Chapter Thirteen - Unrest and A Message For Miriam

"You want us to wait outside of Magix while you two go in and gather information in Magix?" Miriam stared in disbelief. They'd left the Alfea school late that night and traveled toward Magix on foot. Now they stood a couple of miles outside of the ravaged city.

"Two people will be less noticeable than six people. Besides, we need to get an idea where Mandragora would hold Oritel and where better than the city she took over as her base of operations. She's holed herself up in the Magix Council building." Saladin had a point. But even Erendor caught on to what Miriam thought about the idea.

"Why bring us now then? We're going to be sitting around useless while you do the work!" Erendor said, frustration sounding in his voice.

"We had to get Miriam out of the school." Faragonda said.

"Why? Wasn't she safer at the school?" Niobe questioned.

"Of course she was. But she'll play a key role in saving Oritel." Faragonda replied, her answer absolutely vague. Miriam held back her chagrin at this answer.

"Wouldn't Mandragora have a spy watching Miriam then?" Erendor asked. The two teachers ignored his question though.

"We need to get moving. Oritel will have only so much time before Mandragora decides on his definite fate. Stay here and stay hidden. Erendor. You'll be in charge." Saladin ignored Erendor's look of frustration. "We should be back at dawn…well about five o'clock." Saladin frowned toward the sky. "Are we clear?"

The three gave muttered answers of agreement. Miriam watched as Miss Faragonda and Professor Saladin both disappeared into the shadows of the forest. She turned back toward Radius, Erendor, and Niobe.

"I feel useless." Erendor sighed.

"Their idea may not appeal to us, but it's best that the experienced members gather the information. Especially since the city is still overrun with those bugs. They'll know how to sneak past them. We just kinda draw attention to ourselves." Radius pointed out.

"Yeah and?" Erendor grumbled. "We're still useless."

"Why do you think they moved Miriam so soon after the battle at Alfea?" Niobe asked.

"Don't know. But I know they heard the question. They didn't answer! They're hiding some bit of information from us. Some part of the plan." Erendor said angrily.

"We probably didn't have a role in that part of the plan anyway." Radius shrugged.

"Whose side are you on?" Erendor stood and crossed his arms, glaring at Radius. He took a couple steps forward, covering the space between them and the two stood staring one another down. "Why are you defending them?"

"I'm not defending them. I'm seeing reason." Radius snapped.

"You aren't even bothered by the fact that we've got to stand around and wait while someone else works to save Oritel." Erendor uncrossed his arms and let his hands ball into fists.

"No I'm not bothered, especially since our involvement at this stage would endanger Oritel for certain!" Radius' voice had risen and soon the two boys were fighting. Niobe glanced nervously at Miriam and Miriam groaned. Obviously Erendor didn't have it in him to play the leader. She stepped between the tow boys and shoved them apart.

"Look. We were told to remain hidden and all your two's yelling is like a siren calling for Mandragora's sentries to come and find us. Be quiet and sit down." Miriam's tone was quiet and even. If they couldn't sense her frustration in her shoving they definitely caught it in her tone. They stopped fighting and looked away. Silence emptied the voids among the members, leaving only a feeling of awkwardness.

"I'm sorry." Erendor finally spoke, disrupting the awkward silence among the group. He sighed resignedly. "It's just that…Oritel's my best friend and…"

"You feel guilty because you froze while he was attacked and taken. We know. But don't you think Radius feels the same way?" Niobe asked gently. "We don't want to stand around any more than you do, but we'll do what we can and must to help him."

Erendor sighed. "Yeah. Well…sorry Radius."

Radius just nodded. "I think I'll just walk around the area and patrol or something." Radius walked off.

"Shouldn't someone go with him?" Niobe asked. When neither Erendor or Miriam answered she headed the direction the Solarian prince headed. "I'll just go with him."

Miriam just leaned against a tree trunk, shifting against the rough bark until she got some moderate comfort from the stance. She shook her head to fight off the weariness, with no avail. Erendor noticed this. "Maybe you should sleep?" he suggested.

Miriam shook her head again. "No. Even if I did…well I want to be ready for whatever Fate's about to throw at us right now."

"Yeah, well you're useless to us exhausted. Get some rest. I'll keep watch." Erendor said stubbornly. Miriam slid down into a sitting position. She became angry with her body because it decided it wanted to follow Erendor's orders. She fought her drooping eyelids as long as she could, but lost and drifted into a fitful sleep.

Miriam was taken by surprise. She found herself entrapped in bonds of rock. The rock had just risen up out of the ground and snatched her. She struggled in the rock's grasp, trying to summon her power from within. But it was a no go. "Oritel!" she suddenly cried out.

Why did she just call for Oritel? Her question was soon answered as she saw Oritel come sprinting out of nowhere. Well, what looked like an older version of Oritel. Older and dressed more regally. Like a king. Why was he dressed like that? Miriam struggled. Then she noticed a strange weight on her head. Was she wearing a crown? Miriam was jolted out of her questioning as she felt the rock shift and begin to drag her downward.

"Release the queen!" Older Oritel shouted. He stabbed his sword into the ground before him and a crack opened up, streaking toward her. Miriam struggled more, her eyes tight as fear took her over. She didn't know what was going on. She didn't know why it was going on. She wanted it to stop.

Then the tightness of the rock entrapping her disappeared. She no longer heard the cracking of the earth or the clang of Older Oritel's sword. Miriam opened her eyes and found herself standing in absolute darkness. She panicked and ran. There was no light. Miriam tried to make a flame appear in her hand. There was no light. Miriam tried to scream. But she wasn't to be heard.

Then there was light. Miriam saw a small light glimmering off in the distance. She headed toward it, it's golden glow a hope in her eyes. But it never got any closer. Miriam grew frustrated and tried running toward it. She wasn't getting closer. She was going to try yelling at it, but she stopped. Miriam could hear a gentle voice talking to her.

"Miriam."

The voice was soft, Miriam's name spoken with a loving fondness. "Who are you?" Miriam called. She heard herself call and jumped in surprise.

"You cannot know that. Instead I'll give you the message I've come to deliver to you." the voice answered.

"Tell me who you are!" Miriam insisted. But the source of the voice remained adamant.

"I cannot. If I do, things will not fall into place. Time is of the essence for both me and you, so let us not waste it. I wish though, that I could tell you everything. That you and I could spend more time with one another."

Miriam was surprised by the wistfulness the voice had sounded. The voice was sad about something. She decided not to press it with any more questions. "What message do you have for me then?" Miriam asked gently.

"Everything will work out. Your family will be together again, one day. Don't lose hope."

Miriam looked up. "Is that all?"

"Yes. I wish I had more for you. Useful information on how to defeat Mandragora and the growing evil. But those tasks aren't meant to be yours, so I can't say anything. Keep fighting. You're fighting now will inspire the fighting later. I must go." The light began to recede, then hesitated. "Your love must remain strong, Miriam. Remember that."

And Miriam woke up.