Astra Falls

Chapter 16

NO POV
The day for the rebellion had finally arrived. In the castle, the Princess Alea sat by her window and watched the sun rise. Even though the sky was gloomy, she could see the dull outline of the sun. She missed her friends back in Chicago. She never wanted to be a princess but her mother had the crazed thought of having ownership of the kingdom, of fulfilling an unfinished quest of her ancestor. Her mother was using her to get the kingdom even though she knew her chances of winning were thin. She always did keep a brave face in front of anyone, and act cruel. It pained her whenever she had to sentence someone to death or to the deepest darkest part of the dungeons.
She thought back to the previous day when her mother had brought out the alter-necklace. It was the opposite of the royal necklace. It made whoever wore it to become utterly evil. She had avoided wearing it for the past few months but today she knew her mother was going to make sure she actually wore the necklace. Today, they were expecting the rebellion to attack according to her mother's minions.
With a deep breath, she stood up and went to look at the mirror. She studied herself and ran her arm on the tattoo she had gotten with Jason back home. It was forever written in Spanish.
Por siempre
A maid knocked on the door and she quickly covered it up quickly.
"Come in." she said and the young maid of about sixteen rushed in. she looked around before she looked at the princess.
"Lovely morning your highness." She curtsied with a smile.
"Hello Viola. How are you?"
"I'm doing good today and you my princess?" she asked sweetly. The princess sighed as her shoulders drooped. Viola was the only one who knew the real Alea. She knew how nice she was and how she was only doing it for her mother. Alea went to the glass case that held the necklace and fingered the edges.
"I really don't want to do it Viola." She whispered.
"I'm so sorry your highness. You've been very kind to me despite your mother and I'm forever grateful for that. If there was a way I could help I would." She said rushing to the princesses' side. Her face was sullen so she tried to make her smile,
"You know, sometimes when you act wicked around other people, it seems so realistic." She smiled and was happy to see she had a desired effect on Alea.
"I must say, I'm a good actress." Alea winked as they both laughed.
Immediately the door to the bedroom flew open and Alea's mother-Yordana- stepped in. she looked at Viola who had cringed at the sight of her with disdain and came towards her daughter.
"I asked you to run my daughter a bath not disturb her with your incessant chatter." She said to Viola with a scowl. The maid bowed and apologized to the Queen before running to the bathroom.
"How are you today?" she said to her daughter whose face was away from hers. Alea bite her lips and braced herself for the worst before looking at her mother.
"Wicked." She said with a smirk. "I can't wait to destroy Astra Falls' mother." She smiled.
"That's my girl. Go get ready, I'll meet you in the dining hall." Yordana said as she left the room banging the door on her way out. As soon as she was gone, Alea groaned in frustration and let out a ball of energy to the sofa by the window and it broke into two. Viola rushed out shaking her head. This wasn't the first time she vented her anger or frustration to her furniture.
"Your bath is ready." She said holding Alea's hands. The first time she tried that, Alea hurt her but when she realized what she had done, she felt remorse. Viola had the power to spread positive energy. If someone was angry, she could touch the person and dissolve the negativity with her mind.
Viola's brown had turn to gold and her eyes were distant. Alea felt the calmness wash over her and her breathing slowed down and she became weak. She slumped and Viola helped her stand up and got her to the bathroom.

It was almost mid-day when Dawn woke up. She noticed she was lying on the couch and had been covered with a soft material. A material which she couldn't decipher its kind. She removed it and it disappeared. She smiled as she realized it was magic. Vincent walked up to her and sat beside her.
"How did my Princess sleep?" He smiled at her.
"Like a baby." She stretched.
"That's good to know."
"When do we leave?" Dawn asked sitting upright.
"In a bit." He replied with a grin.
"Cancel the attack."
"What?" he replied his grin disappearing.
"We can't just cancel the attack, we've been preparing for today for almost two decades." He combed his hair back with his hand and looked up at Eke who had approached them.
"What's wrong? You look restless Vincent, not like its anything new." Eke said as Vincent shot her a sour look. "Whoa! Easy on the eyes what's wrong?"
"Your best friend here, just canceled the attack." Vincent said standing up.
"I don't feel too good." Dawn said running out of the fort, the two looking at here confused.
"I'll go talk to here, you stay here." Eke said as she ran after her.
On getting outside, Eke saw Dawn stroking Aarya's mane. She went closer nodding at Nuriah and Orien on her way. Dawn turned to look at her as she approached.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Eke asked when she had closed the distance between the two. Dawn sighed and sat beside Aarya leaning on her and Eke did the same facing her.
"What do you think about us attacking now?' Dawn asked while scratching her head.
"I think we've waited long enough for it and its time we,"
"No." Dawn cut her off, "I want you to answer me based on wisdom. Think about your response first. You can ask your past selves for advice but don't just rush to answer."
Eke sighed and sat up straighter. She closed her eyes and let herself zone out to think. She felt the breeze tickle her cheeks as it ran through her hair slowly. The distinct song of birds in the distance, the soft feel of the grass beneath her feet. She felt herself begin to relax and levitate.
All the worries of the past 17 years of her life seeped out of her. She had started preparing for the war when she was two years old and ever since then the only thought she had ever had was to fight till death today. The whole point of today was so they could have the element of surprise on their side, but the whole kingdom knew about it so that element was no longer theirs. It would most likely favor the evil side of the war. Dawn was right.
"So tell me what you thought of." Dawn said when Eke had opened her eyes.
"We could attack at night. We could stop them before the eclipse."
"Sure. I didn't even think of that." Dawn said nodding slowly as Eke stood up quickly.
"I'll go tell the others." She said as she ran inside.
Dawn sighed and let her head hit Aaryas' softly.
"Do you want to talk about it Princess?"
"No. please don't call me Princess, Dawn is fine by me or Alastair as I've come to know." Dawn sighed. "Please take me to see Alea once more." She said as she mounted Aarya who flew up without another word.
She flew up to the clouds and let Dawn who had close her eyes to savor the peace and serenity of the sky then swooped down to the roof of the castle with one flap of her wings.