Trust me

Chapter 4

"Chief Virana we have to expand to the mainland"

"And how do you suppose we do that General Atitaya? It would be a death sentence for our people" Virana responded. Atitaya sighed and looked towards the ground before a voice spoke up. "I may have a solution for that mother" she turned to see Namaari enter the throne room.

"Oh, my little morning mist. It's good to see you home" she smiled. Namaari bowed to her mother. "I've located Raya. She's out stealing gem pieces" Namaari informed. "What?" Virana gasped and looked at her own gem piece that sat in her staff.

"And Bao has gone missing. He says he went to locate Raya but he hasn't been back since" Namaari said. Virana sighed. She knew Bao. He was young, maybe about the same age as Namaari. But she knew he wasn't locating Raya. He was with her.

"Namaari. Don't you see it? Bao has taken Raya's side. He's not locating her. He's with her" Virana explained. Namaari let out a humorless laugh. "Come on mother. He can't be. He was one of the most loyal soldiers we have. Why would he take her side? He's just doing what he's told because I sent him to find her" she said. Virana sighed. Namaari was never going to understand.

"But, if Raya has already gotten the Talon gem piece, I wanted to take the royal army and find her in Spine" Namaari explained. Virana chuckled darkly. "Well, if she's going into Spine, I don't think there will be much left of her to intercept" she said.

"She's more capable than you realize. We have to stop her" Namaari protested. Virana placed a hand on her shoulder. "Walk with me" she said. Soon, they walked out the throne room and around the garden.

"Look at this. We made all of this by making smart decisions, not emotional ones. We are safe, and well provided" Virana explained, moving her staff in gesture of the homeland they lived on.

Namaari bit her lip. "You heard what the general said. You're right, this isn't just a smart choice, but it's the only choice." Namaari realized. Virana smiled. "General Atitaya, ready the royal army at my daughters command" Namaari bowed. "Thank you, mother. I won't let you down"

                                                                                               *

Raya was reading the map when she felt someone sit next to her. She looked to see it was Bao. "How can I help you?" she asked. "No, no I'm just looking" he said. Raya moved the map so he could take a look at it. "Do you think we can actually do it?" Raya asked softly.

Bao turned his head and realized how close their faces were. If he leaned in any closer, their lips could touch. "Do what?" he asked. Raya turned her face away and sighed. "Like actually stop the Drunn, get all the gem pieces and get my Ba back" she said as she leaned back into the board on the boat. Bao sighed. "Well, we can only hope at this point. And come on, with how strong you are, I'm sure we can do this" he complimented. Raya smiled before brushing a piece of hair behind her ear.

"So, you have a Ba?" He asked as he leaned back and got comfortable. Raya nodded. "Yeah. He was...a very hopeful man. He believed Kumandra could be real. But sadly, the world is broken and you can't trust anyone" Raya explained. She sighed and moved her arm so her elbow was resting on her knee and her head rested on her palm.

"I uh...have a Ba and a younger brother actually" Bao revealed. Raya looked at him in surprise. "Really?" she asked. Bao nodded. "My ba was the same way. He always talked about Kumandra. And how one day we might become united, and my brother, well he was 12. So, he believed" he paused for a brief moment and looked at Raya who was looking at him with interest.