Hiraeth: Blackout (I)

Chapter Twelve

We were in the Mystic Lands by the time the Sun was coming up. We had already passed the City of Fire. Bexley was taking control over it, according to my new fox friend.

As we continued on, I could see a lake up ahead - frozen and black.

"There's the camp," Sky announced after a moment. "In that circle o' trees."

A little ways from the lake, I could see an opening in the forest. It was small, almost a perfect circle, and next to it was a meadow. A camp was only slightly visible inside the circle. It was made up of a variety of shacks and tents.

"The Ragdoll Army is made up of the few who could resist Bexley's Taking and anyone who managed to escape her wrath. We originally believed that our leader, Governor Kassandra Green herself, was strong of mind as well. Then during our first battle, Bexley morphed her into a beast, and took away her willpower," Kioku explained.

Bexley took down the Governor of Idyll?!

That's terrifying.

I looked at Karter, flying alongside Parry on Aka's back. Her whole body was tense. Although her voice remained calm, her eyes showed fear and anger. "She's using my ability to harm others. My ability!"

Parry hugged Karter tight, trying to help. "It's not your fault, Karter," he said.

"I'm going to kill her," she announced, eyes growing dark.

Everyone went silent.

The mere thought of killing someone made me want to cry. I remembered the pain and sorrow from losing my parents, and it made me wonder how much hurt someone else might experience because of the death of someone they knew and Loved.

Not a day went by that I didn't wrestle with thoughts of how much pain I'd caused those whose loved ones had died because of me, not so long ago.

"What?" Karter exclaimed. "She deserves to die!"

Troy, sitting behind me with his head in my shirt like before, shook his head and managed to mumble, "No one deserves to die. Some beings do worse than others. But we don't decide their time."

My redheaded friend then commenced his efforts to forget we were flying, gripping my waist and groaning irritatedly.

"Well, I agree with Karter. Bexley's a witch," Alyssa stated.

Derek gasped. "Don't use that kind of language!"

"Well she is."

If Bexley's hurting or taking innocent beings, maybe she does deserve to die... But how?

I brushed the thought aside as we began descending. Everyone held on tight, and Troy screamed. Sky landed much more gracefully than Silver, whose fur I had to practically tie myself to in order to keep from falling off.

As soon as we were on the ground, beings came rushing towards us.

There were kids, teenagers, adults, even babies and elderly beings. Almost every one was injured in some way. Their eyes were tired and full of pain. Yet, as they saw us land, their faces became filled with joy.

Kioku comforted the Ragdolls, assuring them of the arrival of their new commander.

"Where is she?" they asked.

Karter stepped forward, and the beaten crew moved to make a path for her.

"Is that her?" a small lion girl asked Kioku.

"Yes, that is her." Kioku hovered next to Karter and announced, "Everyone, meet your new commander! Karter Jay Jones."

The crowd cheered. Little kids ran up to Karter with glee, much to her bewilderment.