Chapter 11

Precious moments

Part 1

It’s been three days since Kaidan has gone hiding. Owais, Captain Eugene and Col. Barnes were actively searching for him, the former two to get rid of him and the later, to protect him. Kaidan was at the hideout of the ‘ Belagarathian Redemption Army' , a bunker in the Battlefield of Restum. He was a secret member of the rebellious organization despite being a black Smith. The group was devastated when all of it’s leaders were arrested when Lacer falsely confessed against them. From that day onwards, they were waiting for a chance to strike back at Owais and Cap. Eugene, whom they believed as the root cause of their Land’s ruin.

As the news of Col. Barnes secretly investigating the illegal weapon trade reached their ears, the group began preparing for their revenge. They knew it was impossible to beat Owais with their strength, so they choose ‘’my enemy’s enemy is my friend'’ policy. Owais was clueless when he approached Kaidan and entrusted him to make weapons for him. Kaidan made two replicas and handed one to Owais and kept the other for himself as an evidence to hand it over to the legates. Kaidan knew his life was at stake when the two legates visited him as Owais’s men were watching every Belgarathian in that village. Kaidan purposely mentioned Owais's name as he knew that the legate's visit was as the part of the investigation. If Owais finds about this betrayal, Kaidan will be his next target and knowing this well, Kaidan had escaped from Belgarath just after the two legates had left his smithy with a bag full of evidence of the replicas he made for Owais. He travelled the desert to reach the Battlefield of Restum and hid inside an abundant bunker for three days. It was a secret hideout of the ‘ Belagarathian redemption army’ and was safe since it was an underground hideout.

The organization made it look like Kaidan had escaped from the village leaving false trails that would lead Owais’s henchmen to the next village and as expected, Owais sent all his men to the next village, Bayadar buying enough time for Kaidan to hide. Owais was going nuts as Capitain Eugene had thrown a fit blaming him for trusting Kaidan. They knew it was an end game for both of them if col. Barnes caught Kaidan before they gets him.

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Col. Barnes sighed heavily, glancing at the darkness ahead him, it was two in the morning. He was devoid of sleep for the past two days as he kept regretting the decision to investigating Cap. Eugene and Owais. He felt that he was responsible for putting Kaidan in danger and the guilt was eating him. Dr. Amir and Pro. Lee had visited and tried to calm the young legate, telling that it was not his fault, but Col. Barnes was worried for Kaidan. His heart was pure and kind for the innocent people but hard and merciless for the bad ones.

He was devastated as there was no news about the blacksmith even after searching for three days straight and it was going to be the fourth day soon. He was about to retire to his bedroom when he heard soft footsteps coming from the lobby. His soldier instincts kicked in and he slowly pulled out his gun from his drawers and headed towards the lobby. A creak of door opening was heard from his study room and Col. Barnes headed towards the noise. Closing the door from behind, he looked around the room to find the silhouette of a man standing near his desk. Pointing his gun at the figure, he said in a clam voice.

‘ Don’t move or I will shoot. ‘ It appeared more like a statement than a warning. The silhouette stood there, unafraid, staring at Col. Barnes.

‘ You don’t need to. I am here to give this to the owner of this house. I mean no harm. ‘ Kaidan said removing the bag containing the evidence of replicas from his shoulders.

Col. Barnes was fast enough to turn on the lights as Kaidan removed the bags from his shoulders and eyed the young man standing ahead of him carrying a large bag made of leather.

‘ Are you the owner of this house, the legate?. If not, allow me to meet him. ‘ Kaidan said.

‘ I am the legate, Col. Barnes. Who are you and how do you get inside this house when fifty of my men are guarding it?. Col. Barnes asked curiously.

‘ That is not important right now. Have a look at this. ‘ Kaidan said ignoring col. Barnes's question and placed the leather bag on the desk.

Col. Barnes was surprised at the young native as he showed no fear towards the legate unlike the other natives. He slowly approached the desk to take a look inside the bag. Col. Barnes examined the weapons and found out it was all replicas that resembled the military guns used by the US Army. He looked at Kaidan in confusion.

‘ I made these for Owais and the original ones he brought to make the replicas were used by the US soldiers. I think this might be of some help to you‘. Kaidan said. A relief washed over Col. Barnes and he relaxed a bit.

‘ Are you Kaidan, the blacksmith? ‘. Col. Barnes asked and Kaidan nodded his head.

‘ Oh god, thank you so much. Thank you for staying alive. ‘ Col. Barnes said patting Kaidan’s shoulders.

Kaidan was really surprised at the legates behaviour as it was his first time seeing a foreigner caring for a native.

‘ Thank you, but this alone will not help me with the investigation. I need your confession about making these for Owais. Don’t worry, I will make sure they won’t accuse you of aiding Owais in this. ‘ Col. Barnes said and Kaidan chuckled at him.

‘ I will do everything you say and I don’t care even if I get arrested for this. But I came here to make a deal with you. I won’t give this evidence unless you promise me something. ‘ Kaidan said staring at the Colonel who stood there wondering what his demand was.

‘ Release all the leaders who got arrested along with Lacer. That bastard is not one of us, he is Owais’s dog. The others who got arrested along with him had nothing to do with your assassination attempt. They are all innocent. ‘ Kaidan said.

Col. Barnes now knew that his gut feeling was correct about the men who were accused of trying to murder him.

‘ You are one of them, aren’t you? The Belgarathian Redemption Army.? ‘ Col. Barnes said as he became aware of the truth.

Lacer’s confession was the only evidence against the men who got arrested along with him but because of their anti foreign principles and beliefs, and not enough evidence to back up their innocence, they were arrested along with Lacer.

‘ I will do my best to release them. I too knew they were innocent, but there was not enough evidence to prove it then. ‘. Col. Barnes promised Kaidan.

‘ I am not trusting a foreigner. What if you just ignore the promise you made after using this evidence and my confession to get your business done? ‘. Kaidan asked.

‘ There will be two or three trails in the court and you can change or withdraw your confession if I won’t keep my promise to you. ‘ Col. Barnes assured Kaidan but he looked uneasy and full of suspicion.

‘ If that doesn’t make you believe in me, stay here till I release those men. Also, it’s a better idea since Owais and Cap. Carter are searching the whole village for you. This is the only safe house in this village where they cannot barge in. You have to stay alive till everything is over.’ Col. Barnes said.

‘ I rather die at Owais’s hands than stay here with you. You and your kind sickens me. merciless brutes!!!‘. Kaidan cursed, the hatred in his mind evident in his words.

Col. Barnes felt guilty as it was a fact that there was not a single reason for a native to like a foreigners as all they had done till now was to exploit them.

‘ I know you hate me and my men, but trust me, even it was any other man, whether a native or a foreigner whose life is in danger, I would have asked them the same and let them stay here. ‘. Col. Barnes said and Kaidan scoffed at him.

‘ Are you any different from Cap. Eugene who made this land into a mess? It’s a truth that you hate the natives and see them as vermin. You are just using me and keeping me alive to get your business done. After everything is over, What will happen then? Either you will become the next captain Eugene or someone else will take his place and it’s us the natives who will have to suffer.’ Kaidan said, his eyes turning red.

Col. Barnes felt the pain in those words and stood there silently as there was no excuse to defend himself. The scrutinizing gaze of the blacksmith was piercing his heart and he was bleeding guilt.

‘ I am not that bastard!!! I know what he has done to this land and it’s people but not everyone is him. I am not using you either. I don’t have anything to say to you because everything you said is right. Cap. Eugene’s deeds had hurt your people’s pride, shook their core values and degraded their culture. But what about Owais, Kaidan? Isn’t he partially responsible for your miseries too?. ‘ Col. Barnes asked as Kaidan remained silent as he knew the legate was speaking the truth.

Seeing the blacksmith speechless, col. Barnes slowly sat down in a chair near to the desk.

‘ Hear me out Kaidan, not as a foreigner, but as a fellow human being. You are in danger and I am partially responsible for that and so, I want to protect you with the power I have as a legate. So think of this as you using me, to get rid of Owais and Captain Eugene. Believe it or not, I am doing this out of concern for your safety and not because I think you as a piece of evidence I could gamble. I don’t discriminate people based on their skin color, race or the language they speak. Every human being with a beating heart and emits the warmth of life are equal to me, despite all the difference and social norms. ‘ Col. Barnes finished in a soft yet firm voice.

Kaidan stood there, partiality convinced by those words. As a last hope, col. Barnes said staring straight at Kaidan.

‘ You are safe here and if they come for you, they will have to go through me to get you. Trust me, I am a Legation officer of the United States of America, nobody would dare to step inside this house through that door. ‘ Col. Barnes said proudly, the brave soldier in him was the one talking.

After a lot of bickering and awkward silences, col. Barnes successfully negotiated with Kaidan and persuaded him to stay there with him. After three days of sleepless nights, he slept peaceful, with fifty of his men guarding him.

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A sandstorm had disrupted the lives of the Belagarathians for a few hours and the hospital lobby was packed with people who had injured during the storm. Most of them were foreigners, who went to desert safari and Nurse Martha and her trainees were busy treating them. Tamina saw a familiar figure heading towards Dr. Amir's office in a rush while she was attending the wounded and wondered why col. Barnes was in such a hurry. After sometimes, she saw him emerging from Dr. Amir’s towards the lobby were she was standing. Sleepless nights and stress had took a toll on him as he appeared weary with bags under his eyes. But all the tension dissolved as he saw Tamina and his face lit up immediately.

‘ Seems like you are quite busy, I guess’. Col. Barnes said eyeing the crowded lobby.

‘ It’s a Haboob. Most of them had hurt their eyes. ‘ Tamina said eyeing the lobby.

‘ What’s a Haboob? ‘. Col. Barnes asked totally clueless.

‘ It’s a dust storm. ‘ She said smiling.

‘ Ohh. You had lunch? ‘ Col. Barnes asked.

‘ No. It will be a bit late today, I guess. ‘ Tamina said pointing at the crowded lobby.

‘ See you again later then.’ Col. Barnes sounded a little disappointed.

‘ I have to buy medicines for my father, today. ‘ Tamina blurted out suddenly.

Col. Barnes smiled shyly at her bluntness. She was secretly indicating him that she would be going to the market place that evening.

‘ Mmm. See you soon then. ‘ He said in a low voice, but he was totally excited for that evening.

Turning back a few times to look at her, Col. Barnes left the hospital, with a satisfied smile on his face.