AND: Oh. My. Goddess! I have over 1000 hits and 30 reviews. This is coming really close to being my most popular story, and its my first popular one that wasn't a dare or challenge.
I will try to update everyday but Saturday. I work long hours on Sat. and am exhausted by the time I get home. I have no energy to write.
Future plans for this story: Once this story is finished, I will work on the sister story (probably a one-shot) and a sequel or two that I have ideas for.
I've had someone ask me (through e-mail) how to pronounce Alistars. Its Ah-lee-stars. If you say it fast, it sounds like "All the Stars." Fitting, don't ya think?
Disclaimer: See previous.
Chapter 8
"Rebels"
The group was nervous. Something was up. The birds had stopped singing and the air seemed thick with anticipation. A guard noticed a glimmer of sunlight on metal and attacked. Soon the small area they had stopped was filled with men and women with spears, knives, and swords.
Molly didn't make a move as a spear was pushed against her back from the brush. Her eyes widened and the earth behind her rumbled. The staff fell, as did the one holding it. A knife was at her throat soon after.
She was not the only one in trouble. Just about every Naurasian was either being held at knife point or fighting or knocked out. Ahn was standing with a spear to her back. She had surrendered early on, yelling "I'm a healer!" as loud as she could. Canaan was fighting tooth and nail against three very large men with spears. And Prince Aikka, he was being ganged up on by four people with short swords. One managed to get under his guard and slice his arm. Another hit his leg, causing him to fall to his knees. Another lifted her sword in a killing blow.
"No!" Molly yelled. The wind whipped around her and struck the would-be executioner hard in the gut. She toppled to the ground. The fighting stopped and all became silent. The attackers turned to stare at Molly. Some look like they had just noticed her. The knife at her throat was removed.
"Who are you?" one of the men asked. Molly turned to stare him in the eyes.
"Can you not see it, Markus? She is the Heir," another of the men, the leader of the attack, said. The Naurasians were slowly reaching moving out of strike range of the attackers.
"Why would it matter if I was?" Molly said with a tone like a rose, beautiful and soft but with sharp thorns promising pain to those who got too close.
"Then we can celebrate. The True Heir has returned to liberate our people from the traitors," the woman who had almost killed Prince Aikka said. Molly turned her sharp gaze to her. The woman winced at the glare and shrunk back.
Ahn moved away from her captor and ran to Prince Aikka's side. She bandaged his injuries and turned to watch the unfolding drama between a young woman and a group of heavily armed attackers.
"I am the daughter of Queen Lunai," Molly whispered. All of the attackers went down to one knee and placed their weapons in front of them.
"The true Heir has come at last. The planet shall sing and balance be returned," the all said as one.
"The leader male lifted his bowed head. "Forgive me for asking, Heir. But why do you travel in the company of Naurasians? They are on the false Queen's side."
Prince Aikka sprang to his feet. "We do not side with those who attack us for no reason. The current Elysian queen has dishonored herself and her throne by asking us here for a treaty and attempting to kill us." His voice was sharp as his sword.
"If we had known that, we never would have attacked," the woman said and looked at him without raising her head. "I ask for your apologies, but we have been fighting Waterfist for the past 29 years.1 We tend to be more, attack now, ask questions later when it comes to armed people entering our part of the jungle."
Prince Aikka looked at her with distrusting eyes, but nodding in understanding. After all, if the roles were reversed, he would have probably done the same thing he thought. The Naurasians uncomfortably put their weapons away.
"Who are all of you, then?" Molly asked softly and walked toward Prince Aikka. "Get up, would you?"
"We are simply called the Rebellion by Waterfist. I am Spring Ashtear," the woman said as she, and the rest of the rebels, stood. They all picked up their weapons and sheathed swords or put spears in their holders on their backs.
"I am Pith Ashtear. My sister and I formed the Rebellion when Queen Lunai and Princess Solaris were forced to flee," the male leader said. "And we will do everything in our power to help you reclaim your throne, Heir. Now let's get to the Keep."
"Call out!" Spring yelled. Soon whistles filled the air. The Naurasians covered their ears and started grumbling when the loud, sharp noises ended. Glares from the sharp hearing people to the sheepish looking rebels were rampant.
Loud thunder filled the air. Birds from about a mile south took to the air. The earth began to shake. The Naurasians pulled out their weapons and got into fighting stances. Soon, the source of the disturbances was standing before them.
Large predators, canine and feline alike, stood at attention before them. The rebels approached the animals, who laid down on the ground for them. A quick scratch to the ears or shoulder, and they mounted the furred beasts. The Naurasians and Molly were staring in shock. Spring, sitting behind her brother on a large black panther, grinned. Other members of they were silently laughing or trying to keep the mirth from their faces, and failing horribly.
Ahn stared at a large black wolf and grinned. "That is so amazing. How did you do that?"
"All Elysians are connected to nature. When we are born, our souls are linked to some form of animal. My brother is bonded to Talia here. I'm bonded to a falcon named Arishton," Spring said. "I feel more at home in the mountains were I can soar with Arishton without worrying about hitting trees." Soft laughter at this statement trickled through the rebels. Spring flushed in embarrassment.
"Well, choose a rider and get on. We can get to the Keep 10 times faster," Pith said with a chuckle. Molly took a step forward and turned to look at the Naurasians.
"Didn't Arexandoro say we would find help here?" she said softly. The rebels' heads snapped up at the mention of the lion's name. The Naurasians uneasily chose animals to ride and off the newly united group went toward the mountains.
1-The timeline for Lunai goes:
Age 16-arrives of Earth
Age 21-Marries Don Wei
Age 23- Eva born
Age 27- Lunai's death/ Eva age 4
AND: I made this chapter extra long than the normal. Its over 1,000 words, in honor of my over 1000 hits. Don't forget to review.
