Peace In Desperation's Hour

Chapter 5

After this day went by, we all separated into two different bedrooms. Boys in one room, and girls in another. Once in there, Lora immediately fell asleep, snuggled in her bed like a baby. Saphra, sat on her bed reading a book, which seemed to be part of this house. Rostella had changed my bandages after applying more medicine to my burn. It was healing more quickly than I thought. After that, she also fell asleep on her bed. I laid on my bed on my side and pretended to be asleep.

Just as soon as I knew the princess was asleep, I sat up and sighed softly. My thoughts turned to what was happening. As soon as I can walk on my leg again, I would have to start training for protecting myself as well as the others. I then looked at my leg and immediately thought about Tamiko. I sure hope she was safe.

Then I thought about Ophania itself. Its citizens were divided into two groups. They were either Refugees or they were Captives. I am now a Refugee. I started to wonder which group Tamiko was in. Hopefully, she was in neither group. "Jewel...?" I heard a soft voice speak.

I look towards it and found Lora looking at me from her bed. "Why aren't you asleep? We have to rest up, especially you."

I looked back down and finally whispered. "I can't sleep. I just have a lot on my mind."

The two of us probably stayed that way for a few minutes, until I heard Lora climb off of her bed and walk towards my bed. She sits on the other side and pulls her legs towards her chest. "Tell me about it." She said.

I look up at her and then shake my head. "It's nothing. Just go back to bed."

"Don't say it's nothing." She tells me. "Big Brother tells me that when you tell somebody what's bothering you before you go to bed, you get to sleep better. He does this when I can't sleep."

I look at her. Then I smile. "I guess you're right. But promise to not tell anybody?"

"I promise." She smiled.

"Okay." I said, taking a quick breath. I looked back down. "I was just thinking about everything that is happening, and I was thinking about my best friend."

"What happened?" She asked.

"I helped her escape the city before I ran and was rescued by Aaron. I don't know where she is right now. I just don't want her to be going through all of this. I don't know if she is with another Refugee group, or if she was captured. We both looked after each other ever since we met. Now, Ophania is under siege and she could be anywhere."

It was silent for a few seconds, until I felt two arms wrap around me. I then saw Lora hugging me. "I'm sorry. From what it sounds like, you must be like sisters. I can't imagine what it would be like to be separated from family. Big brother has been raising me since our parents died, and he has been doing a good job. I would be really sad if I was separated from him when Ophania was invaded."

I smiled and hugged her back. "Don't worry, I promise you will see her again. If you want, I can help keep a look out for her."

"That's nice, but I don't know where she...or where we are." I said.

"I don't know where we are either, but Big Brother says we are skillfully hidden within a forest." Lora tells me, pulling away from the hug. "It will be really hard for the Hakai army to find us."

I didn't know that we were in a forest, but I guess that will be easier on me. "Hey Lora, can I ask how you got here? Where we are at?"

Lora looks up and smiles. "Okay. Big brother and I lived in the small town of Kipin, when the town was attacked. We escaped thanks to knowing a hidden route that lead outside. When we made it outside, we continued to walk from there, and we met Rostella and Rikuto. They brought us here, where we met the princess and Mr. Sage. A few hours later, Big Brother met Aaron. And you were unconscious, with that bad burn on your leg. Aaron knew Rikuto, so that is how we formed our team."

"Really? That's so cool." I said.

"Uh-huh. Ever since, Big Brother and the boys have been doing a good job taking care of us. Mr. Sage and Rikuto take turns keeping watch for any suspicious people or in case we find other Refugees. Aaron is a skilled hunter, and knows how to find good nuts and berries. Big brother does a ton of work by gathering wood and cooking.

"Rostella is a daughter of her hometown doctor, so she knows a lot about medicine and treating others. Princess Saphra and I help keep this place clean." She explains. "Tomorrow, after we help your leg, and if we start training, we can find out where you can help out. For now, we should get some sleep."

"Yeah..." I said, laying back down. "Good night Lora."

Lora got off my bed and smiled. "Good night Jewel. Sleep well."

She walked back to her bed and immediately fell asleep. I laid down and looked up. Tamiko...please...stay safe. I closed my eyes, and slowly fell asleep. Tomorrow, my new life starts.