Chapter 10: Liam

:)

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Within a few hours everyone was pretty much ready to go. We explained our plan to a few dozen of the citizens not long after creating it, and immediately every able body pitched in to prepare. Though they were very overgenerous because we ended up with way more supplies than needed. We split up to gather our collective belongings, anything that had survived the siege, and to prepare ourselves for the journey. 

I decide to make my way over to the lake since I never got the chance to grab any of my stuff. It's been almost half a day since the overtake of the castle and still haven't washed the soot and blood off my body, so I decided that I should do that. Luckily everyone else had already washed themselves, meaning the lake was void of anyone immediately near it, so I had at least a little privacy. 

Kyra Lake was a geographic wonder. It's crystal clear waters never dirtied or froze in the winter, or even just got cold. It was always a perfect temperature throughout the entire year. The clear liquid allowed you to see straight through the deep water to the bottom, and the many fish and creatures living in it. Even when the people were washing the grime and ash off their bodies, the water would turn black for a second only for it to dissipate, leaving crystal water yet again. 

I walk over to a tree limb hanging low over the banks of the lake and stop by it. I shrug my dark, patch covered jacket off and sling it over the bark, followed by my previously white shirt that was now a dark gray color. I ripped my boots and socks off, then pulled off my crusted pants. I leave my undergarments on, and wade into the water. Immediately I'm filled with the relaxing feel of warm water and the scent of mist filling my lungs. I get about shoulder deep before submerging myself. I watch as the dark soot peels off my olive skin and disappears in the blue water. 

I break the surface off the water, taking a deep breath in. I push back my loose locks, pressing the wet hair at the back of my head, the very tips just barely stay above the water. I sigh, standing there and letting the warm water act as a natural remedy to my sore muscles. I close my eyes, breathing in the fresh air and trying my best to relax. I submerge myself up to my chin, trying my best not to fall asleep. Goddesses how I need sleep…

"Look who's slacking off." My eyes shoot open and I look towards the bank to see Kate standing there, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. 

Straight away I feel my cheeks heating up as I realize the clear water does nothing to hide my almost naked body. I open my mouth to make an excuse but nothing comes out. My eyes search frantically for a way out of this but they find none. Kate rolls her eyes and shakes her head, dramatically turning her back to me. I wade to the shore, making sure her back stays turned. 

I first dunk my pants in the water, scrubbing them for a moment before taking them back out. As if by magic (by this point I'm convinced this lake is magical) they dry almost immediately and I throw them on quickly. I do the same to my shirt, restoring it to its old, white and puffy self. I slip it on, adjusting the high set color and fringed sleeves. 

"O-ok" I clear my throat. "You can turn back around." Arms still crossed, she turns back around, her face stoic, yet I sense just a hint of amusement in her general area. With my cheeks still red hot, I turn away to wash my socks and slip them on. 

"Are you almost ready?" She asks me. 

"Yeah I just need to wash this stuff then I'll be good." I answer, tieing my knee-high boots' laces. 

"Alright. We need to leave soon, before it becomes dark." 

"Right." I plunge my jacket into the water, hoping that it doesn't ruin the patches. Once I'm done I slip it on, finding comfort in the familiar feel of the wool. I ring my hair out over the water, rendering it nothing but damp. I tie it in a quick bun before facing the girl standing behind me. 

"Have you seen Reid anywhere?" I ask. 

"She's with Terrona, near the medic tent." She answers. I nod. 

"Alright, I'm gonna go find her. Are you coming with?" I say, moving to head back to the camp. 

"Nah, I still have a few more things to do before leaving. I'll be over there in a minute." She answers before heading down the bank of the lake. I wave a goodbye before heading my own way. 

I find Reid sitting with Sage's servant, them both seeming to be having a great time. No one knows where or who Reid's parents are, but ever since I've known her Terrona has always been a sort of mother figure for her. It's common knowledge T has always wanted kids but isn't able to have them, so I'm glad she has found someone she can mother. 

Reid sits next to her, looking into a small puddle on the mossy ground, fixing her hair. Her hair is no longer slicked back, signaling her change to a woman. I watch as she parts it on the side of her head, adjusting the way the white fluffy locks fall halfway over her eye. I walk over, sitting on the ground across from them. Reid looks up and her red irises ignite with excitement. 

"There you are!" She exclaims loudly. She winces after saying it, curling in on herself slightly while looking around shyly to make sure no one but me and Terrona heard her. I smile fondly at her embarrassment. She reaches forward and softly hugs me for a split second. I freeze and blink for a few moments, shocked. Reid hugs are few and far between, and almost never unprovoked like that. 

"Uh, thanks." I say, glancing at T. Reid just nods while looking at the puddle in front of her. "Anyways, are you almost ready? We need to be leaving soon."

"Oh! U-um yeah, almost." She replies sheepishly, still embarrassed from her outburst.  She fiddles with her hair, tugging and twirling the poofy strands through her fingers. 

"Good. Try to get everything together in the next 10 minutes. I want to be leaving soon." I falter. "I-I mean I want to, but it's not mandatory. I just y-you know, want to do it cause it might b-be better." I stutter along. She looks up at me modestly, bearing a small smile. 

"You can be a leader." She says quietly. "None of us mind." Terrona, having been quiet this entire time, speaks up as well. 

"Sage would want you to take charge, hun. I know it's scary, but the citizens need leadership, and they are more than happy to welcome you. You got the natural talent, sugar. Flaunt it!" She says encouragingly. I always found it funny, since the moment I got to Eladea, that Terrona is the only non-mother to be super motherly; and that she speaks and acts like a mother figure to everyone but Sage. Like she sees her as an equal, rather than one of her many unofficially adopted children. Me being included in that list. 

"Thanks, Momma T. Appreciate it." She reaches over and pats my knee, giving me a nod and a tight-lipped smile. "Well," I move to stand, wiping off my freshly cleaned pants. "I'm gonna go make final preparations. See you in ten minutes." 

After a long while of gathering the people it was time. I stand in front of the crowd, perched atop a low tree trunk. Kate and Reid stand to my left and right, Ren, Elric, Amber and Terrona behind me, and V and Myshica at the back of the mass of people. Goodness there's so many of them. 

I stand there, in front of a few hundred people, anxiety blooming in my chest. My hands are clammy, sweat dripping down my back, my heart beating out of my chest, my breath coming in quick, quiet gasps. I glance down at Kate who gives me a reassuring nod. From across the sea of people V gives me a kind smile but a strong gaze, the message being clear: you got this. I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves. A deathly silence falls over the crowd as they turn their faces to me, waiting for what I have to say. 

"H-hi." The word comes out as a squeaky voice crack, making me cringe. Why was this so much easier when our lives were in danger? "Um, most of you probably know me. I'm Sage's brother. O-or the Queen's brother. The prince, though I guess you could have guessed that…" I trail off. I take another deep breath, focusing on the faces of the people. They're all so encouraging, understanding. No one, not even the children are snickering, or pointing, or laughing, or judging. They all just look...hopeless. They need a plan, hope for the future. I have to give that to them. If I don't, who knows what will happen. 

Whichever goddess is listening, the fates, the Teller, the Seeker, and the Keeper, please give me the voice these people need. Sage, please lend me your bravery, your leadership. I need it. 

I close my eyes for a brief second before looking out among the faces. The time is now. 

"I know you all are tired, and uncertain, and hopeless, and scared out of your minds. I know- I know I am." I say loudly, hopefully loud enough for everyone to hear. "I know you are all out of fight because you just lost your home. You're friends. You're family. But I stand before you, a naive, immature, scared little boy, standing in shoes way too big for me, to tell you this: I will keep fighting for us, for you, for this kingdom, even if I'm not really qualified to do so. I will fight until my last breath." I clench and unclench my hands, trying to dry them. I shift my weight from foot to foot, trying to focus on one face at a time. Doing that helps the crowd seem smaller, as if I'm just talking to them, instead of hundreds. 

"So that's what I'm gonna do. And that's why me and my friends are leaving you. Not to abandon you, but to save you. We're traveling to Willow Isle, our nearest allies, to plead for help in taking back our kingdom. If we- no, when we succeed, we will then make our way north into enemy territory to retrieve a rare flower. This flower is the only thing that can heal our dear queen, my sister. Once we have finished we will return home to fight alongside, or for, you. We are not giving up on you. This journey is our best bet at getting our home back." I swallow thickly. This is getting surprisingly easy. 

"We will return in a few weeks' time. Until then I am appointing two leaders, Acting Kings if you will, to keep you safe while I am away. You all know Sir Renate," I motion to Ren before motioning to the dragon at the back. "And Viserion as your trusted protectors. Queen Sage entrusted them with the safety of all of you, and the safety of the kingdom. It was her will that if it were to come to it, they would take charge if neither me or her could. They will keep you safe. For as long as I am gone they will be your Kings. Please treat them with the respect I know you all have for them. And listen to their every word, for that will keep you alive." I take a deep breath, anxiety finally starting to dissipate. I motion for Amber. She steps forward. 

I use my heightened position to assist myself in hoping onto her spiny back. I reach down and help Kate, then Reid on with me. With just us four, the few bags strapped behind us, and the clothes on our back, we're ready. 

"Thank you all, so much. Please be strong and continue fighting. We will get out home back, I'll make sure of it. Together we are stronger." I finish. I spot an old man at the front, touch three of his fingers together on both hands in front of his chest, then move it upwards towards the sky. The sign of the goddesses. He repeats my last sentence. 

The person next to him copies him, then the next, and the next, until the entire crowd, hundreds of people all stand with their index, middle and ring finger pressed against the same fingers on the other side, their hands high above their heads. A chorus of "Together we are stronger" sounds throughout the forest. I smile, taking my six-finger-pyramid from in front of my chest over my head. 

"Together, we are stronger." I say again to the people.

I spot V and make eye contact. He nods thoughtfully, his eyes that of sorrow yet hope. Goodluck. I look at Terrona. She smiles and gives me a thumbs up. Ren gives me a confident smirk. 

I take one good look at the people, my people, before Amber unfolded her gorgeous wings and flaps them downwards, plunging us up into the unknown. 

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Word count: 2333

What'd you think? Any new views on the characters? Predictions? Love to hear it all :) 

Cya next week!