A/N: Sorry about the lag time for this last update, the muses ran a bit dry on inspiration. So I took them out on holiday, got them quite drunk, and now look. A chappy! I'm really thrilled with all the support I've received lately and hopefully I can use that to get back on track with posting. Much love to you all. SpiritChild

Chapter Thirteen

And so the schemeing begins...

Amber stared at Ghost and Sphinx for several long moments, and from the shocked and confused looks on the faces around her she wasn't the only one confused. They were supposed to be the enemy, and here Ghost was hugging one like they were best friends!?

"Just what the hell is going on here?" Amber glanced over at Ebony. Leave it to her to be the voice in the situation. Ghost turned to look at her.

"Don't worry. We're not without our contacts on the inside. There are still those in the Sisterhood that wish for the overthrow of Sylhira. Sphinx here was my right hand." Ghost paced slightly.

Jay frowned. "So did you know we would run into her patrol?"

"No, but we were lucky we did."

Sphinx grinned. "Looks like you all could use an escort back to South, eh?" She gave a whistle and the four missing members of the patrol, along with Zeke, Tara, and Bray, were escorted into the clearing. Rhian was scowling at her commander, but she said nothing.

Lex motioned towards her. "She doesn't look too pleased. Are you going to get into any trouble for this?"

Sphinx scoffed. "Rhian may not like it, but she knows better than to say anything against me. She owes me a life-debt." She turned to Ghost. "Are you planning on moving soon?"

Ghost nodded. "Indeed we are. Our new friends have agreed to help, as many of their own were given over to Sylhira as slaves." She holstered her crossbow. "Will you speak with me as we walk?"

"We have much to do if you plan on the complete overthrow of her. Have you spoken with Victor lately?"

Ebony frowned. "Oh they spoke alright. Any more speaking and there would have been bloodshed." Slade placed a hand on her shoulder to try and silence her. She shrugged it off and glared at him. "We have just at much at stake here as they do! Who knows who they have captive?"

Jay's soft voice startled them. "She's right you know."

Sphinx stared at him strangely. "You seem familiar somehow." She stepped closer to him and looked him over. "Taller, though, and broader of shoulder."

He gasped. "Oh god. You've seen Ved? Is he alright?"

She smiled. "A brother I take it?" Jay nodded. "He was held for a time, but is there no longer. Victor has him. He frees slaves as well, but in his own way." She paused thoughtfully. "There was a girl with him. She refused to leave his side, and he hers, so they were taken together."

Amber held Jay as he shook with relief. "So Chloe is with him then?"

"Last I knew, but that was near five months ago. You will have to venture to West to know for sure."

Trudy gently rubbed Jay's back and gave Amber a soft smile. She turned around to face Sphinx. "Thank you. We were all under the impression that our loved ones were dead." Sphinx gave her a curt nod. "How many have there been?"

Ghost stepped forward. "Too many." She glanced at Sphinx. "How many are in the cages right now?"

"Just shy of thirty."

Slade gave a low whistle. "That's more than we had anticipated on earlier. We're going to have to change our plans a bit."

"That and you're going to need Victor. You have to be a united front. No loose ends. Remember?"

Ghost shook her head and gave the motion to head out. "Victor's a lost cause. I doubt anyone can get through to him. We'll just have to make do with what we have." They walked in silence for a long time before Jack spoke up.

"I bet Ram could get through to him."

They parted ways just outside of the city. Sphinx embraced Ghost one more time. "I have my rotation at the cages in six days. That would be the opportune time to strike." Ghost nodded and the Red Sisterhood patrol melted into the foliage and dissapeared. "Long live the Lady of the Isle." She sighed and shook her head, setting off down the path towards South. The others paused curiously, only a few smiling wistfully in understanding, before following her to the Meeting Hall. She stopped them just outside, the sun was setting and casting a firey glow about them.

"Take an hour to refresh yourselves and get something to eat. We have a long night ahead of us." She turned and gave them a small smile. "It looks like we're starting from scratch." With that she disappeared inside the building.

The trackers and the majority of the Tree Guard filtered off leaving only the Mall Rats, Elyan, Mercedes, Graf, Delilah, and Bray. Ruby, Ram, Gel, Sammy, and Lottie soon joined them with Brady and Baby Bray. "We heard you guys had made it back." Ruby said as she handed Bray over to Amber. "How did it go?"

Trudy shook her head as she picked up Brady. "It's a long story already. We have to go to the Main Hall in an hour. We'll need to find someone to watch the children for the night."

"We should find Wysteria, then." Ruby interjected. "She did say if we needed anything to speak to her about it. I'm sure she'd know someone who could look after them."

Mercedes nodded. "Good idea. I'll take care of it." She smiled at them and headed off.

Delilah looked around at them. "You do realize just how dangerous a game we are playing here, don't you?"

Ebony sighed and shook her head. "Nothing has ever been easy for us. If we were stuck in a perfect place for too long, we'd all go stir-crazy."

Lex chuckled sardonically. "She's got that right, babe."

Trudy groaned. "Oh no. They're agreeing again."

After a light dinner of cold game bird and fruit, they all gathered in the main hall. Wysteria had provided a minder for the children with ease. More pillows had been brought in to accomadate the sheer number of people. Nearly thirty had shown up for the all-night council. Ghost and Delilah sat together with Andra, Maya, and Elyan. They had been speaking quietly for some time, their heads together.

Finally Ghost stood and motioned for silence. "The events of today have greatly left a need to alter plans we had formerly agreed upon. It is time we take our island back for good!" A cheer rose up from those seated around her, the Mall Rats joining in enthusiastically. "It is time now to come up with our strategy. Our new friends have agreed to help us in this endeavor. We owe them much for this show of friendship." She smiled at Amber and Jay, before nodding to the group in general. Another whoop was sent up and many beaming smiles were directed at them.

Delilah grinned as she joined her sister. "We must be a united front in this, thus East will give full support as well. Now for the details." She added with a chuckle. Ghost smimled at her and seated herself, opening the floor for suggestions.

Slade stood slowly, along with Ebony. He gave her a small smile in thanks of her support. "First we need to become a fully united front. That means we need Victor. Whether we want him or not." He stared hard at Ghost, who gave a marginal nod. "There may be those in our group who could get through to him. Specifically, Ram."

Ram shot to his feet. "Whoa. Now just what do you think you are doing?"

"Volunteering you, myself, Ebony, Jack, Lex, and Jay to go to West and play negotiator." He replied cooly. Getting an indignant 'Hey' from Lex as well. Slade met Ram's gaze unflinchingly, and finally got a muttered reply as Ram sat back down.

"Do not get your hopes too high about Victor. He is a ruthless diplomat, and hard to sway. Still you have all my support in your venture." Ghost spoke softly. "He may be the most infuriating person I have ever known, but he is still my brother and I do love him. To have him at my side would be a true gift."

Mercedes got to her feet after Slade and Ebony had seated themselves once more. "Now about those cages. There are far more captives than ever before. we'll need a complex strategy if it's like any of the other times. They'll be dehydrated, half-starved, and suffering from the weather. using them to fight will be out of the question."

"We'll most likely have to protect them, then." One fo the members of the Tree Guard piped up. Nods of assent came from the surrounding members.

Ghost smiled in appreciation. "Then it is settled. Mercedes, you will take half of the Tree Guard and see to the prisoners. Protect them at all costs and see them safely away from the fighting back here to South. Andra and Maya, as well as Ruby and Trudy, if they are consenting." She looked over to get nods from the two women. "Will coordinate the efforts from here and tend to the wounded as well as the prisoners." After a puase, she continued. "That leaves the actual fighting. Let's take a quick break to refresh ourselves and gather again in one hour."

A/N: I'm back! does happy dance I'm also married now. Still sounds odd. Anyhow. The lake of inspiration has been refilled. This story will ahve a total of 21 chaps and an epilogue. The plotline is complete! Yay-ness! Much love. SpiritChild