A/N: Okay, just as a small warning, spoilers for Rise and Fall. But yea, here is the second chapter! I'd settle in for a roller-coaster ride guys, cause this point on, that's what it's gonna be XD. Still, for now, some catch up. By the way, just a little reminder, they are 16/ 17 in this story.
Abeke blinked as the sun streamed in from the blinds of the window of the room. Taking in her surroundings, it was obvious she was on one of the large cots the ship offered in all it's room. And considering the large blanket and the heat from under it, she was sharing this one with someone. Conor, without a doubt. And as if to prove that, she pulled the blankets away to see the whole room clearly, and she saw Rollan sprawled out on his own on the other side of the room. Without hesitation, she spoke. "Boys, come on, get up." She said.
She was replied with a chorus of groans. Both protested to waking up. Conor was even audacious enough to wrap his arm around her waist and nuzzle his head in her neck and back. Sending a chill up her spine, and shivers all over. Abeke was fully aware that he had not intended to get that reaction, and probably didn't even know he had. Nonetheless, she wrote it off as her...new found feelings for him, and shook it off, and stood up. "I'm going to go get dressed. Both of you get ready while I'm gone." She said, and left the room.
Once finished dressing, Abeke made her way back to the boys room to see what the plan was for the next stop.
After Shanes betrayal, they tried to attack Stetriol. And failed. Over the years, several more attempts had been made, and failed. Each time they were able to get close, they were met with heavy, heavy blockade. Nearly three years had been put into trying to infiltrate The Lost Lands. Till Conor and Olavn worked together and had had came up with a plan to bring them down. Weaken them by pushing them out of their footholds in Zhong, Eura and Nilo using all their force, slowly pushing them towards their home, and close them in with everything they had.
Since then, the three of the Four Fallen had been bouncing between camps and battles in Nilo and Zhong. Eura was better and easier to handle. They had just got on the boat from a tour in Zhong and were taking the route closest to Stetriol and The Hundred Isles to Nilo. To check on the blockade, and the retreating forces of Conquerors. For some time, they had focused on Zhong, because it was by far the most taken. Now, it was mostly taken back, and they were being pushed well out. Nilo was not in as good a shape. But they had to decide where they would make there first mark.
When she entered, they were doing something uncommon for the two of them. Arguing. And as any of the few arguments they had always seemed to go, Rollan was raising his voice while Conor attempted to stay calm, like the now skilled leader he had been growing in to. Walking in, she simply sat on Conors bed listening till she felt it was her place to enter the conversation. "I told you, it was her! We need to turn around and go back for her. Shes waited to be rescued long enough." Rollan says.
"I understand you miss her. We all do, and have since we had to leave her. None us go a day without thinking of her. But she was left there for a reason. I'm sorry, Rollan. But we need to continue on to Nilo." Conor said, with an understand yet firm tone in his voice.
"That doesn't change what I saw! I realize it sounds crazy, and it probably is, but I know something is trying to get us to go rescue her. She needs us Conor, I know it somehow. It's time to reunite The Four Fallen. It's time for us to go and save Meilin." Rollan said, attempting to meet Conors gaze. So thats what they were talking about last night.
Abeke joins in. "Rollan...I know what you mean. I do. But trust me when I say she does not want to be rescued. She told me the that. We'll save her when Gerathon is no more, and she can't make her hurt anyone or herself. Right now, Nilo needs us, and so does Erdas. We're sorry...but Meilin has to wait".
Rollan shuts his eyes harshly and grimaces unpleasantly. Abeke frowned too. She and, and judging by his own upset face, Conor as well, understood why Rollan wanted to go save their friend and comrade who had been left behind. But it was far too dangerous. Even if they knew that she was there, how would they get to a prison they didn't know the location of? Nevermind the blockade that had given them problems for years and the, undoubtedly, tons of soldiers and guards between them and Meilin. Plus...there was no way to be sure even how safe it would be. Meilin was still bonded with The Bile.
Conors sea green eyes met Abekes chocolate brown ones. See got lost in them for only a second, they were beautiful... But then looked deeper for their meaning. Instantly, they both went closer to their friend. She put her arm around his shoulders, and Conor put his hand on his other. None needed to say much, it was an unspoken show of apology and understanding they all had since the earlier days of meeting. When Rollan looked at them, they saw he knew why they had overruled him on this. But his fire was still there. Abeke was sure this was not the last time they would hear about this.
"Come on". Rollan first said. "Lets go talk to the captain. Tell him were headed to eastern Nilo for now".
All three nodded. Once they were out of the small room, Rollan lagged behind. He must really miss Meilin, Abeke thought. When they came out of the cabin portion of the ship on to the deck, Rollan went to the side and released Essix, Conor and Abeke felt bad enough not to stop him. Essix flew on to his shoulder then into the sky southward. Conor was going to open his mouth, most likely to say something encouraging, but Abeke could see that was the last thing he wanted.
She put a halting hand on his chest, and shook her head to make her message clear. They headed in to the captains cabin, while Rollan leaned on the side of the ship.