Chapter 5
ALLIES AND ENEMIES
On TV, the reporters at the press conference exploded with questions. One voice rose above the rest, louder and more persistent.
“Why reject Gaia’s application? Have they not proven themselves? After all, they captured Prince Fenris. They exposed his crimes.”
Lyssa folded her hands together, resting them atop the podium. “It was the Knights who did that, not the Gaian Government.”
“The Knights are agents of the Government.”
Lyssa gave the reporter a small, gracious smile.
“The Knights captured Fenris in spite of the Government, not because of it. The Government sold their own Apprentices, the most valuable assets they have. They betrayed their own people. That is not the sort of institution we would ever call allies. We wish to deal with the Knights directly, without the Government’s oversight or involvement. ”
“The Knights report to the Government.”
“Perhaps, that needs to change. The Government needs the Knight. The Knights don’t need the Government.
They don’t need a controlling, manipulative organization to tell them what to do.
” Lyssa stared at the cameras, addressing the Knights directly now.
“They don’t help you. They don’t protect you.
They throw you at the problems that they cannot fix—or, when it suits them better, they sell you off for a few measly supplies. ”
The TV switched off. Footsteps echoed in the ballroom. The General walked slowly toward us, the TV remote in his hand. His Watchers streamed into the room.
The General’s sharp eyes honed in on the Rebels. “Arrest the traitors.”
Bad move. He was proving Lyssa’s point for her.
Knight Commander Skye broke away from the crowd. “You are one to talk about traitors. You planted a spy in the Castle, a girl without magic.”
The General looked at her, his eyes narrowing. “You forget your place, Knight.”
Skye met his gaze, unafraid. “Lyssa is right.” Her attention shifted to the other Knights.
“The Government is only holding us back. They betray us and sell us, and still they think they have the right to tell us what to do. Well, I say no more. We don’t need them.
We don’t need the people who ruined this world.
They caused the Curse, and then they covered it up.
I, for one, am done doing their bidding. ”
Her words were definitely having an impact. The crowd revved into high gear.
“Absolutely!”
“We’re through with you, General!”
Skye lifted her hands in the air, and the voices fell silent. “Let’s put the matter to a vote. Should the Knights continue to serve the Government, or should we declare independence?”