Brighter Than the Stars

Annabelle - Rebellion

"Tell Madeline we need her now." Nicole appeared in the doorway of my room, her voice clipped and to the point, as usual. She didn't add any extra details or tell me what was going on, just headed down the hallway–presumably to tell someone else they were needed, or just to get back to whatever she'd been doing.

"Hey, wait!" I yelled. She stepped back into my door frame. "Need her for what? And what do you mean 'we?'"

"Well, I don't mean me. I mean the Council–I was just there. There's some sort of disturbance a few streets away." She started to move away again, and considered using a spell to tie her down, just so I could get some more information.

"Why were you there?" While we had plenty of friends on the Council–and I was sure Leo told her everything after each meeting–they were generally closed meetings, even if we would just figure it out later.

Nicole shrugged. "I was with Leo, and I wanted to see what it was like. Just because. So, Leo let me come. Anyway, they need Madline right now, and I thought she might be with you–or that you'd know where she is, so..."

I got up. "I'll get her."

Madeline was with Clara, as Clara fitted a dress she had made to her. Clara had improved rapidly–while she'd been talented before, she now easily could have opened her own shop. She'd also been increasingly interested in court life, asking Madeline or I questions all the time. Her only downfall was that she felt things too deeply–but, then again, so did I. That had been part of why I'd hated it. Still, if Clara liked it, and she was good at it, then I saw no reason not to let her continue at it, even if Leo had apprehensions. At least he would never have to worry about Nicole in that respect–she somehow got herself out of almost every party or meeting we had to go to.

"They need you in the Council room," I said. She was usually there anyway during meetings, so I didn't know why she was out of this one. "Apparently, it's important–something about a disturbance? Nicole didn't really say much."

"I'll be right there." Madeline stepped down off the box Clara had her on. "Let me get out of this first."

We entered the room together, Clara behind us, peeking over my shoulder. James waited at the door, clearly not wanting to be left out of whatever was going on–even though he was supposed to be busy. Everyone sat around their respective chairs (except for Nicole, who was sitting on the armrest of Leo's) with Madeline's left open at the head. She headed over, Clara and I flanking her and James following a few steps behind (because he was a loser).

"What's wrong?" Madeline asked, taking her seat.

"Revolt," Isa said, straight to the point, as always. I wondered how she and Nicole even managed to talk–and if the conversation was at all interesting. "Here in the city, just a few streets over. Apparently, they're advocating for von Vikas back, and seem to be getting more violent. We're trying to decide whether we should send in the Guard, before anyone else gets hurt."

Madeline pursed her lips, then looked to James. "James, send a few of your men in now–but under orders not to attack. I want to try and reason with them first, to see if we can diffuse the situation without violence."

James nodded and headed toward the door. "Will do. Update me as need be."

He sounded almost professional.

"Leo, if you don't mind, I'd like you to head out there, too." Leo nodded, and Nicole took his hand, the two having a whispered debate. "And you, Isa. Try to negotiate and see what's wrong." She pressed a finger to her lips, thinking. "I don't know if it's the best idea if I go. I feel like I should, but..."

"We've got this," Isa assured her. "We just wanted your input. If we need you, we'll send word." James reentered the room, and Isa got up. "James, Leo and I are coming with you."

James nodded. "I'm ready to go. We've gotten a few more reports–apparently, it's getting more violent by the minute." He headed for the door again, Isa behind him. "If all goes well, we'll see you in a few. Hopefully, without, you know, injuring a bunch of people, making anyone angrier, or coming back in a coffin."

"Shut up, James!" Nicole snapped. She hopped up and darted out of the room.

Leo, torn, looked like he was about to follow her, and I shook my head. "You go. I'll go after her. She'll be fine."

He looked doubtful, but followed Isa, anyway–not that he had much of a choice. In a few moments, they were gone, and I headed off to find Nicole–which was never easy. The spots she got herself into were honestly impressive, and it was surprising she hadn't broken her neck yet.

I checked the library first, where she most commonly disappeared to–and one of the only places I could get to without nearly killing myself. I didn't have Leo's knack for finding her, but I knew most of her common spots–and could somewhat figure out how to get to them.

Sure enough, she was sitting in one of the windowsills in the portholes nearly at the library ceiling. I assumed she must have climbed the bookshelf or something (honestly, I didn't really know) but I snapped my fingers and used the spell I'd learned months ago to get myself up there. I sat on top of the bookshelf and glanced down. I had never really been afraid of heights, but, honestly, this was terrifying.

Nicole glanced at me, then went back to looking out the window. "Sorry," she muttered. "I overreacted."

I shrugged. "James just has poor taste in jokes. And Leo'll be fine. They aren't really going there to fight–Leo isn't, anyway. He's a good swordsman, even with just one eye, and he'll make it out, even if something goes wrong."

Nicole shook her head. "If something went wrong, he'd be the first back in there to try and save everyone else. He'd end up dying for it." She jammed the toe of her boot between the glass part of the window and the sill, and I prayed it wouldn't break. "I hate him."

"You don't. Nothing's going to go wrong. Everyone there is smart and capable and will have it resolved within the hour."

"You don't know that."

"You're right. I don't. But I know the people there, and I know they're all very capable. I trust they'll be fine, and send for help if they need it."

She shrugged and went back to looking out the window. "I guess."

And then there was nothing left to do but wait. 

Word Count: 1,155