Amazon's Power (ON HOLD)

Chapter 10

Several days before...

"So," the man mused. "They are coming." The man before him trembled, scarlet tunic stained and worn from his travels, so urgent was the message.

"Aye my lord."

"Should we prepare a welcoming party?" the man asked rhetorically, leaning against the arms of the intricate and decorative throne. His plain and simple black shirt and pants were a sharp contrast to the throne. The gold seat glimmered slightly as he shifted considering the thoughts lingering in his head before elegantly standing before the messenger. "Send word to our friend in the forest and tell him to eliminate the nuisance next to Margrave. I would like for the Amazons to know who they are dealing with."

"Yes Sire. Your will shall be done."

"Good. Any inkling in the Resistance of what is going on?"

"No Sire. Your spies in the camp have not reported anything of worth since their last report."

"Good. Make sure they do not suspect anything. We need to get rid of the problem before it gets to the Resistance camp. Unfortunately, my team was unable to stop Zeke and his men from reaching the Amazons, but we shall ensure that they do not reach the Resistance," the man hummed, a thoughtful sound. "Set up an ambush next to Dakira, they must pass by there to get to the Resistance. Get twenty five of our best men to get the job done."

"Against eight people, Sire? It that really necessary?"

"Do not question me! Although I wonder if you are right. Fine, send twenty, but it shall be on your head if they fail. Do not disappoint me. And let me know when the deed is done."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diana pushed the team hard the week following the attack. They left at sunrise and didn't stop riding until the path could no longer be seen by moonlight. Everyone was getting worn out by the continuous cycle of rise, ride, and repeat day after day but no one, not even Lily dared to say anything about it. Zeke, although surprised by Diana's attitude, followed in her lead, leading the way without fail to the Resistance camp. When they finally broke through the forest an empty desolate plain greeted them. "Welcome to the plains," Zeke exclaimed, "No civilization for about two days before we reach the town of Darkia."

"You forgot to mention the fact that everything is exposed and the plain is crawling with Ferviors," Lily commented sarcastically, her hood pulled up leaving her face in shadow.

"Perhaps a quick break is in order before we cross? Everyone, including the horses, can get some rest." Zeke suggested, glancing at Diana. She looked the most exhausted out of everyone, dark marks were beginning to feature prominently underneath her eyes. He knew that she had been taking most of the night watches and rarely, if ever, slept. Diana's state concerned him, a good leader always needed a solid head. As if sensing his scrutiny, Diana glared slightly before agreeing with a nod. Both Micah and Samuel immediately slid off their horse with relieved groans and began leading them to a nearby clearing. Lily tossed the reins to her horse to Scarlett before exchanging a quick word with Diana and vanishing into the forest. "Diana, could I have a quick word?" Zeke asked politely, noticing that nearly everyone was dozing off in the shade, happy for a reprieve.

"Of course," Diana replied, her thoughts whirling around in her head as they had been all week. They sat in the shade of a tree, a slight distance away from the clearing so they could talk and keep watch on the path.

"Why didn't you save him?" Zeke asked bluntly, releasing the question that had been tormenting him all week. Diana turned to him slightly surprised at the question.

"It was too late, even for me..."

"Cut the crap, Diana. I'm pretty sure I was closer to death than he was. Why did you save me, but not him?"