Celina: Eden

Priscilla Ardella (fin)

The mouth watering aroma of breakfast floated through the air as Priscilla sat the plate in front of Naenia. It was a brown, wicker plate that sizzled with fried eggs, ham, bacon, and tomatoes, Naenia's favorite.

The two were silent, which made the little girl uncomfortable. She squirmed around on her seat as she placed one of the eggs in her mouth, then toyed around with the other with her eating utensil.

"Madame Ardella? The food is good."

She turned to her with a smile and a "thanks, Naenia. Now eat up, you'll need your strength."

Instead, she continued to play with her food, still feeling uncomfortable, remembering that Varcus repeated everything Endel said yesterday. She couldn't believe something like that even plagued her mind. It was like a depiction of her guilt to her mind the way she kept poking at her food. The maiden noticed this, and wiped her hands on her apron.

"Aren't you going to eat, my sweet?"

"I just wanna say--thank you--for taking care of me. I guess--I was really mean yesterday. I'm--I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

She quickly moved over to Naenia, cupping her small hands into her long, slender hands as if she held a sacred treasure. Looking her in the eyes, Priscilla said: "it's okay my Naenia. Don't feel guilty. I know at times I make you feel as if I'm trying to take the place of your parents. I came on way too strong too early. At times, I feel like I am. And, I should know that's not fair to you. I'm projecting my daughter onto you and that's not fair to you in the slightest. I don't ever want you to feel obligated to stay, okay? You are much older now and have grown. I'm seeing that now. I was too overbearing and I'm the one that should be apologizing."

Naenia used her other hand to wipe a tear from her eye.

"You were just looking out for me. Those guys could've hurt me. And it's all because I didn't listen when you were just trying to protect me."

"I just want to look out for you, Naenia. Okay?"

She nodded in agreement.

"Good. Come here, child."

She stood up from the table as they both embraced each other tightly.

"I will let nothing happen to you."

Suddenly, Varcus looked in through the entrance, a worried look filled his face.

"Marauders in the distance. They are on the outskirts of Garris." He spoke quickly.
Priscilla looked up at her second in command, and so did Naenia.
"Varcus?"
"Endel and one of the adjacent posts spotted them coming."
Priscilla didn't waste time. She picked up her sword and strapped it to her waist. Naenia looked up at Priscilla. She gave Naenia a firm look.
"Stay here, Naenia. Don't stray far. Endel, please watch her."

Endel nodded his head obediently.

"Yes, Madame Ardella."

She started to walk away, but the little girl tugged at her dress.
"Let me go. Please, I wanna go too, Madame Ardella."
"Naenia, its too dangerous. Please, listen to me this time. Stay here with Endel, please."
Listen to me this time. What did she mean by that? Naenia couldn't comprehend.
Priscilla and Varcus stepped out into the opening. As they walked out, Naenia noticed, out in a nearby corner, was the two daggers that belonged to Priscilla. Did she leave them here? She walked over and picked both of them up and studied them.

Outside, Priscilla and Varcus walked through a grassy thicket.
"Commander, there's something that I found rather odd about the ones invading."
"Well, we'll take a few militias with us, just to make them think twice."
"Well, that's the thing, there's only one of the mangy dogs with his tail cowering between his legs."
"Well, he'll do more than play dead if he tries anything."
Once Priscilla and the gang rounded up to the near front of the village, they all stopped. Priscilla let out a sharp sigh of surprise.
"So, we meet again, Lady Ardella."
She wanted to speak, but her lips trembled, not in fear, but in an unrelenting anger. Her hand moved on its own to the hilt of her blade, gripping the handle.
"What are you doing here?"
She attempted to hold her composure. I am the leader of the Rebel Army for Garris Kingdom, I have to keep my wits about me.
"Well, I'm glad you asked, maiden. I want to come to a resolution..."
"Resolution? What resolution, Armand? What are you talking?" Priscilla asked, confused.
"I mean...a resolve one to where we conclude this tirade of the invading Mariners. We only seek what we deem having valuable assets, and we take what we can..."
"Take what you can...including Marin?"
"Marin? You'll have to get over that. There's nothing more I can do about that."
Priscilla started to unsheathe her blade.
"You think I'm supposed to just forget...forget and pretend that it never happened?!"
"Look," he started, "I understand we're the worst of enemies, but we have to keep the peace now. We don't want any meaningless bloodshed. Okay?"
"What are you getting at?! Get to your point and be on your way!" Varcus thundered, his voice could've shaken trees, but not Priscilla or the man before her.
"Well, I require a nice set of funds and we'll back off. No one else has to become casualties. Understood?"
Priscilla didn't want to disclose that she'd already taken casualties the other night due to the damned Red Moon.