Morning was here and though the suns had yet to rise, the orange glow off to the east engulf most the horizon. Teagan and Terra were sitting on the ground, using her jacket as a blanket as they ate their breakfast.
"Best enjoy that, little one." Teagan said, taking a bite her apple, "If that town doesn't have anything for us… it's another day's walk to Central City."
Terra looked up at Teagan as if she understood, but quickly inhaled her apple slice and asked for another. Teagan smiled, shaking her head as she cut another piece off the apple. Looking down the little hill they were on, outline of houses came into view as the land brightened.
Leaning against a tree, Teagan let her eyes drop as she thought of their next steps. Sandy had told her of an odd little town, but not where to find it. Hopefully, this was that town or at least was friendly enough. Either way, the next stop would be Central City and to find DG, Cain, and the others.
"What would you two fine ladies be looking for in that little town?" A voice from behind asked.
Teagan jumped and moved between Terra and the man, holding the knife up in defense. The man wasn't dressed like a Longcoat or any follower, instead in farmer's wear of overalls and dust. Still, Teagan would take no chances.
The man was quick to hold up his hands, "I ain't gonna hurt ya. The name's Hank and I live in that town, called Milltown." The man said, "So what could we do to help you two?"
"Supplies, we need supplies so we can make it to Central City and a few days past that." Teagan answered, lowering the knife, "I'm Teagan and that's my niece Terra."
"Come along then, most of the town is up." Hank said, waving for them to follow.
"Wait, how can I trust you and vise versa?" Teagan asked, though she still was gathering her things. Terra had stayed relatively quiet, chewing on her apple piece and glancing from her aunt to the stranger.
"Well, neither of us look or act like Longcoats and I'm willing to bet that you just need a place to rest." Hank said, turning to smile at her.
Teagan smiled back as she tossed her jacket over her shoulder and picked up Terra, "Sorry, I'm not from around here."
"I can tell… you're from the Other Side." Hank said, waiting for Teagan before walking down the hill.
Teagan only nodded and followed Hank into Milltown where others emerged from the houses. It wasn't until she met Father Vue that she learned of what the people really were, androids.
Images crackled and scattered about during the day she spent in Milltown. Until nightfall, when Father Vue and Teagan stood just outside of the limits and away from everyone else.
"I know I'm asking a lot of you." Teagan said, looking off towards the east, "But it would mean a lot and I wouldn't have to put her through so much."
"Hank and Emily are nurture units, they will care greatly for Terra as she were their own." Father Vue nodded, "But what should we tell her?"
"Hank and Emily can be the grandparents they will be one day. DG is sure, whether royal or not, to come back to them. This way, Terra isn't confused for she had never met any parents of mine or Sandy's." Teagan replied, "I will come back for her if I can. If not, I trust her here with you and the others."
"You really plan on doing this alone?" He prodded.
"I don't know where to find DG, Cain, or the others, but Central City is a good start. If things get bad then I can't spare the time to find them." Teagan sighed, "I don't want to do this alone, but I have done so much alone in my life, it is easier to me."
"This will get you to Central City, but I know if you head southwest you may find a path to them." Father Vue said, handing Teagan a bag.
"Thank you." Teagan nodded, taking the bag and racing off into the night.
Father Vue watched her leave before he returned to the town. The images bounced again from one part to another on Teagan's journey to Central City and days after until she came upon Cyin and the Vanaspati.
Raw stop, we don't need to go further…
Raw let his hands drop and sighed, felling like he was going to fall over. He may have if Glitch wasn't holding his shoulders. Looking around, most everyone was confused or feeling sad for Teagan.
In a few days, she had taken on a lot and wasn't finished. Teagan moaned in her sleep and turned to curl up in a ball. Glitch squeezed Raw's shoulders before standing to stretch and helped Raw to stand.
"Come on, let's get you to bed as well." Glitch smiled and led Raw from the room.
Jeb and Cain walked to the window as Azkadellia and DG stayed on the couch. Cain's mind raced as he came to terms of Teagan's last week and what was still to come. Why would it be easy, rid the world of evil and live life uninterrupted? Jeb kept silent as well, waiting for his father to speak first.
"So something is in the Tower, using the evil witch's power to destroy our world?" Cain finally said.
"Well, at least the witch would have kept the world alive… sort of speak." Jeb said, "We need to know more about what this… fog is and what is can do."
"The one that seems to know is currently out cold." Cain stated, keeping his eyes looking out at the storm clouds off in the distance.
"Well, sounds like a good idea to me." Jeb said, placing a hand on Cain's shoulder, "We can figure out a plan in the morning."
"I guess." Cain sighed, rubbing his face, "Let's see what the Princesses are thinking."
The two men walked over to the couches where DG and Azkadellia were talking. Glancing down, Cain could see Teagan's brow furrowed, but she still seemed deep in sleep. Looking back up, both princesses were looking at them and the same question in all their minds.
"What do we do now?" DG asked, looking straight to Cain.
"Jeb's right, we need to sleep and then make a plan in the morning." Cain said, "I think I am gonna head to bed now."
DG and Azkadellia nodded, watching at Jeb and Cain left the guest room. The princesses stayed a little longer, debating who would stay with Teagan. Azkadellia convinced DG to go, saying it was her turn to watch the young teen. DG nodded and hugged her sister before leaving.
Azkadellia stoked the fire and added a few more logs once everyone had left. Grabbing a pillow and blanket off the bed, she relaxed on one of the couches and drifted off to sleep. The night was peaceful enough, save for the storm that rolled in after midnight.
Azkadellia woke in the morning with the storm still ranging outside. Taking a few deep breaths and glancing around, she noticed a body standing by the window… Teagan. She was watching the storm though her head rested against the glass.
"Teagan, you doing alright?" Azkadellia asked, getting up and walking next to the teen.
"Just a headache and the cool glass feels nice." Teagan replied, "Am I to guess that you had Raw read my memories?"
"Yes we did, I won't lie." Az nodded and watched Teagan's reflection, "We thought it better so that you could sleep and not relive what we saw."
"I don't know what to think. I don't feel betrayed though I think I should, but it's like… a weight is off my shoulders." Teagan said, letting her mind wander.
"Well, you didn't have to relive those bad days, we saw what we needed, and now we can go from there." Az smiled, "But why don't you get cleaned up first? Take a shower and I can get you some clean clothes."
"Sure, that sounds nice, but I have some clothes in my knapsack. Thank you Azkadellia." Teagan said, letting the elder Princess lead her to the bathroom. After being told of how Ozian plumbing worked, Teagan indulged in a nice hot shower.
Azkadellia set about trying to pick up the room as best she could. Mostly the pillows and blankets and was making the bed when someone knocked and the door opened. Entered Wyatt Cain who nodded to Az when he saw her.
"How's the kid?" Cain asked, walking over to Az to help her with a comforter.
"Taking a shower now." Az replied, smoothing out some wrinkles.
"She mad at us?" Cain wondered, heading to one of the couches.
"Not really, more confused, but I think she is overall grateful she didn't have to explain herself. Please tell me you didn't lose sleep over that."
"No, never been a late sleeper." Cain smiled and both turned to the bathroom as the water turned off.
Az went to Teagan's knapsack and pulled out the other set of clothes shoved at the bottom. Another pair of jeans and a shirt that looked a little big for her. Shrugging, Azkadellia took the clothes into the bathroom and was soon sitting on another couch, across from Cain.
"Is anyone else up yet?" Azkadellia asked, making small talk.
"Jeb got up when I did and I think was heading to check on Raw. He said they would meet us at breakfast, but I am not sure on DG." Cain said, popping his neck.
"Well then I will go see if she is up yet." Az stated, getting up from the couch, but was stopped by Cain.
"Why don't I go and get DG? At least I know her and it would be weird for me to be here when Teagan gets out of the shower." Cain replied, getting up to leave.
"Alright, see you at breakfast." Az smiled, watching Cain leave. When the door shut, she allowed herself to laugh a little at Cain's insecurity.
The door to the bathroom opened soon after and Azkadellia swore the clothes engulfed the teenager. The pants were a little bagging, but the shirt hung down to her thighs. Teagan smiled and tucked in the shirt, which to Az, helped a lot.
"You were right, the shower helped a lot." Teagan said, brushing her hair before braiding it to one side and tying it off.
"Well, breakfast will be ready shortly and everyone will be downstairs. Let's make our way there, shall we?" Azkadellia asked, heading towards the door.
"It's not gonna be like the dinner, is it? I'm not sure I can eat that much." Teagan said, walking behind the princess.
"Hardly, there is only a fraction of the people here now." Az smiled as she and Teagan walked for the room and down to the dinning room.
Queen Lavender and Ahamo were already there with Jeb, Raw, and Glitch. Grabbing a plate of food from a nearby buffet, Az and Teagan took their seats and waited for Cain and DG. Teagan barely sat down before the two in question walked in and grabbed plates.
No one spoke of the coming events until after breakfast was done. Nearly everyone turned to the young teen, who soon squirmed in her seat. Never one liking the spotlight, Teagan turned to Cain, "What's with the staring contest?"
"We don't mean to upset you, but we would like more information about what's going on." Cain answered.
"Well, start asking and I can try my best to supply answers." Teagan said, "I mean if we're all to stop this war."
"So you trust us?" DG wondered, "Earlier you weren't all that enthused."
"Earlier, I wasn't thinking straight and it wasn't me not trusting you. It was more of me fearing you… trusting me." Teagan replied.
"Well, I do have a question." Glitch started, "Do you know who is really behind all this?"
Sorry for the long wait, real life is taking hold and i'm moving. Updates may be a little slow for awhile.