Chapter Eleven

Just Breathe

For several long moments no one said anything. Bray had a very classic 'Deer caught in the headlights' expression along with most of the Mall Rats. It seemed Amber had forgotten to breathe, Trudy's eyes were huge with shock, and Ebony veritably trembled where she sat. Delilah watched this with her usual cool expression, looking to her sister who was watching the situation intently. Finally Salene rose to her feet and approached him. "Is it really you, Bray?"

He let out a small chuckle. "I was about to ask you all the same question. How..Why are all of you here? I didn't think I'd ever see any of you again."

"That's a very long story. For now, come here." She pulled him into a tight embrace. He returned it full-force. "It is so good to see you again."

"Likewise. I have missed you all so much." He turned as Baby Bray started mewling in frustration. Amber had sat frozen the entire time and he had been trying to get her attention. Amber..? Is that...is he?"

Amber drew a shaky breath. Just calm down. Breathe, Amber, breathe. When she opened her eyes, she pulled the fussy child into her lap and nodded slowly. "Yes, Bray. He is." She was suprised at how focused her voice sounded. She almost jumped out of her skin though, when he crossed the room, limping only slightly, and dropped to the ground in front of her.

He reached out and shakily smoothed Baby Bray's blond hair. It was only then he caught true sight of Jay. Eyes widened in recognition and he jumped back up. "Technos! What is this?" Ram's snort caught his attention and he growled. "Ram. You sent me here! Of all the places to show back up!"

"Bray! Calm down!" Amber had finally regained her composure under the tense circumstances. She stood up and faced him. "Much has changed since your...dissapearance. The Technos are not our enemies any longer. Jay is a trusted friend and Ram...well...he's Slade's..well...it's a long story."

"And one we unfortunately do not have time for now." Ghost motioned for everyone to sit. "I will have an evening meal for you all served in here so you can catch up. I never suspected a reunion like this. Although I am sure there will be more later on. Sylhira has enslaved many over her reign, and it is time we ended this once and for all."

"I would rejoice the day you resumed your rightful place, Ghost." Bray said as he seated himself between Amber and Trudy. Brady immediately crawled into his lap, and he placed a gentle kiss on his niece's hair.

"I am glad to hear your reslove, my sister. But if we plan to truly take that cretin down, shouldn't we involve Victor?" Delilah asked gently. Knowing Ghost's relationship with their brother was shaky at best.

Ghost sighed. "He will not help. I tried talking to him last night when he showed up, but to no avail. I fear we must do this on our own."

Andra frowned. "How can he turn his back when his own wife was a slave?"

"Perhaps we could entice him with a reward?" Maya suggested.

"I tried, but his demands are high." Ghost looked away. "He wants the western cropland as his own."

"What?" Delilah jumped up. "That is our greatest source of grain and beans. I cannot believe he would make such a demand!" She stopped and sat back down at the hurt look on Ghost's face. "Then you are right, we will just have to do without him this time. Afterall I heard our new alliea here are intent on going with us?"

"Damn right we are!" Ebony growled nodding slowly. Slade smiled at her appreciatively.

Jay spoke up. "I am in if for no other reason but to rectify what I unknowingly had a hand in."

Jack gripped Ellie's hand tighly as he spoke for both of them. "We are going too. We were slaves and no one deserves that."

Delilah grinned as she heard similar sentiments from each member in turn. All but Ram that is. He claimed he would just be in the way. She turned serious. "Alright then. We need a plan now. A damn good one at that."

Several hours later Wysteria reappeared with several of the town's women to serve a light lunch to the stiff and weary group. Fresh bread, cheese, dried meat, and sun-ripened fruits were laid out before the group. Several jugs of fresh spring water with a refreshing citrus aftertaste were also set down. Wysteria nodded to all in turn and ushered the women out along with her, closing the doors behind them. Ghost chuckled. "Don't know what I'd do without her. Well, let's put aside matters of state and enjoy this little feast."

"Oh, probably lose your head." Delilah quipped with a snort.

Ghost turned to stare at her in shock. "Where did that come from?"

She merely quirked an eyebrow in response, which resulted in warm laughter bubbling up from Ghost. Soon the serious mood was broken and all joined in laughing and chatting.

"I still can't believe you're really sitting here, Bray." Trudy said, shaking her head. "We all thought you were dead. After you dissapeared and all."

"So this is Bray, huh?" Gel piped up. "No wonder Amber's all moon-eyed over him."

"Gel!" Amber, Salene, May, and Ruby all chastised her at once.

"Huh. Sorry. Yesh, lighten up a bit will ya?"

The doors swung open and Elyan strode in, followed by the Tree Guard. Her face was set in a grim mask. "Ghost, forgive my intrusion, but we have a problem."

"What is it?" Rising to her feet, Ghost quickly strode to meet the commander.

"One of my patrols is missing. I fear they may have wandered too far into Red Sisterhood territory and have been captured."

"How could this happen? Our borders are well-defined."

Delilah had now stood and approached them as well. "Are you sure of this?"

"Yes, we found their gear thirty degrees off their intended couse. If they followed that path it would take them right into the heart of Sylhira's realm." She closed her eyes for a moment. "i should have known better!"

"What do you mean?" Ghost frowned.

"I though things would be pretty routine so I allowed Orchid to lead her first patrol. I mapped everything out for her and told her to meet back up with Graf's troops in two hours."

"You mean to tell me it's Wysteria's sister that's out there?"

"Yes, I am most sorry for my lapse in judgement. I thought she was ready."

Ghost groaned. Delialh paced a bit. "I guess we'll have to go get them, and pray Sylhira doesn't find them."

"We..?" Elyan ventured softly. "I don't understand."

"You really think I'm just going to sit here while a group of my people are in danger? I'm leading the search myself."

Delilah grinned. "Now that's the Ghost I know.." She spun to her guards. "We go as well. Think you can handle a jaunt through the trees, O Clumsy One?" Bray growled something under his breath and stood up. "Good. We'll meet you in the Plaza, sister." She left followed by Bray, Zeke, and Tara.

Jay stood up and looked at Ghost. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"If you so desire. My trackers are well-trained, but if any of you are capable in the forest I would welcome the help. If we run into trouble out there...we'll need it." She strode towards the door, the twins getting up to follow her. "You might want to change also. Meet in the plaza in twenty minutes."

"Looks like the vacation's on hold, boys and girls." Lex smirked. "Oh well, could use a bit of action anyways."

The group headed up to change and found their old clothes on their beds, cleaned and mended where needed. "I could really get used to this." Ebony chuckled.

Jay watched Amber intently. She looked up after a moment and frowned at him. "Something wrong?"

"Bray. What does he mean to our relationship?"

She sighed. "I don't know Jay. I still haven't really had time to process things yet. I can tell we have both changed...I'm not sure if we are still the same as when we were in love. Of course I would like him to be in Bray's life, being his father and all, but I don't think...Oh I don't know, Jay. I let him go and moved on. We'll need to talk before anything else." She gently caressed his face at his downcast expression. "Never doubt my love for you, though, Jay. I won't leave you, Bray and i just need to figure out where we stand with each other."

Jay nodded and gently kissed her. "We need to go. The others are waiting."

Amber, Jay, Ebony, Slade, Lex, May, Salene, Jack, and Ellie departed for the plaza. Ghost and the others were waiting for them. She gave a friendly nod and handed them a map. "I really appreciate your help. We'll head to the spot their gear was found in, split into groups and fan out. Each group will have two trackers. If one group finds something, whistle. We'll have to be armed, so I want you to all get a crossbow. The Red Sisterhood is corrupted by Sylhira's will, so no member is to be taken lightly." She glanced out over the group. Elyan handed out loaded crossbows and helped fix holsters to each of the new arrivals. "Let's go." At a quick jog, they took off down the forest path.