"Follow me, Miss Jude." I run after Hazel towards the group of tents. Once we're in the camp, we walk through the first line of tents and Hazel greets several soldiers. They are made up of humans, horses, monkeys, lions, rabbits and so much more. All dressed in green and gold armor. Then...I notice everyone is staring at me. Maybe I should have changed from my blue hoodie before stepping foot here. I'm never going to keep a low profile looking like this! Which is funny because if I was back in Chicago, I'd be blending in perfectly. Well Jude, you're definitely not in Chicago anymore. Why can't I just tap my sneakers together and be back home?
"Don't mind them, Miss Jude. You just kinda stand out. Uhh..." Hazel scans the tents, "Ah, Marjory! Come on, Jude, follow me." Hazel and I follow a woman who looks to be in her fifties into a tent. Once inside, the woman and Hazel embrace.
"So happy to see you're well, Hazel." The woman smiles.
"And you too. Marjory, sorry it's been so long. Too long."
"Well you're here now. Oh! Who's this?" Marjory inquires.
"This is a new friend of mine. Miss Jude Mason, which is the reason why I flagged you down. We need to change these drapings fast."
"Ah yes! This poor girl sticks out like a sore thumb! Come with me, child. I'll find you something to wear." I really didn't think my blue hoodie was all that bad...but I guess if it helps to me to blend in, I can't complain.
Marjory hands me a green dress with a pair of brown boots. I change quickly and pack my strange drapings into a sack Marjory handed me.
"Well, Miss Jude, you're a vision!" Marjory exclaims.
"Oh uh thank you." I thought the point was that this was going to help me not stand out...
"Marjory, have you seen Tristan about?" Hazel asks.
"I think I saw him working with some of the new recruits?"
"Thanks! We'll head over there. I'll stop by later so we can catch up. You need to make that jasmine spiced tea!"
"O'course. I'll have a nice big pot of it ready for you," Marjory waives goodbye and I continue to follow Hazel through the camp. We make our way to the training grounds where young soldiers are practicing with wooden swords and shields.
"You need to remember, it's not just your sword that will protect you. Hey Marcus, come over here real quick!" A young man with light brown hair who's dressed in a grey long sleeve shirt and dark brown pants with tall black boots shouts. Another man with a dark beard and long hair runs to meet him.
"Ok, Marcus. Come at me." The man named Marcus attacks the young man, but he lifts his shield blocking the attack and comes out quickly with his sword stopping the blade before it touches Marcus' throat. Wow, remind me not to get in a sword fight with him. The young recruits applaud at this man's impressive demonstration and Hazel runs towards him.
"Hazel! You're back! Any news?" the young man enthusiastically asks.
"We've been seeing more and more spies in the northern Oaks forest but nothin' too drastic. I see we have more recruits."
"Yeah, lots of fresh blood and potential. We'll get them all sorted quick. They're pretty fast learners."
"Good to see our numbers growing. Tristan, do you mind if we speak in private?" Hazel whispers.
"Of course. We can speak in my tent." We follow this young man to his tent. Inside lies one large wooden table covered with maps. In a chair, sits a suit of armor with weapons laid out neatly next to it.
"So what did you need to discuss, Hazel?"
"Tristan, this is Jude. I found her in Willow Tree Wood. She...she is not from Althion. She walked from her World into ours." God, it sounds even crazier when a talking squirrel says it aloud.
"It's not possible. She must be lying." 'Lying'? Before I can interject, Hazel replies.
"It's the truth, Tristan. She's truly not from here. I think she might be..."
"Don't even say it, Hazel. That ancient foretelling was just a story - a fable passed down to us to give us a false sense of hope. We cannot waste any more time hoping some mythical child will save us. The reality is we are in a war, and I'm sorry to say - we're losing."
"But your maj-"
"No, Hazel. I'm sorry, but I don't have time to keep talking about this. I need to focus on the Althions we have in front of us. They're real. Their lives, their families, their children are real. And they are what I am concerned with."
Hazel looks defeated. I feel defeated. This man is making feel as if I made the entire thing up. I don't know what to believe...
"I apologize for my conduct, Hazel. I don't mean to belittle you. I know how important you are to our cause. I just can't discuss that lore anymore. If you need anything else, you know you can always come to me." Tristan holds up the cloth door to the tent signaling its Hazel's and my time to depart. As we walk out, I look at this young man who has made me feel completely insignificant. He's not going to help. I need to look for someone who will.
Hazel's head is down and I can tell from her silence she's upset.
"It's alright, Hazel. I'm sure we can find someone else, right?"
"Um, yes, Miss Jude. I'll find a way to get you home." I don't dare ask her about the conversation between Tristan and herself. She thinks I'm this so-called Chosen One. I don't want any part of this. I just want to get out of this place. I don't belong here.
We make our way back to Marjory's tent. She has a pot of tea prepared for us. It actually could not have come at a better time. This soothing spicy liquid is comforting me. After we eat dinner, Marjory asks me if I mind staying with a "Miss Lee" since she has extra room. I agree and Hazel walks me over to her tent.
"Evening, Lee. Thank you again for taking in Miss Jude. It won't be for long." Hazel speaks.
"Don't think anything of it. Jude, feel free to stay here as long as you like," Lee smiles. She looks to be about mid-forties. She has short dark hair with a few silver strands and blue eyes. Her eyes are so kind and her voice is so heartening. I honestly believe her when she says she doesn't mind if I stay here for as long as I need.
"Miss Jude, I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, okay? I need to make a few inquiries."
"Thank you, Hazel." Once Hazel departs, I'm left with Lee in her tent.
