Maidens

Rising Sun

"Wake up, sleepy head," I teased Ravini, poking her side. In the past week, we had gone from spiteful enemies to somewhat friends.

When she didn't respond I poked her again. "It's our turn to hunt. I bet you I'll catch more deer at this rate."

"Not if I can help it," Ravini grumbled as she groggily sat up and gave me a half-hearted smile. Although we were on speaking terms, we still didn't completely trust each other.

Once she dressed in her hunting attire, we both rushed out. Today was important because it was a subtle test designed by Neelu and Jamun--or Jam, as she liked to be called--and whether we passed or failed determined whether we'd be able to move on to the next level.

"So, do you think we should work together, or alone?" I cautiously asked Ravini as we munched on some stale bread.

"Are you kidding? It's a test! Of course we're working alone," she snorted, as if it were obvious.

I rolled my eyes and replied, "Well, it couldn't hurt to help each other."

"Suit yourself. I'm a solo mission."

I shook my head. Why did she have to be so headstrong? Just when it seemed we were starting to get along, she had to blow everything out of proportion again. It's like she was afraid to be my friend...and maybe that was just it.

"Ravini, are you afraid to be my friend? You don't have to say anything--"

She stopped in her tracks.

"What's wrong?"

"Someone's coming. Quick, hide!" she rushed out, her green eyes becoming wider. She dragged me behind a bush.

"Why do we need to hide?"

"Because, it's the Wild One!"

I whipped around, all color draining from my face. What? Brenden? Just as Ravini had foretold, Brenden came blundering through the pathway. His eyes looked scared and he was calling out my name. Crap. I was screwed.

"Eletra! Eletra! Are you there?" he called out, stumbling blindly.

I had two choices right there. Help him or let him stay there in the open. All instincts in my body fought for the second choice, but I knew saving him was the right thing to do. I trundled out of the brush and caught the stumbling boy in my hands.

"Brenden? It's me, Eletra."

His wavering expression settled into a small smile as he touched my face.

"I need your help. Can I trust you?"

"Yeah, of course you--"

"Cayden, you've got a lot of explaining to do!" Ravini hissed, storming out from her hiding place.

"Later," I said, giving her a look that said, "Shut up."

To my pleasant surprise, she didn't speak, but gave me a fiery look of disbelief and betrayal. I ignored her and turned back to Brenden.

"Are they starving you? What's going-"

Brenden placed his finger to my lips. "I had a vision."

I froze in place and stumbled slightly askew.

"Sit down."

We hid behind the bushes and Brenden began to explain.

"It was about a war. Between the Maidens and the Empire. And it was not good. So much blood, almost everyone dead. Except for the leader of the Maidens and Gristo. In the vision, all of us were dead. You, me--Lyla over there--all dead. Just thought you should know, because the future isn't set. It's just one possible outcome of many circumstances. Going on the path we are now, that would be the end."