Kaskia: A Hero's Awakening

Chapter 11

"How many?" Squishy asked.

"More than five squads of a dozen, each with archers and soldiers." Arlington replied.

"Any Felien?" Grape asked, worried about what their next move was going to be.

"No. Not that we saw." Jr. answered.

"They're coming from the direction of Osion." Arlington added. "If we hurry, we might be able to get out of here without any attention."

"There's too many for our group to slip out of Cosan unnoticed." Jr. said.

"I agree." Squishy sighed. "Alright. Jr., you and Grape take them and head south, towards the desert. Stick to the mission. Arlington, you and I will set up an ambush and slow them down, then we will catch up as soon as we can."

"No...." Rina cried. "You can't leave us!"

"Rina... They have to. They will be okay." Aiden said, trying to comfort her.

"That's what mommy said!" She cried out, tossing herself back on the bed, covering her face in the pillow.

Aiden stood there stunned at the outburst, his heart aching at the words she used. He blamed himself for what happened, and now he knew Rina also blamed him for the loss of their parents. He chose to run away, for all he knew, the three of them staying with their mom may have been enough to save her, then with their mom, they could have saved their father. Aiden played all the what ifs of the day he lost his parents, what could have been.

Ellie nuzzled against Aiden, trying to comfort him, showing that she did not blame him.

"Rina..." Arlington tried to comfort her. "Everything will be okay, I promise. We will be right behind you. But for us all to get away, you have to go with Grape and Jr." He continued, placing his paw on her shoulder.

"Okay..." Rina sulked.

"We have to hurry." Jr. said flatly. "We don't have time for this."

"Here." Squishy said to Aiden, reaching into a bag that he had laying by the door. "I got you a sword. I hope it's not too heavy."

"Thanks." Aiden replied, taking the sword and sheath. Testing the weight of the sword. Although it looked average and nothing compared to the sword his father could make, it felt right in his hand.

"Grape, here's food and supplies for the trip." Squishy said, tossing a small bag to Grape. "We will catch up soon as we can."

Jr. jumped out the window of the two-story Inn, landing silently on his feet. Grape tossed the bag of supplies down to him. "Rina, Jr. will catch you."

"I'm scared..." Rina whimpered, not wanting to jump out the window.

"I will lower you down to him." Grape reassured.

Nodding to Grape, Rina walked over to the window and looked down, seeing Jr. waiting to catch her. Grape picked her up in her arms, slowly lowering her. "I have to let go, Jr. is right there, okay Rina?"

"Ok... Okay..." Rina stuttered as Grape released her grip only to be in Jr.'s arms seconds later.

"Not so bad, right?" Jr. Asked. "Aiden, you're ne..."

Without waiting for Grape to assist him, Aiden jumped from the window, landing next to Jr. and Rina, with less grace than the Kaiine. "I'm fine." He said turning in time to see Grape land right behind him with Ellie in her arms, who immediately jumped to the ground when they landed.

Rina looked up to see Squishy and Arlington disappear on the roof of the Inn.

"Let's go." Grape said.