The Rebel's Wish

The Siege

Varyna woke to see Blackmane standing over her. She lay on the forest floor, a small yet seemingly large hut around her.  She made to speak, but only a soft noise, silent and hardly a word, escaped her lips.
    "Your brother thinks you're dead."  Blackmane kneaded her side. "It's safe, my queen."
   A sound rustled behind him.
   Varyna stiffened but immediately regretted the decision as pain, sharp as a knife, flooded through every one of her wounds.
   "Relax." A soothing voice, silky enough to rival Varyna's own, announced. A white wolf, matching Varyna except for the scars, stepped forward. The thick-furred wolf had sapphire blue eyes and a very elegant muzzle, which undoubtedly hid sharp, white teeth. "I am Luna, the one who rescued you."
    Varyna could do nothing but watch as Luna set water in front of her.
   She lapped it up swiftly, finding her voice. "Why did you save me?" She inquired of the healer.
   "I saw no purpose to let you die, Varyna." Luna gestured to Blackmane. "Your.... /talent/ can be quite convincing."
    Seeing Blackmane's confused gaze, Varyna replied, "His feelings are his own."
   Luna snorted, the first sound of contempt Varyna heard from her. "What do you want?" Varyna snarled.
   "I see good things coming from your cause." She announced. Behind Luna, a white lion, with red eyes, let out a roar of approval. "Meet Lilos." She introduced before turning her attention back to Varyna.
   "Once your wounds heal," Luna told her, "The best fighters of my tribe and I will go with you to take the Kingdom."
   

     Nearly a week later, Varyna had healed. She had done little the past few days, mainly eating, sleeping and exchanging siege plans with Luna and Lilos.
    Today, she would have the kingdom in her power. It would be hers.
    She got up, padding over to Blackmane. "Are you ready?"
    He nodded, but there was something in his eyes. 'He's scared of losing.' Varyna mused.
    "Tell me what's wrong." She whispered into his ear, keeping her power hidden.
   "I don't want to lose you."
   Startled, she looked away. Yes, she had told Luna that Blackmane truly had feelings for her. But what he had just told her frightened her. It frightened her to the very core, and, for the first time in a long time, she didn't know what to do.     "I........"
   He hushed her by sliding his tail across her mouth. "Don't speak."
  She leapt at him, but she slipped and hit her head against the ground.

  
  Varyna woke. It was the day of traveling, and she couldn't show weakness from the throbbing in her head.
   Luna and her tribe had gathered at the edge of the forest, ready to follow Varyna as they sought to end the war against the soon-to-end dictatorship in Quarep.