“Is the line secure?”
“Yes.”
“Positive?”
“I am positive. Photeianos does not know about this call.”
“Good.”
Rethais breathed a sigh of relief. For once, Elkay wasn’t insisting that he go to some place in the middle of nowhere to call him. Rethais leaned back in his comfy chair, feeling much better.
“So how are you?”
“Have you heard what happened with the Thanatians?” Elkay didn’t answer the question.
“They had a change of leadership.”
“No, they had a military takeover. A coup, as the Cassids are calling it. This is dangerous.”
Rethais glanced across the room, to where his television screen was playing silently in the corner. In the other room, he could hear his partner using the blender, whizzing things up for dinner. The door was closed though so
“Are you worried something like this will happen to us during our elections?” Rethais asked.
“Not at all. I have faith in our democracy. I am worried about general safety. The Sixteen have not yet made a move on Portalian territories but I worry that they will. They could… pressure the Raptor into talking if they have to. The additional tension makes me think I should reveal myself earlier than planned.”
“Earlier? How much earlier?”
“End of this week, maybe. Really not sure. Not to mention that the DBA is getting rather… energetic, to put it lightly.”
“What do you mean?”
The voice on the other end sighed loudly. “Every time I win a fight, the audience screams for me to reveal myself. That amount of hype will fade away quickly if I don’t comply with their demands, and hype is what I really need for all of this.”
“I thought you were going to arrange a fight with that super annoying fighter who constantly talks about political stuff?”
“He broke his arm and can not fight for at least two months.”
“Oh.”
“Yes… Only slightly awkward. But Friday’s match is against a team of Thanatians who just came out in support of the Sixteen’s actions, so this could work after all.”
“Would that not look bad?” Rethais wasn’t sure how to reply. He hadn’t really read all the information about what had happened with the Thanatian leaders.
“Considering there are reports that the Sixteen condemned democracy and the right to vote, I do not think so… Wait, has Photeianos said anything yet?”
“No one has. It is news here but we have no official statement. Photeianos has been rather silent on the matter and that bothers me.”
“Silent? Light above, I thought he would be all over this.”
“That is exactly what I thought!” Rethais exclaimed. “Normally Photeianos is all over any sort of… removal of righteous rule. His inaction makes me worried.”
The voice on the other end disappeared briefly. Someone was speaking to Elkay in the background and he could be heard telling them to go away.
“Elkay?”
“Sorry about that. I am using my mobile communicator while at your brother’s home, so my Ksa could set up a scrambler. That was Elksia Ksiou I was telling to go away. But why are you worried?”
Rethais slumped deeper into his chair. “I worry that, in the slim chance that you win, Photeianos will not willingly give up his power.”
“I think he will.”
“He tried to kill you. Then he became cowardly and unable to finish the job, then kept your comatose body in a sealed chamber in his bedroom.”
Elkay didn’t reply.
“Was that…”
“No. Nothing. A little close to home, maybe.”
“Are you not over it?”
“It does not upset me. It angers me. Perhaps I need a plan B, just in case Photeianos decides he will not leave.”
Rethais smiled. “You’ll have me and the rest of the Circle backing you up. Lepidas, Lefterias, Veeksiar for certain. Even Emthion is willing to assist should you need him.”
“Emthion, really?”
“He is a changed Rethan.”
“I see… But alas, we’re getting off topic.”
A head peeked around the corner. It was Rethais’s beloved darling, asking him if he was still busy. Rethais nodded a quick yes, then waited for them to leave.
“We are. So this Friday. I’ll announce my accepting candidacy for Vice General the day after you announce yours for High General.”
“Pretty much, yes. Otherwise your announcement will be drowned out by mine, and I do not want that to happen.”
“Is there anything else you need from me, Elkay?”
The voice on the other end of the line fell silent again. After some consideration, Elkay came back with an answer.
“There is one thing you can do. Part of my plan is to get a lot of unregistered Rethans to register themselves. Can you make sure that the registration desks in Hertany can deal with an influx of beings?”
“Should be simple enough.”
“Good. Hang on…” Another pause. “I apologise, Rethais, I must go. I should have called my brother by now.”
“How is your family?” Rethais asked.
“They are well. I sent Arkay off to a Thrakian healing centre, he is doing very well. Oh, and Retvik and Gath both say hello.”
“Please send them my regards.”
“And many regards to you and your family. Good night, Rethais.”
“Farewell, Elkay.”
Rethais put the phone down, then reached for a pen and some paper. He had a speech to write.