Cain stood at the top of the little hill, looking down into the forest. Azkadellia was at his side, very confused about Cain's distraught nature. They were waiting for Jeb and the others to bring the horses, so Az took this opportunity for a little one on one.
"You said something about dreams? What dreams?" She asked, standing in front of him.
"When DG was ill, I had these weird dreams. Some person was the reason we found out about the Xochitl." Cain stated with a shrug.
"Your dreams told you this?" Az interrupted, "Sorry."
"Understandable, but yes and the Queen knew. She had to know about my dreams otherwise she probably wouldn't believe me." Cain replied with a laugh, "Though the dreams always were weird, almost haunting. Then last night, I had another one."
"What about Cain?" Glitch asked as he and the others finally reached them.
"The figure was playing a flute and told me to ask Jeb about Nyk and magicks. Before that dream, it sang some weird thing about an 'Old Gray Lady' before it wrote X, O, C, H, I, T, L in the dirt." Cain explained, "But this is where it all starts."
"Jeb, what are those things?" Az asked, still a little confused.
"I'll explain on the way. Let's mount up and get going." Jeb said, helping his love onto the horse.
Once everyone was ready, Cain lead the way cautiously. Those he trusted his dreams to a point, the situation wasn't. It helped to have Jeb by his side, having Glitch and Az ride together so the two men could discuss the maps and ideas.
"This way will take us to the Badiya, though near the Nager River. If the Longcoats are there, then we'll have to be even more cautious." Jeb noted, pointing out locations.
"What's this?" Cain asked, seeing some odd spot on the map, "That some encampment?"
"We think so, but with the Longcoats, we can't be sure who is there anymore."
"So, for all we know, the Longcoats 'live' there and possible 'work' somewhere on the Badiya. That has to be a good five miles difference. What could possible be out there that they want?" Cain wondered.
"You mentioned that one of your dreams said something about an old gray lady. Maybe it's folklore and… no. They wouldn't run on just that." Az thought, "Would they?"
"Would they what?" Glitch asked, looking from her to the others, "Think they lost their minds?"
"Possibly, I have no idea what could be happening." Az admitted, "I never knew anything about this. The Badiya and all."
"Then that is even worse. We even more in the dark now then before." Cain sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"We'll head for the desert first. There we can get an estimate of how many of them there are." Jeb reasoned, ending the conversation.
It wasn't like talking anymore would get them anywhere. Right now, they had to take one step at a time. The last thing to do was put DG's life in more danger than it already was.
The next few days had been torment for DG. More and more captives were being brought into the camp, most being young girls no older than sixteen. Nightmares flashed into her mind of what was being planned for the girls and DG vowed to save them.
She sat next to Zero as he and other Longcoats check the captives over, new and old. DG kept her eyes on each captive as the Longcoats humiliated them, trying to give strength.
"Well, well… if it isn't Jalanili? You just can't stay away from us can you?" One of Zero's men sneered over a young girl. DG looked the girl over and noticed how cold, but gentle her dark eyes were. There was even a hint of mischief that DG knew she herself once had.
"You know this girl?" Zero asked the man, "And she's escaped before?"
The man started to squirm under Zero's gaze. DG looked down to hide the smile forming. This was just cute to her and hid the smile as she looked back up at the situation.
"Jalanili is it? Well then, you can keep DG company in my home." Zero stated, pointing to her, "Next."
After all had been checked and reassigned work, it was late enough for 'lights out'. DG took Jalanili to her new 'home' and started dinner again. Leftovers from nights before, but at least it would be easy for her to cook.
"So, you're DG?" The girl asked, "The Princess from FinAqua?"
DG spun to face the girl, "How did you know?"
"It has spread across the land. More though on the Longcoats activity then you, but its there." Jalanili replied with a smirk, "Why do you think I got caught again?"
"You… a rescue?" DG's heart nearly stopped. Jalanili just nodded and looked around for any additional ears or eyes.
"They followed at a safe distance. Though the way these guys are we might have just been next door." Jalanili added, "Just be ready when I tell you. I know you're pregnant, but I will help you. Trust me, please."
"Believe me, I do. Just promise me that you won't put any innocent in harms way. I wouldn't know what to do if…"
"I promise." Jalanili interrupted DG, "Now, let's get dinner going."
DG smiled at the young girl and the two started talking as they cooked. Luckily, Zero was too busy with disciplining his men, which allowed the two to talk intimately. Each telling about their lives and DG more of the Other Side, which intrigued Jalanili more with each tale.
Zero walked in without a word. He sat down at the table and engorged himself. Before he left again, he made some mention of having to completely deal with his men and wouldn't be back until late. He slammed the door on his way out and they could hear him fuming away. DG and Jalanili exchanged a quick smirk before finishing dinner and cleaning the house.
That night, as Jalanili promised, there was a raid and confusion ran like a plague. The Longcoats were caught unprepared and many fell to gunfire, either from the captives or their liberators.
Many of the captives had made a run for the woods where their saviors poured from, which included DG and Jalanili. Horses and carriages were waiting to take the captives to Darnall, a little town miles away. Though DG wouldn't go, not until she knew all the captives were on their way.
Two hours later, DG and Jalanili were on their way to Jalanili's home. Jalanili had taken one of the last carriages to make the trip easier. Her house was just a mile north of the town, but a something stopped them in their tracks. A distraught and almost primal scream rang throughout the forest.
"We'd better get home and soon." Jalanili said, kneeing the horse to go faster. DG could only look around, scared and feeling alone. Though she liked Jalanili and was thankful for her help, DG missed her own family and longed to be with them again.
