Planet X Pandora

New Enemies

What?! Zia's head was spinning. Me? Queen? Is he lying? Impossible! I am an orphan! But part of her was simply afraid. No. This man's crazy. I have to leave. Luke looked at her, as if he knew what she was planning.
"I-I have to go to the bathroom. " she stammered.
Luke nodded reluctantly. He led her through the village. Once they had crossed the boundaries, he stopped at the edge of the woods.

" What are we doing here? " she eyed him with distrust.

" Why won't you ever trust me? All I ever did was help. " he said, voice full of hurt.

" Because last time I trusted you, you tried to kill me! " she yelled, then gasped with horror as she realized what she said.

" What?! "

" N-nothing. My-my tongue slipped, that's all. " she stammered, trying to cover it up.

" No it didn't. You need to spill the beans right now. I deserve to know after all I've done for you! "

She didn't answer right away. Should I tell him? He deserves to know. She made up her mind. No.

" No. I-I can't. "

"You can't? Yes, you can. I need to know, especially if you accuse me of attempted treason!"

"No. Please, just, don't ask. I know what I'm doing. " she pleaded.
His ice blue eyes softened, and he reached out to her hand and squeezed it tight.

" Whenever you're ready, alright? " he asked gently, looking into her eyes.
She avoided eye contact and nodded glumly. Suddenly, the sound of crashing footsteps sounded from the jungle. Zia's hand immediately went to to her dagger, before she realized she no longer had her weapons. She picked up a long stick, prepared to use it like a javelin. The crashing got closer, and suddenly a person tore through the branched and stumbled out. Three more middle aged men were right behind them, followed by a girl who was apparently their leader. She was dark skinned, her hair braided with feathers. The girl glared at Zia and stormed up to them. With a flick of her hand, a stone dagger aided her, not going unnoticed by Zia. Luke placed a silent hand on her, warning her to play along. In an instant, the girl had Zia on her knees, the stone dagger pressed tightly against her throat, drawing a thin line of blood. Zia winced at the flash of pain.

"Who are you? What is thy business here? " the girl hissed venomously, her voice laden with a heavy strange accent. Zia felt someone bind her hands together, tight. She tried her best to remain calm, her anger rising. No one had ever dared to speak to her like that, let alone put a knife to her throat.

" I found he-" Luke began, taking a step forward. The girl kicked out with her foot, catching him in the ribs and he dropped to his knees, groaning. One of her goons pulled him up by the shirt, and pushed him into a tree, threatening him with a knife. Luke grunted and tried in vain to push him off, but received a harsh blow to his jaw, blood dribbling from his nose.

"Do not speak unless you are spoken to! " the girl hissed.

" Alright! Alright! Just l-let him go. " Zia said, trying to keep her voice under control. The girl kneed her spine, and Zia fell forward, gasping as she landed on her broken ribs. The girl grabbed her hair, hoisting Zia back to her knees.

" Don't yell at me, girl. By the time I'm done with you, you're gonna wish I'd killed you. " she spat, towering over her.

" Who are you? Why are you here? " the girl repeated.

" Z-zia. "

" Alright, Zia. What are you doing here? "

" Luke found me. Near the Cl-cliff. He brought me here. " Zia muttered. The girl circled her and crouched in front of her, eying her with hatred.