Chapter 10

FROM IALU’S DIARY I still ponder the meaning of what happened on Tahai Azeh. And its effect on your future, Elin. Where will the path you have chosen lead you? And where will the path I have chosen lead me? When the rebel army clashed with the Aluhan’s forces on Tahai Azeh, I was driven by a longing for change, but now I wonder if I made the right choice. Generations of Yojeh had protected this kingdom’s purity by renouncing the corruption of war. Their unwavering integrity and sanctity were the soul of this land, the very heart of its people, making Lyoza rare among nations. But it was wrong to maintain that purity through the sacrifice of others’ blood. Even though each successive Aluhan chose defilement willingly to protect this realm on the Yojeh’s behalf, only those who lived in Aluhan territory were forced to kill and be killed. The Yojeh and her people should have considered more carefully what that meant. Like the Toda, those ferocious beasts whose blood-drenched fangs decimate enemy troops and rout their cavalry, the Aluhan and his people were feared, despised, and carelessly discarded, even though they had protected this country for centuries. It was only natural that they should long for change. So many choices were made that day on the plain of Tahai Azeh. Uncertain of the answer, yet guided by their own convictions, each person made what seemed the only possible choice. And now those choices have generated a relentless surge of change. I doubt you can escape that wave unscathed, Elin. On the plain of Tahai Azeh, the Aluhan witnessed how easily a Royal Beast could slaughter his ‘invincible’ Toda troops. We all knew that those majestic creatures, the symbol of the Yojeh, could kill Toda. But we believed they could not be tamed or controlled, and so the Aluhan had never thought to fear their existence. On that day, however, he saw you command Leelan to vanquish the Toda. If Royal Beasts can be controlled by man, that changes everything. The Yojeh vowed never to use them as weapons again. As her promise is sacred, I am sure she will try to keep it. But that does not change the fact that you and the Royal Beasts are in a precarious position. If people in other countries learn what you have done, someone is bound to try to capture and use the Beasts. Although the skills required to handle them cannot be acquired overnight, the day will come when a rival country develops its own Royal Beast corps. And when it does, this kingdom will be threatened with extinction. The young Aluhan will never overlook such a risk. He will arise to protect his army of Toda, the symbol of his power and the key to this country’s safety. And whatever steps he may take, they will most certainly impact you, Elin. The only person in the world who can control the Royal Beasts.