Then he began to read aloud.
‘Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with moral law? Which of the two generals has the most ability? With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth? On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? Which army is stronger? On which side are officers and men more highly trained? In which army is there greater consistence in reward and punishment?
‘By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.’
To Allie the words felt horribly portentous. What was Zelazny trying to tell them? That he thought they would lose?
When Carter finished reading, Zelazny straightened slowly and looked out at the class.
‘The two sides who will meet at the parley tomorrow are, I believe, equal in strength and in training. Because we are the same people. We attended the same schools. Followed the same course in life. Therefore, we are equally matched with our enemy.’
A rustle of disapproving murmurs swept the room. No one in that room wanted to believe they were anything like Nathaniel.
But, despite herself, Allie could see the truth in his words. This was a civil war.
Zelazny ignored the discomfort his words were causing. ‘I think Sun Tzu could not say from looking at us, which would win.’
His honesty in these circumstances was breathtaking. None of the other adults were even countenancing the possibility that they wouldn’t succeed. But Allie had always known failure was possible. She could see the effort it took for Isabelle to look positive. The doubts Raj failed to hide.
But for him to say this so openly was chilling.
As if he knew what she was thinking, Zelazny looked right at her. ‘That is where strategy comes in. Allie, read from page twenty-one.’
Flipping through the pages, Allie found the one he’d asked for. It held only a few lines.
‘All warfare is based on deception.
‘Offer bait to entice the enemy. Then feign disorder and crush him.
‘If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If his strength is superior, evade him.
‘Attack where he is unprepared. Appear where you are not expected.’
The room had gone quiet again but the words rang in Allie’s head.
All warfare is based on deception.
She thought of Christopher standing in her room.
Nathaniel holding a knife to Rachel’s throat.
Lucinda’s promises and Nathaniel’s threats.
Her chest felt tight. Who’s the liar?
‘This is the best advice anyone can give you.’ Zelazny’s sharp voice broke through the fog of her thoughts. By now he had everyone’s full attention. Every student in the room was hanging on his every word. ‘When you are faced with a clever enemy, one well matched to your strengths and weaknesses, you must be smarter than him. You must adapt and innovate if you want to stay alive. Because, however technically perfect your plan might be, there’s one thing I can promise you.’ He thumped his desk hard with his finger. ‘It will go wrong. Nothing will be as you expect. Night is always darker when you step into it than it seems when you’re in a lighted room.’
As he looked out at the class, his stare was intense.
‘For the rest of the lesson I want you to read this book. Commit it to memory. As if, tomorrow, I was going to make you recite it to me.’ He lowered his gaze to Allie’s. ‘It could save your life.’
The rest of Allie’s classes that day passed in a haze. Zelazny was right – the other teachers were just trying to distract them. Keep them calm.
Her mind wouldn’t let go of his lesson. Whenever no one was looking, she flipped through the book he’d given them. Words and phrases floated up at her. Chilling her.
If his strength is superior, evade him.
Run away. Hide.
Zelazny was always confident. If he was worried … were they doing the right thing?
But they had no choice. Always, it came back to that.
They had to go to the parley, they had no choice.
They were trapped. She was trapped.
There was no break between classes and Night School training. As soon as her last lesson ended, she was back down in the training room, practising evasion techniques with Carter, Nicole and Zoe. Rachel was off working with Dom.
Just before dinnertime, Raj walked over to where Carter and Allie were trying a complex manoeuvre of whirling kicks and elbow punches.
He spoke so quietly only they could hear. ‘Isabelle would like to see you both in her office.’
‘Should we change first?’ Allie asked, running a hand across her forehead. They were both sweating, and dressed in their black Night School exercise gear.
Raj shook his head. ‘She’d like you to hurry.’
Allie’s heart stuttered. It sounded bad.
When they reached Isabelle’s office minutes later, her door was closed but they could hear her talking to someone inside.
Carter and Allie exchanged a look before he knocked lightly on the carved wood.
Isabelle’s response was immediate. ‘Come in.’
Night School: Resistance (Night School 4)
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