Another meeting was called. At first, everyone wanted to stay and fight, but after my speech about certain death, a clump of them changed their minds. Mainly because they were so scared of those monsters. Majority were still jumpy, and were surprised at my calmness. They figured it was my training, but honestly, it was since I was so used to them. Sure, seeing them sent chills down my spine, but what was the point of showing weakness? Savanna wasn't left scarred from the encounter, for now anyways. All she did was rage about how much of a traitor Kurt was. "At least i got to yell at him. If you wouldn't have told me about his actions here, I would still love him, but since you did, I already prepared myself for good bye." She had told me. It was clear Kurt was never coming back, but one question remained. Would he fight against us?
All in all, we decided to leave the meadow. It was heart-breaking for all, this is our home! But sometimes, you just gotta make sacrifices for the better of the group. We could only spare fifteen minutes to say good bye to our beloved home, then we would be off, never to return again. A few asked if we could return in time. "If they waited eighteen years to make an attack out of hatred, they will wait for our return, and demolish us when we do," came Murawl's response. His voice was raw, instead of it's usual strong. He would miss home the most. He had been leader so long, he was almost in tears that he would have to leave where it all began. He hated making tough decisions, and moving the whole colony would be hell for him. Him and Merfalis went off to make a plan to where we'll move to. That would be one of the trickiest things, with a lot of requirements. No other species inhabited there, home-like, peaceful, small number of enemies, water source near by and more.
"We're really leaving?" Savanna gasped beside me, watery eyes. "Yeah, but we won't have to deal with the fraylors anymore," I cheerfully reminded her. She shook her head, tears fell. "But this is our home!" She cried. I couldn't tell if she was crying out of leaving the meadow or if the past few weeks had finally caught up to her. She needed to cry though, it'll help dissolve her shell. Crying always helps. When you've been strong for so long, you need to let it all out to build yourself up again. Another thought occurred to me, if being home would work away at her shell, what would leaving do to it? Would it start everything over again, or would she be healed altogether? Is she healed enough already?
Savanna collapsed onto my shoulder and I put my arms comfortingly around her. After a few moments, she went silent and pulled herself back up. "You okay?" I asked, concerned. She nodded miserably. "It's going to be hard for everyone." I reminded. Savanna nodded again, and disappeared back into the crowd.
Sierra shoved her way over to me. "Those things kept you captive?" She shrieked hysterically, which was new for her. She mainly tried to act tough. "Yup. Eight days with those things watching you, questioning you, hitting you.." I described. She shuttered. "Gotta hand it to you kid, you're a lot braver than you lead yourself up to be," Sierra complimented. "Uh, thanks," I laughed, partially offended by the 'lead yourself up to be' part. "What happened to the old one?" She wondered. "Kramor burnt him for coming to kill me and Savanna. He's lucky to be alive. I killed the other one there, the guard. He pissed me off, always enforcing rules and hitting me. You try being tied to a tree, unable to fight back. It's frustrating!" I informed. "With my temper, I wouldn't have lasted there," she figured. "No, you wouldn't have," I confirmed.
There was an hour or so before dark. They called me up. I left Sierra behind and approached the tired leaders. "Do you think they'll attack tonight?" Merfalis wondered. "That's unlikely. I don't think they know we have night vision, but they can't see in the dark. They'll wait til morning if they're smart," I explained. "We sent out a scout to see their location. They're hiding out about halfway here and the grosms clearing, in the vines as cover. We believe they're settling down for the night," Merfalis explained. I nodded. "We would set out now, but everyone is exhausted and we wouldn't make it far," Murawl added. I considered this a moment. I needed rest too. "They can see the moment the sun's up. If we rest now, we can leave a couple hours before sunlight. In case they're able to track us, we should disperse on our daragots. Ones that don't could ride with someone who does?" I suggested. "Very well," Murawl agreed, dismissing me. Shortly after, he announced to everyone my plan, and told them to get to sleep immediately.
As I laid down beside my mom and Savanna, who refused to leave my side, I looked at the familiar stars. A smile crossed my face, same with savanna. For this was the first night in almost two weeks we were watching the stars, trying to fall asleep in our home. This was the one thing Savanna wanted to do when we were kept captive. There was no place I'd rather be. It almost made everything that happened better, just in that moment. Too bad we're leaving tomorrow.