Chapter 2; A new Hope and prelude to disaster
All was still by the sea; two slumbering humans were just beginning to rouse. The consciousness, quick as a thought shifted to the north. Brightmoon was just stirring, a new day was about to begin and the free had to work as hard as the enslaved, they merely had greater joy in life. The consciousness again shifted, this time far to the south, the dark turrets of the Fright Zone could be seen through those disembodied eyes. A slave transport was traveling down the road to Gunthor which lay to the East. The Eyes begin to withdraw, returning to their center carrying with them a warning to the mind of the woods.
*********************
Madame Razz awoke with a startled squawk. Noises outside her tent had the gray haired witch reaching for her hat and calling for her good friend Broom.
"Broom, Brooom, oh dear, where is he? Brooom!"
"Right here Madame, stop your hollerin' it's givin' me a headache." A talking broom followed by three short lavender persons garbed in green entered. These were the twiggets. Guardians of the Whispering woods.
There was Sprag, a gangly little guy with a nasally voice and a lions heart, the sweet and gentle Spiritina and the rounded figure of the mischievous Sprocket.
"We did as you asked Madame," said Sprag, "we guarded you all night."
"We didn't sleep at all." From Spiritina.
"And boy are we tired, did you see anything at all?" Grouched Sprocket.
"Oh dear, shh, we mustn't speak too loudly of our secret. No one must even suspect what I really am or we could all be in grave danger! And yes, I did see something. I must warn Adora."
******************************
"Alright people we've a lot to cover this morning and not much time. Peek-a-Blue I need you, report." Adora, leader of the Great Rebellion, stood at the head of the council of rebels. Not many were there that morning but only because their duties lay elsewhere.
A beautiful young woman with blue hair that fell in gentle curls across her shoulders and a fan of luminous peacock feathers- each sporting a different eye on her back- stepped forward.
"Adora farmer Corliss will be making an early delivery, he'll be giving supplies to us today instead of next week. The Horde tax collector is coming to Grendell. He doesn't want to look suspicious by disappearing."
"Alright then, take Cowl and three of the men from Drile with you, it will be their group that receives the foodstuffs from Corliss this time." Just then Madame Razz followed by Broom and the twiggetts came into the glade.
"Madame, good to see you."
"You too Adora. Sweetie have you been eating right, you look so thin?"
Adora laughed, "I'm eating much better now that Bow is doing the cooking for me."
Just then a dainty hand touched her shoulder, catching Adora's attention. She turned drawing her brows together in a fierce manner. She was the leader of the rebels; she did not like the disrespect of someone laying their hands on her. Then she saw it was Peek-a-blue and she relaxed, the poor girl was shy enough she wouldn't add to her problem by displaying any of the annoyance she felt. This wasn't really an organized military after all.
"Peeka, what can I do for you, did we miss something?"
"No, Adora, but I wanted you aware. I have been feeling strange, it is as if the shadows are speaking to me, my eyes gaze into the darkness and it seems to come alive." Adora drew her brows together again, this time in concern.
"Are you alright, what does it mean?"
"It is very rare, but once a generation someone is chosen to walk with the spirits and view the crossroads of tomorrow." Adora appeared confused but rather than say anything she allowed Peek-a-blue to explain. "It means I am to become the holy woman of my people, see glimpses of the future, I will see not just one path the future may take but many paths that yet may be."
"You believe this is what is happening to you?"
"Yes. I know the signs and have experienced all of them…. But Adora I am frightened." Adora lay a comforting arm on Peeka's shoulder.
"Why Peeka, this is wonderful, you will become a symbol of hope to your people and
a greater help to the rebellion than you already are, why should you fear your power rather than embrace it?"
"Because Adora," Peek-a-blue whispered in trepidation, "I have seen glimpses of the future."
"What have you seen?" Adora asked. Peek-a-blue looked her straight in the eyes, her own shining with troubled concern.
"I saw you Adora, much of it was in shadows but I sensed something…"
"What, Peeka?"
"I sensed peril Adora, that's all." Adora heaved a frustrated sigh.
"Alright. I'll have to let it go for now, you tell me if you learn anything more." She then focused her attention back on Madame who was frowning at Peek-a-Blue's departing back.
"A holy woman for the peacock people. That could be both good or bad."
"What do you mean Madame?"
"She will become as a goddess to her people, their spiritual leader, but her gift is one fraught with burden, a double edged sword, so to speak."
"Explain."
"Well, it's like staring down a road and coming to a crossroads with many divergences and seeing the consequences of choosing each direction; often she may be unsure which road is the best road."
"Hmm, in a war where delay can be fatal and indecision can cost lives that isn't exactly an ideal situation. Sounds as if her journey's going to be quite interesting. Should we worry?" Adora queried arching a graceful blond brow.
"It's too soon to tell." Madame responded, lips pursed in contemplation.
"Madame," Adora said brusquely changing the subject, "I need you to go to Mysticor. Speak with Castaspella about our new ally count, also contact Frosta, ask about things in the north. It's been too long since we heard from the Empress of Ice Mountain and I worry. Chill Castle is so far from the Whispering Woods that if Hordak were to mount an attack it would be too late to stop them by the time we got word. If everythings okay tell her a word from the north now and then would be welcome."
Just then a small child came waddling into Adora, she fell on her bottom, a stunned look on her tiny face, curling her little hands into fists she stuck out her bottom lip as she screwed up her face, preparing to cry. Adora scooped the chubby child into her arms, tapping her on the nose, smiling tenderly. A haphazard array of teeth showed as the child's scowl changed to a friendly smile.
"No crying here little one, a rebel doesn't cry, they fight, and then the Horde cries, wee, wee, wee, all the way home to Horde world." Adora laughed as the child grabbed a fistful of her hair, stuffing it into its mouth.
Still holding the child she focused her attention on Glimmer and Bow who were trying not to stare. This was a side of Adora people rarely saw. She was sweet and beautiful and strong a gentle friend and a ruthless leader who demanded perfection only because that was what she delivered. Her kindness was nothing new, however five years of constant battle had hardened her, it had hardened them all. But that disappeared when Adora held a child. She became a young woman again as if the weight of the world did not rest on her slim shoulders. She focused on her companions.
"Bow you and Glimmer will accompany me as I try to rouse the town of Strathmoore to our cause. If we can cut off the supply of ore that they mine then the horde will be down to only two metal producing towns which will then cut the number of robots and battle-tanks they can build to send after us."
The child gurgled and Adora rubbed her nose to its. "You are too sweet! Yes you are! You're going to be free someday, just you wait, Auntie Adora will fix it, yes she will!"
"Neurisse!" A woman's shout came from the trees. "There you are, forgive me Adora, I was picking berries for our noon meal and she wandered off."
"No problem, your from Wanreth right?"
"Yes ma'am. She-ra saved us from Battlebots Darkcamp. We would have all been
used in his genetic experiments if she hadn't freed us."
"Yes, that's true, it would have been easier had your people stood with her and fought for their own freedom instead of having She-ra fight for them." Adora's voice was heavy with accusation. Bow and Glimmer both looked at her their eyes widening in alarm. The woman stared at the ground in shame.
"We didn't realize what life under the Horde meant, we just wanted peace."
"That's all any of us want. Unfortunately it's people like you who keep us from getting it."
"Adora! That's not fair-"
Adora turned her fierce regard on Bow, "No Bow, what's not fair is that She-ra had to fight to free a people who wouldn't even help themselves."
"But they are with us now, don't be so hard on them."
"Bow, I have a responsibility to the people who will fight, so does She-Ra but we spend so much time helping those who won't, we have made no headway in this war for five years." She turned back to the girl who was clutching her child to her chest unable to look up for fear of incurring more disapproval. "Woman you are dismissed, go to your people and tell them how Adora and the rebels fight for your freedom and that of your children while you do nothing towards that goal." The woman quickly walked away, her face red with embarrassment, unable to deny the harsh reality of Adora's accusations.
"Dearie, I understand your frustration, but you can't be so hard on them. People make mistakes, they have joined now, show a little forgiveness."
Adora looked Madame in the eyes, her own blue orbs shimmering fiercely with barely suppressed ire.
"Madame I showed plenty of forgiveness when She-Ra rescued them and led them to the woods for safety. If people would just learn from these mistakes I could afford to be gentler. But people don't so I can't. We gave them sanctuary. They must earn anything else." Madame nodded her eyes lowering in understanding, then they snapped up.
"Oh dear I almost forgot! Sweetie there's trouble in Gunthor, a horde slave transport is picking the town clean, they'll be no one left by evening." Adora groaned.
"I'm on it Madame, Looks as if Strathmoore will have to wait guys. Bow, Glimmer, with me." Glimmer doubled with Adora on Spirit while Bow mounted Arrow and they rode out to Gunthor.
All was still by the sea; two slumbering humans were just beginning to rouse. The consciousness, quick as a thought shifted to the north. Brightmoon was just stirring, a new day was about to begin and the free had to work as hard as the enslaved, they merely had greater joy in life. The consciousness again shifted, this time far to the south, the dark turrets of the Fright Zone could be seen through those disembodied eyes. A slave transport was traveling down the road to Gunthor which lay to the East. The Eyes begin to withdraw, returning to their center carrying with them a warning to the mind of the woods.
*********************
Madame Razz awoke with a startled squawk. Noises outside her tent had the gray haired witch reaching for her hat and calling for her good friend Broom.
"Broom, Brooom, oh dear, where is he? Brooom!"
"Right here Madame, stop your hollerin' it's givin' me a headache." A talking broom followed by three short lavender persons garbed in green entered. These were the twiggets. Guardians of the Whispering woods.
There was Sprag, a gangly little guy with a nasally voice and a lions heart, the sweet and gentle Spiritina and the rounded figure of the mischievous Sprocket.
"We did as you asked Madame," said Sprag, "we guarded you all night."
"We didn't sleep at all." From Spiritina.
"And boy are we tired, did you see anything at all?" Grouched Sprocket.
"Oh dear, shh, we mustn't speak too loudly of our secret. No one must even suspect what I really am or we could all be in grave danger! And yes, I did see something. I must warn Adora."
******************************
"Alright people we've a lot to cover this morning and not much time. Peek-a-Blue I need you, report." Adora, leader of the Great Rebellion, stood at the head of the council of rebels. Not many were there that morning but only because their duties lay elsewhere.
A beautiful young woman with blue hair that fell in gentle curls across her shoulders and a fan of luminous peacock feathers- each sporting a different eye on her back- stepped forward.
"Adora farmer Corliss will be making an early delivery, he'll be giving supplies to us today instead of next week. The Horde tax collector is coming to Grendell. He doesn't want to look suspicious by disappearing."
"Alright then, take Cowl and three of the men from Drile with you, it will be their group that receives the foodstuffs from Corliss this time." Just then Madame Razz followed by Broom and the twiggetts came into the glade.
"Madame, good to see you."
"You too Adora. Sweetie have you been eating right, you look so thin?"
Adora laughed, "I'm eating much better now that Bow is doing the cooking for me."
Just then a dainty hand touched her shoulder, catching Adora's attention. She turned drawing her brows together in a fierce manner. She was the leader of the rebels; she did not like the disrespect of someone laying their hands on her. Then she saw it was Peek-a-blue and she relaxed, the poor girl was shy enough she wouldn't add to her problem by displaying any of the annoyance she felt. This wasn't really an organized military after all.
"Peeka, what can I do for you, did we miss something?"
"No, Adora, but I wanted you aware. I have been feeling strange, it is as if the shadows are speaking to me, my eyes gaze into the darkness and it seems to come alive." Adora drew her brows together again, this time in concern.
"Are you alright, what does it mean?"
"It is very rare, but once a generation someone is chosen to walk with the spirits and view the crossroads of tomorrow." Adora appeared confused but rather than say anything she allowed Peek-a-blue to explain. "It means I am to become the holy woman of my people, see glimpses of the future, I will see not just one path the future may take but many paths that yet may be."
"You believe this is what is happening to you?"
"Yes. I know the signs and have experienced all of them…. But Adora I am frightened." Adora lay a comforting arm on Peeka's shoulder.
"Why Peeka, this is wonderful, you will become a symbol of hope to your people and
a greater help to the rebellion than you already are, why should you fear your power rather than embrace it?"
"Because Adora," Peek-a-blue whispered in trepidation, "I have seen glimpses of the future."
"What have you seen?" Adora asked. Peek-a-blue looked her straight in the eyes, her own shining with troubled concern.
"I saw you Adora, much of it was in shadows but I sensed something…"
"What, Peeka?"
"I sensed peril Adora, that's all." Adora heaved a frustrated sigh.
"Alright. I'll have to let it go for now, you tell me if you learn anything more." She then focused her attention back on Madame who was frowning at Peek-a-Blue's departing back.
"A holy woman for the peacock people. That could be both good or bad."
"What do you mean Madame?"
"She will become as a goddess to her people, their spiritual leader, but her gift is one fraught with burden, a double edged sword, so to speak."
"Explain."
"Well, it's like staring down a road and coming to a crossroads with many divergences and seeing the consequences of choosing each direction; often she may be unsure which road is the best road."
"Hmm, in a war where delay can be fatal and indecision can cost lives that isn't exactly an ideal situation. Sounds as if her journey's going to be quite interesting. Should we worry?" Adora queried arching a graceful blond brow.
"It's too soon to tell." Madame responded, lips pursed in contemplation.
"Madame," Adora said brusquely changing the subject, "I need you to go to Mysticor. Speak with Castaspella about our new ally count, also contact Frosta, ask about things in the north. It's been too long since we heard from the Empress of Ice Mountain and I worry. Chill Castle is so far from the Whispering Woods that if Hordak were to mount an attack it would be too late to stop them by the time we got word. If everythings okay tell her a word from the north now and then would be welcome."
Just then a small child came waddling into Adora, she fell on her bottom, a stunned look on her tiny face, curling her little hands into fists she stuck out her bottom lip as she screwed up her face, preparing to cry. Adora scooped the chubby child into her arms, tapping her on the nose, smiling tenderly. A haphazard array of teeth showed as the child's scowl changed to a friendly smile.
"No crying here little one, a rebel doesn't cry, they fight, and then the Horde cries, wee, wee, wee, all the way home to Horde world." Adora laughed as the child grabbed a fistful of her hair, stuffing it into its mouth.
Still holding the child she focused her attention on Glimmer and Bow who were trying not to stare. This was a side of Adora people rarely saw. She was sweet and beautiful and strong a gentle friend and a ruthless leader who demanded perfection only because that was what she delivered. Her kindness was nothing new, however five years of constant battle had hardened her, it had hardened them all. But that disappeared when Adora held a child. She became a young woman again as if the weight of the world did not rest on her slim shoulders. She focused on her companions.
"Bow you and Glimmer will accompany me as I try to rouse the town of Strathmoore to our cause. If we can cut off the supply of ore that they mine then the horde will be down to only two metal producing towns which will then cut the number of robots and battle-tanks they can build to send after us."
The child gurgled and Adora rubbed her nose to its. "You are too sweet! Yes you are! You're going to be free someday, just you wait, Auntie Adora will fix it, yes she will!"
"Neurisse!" A woman's shout came from the trees. "There you are, forgive me Adora, I was picking berries for our noon meal and she wandered off."
"No problem, your from Wanreth right?"
"Yes ma'am. She-ra saved us from Battlebots Darkcamp. We would have all been
used in his genetic experiments if she hadn't freed us."
"Yes, that's true, it would have been easier had your people stood with her and fought for their own freedom instead of having She-ra fight for them." Adora's voice was heavy with accusation. Bow and Glimmer both looked at her their eyes widening in alarm. The woman stared at the ground in shame.
"We didn't realize what life under the Horde meant, we just wanted peace."
"That's all any of us want. Unfortunately it's people like you who keep us from getting it."
"Adora! That's not fair-"
Adora turned her fierce regard on Bow, "No Bow, what's not fair is that She-ra had to fight to free a people who wouldn't even help themselves."
"But they are with us now, don't be so hard on them."
"Bow, I have a responsibility to the people who will fight, so does She-Ra but we spend so much time helping those who won't, we have made no headway in this war for five years." She turned back to the girl who was clutching her child to her chest unable to look up for fear of incurring more disapproval. "Woman you are dismissed, go to your people and tell them how Adora and the rebels fight for your freedom and that of your children while you do nothing towards that goal." The woman quickly walked away, her face red with embarrassment, unable to deny the harsh reality of Adora's accusations.
"Dearie, I understand your frustration, but you can't be so hard on them. People make mistakes, they have joined now, show a little forgiveness."
Adora looked Madame in the eyes, her own blue orbs shimmering fiercely with barely suppressed ire.
"Madame I showed plenty of forgiveness when She-Ra rescued them and led them to the woods for safety. If people would just learn from these mistakes I could afford to be gentler. But people don't so I can't. We gave them sanctuary. They must earn anything else." Madame nodded her eyes lowering in understanding, then they snapped up.
"Oh dear I almost forgot! Sweetie there's trouble in Gunthor, a horde slave transport is picking the town clean, they'll be no one left by evening." Adora groaned.
"I'm on it Madame, Looks as if Strathmoore will have to wait guys. Bow, Glimmer, with me." Glimmer doubled with Adora on Spirit while Bow mounted Arrow and they rode out to Gunthor.
