Embers in the Dark

The Rebel Army

On the Island of Exi, The Morrigan was still on the run.  It was still storming, unfortunately, and she'd only come across berries to eat.  They tasted awful.  She had a couple run ins with Apate's footman but The Morrigan took them down with ease despite her limited use of magic and no weapons to use, but she was running on fumes now.

She had to find real food.

The Phantom Queen back tracked to the large fortress she had escaped from, remembering she'd seen other buildings nearby.  She checked some of them, most being locked up save for one.  The Morrigan entered it and looked around, lightning flashing through the windows.  What she saw were shelves upon shelves of fresh food.

"Thank the Gods!" she said before grabbing an apple.

As she was about to take a bite into it, The Morrigan paused.  This was too easy. 

"Hello," a child's voice said in the dark.

The Morrigan sighed before looking around.  "Alright, Olena.  Where are you?"

Shadowy mist appeared before the goddess, and when it disappeared, Cahira was revealed.  She gave the woman a big smile.  "You've made Auntie Appa and Mommy very upset, you know," she teased, reaching for something on the shelf.  "Don't eat the apple, have this instead.  It's got more energy in it."

Cahira handed The Morrigan some dried out meat and she took it gratefully.  "Thank you, but why are you helping me?" she asked as The Morrigan placed the apple back on the shelf.

The child grasped another piece of meat off the shelf and munched on it.  "I'm forming a rebel army."

The Morrigan arched a brow with a smirk.  "A rebel army, huh?  Am I your first recruit?"

"Nope.  There are other children on the island that have rallied to my cause, though they only come around once a month."

"Why only once a month?" The Morrigan asked, still chewing in her food.

"They only come with their parents, and their parents are members of Auntie Appa's book club," Cahira replied, gnawing on the dried meat.  "So when they do that, I get to play with their children.  I wish they came more often."

The Morrigan shrugged, deciding to play along with the situation.  "Alright, I will join your army.  Are the children here now?"

"Yep, except for one."

The Morrigan tilted her head to the side.  "And where is this missing child?"

"French Indochina.  She's on a secret mission for me."

The woman squinted her eyes and smiled brightly.  "And what is this secret mission?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret," the child said plainly.  "And I'd have to kill you."

The Morrigan barked with laughter.  This kid was so much like Lilly.  "But you can trust me."

Cahira huffed.  "That remains to be seen.  I have a question to ask because, you see, my informant says there is a rumor going around that the people she is staying with currently have the soul of their enemy's child.  A dead child who was stolen from the Underworld."

The Morrigan gulped.  She knew where this was going.  "Olena, honey, I honestly don't think now is the right time to have that question answered."

Cahira nodded.  "I see.  And what do you think I'm going to ask you?"

"The child's name."

"Correct."

The goddess got to a knee and placed a hand on Cahira's shoulder.  "I'm afraid that if I tell you, you will lose focus on this rebellion you have going on."