The Fall Of Imbria (The Fendara Series. Book One)

Chapter Two: Victoria

The walk home was long. Beatrice cried as I cradled her in my arms. I didn't know what to say or how to make her feel better, so I just kept quiet and held her close.

As we approach the cottage my father who is in a tense conversation with our village blacksmith, becomes alert to us when Beatrice let's out another sob. Tears coating my cloak as they stream down her porcelain cheeks. He rushes over, ending their talk short, prying my weeping sister from my torso.

"What happened?" His eyes dart straight to me.

The next words out of my mouth leaves my father hollow. "They found us."

*

Only a few hours. That's all, and already My father had informed my eldest brother and Simon to relay the news. By sunset they had gathered everyone we knew that could fight. Everyone from the Masons who ran the community emporium, to Cecil the blacksmith who made our abundance of weapons and armor was present. Even the smaller groups of families gather around the roaring fire that sat in the center of us all. No one wants to miss a single word of our discussion.

The low chatter becomes silent as my father, Ephraim approaches the ample amount of people. All of them sitting or standing, waiting for him to speak.

He looks over everyone and finally let's out a sigh. "I know you are all aware of the recent encounter my daughter's Victoria and Beatrice had in the woods this evening."

With concerning eyes he pulls his hands behind his back and starts pacing back and forth.

"I can't come to find the words to describe the anguish I feel about this situation but nonetheless, it has made one thing clear." He comes to a halt.

"War is coming and we must do everything in our power to make sure we are ready."

The muttering began amongst the people. I looked around, some stood strong and fierce. Others with pure fear in their eyes. And me, well, if its war they want then its war they'll get.

Rising from the log I was sitting on I stepped towards my father. He stood so stoic, his hair long and dark- the color of my own-pulled back behind his neck with a strap of leather. The red battle leathers he dressed in only showed the knowledge he possessed from the last war he fought. My father and others being the reason we are able to stand where we are today. The reason we are the way we are. Everything I am, I owe it all to him.

Standing with him brought everyone's attention to me. "The human mortal I met today, in our forest, was just a taste of whats to come. They finally sniffed us out like the dogs they are and it's time to put them back in the cage they crawled out of."

I caught the gaze of Simon, his stern face shifted and our eyes met, a smirk appearing on his lips. Then I saw my brother Cassius standing beside him, giving me a nod of support. "We all came here with the same goal. To be free. Free from them, all of King Baron's people and everyone else who thought they could lock us away!" The crowd started murmuring, everyone agreeing in some way.

I even noticed Augustine sitting off to the side, drinking in every word. "We are strong! We are witches, Warlocks, Mages, Wizards, and so much more. We are our ancestors who fought before us and we will fight these monsters with everything we've got till our last breath!"

Every ounce of air was surrounded by cheering and stirring, I had instilled courage and bravery in those who had forgotten what it once was to be who we are.

I looked into my father's eyes and I saw the proudness he held for me. I gave him a nod of gratitude in return. He shifted back to the crowd. "Now lets go prepare everything we have!" He yelled over the voices. "We have a glamour to restore at dawn!"