The Girl from the Ground - Season 1

Episode Six, Part 2:

Episode Six, Part 2: 
Smoke Signals 

There was an unusual quietness that floated through camp; the crackling of the fire pit had been extinguished; the bellowing voices of classes being taught felt like a fleeting memory and, worst of all, the usual squeal and laughter of Basilisk's children was nowhere to be heard. Half of their people were hiding in their tents - staying out of sight from all the violence on the other side of the tarp, whilst the other half - anyone who had the strength or was skilled enough defend the perimetres, was armed and standing at the ready.

Izzy stood a few yards away from the front gate, only, she was on the outside. Harlow, Veer, and Eden were at her side but if anything, that made her more nervous; now they stood a chance at getting hurt.

"They're close," Veer murmured, hearing the distant sounds of fighting and occasional gunfire draw nearer and nearer by the minute.

Her fingers loosened on the blade by her side and she stood an inch or two behind the others; Izzy knew at her core that Veer didn't want to hurt anyone. Sovereign or not, or it wasn't who she was.

"Veer, you stay by the gate. Oversee everything and give instruction; watch people's backs and tell them which direction danger is coming in."

Veer nodded, instantly relieved.

"Harlow and I will assist the guards at the brunt of the attack-"

"Izzy, are you sure? You're the Noble..." Eden reminded her.

"I'm sure. I'm one of the strongest fighters, so I should be on the frontline."

She tried to act oblivious, but Izzy could see the look of contempt on Harlow's face. She knew if he had it his way, then Izzy would be safely sealed away behind the fences with her eyes covered so she didn't so much as have to witness the violence that was coming their way.

"Okay. What about me? Where do you want me?" Eden asked.

A loud, clashing roar from behind the nearby treeline stole away Izzy's chance to think through her decision. "Anywhere you're needed."

Within a second, the four Sovereigns had split up from each other and aside from Veer, they had all abandoned the gate, careless to their own, life-threatening danger.

With the real war set to arrive any day now, Izzy hadn't been expecting many attackers to come their way - which was why most of Basilisk were safe and sound in their tents, but there were suddenly a lot more New Riders than she expected.

She tried to jump in to her people's defence, noticing that Harlow and Eden were caught up in a fight of their own, but her guards seemed to prevent her from getting anywhere near New Riders. Though she knew it was their job - their primary goal - to keep the Noble Sovereign safe, Izzy couldn't help but feel a little irritated at their protection. Surely all her years of training and missions meant that if anyone should take on such an aggressor, it was her. It was the innocent members of Basilisk, the smallholders, the children and parents that should be the most protected, not her.

"Let me fight," she said, not earning any attention. Her voice was drowned out by all that was unfolding around her. "Guards, let me pass. I need to fight," she continued to insist, but no one made any effort let her move past.

Izzy huffed, trying to figure out a way to escape their barrier as she glanced around at the others. Veer was still by the gate, yelling out her warnings to her people and allowing them to avoid anyone swinging at them; Harlow was barely breaking a sweat after disarming one of the New Riders, but Eden... Eden was outnumbered.