Moon Kingdom: Fair Warning

Protection

          "Prophets of a god that doesn't exist," Bree snorted in derision, "Maybe we can convince them the sun god wants them to fight the bears."

"Well, what they were saying was- this man Mark and his wife and sister I mean- they were saying that the sun god threatened us with eternal winter because he was angry," Ava told them, "So we had to do more than just our current worship. We have to start offering sacrifices. Then he was quiet while people cheered and all. Only then he continued to say the sun god had revealed to him that his wife would be the first sacrifice."

"How did his wife react?" Athena asked.

"She cried." Ava stated.

Athena was stunned. A neighbour of theirs was willing to sacrifice his own wife to keep winter from coming. He must be insane, she thought, or else terrible cruel. Maybe both. She wished she knew more details about the supposed prophecy.

"Did they give any other details?" Klaus asked her.

"I heard something about a vision of a blizzard outside the wall." Ava pondered the question a bit longer, "But nothing else, I'm sorry."

"A blizzard?!" Athena's eyes widened.

Athena felt sick. She knew now exactly what the vision had been. The storm she had created to help save them had inspired the madness that now threatened at least one woman's life. They must have their home in the wall like they did and looked out when the three of them were flying through the sky toward the forest. They must have seen it as a threat to their warm winter. But where did the sacrifice part come from?

"Are you okay?" Bree asked her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Before that Athena hadn't even noticed that she was shaking. Now she looked up and saw the concerned faces surrounding her.

"It isn't your fault." Klaus said.

"What were the names of the so-called prophets?" Athena asked, trying to stay calm, "We need to get to them as soon as possible."

Ava was pleased that her news had been helpful in some way, but she still felt terribly confused about what was going on. Besides that, she was starting to get a headache.

"It was Mark, his wife Martha, and his sister-in-law Mary." She stood, excusing herself, "Well, I think I'll just go downstairs and visit our neighbours. It was nice meeting you all. Stop by for a drink anytime."

"Wait!" Athena didn't Ava to leave. She didn't want her to get caught up in all the partying again. She felt guilty about letting her get this far into it, "We're going to need your help."

"We are?" Klaus asked.

Bree kicked him gently and looked at him angrily, "Yes, we do."

"Oh. Right." Klaus nodded, "You're part of our plan, apparently."

"Speaking of our plan," Diana said, "We're wasting time now. We need a concrete plan and we need to put it onto action."

Athena noticed Klaus took notice when Diana spoke, but she couldn't get distracted by that now. Her plan needed more definition and now was the time.

"Okay, Ava," Athena began, "Start by opening those bags and bringing out the food. We can eat while we plan."

Ava groaned, and held her head as she walked to the bags. Seeing this, Athena tapped her ring and sent a flurry to her friend's head, hoping to ease any pain that was occurring. Then she turned her attention to the rest of her friends. She wondered where to begin.

"I want to go look for these prophets." Bree said, "I want to stop them myself."

She was passionately set on this course of action so Athena nodded, "I think Klaus and I need to start rounding up some people to tell them what's really going on. We can take the horses and gather as many, uh, troops, as possible. I think I need Klaus's commanding nature to convince them."

"I will let you address the people first," Klaus said, "But I do have a backup plan in case they don't listen. And I have a sword."

"Yeah, that should help." Bree laughed, "And that dagger!"

"I still don't understand why Sonya gave me this stuff." Diana frowned.

"I think you should wear the pendant." Klaus said, "It's part of your history and maybe it will protect you."

"I don't want it to protect me." She said angrily, "I'm supposed to be leaving it behind!"

Athena frowned. They were beginning to get distracted again. She couldn't even control a small group of friends. How was she supposed to command an army of mostly strangers? It was going to take a miracle.

"I will wear the Spiritess pendant." She said, "But Diana please hold onto that dagger. The weapon was clearly meant for you to have. When it's time, you can protect yourself."

Despite this encouragement, Diana felt uncertain. She didn't see the blade as something meant to empower her but as a threat against her new found independence. The Spiritess women, she was certain, were just trying to get into her head.

Bree filled a small bag with a bit of food and headed towards the door. She hoped that everyone would be able to stay focused. She hesitated at the top of the stairs, wondering if maybe she should ask Diana and Ava to join her in finding the sun prophets. Somehow it felt easier, and safer, to go alone.

After Bree left, and after they had taken a few bites of food, Athena and Klaus grabbed their things and left to prepare the horses. Klaus had put on light armour and carried his sword at his hip. Before leaving, he moved in close to Diana and kissed her forehead gently. Nobody was looking at them but Diana still blushed and felt embarrassed. Athena, meanwhile, was fiddling with her ring. The lapis lazuli stone set in gold was her only weapon. She just hoped its power would be enough.