The Glade and Its Glitch: Book 4 Escape

Chapter 9

 Protector and Skylight stood on the balcony of Huntress' treehouse. They were addressing the Glade, and telling them about the ninja. Supernova sat on the railing beside them, she'd been one of the ones who had met with the ninja in the woods, and also one of the ones who helped attack the ninja. So Skylight had requested that she present with them.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming," Protector opened. "As many of you know, we attacked the ninja a week ago. Neither side won, and neither side lost. After Supernova was injured, our team retreated. Now that may sound bad but know that we caught them by surprise and our troop got a few good hits in. Now, any questions?"

Skylight looked away from Protector and out at the crowd below. Many of them seemed concerned, one of their own had been injured by the ninja. Would the ninja injure them next? Would the ninja attack the Glade now that they attacked them?

"Please, speak." Protector spread out her hands.

Acorn was the first to speak up. "Are we going to attack them again?"

"No," Skylight answered him, "We're going to focus back on Glitch. The ninja didn't seem to know who Glitch was when I mentioned his name. They're not allied with him."

"But they're not allied with us!" Someone from the crowd called out.

"Who says there can only be two sides?" Supernova spoke up from her spot on the railing. "What if there are three sides? Us, the ninja, and Glitch. We're against Glitch. The ninja gave Soar refuge but did they know he worked for Glitch? What if Soar told them we're the enemy? Maybe the ninja think we're the enemy because they don't know about Glitch."

"That may be the smartest thing you've ever said," Skylight whispered.

Supernova shot back with a playful punch.

"So... we're just going to leave them alone?" Flora asked from her spot beside her father.

"Yes. They let us leave and didn't chase after us." Skylight kept his head high. Every day he was falling more into the role of king. He didn't love it, but he didn't hate it either. As soon as Carrie returned he'd hand the crown back off to her. He didn't mind leading, but he knew it wasn't his destiny. "If they do attack us we will fight back. The Glade is not known to give up or surrender. We are warriors." He smiled and puffed out his chest. A few members of the crowd cried out and cheered.

Dani raised her hand, "So we're going to focus on Glitch?"

"Yes," Protector nodded, "We're going to focus on Glitch and finding Huntress. We don't know who has her. Both Glitch and the ninja have denied having her. But we will find her." Protector chuckled, "If she doesn't escape first."

Kiki giggled, "She probably will escape first."

Sunbeam adjusted his grip while he held Kiki piggyback style. "That would not be a surprise."

"Any more questions?" Skye piped up from her spot off to the side.

Skylight and Protector waited for a few minutes. When no one spoke up, Protector closed the meeting.

"Well then, that concludes this meeting. See you all around. Have a good rest of your day." Protector turned and went back into the treehouse, and Skylight and Skye followed her.

"I'm going out into the woods. A solo patrol."

"Are you sure, Protector? Skye or I could go with you."

"No," Protector looked back, "I'll go alone. It'll be alright."

"Ok, are you sure you don't want anyone to go with you?" Skye asked.