Land of the Hidden

Clodagh

One morning at the breakfast table, Clodagh decided to join the five, she didn't normally do this as she did not need to eat. She simply liked to listen to them talk and laugh amongst each other. She didn't understand most of the things they talked about but she knew it made them happy. Unlike Esmeralda, Clodagh was beginning to see the five teens as people with personalities that deserved friendship and parents, rather than pieces in some cosmic war game (Ria's words not Clodagh's). Remembering the first time she later eyes on each of them always made Clodagh feel happy, to the extent of what she knew about the emotion. They did not know it but Clodagh had been watching over the five since they could talk. She felt content when she saw how much they cared for each other, since they were taken from their families it was as if Tammika, Jared, Louise, Raphael and Ria were making their own family here in the hideout. Ria turned to Clodagh and grinned.
"To what do we owe the pleasure Clo?" Clodagh liked it when Ria gave her a nickname. It made her feel accepted.
"I simply wish to listen, I hope you do not find me rude." The five smiled kindly, "that's no problem." Louise reassured her.

During training Clodagh wondered over how far the five had come over the past few months. Occasionally they would fight side by side, defending each other. Round and round they would go, defeating each hallucination quicker than the first.
"It uplifting no? Seeing how good they are getting?" Clodagh turned to see Esmeralda sitting next to her. "Yes, I like it when they work together, protect each other."
Esmeralda nodded "it is a shame really, that only one of them can lead the army. As much as I dislike it this is a competition." Startled Clodagh looked at her leader "this is a competition?"
"Why of course my child, five people can't lead together. Too many cooks do ruin the broth."
"They are not cooking soup."
"My dear, it is but a figure of speech." And in a very Esmeralda like fashion Esmeralda disappeared.

Clodagh watched as Tammika and Jared high fived. Surely there was no way Esmeralda could make them turn against each other. It must be possible for them to lead an army together she thought to herself. The only way these teens were coping was that they had each other.

Esmeralda's words weighed on Clodagh's mind all day long. She couldn't shake feeling... Betrayed. This confused Clodagh as betrayal was not something she had felt before. Something told her she should warn them. "Ria?" She asked. The Laquiel looked up from her book, narnia the lion, the witch and the wardrobe
"Yes? Clo what's wrong? Sit down." Clodagh sat down next to Ria who smiled reassuringly "you can trust me, I'm your friend." Clodagh's heart swelled. No one had ever said she was their friend. "Ria it's about Esmeralda."
"Shoot."
"Shoot what?" Confused Clodagh tilted her head slightly and looked at Ria.
"No you silly, it means go ahead." At that moment Esmeralda appeared,
"Ria, Clodagh, how lovely to see you talking. Clodagh? May I talk to you for a second?" Confused by the fluttering in her stomach Clodagh got up and followed Esmeralda. "I certainly hope you weren't going to talk about what we discussed." Esmeralda sternly told Clodagh.
"Um, no ma'am" Clodagh said, somehow unable to look Esmeralda in the eye.
"You're a terrible liar Clodagh. Don't make me move  you, Crystal could do just as good a job. Are we clear?" Clodagh nodded solemnly.
"Yes, I understand."
"This is what's best Clodagh. I am trying to save the world."

After Esmeralda left Ria walked up to Clodagh. "What did the dragon want?"
"I am sorry Ria, I am not permitted to talk about it." Ria raised her eyebrows
"Suit yourself. Hey, what did you want to tell me? You know before she appeared." Clodagh shook her head,
"Nothing, it was nothing." Confused, Ria watched Clodagh hurry away.

That night, Clodagh climbed up to the astronomy room, she enjoyed looking at the stars. She had been a star once. Before she fell to earth as an Elitian. Not even the stars could dull the unease in her stomach. Wether Esmeralda liked it or not Clodagh would find a way to warn Ria, before it was to late.