Peacebringer

Chapter Twenty Two - March to the Prison

Despite her sleepless night, Asha prepared herself quickly that morning, moving almost automatically. She packed her small backpack with a water bottle, the stone, and a few small snacks from the kitchen. She figured some of the released prisoners might be hungry, especially the children. Or her team might be hungry, which was extremely likely with Finn around.

She also slid on her father's ring. At this point, it felt like a good-luck charm, and she felt connected to it. It was a reminder for why she was fighting.

She was dedicating this attack to her father, and she tried to push the prophecy out of her mind. She was only taking the stone with her for safekeeping. Not that she thought anyone would come into the guest house, but she didn't want it to fall into the wrong hands. Someone kept coming in and stocking their kitchen.

Valda was already awake and waiting in the living room. She smiled, but it was clear that there was fear behind it. Even though this attack was pretty low risk, it was still nerve-wracking. It was their first attack.

They headed out of the house silently, heading towards the place where they had the strategy meeting the day before. That was the place where everyone gathered before a mission.

They had clearly arrived early, and had beaten Havi and Finn there. Rone and Tana were conversing near the podium, and a few other adult spinners and fighters were talking in small clusters.

"Does your stomach feel like a rock?" Valda asked.

"Yup. Didn't realize I would feel this bad." Asha replied.

"I am attacking my father's prison today. That's a weird thought." Valda was thinking out loud. "I am now committing treason..against my own father."

"Yeah..." Asha trailed off. "And no roasting Darkwater today, how unfortunate." The dark joke lightened the mood just enough to get a small giggle out of both of them.

"That will have to be the next mission. Operation toast the advisor." They both laughed quietly, their spirits slightly lifted.

Asha eyed Tana at the front of the benches. "I have the stone with me, do you think we should tell her now?" Asha reached into her backpack pocket to find it.

"Not yet," Valda cautioned. "We should at least wait for Finn, Havi, and Natalya. They will have as much to say about it as we do. And we shouldn't distract her with anything before the attack. Better to wait until after."

"That makes sense," Asha said as she replaced the stone. She closed the pocket securely with its leather straps. As she turned back, she noticed that Valda had a ring on that was very similar to hers, only smaller and gold.

"Where did you get that ring?" Asha asked, grabbing her hand for a closer look.

"It was my mother's wedding ring." Valda eyed Asha's ring. "What about yours?"

"It was my father's. My mother said he was a nobleman in the court for your father. Maybe they were made by the same jeweler."

Valda nodded hesitantly. Asha noticed her focused expression, like she was trying to figure something out. "That would make sense," She said after a moment. She didn't sound very convincing. She seemed doubtful.

Valda seemed like she was hiding something, but Asha couldn't figure out what.

Maybe she knows something about my father! Maybe she knew him! Asha thought excitedly. Just as she was about to ask, Finn, Havi, and Natalya showed up.

"Mornin' folks!" Natalya said said brightly with a stretch. "Who's ready to take down some rangers?"

"You know we won't actually be doing that part, right?" Havi asked. "We just break open the doors."