The Girl from the Ground - Season 1

Episode Five, Part 2:

Episode Five, Part 2: 
Defectors 

Ares and Story sat with their cousins, Atlas and Reign, eating their morning rations. Nothing was out of the ordinary, except Ares was trying his hardest to keep the conversation going at all times in a hope that it was distract Story from everything that was going on around camp. Though she tried her hardest not to admit it, everyone could see how anxious she was from all of the revelations and changes going on in camp and worst of all, the danger she knew was coming. When Izzy was working, and their parents were taking care of their little sister, Ares felt like it was his duty to keep her safe.

"So, then Atlas gave me his pair of crutches and I tried to get up the stairs in the Quarters in under twenty seconds... That's how I got the bruise," Reign laughed, recalling his earth-shaking tumble in the Quarters that had not only broken the bottom step towards the basement, but had left him with enough bruises and gashes to terrify his aunt Aeryn when he limped into the medic tent.

"But you're okay, right?" Story asked.

"He's fine. Just diagnosed as an idiot," Ares answered, having been working in the medic tent when he came in.

"Did your crutches survive?" She asked Atlas, still laughing from her brother's comment.

He nodded. "Just. But I've learned my lesson and Reign's never getting a hold of them again."

"Here. Keep your voice down. We don't want anyone to find us."

The four of them fell silent, half out of instinct, half out of curiosity. Reign still had a mouthful of food and was too nervous to chew in case he was heard. They were sat inside Dreea's training tower - technically off limits without her, but it was where they spend most of their early morning and, despite their knowledge, their parents knew. The rest of Basilisk, however, weren't aware of their hiding spot, leaving the two men on the ground beneath them to think they were alone and out of earshot of anyone else.

"You're sure they left to join New Riders and not just, you know, leave?"

"I'm sure," one guy said to the other. "Because I was asked to go with them."

Ares looked around at the others, worried about what he was hearing. "We should-" he tried to whisper, but was promptly cut off by Reign shushing him, wanting to listen in.

"Why didn't you join them?"

"...I had my reservations, okay? But I'm thinking I should have gone. Myles asked me first, and then he got banished and I thought that was my answer, but then Amias asked me and I would have gone with that group yesterday if-"

"If what?"

"If my wife would have gone with me... I've been trying to convince her, but she wants to stay."

"So if she doesn't go, you're going to stay with her? At Basilisk?"

There was a long silence before the man answered. "People are losing trust for the Sovereigns. I mean, everyone thought they were too young to be selected, but I know there wasn't exactly a broad list of people who made the short-list. Still, I'm not so sure we'll come out of this war triumphant. At least New Riders seem hungry for war and that's gotta be a good thing; it means they're ready, they're skilled and, they're probably going to win."

Ares looked over at Story, half the mind to cover her ears with his hands, but she had already heard the worst of it. Her pale complexion and sudden gulp were enough of a confirmation, if not for the slight shiver of her shoulders.

"I guess the question is, would you rather die a Basilisk, or betray them if it means your life?"

"I want to live. I want my wife. But people are going to continue to leave and I don't want to miss my chance at survival."