Phoenix Reign

Chapter 8

"What?!" Iwulf exclaimed, "I didn't join this team to be on the sidelines! You said that we would be on the front lines!"

"This is the front line. We need more supporters if we want to win this war. That is our primary objective. This team is too valuable for that anymore. I can't send you out knowing that her face is splattered around the city," Celina argued.

"I spent years training for this position and you're telling me that I wasted it?" Iwulf demanded.

"No, of course not. You are a very important member of this movement; however, your job is to protect her and if that means to sit out every once and a while, then that is what you have to do." Celina said, trying to keep her composure.

"Regardless, our leader is in a cell right now, probably being tortured for information. We as a team cannot just sit by and let that happen." Rydan interjected.

"I assure you, I will put the best people on this issue—," Celina started.

Chaos erupted in the small office with Iwulf and Rydan challenging the rebellion leader.

"We are your best people! If not, you wouldn't have assigned us to guard her!" Iwulf roared, "We deserve to save her! We deserve to get back out there!"

"You tell us to be a team and now we want to be one and you want to stop us!" Ria continued.

"Leeca is a member of our team and it should be up to us to rescue her." Rydan agreed.

"And I understand but I can't let you go out there with our most valued advantage in nearly eight years—," Celina acknowledged.

"Alright that's enough!" I commanded them and they quieted immediately, "I will not have you arguing over my life." I looked at each of them, "I agree with Celina. We need to get out heads in gear and focus on the real objective and that is defeating King Milo."

My other team mates were angered at my statement, Iwulf even resorted to growling at me.

Celina sighed, "You are correct, Elysia. I should not have decided your life for you. I am sorry about that and I am grateful for your support. My decision still stands;  you will not participate in any missions, including the rescue of Leeca. That is all."

We reluctantly shuffled out of the office and headed down the hall.

"What the heck? Why aren't you on our side? Don't you want to rescue Leeca?" Iwulf exploded at me.

I raised one finger to my lips and continued down the hall. When we'd made it to a more secluded part of the hallway and out of earshot of any others, I turned to them. "I only said that to make her let us go. We weren't going to win that fight. But we still can help rescue Leeca."

The others gave me a puzzled look and I continued, "All we need to do is sneak out of here tonight."

"And how are we going to do that, genius?" Iwulf demanded.

"Rydan, can you get to our weapons and gather supplies for all of us?" I asked him.

"Yes, I can do it." Rydan said confused.

I turned to Ria, "Ria, can you gather enough food from the kitchen for the four of us for at least three days?"

"I think so." Ria nodded. "Are we really going to sneak out of base?"