Davinah's POV
I rode fast to my hideout. It was deep into the woods in an old abandoned castle. This property long belonged to Eda. She permitted me to use it as I please.
I was met by blank stares as I entered the castle. They must be disappointed at my late arrival.
"Ms. Grandidierite," my friend, Ms. Eden, greets in concern. "Why are you late?"
I bowed my head lightly. "I apologize for my tardiness at tonight's meeting. Castle Grandidierite was robbed and our member, Ms. Herbert was attacked by a monster."
"A monster?" Eden arched her brow. "Who would even dare touch you or your mother?"
"A stupidly annoying gunsmith," I spat, accepting the cup of wine offered to me. "He robbed my house the same day I purchased a gun from him."
"And how is Ms. Herbert?" Jesselyn, Herbert's best friend asked. "How bad is she wounded?"
"Stabbed in the abdomen," I replied, "She also has cuts all over her body." I chugged on my wine. I've never felt this thirsty before. It must be the rage.
I was robbed in the comfort of my own house by the man who I purchased a gun from. It is insane. What motive could he have? Why did they attack Herbert? I honestly don't care if the castle is robbed; I care about Herbert. She's my friend and she's hurt.
"Slow down, Afik," said Jesselyn. "We will have our vengeance. We must."
"I agree," I nodded.
Eden shook her head in disapproval. "He must be in some group if he robbed you. You can't strike back without knowing what his strengths and weaknesses are; you taught me that."
I stared into her chocolate brown eyes.
She bit her lip, looking down at her feet. She dared not meet my eyes when I'm full of rage.
"I'm just saying," she continued, "You're not stupid to charge without knowing things. But right now you're overwhelmed by your emotions. You need to think logically."
"Don't throw my own words at me," I glared. "I am the leader; not you."
"And everyone respects you," she says, "I'm just advising you to stand down. This isn't the time to let your temper get the better of you."
She's right, but I can't help it. My rage is too much. If I keep it in, I might explode. I have to do something about it. I'm going to do something about it.
"So what?" asked Jesselyn. "Are we gonna kill him?"
"Kill him?" Eden gasped. "Davinah, you wouldn't!"
"He wouldn't be the first person I killed if I did," I stated, taking my seat in the great hall. "I won't kill him. There's a reason why he robbed my house; I intend to know why."
My bloodline has a long history of witchcraft. I, unlike my mother, am more talented in the craft. Not only that, I've been granted the gift of Divination. I haven't perfected that, but I am training. I can figure him out sooner or later.
"I will see him first thing in the morning," I say, "Everyone else shall continue with their assigned tasks."
"And what about your protection?" asked Jesselyn.
"He wouldn't dare lay a finger on a noblewoman as powerful as my mother," I stated, "I shall be more than fine. If I don't make it, I will send you a note."
I received a "Yes Ma'am" from all.
"Now," I say, "Report!"
Jesselyn began, "We've gathered more people from south of the city. We brought them to the castle and gave them enough food and water. They shall stay for as long as they need."
"Ages?" I asked.
"The youngest is an orphan at age two," she says, "And the oldest is at her fourteenth year; today in fact."
I frowned. So many young people are out in the streets. Homeless and orphans. How can the rich be so selfish? Leaving them on the street would lead them to become slaves.
"The two-year-old will stay in the castle with us," I declared, "Well, all of them if they don't have anywhere else to go. Give them plenty of food and teach them how to read and write. When they are about ten, you can ask whether or not they want to join us. If yes, train them. Witchcraft, combat, medicine; whatever it is they may excel in."
"Yes!" Jesselyn bowed.
Eden then came forward. "We also brought some people from the north of the city. They are slaves who escaped captivity. Youngest is five, and the eldest is nineteen. I've already spoken to them and they all want to support the cause. They will help us help other people."
"Good," I nodded. "And what of the mission in the east?" I asked. "Did we successfully retrieve the grimoire? The cards? Anything?"
"No, ma'am!" replied Marie. "Forgive me. I need more troops and time. Retrieving them will take a very very long time. The items are sealed with magic. Perhaps you may want to accompany us next week?"
"We needed them weeks ago, Marie," I said sternly.
"And you will have them," she said, "But you need to understand what you ask of me. Witchcraft is forbidden. The people accompanying me are not as skilled as you are. And you're not even as powerful as a high priestess! How do you expect us to accomplish such a task?"
"Very well," I said, "I shall be there next week. With everything else, we continue. Might there be anything else you want to add?"
"We need more supplies for the people," Eden says, "And more shelter. We need to build a new castle deeper into the woods. I fear we might get discovered by your mother."
"Steal from the rich," I say, "We always do. We have more than enough funds already to purchase supplies. Eden, I trust you can handle these, yes? By all means, lead this project. If money is an issue, I can find more."
"Also," Jesselyn adds, "The anniversary of the Blood Oaths will be next month; I just wanted to remind you."
"It will be the seventh anniversary," I smiled.
"We've been building this since we were twelve," Eden says.
She's right. I started this when I was twelve. The Blood Oaths was formed the day I saw the cruelty my mother put on her slaves. I felt so disgusted to be related to her. It started with me, Eden, Herbert, Jesselyn, and Maria. We vowed to help the poor and slaves. Eden, Maria, and I are privileged to be nobles. Unfortunately for Jesselyn and Herbert, they were once rich and become maids. Their families were rich but were stripped of their titles and properties.
"If that is all, then I shall bid you farewell," I say, "I shall meet with the gunsmith tomorrow." With that said, I left to get some sleep.
BLAZE'S POV
I returned to our old shaft. I was the last one to arrive. I arrived to be greeted by Winter, my right-hand man who briefed me on the success of the robbery. Everybody calls him winter because he's always dressed in a snow-white long coat since he likes the color. Besides, he likes being named so.
I sat down with the rest of my crew and asked "Who stabbed Miss Herbert?"
Seconds later, a young man stood up and said "I did."
"What's your name?"I asked, "And what did she do?"
He said, "I'm George. I was completing the mission when she hit me on my arm with a half-sharpened sword." He showed me the cut. "So I had to fight back. She was surprisingly skilled as if she was training for the last couple of weeks."
"Okay," I said, "It'll be fine."
"May I ask what?" asked George.
"The girl recognized me and said she'd get her vengeance," I said, "So, we should prepare faster for phase one of the great siege."
Everyone gasped.
Winter asked, "Already? Do we even have enough men? I'll put you in charge to gather as many men as possible. Equip them with the weapons in my store and don't worry. I have a plan that might help us dramatically before the siege."
