So Many Miles Between Us

7. The Exiles (Octavia)

     I slowly peeled open my eyes. The bright light forcing me to shut them again. I heard distant whispers and hushed voices. I laid there, wherever I was, for a good ten minutes. After that, I reopened my eyes and slowly sat up. I was no longer in the prison cell I had been in the first day I arrived. The place was inside a large tent. It looked to be a medical tent, with medical supplies stacked on long, wooden tables. The tent was lit by a few torches, attached to tall, metal poles.

      I lifted the bottom of my shirt up and looked at the burn marks covering both of my sides, and then looked at the burn marks on my hands. The burn marks were much better, forming scars now. I wondered how long I had been out. Just as I was deep in thought, a man burst through the tent opening. I looked up and recognized Atohl. With a sick feeling in my stomach, I thought back to earlier. Queen. They want me to be their queen, I thought to myself. 

     "How are you doing?" asked Atohl.

     "Better. Thanks," I told him.

     "That's good," he said.

     I shook my head and asked, "Care to explain what you said?" 

     "What?" he asked in confusion, and then said, "I was just saying that it's good you're feeling better."

     "I meant the thing you said to me before I blacked out, after the fire," I clarified.

     "Oh, that... I was just, uh, saying how'd you make a good queen," he responded.

     "Yeah, but what do you mean by 'queen'," I asked.

     "The queen is the one in charge here. Our leader, like you have, uh, what do they call the Sky People leaders again?" he explained.

     "Chancellors," I responded. 

     "Right. The queen is our leader like the Chancellor is yours," he corrected himself.

     "Then, why me? Why not somebody from your Clan?" I asked him.

     "Because nobody from our Clan is fit enough to be leader and our queen is dead. We've heard all about you. The first Sky Person to be a Second," he explained.

     "I'm flattered, but I can't accept. The people I love and care about are back home. Anyway, your Clan will never let a Sky Person lead them," I said, hoping that he'd understand.

     "We're your people now, Octavia. As for my Clan, you're right, they won't accept at first, but they'll get used to you. You did just save two of our Clan members, how could they not get used to you?" he responded back. 

     I shook my head in frustration. I'd have to think of another way to get out of here, but for now I'd just have to play along. I decided to change the subject and said, "How long have I been out?"

     "One week," he told me, while handing me a small, wooden bowl filled with water. I pressed my lips to the side and let the cool, refreshing liquid coarse down my throat, letting the liquid take away the aching dryness that became my throat. It just amazes me that I hadn't died of dehydration yet. I mumbled a quick "thank you" when I was done, and pushed myself into a sitting position. 

     "Are you hungry?" Atohl asked me.

     "No, not really. I'm good," I lied. The truth was, I was starving. Atohl studied me for a minute, probably trying to see if I was telling the truth or not, and then just nodded.

     "Then, you can eat later," he replied. He paused before adding, "Right now, we should probably begin you're training. Go over basic Clan rules, the guidelines for being our leader, and maybe dress you in some different clothes."