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Elizabeth kept muttering to herself on her way back to the estate. She kept asking herself why she went looking for him when she knew the answer already. Why did he practically confess his love for her, when he knew she’d never be with him? It was a fact she wouldn’t. And if there was a small chance, he blew it. But she had to tell her father about the attack. They’ll be entering Koura in a matter of hours.
She began to run, slipping and sliding in puddles, and fallings every four blocks. When she got home, she was covered in muck and slime. She was drenched from head to toe, and her dress was pretty much falling off, exposing her bra. She calmly opened the gate and slipped in, closing it after her. When she got to the door, she opened it as quietly as she could, and walked in, closing the door with a bang and let out a scream.
It worked. Seconds later, people came clattering down the stairs and appearing in doors. Hannah stuck her head out, and ducked back in to fetch towels. Mateo was the first to reach her.
“What’s wrong?” He said frantically, taking a hold of her shoulders. “What happened? Where were you?”
”I-I-I-“
”Let her calm down," Michael said, ushering Elizabeth into the common room. Hannah joined them with towels. Everyone who had came running to the scream, stood around Elizabeth and Michael.
“Now what happened?”
”I went for a walk, and walked into Jack robbing a local store.”
Michael began to curse and shout something but Elizabeth cut him off.
“He told me that Koura’s attacking at dawn.”
There was a gasp from the women, and the guards immediately tensed.
“Everyone, go back to your posts. Hannah, get Ryan, General Andarie, Ariel, and Donovan into my office. Elizabeth and Mateo, come with me.”
Everyone hurried off, but Hannah scurried away the fastest. In moments, she had gathered the people requested, and they waited in Michael’s office for him, Maeto and Elizabeth. When Michael, Mateo and Elizabeth arrived, questions were asked all at once. Michael raised his hand to silence them, and closed the door behind them.
“Koura’s attacking at dawn. General Andarie and Ryan go summon the men over the age of twenty, and get them prepared to fight. Donovan, I assume you want to fight, too.”
Donovan nodded, taking a step forward.
“Go help General Andarie and Ryan, and get Aaron if you please. Mateo and Hannah, go find all the doctors you can, then go aid in food preparations.”
They all nodded, and left the room.
“Ariel and Elizabeth. You two are the most powerful Talented woman in Kanta. I need you to go find other Talented people to be in the back lines. I’ll go get my advisor, and strategic men, and we’ll come up with a plan. And ask my mother of a favor.”
”Your mother?” Ariel asked.
“Yes. She knows people in the black market. She can get their crystal supplies from many cities over. She can help too. Ariel, when you have a minute, go send letters to your father, and Malcolm. Ask them to come live with us.”
”Yes, Michael,” she said, giving him a kiss, then taking Elizabeth out of the room, and heading to the front doors.
“What about the rain?” Elizabeth asked.
“Never mind the rain. We have work to do. I’ll get the Talented people while you go inform Finela. Poor Michael, he missed the most crucial part of the plan. Go take Ryan’s horse. His is faster then yours.”
Elizabeth departed minutes later, riding hard and fast on Ryan’s horse, stopping here and there to tell people to gather at the estate to prepare for war. Her plan was to have people pass the word, so there would be less traveling to do. And her plan was correct. Half an hour after she left the estate, there were mobs of people being ridden over in cariages to get weapons, and armor. Women came to help with cooking, and wounds. Talented were brought right into the estate.
Elizabeth reached Finela in less then an hour and a half, and stopped at the Finela Leader estate. It was bigger then the one in Koura, but still held the power of importance. Elizabeth tied the horse to the side of the gate, and opened the creaking gate, not bothering to close it after herself as she ran to the door. The guards stopped her, but after being told she was the daughter of the leader in Koura, she was brought straight to the Leader, Daniel.
“What bring you here, Elizabeth?” He asked, startled to see her out of breath, and soaked.
“Koura is attacking Kanta at dawn. We need your help.”
”So soon? They’re attacking at dawn? Yes, we’ll be there. Now you get home. By the time you get there, they’ll start their marching to the borders. We’ll be there late morning.”
”Thank you!” Elizabeth said, hugging him quickly, then leaving. Daniel was standing in now wet clothes at the window, watching Elizabeth mount her horse, and ride of. He quickly summoned his men, and informed them of the news. They all quickly left to organize the people.
Daniel was right. Elizabeth got back just as they began marching. She just had time to run upstairs and change into black trousers, knee-high riding boots, also in black, and a black shirt that stopped at her abs. She tied her hair back into a tight ponytail, and slipped a knife into her boot. She also put on a pair of black leather gloves, and left her room, not stopping to wonder if she’ll ever see it again. She met up wit her mother in the entrance hall, and she was dressed almost exactly as Elizabeth was, except Ariel was in pale blue. They nodded at each other, and Donovan and Aaron came out next, wearing a uniform given to them in dark green. Mateo came following, his wife stalking him, tears in her eyes. She kissed her son, and then Mateo, all the while crying. Mateo comforted her as much as possible, then took the boys outside to march with the rest.
Michael, and Ryan came walking out, wearing commander uniforms of royal blue. Following them were the Talented citizens of Kanta. They were all wearing loose clothing of black, and some in light blue. They all stood in the entrance hall, and then shuffled into the dining hall for a quick review of the plain.
There were so many of them, that the four tables weren’t enough. They stood around the edges, and crowded behind the main table. Some couldn’t even get in.
“First, I would like to explain the colors. Those of you in black, your commander will be Elizabeth. Those in blue, Ariel will be your commander. Blue troop will be in front of Black troop. Black troop is behind all the soldiers. When the soldiers disperse, Blue, stand your ground while Black split into two groups. Cory Elderdale, you are leader of Black Troup two. Whoever has a small silver star on their sleeve is in Elderdale’s Troup. The rest is with Elizabeth. Our goal is to get them surrounded. If we can get them caught in a circle, you can all attack. Powers only. But just in case crystals are present, you will be given a small hand gun or sword.”
”One quick thing,” Ariel said when Michael paused. “Be on the lookout for a hunter by the name of Red. He hunts Talented, and he resides in Koura. If you are caught, you will be killed. You can spot him because he has a scar over his eye, which is red. He will be covered in crystals, and an assortment of ropes, and weapons. Commanders, keep an eye for him, and send a non-Talented to deal with him. He is extremely dangerous.”
”Yes, beware Red. After the circle formation, get back to your Troop commanders, and continue to the city. Do not harm civilians. Loiter on the border until the rest of us arrive. Best of luck you all of you. Ryan will be the head commander. Any questions, seek him.”
There was a huge cheer, and the energy in the room was unimaginable. It kept swelling and swelling until Elizabeth was sure it was going to explode. The Talented people began to file out of the room, being loaded into carriages. Elizabeth was put in a carriage with Ryan, Cory Elderdale and her mother. Michel took a horse and rode to join General Andarie in the front of the army.
While riding towards Koura, it was silent. No one spoke, or made any kind of noise. They all stared out a window, and watched the landscape shift to that of a desert. With a sigh, Ariel turned away.
“Don’t be nervous. We’ll win.”
Ryan nodded, and so did Cory Elderdale. But Elizabeth’s mind was on Jack. He was now on the other side, preparing to fight against his city. And her. It tore her up inside.
“Look, the camps,” Ryan said, pointing out the window. Rows and rows of tents were pitched. Large circular stones that were hollowed out were placed at the end of every row, and horses were tied to them. Huge tents were pitched in the center, which served as first aid, and meals. Huge bonfires were situated every three rows, giving light to the dark grounds. Another tent was closer to the edge, which was the head tent. Michael was just entering it as their carriage came to a stop. They all climbed out, and stood on the muddy path. The rain had stopped, and left large pools of water, and muck in its stead.
“Blue Troup!” Ariel shouted, raising a head, and sending out an energy ball. She walked to one side of the road where no tents were pitched, and they all crowded around after leaving their carriages. After moments of talk, they went to the supply tents, and pitched themselves a place to sleep.
“Black Troup,” Elizabeth called out, mimicking her mother. They all clattered over.
“Go grab a tent from the supplies, and set yourself someplace to relax. It won’t be long now.”
They all wondered away, and returned with boxes of un-pitched tents. They all set themselves up, and then came back to Elizabeth.
“Better go get something to eat, then collect your weapons. Be fast now.” They all jogged away towards the center of camp while Ariel and Elizabeth walked over to the head tent, meeting up with Donovan on the way.
When they walked in, there were no men standing, or talking quietly, hovering over a map, like you thought they would be. There was a table in the center, with chairs cluttering the inside of the tent. A candle almost reaching it’s end stood on the table. Everyone was sitting, and silent. Elizabeth looked at her mother questioningly, and Ariel looked from Elizabeth to Michael.
“You look like we’ve been defeated already,” Ariel said suddenly, sitting next to Michael.
“I believe we have,” he answered quietly.
“Finela’s coming, though!” Elizabeth said quickly. “They’ll be here mid morning. Besides dad, you have me fighting. I won’t let them win, and neither will Donovan.”
Michael sighed. “That was a mistake. I was so caught up in this that I let you slip through, and fight along with the rest of us.”
”And why shouldn’t I? This city is mine just as much as it is yours. And besides, you’ve never been able to control me. I would have fought anyway,” she said, leaving the tent. Donovan glanced at Elizabeth’s retreating back, and then said, “She’s right, father. We all deserve to fight. And she’s angry mostly because Jack betrayed us.”
”How would you know how she’s feeling?”
”You can see it in her eyes. It’s the same look I saw in Heather’s eyes when I told her to stay back.”
Heather was Donovan’s girlfriend, and soon to be fiancé. He was going to propose to her the night his father told him about Jack. The news shocked him, and he couldn’t bring himself to look at her, because they had all been close.
Aaron suddenly burst through the tent flap just a horn was sounded.
“They’re advancing!”
“That’s not possible! It’s not yet dawn. Quickly Aaron, go rouse the men,” Michael said, stumbling off his chair.
Aaron nodded, and rushed back out.
Ryan, who had been sitting in the dark, came up to the light, spreading a map on the table. General Andarie joined him in the light. Ariel left with Donovan as they went over their plans.
“What should I do?” Donovan asked his mother.
“You go back to Kanta. You have someone who loves you to pieces there, and I don’t want to see that taken from her, or you. Take fifty men, and secure the city in case something happens. Gather women and children into the houses closest to the estate, and protect them.”
Donovan was going to protest, but Ariel gave him a warning look, and Donovan just clambered off in search of his fifty men, and horses. Ariel then went in search of Elizabeth, and found her standing ankle deep in mud, handing out weapons to her troupes.
Michael was wrong. The first lights of dawn were arriving, and lighting up the dark grounds. Bonfires would be put out soon, and the feet of hurrying soldiers not wanting to waste time on paths would trample the tents. But it had already begun. Flying pieces of rock came crashing down on tents, shaking the ground violently.
“Hurry! Form the lines!” Ariel shouted, directing men. She ran over to the Talented tents, and took her troups to the middle of camp, spreading them out.
“If you see any thing flying towards us that can be harmful, blast it to dust!” She ordered, and they all kept their eyes on the sky. Many more flying rocks came hurtling at them, and they were all reduced to dust, and small pieces of rock.
Elizabeth had grabbed Aaron, and a few of the Talented and began to sneak around the edges of their camp. They kept low to the ground, trying to find out what was going to happen. They were barely ten feet from their camp when someone put a hand on Elizabeth’s back.
She looked back to see Mateo.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked.
“To spy on them. Find out what their plan is.”
He shook his head, and pointed back to camp. They all silently obeyed, when they heard the sound of arrows whizzing by, and Mateo fell to the ground. Elizabeth turned to look back, and there was a whole mob of Koura soldiers, arrows pointd at them, ready to fly at any moment.
“Go!” Elizabeth shouted, pushing them towards the safety of rocks to their right. An arrow narrowly missed her shoulder, only grazing her shirt. She sent up balls of energy into the sky, being answered by her team.
“Screw formations. That’s not going to win this,” she said to herself. Her team jogged over to her, shielding themselves from the bullets with large sheets of metal.
“You, you and you, go around and see what they’re planning. Try to blend in as much as possible. You know, kill a few of them, and steal their uniforms.” The three she touched went running off.
“You, go inform my father what’s going on, and get the rest of the men here, ready to fight.”
She then turned to Aaron who was trying to lift his father, and ordered someone to help him.
The men nodded, and disappeared into camp.
“The rest of you, hold your ground. Attack when provoked. I’m going-“ a gun shot cut her off, and a bullet came flying towards her face. She ducked, but that was unnecessary as one of the closer men shielded her. She uneasily got her to feet, nodding to the guy who saved her.
“Attack!” She called out, and it rained energy. When the dust settled, not one of the small mob of soldiers was alive. Moments later, they were accompanied by the rest of the army, and began their formations. Lines of twenty by thirty-five were made, and then came the Talented portion. Elizabeth took her men to their spots, and they waited. Even though she dind't think the formations would help.
Everyone was tense, and the tension could be cut with a knife, it was thickening. Elizabeth stood at the end of the line, and had a perfect view of the Koura army.
They were all dressed in the finest clothes an army could wear. Guns, swords, bows and arrows, as well as spears made up their weapons. Behind them were catapults, with large boulders loaded in, and ready to shoot. Small bonfires were lit in certain areas with bowmen. Elizabeth noticed that her feet had sunk a bit in the mud, and had the men around her shift a bit, and then the whole army was shifting from foot to foot. The horn that was heard before was sounded again, and the Koura army came charging at them. A cry erupted from the men surrounding her, and they charged. The Talented waited. And then, Ariel gave the signal, and they split. Elizabeth took her half, and they ran, blasting all in their way. They were in the heart of the battle now, arrows and spears flying in all directions, rocks were falling from the sky, and the sound of metal crashing on metal, as well as gun shots was the only sound heard. Elizabeth sent up the ready signal, and was answered seconds later. All the men in her father’s army cleared out, and the Koura army was left standing in the middle, confused.
“Now!” She shouted, and a huge part of the Kanta army was killed. But more came swarming at them, knocking most of them to the ground.
“Watch out!” Someone yelled, pushing Elizabeth to the ground as an arrow alight with fire came whizzing by.
“Thank-“ She started but stopped. It was Jack who pushed her down.
“You,” she hissed getting up.
“Yes me.”
”Why must you pester me?” She said, blasting away a man charging at her. He was about to answer when a man on a horse scooped up Elizabeth. Jack tore down after them, avoiding blows, and arrows. Elizabeth, finally out of shock, blasted the man’s head off, and tumbled off the running horse. Jack ran over and helped a disoriented Elizabeth to her feet. She immediately shoved him away.
“Hey! You over there,” Came a cry from the battle. Jack and Elizabeth were standing on the outskirts of the fight, making them highly noticeable.
“It’s that leader’s daughter,” said one out loud, and pointing. “C’mere girly, we’re going to take you back to your pa,” he said advancing slowly, two other guards following.
“Run Elizabeth,” Jack said. “They’re guards for Koura. There’s a price on your head to use as ransom. Go!” Jack said impatiently, taking out his sword, and brandishing it dangerously. Elizabeth gazed at him crossly before turning her back on him, and fleeing. Jack followed, and urged her to continue as the guards followed.
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