignment was easy enough as long as he did not let his personal feelings get in the way. “I’m no longer a Hathagian and I’m no longer a member of the royalty.” He told himself mentally and straightened his uniform. Whatever assignments that was cast his way, he would do it without fail. He had gained the High Commander’s trust, now all he needed to do was climb the ranks and he would be able to fulfil his long-term goal, his revenge.

He was still in a sour mood until he’d encountered Edith at the Administration Building. Avery had been wishing to talk to her since her arrival at the Militia, but he was pretty much occupied and hadn’t found the chance to welcome her. With his sour mood, he couldn’t help wondering why Edith was at the off-limits building at night. When he finally managed to speak to his childhood friend, he realised he had been rude and had given her pressure. Her gestures spoke of uncomfortableness and he immediately felt guilty. He shouldn’t have displayed his sour mood to her when she wasn’t at fault at all. The last thing he wanted was for her to think badly of him and cast him aside. Though he wanted to question her further on her cryptography knowledge, which surprised him, he decided he would save that for another day. Right now, he just wanted to spend some time with her as a best friend.

His sour mood was soon replaced with a feeling of calmness and cheerfulness when he had engaged in a playful conversation with Edith. He had showed her around the Militia after their supper at the cafeteria, all the while refusing to let go of her hand. Holding her hand gave him comfort and a sense of relief and gratefulness knowing that after eight years being apart from his one and only childhood best friend, she was very much alive and strolling by his side now. As they walked, they had relished some of their childhood days and teased each other, which made him feel at ease, casting all his worries aside. When was the last time he had felt that way? He couldn’t remember. All he knew was with Edith by his side, he felt happy, felt he could be himself again after a long time.

When Sir Alcoft had saved him from that fateful day eleven years ago and Uncle Vern and Edith had nursed him back to health and eventually became his very first childhood best friend, she had earned a special place in his heart. He would be forever indebted to Sir Alcoft as well and he often wondered how should he repay his kindness now that he was no longer in this world.

When the next day came, it was afternoon and it was lunch time for the employees and soldiers. It was a the 6th day of the week, a rest day for the employees, but from what he had gathered earlier, the Health Department’s head nurse, Dr. Maia had detained some of her nurses for some extra half-day work.

As for himself, Avery was in a sour mood once more when Ira Ekker, the High Commander’s daughter had approached him and brought up about their arrangements for marriage. He was afterall, engaged to the High Commander’s daughter for about a year now. It was Ira’s idea and Avery had followed along to gain the High Commander’s favour. He had felt somewhat special around Ira and he felt a certain special feeling toward her, however, he was certain it wasn’t love.

“Why the sour face?” Lucien had inquired as they sat at the open field, enjoying their break under the cold weather and basking under the sunlight. It was a fine day for a stroll. If it wasn’t for Edith’s presence here in the Militia, he would have visited her at Uncle Vern’s clinic.

“I’m fine.” Avery replied, not wanting to involve his close friend in his personal problems. Lucien narrowed his eyes at Avery, studying him, but did not utter a word. At the thought of Edith, Avery’s gaze drifted over to her across the field. He had spied her moments earlier, walking towards a wooden table and bench located under a skeletal tree at the corner of the open field. A plate of buns and a glass of drink he couldn’t quite discern in her hands. Caden and Merille had welcomed her as she approached them, and he couldn’t help feeling a pang of jealousy. He wanted to join them.

Was it wrong of an officer of his station to join the regular employees? What would Lucien and his team say? It was known and had become an unspoken rule in the Militia that the higher-ranked officers and the Elites did not mingle with regular employees. The more he pondered, the more his frustration bubbled to the surface, which only contributed to his sour mood.

“You’re certainly not fine, Avery.” Lucien remarked. Avery bit his lips. Screw it. He stood and stretched. He was not going to allow others’ thoughts trouble him. It was his lunch break and he would like to spend it with the trio sitting across the field, especially with Edith.

“I’m going across the field to join my friends.” Avery said and made his way across the field before waiting for Lucien’s reply. Footsteps behind him indicated that Lucien was following closely behind before reaching Avery’s side. He wasn’t sure if he could consider Caden and Merille as friends since he just gotten to know them a week ago. However, he was positive they would become friends in no time.

“I’m interested to get to know your friends.” He beamed. Avery only smiled and continued his steps. He had told him bits and pieces of his childhood best friend a few years back, but he hadn’t the chance to introduce her to Lucien. Now seemed the perfect time.

As he neared the trio, they were laughing and seemed to be having fun. For some reason, it calmed him to hear Edith’s laughter.

“Look who we have here.” Caden looked up the same time Avery was one metre from them. Standing beside him was Lucien.

“Hello. Mind if we join the three of you for lunch?” Avery smiled and held up his packet of bun.

“Of course. Please help yourselves.” Caden grinned and made space for Avery and Lucien. Avery moved to sit next to him, so he could face Edith directly while Lucien moved to sit next to Edith.

“My name is Lucien, nice to meet all of you.” Lucien introduced himself to the group before Avery had the chance to introduce him to the group.

“Nice to meet you, Lucien. My name is Caden.” Caden said, followed by Merille and Edith.

Edith extended her hand to Lucien, which he shook gently.

“You’re new here. I haven’t seen you before.” Lucien inquired.

“I joined the Militia a week ago. My station is at the Health Department.”

“Ahh, I see. I shall see you often as I often bring injured soldiers to the Health Department.” Lucien flashed a boyish smile at her. For some unknown reason, the sourness in Avery’s mood had resurfaced at the friendly interaction between Edith and Lucien. He shook his head, thinking it was foolish. They are just getting acquainted.

“Are you alright, Avery?” Merille questioned, her eyebrows raised, apparently having caught his action.

“He has been in a sour mood since an hour ago.” Lucien answered before Avery could open his mouth. He cast a glare at his friend, but Edith’s question brought his gaze to her.

“Why?”

“It’s nothing. Just a very small matter.” Avery answered. There was concern in her hazel eyes, but he brushed them away. There was no need to share his sour mood with the others. The concern with Ira was his alone to handle.

“So, what were the three of you laughing about earlier?” Avery changed the topic to shift the attention from him. When Caden shared the topic they were laughing about earlier, he mentally relieved a sigh. He would need to give Lucien a piece of his mind later.

He averted his gaze to Edith and realised she was watching him. For how long? He wasn’t sure, but he was sure the scrutiny from her hazel eyes told him that his lie had failed to run past her. He only cast a boyish grin her way and she raised an eyebrow at him. Yep, she was not letting go of me. Knowing her, Edith was the concern and worrisome sort. Until she got her answers, she was not letting go.

When the group stood and walk back to the Main Building, Avery moved to follow when Edith gripped his arm from behind, halting his steps.

“Are you free tomorrow?” Edith asked when they were away from earshot. The question surprised him, but he mentally sorted his schedule for tomorrow.

“Yes. Why?”

“Let’s meet at uncle’s clinic at midmorning.” Edith said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

“Is this a casual meetup or you have a surprise?” Avery couldn’t help smiling.

“I can’t say now. You will know tomorrow. I will be heading back to the clinic after this.” Edith smiled and let go of his arm. Avery wished he could join her, unfortunately, his night duties and new assignment wouldn’t allow it.

“I will be at the clinic at the agreed time.” He said.

“See you tomorrow.” Edith smiled and bounded away to join the group. As he watched her, Avery’s sour mood was instantly gone. The thought of spending a day with Edith made him elated. He felt like a little boy. Happy memories of their childhood days together filled his mind and he wished he could stay in those memories forever.

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