2412, Diori 11, Jyda

Reeca was about to sip her morning gallberry coffee when she heard a ruckus outside her tent. Ugh. Has someone stolen something again?

She set the flimsy cup down on a small stool which served as a table. She stood up and grabbed her sword thrown haphazardly against a pile of many more. It was no wonder Reeca took to the armory and had turned the space as her quarters when they were first planning residence. There was a strange calm that arose within Reeca when she was surrounded by sharp, metal things.

Today, though, her morning routine was interrupted by people who chose this unholy time of the morning to start a fight. Reeca threw the flap to her tent and strode outside. The early morning sunlight shone over her face, making her click her tongue. Soldiers dressed in casual tunics, trousers, and boots passed her by. Some barely looked her in the eye while others dipped their heads in a quick salutation. She didn't care about them either way.

Reeca trudged towards the ration area where they arranged food to give to the people. That seemed to be where the shouts were coming from. She passed the stables where they keep the riding animals they managed to tame thanks to a few crafty nature fairies around. Paulsaris brayed while their trainers muttered shushing sounds and words of comfort.

Paulsareis were friendly creatures and Reeca assumed that until now, they're still asking around for their brothers who rode out three days ago. Canelis told her they had to leave the animals by the enemy camp in Rabante as a passing remark rather than a complete report. Reeca had only nodded and the pixie had gone as silently as she came.

Reeca wished she had time to feel sorry for the animals who were probably alone in the wilderness between Penleth and Rabante but she had other pressing matters to attend to. Like that quarrel over there.

The ration area came to view and there were a few soldiers, both male and female, standing in a hazy circle. They were obviously in a heated argument about something, all passionate about their points. Arms waved around. Feet stomped. Voices raised. Alright. "That's enough," Reeca stepped inside the circle and raised her arms. "Return to your duties."

A man with an unremarkable face and a frame of blue hair growled. "Who's this kid?" he rasped. "Go home, lass. The grown-ups are talking."

Perhaps it's the early morning or the fact that she hadn't had her morning drink yet, but the off-hand comment sent her blood boiling. The other people present seemed to sense the change in her mood and began telling the unremarkable man to back off. He didn't.

Reeca eyed him. Tall, young, and probably a banshee. She forced herself to remain calm. Calm but full of steel. "What might you, grown-ups, be talking about so early in the morning?" she asked as innocently as she could which made her sound like she was choking on a strip of preserved meat. "Getting beat up by your wives? Vulkrainis, perhaps?"

"You think you're funny?" the man stepped forward.

Reeca hummed. "I think you're too old to understand what 'funny' means."

"You—"

"Gernald!" someone femininely shrill called. The man froze. He paled as he dropped an extended hand to his side.

Reeca winked. "Get ready for a beating."

Indeed, the beating came. The woman was a lithe banshee dressed in battle armor designed by Geradine, complete with a stealth cloak invented by Cyrdel. Her gray hair was cut short; her yellow lamp-like eyes sparkled like amber.

She slapped the flat of her sheathed sword atop the man, Gernald's, head. "In you go," she grasped the man by the arm and hauled him out of the circle. The people wisely stepped out of the way. The woman regarded Reeca and recognition passed on her face. "I'm so sorry, General," she ducked her head. "Forgive my son. He doesn't know who's in charge in these parts."

Son, huh?

Reeca masked her amusement with a curt nod and a passive expression plastered on her face. "I'm sure he'll know soon enough."

"Oh, I know enough," Gernald hissed. "A child like you shouldn't be leading us in times like this. Look at how you handled the harpoons. You destroyed the barrier and now we're doomed!"

"Hear, hear!" someone female said from the people around Reeca. "We don't even have enough food to last us a month and they let a spy in. Before long, we will be slitting each other's throats trying to find out who it is!"

The crowd fell silent then cheered. "Yeah!" another shouted above the cheers. They seemed to forget Reeca was there. "The storages were attacked the other day and they didn't even do anything about it! No investigations. No queries! It's like they wanted us to die because of doubt and suspicion. I wouldn't even fight if the Council did not believe that witch's words."

"Watch your mouth," Reeca snapped at whoever just gave a jab at Elred convincing the Underground Council to aid Penleth. "We're still alive. There's no use gathering up like this."

"Says the girl who couldn't even figure out how to get the next batch of rations for the next month!" Gernald screamed, earning a few agreeing sounds from his audience. Was this what he's doing? Riling up the crowd?

Even Gernald's mother slowly considered the accusations. Reeca sighed and massaged her temples with her fingers. "Look, we are doing everything we can—"

"Where's the Virtakios?" someone asked.

The whole crowd fell silent then whirled towards Reeca almost collectively. "Yeah, where is she?" yet another added.

Reeca's stomach churned. The Virtakios again? What has Xanthy got to do with everything? Why were these people believing more in that hag more than they believe Reeca? Reeca was the one who painstakingly kept the fortress together, not Xanthy. Reeca was the one who gathered these people together, not Xanthy. Lastly, Reeca was the one over here, not Xanthy.

So why?

Her blood boiled. She opened her mouth to retort—

"The Virtakios has something important to do," Elred's voice speared through Reeca's ears. When did she get here? "Xanthy has never been the one in charge of the fortress. We are. You all would do better not to question us. We want harmony and division is the last thing that we need right now."

"Elred, what are you doing here?" Reeca whispered.

"Lending you a hand, genius," the shard fairy said from the side of her mouth. "You look like a boiled ajilte."

Reeca balled her fists at her sides. "I can handle it," she said. "I can marshal them."

"You most certainly will not," Geradine said from behind her. The crowd gave a collective, quiet gasp as the ice sprite strode into view. She raised her chin to address the growing crowd. Even the paulsare trainers were listening in, having forgotten their jobs.

"People," the ice sprite said. Everyone snapped into attention just like that. It set an envious churn in Reeca's stomach. "We have gathered you all here through a sacred connection," her voice rang throughout the center quadrant like the natural commander she was. "You have seen the island for what it is. You've seen the havoc our enemies caused. You have experienced the diminishing magic. You all wanted to take back what is rightfully ours. You all came here expecting to fight in a war. We didn't hide anything."

The crowd was quiet. Only the sound of the early morning breeze rattling the hay used to feed the animals could be heard. Geradine continued, "As for the pressing matter of who raided our storages, we have yet to reach a conclusion. Rest assured that we are hard at work investigating who is behind this heinous and inconsiderate act. As for the rumors that there is a spy or something of the sort infiltrating this camp, we are into that as well."

"As for Rikavien's place in this fortress," Geradine paused to look briefly at Reeca. "Let it be known to all that Elred and I consider her to be an equal and should be treated as such by all of you. You are to give her the same respect as you give me, the same reverence that you do to me. If I catch you doubting her again, you'll find yourself knee-deep in dire consequences."

The temperature seemed to drop as eyes shifted to Reeca. Some grumbled. Others shrugged openly. Reeca's chest tightened. Anger bubbled in her chest. Rhys. Rhys would never accept it. But Rhys wasn't here, was he? He's out there, abandoning Reeca again while he's pursuing some sort of thrill with the Virtakios. Even her own brother now?

Geradine addressed the crowd further, assuring them that the rations would come and that everyone would have enough. Nobody raised a question. Nobody accused Geradine of lying. Most importantly, no one told her to shut up.

So Reeca stood there—fists balled at her sides, teeth baring down on her lips until she drew blood. As soon as Geradine finished, the crowd dispersed and went on their way.

The ice sprite sighed and turned to Reeca. "You did well, soldier," she tapped Reeca lightly on the shoulder before going on her way. Elred gave Reeca a curt nod before following the path Geradine took.

Reeca was left there, standing by the door of the ration area. Even the preserved meat packs were seemingly mocking her as well. Hay tickled her nose as the wind brought it to her face along with the unholy smell of paulsare manure.

She didn't feel like she did a good job. In fact, she didn't feel like anything at all. She should be focusing on one thing and one thing only. Ride out the war and come out alive. This wasn't her war alone.